Sauter wins Truck Series Race at Martinsville

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Sauter wins Truck Series Race at Martinsville
#21-Johnny Sauter won the Texas Roadhouse 200 at Martinsville Speedway on Saturday after holding off challenges from pole-sitter #71-Chase Elliott. #8-John Hunter Nemechek opted for track position under the final pitstop of the day, taking two tires only. He led for a bit, before ending the race in third. #4-Christopher Bell, #17-Timothy Peters, #51-Daniel Suarez, #00-Cole Custer, #9-William Byron, #19-Daniel Hemric, and #20-Austin Hill were the remainder of the top-10.
There were 5 cautions for 33 laps and 6 lead changes among 5 leaders.
The average speed was 73.839mph.
Martinsville Race Fast Facts: Johnny Sauter (C) won the 18th Annual Texas Roadhouse 200 Presented by Alpha Energy Solutions, his 12th victory in 195 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races.
This is his second victory and 16th top-10 finish in 2016.
This is his third victory and ninth top-10 finish in 18 races at Martinsville Speedway.
Chase Elliott(i) (second) posted his second top-10 finish in three races at Martinsville Speedway. It is his first top-10 finish in 2016.
John Hunter Nemechek (third) posted his third top-10 finish in seven races at Martinsville Speedway.
Cole Custer (seventh) was the highest finishing rookie.
Johnny Sauter (C) leads the point standings by 7 points over Christopher Bell # (C).
(NASCAR Statistics)(10-29-2016)

Driver standings following Martinsville:
1)#21-Johnny Sauter [2 wins], 3036
2) #4-Christopher Bell# [1 win], 3029 -7
3) #17-Timothy Peters, 3028, -8
4) #9-William Byron# [6 wins], 3025, -11
Bottom 2 drivers will be eliminated after Phoenix:
5) #88-Matt Crafton [2 wins], 3016, -20
6) #33-Ben Kennedy [1 win], 3015, -21

Next Race Nov.4 Texas

Seekonk Final Weekend Line-Up

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Click on photo to enlarge.  Pro-Stock pays $6,000 and the Late Model race pay $1,800 to win

When you see Stephanie Scully, wish her a big Happy Birthday

North East Street Stock Tour: NESST Season Two

Posted by Wayne G. Barber &  Photos by Wayne G. Barber

Congratulations to 2016 North East Street Stock Tour driver Joe Arena on his repeat as its champion.

Joe Arena at Thompson celebrating his first 2015 Championship

Season two is now in the New England racing history books for the highly competitive NESST. In 2015 Scott Fanning and others came up with the idea of a touring street stock division and received the support of the New England short tracks to race a 8 race schedule. Joe Arena became its first champion with 372 points based on heat points and posting 1 win, pair of 2nd's and three 3rd's and for the season Arena had six top 5's and 8 top 10's. The top 3 drivers were Arena, Chris (Moose) Douton 363 points and Geoff Rollins at 350 points.
 Arena defended his title with one of the most dominating performance of any New England touring series. The tour added 2 more races for 2016 then lost one to rain at Monadnock Speedway on Oct.1 and was not re-scheduled. Arena accumulated five wins, two seconds with a 11th place hiccup on May 6 at Claremount, NH and a ninth place to many local drivers on their venture to Oxford Plains in Maine. Arena's point total earned a series high in the competitive heats races with 36 points out of a possible 45 points.
     Arena's point total jumped to 500 in his sophomore season for the veteran driver and really benefitted from his two 2015 closest point drivers from the previous season electing to either drop out of racing,( Douton and his fan favorite #39 Ford) and Rollings #33 moving up to the top Sportsmen Modifies at Monadnock Speedway. If Arena plans on a three peat in his hot rod #74 I think his strongest threat will be from Steve Kenneway , second in 2016 final points and is a former track champion at Thompson in this division and a rumor that Larry ( Leadfoot) Barnett may run a strong 2017 schedule in this division.
One of the dynamics of the tour is the local race teams at each track entering their race to see how they could compete against them and seems to be a race fan favorite idea that at times swells the field to 24 to 26 race teams. 67 race teams throughout New England earned points in the NESST 2016 racing season which is a increase of 20 race teams from 2015.
  See you at the Ice Breaker in April 2017 !

NESST Awards Banquet will again be at the Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park Raceway Restaurant on Saturday Nov. 19 ,2016   Hope to see you all there to celebrate and discuss the 2017 racing season.

