All-Star Speedway 10-25 Race Report
Epping, NH ? An intense weekend of ground-pounding action hit the high
banks as All-Star Speedway held the second annual Nationals event on
Friday and Saturday, headlined by three divisions of open-wheeled
competition.
Mike Stefanik of Coventry, RI took down the big win in the final round
of the Water Snogo All-Star Modified Showdown, coming from the back of
the field to claim the victory. Stefanik found trouble early in the
race, when contact from Jim Storace got him out of shape just seven
laps into the 100-lapper.
Stefanik collected local favorite Jon McKennedy as he fought for
control, suffering a flat tire in the process and heading to the pits.
McKennedy’s car suffered more serious damage, and he was done for the
night as a result.
When the action resumed, Silk had his hands full with Jim Storace and
Matt Hirschman, who were going at it hard for the second spot on the
leader’s back bumper. Stefanik meanwhile, was picking his way back
toward the front, and he didn’t stop until he got there.
With 66 laps showing on the board, Stefanik made his move past Silk
for the lead, and he never looked back. When the checkers waved at
the end of the 100-lapper, Stefanik found himself sitting in
All-Star’s victory lane for the second time this season.
Silk collected runner-up honors for the night, with Hirschman settling
for third ahead of Kyle Ebersole, Rowan Pennick, Storace, Josh
Cantara, Jacob Dore, Henry Stampfl, and George Baldwin.
In the final round of the Water Snogo Big Block Super Series, former
multi-time track champion and Classic winner Russ Wood stormed to
victory aboard one of the four Jeff Holbrook-owned machines in the
field.
Seven laps into the race, “Super Dave” Sanborn broke and oiled down
the track in turn one, sending the pack scattering, but most of the
cars involved in the incident were able to rejoin the race. Wood
blasted past teammate Mike Ordway, Jr. on the restart to take over the
lead, and he was off to the races.
Fresh off clinching the ISMA championship at the Thompson, CT Speedway
the week before, “The Rowley Rocket” Chris Perley got past Ordway in
the late laps, but there was nothing hw could do to stop the
high-flying Wood.
At the checkers, it was Wood taking down his first All-Star win of the
season, with Perley, Ordway, Jeff Abold, Danny Lane, Jeff Holbrook,
Jon McKennedy, Eric Lewis, Rick Wentworth, and Eddie Witkum, Jr. the
rest of the top ten.
Lane backed up his fifth place run in the Big Block Super Series with
an equally impressive run in the 350 Supers, where he led flag-to-flag
to grab his first All-Star checkered flag of the season. Lane held a
comfortable lead most of the way, but Matt Seavey closed in late in
the event to challenge.
Lane was up to the task however, and he led them across the stripe to
score the win. Seavey took a shot on the low side but came up a car
length short, with Seavey, David Duggan, Dave Sanborn, and Tom
Tombarello, Jr. closing out the top five.
Joey Doiron and Miles Chipman battled side-by-side for the lead when
the New England Late Model feature went green, with Chipman eventually
gaining the advantage and moving into the lead on lap three.
Doiron settled into second for the next several circuits, but on lap
20, he put a move and Chipman to take over the top spot. Bryan
Kruczek quickly joined the lead battle, making it a three-way fight
for the lead.
Chipman eventually lost the second spot to Kruczek, who began applying
some intense pressure to leader Doiron in the late stages of the race.
But Doiron held tough, taking the checkers with Kruczek right on his
bumper. Geoff Rollins claimed the third spot, with Eddie Seffen and
Chipman next across the stripe.
The Super Late Model main was cut short by rain, with Eric Hudson
taking the win in the Newmarket Sand and Gravel-sponsored machine.
Wayne Helliwell, Jr. picked up second place honors, with Ben Rowe,
Rick Martin, Larry Gelinas, Rich Eaton, Barry Gray, Jeff Crowley, Mike
Rowe, and Steve Knowlton the rest of the top ten.
The Super Streets only got in one of their two scheduled 50-lap
features during nationals weekend, and it was Sandy Lee taking down
the win. Former champ Ron Bolduc moved in late in the race to
challenge, but Lee held him off and scored the victory.
Tim Casey, Jr. put in a solid third place run, with Shaun Waites, Lee
Weldy, Wayne Whitten, Jr., Chris Lee, Rob DeAlmeida, and Nick Gravel
rounding out the top ten finishers.
Big Dan took his first career win in the Fast-8 feature event, coming
on strong in the late laps to pick up the win by a fender over
two-time winner Travis Collins. Collins got past a spinning Andy
Nichols for the lead with three laps to go, but the race was far from
over.
Big Dan quickly made his move, ducking underneath Collins to take over
with two to go. Collins fought back on the outside, but his challenge
came up short. Christin Burns chased the leaders across the line in
third, with Nichols and Brian DeStefano following.
Erik Bibeault only led one lap in the Fast-4 feature, but it was the
one that counted. Bibeault had a tough time on the start and had to
play catch up, but the extra-distance feature was just what he needed
to get the job done.
Jef James broke out of the pack at the drop of the green and remained
on the point for the first 21 laps, when Scott Fisette took over the
point. A lap 40 skirmish sent Fisette to the pits with a flat, With
Bibeault holding down the second spot until the checkers were in the
air.
When the leader broke with the checkers in sight, the door opened for
Bibeault, and he moved past to score his first career win after nine
year of trying, with Matt Magee and James chasing him across the
stripe.
Alex Haase is PASS South Champion
Johnny Clark wins Mason-Dixon ? Alex Haase is PASS South Champion
Johnny Clark turned in a dominate performance Saturday night at
Virginia’s South Boston Speedway to win the Pro All Stars Series
(PASS) South 250 lap season finale. It was the 2008 PASS North
champion’s first win in the South series and Clark’s fourth checkered
flag in his last eight PASS super late model starts.
Clark beat Jeff Fultz to the line by a margin of 2.223 seconds.
Cassius Clark raced home third with Trevor Sanborn in the fourth spot
and Randy Porter fifth. DJ Shaw, Kelly Moore, Ryan Blaney, Lonnie
Sommerville and Corey Williams finished sixth through tenth. The top
eight finished on the lead lap.
Alex Haase ’s Kyle Busch Foundation Toyota looked like a super late
model “cutaway” car after 250 laps, but the eighteen year old’s
twelfth place finish was enough to clinch the PASS South super late
model Championship for the Las Vegas Nevada native that now calls
North Carolina home. Haase earned three race wins, six top five and
nine top ten finishes in twelve PASS South starts on his way to the
title.
Haase topped Johnny Clark by nine-one thousandths of a second to
capture the RC2 Race City Race Cars Pole Award.
Although the 2008 Pro All Stars season is now concluded, you can keep
up with the latest banquet news, 2009 rules, registration, and
schedule information at www.racewithpass.com.
Unofficial Results ? PASS South Mason - Dixon 500 250 lap Super Late
Model feature - South Boston Speedway ? South Boston VA - 10/25/2008
1) 54 - Johnny Clark 2) 67 - Jeff Fultz 3) 8 - Cassius Clark 4)
44 ? Trevor Sanborn 5) 32 - Randy Porter 6) 60 - DJ Shaw 7) 47M -
Kelly Moore 8) 10 - Ryan Blaney 9) 23 - Lonnie Sommerville 10) 47 -
Corey Williams 11) 0 - Jeremie Whorff 12) 51H - Alex Haase 13) 22 -
Perry Brown 14) 67 - Mark Gibson 15) 4 - Jay Fogleman 16) 15 - Clay
Jones 17) 17 - Scott Alexander 18) 42 - Tim Pinion 19) 98N - Adam
Bates 20) 22N - Harry Olson 21) 5 - Alex Fleming 22) 91 - Heath
Hindman 23) 16 - Tom McCann Jr. 24) 98 - Justin Wakefield 25) 97 -
John Fleming 26) 48 - John Batten
Hoar Joins RPM Motorsports for 2009 ACT Title Run
Hoar Joins RPM Motorsports for 2009 ACT Title Run
GEORGIA, VT ? The two most dominant drivers in
American-Canadian Tour (ACT) Late Model stock car history
will team up in 2009 under the RPM Motorsports banner for car owner
and crew chief Rick Paya of Georgia, VT. Five-
time ACT Late Model Tour Champion Brian Hoar has joined the team to
race the full schedule, seeking his first Tour
title in nine years. His teammate, on a limited basis, will be
seven-time ACT Champion Jean-Paul Cyr.
