Archive for October, 2011

Thompson Flea Market This Weekend

Published at October 31, 2011 in Thompson. 0 Comments

Thompson, CT — It is one of the largest and most diversified events of its kind held anywhere and it is this weekend (November 5 & 6) at the Thompson International speedway. For the 40th consecutive year, the speedway gates will open for Don Hoenig’s Original Automotive Swap Meet and Flea Market. This annual event draws some 1,500 dealers and literally thousands of buyers during the two-day event.

Nearly 100 acres of the sprawling Thompson International Speedway complex are filled with items of virtually every description. While primarily an automotive event, it has grown over the years to include much, much more than car and truck parts. Buyers will find a huge variety of new and used items for sale at more than reasonable prices. Race cars and parts, trucks, trailers, tools, crafts, motorcycles, ATVs, tires and wheels are just a few of the thousands of items displayed each year.

Those who intend to display items for sale may take advantage of an early setup by arriving on Friday, November 4th between 10 AM and 8 PM. For a nominal fee of $25.00, they are allowed to select an area of their preference and get their displays fully prepared for the 7 AM opening to the buying public on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Those choosing to arrive on Saturday or Sunday will be assigned display areas based on a first-come, first-served basis. Gates will open on both Saturday and Sunday for sellers at 5 AM. Vendor’s spaces are 30’ X 15’ in size and are priced at $75.00 for the weekend. Sellers, who come from all over the eastern U.S., may purchase as many spaces as they need to display their items.

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NEMA 2011 Overview

Published at October 30, 2011 in NEMA. 0 Comments

The Northeastern Midget Association’s 59th season is complete. It was a very competitive campaign – eight winners including three first-timers and championship battles that went right to the final checkered. In the final reckoning, Randy Cabral and owner Tim Bertrand won the championships despite a five-win season by Russ Stoehr and the Dumo’s Desire team. Only 25 points separated them.

The traditional plethora of hardware will be distributed at the Awards Banquet Saturday, Nov. 19 at White’s of Westport in Westport, MA.

Cabral, who was on the podium in nine of 13 races this summer, claims a crash in the 2010 Boston Louie had a lot to do with the 2011 crown. “I crashed out of that 2010 championship,” says Cabral, calling “impatience” the culprit in a last place finish. “It definitely had an impact on my driving this year.”

The Bertrand team won at the World Series but Stoehr’s third was more than enough to claim the 2010 title. This summer, Stoehr won at the season-ending World Series with Cabral clinching with a second in a classic duel.

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Consistency Keys Cabral’s NEMA Crown

Published at October 30, 2011 in NEMA. 0 Comments

Randy Cabral, the Northeastern Midget Association driving champion for the third time in four years, vividly recalls a dinner conversation with his dad Glen. Like his dad, he wanted to drive Midgets and hoped to become “somebody’s that’s noticed.”

The weekend after clinching the title with a second at Thompson’s World Series, Cabral at Lee Speedway’s Octoberfest. “Everybody was talking about the NEMA champ being there,” Cabral says. “It was kind of nice.”

Cabral and car owner Tim Bertrand, together since 2006, will be the guests of honor at NEMA’s annual Awards Banquet Saturday, Nov. 19 at Whites of Westport in Westport, MA.

It is, Cabral continues, “a privilege to be the champion because so many drivers have fought so many times and missed out by just a little. To have one championship is amazing. Never did I consider three.”

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Stafford Speedway Contingency Program Pays Out $28,000 in 2011 Contingency Awards

Published at October 28, 2011 in Stafford. 0 Comments

Stafford Springs, CT — During the 2011 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series season at Stafford Motor Speedway, drivers took home an extra $28,000 in contingency bonuses. Of that total, $25,800 came from Stafford Motor Speedway’s Contingency Program, while Reliable Welding and Speed’s sponsorship of the track’s Rookie of the Year Program totaled another $2,200 and Rogers Towing contributed $300.

In the SK Modified® division, CARQUEST Auto Parts, Trantolo & Trantolo Law Firm, Call Before You Dig, and New England Racing Fuel contributed a grand total of $10,025. In the Late Model division, CARQUEST Auto Parts and New England Racing Fuel provided a grand total of $4,750. In the SK Light division, The Davidson Company in Memory of Dave Rowe and New England Racing Fuel contributed a grand total of $4,275. The SK Light division also welcomed a new contingency sponsor in Gunsmoke Stables with the Gunsmoke Stables Front Runner Challenge, which was worth another $2,000 to SK Light drivers. In the Limited Late Model division, CARQUEST Auto Parts and New England Racing Fuel contributed a grand total of $3,325 for competitors, and New England Racing Fuel contributed $1,425 to DARE Stock competitors.

