Stafford Motor Speedway returns to racing action next Friday night, May 23^rd with the 18th Annual TSI Harley-Davidson 150 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour event.  Stafford’s SK Modifieds®, Late Models, SK Light Modifieds, Limited Late Models, and DARE Stocks will also all be in action for six divisions of racing next Friday night.  For next Friday night’s NASCAR Whelen All-American Series feature events, the top-18 in points will be pre-qualified for their events.

Tickets for next Friday night’s TSI Harley-Davidson race program are priced at $30.00 for Adult General Admission, $5.00 for children ages 6-14, and children ages 5 and under are admitted free of charge.  Reserved seating is available and is priced at $32.00 for all ages.  As always, Stafford Motor Speedway offers plenty of free parking with overnight parking available at no cost.

Stafford Motor Speedway will be moving its NASCAR Day celebration to Friday night, May 30th. Funds generated from NASCAR Day will benefit The NASCAR Foundation, which supports over 30 driver and industry charities.  On NASCAR Day, fans, companies, schools, and organizations show their support of the charitable community of NASCAR by donating $5 for a commemorative NASCAR Day lapel pin.  Pins can be purchased at the Speedway Collectibles booth, at the Main Pit Gate, or in the Speedway Office.  To commemorate the fifth-annual celebration of NASCAR Day, Stafford Motor Speedway will host a pit-crew challenge.  Participating fans may sign up at the Speedway Collectibles Booth on the midway next Friday night.  Since the inception of NASCAR Day in 2004, Stafford Motor Speedway teams and fans have helped raise over $6,000 for the NASCAR Foundation.

May is Youth Organization Month at Stafford Motor Speedway.  As part of Youth Organization Month, any child age 14 and under wearing a youth organization team shirt or uniform (Little League, Scouts, etc.) will receive free admission when accompanied by an adult.

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

Daytona Beach, FL — As part of a season-long celebration of 60 years of Modified champions, seven-time NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour titlist Mike Stefanik will be honored at the TSI Harley-Davidson 150 on Friday, May 23 at Stafford (Conn.) Motor Speedway.

A resident of Coventry, R.I., Stefanik is the winningest driver in the history of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour and he was also named to the “NASCAR All-Time Modified Top 10 Drivers” list in 2003.

Since the tour’s inception in 1985, Stefanik has experienced unparalleled success. His seven championships are two more than Tony Hirschman’s total and his record 68 wins are 24 more than second-place Reggie Ruggiero’s 44.

“I’m not a big nostalgic person and into statistics and all of that, but someday it’s going to be very exciting for me to realize that [the accomplishments] and enjoy it for what it is,” Stefanik said. “I’ve had a very nice and rewarding career.”

Stefanik captured his first NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour championship in 1989 when he edged Ruggiero by just six points, the second-smallest margin in the division’s history. During the course of the next 12 years Stefanik ran a full schedule nine times and captured the series title in five of those campaigns (1991, ‘97, ‘98, 2001, ‘02). His seventh title came in 2006 when he registered just one victory but finished in the top 10 in 15 of 16 races.

He was also voted the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour’s Most Popular Driver in 1997, 1998 and 2001.

Although the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour is where he has experienced the most success, Stefanik is an accomplished driver in other series as well. He has tallied nine poles, 12 wins and 102 top-10s in 164 career starts in the NASCAR Camping World Series East. Stefanik also made 26 starts in the NASCAR Nationwide Series from 1992-2000 and had the same amount of starts in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series during the 1998-99 seasons. Stefanik earned Raybestos Rookie of the Year honors in 1999 when he finished 13th in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series standings.

In one of the more dominant two-year runs of any driver in the history of NASCAR racing, Stefanik captured back-to-back titles in both the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour and the NASCAR Camping World Series East in 1997 and 1998. In a Modified, Stefanik compiled 22 wins and 30 top-fives in 55 races en route to his third and fourth championships in that division. During that same time span in the stock cars of the NASCAR Camping World Series East he recorded six wins and 31 top-10s in 39 starts to earn consecutive points titles.

With his seven NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour titles and two NASCAR Camping World Series East crowns, Stefanik is currently tied with the late Richie Evans for the most championships in the history of NASCAR racing. Evans earned nine Modified titles, including the inaugural NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour championship in 1985.

Stefanik, who will turn 50 on May 20, has no intentions of slowing down anytime soon. He finished fourth in the Spring Sizzler at Stafford on April 27 and is just two years removed from his most-recent points title.

“I’m thrilled just to be racing anything, and to be involved with the program that we have is fantastic,” Stefanik said. “I’m just going to keep doing it and enjoying the rest of my time behind the wheel because it’s now more enjoyable than ever.”

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 Thompson International Speedway on April 6. Prior to the Tech-Net Spring Sizzler at Stafford on April 27 NASCAR honored Ernie Gahan and Red Byron.

