NEW ENGLAND MOTORSPORTS NORTH
By Lou Modestino (for 3/20-3/22/09)
 
 
He has been in speedway promotions since the 1970’s following a tour in Viet Nam. He has organized and promoted races in New Hampshire and Florida over three decades with much success. He has orchestrated radio shows, owned a Florida speedway, and promoted the famed Volusia County Speedway in Barber Florida, can talk a dog off a truck load of steaks, and if given the opportunity, get you into the biggest concert venues possible. Bob Watson loves a challenge, and the soon to be 60 year old track manager agrees, “The 2009 season is going to be a challenge.”

“I’m optimistic,” said Watson recently, days after returning from the recent Speedway EXPO racecar show promoting Lee USA Speedway; the track Watson started his career at in the mid-70’s. Reflecting on the country’s economic status, Watson agrees it will be tough, but he expects to survive. “Every time we have a crisis like this, we survive, we do okay. The crisis of the 70’s was the fuel shortage. That was a challenge but we got through it. We got through the high gas prices last year. Am I concerned, yes, I’m very concerned, but I’m confident we’ll get through it. We just have to work harder.”

Last year Watson threw himself on the seacoast and southern Maine in an attempt to get new fans, kids, and local people involved in his racetrack. At seasons end it was felt that despite the economy and gas prices, Watson’s theory of “working the coast” paid off in a big way. Solid crowds, first time fans, old time fans visiting Lee for the first time in years.

John Spence Sr., the tracks chief announcer and a long time friend and colleague points out Watson has always been a strong believer of being visible as much as possible. Follow him around for a summer and you’ll quickly find out.

“I recall talking to Bob last winter. We were concerned about the high gas prices. We agreed we’d have to go hard and market around the speedway. Bob focused his advertising, press releases, and flyers, on a 20-mile radius around Lee. He hauled an ISMA super modified all over the seacoast to promote the ISMA race, at car shows, at fairs, parades, malls, got involved in radio station broadcasts, helped start a racing talk show in Dover, bought radio time on area stations, gave away tickets, passed out flyers at schools, libraries, did special deals, you know Bob, he always has a deal going, the guy literally blanketed the area and the result was very clear.  From the tower each week, we saw more and more new faces, families, and kids all over that Kid Zone. I personally had not seen crowds (kids) like that since the 80’s, the guy lives to promote. Like Russ Conway, Bob could get people come to watch snow melt.” Spence said.

Watson has a genuine concern for the competitor. Always trying to make things better for the race team, this season will be no different. His popular racecar show at the Lilac Mall, Rochester, NH, March 20 through the 22, has an abundant amount of cars ready for the weekend. Fully realizing the economy will take its toll this year, a new coupon book will be made available to his weekly competitors that will save them money when touring shows drive up the price of pit area admittance.

“If the weekly racer registers prior to April 1, they’ll receive a coupon book. The coupon will be presented when signing in on race night for the events that carry a higher back gate fee. That way the competitor will always pay the same price they do for our weekly events. The coupon books will be available at the Lilac Mall show,” said Watson

Watson also stated that his open wheel division, the small-block Super-Modifieds would run a reduced schedule this year, by choice. “After talking with our competitors, we all decided that 14 races were enough, that it was better for them.” he said.

 Lee opens its season on Sunday afternoon April 19 with the ACT Late Model Series 150 lap event. and a full program.

New England race fans are counting the days until the season-opening Thompson ICEBREAKER kicks off the 25^th year of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour’s racing season. The ICEBREAKER ushers in the beginning of the season for the Modified Tour and for Thompson’s “Super Six” NASCAR All American Series divisions. All of this is scheduled for the weekend of April 4 & 5 at the Thompson International Speedway.

