Published at March 31, 2009
in Stafford.
Stafford Springs, CT — Stafford Motor Speedway’s 2009 SK Modified® rookie class has added Chris Matthews to the list of drivers who will try to win the 2009 Reliable Welding and Speed Rookie of the Year honors. With the addition of Matthews, the SK Modified® division now has a total of 10 rookie drivers signed up for competition, with half of those drivers coming from Stafford’s SK Light Modified division. Of the five drivers who have SK Light experience at Stafford, both Matthews and Joe Allegro, Jr. are former track champions, making the 2009 SK Modified® rookie class one of the most talented rookie classes in recent memory at Stafford.
In the short three-year existence of the SK Light Modified division at Stafford, Matthews has established himself as the most successful driver, with 18 feature victories and the track championship in 2007 on his SK Light resume. Matthews drove to his SK Light success using a Brad Hietala created chassis, and it was a quick conversation with Brad and his wife Linda that led to his arrival in the SK Modified® division for the 2009 season.
“After the season, I was talking with Brad and Linda about moving up to the SK Modified® division and they said they would put a third car together for me,” said Matthews. Continue reading ‘Former SK Light Track Champion Chris Matthews Joins 2009 SK Modified ® Rookie Class at Stafford Speedway’
Barre, VT — Thunder Road officials confirmed that two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion Tony Stewart will be racing in the CARQUEST Vermont Governor’s Cup 150, Thursday, June 25 as a part of the 50th Anniversary celebration season at Thunder Road International Speedbowl.
Stewart has long been regarded as one of the most versatile and accomplished stars of NASCAR stock car racing. A multi-time USAC open wheel sprint car racer in his early years, Stewart then went on to race in the Indianapolis Racing League. Stewart was the only rookie to sit on the pole of the Indianapolis 500. He joined the Joe Gibbs racing in 1997. Stewart won 33 NASCAR Cup races while racing for Gibbs.
Continue reading ‘Tony Stewart Coming to Celebrate Thunder Road’s 50th’
After weather issues have limited the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified to just one race so far on the 2009 schedule the competitors are ready to visit another new track this weekend.
South Boston Speedway, one of the best-known short tracks in the state of Virginia, will host its first NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour event, but it is not the first time the track has hosted the NASCAR Modified cars.
The track known as “SoBo” hosted the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour in 2001 and one of the drivers who competed in the race is ready to get back on the track. (CLICK HERE FOR RACE EVENT PAGE)
Continue reading ‘News & Notes: Miller Ready For Return To South Boston’
Daytona Beach, FL — The 25th season of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour will commence with the Icebreaker at Thompson (Conn.) International Speedway on Sunday, April 5.
At Thompson International Speedway:
- Since the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour formed in 1985, there have been 106 races at Thompson.
- There have been 29 different race winners at Thompson, led by Mike Stefanik’s 14 victories.
- Jeff Fuller maintains the record for most poles won at Thompson with 13 … There have been 36 different pole winners at the track.
- Ed Flemke Jr. is the defending winner of the Icebreaker … Ron Silk won twice at Thompson in 2008 and Ted Christopher and Todd Szegedy also reached Victory Lane at the track a year ago.
- In the first 24 years of the NWMT there have been 17 different drivers win the Icebreaker, led by Rick Fuller’s three victories … Richie Evans won the inaugural NWMT Icebreaker on March 31, 1985.
- There are eight drivers on the entry list who have previously reached Victory Lane at TIS.
Continue reading ‘Statistical Advance: Analyzing The Icebreaker At Thompson International Speedway’
Daytona Beach, FL — NASCAR announced Monday afternoon that the Lightnin’ Fast 150 NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour race postponed due to rain on March 27 at Ace Speedway in Altamahaw, N.C., has been rescheduled.
The Lightnin’ Fast 150 will now be held on Friday, April 10 at 8 p.m. The race will be the first of back-to-back events for the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour over Easter weekend.
Continue reading ‘NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour Lightnin’ Fast 150 Rescheduled’
Silver Anniversary Modified Season to Open at Icebreaker
Fittingly, in a division with so much history, the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour will come full circle this weekend at Thompson (Conn.) International Speedway.
The Modified division dates back to 1948, the inaugural season for racing sanctioned by NASCAR. The present-day NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, however, held its first event at Thompson with the Icebreaker on March 31, 1985. The same track and event will also play host to the first race of the 25th NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour season on Sunday, April 5.
The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour and the 1985 season began with the series’ most-prominent name in Victory Lane. Richie Evans, coming off his eighth NASCAR Modified national title in 1984, took the checkered flag in the new touring series’ inaugural event to launch what would be his ninth and final championship campaign.