With two races in the books, Stefanik and the rest of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour field will return to the half-mile oval at Stafford for the first night race of the 2008 season. The one-day show will feature an afternoon practice session and time trials at 6 p.m. For ticket information, please visit Stafford’s official Web site (staffordmotorspeedway.com).

Sources: Jason Cunningham/NASCAR WMT PR

This years Speedbowl Sluggers include SK Modified drivers Jeff Pearl, Ron Yuhas Jr. and Tyler Chadwick. Ed Reed Jr., Bruce Thomas Jr. and Vin Esposito from the Late Model division, Walt Hovey Jr. and Al Stone III representing the Sportsman division and Mini Stock drivers Ken Cassidy Jr. and Randy Churchill Jr. Only Yuhas, Reed and Cassidy have participated in the event before.

Sid DiMaggio, editor-in-chief of the track’s program and coordinator of the event since it’s inception in 2006, will choose Little Leaguers to compete in the HR Derby prior to the exhibition. A former Little League coach in Waterford, DiMaggio will serve as the designated pitcher during the event. Mini Stock competitor and one-time local softball legend Jeff “Soup” Civardi will serve as the quest umpire. The participants will take their swings on the edge of the infield grass, on the frontstretch facing the grandstands. Any ball hit over the Armco barrier is a solo homerun. Any ball hit over the fence into the grandstands is a grand slam and worth 4 runs. Each batter gets 10 outs - any strike or ball hit that is not a homerun counts as 1 out. The duo with the most combined runs after everyone has hit wins the event. The Little Leaguer from the winning team will be presented with a trophy and wiffle ball and bat set.

This year’s Speedbowl Slugger roster is comprised of weekly racers with varying experience in the game of baseball. Most notably is Ron Yuhas Jr., who competes in both the SK Modifieds and Late Models this season, was a successful baseball player from his days in the Groton Little League up to his years playing for Bryant College. Although he may have the most impressive resume in organized baseball of this year’s participants, Yuhas believes it’s anyone game this weekend. “Playing organized ball isn’t necessarily an advantage. Everyone’s played some wiffle ball when they were a kid. Any of the drivers could do well.” Defending Late Model Champion Bruce Thomas, who will be making his LL Night HR Derby debut this weekend, is quite confident he’ll get some runs on the board for his squad. Citing his legendary status from the neighborhood wiffle ball games during his youth, Thomas said, “I have no doubt I will take (Sid) deep next week.”

Other drivers might not be as confident. 1998 SK Champion Jeff Pearl is hoping to be paired with a power-hitting Little Leaguer. “I hope I get a ringer. What size bat can I use? Can it be four inches wide?” Last week’s Sportsman winner Walt Hovey shares the same sentiment, “I played Little League and that was as far as I went with baseball so I hope I get paired with a good kid.”

Regardless of his baseball skills, Hovey remains enthusiastic about the HR Derby exhibition.

“It’s good to get back to the kids. We used to live for that kind of stuff when we were young, it’s good to get back to the things where kids can be part of the action.” Yuhas agrees “It’s just as much fun for us as it is for the kids to be down there with the drivers. I’m looking forward to it.”

Sources :”Sid” Dimaggio

The winning car owner of the Ricky Miller Memorial 100 for the True Value Modified Racing Series scheduled for Sunday, September 28, 2008, as part of the two-day Twin State Speedway Fall Challenge, will earn a guaranteed starting spot in the 6^th Annual North-South Shootout TM. The annual event will take place on November 7&8, 2008 at Concord Motorsport Park in Concord, NC.

“For the last several years we have enjoyed a good relationship with the management and the competitors of the True Value Modified Racing Series,” said Promoter Charles Kepley. “We are proud to continue this relationship in 2008 and equally excited about working with the great team at the Twin State Speedway.”

The North-South Shootout TM, an annual Modified event that features the cars and the stars of both the Northern and Southern Modified racing community in an all green flag racing shootout to the finish, was named in honor of New Jersey racer John Blewett III after his untimely death in a racing accident in August of 2007. Blewett won the inaugural Shootout in 2003 and again in 2005.

“It’s a great honor for Twin State Speedway along with True Value Modified Racing Series to be hosting the 1st annual Ricky Miller memorial 100,” said Mike Parks, Twin State Speedway Race Director. “And with C&C Racing Promotions naming the event as a North-South Shootout TM Qualifier, it will help to make this very special event one of the brightest stops on the True Value schedule.”

The annual North-South Shootout TM has become a staple among both Northern and Southern race fans because of the excitement that the event generates by bringing together the racers from the various Tour-Type Modified Series on the East Coast on the ultra-fast, tri-oval at Concord Motorsport Park.

“Ricky was always a racer who would just load his car and go to a race,” continued Parks, who was also a crew member for Miller. “The North-South Shootout TM would have been an event Ricky would not have missed.”

The annual John Blewett III Memorial North-South Shootout TM is now also a sentimental favorite for competitors.