“I am very excited to have this opportunity and to race for
another ACT championship,” said Hoar, who won
his first title in 1993 before taking four straight from 1997-2000.
“Rick has been a very successful crew chief
for a long time, and he’s already had a lot of success in a short
amount of time as a car owner; I’m very
confident in his team. And for me, it’s pretty cool that I get to be
a teammate to Jean, somebody that I really
have a lot of respect for.”
Paya has a new Late Model chassis under construction for Hoar
at Race Basics in Maine. This will mark the
first time in Hoar’s 18-year career that he has driven full-time for a
team other than his family’s. Cyr will
step back to a limited schedule for 2009, driving the same Race Basics
car he drove to third-place overall in 2008.
“The biggest change for me is that I get to focus more on
getting my job done behind the wheel, and I see
that as a positive thing,” explained Hoar, noting that the pressures
of being an owner/driver can be a
distraction. “But at the same time,” he joked, “I now have to answer
to someone if I put a dent in the fender.”
Hoar, of Williston, VT, is the all-time ACT Late Model Tour
victory leader with 23 wins, while Cyr, of
Milton, VT, ranks second with 19. Between the two men, only five
championships in the 17-year history of the
series have been won by other drivers. Hoar also owns track
championships at Thunder Road in Vermont, New York’s
Airborne Speedway, and the 1-mile New Hampshire Motor Speedway in
Loudon, NH. He finished 10th at the Chittenden
Bank Milk Bowl at Thunder Road in his lone 2008 ACT appearance, and
finishing sixth in ACT points with his own
team in 2007.
Cyr’s record with Paya as his crew chief includes five
consecutive ACT Late Model Tour championships, from
2003-2007. Paya also served as car owner in 2007-08, and the pair
scored a victory in the Spring Green 100 at
Airborne Speedway before finishing third in points this season.
“I feel privileged to have the two best drivers in ACT history
driving my race cars,” said Paya. “Brian
is a perfect fit for our team and the way we do things, and it’s just
a great feeling to have him racing for us.”
Paya said that in keeping with Hoar’s career-long affiliation, his car
will run Dodge livery but will debut a new
number, 37, changing from Hoar’s trademark #45.
“I’ve wanted to run for another ACT title for quite a while,
and now I’ve got a great new team, a new car,
a new number, and a new attitude,” said Hoar. “I already can’t wait
for the season to start.”
“I’ve decided to scale back my racing some for next year, but I
think that Brian and Rick will have a
strong year and it will be good for the team,” said Cyr. “They should
certainly be front-runners together.”
ACT will honor its 2008 champion, Canadian Patrick Laperle, at
the annual ACT Banquet of Champions in
Burlington, VT in January 2009. Details will be made available in the
coming weeks.
PASS South News - South Boston Mason-Dixon 500 preview
ns Ready for Ultimate Race Weekend at South Boston
CHARLOTTE, NC (October 21) ? Rarely do you find a weekend of racing
that will provide as much as action as what is about to be unleashed
upon the South Boston (VA) Speedway. NASCAR and the Pro All Stars
Series (PASS), two of the nation’s leading sanctioning bodies in short
track racing, are combining to bring racing fans the Mason Dixon 500.
This weekend America’s top racers from the PASS North and South Super
Late Model divisions, along with the NASCAR Whelen All American Series
Late Model Stocks cars, will converge on South Boston Speedway to
compete in twin 250 lap races paying $10,000 each to the winners.
But, before we look at the headline events, how did the Mason Dixon
500 come to being?
Since the late 1980’s, a majority of race tracks in the Southeastern
United States have utilized the Late Model Stock cars as their
featured NASCAR division. In that time, South Boston’s annual season
finale has been one of the marquee events on the NASCAR Late Model
Stock calendar. As for PASS, the PASS North division began back in
2001, with the PASS South division coming on board in 2006. In 2006,
PASS South held the first Mason Dixon Meltdown at South Boston with
2008 PASS National Champion Cassius Clark taking the win in the
inaugural event. Last year’s Mason Dixon Meltdown moved to the
Concord (NC) Motorsport Park with four-time PASS North champion Ben
Rowe edging out Corey Williams for the win. During the off season,
South Boston Speedway General Manager Cathy Rice and PASS President
Tom Mayberry discussed the possibility of bringing the Mason Dixon
back to South Boston and merging it with the big Late Model Stock
weekend in October. The idea seemed to make perfect sense and thus
the Mason Dixon 500 was born.
Heading to South Boston, the PASS South Super Late Models are readying
for what could be one of the biggest events in series history. And,
there aren’t any shortages of story lines either. Following the
Howler 150 at Greenville-Pickens (SC) Speedway, the race for the PASS
South championship has been turned on its head. Former PASS South
points leader Corey Williams’ string of bad luck continued after a
mechanical problem in the Howler. That has allowed Howler winner Alex
Haase to take the advantage in the PASS South standings and has put
Perry Brown back in contention for the championship. Two-time PASS
South winner Justin Wakefield, Heath Hindman, Mark Gibson, and Alex
Fleming are among the other PASS South regulars who continue to have a
shot at the title should circumstances work out in their favor.
Perhaps the biggest hurdle for the PASS South regulars to overcome at
this weekend’s Mason Dixon 500 will be the huge number of drivers
coming in from PASS North and other Super Late Model series. The
Mason Dixon has been dominated thus far by PASS North competitors and
this year might not be any different with no less than a dozen New
Englanders and Canadians coming down to try and take the Southern
loot.
In the second half of the 2008 PASS North season, no driver was
stronger than the champion, Johnny Clark. Of Clark’s four wins in
2008, three of them came in the second half of the season. Second
year driver Adam Bates won two PASS North races this year and proved
he could race in the South by finishing second in the Howler at
Greenville-Pickens. Among the other PASS North drivers heading South
are 2008 PASS North winner D.J. Shaw, former NASCAR Camping World East
Champion Kelly Moore, Trevor Sanborn, and Canadian drivers John
Fleming and Lonnie Summerville.
As if that were not enough, this weekend’s field for the Mason Dixon
just gets stronger. Jay Fogleman has turned many laps at South Boston
over the years in NASCAR Late Model Stocks and USAR Hooter’s Pro Cup
competition and comes to the Mason Dixon high on momentum. Fogleman
won in just his second PASS South start at the Newport (TN) Speedway
and just this past weekend won round three of the USAR Hooter’s Pro
Cup Championship Series at Southern National Raceway Park. Former
NASCAR All Pro Series champions Jeff Fultz and Hal Goodson have filed
entries along with up and comers like Bubba Pollard, Ryan Blaney and
Bill Elliott development driver Casey Roderick.
The NASCAR Whelen All American Series Late Model Stock entry list is
just as impressive. Over 60 of the top Late Model Stock drivers in
the Southeast are expected to try and qualify for their portion of the
Mason Dixon 500. Phillip Morris, who won his second NASCAR Whelen All
American Series championship this year, should be among this weekend’s
favorites. But, just like the PASS South division, he will have more
than his fair share of competition. South Boston Speedway will be
represented by a number of regulars including 2008 Late Model Stock
champion Wayne Ramsey and the top two drivers in Limited Sportsman
points, Lee Pulliam and Bruce Anderson. Peyton Sellers returns to the
track that made him a NASCAR Whelen All American Series Champion after
a very successful 2008 campaign in the NASCAR Camping World East
Series. Other top competitors already enetered include Davin Scites,
Greg Edwards, Brandon Butler, Stacy Puryear, Matt McCall, and Frank
Deiny, Jr.
