Gervais, Peterson, Kopec, Casagrande, Burnham, & Lavoie Score Sept. 7 Ltd. Late Model Double Duty Feature Wins at Stafford
Stafford Springs, CT — Stafford Motor Speedway returned to racing with a Limited Late Model Double Duty night on Friday, September 7th. Taking wins in NASCAR Whelen All-American Series feature action was Michael Gervais, Jr. in the SK Modified® feature, Jim Peterson in the Late Model feature, Dylan Kopec in the SK Light feature, Cory Casagrande and D.J. Burnham in the twin Ltd. Late Model features, and Jeremy Lavoie was a first time winner in the DARE Stock feature.
In the 40-lap SK Modified® feature event, Frank Ruocco took the lead at the green with Tom Bolles right behind him. Matt Galko moved up to third, with Todd Owen and Glen Reen side by side for fourth place. Keith Rocco, Eric Berndt, and Heather DesRochers all spun on the backstretch to bring the caution out with 2 laps complete.
Back under green, Bolles was able to stay even with Ruocco while Owen took third ahead of Michael Gervais, Jr. and Galko. Bolles and Ruocco stayed side by side for three laps before Ruocco got clear into the lead. Bolles' good run came to an end with a spin in turn 4 to bring the yellow out with 6 laps complete.
Ruocco was the leader back under green with Gervais and Owen side by side for second. Ryan Preece and Dan Avery were side by side for third. Gervais took the lead on lap-9 and Preece moved into second. Ruocco fell back in line to third, with Woody Pitkat in fourth and Owen in fifth. Galko hit the turn 1 wall to bring the caution out with 9 laps complete.
Gervais took the lead on the restart, but Preece was all over his back bumper looking to take over the lead. Pitkat was third, with Owen and Dan Avery making up the top-5. Just behind Avery in sixth and seventh place was Ted Christopher and Keith Rocco.
At the halfway point of the race, things had settled down a bit with Gervais and Preece still running nose to tail at the front of the field. Pitkat was running in third, with Owen, Avery, and Christopher behind him. Rocco had fallen back from Christopher a bit in seventh, with Brian Sullivan, Danny Cates, and Michael Bennett rounding out the top-10. Ruocco and Curt Brainard spun in turn 4 to bring the caution out with 24 laps complete.
Back under green, Gervais powered into the lead while Pitkat and Preece were racing side by side for second. Owen was fourth with Avery and Christopher side by side for fifth place. Pitkat got clear of Preece three laps after the restart while Avery and Christopher were still side-by-side for fifth place. Christopher got by Avery on lap-30 and he began to close in on the top-4 cars.
Preece got a run to the inside of Pitkat on lap-32 and the two cars began to race side by side, which allowed Gervais to pull away slightly. Preece got clear of Pitkat on lap-34 while Owen was now on Pitkat's bumper in fourth and Christopher was still trying to close the gap to Owen in fifth.
Preece had closed the gap back to Gervais as the leaders took the white flag. Preece got a good run to the inside of Gervais in turn 1, but he got sideways in turn 2 and Gervais pulled away slightly. Preece got a good run back through turns 3+4, but he came up just short at the checkered flag as Gervais picked up his second feature victory of the 2012 season. Pitkat came home third, with Owen and Christopher rounding out the top-5.
In the 30-lap Late Model feature event, Kevin Gambacorta took the lead at the green with Jim Peterson in second. Woody Pitkat made a quick charge into third, with Tom Fearn and Mike Quintiliano right behind him. Peter Portante was sixth, with Mark St. Hilaire making a strong move into seventh, just in front of Tony Lafo. Adam Gray was ninth with Wayne Coury, Jr. rounding out the top-10 with 6 laps complete.
Gambacorta held the lead until lap-7 when Peterson moved the front. Peterson's move opened the door for Pitkat, Fearn, Quintiliano, and Portante to all get by Gambacorta as he fell from the lead back to sixth place. Peterson had a lead of about 2 car lengths over Pitkat, with Fearn and Quintiliano glued together several car lengths behind Pitkat. Quintiliano made a move to he inside of Fearn to move into third on lap-14 and Jay Stuart spun in turn 2 to bring the caution out with 14 laps complete.
