Pocono 400 Race is Monday, August 1, 2016

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Race Coverage of the Pennsylvania 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Pocono Raceway is scheduled for Monday, August 1, 2016.
Television (TV): NBCSN at 10:30 am/et; green flag approx. 11:00am/et
Radio: Motor Racing Network (MRN) and Sirius XM Satellite NASCAR Radio 90
Scheduled Race Re-Airs: TBA

Race Results — Claremont Speedway

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

30 Monster Mini's going 50 Laps

1	28	Mike Parker	White River, VT
2	62NH	Julia  Raymond	Winchester, NH
3	17	Haywood Herriott	Gorham, NH
4	55	Nicholas Anderson	Oxford, MA
5	18NH	Jacob Rheaume	Rochester, NH
6	90	Desmond Skillings	Antrim, NH
7	7NH	Cody Leblanc	Gorham, NH
8	85	Michael Viens	Seekonk, MA
9	43	Dana Shepard	Putney, VT
10	68	Matthew Gauffin	Antrim, NH
11	O4	Justn Faford	Westminister, MA
12	88NH	Emerson Cayer	Contoocook, NH
13	93	Timothy Paquette	Bennington, NH
14	6MA	Derek Robbie	Belingham, MA
15	66	Louis Maher	North Brookfield, MA
16	36	Kodi Sabins	Windsor, VT
17	10CT	Mitchell Bombard	Willimantic, CT
18	37	Justin Littlewood	Orange, MA
19	52	Mike Soucy	Hopkinton, NH
20	42	Jarrod Soucy	Marlborough, MA
21	8	Kevin Ferland	Claremont, NH
22	73	Cole Littlewood	Orange, MA
23	49	Alex Poisson	Claremont, NH
24	43X	CherylJoyce	CHarlestown, NH 25 5 Xander Emerson Springfield, VT 26 33 Matt Sonnhalter E. Thetford, VT 27 41 Loren Smith Allenstown, NH 28 57X Patrick Houle Vernon, VT 29 OO Brandon Gray Theftford, VT 30 21 Darren Jacobs Springfield, MA

Erik Jones wins XFINITY race at Iowa:

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

#20-Erik Jones won the US Cellular 250 at Iowa Speedway. It is his 5th XFINITY Series win and 3rd of the year. Jones led 154 of the 250 laps but had to take the lead from #3-Ty Dillon with 15 laps to go to get the win.
Dillon finished second, followed by #1-Elliott Sadler, #48-Brennan Poole, #18-Dakoda Armstrong, #2-Sam Hornish, Jr., #7-Justin Allgaier, #22-Brad Keselowski, #88-Josh Berry, and #16-Ryan Reed.
Pole sitter #19-Daniel Suarez finished 30th. He suffered front-end damage after getting into the back of #88-Josh Berry on a restart and did not finish.
There were 6 cautions for 29 laps and 7 lead changes among 4 leaders.
The average speed was 104.401mph.

Connecticut Modified Shoe, Str.34 Fin.21 #01 Ryan Preece # Flex Seal Liquid Chevrolet 127 of 250 laps

Mother Nature claim’s Riverhead 100

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Riverhead NY,  A steady rain claimed the inaugural running of the Riverhead 100 for the Granite State Pro Stock Series. After inspection and practice had been completed a steady light rain began to fall, after a hour and a half delay the decision was made to postpone the event. The GSPSS will return on Saturday Aug 20^th. Up next for the GSPSS will be the Bond Auto 100 This coming Friday night Aug. 5^th at Claremont Speedway. Post time 7pm

Coughlin Strong in First Truck Start at Tricky Triangle

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Byron wins Truck Series Race at Pocono: #4-William Byron won the Pocono Mountains 150 at Pocono Raceway on Saturday, setting a new series record for most wins by a rookie in a single season at five. #13-Cameron Hayley finished second, followed by #11-Brett Moffitt, #17-Timothy Peters, #00-Cole Custer, #98-Rico Abreu, #33-Ben Kennedy, #21-Johnny Sauter, #8-John Hunter Nemechek, and #4-Christopher Bell.
Byron started from the pole after qualifying was canceled. He led 44 of the 60 laps.
There were 9 cautions for 27 laps and 5 lead changes among 3 leaders.
The average speed was 99.174mph

LONG POND, PA - On a day that saw many competitors struggle to solve "The Tricky Triangle," Cody Coughlin turned in a strong performance in his first NASCAR Camping World Truck Series start at Pocono Raceway.  Coughlin started in the eighth position after qualifying was rained out and battled within the top-10 for much of the race before finishing 13th in Saturday's Pocono Mountains 150.

The 20-year-old driver was better with each lap he turned during the caution-filled day in his No. 51 Kyle Busch Motorsports JEGS.com/Mishimoto Toyota Tundra.  Coughlin did an admirable job avoiding all of the action as trucks spun near him seemingly all day long.

Between the action around him and his learning curve, Coughlin felt he had had a strong day while gaining plenty of experience in the Poconos.

"I'm pretty happy with how things went," Coughlin said.  "We ran in the top 10 throughout much of the day.  I would have liked to have finished there, but that just wasn't how things played out.  Overall, I thought it was a good day for my first time here in a truck."

The Joe Gibbs Racing Development driver's next time out in the KBM truck is scheduled for August 27 at the Michigan International Speedway.

"I'm excited to be going to Michigan for our next race," said Coughlin.  "I've run a couple of ARCA races there and I think I have a pretty good idea of how to race that track, even though it'll be very different in the truck.  I can't wait to get there because I know that Bono (Kevin Manion, crew chief) and all of the guys that work on our Kyle Busch Motorsports truck will give me another great Tundra.