Stafford’s two largest contributors to the Contingency Program this season were CARQUEST Auto Parts and New England Racing Fuel with their Sunoco Brand. CARQUEST Auto Parts paid out an additional $6,975 to drivers in the SK Modified®, Late Model, and Limited Late Model divisions, while New England Racing Fuel supported all five of Stafford’s NASCAR Whelen All-American Series racing divisions with over $9,000 in certificates that were redeemable at the track for Sunoco Race Fuel.

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Stafford Speedway Competitors Take Home $47,400 in 2011 Post-Season Awards

Published at October 28, 2011 in Stafford. 0 Comments

Stafford Springs, CT — With the 2011 Stafford Motor Speedway NASCAR Racing season in the history books, it is time once again for competitors to be rewarded for their season-long efforts through the Stafford Motor Speedway point fund and NASCAR contingency awards. In total, Stafford Motor Speedway competitors banked an extra $47,400 in bonus money from the Stafford Motor Speedway Track Point Fund and NASCAR Awards.

At the end of each racing season, Stafford Motor Speedway pays out 5% of its total purses for the year as a point fund for the top-15 points finishers in each of its five weekly divisions. The 2011 Stafford Motor Speedway point fund totaled in excess of $16,900 with track champions Ryan Preece, Ryan Posocco, Matt Galko, Kevin Gambacorta, and Don Wood taking home the lion’s share of their respective division’s point funds.

Adding to the Stafford Motor Speedway post-season awards was $16,500 in track award money that was paid to the top-10 points finishers from the SK Modified®, Late Model, SK Light Modified, and Limited Late Model divisions. The top-10 in the SK Modifieds® were paid a total of $10,000, the top-10 Late Model drivers $3,000, the top-10 SK Light Modified drivers $2,000, and the top-10 Limited Late Model drivers $1,500.

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First Atlantic City Indoor Race Entries Received, New Track Layout to Improve Racing & Viewing

Published at October 27, 2011 in Boardwalk Hall and Indoor Tracks. 0 Comments

Atlantic City, NJ — Registration is underway for Indoor Auto Racing to be held at Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall in February. The 10th edition of the event under the direction of Len Sammons and staff is planned for Friday and Saturday nights Feb. 3-4, 2012. TQ (three quarter) Midgets, dirt 600cc Micro-Sprints, Slingshots and Champ Karts.

Competitors and fans will be greeted with an altered track layout for the ‘12 edition.

The entire oval will be shifted inside the hall for better fan sight lines. Competitors will enjoy wider corners and straightaways. The inside of the track’s turns will be marked by tires rather than guardrails. The tires were used successfully at Providence, R.I., for the previous events.

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Commemorative Tickets on Sale for Annual North-South Shootout

Published at October 26, 2011 in Caraway and North South Shootout. 0 Comments

Asheboro, NC: With the 9th Annual John Blewett II Memorial North-South Shootout presented in loving memory of Charles Kepley only days away, now is the time to secure advance tickets. The traditional event scheduled for November 4&5, 2011 at Caraway Speedway will host the northern and southern modified stars in an all-out duel for racing supremacy. The event features 125 laps of green flag racing for the mighty Modifieds.

The SK-Type Modifieds, an equally as competitive and tenacious brand of open-wheel racing, compete in a 50-lapper of their own. The ultra-competitive CRA Late Models will go the distance in 100-laps of green flag racing. Support divisions include the USA Modifieds, Legends, and Caraway’s own Sportsman division.

The North-South Shootout has gained a reputation as being the most-anticipated event of the year. The hottest ticket in town is available by logging on to northsouthshoot.com, carawayspeedway.com or by calling Caraway Speedway (336) 629-5803.

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A Diverse Entry List Could Mean New Face in NSS Victory Lane

Published at October 24, 2011 in Caraway and North South Shootout. 0 Comments

Asheboro, NC — The entry list to-date for the North-South Shootout includes the likes of Matt Hirschman of Northampton, PA, the only three-time winner of the event, and two-time winner Burt Myers of Walnut Cove, NC. It also includes a diverse collection of drivers, who compete up-and-down the east coast.

For the first time in many years, New England’s Modified Racing Series will have strong representation. Series top-guns Les Hinckley of Windsor Locks, CT, and Kirk Alexander of W. Swanzey, NH, who have made multiple North-South Shootout starts with modest results, will look for career bests at Caraway. Fellow MRS competitor Max Zachem of Preston, CT, will also be making the trek to Caraway.

Jimmy Blewett, of Howell, NJ, a sentimental favorite, will pilot the family-owned car looking to follow in the footsteps of his brother, who was a two-time winner. Blewett, too, has had modest results with one (1) top-ten finish and four (4) top-15 finishes in six starts.