On the restart, Peterson took the lead with Quintiliano moving by Pitkat to take over second. Fearn was fourth with St. Hilaire in fifth, but Tony Lafo came to a stop against the turn 4 wall to bring the caution out with 15 laps complete.
Peterson took the lead on the restart with Pitkat falling into line behind him. Patrick Townsend and Peter Portante were lined up behind Pitkat, with Fearn in fifth. Fearn had right front fender damage and he continued on the track until he spun in turns 1+2 to bring the caution out with 17 laps complete. Portante also got out of shape in turns 1+2, but he was able to keep going.
Peterson took the lead back under green with Townsend making a move to the inside of Pitkat to take over second. Pitkat came right back to the inside of Townsend to retake the spot with Gambacorta in fourth and Adam Gray now in fifth place. Wayne Coury, Jr. and Peter Thickett got together in turn 4 to bring the caution back out with 19 laps complete.
Peterson was the leader back under green, but Pitkat was all over his back bumper for the lead. Gambacorta and Portante came together with Gambacorta bouncing off the frontstretch wall while Portante went around on the frontstretch to bring the caution back out with 20 laps complete.
Peterson took the lead back under green with Townsend pulling alongside Pitkat for second. Townsend took the spot from Pitkat and he was able to stay in front of Pitkat this time. Corey Hutchings was now in fourth, with Gray rounding out the top-5.
With 5 laps to go, Peterson had pulled away from Townsend by several car lengths while was right behind Townsend. There was a long way back to Hutchings and Gray in fourth and fifth.
Peterson led the field to the checkered flag to pick up his first win of the 2012 season. Townsend finished second, with Pitkat, Hutchings, and Gray rounding out the top-5.
In the 20-lap SK Light Modified feature event, Bob Charland took the lead at the green with Zach Aszklar moving into second with a strong run in the outside groove. Aszklar moved by Charland to take over the lead on lap-3. Payton Henry was third, with Tony Membrino, Jr. in fourth and Jay Goff was fifth, just in front of Dylan Kopec.
Kopec got by Goff and he moved by Membrino to move into fourth on lap-9. Charland was looking all over the track for a way to get by Aszklar for the lead, but Aszklar was able to hold him off. Charland finally got the run he needed on lap-10 and he went by Aszklar to move into the lead on lap-11. Aszklar came back to the inside of Charland on lap-12 with Kopec right on Aszklar's bumper in a three-car fight for the race lead. Membrino was able to close in on Kopec's bumper with the side-by-side battle between Aszklar and Charland.
With 5 laps to go, Aszklar and Charland were still side-by-side for the lead with Kopec behind them. Charland got a push from Kopec on lap-16 to move out front. Aszklar and Kopec were now side by side for second behind Charland with Membrino and Henry closing in from behind. Charland got loose in turn 1 on lap-19, which allowed Kopec to move into the lead with Aszklar on his bumper.
Kopec led the field back to the checkered flag to pick up his 8th win of the 2012 season. Aszklar finished second, with Charland, Henry, and Membrino rounding out the top-5.
In the first 15-lap Limited Late Model feature, Glenn Bartkowski took the lead with Dennis Botticello moving into second place. Jesse Hinze was third, but he was falling back in the outside groove as Carla Botticello moved into third, Cory Casagrande moved into fourth, and D.J. Burnham moved up to fifth. Andrew Hayes was sixth, with David Arute, Josh Wood, Hinze, and Joe Nogiec making up the top-10.
On lap-7, Casagrande moved by Dennis Botticello to take over second and he brought Burnham and Hayes with him as Dennis Botticello fell back to fifth. Casagrande took the race lead from Bartkowski on lap-9 and Casagrande's move opened the door for Burnham, Hayes, Wood, and Carla Botticello to all get by Bartkowski as he fell from the lead back to sixth place in line.