"I can't thank Kyle and Samantha Busch enough for the opportunity to continue to race their equipment.  It's a real honor to be able to do that.  I also can't thank my parents (Di and John) enough for their continued love and support, and of course my sister Kennedi for always coming with me to every race and being my biggest cheerleader.  I have been truly blessed by God with such great supporters."

Coughlin will be back behind the wheel of his Pro Late Model next weekend on August 6 at Spitzer Motor Speedway in Mansfield, Ohio where he looks to extend his JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour points lead.

For more information on Cody Coughlin and Team JEGS, visit www.teamjegs.com and follow Cody on Twitter, @Cody_Coughlin. Follow Team JEGS on Twitter, @TeamJEGS, and "Like" JEGS Performance on Facebook.  Also be sure to check out Cody's website, www.codycoughlin.com. Any other inquiries for Cody Coughlin can be sent to Bob Dillner via email at bd51sports@gmail.com.

Claremont, NH Modified Results 7-29-16

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Finish	Start	Car	Driver	Hometown	Points
1	4	1	Sean Bodreau	Claremont , Nh	50.00
2	6	7NH	Scott Macmichael	New London, Nh	46.00
3	3	14	Dana Smith	Sunapee , Nh	44.00
4	14	11	Nicholas Boivin	Belchertown , Ma	42.00
5	7	28	Dwight Jarvis	Ascutney , Vt	40.00
6	12	71	Rob Williams	Winchendon , Ma	38.00
7	5	17	Dylan Rocke	Enfield , Nh	36.00
8	2	3	Jeffrey Murray	Claremont , Nh	34.00
9	9	63	Christopher Bolton	Weare , Nh	32.00
10	11	6	Sammy Rameau	Westminster , Ma	30.00
11	8	04	Joey Jarvis	Ascutney , Vt	28.00
12	13	38	Sidney Laquire	Lempster , Nh	26.00
13	10	26	Bucky Demers	Cornish , Nh	24.00
14	1	16	Mark Cole	-	22.00

Avery, Fearn, Wesson, Saunders, Fearn, Hodgdon, Perry & Chapman Score July 29th Mid-Season Stretch Feature Wins at Stafford Speedway

Posted by

Wayne G. Barber

(Stafford Springs, CT)---Stafford Speedway returned to NASCAR Whelen All-American Series racing action with the Mid-Season Stretch program on Friday, July 29th that saw each NASCAR Whelen All-American Series division race an extra two laps in distance.  Joining Stafford’s five NWAAS divisions in action were the Legend Cars as well the Junior Outlaws and Senior Champs from the Monday Night Wild Thing Kart Series.  Taking down feature wins on the night were Dan Avery in the 40-lap SK Modified® feature, Tom Fearn in the Late Model feature, Daniel Wesson in the SK Light feature, Al Saunders in the Ltd. Late Model division, Alexandra Fearn in the DARE Stock division, Teddy Hodgdon in the Legend Cars division, Mike Perry in the Senior Champs division, and Tyler Chapman in the Junior Outlaw division.

In the 42-lap SK Modified® feature event, Dan Avery took the lead at the drop of the green with Michael Gervais, Jr. moving into second after nearly taking the lead from Avery.  Keith Rocco was third with Matt Galko moving into fourth and Tyler Hines rounded out the top-5. 

Rocco quickly took second from Gervais on lap-4 and he began to set his sights on Avery for the lead.  Galko and Hines both got by Gervais on lap-8 to drop Gervais back to fifth as Rocco was looking high and low for a way to get around Avery for the lead.

Ronnie Williams was on the charge as he got by Gervais for fifth and then took fourth from Hines on lap-10.  Williams continued his charge as he took third from Galko on lap-12 as the caution came out with 12 laps complete for a spin on the backstretch by Tommy Membrino, Jr.

The field completed one lap back under green before the caution came right back out for a spin by Matt Gallo in turn 4 that collected the car of Josh Wood.

Rocco made a bid for the lead on the restart but Avery was able to hold off his challenge and remain as the race leader.  Williams was up to third with Galko fourth and Hines in fifth.  Hines touched wheels with Todd Owen which got Hines sideways and he nearly spun in turn 2 to bring the caution out with 16 laps complete.

Avery took the lead on the restart with Rocco and Williams behind him.  Williams went side by side with Rocco with Ted Christopher moving up to fourth before the caution came out with 19 laps complete for a spin in the middle of turns 3+4 by Ed Spiers.

Avery and Rocco resumed their side by side duel for the lead on the restart with Avery getting clear to the lead after 2 laps.  Williams was able to get by Rocco and take over second while Christopher and Galko were fighting for fourth behind Rocco.  Christopher got clear of Galko on lap-23 and Rowan Pennink was up to sixth behind Galko after starting deep in the field.  The caution came back out with 26 laps complete for Hines, who spun in the middle of turns 3+4.

Avery took the lead back under green with Rocco and Williams going side by side for second.  Rocco took the spot on lap-28 and Christopher was able to follow him by Williams, who fell back into a side by side fight with Pennink for fourth.  Pennink would take that spot to drop Williams back to fifth after he was just challenging for the lead before the caution.  Spiers spun in turn 1 to bring the caution out with 32 laps complete.

Avery took the lead on the restart with Rocco behind him in second.  Christopher was third but he got sideways in turn 2 on lap-34 and lost 10 spots to fall back to 13^th while Pennink moved into third, Williams moved up to fourth, and Woody Pitkat was now up to fifth.  Tom Bolles brought the caution out with 38 laps complete as his car was off the pace and it came to a stop before he could get it behind the pit wall.

