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Rain Washes Out Thompson Race Program Again; New Event Added to Schedule for July 9th

2009-07-02T16:28:56Z

Thompson, CT — The rains that have dominated the New England weather picture for the past six weeks struck again in Thompson, CT causing the cancellation of the July 2^nd race program.

Due to the number of events that have become the victim of Mother Nature’s wrath, Thompson officials have added a complete race program to what had been an open date on the track’s original schedule.

Thursday, July 9^th, is a brand new date on the Thompson schedule. That event will include all six of the NASCAR Whelen All American Series divisions and will be the night that the Sunoco Modifieds run the 50-lap race scheduled for Thursday, July 2^nd.

“We have so many events washed out by rain that we felt we owed it to our competitors and fans to try to make up at least one of the races we have lost. The original schedule did not have a race event on Thursday, July 9^th because of the big Full Fender Frenzy program two days later on Saturday, July 11^th. But, we feel that we owe it to our competitors and fans to try to make up for the incredible number of cancellations we have had this year,” said track owner, Don Hoenig.

The regular Thursday Night Thompson Thunder schedule will apply. Grandstands will open at 4 PM. Practice will get underway at 4 PM as well with qualifying at 5:15 PM. Feature events, including the 50-lap Sunoco Modified race, will begin at about 6:30 PM. General admission ticket prices will be $18.00 for adults, youngsters ages 6-14 will be priced at only $5.00 and those 5 years and under will be admitted free of charge. Pit fee will be $30.00.

For more information on the cancellation of the July 2^nd race or the addition of the July 9^th event, fans may visit the track’s web page at www.thompsonspeedway.com

Sources: Russ Dowd/Thompson International Speedway PR

Pro All Stars A Big Part of Thompson’s Full Fender Frenzy

2009-07-03T13:18:21Z

Thompson, CT — The NASCAR Camping World East Series will be the main attraction at Thompson’s PEPSI Full Fender Frenzy. However, The Pro All Stars Series (PASS) will play a major role when these two touring divisions invade the Thompson International Speedway for the annual PEPSI Full Fender Frenzy on Saturday, July 11^th.

PASS, the ultra successful Super Late Model touring series, has, over the years, established a huge fan following at Thompson. This amazing Series will add their own brand of excitement with a 75-lap main event. PASS will join an impressive line up of racers including the headlining NASCAR Camping World East Series.

The Pro All Stars Series driver’s roster includes some of the very best Super Late Models racers in all of New England. Fans can expect to see drivers such as Ben Rowe, Johnny Clark, Kelly Moore, Cassius Clark, Scott Chubbuck and Travis Benjamin. One of Thompson’s most popular Super Late Model drivers, Derek Ramstrom, is also a regular competitor on the PASS circuit. Ramstrom will be competing in the PASS 75-lap main event plus will be making his debut in the NASCAR Camping World East Series 100.The PEPSI Full Fender Frenzy event is a one-of-a-kind event in New England and has become a regular entry in the annual Thompson schedule.

The NASCAR Camping World East Series returns to Thompson for their annual 100-lap race. The current points leader in this popular NASCAR touring division is Jody Lavender. Lavender will lead an impressive list of drivers to the Connecticut oval including the winner of the most recent race for this series, the Heluva Good! Summer 125 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Matt DiBenedetto.

Eddie MacDonald of Rowley, MA, currently second in Camping World East points chase, will be looking for his second Thompson win on Saturday, July 11^th. Defending series champion, Matt Kobyluck of Uncasville, CT., will also be a top contender for a visit to victory lane. Long-time Thompson fan favorite and Camping World East regular, Steve Park is sure to be in the thick of the action. Park is a veteran of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour battles at Thompson and made an indelible mark on this speedway before moving to NASCAR’s Nextel Cup Series.

Thompson’s own Late Models, Limited Sportsman, Mini Stocks and Thompson Modifieds will add even more excitement to this action packed race day. Grandstands will open at 12:30 PM. Qualifying is scheduled for a 4:15 PM start with the first of 6 feature races slated for roughly 5 PM.

The entire schedule for the PEPSI Full Fender Frenzy is listed on the Thompson web page. www.thompsonspeedway.com Tickets may be purchased in advance by calling the Thompson Speedway track office. 860-923-2280

Sources: Russ Dowd/Thompson International Speedway PR

Modified Trio Up For Hall

2009-07-03T19:11:08Z

Allison, Byron, Evans among 25 on ballot

Charlotte, NC — Announced Thursday, 25 figures that have shaped the history of NASCAR racing have been nominated for the inaugural class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Among that select group are three competitors that earned fame in NASCAR’s Modified division.

During the 2008 season NASCAR celebrated 60 Years of Modified Champions. On Thursday, a trio of those championship competitors – Bobby Allison, Red Byron and Richie Evans – were among the 25 distinguished individuals on the ballot for induction in the first NASCAR Hall of Fame class in 2010.