This weekend’s Mason Dixon 500 begins on Friday, October 24th with
rotating practice starting at 1 PM, qualifying for the NASCAR Late
Model Stocks and PASS South Super Late Models at 4 PM and qualifying
heat races at 7 PM. RC2 Race City Race Cars will present $200 to the
fastest qualifier in the PASS South Super Late Model division. On
Saturday, October 25th, grandstand gates will open at 11 AM, last
chance races will be at Noon, with the 250 lap main event for the
NASCAR Late Model Stocks starting at 3 PM to be followed by the 250
lap main event for the PASS South Super Late Models.
2008 TITLES WRAPPED UP AT WISCASSET RACEWAY SEASON FINALE
WISCASSET RACEWAY PRESS RELEASE 10/20/08
2008 TITLES WRAPPED UP AT WISCASSET RACEWAY SEASON FINALE
It was a cold and blustery Sunday afternoon at Maine’s “Center of
Speed” with division titles up for grabs in five weekly divisions and
a 100 lap Prostock main event to cap off the 2008 season. At the end
off the day all five point leaders maintained their hold atop their
respective divisions with one of them making history in the process.
Maurice Young of Windsor picked up his 13th feature win of the season
in the Keystone Automotive Strictly Streets and in the proccess
wrapped up the best season of his career with a track record 7th
championship, breaking a tie with multi-time champion Scott Chubbuck.
In victory lane Young confirmed reports that he will be making the
jump up into the Late Model Sportsman division for the 09′ season, a
division that he won Rookie of the Year and division championship
honors in 2004. His other six titles have all come in the Strictly
Streets. Division runner-up Ed Peirpont was also there to collect the
2nd place trophy in the 20 lap feature and Ian Bresnahan of Bath took
3rd and jumped up to 3rd in the final standings as well. In the 100
lap main event for the Clark’s Car Crushing Prostocks Travis Benjamin
was untouchable and turned in a dominant wire to wire victory to
complete the season. It was Benjamin’s second career win at Wiscasset,
but his first one captured on the track. His win in September of 06′
came following disqulifications in post race inspection. In victory
lane he praised his crew and his car. “This is the best car I’ve ever
had here.”said Benjamin. “The guys did an awesome job getting it
ready!” A handful of drivers took turns challenging Benjamin in each
of the race’s six restarts, but nobody could touch the #17 Irving Oil
/ Coca Cola sponsored Chevrolet. Benjamin would build leads
approaching a full straightaway to secure the win. Donnie Whitten of
Biddeford was the big mover in the race, starting back in 14th and
picking his way into the top three by lap 38. He would trade the 2nd
position back and forth with Wiscasset regular Chuck Colby through the
middle laps of the race. In the end Whitten held on for 2nd place and
Colby settled for 3rd. Scott Chubbuck rebounded from early race
troubles including several early race visits to the pits and raced his
way into the lead pack late in the event to finish 4th. Defending
champ Scott Moore of Anson started along side Benjamin on the front
row and finished 5th. The Clark’s Car Crushing Prostock championship
had already been wrapped up the previous week by Freedom’s Randy
Turner.
In other action in the season finale, Appleton’s Darren Ripley
continued his second half dominance in the Smith Construction Late
Model Sportsman division. He started the 30 lap feature 6th and wasted
little time working his way to the front and driving around T.J.
Watson and into the lead on lap 10. A caution with four laps to go set
up an exciting restart between longtime rivals Ripley and Steve Reno
of West Bath. Reno timed the restart perfectly and outraced Ripley to
turn one to take the lead. Ripley stayed in Reno’s tire tracks until
the white flag lap when he set up on the outside lane and drove around
Reno in turn four to take the win by less than a carlength. It was
Ripley’s 4th win in the LMS division’s last seven races. Reno settled
for 2nd and Watson finished 3rd. Despite needing to go to a backup car
for the feature Chris Thorne’s 14th place finish was good enough to
secure his second straight Late Model title at Wiscasset Raceway.
Division runner-up Adam Chadbourne could only manage a 9th place
finish in the final race. In the Unicel Budweiser Super Streets
Appleton’s Jeremy Glasier had a wire to wire win in the caution free
25 lap feature. It was his 3rd win of the season for Glasier. Nate
Weston of Madison made a strong comeback after a scary wreck the week
before and chased the winner across the line to claim the 2nd place
trophy. Division runner-up Shawn Austin of Norridgewock picked up 3rd
place finish but it was not enough to overtake Allan Moeller. The
veteran from Dresden finished 5th in the feature and picked up his 3rd
career title to go along with championships in Wiscasset’s Super
Limited and Modified divisions. 13 year old Ryan Ripley continued his
impressive season in the Aable Autoparts Mini Stocks 20 lap feature.
He started on the outside of the front row and took the lead on lap
one and drove away to his 4th win of the season. Wiscasset’s Tom True,
just 14 years old himself, crossed the line 3rd but picked up the 2nd
place trophy after Mike Wilson failed post race inspection. Veteran
Pete McCollet moved up in the finishing order to take the 3rd place
trophy. Skowhegan’s Dylan Lancaster came into the season finale with a
comfortable lead in the points and easily secured the Mini Stock
championship with his 5th place finish. It was the first career title
for the 17 year old Skowhegan High senior. He put together a season
that included a division high 15 top 5 finishes. The White &
Bradstreet Mini Truck division had the closest points battle coming
into the final feature with James Swan III leading Jason Giggey by
just 10 points. However, Giggey’s truck shutdown in prerace lineup and
couldn’t make it to the green flag and the 15 lap feature. Sebego’s
Chris Doucette picked up his division high 9th feature win, holding
off Kevin Oliver at the stripe. Rick Sirois turned in a career best
4th place finish but it was bumped up to a 3rd place finish after Russ
Anderson failed post race inspection. With his 4th place finish Swan
would take the title without the benefit of a feature win this season.
Oliver would jump past Jason Giggey to finish as the division
runner-up.
Wiscasset Raceway will officially crown its 2008 champions at the
annual awards banquet Sunday Novemeber 9th at Hafford’s in Waterville.
Happy hour will begin at 2:00pm with dinner to follow and award being
presented at aproximately 5:00pm. Trophies and points fund money will
be handed out to the top ten drivers in each of the track’s six weekly
racing series divisions, including a hefty $10,000 championship payoff
going to Randy Turner and his car owner Tim Norris for taking the
track title in the Clark’s Car Crushing Prostocks. Tickets for the
awards banquet are available until November 1st by calling the
Wiscasset Raceway office at (207) 882-4271. Further information is
available on the track website at www.wiscassetraceway.info.
OFFICIAL RESULTS 10/19
CLARK’S CAR CRUSHING PROSTOCKS 100 LAPS
1. Travis Benjamin - Morrill; 2. Donnie Whitten - Biddeford; 3.
Chuck Colby - Wiscasset; 4. Scott Chubbuck - Dresden; 5. Scott
Moore - Anson; 6. Jason Chicolas - Sutton, MA; 7. John Phippen -
Bar Harbor; 8. Tracy Gordon - Strong; 9. Dave Farington Jr -
Jay; 10. Jesse Smith - Bangor; 11. Bill Whorff Jr - West Bath;
12. Dale Cullivan - Palermo; 13. Darren Ripley - Appleton; 14.
Randy Turner - Freedom; 15. Scott King - Livemore Falls; 16.