Very first event at Seekonk Speedway

Final NESST 2016 Season Standings

1  Joe Arena #74

2  Steve Kenneway #38

3  Jim Boyle #2

4  Steve Barrett #14

5 Frank L'Etoile Jr. #88/33

McKennedy Sweeps Octoberfest in Championship Run

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Segment 2

 In the second 50, Matt Mead, Richmond,NH and George Sherman, Framingham,Ma. brought the field to green and again McKennedy wasted no time charging from deep in the pack takin

g advantage of each restart to move towards the front until he out muscled race leader Alexander at the halfway mark of the event. From that point on McKennedy could watch the hot action in his rear view mirror as each lap ticked off and positions changed constantly.

   Alexander battled Geoff Gernhard, Andy Seuss and Donnie Lashua trying to hold on to the runner up spot With a handful of laps left Gernhard worked the inside of Alexander for the pass as Seuss dropped off the pace with ignition problems and Colbey Fournier took advantage racing into third place;

   At the checkered it was McKennedy with a 2 second lead, Gernhard with another impressive performance finishing second while Fournier was a fraction of a second behind in third.

   Alexander was fourth while Lashua came back from a crash in segment one to finish fifth. Sixth thru tenth were Rob Richardi Jr, George Sherman, David Schneider, Russ Hersey, Branden Dion.

Segment two summary

Margin of Victory---2.040

Best Lap Time---14.986

Best Speed---90.084

Best Lap By---43-Kirk Alexander

Time of Event---35:23.738

Cautions---7-Laps,12,18,18,23, 23,36,37

Lap Leaders---#77, 1-12---#43, 13-24--#29, 25-50

Finish

1     29 J McKennedy

2     11 G Gernhard

3     16 C Fournier

4     43 K Alexander

5     117 D Lashua

6     33 R Richardi Jr

7     93 G Sherman

8     19 D Schneider

9     52 R Hersey

10   04 B Dion

11   66 A Suess

12   77 M Mead

13   5J N Johnson

14   38 M Willis Jr

15   6 S Rameau

16   55 J Doucette 

Source: Story by James Snape & Photos by Simply the Best Crystal nape

McKennedy Sweeps Octoberfest Twin 50s Takes 2016 Championship

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Segment 1

Jon McKennedy, Chelmsford,Ma ended the Valenti Modified Racing Series season by adding to his already impressive resume when he raced to victories number 8 and 9 of the year.

   In the first 50 the 2016 champion methodically worked his way to the front and took the lead from race leader Kirk Alexander, Richmond,NH on lap 29 and never looked back. One lap latter David Schneider, Northport,NY passed a fading Alexander and put pressure on McKennedy but the Exit Reality sponsored #29 was on a rail and held Schneider at bay for the next twenty laps taking down the win.

   Andy Suess, Hempstead,NH came back from a lap 13 spin to finished third. Geoff Gernhard, Borzak,Ct. started from the last row and picked off competitors finishing forth. Russ Hersey, Swanzey,NH  was fifth.

   Sixth thru tenth were Kirk Alexander, Mike Willis Jr., Rob Richardi Jr., Nathan Johnson, Branden Dion.

Summary

Track---Lee USA Speedway 0.375 Mi.  Lee, N.H.

Race---Octoberfest 2016, Segment 1, 50 Laps

Margin of Victory---1.577

Best Lap Time---14.774

Best Speed---91.377

Best Lap By---77-Matthew Mead

Cautions---4---Lap 7-13-19-23

Lap Leaders---#77, 1-13---#43, 14-28---#29, 29-50

Time of Race---26:53.304

Finish

1     29 Jon McKennedy

2     19 David Schneider

3     66 Andy Suess

4     11 Geoff Gernhard

5     52 Russ Hersey

6     43 Kirk Alexander

7     38 Mike Willis Jr.

8     33 Rob Richardi Jr.

9     5J Nathan Johnson

10   04 Branden Dion 

11   93 George Sherman

12   77 Mathew Mead

13   16 Colbey Fournier

14   55 Joe Doucette

15   6 Sam Rameau

16   15NH TJ Bleau

17   63 Chris Bolton

18   117 Donnie Lashua

Source: Story by James Snape & Photos by Simply the Best, Crystal Snape

Championship Night continues on the Race Chatter tonight

Posted by Wayne G. Barber  Photos by Wayne G. Barber

2016 NEMA CHAMPION  JOHN ZYCH Jr. Tentatively Scheduled for 6:10pm

Yes the CANDY MAN wins another NEMA Championship. Buy some stock in Hershey now !

News, Results, and Driver Interviews   E-Mail from now through the broadcast at waynewnri@yahoo.com with any Questions, Congratulations or Comments !

John is now a 3 time NEMA Champion  Jim Chambers 2016 NEMA Lite Champion rocked the show earlier this year, now it's John's turn to answer some live e-mail

Farrington Wins at New London Waterford Speed Bowl GSPSS

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Photo credit Media GSPSS Press Release

When qualifying was scraped at Bemer’s Big Show because of rain, Dave Farrington was a little bit frustrated.