Avery and Rocco ran nearly a full lap side by side before Avery got clear into the lead.  Pennink got by Rocco to move into second with two laps to go. Pitkat was fourth behind Rocco with Williams in fifth.  Pennink made a strong move to the inside of Avery as they were coming to the checkered flag but he couldn’t make it stick as Avery took the checkered flag for his first win since the 2013 season.  Rocco finished third with Pitkat and Williams rounding out the top-5.
At sixty-one, Avery becomes the oldest driver to win a SK Modified feature at Stafford Springs. Dan Avery repelled off all challengers in rolling to victory in the 42-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modified feature Friday at Stafford Motor Speedway.

POS	DRIVER
1	Dan Avery
2	Rowan Pennink
3	Keith Rocco
4	Woody Pitkat
5	Ronnie Williams
6	Matt Galko
7	Michael Gervais, Jr.
8	Todd Owen
9	Stephen Kopcik
10	Frank Ruocco
11	Eric Berndt
12	Jeff Gallup
13	Tyler Hines
14	Tommy Membrino, Jr.
15	Ted Christopher
16	Brian Sullivan
17	Tom Bolles
18	Ed Spiers
19	Payton Henry
20	David Salzarulo
21	Jeff Malave
22	Mike Christopher, Jr.
23	Matt Gallo
24	Josh Wood

In the 32-lap Late Model feature event, Tyler Leary led the first lap but a determined Tom Fearn moved to the lead on lap-2.  Fearn’s move opened the door for Josh Wood, Rich Hammann, Kevin Gambacorta, and Michael Wray to all get past as Leary fell back to sixth.  Joel Monahan then got by Leary to drop him back to seventh before the caution came out with 4 laps complete as Andy Marchese and P.J. Zarrella spun in turn 1.

Fearn and Wood resumed their duel for the lead on the restart with Wray making a power move to take over third with Gambacorta fourth and Hammann back to fifth.  Marchese spun in turn 2 to bring the caution out with 10 laps complete with Fearn still holding the lead over Wood, Wray, Gambacorta, and Hammann.

Fearn took the lead on the restart with Wray sliding his way past Wood to move into second.  Gambacorta was fourth with Tom Butler moving up to fifth.  Fearn was beginning to stretch out his lead over Wray and Wood as the race hit the halfway point. 

Gambacorta made a move to the inside of Wood in turns 1+2 to move up to third as Fearn continued to hold the lead with Wray in second.  Fearn led Wray to the checkered flag to pick up his fourth win of the 2016 season.  Gambacorta finished third with Wood and Butler rounding out the top-5.
1                Tom Fearn

2	Michael Wray
3	Kevin Gambacorta
4	Josh Wood
5	Tom Butler
6	Joel Monahan
7	Rich Hammann
8	Tyler Leary
9	Mike Mordino
10	Andy Marchese
11	Paul Varricchio, Jr.
12	P.J. Zarrella
13	Chase Cook

In the 22-lap SK Light Modified feature event, Wesley Prucker took the early lead with Jay Goff in second.  Al Wisialko spun in the middle of turns 3+4 and collected the car of Rit Dulac to bring the caution out with 2 laps complete.

Prucker took the lead back under green with Goff right on his bumper in second.  Tony Membrino, Jr. got around David Arute for third before Joe Graf, Jr. spun in the middle of turns 3+4 to bring the caution out with 3 laps complete.

Prucker again took the lead with Membrino moving up to second.  Goff settled into line in third with Daniel Wesson moving up to fourth and and Joey Ferrigno moved into fifth as Arute dropped back to sixth.  Vinny Anglace spun in turn 2 on lap-8 but he was able to get his car going and the race stayed under green flag conditions with Membrino now in front of Prucker and Wesson with Goff and Ferrigno making up the top-5.

Wesson got around Prucker and was now hounding Membrino for the race lead as they hit the halfway point of the feature.  Prucker was now third all by himself with Goff, Ferrigno, and Arute in a 3-car train behind him.  Wesson made a move to the inside of Membrino on lap-19 and he took the lead on lap-20 but just as he took the lead, the caution came out for Carlos Gray, who spun in turn 4.  The caution put Membrino back out front for the restart.

Membrino held Wesson off for a lap on the restart but Wesson made his move on lap-21 to get buy Membrion and take over the lead.  Wesson led Membrino to the stripe to pick up his third win of the 2016 season with Ferrigno, Prucker, and Goff rounding out the top-5.

1      Daniel Wesson
2	Tony Membrino, Jr.
3	Joey Ferrigno
4	Wesley Prucker
5	Jay Goff
6	Fred Nees, Jr.
7	Norm Sears
8	Carlos Gray
9	David Arute
10	Joe Graf, Jr.
11	Vinny Anglace
12	Ryan Charland
13	Ted Cain
14	Al Wisialko
15	Rit Dulac

In the 22-lap Limited Late Model feature event, Doug Phelps spun on the backstretch to bring the caution out before a lap could be completed.

R.J. Surdell powered into the lead on the restart with Frank L’Etoile, Jr. and Jeremy Lavoie side by side for second.  L’Etoile took that spot on lap-2 and brought Albert and Cliff Saunders with him as Lavoie dropped back to fifth.  Lavoie then continued to slide backwards as Duane Provost and Paul Arute were able to get by before Lavoie was able to get settled into line in seventh place.

