Glen Reen Continues Mod Tour Education With Top-15 Finish at Stafford
Youngster is Living a Dream By Racing on the Tour at His Home Track
CONCORD, NC (April 29, 2008) ? This past weekend marked race number
two of Glen Reen’s NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour career. He started out
by successfully qualifying and finishing the season-opening Icebreaker
at Thompson International Speedway (CT), and this time around he
wanted to finish a little bit stronger in the Spring Sizzler at his
home track of Stafford Motor Speedway (CT).
Reen did exactly that, by finishing in the 13th position.
Just being on track in a Modified Tour race at Stafford, where Reen
raced an SK Light Modified in 2007, was a big deal for the young
driver. Skipping a stop in the SK Modified ranks at Stafford, usually
a natural progression to the Tour, was a little bit unusual, but Reen
couldn’t wait to tackle the Tour.
“It was a dream come true. I wanted to run a Tour car since I was a
little kid,” said Reen. “So to run a Tour car here at the home track
was a just awesome. To finish the 200 laps was our goal. But to
finish thirteenth was even better.
“We are trying to move up, and to go to the SKs for a year is not
going to get you anywhere. It only gives you more seat time. So
there is no point in staying there. We had an opportunity to go, so
there was no point in not going. Especially how things are turning
out, I am not disappointed that we went this way.”
A top finish wasn’t the main objective of the day. Learning more
about the more powerful Tour Modifieds was. To play it safe, Reen
selected to start at the back of the pack during every restart.
“We were just kind of hanging out. We did not know what was kind of
going on. This was my first race [in a Tour Modified at Stafford]. I
didn’t want to get involved with the veterans and hit anyone. So I
just kind of stayed clean and stayed back.”
Close to the race end, Reen found himself running in the middle of the
pack by virtue of staying out of trouble.
“When I realized where we were, I just went for it at the end. Then
when we realized we were safe and no one was two laps within us either
way, we just decided that we would stay where we were.”
During the race, Reen was in the right place to be the lucky dog and
get his lap back ? a new experience for him.
“That was interesting. I had never done a lucky dog, so we got yelled
at a few times. I passed the pace car and I was not supposed to, so I
had to come back. But it was fun.
“I just have to thank the Lord for giving me an opportunity to be
here. That was his doing, not mine.”
Reen will get another chance to live his dream when the NASCAR Whelen
Modified Tour returns to Stafford Motor Speedway on May 23rd
OPENING DAY AT WISCASSET RACEWAY THIS SATURDAY
With all of the offseason updates nearly complete, and with much
anticipation, Wiscasset Raceway will finally open its 2008 season this
Saturday afternoon with Opening Day presented by Lester Morse Auto
Sales of Wiscasset. The finishing touches are being put in place for
what track owner Doug White is counting on as a comeback season for
“Maine’s Center of Speed”. The facility has undergone a face lift over
the winter months and through the spring with fresh paint, many more
sponsor billboards and banners, an updated race program, and more fan
friendly amenities, plus a larger staff of employees and volunteers
ready to greet fans coming through the gates this weekend. Many more
changes have been made behind the scenes to make things easier for the
drivers and crews and to help run a safer and more competitive show
for everyone. As an added feature, Wiscasset Raceway will broadcast
its feature races this season over ESPN radio 1160 AM and also
broadcast at the track over a special scanner frequency for fan
convenience. The opening day program will feature Wiscasset’s six
weekly racing series divisions: The Clark’s Car Crushing Prostocks;
Smith Construction Late Model Sportsman; Unicel Super Streets;
Keystone Automotive Strictly Streets; Aable Auto Parts Mini Stocks and
the White & Bradstreet Mini Trucks. Pit gates will open at 9:00am
Saturday morning with practice running from 10:30 am - 12:30pm
followed by manditory division by division driver meetings. Grandstand
gates will open at 12:00 noon and the green flag will fly on the 2008
season at 2:00pm. For more information, call the Wiscasset Raceway
office at (207) 632-7322 or check the track’s new website at
www.wiscassetraceway.info.
10th Annual Merchants Bank 150 Opens 49th Thunder Road Season
BARRE, VT ? The 10th Annual Merchants Bank 150 will open the
49th season of stock car racing at
the “Nation’s Site of Excitement,” Barre’s Thunder Road, this weekend,
Sat./Sun., May 3/4. The Merchants Bank 150
is the third round for the American-Canadian Tour Championship Late
Models, and raises the curtain for Thunder
Road’s weekly NAPA Tiger Sportsman, Allen Lumber Street Stock, and
Power Shift Online Junkyard Warrior divisions.
Festivities begin on Saturday morning in Barre City with the
annual Merchants Bank Car Show at 9:00 am.
Racing machines from all four classes will line Main Street for
judging in the car show. A pit stop contest
featuring the pit crews of Thunder Road’s four defending champion
drivers is scheduled to begin at 10:30 am,
followed by a parade to the race track at 12:00 noon. Practice will
be held at the track starting at 1:00 pm.
Sunday kicks off with the traditional Champions Practice at
11:00 am, featuring all past Thunder Road Late
Model Track Champions. The popular “Class Day” ceremonies begin at
1:00 pm, with as many as 120 race cars and
drivers on display in the Thunder Road infield. Following the
presentation of trophies to Saturday’s car show
winners, green flag racing action begins at 1:30 pm.
“The Merchants Bank 150 is a fun weekend filled with great
racing,” said Thunder Road General Manager
Darla Hartt. “The anticipation of the new season is very exciting and
the car show and ceremonies have become
highlights to our year. We’re very pleased to be celebrating the 10th
anniversary of the Merchants Bank 150 this
year.”
