TEST AND TUNE SESSIONS OFFERED FOR THE NEXT TWO WEEKS AT THOMPSON

THOMPSON, CT.  The popular Thursday Night Thompson Thunder (TNTT) series kicks off on Thursday, May 21^st.  However, for the next two Thursdays, the Thompson International Speedway will be open for test and tunes sessions for any and all oval track race cars. These two dates have been set aside for race teams to put the final touches on their race cars before the regular weekly racing program begins. The track will conduct these test and tune sessions between the hours of 12 Noon and 7 PM on Thursday, May 7^th and again on Thursday, May 14^th.

                 Race teams find these test and tune opportunities very valuable.  Teams have the chance to fine tune their race cars so that they are ready to face the tough competition that exists in all six of the track’s weekly NASCAR Whelen All American Series divisions. 

                The track also welcomes those race teams that do not compete on a weekly basis at the famed Thompson oval. Super Modifieds, Midgets, Race Trucks and Vintage race cars are just some of those who also take advantage of this valuable on-track time.  Veteran drivers like the opportunity to try new and different setups and equipment. Those drivers with less experience find that they get valuable “seat time” to improve their driving skills.

                All of this precedes what may be one of the most competitive racing seasons in recent memory. The Thompson ICEBREAKER showed the incredible competition that will exist in each of the track’s Super 6 divisions during the ’09 season. Racing during the two-day ICEBREAKER back on April 4^th and 5^th delivered a message, loud and clear, that the competition would be tough all season long.

                The reality of it all will come to light on Thursday, May 21^st when Thompson International Speedway opens the gates for the kick off of its very popular TNTT series. Race fans love the ultra fast-paced program that features at least six different and exciting racing divisions every Thursday night through the end of September.

                In addition to Thompson’s Super 6, the season-long TNTT series will also include nights when the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, the True Value Modifieds, NEMA Midgets and ARTS Trucks will join the program. Extra distance races are also included for the regular NASCAR Whelen All American Series divisions. The first such special event Thursday is scheduled for June 18^th when the True Value Modifieds invade the Thompson Speedway for a special 75-lap main event.

                The entire 2009 Thompson racing schedule is available on the Thompson Web page at www.thompsonspeedway.com

Hersey Takes Bond Auto Parts Spring Dash Opener

Winchester, NH: This past Saturday, Monadnock Speedway hosted their annual Bond Auto Parts Spring Dash Season Opener with a full crowd on hand. First of the season victories went to TVMRS Rob Goodenough, Outlaw Pro Russ Hersey, Super Stock Matt Mead, Mini Stock Tim Jackson, Full Size Enduro Jeff Kirley and 4-cylinder Enduro Dick Houle.

The special event started off with the Mini Stocks rolling on the track with 2008 champion, Derek Bergquist , leading the field to the green. On the first lap, Bergquist lost the lead to teammate Chris McTaggart. On lap seven, the first caution flew for Ron Normandin. On the restart, McTaagrt held the lead with Tim Jackson on his back bumper. Joe Kendall worked on Bergquist for third. The top five run bumper to bumper as Bergquist gave a little bump to Jackson. Jackson held on to second and worked the outside of McTaggart for the lead. Bergquist looking at the inside of Jackson attempted to slip into second. Five laps to go, McTaggart and Jackson ran side by side with Jackson winning the battle for the lead. Bergquist attempted the same move on McTaggart for second as Joe Kendall and Beth Adams battled for fourth. Two laps to go Adams made her move and took over fourth. At the white flag, McTaggart and Bergquist ran wheel to wheel for second. At the checkers, Tim Jackson took down the win McTaggart held of Bergquist by inches for second.  Adams and Kendall followed for top five.

Nancy Muni sat on the pole for the twenty five lap Super Stock event. Muni quickly took over the lead as Jeremy Sorel challenged her on the outside. Lap ten, the top four ran tight with Muni still in the leas followed by Sorel, Bill Johnston and Matt Mead. Lap traffic began to be a factor as the top leaders carefully passed around the. Half-way to go, Muni continued to hold off Sorel as he looked to the inside for the top spot. Mead worked on Johnston for third. Ten to go, Sorel attempted the outside of Muni but was shuffled back to fourth. Mead and Johnston ran side by side with Mead coming out on top and in pursuit of Muni. Five to go, Mead made the move on Muni and took over the lead as Sorel follwed for second. Johnston, Ed Brehio III and Ken Springer as battled for fourth. Two to go, Brehio III ran side by side with Johnston. At the checkers, it was Mead celebrating the victory followed by Sorel, Muni, Brehio III and Springer.