Saunders ran Surdell down but Surdell was still the leader at the line on lap-7.  Albert Saunders took the lead on lap-8 and Cliff Saunders tried to get by Surdell to move into second on lap-9 but Surdell was able to hold him off.  Provost was now fourth with Arute in fifth.  Surdell spun in the middle of turns 3+4 after contact with Cliff Saunders and the field piled up behind him with L’Etoile’s car ending up on its side to bring the red and yellow flags out.  Saunders was sent to the rear of the field for the restart for the contact with Surdell.

Al Saunders took the lead back under green with Arute right on his bumper in second.  Lavoie was third with Justin Bren leading Cliff Saunders, David Tefft, and Surdell. 

Arute closed up to Al Saunders’ bumper but he was unable to make a pass as Saunders took down his second win of the 2016 season.  Lavoie finished third with Cliff Saunders and Surdell rounding out the top-5.

POS	DRIVER
1	Al Saunders
2	Paul Arute
3	Jeremy Lavoie
4	Cliff Saunders
5	R.J. Surdell
6	Justin Bren
7	David Tefft
8	Duane Provost
9	Frank L'Etoile, Jr.
10	Robert Bloxsom, III
11	Bryan Narducci
12	Matt Clement
13	Doug Phelps, Jr.

In the 17-lap DARE Stock feature event, Marcello Rufrano streaked into the lead at the drop of the green with Ryan Fearn and Johnny Walker lined up behind him.  Alexandra Fearn was fourth and Trace Beyer was fifth in the early going behind the three leaders.  Rufrano spun in turns 3+4 to bring the caution out with 8 laps complete.

On the restart, Alexandra Fearn shot into the lead with Walker in second.  Ryan Fearn got out of shape and fell to the rear before bringing his car to pit road.  This moved Brandon Michael into third with Zack Robinson fourth and Beyer in fifth.  Rufrano spun in the middle of turns 3+4 again to bring the caution back out with 12 laps complete.

Alexandra Fearn took the lead back under green with Robinson moving into second when Walker got out of shape.  Tyler Trott spun in turn 2 to bring the caution out with 15 laps complete and set up a green white checkered finish.

Alexandra Fearn took the lead with Robinson and Walker dueling for second.  Walker took the spot from Robinson coming to the white flag as Robinson slipped coming out of the corner and that was all Fearn needed as she took down her second feature win of the 2016 season.  Walker finished second with Michael, Beyer, and Robinson rounding out the top-5.

POS	DRIVER
1	Alexandra Fearn
2	Johnny Walker
3	Brandon Michael
4	Trace Beyer
5	Zack Robinson
6	Marcello Rufrano
7	Dan Dembek
8	Vince Gambacorta
9	Chris Bagnall
10	Tyler Trott
11	Paul Bourdon, Jr.
12	Gary Spinnato, Sr.
13	Ryan Fearn

In the 20-lap Legend Cars feature, Teddy Hodgdon and Ryan DeCandia went wide into turn 1 allowing Noah Korner to make a 3-wide move for the lead but behind them Andrew Quealy and Steven Chapman got hooked together and spun in turn 1 to bring the caution out.

Hodgdon took the lead on the restart with Noah Korner moving into second.  Chapman was third with Glenn Korner and DeCandia dueling for fourth.  DeCandia and Glenn Korner got together and spun to bring the caution out with 3 laps complete.

Hodgdon resumed the lead on the restart with Noah and Glenn Korner behind him.  Glenn Korner spun to bring the caution out with 5 laps complete.

The race went back to green with Hodgdon in front of Noah Korner, Chapman, Glenn Korner, and Quealy.  The top-5 ran unchanged to the checkered flag as Hodgon was able to hold off Noah Korner for his second consecutive win.

POS	DRIVER
1	Teddy Hodgdon
2	Noah Korner
3	Steven Chapman
4	Glenn Korner
5	Andrew Quealy
6	Ryan DeCandia

In the 25-lap Senior Champs Wild Thing Karts feature, the caution came out before a lap could be completed for a multi kart wreck in turn 4.

Back under green, Chris Daley led early on before Brandon Rusczek moved to the front.  Rusczek, Mike Perry, Tim Sullivan, and Brandon Tiezi were all swapping the lead back and forth with Perry looking to have taken control during the second half o of the race.  Ron Midford, Jr. spun in turn 2 to bring the caution out with 21 laps complete and set up a 4-lap sprint to the finish.

Perry took the lead on the restat with Meisenhelder in second for a brief minute before Rusczek took second.  Perry led Rusczek to the checkered flag to pick up the win.  Daley finished third with Tiezi and Sullivan rounding out the top-5.

In the 20-lap Junior Outlaws Wild Thing Karts feature, Jake Hines took the lead with a power move around the outside of Brody O’Sullivan on the opening lap.  The caution came out with 2 laps complete as several karts spun in turn 4.

Tyler Palmer took the lead from Hines on the restart with Tyler Chapman, O’Sullivan, and Hines behind him.  Palmer and Chapman were pulling away from Lucas Leone in third place and Chapman took the lead from Palmer on lap-13 but Palmer came right back and retook the lead on lap-14. 

Chapman took the lead on lap-15 from Palmer and this time he was able to stay out front as Palmer settled into line in second.  A caution came out with 17 laps complete as Hines’ kart spun in turn 2.

Chapman took the lead with Leone and Palmer side by side for second.  Steven Chapman was up to fourth but he surrendered that spot to Greg Estell.  Tyler Chapman led Palmer to the checkered flag to pick up the win.  Steven Chapman was third with Brody O’Sullivan and Colin Dandy rounding out the top-5.

For more information contact the Stafford Motor Speedway track office at (860) 684-2783, or visit us on the web at www.staffordspeedway.com.

