NEMA Lite's at Seekonk Speedway 6-28-17 "Boston Louie"

Posted by Wayne G. Barber  Photo's by Wayne G. Barber AP

Since the birth of the Race Chatter radio show and it's companion blog site my anticipation of the annual, Boston Louie Memorial Midget races at Seekonk Speedway keeps growing on my must attend list on the racing calendar of so many choices in June/ July throughout New England.
 Today with bluebird sky's and 75 degrees of dry June weather I just knew we would be in the right position on earth for a great historical NEMA Lite's feature of a extended 33 laps from the normal Boston Louie of 29 laps to honor his race team number.
 Earlier in the 2017 racing season the sport lost a great legendary midget driver in Dave Steele at Tampa Florida, Desoto Speedway in his attempt at his 100th Florida victory .
 The NEMA Lite's of New England in a great show of Class decided to honor him also tonight and all unanimously agreed to the extended length of 33 laps to honor his race team number.
  The car count was through the roof at 33 race teams with some awesome heat races. The prestigious race attracted race teams from RI, MASS.,CT, NH, NJ,NC,GA,NY,CO.
 28 race teams made the all-star studded feature with also has some of the best young talent ( Locke, Mikitarian, Duhaime) in the country in any division. The field was divided into three qualifying heats with Meg Cugni #41 in her chariot just completed in race time by dad and brother coming home with her heat victory to build the teams racing confidence.
 The next heat race reflected some local flavor with Ray Parent #45 Tiverton ,RI resident who at the end of last year sold his race teams and had no solid plans for 2017. Parent has teamed up with Anytime Realty in the Late/ Models and has won at Seekonk Speedway and twice at Thompson Speedway and leads the points race at Thompson. Act Races ? and now works out a late minute deal with the power house Bertrand Motorsports to field the #45 tonight with a first ever start and a heat victory to a very large local roar from the educated regulars who follow all the races at the Cement Palace every week.. The third heat race had a seasoned pro Jim Chambers #12 from Atkinson,NH  showing Anthony Paine #21 Fairlawn, NJ  that the path to tonight's feature will include his hot rod.
 The race was filled with a lot of early cautions with so many invading teams from outside trying to figure out the right groove for their setups. On lap three George Kurtz #4 Denver, CO. did a 360 spin out in turn two. On lap five Nikki Carroll #24 Andover NJ lost the handle in turn four. On the next re-start three cars got tangled up. Jake Stergious #57 Candia,NH one of my prerace favorites, Kevin Iannarelli #27 Maynard, MA and Carroll #24 again. Lap eight saw Kurtz loose the handle for the second time in turn four to bring out caution flag. On lap19 Anthony Burr #34 Ct., Wallingford Ct. stalled in middle of the track.
 From the early stages Jim Chambers #12 put on a driving clinic of how to fend off the aggressive hot rod of Ryan Locke #38 who has a win in the series in 2016 at New London Waterford, CT. Locke could catch him , but pass the crafty veteran would not be easy without a wreck. The veteran would change

his groove just enough to fend off the up and rising star in his fire engine red race car. I think the right rear was starting to wear on the Locke car and now Dylan Duhaime #5 who worked his way thru the field while keeping the car in one piece presented the next challenge for the lead.  Chambers held him off for a couple of laps and if the race was 29 laps would have had another Boston Louie on his mantle but this one was for 33 laps. Duhamie's rocketship just got stronger with the crowd on the edge of their bleacher seat witnessed live drama of the best finish in this division in years at the real home of the Midgets. The racers knew the 5 was getting stronger with a great third place finish earlier in 2017. Top 5 Unofficial Finish Order;  Dylan Duhaime, Loudon, NH, Jim Chambers,Atkinson, NH Chad Labastie, Uxbridge, MA, Ryan Locke, Raymond, NH, Ryan Bigelow, Berlin, Conn.
 This NEMA Lite's touring group will be back at Seekonk in 2017. Do not miss this racing card !