Allison captured the 1964 and 1965 NASCAR Modified Division titles prior to his rise to stardom in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Named one of “NASCAR’s 50 Greatest Drivers” in 1998, Allison’s dominant two-year run in the Modifieds put him on the map as a force to be reckoned within the world of NASCAR racing as he gathered 32 wins in his title campaigns. Prior to his NASCAR Modified Division titles, Allison also collected back-to-back championships in the NASCAR Modified Special Division in 1962 and 1963.

Allison went on to register 84 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victories which ranks third in the division’s history. He was a three-time Daytona 500 winner, six-time Most Popular Driver and the 1983 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion.

Byron was the ultimate racing pioneer. He won the first NASCAR-sanctioned race on the beach and road course in Dayton on Feb. 15, 1948 and later that year captured the first NASCAR championship in the Modified Division. Byron, a Word War II veteran, captured the first NASCAR Strictly Stock (now know as the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series) title a year later. While his racing career was short, his contributions and accomplishments have not gone unrecognized. He was named one of “NASCAR’s 50 Greatest Drivers” in 1998.

The king of Modified racing, Evans’ accomplishments are nearly immeasurable. The Rome, N.Y., native captured nine NASCAR Modified titles in a 13-year span, including a remarkable eight in a row from 1978-85. Evans ranked No. 1 in the 2003 voting of the “NASCAR All-Time Modified Top 10 Drivers,” and he was included in “The 50 Greatest NASCAR Drivers of All Time” list in 1998. In the first year of the current NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour format in 1985, Evans won 12 races, including all four events at Thompson. Evans had already clinched his ninth career title heading into the season’s final race at Martinsville, but tragically perished in an accident during a practice session, cutting short a career that is unmatched still today.

Also among the list of 25 NASCAR Hall of Fame nominees were others with ties to the Modified division. Raymond Parks was owner of Byron’s cars that captured the first NASCAR title and drivers Buck Baker and Tim Flock both raced Modifieds before finding success in what is now known as the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

The NASCAR Hall of Fame, located in downtown Charlotte, is slated to open on May 11, 2010. The inaugural class, and each enshrined class thereafter, will consist of five inductees. The class will be selected by the Voting Panel from the list of 25 candidates that was assembled by a 21-person Nominating Committee. The Voting Panel will consist of the members of the Nominating Committee and 29 others from throughout the NASCAR industry. There also will be one more ballot, decided by a nationwide fan vote, for a total of 51 Voting Panel ballots.

Voter Registration is under way. Sign up and we’ll send you an e-mail when the polls open for voting. Click here to sign up.

Sources: Jason Cunningham/NASCAR WMT PR

Bobby Santos, III Comes to Extreme Tuesday Fresh Off USAC Mastery

2009-07-04T12:11:54Z

Stafford Springs, CT — Stafford Motor Speedway welcomes the ISMA Supermodifeds, NEMA Midgets, and Pro-4 Modified cars for a night of open wheel excitement on Tuesday, July 7th for the 6th Annual CARQUEST Extreme Tuesday. Franklin, Mass. native Bobby Santos, III will look to add to his incredible 2009 season with a victory in the NEMA Midget feature.

Santos has been tearing up the USAC ranks this past week, taking three victories. Santos’ run began with a USAC Sprint Car event in Kalamazoo, Michigan that saw him qualify first and finish first. Santos then went to Richmond this past weekend where he swept the card with victories in both the Sprint Car and Silver Crown events. Santos is the defending race champion of the 30-lap NEMA Midget event, and he is looking forward to returning to Stafford and trying to add another victory to his 2009 resume.

“I always look forward to coming back to Stafford,” said Santos. “I’ve always run good there in the past and anytime we can come to Stafford and get a win is great.”

Santos certainly knows the fast way to get around Stafford. Santos has won two of the last three NEMA races at Stafford, and in 2006 at Stafford he won both the PRA Big Car and Midget portions of The Big One to walk away with a $50,000 payday from Valvoline. Although he has had enjoyed great success at Stafford and on the USAC trail this year, Santos says that his USAC experience doesn’t help when it comes to the NEMA car.

“The cars and engines are the same, but the NEMA car drives totally different with the wing and the shocks on the car,” said Santos. “Plus, Stafford is unique with how you use the apron to get around the track, so although the cars are different, having racing experience always helps.”

Joining the NEMA Midgets on the CARQUEST Extreme Tuesday card will be the ISMA Supermodifieds and the Pro-4 Modifieds. Chris Perley is the defending ISMA Supermodified feature winner and he has won three of the 5 CARQUEST Extreme Tuesday events held at Stafford. Norm Wrenn is the defending champion of the Pro-4 Modified feature.

The ISMA Supermodified feature will be 50-laps, the NEMA Midget feature will be 30-laps, and the Pro-4 Modified feature will be 25-laps. Spectator gates open at 4:15pm, qualifying races begin at 5:45pm, and feature events begin at 7:30pm.