He had originally drawn the pole position for the second Granite State Pro Stock Series (GSPSS) heat race, but he ended up having to start in 29^th position because the field was set by owner points for the 75 lap season finale.

When it was all set and done, Farrington was celebrating in victory lane on Saturday night after capturing his first GSPSS victory of the season.

“Back in 2013, we ran nine races here (at the Speedbowl) in the Late Model division and I think it took me about 20 laps to remember how to get around here today,” Farrington said. “We can’t control the rain. We found out we basically had to start last because of it and we just took our time and had some patience. Going from 27^th to first is a hard charger for sure.”

While Farrington tried to come from the rear, polesitter D.J. Shaw set the pace early on in the race. He was followed by Mike Mitchell and points leader Barry Gray in the early stages, with Gray trying to clinch the championship trophy.

Early caution flags flew on lap two, 10 and 14, but then the race went green all the way until lap 39. During that stretch, Shaw pulled away behind the wheel of his No. 60 and left the rest of the field in the dust.

When Craig Weinstein spun off turn two on lap 39, Shaw had a challenge from Gray on the restart, but was able to clear and drive away again before a caution with 27 laps to go. At the next restart, Shaw went back to the point and was at the top spot all the way until the complexion of the event changed with just nine laps to go.

When Shaw went to put a car a lapped down at the end of the frontstretch, contact was made to the right rear of Shaw’s car and things were never the same from there on out.

He backed up to the front bumper of Farrington and then a caution came out with seven laps to go. During the yellow, Shaw elected to head down pit road and get a tire changed because of the contact and it cost him a shot at the victory.

Farrington inherited the lead and ended up holding off Joe Squelglia in the final stages to take down the victory. Auburn, Mass. driver Angelo Belsito, the 2015 Seekonk Speedway Pro Stock champion, made his first appearance of the season and finished in third spot.

Rounding out the top five was Barry Gray and Seekonk regular David Darling.

With his fourth place finish, Gray clinched his first career GSPSS championship behind the wheel of his No. 29. Even though Gray didn’t win a race during the season, it was still enough to hold off Shaw to capture the big trophy.

“We had some low spots this year, the car wasn’t the greatest at some points. My guys worked really hard and my sponsors have backed me for years now,” Gray said.

“All championships are good, but this one here means a lot because of my guys, we have been together for so many years. We are all getting older and it means a lot to know you can still get it done.”

The Granite State Pro Stock Series season is now complete following the event at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl.

Stay tuned to the website, www.gspss.net, for more information regarding the awards banquet and the 2017 schedule announcement in the coming months.

Facebook Public Share Photo

Going to finish off our 2016 season Alan Kulwicki style running his famous number 7 on the Kulwicki DDP super late model. Another way to honor Alan's legacy. We are loaded up and ready for our first Granite State Pro Stock Series event at New London-Waterford Speedbowl this Saturday in Connecticut


Barry Gray Crowned GSPSS 2016 Champion over D. J. Shaw

Monster Mini's Crown a First Time Champion at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park

Posted by Wayne G. Barber & Photos by Wayne G. Barber

Thompson extended the 2016 racing season to a scheduled 10 race season for the highly competitive Monster Mini's from the 7 race schedule in 2015. At the Ice Breaker I noticed a few changes with no brothers Baxter in the race. Joe in his sparkling #24 who was always in the top 5 and Chad a former Monster Mini Champion electing to run the Friday schedule at Seekonk Speedway. Trudeau, Veins, Michalski Brothers, Field, Bourgeois, Ballou, Ducharme, Matera prepared nice entries for the first event.
 New race teams added for the 2016 season were Wayne Burroughs Jr., Brad Caddick , Douglas Curry, and Nathan Taylor.

 Reigning 2015 Monster Mini Champion Dave Trudeau started off the season with three straight convincing victories and most thought a lights out repeat in the division. I noted on our radio program, the Race Chatter that the newbie who came over from New London Waterford Speed Bowl Wayne Burroughs Jr. had scored a second and two thirds in his adapting to the super speedway. The car screamed in practice and the heats and I knew it just a matter of time before this team was in victory lane. The next race on June 15th Burroughs spanked the field for his first of three victories in the 2016 season. The September 7th race was called for rain and not re-scheduled so the division raced 9 times to claim a champion.
  Burroughs claimed 3 wins, 2 seconds and 4 third place finish's in 9 events good for 461 points. Burroughs enters the final race at New London Waterford Speed Bowl in first at 536 over Hall of Fame driver Ken Cassidy Jr. #11 who has 519 only 17 back and Charlie Canfield #25at 511 -25 and Trudeau #97 at 500 only 36 back. In the National NASCAR points standing that are concluded, Burroughs ended up in third place in this division . Can he claim two championships with the same car on two different size tracks ?
It’s an awesome feeling. I know it won’t probably sink in until tomorrow or Monday, but this is awesome,” Burroughs said following the final laps of the event. “For our first year to do what we did, we didn’t have a single finish outside the top three. I can’t thank my guys enough. It’s an awesome team effort.”
  Trudeau claimed 4 wins,1 second and 1 third good for 428 points. He lost the points race by a 4th place on 8/10 and a 11th place finish on 8/24 and a kiss of death,  DNF on 7/9 for 13th place.
  Newcomer Brad Caddick #24 soon adjusted to the larger surface and scored a victory and some strong runs and soon made the die-hard race fans forget about the former # 24 Baxter. Watch for Caddick in 2017. Eric Bourgeois , a former division champion claimed the World Series hardware for the second time to turn his disappointing season around and get some momentum for the 2017 Ice Breaker.

