Monadnock Speedway Results from May 26, 2018

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Monadnock Speedway  Photo by Emily Miller

Winchester, NH:  This past Saturday, Monadnock Speedway was back in action after a two week break due to rain.  All six divisions were present delivering plenty of action to the fans who attended to kick off their Memorial Weekend along with Spectator Races.  The evening started off by honoring the American Flag with a special guest of Kevin Bezio representing Squadron 172 out of Orange, Ma saluting the flag during the National Anthem.

First time winners included Ben Byrne (Sportsman Modifieds), Josh Carey (Lightning Stocks) and Matt Kimball (Mini Stocks). Repeat winners included, Tyler Leary (Super Stocks), Ed Lofland (Thunder Stocks) and Nate Wenzel (Young Guns).  Sean Donnelly won the Spectator Race.

Chloe Wright led out the field for the Young Guns for their 15-lap main event.  At the green, Wright quickly held the lead as Taylor Striebel and Sammy Silva followed close behind.   By lap four, Silva was being challenged by the fast moving 03 piloted by Nate Wenzel.  Wenzel made the pass and was on the move to catch Wright while Silva took over third from Striebel.  On lap seven, Wenzel took over lead.  Gage Coates started to place pressure on Striebel for fourth.  Five laps to go, Silva moved into second leaving Wright in a fight for third with Coates.  Two laps to go, Wenzel gained a sizable lead, Silva continued to cruise in second and Coates made his move into third.  At the checkers, it was Wenzel celebrating his second win followed by Silva, Coates, Wright, Striebel and Elijah Costillo.

The Lightning Stocks took to the track with Josh Carey and John Fultz setting the pace to the green.  Carey quickly took the lead as Fultz settled into second.  By lap 4, Matt Gauffin challenged Fultz for third and made the pass by lap 6.  Leon Keniston, who started in fifth, worked his way up to third as Fultz fell back to fourth.  Eric Banks ran fifth.  Carey stretched his lead as Kenistion placed pressure on Gauffin for second.   Five laps to go, the top three weaved through lap traffic as Carey continued to lead.  At the wave of the checkers it was Carey capturing his first career win followed by Gauffin, Keniston, Fultz and Banks.

Sixteen Mini Stocks rolled onto the track for their 25-lap feature as Pat Houle and Dave Elliot lined up in the front row.   The green flag start was quickly under yellow as both Ethan Marsh and Kevin McKnight were parked up in the turn two tire barriers.  Marsh was able to continue however McKnight had to retire to the pit area.  On the restart, Louie Maher took the lead as Kevin Pittsinger sat in second making the pass on Houle.  Matt Kimball quickly moved into the top three by lap six and made his move to the inside of Pittsinger for second.  Tim Paquette sat in fifth as he attempted a pass on Houle for fourth but was denied. On lap ten, Kimball was on the back bumper of Maher and with a bump and run passed Maher for the lead.  Pittsinger continued in third, having a great run around the high banks.  Kimball commanded the field with a large lead as Jaret Curtis moved into fourth attempting to catch Pittsinger for third.  Paquette moved into the fifth with Houle close behind.  On lap nineteen, the Curtis machine slowed causing the yellow flag to be displayed as he limped into the pit area.  On the restart, Kimball showed the way as Paquette and Houle bathed for fourth.  Louie Maher held second as Pittsinger enjoyed the rear-view mirror battle for fourth between Paquette and Houle.  At the end, it was Kimball followed by Maher, Pittsinger, Paquette and Dave Elliot.

Dennis Stange and Rookie Jason Kozacka set the pace for the Super Stock green flag start.  The fight for top position started early as Cole Littlewood and Tyler Leary quickly moved into the top three running wheel to wheel for second.  By lap eight, Stange felt the pressure of both Littlewood and Leary on his back bumper.  Leary looked to the inside of Stange in turn four but bobbled and backed out. On lap nine, Littlewood tapped the back bumper of Stange and turned him around as the yellow flag flew.  On the restart, Leary inherited the lead with Solomon Brow in second.  As the green flag flew, Chris Curtis was sideways coming out of turn four however he gathered it up to continue in fourth, Geoff Rollins sat in third.   Leary was a rocket and commanded the lead until lap twelve when the caution flew as Cole Littlewood made contact with Kozacka.  The field would restart again however the yellow would fly for Brow and Curtis.   On the lap fourteen restart, Leary showed the way as Nancy Muni Ruot avoided trouble and sat in second followed by Scott Beck.  Within a few laps, Cole Littlewood and brother Justin Littlewood made the pass on Beck for third and fourth.   Lap eighteen, Cole Littlewood made the pass on Muni-Ruot for second.  On the final lap, it was Leary scoring his third win of the season followed by Cole Littlewood,  Muni-Ruot, Justin Littlewood and Stange.