Tickets for the 6th Annual CARQUEST Extreme Tuesday are available and on sale now at the Stafford Motor Speedway box office. Tickets are priced at $30.00 for adult general admission, and children ages 6-14 are only $5.00. Children ages 5 and under are admitted free of charge when accompanied by an adult. Reserved seating is $32.00. Stafford Motor Speedway offers free parking with overnight parking available.

For more information about the 6th annual CARQUEST Extreme Tuesday event, or to order tickets, contact the Stafford Motor Speedway track office at 860-684-2783, or visit us on the web at www.staffordspeedway.com.

Sources: Scott Running/Stafford Motor Speedway PR

LIVE: Fireworks for Southern Modifieds in return to Caraway

2009-07-04T16:25:28Z

The NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour comes back from its spring break for the Firecracker 150 at Caraway Speedway.

Follow the links below to follow all the action from Asheboro, N.C., throughout Saturday.

To get updates throughout the day: LAP BY LAP

To get all the information on the Firecracker 150 in one place: RACE EVENT PAGE

Click here to view the embedded video.

Sources: NASCAR WSMT PR

Brunnhoelzl gets the Firecracker 150 win

2009-07-04T16:26:25Z

Asheboro, NC — George Brunnhoelzl III avoided a spinning race leader L.W. Miller on lap 113 and took the lead for good on lap 119 en route to winning the Firecracker 150 Friday night at Caraway Speedway.

It was the second career NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour win for the third-generation driver and first since last season at Lanier National Speedway.

“I was racing L.W. as hard as I could and we here using up our brakes to stay off of him,” said Brunnhoelzl after the race. “We have worked really hard get the No. 28 Oval Speed/Fibrwrap/PT Ford back to Victory Lane and I am glad we finally got back here. We had a really good car tonight.”

Click here to view the embedded video.

Frank Fleming (No. 40 Jerry Hunt Automotive/Pro Health Systems Pontiac) followed in second and Seuss (No. 47 Advance Auto Parts/Q Racing Oil/Stuart Automotive Dodge) was third. Ron Silk and Brian Loftin rounded out the top five.

Brunnhoelzl pushed his points lead to 17 over Seuss.

The race was slowed seven times by caution with one red flag for cleanup following Jay Mize’s engine issues. Miller, who led four times for 94 laps, finished 12th after his late-race spin.

Seuss won his first Coors Light Pole Award of the season with a time of 15.881 seconds (102.009 mph) earlier in the day.

The NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour returns to action on August 1, at Bowman Gray Stadium.

Sources: Tim Southers/NASCAR WSMT PR

NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour-Firecracker 150 Unofficial Results
Friday
At Caraway Speedway
Asheboro, NC
Lap length: 0.45 miles
(Start position in parentheses)

1. (1) George Brunnhoelzl III, West Babylon, N.Y., Ford, 150 laps, 63.579 mph, $2,000.
2. (6) Frank Fleming, Mount Airy, N.C., Pontiac, 150, $1,750.
3. (5) Andy Seuss, Hampstead, N.H., Dodge, 150, $1,475.
4. (13) Ron Silk, Norwalk, CT, Pontiac, 150, $1,350.
5. (7) Brian Loftin, Lexington, N.C., Chevrolet, 150, $1,000.
6. (12) Zach Brewer, Winston-Salem, N.C., Chevrolet, 150, $900.
7. (11) Buddy Emory, Petersburg, Va., Chevrolet, 150, $800.
8. (3) Jason Myers, Walnut Cove, N.C., Ford, 150, $730.
9. (4) Burt Myers, Walnut Cove, N.C., Ford, 150, $640.
10. (9) Gene Pack, Washington, D.C., Chevrolet, 150, $600.
11. (18) J.R. Bertuccio, Centerrach, NY, Chevrolet, 150, $575.
12. (2) L.W. Miller, Dushore, Pa., Toyota, 150, $550.
13. (17) Rich Kuiken Jr., Staffordsville, N.J., Chevrolet, 149, $540.
14. (19) Bryan Dauzat, Midland, NC, Chevrolet, 147, $535.
15. (14) Scott Rigney, Chevrolet, 145, $530.
16. (10) Brandon Ward, Winston-Salem, NC, Chevrolet, 70, accident, $635.
17. (8) John Smith, Mount Airy, N.C., Chevrolet, 56, accident, $520.
18. (15) Thomas Stinson, Richmond, Va., Chevrolet, 49, accident, $510.
19. (16) Jay Mize, Clemmons, N.C., Chevrolet, 42, engine, $500.

Race Statistics

Time of Race: 1 hour 3 minutes 42 seconds

Margin of Victory: .771 seconds

Fastest Qualifier: A.Seuss (102.009 mph, 15.881 seconds)

Caution Flags: 7 for 40 laps.

Lead Changes: 9 among 3 drivers.

Lap Leaders: L. Miller 1-54; G. Brunnhoelzl III 55; L. Miller 56-58; G. Brunnhoelzl III 59-75; L. Miller 76-81; G. Brunnhoelzl III 82; L. Miller 83-113; G. Brunnhoelzl III 114-118; A. Seuss 119; G. Brunnhoelzl III 120-150.

