Econn Motorsports Announces Cancellation of August 19 Race and August 5 Practice

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

Due to mounting concerns over the health and economic effects of COVID-19, Econn Motorsports announced today they are not moving forward with the traditional Bud 150 which had been scheduled for August 19^th at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park. An open practice previously scheduled for August 5^th has also been canceled.  The recent outbreaks of COVID-19 cases associated with professional sporting events was chief among the reasons for the decision.

“We had initially thought that the virus would be of minimal concern by now, but the numbers are still very concerning”, said Terry Eames of Econn Motorsports. “We remain committed to keeping oval track racing alive at Thompson and will continue to work with the Hoenig family about the possibility of events later in the year”, Eames added.

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Contact:

Terry Eames

terry@EconnMotorsorts.com

860-327-5544

Twisted Tea Open 80 Postponed/Additional Updates to August Schedule

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Stafford Springs, CT)---Stafford Speedway officials have announced that the Twisted Tea Open Modified 80 event scheduled for Saturday, August 1st has been postponed to a future date due to scheduling conflicts in the region. Additionally the events scheduled for August 21 and 22nd have been updated to eliminate scheduling conflicts for Modified teams. 

“Due to the NASCAR Modified Tour event scheduled on the same day we have decided to postpone the Twisted Tea Open 80 to a later date,” explained Stafford Speedway president Mark Arute. “It’s very important to us to provide an excellent on track product for our fans and we felt that due to the scheduling conflict we would not be able to deliver that on Saturday. The Open Modifieds return next Friday, August 7th for a 100-lap event which should have a great field of cars.”

All tickets purchased for the Twisted Tea Open 80 will be good for the NAPA Auto Parts Open Modified 100 scheduled for next Friday. If ticket holders are unable to attend the August 7th event they are encouraged to contact the track office. 

Stafford Speedway has also adjusted the August 21st and 22nd schedule. The Lincoln Tech Open Modified 80 has been moved to Friday and will be paired with the SK Modifieds® and SK Light Modifieds in a full open wheel event. The Call Before You Dig Pro Late Model 81 will remain on the schedule for Saturday, August 22nd and will be paired with Stafford’s Late Model, Limited Late Model, and Street Stock divisions.

“Scheduling in 2020 has been challenging, but we will keep doing our best to get in events and provide a great show for the fans,” continued Arute. “As always, a big thank you to our race teams and fans for working with us through all the changes this year. We’ll see everyone this Friday.”

Stafford Speedway returns to action this Friday with a regular event that includes all 5 of Stafford’s weekly divisions. Limited general admission and paddock passes remain available and are now on-sale here: https://staffordmotorspeedway.com/store/Event-Tickets-c40170015.  Any fans who cannot attend this Friday’s event in person can order the live stream for $20 from www.staffordspeedway.tv. Source: Scott Running Stafford Speedway Media Press Release

SEEKONK SPEEDWAY ,ANNOUNCES SATURDAY NIGHT SCHEDULE UPDATES

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Seekonk Speedway announced on Monday a new race schedule for Saturday night competition for the month of August. Due to COVID-19 restrictions by the state of Massachusetts, who made a last second decision to not allow fans into the Speedway until the start of Phase 4, Saturday night racing will begin without spectators in the front gate. Fast Friday racing without spectators has been running for two weeks and has been successful.

Saturday night racing will begin on August 8, with Everett’s Auto Parts Late Models, Helger’s Southcoast Power Equipment Sportsman and Chaz Auto Body Sport Trucks. The Troy City Tactical Spectator Drags and the Sport 4’s will also join the action that night. There will be a Saturday night only practice session on Saturday, August 1. Seekonk Speedway will rotate Fast Friday divisions into the Saturday night program for the month of August, with non-points events. However, this has no effect on what happens on Friday night — Fast Friday will remain the same. Seekonk Speedway will not be running under the NASCAR Sanction for the remainder of the 2020 season. 

All three of Seekonk’s Saturday night divisions will run for the same purse they have been running for prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. A full updated August schedule is below.