Matt Lee - Albion; 17. Ryan Deane - Winterport; 18. Gary Smith -
Bangor; 19. Gary Norris Jr - West Gardiner; 20. Charlie Colby -
Edgecomb; 21. Jason Black - Manchester
SMITH CONSTRUCTION LATE MODEL SPORTSMAN (30 LAPS)
1. Darren Ripley - Appleton; 2. Steve Reno - West Bath; 3. T.J.
Watson - Harpswell; 4. Corey Morgan - Lewiston; 5. Dan Trask -
Chelsea; 6. Ryan Robinson Jr - Stueben; 7. Nick Hinkley -
Wiscasset; 8. Nick Brown - Bath; 9. Adam Chadbourne - Woolwich;
10. Jason Witts - Dixmont; 11. Craig Robbins - Oakland; 12.
Danny Smart - Buxton; 13. Will Collins - Appleton; 14. Chris
Thorne - Sidney; 15. Scott Pooler - Vassalboro; 16. Richard
Jordan - Kingfield; 17. Frank Moulton - Unity; 18. Bill Pinkham
- Wiscasset; 19. Mike Orr - Wiscasset; 20. Jimmy Childs - Leeds;
21. Duane Love - West Gardiner; 22. Tyler Robbins - Montville
UNICEL / BUDWEISER SUPER STREETS (25 LAPS)
1. Jeremy Glasier - Appleton; 2. Nate Weston - Madison; 3. Shawn
Austin - Norridgewock; 4. Mike Landry - Oakland; 5. Allan
Moeller - Dresden; 6. Kevin Douglass - Sidney; 7. David Vaughn -
Naples; 8. James Osmond - Wiscasset; 9. Sulo Burbank - Gorham;
10. Frank Brown - Pittston; 11. Josh Bailey - Wiscasset
KEYSTONE AUTOMOTIVE STRICTLY STREETS (20 LAPS)
1. Maurice Young - Windsor; 2. Ed Peirpont - Jefferson; 3. Ian
Bresnahan - Bath; 4. John Hutter - Reed; 5. Steve Peirpont -
Cushing; 6. Jaimie Henderson - Litchfield; 7. Caeser Morgan -
Woodstock; 8. Dustin Hubbard - Unity; 9. Wally Henderson -
Litchfield; 10. Ben Krauter - Raymond; 11. Jim Dugay - Greene;
12. Bobby Mesimer - Wiscasset; 13. Chuck Colby - Wiscasset; 14.
Guy Childs Jr - Leeds; 15. Neil Greenleaf - Westport; 16. Matt
Stuart - Pittston
AABLE AUTOPARTS MINI STOCKS (20 LAPS)
1. Ryan Ripley - Thomaston; 2. Tom True - Wiscasset; 3. Pete
McCollat - Readfield; 4. Derek Cook - Wilton; 5. Dylan Lancaster
- Skowhegan; 6. Dan Somes - Sidney; 7. Mike Dulaney - Richmond;
8. Ken Edgecomb - Readfield; 9. Ed Sleeper - Vassalboro; 10.
Chelsea Young - Winterport; 11. Alex Cromwell - Woolwich; 12.
Ryan Hayes - Jefferson; 13. Ben Nile - Anson; 14. Steve Howard -
Thomaston; 15. Alica Goodwin - Waterville; 16. Mike Swanson -
Winthrop; 17. Natasha Dyer - Arrowsic; 18. Zach Audette -
Oxford; 19. Rick Fountain - Rochester, NH; DQ. Mike Wilson -
Chelsea
WHITE & BRADSTREET MINI TRUCKS (15 LAPS)
1. Chris Doucette - Sebego; 2. Kevin Oliver - Gray; 3. Rick
Sirois - Norridgewock; 4. James Swan III - Clinton; 5. Mike
Anderson - Portsmouth, NH; 6. Jessica Norris - Portsmouth, NH;
7. Miranda Power - Norridgewock; 8. Josh Harjula - Boothbay; DQ.
Russ Anderson - Portsmouth, NH
Thompson International Speedway The Harry Kourafas Jr. Memorial Race
Thompson International Speedway The Harry Kourafas Jr. Memorial Race
By: Sarah Lemay
Welcome back once again, glad that you are back joining us for some
more Pro 4 racing. This would be a full weekend of action at the World
Series of Racing at Thompson International Speedway. The event kicked
off on Friday morning right at nine A.M. Some of the crews had stayed
overnight on Thursday to be ready bright and early, as some had
dropped their campers off earlier in the week to have a good spot for
a fun filled weekend.
The club had nineteen teams arrive to the track, some arriving later
in the day being a work day for them. As the first practice of the day
was let out there were twelve cars on the track. A pack of seven was
running strong together with #1M Norman Wrenn leading them. #00 Dave
Richardi heading into the pits with engine troubles having an issue
with his carburetor. #13 George Sherman calling it an early day having
blown his motor. Returning back since running at Beech Ridge is #29
Matt Sagar. Heading into the pits as well is #49 Joe Lemay with his
never ending problem of his car overheating. Over all the practice
went well with no accidents.
Back in the pits #13 Sherman was loading up his car and heading home
to pull an all-nighter on building a new motor, as we have seen him do
his trailer all the way in North Carolina for the Shoot Out in 2006.
But he will be returning tomorrow race with little sleep and keeping
the other drivers on their toes as he always does. Down at the #00
Richardi the crew had his motor stripped apart to figure out what was
creating the issue. Also taking apart components to their car was #4
Cory Cleary, who was having a problem with his oil pump.
Ten cars got out onto the track for the second practice for the day.
#25 Tyler Anderson, #12 Rob Richardi, Jr. and #83 Franky Perry were
running quickly together for a few laps. #1M Wrenn and #07 Phil
Lausier were dueling together for a couple of laps. Everyone looked
good with their cars handling well through the turns and running fast
down the straights. #49 Lemay looked better after making some
adjustments to his vent opening for his radiator. #00 Richardi having
solved to problem with his carburetor was back on track running strong
as well. Again, another good practice with no incidents.
Getting into the third practice there was again ten cars that would
make it out. #4 Cleary taking things slow to get started after having
worked on the oil pump. #10 Brian Vincent’s motor started smoking
going down the front straight as soon and the flagger gave the green
to go. #49 Lemay in trouble once again, except this time he didn’t
over heat. Over coming out of turn three there was a loud popping
noise, it was his distributor gear being stripped. #60 Andy Major and
#19 Tim D’Amico joining in on the ranks as they finally arrived to the
track. Being the final practice of the day, it went as well as the
others before them.
Making a late arrival to the track and return to racing for the first
time in many years is #87 Randy Tucker. Also with him would be #21
Jeff Zuidema and #34 Mark Giordano. The guys with a little time on
their side were able to make a few final adjustments before the heat
races and relax to chit-chat with each other for a bit. Some guys
headed up to the fence to watch some of the other thirteen divisions
that were also running in the Series this weekend.
Starting things off for the first heat race #00 Dave Richardi is on
the pole and #07 Phil Lausier would be to the outside. Richardi had a
good start on the green flag and set the pace. By lap three #00
Richardi and #1M Norman Wrenn would be neck and neck going into turn
three. Wrenn completing his pass down the front straight of lap four.
The pack would remain tight throughout the eights lap of the heat. It
was #1M Wrenn grabbing the checkered flag for the first heat.
In the second heat, starting on the pole is #25 Tyler Anderson with
#10 Vincent to the outside. As the green flag fell Anderson would get
a great start with #12 Rob Richardi, Jr. following right behind him.
Vincent trying to be cautious with his motor looked a little slow on
the start. #87 Randy Tucker looked to be having trouble in the fourth
lap as he waved the guys past him heading into the pits slowly. It was
a side by side race during the fifth lap for the third position
between #10 Vincent and #21 Jeff Zuidema. By Lap seven #12 Richardi,
Jr. made his pass around #25 Anderson going into turn two. Zuidema
would catch up to Richardi, Jr. on the final lap and pass him in turn
three. That made #21 Zuidema the winner of the second heat.