Monster Mini's had it all at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park on 7-27-16

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

In the Mini Stocks reigning champion Dave Trudeau celebrated his fourth victory of the season in his mission to defend his 2015 series title, but it was not an easy trip to victory lane. Trudeau started the event on a low note after mechanical issues forced him to pit and restart in the back of the field after a lap one caution. Trudeau would overcome adversity, and a significant lead by Christopher Viens, to take the win and return to victory lane in Thompson.

“I have no idea how I got back up there. I was fast. I’ve got an awesome crew. I can’t thank everyone enough,” Trudeau said.

The event was made even more special as it also marked the debut race for Trudeau’s son, Dave Trudeau, Jr., in the Mini Stock Series. Trudeau, Jr. sprinted to victory lane after the conclusion of the event to embrace his dad and celebrate possibly the most unpredictable victory of the evening.

The championship battle between Trudeau and Wayne Burroughs Jr.( 2015 New London Waterford Speedbowl Champion) will probably be decided at the World Series. Note: Long time Thompson driver Roger Ducharme #34 has found a fountain of youth and is quietly having a very strong 2016 season and is headed for a top 5 final finish.

MINI STOCK FINISH: 1. Dave Trudeau (Mansfield, CT); 2. Christopher Viens (Putnam, CT); 3. Wayne Burroughs, Jr. (Oakdale, CT); 4. Eric Bourgeois (East Haaddam, CT); 5. Brad Caddick (Wyoming, RI); 6. Roger Ducharme (Foster, RI); 7. Nathan Taylor (Brooklyn, CT); 8. Ed Field (Deep River, CT); 9. Nick Matera (Warwick, RI) 10. Scott Michalski (South Killingly CT); 11. Mitch Bombard (Willimantic, CT); 12. Keith Ballou (Pascoag, RI); 13. Mike Viens (Putnam, CT); 14. Dave Trudeau, Jr. (Mansfield, CT)

1	97	DAVE TRUDEAU	215	0
2	20	WAYNE BURROUGHS, JR	203	12
3	51	SCOTT MICHALSKI	191	24
4	38	EDWARD FIELD	176	39
5	24	BRAD CADDICK	162	53
6	44	STEVEN MICHALSKI	146	69
7	34	ROGER DUCHARME	144	71
8	87	ERIC BOURGEOIS	138	77
9	55	NICHOLAS ANDERSON	137	78
10	2	DOUGLAS CURRY	133	82
11	37	JORDAN HADLEY	117	98
12	19	NICHOLAS MATERA	116	99
13	10	KEITH BALLOU	88	127
14	7	CHRISTOPHER VIENS	74	141
15	26	JEFFREY MOFFAT, SR	71	144
16	50	SCOTT BELLISLE	50	165
17	1	NATHAN TAYLOR	49	166
18	3	IAN BREW	48	167
19	84	WILLIAM SCHOELER	36	179
20	10CT	MITCH BOMBARD	32	183
21	96	CHRIS IVORY	30	185
22		BRANDON FISHER	26	189
23	47	LAWRENCE LOOMIS, JR	24	191

SK Lite's return to the High Banks of Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park 7-27-16

Posted by Wayne G. Barber  

In the Lite Modifieds Corey Barry took advantage of a mid race caution and strong restarts to claim a dominating victory in a 20-lap dash. Damon Tinio had control of much of the first half of the event, the race car of Barry and then Rufrano could catch him but it was another thing to pass him before he lost control of his car in turns one and two after the halfway point, leaving the door open for Barry to claim the win while Wesley Prucker and Marcello Rufrano rounded out the top three. The Lites took the 2015 racing season off at Thompson on low car counts and this made the third visit in 2016 to a dwindling field. The Ice Breaker drew 8 Lites. On July 9th they drew a nice count of 12 and then tonight dropped to 6.

LITE MODIFIED FINISH: 1. Corey Barry (Plainfield, CT); 2. Wesley Prucker (Stafford, CT); 3. Marcello Rufrano (North Haven, CT); 4. Cam Sontag (Sterling, MA); 5. Matt Rzewnicki (Chicopee, MA); 6. Damon Tinio (Mendon, MA)

Limited Sportsman Fireworks from Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park 7-27-16

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

The Super Stars of this division took a back seat to a pair of hard nose brothers tonight to the delight of the faithful crowd at Thompson on a beautiful summers night of classic short track full fender racing. The fireworks continued with the Xtra Mart Limited Sportsman series as two and three-wide action was commonplace throughout that event. Several drivers found themselves fighting hard for position throughout the 20-lap feature, but it was the #25 car of Jesse Gleason, a car he borrowed from the Waterman family, that held on for the win after leading most of the event despite several strong runs from his competition to take the victory, including a late race push from his brother Brent Gleason who held on for a second place finish. Last year Jesse won a race in the #81 without a un-damaged corner on it and then ran out of gas in victory lane. His racing story telling talent was a Jewel on our RACE CHATTER radio program.

  I was in attendance with two of my many grandchildren and we were watching Cory Hutchings #38, a frequent guest on the Race Chatter slice thru the field like a surgeon along with Larry Barnett #73 picking off the opposition every lap marching towards the front

“This is short track racing. The first one up front is the guy who has the advantage. Maybe you don’t win it on lap one, but maybe on lap two or three,” Gleason said in victory lane. “You’ve got to stab me to get by me. That’s about it.” Gleason added that he was proud to race alongside his brother for the win and praised Brent for the strides he has made in his own racing career.

