Busy Night of Racing at Monadnock Speedway

After Mother Nature trounced on May 8, 2010 events this night produced action packed racing with thrills, spills, with a total of 10 features. Cool but clear night had fans filling the seats, but most did not sit for long because the action kept them on their feet.

Making the rubber fly heat racing started with the Mini Stocks, followed by the Allison Legacy Touring series, Super Stocks, then Pro 4 Modifieds, Outlaw Pro’s, Sportmans Modified, lastly the Mighty Monadnock full modified series.

Special note that Josh King of Vernon, Vt. driving the #21 modified won his first heat race for his modified career at Monadnock. For those who don’t know Josh has ran many years at other tracks in full fender cars and ran a few races in a modified last season. He makes his bid to be a top competitor every event this season.

First rounds of features saw Young Guns with first time winner Matt Parmenter taking the checkered flag, followed closely by last time out winner Joe Boivin and 3rd went to the shared ride piloted by Cassie Betourney. First interview for Parmenter, a very well spoken young man, who when asked how it felt to get this win under his belt explained it felt “wicked good”.

Mini Stock feature saw pole sitter Beth Adams, get passed by Tim Jackson on lap 13 and then she was black flagged on lap #16 when her exhaust appeared to be dragging. She made a dash into the pits and came back out, but upon returning to the track the car would not come up to speed and she had to be pushed back to the pit area unable to return. When racing continued it was Jackson feeling the pressure from Joey Kendall. Kendall would make several charges to the lead, but when the checkered flew it was Jackson, Kendall and Chris Mctaggart in the top three.

Allison Legacy Feature was won won by Paul Tuthill who came from the rear after spinning by himself on lap #12. By lap #17 Tuthill would be in 4th and hard charging towards the front of the field. Due to a crash involving the race leader #44 James Logan and second place Anthony Frissora, Tuthill would regain the lead and go on to capture the victory. The #46 of Eric Bourgeois finished second and third place went to #3 of Kyle Podiack.

Super Stocks would have pole sitter #33 of John Lavoie taking the victory over #11 Nick Bovin followed by long time competitor Kevin Ouellette. A side to side battle for the lead developed for 6 laps as Boivin would make numerous tries to get past Lavoie but just kept getting the door closed. The show put on by Boivin and Lavioe was exciting and left fans on the edges of their seats. The only caution in this event came on lap #17 when new comer Stuart Wheelden would have a rear link failure causing him to need assistance off the track.

Pro 4 modifieds were lightening fast as usual. Winner Norm Wrenn seems to always have this track dialed. He was followed by Adam Norton for second and George Sherman for third. These cars often leave fans and race car enthusiasts wondering how they build so much power.

Pro Stocks would see long time veteran Barry Gray put his #29 into victory lane, after he was able to get by an always strong Brandon Ovitt. Ovitt and Gray would be in a dog fight until Gray got the smallest of openings and took advantage on lap #32. Third place would go to Ron Smith. Smith would proclaim his age is sometimes catching up but this writer is assured that does not seem to slow him down. The entire feature was run caution free and saw the return of Fran “Jr” Colson making his season debut.

Sportman Modified was marred by a first lap crash sending multiple cars to the pit area. Nathan Kehoe was the pole sitter, but would be penalized for his role and sent to the rear. Joey Jarvis brought his ride to the winners circle, followed by Heather DesRochers and former mini-stock star Rich Fournier in third. Jarvis, who we saw running the famous 9NH for the Albro during the first weekend in the Modified Racing Series, captured what everyone believes is the first of many victories here at the highbanks.

Full size “Tour Type” Modifieds would be the main event feature. A lap nine caution would wave after the #38 of Kevin Bulduck hit the front stretch wall. This caution would also collect the #28 of Rich Hamman and #35 of Dale Evonshon. Lap eleven saw heat winner Josh King go around. On Lap fourteen the #76 of Shelly Perry would spin twice. The wildest caution came on lap forty-nine when #52 of Chris Pasteryak and the #1 of Rob Goodenough, who were battling for 3rd and 4th, collected each other. Some crafty heads up driving by the #88 of Jim Boniface would put him in 3rd position. The race was won by #43 of Kirk Alexander followed by #24 of Todd Patnode.

This Saturday, May 22nd, Monadnock Speedway’s Tour Type Modifieds return along with the Super Stocks, Mini Stocs, Young Guns and Full Size Enduros. Race time is at 6pm. For mor information log onto www.monadnockspeedway.com.

Top Ten Modifieds: Kirk Alexander, Swanzey, NH; Todd Patnode, Richmond, NH; Jim Boniface, Winchester, NH; Brandee Tree, Nottingham, NH; Dale Evonsion, E. Hartland, CT; Dave Berube, Bristol, CT; Matt Mead, Richmond, NH; Shelly Perry, Westerly, RI; Vic Johnson, Fitzwilliam, NH; Russell Perry, Westerly, RI

Top Ten Outlaw Pros: Barry Gray, Belchertown, Ma; Brandon Ovitt, Bernardston, Ma; Ron Smith, Oakham, Ma; Mike Parks, Walpole, NH; Steve Gauthier, Jaffrey, NH; Geoff Rollins, Groton, Ma; Fran Colson, Gardner, Ma; Adam Lapoint, Winchester, NH

Top Ten Sportsman Modifieds: Joe Jarvis, Ascutney, VT; Heather DesRochers, Granby, Ma; Rich Fournier, Warwick, Ma; William Kimball, Bennington, NH; Russ Hersey, Swanzey, NH; Ed Brehio Jr, Baldwinville, Ma; Nick Boivin, Belchertown, Ma; Nathan Kehoe, Windham, VT; Ricky Labrecque, Contoocook, NH; Scott Nelson, Alstead, NH

Top Ten Super Stocks: John Lavoie, Peterborough, NH; Nick Boivin, Belchertown, Ma; Kevin Ouellette, Fitchburg, Ma; Chris Curtis, Rutland, Ma; Bill Johnston, Athol, Ma; Nick Gravel, Groton, Ma; Dave Striebel, Hinsdale, Ma; Ken Springer, Swanzey, NH; Nancy Muni, Harwinton, CT; Dana Shepard, Putney, VT

Top Ten Mini Stocks: Tim Jackson, Jaffrey, NH; Joe Kendall, Winchendon, Ma; Chris McTaggart, Swanzey, NH; Chris Davis, Winchester, NH; Eric Dejackome, Athol, Ma; Kim Rivet, Chicopee, Ma; Joe Rogers, Ludlow, VT; Thomas Hamilton, Athol, Ma; Mike Metcalf, Walpole, NH; Shawna Wallace, Jaffrey, NH

Top Ten Young Guns: Matthew Parmenter, Winchendon, Ma; Joe Boivin, Belchertown, Ma; Cassie Betourney, Winchendon, Ma; JT Cloutier, Fitzwilliam, NH; Hillary Renaud, Vernon, VT; Cordell Colon, Gardner, Ma; Peri Bergquist, Warwick, Ma