Dave Pembroke of Middlesex, VT is the 2007 Late Model “King of
the Road,” and will try for his second
Merchants Bank 150 victory. He won the race in 2005. Nick Sweet of
Barre, VT will not defend his NAPA Tiger
Sportsman division title, as he joins Pembroke in the ACT Late Model
ranks. The Allen Lumber Street Stock and
Power Shift Online Junkyard Warrior championships are also up for
grabs, as champions Bobby Therrien of Hinesburg,
VT and Bunker Hodgdon of Hardwick, VT, respectively, have also made
jumps to higher divisions.
The 10th Annual Merchants Bank 150 weekend opens on Sat., May 3
at 9:00 am in Downtown Barre City, Barre,
VT. Thunder Road’s 49th stock car racing season opens on Sun., May 4
at 1:00 pm. General admission is $17 for
adults, $5 of children (6-12), and just $35 for a family of four. For
more information, call (802) 244-6963 or
visit www.thunderroadspeedbowl.com.
ACTion News ? Wednesday, April 30, 2008
-by Justin St. Louis
Average car count at American-Canadian Tour Late Model stock car
events in 2008: 51. In both races completed thus
far, fields of 52 and 50 cars showed up to qualify at Lee USA Speedway
and Oxford Plains Speedway, respectively,
for starting grids of 30 and 33 cars. Simply amazing.
And those 50-some cars aren’t clunkers, either ? maybe you’ve heard of
young gun Joey Polewarczyk or Oxford star
Ricky Rolfe? Brent Dragon, J.R. Baril, Scott Payea, anyone? Maybe
Eddie MacDonald, Patrick Laperle, Ben Rowe,
Brad Leighton, or some guy named Jean-Paul Cyr? It’s a good time to
be a Late Model fan in New England,
especially if you like variety and close action.
Another pretty cool number: 6. Six, as in the number of yellow flags
over a combined period of 250 laps on two
mean race tracks. Not only is the action close, it’s clean and
professional. That’s not to say there aren’t some
jabs traded ? John Donahue’s already been backwards more times than he
probably wanted to be this year ? but the
drivers have put on some good, hard-nosed racing without cheating the
fans or each other out of a good run.
Cyr, Dragon, MacDonald, and young Ryan Nolin’s drives up the outside
lane in the New England Dodge Dealers 150 at
Oxford last Saturday were incredibly exciting, and Cyr’s seven-lap
duel for the win with Rolfe was the perfect
capper to a race full of passing and battles for position.
Yes, it is a good time to be a Late Model fan.
***
This week, the thunder rolls through the Green Mountains again, as
“The Nation’s Site of Excitement,” Barre, VT’s
Thunder Road, fires up its 49th season. The 10th Annual Merchants
Bank 150 will be the lid-lifter for the 1/4-
mile bullring, as well as the third round of the ACT Late Model Tour.
The Merchants Bank 150 weekend is fun all the way around, with the
annual car show, pit stop contest, and parade
from downtown Barre City up to the race track, followed by practice on
Saturday, May 3, then the “Class Day”
opening ceremonies and green flag action on Sunday, May 4. It all
starts at 9:00am on Saturday, 1:00pm on Sunday.
***
A practice session was held for all four Thunder Road divisions last
Thursday afternoon, and was looked upon as a
success by most of the teams in attendance. Very unofficially,
Donahue, multi-time champions Phil Scott and
Robbie Crouch, and rookie Matt White turned in the fastest Late Model
practice times. Also turning some good laps
were Trampas Demers, David Chagnon, rookie Tony Andrews, defending
“King of the Road” Dave Pembroke, and Shawn
Fleury.
The NAPA Tiger Sportsman class had a big turnout, led (again,
unofficially? our stopwatch didn’t get everyone, and
wasn’t running during every practice) by Shawn Sicard and Tommy
Therrien. Others with very good times were Brian
Delphia, Craig Bushey, rookie Bobby Therrien, and youngster Derrick O’Donnell.
The Allen Lumber Street Stocks are going to have a fun time catching
Tommy Thunder and Ron Gabaree this year,
based on what we saw. Thunder (his real last name is Smith, but
nobody cares about that) and Gabaree were visibly
the fastest two on the track in the early rounds, no matter what lane
they chose. By the end of the day, though,
Justin Gordon and “Dancin’” David Allen had basically closed the gap.
The Power Shift Online Junkyard Warriors weren’t really led by anyone,
but there were plenty of folks having fun
out there, including Neal Foster, Mike Gay, Dale Bickford, and Chad Brown.
***
Did you know??
-Of the 47 drivers to have started an ACT Late Model Tour race so far
in 2008, only one driver has finished a race
where he started. Ricky Rolfe won last weekend’s New England Dodge
Dealers 150 from the pole position, but not
without a fight from Jean-Paul Cyr. Everyone else in both races
either improved or fell from their starting
position.
-Cris Michaud, Brent Dragon, Patrick Laperle, and Eddie MacDonald each
have a pair Top 10 finishes to their credit
already. MacDonald is the only driver to have finished each race
inside the Top 5. He was second at Lee USA and
fourth at Oxford Plains.
-Lee USA winner Joey Polewarczyk had as bad a day at Oxford as his was
good at Lee. But, despite finishing 18th
at OPS, he still retains the point lead by just one point over
Michaud. Oxford winner Rolfe sits tied with fellow
Maine racer Dale Verrill in 23rd place, the result of not having run
the Lee USA opener.