Miller, who was a Modified standout at Twin State Speedway, when the track ran under the Claremont Speedway banner, died at the age of 34 in 2004. The Ricky Miller Memorial, named for one of the most likeable racers to have competed, will likely gain the same level of merit from the racers and the racing community.

The always colorful and personable competitor may be best known for his 1999 Riverside Park Speedway championship, the final Modified champion of the now defunct Speedway. He will forever stand in history as the winner of the final Whelen Modified Tour race ever held at the famed Riverside Park Speedway in Agawam, MA.

“In racing there is no higher honor than to be called a racer”, said True Value Modified Racing Series Marketing director John Hoyt. “Ricky Miller was a racer.”

Ricky is remembered not only as an accomplished racer but also as an integral part of the legendary Modified Team for owner Mario Foire, where he served as crew chief.

Miller began his racing career at the Claremont, NH, oval in the Street Stocks before moving to the Pro Stocks and ultimately the Modifieds. Miller raced his final race at Thrasher Road before retiring from the sport.

The Miller family has a long history at the speedway. Ricky’s dad, Donnie Miller, was a multi-time track champion at the speedway. True Value Modified Racing Series founder Jack Bateman called Donnie one of Claremont’s modified heroes, known as” The Golden Jet”.

“The opportunity to honor and remember one of the speedway’s greatest names makes the event that much more special,” continued Parks.

Qualifying races have been a part of the North-South Shootout TM since it’s inception in 2003. The Miller Memorial 100 will be one of several races that will be slated as qualifiers for the Modified portion of the upcoming Shootout. A complete schedule of qualifying races for the Northern and Southern Modifieds along with the SK-Type Modifieds, and the Supermodifieds will be forthcoming.

To learn more about the Ricky Miller Memorial and the Fall Challenge contact, the Twin State Speedway at (603) 543-3160 or the True Value Modified Racing Series at 800-924-2594.

To learn more about the 6^th Annual John Blewett III Memorial North-South Shootout TM log on to northsouthshootout.com or call (508) 847-0565.

Sources: Dale Wolbrink/North-South Shootout PR

The racing season is young but already we have had to deal with more than our share of challenging times. We have lost a good friend in Shane Hoffman. He inspired us to continue on even if the odds were stacked against you. He did more with less, but had that trademark smile and attitude that let you know he could conquer the world.

Then a few weeks ago we lost truly a special man in Dave Rowe. Dave was not just a car owner, he was a cheerleader and friend. He invested his resources in the lives of others to give them a chance to live out their dreams. He did it in such a way that it showed those around him what was truly important in life. For Dave it wasn’t about acquiring things it was about making a difference in people’s lives. Dave had such a positive influence on the lives he came in contact with. You could see him coming and he had that smile. He didn’t consider himself above you, in fact he would do anything for you if you needed it.

He also loved to celebrate the accomplishments of life. Dave would take the time to live in the moment. Tomorrow will take care of itself, let’s enjoy the day. The Davidson Racing Family is a testament to the way he included and cared for everyone. There are many memories of those celebrations and Dave was right there celebrating with you. Dave let us know it is okay to enjoy life and celebrate. His life helped us stop, look around and reach out to those who needed a hand.

It is always difficult to move on with life after we lose someone close to us. We grieve their loss and want them to be back with us. We understand that those who knew God and accepted Jesus are in a better place and we will join them there one day, but that doesn’t make it any easier to get through today. Where do we turn when we need to carry on?

We need to rely on each other. We need to stick together and encourage one another. Sometimes we need to pick each other up and help get through the difficulties. We also need to watch out for each other. When things in life challenge us, sometimes we turn from the right path and start down a road that leads to ruin. We all need to watch and reach out when we see this happen.

I am reminded of a passage in the Old Testament that helps us understand the responsibility we have to each other.

Ecclesiastes 4:8-12,

There was a man all alone;

he had neither son nor brother.

There was no end to his toil,

yet his eyes were not content with his wealth.

“For whom am I toiling,” he asked,

“and why am I depriving myself of enjoyment?”

This too is meaningless–

a miserable business!

Two are better than one,

because they have a good return for their work:

If one falls down,

his friend can help him up.

But pity the man who falls

and has no one to help him up!

Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.

But how can one keep warm alone?

Though one may be overpowered,

two can defend themselves.

A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

The writer of this book was a wise philosopher. He held a position as a judge and observed the lives of many. He recorded his conclusions in this book for all of us to learn from. He comes to the conclusion many times that the pursuit of things that don’t honor God is like chasing after the wind.

If we take a look at this scripture we see a man working hard to attain great wealth and then one day realizes that he has no one to share it with. He realizes that it is meaningless without someone other than himself to benefit. He comes to a clear conclusion; it is meaningless.

It is meaningless because it is selfish. Selfishness doesn’t honor God and if we live our life focused only on ourselves we will get to the end and regret that we didn’t reach out to someone along the way. We will be empty inside. We come to the sad realization that you can’t take it with you. They don’t have a trailer hitch on the hearse.