The Thunder Stocks rolled on the track as Chase Curtis and James Nowakowski led the field to the green.  An early battle for second brewed between Nowakowski and Comeau.  Hillary Renaud and Ed Lofland followed close behind.  On lap five, Lofland moved into third as he set up a wheel to wheel battle with Comeau for second.  The caution flew on the next lap for Joshua Nutter and Greg Williams. On the restart, Curtis continued to lead but felt the front bumper for the lead by Lofland. By lap seven, Lofland took over the lead as Bruce Clark followed for second. Curtis did not give up as glued himself to the back bumper of Clark as he tried re-gain his second spot back. Lofland developed a good lead as Richard Vincent moved into the top four placing pressure on both Clark and Curtis. With the laps winding down, Curtis fought to protect his fourth spot from Vincent when suddenly Vincent slowed falling back with one lap go.  At the checkers, it was Lofland scoring his second win followed by Clark, Curtis, Comeau and Williams.

The final feature of the night, the Sportsman Modifieds, thundered onto the track for their 25-lap feature.  Eric Leclair and Brian Chapin led the field to the green. Chapin wasted no time to take over the number one spot as Ben Byrne, Kim Rivet and Joel Monahan followed.  The top runners ran nose to tail and on lap nine, Byrne with the bump and run on Chapin took over the lead.  Rivet put the pressure on Chapin on lap thirteen as they ran wheel to wheel for second. Lap fourteen the caution flew for Alyssa Rivera. On the restart it was Byrne followed by Rivet and Chapin.  On lap sixteen, Chapin began to slip back giving Carzello the third spot as Geoff Rollins moved into fourth.  Byrne began to sail away from the field.  On lap nineteen, Rivera was in the infield as the yellow flew.  O the restart, Byrne continued to lead. Rivet sat in second followed by Carzello, Rollins and Matt Kimball.   Carzello looked to the inside of Rivet off of turn four but could not make the pass.  As the checkers flew, it was Byrne celebrating followed by Rivet, Carzello, Rollins and Kimball.

This Saturday, Mondnock Speedway will host a full card of racing with Sportsman Modifieds, Super Stocks, Mini Stocks, Lightning Stocks, Young Guns, Pro 4 Modifieds and Star Antique Racers.  Race time is at 6PM.  

Sportsman Modifieds: Ben Byrne,Kim Rivet, Keith Carzello, Geoff Rollins, Matt Kimball, Joel Monahan, Brian Chapin, Eric Leclair, Alyssa Rivera, Jessica O’Leary

Super Stocks: Tyler Leary, Cole Littlewood, Nancy Muni-Ruot, Justin Littlewood, Dennis Stange
Scott Beck, Jason Kozacka, Chris Curtis, Solomon Brow, Geoff Rollins

Mini Stocks: Matt Kimball, Louis Maher, Kevin Pittsinger, Tim Paquette, David Elliot, Ethan Marsh
Pat Houle, Mike Radzuik, Cory Plummer, Tim Wenzel, Shelby Avery, Kyle Robinson Newell, Jaret Curtis, Kurt Cormier, Matt Boucher, Kevin McKnight

Thunder Stocks: Ed Lofland, Bruce Clark, Chase Curtis, Dan Comeau, Ben Williams, Joshua Nutter, James Nowakowski, Craig Chaffee, Jeff Staiti, Hillary Renaud, Richard Vincent, Michelle Leh
Doug McLean, Nathaniel Nunez

Lightning Stocks: Josh Carey, Matt Gauffin, Leon Keniston, John Fultz, Eric Banks, Randall Phillips Jr
Randall Phillips Sr, John Nashawaty, Ernie Coates

Young Guns: Nathan Wenzel,Sammy Silva, Gage Coates, Chloe Wright, Taylor Striebel, Elijah Castillo

Source: Monadnock Speedway Media Press Release and Emily Miller Photo 

Rowan Pennink scores 20th career win in SK Modified action at Stafford Speedway

Posted by Wayne G. Barber & Photo by Wayne G. Barber

Rowan Pennink scores his 20th career victory in the SK Modified division  to go along with two weekly SK track championships, ( 2015,2016) in the 40-lap SK Modified® feature event, Matt Vassar took the early lead with Tyler Hines in second.  Matt Galko was third with Todd Owen fourth and Chase Dowling fifth.  Hines took the lead from Vassar on lap-3 with Galko moving ot the lead on lap-5.  Owen was on the inside of Galko and as he was making a pass for the lead on lap-6, a melee broke out behind the two leaders that involved several cars including Keith Rocco, David Arute, Vassar, Michael Christopher, Jr., Cory DiMatteo, and Dan Wesson to bring the caution out. 