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Thompson Flea Market to Attract Thousands

Published at October 24, 2011 in Thompson. 0 Comments

Thompson, CT — The 40th annual edition of Don Hoenig’s Original Automotive Swap Meet and Flea Market, slated for Saturday, November 5th and Sunday, November 6th, will once again attract over 1,500 vendors and thousands of buyers to the sprawling Thompson Speedway complex.

What started as a swap meet for race car owners and drivers, has grown into a massive compilation of just about anything and everything, new and used, automotive and more. From race cars, haulers, trailers, parts and accessories to antique cars, trucks and parts, motorcycles, snowmobiles, tools, shop equipment, arts and crafts and just about anything one can imagine, have become the mainstay of this amazing collection. Buyers arrive by the thousands to swoop up items at tremendous savings.

Dealers come from all over the eastern part of the U.S. for this annual event with many arriving days ahead of the opening. Even though the event is scheduled for two days, many vendors choose to take advantage of the early setup which is allowed on Friday. The nominal additional charge for a Friday setup allows these sellers the opportunity to select a favorite display spot and to be completely setup and operational when the gates open to the public on Saturday morning. Other vendors choose to arrive early on Saturday so that they are on hand when the gates open for sellers on both Saturday and Sunday at 5 AM.

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Pennink Wins Lee, Pasteryak Claims VMRS Title

Published at October 24, 2011 in Lee USA and VMRS. 0 Comments

Lee, NH — Rowan Pennink of Huntingdon Valley, PA., started ninth in a 24 field, took the lead on lap 61, and went on to win the “Oktoberfest 100” Valenti Modified Racing Series event, Sunday afternoon, at Lee USA Speedway, Lee, NH.

The win was Pennink’s second this season and his fourth career VMRS victory. Pennink also becomes the seventh different driver in seven seasons to win the fall finale.

Les Hinckley III, of Windsor Locks, CT., started the race from the third position, jumped into the lead, and held it until the 61st circuit.. When Pennink took command, Hinckley chased after the new race leader for the final 39 laps.

“The car was unstoppable all day. I have to thank my team,” Pennink said.“ We don’t normally run good here at Lee. I think we might have figured something out. I hope Gary (car owner-Casella) can get it the same next year.”

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Annual NEAR Movie Party Slated For November 12

Published at October 23, 2011 in Danbury, NEAR, Nostalgia, Plainville, Seekonk, Stafford, Thompson and Waterford. 0 Comments

W. Springfield, MA — Saturday evening November 12, the New England Antique Racers (NEAR), present their annual Movie Party at the Dante Club, 1198 Memorial Ave in West Springfield, Mass. (across from the Big E Fairgrounds).

Admission is just $15.00 with tickets available at the door. Things get underway at 6:00 PM.

The event is open to the public. Appetizers are up at 6:00, and a hot and cold buffet will be served at 6:30. There will be a cash bar throughout the evening.

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Smacktoberfest ready to smash at Speedbowl

Published at October 20, 2011 in Waterford. 0 Comments

Waterford, CT — This Saturday, October 22 marks the return of an annual favorite at Waterford Speedbowl, Smacktoberfest. The event features the affordable family fun and motorized mayhem Speedbowl fans love.

The Wacky Race championships will crown the wackiest X-Car and Super X-Car competitor of 2011 at Smacktoberfest.  Popular wacky races such as the Flag Pole race and Musical Car race were held as part of the Wild ‘n Wacky Wednesday series during the season. They return Saturday in a showdown for bragging rights as the master of madcap. Kristie Hamel of Jewett City and Dan Moon of Exeter, RI are the current leaders in the Wacky Race standings.

The final competitive racing of the year will hit the track with the return of Enduros to the shoreline oval, endurance races for each four and eight cylinder cars. Each of the two events pays the winner $1,000 in a winner take all format. Entries are primarily made up of street cars with added safety measures.

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Preece To Drive For Sanderson In 2012

Published at October 19, 2011 in NASCAR WMT, Stafford and Thompson. 0 Comments

Veteran Team, Driver Join Forces For Next Season

Palmer, MA — Eric Sanderson, owner of the No. 16 Diversified Metals/RB Enterprises/Wales Irish Pub race car, has hired Ryan Preece of Berlin, Conn., as his full-time driver on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour for the 2012 season.

Preece, who finished second in the 2009 NWMT final standings, has three tour wins to his credit, and earned a sixth career pole last weekend in his first-ever appearance with the Flamingo Motorsports team in the Sunoco World Series of Racing 150 at Thompson (Conn.) International Speedway.