So the writer concludes that two are better than one because they can encourage each other, they can reach out to each other and they can stand up for each other. The last line helps us understand that three, together, can withstand almost anything.

Sticking together is the way God created us to live. Life isn’t worth living if it is lived alone. Together we can endure the tough times without being broken. Together we can travel through life on the right path. Together we live the most abundant life.

This week take a look at those around you. Make note of those who you look out for. Also make note of those who look out for you. Take a moment and say thanks to those who cover your back and help you through life. God Bless and have a great week.

THOUGHTS FROM THE ROAD

MOVING ON UP- The Jefferson’s coined the phrase but some young drivers have put things in place to take a step up the ladder.

SEAN CAISSE returns to the driver seat in the HRE racing ARCA/REMAX car at Kentucky Speedway. HRE gives young drivers a chance to compete and prove themselves and Sean is excited about the opportunity. He sat down with Todd Bodine and learned some ins and outs of the track and is looking forward to racing on the longest track he has ever raced on, 1 ½ miles. “Todd sat down with me and he went through the track, step by step. I couldn’t ask for a better driver than Todd to give me advice,” said Caisse, who has raced at Dover, Iowa and Loudon. “Kentucky Speedway will be the largest track I’ve raced on, so the technique Todd pointed out will really help me with things like straightaway speeds.”

Looks like Sean had a great run taking down the pole and running consistently in the top three all day. The race went extra distance to finish under green and Sean got caught up in someone else’s mistake. He finished a disappointing 28^th completing 106 of the final 112 laps. Sean proved he has what it takes to go fast and maybe this will lead to other opportunities.

RYAN SEAMAN- Ryan has landed the opportunity to drive on the Craftsman Truck Series for Lafferty Motorsports. Seaman will make his debut May 30 in the AAA Insurance 200 at Dover International Speedway. Ryan is familiar with Dover and this should give him some help in his first ride for Lafferty.

WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU ARE NOT RACING ON THE WMT?- RYAN PREECE is expanding his horizons, Ryan will be behind the wheel of a full-fendered car for the first time. Ryan’s racing career so far has been in open wheeled cars, but this high schooler will take the plunge at Iowa for car owner Maxie Bush in the Camping World Series East/West joint event. Ryan said he is putting in 500 laps a day on his simulator so he should know the track. Over 55 cars have entered the event so a few won’t make the grade. Ryan has proved he can qualify through winning his first Pole at Stafford in the Sizzler.

BOB MENSCHNER ON THE ROAD- Our Wall Chaplain is not taking his time away from racing lightly. He is headed up to Oaklane in Pennsylvania to lead the young racers and their families in Chapel. When the QMA Region 2 States Race that usually was held at Wall moved, so did the Chaplain. I received a call this week from Tony Lofton and he asked if Bob would be willing to come up on Memorial Day Weekend and help out. We know Bob will do a great job for them.

RAIN HAS DAMPENED THE START OF THE SEASON AT STAFFORD- With the first two nights of the weekly racing season at Stafford rained out they will give it a try again this week. They have moved the New England Dodge Dealers Late Model 100 to Friday June 27 to give teams a chance to get things going a little before the big event. Save some gas and money by heading out and watching some local racing action this weekend.

THOMPSON SEES WITH NEW LIGHTS- Thursday night’s practice has been moved to a later time slot to allow the drivers and teams to experience the new lighting system installed at the track. They will run practice from 5 to 9 pm. This will also allow for some adjustments to the lights before racing begins on the May 22. The new lights should only serve to enhance the racing excitement at Thompson, again take the ride to the local track and experience your racing live and in person.

JAKE JACOBS- I usually list these in the Checkered Cheers but this one requires some immediate attention. Jake, as some of you have heard passed away early Saturday morning at his home in Mooresville.  It was ruled a massive heart attack.  Jake was our friend and long-time crew member at Andy Santerre Motorsports. He was only 52 years old and leaves behind a wife and five children. The family is in need of immediate financial support and if you are able please send a donation to Karen in lieu of flowers. The family will be hosting an informal memorial service on Tuesday, May 13th from 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM at the family home.  A second service will be held in Massachusetts after school is out in June. Cards and well wishes along with donations can be sent to the family:

Karen Jacobs , Roy, Erica, David, Mitchell and Collin Jacobs, 184 Powers Hill Road, Mooresville, NC 28115

Please pray for the entire family at this difficult time.

This week finds Dan, along with wife Deb, attending the graduation of their daughter Stephanie from SUNY Cortland. I will be headed to Dover to do a wedding and maybe get a chance to drive on the Monster Mile. Chuck, Gary and Paul will be headed to Iowa to cover the Camping World Series event there. Have a great week.

Be a witness for our Lord with the ministry decals and apparel. See them at the Online Apparel Store at www.RWJM.org. Call us with your prayer and counseling needs and list all your prayer needs, no matter what part of our racing family you are in, with the Racing Family Prayer Request Page www.rwjm.org/page/prayers.php also send your prayer request by mail. Until next time, remember that God loves you, we love you and

Jesus is Lord over Auto Racing. GOD BLESS.