While Gleason was celebrating in victory lane other drivers found themselves scratching their heads, especially Corey Hutchings who followed up a strong win in his last race at Thompson with another strong run that ended in an early retirement from the race when a battle for position with Phil Jacques resulted in heavy damage to Hutchings’ car. Jacques was penalized for the incident and sent to the rear of the field but still managed a sixth place finish.

  This put a much overdue for a victory, Larry Barnett in the best re-start position and then the dreaded conversation with his spotter, I think I have a tire going down. This division with the Gleasons, Waterman's, Josh Wood (2 wins), Jacques, Scott Sundeen,( 4 championships) Al Stone Jr. on occasion, Barnett,( 4 championships) Cory Hutchings, ( 6 championships, 2 at Thompson, 4 at New London Waterford Speedbowl) and 36 wins at Thompson is in my opinion the definition of Short Track Racing at it's finest in all New England. This division with 5 points for a heat win and then the rubbing sheet metal feature are worth the price of admission.

XTRAMART LIMITED SPORTSMAN FINISH: 1. Jesse Gleason (Lisbon, CT); 2. Brent Gleason (Griswold, CT); 3. Scott Sundeen (Sutton, MA); 4. Ryan Waterman (Danielson, CT); 5. Ed Puleo (Branford, CT); 6. Phil Jacques (Dudley, MA); 7. Mike Palin (Dudley, MA); 8. Tommy Shea (New London, CT); 9. Troy Waterman (Killingly, CT); 10. Corey Fanning (Mapleville, RI); 11. Hank Stott (Medway, MA); 12. Zack Robinson (Putnam, CT); 13. Nick Anderson (Oxford, MA); 14. . Larry Barnett (Moosup, CT); 15. Corey Hutchings (Salem, CT); 16. Dan Coutu (Canterbury, CT); 17. John Carpenter (North Grosvenordale, CT); 18. James Bendiak (Hopkinton, MA); 19. Joshua Wood (Palmer, MA); 20. Ed Correia (Raynhyam, MA)

1	75	RYAN WATERMAN	292	0
2	36	SCOTT SUNDEEN	284	8
3	01	BRENT GLEASON	246	46
4	38	COREY HUTCHINGS	242	50
5	51	JOSHUA WOOD	235	57
6	73	LAWRENCE BARNETT	227	65
7	77	PHIL JACQUES	222	70
8	55	ED PULEO	219	73
9	88	FRANK L'ETOILE JR	175	117
10	52	AL STONE III	175	117
11	25	JESSE GLEASON	155	137
12	45	THOMAS SHEA, SR	146	146
13	10	CHARLES STOTT	140	152
14	7	TROY WATERMAN	135	157
15	31	JAMES BENDIAK	126	166
16	47	DAN COUTU	110	182
17	11	JACK AQUILINA	101	191
18	27	EDMUND CORREIA, JR	100	192
19	13	JEFF VanPELT	91	201
20	56	DENNIS BLAISE	87	205

Late/Model Results from Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park 7-27-16

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

The Late Models started off the night strong with good, close racing throughout the field for their 25-lap feature. The complexion of the race changed several times, including after the race itself was finished, with the early domination by Jared Materas starting off a strange trend for the event when Matera’s dominance was cut short after he lost control of his car six laps into the race. The spin creating a multi-car incident that retired Materas from the race while series regular Brian Tagg took over the lead after an extensive cleanup process.

Tagg would soon find himself under attack by several cars, eventually being involved in a close, hard battle with Marc Curtis before the two made contact, causing Curtis to spin and Tagg to be sent to the back of the field, ruining his chance at a win as well. Meanwhile the stage was set for a dramatic finish as points leader William Wall made a hard charge to the front to compete with his closest rival in the points, Rick Gentes, for third in the final ten laps. Up at the front Lloyd Anderson and Matt Lowinski-Loh added to the action as the two sought their first ever respective wins in the series. In the end it was Lloyd Anderson who came out of top over Lowinski-Loh, or so it appeared. Anderson celebrated in victory lane after crossing the line in a backup car but the win was stripped away as after the event Anderson’s team was informed they were disqualified from the Late Model race due to a right front lower control arm of the car that did not meet specified measurements. This turn of events put an end to an interesting Late Model feature and gave the win to Lowinski-Loh, his first in the series. Gentes finished second in the adjusted results after spinning across the finish line and Wall finished an eventual third.

LATE MODEL FINISH: 1. Matt Lowinski-Loh (Milford, MA); 2. Rick Gentes (Harrisville, RI); 3. William Wall (Shrewsbury, MA); 4. Mark Curtis (Brookfield, MA); 5. Ryan Lineham (Hope Valley, RI); 6. Nick Johnson (Rehoboth, MA); 7. Brian Tagg (Oxford, MA); 8. Larry Gelinas (Buxton, ME); 9. Michael Bennett (Willington, CT); 10. Walt Sutcliffe (East Haven, CT); 11. Brandon Warren (Chicopee, MA); 12. Jared Materas (Westfield, MA); 13. Tom Carey, III (Orange, MA); 14.  Scott Serydyniski; Disqualified -  John Studley (Framingham, MA);

1	4	WILLIAM WALL	333	0
2	70	RICHARD GENTES	326 -	7
3	27	MARC CURTIS	295 -	38
4	91	LARRY GELINAS	292	41
5	5	TOM CAREY III	271	62
6	9	BRIAN TAGG	268	65
7	17	MATTHEW LOWINSKI-LOH	263	70
8	55	BRANDON WARREN	238	95
9	23	LLOYD ANDERSON, JR	215	118
10	13	JARED MATERAS	212	121
11	81	PAUL CHARETTE	168	165
12	6	NICHOLAS JOHNSON	145	188
13	11RI	COREY FANNING	143	190
14	16	MICHAEL BENNETT	138	195
15	94	JASON PAQUETTE	126	207

Preece Returns to Winning Form

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Photo Credit: Clarus Studios

The 3rd annual Sunoco Modified 20/20 Sprint saw drivers competing to win not only two points paying events, but also an overall victory with a third race helping decide the final outcome. Drivers looked to obtain the least amount of points in a secondary points system based off of finishing spots in the segments to win it all. The feature would see some of the biggest names in the series run up front throughout the evening and a popular name return to the top in victory lane.

