Santos Earns WMT Pole at Thompson; Viens, Richardi, Jr., Stone, Cipriano, Dumicich, Sullivan, Kendell, O’Sullivan & Gentes World Series Saturday
Thompson, CT — The 37th Annual World Series of Speedway Racing officially got underway on Saturday Night at Thompson International Speedway. Rain on Friday set the stage for an action packed night of racing for World Series Saturday. A grand total of nine feature events hit the Speedway. Mini Stockers Mike Viens of Seekonk, MA, was the first to take the checkers to open feature event festivities. Rob Richardi, Jr. of N. Easton, MA, was tops in the Pro-Four Modifieds.
Al Stone of New Haven, CT led every lap en route to the victory in the Limited Sportsman feature event. Joey Cipriano of Waterbury, CT bested the field in the SK Lights. Frank Dumicich, Jr. of East Quoque, NY, was victorious in New England Truck Series. Brian Sullivan of S. Windsor, CT, cruised to the checkers in the TIS Modifieds and Joe Kendell of Winchenden, MA, took the victory in a hotly contested Outlaw Mini Stock feature event. Mike O’Sullivan of Springfield, MA, proved to be the man to beat in the Outlaw Street Stocks and Rick Gentes of Woonsocket, RI, scored the Outlaw Late Model victory in the nightcapper.
Mike Viens of Seekonk, MA, took the lead in a hotly contested Mini Stock main event to score the victory in the first feature event of the 37th Annual World Series of Speedway Racing. The early going in the Mini Stock main event featured a fierce four-car battle for the top spot including Lloyd Anderson, Chuck Rogers, Mike Gorgievksi, and Chad Baxter. After swapping the lead Baxter finally asserted himself as the leader. Baxter appeared to suffer mechanical woes on lap eight relinquishing the lead to Rogers.
[Thompson World Series Sat. Photo Gallery] by Nicholas Teto
[Thompson World Series Sun. Photo Gallery] by Nicholas Teto
Gorgievksi fought back on the inside to take over the lead at halfway. As Baxter faded, Mike Viens moved into contention. The top-four of Gorgievksi, Anderson, Rogers and now Viens ran side-by-side and nose to tail. On lap 12, Gorgievksi’s car went up in smoke making it a three-car battle; handing the lead to Anderson. Over the final laps, Anderson had his hands full with Viens and Rogers. With two to go, Viens was able to wrestle the lead away from Anderson. Viens had company all the way to the checkers but was able to hold on for the win. Anderson held on for second over Rogers. Joe Baxter and Tim Armstrong rounded out the top five.
For the second straight year, Rob Richardi, Jr., of N. Easton, MA, was victorious in the Harry Kourafas, Jr. Memorial event for the Pro-Four Modifieds. He was quick to thank his brother in victory lane. The victory came aboard the racer he borrowed from his brother. George Sherman jumped out from his pole starting position to lead the opening lap. Sherman immediately had his hands full with Richardi, Jr. On lap three, Richardi was the new leader. Brian Vincent and Adam Norton joined the battle for the top spot. Norton took second Vincent and then the lead from Richard on lap five.
Richardi was able to hold off the advances of Vincent to remain in the second position. Richardi immediately had pressure from Norm Wrenn. Norton was the benefactor of the battle for second as he was able to gain some breathing room. Lap-after-lap Wrenn worked over Richardi. Vincent lurked in fourth. In the closing stages of the event, Norton was able to stretch his advantage over Richardi, Wrenn and Vincent, who had distanced themselves from the remainder of the field.
The second caution of the event flew with only two laps remaining when Stan Mertz appeared to lose a motor. Adam Norton faltered on the restart opening the door for Richardi on the last dash to the checkers. Richardi immediately ran out to a two car length advantage over Wrenn. Richardi took the victory over Wrenn. Norton recovered to finish in the third position. Joe Doucette and Vincent completed the top five.
Invader Al Stone of New Haven, CT, wired the field of Thompson’s Limited Sportsman division to score the victory. Stone had run out to a sizeable advantage over Joe Coates and Joe Arena when the caution flew on lap five for a spin by Art Moran III. Walt Hovey relinquished a top-five position when he went pit side with a flat tire. On the second attempt at a restart, Stone was once again able to retain his lead. Divisional champ Larry Barnett began to challenge Joe Coates for second. Contact between Barnett and fourth place Scott Sundeen sent the field scattering. Everyone was able to continue.