“I’m shocked believe me. The World Series for me has been either checker or this thing has been on the wrecker going to the trailer. I’ll take the checker for once,” Bourgeois said. “It’s the end of the year and it gets you set up for over the winter. This is only the second time I’ve finished in the World Series and both were wins. This is special to me. This has probably been one of the worst seasons I’ve had racing.” 

 Rhode Island long time racer Roger Ducharme #34 ended his season at 6th place and 347 points and young Keith Ballou #10 who entered his second season with a goal of finishing in the top 10 did just that at 10th place and a hard earned 233 over his 215 in the 2015 season.

Final 2016 Monster Mini Point Standings

1	20	WAYNE BURROUGHS, JR	461
2	97	DAVE TRUDEAU	428-	33
3	24	BRAD CADDICK	385-	76
4	38	EDWARD FIELD	382-	79
5	87	ERIC BOURGEOIS	361-	100
6	34	ROGER DUCHARME	347-	114
7	44	STEVEN MICHALSKI	329-	132
8	19	NICHOLAS MATERA	290-	171
9	7	CHRISTOPHER VIENS	245-	216
10	10	KEITH BALLOU	239-	222
11	51	SCOTT MICHALSKI	191-	270
12	55	NICHOLAS ANDERSON	187-	274
13	2	DOUGLAS CURRY	167-	294
14	1	NATHAN TAYLOR	132-	329
15	50	SCOTT BELLISLE	131-	330
16	37	JORDAN HADLEY	117-	344
17	26	JEFFREY MOFFAT, SR	114	347
18	10CT	MITCH BOMBARD	96	365
19	3	IAN BREW	80	381
20	84	WILLIAM SCHOELER	76	385
21	96	CHRIS IVORY	75	386
22	12	MICHAEL D. VIENS	59	402
23	97CT	DAVE TRUDEAU JR.	54	407
24	51CT	MARK PANARONI	45	416
25		BRANDON FISHER	26	435
26	47	LAWRENCE LOOMIS, JR	24	437
27	1RI	GLYNN ROY	22	439

 

Saturday 10/22/16: New London-Waterford Speedbowl

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Saturday 10/22/16: New London-Waterford Speed Bowl  2nd Annual BEMERS BIG SHOW

Grandstands: $40 | Youth 13-16: $10 | Children 12&Under: Free | Pits Lic./Unlic: $50/$60 (Tickets are valid for both Saturday and Sunday) Time Event Length/Notes 7:00am Pit Gates Open  8:30am-12:00pm Practice Begins - Practice Order same as Heat Order Rotating practice (6 Laps) 12:00pm Practice Ends 

  12:00pm Grandstands Open  12:00pm-12:45pm Granite State Pro Stocks Practice Block 45 minutes continuous 1:00pm Heat Races Begin   Any Division With Less Than 12 Cars Will Not Run Heats   10:00pm (approx.) Estimated Event End Time, see you Sunday!
  NO SK Modified, Tri Track, or NEMA Trailers will be allowed in pit area until Sunday am (If you are traveling and need someplace to park your trailer please contact the track office)        

Granite State Pro Stocks To Finish 2016 at New London-Waterford Speedbowl

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

After an enduring season of racing across the New England region, the Granite State Pro Stock Series (GSPSS) is set to crown the 2016 champion this Saturday, Oct. 22., at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl.

The 3/8 mile Shoreline oval will play host to the Super Late Model Series in a 75 lap main event that will decide a championship battle that currently has two veterans at the top.

Belchertown, Mass. driver Barry Gray holds a 26 point advantage over Conway, N.H. native D.J. Shaw, who was also recently crowned the PASS champion for 2016. Gray has little experience at the Speedbowl, but is hoping to seal the deal in his No. 29. Though he is not a GSPSS champion, Gray has won championships in racing before.

