Santos Makes Missile Debut Victorious in WMT Opener at Thompson; Christopher Tops in Sunoco Mods
Ramstrom Completes Sweep SLM; Gentes, Sullivan, Monahan & Defevers Icebreaker Winners
Thompson, CT — Bobby Santos III of Franklin, MA, took over the reigns of the potent Mystic Missile to score a victory in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour opener at Thompson International Speedway for the running of the Icebreaker 150 on Sunday. Ted Christopher of Plainville, CT, had to use his prowess on restarts to score a victory in the Sunoco Modified feature event on Sunday. Defending champion, Derek Ramstrom of Worcester, MA, swept the twin bill for the Super Late Models while Rick Gentes of Woonsocket, RI, scored Late Model honors.
Shawn Monahan of Waterford, CT, bested a strong field of Limited Sportsman competitors to score the victory. Another champion, TIS Modified ace Brian Sullivan of S. Windsor, CT, made a statement with an opening day victory. Leo Defevers of Brooklyn, CT, opened Day Two of the Icebreaker with a victory in the Mini Stock Division.
Bobby Santos III of Franklin, MA, set fast time in Coors Light qualifying with a new track record on Saturday and redrew the pole position. He set sail at the start of the race; led from the drop of the green flag until heading down pit road for a scheduled stop at lap 58. The young driver was able to work his way back into contention by methodically moving through the field. Santos made the winning move when he took the lead for the final time on lap 120. He held off the chargers of Ryan Preece in the waning laps of the event to score the victory. Preece came home second followed by Mike Stefanik. Ted Christopher, who pitted out of sequence with the leaders, came back to finish fourth ahead of Todd Szegedy.
Icebreaker Saturday
[Sat. Photo Gallery] by Paul Fohlin
Icebreaker Sunday
[Photo Gallery] by Adam Fohlin
[Photo Gallery] by Dave Fohlin
[Photo Gallery] by Paul Fohlin
[Photo Gallery] by Nicholas Teto
[Photo Gallery] by Matt Wiernasz
Ted Christopher of Plainville, CT, held back all challenges to score the victory in Sunday’s installment of Sunoco Modified activity for Icebreaker 2010. After a straight-up start from the finish of Saturday’s 25-lapper, Keith Rocco started from the point for the second race of the weekend for the Sunoco Modifieds. He immediately had company on lap one from Christopher, who took over the top spot before the completion of second circuit. Third running Ronnie Silk had his hands full with Danny Cates and Kerry Malone. The first caution of the event flew on lap three when Andy Gaspar made hard contact with the inside wall. Christopher was able to maintain his lead on the restart.
Rocco dogged Christopher while Silk, Malone, Rowan Pennink and Cates ran nose to tail in the second pack of cars. A little deeper in the back, Tim Sullivan, Woody Pitkat and Bert Marvin waged a battle of their own.
Pitkat lost control of his mount in turn one spinning to the infield. Sullivan was collected in the incident as well. Both were able to continue but not before the caution flag flew again on lap 10. Under the caution, Pitkat was joined on pit road by Rowan Pennink.
Christopher was on top of his game on the restart to retain his lead. Rocco had double-barrel assault from Silk and Malone. Entering turn one something appeared to break on the #79 shooting Malone straight into the outside wall in turn one. Malone was able to walk away from the viscous looking wreck.
Christopher led on the restart with Silk getting up alongside Rocco. Silk drifted high exiting turn one taking Rocco with him. In the exchange, Rocco lost positions to Silk and Cates. After a quick caution, Rocco was able to move back into the third spot to immediately give Silk pressure. The battle allowed Christopher to gain a car-length advantage. Cates was very much a part of the battle for the second position.
On lap 15, Rocco was able to get by Silk for the second spot. A spin by Chris Jensen put Rocco to the outside of Christopher for another shot at the top spot. But it was Christopher holding onto the lead. Rocco continued to run in second while Cates began to show some muscle to Silk.
On another restart on lap 17, Silk slid sideways through turn two while running in the third spot. Several cars were collected including Sullivan and Nichole Morgillo while others took evasive action. Silk was able to maintain his momentum and therefore his position on the race track with the line-up for the restart going back to the last completed green flag lap.