Preparations for this event have been going on for some time and winter weary fans are beginning to get excited about the start of another season of exciting races at the historic speedway. The first signs of racing will come alive this Saturday, March 21 when virtually any legal race car will be welcomed at Thompson for the first of two open practice sessions. The second such session will be held on Saturday, March 28.  The director of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, Chad Little, has given permission to “Tour” teams to take advantage of both of the Thompson open practice dates. The open practices will be held between the hours of 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Thompson’s ICEBREAKER is one of he most exciting race weekends of the season. New teams, new drivers, new paint schemes and more are mixed with the return of many veteran race teams. Some driver’s find themselves working with new cars and crews while others return with their tried and true cars and teams. Each race team looks to kick start their season with a good finish at the ICEBREAKER. Many racers believe that a good performance at the ICEBREAKER will lead to a successful season of competition in their respective divisions.

Many eyes will be on the famed NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour team owned by Mystic, CT veteran car owner, Bob Garbarino.  This team, with driver Donnie Lia, won the 2007 “Tour” championship. Lia then moved to the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. His 2009 efforts will be centered on the Garbarino team’s desire to capture a second Modified Tour title. However, Lia will compete in selected Camping World Truck Series events as well.

Lia’s championship year began with wins in five of the first eight events and that momentum carried him to the team’s first-ever division title. Both Lia and Garbarino have made no secret about the fact that they are looking for that second title. Defending champ, Ted Christopher, along with last year’s ICEBREAKER winner, Ed Flemke, Jr. may have something to say about that, as will many other WMT race teams searching for the season-ending brass ring.

Thompson’s ICEREAKER will be a two-day event with practice and qualifying on Saturday, April 4. Once qualifying events have been completed, fans will be treated to the first of two feature races that weekend from Thompson’s Sunoco Modifieds and the Late Models. Each of these divisions will compete in feature event races on both Saturday and Sunday.

The introduction of Thompson’s Super Late Model division will also take place as part of the ICEBREAKER weekend. Super Late Models is the new name for the track’s former Pro Stock division. The name change was announced over the winter and was done to more closely reflect the changes that these ultra sleek and fast racecars have gone through in recent years.

In addition to the WMT, Sunoco Modifieds and Super Late Models, the ICEBREAKER will also host the Thompson Modifieds, Late Models, Limited Sportsman and Mini Stock divisions. Competition in these divisions is also expected to be fierce.  2008 division champs will be looking to defend their titles while others will be dedicated to claiming the crowns themselves.

Race fans look forward to the ICEBREAKER every year with great anticipation. It is not only a huge racing weekend, but it is also a truly wonderful social event. Campers take full advantage of the track’s free parking policy and move in as early as a week before the race. The Thompson complex offers fans a full lineup of food, drink and fun at the on-site Raceway Restaurant and Lounge.  It all starts Friday night with a special Clubhouse menu for dinner. The famous breakfast buffet will be available on both Saturday and Sunday mornings. Saturday night is when the clubhouse shines with a special ICEBREAKER menu and live entertainment. On Sunday night, once the racing is complete, many fans avoid the traffic congestion by heading to the Clubhouse for food and drink to complete the season-opening celebration.

Tickets for ICEBREAKER 09 are now available by calling the track office. 860-923-2280. More information along with the weekend’s schedule, the entire season’s schedule, and driver rosters, nearby accommodations, attractions and much more are all-available on the Thompson web site.  www.thompsonspeedway.com.

Here’s some information from James Respoli, formerly of Londonderry, NH, who races motorcycles. “Well my first Daytona race as a pro has come and gone and I can tell you it had both its ups and downs for sure. Overall I have no complaints because I know I gave it everything I had in my preparation leading up to the season opener and left nothing on the table when I went on the track as well.  I first have to thank my team for all they did in getting my equipment ready and the outstanding support they provided me all week long. Dick Weirbach prepared some awesome motorcycles, and he and the crew were awesome in making sure my ride was top every time I went on to the track.

My Weirbach Racing/Bettencourt Suzuki was just plain hooked up and rocked all week long!!!  I also want to shout out to Dave Bettencourt of Bettencourt Suzuki of Bridgewater, MA for the years of outstanding support he has provided me and other racers.  I was saddened to hear Dave (Bettencourt) didn’t make it down to Daytona this year due to illness to see his motorcycle and sponsored rider in the #1 spot at the famous Daytona Stadium.  I know this win puts a smile on his face.

