Gerry DeGasparre, Jr in Candigit Excavating Victory Lane at Seekonk Speedway
Fred Astle Jr, Tony Oliveira and Mike Cavallaro also win
Seekonk, MA — Dan Gamache Jr of Woonsocket RI and Ray Negley of Coventry brought the 26 car Street Stock feature down for the green. Gamache would get the initial jump, and lead the field across the stripe for lap 1. He would only hold on for a lap, as John Geremia III would work his Camille’s Camaro to the front on the inside. While coming off of turn 2 on lap 3, Chris Rioux and Geremia got together, causing Elmer Wing and Brian Spillane to get caught up from behind. Geremia never sopped motion, and was able to continue on his restart position. Gamache would continue to lead for the next couple of laps before Geremia put his orange 24 to the inside and pick up the lead. The sheet metal damage he sustained during the lap 3 melee was not slowing him down any, as Tony Oliviera had moved his E A Dion Malibu to his rear bumper, and was challenging for the lead. The field had stacked themselves up three and 4 abreast as drivers were trying to work their way toward the front. Sparky Arsenault was up to third by lap seven, with Mark Henshaw and Dick Cavallaro rounding out the top five at the halfway point.
As the field headed down the backstretch, the three and four abreast racing that had the fans on their feet came to an end when Frank Duquette slapped the backstretch wall with his NAC Security & Stereo Systems Chevy after contact in some close racing. Jeff Amaral had moved up to sixth, with Ryan Lineham, Steve Axon, Gamache, Dennis Dupuis and Paul Newcomb Jr rounded out the top ten. On the restart, Oliviera powered by, and edged up into the lead. Coming off turn two, Geremia got loose, but was able to hold on with only losing second position to Arsenault. Paul Lallier had worked his way into fourth by lap 13, and was on the charge. The field was slowed on lap 13 as Roland Wheeler stalled in turn three.
Oliviera was able to pick up right where he left off on the restart. With five laps to go, Dick Cavallaro was charging up through the field, when he and Paul Lallier got together off of turn 4 while racing for sixth. With the hard racing, race as Sparky was looking for any room to squeeze by. Racing deeper in the field continued to run three wide, as John Lallier, Scott Bruneau and Dennis Dupuis raced 3 wide for seventh. Lap 17 saw the fifth caution unfurl, as Ray Negley spun off of turn 4, and Paul Lallier hit him with the left front, tearing off the suspension. A final 3 lap shootout was in order, and Sparky continued to put his white #96 to the outside and inside of the red Malibu, and coming down for the checkered flag, took one final shot at the lead. But it was to no avail, as Oliviera picked up his first win since 2006, holding off the reigning champion. Arsenault held on for second, with Geremia, Henshaw and Lineham rounding out the top 5. Steve Axon finished sixth, but failed post race tech, moving Dennis Dupuis up to sixth, with John Lallier subbing for Mike Szczoczarz in seventh, Scott Bruneau was eighth, Paul Newcomb Jr and Dan Gamache rounding out the top ten.
“This was great. I want to dedicate this win to my sister that passed away last year.” stated a tired winner in Victory lane. “Thanks to E. A. Dion, Kitchen Concepts, Sanford & Son’s Auto Parts, ET Transmissions and Abra Cadabra Embroidery for sticking with us. Thanks Dad and the guys on the crew.”
Michael Ronhock and Jody Tripp brought the 18 truck Seekonk Sport Truck feature down for the green. As the field came down, the left front fender of Zach Tucan’s Reynolds Auto Wrecking Nissan fell off, causing him to head into the pits. As the field came off of turn two on the second lap, Jody Tripp was trying to avoid the slowing Tucan, and came down across the nose of Hugh Bowser, who had moved into second on the green, causing Tripp to head for the infield. One the restart, Bowser would inherit the lead, with Ronhock second, Mike Cavallaro up to third, Ed Gannon III fourth and Bill Prisco rounding out the top 5. Bowser would lead lap two, but the field would be slowed for the second time on lap two, as Mike Ronhock spun in turn 4, with Brian Murray making contact and Jody Tripp involved as well. Charlie Rose was on the charge, as he had already moved into fourth by lap two, as he tried to repeat last weeks win.
