NEMA Pres Recalls Hall of Famer Dad

By admin November 29, 2007

Asking Mike Scrivani Jr. to come up with a No. 1 memory of his dad is both unfair and impossible. The Northeastern Midget Association president has a host of fond memories of the bigger-than-life character remembered as “Iron Mike.”

It is fair to say there are hundreds of stories about the late Mike Scrivani who will be inducted into the New England Antique Racers (NEAR) Hall of Fame Sunday, January 27th at the LaRenaissance Banquet Hall in East Windsor, CT.

A charter member of NEMA (Jerry Russo drove his car in the club’s first-ever race at Seekonk on May 30, 1953), Scrivani’s auto racing connections went back to the Sprint Cars of the late 1930s. Although he was also successful in Modified racing, “his heart was always with the Midgets and Sprints,” reports Mike Jr.

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Family, Friends and Food

By admin November 29, 2007

Thanksgiving is one of the biggest holiday weekends that we celebrate. It is a time where we gather with one another and share about the years that have gone by. I think we can get too busy in life and forget the simple joy of gathering together. I hope you took the time this past weekend to turn the clock off and just relax with Family, Friends and Food. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

One of the things that we are reminded of this time of year is how busy we have been. How crazy our lives have gotten. How caught up in the rat race we have been. We get so involved in things that we forget about how much joy we get from just gathering together.

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ACTion News 11/28/2007

By admin November 28, 2007

Early reaction to the 2008 American-Canadian Tour schedule has been very positive, giving an indication that there may be even more full-time title chasers next year. A dozen teams gave it the old college try this year, with another nine attempting to qualify for more than half of the 13 races.

A totally revamped schedule and championship points format will allow more of those teams that “just missed” full-time competition to enter the title hunt – a driver’s or owner’s best 10 results during the 12-race campaign in 2008 will be counted toward the ACT championship standings, thereby allowing teams to “drop” their two worst outings. That includes races that drivers fail to qualify for or even fail to attempt qualifying for.

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Civali, Gumley Wall Turkey Derby Modified Masters

By admin November 26, 2007

Molesworth, McCormack, Jankowiak Also Win

Wall Township, NJ — James W. Civali, of Meriden, Conn., and Justin Gumley, of Colts Neck, came away from Wall Township Speedway as Turkey Derby XXXIV modified masters Saturday. Joining Civali and Gumley in the post-Thanksgiving Day classic were divisional winners Duncan Molesworth, of Robbinsville, John McCormack, of Brick, and Andrew Jankowiak, of Buffalo, N.Y.

Civali becomes the first Wall “outsider” since 1979 winner George Kent to capture the 100-lap Open Tour Modified 100-lap race. The Liberty Limousine No. 88 Raceworks-Chevrolet driver used his inherited pole to lead all 100 laps on the banked paved one-third-mile oval, finishing .430 sec. ahead of Jimmy Blewett, of Howell.

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Darland Grabs “Turkey Night” Trophy; Santos Tops Sprints

By admin November 24, 2007

Faas #1 in Focuses; Championships to Coons, Kaplan & Skoglund

Irwindale, CA — “The car was absolutely perfect from start to finish,” said Dave Darland of Lincoln, Ind. in victory lane Thursday night after winning the 67th “Turkey Night Grand Prix” at Irwindale Speedway. Darland passed pole starter Kody Swanson on lap three and led the final 96 laps of the 98-lap race in his Nine Racing Toyota/Oakley – Performance Racing Industry Beast/Pink Toyota. NASCAR vet Kasey Kahne finished second ahead of Bobby East, Don Basile “Rookie of the Race” winner Mike Murgoitio and Garrett Hansen. “This is a tough race,” added Darland. “It’s a great feeling to beat the best competition anywhere. The only nervous point came when some cars crashed right in front of me. We might have won this race before if It had been 98 laps a few years back.” Darland finished third in 1999 and fourth in 1998. Swanson was the fastest qualifier in a 66-car field, while Ricky Ehrgott and Brad Kuhn won the “qualifying races.” Jerry Coons Jr. and Wilke/Pak Motorsports emerged as National Midget Champion driver and car owner, while Johnny Rodriguez and Mitchell Motorsports grabbed the Western Midget driver and owner titles.