THURSDAY NIGHT THUNDER TO RUMBLE AGAIN AT THOMPSON
THOMPSON, CT. Opening night of Thursday Night Thompson Thunder
(TNTT) is set for May 22nd. The 2008 racing season marks the ninth
year that the popular Thursday night race program has been thrilling
race fans in New England.
Thompson’s six NASCAR Whelen All American Series divisions
compete weekly in what has to be the fastest, most efficiently run
race program to be found anywhere in southern New England. Feature
event racing begins around 7 PM and fans are headed home by 9:30 PM.
However, during that period, fans get to see six feature events with
the best drivers the region has to offer.
The Thompson TNTT line up includes Sunoco Modifieds, Pro
Stocks, Late Models, Limited sportsman, Thompson Modifieds and Mini
Stocks. Each of these divisions is packed with highly competitive race
teams and the on-track action is exciting and virtually non-stop.
Race fans are anxiously awaiting the debut of the new lighting system
recently installed at Thompson. Immediately after last November’s Swap
Meet was over, construction began on the new Musco lighting system.
The infield was graded, a new retaining wall was installed and the
towering new fixtures were installed before the New England weather
brought the project to a halt. Once the snows were gone and the
ICEBREAKER program run, work resumed at a fever pitch. Trenches were
dug in both the infield and on the midway for the underground wiring.
Miles of wire were carefully installed and testing of the new system
is about to begin. Once the lighting system installation is completed,
the entire midway will be dug up, reshaped and prepared for a brand
new asphalt coating.
This two fold approach of presenting a great weekly race
program and annual improvements make Thompson International Speedway
one of the truly great race tracks in the country. Thompson opened in
1940 as the first asphalt track in the U.S. and nearly every year
since race fans have been treated to improvements in the facility.
The Thompson pit area will open at 3 PM for TNTT race
programs and practice will begin one hour later. Qualifying races get
underway at 5:30 PM and the first of six main events follow
qualifying. TNTT is family priced and fans get to see NASCAR short
track racing at its very best right in their own back yards. For many,
this fast-paced racing program is the beginning of the weekend. TNTT
is a great way to make summer weekends seem longer and more enjoyable.
For more information about this fun-filled night out at
the races, visit the Thompson web site at www.thompsonspeedway.com
Speedway 95 next stop for PASS North
Naples ME (April 28, 2008) The Pro All Stars Series (PASS) North makes
the drive to Speedway 95 this Saturday May 3rd for their only
appearance of 2008 at the Hermon Maine oval, and all four PASS North
racing divisions will be in action.
The PASS North super late models headline the show with their own
brand of short track thunder in the Community Pharmacies 150. Mike
Rowe will be looking for two in a row after taking the win at Beech
Ridge in the super late model season opener by one-one hundredth of a
second over son Ben. Scott Chubbuck, Richie Dearborn, Cassius Clark
and Johnny Clark are always strong at Speedway 95, but great runs by
Travis Benjamin and Adam Bates at Beech Ridge could be a sign of
things to come.
Andy Shaw is batting a thousand since climbing behind the wheel of a
PASS Mod and he’ll lead the open wheel set to 95. Terry Merrill topped
the PASS Sportsman at Beech Ridge and he’ll be looking to go two for
two but Speedway 95 master Duane Seekins, defending PASS Sportsman
champ Dan McKeage and a host of others can be expected to challenge.
The PASS Outlaws will kick off their 2008 season this weekend and the
winner in this one is anybody’s guess. Speedway 95’s own Sport Fours
complete the five division card.
The pit gate swings open at 9:00 AM on Saturday, and the grandstands
open at 1:00 PM. Heat racing goes green at 3:00 PM
Visit the new PASS web site, www.racewithpass.com , for all the latest
on all five PASS divisions. The master PASS schedule and archives are
still available at www.proallstarsseries.com Speedway 95 can be found
on line at www.speedway95racing.com .
Race Recap: Christopher Captures Spring Sizzler at Stafford
Veteran Earns 28th Career Victory
STAFFORD, Conn. (April 27, 2008) - Ted Christopher captured the second
event of the 2008 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour season when he drove to
victory Sunday in the Tech-Net Spring Sizzler at Stafford Motor
Speedway.
Christopher moved to the front on lap 172 following the 10th caution
of the day and never relinquished the lead.
“We worked on the motor program this winter,” Christopher said. “The
motor is good. It’s got a lot of power. That thing comes off the
bottom and never stops pulling.”
The victory was the 28th of Christopher’s career and his eighth at Stafford.
Runner-up Eric Beers was followed by Chuck Hossfeld, Mike Stefanik and
James Civali. With his second top-five finish, Hossfeld has assumed a
21-point lead over Christopher in the standings.
Rowan Pennink, Richard Savary, Jamie Tomaino, Todd Szegedy and Glenn
Tyler rounded out the top 10.
Ryan Preece, who became the youngest Coors Light Pole Award winner on
Saturday, led 64 laps in the event but exited the race on lap 91 with
engine failure.
Prior to the race NASCAR honored past Modified champions Ernie Gahan
(1966) and the late Red Byron (1948) as part of the season-long
celebration of 60 years of Modified champions. Gahan was on hand to
participate in the ceremony.
The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour will return to Stafford for its third
event of the season on May 23 with the TSI Harley-Davidson 150.