Standings: 1. G. Brunnhoelzl III, 815; 2. A. Seuss, 798; 3. B. Loftin, 753; 4. B. Myers, 735; 5. F. Fleming, 731; 6. L. Miller, 702; 7. J. Bertuccio, 702; 8. J. Myers, 698; 9. B. Emory, 644; 10. J. Smith, 635.

2010 NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown Schedule Announced

2009-07-04T18:18:15Z

Daytona Beach, FL — NASCAR announced today that its premier short-track racing showcase, the 2010 NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown, will be run Jan. 29-30 at the Toyota Speedway at Irwindale (Calif.).

The sixth running of the event, which brings together the top racers from across North America for the ”Daytona 500 of short-track racing,” will be highlighted by the 225-lap NASCAR Camping World Series all-star race.

The schedule also includes a 100-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Super Late Model race and a 75-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Late Model race. Both nights of racing will air live on SPEED as part of full weekend of racing on SPEED that includes the Rolex 24 at Daytona sports-car event.

“The NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown is, without question, the pinnacle event of our touring and weekly series calendar,” said George Silbermann, NASCAR’s managing director of racing operations. “The excitement and competition has grown with each running of the event. The all-star weekend is a perfect way to cap a tremendous 2009 season, and also get drivers and fans ready for another great year of racing.”

The NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown was held in the fall for its first five years. It was moved to January last year to give competitors more time to prepare and also to increase exposure for drivers and teams.

The result was an event that had everybody talking. Current NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Raybestos Rookie of the Year candidate Joey Logano went for the win on the final turn of the final lap and collected race leader Peyton Sellers. Instead of a second straight showdown victory, Logano was penalized for the move, and the victory went to Matt Kobyluck.

It was just another of a long line of exciting finishes to the all-star race.

Kobyluck, who won the NASCAR Camping World Series East title, became the first reigning series champion to cap the season with a NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown victory.

The NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown main event – contested in NASCAR Camping World Series cars – is open to any driver approved to drive on a half-mile or longer tracks in the NASCAR Camping World Series. Current Sprint Cup Series drivers such as Kevin Harvick, Martin Truex Jr. and Logano launched their careers in the NASCAR Camping World Series. The series is the top development step for drivers looking to make the jump to one of NASCAR’s national series.

“The Toyota All-Star Showdown is NASCAR’s most prestigious short track racing event featuring some of the finest talent this segment of motor racing has to offer and Toyota Speedway at Irwindale is honored to again serve as its host,” said Bob DeFazio, Toyota Speedway at Irwindale track operator. “It continues to grow in popularity as a ‘must attend’ event and we can’t think of a better way for race fans and NASCAR short track racing’s elite to put the finishing touches on 2009 and kick-off the 2010 NASCAR racing season!”

Each race winner during the 2009 NASCAR Camping World Series season will become eligible for a protected starting spot. In addition, 2009 series champions of NASCAR’s regional touring series – the NASCAR Camping World Series East, NASCAR Camping World Series West, NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour, NASCAR Canadian Tire Series, and NASCAR Mexico Series – and the 2009 national champion for the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series are also eligible for protected starting spots.

In addition to eligible 2009 race winners and series champions, the starting lineup will be determined through time trials, limited provisionals for NASCAR Camping World Series regulars, and the last-chance “Open” race that provides drivers one final chance to make the grid.”

New this year, the top five NASCAR Whelen All-American Series state champions – as determined by the final national standings – entered in the Late Model race will be eligible for protected starting spots.

Sources: Jason Christley/NASCAR PR

Santos Aim To Extend Stafford NEMA Streak

2009-07-05T11:51:00Z

Brockton, MA – The Santos family hopes to extend a win streak Tuesday night in the Northeastern Midget Association segment of Stafford Motor Speedway’s Xtreme Tuesday.

The family will be looking for a fifth straight Stafford win.

Bobby Santos III, currently the hottest driver in the tough USAC Midget ranks and coming off a win Friday night at Toledo, has four of those wins. Sister Erica has the other.

Erica, who became NEMA’s first female winner at Stafford in ’07, will be in the Breault #44. Bobby is expected to be in the family-owned 98s that he has driven to a pair of wins over the past two weeks.

“We took the car home from Toledo and put the wing on,” said Bob Santos Jr. “We’ll see what happens.”

Defending champion Randy Cabral, undefeated in both NEMA starts this year, tops the list of contenders aiming to end the Santos’ run. Cabral and car owner Tim Bertrand, second at Stafford last year, added Monadnock and Lee USA Speedways to the vanquished list so far in ’09 They would love to include Stafford as well.

Other than the Santos siblings only Jeff Horn and Nokie Fornoro, among current competitors, have tasted wins at Stafford. NEMA returned to the storied half mile in 2004 after a 23-year absence.

In addition to being one of the fastest stops on the NEMA agenda, Stafford is one of the most challenging. ”There are tracks with a definite mystique, with so much history, where winning is really special,” offers Horn. “Stafford is one of them.”