Rocco appeared to falter slightly on the restart allowing Christopher to get away from a three-car battle for second that now included Rocco, Silk, and a fully-recovered Pennink. Rocco got around Silk with five laps remaining and set his sites on Christopher. Pennink was also able to get by Silk. Cates and Silk were locked in a battle for the fourth spot. The two would swap the position back and forth over the closing laps.
Over the final laps, Rocco closed on Christopher but could not muster up a challenge. Christopher headed under the checkers for the victory. Rocco settled for second over Pennink, Cates and Silk inside the top five.
Derek Ramstrom of Worcester, MA, completed the sweep of Icebreaker Super Late Model action in a thriller on Sunday. Ramstrom and Mike O’Sullivan went door-to-door to open the first lap of the 25-lap event. A quick caution set up a repeat of the start; this time with Ramstrom taking advantage to take over the top spot. The battle for the third spot back was intense between Norm Wren, Dennis Maxfield, Jim Banfield, and Steve Desmarais.
Mike Brightman came to rest in turn two after making contact with the outside wall to erase the comfortable lead that Ramstrom had acquired. After the restart, the two put on a great show for the fans. O’Sullivan was able to get the advantage but with continued pressure from Ramstrom. Norm Wrenn ran alone in the third followed by a battle between Maxfield and Gelinas.
On lap 18, Ramstrom got along side O’Sullivan, who maintained the advantage by mere inches. They ran side-by-side lap-after-lap with O’Sullivan maintaining the lead at the stripe by inches with each completed lap. Coming down for the final lap; however, Ramstrom used the position of a lapped car to gain the advantage over O’Sullivan and the win. O’Sullivan had to settle for the second position. Wrenn, Maxfield and Dave Darling completed the top five.
Rick Gentes crossed under the checkers to complete the Late Model main event in the second position. Following post race technical, Gentes was awarded the victory. The Late Model division followed suit of the sister division with yet another O’Sullivan taking part in a fierce full-fendered battle. Pole sitter Tommy O’Sullivan and defending champion Materas went door-to-door to bring the field to green. They remained side-by-side until the #16 lost power on the backstretch on lap three; leaving Materas all alone at the point and the caution flag waving on lap four.
With O’Sullivan sidelined, Materas had marched out to a sizeable advantage over the rest of the field. Rick Gentes had worked his way into the second spot but didn’t appear to have anything for Materas. During an extended green flag run, Materas was able to maintain a 10-car length advantage over Gentes. In the end, Materas crossed the stripe for what appeared to be a convincing win. Materas was cited for a rules infraction in technical inspection handing the win over to Gentes. Jeff Hartwell was moved to the second position. Mark Oliveira was originally scored in the fourth spot; however, his car failed inspection as well. Wayne Coury, Sr., Jeff Hesselton, and John Falconi rounded out the top five.
Brian Sullivan of S. Windsor, CT, began his TIS title defense with a commanding victory in the TIS Modifieds. Sullivan led green to checker to post the victory. In the later stages of the race R.J. Marcotte appeared to apply some pressure to Sullivan but the leader was up to the challenge. Shane Michalski came home third followed by Keith McDermott and John Studley inside the top-ten.
Shawn Monahan of Waterford, CT, opened the 2010 season off with a victory in the Limited Sportsman divisions. The 20-lapper for the Limited Sportsman division featured a heated three-car battle for the top spot between Monahan, Scott Sundeen and Larry Barnett. While the top three jockeyed for position, the top three spots remained unchanged when the checkered flag flew. Kevin Bowe and Joe Arena rounded out the top five.
Leo Defevers of Brooklyn, CT led green green-to-checker to win the season opener for the Mini Stocks. Defevers capitalized on his pole starting position to take command of the main event. During the stretch run, Defevers, Scott Michalski and Scott Jassaume ran out to a three-car breakaway over the rest of the field that went 27-cars strong.