Seekonk Speedway will continue to abide by all CDC recommendations and state rules, including social distancing and masks. Face coverings are required when social distancing isn’t possible, especially walking through the Speedway pit area and midway. Masks are not required when teams are in their pit stalls, with their pit crew.

Seekonk Speedway is continuing to look at ways to put the top Pro Stock division on the track in 2020, with a race schedule of at least a few races hopeful to come for the months of September and October. However, they will not begin racing in August due to the large purse structure necessary. Seekonk Speedway also continues to work with the state of Massachusetts elected officials to attempt to re-categorize the Speedway in a different sector due to the seating capacity and capability to socially distance.

“Seekonk Speedway understands the costs involved in running a top-tier division like the Pro Stocks and we would not want them to compete for a less value than they deserve,” Ed St. Germain, Seekonk’s Director of Business Development, said. “We are in constant contact with the officials in the state of Massachusetts to get fans into the Speedway. We want to be categorized in a different sector and be able to operate just like any other responsible business that is currently open in the state. We appreciate everyone on Fast Friday working within the requirements given to us and look forward to continuing Friday night racing as it stands."

UPDATED 2020 SATURDAY NIGHT SCHEDULE:

August 1 — Saturday Night Only Practice Session (4-8PM)

August 8 — Everett’s Auto Parts Late Models, Helger’s Southcoast Power Equipment Sportsman, Chaz Auto Body Sport Trucks, Troy City Tactical Spectator Drags, Sport 4’s

August 15 — Everett’s Auto Parts Late Models, Helger’s Southcoast Power Equipment Sportsman, Chaz Auto Body Sport Trucks, Troy City Tactical Spectator Drags, Seekonk Grand Prix Bandoleros

August 22 — Everett’s Auto Parts Late Models, Helger’s Southcoast Power Equipment Sportsman, Chaz Auto Body Sport Trucks, Troy City Tactical Spectator Drags, Helger’s Southcoast Power Equipment Pure Stocks

August 29 — Everett’s Auto Parts Late Models, Helger’s Southcoast Power Equipment Sportsman, Chaz Auto Body Sport Trucks, Troy City Tactical Spectator Drags, Nick’s Pit Stop Legends Cars

Saturday night competition will run for no points, due to the unknowns about the remaining 2020 schedule. With the fluidity around the COVID-19 pandemic, Seekonk Speedway is hopeful to be able to run race events through August, September and October. Saturday night race teams will be allowed to bring their entire crew, and any support crowd into the pit area for the pit price. 

There will be an open practice for Saturday registered drivers only on Saturday, August 1, from 4-8 p.m. Pit gates will open at 3 p.m., and all drivers are strongly encouraged to pre-register by Thursday night. Anyone that pre-registers will pay $20 per person, while the price will jump to $25 on the day of the practice. Pre-registration is not required, but, it would be in the best interest of race teams to complete the process to make the entry process into the track quicker. When Saturday night racing begins, drivers will have the opportunity to pre-register and save $5 per pit pass.

“We want to get some momentum going for our race teams with hopes of getting fans in the grandstands very soon,” David Alburn, General Manager of Seekonk Speedway, said. “We want to get our Saturday night teams on the race track before the season is over. We will also continue to look for ways to get our dedicated Pro Stock race teams on the track in 2020."

Seekonk Speedway will release full race procedures, race day schedules and more information directly to race teams prior to August 8. Seekonk is hopeful to include Thrill Shows and special event races in the remaining 2020 schedule, however, all of those are on hold until Massachusetts begins phase four. Pro 4 and Pro 8 cylinder Enduro races are possible as part of a Saturday night program.

Ronny Williams scores win at Stafford Speedway

Posted by Wayne G.Barber

In the 40-lap SK Modified® feature event, Bryan Narducci and Troy Talman dueled side by side for the lead with the 2 rows behind hem side by side for position.  Cory DiMatteo made a strong move to go from third to the lead going into turn 3 on lap-4 with Talman in second.  Ronnie Williams was up to third with Narducci and Michael Christopher, Jr. side by side for fourth.  Williams moved into second on lap-6 with Talman falling back to third.  Christopher was fourth and Keith Rocco was up to fifth as Narducci had fallen back to eighth in line.