The 20/20 event consisted of three segments, two 20 lap races and a third ten-lap feature, with the first event ordered by qualifying, the second inverting the field for the starting lineup based off the finishing positions in the first event and the third and final segment utilizing timing in the first race to set the field. With the first two segments being points paying races, Keith Rocco was looking to defend his undefeated status this season but faced some tough competition as he relinquished his hold of victory lane in the first race to one of the series’ most popular talents, Ryan Preece, who made the trip to Thompson from North Carolina that morning to take part in the main event.

Preece celebrated in victory lane, giving credit to his crew for helping him gain early momentum in the 20/20 feature. “It was pretty tough there,” Preece said. “We’ve just been struggling with the brakes with this car and it’s been making it so free in – To fly up here and win, it’s a lot of fun for me,” Preece said after the first segment.

Preece wouldn’t be able to make it a perfect night in the Sunoco Modifieds however as Keith Rocco made a strong comeback and claimed a win in segment two. In the end Preece held on to not only win segment three but also produced good enough finishes to win the overall 20/20 feature title for the second time in his career, and hopefully put an end to a rough season in the series so far in 2016.

“It’s pretty special,” Preece said. “It’s been a rough year – No matter how bad I wanted to do good it was like something was stopping me. Tonight was the night where we got the monkey off our back hopefully.” Rowan Pennink finished second overall in the 20/20 feature followed by Rocco, Ronnie Williams and Woody Pitkat.

SUNOCO MODIFIED 20/20 SPRINT SEGMENT TWO FINISH: 1. Keith Rocco (Berlin, CT); 2. Rowan Pennink (New Egypt, New Jersey); 3. Woody Pitkat (Stafford, CT); 4. Ryan Preece (Berlin, CT); 5. Ronnie Williams (Tolland, CT);  6. Steven Kopcik (Newtown, CT); 7. Jason Sundeen (Douglas, MA); 8. Jeff Gallup (Agawam, MA); 9. Kyle Trainor (Marlboro, MA); 10. Eddie LeClerc (Taunton, MA); 11. Kyle Cafro (North Windham, CT); 12. Joey Parker (Weymouth, MA); 13. Nicholas Giardina (South Salem, MA); 14. Mike Benevides (Westerly, RI); 15. Adam Norton (Palmer, MA); 16. Andrew Charron (East Greenwich, RI); DNS - John Catania (Agawam, MA); John Studley (Framingham, MA); Renee Dupuis (Hebron, CT); Paul LaPlante (North Attleboro, MA)

SUNOCO MODIFIED 20/20 SPRINT SEGMENT THREE FINISH: 1. Ryan Preece (Berlin, CT); 2. Rowan Pennink (New Egypt, New Jersey); 3. Keith Rocco (Berlin, CT); 4. Ronnie Williams (Tolland, CT); 5. Steven Kopcik (Newtown, CT); 6. Jason Sundeen (Douglas, MA); 7. Jeff Gallup (Agawam, MA); 8. Woody Pitkat (Stafford, CT); 9. Andrew Charron (East Greenwich, RI); 10. Kyle Trainor (Marlboro, MA);  11. Eddie LeClerc (Taunton, MA); 12. Kyle Cafro (North Windham, CT); 13. Joey Parker (Weymouth, MA); 14. Nicholas Giardina (South Salem, MA); DNS - Mike Benevides (Westerly, RI); John Catania (Agawam, MA); John Studley (Framingham, MA); Renee Dupuis (Hebron, CT); Paul LaPlante (North Attleboro, MA); Adam Norton (Palmer, MA)

SUNOCO MODIFIED 20/20 SPRINT FINAL FEATURE RESULTS: 1. Ryan Preece (Berlin, CT) 6 pts; 2. Rowan Pennink (New Egypt, New Jersey) 6 pts; 3. Keith Rocco (Berlin, CT) 8 pts; 4. Ronnie Williams (Tolland, CT) 12 pts; 5. Woody Pitkat (Stafford, CT) 16 pts; 6. Jason Sundeen (Douglas, MA) 20 pts; 7. Steven Kopcik (Newtown, CT) 21 pts; 8. Jeff Gallup (Agawam, MA) 21 pts; 9. Andrew Charron (East Greenwich, RI) 34 pts; 10. Kyle Trainor (Marlboro, MA) 34 pts;  11. Eddie LeClerc (Taunton, MA) 34 pts; 12. Kyle Cafro (North Windham, CT) 37 pts; 13. Nicholas Giardina (South Salem, MA) 39 pts; 14. Joey Parker (Weymouth, MA) 41 pts; 15. Adam Norton (Palmer, MA) 120 pts; 16. Mike Benevides (Westerly, RI) 124 pts; 17. John Catania (Agawam, MA) 215 pts; 18. John Studley (Framingham, MA) 216 pts; 19. Renee Dupuis (Hebron, CT) 217 pts; DNS - Paul LaPlante (North Attleboro, MA) 297 Pts

1	57	KEITH ROCCO	319
2	31	RYAN PREECE	294 -	25
3	59	RONNIE WILLIAMS	282-	37
4	16	ROWAN PENNINK	252-	67
5	6	WOODY PITKAT	250-	69
6	31K	STEPHEN KOPCIK	238	81
7	1M	ADAM NORTON	238	81
8	36	JASON SUNDEEN	222	97
9	40	KYLE TRAYNER	179	140
10	7	ANDREW CHARRON	178	141

Granite State Pro Stocks Headed For Inaugural Visit at Riverhead Raceway

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

RIVERHEAD, N.Y. -- This Saturday, July 30, the Granite State Pro Stock Series (GSPSS) visits Riverhead Raceway in Long Island, New York for the inaugural Riverhead 100.