NASCAR WHELEN MODIFIED TOUR-Tech-Net Spring Sizzler Results
Sunday
At Stafford Motor Speedway
Stafford Springs, CT
Lap length: 0.5 miles
(Start position in parentheses)
1. (5) Ted Christopher, Plainville, Conn., Chevrolet, 200 laps, 56.057
mph, $8,320.
2. (4) Eric Beers, Northampton, Pa., Chevrolet, 200, $4,820.
3. (8) Chuck Hossfeld, Ransomville, N.Y., Dodge, 200, $3,320.
4. (10) Mike Stefanik, Coventry, R.I., Pontiac, 200, $3,320.
5. (12) James Civali, Meriden, Conn., Chevrolet, 200, $3,020.
6. (18) Rowan Pennink, Huntingdon Valley, Pa., Chevrolet, 200, $2,620.
7. (19) Richard Savary, Canton, Mass., Chevrolet, 200, $2,720.
8. (11) Jamie Tomaino, Howell, N.J., Chevrolet, 200, $2,920.
9. (23) Todd Szegedy, Ridgefield, Conn., Ford, 200, $2,220.
10. (22) Glenn Tyler, Hampton Bays, N.Y., Chevrolet, 200, $2,020.
11. (9) Kevin Goodale, Riverhead, N.Y., Chevrolet, 200, $1,920.
12. (29) Ken Heagy, Calverton, N.Y., Chevrolet, 200, $2,245.
13. (34) Glen Reen, Wilbraham, Mass., Chevrolet, 200, $1,450.
14. (6) Matt Hirschman, Northampton, Pa., Chevrolet, 200, $1,899.
15. (17) Anthony Sesely, Matawan, N.J., Dodge, 200, $1,050.
16. (28) Danny Sammons, Hamilton, N.J., Chevrolet, 199, $1,760.
17. (33) Tom Abele, Jr., Norwich, Conn., Chevrolet, 196, $1,025.
18. (14) Eric Berndt, Cromwell, Conn., Chevrolet, 193, $975.
19. (35) Sean Patterson, Wading River, N.Y., Pontiac, 193, $950.
20. (2) Frank Ruocco, Cheshire, Conn., Chevrolet, 185, accident, $925.
21. (21) Wade Cole, Riverton, Conn., Chevrolet, 185, $1,620.
22. (25) Billy Pauch, Jr., Frenchtown, N.J., Dodge, 184, accident, $1,595.
23. (3) Jimmy Blewett, Howell, N.J., Chevrolet, 179, accident, $1,670.
24. (16) Erick Rudolph, Ransomville, N.Y., Chevrolet, 174, accident, $825.
25. (24) Carl Pasteryak, Lisbon, Conn., Chevrolet, 156, $800.
26. (26) Renee Dupuis, Glastonbury, Conn., Chevrolet, 153, suspension, $1,200.
27. (30) Ed Flemke, Jr., Southington, Conn., Chevrolet, 109, $1,620.
28. (13) Ronnie Silk, Norwalk, Conn., Pontiac, 103, $1,620.
29. (7) Ryan Preece, Kensington, Conn., Chevrolet, 91, engine, $2,120.
30. (27) Bobby Grigas, III, Marshfield, Mass., Chevrolet, 60, oil
pressure, $1,520.
31. (20) Joe Hartmann, Calverton, N.Y., Chevrolet, 59, accident, $1,520.
32. (31) Reggie Ruggiero, Rocky Hill, Conn., Ford, 54, ignition, $1,520.
33. (1) Rob Summers, Vernon, Conn., Chevrolet, 50, drive shaft, $800.
34. (15) Rick Fuller, Auburn, Mass., 26, timing chain, $1,520.
35. (32) Jake Marosz, Middletown, Conn., Chevrolet, 11, accident, $1,200.
Race Statistics
Time of Race: 1 hour 47 minutes 2 seconds
Margin of Victory: 0.719 seconds
Fastest Qualifier: R.Preece (99.684 mph, 18.057 seconds)
Caution Flags: 13 for 71 laps.
Lead Changes: 7 among 5 drivers.
Lap Leaders: R.Summers 1-5; J.Blewett 6; R.Summers 7-26; R.Preece
27-90; E.Beers 91-92;
T.Christopher 93-142; E.Beers 143-171; T.Christopher 172-200.
Standings: 1. C.Hossfeld, 335; 2. T.Christopher, 314; 3. J.Civali,
305; 4. R.Pennink, 288; 5. T.Szegedy, 284; 6. T.Abele,Jr., 267; 7.
E.Flemke,Jr., 262; 8. G.Tyler, 255; 9. E.Beers, 249; 10. A.Sesely,
248.
[b]Race Recap: Christopher Captures Spring Sizzler at Stafford[/b]
Veteran Earns 28th Career Victory
STAFFORD, Conn. (April 27, 2008) - Ted Christopher captured the second
event of the 2008 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour season when he drove to
victory Sunday in the Tech-Net Spring Sizzler at Stafford Motor
Speedway.
Christopher moved to the front on lap 172 following the 10th caution
of the day and never relinquished the lead.
“We worked on the motor program this winter,” Christopher said. “The
motor is good. It’s got a lot of power. That thing comes off the
bottom and never stops pulling.”
The victory was the 28th of Christopher’s career and his eighth at Stafford.
Runner-up Eric Beers was followed by Chuck Hossfeld, Mike Stefanik and
James Civali. With his second top-five finish, Hossfeld has assumed a
21-point lead over Christopher in the standings.
Rowan Pennink, Richard Savary, Jamie Tomaino, Todd Szegedy and Glenn
Tyler rounded out the top 10.
