Jimmie D Beats the Heat,
and the Competition,
at Whip City Speedway

BY MARK McKEON

WESTFIELD, MA – On a sultry, steamy night with a triple digit heat index, 60 year old Jim DeCambra ended a two year drought with a wire-to-wire win in the 600cc Mini Sprints.
“I guess I outlasted the kids,” DeCambra said. “Our division is so fast and the cars are so nearly equal, that almost anybody could win on any given night. This week, I was in the right spot at the right time and it makes up for a race I should have won a couple of weeks ago.” Continue reading “Jimmie D Beats the Heat, and the Competition, at Whip City Speedway” »

Brian Boudreau: Wrecker to Checkers
at Whip City Speedway

BY MARK McKEON

WESTFIELD, MA – Defending 270cc Mini Sprint Champ Brian Boudreau is running a partial schedule this season for the Galko Racing Team, so every race has added importance. Prior to this week, his last outing ended in disappointment when he wrecked in his heat race.
Boudreau came roaring back this week, winning his heat and picking up his first feature win of the season, besting perennial rivals Seth Carlson and Kurt Conklin. Continue reading “Brian Boudreau: Wrecker to Checkers at Whip City Speedway” »

Whip City Rained Out July 10,
Big Show on July 17

BY MARK McKEON

WESTFIELD, MA – Wet grounds and a forecast for more rain caused the fourth rain out of the year at Whip City Speedway. The regular program next week on Saturday July 17 will be augmented by the East Coast Mini Sprint Association Race Against Cancer, a double point feature for the 270cc Mini Sprints, a Regional T-USA race for the Modified Lites and two seater Mini Sprint rental rides.
The Whip is easy to reach from I-91 or the Mass Pike and the parking is always free.

Peter Dance Grabs First Win
at Whip City Speedway

BY MARK MCKEON

WESTFIELD, MA – Former track champion Pete Dance got his groove back and picked up his first 1200cc Mini Sprint win of the season at Whip City Speedway. Dance withstood a single late race caution and a charge from Jon Moore enroute to his green-to-checker victory.
The night was a study in contrast for the 270cc Mini Sprints. Their heat race was plagued by eight caution periods, including one for a wreck which saw two cars flip and eliminated 60% of the 10 car field. By the time the feature rolled around, most cars were repaired, the drivers were on their best behavior and Kendall Segar enjoyed a non-stop romp to pick up his second win of the year.
Ricci Hirth was the top dog in the 600cc Mini Sprints, leading from wire-to-wire in a non-stop race. J.D. Casazza showed championship form by winning both the 750cc heat and the feature. In the 750 Sportsman race, Kyle Smith picked up his third win in his last four attempts. Continue reading “Peter Dance Grabs First Win at Whip City Speedway” »

Quad 4 Midget Enhancements Announced at Whip City Speedway

BY MARK McKEON

WESTFIELD, MA – Whip City Speedway co-owner Dave Pighetti has announced a series of enhancements to strengthen the Quad 4 Midget program at the Massachusetts dirt track.
“In response to requests from the Quad 4 Midget car owners and drivers, we’ve started awarding points and we’ll be crowning a Whip City Quad 4 Midget Champion for the first time this year,” Pighetti said. “We’re also supporting the efforts of some of the cars owners to recruit additional cars and drivers into the Quad 4 Midget ranks. We’re making track time available for persons with a serious interest in getting into Quad 4 Midgets. The track will also be responsible for enforcing the rules on the Quad 4 Midgets, just as we are with all our other racing divisions.”
“It’s the most economical form of racing there is,” said Quad 4 Midget owner Rusty Tefft. “It’s the most fun a Saturday night racer can have for short dollars. We’re trying to put people who might be interested in touch with people who might have equipment available. We’re not brokers, and we don’t make any money on transactions, we just want to get more people interested in the sport. Skip Matczak and I have cars that we can make available for a test drive by people who have serious interest. I have some engines that I’m willing to loan free of charge until the end of the year to any new entrants.”
“Rusty has the equipment that he has generously offered to loan, what I’m willing to donate is help with set-ups, welding and machine shop services,” said Matczak. “Racing a Midget on dirt without a wing is as exciting as it gets, because the driver and the chassis set-up are more important than the most powerful and most expensive engine. We have former Indy 500 Rookie of the Year Denny Zimmerman in a car and, at age 71, he’s having a ball.”
Anyone interested in learning more about Quad 4 Midgets can call Rusty Tefft at 860-942-4648.

Jerry Sehn Scratches 7 Year Itch
at Whip City Speedway

BY MARK McKEON

WESTFIELD, MA – Jerry Sehn raced Mini Sprints for seven years without a win until his decisive 1200cc victory at Whip City Speedway on Saturday. Sehn, who last visited victory lane in 1991 as Utica-Rome Speedway Pure Stock track champ, led every lap and withstood a restart on lap 14, to win by 10 car lengths over Charlie Pease.
“The competition here is so close and the drivers are so good, that I put it in my mind that I had to get a good start,” said a smiling Sehn, who makes a seven hour roundtrip tow to race at the Whip. “After I did, I just kept on trying to hit my marks. The car got a little upset once in turn 1, but I tried to keep my focus on running my line. I really didn’t want a caution, so when the yellow flag came out I said ‘oh, no’, but I was able to get a good restart. Just before the race, we made a last minute change to the wing and I think that was a big factor.” Continue reading “Jerry Sehn Scratches 7 Year Itch at Whip City Speedway” »

Todd Bertrand Romps to Whip City Win,
Cupid Shoots Arrow Through Mark Irving’s Fuel Tank

BY MARK McKEON

WESTFIELD,MA – Todd Bertrand used his equipment to full advantanage at Whip City Speedway, winning his heat and then defeating 17 competitors to capture the season opening 270cc Mini Sprint feature.
“Our Skeetz motor gave us plenty of power, and the anti-roll adjustment package that Danny Drinan built for the RTS chassis let me adjust the car to run where the track was good,” Bertrand said. “It’s the same chassis package that Damien Gardner is using on his USAC Midget.”
Bertrand led from green to checker, often accumulating long leads that were wiped out by numerous caution flags. His only serous competition came from fellow heat winner Mark Irving, until Irving ran out of fuel halfway through the 20 lap feature.
“That’s what happens when you fall in love and get engaged,’ Irving joked after the race. “You forget to put fuel in the race car.”
In Quad 4 Midget action, Joe Krawiec picked up where he left off last year and drove the Skip Matczak owned Seals-It mount to victory. The always colorful Vince Jacobs had a strong opening, winning his heat and coming from fifth to finish second in the feature. Continue reading “Todd Bertrand Romps to Whip City Win, Cupid Shoots Arrow Through Mark Irving’s Fuel Tank” »