“Obviously after Thompson I was hoping,” Preece said. “Within ten minutes of when I walked into our meeting Thuesday) I was in the car for next year. I’m really excited that it all came together and that I’m able to drive for crew chief Sly (Szaban) and the entire team.”

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Reen Unexpected World Series WMT Winner; Silk Crowned Champion; Perley Dominates ISMA Season-Finale; R. Stoehr Tops in NEMA; Preece, Ramstrom & Hutchings Also World Series Winners

Published at October 16, 2011 in ISMA, NASCAR WMT, NEMA and Thompson. 0 Comments

Thompson, CT — The 38th Annual World Series of Speedway Racing culminated on Sunday with five feature events. The headlining Whelen Modified Tour ended their season in dramatic fashion with Glenn Reen of Wilbraham, MA, scoring a career-first. Chris Perley of Rowley, MA, turned in a dominating performance in the International Supermodifed Association (ISMA) 50-lapper to score the victory. Russ Stoehr of Lakeville, MA, scored top honors in the Northeastern Midget Association (NEMA) ranks.

In NASCAR Whelen All-American Series action, Ryan Preece of Berlin, CT, outlasted the field in a rough-and-tumble Sunoco Modified feature. Derek Ramstrom of Worcester, MA, scored his sixth Super Late Model race to cap off the 2011 season at Thompson. Corey Hutchings of Salem, CT, survived the Late Model main event to score the win.

Glenn Reen of Wilbraham, MA, was an unexpected winner in a chaotic season finale for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour. Attrition played a major role in an event that saw tons of drama, short tempers and a season-high 16 cautions. It took three attempts at green-white-checker restarts to get the event in the books. Reen withstood all attempts to post the victory. Bobby Santos III, involved in a mid-race incident, rebounded to finish second. Matt Hirschman turned a difficult weekend into a podium finish as well. Chuck Hossfeld and Tom Rogers, Jr. completed the top-five.

[Saturday Photo Gallery] by Nicholas Teto
[Sunday Photo Gallery] by Nicholas Teto

Continue reading ‘Reen Unexpected World Series WMT Winner; Silk Crowned Champion; Perley Dominates ISMA Season-Finale; R. Stoehr Tops in NEMA; Preece, Ramstrom & Hutchings Also World Series Winners’

Chris Perley Takes Fifth Straight World Series ISMA 50 and Ninth Overall at Thompson

Published at October 16, 2011 in ISMA and Thompson. 0 Comments

Thompson, CT –  It wasn’t a tremendous surprise to anyone when Chris Perley pulled the Vic Miller 11 into victory lane on Sunday at Thompson Speedway. After all he’d been there eight times before. His first World Series ISMA 50 win came on Oct. 15, 2000 and he’s only been out of the winner’s circle at that Connecticut oval three times since. He only took seven laps to move into the frontrunner spot from his 11th place starting position. His complete domination of the supermodified portion of the famous Thompson World Series is undeniable, as the record books show, but Perley himself can’t quite explain why.

He shook his head in victory lane and admitted, “I don’t think the domination here has a lot to do with me. Every time we unload here I just can’t believe it. I just sit in the car and drive it. The car seems to love it here. I don’t know what to say really. We don’t break down. The crew gives me an awesome car. Thompson has been just great to come to every year. I kind of wish we came here more often but I wouldn’t want to take anything away from what we have right now. I don’t want to wear it out. It’s just incredible. Happy to see the weather came out great this weekend and all the fans who all came out to see us. I’m happy my family made it too. It’s just that I have a great car, great sponsors, great motors for a great track and it’s a great day. Congratulations to my car owner Vic Miller on his seventh ISMA car owner title. It was great to race for him when I could this year and it’s been great every year. You just can’t beat all of this.”

Having an exciting run to finish second was Raymond, NH’s Jeff Locke who got to lead one lap before the 11 stormed by. Locke had some strong challenges, especially toward the end of the 50-lapper from Timmy Jedrzejek, but he held onto the runner-up spot. He said after the race, “This was awesome. I have to thank Richard (Witkum). The car was really good. I didn’t have a whole lot for Chris. I could stay with him but that was about it. Congratulations to him and the whole team. They obviously have this place figured out. I’m really happy to come home second. I have to thank my father and my family for sticking with me. This is a great finish to a pretty crummy year for us. I’m very happy.”

[Saturday Photo Gallery] by Nicholas Teto
[Sunday Photo Gallery] by Nicholas Teto

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Russ Stoehr & Randy Cabral Score at Thompson WS

Published at October 16, 2011 in NEMA and Thompson. 0 Comments

Thompson, CT – Russ Stoehr won the battle and Randy Cabral claimed the war in a classic Northeastern Midget Association race Sunday at Thompson Speedway’s World Series. Taking the lead on a lap-19 restart, Stoehr went on to capture the 25-lapper. A second was more than enough to give Cabral and car-owner Tim Bertrand their third championships in the last four years.

