Waterford, CT — Late Model competitor Ernie Bertrand is bracing for a busy 2008. In addition to preparing for upcoming Waterford Speedbowl season, which begins with the April 12-13, Budweiser Modified Nationals, Ernie and wife Crystal are expectant parents.
“Crystal is due any day now, so needless to say, it’s a busy time for us right now,” says Bertrand. “ You can pretty-much bet on me being at the Nationals. It’s not a race a driver wants to miss. Still, it’s going to be hectic.”
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Host of Contenders to Vie for Championship
Daytona Beach, FL — With Donny Lia, the 2007 champion, having moved on to the NASCAR Craftsman Trucks Series, a host of drivers have lined up to take his place as the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion in 2008.
Nearly six months of offseason preparation will be put to the test this coming weekend as the 24th season of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour – and 61st of NASCAR Modified racing overall – commences with the Icebreaker at Thompson (Conn.) International Speedway on Sunday, April 6.
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Thompson, CT — The stars of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour will be out in force this weekend for the season opening ICEBREAKER at the Thompson International Speedway. The list of race teams and drivers pre-entered for the April 5th & 6th event is made up of champions and challengers.
Four former winners of the ICEBREAKER will be on hand as will a host of drivers that want to add this prestigious event to their win list. The driver who has the most ICEBREAKER wins is Rick Fuller. The Auburn, MA driver won the event in 1991, 1994, 1997 and 2001. Seven time Modified Tour division Champion, Mike Stefanik, a two-time ICEBREAKER winner (’98 & ’06), will be joined by another two-time victor, Ted Christopher (’04 & ’05). Last year’s ICEBREKER winner, James Civali, will try to make it two in a row.
[Icebreaker Schedule]
[Icebreaker NASCAR WMT Roster]
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With one of the snowiest New England winters on record, The True Value Modified Racing Series has been forced to restructure its plans for the start of the new season as a recent snowfall and an abundant amount of remaining snow forced the postponement of the season opener at Monadnock Speedway, Winchester, NH. The “Bond Auto Parts -Spring Dash 100” will now be run Saturday April 26 at 6 PM. Mother nature forced tour operatives to seek other race venues for their annual pre-season practice sessions to prepare for season opening events.
Series officials’ advise a practice session is scheduled for Waterford CT., Speedbowl Saturday, April 5, 12 noon to 5:00 PM. Grandstands will not be open to the public. Pit gates open at 9 AM.
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Waterford, CT — Jimmy Blewett and car owner Eddie Partridge have filed an entry for the $20,000 SK-150 at Waterford Speedbowl’s 12th annual Budweiser Modified Nationals April 12-13.
Involved in a controversial call last year, Blewett returns to take on the strongest entry list in the event’s history. Led by Jeff Pearl, Frank Ruocco, Ted Christopher and Dennis Gada, all looking for their second “150” win, the list includes Matt Hirschman, Kenny Horton, Rob Summers, Jeff Malave and Woody Pitkat.
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Today’s edition of the Carey and Coffey show (March 30th from 10am-Noon) will feature their 2008 NASCAR Whelen Modified Preview Show. Guests include several drivers: Chuck Hossfeld, Ryan Preece, Ronnie Silk and Todd Szegedy.
You can listen now to 940/150 ESPN radio here.
Dart Becomes Official Sponsor of Steel Head Engine Bonus Program
Canaan, NH — The True Value Modified Racing Series announced today that DART Machine will become the official sponsor of the 2008 Steel Head Bonus Program. The bonus program will reward the two highest finishing competitors will a steel head motor, as well as a commitment to the series year end point fund.
“It’s a real honor to have a company like DART take an interest in our series, we look forward to a long term relationship with them” said True Value Series President Jack Bateman. “We believe that our steel head program offers our competitors an option that is affordable and competitive on the race track. As DART becomes the Official Head of the True Value Modified Racing Series, we welcome the opportunity to promote a great product through our series.”
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Canaan, NH — In a joint announcement, True Value Modified Racing Series president Jack Bateman and Thompson International Speedway owner Donald Hoenig advise additional races have been added for this years qualifying series for “Sunoco Mod-Mania” weekend at Thompson. The annual two day event will be held Sept 6-7 at the historic oval.
New England Racing Fuels, the official Sunoco Racing Fuel supplier and sponsor for New England’s modified racing series, will again present the special qualifying events including two newly added race tracks for the 2008 campaign. This years schedule has been increased to eight races. Six drivers captured guaranteed starting positions last year.
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Thompson International Speedway hosted another Test ‘N Tune session on Saturday, March 29.
Teams from the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour and NEMA Midgets were on hand to get ready for Icebreaker 2008 next weekend. The NASCAR Whelen All-American Series weekly classes of Sunoco Modifieds, Pro Stocks, Limited Sportsman, Thompson Modifieds and Mini Stocks were also there.
Eric LaFleche of VLF Photos and our own Adam Fohlin were there to capture the action.