Back under green saw Bowser continue to set the pace in his MD Cabinetry Chevy, as Cavallaro pulled his Firehouse Motors Chevy alongside. They would race side by side for several laps, as both drivers were fighting for their second wins of the season. Prisco had moved into fifth behind Rick Martin and Gannon. At the lap ten mark, Cavallaro had pulled up even with Bowser, and edged by at lap 11, picking up his first lead since week he led the final lap on opening day. The third caution came out on lap 12, as Brian Murray spun off the fourth corner. The top 5 at this point were Cavallaro, Bowser, Martin, Gannon and Prisco. When back under green, the top five continued to run this way with some great side by side racing going on for third back. With 5 to go, Cavallaro had opened up a three truck length advantage over Bowser. Bill Clarke would bring out the final caution at lap 17, as he spun in turn 3. Over the final three laps, Bowser had his hands full, as Martin put his Rick Martins RC Hobbies & Signs Toyota to the inside and squeezed by for second. Martin tried to catch Cavallaro, but ran out of time, as Cavallaro picked up his second win of the season. Martin held on for second, with Bowser third, Prisco fourth and Rose finishing fifth. Rose would not make it through post race tech inspection, moving Ed Gannon III into fifth. John Paiva was sixth, Jay Arsenault seventh, with Steve Dumas, Brian Murray, and Eric Boyko rounding out the top ten.
“That was a great race.” exclaimed the Rebel Racing driver after climbing out of his winning truck. “We seemed to have just a little more in the corners, which helped us on the outside. It just adds a little excitement. I sure didn’t need that last shootout with Martin up to third. I kept looking for him behind me. We’ve got a new sponsor in Firehouse Motors. Thanks to them, Checkered Car of RI, Gateway Auto Sales, Body Talk and Signs by Tomorrow. Can’t do it without them,”
Candigit Excavating was the presenting sponsor for the Late Model 50 lap main event. John Dickerman and Bill Bernard sat on the front row as they came down for the green. Dickerman put his Arigas Chevy into the lead, as Gerry DeGasparre quickly moved into second, making everyone remember the battle the two had in qualifying, when DeGasparre and Dickerman got together while racing for the lead, causing Dickerman to spin, sending Gerry to the back. Kevin and Kyle Casper raced with Matt Breault for the top five. On lap eight, the yellow would come out for the first time, as John Hanafin got sideways in his Iron Workers Local 7 in turn 3, with the bayside Realty Chevy of Randy Clark also spinning. As they came down for the green, The A-1 Custom Auto Body 71 was pushed hard on the outside, and made it stick, as Gerry picked up the lead on lap 9. Dickerman continued to run second, as the Caspers raced side by side for what seemed to be an eternity for the Houle Motorsports driver Kyle Casper, as he ran the outside lane of his brother in the Candigit Excavating Ford. These events would be a factor at the end of the race. Matt Breault continued to hold onto fifth, but had heavy pressure from Mark Curtis, who was making a rare Seekonk appearance.
On lap 18, the field was slowed for the second time, as Bob Hussey spun his Farrell’s Market Chevy in turn 4. Dickerman would have a shot at DeGasparre on the restart. Kevin Casper, Kyle Casper and Matt Breault rounded out the top five. Once again, Gerry was up to the challenge, as he jumped back into the lead. Kevin Casper put his Phil’s Propane Ford inside of the North American Amusements Chevy of Dickerman, as they raced for second. They would race side by side for the next 4 laps, until the yellow came out for the third time. This time for Mark Langlois who spun his Crown Collision machine in turn 1. Dickerman was able to edge out Casper across the stripe and hold on to second for the time being. Once back under green, Kevin Casper moved into second, and Breault put his Breault Roofing Ford into fourth, Dickerman started backsliding, as Breault and Kyle Casper slid by on the inside. Kyle once again found his Somerset Federal Credit Union Chevy having to work the outside lane. At the 25 lap mark, DeGasparre had half a straightaway lead in his Spumoni’s Restaurant Chevy.