It was the fifth win of the season for Stoehr (Dumo’s Desire 45) who got exactly what he needed when the race was stopped for the second time. Lining up outside Cabral, the pace setter since lap two, Stoehr grabbed the lead heading into one. Over the next five laps, interrupted by a third caution, it was an epic tussle, Stoehr on the outside and Cabral down low.

Mike Horn (Horn 93X) watched it all from third spot while Ben Seitz (Cantor 7ny) held off Jeff Abold (Abold 29) for fourth. Jeff Horn (Horn A1), Ted Christopher (deRitis 75), B.J. MacDonald (MacDonald 49), Joey Payne (Breault 44) and Erica Santos (Santos 98s) completed the top 10.

[Saturday Photo Gallery] by Nicholas Teto
[Sunday Photo Gallery] by Nicholas Teto

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Preece Debuts with WMT Pole at Thompson; McDermott, Sundeen & Baxter Score Saturday World Series Victories; Lafayette & Lindeman Share Truck Series Honor; Cardile Lite Winner; Meservey Tops in Pro-Fours; Outlaw Victors Gentes, O’Sullivan & Fournier

Published at October 15, 2011 in ARTS, NASCAR WMT, Pro 4 Mod and Thompson. 0 Comments

Thompson, CT –  A raining Friday could not dampen the spirits of fans and competitors on hand for Day #2 of the 38th Annual World Series of Speedway Racing presented by Sunoco. Following a full day of practice and qualifying, Saturday night included ten (10) feature events.

In Whelen Modified Tour Time Trials, Ryan Preece of Berlin, CT, made his debut in the Flamingo Racing #16 turning a lap at 18.634 seconds at a speed of 129.747 miles per hour to earn the Coors Light Pole Award. Doug Coby of Milford, CT, and Ted Christopher of Plainville, CT, rounded out the top three in qualifying. Championship contenders Ronnie Silk, Norwalk, CT, qualified eighth while Todd Szegedy, Ridgefield, CT, will start Sunday’s event from the fourth position.

In Thompson regular weekly divisions it was Scott Sundeen scoring the victory in the Limited Sportsman division; Cam McDermott of Scituate, RI, in the TIS Modifieds; and Chad Baxter of Pascoag, RI, in the Mini Stocks. Scoring Outlaw division victories were Rick Gentes of Woonsocket, RI (Late Models), Mike O’Sullivan of Springfield, MA (Street Stocks) and Richard Fournier of Warwick, RI (Mini Stocks).

[Saturday Photo Gallery] by Nicholas Teto
[Sunday Photo Gallery] by Nicholas Teto

Continue reading ‘Preece Debuts with WMT Pole at Thompson; McDermott, Sundeen & Baxter Score Saturday World Series Victories; Lafayette & Lindeman Share Truck Series Honor; Cardile Lite Winner; Meservey Tops in Pro-Fours; Outlaw Victors Gentes, O’Sullivan & Fournier’

D.J. Burnham Wins Reliable Welding And Speed Limited Late Mdoel Rookie Of The Year Honors At Stafford Speedway

Published at October 14, 2011 in Stafford. 0 Comments

Stafford Springs, CT — Much like Late Model Rookie of the Year Peter Thickett, D.J. Burnham took an unconventional route to racing full bodied stock cars at Stafford Motor Speedway. Burnham’s career path took a turn from racing quads on dirt and ice to the asphalt of Stafford Motor Speedway, where Burham piloted his #60 Burnham Racing machine to Reliable Welding and Speed Rookie of the Year honors.

“This was the first time in my career racing in a car,” said Burnham. “I’ve raced quads on dirt and ice, drag raced snowmobiles, and I did one race in an off-road truck, so everything was totally different this year. We really struggled the first half of the year with the setup of the car, but we found something in the car halfway through the season and the car handled like a dream for the rest of the season.”

The fix that Burnham and his team fitted to his car midway through the season allowed them to pick up their first victory and gave them a strong finish to the season that allowed them to finish in 5th place in the points standings.

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Cody Gneiting Wins Reliable Welding And Speed Sk Light Modified Rookie Of The Year Honors At Stafford Speedway

Published at October 14, 2011 in Stafford. 0 Comments

Stafford Springs, CT — The 2011 SK Light season at Stafford Motor Speedway saw Cody Gneiting outlast Tony Membrino, Jr. in a fight for the Reliable Welding and Speed Rookie of the Year award that came down to the final race of the 2011 season. Gneiting began his racing career in the quarter midget ranks, where he scored 6 championships before moving into the Allison Legacy Series. From there Gneiting made the move into the SK Light division, and he posted 3 top-5 and 10 top-10 finishes this season in the #89 MTV Solutions Pontiac to take home the Rookie of the Year honors.