Owen and Galko ran side by side for a lap before Owen got clear to the lead on lap-7.  Galko was now side by side with Joey Cipriano for second with Dowling in fourth and Rowan Pennink in fifth.  Cipriano began to slide backwards after several laps of side by side racing with Galko as Dowling took third and Pennink was fourth.  Cipriano spun in turn 2 after contact with Nick Salva to bring the caution out with 11 laps complete.  Salva was sent to the rear of the field for the contact.

Owen took the lead back under green with Dowling applying heavy pressure from second.  Dowling was able to get alongside Owen on lap-13 and they crossed the line side by side.  Dowling got clear to the lead on lap-15 while Pennink was now side by side with Owen for second.  Pennink took that position and now Galko was on the inside of Owen for third with Ronnie Williams right behind him.  Galko took third on lap-17 with Williams now side by side with Owen while Rocco was recovered from his earlier misfortune as was right on Williams’ bumper.  Williams was able to finally take the spot on lap-19 and he took third from Galko on lap-21 as Pennink continued to lead a hard charging Dowling.

Rocco took fourth from Galko on lap-23 and Williams got around Dowling to move into second on lap-30 as Pennink was still in command of the race.  Williams was slowly closing the gap to Pennink for the lead when the caution came out with 34 laps complete for Doug Meservey, Jr., who spun in turn 2.

Pennink took the lead with Williams, Dowling, Rocco, and Michael Gervais, Jr. quickly getting into a single file line.  Williams made one final charge in turns 3+4 on the final lap, but Pennink held him off to become the first driver other than Keith Rocco to win an SK Modified® feature this season.  Following post-race inspection, Dowling’s car was found to be 10 pounds underweight and he was penalized 10 positions, one position for each pound his car was underweight, moving him to 13^th in the finishing order.  The new remainder of the top-5 was  Rocco, Gervais, and Stephen Kopcik. Source: Scott Running Stafford Speedway Media Press Release.

SK MODIFIED® (40)

1) Rowan Pennink, Huntingdon Valley, Pa  2018  (1)

2) Ronnie Williams, Tolland

3) Keith Rocco, Berlin    2018  (4)

4) Michael Gervais, Jr., Southbury

5) Stephen Kopcik, Newtown

6) Joey Cipriano, Waterbury

7) Matt Galko, Meriden

8) Dan Wesson, Monson, Ma

9) John Studley, Framingham, Ma

10) Tyler Hines, North Haven

11) Troy Talman, Oxford, Ma

12) Tom Bolles, Ellington

13) Chase Dowling, Roxbury

14) David Arute, Stafford Springs

15) John Catania, Agawam, Ma

16) Todd Owen, Somers

17) Doug Meservey, Jr., Chatham, Ma

18) Tommy Membrino, Jr., Prospect

19) D.J. Burnham, East Hartford

20) Nick Salva, Cheshire

21) Josh Wood, Palmer, Ma

22) Michael Christopher, Jr., Wolcott

23) Matt Vassar, Plantsville

24) Eric Berndt, Cromwell

25) Cory DiMatteo, Farmington

26) Tony Membrino, Jr., Berlin

Thompson Speedway Announces June 7 Oval Event: Rescheduled Event to Honor Military, Showcase Limited Sportsman

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

Thompson Speedway Announces June 7 Oval Event

Rescheduled Event to Honor Military, Showcase Limited Sportsman

 

THOMPSON, CT – Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park Officials announced that the May 20 event, which was originally cancelled due to the pending weather forecast, will now be rescheduled. The Limited Sportsman Long Distance, presented by Pepsi, is now scheduled for Thursday, June 7. 

“We love the passion and enthusiasm that our race fans, car owners, drivers, and teams have for our events. We heard loud and clear from them that they wanted to ensure we got this event in, as many had special plans to honor our military,” Thompson Speedway General Manager, Josh Vanada, explained.

The race program is headlined by the ultra-competitive Limited Sportsman Division, who will compete in their longest race of the year. The Sunoco Modified, Late Model, and Mini Stock Divisions will all be on the card, as well, competing in regular distance events.

Sunoco Modified Car Owner, Stan Mertz, was happy to hear that another attempt will be made at the event. “The Mertz racing team is pleased that the staff at Thompson Speedway has been responsive to our feedback regarding a possible rescheduling of the recent rained out date. They listened to my concerns as a team owner and others and put together a plan to reschedule the race, rather than cancelling it. This will allow everyone the opportunity to honor those in the Military and to see some great racing! Thanks, Josh and team.”