With day one complete the crews packed up their cars for the evening
and did one of a few things. They stayed to watch the remainder of the
qualifying divisions. Most headed to their tents or campers for the
night with barbeques, drinking and fires going ablaze. Others drove
home for a good night’s sleep for another full day of racing tomorrow.
And some were tinkering with their cars trying to make some more
adjustments that would be needed.
There would be only one practice for the day on Saturday because the
other divisions that did not qualify on Friday would be doing that
today. It would be a tight schedule but a long day as the Pro 4’s
didn’t get out for practice until two in the afternoon and the feature
wouldn’t be until six thirty. Practice would be shared with the mini
stocks. It was a full track with fourteen Pro 4’s and just as many
Mini Stocks out. Practice was good with no incidents, but there were
certainly a few close calls with the guys weaving their way between
Mini Stocks. #34 Giordano would head into the pits after a few laps.
Finally getting around to start the feature taking the pole position
would be #00 Dave Richardi and #25 Tyler Anderson on the outside. As
the guys rolled into turn four they would stay tight together as the
green flag was pulled. #00 Richardi would pull away getting onto the
back straight. We would get the only caution of the night on the first
lap was #16 Stanley Mertz would get loose in turn three and #99 Billy
Joerres would give him a little push causing him to spin. With both
guys ok and getting back into line quickly things could get restarted
without too much of a wait. #00 Richardi would keep the pole and #25
Anderson would be on the outside once again. It was a nice restart
between to two boys as they remained side by side for the first lap.
Anderson would pass Richardi on the front straight of the second lap,
but Richardi would not give up easily as he would get around Anderson
in the same place on the next lap. #10 Brian Vincent would close in on
the leaders on lap five. The top four cars begin making a gain away
from the pack #00 Richardi, #10 Vincent, #25 Anderson and #07 Phil
Lausier on lap seven. #10 Vincent makes the pass around #00 Richardi
on lap nine going into the back straight, but Richardi would quickly
pass Vincent and take back the lead in turn four. There would be a
little contact between Anderson and Richardi creating some sparks as
they coming down the front straight of the thirteenth lap. They would
be neck and neck for the next two laps keeping you on the edge of your
seat. Richardi would pull ways and hold his position in the lead spot.
#1M Norman Wrenn would pass the leaders on lap sixteen heading down
the front straight. #34 Mark Giordano would have a large trial of
sparks following him as it looked like he had a flat tire going down
the front straight. Wrenn would start gaining a five car lead on #00
Richardi and #25 Anderson by lap twenty. On lap 22 #07 Lausier would
get loose in turn three and spin into the dirt but would be out of the
way enough to not pull out a caution. He was able to get back out on
the track without creating a mess and keeping racing to finish the
race. With no one around him it was #1M Wrenn to take the checkered
flag for the feature tonight.
Making this win number eight in first place and winner of the Harry
Kourafas Jr. Memorial Race #1M Stormin’ Norman Wrenn. In second is #00
Dave Richardi, third #10 Brian Vincent, fourth #25 Tyler Anderson and
rounding off the top five #60 Andy Major. For the limited Pro 4’s in
first is #99 Billy Joerres, in second #16 Stanley Mertz and in third
#34 Mark Giordano.
With one race remaining in the season, the overall points lead would
be enough for of driver/owner #1M Norm Wrenn to capture the 2008
Season Championship for the Pro Four Division. The #16 Limited Pro
Four Modified of driver/owner Stanley Mertz also clinched the Limited
Pro Four Modified 2008 Season Championship as well.
Congratulations to all, this was an excellent weekend for racing. Join
us once more in two weeks for the final race of the 2008 season at
Twin State Speedway in Claremont, New Hampshire. We promise to keep
the excitement coming.
FITZGERALD OUTLASTS FIELD TO CAPTURE DEMOLITION DERBY FINALE AT CFS
FITZGERALD OUTLASTS FIELD TO CAPTURE DEMOLITION DERBY FINALE AT CFS
(Shediac, N.B.) — Tommy Fitzgerald (#24) of Summerside, PEI showed
why he is one of the top demolition drivers in the region by
outlasting a field of 11 competitors to capture the Atlantic
Demolition Derby Championship event on Saturday afternoon at the
Centre for Speed in nearby Grand Barachois, N.B.
Joel Despr?s (#34) of Scoudouc also enjoyed a good afternoon with
three visits to victory lane in a first Full Contact heat, the Back up
Bag Race and the third Figure 8 heat.
Fitzgerald drove his North-American Auto Wreckers 1985 LTD through
various crashes and somehow got himself out of a very difficult
situation to claim two wins on Saturday afternoon in the final event
of the 2008 stock-car racing season in Atlantic Canada.
Early in the Demolition Derby, Fitzgerald was hit hard from behind by
Isra?l Brideau (#69?) of Cap-Pel?. In fact, part of Brideau’s
front-end was wedged under the rear of Fitzgerald’s car. With no
traction from his rear wheels, Fitzgerald was stuck in mid-air until
another car hit the two immobilized vehicles dislodging Fitzgerald
from his predicament. Moments later, another crash sent Andr? Tremblay
(#29) of St. Louis de Kent flipping into the infield. With the car
landing on its wheels, Tremblay simply pressed on the gas pedal and
resumed the battle.
In the end, Fitzgerald was able to disable the 1997 Plymouth Breeze
driven by Jordon Veinotte (#11) from Porter’s Lake, N.S. to claim the
victory. Prior to that final hit, Fitzgerald had also disabled
St?phane Poirier’s (#09) 1990 Chevy Wagon who had to settle for third
place. Veinotte had earlier picked up a win in the second 10-lap Full
Contact Race.
Fitzgerald also visited victory lane earlier in the Figure 8 feature
ahead of Alain Robichaud (#333) of St. Ignace, N.B. and Jean-Yves
Gauvin (#40) of Allardville, N.B. Figure 8 heat winners were
Fitzgerald, Gauvin and Joel Despr?s (#34) of Scoudouc who
unfortunately burned his clutch in the heat and could not compete in
the feature.
The ladies took the wheel of the racecars for the 10-lap Powder Puff
race and when the dust had settled, Jocelyne Marcoux (#91) of St.
Ignace had claimed the win driving her husband Don’s 2008 Thundercat
championship racecar. Nancy Leger (#909) of Cap-Pel? crossed the
finish line in second followed closely by Nicole Vautour (#649) of St.
Ignace.
A total of 23 racecars took the start for the 100-lap Endurance event.
Bruce Hach? (#37) of Beresford, the 2008 Wildman Division champion
from Blue Mountain Speedway near Bathurst, N.B., was able to avoid a
number of wrecks during the event and weaved his was to claim the win
ahead of Mark Collicott (#97) of Tignish, PEI and Jean-Marc Richard
(#649) of St. Ignace.
In the street-legal drag racing event, the fastest competitor turned
out to be Alain Robichaud of St. Ignace.
This event concluded the 2008 racing season at the Centre for Speed,
Greater Moncton’s Playground of Power. Watch for details on the
upcoming 2009 stock-car and motorsports racing season at CFS by
visiting the speedway’s website at www.centreforspeed.com
Christopher Reigns Supreme at Thompson
Christopher Reigns Supreme at Thompson
Perley, Cabral Winged Winners; Rocco, Ramstrom & Gentes Score Wins
Thompson, CT (October 19, 2008): Ted Christopher of Plainville, CT,
delivered in a big way on Sunday at the World Series of Speedway
Racing. He needed only to keep his closest competition Matt Hirschman
in his sights. Christopher went out and won the 150-lapper for the
Whelen Modified Tour to score his first-ever Modified Tour
championship.
“I have to commend everyone that I raced with today,” said Christopher
following the race. “They gave me plenty of room to race. It was fun
out there today.”