Ryan Preece, who became the youngest Coors Light Pole Award winner on
Saturday, led 64 laps in the event but exited the race on lap 91 with
engine failure.
Prior to the race NASCAR honored past Modified champions Ernie Gahan
(1966) and the late Red Byron (1948) as part of the season-long
celebration of 60 years of Modified champions. Gahan was on hand to
participate in the ceremony.
The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour will return to Stafford for its third
event of the season on May 23 with the TSI Harley-Davidson 150.
NASCAR WHELEN MODIFIED TOUR-Tech-Net Spring Sizzler Results
Sunday
At Stafford Motor Speedway
Stafford Springs, CT
Lap length: 0.5 miles
(Start position in parentheses)
1. (5) Ted Christopher, Plainville, Conn., Chevrolet, 200 laps, 56.057
mph, $8,320.
2. (4) Eric Beers, Northampton, Pa., Chevrolet, 200, $4,820.
3. (8) Chuck Hossfeld, Ransomville, N.Y., Dodge, 200, $3,320.
4. (10) Mike Stefanik, Coventry, R.I., Pontiac, 200, $3,320.
5. (12) James Civali, Meriden, Conn., Chevrolet, 200, $3,020.
6. (18) Rowan Pennink, Huntingdon Valley, Pa., Chevrolet, 200, $2,620.
7. (19) Richard Savary, Canton, Mass., Chevrolet, 200, $2,720.
8. (11) Jamie Tomaino, Howell, N.J., Chevrolet, 200, $2,920.
9. (23) Todd Szegedy, Ridgefield, Conn., Ford, 200, $2,220.
10. (22) Glenn Tyler, Hampton Bays, N.Y., Chevrolet, 200, $2,020.
11. (9) Kevin Goodale, Riverhead, N.Y., Chevrolet, 200, $1,920.
12. (29) Ken Heagy, Calverton, N.Y., Chevrolet, 200, $2,245.
13. (34) Glen Reen, Wilbraham, Mass., Chevrolet, 200, $1,450.
14. (6) Matt Hirschman, Northampton, Pa., Chevrolet, 200, $1,899.
15. (17) Anthony Sesely, Matawan, N.J., Dodge, 200, $1,050.
16. (28) Danny Sammons, Hamilton, N.J., Chevrolet, 199, $1,760.
17. (33) Tom Abele, Jr., Norwich, Conn., Chevrolet, 196, $1,025.
18. (14) Eric Berndt, Cromwell, Conn., Chevrolet, 193, $975.
19. (35) Sean Patterson, Wading River, N.Y., Pontiac, 193, $950.
20. (2) Frank Ruocco, Cheshire, Conn., Chevrolet, 185, accident, $925.
21. (21) Wade Cole, Riverton, Conn., Chevrolet, 185, $1,620.
22. (25) Billy Pauch, Jr., Frenchtown, N.J., Dodge, 184, accident, $1,595.
23. (3) Jimmy Blewett, Howell, N.J., Chevrolet, 179, accident, $1,670.
24. (16) Erick Rudolph, Ransomville, N.Y., Chevrolet, 174, accident, $825.
25. (24) Carl Pasteryak, Lisbon, Conn., Chevrolet, 156, $800.
26. (26) Renee Dupuis, Glastonbury, Conn., Chevrolet, 153, suspension, $1,200.
27. (30) Ed Flemke, Jr., Southington, Conn., Chevrolet, 109, $1,620.
28. (13) Ronnie Silk, Norwalk, Conn., Pontiac, 103, $1,620.
29. (7) Ryan Preece, Kensington, Conn., Chevrolet, 91, engine, $2,120.
30. (27) Bobby Grigas, III, Marshfield, Mass., Chevrolet, 60, oil
pressure, $1,520.
31. (20) Joe Hartmann, Calverton, N.Y., Chevrolet, 59, accident, $1,520.
32. (31) Reggie Ruggiero, Rocky Hill, Conn., Ford, 54, ignition, $1,520.
33. (1) Rob Summers, Vernon, Conn., Chevrolet, 50, drive shaft, $800.
34. (15) Rick Fuller, Auburn, Mass., 26, timing chain, $1,520.
35. (32) Jake Marosz, Middletown, Conn., Chevrolet, 11, accident, $1,200.
Race Statistics
Time of Race: 1 hour 47 minutes 2 seconds
Margin of Victory: 0.719 seconds
Fastest Qualifier: R.Preece (99.684 mph, 18.057 seconds)
Caution Flags: 13 for 71 laps.
Lead Changes: 7 among 5 drivers.
Lap Leaders: R.Summers 1-5; J.Blewett 6; R.Summers 7-26; R.Preece
27-90; E.Beers 91-92;
T.Christopher 93-142; E.Beers 143-171; T.Christopher 172-200.
Standings: 1. C.Hossfeld, 335; 2. T.Christopher, 314; 3. J.Civali,
305; 4. R.Pennink, 288; 5. T.Szegedy, 284; 6. T.Abele,Jr., 267; 7.
E.Flemke,Jr., 262; 8. G.Tyler, 255; 9. E.Beers, 249; 10. A.Sesely,
248.[b]Race Recap: Christopher Captures Spring Sizzler at Stafford[/b]
Veteran Earns 28th Career Victory
STAFFORD, Conn. (April 27, 2008) - Ted Christopher captured the second
event of the 2008 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour season when he drove to
victory Sunday in the Tech-Net Spring Sizzler at Stafford Motor
Speedway.