“It was a pretty good season, but we wanted to do better,” said Gneiting. “It didn’t take too long to get used to driving the car, I think the biggest challenge was learning the other drivers since everyone has a different driving style.”

Gneiting came out of the box strong, with three top-10 finishes in his first four starts. By the halfway point of the 2011 season, Gneiting was cracking into the top-5 and challenging for wins.

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Peter Thickett Wins Reliable Welding And Speed Late Model Rookie Of The Year Honors At Stafford Speedway

Published at October 14, 2011 in Stafford. 0 Comments

Stafford Springs, CT — Of all the drivers who have won a Reliable Welding and Speed Rookie of the Year title at Stafford Motor Speedway in years past, 2011 Late Model Rookie of the Year Peter Thickett has perhaps the strangest path taken to that outcome. Thickett originally hails from High Wycombe, England, and after a racing career full road course racing, Thickett took to a full bodied car on an oval for the very first time this season at Stafford. The result was a Rookie of the Year campaign that saw Thickett and the #33 Siemon Company team post their lone top-10 finish of the 2011 season in the final race of the year.

“This was a totally new experience for me,” said Thickett. “This was the first time I had ever raced on an oval track, my background is road course racing in single seater cars. I got started in karting and then I drove some amateur Formula 3 and I did some endurance racing in a Porsche 911. I enjoyed oval racing a lot more than I thought I would, it was a great experience. I’ve never been so close to other cars and touching other cars without having a massive crash.”

After making one start during the first half of the year, Thickett and the #33 ran 9 of the last 10 races and posted a best finish of sixth in the CARQUEST Fall Final feature. Thickett finished the year in 18th place in the points standings and says a shock change made a big difference in the team’s performance.

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Heather DesRochers Wins Reliable Welding And Speed SK Modified® Rookie Of The Year Honors At Stafford Speedway

Published at October 14, 2011 in Stafford. 0 Comments

Stafford Springs, CT — After several seasons and two victories in Stafford’s SK Light division, Granby, MA native Heather DesRochers made the move up the Stafford ladder into the SK Modified® division for the 2011 season. DesRochers and her #24 Gunsmoke Stables team qualified for every race during the 2011 season, and she posted two top-10 finishes this year to finish in 16th place in the SK Modified® standings and win the Reliable Welding and Speed Rookie of the Year award.

“Before the season started, we were thinking about our goals and our focus was to get better each week,” said DesRochers. “We knew it was going to be like starting all over again with moving up to the SK Modified® division, but we couldn’t be happier about winning the Rookie of the Year.”

The 2011 season began on a bit of an ominous note for DesRochers, as a mechanical problem eliminated her from the season opening CARQUEST Tech-Net Spring Sizzler feature event before she completed a lap. But throughout the 2011 season, the #24 continued to get closer and closer towards a top-10 finish, and DesRochers was able to post both of her top-10 finishes in the final six races of the season.

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Stafford Motor Speedway To Honor Its Track Champions At 42Nd Annual Champions Awards Ceremony On November 18Th

Published at October 14, 2011 in Stafford. 0 Comments

Stafford Springs, CT — With the 2011 Stafford Motor Speedway season concluded, the speedway will honor its track champions at the 42nd Annual Stafford Motor Speedway Champions Awards Ceremony on Friday, November 18th at the La Renaissance Banquet Facility in East Windsor. A crowd of over 500 guests is expected to be on hand as the Connecticut half-mile hands out its post-season awards.

In addition to recognizing the 2011 track champions, other prestigious awards, including Most Improved Driver, Most Popular Driver, the Reliable Welding & Speed Rookie of the Year Awards, and the Craftsman Mechanic of the Year Award will also be presented. Stafford Motor Speedway will also recognize the top-20 finishers from the 2011 SK Modified®, Late Model, SK Light, Limited Late Model, and DARE Stock points standings.

Headlining the night’s festivities, Ryan Preece will be recognized as the 2011 SK Modified® Champion, which is his first career championship; Ryan Posocco will be honored as the 2011 Late Model track champion for a record sixth time in Stafford’s Late Model division; Matt Galko will be honored as the SK Light Modified championship for the second consecutive season; Kevin Gambacorta will be honored as the 2011 Limited Late Model track champion, his second Limited Late Model championship and third overall track championship; and Don Wood will be honored for the second time as the DARE Stock track champion.