Two cars deeper in the back served up some excitement of their own. Randy Churchill came from the eleventh spot while Mike Viens was making his way toward the front up from his 22nd starting position. In the end, it was all Defevers with a commanding win of Sc. Michalski and Jassaume. Churchill and Eric Bourgeois rounded out the top five. The hard-charging Viens finished a solid sixth.
Sources: Dale Wolbrink/Thompson International Speedway PR
NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour 150-Lap Event Finish (Unofficial Top Ten): 1. Bobby Santos, III, Franklin, MA; 2. Ryan Preece, Berlin, CT; 3. Mike Stefanik, Coventry, RI; 4. Ted Christopher, Plainville, CT; 5. Todd Szegedy, Ridgefield, CT; 6. Rowan Pennink, Huntingdon Valley, PA; 7. Chris Pasteryak, Lisbon, CT; 8. Ronnie Silk, Norwalk, CT; 9. Eric Goodale, Riverhead, NY; 10. Eric Beers, Northampton, PA.
Sunoco Modified 25-Lap Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. Ted Christopher, Plainville, CT; 2. Keith Rocco, Wallingford, CT; 3. Rowan Pennink, Huntingdon Valley, PA; 4. Danny Cates, Chaplin, CT; 5. Ronnie Silk, Norwalk, CT; 6. David Salzarulo, Monson, MA; 7. Bert Marvin, New London, CT; 8. Woody Pitkat, Stafford, CT; 9. Glenn Griswold, Vernon, CT; 10. John Catania, Agawam, MA.
Super Late Model 25-Lap Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. Derek Ramstrom, Worcester, MA; 2. Mike O’Sullivan, Springfield, MA; 3. Norm Wrenn, Nashua, NH; 4. Dennis Maxfield, Fitchburg, MA; 5. Dave Darling, Seekonk, MA; 6. Larry Gelinas, Buxton, ME; 7. Jim Banfield, S. Glastonbury, CT; 8. Steve Desmarais, Somerset, MA; 9. George Bessette, Danbury, CT; 10. Daryl Stampfl, Norwood, MA.
Late Model 20-Lap Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. Rick Gentes, Woonsocket, RI; 2. Jeff Hartwell, E. Putnam, CT; 3. Wayne Coury, Sr., Milford, CT; 4. Jeff Hesselton, Auburn, MA; 5. John Falconi, N. Grafton, MA; 6. Mark Jenison, Warwick, RI; 7. Phil Rondeau, Baltic, CT; 8. Jeremy Sadowski, Voluntown, CT; 9. Michael Scorzelli, Malta, NY; 10. Eddie Mistrella, New Hyde Park, NY.
TIS Modified 20-Lap Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. Brian Sullivan, S. Windsor, CT; 2. R.J. Marcotte, Millville, MA; 3. Shane Michalski, Woodstock, CT; 4. Keith McDermott, Scituate, RI, 5. John Studley, Framingham, MA; 6. Brian Tagg, Oxford, MA; 7. Jay Sundeen, Douglas, MA; 8. Tyler Poulin, Pascoag, RI; 9. Ryan Morgan, Mystic, CT; 10. Denis Legere, N. Reading, MA.
Limited Sportsman 20-Lap Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. Shawn Monahan, Waterford, CT; 2. Scott Sundeen, Douglas, MA; 3. Larry Barnett, Moosup, CT; 4. Kevin Bowe, Pawtucket, RI; 5. Joe Arena, Bristol, CT; 6. Joe Coates, Eastford, CT; 7. Jesse Gleason, Lisbon, CT; 8. Moose Douton, Waterford, CT; 9. Jason Chicolas, Sutton, MA; 10. Scott Fanning, Mapleville, RI.
Mini Stock 15-Lap Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. Leo Defevers, Brooklyn, CT; 2. Scott Michalski, S. Killingly, CT; 3. Scott Jassaume, Danielson, CT; 4. Randy Churchill, Oakdale, CT; 5. Eric Bourgeois, E. Haddam, CT; 6. Mike Viens, Seekonk, MA; 7. Chad Baxter, Pascoag, RI; 8. Dwayne Dorr, Ledyard, CT; 9. Trevor Michalski, S. Killingly, CT; 10. Chuck Rogers, Quaker Hill, CT.