“It is a quick joint,” says Fornoro. “You have to want to go fast.”

Russ Stoehr (Angelillo 45), Mike Keeler (KGR #63) and Adam Cantor (Cantor 7ny) all come to Stafford off strong efforts at Lee USA Speedway. Other contenders include William and Aaron Wall in the Wall Motorsports cars and Greg Stoehr in the Stoehr 26b.

NEMA NUGGETS: Bobby Santos III calls NEMA “one big happy family where everybody truly cares about each other. All racing people are family but most organizations including NASCAR and USAC are nowhere as close as NEMA.”…

A charter member of NEMA (Johnny DeLeo was the first winner way back in 1953), Stafford has hosted some historic open-cockpit battles. Included on the list are Santos’ $50,000 payday for winning both the Midget and Big Car features on Aug. 15, 2006 and Jerry Wall’s win in the rear-engine “Yellow Jacket” back in 1971.

Nokie Fornoro’s two Stafford wins were 23 years apart. After he won in 1981, NEMA did not return until 2004 when he won again.

In addition to Toledo, Bobby Santos III has won in the Midget at Iowa Speedway and in the Sprint at Kalamazoo, MI and Richmond, VA. “Nothing stupid has happened to the cars,” he says. “They’ve always run well.”

NEMA Winners at Stafford Motor Speedway
No. Driver First Last
6 Dave Humphrey 1968 1973
5 Lou Fray 1967 1971
3 Johnny Coy Sr. 1967 1969
3 Johnny Mann 1972 1975
3 Bobby Santos III 2006 2008
2 Nokie Fornoro 1981 2004
2 Ben Seitz 2005 2006
2 Jerry Wall 1971 1972

One-time Stafford winners: Johnny DeLeo (1953), Ronnie Evans (1955), Jeff Horn (2005), Ray Roberts (1970), Erica Santos (2007).

Rocco Returns to Modified Victory Lane; Thomas, Hovey, Field also winners

2009-07-05T15:13:30Z

Waterford, CT — The Waterford Speedbowl celebrated the nation’s birthday in grand fashion, hosting the 12^th annual Pepsi 300 on a beautiful summer evening. The Speedbowl’s division points leaders in the four NASCAR Whelen All-American Series divisions each performed up to their lofty status. Keith Rocco checkered the SK Modified race, Bruce Thomas Jr. won in the Late Models, and Danny Field was the Mini Stock winner. Ronnie Oldham finished in second in the Street Stocks, while it was Walt Hovey taking down the event win.

The SK Modified field was led to the green flag by Frank Mucciacciaro Jr. and Dennis Gada. The pair raced side by side before the seven-time Speedbowl champion moved to the lead on lap two of a cleanly run 100-lapper. The action was hot right from the start, with Rob Janovic Jr. making a nice save in turn four in front of the field after contact in the top three. The first caution waved on lap 12 for a spin in turn two by Mark Bakaj. On the restart Ron Yuhas Jr. powered to the lead outside Gada, with Keith Rocco in tow. Rocco didn’t wait to challenge Yuhas, applying pressure and making a low move in turn three to come out on top as the field completed lap 23. Groton’s Jeff Paul, who has been on a tear of late, moved to third and began to chase down the lead duo that had opened up a comfortable advantage. Caution waved on lap 31 when Jeff Rocco spun in turn two.

When racing action resumed Rocco still led over Yuhas at halfway, but couldn’t shake the two-time winner from shadowing his every move. Action could be found all over the racing surface. Paul moved to Yuhas’ bumper looking for more, Gada and Janovic battled hard for fourth, while Justin Gaydosh was looking strong advancing to sixth. Paul made a bid for second outside Yuhas, securing the spot on lap 55. Jeff Rocco caught the front stretch wall off turn four causing damage to the right front of his machine and brought out caution again on lap 66.

The clean racing continued when the field went green, with Rocco pulling away to a comfortable advantage over Paul and Yuhas. The field raced singled file over the latter stages of the event, with Rocco mastering lapped traffic with ease. Yuhas looked to rattle Paul for second in the closing laps to no avail. Rocco went unchallenged to the win, extending his points lead and picking up his first win in the Pepsi 300.

Rocco’s team debuted a Troyer chassis for the race, one which carried him to the 2006 Thompson Sunoco Modified championship. “The car was just awesome tonight” offered Rocco after his win. “This car stayed consistent the entire race.”

Joe Curioso and Tony Macrino brought the Bob Valenti Auto Mall Late Model field to green, and the duo raced the first several laps side-by-side in a tussle to set the early pace in their 100-lap feature. Curioso, of Pawcatuck, would take the lead as the field settled in for an extended green flag run. Plainfield’s Tim Jordan was making his presence felt moving through the field and passing Curioso for the lead on lap 15. The action would continue uninterrupted until a spin on lap 33 by point leader and multiple feature winner Thomas. Tony Macrino brought out the second caution on lap 46 wrecking against the turn three Armco barrier.