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Silk Peaking At Right Time For Hunter Index

Published at October 14, 2011 in NASCAR WMT and NASCAR WSMT. 0 Comments

Whelen Modified Tour Title Contender Finishing Season Strong

Daytona Beach, FL — Ron Silk’s impressive run to end the season has him on the brink of a NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour championship, and his string of successes has earned him attention outside of just the Modified circles.

The Norwalk, Conn., driver won the tour’s first race in Canada in September and then turned in a dominating performance on one of the tour’s biggest stages, New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Those pair of wins, coupled with taking over the championship points lead heading into the season finale at Thompson (Conn.) International Speedway earned him the spot as the top driver in the October edition of the Hunter Index, as voted on by a panel of auto racing writers and NASCAR representatives.

“Ron Silk has long been a threat to win races on the Whelen Modified Tour,” said Len Sammons, editor of Area Auto Racing News. “This year, he has really been impressive in his consistency and his ability to bounce back from a setback.

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Darling and Holdridge share DAV Fall Classic Spotlight. DeGasparre, Lineham, Cavallaro and Nocella grab Classic wins

Published at October 13, 2011 in Seekonk. 0 Comments

Seekonk, MA — Dave Darling of Rehoboth brought home his fourth D. Anthony Venditti Fall Classic trophy with a win in the Pro Stock 100. Mike Holdridge of Madison CTwon his second career Valenti Modified Racing Series event, and became the eighth different winner in the 8 Fall Classics for the VMRS. 5 time Late Model Champion Gerry DeGasparre Jr. of Pawtucket,RI, broke an 0-fer streak that goers back to his rookie season in the Street Stocks in 1993 in winning the LM portion of the DAV.CoventryRI’s Ryan Lineham broke through to join his father as Street Stock winners in the Fall Classic. Anthony Nocella of Woburn, Ma, the all time NEMA Lites winner picked up his first Fall Classic win, driving the Seymour#4.

The Pro Stocks drew a 33 car field for qualifying, and after qualifying was complete, the 26 car field was ready to go. Darling started on the inside of the second row, and quickly found himself sitting second and the race started, squeezing under Mike Brightman for the position. Darling paced himself through the early stages, allowing pole sitter Tom Scully Jr. to set the pace.

Scully led the first 45 laps of the event, picking up over $1100 in lap money. Over the second half of the race, Scully started to lose the handling on the Wheelock’s NAPA Auto Parts Chevy, and started to slide back, falling back to the seventh spot in the final rundown.

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Bill Chouinard, Ian Cummins, Dan Leach, Norm Wrenn, Kaitlyn Donovan and Chase Belcher pick up DAV Fall Classic Saturday wins

Published at October 13, 2011 in Seekonk. 0 Comments

Seekonk, MA — On October 8th, the green flag unfurled for the twentieth annual DAV Fall Classic at the “Action Track of the East,” Seekonk Speedway. In the feature portion of the opening day, the Seekonk Youth Racing Association 600 and 750 classes took to the track accompanied by the Sport Fours, NEMA Lites, and Pure Stocks.

Following post-race inspection, Chase Belcher and Kaitlyn Donovan were awarded the SYRA victories after crossing the line finish line in second. Alan Leach notched his first career victory in his first race in the Sport Four division by leading the field from start to finish. Ian Cummings guided his NEMA Lite to the checkered flag for his first victory of the 2011 campaign in only his fourth start of the year. In the main event, pure stock veteran and two time champion Bill Chouinard picked up his first DAV Victory in the last race of his full time racing career.

First out of the tunnel was the SYRA 600 division for a twenty lap feature. Prior to the feature, Chase Belcher and Austin Blais scored wins in the eight lap heat races.

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Halloween Spooktactular Good for All! Help Us Reach our 10,000 Can Goal!

Published at October 13, 2011 in Seekonk. 0 Comments

Seekonk, MA — This weekends halloween Spooktactular is going to be a fun event with a great need being serviced as well. The local food pantries are very excited about us helping get them stocked up for a long cold winter. they are already in short supply for more needy families than we know about. so please save the $5 off your ticket and donate a food item…thanks

Some things the local food pantries really need are …dried pasta, pasta sauce, spaghetti “o”s and similar products, soups, peanut butter, jelly, tunafish, rice , cereal , and mac and cheese.

Our Goal is to collect as close to 10,000 food items on sunday and really help set up our local shelters with a good supply heading into a tough winter.

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Thompson’s Sunoco World Series This Weekend

Published at October 13, 2011 in NASCAR WMT, NEMA and Thompson. 0 Comments

Thompson, CT — The 38th annual Sunoco World Series of Speedway Racing will be held this weekend at the Thompson International Speedway. This incredible race program will run Friday through Sunday, October 14-16, and will feature hundreds of race cars representing some 15 different divisions.

