Rocco, Ramstrom, Materas, Barnett, Sullivan & Michalski Recognized for Championship Seasons at Thompson
Thompson, CT: Thompson International Speedway celebrated one of its most competitive seasons in recent history on Friday, January 22 and Saturday January 23, 2010, by hosting the 2009 Season Awards Banquet. The traditional two-night affair paid tribute to champions of the Thursday Night Thunder Series and all the competitors of NASCAR Whelen All-American Series ‘Super 6’.
On Saturday night Keith Rocco of Wallingford, CT, was the guest of honor as the 2009 Sunoco Modified champion. Also feted were Late Model champion John Materas of Voluntown, CT; and TIS Modified titlist Brian Sullivan of S. Windsor, CT. Honored the previous night, were 2009 Super Late Model champion Derek Ramstrom of Worcester, MA; 2009 Limited Sportsman division titlist Larry Barnett of Moosup, CT; and Mini Stock champion Steve Michalski of Brooklyn, CT.
Despite a pared down schedule that was disseminated by rain, Thompson Speedway still enjoyed a highly competitive 2009 season. In the end, two of four division championships were decided by 10 points or less. In five of the Speedway’s six divisions, the fight for the championship came down to the final Thursday night of competition.
For the second time in three years, Keith Rocco of Wallingford, CT, was honored as the Thompson International Speedway Sunoco Modified Champion. The title was a sweet one for Rocco and his championship car owner Don Bannister. Before the start of the 2009 season, Bannister announced that it would be his final; retiring from competition. On a mission, Rocco, led by crew chief Shane Hopkins, turned in a tremendous season to send Bannister out on top. Rocco opened the season with two wins in the first three events. In 17 starts, the team posted 14 top-ten and 14 top-five finishes including three wins.
“When we started this season it was known that this would be the last for car owner Don Bannister and Bannister Motorsports,” said Rocco. “You have to give him a lot of credit. He stood by this team every year. Thank you Don for giving us the best season we ever had.”
The championship chase came down to the final night with Rocco leading Pitkat by a scant four points. After an early race incident that collected Pitkat, Rocco secured the title by 30 points when the checkered flag flew.
“I have to thank the guys who keep us coming back each week,” continued Rocco. “Sometimes we don’t have a good week and we will wreck and it is usually pretty good. It is usually a trip to Northeast…usually it is a front clip. I’ve got to thank Shane Hopkins for keep this team running.”
For his efforts, Rocco received awards from both Thompson International Speedway and NASCAR. He was also presented with a championship jacket from Dave Lind Tire and a beautiful photo montage from Scott and Trevor Nickel.
Former divisional champion Woody Pitkat finished second in the final point standings followed by Rowan Pennink, Ted Christopher, and Kerry Malone. Andy Gasper of Andover, CT was honored as the division’s Rookie-of-the-Year. Tim Sullivan of S. Windsor, CT, was recognized as the division’s “Most Improved Driver”.
He may have been a long shot entering the 2009 season but when the final points were tallied owner/driver John Materas of Voluntown, CT, had earned the Late Model championship. With 15 finishes inside the top-ten and 13 top–fives including four victories, everything seemed to come together for Materas and company.
Over the years, as was evidenced by his second award of the night, the Late Model division’s “Most Improved Driver” Award, the career of John Materas has been a story of continued and marked improvement. The accomplishments of the 2009 season were a culmination of several years of hard work and determination.
Amid a rousing applause, the veteran driver summed it up precisely.
“I guess everyone loves an underdog,” said Materas, who acknowledged the efforts of a number of team and family members along with competitors Rick Gentes and Damon Tinio.
His sentiment during his speech echoed the close-knit family that is the Late Model division at Thompson Speedway.
Like the champions in all six of Thompson’s divisions, Materas received awards from Thompson and NASCAR along with his championship jacket from Dave Lind Tire and photo montage present by Scott and Trevor Nickel.
In a season of the Late Model “underdog”, Mark Oliveira also had a break-out season finishing second in the season-long point chase. Rick Gentes, the Late Model division’s “Most Popular Driver’ posted a third place finish followed by Tommy O’Sullivan and Jeremy Sadowski. Damon Tinio of Mendon, MA, was named the Late Model division’s Rookie-of-the-Year.