Continue reading ‘NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour News & Notes – Thompson’
Published at March 30, 2009
in Thompson.
Thompson, CT — This weekend’s ICEBREAKER at the Thompson International Speedway will be day one for champions to begin the defense of their titles. With seven NASCAR Whelen sponsored divisions in competition at the ICEBREAKER, the 2008 champ in each division will be under a lot of pressure to remain at the top.
NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour (WMT) champion, Ted Christopher, will lead his touring division into the 150-lap main event that will open their season. Christopher is no stranger to victory lane on ICEBREAKER weekend having scored back-to-back wins ‘04 and ‘05. Christopher was recently chosen by members of the media as their choice to be the 2009 WMT champion.
[NASCAR WMT Icebreaker Roster] Continue reading ‘Champions Lead the Way to Thompson’s Icebreaker’
[Friday] by Adam Fohlin
[Saturday] by Adam Fohlin
Published at March 29, 2009
in Seekonk.
Seekonk, MA — Town Fair Tire and Propane Plus have signed up with Seekonk Speedway to support the action in 2009. Town Fair Tire, with over 75 locations throughout New England, agreed to a 10 race program with the Street Stocks that will give the winner an extra $100.00, while Propane Plus Heating & Cooling, located in Rehoboth MA., will give a tire away each week to a Pro Stock competitor.
“We are excited to have Town Fair Tire join us for 2009″ Race Director Dave Alburn stated. “Over the past decade, Town Fair has become a leader in tire sales in the New England region. Their dedication and determination to be the best, along with their competitive pricing fits right in with the strategy of our Street Stock competitors. They put all their efforts into their racecars to be the best, and continue to be one of the most competitive divisions anywhere.”
Continue reading ‘Town Fair Tire and Propane Plus partner with Seekonk Speedway for 2009 Contingency Program’
Claremont, NH — Those that work together, often play together, and that’s what two longtime racing friends and co-workers will do this summer. 31 year veteran Bryon Baker, and crew chief Phil Chastenay, both of Claremont, NH., and both in the cabinet making business, are on the growing list of new race teams venturing into open-wheel modified racing with the True Value Modified Racing Series, New England’s premier modified touring division.
The sixth year series will kick off an exciting 16 race schedule at Monadnock Speedway, Winchester, NH., Saturday night, April 25.
Baker, a racer since 1978, has driven full bodied race cars throughout his career and will be piloting a full blown modified for the first time. “Never really desired to drive one until Phillie came along with this idea, I’m looking forward to it, it will be a learning experience for sure,” Baker said
Continue reading ‘Claremont Rookie Team Prepares For True Value Modified Series’
Published at March 29, 2009
in Thompson.
[Photo Gallery] by Eric LaFleche
Waterford, CT — Waterford Speedbowl Management has announced the postponement of Sunday’s 13th Annual Budweiser Modified Nationals due to the weather. Information regarding the make-up date is expected to be finalized in about a week. Please check www.speedbowl.com or contact the Speedbowl track office at (860) 442.1585 for updated information.
The 30-lap features for the Street Stocks and Mini Stocks, 50-lap Late Model event, and 150-lap SK Modified® main event will all be made up at a later date to be announced. Those holding grandstands tickets to the event are urged to hold their tickets for the rain date. Pit area attendees must hold their event gate stub and wristband for the resecheduled event.
Continue reading ‘Speedbowl Postpones Sunday’s Budweiser Modified Nationals’
Tomaino on verge of historic 500th Tour start
When the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour begins the 2009 season at Thompson (Conn.) International Speedway on Sunday, April 5, more than just the series’ Silver Anniversary will be celebrated. For one of its stalwarts, taking the green flag will be a historical accomplishment.
When the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour held its first race at Thompson on March 31, 1985, Jamie Tomaino started in the third row right behind the legendary Richie Evans. When the series held its first superspeedway event at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in 1990, Tomaino finished third to strengthen his title bid. When the NASCAR Modifieds ran a road course for the first time in 1996 at Watkins Glen International, Tomaino qualified 19th. And when the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour celebrated its 500th race at Martinsville Speedway last September, Tomaino turned in a top 10.