With 10 laps complete it was DiMatteo out front with Williams, Christopher, Rocco, and Todd Owen making up the top-5.  Stephen Kopcik was sixth followed by Talman, Membrino, Narducci, and Mikey Flynn. 

The order remained the same until lap-20 when Williams went by DiMatteo coming out of turn 2.  Christopher was still in third with Rocco in fourth and Owen in fifth.  The caution came out with 21 laps complete for a spin in the middle of turns 3+4 by Marc Burke.

Williams took the lead on the restart with Christopher taking second.  Owen moved into third with Kopcik moving up to fourth and Rocco was fifth.  DiMatteo slid back to sixth in line with Talman, Michael Gervais, Jr., Andrew Molleur, and Membrino behind him.  Tyler Hines spun through the frontstretch grass to bring the caution back out with 25 laps complete.

Williams took the lead on the restart with Christopher and Owen side by side for second behind him.  Rocco and Kopcik were side by side for fourth behind Christopher and Owen.  Owen took second on lap-28 with Kopcik taking fourth and dropping Rocco back to fifth as Williams continued to lead. 

Williams led lap-33 to collect a $433 bonus that was put up by Doug Dunleavy from Dunleavy’s Truck and Trailer Repair in memory of Wade Cole.  Williams led Owen and the field to the checkered flag to pick up his first win of the 2020 season.  Kopcik finished third with Christopher and Rocco rounding out the top-5.
Source Scott Running Stafford Speedway Media Press Release and Track Photo credit

SK MODIFIED® (40)

1) Ronnie Williams, Tolland

2) Todd Owen, Somers

3) Stephen Kopcik, Newtown

4) Michael Christopher, Jr., Wolcott

5) Keith Rocco, Berlin

6) Andrew Molleur, Shelton

7) Troy Talman, Oxford, MA

8) Cory DiMatteo, Farmington

9) Tony Membrino, Jr., Wolcott

10) Michael Gervais, Jr., Wolcott

11) Todd Patnode, Swanzey, NH

12) Marcello Rufrano, North Haven

13) David Arute, Stafford Springs

14) Bryan Narducci, Colchester

15) Tyler Leary, Hatfield, MA

16) Tyler Hines, North Haven

17) Mikey Flynn, Hampden, MA

18) Matt Gallo, Kensington

19) Dan Wesson, Monson, MA

20) Jeff Malave, Manchester

21) Matt Vassar, Plantsville

22) Teddy Hodgdon, Danbury

23) Jonathan Smith, Trumbull

24) Nick Giardina, South Salem, NY

25) Tom Bolles, Ellington

26) Marc Burke, Enfield

27) John Catania, Agawam, MA

Zack Robinson Wins Midstate Site Development Street Stock 30 at Stafford Speedway, Ct.

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

In the 30-lap Casagrande Builders Street Stock event, Brandon Michael took the lead at the green with Adrien Paradis, III in second.  The field was only able to complete one lap before Meg Fuller and John Orsini made contact with Fuller spinning into turn 1 to bring the caution out.  Orsini was disqualified from the feature for the contact with Fuller by NASCAR Officials.

Michael and Paradis went side by side for the lead on the restart with Paradis taking the lead after Michael got loose in turn 4.  Zack Robinson went by Michael to move into second on lap-3 and Michael would lose third to Jason Lafayette on lap-4.  Moose Douton was up to fifth behind Michael with 5 laps complete as Robinson held the race lead.  Douton spun in turn 4 to bring the caution back out with 9 laps complete and Robinson still leading Paradis.

Robinson took the lead back under green with Lafayette taking second from Paradis.  Al Stone, III was up to fourth with Travis Hydar in fifth.  Paradis got back around Lafayette to retake second before the caution came out for a spin by Tyrone Crews with 11 laps complete.  Hydar spun one lap after the restart to bring the caution right back out.  The next restart saw Lafayette and Chris Meyer get into the turn 2 wall with several other cars, including Shawn Gaedeke, Tess Beyer, and Daltin McCarthy, hitting the turn 2 wall to bring the yellow right back out before a lap could be completed.