The race began to settle down with Casagrande leading the way ahead of Burnham, Hayes, Wood, and Carla Botticello. Casagrande led the field back to the checkered flag to pick up his third win in the last four Limited Late Model feature events. Burnham finished second, with Wood, Hayes, and Carla Botticello rounding out the top-5.
In the second 20-lap Limited Late Model feature, Justin Bren took the lead at eth green with Glenn Bartkowski settling into second. Brian Clement was third, with Andrew Hayes fourth and Dennis Botticello fifth. Bartkowski slipped up the track on lap-2 and Clement, Hayes, Dennis Botticello, and Josh Wood all got by Bartkowski. Wood and Dennis Botticello spun in turn 1 to bring the caution out with 3 laps complete.
Bren took the lead back under green with Hayes moving into second. D.J. Burnham was third, with Cory Casagrande fourth and Jesse Hinze was up to fifth place. Hayes took the lead from Bren on lap-6 and Burnham and Casagrande followed Hayes by Bren. Hinze was also able to get by Bren to drop him from the lead back to fifth place.
Wood was slowly working his way back towards the front of the field and he moved into fifth place on lap-14 as Hayes continued to lead Burnham, Casagrande, and Hinze. Burnham got a run to the inside of Hayes in turn 4 on lap-14 to move into the race lead. Casagrande followed Burnham by Hayes to move into second.
Burnham led the field back around to the checkered flag to pick up his third win of the 2012 season. Casagrande finished second, with Hayes, Wood, and Hinze rounding out the top-5.
In the first 15-lap DARE Stock feature event, Jeremy Lavoie took the lead at the green but Doug Phelps spun in turn 1 to bring the caution out before a lap could be completed.
Back under green, Lavoie and Josh Parker were side by side for the race lead with Lavoie getting clear into the lead after 2 laps. Behind Lavoie and Parker, Albert Saunders and Andy Marchese were side by side with Austin Bessette right on Saunders' bumper. Saunders got by Marchese and Bessette followed in his tire tracks to move into third and fourth. Kyle Casagrande moved into fifth, with Cliff Saunders in sixth, Kris Fluckiger in seventh, and Marchese fell all the way back to eighth place with 6 laps complete.
On lap-8, Parker got out of shape in turn 1, which bunched up the field and allowed Lavoie to pull away from the pack. Casagrande moved by the pack of cars to move into second, wit h Albert Saunders maintaining the third spot. Bessette was fourth with Parker in fifth place. Just behind Parker was Cliff Saunders and Kris Fluckiger with 5 laps to go.
On lap-12, Saunders spun in turn 2 all by himself and he fell to the rear of the field as the race stayed green. Casagrande was now on the back bumper of Lavoie and was applying pressure for the lead. Casagrande made a move to the inside of Lavoie in turn 1 of the final lap. Lavoie came back strong down the backstretch and he and Casagrande made contact with Casagrande spinning and collecting the third place car of Bessette to bring the caution out. Under the caution, Casagrande hit and spun Lavoie under the caution. Lavoie was allowed to retake his position at the front of the field for the restart, with Cliff Saunders alongside. Fluckiger and Marchese were in the second row, with Monte Gibbs and Duane Provost making up the third row.
Lavoie and Cliff Saunders were side by side on the restart and at the white flag, Lavoie had the lead by a nose. Saunders was hanging tough to the outside of Lavoie with Fluckiger in third. Lavoie and Saunders were side by side coming out of turn 4 and they drag raced to the checkered flag with Lavoie taking his first career victory by a nose over Saunders. Fluckiger finished third, with Albert Saunders, and Marchese rounding out the top-5.
For more information contact the Stafford Motor Speedway track office at (860) 684-2783, or visit us on the web at www.staffordspeedway.com.