Barnett quickly gained back any ground lost and once again went to work on Coates. Barnett was able to grab the spot away exiting turn two on lap 12. Stone was enjoying a large margin as the field got strung out. Jack Aquilina spun on lap 18 to bring out the caution and bunch up the field for a green-white-checker restart. Barnett got a run on Stone on the ensuing restart. The two went door-to-door before Stone was able to retake his lead. Exiting turn two on the final lap, Barnett faltered opening the door for Coates. Stone cruised to the victory over Coates. Sundeen was able to get by Barnett on the final lap. Joe Arena completed the top five.
Joey Cipriano of Waterbury, CT, topped a strong field of SK Lights to score the victory. Brit Andersen rocketed out to the lead in the SK Lights leading a heated battle for second between Joey Cipriano, Matt Galko, and Tommy Barrett. On lap three Barrett moved into second and immediately hunted down Andersen. He was the new leader on lap four. Andersen immediately fell into the grasp of Cipriano.
At halfway, Barrett sustained a five car length advantage over Anderson. Cipriano continued to chase in third. The first caution flew on lap 11 for a spin by David Webb. Andersen got the edge as the field exited turn four in what was deemed a false start. Galko came out the worse for wear as contact as the cars scattered on the lazy green found his mount in the outside wall in turn one.
Barrett got out of shape entering turn two on the restart opening the door for Andersen. Cipriano got a great run to motor past Andersen and into the lead on lap 12. He immediately began to gain some distance on Andersen. John Hanafin had worked his way into the third position bringing Tom Membrino, Jr. along for the ride. Now inside the top-five, Hanafin and Membrino went wheel to wheel for third. Contact between the two sent Membrino spinning to the infield and the caution flag flying.
After a quick battle with Andersen on the single file restart, Cipriano was able to retain his lead. Andersen chased in second. On the final lap, Barrett slid up the track exiting turn four making contact with the Hanafin. Both Barrett and Zachary Aszklar were able to slip by on the inside. In the end, it was Cipriano taking the victory over Andersen and Aszklar. Hanafin was scored in fourth ahead of Barrett who was penalized a position for his action on the final lap.
Frank Dumicich, Jr. of East Quoque, NY, took a surprising victory in the New England Truck Series. Gee Perry leapt out to the early lead in the opening laps of the track series. Frank Dumicich, Jr., was making tracks toward the front; cutting down Perry’s lead with each lap. Dumicich, Jr. caught Perry exiting turn four on lap eight. He was the new leader on lap nine. Roger Turbush ran alone in third ahead of a heated battle for the fourth spot between Andy Lindeman and Greg Butler, Jr.,
An incident involving Willy Auchmoody brought out the caution at halfway. On the ensuing restart, Turbush pushed Dumicich, Jr. into the lead once again. Perry was able to retain the second position as the trucks fell in line single file. The handle appeared to be going away on Dumicich’s #42; allowing Perry to reel in the leader. Lindeman and Butler resumed their battle for fourth. The two went door-to-door for several laps before Butler motored ahead. Up front the distance between the lead trio had stabilized with Dumicich, Jr. in control. Dumicich, Jr. took the win over Perry and Turbush. Butler and Lindeman completed the top five.
Brian Sullivan of S. Windsor, CT, scored a commanding victory in the TIS Modified main event. Sullivan started on the point in the feature event and immediately put some distance between himself and the rest of the pack. Studley ran in second; ahead of a heated battle between Keith McDermott and Glenn Boss. Once free of Boss, McDermott went to work on Studley for second.
McDermott got out of shape in his pursuit of the second spot giving Boss the opening he needed to retake third. Up front, Sullivan cruised as Studley enjoyed the battle for third. McDermott spent the remainder of the event chasing Boss. At the checkers, it was all Sullivan; taking a convincing victory of Studley, Boss, McDermott and Ryan Morgan.
Joe Kendall of Winchenden, MA, took home top honors in the Outlaw Mini Stock feature event after a spirited battle. The opening lap was marred by a multi-car incident that involved several cars. On a second attempt at a start, outside pole sitter Randy Churchill took command. He had company in Chris Williams. The two went door-to-door for a pair of laps before Williams gained the clear advantage and the top spot. Joe Kendell followed through relegating Churchill to third. The battle for the third spot erupted in turn two with contact between Churchill and a charging Bill Leonard. The two were able to continue having lost considerable track position.