Robinson resumed his place at front of the field with Stone getting by Paradis to move into second.  Meg Fuller was up to third after her early race misfortune and Douton was back up to fourth after his early race spin.  Nickolas Hovey’s car came to a stop in the middle of turns 1+2 to bring the caution out with 14 laps complete.

Robinson charged back into the lead on the restart with Fuller taking second.  Douton moved up to third with Paradis falling back to fourth.  Stone was fifth with Hydar right behind him in sixth.  Bill Staves got into the turn 4 wall to bring the caution out with 18 laps complete.

Robinson again took the lead on the restart with Fuller right behind him in second.  Douton was third with Paradis fourth, but Douton got loose on lap-20 and Paradis was able to move into third.  Hydar followed Paradis by Douton to drop him back to fifth place while Robinson and Fuller were starting to pull away with all the activity behind them. 

Douton lost several more spots on lap-27 as Stone and Lafayette moved into fifth and sixth to drop Douton to seventh while Robinson and Fuller were continuing to stretch out their advantage to settle the race between themselves.

Fuller couldn’t get close enough to Robinson to make a bid for the lead as Robinson scored his first win of the season.  Paradis finished third with Hydar and Lafayette rounding out the top 5.Source; Scott Running Stafford Speedway Media Press Release

MIDSTATE SITE DEVELOPMENT STREET STOCK 30 (30)

1) Zack Robinson, Putnam

2) Meghan Fuller, Auburn, MA

3) Adrien Paradis, III, Plainville

4) Travis Hydar, Woodbury

5) Jason Lafayette, Somers

6) Al Stone, III, Durham

7) Larry(Leadfoot) Barnett, Moosup

8) George Yuska, S. Glastonbury

9) Chris (Moose) Douton, Niantic

10) David Macha, Sr., Columbia

11) Kyle Johnson, Manchester

12) Chris Danielczuk, Goshen

13) Bill Staves, Windsor Locks

14) Vincent Picciotti, Wind Gap, PA

15) Chris Phelps, New Salem, MA

16) Nickolas Hovey, Chaplin

17) Tyrone Crews, Piscataway, NJ

18) Jason Finkbein, Manchester

19) Chris Meyer, North Franklin

20) Brandon Michael, Granville, MA

21) Daltin McCarthy, Oxford, MA

22) Tess Beyer, Stratton, VT

23) Shawn Gaedeke, Oakdale

24) Marvin Minkler, Stamford

25) Bobby Stirk, III, Naugatuck

Guest Line-Up for 7-13-20 Driver Dave Greenslit and Sponsor, San Diego Sundays

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

News, Results, Driver Changes, Driver and Owner Interviews.

E-Mail the program live at waynewnri@yahoo.com

6:05 am Sponsor's Autumn and Justin discuss San Diego Sundays

6:30 pm NH Champion driver Dave Greenslit ,joins the discussion for 5 years running with his hot 2020 start

David Greenslit Takes Street Stock Battle for the Belt Victory

Posted by Wayne G.Barber

WINCHESTER, N.H. – Ben Byrne (Deerfield, Ma) stormed to his second NHSTRA Modified victory of the summer Saturday, July 11, at Monadnock Speedway, topping a stout 21-car field at the storied quarter-mile oval. 

With a huge crowd filling the social-distance-spaced grandstands to take in the night’s huge fireworks display and six exciting divisions of racing at the high-banked speedplant, nobody went home disappointed. Except, maybe, Todd Patnode and Chris Davis.

Dave Greenslit (Langdon, NH) made easy work of winning the Street Stock Battle of The Belt series 50-lapper, LMS superstar Aaron Fellows (Croydon, NH) stayed undefeated on the world, while Pure Stocker Dave Aiken (Claremont, NH) earned his second victory lap of the summer, and Tim Leblanc (Hinsdale, NH) topped the Mini Stocks; all on Monadnock’s fourth night of 2020 racing.

Rob Richardi and second-generation hot shoe Matt Kimball brought the thundering Mod Squad to the green, with Richardi leading by less than a wheel on the first two go-rounds and then setting a fast pace as Kimball and Brian Chapin went to war behind him.