SK MODIFIED® (40)
1) Michael Gervais, Jr., Southbury
2) Ryan Preece, Berlin
3) Woody Pitkat, Stafford Springs
4) Todd Owen, Somers
5) Ted Christopher, Plainville
6) Dan Avery, Somers
7) Danny Cates, Chaplin
8) Brian Sullivan, South Windsor
9) Eric Berndt, Cromwell
10) Michael Bennett, Stafford Springs
11) Keith Rocco, Meriden
12) Michael King, Agawam, Ma
13) Curt Brainard, Canton
14) Kurt Lenahan, Roxbury
15) Tom Bolles, Ellington
16) Heather DesRochers, Granby, Ma
17) Chris Matthews, Stafford
18) Kyle Spencer, Montgomery, Ma
19) Frank Ruocco, Cheshire
20) Sean Foster, Willington
21) Glen Reen, Wilbraham, Ma
22) Matt Galko, Meriden
23) Raymond Grassetti, Monson, Ma
24) Nichole Morgillo, Wallingford
LATE MODEL (30)
1) Jim Peterson, Monson, Ma
2) Patrick Townsend, Springifeld, Ma
3) Woody Pitkat, Stafford Springs
4) Corey Hutchings, Salem
5) Adam Gray, Belchertown, Ma
6) Mike Quintiliano, Shelton
7) Mark St. Hilaire, Berlin
8) J.J. Hill, Stafford Springs
9) Tom Fearn, East Longmeadow, Ma
10) James Civali, Meriden
11) Tom Butler, Stafford Springs
12) Ed Ricard, Stafford Springs
13) Rick Charette, Vernon
14) Paul Varricchio, Jr., Berlin
15) Kevin Gambacorta, Ellington
16) Kevin Kennedy, Spencer, Ma
17) Peter Portante, Plainville
18) Peter Thickett, Watertown
19) Wayne Coury, Jr., Milford
20) Jay Stuart, Preston
21) Tony Lafo, Higganum
SK LIGHT MODIFIED (20)
1) Dylan Kopec, Palmer, Ma
2) Zach Aszklar, Wallingford
3) Bob Charland, Stafford
4) Payton Henry, Willington
5) Tony Membrino, Jr., Plantsville
6) Tyler Hines, North Haven
7) Ronnie Williams, Tolland
8) Joey Ferrigno, East Hartford
9) Harry Wheeler, Stafford Springs
10) Jay Goff, Stafford Springs
11) Rick Williams, Haddam
12) Ron Boisjolie, East Hampton, Ma
13) Dylan Campbell, Southborough, Ma
14) Frank Cardile, Bolton
LIMITED LATE MODEL #1 (15)
1) Cory Casagrande, Stafford Springs
2) D.J. Burnham, East Hartford
3) Josh Wood, Palmer, Ma
4) Andrew Hayes, Charlton, Ma
5) Carla Botticello, Manchester
6) Glenn Bartkowski, Manchester
7) Dennis Botticello, Suffield
8) Jesse Hinze, Farmington
9) Justin Bren, Monson, Ma
10) Brian Clement, Wethersfield
11) David Arute, Tolland
12) Joe Nogiec, Bristol
LIMITED LATE MODEL #2 (20)
1) D.J. Burnham, East Hartford
2) Cory Casagrande, Stafford Springs
3) Andrew Hayes, Charlton, Ma
4) Josh Wood, Palmer, Ma
5) Jesse Hinze, Farmington
6) Justin Bren, Monson, Ma
7) Dennis Botticello, Suffield
8) David Arute, Tolland
9) Glenn Bartkowski, Manchester
10) Brian Clement, Wethersfield
11) Joe Nogiec, Bristol
12) Carla Botticello, Manchester
DARE STOCK (12)
1) Jeremy Lavoie, Windsor Locks
2) Cliff Saunders, Stafford
3) Kris Fluckiger, Enfield
4) Albert Saunders, Stafford
5) Andrew Marchese, Tolland
6) Monte Gibbs, Killingworth
7) Austin Bessette, Stafford Springs
8) Duane Provost, Indian Orchard, Ma
9) David Macha, Sr., Columbia
10) Doug Phelps, New Salem, Ma
11) Gus Coelho, Jr., Wilberham, Ma
12) Geoff Nooney, Southwick, Ma
13) Mark Alkas, Kensington
14) Kyle Casagrande, Stafford Springs
15) Josh Parker, Exeter, Ri
Sources: Scott Running/Stafford Motor Speedway PR