TIS Modified Division competitor Brian Sullivan of S. Windsor, CT did not suffer from the proverbial “sophomore jinx”. After a TIS Modified career that began in 2008 with a win his first time out; Sullivan kept the momentum running throughout the 2009 season. In their first full season of competition, Sullivan and his team posted 15 top-ten and 14 top-five finishes (in 16 starts) including a division leading six wins. The champ was also honored with the TIS Modified “Most Improved Driver’ Award. It was a story book season for championship driver, Brian Sullivan and championship owner, his brother, Tim Sullivan.
Rounding out the top five in the season-long point chase was Keith “Cam” McDermott, Brian Tagg, Glenn Boss and R.J. Marcotte. McDermott also received the Chief Starter’s Sportsman Award. Jay Sundeen was lauded as the Thompson Modified Rookie-of-the-Year.
On Friday night, Derek Ramstrom of Worcester, MA, stepped into the limelight as he celebrated his 2009 Super Late Model Championship. In the previous season this teenage driver had shown signs of stardom. During 2009, Ramstrom’s talent shined brightly; posting impressive numbers. In the 15-race season, Ramstrom never finished outside the top-10. He scored 13 top-five finishes including four wins.
The chase for the 2009 Super Late Model championship came down to the final night.
“Man in that last race I was pretty nervous,” said Ramstrom. It came right down to the last lap. I really thought [Mike was] going to get me. But I held [him] off.”
Ramstrom edged former division champion Mike O’Sullivan to secure the title by a mere six points. The division’s most popular driver celebrated his championship accolades with his father, winning car owner Rick Ramstrom.
Mike O’Sullivan settled for second in the final standings followed by Norm Wrenn, Les Rose, and George Bessette. Kraig Coffin of Uxbridge, MA was named the Super Late Model “Rookie-of-the-Year”. Dennis Maxfield was recognized as the division’s “Most Improved Driver”.
It was another banner year for the winningest driver in the history of Thompson’s Limited Sportsman division. Owner/driver Larry Barnett secured the 2009 Limited Sportsman championship to add to his title tally as well. In the division’s 16-race season, the champion secured 15 top-ten and 13 top-five finishes including a stellar six victories.
“It was really fantastic to become the 2009 Limited Sportsman champion,” said Barnett. “The racing was clean, competitive, and fun.’
“It was great to see old racers like Scott [Sundeen], Joe [Arena] and Moose, race with young guys like Jay Sundeen and I,” added Barnett with humor.
Joe Arena had a standout season as well to finish second in the point standings; racing Barnett down to the wire for the title. Jay Sundeen led his father Scott in the points; as the duo finished third and fourth respectively. Paul Coutu, Jr. rounded out the top-five in the season-long point chase. Hank Stott of Medway, MA, earned Rookie-of-the-Year honors and Chris ‘Moose’ Douton of Waterford, CT, the “Most Improved Driver”.
Scott Michalski of S. Killingly, CT, ran consistency to the 2009 Mini Stock championship. In 16 events, the #51 race team scored 14 top-ten and 12 top-five finishes including one victory. Michalski was also presented with the Chief Starter’s Sportsman Award as selected exclusively by starter Tim Bennett.
Brad Caddick finished second in the standings followed by Randy Churchill, Jr., the champ’s brother Steve Michalski and Tim Taylor.
Churchill, who came to the Thompson Speedway in 2009 for his first full year of competition, was an impressive addition to the highly-competitive division. With three wins, Churchill was the easy choice for 2009 Mini Stock Rookie-of-the-Year. With an influx of female racers, Thompson Management opted to recognize a second Rookie for the 2009 season. Alicia Thatcher was recognized as the Female Rookie-of-the-Year. Chad Baxter was bestowed with the Most Improved Driver Award.
Newly named Director of Competition, Mike Chapman, was honored with the John Hoenig Memorial Award on Saturday night. The award is a dedication award presented each year in the name of the founder of the Thompson Speedway, John Hoenig.
With the 2009 season officially in the record books, the Thompson International Speedway is looking forward to what promises to be a historical 2010 season. For a complete 2010 schedule including the four open-competition Modified events, visit thompsonspeedway.com.
Sunoco Modified Final Point Standings (Top-Fifteen): 1. Keith Rocco, Wallingford, CT; 2. Woody Pitkat, Stafford, CT; 3. Rowan Pennink, Huntingdon Valley, PA; 4. Ted Christopher, Plainville, CT; 5. Kerry Malone, Needham, MA; 6. Danny Cates, Chaplin, CT; 7. Jimmy Blewett, Howell, NJ; 8. David LaCroix, Fitchburg, MA; 9. Tim Sullivan, S. Windsor, CT; 10. Harry Rheaume, Oakdale, CT; 11. Todd Ceravolo, Gales Ferry, CT; 12. Rick Shawn, Bradford, RI; 13. Carl Oberg, Sutton, MA; 14. Bert Marvin, New London, CT; 15. Wayne Arute, Berlin, CT.