Outlaw Pros took the track with Steve Gauthier and Russ Hersey, side by side, to the green.  Gauthier was the early leader with Hersey on his back bumper. Mike Parks and Barry Gray battled for third. On lap four, Hersey made the pass on the outside of Gauthier to take the lead. Gray moved into third as Brandon Ovitt was on the back bumper of Parks four fourth. On lap eleven, Ovitt took over fourth. Gray began to close in on Gauthier for second.  Half way to go, heresy developed a good lead as Gauthier continued to hold off Gray. Ten to go, Gauthier suffered mechanical issues as the caution was brought out. On the restart of the ten lap shoot out, Hersey got the jump for the lead as Ron Smith moved in on Gray for second. Smith moved into second and was on the back bumper of Hersey. Two laps to go, Smith attempted the outside for the lead but was denied. At the checkers, Hersey held off the hard charges off Smith to claim the win. Gray came in third as Parks beat out Brandon Ovitt by inches for fourth.

Full Size Enduro 2008 Champion, Jeff Kirley,  wasted no time starting where he finished last season. Kirley dominated the lead early as Dan Yagmin, Joe Ethier, Randy Rameau and Jared Edson followed in the top five. Twenty laps in the battle for fourth brewed between Edson, Ryan Rivet and Eitheir. Half way to go, Kirley was on rails as he developed a quarter track lead on second place runner, Dan Yagmin. Rameau attempted to catch Yagmin for third. Ten laps to go, Kirley gained a ½ track lead. Few laps later, third place runner, Rameau, suffered a blown engine giving the third spot to Rivet. At the checkers, it was Kirley, Yagmin, Rivet, Edson and Ethier.

It was the Houle versus Houle showdown in the 50 lap 4-cylinder Enduro event.  Dick Houle commanded the lead early with Adam Houle, Patrick Houle and Josh Houle all battling for the top spot. The leaders approached heavy lap traffic as a lap car blocked Dick Houle giving Adam Houle the lead. Josh Houle moved into second. Half way to go, Dick Houle and Patrick Houle made contact resulting Pat Houle loosing position. A few laps later, Adam Houle and Josh Houle ran wheel to wheel as the red flag was displayed for Jacob Wilkins who took a hard hit into the third turn wall. Wilkin’s car suffered extensive damage but he was okay. On the restart, Ada Houle continued to lead as Josh Houle and Dick Houle challenged him. Louis Maher held off Pat Houle and Matt Gauffin for fourth. Ten laps to go, Dick Houle made his move and took the lead a s Adam Houle and Josh Houle ran side by side. Maher moved in on the Houles’ and challenged them for second. At the checkers, it was Dick Houle followed by Josh Houle, Adam Houle, Pat Houle and Louis Maher.

This Saturday, Monadnock Speedway will welcome the return of Modified racing at the high banked ¼ mile. The Monadnock Speedway Modified field consist of tour type open wheel race machines guarantee to keep the fans on the edge of their seat in the 50 lap debut.  In addition to the Modifieds on May 2nd,   the Allison Legacy North Series, Super Stocks, Mini Stocks and 4-cylinder Enduros will be competing. Race time is at 6pm.
Outlaw Pro Results: Russ Hersey, Swanzey, NH; Ron Smith, Oakham, Ma; Barry Gray, Belchertown, Ma; Mike Parks, Charlestown, NH; Brandon Ovitt, Bernardston, Ma; Geoff Rollins, Groton, Ma; Eric Poulin, Keene, NH; James Hancock, Litchfield, NH; Steve Gauthier, Jaffrey, NH

Super Stock Results: Matt Mead, Richmond, NH; Jeremy Sorel, Westfield, Ma; Nancy Muni, Harwinton, CT; Ed Brehio III, Baldwinville, Ma; Ken Springer, Swanzey, NH; Bill Johnston, Athol, Ma; Jeff Wright, Jaffrey, NH; Andy Brooks Jr; Winchendon, Ma; Robert Bedaw, Greenfield, Ma; Adam Brooks, Winchendon, Ma; Kevin Ouellette, Fitchburg, Ma; Dana Shepard, Putney, VT; Ken Thompson, Alstead, NH; Buster Duncan, Greenfield, Ma; Dan Jackman, Bernardston, Ma; Scott Cashman, Keene, NH