Mail reaches us at Racing with Jesus Ministries, PO Box 586, Tolland, CT 06084. Check our weekly printed pages in “Area Auto Racing News”, the East Coast’s largest weekly racing paper” See our on-line Apparel Store for subscription information. Check our home page www.rwjm.org for past articles. We invite you to input your thoughts as you sign our Guest Book. Please remember, we can only do what we do because of your prayerful financial support.

Numbers 6:24-26 “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”

May God always Bless you, everyday in everyway. Rev. Don

CHECKERED CHEERS

***WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES***

May 17

DAVE & KATHIE DUPUIS- The mom and dad of Rene, accomplished lady NASCAR Modified driver have their anniversary.

May 18

HOWARD & MARY HODGE- This Manchester, CT racing photographer couple share their 46th.

JIM, JR AMD GINGER HAILEY- The NC LMSC driving son of Richard Childress Show Car Team Manager Jim, have their 14th anniversary.

TONY & ELIZABETH DIAS- This Riverside, RI ProStock driver and wife celebrate 23 years together.

May 19

EDDIE & ANN DENSIESKI- This Riverhead NASCAR Modified driver and wife share their special day.

JERRY AND DEBBIE LILLQUIST- This former Thompson Late Model driver and wife, now living in Myrles Inlet, SC, have their 35th anniversary.

***HAPPY BIRTHDAYS***

May 14

GARY NAPOLITANO- D.I.R.T. Modified driver.

FRED VORDERMEIR- “The Big Apple Kid,” West Hempstead, NY Modified driver.

BUDDY BLACK- NC NASCAR Modified driver.

TONY RAINES- LaPorte, IN NASCAR NSC driver.

STEPHAN GREGOIRE- Neufchateau, France born, now Indianapolis, IN IRL driver.

DENNIS WOOLDRIDGE- Riverside, CA LM driver.

May 15

SHANE HMIEL- Former NASCAR driver.

ED ST. ANGELO- Barrington, RI Modified/ProStock driver.

NANCY CLARK- Wife of Long Island NASCAR modified driver Dick.

WES BENASH- Marlton, NJ son of Bridgeport Speedway Handicapper Bob.

PETE McCLUSKEY- Pete McCluskey Builders sponsor of Wall Township Speedway’s George Andretta’s ProStock and #1 fan.

May 16

DOUG FRENCH- Farmingdale, NJ occasional NASCAR Mod Series driver, proprietor of DFA, close friend of WMT driver Jamie Tomaino.

PETE PAVONE- Bridgeport, CT DWRS Modified driver.

GEORGE ANDRETTA- Neptune, NJ Wall Township Speedway ProStock driver/ Modified team owner,

STEVIE REEVES- Speedway, IN NNS driver.

TOM TAYLOR- Lodi, CA NASCAR West driver.

GARY DANKO- AARN Brian’s brother, racing radio host, Waterford announcing staff.

JARROD LEHMAN- Son of AARN columnist Doc and wife Carol.

May 17

JOHN McMULLIN- Daytona based Film Producer.

JIM POWERS- Seekonk Speedway co-announcer.

JANIE DANKO- Owner of the Waterford Speedbowl John Faulkner LM.

May 18

ROGER OXEE- Riverhead Raceway competitor.

GARY LaMOUNTAIN- Riverhead Raceway LM driver.

May 19

MATT HUTTER- Chardon, OH NASCAR CWES/NNS driver.

JODY RIDLEY- Chatsworth, GA NASCAR All Pro Series driver.

DALE CAMPFIELD- Apalachin, NY former owner of Shangri-La (Tioga) Speedway.

SYLVIA CRUNDEN- Wife of CT ProStocker Brian.

May 20

BOB MENSCHNER- Wall Township Speedway’s RWJM Chaplain from Waretown, NJ. Keep up the good work.

MIKE STEFANIK- Coventry, RI Whelen Modified Tour and Camping World East multi-time champion and current WMT driver.

TONY STEWART- Rushville, IN born, now in Columbus, IN Joe Gibbs Racing/Home Depot NSC driver.

ERIC NORRIS- Redondo Beach, CA NASCAR West/NNS driver.

FRED SCHIELE- Riverhead Raceway regular.

ASHLEY FULLER- A daughter of Karen and NASCAR WMT champ Jerry Marquis of Enfield, CT.

SHARE YOUR SPECIAL OCCASIONS WITH YOUR RACING FAMILY. SEND THEM TO RACING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES AT PO BOX 586, Tolland, CT, 06084.

Sources: Rev. Don Rivers/RWJM

Towards the end of his career, Luchesi confined his efforts to a two car team which raced at Seekonk Speedway with Fred driving one while the late Bobby Sprague of Foxborough, MA drove theother. During that era it was common to see drivers and teams competing on dirt tracks and taking the same machine to paved tracks. The only changes required were grooved tires for dirt and slicks for paved tracks and some minor adjustments to suspension systems. Unlike today where a pavement car is much different than one especially built to race on dirt. Some observers feel that the 50’s, 60’s and into the early 70’s were the best of times for stockcar racing. Racing several nights a week all over New England and the northeast were the norm.

