Christopher, Falconi, Stone & Gagnon Win on Demo-Mania Family Fun Night
Thompson, CT — Demo-Mania hit Thompson International Speedway on Memorial Day weekend. NASCAR Weekly Racing Series Divisions kicked-off the family fun events on Sunday with Ted Christopher taking down the Sunoco Modified win. Other winners on the night included John Falconi in the Late Models, Ryan Stone in the Strictly Stocks, Chris Gagnon in the Mini Stocks, and none other than George Savary in the Pro Four Modifieds.
Zach Sylvester of Lebanon, CT brought the field of 29 Sunoco Modifieds to the green but by the end of the first lap Darryl Tiezzi of Ivorytown, CT would lead the pack. Heavy hitters Bert Marvin, Ted Christopher, and defending champ Todd Ceravolo were coming on strong.
After taking the lead on lap six Bert Marvin of Waterford, CT would show the lead until a lap 17 restart necessitated by the caution for a spin by early leader Darryl Tiezzi. Marvin would get the early jump but by turn one Ted Christopher would get the edge. Christopher would withstand a number of late race restarts and heavy pressure from Todd Ceravolo to bring home the first checkers of the 2000 season for the Sunoco Modifieds at Thompson International Speedway.
A restart with two laps to go made for an exciting finish in the Late Model main. When it was over John Falconi of Marlboro, MA put the Smith Boilers/Carlin Combustion #01 in victory lane. Charles Bailey III of Plainfield, CT and Falconi would wage a fierce battle for the lead in the later stages of the event. Falconi would try both the inside and outside groove to gain the advantage over Bailey. Falconi, finally, would successfully make the pass on lap 19; withstanding continued pressure from Bailey to claim the Late Model checkers.
Ryan Stone of Branford, CT would survive a number of late race restarts to earn the win in the Strictly Stock main event. Two and three wide battles were the order of business for the Strictly’s first feature event of the season. Stone took the lead from Lyle Wolfinger of Moodus, CT on lap two and never looked back.
The battle for the runner-up spot raged for the final two laps with Scott Cook of Uncasville, CT, Lyle Wolfinger, and Bill McNeil Taftville, CT, doing battle. In the end it would be Scott Cook who followed Stone to the checkers. Tim “The Toolman” Taylor of Danielson, CT had an impressive run rebounding from an early race incident finishing eighth in the final rundown.
Chris Gagnon would move up from his eighth starting position to post the win in the Mini Stock division. The heartbreak of the night had to come for Rod Rixham of Sutton, MA when his car failed to come up to speed while leading them to the green on a lap 10 restart. This bauble allowed Gagnon to take the lead and the win.
It was a shutout in the Football demo as neither team was able to score a goal with the Ford Festiva Football car. A valiant effort was put in by all. Making the most “receptions” in the event were Bob Hamilton of Norwood, MA; Dustin Norman of Quinboag, CT; Robert Roy of Pawtucket, RI; Rodney Snyder of Webster, MA; and Marshall Sergeant.
Four-Cylinder Demo honors went to George Mercer of Danielson, CT, Josh LaFrance of Plainfield, CT, and Jim Mann of Taunton, MA. The Full Size Demo laurels went to Amos Wood of Middleboro, MA; Dave Wheeler of Worcester, MA; and Scott Boire of Chepachet, RI.
Results Demo-Mania Family Fun Night
Mini Stock: Chris Gagnon, Moosup, CT; William Prisco, Pawtucket, RI; Rodney Rixham, Sutton, MA; Cindy Larson, Milford, MA; Roger Larson, Milford, MA
Late Model: John Falconi, Marlboro, MA; Charles Bailey, III, Plainfield, CT; Richard Gentes, Woonsocket, RI; Lonnie Mecteau, Plainfield, CT; Rick LaFlesh, Griswold, CT
Strictly Stock: Ryan Stone, Branford, CT; Scott Cook, Uncasville, CT; William McNeil, Taftville, CT; Lyle Wolfinger, Moodus, CT; Kevin Mason, W. Warwick, RI
Sunoco Modified: Ted Christopher, Plainville, CT; Todd Ceravolo, Groton, CT; Bert Marvin, Waterford, CT; Jeff Malave, Old Saybrook, CT; Tom Tagg, Oxford, MA
Sources: Thompson Speedway PR