Mini Stock Results: Tim Jackson, Jaffrey, NH; Chris McTaggart, Swanzey, NH; Derek Bergquist, Warwick, Ma; Beth Adams, Winchendon, Ma; Joe Kendall, Winchendon, Ma; Travis Grover, Brattleboro, VT; Ron Normandin, Fitchburg, Ma; Joe Rogers, Ludlow, VT; Cosmo Casamassa; Dennis Wallace, Jaffrey, NH; Chris Davis, Winchester, NH; Jamey King, Orange, Ma

Top Ten Full Size Results: Jeff Kirley, Palmer, Ma; Dan Yagmin, Whethersfield, CT; Ryan Rivet, Chicopee, Ma; Jared Edson, Bernardston, Ma; Joe Ethier, Auburn, Ma; Duane Stonier,  Wolcott, Ct; Barry Schonborg, Westminster, Ma; Jon Wyman, Westminster, Ma; Dan Cheveralls, Harvard, ma; Bucky Sheats, Troy, NH

Top Ten 4-cylinder Enduro Results: Dick Houle, W. Brattleboro, VT; Josh Houle, Vernon, VT; Adam Houle, Vernon, VT;  Pat Houle, Vernon, VT; Louis Maher, Spencer, Ma;  Matt Gauffin, Hancock, NH; Eric Pomasko, Peterborough, NH;  Jason Spaulding, CJ Johnson, Keene, NH; Scott Hatt, Swanzey, NH

Brad Leighton Wins NH Governor’s Cup At Lee USA Speedway

            Lee, N.H. (April 20, 2009): Brad Leighton, driver of the No. 55 Irving Oil Ford, kicked off the 2009 season with a win in ACT’s New Hampshire Governor’s Cup at Lee USA Speedway. Leighton took the lead from Joey Polewarczyk, Jr. on lap 130 and never looked back. The win qualifies Leighton and his Irving Oil race team for the inaugural ACT invitational at New Hampshire Motor Speedway later this year.

            “It’s a real honor to be the first qualifier for the New Hampshire Invitational. The Invitational is going to be a huge boost for the ACT series and attract tremendous regional exposure. And it’s great to be part of it,” Leighton said from victory lane.

            Leighton started the Governor’s Cup from the 19^th position after drawing a tough starting position in the fourth heat. The Center Harbor, N.H. resident was able to get into the feature with his win in the second Consi.

            Leighton was patient during the first fifty laps of the race when a battle between Mike Olsen and Brian Hoar stole the attention up front. Leighton, meanwhile, worked his way through the field to put himself into position to become a contender. A long green flag run developed after the 50 lap mark giving Leighton the opportunity to challenge Joey Polewarczyk at lap 130 for the lead. Once out front, Leighton was able to hold off all challenges and take the checkered flag.

            “This is awesome,” a joyous Leighton said after the race. “The guys put a great car underneath me! We had two goals coming into this season – to win a race and qualify for the New Hampshire Invitational – so I’d say we’re off to a really good start to the year! I can’t thank everyone at Irving Oil and Subway for supporting us in this series. This is great for everyone involved!”

            Leighton dedicated the win to “Grammy Peg”, his wife Lynn’s grandmother. Brad had a close relationship with her – talking and joking about his race career and everyday topics on life were some of their favorite past times. Peg passed away Thursday morning.

            “We certainly will miss her,” said Leighton. “Peg was a wonderful woman who I adored. She would have bragged to all her friends at the nursing home that I won this race so this one is for her!”

Lee, NH – Over forty race teams hauled into the Lee USA Speedway over the weekend, hoping to secure a starting spot for the prestigious season-opening American Canadian Tour New Hampshire Governor’s Cup 150.

Drivers from all over New England as well as two Canadian provinces were on hand for the action, but when checkers waved, it was home-stater Brad Leighton of Center Harbor taking home the Governor’s Cup win.

Defending race winner Joey Pole of nearby Hudson was in the hunt all race long, but Leighton put him in his rear-view mirror with some 20 laps remaining, and he led the balance of the event to score the win.

The win also sent Leighton the first invitation to the big ACT Invitational race to be held on the 1.058-mile New Hampshire Motor Speedway in September, a race that will feature the best ACT has to offer.

Following Pole across the stripe, was Scott Payea, who ran a solid race from flag to flag to grab third, with hometown favorite Eddie MacDonald closing out the top five ahead of former Lee USA champion Ricky Wolf, who wound up sixth.

John Donohue was scored seventh ahead of another former Lee USA champ, Wayne Helliwell, Jr., followed by teammates Brian Hoar and Mike Olsen, who started the race on the front row.

Defending champion Eddie Witkum, Jr. was a heavy favorite to win when the Small Block Supers took to the asphalt for their feature event, but he had a few problems and finished slightly off his usual blistering pace.