Bobby Santos III of Franklin, Mass. gave Toyota a victory in its USAC Sprint car debut, winning the 40-lap Lucas Oil Western Sprint car feature in his Western Speed Racing TRD/K & N Filters Eagle. Santos trailed Cole Whitt fo 31 laps, then led the last nine to beat Whitt, Tony Hunt, fast qualifier Nick Greenand 2007 series champion Ryan Kaplan. The series car owner title went to Michael Swanson.

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Jimmy Blewett Fastest in Wall Turkey Derby Mods

By admin November 24, 2007

Wall, Open-Type Modified Drivers to Run Twin 100-lap Features; Six Drivers Take Friday Support Features

Wall Township, NJ — Jimmy Blewett, of Howell, N.J., drove his late brother John’s car to top 26 other NASCAR Whelen All-American Series modifieds in Wall Township Speedway Turkey Derby XXXIV qualifying here Friday afternoon.

Blewett set a best time of 12.518 sec. around the banked paved one third mile oval, which translates to 95.766 mph. The effort locks “Showtime,” second fastest driver Nick Vasquez, Wall WAAS track champion Kevin Flockhart and the next fastest 13 drivers into the 100-lap feature to start after 1 p.m. Saturday. The other 27 are to make the headliner through the B-Main 10:30 a.m. Saturday.

Friday Results

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Wall Township Speedway’s Turkey Derby XXIV Sure to Make Racing History

By admin November 21, 2007

Wall Township, NJ — Jamie “The Jet” Tomaino will be teaming up with Martinelli Motorsports for this years season ending Turkey Derby XXXIV. That will be just one of the exciting things you will get to see this weekend at Wall Township Speedway in Wall, N.J. starting at 8am Friday the 23rd. Longtime friends, Tomaino and car owner Joe Martinelli are teaming up for this one race deal to take home the coveted title. Jamie will be driving one of the Martinelli Motorsports stables 3 powerful #22 modifieds, normally driven by Zane Zeiner on the ROC Tour and winner of the 2007 Mountain Speedway Track Championship. Zane will not be competing this year at Turkey Derby.

1990 NASCAR Modified National Champion Tomaino has 2 wins in the Turkey Derby, 1975 in Sportsman, and 1981 in Modifieds. Jamie also has 10 top 5 finishes in the 23 Turkey Derbies he has entered since 1974, 3 in the last 4 TD events. “The Jet” as he has been known for years, also finished 9th in this seasons NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Points Standings. The combo of Tomaino and Martinelli are expected to be strong competition for the rest of the Open Tour Type Modifieds in Saturday’s 100 lap event.

Event Schedule
Photo Albums
Event Index

Confirmed Entries:

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Thanksgiving

By admin November 21, 2007

Thanksgiving is a time of reflection. A time to look at all we have and humble ourselves before a gracious God. We don’t always get what we want and we don’t always understand the plans God has for us, but we can be confident that he loves and cares for us. How has God cared for you this past year? Greetings, in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Thanksgiving is a time for sharing. I see it in the lives of others as they give of themselves to help those less fortunate. As I helped out in the coffee shop on Saturday, a family; husband, wife, son and daughter picked up some hot drinks and muffins for the road. They were headed to pack up their Suburban and deliver Thanksgiving baskets to those in need. It’s not what it seems.

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“Restructured” American-Canadian Tour Stock Car Schedule Gives Racers Options in 2008

By admin November 21, 2007

A completely redesigned championship format will be used for the American-Canadian Tour (ACT) Late Model stock car racing season in 2008. A diverse slate of twelve events at seven speedways in the northeastern United States and Canada will comprise the schedule, while also giving race teams several options during the course of the April-to-September campaign.