Antique racecars from three separate clubs have been invited. In addition, all racecars are welcome to the Annual Norwood Arena Reunion. Interest is very high on the co-featured car show that features street antiques, muscle cars and classics will be part of the show. Dash plaques will be given out to the racecars, street antiques, muscle cars and classics for the first 60 entries. There will also be a trophy for the best racecar and street machine awarded by peers.

Coastal 181, a publishing company, is expected to bring new motorsports books to the 4th annual show which depict racing during it’s very best years at tracks all over New England and the northeast. Collectable vendors are also expected. Don Thomas, the Norwood Arena Webmaster, plans to his have his vast array of equipment so that fans, drivers, car owners and officials will be able to check the latest information on his website.

Host Marty Bezema, Sr. will welcome the crowd who can remember the fantastic racing days at the Norwood Arena Speedway. It’s set to get underway at 11 a.m. and to be completed by 4 p.m. Rain or shine, on Sunday, June 1. This is a must attend event if your an old race fan as well as new to the sport. If you have any pictures, news stories or scrapbooks bring them along. A table will be provided for that purpose. Hot Dogs and Hamburgers will be served free in Marty’s Cafe on the property of the Bezema dealership. For further information call Bezema Buick, Pontiac, GMC at 781-769-4700. The Bezema dealership is located at 401 Providence Hwy. (US Rt. 1) in Norwood, MA on the Auto Mile.

Sources:Lou Modestino/Norwood Arena Reunion PR

In the first practice session of the day, the team showed everyone on hand that they had not missed a beat from their pole qualifying effort and 3rd place finish at the Speedbowl’s season opening Bud Nationals by posting the fastest time of the practice session.

After another solid practice session, the #10 found itself lined up in the 8th position in an eight car heat race. Starting at the rear proved to be no problem for the Johnson Motorsports #10, as Doug used the outside lane to his advantage and drove to the front of the field in the first 6 laps of the 10 lap heat race.

“Winning heat races isn’t a huge accomplishment and not what we go to the track to do, but we were curious to know how good the car would be on the outside because we made a few minor changes to it. I think we proved it worked pretty good out there,” said Doug.

After lining up in the 12th starting spot for that night’s 35-lap feature, Doug and the #10 moved up into the top ten by lap two, and occupied the 6th spot by lap seven.

“We were looking good for the first 10 laps,” said Doug, “But then there was a restart where we were in 6th and I thought we’d keep going forward, but we kind of went backwards for a while. For some reason we weren’t getting the forward bite we needed on the outside and we lost a bunch of spots.”

In the next few laps, the #10 went from 6th to 10th, and stayed there until a caution came out with six laps to go.

“A few cars tangled up in front of us, so that moved us up to 6th,” added Doug, “I thought we were going to contend for a top five finish, but the car that started fourth on the final restart went backwards on the outside, so that pushed us back to 8th at the end. Overall, we learned that some of the things we tried worked great, and that we probably should have made a few minor adjustments before the feature. It was still a lot of fun and I’d like to thank Glenn and the guys for helping in the shop and at the track.”

Coby and the Johnson Motorsports #10 might make their third trip to the Speedbowl sooner than expected, as the early forecast once again calls for rain this Friday at Stafford. Should Stafford suffer their third consecutive rainout, fans can expect to see the Johnson Motorsports team at the Speedbowl for their May 17th “Little League Night” event.

Sources:Johnson Motorsports PR

The former Allen Lumber Street Stock champion and multi-time NAPA Tiger Sportsman winner moved into the American-Canadian Tour Late Model division in 2006 on the smallest of shoestring budgets.  With a well-used, ex-Jeff Spooner chassis that raced as a mid-pack car for several seasons, Bailey held his own in the weekly Thursday night wars at Thunder Road.  He notched five top-ten finishes and netted 15th place in the final point standings, a rather respectable rookie effort.  During the following off-season, Bailey and his close-knit team began to “focus on the little things” and make the car perform consistently.

That focus paid off with four top-fives and an eighth place finish overall, along with the “Most Improved” award for 2007, as voted by drivers in the Late Model division.  It seemed as though Beetle had arrived at the top.

But at the season-opening Merchants Bank 150 two weeks ago, Bailey’s racing turned world turned upside down.  A hard crash in qualifying destroyed his low-dollar racer, shearing the right front corner completely off the car and mangling the chassis that had seen so many laps.