“The past championship experience helps, but I’ve really only run Waterford a few times,” Gray said. “I can’t tell you how many times D.J. has run there but I know everywhere they go they are fast. My hat goes off to them. I just have to have some patience, but I’ve won a race for a long time every year and I haven’t won yet this year. I’m going there to win.”

On the other side, Shaw knows he will have to do everything he can and hope that Gray stumbles if he is going to win the title. But, he has the confidence in his team. They missed two races on the 2016 campaign and they are still in the fight.

“We need to stay out of trouble, last year we didn’t finish because we had a mechanical issue,” Shaw said. “Whether it be getting caught up in someone else’s mess or some bad luck, we need to finish and we need to finish towards the front to have a chance.”

The entry list for the event include multiple outsiders who will hope to capture the trophy. Brandon Turbush of Manorville, N.Y. has entered, along with names like defending race winner Derek Ramstrom, Corey Bubar, Jeff Pearl and former multiple time Seekonk Speedway Super Late Model champion David Darling.

Series regulars Cory Casagrande, Mike Parks, Mike Mitchell and reigning series champion going into the weekend Derek Griffith have also entered.

As an added bonus for drivers, The Racing Guys -- Dick Williams and the supporters of the Tri Track Open Modified Series -- have put up some bonus money for the event. The winner will receive an extra $125, while second place will pocket an extra $100.

Third place will also collect an added $75. There will also be two random selections of drivers from positions four through 24. Each of the two drivers will receive $75.

The GSPSS wishes to thank The Racing Guys for coming on board for the second straight season and providing some extra cash for drivers to chase.

The Granite State Pro Stock Series will have just a one day show on Saturday. Teams may not practice as part of the Friday afternoon practice session.

Saturday, grandstand gates open at 12 p.m., just in time for the only GSPSS practice of the weekend from 12-12:45 p.m. Heat racing begins at 1 p.m. and will be followed by the feature racing.

All grandstand tickets are $40 and will be accepted both for Saturday's racing and Sunday's Tri Track Open Modified Series show.

For more information, fans are encouraged to visit www.gspss.net.

QUICK FACTS: GSPSS 100 at New London-Waterford Speedbowl

Track Facts:

1   3/8 mile asphalt oval located in Waterford, Conn.

2   Runs weekly on Saturday night as part of NASCAR sanction

3   Owned by Bruce Bemer

Race Facts:

1   $2,000 to win feature

2   75 lap main event

3   12 lap heat races

4   24 guaranteed starters

Event Schedule:

1   GSPSS practice from 12-12:45 p.m.

2   Heats begin at 1 p.m. -- GSPSS is last in the order

3   GSPSS is 14th in the feature order (Feature racing begins approx. 3:30 p.m.)
Source: Granite State Pro Stock Series Media Press Release

Pitkat Goes Wire To Wire For World Series Win

Photos by Simply the Best, Crystal Snape

Re-Cap Story by James Snape

Starting on the outside pole certainly didn't hurt his effort as defending MRS champion Woody Pitkat of Sturbridge, Ma. over powered pole sitter Joe Doucette of Framingham,Ma. and led all fifty laps to record his first VMRS victory of the year.

   "This win is for the team, coming into this year we had high hopes after our championship last year". He said, "The car was good all weekend, I've got to thank Kevin Stewart for letting us borrow a motor because we were having trouble with ours. I tried to get out front and pace our self and try to save. The cautions towards the end started to hurt me. I knew I was going to have my hands full and on that last restart, it was just two guys going as hard as they can to win the race. With two laps to go your doing what ever you can to win, unfortunately Steve (Masse) got up in the marbles, it sucked him in, that's the nature of the track here. All and all its a good night for us. I cant thank these guys enough for working so hard and sticking with me."

   While Pitkat seemed to be in complete control, behind him the usual cast of characters gave the race fans plenty of action. Richard Savary of Canton,Ma and Keith Rocco of Berlin,Ct raced each other hard, swapping the runner up position until Savary raced past Rocco and set his sights on race leader Pitkat. But Rocco had other plans and on lap sixteen Rocco drilled Savary's #99 in turn three taking him out of contention for the win. That incident also collected Dylan Kopec of Palmer,Ma and David Schneider of Northport,NY.

   When racing resumed Jon McKennedy of Chelmsford,Ma Steve Masse of Belingham,Ma and Anthony Nocella of Woburn,Ma became the next combatants for a shot at the win. Masse, running a limited schedule, charged into second place and glued himself to Pitkat's rear bumper looking for the opportunity to out run the leader. With five laps to go that opportunity would come when caution came for a minor spin by Sam Rameau of Westminster,Ma.