The $2,000 to win feature event is set to be a battle between the stars of the GSPSS who run with the tour regularly up against those who compete in the Late Model class at Riverhead as part of the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series.

Series points leader Barry Gray leads the way into the 1/4 mile bullring -- but he is closely followed by Cory Casagrande -- who has come on strong of late. Casagrande says he may be at an advantage over some of the rest of the field when they roll onto the track on Saturday, since he has been at the track and watched racing action before.

"We are going to a new track for basically everyone in Riverhead," Casagrande said. "I'm probably one of the few people that run the tour that has even been there to watch a race, so I am looking forward to being there."

The sixth race of the 11-event schedule already has an impressive list of drivers slated to compete. GSPSS regulars Mike Parks, Mike Mitchell, Glenn Martel and others have filed entry paperwork.

Mike and Tommy O'Sullivan, brothers out of Massachusetts, will also compete along with D.J. Shaw. Some of the Riverhead regulars who will search the glory include Jarrod Hayes, Roger Oxee, Chris Turbush and John Baker.

Series president and founder Mike Parks, who enters the race third in GSPSS points, is happy to invade the 1/4 mile bulling in the inaugural visit and hopes that the series racing puts the fans on the edge of their seat.

"We are all looking forward to going to Riverhead," Parks said. "With some of the local teams racing, it's going to be great for the fans. It will be interesting to see how the local racers fair against the tour racers -- they will definitely have a home track advantage."

On Saturday, the front spectator gates open at 4 p.m. and qualifying racing begins at 6 p.m. The track regular NASCAR Modifieds, Figure 8's, Super Pro Trucks, Blunderbusts and the 4/6 Cylinder Enduro will also compete on Saturday along with the GSPSS.

For more information on the series, drivers, teams and fans are encouraged to visit www.gspss.net 

QUICK FACTS: Inaugural GSPSS 100 at Riverhead Raceway

RACE FACTS: 

1.     100 lap feature

2.     12 lap heat races

3.     Blind draw for heat starting positions

4.     $2,000 up for grabs to the winner

Event Schedule:

1.     Front gates open at 4 p.m.

2.     Heat racing starts at 6 p.m.

Former Whelen Modified Tour driver Renee Dupuis, returns to home track, Thompson Speedway

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

(THOMPSON, CT) - A familiar name returned to Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park on Saturday, July 9 in the Sunoco Modified division. Renee Dupuis was back behind the wheel on the track she calls home for the first time in five years, in the #90 car, owned by Ed Bennett. She has run with Ed Bennett and his team for years, last racing on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour in the very same chassis that she raced at Thompson less than two weeks ago. Although disappointed that the race was postponed due to weather, the team is looking forward to finishing up the last half of the season strong.

In her years racing on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, Dupuis broke records for women, and made a name for herself, in one of the top NASCAR touring divisions in the country. She is still the highest qualifying and finishing female driver in the 30+ year series (both North and South Modified Tours) history. She has also made an effort to work with young women drivers and help them excel in motorsports, working with Lyn St. James’ Women in the Winner’s Circle program.

Dupuis has always had racing in her blood, with her father giving up his own successful career racing at Stafford Motor Speedway, to help Renee and her brother, Jason, pursue their own racing efforts. Her brother still supports her as crew chief for her car and she credits her success to some advice he gave her when she was first starting out. “Who cares if you’re a girl? If you want to do this, get involved.” Since then, she has dedicated herself to learning everything there is to working on the car, from adjusting the shocks and springs, to fabricating parts.

Like many drivers at Thompson, Dupuis started off racing a Quarter Midget at the Little T when she was 5. Although she admits she probably wouldn’t have been into racing without her parents introducing her to it, racing quickly grew into a lifelong passion for her. Dupuis continued racing at the Little T until she was 14, and then moved into the Pro 4 Modifieds at Riverside Park Speedway following her family’s passion for open-wheel cars. Prior to their closing, Renee became the first and only female in Riverside’s 51-year history to record a NASCAR Modified feature event victory.

Dupuis hopes that racing in the Sunoco Modified division at Thompson Speedway, will help provide a positive role model for other young women who are looking to race. “If women are racing, I want to see them do well. To show that they have what it takes to be out there.” As the only woman racing this season on the oval at Thompson, and the first since 2014 to compete in Thompson’s premier open-wheel division, Dupuis is out to prove that she and her team have what it takes to do well.

Renee Dupuis will be racing the #90 Ed Bennett Properties/Space Filters car next at the 3^rd Annual Sunoco Modified 20/20 Sprint on Wednesday, July 27 at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park. The Late Models, Xtra Mart Limited Sportsman, Mini Stock and Lite Modified divisions will also be competing at next Wednesday’s event. Gates open at 4:30 PM and qualifying races will begin at 6:30 PM.

For more information about Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park or to order your tickets, visit www.thompsonspeedway.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Youtube to stay up to date on recent news and events.