That night, the beaten car was unloaded at Bailey’s house and stripped of its broken pieces.  Its driver talked with a friendly rival, Joe Becker, and came up with a solution.  Becker took delivery of a used (but straight) front clip donated by Ryan Nolin, and offered to try patching up Bailey’s car.  In the Richard Green Racing shop in Enosburg Falls, VT, just a stone’s throw from the Canadian border and almost two hours from Bailey’s South Barre home, Becker cut the twisted clip off the car, welded up the ex-Nolin piece, and added some additional chassis parts delivered free of charge by noted crew chief Brian Latuch.

“We got the car back home at about 2:30 Thursday morning,” said Bailey.  “I got a little bit of sleep, went to work, and then everyone just started to throw parts on it on Thursday night.”  So many parts, in fact, that the car wasn’t finished until 3:00 Sunday afternoon - two hours before post time for the Harvest Equipment Mother’s Day Special at Thunder Road.

And then Beetle Bailey went out and drove to the best finish of his Thunder Road Late Model career: third place, one spot better than his friend Joe Becker.

“It’s like the whole thing didn’t really happen.  I’m still just astonished,” said Bailey.  “I just wanted to get to the track, get in the race, and finish.  The car was pretty decent in practice, but not what I was used to.  I sort of figured I’d fall back as soon as the race went green.  To be there at the end and to even be able to hold Joey off for third…”

On a Tuesday afternoon, long after the checkered flag had fallen, long after the hands were high-fived and the results were published, Bailey still trailed off in speech, unable to find the right words.

“I’m just overwhelmed by the outpouring of support I got from everyone.  Joey, Richard Green, Brian Latuch, the Nolin family, they helped so much.  John Donahue and Tony Andrews offered to give us anything we needed.  Doug Murphy offered his whole car for me to drive.  And there were others.  It’s one of those things that’s just not possible without help, and we got it.”

“It was such a long, emotional week,” said Jen Bailey, Mike’s wife.  “It’s just amazing that it all went the way it did.  It feels like we won.”

So now what?  Bailey isn’t sure.  “I’m on the fence about racing Memorial Day,” he said.  “The smart thing to do would probably be to stay home, since the race doesn’t count for Thunder Road points… but then again, neither did the Merchants Bank race.  I’ve got a new sponsor, Vermont Roof Check, and they’ve given us so much support, they’re behind us one hundred percent.  I’ll ask them and see what they want to do.

“I’m just happy I’ve still got a race car.”

***

John Donahue has served notice that he will not go away quietly this year, no matter where he is.  Donahue won the Harvest Equipment 50-lapper, ran to ninth in the Merchants Bank 150, grabbed fifth place at Oxford Plains Speedway, and recovered to finish 11th after a spin out of the top three at Lee USA Speedway.  His National Guard #26 Fords sit first in Thunder Road points and third on the ACT Late Model Tour.  We’d recommend keeping an eye on “Irish” John this season.

***

Two others we’re watching are NAPA Tiger Sportsman point leader Tom Therrien and Allen Lumber Street Stock rookie Micheal MacAskill.  Therrien looks like he’s ready to win himself a title this year, having transferred through the last-chance “B” Feature in both events and driving from the back to the front in the main event each time in impressive fashion.  The older of the Therrien brothers, Tom finished fourth overall last year.

MacAskill finished fifth from 20th starting position at the Harvest Equipment event, spending most of the race in the outside lane.  After two races, he sits 10th overall in points and leads the rookie standings.  Beginner’s luck, or is he the real thing?  We’ll find out at the Mekkelsen RV Memorial Day Classic on Sat./Sun., May 24/25, as part of the ACT Late Model Tour/True Value Modified Racing Series twin-100s doubleheader.

***

The ACT Late Model Tour returns to Plattsburgh, NY’s Airborne Speedway for the 34th Annual Furniture World of VT Spring Green 100 on Saturday, May 17 with a 5:00pm start time.  The next day, just up the road about an hour, the Série ACT Castrol opens its season at Autodrome St-Eustache just outside Montréal with a 100-lapper.  Qualifying begins at 1:30pm on Sunday, May 18.

Strong fields of cars are expected for both events, and at least two drivers, Lanoraie, QC veteran Claude Leclerc and London, ON rookie Jonathan Urlin, are planning on doing the double.  Another Ontario rookie, Spencer MacPherson, will be making his way St-Eustache on Sunday.  MacPherson finished a stout 15th at Thunder Road after his long haul from the Ottawa area last weekend, and also attempted to qualify at Oxford last month.  Busy guys, those three!

***

Did you know…?

-Seven Late Model drivers tied or established career-best Thunder Road finishes at the Harvest Equipment Mother’s Day Special.  Obviously, winner John Donahue was one of them, having raised his “weekly” victory total to three.  The other six were Mike Bailey (3rd), Brooks Clark (7th), Matt White (14th), Spencer MacPherson (15th), Tony Andrews (17th), and Miles Chipman (21st).

-Five automobile manufacturers have been feature winners at Thunder Road this season: Ford, Chevrolet, Pontiac, Mercury, and Volkswagen.  Fords have won both Late Model events and the Harvest Equipment Street Stock race, while Volkswagen has won both Power Shift Online Junkyard Warrior events.  Chevrolet, Pontiac, and Mercury each have one win.