Continue reading ‘499 And Counting …’
Saturday 3/28 Feature Results
X Car Feature results (20 laps): 1. Curt D’addario Sr. 2. Brad Voglesong 3. Pete Zaikarite 4. Michael Marvin 5. Steve Violette 6. Dustin Gage 7. David D’Allesandro 8. Nicole Harris 9. Gary Stone Jr. 10. John Bowes 11. Bob Barrie 12. Kim Bickford 13. Arthur Phillips 14. Jeffrey Lee 15. Christopher Garside 16. James Ruddock
Super X Car Feature results (20 laps): 1. Jon Porter 2. John Yagmin 3. Michael Caprio 4. Thomas Messore 5. Dan Moon 6. Steve Larose 7. Roger Cunningham 8. Ray Phillips 9. Christopher Bissell 10. Taylor-Marie Moran 11. Ken Dowling III
Continue reading ‘Waterford Speedbowl Feature Results’
Waterford, CT — The Mini Stocks, Street Stocks, Late Models, and SK Modifieds completed qualifying on Saturday with Keith Rocco and Bruce Thomas Jr. leading the way and grabbing Bud Pole Awards in their respective time trials….click here for the 13th Annual Budweiser Modified Nationals lineup …
SK-150 starting lineup after redraw (time trial results in parenthesis): 1. Frank Ruocco (2) 2. Jeffrey Paul (4) 3. Ron Yuhas Jr. (5) 4. Diego Monahan (3) 5. Dennis Gada (10) 6. Tyler Chadwick (9) 7. Keith Rocco (1) 8. Jimmy Blewett (8) 9. Doug Coby (6) 10. Frank Mucciacciaro (7) 11. Jeff Pearl 12. Corey Hutchings 13. Rob Janovic Jr. 14. Justin Gaydosh 15. Eric Goodale 16. Rich Hammann 17. Dennis Charette 18. Wendell Dailey 19. Joe Gada 20. Mike Sweeney 21. Wayne Arute 22. Kenny Horton. Continue reading ‘Budweiser Modified Nationals Lineups Set’
Waterford Speedbowl’s season opener takes place this weekend with the 13th annual Budweiser Modified Nationals. Friday’s practice was a chance for teams to dial-in their setup in preparation for the 59th season opener at the historic 1/3 mile shoreline oval.
Saturday will hold practice and qualifying for all divisions including time trials for the SK Modifieds and Late Models. Features include the Trucks, Legends Cars, Allison Legacy Series, X-Cars, Super -X Cars and the Outlaw Stocks.
[Photo Gallery] by Nicholas Teto
Brockton, MA — Randy Cabral will be after a second straight season-opening win when the Northeastern Midget Association 2009 campaign begins Saturday night, May 23 at Monadnock Speedway. Amazingly, two-straight season-opening wins has been done only seven times in NEMA’s 57 years, Ben Seitz the last to do it in 2004-05.
Others to accomplish it were Bill Eldridge (1954-55), Dutch Schaefer (1959-60), Walt Gale (1966-67), Johnny Coy (1970-71), Armond Holley (1976-77) and Drew Fornoro (1982-83). Fornoro’s six opening wins top the list followed by Schaefer (4), Eldridge (4). Jeff Horn has three.
Continue reading ‘NEMA History On-Going Thing’
Thompson, CT — A brand new auto racing season is about to begin in New England and the Thompson International Speedway kicks it all off with the traditional ICEBREAKER the weekend of April 4th & 5th. This two-day racing spectacular is the event winter weary race fans wait for each year. Seven different NASCAR racing divisions will participate in the racing action and thousands of fans will enjoy both on and off-track activity that is such a big part of ICEBREAKER weekend.
Motor homes and campers are being brought out of winter storage and are already beginning to be moved to the huge Thompson Speedway grounds. Race fans from all over the northeast converge upon the Thompson complex for a weekend of racing, golf, great food, entertainment ,renewal of old friendships and the making of new friends.
Continue reading ‘It’s NASCAR Auto Racing And So Much More at the Icebreaker’
Due to severe weather forecasts and heavy rain expected on Saturday in the Asheboro, N.C., area, NASCAR has announced Saturday’s Caraway Speedway 150 race at Caraway Speedway for the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour has been postponed.
Details on the event’s rescheduling will be announced at a later date.
The NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour is scheduled to race at South Boston Speedway on Saturday, April 4 with the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified 150.
Continue reading ‘Whelen Southern Modified Tour Race At Caraway Postponed’
Center of Speed 150 Late Model Event Added to Loudon Race
The American Canadian Tour (ACT) Late Model teams, along with a host of local teams throughout New England, will have another opportunity to qualify for the inaugural ACT INVITATIONAL to be held at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway as part of New England’s NASCAR September 18-20th race weekend in 2009.
Doug and Becky White, owners of the revitalized Wiscasset Speedway in Wiscasset, ME, have reached an agreement with the American Canadian Tour to include their Center of Speed 300 Late Model portion of the event as a Qualifier for the much-heralded ACT INVITATIONAL.
Continue reading ‘Wiscasset 300 to Become ACT Invitational Qualifier’