[Photo Gallery] by Adam Fohlin
[Photo Gallery] by Eric LaFleche
TIRES WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR PICKUP at the speedway on Wednesday, April 2, between 4 and 7 PM. Tires must first be purchased at the speedway office. This can be done during normal business hours or on Wednesday before tire pickup. Call the office at (508)-336-9959 with any questions.
PRO STOCKS will again run TIME TRIALS on Opening Day 2008 to set their starting positions for qualifying races. Other divisions will start their heat races by drawing for position. As per previous years, cars drawing starting spots in the top five must have attained a minimum speed in practice sessions or will be relegated to the tail end of the field.
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The NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour race slated for Saturday night at Southern National Raceway Park has been postponed due to inclement weather. The new date for the Night of Modifieds 150 will be announced at a later date.
The Whelen Southern Modified Tour returns to action in the Whelen Southern Modified Tour 150 presented by Kevin Whitaker Chevrolet next Saturday night at Greenville-Pickens Speedway in Greenville, S.C.
Sources: NASCAR WSMT PR.
Pro All Stars Series (PASS) South point leader Corey Williams will lead a strong field of PASS South competitors to Dillon South Carolina Saturday April 5th for the South Carolina Clash 125 at Dillon Motor Speedway.
Williams is coming off a thrilling victory at the PASS South season opener at Hickory Motor Speedway. Williams and 2007 PASS South champion Ryan Lawler waged war in the closing stages of the Easter Bunny 150, racing side by side and swapping the lead countless times. Williams prevailed over Lawler and 15 year-old John Stancill for the win.
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Seekonk, MA — In preparation for its 63rd annual season, the 1/3-mile Seekonk Speedway oval will hold its first of three open practice sessions on Saturday, April 5. The Route 6 facility, the oldest family-owned and operated short track in the country, will be open for safety inspections and hot laps for the weekly Pro Stock, Late Model, Sport Truck, Street Stock divisions, the Fast Friday Series’ Pure Stocks and Seekonk Youth Racing Association classes, and competitors from various touring series’, clubs, and other tracks.
The speedway’s pit gates and pit ticket booths will open at 9 AM. A mandatory rookie meeting will begin at 11 AM, to be followed by practice time for all rookie competitors and each represented division. Safety inspections and tire sales will be ongoing throughout the day. “We would expect that each division could easily get in five or six rounds of practice throughout the day,” Race Director and Assistant Manager David Alburn explains. “Practice will run until approximately 5 PM, giving all drivers a generous amount of seat time. We will also be meeting with Pro Stock and Late Model competitors to discuss the tire rule for 2008.”
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Waterford, CT — There are precious days left and John Puglisi is ready to begin the seasonal ritual – getting ready for Waterford Speedbowl’s season-opening Budweiser Modified Nationals April 12-13. Like always, he’ll be there when the first green flag drops.
“The car is sitting in the shop, just a bare frame and cage right now,” says the veteran Sportsman division driver. “In the next few weeks, it’ll shape-up. I’ll be ready for the Nationals barring any unforeseen circumstances. I’m hoping to make the practice sessions (April 5-6).”
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Media Favors 2003 Champion to Regain Title
Daytona Beach, FL — Todd Szegedy, the 2003 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Champion, has been tabbed the favorite to recapture the title in 2008 by media members that cover the tour.
Szegedy earned 176 points in the preseason ballot and collected seven first place votes. Matt Hirschman was second in balloting with 164 points and garnered a first place nod by four voters.
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Stafford Springs, CT — Stafford Motor Speedway will host its first on track action of the 2008 season on Saturday, April 19 with an open practice session in preparation for…
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There have been a lot of rumors about us moving our open practice tomorrow to Sunday. That is NOT the case at all. Weather permitting (and all looks good), we will begin practice tomorrow (March 29th) at 12 Noon. If there is any way you could post that for us, It would be much appreciated.
Driver to attempt ACT/NASCAR double duty weekend
Stock car driver “Outlaw” Eddie MacDonald has lofty goals. The Rowley, MA driver plans to run the American-Canadian Tour Late Model Championship season opener – the prestigious New Hampshire Governor’s Cup – at his home track, Lee USA Speedway, on Sunday, April 20. Ordinarily for MacDonald, that would mean a simple 40-mile drive north across the Massachusetts/New Hampshire border.
This time, it’s going to be a bit different. About 2,000 miles different.
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Icebreaker Just Around the Corner
Thompson, CT — The long New England winter is loosing its grip on the region and race fans are ready for the annual renewal of high-speed excitement. It all begins each year with the ICEBREAKER race event at the Thompson International Speedway in Thompson, CT. This year’s ICEBREAKER will be held April 5th & 6th.
An especially harsh winter in the region has made race fans hungry for the return of their favorite sport and Thompson will present a full weekend of high speed spills and thrills. The annual season opener will feature eight different divisions of race cars in a two-day extravaganza.
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Waterford, CT — The combined entry lists for Waterford Speebowl’s five weekly divisions include 23 one-time track champions. Defending champions Rob Janovic Jr. (SK-Modifieds), Bruce Thomas Jr. (Late Models), Ken Cassidy Jr. (Mini Stocks) and Michael Gervais Jr. (Legends) top the list heading into the season opening April 12-13 Budweiser Modified Nationals.