Chris Perley of Rowley, MA, continued to be the dominant force in the
International Supermodified Association taking down a strong victory
at the World Series. Randy Cabral of Plymouth, MA, worked his magic
taking his third straight Northeastern Midget Association feature
victory. In the regular Thompson Weekly Racing series divisions, Keith
Rocco of Wallingford, CT, was tops in the Sunoco Modifieds; Derek
Ramstrom of Worcester, MA, turned in a dominating performance in the
Pro Stocks; and Rick Gentes of Woonsocket, RI was victorious in the
Late Models to conclude the race season at Thompson International
Speedway. The only thing remaining on Thompson’s slate is Don Hoenig’s
All Automotive Swap Meet on November 1 & 2, 2008.
In the early stages of the Whelen Modified Tour event both Ryan Preece
and Ronnie Silk looked to be the class of the field. Championship
contenders Christopher and Hirschman ran comfortably inside the top
ten throughout the event. Preece had the dominant car but a flat tire
diminished his hopes of celebrating in victory lane. Mechanical woes
befell Hirschman with just over 30 laps to go ending his bid at a
championship. Christopher took the lead on lap 130 but a spin by Eddie
Flemke negated the pass. The pass stuck once the race went back to
green with 15 laps remaining. Christopher was up for the challenge on
the green-white-checker restart holding back Chuck Hossfeld to take
the win. Silk, Doug Coby, and Erick Rudolph completed the top five.
Keith Rocco of Wallingford, CT, scored his sixth victory of the season
in the Sunoco Modified division. Keith Rocco jumped out to the lead on
the third attempt to lap one. He immediately pulled away from the
field; however, lap after lap Marvin would edge ever closer. Marvin
caught the leader on lap seven. The two went wheel to wheel briefly
before Marvin made an aggressive move in lapped traffic in turn one on
lap 9 to take over the top spot. Rocco stayed with Marvin even looking
low in the corners each lap.
The engine expired on the Tim Sullivan machine to bring out the
caution with nine laps remaining. One of several incidents at that
conjuncture of the event eliminated the third and fourth place cars of
Kerry Malone and Tommy Cravenho. Marvin was up for the challenge on
several restarts but gave up the lead on lap 25 under green flag
conditions. Marvin gave it all he had over the last lap to chase Rocco
to the checkers. He had to settle for second behind the six-time
feature event winner, Rocco. Josh Sylvester had a season-high finish
in third. Kevin Goodale came on strong in the late stages of the event
to finish fourth over Brian McCarthy.
It was a Vic Miller sweep on Sunday afternoon in the World Series ISMA
50 with his cars finishing one-two. Perley took the lead early in the
race and would never be headed. The ageless Bentley Warren poured it
on late in the race to finish second. Perley worked his way through
traffic to take the lead from earlier leader Dave Shullick, Jr. on lap
15. Throughout the event Shullick continued to chase Perley. Lou
Cicconi, in the borrowed ride of Rick Wentworth, ran strong in third.
Rob Summers and Warren made up the top-five. With less then 10 laps to
go Shullick was able to catch Perley in lapped traffic.
Shullick got a great run on Perley exiting turn four on lap 41.
Looking for the same real estate, the two nearly made contact.
Shullick spun trying to avoid running into Perley. On the ensuing
restart, Perley was able to jump out to a sizeable advantage while
Warren was able to grab second from Cicconi. Mark Sammut waited until
late in the race to pour it on. Perley went unchallenged to the
checkers over Warren.
In Northeastern Midget Association competition, Randy Cabral of
Plymouth, MA continued his domination of the series with his third
consecutive victory. Early in the race Cabral had to contend with
veteran Nokie Fornoro for the top spot. Fornoro, who had problems in
qualifying on Saturday, started scratch on the field. He was the
leader after only a handful of laps. On a restart past halfway, Cabral
took over the lead from Fornoro. He had taken the lead the lap prior
but a caution had negated the pass. During the event several front
runners had problems including Bobby and Eric Santos.
Cabral continued to lead through a number of cautions. Under green,
Cabral was able to extend his lead over Fornoro. At the checkers,
Cabral scored the victory completing the Thompson sweep in 2008.
Fornoro had a great run to finish second followed by Greg Stoehr, Adam
Cantor, and Mike Horn.
Feature racing got underway on World Series Sunday with the Pro
Stocks. Derek Ramstrom of Worcester, MA, scored his fourth win of the
season in dominating fashion. Ramstrom jumped from the outside of the
front row to take the lead. The early going of the 30-lap main event
featured a great side-by-side battle between Ramstrom and Jeff
Connors. Connors was able to take the top spot on lap 8. Ramstrom
quickly regrouped to retake the lead at lap 12. Over the long green
flag run, Ramstrom was able to extend his lead over Connors and Dave
Berghman. In the late stages, Gentes was the man on the move, breaking
into the top five. At the checkers, it was all Ramstrom. Connors
settled for second ahead of Berghman, Mike O’Sullivan and Gentes.
The “Woonsocket Rocket” Rick Gentes stormed to the lead in the Late
Model race and never looked back to score the prestigious World Series
victory. Gentes looked to have the race well in hand before a caution
flew just shy of halfway to open the door for Tom O’Sullivan. The two
waged a great battle for several laps before an incident involving
O’Sullivan, who suffered minimal damage. Gentes resumed the lead with
Steve Landry and Paul Newcomb, Jr. taking chase. Pete Yetman joined
the fray for the second position. Gentes was able to distance himself
from the pack. Yetman exited the battle in second but had nothing for
Gentes, who cruised to his fourth win of the season. Yetman, Landry,
Wayne Coury, and Mark Oliveira rounded out the top five.
Whelen Modified Tour Feature Finish (Unofficial Top Ten): 1. Ted
Christopher, Plainville, CT; 2. Chuck Hossfeld, Ransomville, NY; 3.
Ronnie Silk, Norwalk, CT; 4. Doug Coby, Milford, CT; 5. Erick Rudolph,
Ransomville, NY; 6. Jamie Tomaino, Howell, NJ; 7. Richard Savary,
Canton, MA; 8. Todd Szegedy, Ridgefield, CT; 9. Tony Ferrante, Jr.,
New Hyde Park, NY; 10. Eric Beers, Northampton, PA.
ISMA Supermodifieds Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. Chris Perley, Rowley,
MA; 2. Bentley Warren, Kennebunkport, ME; 3. Mark Sammut, London,
Ont.; 4. Lou Cicconi, Jr., Aston, PA; 5. Rob Summers, Vernon, CT; 6.
Russ Wood, Pelham, NH; 7. Mike Ordway, Jr., Fremont, NH; 8. Dave
Shullick, Jr., N. Ridgeville, OH; 9. Jeff Holbrook, Oswego, NY; 10.
Dave McKnight, Jr., Brampton, Ont.
NEMA Midgets Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. Randy Cabral, Plymouth, MA;
2. Nokie Fornoro, Stroudburg, PA; 3. Greg Stoehr, Bridgwater, MA; 4.
Adam Cantos, Dix Hills, NH; 5. Mike Horn, Ashland, MA; 6. William
Wall, Shrewsbury, MA; 7. Doug Cleveland, Sudbury, MA; 8. Paul Scally,
Raynham, MA; 9. Lee Bundy, Kennebunkport, ME; 10. Erica Santos,
Franklin, MA.
Sunoco Modified Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. Keith Rocco, Wallingford,
CT: 2. Bert Marvin, New London, CT: 3. Josh Sylvester, Lebanon, CT; 4.
Eric Goodale, Riverhead, NY: 5. Brian McCarthy, Norwich, CT: 6. Zach
Sylvester, Lebanon, CT; 7. Glenn Griswold, Vernon, CT; 8. Steve Masse,
Bellingham, MA; 9. Shawn Solomito, Islip, NY; 10. Brad Vanhouten,
Wading River, NY.
Pro Stock Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. Derek Ramstrom, Worcester, MA;
2. Jeff Connors, Ellington, CT; 3. Dave Berghman, Seekonk, MA; 4. Mike
O’Sullivan, Springfield, MA; 5. Rick Gentes, Woonsocket, RI; 6. Jay
Macedonio, Somerset, MA; 7. Fred Astle, Jr., Westport, MA; 8. Dave
Silvia, Warwick, RI; 9. George Bessette, Danbury, CT; 10. Jim
Banfield, S. Glastonbury, MA.