Super Late Model Final Point Standings (Top-Fifteen):1. Derek Ramstrom, Worcester, MA; 2. Mike O’Sullivan, Springfield, MA; 3. Norman Wrenn, Nashua, NH; 4. Les Rose, Jr., Southbridge, MA; 5. George Bessette, Danbury, CT; 6. Jim Banfield, S. Glastonbury, CT; 7. Dennis Maxfield, Fitchburg, MA; 8. Rick Fuller, Auburn, MA; 9. Larry Gelinas, Buxton, ME; 10. Jay Macedonio, Somerset, MA; 11. Jeff Connors, Ellington, CT; 12. Steve Desmarais, Westport, MA; 13. Dave Silvia, Warwick, RI; 14. Mike Stefanik, Coventry, RI; 15. Daryl Stampfl, Norwood, MA.
Late Model Final Point Standings (Top-Fifteen): 1. John Materas, Voluntown, CT; 2. Mark Oliveira, Blackstone, MA; 3. Rick Gentes, Woonsocket, RI; 4. Tommy O’Sullivan, Springfield, MA; 5. Jeremy Sadowski, Voluntown, CT; 6. Randy Waterman, Danielson, CT; 7. Jeff Zuidema, N. Brookfield, MA; 8. Mike Scorzelli, Malta, NY; 9. Damon Tinio, Mendon, MA; 10. Tom Fox, Plainfield, CT; 11. Wayne Coury, Sr., Milford, CT; 12. Robert O’Connell, Wrentham, MA; 13. Jay Stuart, Preston, CT; 14. Corey Hutchings, Salem, CT; 15. Jeff Hartwell, E. Putnam, CT.
Limited Sportsman Final Point Standings (Top-Fifteen): 1. Larry Barnett, Moosup, CT; 2. Joe Arena, Bristol, CT; 3. Jay Sundeen, Douglas, MA; 4. Scott Sundeen, Douglas, MA; 5. Paul Coutu, Jr., Thompson, CT; 6. Chris Douton, Waterford, CT; 7. Paul Palen, Pelham, NH; 8. Gerald Sevigny, Brooklyn, CT; 9. Jason Chicolas, Sutton, MA; 10. John Carpenter, Danielson, CT; 11. Shawn Monahan, Waterford, CT; 12. Tom Shea, New London, CT; 13. Kevin Bowe, Pawtucket, RI; 14. Fred Bates, N. Grosvenordale, CT; 15. Jesse Gleason, Lisbon, CT.
TIS Modified Final Point Standings (Top-Fifteen): Brian Sullivan, S. Windsor, CT; 2. Keith “Cam” McDermott, Scituate, RI; 3. Brian Tagg, Oxford, MA; 4. Glenn Boss, Danielson, CT; 5. R.J. Marcotte, Millville, MA; 6. Jay Sundeen, Douglas, MA; 7. Denis Legere, N. Reading, MA; 8. Jeff Barrows, Worcester, MA; 9. John Studley, Framingham, MA; 10. Richie Ferreira, Raynham, MA; 11. Leo Oliveira, Raynham, MA; 12. Bart Ramos, Putnam, CT; 13. John-Michael Shennette, Thompson, CT; 14. Tyler Poulin, Pascoag, RI; 15. Mike Viens, Putnam, CT.
Mini Stock Final Point Standings (Top-Fifteen):1. Scott Michalski, Brooklyn, CT; 2. Brad Caddick, New London, CT; 3. Randy Churchill, Jr., Oakdale, CT; 4. Steve Michalski, Brooklyn, CT; 5. Tim Taylor, Wauregan, CT; 6. Chuck Rogers, Quaker Hill, CT; 7. Jeff Moffat, Warwick, RI; 8. Chad Baxter, Pascoag, RI; 9. Billy Pomposelli, Chepachet, RI; 10. Nate Taylor, Wauregan, CT; 11. Steve Romjue, Coventry, RI; 12. Fred Michalski, Dayville, CT; 13. Mike Viens, Putnam, CT; 14. Mike Gorgievski, Auburn, MA; 15. Scott Jassaume, Danielson, CT.
Sources: Dale Wolbrink/Thompson International Speedway PR