Close behind them, Trevor Bleau, firing from row four, and Ben Byrne, from row six, were charging forward with four others. Byrne had almost passed Richardi when the caution waved on lap 21, and then completed the task a lap later. Bleau, on a rail, claimed the deuce as lap 28 went in the books, but could advance no further. Richardi held strong to hit the stripe third, just ahead of Kimball and Brian Robie.

Bleau’s fourth top-four of the young season deadlocked him with Robie atop the points parade, while defending track champ Todd Patnode – third in points entering the night’s racing – got taken out in a lap-five jingle, finishing 21st on the night.

Dave Greenslit, the winner of the Battle of The Belt Series’ first event of the summer at Hudson, duplicated that run Friday. Firing from row two, the defending track Street Stock champ immediately took control, inching past Chris Buffone on lap one, and never looked back. 

Buffone’s uncle, former Pro Stock ace Tommy O’Sullivan, got up for second on lap 18 but, on this night, it was Greenslit in a runaway, taking the checkers far ahead of O’Sullivan and Buffone, and ending the Curtis family’s three-week stranglehold on Street Stock victory lane. 

Cam Curtis, then Justin Littlewood, led the Late Model Sportsmen over the stripe the first four go-rounds, with Aaron Fellows then inching under Littlewood, taking charge, and simply driving away. Littlewood was strong in second, and Robert Hagar came home third. Fellows has not lost a race at any track so far this year. 

Tim LeBlanc, firing from row two, led every lap of the Mini Stock 25-lapper to score his first win of the season. Nathan Wenzel came from row four of the 17-car field to claim the deuce, with Andy Harman nudging past two-time winner Gordon Farnum to earn the three spot. 

And in the Pure Stocks, Lady Luck dealt defending track champ Chris Davis a crap hand for the second week in a row. In charge with only two laps to go, Davis dropped suddenly off pace again, this time watching helplessly as Dave Aiken stormed past to score his second win of the summer. 

Mike Douglas took the checkers just behind Aiken, with Brandon Lavoie, Kodi Sabins, and Nolan McClay rounding out the top five. Davis coasted to a disappointing tenth-place finish. In a post race inspection, Lavoie was disqualified. 

Justin Harris took charge on lap 20 of the Northeast Classic Lites 30-lapper, then sped off to victory ahead of Joey Deguio. Cody Hodgdon earned the bronze, while defending four-time series champ Duane Skofield was a non-factor in this one. 

Monadnock Speedway returns to action next Saturday, July 18, when the Mini Stock Battle of The Belt Series comes to town, along with a full card of weekly racing series events. Advanced Tickets and  more information, please visit www.monadnockspeedway.com
.

NHSRA MODIFIEDS: Ben Byrne, Trevor Bleau, Rob Richardi, Matt Kimball, Brian Robie, Stewart McCormick, Cameron Houle, Brian Chapin, Cory Plummer, Keith Carzello, Kim Rivet, Kevin Pittsinger, Eric Leclair, Zach Leone, Anthony Bello, Jerry Gomarlo, Solomon Brow, Brad Zahensky, Scott MacMichael, Jason Houle, Todd Patnode

LATE MODEL SPORTSMEN: Aaron Fellows, Justin Littlewood, Robert Hagar, Camdyn Curtis, Willie Kuhn, Cole Littlewood, Scott Beck

STREET STOCK (50-lap Battle of The Belt): Dave Greenslit, Tommy O'Sullivan, Chris Buffone, Chase Curtis, Jaret Curtis, Brian Robie, Tim Wenzel, Nathan Wenzel, Mike Radzuik, Hillary Renaud, Ed Lofland, Randy Rameau, Joe Tetreault, Paul Barnard, Robbie Streeter, Steven Dubois, Kenny Thompson, Troy Waterman, Chris Riendeau, Chris Curtis

MINI STOCK: Tim Leblanc, Nathan Wenzel, Andrew Harmon, Gordon Farnum, Hayden Grenier, Jared Roy, Ethan Marsh, Ray King, Bill Chaffee, Shelby Avery, Jake Puchalski, Kevin Mcknight, Joshua Hubbard, Jeff Asselin, Kevin Russell, Kevin Clayton, Bobby Kirker