Jordan continued to lead at halfway, while Thomas had already recovered from his spin to move into second over Ernie Bertrand, Rich Staskowski and Dennis Stampfl. Another extended green flag run enabled the leaders to open space over an intense battle for fourth between Stampfl, Allen Coates and Dennis Botticello, who was making his first Speedbowl start of the year. Meanwhile, Thomas darted outside Jordan down the backchute to take the lead as the field completed lap 64. The race remained green for the final 47 laps and Thomas went on to the win by a half straightaway over Jordan. Bertrand ran up front all night long to place third, Botticello finished fourth and Staskowski ended up fifth. The win was Thomas’ second consecutive Pepsi 300 triumph.

The Norwich Bulletin Mini Stocks started the night off with an entertaining 50-lap main event. Lisbon’s Louis Bellisle started the event from the pole and would lead the first several laps of the event as the field settled in to green flag racing. By halfway, Bellisle had held off pressure from both Kyle James and Danny Field, while Chris Williams had moved to fourth after setting fast time during time trials. Field, from Deep River, moved outside Bellisle and took over the lead on lap 26. As Field slowly pulled away, James began applying pressure to Bellisle for second looking in both the high and low grooves. Williams, two-time defending champion Ken Cassidy, and Randy Churchill all followed close behind. The race remained green and Field pulled out to nearly a straightaway lead. James finally got under Bellisle with just 10 laps remaining to take the second spot. Once clear of Bellisle, James began tracking down and closing on Field when the first caution waved with just five laps remaining.

The restart lined up last week’s winner James alongside Field. James hung tough on the outside and the lead duo ran three laps of classic side-by-side Speedbowl action battling for the win. Exiting turn four on lap 47, James broke traction sliding across the track losing several positions, sending the field behind scattering. Nick Pappacoda and Sean Caron spun and remained stranded on the track apron, bringing out caution on lap 48. The restart pitted Field and Bellisle back on the front row, with Field claiming sole possession of the lead by turn one with a strong restart. The division point leader would go on to his second straight Pepsi 300 win and third overall in the event and 2009 season. Bellisle finished second over Cassidy, Williams, and James who recovered to finish fifth.

The Street Stocks lined up next for a 50-lap slugfest. Northford native Mark Cooper led the race from green, and began pulling away 10 laps into the race as green flag racing prevailed. Cooper raced a half-straightaway ahead of Ed Lamb, who raced a half-straightaway in front of a spirited battle for third between Walt Hovey, Al Stone, Jim Procaccini and Brandon Plemons. Caution waved for the first time on lap 19.

On the restart Cooper resumed at the point, but had close company in Hovey, Procaccini and Ronnie Oldham, who set a division track record earlier in the day during time trials. Hovey made an outside move stick on a lap 27 restart to take over the lead. Cooper suddenly dropped off the pace with mechanical failure, giving the second spot to Procaccini. Multiple cautions during the second half of the event jostled the running order. Hovey was tested over the restarts but prevailed for a strong win over Oldham, Al Stone who battled back from a mid-race pit stop, Plemons, and Steve Barrett. The win was Hovey’s first in an extra-distance race.

The Speedbowl returns to action with another doubleheader of two groove racing this week, with Wild ‘n Wacky Wednesday on July 8^th and NASCAR Whelen All-American Series racing program plus Legends Cars on Saturday, July 11^th. For more information, please visit www.speedbowl.com or contact track offices at 860.442.1585.

Sources: Waterford Speedbowl PR

Speedbowl 7/4 finishers, hometown:

Norwich Bulletin Mini Stocks (50-laps): 1. Danny Field, Deep River; 2. Louis Bellisle III, Lisbon; 3. Ken Cassidy Jr., Lisbon; 4. Chris Williams, Niantic; 5. Kyle James, Ashaway, RI; 6. Randy Churchill Jr., Niantic; 7. Glenn Colvin, Clinton; 8. Jeff Mehlenbacher, Groton; 9. Chris Correll, Old Lyme; 10. Ian Brew, Wood River Jct., RI; 11. Ken Lyke III, Orange; 12. Sean Caron, Hartford; 13. Joe Godbout, Hope Valley, RI; 14. Nick Pappacoda, N. Branford; 15. Christina Cunliffe, Stratford; 16. Greg Moran Sr., Preston; 17. Mark Caise, Gales Ferry; 18. Ryan Cipows, Seymour; 19. Ray Christian III, Norwich; 20. Alan Hall Jr.; 21. Dale Sherman, Charlestown, RI; 22. Charles Canfield, New Haven; DNS – Bill Leonard, Wood River Jct., RI

Time Trials (top ten): 1. Williams, 17.536; 2. Field, 17.577; 3. Caron, 17.600; 4. Cassidy Jr., 17.650; 5. James, 17.689; 6. Bellisle, 17.714; 7. Colvin, 17.731; 8. Moran Sr., 17.781;9. Churchill Jr., 17.792; 10. Pappacoda, 17.815