Williams continued to lead Kendell. Glenn Thomas, now in third, ran a distance behind the lead duo. Thomas began to reel in Kendell for second. On lap 15, Thomas erased the margin to ride on the back bumper of Kendell. The leader Williams gave up the lead as his car slowed. The heated battle for second became the battle for the lead. Thomas got along side Kendell on the backstretch with two laps remaining. Thomas had his best shot spoiled when the leaders hit lapped traffic. Kendell was able to edge ahead slightly. On the final lap, the two made contact exiting turn two. Kendell got crossed up but Thomas lifted. Kendell was able to score the victory over Thomas. Lou Bellisle came home third over Ian Brew and Bill Leonard.
There was a big celebration in victory lane after Mike O’Sullivan of Springfield, MA, scored a popular victory in the Outlaw Street Stocks. It was full contact racing at the start of the Outlaw Streets Stocks. When things shook out it was Sean Foster leading the pack. A lap four restart opened the door for Thompson Pro Stock regular Michael O’Sullivan, who rocketed into the lead. Contact between Tommy O’Sullivan and Paul Newcomb as they battled for the lead ended with Newcomb in the wall in turn two. T. O’Sullivan was penalized to the rear of the field for his involvement.
Foster grabbed back the lead briefly on the restart before giving up the lead once again to M. O’Sullivan. With O’Sullivan in command, Foster took chase followed by Shawn Thibeault and Dana Flannery. T. O’Sullivan had worked his way back into the top-five by lap 10. During a long green flag run, the distance began to shrink between Foster and Thibeault. T. O’Sullivan likewise had cut into the advantage of Flannery for fourth. On the final lap, Foster poured it on getting up to the back bumper of M. O’Sullivan. Foster ran out of time and had to settle for second behind the winner M. O’Sullivan. Thibeault held on for third followed by Flannery and T. O’Sullivan.
It is almost an annual tradition as Rick Gentes of Woonsocket, RI, scored the victory in the Outlaw Late Model main event once again. Wayne Coury, Jr. held the point over a diverse group of Outlaw Late Models in the World Series Saturday night capper. The Milford, CT, driver was enjoying the lead before a hard-charging Rick Gentes made it a battle for the top spot. After a quick battle, Gentes was the new leader. The caution flew on lap eight for an incident that involved Patrick Townsend, Rob Visconti, Ray Minieri and Bill Ahern.
On a second attempt at lap 9 restart, it was a three car battle for the lead. Gentes was able to wiggle away from a side-by-side battle between Coury and Marc Curtis. Gerry DeGasparre, Jr. ran alone in fourth. Gentes was able to distance himself from the continuing duel between Coury and Curtis.
Things had settled in with Gentes leading Coury and Curtis when Coury darted toward the wall making hard contact with the outside wall in turn four. It was all Gentes on the ensuing restart, who cruised out to a ten-car length advantage. Curtis ran a distance second. DeGasparre watched a podium finish go by the wayside with a flat tire on lap 22. Gentes went on to take a convincing win over Curtis and Seth Duval. Jim Rosenfield recovered from an early race incident to finish fourth over Patrick Townsend.
Racing continues on Sunday beginning at Noon. The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour will headline a day chock full of racing action that also includes the International Super Modified Association (ISMA), the Northeastern Midget Association (NEMA), Sunoco Modifieds, Super Late Models, and Late Models. Championships will be decided in the Whelen Modified Tour, ISMA and NEMA. The Modified Tour main event is scheduled to go green at approximately 3:00PM. For a complete schedule log on to thompsonspeedway.com
Mini Stock (Top Ten) Feature Finish: 1. Mike Viens, Seekonk, MA; 2. Lloyd Anderson, Wauregan, CT; 3. Chuck Rogers, Quaker Hill, CT; 4. Joe Baxter, Pascoag, RI; 5. Tim Armstrong, Uxbridge, MA; 6. Brent Gleason, Lisbon, CT; 7. Robert O’Connell, Wrentham, MA; 8. Mike Gorgievksi, Auburn, MA; 9. Bert Ouellette, Dayville, CT; 10. Chad Baxter, Pascoag, RI.