Little by little, Kyle Casper worked the outside, and by lap 30 had moved back into third, and was starting to challenge big brother Kevin for second. The final caution flew on lap 34, when Bill Bernard spun his Ashland Lumber Chevy in turn 2. No other cars were involved. The top five at this time were DeGasparre, Kevin Casper, Kyle Casper, Matt Breault and Mark Curtis. Jeramee Lillie was lurking in sixth, fighting an ill handling Houle Motorsports ford, with Dickerman seventh. Back under green, Gerry picked back up at the top, while the brothers Casper raced wheel to wheel for second. Kevin, this time, would be forced to run the outside, as Kyle moved into second. Over the final ten laps, Kyle would hound the reigning Late Model champion, trying the inside and the outside to get by DeGasparre. Remember back when we told you Kyle’s run on the outside earlier in the race would be a factor? By this time in the race, Kyle had lost his grip, and could not mount a serious challenge, as his tires were worn out. DeGasparre became the fifth different winner in a row, beating Kyle Casper to the stripe by .462 second. Kevin Casper held on for third, with matt Breault and Dennis Stampfl finishing fifth. Sixth through tenth were Jeramee Lillie, Mike Taschereau, Randy Clark, Robin Berghman and Bill Bernard.
“Everyone keeps asking us what’s wrong with us this year” Gerry talked about, referring to his being out of victory lane this late into the season. “It’s not that there is anything wrong, it that everyone else stepped up their A game. Kyle Casper has been the class of the field so far. Kevin, Matt, Jeramee, John, they’ve all stepped up their program. I want to thank Candigit for getting together and putting this up. We don’t get many chances to shine.” He went on to say “One of our guys has been over serving in Iraq over the past year. Eric called me today from New Jersey. He’s back in the States. We’ve got some troops coming home safe. Without them, we wouldn’t be able to do this. This race is for them!”
The ARC Pro Stocks came out for their 40 lap main event with Steve O’Brien and John Dabrowski leading the pack. Dabrowski jumped into the lead from his outside pole position, setting the pace in his Tire Warehouse Chevy. On lap 3, Steve O’Brien spun his Autopart International Chevy, and fell to the rear of the field. The first caution came out on lap 4, when Dave Darling and Tom Scully Sr got together, causing Ken Spencer to spin his Pub 76 Chevy into the infield, as he checked up and got hit from behind. Darling would bring his Johnson Landscaping Dodge into the pits to have the right front checked out. Spencer would pit as well. Dabrowski held onto the lead on the restart, with Mike Brightman moving his Impact Collision Parts Ford into second. Ryan Vanasse was up to third, with Scully Sr and Fred Astle rounding out the top five.
After running the outside for a couple of laps, Brightman fell back into second. This allowed Vanasse to put his Regan Law P.C. Chevy to the outside. Using the second groove, he picked up second from Brightman, and on Lap 9, Vanasse led his first laps in a Pro Stock. The second caution came out on lap 13, as Spencer spun his Francis Farm machine in turn 4. By this time, Scott Dion moved into fifth ahead of Scully Sr. Vanasse got the jump on the start, allowing Brightman to get past Dabrowski for second. The Tire Warehouse Chevy started to backslide on the outside, falling out of the top 5 by lap 20. Scott Dion moved his Douglas A King Builders Chevy up to third at this point. Fred Astle started using the outside lane, and slid his Woodframe structures Chevy even with Dion. He quickly worked past Dion and had found the runner-up position by lap 28. Tom Scully Jr was following on the outside, and up to fourth by lap 30. By this time, Vanasse had opened up a ¾ straightaway lead. That would go away on lap 31, as Darryl Stampfl spun to bring out the third yellow. This set up a classic battle between rookie and veteran. On the restart, Vanasse would get a slight jump, and would lead across the stripe on lap 32 by .004 second. Coming off turn four for lap 33, Vanasse got a little loose, and would lose the lead. But with Steve O’Brien spinning in turn 4, lap 33 would not be scored complete. This gave Vanasse a chance to redeem himself. Once again, Astle had his work cut out for himself, as he would have to work the outside again. They raced wheel to wheel until lap 34, when Dabrowski and Spencer got together in turn 1.
