Thompson Readies for Thursday Night Thunder

By admin April 21, 2008

Thompson, CT — Thursday Night Thompson Thunder (TNTT) returns to the Thompson International Speedway on Thursday, May 22nd.  The TNTT series will once again feature six NASCAR Whelen All American Series divisions in a fast-paced race program that has been so popular with race fans.

The Thompson Sunoco Modifieds lead the way with a roster of drivers bursting with talent. The competition is second to none and race fans love the close, high-speed competition of this exciting open wheel division.

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Logan Takes ALNRS Opener

By admin April 21, 2008

Newburgh, NY — The 2008 ALNRS season opener is in the books. The ALNRS  kicked off their weekend Saturday with the teams taking advantage of the full day of practice before Sundays big event at Lee USA Speedway.  Sunday morning the teams began the day with Lee’s spectacular trackside breakfast before making their final adjustments to their Allison Legacy Race Cars for the day’s final round of practice.  Not long after practice the drivers were back in the cars for the first of two qualifying races.  Heat one saw second year driver Shane D’Agostino of Taunton, MA on the pole by luck of the draw. On the outside was Shannon Smith of Hancock, ME. followed by James Logan, Melissa Fifield, Tommy Barrett, Kyle Poodiack and William Schneider. On  lap three Logan would grab the lead and never look back leading the final 8 laps of the 10 lap heat race.  Heat number two would have 2007 Rookie of the Year Kristy Chaves on the pole with Randolph, VT driver Dylan Smith on the outside followed by Cody Gneiting, Michael Vasquez, Sr., Danny Grennon and Stephanie Berardi.  Once the green flag dropped the #24 Acme Sanition driver Kristy Chaves of Little Compton, RI would not look back leading all 10 laps.

The feature lineup would see Dighton, MA driver James Logan on the pole with Chaves on the outside.  Lap 6 would bring out the first caution after a spin by the #19 driven by substitute driver Danny Grennon.  Track officials would also send the 34 of Dylan Smith to the back for contact with the 19.  Once racing resumed it would be a dog fight up front between Logan and Chaves. The 24 would bring out the second caution on lap 14 as she spun in turns 3 & 4 while battling for the lead.  On the restart aDP Rookie of the year contender William Schneider of Northport, NY would find his first meeting with the outside wall as he spun off of turn two thus ending his day early. On lap 17 fellow rookie Kyle Poodiack would lose the handle on his #3 Webber Foundations sponsored Monte Carlo coming out of turn two.  On the restart young gun Tommy Barrett and Shane D’Agostino would have an untimely meeting in turn two thus ending what appeared to be a top five finish for both drivers. Do to time restraints Lee officials were forced to yellow checkered the race two laps short of the scheduled 20 laps thus handing the win to James Logan who had led every lap of the feature event.  In second was Danny Grennon followed by Somers, CT driver Cody Gneiting who started off where he left off in the final race of 07’season in third place.


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Alexander Takes True Value Lee Opener

By admin April 20, 2008

Defending champion Kirk Alexander, Swanzey, NH., jumped into the lead on lap three and roared to victory in the” Governors Cup 100″ modified race Sunday afternoon at Lee USA Speedway, Lee NH. The win was Alexander’s 27th career victory with the touring series.

Despite early race pressure from Ted Christopher, Plainville, CT, and then David Pinkham, Buxton, ME, the three-time champion survived a caution plagued race that was once stopped for an overheating racer that sprayed water on the racing surface resulting in six cars retired to the pit area. Pinkham settled for second followed by E.Hartland CT’s Dale Evonsion, Madison,CT.,veteran Mike Holdridge, and Jon McKennedy, Chelmsford, MA. making up the top five.

[Photo Gallery] by Leif Tillotson

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Teenager Polewarczyk “All Business,” Dominates ACT Race at Lee USA Speedway

By admin April 20, 2008

Eighteen year-old stock car racing sensation Joey “Pole” Polewarczyk, Jr. blistered the American-Canadian Tour field at Lee USA Speedway on Sunday, taking his second career victory at the New Hampshire Governor’s Cup 100.  The Hudson, NH ace took the lead from polesitter Larry Gelinas after starting third, and dominated the balance of the event to take the win in just over 46 minutes.  Polewarczyk said that for 2008, his team is “all business.”

“We’re focused on winning the ACT Late Model Tour title,” he said.  “We had a checkered flag design on the car last year, and we decided to leave it off this year, just black, nothing else.  We’re all business.”

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Defending Champion Janovic Scores At Speedbowl

By admin April 20, 2008

Waterford, CT — Defending champion Rob Janovic Jr. returned to victory lane at the Waterford Speedbowl Saturday evening with a convincing win in the 35-lap SK Modified feature. The victory came after what could only be deemed a disappointing performance during the season-opening Budweiser Modified Nationals of the week before. It was, according to Janovic, “a night of redemption”.