Christopher moved to the front on lap 172 following the 10th caution
of the day and never relinquished the lead.
“We worked on the motor program this winter,” Christopher said. “The
motor is good. It’s got a lot of power. That thing comes off the
bottom and never stops pulling.”
The victory was the 28th of Christopher’s career and his eighth at Stafford.
Runner-up Eric Beers was followed by Chuck Hossfeld, Mike Stefanik and
James Civali. With his second top-five finish, Hossfeld has assumed a
21-point lead over Christopher in the standings.
Rowan Pennink, Richard Savary, Jamie Tomaino, Todd Szegedy and Glenn
Tyler rounded out the top 10.
Ryan Preece, who became the youngest Coors Light Pole Award winner on
Saturday, led 64 laps in the event but exited the race on lap 91 with
engine failure.
Prior to the race NASCAR honored past Modified champions Ernie Gahan
(1966) and the late Red Byron (1948) as part of the season-long
celebration of 60 years of Modified champions. Gahan was on hand to
participate in the ceremony.
The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour will return to Stafford for its third
event of the season on May 23 with the TSI Harley-Davidson 150.
NASCAR WHELEN MODIFIED TOUR-Tech-Net Spring Sizzler Results
Sunday
At Stafford Motor Speedway
Stafford Springs, CT
Lap length: 0.5 miles
(Start position in parentheses)
1. (5) Ted Christopher, Plainville, Conn., Chevrolet, 200 laps, 56.057
mph, $8,320.
2. (4) Eric Beers, Northampton, Pa., Chevrolet, 200, $4,820.
3. (8) Chuck Hossfeld, Ransomville, N.Y., Dodge, 200, $3,320.
4. (10) Mike Stefanik, Coventry, R.I., Pontiac, 200, $3,320.
5. (12) James Civali, Meriden, Conn., Chevrolet, 200, $3,020.
6. (18) Rowan Pennink, Huntingdon Valley, Pa., Chevrolet, 200, $2,620.
7. (19) Richard Savary, Canton, Mass., Chevrolet, 200, $2,720.
8. (11) Jamie Tomaino, Howell, N.J., Chevrolet, 200, $2,920.
9. (23) Todd Szegedy, Ridgefield, Conn., Ford, 200, $2,220.
10. (22) Glenn Tyler, Hampton Bays, N.Y., Chevrolet, 200, $2,020.
11. (9) Kevin Goodale, Riverhead, N.Y., Chevrolet, 200, $1,920.
12. (29) Ken Heagy, Calverton, N.Y., Chevrolet, 200, $2,245.
13. (34) Glen Reen, Wilbraham, Mass., Chevrolet, 200, $1,450.
14. (6) Matt Hirschman, Northampton, Pa., Chevrolet, 200, $1,899.
15. (17) Anthony Sesely, Matawan, N.J., Dodge, 200, $1,050.
16. (28) Danny Sammons, Hamilton, N.J., Chevrolet, 199, $1,760.
17. (33) Tom Abele, Jr., Norwich, Conn., Chevrolet, 196, $1,025.
18. (14) Eric Berndt, Cromwell, Conn., Chevrolet, 193, $975.
19. (35) Sean Patterson, Wading River, N.Y., Pontiac, 193, $950.
20. (2) Frank Ruocco, Cheshire, Conn., Chevrolet, 185, accident, $925.
21. (21) Wade Cole, Riverton, Conn., Chevrolet, 185, $1,620.
22. (25) Billy Pauch, Jr., Frenchtown, N.J., Dodge, 184, accident, $1,595.
23. (3) Jimmy Blewett, Howell, N.J., Chevrolet, 179, accident, $1,670.
24. (16) Erick Rudolph, Ransomville, N.Y., Chevrolet, 174, accident, $825.
25. (24) Carl Pasteryak, Lisbon, Conn., Chevrolet, 156, $800.
26. (26) Renee Dupuis, Glastonbury, Conn., Chevrolet, 153, suspension, $1,200.
27. (30) Ed Flemke, Jr., Southington, Conn., Chevrolet, 109, $1,620.
28. (13) Ronnie Silk, Norwalk, Conn., Pontiac, 103, $1,620.
29. (7) Ryan Preece, Kensington, Conn., Chevrolet, 91, engine, $2,120.
30. (27) Bobby Grigas, III, Marshfield, Mass., Chevrolet, 60, oil
pressure, $1,520.
31. (20) Joe Hartmann, Calverton, N.Y., Chevrolet, 59, accident, $1,520.
32. (31) Reggie Ruggiero, Rocky Hill, Conn., Ford, 54, ignition, $1,520.
33. (1) Rob Summers, Vernon, Conn., Chevrolet, 50, drive shaft, $800.
34. (15) Rick Fuller, Auburn, Mass., 26, timing chain, $1,520.
35. (32) Jake Marosz, Middletown, Conn., Chevrolet, 11, accident, $1,200.
Race Statistics
Time of Race: 1 hour 47 minutes 2 seconds
Margin of Victory: 0.719 seconds
Fastest Qualifier: R.Preece (99.684 mph, 18.057 seconds)
Caution Flags: 13 for 71 laps.
Lead Changes: 7 among 5 drivers.
Lap Leaders: R.Summers 1-5; J.Blewett 6; R.Summers 7-26; R.Preece
27-90; E.Beers 91-92;
T.Christopher 93-142; E.Beers 143-171; T.Christopher 172-200.