For 5 of the remaining six laps, Astle would work the outside hard, trying to wrestle the lead away from the rookie. Vanasse, who had spent the past two seasons racing with the American Canadian Tour, looked to be up to the challenge, as he led Astle on lap 39. As they crossed the stripe under the ivory silk, Astle dropped behind, and looked to the inside. Into turn one, Astle got a little run underneath. Vanasse tried to hang onto the lead as contact was made. Both drivers would get off the throttle, as Vanasse gathered it in, but lost the fight for the lead. One last chance into turn 3, but it was no avail as Astle held on for win #2 of the season. Vanasse finished second, with tom Scully Jr, Mike Brightman and Dave Darling rounding out the top 5. Scott Dion, Jake Vanada, Tom Scully Sr, Daryl Stampfl and Dan O’Brien rounded out the top ten.
“15 years ago, Ryan and his brother Mike came into Ray’s Hobbies and started racing RC cars with me. I wish I never taught that kid how to drive.” joked Astle. “The kid ran me clean. It was a lot of work. I’m sorry I got into him, but I backed off and tried to let his save it. I looked in my mirror for Tom Jr, but didn’t see him, so I took off again. This is a great win for us. I’ve always said I have the best car owner here. These guys put a great car together. “
Racing returns Friday night with the Fast Friday Series on June 27th, as the Pure Stocks, Seekonk Youth Racing Association and Kart racing highlights the Fast Friday series.
On Saturday, June 28, Propane Plus presents the second of three 75 lap Pro Stock main, with $2,500 to win. Late Models, Street Stocks, and Seekonk Sport Trucks will be on the card. $12.00 for general admission, kids 12 and under FREE. Check out our website for additional information at www.seekonkspeedway.com.
Street Stocks
Heat 1 / 10 Laps
1) John Geremia
2) 29 Elmer Wing
3) 17 Mark Henshaw
4) 6 Dick Cavallaro
5) 74 Scott Bruneau
6) 2 Ron Barboza Jr
7) 89 John Lallier
8) 45 Justin Travis
9) 14 Pat Fitzgerald
10) Jason Steely
Heat 2 / 10 Laps
1) 19 Ryan Lineham
2) 96 Sparky Arsenault
3) 3 Chris Rioux
4) 07 Jeff Amaral
5) 22 Brian Spillane
6) 70 Paul Lallier
7) 08 Chris DeMoura
8) 1 Scott Serydynski
9) 50 Roland Wheeler
10) 10 Rick Shinn
11) 15 Mike Glad
Heat 3 / 10 Laps
1) 41 Tony Oliviera
2) 26 Dennis Dupuis
3) 03 Frank Duquette
4) 16 Paul Newcomb
5) 92 Dan Gamache Jr
6) 7 Rey Negley
7) 04 Steve Axon
8) 21 Bob Bettencourt Jr
9) 20 Doug Rioux
10) 42 Mike Kohler
Consi / 10 laps
1) Steve Axon
2) 89 John Lallier
3) 1 Scott Serydynski
4) 21 Bob Bettencourt
5) 08 Chris DeMoura
6) 98 Jay Steely
7) 50 Roland Wheeler
8) 45 Justin Travis
9) 10 Rick Shinn
10) 15 Michael Glad
11) 14 Pat Fitzgerald
12) 43 Mike Kohler