Other feature winners were Bruce Thomas Jr. (Late Model), Jack Aquilina (Sportsman), and, Randy Churchill Jr. (Mini Stocks).

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Mike Rowe wins PASS North thriller at Beech Ridge

By admin April 20, 2008

Scarborough ME — Mike Rowe, Ben Rowe and Travis Benjamin staged a  short track battle royal in the Pro All Stars (PASS) North super late model opener at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway, and when the dust settled Mike Rowe was in victory lane by one-one hundredth of a second . Ben Rowe came up inches short for second with Benjamin half a car length back in third. PASS Sophomore Adam Bates scored a career best fourth place finish and Beech Ridge master Bub Bilodeau rounded out the top five.

Cassius Clark and Benjamin were out front early on, swapping the lead several times per lap and battling side by side on restarts. Ben Rowe was next to challenge Benjamin and he held the top spot for laps 59 to 73 before Benjamin took over once again. At the crossed flags it was Benjamin out front with Ben Rowe second, Steve Berry third, Richie Dearborn fourth and Cassius Clark fifth.

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Puglisi Back In Action Saturday

By admin April 20, 2008

Waterford, CT — Veteran Sportsman racer John Puglisi had a terrible weekend at the Budweiser Modified Nationals. After only a few laps in his heat, he found himself ino the wall, virtually destroying the new car he’d built and worked-on right up until Saturday morning.

Now it’s Monday, and adding insult to injury, he’s come down with a stomach virus. It couldn’t get any worse, right? Think again.

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Rob Janovic Captures SK Mod Feature at Speedbowl

By admin April 19, 2008

Waterford, CT — Reigning SK champion Ron Janovic Jr. took his first victory of the season at the Waterford Speedbowl Saturday evening. Pole-sitter Fran Muccicciaro Jr. set the pace for the first few circuits before spinning. Dennis Charette took over as leader before being passed by Janovic. The red flag appeared following a grinding crash on the front chute on lap 17 that saw Dennis Charette become airborne after tangling with several other cars including Dennis Gada, Jeff Pearl, Jeff Malave, and, Frank Mucciacciaro Jr. Taking the lead on the final restart, Janovic went on to win over Jeff Paul, Tyler Chadwick, Justin Gaydosh, and Diego Monahan.

Other feature winners were Bruce Thomas Jr. (Late Model), Jack Aquilina (Sportsman), and, Randy Churchill Jr. (Mini Stocks).

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Erica Santos Seeking Second NEMA Win

By admin April 19, 2008

Erica Santos wants, make that needs, another victory.  The sooner it comes the better it will be for Santos who made Northeastern Midget Association history last year when she won at Stafford Motor Speedway, the first female in the club’s history to do so.

NEMA’s busy ’08 campaign continues May 3-4, helping Seekonk Speedway open its season. You can bet on folks talking about Erica at Stafford.

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Regrettable Actions

By admin April 19, 2008

Did you ever say or do something that you later regretted? Many times in life we act first and think later. Let’s take a look at how we can think before we act. Greetings in the name of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ! This is Rev. Dan giving Don a break this week.

There was a fantastic baseball player – in fact one of the best second basemen of his era. I don’t want to mention his name, but many of you might be able figure out who this is. We remember him not because of his playing abilities, but for something he did in the last weekend of the 1996 season. He was upset with a decision by the home plate umpire and he argued the call and ended up spitting in his face. Immediately, he we criticized by the media and fans for what he did. He later apologized to the umpire, and in fact they became friends, but the damage was done. In one uncontrolled moment, his good name was ruined.

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NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Picks Up Speed in April

By admin April 18, 2008

Daytona Beach, FL — Since the opening days of NASCAR, Bowman Gray Stadium has been synonymous with the best in short-track racing. As NASCAR celebrates its 60th season, the track will likewise commemorate the milestone as the longest running track in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series.

Bowman Gray will kick off racing April 26 with the Tucson 200 – 200 laps of racing for the track’s Modifieds, which also happen to be NASCAR’s oldest division of racing. The track’s tight, ¼-mile oval produces an exciting blend of speed and close-quarters fighting for position.