Standings: 1. C.Hossfeld, 335; 2. T.Christopher, 314; 3. J.Civali,
305; 4. R.Pennink, 288; 5. T.Szegedy, 284; 6. T.Abele,Jr., 267; 7.
E.Flemke,Jr., 262; 8. G.Tyler, 255; 9. E.Beers, 249; 10. A.Sesely,
248.
Switch to full edit form
?Alexander Shines in Monadnock Opener?
Winchester, NH. - -April 27, 2008. Point leader and defending series
champion Kirk Alexander, Swanzey, NH., returned to his home race track
Saturday night, started last in a 26 car field, passed cross town
rival Rob Goodenough on lap 86, to win the” Bond Auto Parts 100″ in
front of a near capacity crowd at Monadnock Speedway. The True Value
Modified Racing Series event was Alexander’s 28th career victory and
his third season opening win at the track known as “The Dog.”
Pole sitter Chris Pasteryak, Lisbon, CT., set a torrid pace holding
off the constant challenges of 2007 Rookie of the Year, Peter Jarvis,
Acutney,VT., Jarvis stayed within striking distance of Pasteryak with
Bryan Shumway, Belchertown, MA., last years winner, Les Hinckley,
Windsor Locks, CT., and 2006 champion Dwight Jarvis,Ascutney, in hot
pursuit.
By lap 20, Danbury CT’s Ed Dachenhausen worked his way into fifth and
ran strong until a late race mishap would force him to the sidelines.
The race pace was fast early on with the first of six caution flags
not displayed until lap 38 for a Chris Wenzel spin. The Holyoke, MA.
veteran was able to rejoin the race which stayed under green until lap
54 when a David Pinkham, Buxton, ME, and Jon McKennedy, Chelmsford, MA
spin drew the caution.
On the restart, Peter Jarvis vaulted into the top spot and held it
until lap 66 when Goodnough powered by. At this point, Alexander was
fast making his move to the front and by the lap 70 marker, the
three-time champion was in third and quickly closing in on Jarvis.
Lap 73 saw Alexander pass Jarvis setting up a great battle with
Goodnough for the top spot. A caution period slowed the pace on lap 85
resulting in Alexander motoring by Goodenough on the restart lap. The
two former Monadnock pro-stock standouts raced hard and clean often
side by side bringing the crowd to it’s feet several times. When the
checkers dropped on the 100th circuit, Alexander’s margin of victory
was a car length and a half over Goodenough.
Goodenough, Pinkham, Dwight Jarvis, Peter Jarvis, Hinckley, Mike
Holdridge, Madison, CT., Pasteryak, Dale Evonsion, E.Hartland, CT.,
and Rookie of the Year contender Kenny White.Jr, Weare, NH., rounded
out the top ten.
Qualifying heats were won by Pasteryak, Shumway, and Peter Jarvis.
The next stop for the TVMRS will be Saturday May 3, at the Waterford
CT Speedbowl with heat races starting at 4:30 PM.
Bond Auto Parts 100
Monadnock Speedway
Winchester NH
April 26, 2008
Race Leaders: Pasteryak (1-54) P.Jarvis (55- 65) Goodenough (66-85)
Alexander (86-100)
Caution Flags: 6
Race Time: 51:03
Black Mountain Painting Award: ? way leader: Pasteryak
Sunoco Hard Charger: Alexander
Order Of Finish: (1) Alexander, (2) Goodenough (3) Pinkham (4)
D.Jarvis (5) P.Jarvis (6) Hinckley (7) Holdridge (8) Pasteryak (9)
Evonsion (10) White (11) Douglas (12) Berube (13) Wenzel (14) Bateman
(15) Masse (16) Dachenhausen (17) Doucette) (18) Dolan (19) Ianarelli
(20) Spiers (21) Perry (22) Bodreau (23) L’etoile (24) Shumway (25)
McKennedy (26) Cravenho.
All-Star Speedway Press Release
Epping, NH ? All-Star Speedway opened up the 2008 NASCAR Whelen
All-American Series championship season on Saturday night, and it was
local favorite Louie Mechalides of Tyngsboro, MA taking down the
opening night win in the All-Star Modifieds.
When the 40-lap main event rolled out onto the high banks, Mechalides
shared the front row with fellow heat winner Luke Royea, but not for
long. After a few cautions slowed the pace in the early laps,
Mechalides moved to the front, while Bill Clement, Matt Riley, Eric
LeClair and Royea were all on the sidelines.
While Mechalides was having it easy out front, there was a great
battle for position behind, with Jim Storace, Josh Cantara, Mike
Murphy and Jimmy Kuhn swapping spots lap after lap. Out front
meanwhile, Mechalides was in control, and he rolled the Marco Turcotte
machine into victory lane at the end of the night.
Kuhn came on strong in the late going the finish second to Mechalides,
while Cantara made the best of his debut to claim third at the
checkers ahead of former Strictly Stock champ Murphy’s debut aboard
the Ken Giles machine, and Jim Storace, who rounded out the top five.
J.R. Baril of Haverhill, MA started on the pole in the Super Late
Model feature event, with veteran Eric Hudson lined up on the outside.
Baril busted right out to the lead when flagman Mike Walker unfurled
the green, with Hudson hot on his heels.
The duo quickly pulled away from the rest of the field, and it soon
became apparent they were off to decide this one between themselves.
Hudson got to Baril’s bumper more than once, but he didn’t have enough
to get by.
Baril went the distance to pick up the win, with Hudson right in his
tire tracks to score the runner-up. Multi-time champion Bobby Gahan
was doing double duty for the night, and his third place run in the
Super Late Models was the highlight of his night. Jimmy Renfrew
collected fourth place honors, with Rich Eaton closing out the top
five.