Late Model Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. Rick Gentes, Woonsocket, RI;
2. Pete Yetman, Peru, MA; 3. Steve Landry, Tyngsboro, MA; 4. Wayne
Coury, Milford, MA; 5. Mark Oliveira, Blackstone, MA; 6. Garret
Frabizio, E. Patchogue, NY; 7. Mike Scorzelli, Malta, NY; 8. John
Materas, Voluntown, NY; 9. Roy Either, Newtown, NC; 10. Randy
Waterman, Killingly, CT.
Haase PASS South winner at Greenville-Pickens - Cassius Clark is National Champ
Haase PASS South winner at Greenville-Pickens - Cassius Clark is National Champ
Alex Haase drove under Justin Wakefield in the closing laps of
Saturday’s Pro All Stars Series (PASS) Howler 150 super late model
feature at Greenville-Pickens Speedway to capture his third PASS
victory of 2008 in his #51 Kyle Busch Foundation Toyota Camry.Haase
edged out Warner New Hampshire’s Adam Bates and Goldsboro North
Carolina’s Jeff Fultz for the victory. Trey Mitchell and Toby Porter
rounded out the top five. Haase swept both PASS South events at
Greenville-Pickens in 2008.
Toby Porter led the way in time trials with a lap of 20.207 seconds,
besting Justin Wakefield (20.276) and John Wes Townley (20.284) for
the RC2 Race City Race Cars Pole award. Canadian Lonnie Summerville
won the last chance qualifier over Mark Gibson and Clete Caywood.
Cassius Clark pulled the number one spot in the top ten redraw to
start the race from the pole. Clark and his fellow PASS National
Championship contender John Stancill got together on lap 90, ending
Clark’s night. Although Stancill continued on for an eighth place
finish, Clark’s finishes in the first three National Championship
rounds were enough to top Stancill for the inaugural PASS National
title.
Haase’s win, coupled with a 22nd place finish by Corey Williams
unofficially puts Haase on top of the PASS South standings as the
series heads into its final events of 2008.
The fastest full fendered racers in the east will travel to
Virginia’s South Boston Speedway on Friday and Saturday October 24 and
25 for the Mason-Dixon 500, a short track spectacular that will
feature twin 250 lap features for the PASS Super Late Models and
NASCAR Late Model Stock Cars. Each feature will pay a whopping
$10,000.00 to the winner.
Grandstands open Friday, October 24 at 3:00 PM. Practice for the PASS
Super Late Models and the NASCAR Late Models is scheduled from 1:00 PM
until 3:00 PM Qualifying time trials will get the green flag at 4:00
PM. Twenty-five lap qualifying races will close out the first day of
the Mason Dixon 500 at 7:00 PM.
Grandstand gates will open Saturday, October 25 at 11:00 AM. At 12:00
noon there’s 50-lap Last Chance races for the PASS Super Late Models
and the NASCAR Late Models. A Fan Appreciation Session will begin at
1:30 p.m. trackside and will continue until 2:30 p.m. The NASCAR Late
Models will get the green flag for their 250-lap race feature at 3:00
PM, followed by the PASS Super Late Models in a 250-lap shootout.
The Pro All Stars Series is on line at www.racewithpass.com .
Unnofficial Results ? PASS South Super Late Model Howler 150 ? Round
4, PASS National Championship Series - Greenville-Pickens Speedway ?
Easley South Carolina ? 10/18/2008
1) 51H Alex Haase 2) 98N Adam Bates 3) 67 Jeff Fultz 4) 147 Trey
Mitchell 5) 32 Toby Porter 6) 98 Justin Wakefield 7) 23 Lonnie
Summerville 8) 20 John Stancill 9) 91 Heath Hindman 10) 97 John
Flemming 11) 56 Kyle Bonignore 12) 29X Alex Karnes 13) 62 Mark Gibson
14) 32X Randy Porter 15) 05 Alex Fleming 16) 09 John Wes Townley 17)
26 Brandon Johnson 18) 22 Perry Brown 19) 48 John Batten 20) 42 Tim
Pinion 21) 8 Cassius Clark 22) 47 Corey Williams 23) 24 Brian Royalty
24) 14 Clete Caywood 25) 18 Bradley McCaskill 26) 5 Spencer Wauters
27) 71 Jimmy Doyle 28) 39 Dean Clattenburg
Beers Sets Track Record in WMT Qualifying at Thompson
Beers Sets Track Record in WMT Qualifying at Thompson;
Saturday World Series Victories to Hutchings, Payne, Douton, Foster,
Michalski, Bellisle, Sullivan, & Wrenn; Slate Set for Sunday Action
Thompson, CT: The World Series of Speedway Racing continued on
Saturday at Thompson International Speedway with time trials for the
Whelen Modified Tour and a host of other qualifying race events.
Feature activity kicked off on Saturday evening with eight (8) events.
Corey Hutchings of Salem, CT, scored the victory in the Outlaw Late
Models; Howard Payne of Shelton, CT, came out of retirement to win in
the All Star Race Trucks. Scott Michalski of S. Killingly, CT was up
to his old tricks winning in the Mini Stocks. Scott Foster of
Willington, CT bested his brother to take top honors in the Outlaw
Strictly Stock. Norm Wrenn, of Nashua, NH topped the Pro-Four
Modifieds and Chris “Moose” Douton of Waterford, CT, won in the
Limited Sportsman division.
The culmination of the World Series begins on Sunday when the pit gate
opens at 8:00 AM; grandstands open at 9:00 PM. The Pro Stock feature
is slated to go off first after the Supermodifieds fire engines
followed by the Late Models, Sunoco Modifieds, and NEMA Midgets. The
ISMA Supermodifieds and the Whelen Modified Tour cap off an incredible
weekend of racing. The Tour is schedule to go off at approximately
3:00.
Eric Beers of Northampton, PA, not only set fast time in Coors Light
qualifying but he also set a new track record. With a lap of 18.429
seconds Beers beat the record previously held by Todd Szegedy. Ryan
Preece, Matt Hirschman, Jimmy Blewett, and Chuck Hossfeld rounded out
the top-five during time trials. After the redraw of the top-ten,
Jimmy Blewett and Mike Stefanik will lead the field to green for
Sunday’s Xtra Mart World Series 150. Christopher, who leads Matt
Hirschman by 35-points in the championship chase, will start from the
seventh position. Hirschman will start third.
Corey Hutchings of Salem, CT, celebrated in victory lane after a World
Series Outlaw Late Model victory; ending the strong hold that Gentes
had on the title. At the drop of the green flag, Hutchings and Gentes
immediately jumped out to a sizeable margin over a heated three car
battled between Gerry DeGasparre, Marc Curtis, and Wayne Coury, Jr.
Things got tense at the head of the pack after an early restart
between Hutchings and Gentes. The two slowed slightly after contact
allowing Coury to make it a three car battle for the top spot. The
three ricocheted off one another coming out of turn four. Gentes
appeared to cut a right front tire slamming the outside wall. On the
ensuing restart, Coury made a quick bid for Hutching’s lead. Hutchings
held back the challenge and went on to take a commanding victory.
Coury turned in a strong performance to finish second. George Rego,
Gerry DeGasparre, Jr. and Marc Curtis, Jr. completed the top five.
Chris “Moose” Douton of Waterford, CT, was in the right place at the
right time to win a World Series victory. It was the second Limited
Sportsman victory in a row for Douton, who actually crossed the stripe
in second. Ed Puleo took the lead early and had stretched out his lead
slightly over the likes of Jess Gleason and Douton. As the race wore
on, Gleason and Douton began to reel in the leader. On the final lap,
Gleason had caught Puleo. Exiting turn two the duo made contact
sending Puleo spinning from the lead. Gleason crossed under the
checkers first but was penalized. Douton was awarded the victory. Joe
Arena came home second. Puleo spun across the stripe to finish third.