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Lichty-PATCO Team Ready to Challenge For ISMA Top Spots

By admin April 18, 2008

Oswego, NY – “We’re ready to make another kick at the can,” said PATCO Racing team owner Brad Lichty recently from his trucking business in Canada. And, after more than 30 years of can-kicking Lichty knows what it’s all about. Having started out in the supermodified class in 1970 helping his late brother Dennis, Brad has developed his 3-car ISMA race team into one to definitely be reckoned with. His drivers, Dave McKnight and son Mike, are joined when time permits by Craftsman truck star Johnny Benson, whose dad was a “super” star in his own right when the division was evolving in the decade of the 1960s. Benson Sr. won the prestigious Oswego International Classic in 1966, and held the distinction of being the first driver to break the 20-second time trial mark at the famed 5/8th’s mile Oswego oval.

“We plan on running a full ISMA schedule in 2008 with Dave (94) and Mike (84),” said Brad. “John (Benson) is planning on six ISMA shows if his schedule permits. As a matter of fact he’s in Oswego right now at Xtreme Chassis helping out Paul Colloca who is building him a new car, which will be numbered 21 – his dad’s old number. His first ISMA show will be at Toledo and he hopes to be piloting that new car but if it’s not quite ready, John will drive the 74 as he has in the past. The 21 will be part of a 4-car stable, but we will only be fielding three cars at a time. If the 21 isn’t ready, the 74 will be.”

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McColl Racing Enterprises Offers $10,000 to ACT Teams

By admin April 17, 2008

Ontario chassis builder posts bonuses for winning drivers

$10,000 has been posted for American-Canadian Tour stock car drivers competing in McColl Racing Enterprises-built Late Models in 2008.  The London, Ontario-based chassis manufacturer has entered into a contingency agreement to reward winning McColl drivers on the ACT Late Model Tour and the Série ACT Castrol.

Any McColl chassis driver that wins two main events on the ACT Tour or two main events on the Castrol series will be given a product certificate worth $1,000.  If a McColl driver wins three events on one series, the prize will be elevated to $2,500.  Four wins is worth a whopping $5,000 in McColl Racing Enterprises chassis equipment, safety gear, and engine components.

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Beech Ridge Good to Go for PASS North Opener

By admin April 16, 2008

Naples, ME —  A welcome string of sunny, warm and breezy spring days have melted away the winters record snowfall and set the stage for a big weekend of Pro All Stars Series (PASS) racing at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway in Scarborough.

According to series President Tom Mayberry, “I met with the Cusacks at Beech Ridge yesterday (Tuesday) and we took a good look at the entire facility. Eighty percent of the pits and parking lots are ready to go today, and the forecast is for great weather right through race day. The Beech Ridge maintenance team is hard at work on the grounds so we’re in great shape for our PASS North season opener. There may be snow in your yard and mud in your driveway but we’re ready to go racing on Saturday and both practice days are on as scheduled.”

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2008 ALNRS Season About to Begin at Lee USA

By admin April 16, 2008

Newburgh, NY — In just three days the ALNRS will finally kick off their 2008 season at Lee USA Speedway at their annual Governors Cup 200.  Most of the teams will be on hand Saturday shaking down their cars before Sundays big event.

It’s been a long winter for the ALNRS drivers and some of the top teams in 2008 are looking to start off where they finished in last years Octoberfest.  With last years top three drivers having moved up, 2007 Rookie of the year Kristy Chaves will be looking to be this years top gun and already has her eyes set on the 2008 Championship Trophy.

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Lee USA Speedway Champion Baril to Take on ACT Invaders

By admin April 16, 2008

Lee USA Speedway Late Model stock car champion J.R. Baril will defend his home turf against the invading stars of the American-Canadian Tour as he attempts to break into the ACT win column at Sunday’s New Hampshire Governor’s Cup 200.  The Haverhill, MA driver has won the last two Track Championships at the 3/8-mile seacoast oval, and is among the leading candidates to snap the five-year undefeated victory streak by ACT racers at the facility.

“I plan on giving those ACT guys all I’ve got,” said Baril.  “We’re going to try to have some fun, but we’re also hoping for the win.”

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ACTion News 4/16/08

By admin April 16, 2008

The 2008 American-Canadian Tour Championship season opens this Sunday at Lee USA Speedway with the New Hampshire Governor’s Cup 200 – the first of two doubleheader events for the ACT Late Model Tour and the open-wheel True Value Modified Racing Series this year.  Thirty-six official entries have been received at the ACT office to date, and as many as 50 total Late Model teams are expected to try their hand.

The early favorites include a trio of Milton, VT hotshoes – seven-time ACT Champion Jean-Paul Cyr, perennial contender Brent Dragon, and rising star Scott Payea – New Hampshire’s own Randy Potter and young Joey “Pole” Polewarczyk, Jr., Canadian champions Patrick Laperle and Donald Theetge, and home-track icons J.R. Baril, Eddie MacDonald, Jeff Labrecque, Jr., Jeremy Harclerode, and former-track-champion-turned-ACT-rookie Ricky Wolf, Jr.