PURE STOCK: Dave Aiken, Mike Douglas, Kodi Sabens, Nolan McClay, JD Stockwell, Jason Leray, Cory Lofland, Chris Davis, Amy Jaycox, Jimmy Zellman, Carter Chamberlain, Conor Jencik, Nick Houle, Damon Roy, Regan Buffum

Photo: David Greenslit (Langdon, NH) by Emily Miller Source: Monadnock Speedway Media Press Release,  Gary Dutton

Rain Gods prevail at Stafford Speedway, Ct. 7-10-20

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

RainedOut Notification

Stafford Motor Speedway

7/10 event postponed due to weather. All tickets good for 7/17


Seekonk Speedway Fast Friday is also cancelled. 

American-Canadian Tour (ACT) and Riverside Speedway officials have announced the Gardiner & June Leavitt Memorial 150 scheduled for Saturday, July 11 has been postponed due to an uncertain weather forecast. The make-up date is to-be-determined.

Christian III goes Three in a Row with the GSPSS on the 4th of July

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Ray Christian III kicked off the 2020 Independence Day weekend with his third GSPSS win in a row at Claremont Motorsports Park.

   The Granite State Pro Stock Series took to the track for the second time of the season with an Independence Day celebration for the ages. Weekly racing, a massive fireworks display and 100 laps of pro stock action were on the card and non-disappointed.

   Angelo Belsito looked to be the man to beat as he was quick in practice, fastest in the Crazy Horse Racing fast time challenge and handily won his heat race. It was an all Belsito kind of night until it came time for the GSPSS redraw. Eight drivers redrew and Belsito pulled the number 8.

   Local favorite Luke Hinkley won heat race number two in dominant fashion and looked to have the car to finally pick up that illusive first series win. He would not fare a lot better in the redraw as he pilled pill number 5.

   Two time series champion Mike O’Sullivan would start from the pole with another former champion, Barry Gray on the outside of row one. Winner of the last two series events, Christian III would start from the fourth position in his attempt to make it three in a row.

   O’Sullivan rocketed to the lead at the drop of the green flag while Gray spun his tires and stacked up the outside line allowing Jake Matheson and Luke Hinkley to move past. Hinkley quickley moved past Matheson for second and and then took the lead from O’Sullivan.

  Hinkley would lead the middle half of the race setting a torrid pace and running away from the field. He looked to have the car to beat as no one could match his pace.

   A late race restart and hard racing would ruin the day for both Hinkley and Belsito who had worked his way to second and then the race lead. Contact between the two would result in Belsito spinning off turn two and Hinkley being sent to the rear for his involvement in the spin. Hinkley would battle back for a top ten finish while a gear oil leak was found on Belsito’s mount ending his night.

   Joey “Pole” would hang on for second with defending series champion Joey Doiron battling an ill handling race car to third. Mike O’Sullivan would hang on to fourth while Cory Casagrande would start in tenth and quietly, methodically, work his way into the top five and finish fifth.

   Second year driver Jake Matheson would hang on to finish sixth while Hinkley would battle back for seventh. Rookies Cody Leblanc and Casey Call would finish eighth and ninth with Ryan Lineham in tenth.

   The next event for the series will will take place at the Hudson Speedway on Sunday July 12^th. The tight quarter mile bullring in Hudson NH has become a series favorite and always provides for outstanding racing.

1 - 93ct Ray Christian III  (3)

2 - 97 Joey Polewarcyk

3 - 73 Joey Doiron

4 - 08 Mike O’Sullivan

5 - 7ct Cory Casagrande

6 - 52nh Jake Matheson

7 - 31nh Luke Hinkley

8 - 55 Cody Leblanc

9 - 90nh Casey Call

10 - 48 Ryah Lineham

11 - 29 Barry Gray

12 - 88 Kevin Casper

13 - 12 Bobby Pelland

14 - 18 John Lowinski-Low

15 - 8b Angelo Belsito

16 - 11 Bryon Baker

17 - 40 Mike Mitchell

18 - 8nh Guy Caron