Led by six-time champion Dennis Gada, there are nine champions entered in the $20,000 SK-150, the headline event for the 12th annual “Mod Nats.” The list also includes three “150” winners – Ted Christopher, Gada and Jeff Pearl.
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Naples, ME — Five Star Stock Car Bodies of Twin Lakes Wisconsin will provide awards for super late model racers that compete in the Pro All Stars Series (PASS) North and South divisions in 2008. It’s the eighth consecutive season that the well known manufacturer of race car bodies and accessories has provided awards for PASS points competitors.
Five Star will provide award certificates for a complete ABC body package (less windows and spoiler) and an ABC reskin body package to two racers in both the PASS North and South super late model divisions. All drivers that attempt to qualify for 85% of each series events are eligible for a random draw at their respective 2008 banquets.
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Stafford Springs, CT — The Late Model division at Stafford Motor Speedway frequently offers some of the best full fendered racing action that you will find at any track in…
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The Northeastern Midget Association begins its 56th season at Thompson International Speedway’s Icebreaker April 4-5-6. Club President Mike Scrivani Jr. expects upward to 30 cars for the 25-lapper on what is the fastest track NEMA visits.
It is the first of 19 races for NEMA, the most in 20 years. It is the first of three ’08 visits to Thompson. The Budweiser Modified Nationals at Waterford Speedbowl follows a week later (April 12-13) providing the club with a demanding start.
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The photo gallery of Paul Fohlin gained some additional depth recently with new photos. In addition to the March 22 Thompson practice gallery, Paul’s archive now dates back to the…
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Schneider, Lia, Evans to be Recognized
Daytona Beach, FL — To kick off a season-long celebration of 60 years of Modified champions, NASCAR is recognizing a trio of NASCAR Modified titlists in the 2008 opener April 6 at Thompson (Conn.) International Speedway.
NASCAR plans to recognize each of its past Modified champions throughout the season. The celebration will begin with the honoring of Frankie Schneider, Donny Lia and the late Richie Evans at the season-opening Icebreaker.
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Waterford, CT — The 2008 Waterford Speedbowl Sportsman division championship is priority No. 1 for Al Stone III. “The only place left to go is up,” says Stone who finished second in the final standings last season.
“We’ve continually improved our performance over the years,” offers Stone who has been in the top 10 in the final standings over the past four years. With two-time defending champion Dwayne Dorr taking a year off, Stone is the man to beat.
The Speedbowl season opens April 12-13 with the 12th annual Budweiser Modified Nationals featuring the $20,000 SK-150. The Sportsman join the Bowl’s other NASCAR Whelen All-American divisions – the Late Models and Mini Stocks – on a 10-division program that also includes the Northeastern Midget Association, Pro4 Modifieds, AllStar Race Trucks, Allison Legacy Cars and NEMA Lites.
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Joey Logano tested a white #25 car in a recent test at Rockingham Speedway. Logano was fifth quickest in the ARCA RE/MAX Series test. Rockingham Speedway will host the Rockingham 500 on Sunday, May 4th.
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The Pro4 Modifieds of New England Inc. is please to announce the addition of Kevin Boucher as the announcer for the 2008 racing season. Kevin has been announcing for over a dozen seasons, working at Seekonk Speedway, Jack Arutes’ Stafford Motor Speedway, and Lee USA Speedway.“I’ve had the opportunity to work with several of the teams and members of the Pro4 Modified in the past when they raced at Seekonk Speedway weekly, and I’ve also announced for them whenever they came to Seekonk to race” states Kevin. “I’ve become great friends with many of their competitors over the years. This will allow me to go out on tour with a group of competitors and families that enjoy racing together. “With the management changes at Seekonk over the winter, it has given me the opportunity to work with a touring group exclusively. This is a great step for the Pro4 Modified organization and for me personally. I’ve wanted to branch out for a few years and go traveling, and who better to do it with than a group of people I enjoy being with. I can’t wait to take the mike for them in April, when it all begins at Waterford.”
“It’s been a few years since we’ve had our own voice. Having Kevin come in and join us for the upcoming season is exactly The Pro4 Modifieds of New England Inc. is please to announce the addition of Kevin Boucher as the announcer for the 2008 racing season. Kevin has been announcing for over a dozen seasons, working at Seekonk Speedway, Jack Arutes’ Stafford Motor Speedway, and Lee USA Speedway.
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Waterford, CT — When Phil Evans and Jeff Miller amicably dissolved their successful Mini Stock team, Miller assured his long-time friend he’d be there to offer any assistance during the upcoming season. Evans took him up on the offer.
What was the first thing Miller did after he inspected the new Evans ride? He cut the car in half.
“Jeff came over, took a look at the car, and before I knew it, there it was in two pieces,” chuckles Evans. “I’m sure not going to doubt him though. I know first-hand his expertise in building cars. I’ve won a few races in his cars.”
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[Photo Gallery] by Paul Fohlin
[Photo Gallery] by Eric LaFleche of VLF Photos