Mike Netishen jumped out to the early lead when starter Bryon Callen unfurled the green, but he quickly gave way to Justin Belfiore, who moved the Tom Tombarello, Jr. machine to take a turn out front.

Just past halfway, Bowes made his move, and he never looked back on the way to victory lane.  Belfiore finished second, while Witkum checkered third, with Danny Lane and Mike Spurling rounding out the top five.

In Late Model Sportsman/Super Street main event action, second-generation racer Nick Gravel bolted out to the early lead, moving out to a healthy advantage while the pack sorted out behind him. 

Lee Weldy held down the second spot in the early going, but Grant Aither took over that position before they reached the crossed flags, and he was headed to the front.

Aither ran down leader Gravel and quickly completed the pass, and the race was his to lose from there.  Aither pulled away to a comfortable lead, and he held it until the checkers to score the win.

Gravel held on for a solid runner-up finish, with Weldy, Sandy Lee, Jimmy Renfrew, “Piranha Pete” Evans, Gary Beauregard, Cory Robert, Jesse Bousquet, and Geoff Rollins the rest of the top ten.

Dennis Dumas led the Hobby Stocks around to take the green for their feature event, but he was quickly knocked off the point by Eric Hoffman, and Jimmy Renfrew followed him to the front.

At the end of the fourth lap, Renfrew made his move on Hoffman, and he came away with the lead.  Hoffman gave chase the rest of the way, but Renfrew held on to score the inaugural win of the season.

Hoffman took home runner-up honors, with Chris Titcomb taking a hard-earned third.  Titcomb’s car was badly damaged in qualifying on Saturday, but his crew got it back in race shape in time for the feature.  Dumas and Bobby
Glass finished up the top five.

There was a strong field of Roadrunner/4 cylinder/Mini Stocks on hand for their 20-lap feature event, but there was nobody stronger than defending Roadrunner champ Ricky Porter, Jr.

Cris King led the first lap of the main, with veteran Loren Smith next to take a turn out front.  Emerson Cayer slipped past Smith to become the third leader of the race, but he couldn’t hold off the hard-charging Porter.

Porter took it to the outside to make the pass on Cayer, and he was off to the races after that.  Porter pulled away by a couple of car lengths, and he stayed out front the rest of the way to score the victory.  Cayer, Niko Manyati, Jim Piaseczny, and Smith were the rest of the top five.

Next Saturday, April 25th is the final test and tune session for all divisions with a rain date of Sunday the 26th, and the weekly Friday night season gets underway a week later on May 1.  For more information, log on to www.leeusaspeedway.com, or call the speedway office at 978-462-4252.

THOMPSON PREPARES FOR THURSDAY NIGHT THOMPSON THUNDER

THOMPSON, CT.  Thursday Night Thompson Thunder (TNTT), the extremely popular Thursday night racing series, is next on the Thompson racing schedule. The May through September weekly events feature the NASCAR Whelen All American Series “Super 6” racing divisions in a fun filled, fast paced night of racing excitement. Typically attracting more than 150 race teams, The TNTT weekly series begins on May 21^st.

The driver’s roster for Thompson’s premier division, the Sunoco Modifieds, looks like a who’s who list of New England open wheel racers. NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champ, Ted Christopher will be returning to weekly competition at Thompson and will try to unseat the 2008 title holder, Kerry Malone. The track’s Super Late Models, Thompson Modifieds, Late Models, Limited Sportsman and Mini Stocks also draw the very best drivers in their respective divisions. 

                Thompson International Speedway works hard to be sure that a Thursday night race program is a great destination for family fun. Admission prices are more than reasonable, parking is free and the food is great. Qualifying races begin at 6 PM and the final race is over by 9:30 PM.

                “We strive to present a family program and keep family schedules in mind each and every week. All of our competitors and officials know how important it is to keep the show moving so that we can give our fans a full night of exciting races and still be sure that they can be headed home early,” said track owner, Don Hoenig.

                The Thursday night schedule is packed with special events. Extra distance races for the “Super 6”, a special 75-lap event for the True Value Modified series, a visit from the mighty midgets of NEMA and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour are all included in the 2009 Thursday night line up.

                Thompson International Speedway also offers a season-long opportunity for race teams to gain additional exposure for their sponsors. Companies supporting weekly racers are being offered free display space on huge Thompson midway. Details on this program are available on the track’s web page at www.thompsonspeedway.com  Competitors are urged to work with the track and their sponsors to secure a date for their display.