The Sunoco World Series of Speedway Racing presented by Town Fair Tire and XTRA/MART is the only race program of its kind in the northeast. The Speedway is converted into a small city of racing enthusiasts from Florida to Canada who faithfully make the trip to Thompson every October. They come in droves to watch great racing and to enjoy the party atmosphere that is a big part of this very special weekend.

This three-day high speed extravaganza brings nearly every type and style of oval track race car and race truck to Thompson Speedway for the traditional season-ending grand finale. Headlining the racing action is the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, the ultra fast Super Modifieds of ISMA, the NEMA Midgets, and Thompson’s “Super6” NASCAR Whelen All-American Series divisions. Add to that the Sunoco Lite Modifieds, Pro 4 Modifieds, New England Race Trucks and three “outlaw” racing divisions and you have an amazing lineup ready for exciting high speed action.

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Post Season Means World Series

Published at October 13, 2011 in NASCAR WMT and Thompson. 0 Comments

Thompson, CT — Baseball and auto racing at Thompson International Speedway have one big thing in common. Both present an amazing post season event known as the World Series. In the case of the Thompson Speedway, it’s the 38th annual Sunoco World Series of Speedway Racing presented by Town Fair Tire and XTRA/MART on the weekend of October 14th-16th.

Racing’s World Series at Thompson is a massive three-day racing spectacle that features 15 different divisions of race cars and trucks. Topping the bill will be the Super Modifieds of ISMA, the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, NEMA Midgets, Thompson’s ‘Super 6” NASCAR Whelen All-American Series divisions and many more.

The final race event of the season at Thompson begins on Friday, October 14th, when a dozen of the participating divisions will have the opportunity to practice. Eight of those will have qualifying races on Friday for their main events on Saturday. Things get busier on Saturday when the remaining divisions take to the track for practice. They will then qualify in heat races or time trials for their Sunday feature races. Once Saturday qualifying is wrapped up, those divisions that qualified on Friday will be lined up for their feature event races. In all, nine of the 15 divisions will compete in Saturday evening main events.

Sunday, October 15th, is when the big guns roll out. The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour will wrap up its season with a 150-lap event. ISMA’s winged Super Modifieds will also end their season at Thompson with their traditional 50-lap main. The curtain will fall on the season for the NEMA Midgets when they take to the track for their Sunday 25-lap feature event. Thompson’s Sunoco Modifieds, Super Late Models and Late Model divisions will share the Sunday lineup.

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NEMA’s Season Ends at World Series

Published at October 12, 2011 in NEMA and Thompson. 0 Comments

Brockton, MA – Per usual, the Northeastern Midget Association point battle goes to the final race, Thompson’s World Series. Thompson, the fastest venue on the NEMA docket, has been the ultimate test for the midgets for decades.
Thompson has been hosting Midgets since 1940. NEMA has been a mainstay since 1960.

Randy Cabral takes a 26 point bulge on Greg Stoehr into the 25 lap feature. Russ Stoehr sits 37 back in third place. With eight different winners, the most competitive NEMA campaign in several years comes to an end at Thompson.

Mike Horn (Horn 93x) will be looking to repeat his July 7 victory. Horn and Cabral, Thompson’s all-time NEMA winner with nine, staged an epic battle. Cabral and the Bertrand team will be looking for a second straight and fifth overall World Series win.

The Stoehr brothers are familiar with the Thompson asphalt as well. Russ (Dumo’s Desire), who clinched the title at last year’s World Series, has three Thompson wins. Greg, who’ll most likely be driving Jim Miller’s 3m, has one.

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Nocella & Cumens NEMA First Time Winners at DAV

Published at October 12, 2011 in NEMA, NEMA Lites and Seekonk. 0 Comments

Seekonk, MA – Anthony Nocella captured his first Northeastern Midget Association feature Sunday, winning the 25-lap feature at Seekonk Speedway’s D.Anthony Venditti Memorial. It was a dominating performance for Nocella and the Seymour #4.

Nocella, the all-time winner in the NEMA Lites, started ninth. He took the lead from John Zych (Zych #9) on lap 13 and then beat back a lap 19 restart challenge from Randy Cabral. It was all according to plan.

“We wanted to be leading around the halfway point,” said Nocella. “I kinda wanted to save something. I wanted to have enough tire to hold somebody off if there was a late caution. That’s how it happened.”

Cabral (Bertrand #47) was a straightaway (2.363 seconds) behind in second. Keith Botelho (Stoehr #25), Greg Stoehr (Miller #3m) and Russ Stoehr (Dumo’s Desire #45) filled out the top five.

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