-Joey Laquerre hasn’t lost a NAPA Tiger Sportsman Mother’s Day Special race since 2005… and he didn’t race Tigers that year.  The 64 year-old blitzed the field to win the Harvest Equipment feature, breaking his own divisional record with his 16th win.

Stay up to the minute online at www.acttour.com, www.laserieactcastrol.com, and www.thunderroadspeedbowl.com.  Your feedback is always welcome via email at media@acttour.com.

Sources: Justin St. Louis/ACT LM Tour PR

Szegedy has found success at Stafford, recording 3 of his 12 career Whelen Modified Tour victories at the Connecticut half-mile, and he also has several years of SK Modified® racing experience to Stafford to draw from.

But the 2008 Spring Sizzler didn’t quite go as planned for Szegedy and the Wisk sponsored team owned by Mike Smeriglio, III.  Szegedy qualified only 23rd fastest and then had to fight with race traffic all day long to  come home with a 9th place finish.  Szegedy says they can expect much better results this time around.

“We were a little off at Stafford for the Sizzler,” says Szegedy.  “We know what we need to do to fix the car.  We just missed the setup with the track conditions and the new SK tire, and when you miss the setup at Stafford, you ‘re going to struggle.  Stafford is a real tough track to win at, there’s a lot of good competition out there.”

Over the past several years, the TSI Harley-Davidson 150 at Stafford has become a stop on the Whelen Modified Tour schedule that is known for producing great finishes.  In the 2003 TSI Harley-Davidson 150, Szegedy led 108 laps and appeared headed to victory.  But Jerry Marquis ran Szegedy down in the final laps and passed him for the lead and the win on the final lap of the race.  The 2004 race saw Tony Hirschman held off a hard charging Reggie Ruggiero in the closing laps, the 2005 race saw Ted Christopher pit several times to make changes to his car and he blistered through the field in the closing laps on fresh tires to take the win, the 2006 race saw John Blewett, III outduel his brother Jimmy for the win in a one-two brother finish, and last year’s race saw Donny Lia hold off James Civali at the finish.  Lia’s win in last year’s event helped propel him to the 2007 championship, a path that Szegedy would like to follow.

“We said coming into this year that if we couldn’t win races that we were going to take the best finish we could get,” said Szegedy.  “I think we should have won at Thompson, and we were just a little off at the Spring Sizzler.  We’re fifth in the points, which is better than we were last year after two races.  We just have to be consistent and let the cards fall where they may.  Our goal is to be there every week competing for the win and hopefully we can have a little luck on our side and we can win another championship.  I’m in a real good situation right now.  Mike [Smeriglio] is a great car owner, we have a great team, great equipment, and the guys always give me a car that is capable of winning.”

Tickets for the 18th Annual TSI Harley-Davidson 150 are now on sale at the Stafford Motor Speedway Box Office.  Tickets are priced at $30.00 for adult general admission tickets, $5.00 for children ages 6-14, $32.00 for reserved seats, and free for children ages 5 & under.  As part of Youth Organization Month at Stafford, any child age 14 and under wearing a youth organization team shirt or uniform (Little League, Scouts, etc.) will receive free admission when accompanied by an adult.

For more information on the 18th Annual TSI Harley-Davidson 150, 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

Monadnock is one of the “trickiest” venues on the NEMA schedule. The club returned there last year after a 10-year hiatus and it was a trio of veterans - Greg Stoehr, Jeff Horn and Nokie Fornoro - that filled the podium. Nokie, a winner back in 1981, is the only other current NEMA driver with a Monadnock win.

While he still believes his new job - a custodian for the Plymouth, MA school system - may cause some conflicts with race dates, he is not unmoved by making history. Three straight wins have not happened a lot in NEMA’s long history. The last to do it was Horn back in 1993.

Since then six drivers, including Cabral, have won two straight. Russ Stoehr did it five times.

Gene Angelillo’s “Marilyn’s Passion” team has had incredible success at Monadnock. Prior to ‘05, the track hosted NEMA 22 times and Drew Fornoro won 12 of them. Pointing out “it is without doubt a driver’s track,” Angelillo is quick to credit Fornoro.

Joey Payne Jr., second and third so far this season, hopes to add to Angelillo’s Monadnock success.

Payne, Stoehr and Fornoro take what they hope will be championship campaigns to Monadnock.  Unlike most of the stops, a large share of the NEMA competitors do not have extensive experience at Monadnock.

Bobby Santos III, no stranger to answering new challenges, will be a competitor to watch, as will sister Erica and Adam Cantor.

NEMA has raced only at Waterford to this point but it is apparent many teams are at the top of their game. Cabral’s 12.742 seconds lap captured the spotlight. He had seven sub-13 seconds laps in the feature. Three others  - Bobby Santos III, Erica Santos and Greg Stoehr - had at least one.

Sources:Pete Zanardi/NEMA PR