A full field of Limited Sportsman cars are expected to enter. A star-studded field of Sunoco Modified drivers will be joined by a deep entry list of Late Model competitors. Many of the front-running Mini Stock drivers had a tough opening event, and will be looking to rebound. 

Tickets for this event are only $12, with Active Duty Military, Veterans, and kids under 12 being free.

Keith Rocco sets Stafford SK Modified® record with 6th consecutive win;

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Kid Rock came into the race with a three way tie for 5 consecutive wins with Ted Christopher 2004 and the most recent Woody Pitkat in 2017. Now the certain New England Hall of Fame first round of eligibility member sits alone at 6 and can add to his record next Friday. The victory puts Rocco in second in career SK wins at Stafford with 49 and Teddy at the top with 109. Rocco has three SK weekly NASCAR track championships, 2007,2010,2017 In tonight's 40-lap SK Modified® feature event, Chase Dowling led the first lap of the race but Joey Cipriano took the lead on lap-2 but the caution came out for spins on the backstretch by several cars, putting Dowling back up front for the restart.

Cipriano stayed even with Dowling on the restart and he got clear into the lead on lap-3.  Tom Bolles and Michael Gervais, Jr. were side by side for third with Eric Berndt in fifth.  Gervias went by both Bolles and Dowling on lap-5 to move into second while Bolles took third from Dowling.  Berndt was now side by side with Dowling for fourth after nearly going 3-wide with Dowling and Bolles and he took that spot and then took third from Bolles on lap-8. 

Keith Rocco was on the charge since the green flag and he moved into fifth on lap-10 and then took fourth from Bolles on lap-11.  Todd Owen tried to follow Rocco by Bolles, but Bolles was able to hold him off.  Owen made a pass on Bolles stick on lap-14 and he moved up to fifth as Cipriano continued to lead.  Bolles and Zach Leone came together in turns 1+2 to bring the caution out with 14 laps complete.

Gervais briefly took the lead from Cipriano but Cipriano  came back strong and got clear into the lead on lap-17.  Ronnie Williams and Rocco were now side by side for third before the caution came out for Cory DiMatteo, who came to a stop sideways in the middle of turns 1+2.

Gervais took the lead on the restart with Cipriano and Rocco side by side for second.  Cipriano got clear to second on lap-19 and he took the lead from Gervais on lap-20.  Rocco was side by side Owen for third but he moved into second behind Cipriano and Gervais was back to third.  Owen was in fourth with Williams right behind him in fifth.  The top-5 got into single file on lap-24 with Rocco taking the lead from Cipriano while Gervais was leading Williams and Berndt in the chase for third. 

Williams got by Gervais for third on lap-26 and Berndt pulled alongside Gervais in a fight for fourth as Cipriano was still glued to the back bumper of Rocco for the lead.  Gervais and Berndt ran side by side until lap-30 when Berndt got clear into fourth behind Williams.  Cipriano took a look to the inside of Rocco in turn 4 on lap-31 but fell back into line in second. 

With 5 laps to go, Rocco, Cipriano, and Berndt were running nose to tail in a 3-car train for the lead with Williams, Gervais, and Rowan Pennink in a 3-car train for fourth behind the lead trio.  Rocco took the checkered flag to pick up his fourth win in four starts this season and his sixth consecutive SK Modified® win dating back to the end of the 2017 season, setting a Stafford Speedway SK Modified® record for consecutive wins.  Cipriano finished second with Berndt, Williams, and Gervais making up the top-5.Source: Stafford Speedway Scott Running Media Press Release and Wayne G.Barber Library Files

SK MODIFIED® (40)

1) Keith Rocco, Berlin 2018 (4) wins (49) career at Stafford Speedway

2) Joey Cipriano, Waterbury

3) Eric Berndt, Cromwell

4) Ronnie Williams, Tolland

5) Michael Gervais, Jr., Southbury

6) Rowan Pennink, Huntingdon Valley, Pa

7) Troy Talman, Oxford, Ma

8) Michael Christopher, Jr., Wolcott

9) Todd Owen, Somers

10) Chase Dowling, Roxbury

11) Tyler Hines, North Haven

12) Tony Membrino, Jr., Berlin

13) David Arute, Stafford Springs

14) Tom Bolles, Ellington

15) D.J. Burnham, East Hartford

16) Dan Wesson, Monson, Ma

17) Matt Galko, Meriden

18) Cory DiMatteo, Farmington

19) Tommy Membrino, Jr., Prospect

20) Stephen Kopcik, Newtown

21) Matt Vassar, Plantsville

22) Josh Wood, Palmer, Ma

23) Doug Meservey, Jr., Chatham, Ma

24) Zach Leone, Shrewsbury, Ma

25) Tyler Jones, New Milford