The two nights of racing were great.  On Wed. I qualified third fastest and was feeling really good about getting into the main event.  My heat race wasn’t stacked too tough and I should have been able to transfer to the main pretty easily.  Unfortunately, on the second lap JD Beach was stood up by a rider and went down right in front of me with no place to go. My bike stalled after I hit into him and I was sent to the LCQ.  Under the new race format there were no B races so 18 of us who missed out had one more chance to get in the show.  I had to come from the 16th place and third row on the grid and find a way to the top four spots otherwise I was done for the night. I only had six laps to do it and was determined that I was going to get in that main event.  I got a great start from the outside and immediately shot to the bottom of the track going into one.  I pushed my way passed several riders and exited two drifting out to get to an open spot on the track to get it turned making a long straight away. 

I got a great drive and while everyone was trying to hold their position I shot right back through the middle with a great hook up and passed 4-5 people as I headed into to turn three on lap one.  I was in 8th place after the first lap and went to work. I chipped my way up to 5th with two laps to go and closed in on the riders battling for third and fourth, the last transfer spot.  On the last lap I stuck it in hard banging off riders. On my exit of turn four I got under both riders and exited in second only to give a big old handful of throttle and high side the bike a little allowing both riders back around me. I finished in fifth and was not going to the main. 

While I was really mad at myself, I had no one to blame; I just didn’t get it done. Beach was behind me somewhere and knew he wasn’t going to be a factor.  I was upset for a little while, who wouldn’t be, but I shook it off and went out to watch the races to see what I could learn for Thursday nights race.

On Thursday I was rested and ready to put it on the field.  In the first timed practice I aced the run and was on top of the leader board by 4/10ths of a second, a huge amount.  It was funny because at dinner the night before, I told a friend of mine that I was going to do exactly that, get pole by 4/10ths.  However, the track crew allowed the track to groove up for the next time trial and my set up wasn’t exactly the best for those conditions. The west coast groove track specialist and those from the PA car tracks burned some quick laps while my bike bucked a little and lost a fraction in overall lap time.  I ended up sixth fastest out of around 60 riders.

My heat was uneventful, I just practiced my hole shot and stayed out of trouble.  I won that race and was set up for a front row start in the main event.  In the main, I concentrated and got the hole shot again and was off.   My Weirbach Racing/Bettencourt Suzuki was hooked up and tracking awesome on the newly prepared track for the final.  I knew if I could put in some hot laps I would force my competition to race each other allowing me to find the best lines on the track up and out of the way of all the commotion on the track.  My goal was to stay consistent and steady and I led start to finish to win my first Daytona Stadium Pro race under the light and in front of a sell out crowd. I had a little pressure from Austin Greenland and Brad Baker, but knew my bike was better coming off of turn four and just made it happen.

On the cool down lap I was overjoyed that I just dropped my bike and ran up to the fence to embrace the fans.  All I could see was them cheering and screaming and it was awesome.  On the podium I got to thank my team and sponsors but also wanted to dedicate the race to my mom and good friend Alex Lyskawa who both were taken from us too early last year.  I finally got a chance to spray some champagne and raise that #1 trophy for the media.  The feeling was like nothing else. Last, I just want to thank all my sponsors who stayed with me all through my amateur career and helped me get to this point. And to all you fans, thank you for allowing us riders to put on a show that you enjoy and wants to make you come back for more.  I can’t wait for Springfield!”

 New England racing legend Stanley “Stub” Fadden died on Wednesday. He was 75 years old. Fadden, of North Haverhill, N.H., won more than 230 feature races in his career spanning more than 30 years, including four on the old NASCAR Busch North Series, where he was a mainstay for 12 seasons.

Fadden was the grandfather of two-time Camping World East Series champion Mike Olsen, who continues to run his team under the banner of “Fadden Racing.” Before Fadden’s retirement from full-time competition after the 1998 season, he and Olsen formed the only grandfather-grandson team in NASCAR history.  Our condolences go out to his family.

By all indications, the Pro All Stars Series is alive and well heading into its ninth season under the guidance of series President, Tom Mayberry. The series will head into this season with a full head of steam, after last year’s torrid point battle, which wasn’t decided until the final event of the season. The 2009 P.A.S.S. North Series will kick off the season at Speedway 95 in Herman, Maine on Sunday, April 19.