The ACT driver and owner championships will be decided using the best ten results for each individual during the 12-race season, thus giving teams the benefit of dropping their two worst outings of the year. ACT President Tom Curley says that offering teams options like this will help raise the level of competition across the board.

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Champ Kart Entries Overflowing for Gambler’s Classic at Boardwalk Hall

By admin November 20, 2007

Atlantic City, NJ — Champ Kart racers have responded in great numbers for the Sixth Annual “Gambler’s Classic” Indoor Race presented by Pepsi.
As of Nov. 20, over 50 karters had filed pre-entries for the event to be held Jan. 18 & 19, 2008 on the concrete floor inside Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J.

Len Sammons Motorsports Productions, which presents the indoor racing in Atlantic City, set a maximum number of entries at 50 for the Champ Kart and Slingshot divisions. However, they will continue to take entries through Dec. 1, when an overall count of entered competitors from the Slingshot and M&R TQ Midgets/600cc Micro-Sprints will be taken.

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ISMA Awards Banquet Concludes Season Honoring the Miller-Perley Team & More

By admin November 19, 2007

Verona, NY — The 33rd ISMA –Wirtgen race season concluded November 17th with their annual awards banquet, held once again at the Turning Stone Casino. The Vic Miller- Chris Perley team, after a second straight record-break season, once again took home the huge ISMA championship trophy where it will remain until November 2008. With 11 feature wins this season and 10 last, Chris Perley, admittedly is not quite sure how it all happened. But, he’s certainly happy it did, as are car owner Vic Miller and the entire team.

Speaking from the podium the Rowley, Mass. driver commented on the team’s accomplishments. “Every year we start out hoping we can win a couple races and end up close to where we were before. None of us would have expected that we would improve on last year. I couldn’t do it without a dedicated crew, a great car owner, and great sponsors who supply us with great equipment. I’m real lucky to be part of this team and to be a part of a great group of guys to race against because obviously I wouldn’t be here if there wasn’t anybody to race against.

2007 ISMA Banquet Photo Page

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aDP Rivet Joins Allison Legacy North as Rookie of the Year Sponsor

By admin November 19, 2007

Newburgh, NY — Michael A. Vasquez Sr. , Series Director of the Allison Legacy North Race Series and Peter De Paola,  President of  aDP Rivet located in Hartford, Connecticut are proud to announce their new marketing partnership for 2008.  aDP Rivet will be the official sponsor for the Allison Legacy North Race Series 2008 Rookie of the Year.

 

aDP Rivet is an efficient, full cycle manufacturing company celebrating its 10th year in business. aDP supports a Distributor Sales Program around the country with regional sales offices and stocking warehouses to insure prompt service and delivery. The team at aDP prides itself on the fact that a telephone call to them will insure you receive competitive pricing on standard and custom products as well as factual information to help you secure orders. aDP offers customers a reliable, domestic alternative to the hassles often encountered when dealing with overseas sources.

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Three Veterans Added To NEAR Hall of Fame

By admin November 19, 2007

A trio of “big winners” from the 1950s and 60s – Connecticut’s George Lombardo, Rhode Island’s Fred Luchesi and Vermont’s Johnny Gammell – have joined the New England Auto Racers Hall of Fame Class of 2008. The trio, representing hundreds of victories, was selected by the Veterans Committee.They join drivers Dave Alkas, Dave Darveau, Dick Batchelder and the late Howie Brown, car owners Joe Brady and the late Mike Scrivani Sr., the multi-talented Dr. Dick Berggren and writer Pete Zanardi. The entire class will be inducted at the LaRenaissance Banquet Hall in East Windsor, CT on Sunday, January 27th.

Ticket forms for the 11th annual NEAR Hall of Fame banquet will be available on the New England Antique Racers website (www.near1.com) in the near future.