   When the green flew Pitkat and Masse ran door to door into turn one where the two slid up the track and Masse made contact with the wall as Pitkat roared away followed by McKennedy who took advantage of Masse's misfortune. McKennedy closed the gap between himself and Pitkat but came up 0.089 seconds short.

   Nocella turned in his usual outstanding performance coming from the fifth row, protecting his equipment and finishing third on the podium. "It was kind of interesting there. We were good in practice and the heat and we made adjustments we thought we needed. We got stuck on the bottom the first 3 or 4 restarts, that didnt help. I kept getting stuck behind guys and loosing spots but kept working our way forward getting to third and tried to run down the leaders. Yellow came out and I got stuck on the bottom again which hurt, then I got run up the track but came back to third. Running fifty laps here, we had to run hard which was good for the fans" Nocella commented.

   Dave Ethridge of Portland,Ct. and Geoff Gernhard of Bozrah,Ct. rounded out the top five. Sixth thru tenth were Ronnie Williams, Jeffrey Gallup, Chris Pasteryak, Matt Mead, Troy Talman.

Summary

Track-Thompson Speedway- Thompson,Ct.

Race-Sunoco World Series Presented By Xtra Mart- VMRS 50 Laps

Margin of Victory-0.089

Best Lap Time- 18.785

Best Speed-119.776

Best Lap By-#57 - Keith Rocco

Lap Leader- 1-50- #52-Woody Pitkat

Cautions-6-Laps 7,8,16,38,44,44

Finish

1     52 Woody Pitkat

2     29 Jon Mckennedy

3     92 Anthony Nocella

4     34 Dave Ethridge

5     11 Geoff Gernhard

6     79 Ronnie Willams

7     4 Jeffrey Gallop

8     15ct Chris Pasteryak

9     77 Matt Mead

10   3ma Troy Talman

11   33 Rob Richardi 

12   16 Colbey Fournier

13   55 Joe Doucette

14   M6 Dylan Kopec

15   117 Donnie Lashua

16   57 Keith Rocco

17   99 Richard Savary

18   93 George Sherman

19   22 Roy Seidell Jr

20   16ct Eric Berndt

21   45 Dan Meservey Jr

22   13 Steve Masse

23   04 Brandon Dion

24   6 Samuel Rameau

25   31 Anthony Flannery

26   38ct Nick Ladyga

27   19 Dave Schneider

28   25 Rowan Pennink

29   15nh TJ Bleau

30   50 Carl Medieros Jr

31   76 Dennis Perry

32   38 Mike Willis Jr

Next Event- Lee USA Speedway, Oct. 23

Story by James Snape

Photos by Simply the Best, Crystal Snape

ISMA: Dave Shullick Jr. repeats at the World Series. Ohio claims another Championship ?

Posted by Wayne G. Barber & Photos by Wayne G. Barber

The International SuperModified Association  crowned a champion at Thompson at the Sunoco World Series. Providing some of the fastest racing of the weekend, the ISMA series drivers took to the track for a 50-lap feature where Mike Lichty hoped to put the finishing touches on a championship run. Looking to chase down the title himself, defending champion Dave Shullick, Jr. put on an impressive performance, staring from the front and doing everything he could to wrestle the points lead away from Lichty.

Shullick had a little help after Lichty experienced mechanical issues in the middle of the race, forcing him to retire and surrender the title to Shullick who not only repeated as series champion, but as winner of the Sunoco World Series ISMA race at Thompson Speedway with a dominant flag-to-flag run.  

This race car was not from this planet and I think if the race would have been coast to coast, Shullick would have lapped the field. His discipline on hitting his marks were textbook. He blew me away last year in this race and I did not think it could possible be repeated, so much for that assumption. He told me in an exclusive interview that his regular crew chief could not attend so he did double duty. I wish this series would run more events closer to me to enjoy. Plain English, this division was worth the price of admission. No flagging to pull over to slower cars in the field to let the leaders pass, you have to race them for every position. We will try our best to schedule Dave as a guest on the Race Chatter to discuss this great touring series. Dave Shullick Jr.is now seventh in the series with 20 career victories and back to back championships. Can he make it three ? I am not going to place against him at Mohegan Sun to find out.

  “This car has been amazing all weekend,” Shullick said after his win. “We just tried to be calm with it and not make a mistake. We figured it would be good at the end and it was – Hats off to Mike (Lichty) and the tough battle they gave us all year.”