Jay Sundeen and Joe Plonski rounded out the top five.
Brian Sullivan of S. Windsor, CT, successfully went in search for his
second straight victory in the TIS Modifieds. At the head of the
field, Sullivan and Glenn Boss set a steady pace. The two continued to
stretch their advantage over Cam McDermott during a green flag run.
Sullivan was able to maintain his lead through a pair of cautions.
After a late race caution, Boss was able to apply some pressure to
Sullivan, who was up to the task. Sullivan scored the victory over
Boss, McDermott, Brian Tagg and Leo Oliveira.
Scott Michalski of S. Killingly, CT, posted his sixth win of the
season in the Mini Stock division in the first feature event to kick
off the World Series. In the early going of the Mini Stock race, it
was a three-car battle for the top spot between Rick Blanchard, Scott
Michalski, and Eric Bourgeois. Blanchard held the lead shortly before
Michalski took control. Michalski withstood a handful of cautions to
take down the win; capping off a dominant late season run that
included three straight wins in September. Blanchard settled for
second over St. Michalski, Bourgeois, and Billy Pomposelli.
Norm Wrenn went weaving his way through traffic and into victory lane
for this eighth Pro Four Modified win of the season during World
Series weekend. Wrenn had worked his way into the third position
shortly after halfway. He used the high line and the low groove to
move into the lead all while maneuvering through lapped traffic in the
Pro Four Modified main event. Wrenn moved from third to second in turn
one and into the lead in turn two on the same lap. Wrenn went
unchallenged to the checkers over Dave Richardi and Brian Vincent.
Howard Payne of Shelton, CT, came out of retirement to score a World
Series victory in the All Star Truck Series. It had been 10 years
since Payne had made a start. He actually scored a victory in that
final start, 10 years ago at the World Series. He duplicated his
efforts scoring the victory after a spirited dual with Richie Brooks.
Brooks set the pace through the first half of the event withstanding
pressure from Greg Butler. Payne had worked his way past Butler and
set his sites on Brooks. On lap 15, Payne made his move on the
backstretch to take over the top spot. Payne went unchallenged to the
checkers in the caution free main event. Brooks came home second. Gee
Perry, Chris Corel, and Mike Powell rounded out the top five.
It was a family affair following the Outlaw Strictly Stock main event
as the Foster Brothers gathered after to celebrate in victory lane.
Scott Foster took over the top spot from early leader Tim Sullivan.
With Scott out front and his brother Sean taking chase the action was
hot and heavy throughout the pack that went 33-cars strong. Sparks
were flying as teams from various race tracks throughout the region
jockeyed for position.
The Fosters continued to distance themselves from the rest of the
field as the battling continued. In the stretch run, Scott took the
victory over his brother Sean. Sullivan settled for third over Shawn
Thibeault and Dana Shepard.
“This is the coolest victory lane I’ve ever had,” said Scott. “Racing
against all my friends, it was a blast.”
Louie Bellisle III of Lisbon, CT, turned in a dominating performance
to score the victory in the Outlaw Mini Stock main event. Bellisle
III jumped out to the early lead in a caution-plagued feature event.
While attrition began to mount, Bellisle continued to maintain his
lead through several cautions. In a long green flag run later in the
race, Bellisle stretch his lead to nearly a straight away over a
heated battle for second between Ken Cassidy, Jr., Scott Michalksi,
and Jack Aquilina. Cassidy came out of the battle in second.
Bellisle streaked to the checkers with the World Series victory.
Fellow Speedbowl competitor, Cassidy was the runner-up. Scott
Michalski, Aquilina, and Beth Adams completed the top-five.
Earlier in day the ISMA Supermodifieds, NEMA Midgets, Sunoco
Modifieds, Pro Stocks, and Late Models ran qualifying feature events.
Outlaw Late Model Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. Corey Hutchings, Salem,
CT; 2. Wayne Coury, Jr., Milford, CT; 3. George Rego, Dartmouth, MA;
4. Gerry DeGasparre, Jr., Pawtucket, RI; 5. Marc Curtis, Jr.,
Worcester, MA; 6. Jeremy McDermott, E. Stroudsburg, PA; 7. Ken
Bamford, Coventry, RI; 8. Steve McQuillan, Glastonbury, CT; 9. Robert
Visconti, Lindenhurst, NY; 10. Mark Hudson, Norton, MA.
Limited Sportsman Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. Chris Douton,
Waterford, CT; 2. Joe Arena, Bristol, CT; 3. Ed Puleo, Brandford, CT;
4. Jay Sundeen, Oxford, MA; 5. Joe Plonski, Worcester, MA; 6. Joe
Coates, Eastford, CT; 7. Brandon Plemons, Uncasville, CT; 8. Al Stone,
New Haven, CT; 9. Jonathan Avery, Quaker Hill, CT; 10. Steve Cole,
Brooklyn, CT.
Outlaw Strictly Stock Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. Scott Foster,
Willington, CT; 2. Sean Foster, Ellington, CT; 3. Tim Sullivan, S.
Windsor, CT; 4. Shawn Thibeault, Plainville, CT; 5. Dana Shepard,
Putney, VT; 6. Tom Fox, Plainville, CT; 7. Rey Lovelace, Scituate, RI;
8. Ralph Garguilo, Allenwood, NJ; 9. Johnny Electric, E. Islip, NY;
10. Jay Steely, Attleboro, MA.
Mini Stock Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. Scott Michalski, S.
Killingly, CT; 2. Rick Blanchard, Pascoag, RI; 3. Steve Michalski,
Brooklyn, CT; 4. Eric Bourgeois, E. Haddam, CT; 5. Billy Pomposelli,
Chepachet, RI; 6. Glynn Roy, Sterling, CT; 7. Chad Baxter, Pascoag,
RI; 8. Ron Rixham, Jefferson, MA; 9. Andy Publicover, Sudbury, MA; 10.
Bill Schoeler, Warwick, RI.
Outlaw Mini Stock Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. Louie Bellisle, III,
Lisbon, CT; 2. Ken Cassidy, Jr. Lisbon, CT; 3. Scott Michalski, S.
Killingly, CT; 4. Jack Aquilina, Oakdale, CT; 5. Beth Adams,
Winchendon, MA; 6. Mark Panaroni, Ivoryton, CT; 7. Tony Kumiega,
Palmer, MA; 8. Ian Brew, Wood River Jct., RI; 9. Sean Caron, E.
Hampton, CT; 10. Billy Osborne, Plaistow, NH.
TIS Modified Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. Brian Sullivan, S. Windsor,
CT; 2. Glenn Boss, Danielson, CT; 3. Cam McDermott, Scituate, RI: 4.
Brian Tagg, Oxford, MA; 5. Leo Oliveira, Raynham, MA; 6. Richie
Ferreira, Raynham, MA; 7. Jesse Berthiaume, Mendon, MA; 8. Shane
Michalski, Woostock, CT: 9. Mike Viens, Seekonk, MA; 10. Buddy
Charette, Woodstock, CT.
Pro-Four Modified Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. Norm Wrenn, Nashua,
NH; 2. David Richardi, N. Easton, MA; 3. Brian Vincent, Coventry, RI;
4. Tyler Anderson, Nashua, NH; 5. Andy Major, Brookfield, MA; 6. Cory
Cleary, Plymouth, MA; 7. George Sherman, Framingham, MA; 8. Rob
Richardi, Jr., N. Easton, MA; 9. Frank Perry, Holbrook, MA; 10. Robin
Berghman, E. Providence, RI.
All Star Race Trucks (Top Three): 1. Howard Payne, Shelton, CT; 2.
Richard Brooks, Groton, CT; 3. Gee Perry, Granby, CT.