Street Stocks (50-laps): 1. Walt Hovey, Chaplin; 2. Ronnie Oldham, Old Saybrook; 3. Al Stone III, New Haven; 4. Brandon Plemons, Uncasville; 5. Steve Barrett, Preston; 6. Josh Galvin, Uncasville; 7. Jack Aquilina, Oakdale; 8. Ed Puleo, Branford; 9. Phil Smith, Waterford; 10. Jim Procaccini, Trumbull; 11. Ted Dupre, Westbrook; 12. Kevin Burr, Waterford; 13. John Bercham, West Greenwich, RI; 14. Chris Meyer, N. Franklin; 15. Kevin Talbot, Moosup; 16. Phil Evans, Uncasville; 17. Joe Nogiec, Bristol; 18. Joe Bavolacco, Stratford; 19. Mark Cooper, Northford; 20. Greg Moran Jr., Preston; 21. Ed Lamb, Shelton; 22. Nate Appell, Westbrook

Time Trials (top ten): 1. Oldham, 17.324 (* division track record); 2. Hovey, 17.364; 3. Stone III, 17.453; 4. Procaccini, 17.534; 5. Barrett, 17.562; 6. Plemons, 17.563; 7. Lamb Jr., 17.570; 8. Cooper, 17.610; 9. Galvin, 17.642; 10. Puleo, 17.658

Bob Valenti Auto Mall Late Models (100-laps): 1. Bruce Thomas Jr., Groton; 2. Tim Jordan, Plainfield; 3. Ernie Bertrand, N. Branford; 4. Dennis Botticello, Suffield; 5. Rich Staskowski, Hope Valley, RI; 6. Dennis Stampfl, Norwood, MA; 7. Jeff Smith, Old Lyme; 8. Larry Goss, N. Windham; 9. Mark Hudson, Norton, MA; 10. Robert Leblanc Jr., Norwalk; 11. Allen Coates, Ledyard; 12. Joe Curioso, Pawcatuck; 13. Vin Esposito, Seymour; 14. Tony Macrino, Waterford

Time Trials (top ten): 1. Bertrand, 15.514; 2. Jordan, 15.623; 3. Staskowski, 15.642; 4. Goss, 15.667; 5. Smith, 15.689; 6. Esposito, 15.706; 7. Macrino, 15.834; 8. Curioso, 15.689; 9. Botticello, 16.003; 10. Stampfl, 16.119

SK Modifieds (100-laps): 1. Keith Rocco, Wallingford; 2. Jeffrey Paul, Ledyard; 3. Ron Yuhas Jr., Groton; 4. Dennis Gada, Salem; 5. Rob Janovic Jr., Waterford; 6. Justin Gaydosh, Newtown; 7. Jeff Pearl, Salem; 8. Tyler Chadwick, Ledyard; 9. Tom Abele Jr., Norwich; 10. Joe Perry, Ashaway, RI; 11. Mark Bakaj, Lebanon; 12. Corey Hutchings, Salem; 13. Joe Gada, Salem; 14. Don Fowler, Clinton; 15. Frank Mucciacciaro Jr.; 16. Wendell Dailey, Gales Ferry; 17. Dennis Charette, Southington; 18. Rich Hammann, Tolland; 19. Wayne Arute, Berlin; 20. Jeff Rocco, Wallingford

Time Trials (top ten): 1. K. Rocco, 14.422; 2. Yuhas Jr., 14.439; 3. Pearl, 14.470; 4. Janovic Jr, 14.475; 5. Gada, 14.504; 6. Mucciacciaro, 14.517; 7. Hutchings, 14.520; 8. Gaydosh, 14.552; 9. Perry, 14.560; 10. Paul, 14.577

Point Standings following 7/4 event (top five):

Norwich Bulletin Mini Stocks: 1. Field, 448; 2. James, 422; 3. Bellisle, 416; Cassidy, 400; 5.(tie) Moran; Brew, 336

Street Stocks: 1. Oldham, 402; 2. Plemons, 386; 3. Stone, 380; 4. Puleo, 362; 5. Hovey, 356

Bob Valenti Auto Mall Late Models: 1. Thomas, 438; 2. Staskowski, 382; 3. Esposito, 358; 4. Smith, 326; 5. Goss, 292

SK Modifieds: 1. K. Rocco, 376; 2. Janovic, 338; 3. Yuhas, 332; 4. Gada, 310; 5. Chadwick, 300

Christopher, Perterson, Andersen, Thibeault & Casagrande Score July 3rd NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Feature Victories at Stafford Motor Speedway

2009-07-05T15:17:33Z

Stafford Springs, CT — Stafford Speedway provided fireworks on the track and in the air with a NASCAR Whelen All-American Series race program that paid tribute to the Fourth of July Independence Day holiday. Ted Christopher drove to his second victory of the 2009 season and his third overall win in the 40-lap SK Modified® feature, Jim Peterson took down his first win of the season in the 30-lap Late Model feature, Brit Andersen scored his third win of the 2009 season in the 20-lap SK Light Modified feature, Shawn Thibeault picked up his first career victory in the 20-lap Limited Late Model feature, and Kyle Casagrande picked up his first career victory in the 15-lap DARE Stock feature a week after his twin brother won his first career DARE Stock feature.