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Maine Motorsports Hall of Fame Class of 2008 Announced

By admin November 19, 2007

Auburn, Maine – Two legendary drivers, a track owner/promoter, a carowner/track official, a track builder/general manager and a long time track announcer will be inducted into the Maine Motorsports Hall of Fame in the spring of 2008.

The six members of the Class of 2008 were announced on Sunday, November11th, at the General Meeting of the Maine Vintage Race Car Association. Bruce Elder, vice-president of the MVRCA and co-chairman of the Hall of FameSelection Committee, had the honor of announcing the names of the sixinductees.

The Class of 2008 is comprised of: Dick Bahre, general manager of Oxford Plains Speedway for over 20 years; Tony Dipompo, championship car owner and track official; Bob Knowles, owner/promoter of Unity Raceway; Russ Nutting,fifty-year racing veteran; Otis Perry, legendary driver of the  940’s and 1950’s; and Bob Walker, Oxford Plains Speedway announcer for over thirtyyears.

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Wall Township Speedway Gears Up for Turkey Derby XXIV Fall Classic

By admin November 18, 2007

Wall Township, NJ — Since 1974, fans of Northeast Asphalt Racing have had an added treat for their Thanksgiving holiday weekend. The Turkey Derby at Wall Township Speedway in Wall, NJ. This year promises to be one of the best ever, with overwhelming fan interest and teams from all over the east coast planning on racing for the coveted title of Turkey Derby XXXIV Champion. Wall will provide 8 divisions of racing excitement over 2 days on Friday and Saturday, November 23rd and 24th. The always popular Open Tour Type Modifieds will return to headline the event this year, along with the Wall/SK/B/SST Modifieds, Sportsman, RMP Modified Affordable Division, Street Stocks, INEX Legends, Value Towing Factory Stocks, and the Keenan Motors American Three Quarter Midget Racing Association. The Garden State Vintage Stock Car Club will also be displaying their vintage modifieds in the grandstand area and put on an exhibition race during intermission Friday.

Friday the 23rd will kick things off with 2 rounds of practice for all divisions starting at 8am. Qualifying will start at 12:30 pm with Time trials for the Wall/SK/B/SST Modifieds, followed by heats and consis for the Legends, TQ’s, Sportsman, Street Stocks, Value Towing Factory Stocks, and RMP Modified Affordable Division. Features will then follow at 2:30 pm for the Sportsman (25 laps Friday only), TQ’s (20 laps Friday only), RMP Modified Affordable Division (25 laps Friday only), INEX Legends (25 laps), Street Stocks (25 laps), and Value Towing Factory Stocks (20 laps) to complete the first days events.

Event Schedule
Photo Albums
Event Index

Confirmed Entries:

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Ben Rowe Wins Wild Mason-Dixon Meltdown at Concord On Final Lap

By admin November 18, 2007

Concord, NC — In what could only be described as unbelievable, Ben Rowe capped off an amazing 2007 season in Saturday night’s 2nd Annual Mason-Dixon Meltdown at Concord Motorsport Park (NC) by passing Corey Williams on the final turn of the final lap to take the victory.

Rowe passed Corey Williams as the white and yellow flags were waving at the same time. PASS South rules dictate that once the leaders have taken the white flag, they race to the checkers unless the track is blocked and officials deem it a red-flag period. Williams came out of the final turn, ducked low to avoid a spun car and got out of the gas long enough to allow Rowe to jump to the outside and take the checkers in the final 50 feet of the race.

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Trevor Sanborn is Named as Top PASS North Rookie for 2007

By admin November 18, 2007

Naples, ME — 2007 might have been the year of the Rookie in Pro All Stars Series (PASS) North Super Late Model racing.

A rookie, Joey Porciello, won the season-opening race at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway (ME). Another rookie, Trevor Sanborn, led much of the season finale at White Mountain Motorsports Park (NH) before spinning in another car’s oil on the track and finishing third.