George Baldwin led the way when the Super Streets headed to the green,
and that’s pretty much the way it stayed for the duration of the
30-lap main event. Baldwin gained the advantage over Lee Weldy on the
start and moved out to the lead, with Sandy Lee quickly moving up to
join the lead battle.
Lee slipped past teammate Weldy to take over the second spot, but
there was nothing he could do to stop Baldwin, who went wire to wire
to score the win. Lee held on to finish second in the Jim Daley
entry, with teammate Weldy, Chuck Dehney, Russ Douphinette, Joey
Ventrillo, Nick Gravel, Tony Carroll, Keith Walton and Neil Kelly the
rest of the top ten.
Heat winners Rick Woodside, Jr. and Steve Douphinette battled hard for
the lead when the Strictly Stock feature went green, with Woodside
gaining the upper hand to set the pace. Approaching halfway,
Woodside’s ride slowed and he headed to the pits, leaving the lead to
Douphinette.
Douphinette survived a late-race scare when he spun in some fluid left
on the track by Ken McIlvaine, but the caution saved him, and he
remained in the lead. Douphinette had clear sailing from there, and
he went on to score the win over Gary Beauregard, Stephen Dubois, Mike
Williams, and Jarod Mountain.
There was plenty of action in the Fast 4 feature, and when the smoke
cleared, it was young Shaun Waites, Jr. sitting in victory lane.
Waites won a race-long duel with Timmy Johnson to grab the checkers,
with Jesse Tellier, Jeff James and Jim Deveau next across the stripe.
Brown tastes fruits of victory in PASS South Watermelon 125
Perry Brown led all but a handful of laps to capture the Pro All Stars
Series (PASS) South win in Saturday night’s Watermelon 125 at
Watermelon Capital Speedway in Cordele Georgia. It was the Riverview
Florida driver’s first visit to PASS South victory lane. Gerogians
Bubba Pollard and Ryan Seig raced home second and third.
Yellow fever had its hold on the field as eighteen caution flags
plagued the race. Wrecks, spins, mechanical problems and flat tires
slowed many of Brown’s wood-be challengers. Hickory winner Corey
Williams had a flat early on and lost several laps to a green flag
tire change, eventually finishing twelfth. Alex Haase ran second for
the first two thirds of the race until an on track incident sent him
pit side; Haase raced back to an eighth place finish. Zach Stroupe ran
up front early on until a broken panhard bar spoiled his night.
Stroupe would be credited with a 21st place finish.
Sprint Cup star David Ragan put on a show for the hometown crowd,
racing his way up to fourth at the checkers after starting shot gun on
the field. Fifth through tenth at the stripe were Michael Pope, Allen
Gordon, Mark Gibson, Alex Haase, John Stancill and Heath Hindman.
In qualifying Corey Williams set a new super late model track record
for the d-shaped three eighths mile. Williams was the only driver to
crack the 15 second barrier with his 15.982 pass. Zach Stroupe
continued to impress with a 16.041 clocking and veteran Florida short
tracker Darryl Shelnut timed in third at 16.058. Alex Haase (16.072)
and Alex Fleming (16.096) time trialed fourth and fifth. Less than two
tenths separated first from tenth in the ultra competitive field.
The PASS South super late models return to action Saturday May 10th
for Mom’s 150 at Motor Mile Speedway in Radford Virginia. Check out
the new Pro All Stars Series web site at www.racewithpass.com , and
Motor Mile Speedway on line at www.motormilespeedway.com .
Unofficial Results ? PASS South Super Late Model Watermelon 125
Watermelon Capital Speedway ? Cordele, GA ? April 26, 2008
1) 22-Perry Brown, Riverview FL Pal-King Pallets Chev 2) 26-Bubba
Pollard, Senoia GA 3) 39S-Ryan Seig,Tucker GA S&W Services Chev 4) 6
? David Ragan, Unadilla GA Watermelon Capital Speedway Ford 5)
44-Michael Pope, Dublin GA, Builders Concrete Products Chev 6)
29-Allen Gordon, Leesburg GA Hall Electric Co. 7) 62-Mark Gibson,
Winston-Salem NC Yarborough Trans Chev 8) 51H-Alex Haase,Concord NC
Kyle Busch Foundation Toyota 9) 20-John Stancill,Ayden NC Stancill
Farms Chev 10) 91-Heath Hindman,Signal Mountain TN Chev 11) 5-Spencer
Wauters,Concord NC Victor Ford 12) 47-Corey Willians,Boothbay ME
Prevost-Stuff.com Chev 13) 48-John Batten,Nashville NC Batten Ceramic
Tiles Chev 14) 30-Rodney Brooks, Mooresville NC
15) 4 ? Blake Lehr,Waxhaw NC Carolina Autosports Chev 16) 94-Mitch
Cobb,Edwards CO JAMK LLC Ford 17) 98-Justin Wakefield, Woodstock GA
Grace Mortgage Service 18) 67-Jeff Fultz, Cincinnati OH 19) 31-Tyler
Millwood, Kingston GA 20) 0-Strom Altman, Charleston SC 21) 51-Zach
Stroupe,Iron Station NC bdiracing.net Chev 22) 05-Alex Fleming,Raleigh
NC Joyner Traffic Eng. Chev 23) 24-Brian Royalty, Cynthiana KY A&J
Service Center Chev 25) 7-Darrryl Shelnut