The 40-lap SK Modified® feature took the green with Woody Pitkat in command of the field. After an early caution, Pitkat began to set a blistering pace out front. Todd Owen was holding down second place while Ted Christopher, Tom Bolles, and Keith Rocco were busy working their way through traffic. By the half-way point of the race, Christopher had worked his way up to second, but he was a half-straightaway behind Pitkat. A caution with 22 laps complete for a spin by Sean Foster erased Pitkat’s lead.

Christopher settled into second behind Pitakt on the restart, but on lap-25 he made a move to the inside of Pitkat and took over the race lead. Owen was riding in third, with Rocco and Frank Ruocco behind him.

With 31 laps complete, the caution came out for a spin by Dave Salzarulo and Rocco also spun with a flat left rear tire, which brought him to pit road.

Christopher continued to hold the race lead back under green, with Pitkat giving chase. Ruocco moved by Owen for third place, with Bolles rouding out the top-5. Pitkat was unable to get close enough to Christopher over the final laps as Christopher nailed down his second feature victory of the 2009 season. Pitkat finished second, with Ruocco, Owen, and Bolles making up the top-5.

The 30-lap Late Model feature went green with Adam Gray taking the lead from the pole position. Gray led the first 8 laps before Jim Peterson moved to the front of the pack on lap-9. Gray settled into second place behind Peterson with Tom Butler, Ryan Posocco, and Dillon Moltz in tow.

Gray held second until the half-way point of the race as Butler, Moltz, Posocco, and Tom Fearn all moved by Gray to drop him back to sixth place in the running order. A late spin by Victor Pomerleau erased the nearly full straightaway lead that Peterson had built up and set up a three-lap dash to the finish.

Peterson charged into the lead on the restart with Posocco, Moltz, and Fearn all moving past Butler. Posocco could not run Peterson down over the final laps and Peterson took down his first checkered flag of the 2009 season. Moltz beat Fearn to the line by a nose for third place, with Butler rounding out the top-5.

The 20-lap SK Light Modified feature took the green flag with Jay Goff taking the early lead. Brit Andersen was mowing through the field like he was shot out of a cannon. Starting the race in the 16th position, he was into the 6th position on lap-2 and by lap-8, he was in second place behind Goff.

Goff was able to fend Andersen off for several laps, but on lap-12, Andersen made a move to the low side of Goff to take the race lead. A caution with 14 laps complete slowed the action and set up a restart situation. On the restart, Andersen didn’t get up to speed quite as fast as Ted Cain and Cain took over the race lead. Andersen reeled Cain back in and he retook the lead from Cain on lap-17. Once Andersen was back in front, he could not be caught as he took down his third SK Light Modified feature win of the 2009 season. Goff finished second, with David Webb, Shawn Brule, and Harry Wheeler rounding out the top-5.

The 20-lap Limited Late Model feature took the green with a multi-car incident on the backstretch that collected several cars, including Bill Davis and Jeff Hubbell, who were finished for the evening. Shawn Thibeault took the early lead on the restart, with Dan Flannery and Norm Sears behind him.

The caution came back out with 4 laps complete for a spin by John Morgillo, Jr. Thibeault continued to hold the lead on the restart, with Sears moving by Flannery for second. Andrew Durand was behind Flannery, and he quickly dispatched him for to take over third place.

Thibeault was continuing to hold down the lead, but Sears began to close in and challenge for the lead. By lap-16, Sears was on Thibeault’s bumper, but just as quickly as Sears moved in on Thibeault’s bumper, Thibeault stretched his lead back out to several car lengths. Thibeault would maintain that small advantage over the final 4 laps of the race as he scored his first career Limited Late Model victory. Sears came home second, with Durand, Flannery, and Carla Botticello rounding out the top-5.

In the 15-lap DARE Stock feature took the green flag with Victoria Bergenty setting the early pace from the pole position. Kyle Casagrande was on a tear from the drop of the green and he ran Bergenty down and took over the race lead on lap-3.

DARE Stock points leader Albert Saunders encountered a spin on lap-5 and then his night ended with hard contact into the frontstretch wall with 6 laps complete. Casagrande was up to the task on each restart situation as he clearly had the dominant car in the field and was able to pull away from the field. Barry Fluckiger made a power move to go from fifth place to second behind Casagrande.

A late caution set up a three lap sprint to the finish, but again Casagrande pulled away from the field to take down his first victory of the 2009 season. Fluckiger finished second, with Jeff Jolly, Cliff Saunders, and Don Wood rounding out the top-5.

For more information contact the Stafford Motor Speedway track office at (860) 684-2783, or visit us on the web at www.staffordspeedway.com.

Sources: Scott Running/Stafford Motor Speedway PR

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