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Saturday Night Season Begins at Speedbowl

By admin April 15, 2008

Waterford, CT — Quickness was the name of the game at last weekend’s Budweiser Modified Nationals at Waterford Speedbowl. It is expected to continue this week when the Saturday night schedule begins with a five-division program.

A 35-lap SK-Modified feature tops the bill that also includes a 30-lapper for the Late Models and “20s” for the Sportsman and Mini Stocks. The New England Antique Racers will also be on hand. Qualifying begins at 5 pm. (more…)

TVMRS Opener Set for April 20 at Lee USA

By admin April 15, 2008

Canaan NH — The 2008 season for New England’s True Value Modified Racing Series gets the green flag this Sunday April 20, when the touring division invades the 3/8 mile Lee USA Speedway, Lee, NH., for 100 laps of green flag racing. The inaugural event, the first of 19 races scheduled for the new season, will be part of the annual “Governors Cup 200,” a special opening day race at the N.H.seacoast speedway. The TVMRS, now in its fifth year, will share top billing with the popular American-Canadian Tour for late model stock cars. The ACT will also compete in a 100 lap race.

Sunday’s event is also the first of eight guaranteed-starter races for the “Sunoco Race Fuels Mod-Mania 400” Sept. 6, 7 at Connecticut’s Thompson International Speedway.

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Traveling With The Pro-4’s

By admin April 14, 2008

Waterford, CT — With rain pounding on rooftops all over the New England area, most had doubts that they’d even get the opportunity to unload their cars at the  annual Budweiser Modified National Opener and be able to run them on the track.  By 10am however, the skies began to clear and the Waterford Speedbowl staff had finished drying the track so that warm-ups could begin.  The excitement on the drivers and crews faces were a grand thing to see.  For the Pro-4 teams, this was the first time this season that they were getting out to race.  As the engines roared to life, those old familiar smells that drivers, crews, sponsors, and fans have come to love quickly filled the air.

When the division took the field for their heats, everyone was ready.  In the first qualifier, the 4 of Cory “the Cub” Cleary grabbed the top spot with “Stormin’ Norman” Wrenn’s 1M car at his door in a photo finish.  In the second heat, George Sherman’s 13 crossed the line in front of the 25 of Tyler Anderson.

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Gahan, Byron to be Honored at Spring Sizzler

By admin April 14, 2008

NASCAR to Recognize Modified Legends at Stafford

Daytona Beach, FL — As part of a season-long celebration of 60 years of Modified champions, NASCAR will honor legends Ernie Gahan and Red Byron at Stafford Motor Speedway in Stafford Springs, Conn., on April 27 prior to the Tech-Net Spring Sizzler.

NASCAR plans to honor each of its 31 all-time Modified champions throughout the season. The celebration began with the recognition of Frankie Schneider, Donny Lia and Richie Evans at the Icebreaker at Thompson International Speedway on April 6.

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NEMA Mourns

By admin April 14, 2008

This sport that we love so much, this thing that is so entrenched in our hearts and souls, has now hurt our hearts and taken a piece of our souls. Some of the attraction of this sport that occupies many of our days and nights are the personalities of the people involved, the interests that we share, the camaraderie of the competitors, the spirited competition and the overall thrill that is auto racing. A good part of that thrill is the danger associated with the event itself. There isn’t a driver whose adrenaline isn’t fueled by the risk they take every time they strap themselves into the car. That risk and the element of danger is part of what brings us back week in and week out, puts spectators in the stands and provides the excitement that consumes so much of our lives. Love it as much as we do, we hate it when it takes one of our own.

Shane Hammond was a colorful kid, warm and friendly with a great smile and pleasant attitude. He was a racer’s racer. He never complained, he listened a lot, a true professional, a gentleman and a friend to everyone he raced with. He could turn the wrenches and was admired for his mechanical abilities. He was good on the track, too. One of those drivers that week in and week out was in contention, and more often than not we said “he’s due for a trip to victory lane.” Often times we were surprised that he didn’t post a podium finish and be back at the start/finish line after the race to celebrate with some of the more experienced drivers like Joey, Nokie, Randy, Greg and Ben. He certainly was on par with those guys. Many of the times he didn’t post a top three finish it was no fault of his. It was mechanical problems or he just didn’t get the break he needed to get to the front. Even though he wasn’t there in front of the crowd getting his picture taken at the end of the race, he never showed an ounce of discouragement. Right back at it next week, listening, asking questions, trying harder. Shane was a racer’s racer, a role model to the incoming rookies and sophomores of NEMA. He was part of that new breed of midget drivers that have been putting NEMA on the map lately; destined for greatness in open wheel racing.

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