ISMA FINISH TOP-10:

1. Dave Shullick, Jr. (North Ridgeville, OH); 2. Mike Ordway, Jr. (Windham, ME); 3. Mark Sammut (London, ON); 4. Ben Sietz (Bourne, MA); 5. Mike McVetta (Wellington, OH); 6. Timmy Jedrejzek (Independence, OH); 7. Chris Perley (Rowley, MA); 8. Mike Netishen (Auburn, NH); 9. Allison Cumens (Glenmoore, PA); 10. Joey Payne (Madera, CA)

Bobby Therrien Bookends ACT Season with Last-Lap Pass for Win, Nick Sweet Claims First Tour Championship in Thompson Finale

Barre, VT's Nick Sweet (front left) celebrates his first ACT championship with son Isaac (front right) and his crew. (T.J. Ingerson/VTMotorMag.com photo)>>

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Hinesburg, VT's Bobby Therrien (center) celebrates his second ACT win of the season at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park's Sunoco World Series of Speedway Racing presented by Xtra Mart. (T.J. Ingerson/VTMotorMag.com photo)>>

Thompson, CT – Hinesburg, VT’s Bobby Therrien used a last-lap pass of Dillon Moltz to score his second with of the season at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park’s Sunoco World Series of Speedway Racing presented by Xtra Mart on Saturday, October 15, while Nick Sweet captured his first American-Canadian Tour (ACT) Championship with a fifth-place finish in the season finale.

Moltz and Therrien had both gotten around long-time leader Scott Payea with less than 10 laps remaining in the 75-lap event following a lengthy battle. Therrien first poked his nose underneath Moltz with just two laps to go, but the Waterford, CT driver was able to fend off the initial challenge.

As the two exited turn two for the final time, Therrien again looked underneath Moltz. The two then made slight contact as they entered turn three, and Moltz slid up the track just enough for Therrien to scoot by for the win, giving him a bookend on the year after previously triumphing in the season-opener at Oxford Plains Speedway.

Meanwhile, Sweet entered the feature needing a fifth-place finish to assure him of the championship. The Barre, VT veteran worked his way up from the 12^th starting position to assume fifth just past the halfway spot, and held off numerous challenges from Eddie MacDonald to remain there the rest of the event. Payea’s late slide to third in the final rundown unofficially gave Sweet the title by 10 points.

Moltz started on the pole after earning a “plus-7” in his qualifying heat and led the first 23 laps. After a series of cautions in the early going, including a five-car tangle in turn one on a lap-23 restart, Payea was able to get the jump on Moltz to take over the point.

Payea, who entered the race 23 points behind Sweet, set sail in an effort to lead the most laps and maximize his point total. But Moltz and Therrien both reeled him back in on the long green flag run, setting up a three car tango for the victory.

Although Payea was able to reestablish a lead when Therrien challenged Moltz for second, his car eventually went away, and Moltz was able to slip inside him with eight laps to go. Therrien followed him through two laps later, setting up the thrilling finish.

Brad Babb was a distant fourth behind the lead trio, followed by Sweet. MacDonald, Alex Labbe, Devin O’Connell, Raymond Christian III, and Rick Gentes rounded out the top-10. O’Connell unofficially claimed the 2016 ACT Tour Rookie of the Year title by two points over Ryan Olsen, who finished 12^th. Moltz captured the 2016 ACT New Champions title.

The event concludes the 2016 season for the American-Canadian Tour. The 2016 Banquet of Champions date and the 2017 ACT schedule will be announced in the coming months.
Source: ACT Media Press Release