Pro-Four Modified (Top Ten) Feature Finish: 1. Rob Richard, Jr., N. Easton, MA; 2. Norm Wrenn, Nashua, NH; 3. Adam Norton, Brookfield, MA; 4. Joe Doucette, Framingham, MA; 5. Brian Vincent, W. Warwick, RI; 6. Tyler Anderson, N/A; 7. Frank Perry, Holbrook, MA; 8. George Sherman, Framingham, MA; 9. Jeff Baral, Enfield, CT; 10. Phil Lausier, Hudson, NH.
Limited Sportsman (Top Ten) Feature Finish: 1. Al Stone, III, New Haven, CT; 2. Joe Coates, Eastford, CT; 3. Scott Sundeen, Douglas, MA; 4. Larry Barnett, Moosup, CT; 5. Joe Arena, Bristol, CT; 6. Ed Puleo, Branford, CT; 7. Paul Coutu, Thompson, CT; 8. Josh Galvin, Franklin, MA; 9. Joe Campbell, Moosup, CT; 10. Paul Palen, Pelham, NH.
SK Light (Top Ten) Feature Finish: 1. Joey Cipriano, Waterbury, CT; 2. Brit Andersen, Branford, CT; 3. Zachary Aszklar, Wallingford, CT; 4. John Hanafin; 5. Tommy Barrett, Millis, MA; 6. David Webb, New Milford, CT; 7. Earl Pelletier, Wolcott, CT; 8. Jay Goff, Stafford, CT; 9. Victoria Bergenty, Plainville, CT; 10. Kyle Spencer, Montgomery, MA.
NE Truck Series (Top Ten) Feature Finish: 1. Frank Dumicich, Jr., East Quoque, NY; 2. Gee Perry, Granby, CT; 3. Roger Turbush, Riverhead, NY; 4. Greg Butler, Jr., E. Hampton, CT; 5. Andy Lindeman, Poestenkill, NY; 6. Derek Chriss, Averill Park, NY; 7. Erin Dumicich, East Quoque, NY; 8. Bert Ouellette, Dayville, CT; 9. Tom Smith, Hope Valley, RI; 10. Dan Butler, Manchester, CT.
TIS Modifieds (Top Ten) Feature Finish: 1. Brian Sullivan, S. Windsor, CT; 2. John Studley, Framingham, MA; 3. Glenn Boss, Danielson, CT; 4. Keith McDermott, Scituate, RI; 5. Ryan Morgan, Mystic, CT; 6. R.J. Marcotte, Millville, MA; 7. Brian Tagg, Oxford, CT; 8. Wanderson Oliveira, Raynham, MA; 9. John-Michael Shenette, Thompson, CT; 10. Denis Legere, N. Reading, MA.
Outlaw Mini Stock (Top Ten) Feature Finish: 1. Joe Kendell, Winchenden, MA; 2. Glenn Thomas, Jr., Groton, CT; 3. Louis Bellisle III, Lisbon, CT; 4. Ian Brew, Wood River Jct., RI; 5. Bill Leonard, Wood River Jct., RI; 6. Andy Publicover, Sudbury, MA; 7. Randy Churchill, Oakdale, CT; 8. Scott Adams, Townsend, MA; 9. Sean Caron, E. Hampton, CT; 10. Christina Kellerman, Stratford, CT.
Outlaw Street Stocks (Top Ten) Feature Finish: 1. Mike O’Sullivan, Springfield, MA; 2. Sean Foster, Ellington, CT; 3. Shawn Thibeault, Plainville, CT; 4. Dana Flannery, Ellington, CT; 5. Tommy O’Sullivan, Springfield, MA; 6. Ryan Lineman, Coventry, RI; 7. Paul Newcomb, Plymouth, MA; 8. Leslie Keyser, Northfield, NH; 9. Keith Minchella, Springfield, MA; 10. Josh King, Vernon, VT.
Outlaw Late Model (Top Ten) Feature Finish: 1. Rick Gentes, Woonsocket, RI; 2. Marc Curtis, Worcester, CT; 3. Seth Duval, Ashford, CT; 4. Jimmy Rosenfield, Middleboro, MA; 5. Patrick Townsend, Springfield, MA; 6. Greg Butler, Jr., E. Hampton, CT; 7. Ray Minieri, Bayshore, NY; 8. Gerry DeGasparre, Jr., Pawtucket, RI; 9. Wayne Coury, Jr., Milford, CT; 10. Jim Silvia, Middletown, RI.
Sources; Dale Wolbrink/Thompson International Speedway PR