Feature / 20 Laps
1) Tony Oliviera
2) 96 Sparky Arsenault
3) 24 John Geremia III
4) 17 Mark Henshaw
5) 19 Ryan Lineham
6) 26 Dennis Dupuis
7) 89 John Lallier
8) 74 Scott Bruneau
9) 2 Ron Barboza
10) 08 Chris DeMoura
11) 92 Dan Gamache
12) 45 Justin Travis
13) 6 Dick Cavallaro
14) 07 Jeff Amaral
15) 29 Elmer Wing III
16) 98 Jason Steely
17) 16 Paul Newcomb
18) 22 Brian Spillane
19) 3 Chris Rioux
20) 50 Roland Wheeler
21) Ray Negley
22) 70 Paul Lallier
23) Bob Bettencourt Jr
24) 1 Scott Serydynski
25) 03 Frank Duquette
26) Steve Axon DQ
Seekonk Sport Trucks
Heat 1 / 10 Laps
1) 77 Lenny Guy
2) 10 Ed Gannon III
3) 41 Charlie Rose Jr
4) 14 Rick Martin
5) 3 Zach Tucan
6) 07 Eric Boyko
7) 4 Darryl Church
8) 1 Billy Clarke
9) 49 Jim Hawkins
Heat 2 / 10 Laps
1) Hugh Bowser
2) 88 Bill Prisco
3) 5 Mike Ronhock
4) Mike Cavallaro
5) 38 Jody Tripp
6) 21 John Paiva
7) 96 Jay Arsenault
8) 13 Brian Murray
9) 9) John Dumas
Feature / 20 Laps
1) Mike Cavallaro
2) 14 Rick Martin
3) 22 Hugh Bowser
4) 88 Bill Prisco
5) 10 Ed Gannon III
6) 21 John Paiva
7) 96 Jay Arsenault
8) 04 John Dumas
9) 13 Brian Murray
10) 07 Eric Boyko
11) 49 Jim Hawkins
12) 1 Billy Clarke
13) 38 Jody Tripp
14) 5 Mike Ronhock
15) 4 Darryl Church
16) 3 Zach Tucan
DQ 41 Charlie Rose Jr.
DNS 77 Lenny Guy
Late Models
Heat 1 / 12 Laps
1) 3 Jeramee Lillie
2) 7 Kyle Casper
3) 47 Bill Bernard
4) 27 Marc Curtis
5) 88 Kevin Casper
6) 76 John Hanafin
7) 2 Dennis Stampfl
8) 14 Rey Lovelace
Heat 2 / 12 Laps
1) 33 Mike Taschereau
2) 41 Robin Berghman
3) 20 Matt Breault
4) 80 Robert Hussey
5) 13 John Dickerman
6) 71 Gerry DeGasparre Jr
7) 12 Mark Langlois
8) 93 Randy Clark
9) 22 Tyler Thompson
Candigit Excavating Late Model 50
50 Laps
1) Gerry DeGasparre Jr
2) 7 Kyle Casper
3) 88 Kevin Casper
4) 20 Matt Breault
5) 2 Dennis Stampfl
6) 3 Jeramee Lillie
7) 33 Mike Taschereau
8) 93 Randy Clark
9) 41 Robin Berghman
10) 47 Bill Bernard
11) 13 John Dickerman
12) 76 John Hanafin
13) 27 Mark Curtis
14) 12 Mark Langlois
15) 80 Bob Hussey
16) 14 Rey Lovelace
17) 22 Tyler Thompson
Pro Stocks
Heat 1 / 12 Laps
1) 11 Ryan Vanasse
2) 2 Tom Scully Jr
3) 95 Steve O’Brien
4) 30 Fred Astle Jr
5) 52 Dave Darling
6) 4 Scott Dion
7) 16 Jake Vanada
2x Craig Weinstein
Heat 2 / 12 Laps
1) 27 Mike Brightman
2) 03 Ken Spencer
3) 00 John Dabrowski
4) 3 Tom Scully Sr
5) 1 Darryl Stampfl
6) 99 Dan O’Brien
7) 6 Joe Cerullo
Pro Stock Feature / 40 Laps
1) 30 Fred Astle Jr
2) 11 Ryan Vanasse
3) 2 Tom Scully Jr
4) 27 Mike Brightman
5) 52 Dave Darling
6) 4 Scott Dion
7) 16 Jake Vanada
8) 3 Tom Scully Sr
9) 1 Darryl Stampfl
10) 99 Dan O’Brien
11) 03 Ken Spencer
12) 00 John Dabrowski
13) 95 Steve O’Brien
14) 6 Joey Cerullo
DNS 2x Craig Weinstein
Sources: Kevin Boucher/Seekonk Speedway PR