UNOFFICIAL RESULTS

Pos   Start Pos   Driver   Car #     Hometown   Laps

1. ( 8 ) Bobby Therrien ( 5VT ) , Hinesburg, VT , 75 Laps
2. ( 1 ) Dillon Moltz ( 5CT ) , Waterford, CT , 75 Laps
3. ( 5 ) Scott Payea ( 37VT ) , Milton, VT , 75 Laps
4. ( 3 ) Brad Babb ( 15NH ) , Windham, ME , 75 Laps
5. ( 12 ) Nick Sweet ( 40VT ) , Barre, VT , 75 Laps
6. ( 14 ) Eddie MacDonald ( 17MA ) , Rowley, MA , 75 Laps
7. ( 6 ) Alex Labbe ( 48QC ) , St-Albert, QC , 75 Laps
8. ( 4 ) #Devin O'Connell ( 1VT ) , Madison, CT , 75 Laps
9. ( 11 ) Raymond Christian lll ( 93CT ) , Norwich, CT , 75 Laps
10. ( 9 ) Rick Gentes ( 70RI ) , Burrville, RI , 75 Laps
11. ( 23 ) Rowland Robinson, Jr. ( 28ME ) , Steuben, ME , 75 Laps
12. ( 10 ) #Ryan Olsen ( 61NH ) , N. Haverhill, NH , 75 Laps
13. ( 7 ) Ryan Morgan ( 31CT ) , Pawcatuck, CT , 75 Laps
14. ( 13 ) Mike Ziter ( 54VT ) , Barre, VT , 75 Laps
15. ( 24 ) Brian Tagg ( 9MA ) , Oxford, MA , 75 Laps
16. ( 29 ) John Lowinski-Loh ( 7MA ) , Milleville, MA , 75 Laps
17. ( 16 ) Rich Dubeau ( 30NH ) , Lebanon, NH , 75 Laps
18. ( 15 ) Tom Carey III ( 5MA ) , New Salem, MA , 75 Laps
19. ( 21 ) Walter J. Hammond ( 97ME ) , Canaan, NH , 75 Laps
20. ( 27 ) Matthew Lowinski ( 17NC ) , Milford, MA , 74 Laps
21. ( 19 ) #Mark Jenison ( 22RI ) , Warwick, RI , 74 Laps
22. ( 28 ) Ray Parent ( 17RI ) , Tiverton, RI , 74 Laps
23. ( 31 ) James Linardy ( 77MA ) , Somerville, MA , 74 Laps
24. ( 2 ) Walter Sutcliffe ( 78CT ) , East Haven, CT , 74 Laps
25. ( 20 ) Jean-Pierre Ouimet ( 59QC ) , Terrebonne, QC , 74 Laps
26. ( 22 ) Corey Fanning ( 11CT ) , Mapleville, RI , 74 Laps
27. ( 18 ) Larry Gelinas ( 91CT ) , Buxton, ME , 74 Laps
28. ( 30 ) C.J. McLaughlin ( 49NH ) , Framingham, NH , 74 Laps
29. ( 26 ) Josh King ( 21VT ) , Vernon, VT , 73 Laps
30. ( 25 ) Mark Hudson ( 82MA ) , Norton, MA , 34 Laps
31. ( 17 ) William Wall ( 4MA ), Shrewsbury, MA, 23 Laps

Lap Leaders: Dillon Moltz, 1-23; Scott Payea, 24-67; Moltz, 68-74; Bobby Therrien, 75. (3 lead changes among 3 drivers)                                                                       

Time of Race: 46:10                                                    Margin of Victory: 0.122 seconds      

Cautions: 4 (laps 5, 22, 23, 23)                                                                      

Heat Winners: Nick Sweet, Devin O'Connell, Bobby Therrien

NWMT Thompson 10/16/16 Qualifying

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

1	16	Timmy Solomito	Diversified Metals/R.B. Enterprises	18.643	120.689
2	2	Doug Coby	Dunleavy's Repair/A&J Romano	18.720	120.192
3	85	Woody Pitkat	Stuarts Automotive	18.756	119.962
4	64	Rob Summers	HTE/Dell Electric/Complete Const.	18.771	119.866
5	58	Eric Goodale	GAF Roofing/RBSCorp.	18.773	119.853
6	75	Shawn Solomito	Eastport Feeds	18.780	119.808
7	51	Justin Bonsignore	Phoenix Communications, Inc.	18.800	119.681
8	3	Rowan Pennink	Cape Cod Copper/Canto Paving	18.813	119.598
9	44	Bobby Santos	Tinio Corp./Dan Kelley/Curb Records	18.828	119.503
10	4	Jimmy Blewett	Starrett/Mayhew	18.833	119.471
11	6	Jon McKennedy	T.S. Haulers, Inc/Riverhead Raceway Inc.	18.848	119.376
12	8	Donny Lia	Sypher Construction/Bardahl	18.851	119.357
13	82	Ron Silk	Horton Avenue Materials	18.855	119.332
14	9	Chase Dowling	S&S Asphalt Paving/Dunleavy's	18.869	119.243
15	36	David Sapienza	Frankie's Towing/Wine Country	18.918	118.934
16	56	Craig Lutz*	Lutz Motorsports	18.945	118.765
17	89	Matt Swanson*	Spafco Race Chassis/FMR Racing	19.038	118.185
18	17	Kyle Ellwood	Eastside Building	19.053	118.092
19	20	Max Zachem	Lu-Mac's Package Store/VWS	19.064	118.023
20	46	Jeff Goodale	Riverhead Building Supply	19.139	117.561
21	99	Jamie Tomaino	Dunleavy's Repair/Atlantic Sprinkler	19.196	117.212
22	33	Wade Cole	Performance Engines/Kendall Oil	19.401	115.973
23	39	Calvin Carroll	Power with Prestige	19.739	113.988
24	78	Walter Sutcliffe, Jr.*	Last Minute Racing	19.854	113.327
25	01	Melissa Fifield	Eastern Propane & Oil	19.907	113.026
26	26	Gary McDonald	Lakeland Landscaping/TRC Electric	19.932	112.884
27	38	Gary Byington*	Perf Engines/Kendall Oil	20.583	109.314

* Denotes Sunoco Rookie of the Year candidate