As far as excitement goes, there is no more competitive racing than when the P.A.S.S. Tour comes to town. The P.A.S.S. Tour is known for its’ photo finishes and side-by-side racing throughout the field. The competition is so keen that in 2008, the top six Super Late Models were separated by just seventy-two points in the final standings in which Johnny Clark edged out Ben Rowe by a mere ten points, 2593 to 2583. Just sixteen points back was Travis Benjamin with 2577. Benjamin sat atop the standings for a good part of the season before slipping back to third in the final rundown. Hard charging youngster, Adam Bates came on strong in 2008 and secured the fourth position with 2571 points. Rounding out the top six in points contention were DJ Shaw, 2539 points, and Cassius Clark with 2521 points.

Three time, and defending Series champion, Hallowell, Maine’s, Johnny Clark, is all set to defend his title against one of the most talented field of racers in the Northeast. Clark, whom collected four big wins in 2008, is prepared to take on all challengers in 2009, including the likes of four time P.A.S.S. Super Late Model Series champion, Ben Rowe. Clark was a dominant car at many of the races in 2008, as he led 469 laps, which was more than double the amount of his nearest competitor, Cassius Clark. Johnny Clark, who is noted for his consistency, and bonsai charges to the front of the pack, managed eleven top ten finishes, and eight top five finishes to go along with his four wins in the fourteen events in route to his third Series title. Four time Series champion, Turner, Maine’s, Ben Rowe, will likely be searching out one for the thumb this year, as he will look to improve on a season which saw him win a pair of races in 2008. Rowe led but 76 laps in 2008, but his consistency led him to the runner-up spot in the final standings. He garnered 11 top ten’s, and nine top five’s along the way. Morrill, Maine’s, Travis Benjamin is also set to challenge Clark for the title in 2009. Benjamin grabbed a big win last season at Scotia Speedworld, and almost pulled off the upset, falling just sixteen points short of a championship. Benjamin ran off nine consecutive top ten finishes to start the season, and ended up with twelve for the year.

There is a new generation of drivers all set to challenge for the championship in 2009. The young guns are poised and confident that they can now run at the front of the pack; pick up some wins, and pull of a championship. The big three, Adam Bates, DJ Shaw and Derek Ranstrom all showed the veterans that they have what it takes to be competitive at every event. Leading the way in 2009 will be Warner, New Hampshire’s, Adam Bates, the 2008 P.A.S.S. North most improved driver. Bates got stronger and stronger as the season progressed in 2008, winning a pair of events and claimed eleven top ten finishes and eight top five runs. Look for Bates to be a contender for the championship. Center Conway, New Hampshire speedster, DJ Shaw claimed the 2008 P.A.S.S. Rookie of the Year award, plus the youngster captured two Super Late Model wins. The talented driver is following in the footsteps of his dad, noted car builder Dale Shaw, and he too has aspirations of unseating Clark for the championship. The third of the young lions is Derek Ranstrom, from West Boylston, Mass. Derek also picked up a win, and was competitive all season long. Keep your eye on this group as one of these drivers could end up being crowned the 2009 P.A.S.S. Super Late Model champion.

Other notable drivers that certainly will create waves on the P.A.S.S. tour in 2009 include Kelly Moore, Gary Smith, Richie Dearborn, Donnie Whitten and Scott Chubbuck. These names and a whole lot more will once again make the P.A.S.S. Super Late Model Tour one of the premiere traveling organizations in the Northeast. Last season, one hundred-ten different drivers competed at the various venues. With this year’s events including a first ever run at the “Cement Palace”,  Seekonk Speedway, Speedway 660 in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada and the return to Lee USA Speedway and Canaan Fair Speedway, you can rest assured that those numbers should easily be surpassed.

Let’s see what else is happening in the North Country this weekend.  On Friday night the Windmill Restaurant in Loudon, NH hosts the SCCNH monthly meeting at 6 p.m. On Saturday

 3rd Autoworks in Hudson, NH hosts the SCCNH Pre-Season Tech Meeting at 9 a.m.