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Marilyn Bertrand Update

By admin November 17, 2007

Marilyn Bertrand (Tim’s Mom & Gil’s Wife) is on her way home from the Hospital after a successful treatment this week. She will need to return to Philadelphia every three weeks for treatment.

Cards and letters can be sent to: The Bertrand Family, 25 Devine Road, Suffield, CT 06078.

New Englanders Set for This Weekend’s Mason-Dixon Meltdown

By admin November 16, 2007

mdm2007.jpgThis weekend’s Mason-Dixon Meltdown at the Concord Motorsports Park features several different classes: the Super Late Models, Modifieds (PASS and Rolling Thunder sanctions) along with the INEX Legends Pro/Masters and Semi-Pro. Others include the Allison Legacy cars and the Thunder Roadsters.

New England will be well-represented in the Super Late Model division as the inaugural race winner, Cassius Clark, is ready to defend his title. 2007 PASS North champion Ben Rowe and his father Mike, along with Trevor Sanborn, Richie Dearborn, young Derek Ranstrom, Corey Williams are all headed to North Carolina for the big event. Johnny Clark, DJ Shaw, Alan Tardiff, Adam Bates, Ryan Moore and Joey Porciello will also be in the field for the big event to face off with the best the South has to offer.

The PASS/Rolling Thunder Modifieds have at least four new entries as of today including 2007 Thompson Speedway Modified champion Kurt Vigeant. His car will be changed to meet the event rules and be running #44. Other New England drivers are expected in this event.

Sources: Todd Knaperek

NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Tracks Get A Head Start on 2008

By admin November 16, 2007

Daytona Beach, FL — Some of the most historic tracks in NASCAR’s Whelen All-American Series have gotten a head start on the coming season by already signing sanction agreements for 2008.The NASCAR Whelen All-American Series is NASCAR’s national championship program featuring North America’s leading local short tracks.

The modern era of organized NASCAR weekly short track racing enters its 27th season next year and Barbara and Jim Cromarty of Riverhead Raceway on Long Island, N.Y., has been a mainstay from the beginning. They were the first NASCAR Whelen All-American Series track to officially sign their 2008 NASCAR sanction.

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Gammell, Lombardo & Luchesi Latest Inductees into the Hall of Fame

By admin November 15, 2007

At Saturday evening’s NEAR Movie Party, it was announced that three new inductees will join the New England Antique Racers Hall of Fame Class of 2008. The Veterans Comittee has selected Johnny Gamell, George Lombardo, and Fred Luchesi as the latest members. Dave Alkas, Dave Darveau, Dick Bathchelder, the late Howie Brown are all a part of the class. Car owners Joe Brady and the late Mike Scrivani, Sr. along with the multi-talented Dick Berggren and writer Pete Zanardi will also be inducted at the NEAR banquet in January.

gammell_2ndcar_1952_kpaulsen.jpgJohnny Gammell, an East St. Johnsbury, Vermont native, was prominent in northern New England circles. He competed at tracks like Northeastern Speedway and Thunder Road Speedbowl. Among his accomplishments are the 1964 Vermont State Championship and the prestigious Milk Bowl at Thunder Road in 1969.

georgelombardo.jpgGeorge Lombardo’s career includes a pair of track championships at the Plainville Stadium in the mid-1960s. A standout at Joe Tinty’s quarter-mile oval, Lombardo won an incredible 11 consecutive races in one season. He was also a winner at Riverside Park Speedway (9 wins between 1953 and 1959), and the Waterford Speedbowl.

Fred Luchesi was a multi-track champion in the 1950s including Lonsdale, Norwood, Seekonk, Waterford and Westboro during this rough-and-tumble era. Of those facilities, only Seekonk and Waterford have survived to the present day as the stock car and track building boom of the post-war era has seen many former tracks closed and redeveloped.

Congratulations to all three of these racing pioneers on their well-deserved inductions.

An updated list of all the NEAR Hall of Fame members will be added later today.

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