                In addition to the Thursday night schedule, the annual Memorial Day weekend Eve of Destruction will return on Sunday, May 24^th. The Demolition Derby part of the holiday weekend extravaganza is always a big hit and rules for that event are available on the track’s web site or may be obtained by calling the speedway office at 860-923-2280.

IRVING OIL TEAMS AGAIN WITH BENJAMIN MOTORSPORTS
 
Maine-based team comes off best season yet in the PASS Series
 
 
PORTSMOUTH, NH – Irving Oil is about to roar into its eighth PASS Series season with Travis Benjamin Motorsports.
 
“Travis is one of the most exciting young racers today and is coming off his best season yet,” said Irving Fuel Marketing Manager Aaron Dube. “We’re looking forward to a great season and much success.”
 
Benjamin, a driver in the Pro All Star Series (PASS) division, drives a 2009 Ford Fusion in the Super Late Model series. Last season he finished with two wins, eight top five finishes and five top 10 finishes. His team is headquartered in Morrill, Maine and the hometrack of the team is Unity Raceway in Maine.
 
Benjamin said Benjamin Motorsports missed the PASS championship by 16 points last season, and is determined to best that record this year.
 
“I’m really excited about the 2009 season. I feel it will be an excellent season. We have a great car, and a great crew,” said Benjamin. “With Irving coming back again is a big boost for my team and our confidence. Our entire crew is coming back from last season as well.”
 
The 2009 Irving season begins July 11 at Thompson Speedway in Connecticut and ends Sept. 19 at the White Mountains Speedway in New Hampshire.
 
Benjamin’s crew is something of a family affair, with brothers and cousins helping keep the Ford Fusion fine-tuned. The team owner is his father, Ron Benjamin, his Crew Chief is Corey Reynolds, Car Chief is Kevin McDaniel, the Spotter is Bruce Benjamin, the mechanic is Marcus Benjamin, engine engineers are Alfred Reynolds and Wayne Charrier, mechanics are Nate Littlefield and Chuck Thompson and tire specialist is Buster Bean.
 
“The PASS Series gives audiences a chance to cheer on their hometown heroes,” said Dube. “The season runs all summer long, and if you haven’t been to a race before check one out this summer. The races are exciting, the tracks are family-oriented, and the events are local and affordable.”

NAPA Tiger Sportsman Tri-State Series Announced

        Waterbury, VT – The NAPA Tiger Sportsmen will be hitting the road this year with a touring series of their own. The Tiger Tri-State Series will consist of three 100-lap events in three different states. The opening event will be held at the recently redesigned Airborne Speedway in Plattsburgh, NY on July 11. Canaan Fair Speedway in Canaan, NH will host the second event on August 1^st. Canaan featured the Tiger Tour in 2005 with five appearances. Canaan Speedway quickly became one of the favorite racing venues for the Series, often reminding veterans of the old Catamount Stadium in Milton, VT. On August 13, Thunder Road Speedbowl will decide the Series Championship in a 100-lap event for the NAPA Tiger Sportsman challengers.

The Tiger Sportsmen have been touring off and on since 1990 with the most recent going back to 2006 when the Series visited Airborne, Sanair in St. Pie, Quebec, with a pair of stops at Thunder Road.

Jason Bonnett of St. Albans, VT finished third in the 2006 Series and is a two-time (2003 and 2007) Airborne Speedway track Champion in the Tiger Sportsman division. “I’m glad the Tour is back. It’s fun to go to different tracks and race different people instead of racing the same track every week. I also like the challenge of adjusting the car to different setups for the different tracks.” Bonnett and 30 other Tiger Sportsmen teams will have plenty of adjusting to do with the new, banked Airborne ½ mile, Canaan’s 1/3 semi-banked oval, and the high-banked ¼ mile at Barre’s Thunder Road. Bonnett went on to say, “Airborne is going to be a totally different track this year with all the work they are doing over there. It’s going to make it even more challenging and more fun.”

Jamy Begor of Mooers, NY finished 9^th on the 2006 tour. He said, “It’s a great idea to run a three race series because you can go to a couple different tracks and it fits the budget. I enjoy going to Thunder Road and Canaan. I even won a Street Stock race at Canaan back when we ran the “Street Stock tour’!” Begor agrees with Bonnett that Airborne will be challenging. “We are going to have to throw out all our notes on Airborne because it’s going to be a completely different track,” he said.

The NAPA Tiger Sportsmen will begin their regular Thunder Road season when the 50^th Anniversary season starts on Merchants Bank opening day, May 3^rd. Post time is 1 p.m. The first Tri-State Series race will be July 11^th at Airborne Speedway in Plattsburgh, NY.