1	5	Dylan Duhaime	Loudon, NH	Jim Cataldo
2	12	Jim Chambers	Atkinson, NH	Jim Chambers
3	14	Chad Labastie	Uxbridge, MA	Chad Labastie
4	38	Ryan Locke	Raymond, NH	Ken Locke
5	13	Ryan Bigelow	E. Hampton, CT	Ryan Bigelow
6	51	Dan CuginI	Marshfield, MA	Dan Cugini
7	5b	Jessica Bean	Farmland, IN	Jessica Bean
8	45	Ray Parent	Tiverton, RI	Bertrand Motorsports
9	35	Randy Cabral	Kingston, MA	Glen Cabral
10	21	Anthony Payne	Fairlawn, NJ	Mike Scrivani
11	27	Kevin Iannarelli	Maynard, MA	Kevin Iannarelli
12	57	Jake Stergios	Candia, NH	Bill Stergios
13	8t	Jake Trainor	Medway, MA	Jake Trainor
14	9	Ben Mikitarian	Northborough, MA	John Mikitarian
15	24	Nikki Caroll	Andover, NJ	Joe Caroll
16	8	Sam Hatfield	Mooresville, NC	Sam Hatfield
17	7	Jim Cataldo	Sterling, MA	Jim Cataldo
18	16	Denis O'Brien	Deerfield, NH	Chris O'Brien
19	35g	Jake Garcia	Monroe, GA	Jacke Garcia
20	9L	Chris Lamb	Greensboro, MC	Chris Lamb
21	52	Kevin Park	Foxboro, MA	Kevin Park
22	3	Chris Vose	Gloversville, NY	Chris Vose
23	41	Megan Cugini	Marshfield, MA	Glenn Cugini
24	88	Jeff Locke	Chester, NH	Ken Locke
25	34ct	Anthony Burr	Wallingford, CT	Anthony Burr
26	20	Jeremy Decourcy	Rochester, NH	Jeremy Decourcy
27	4	George Kurtz	Denver, CO	George Kurtz
28	19	Richard Coy	Haskell, NJ	Richard Coy

Qualifying Race Bonus Returns to the NAPA Auto Parts SK 5K

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

Qualifying Race Bonus Returns to the NAPA Auto Parts SK 5K

(Stafford Springs, CT)---The biggest paying SK Modified® race in the country, the NAPA Auto Parts SK 5K, continues to grow.  John Rufrano of Wheelers Automotive has signed on to add bonus money to the top-4 finishers in each of the qualifying races for the Friday, July 7th event.  A total of $2,000 will be up for grabs as a qualifying race bonus.  Spread across four heat races the top-4 finishers will receive a bonus, 1st - $200, 2nd - $125, 3rd - $100, and 4th $75.

            “It’s an awesome event that a lot of people are looking forward to,” explained John Rufrano referring to the 4th annual NAPA Auto Parts SK 5K.  "With 100 laps and the extra money that’s on the line, it’s exciting for the fans and the drivers.  I like putting the money out for the heat races. There’s a lot of guys who don’t make it into the top-3 or top-4 in the feature and they don’t get into the big money, but if they can get a top-3 in the heat, they’ll have some extra money to go home with.”

Rufrano, car owner of current SK Modified point leader and 2010 NASCAR Division 1 National Champion, “The Kid” Keith Rocco, returns for his 3rd season posting qualifying race bonus money for the NAPA Auto Parts SK 5K.  For the 2017 season Rufrano has increased the bonus from $1,500 to $2,000 spread across 4 heat races.  

            Combined with the guaranteed purse of $27,100, an estimated $5,000 bonus from the Gambler’s Challenge presented by Dunleavy Truck and Trailer Repair, and weekly contingency bonuses of $500, the addition of the qualifying race money brings the total estimated purse to $34,600.  

            “This race is fun for us,” explained Stafford General Manager, Mark Arute.  “SK Modified® racing at Stafford in the last few years has been some of the best racing any of us have ever seen.  It’s great that we have great sponsors like NAPA Auto Parts, Dunleavy’s Truck and Trailer Repair, and Wheeler’s Automotive that make this possible.  $34,600 in payout for an SK Modified race is pretty incredible.”

            The stacked SK Modified® field is one of the deepest in the country.  Of the 40 drivers who have competed in an SK Modified® race thus far in 2017, 17 have scored SK Modified® feature wins at Stafford in their career.  Through 6 events in 2017, 4 different drivers have won features, including 3 SK Light graduates.  The big story in the division is who has yet to score a win, 2015 & 2016 track champion Rowan Pennink as well as the current point leader Keith Rocco.  Both are expected to be contender in the July 7th NAPA Auto Parts SK 5K. 

Join us Friday, July 7th for the 4th annual NAPA Auto Parts SK 5K.   The $5,000 to win and over $30,000 in posted awards for the 100-lap big money race will be an event not to miss.  Discount tickets for the NAPA SK 5k are available at participating NAPA Auto Parts stores.  For a full list of the 71 participating locations throughout Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont, please call the speedway office or visit us on the web at www.staffordmotorspeedway.com/participating-napa-auto-parts-stores.  Tickets for the NAPA SK 5K are available and on sale now at the Speedway Box Office.  Tickets are priced at $30.00 for adult general admission tickets, $5.00 for kids ages 6-14, and kids 5 and under are admitted free of charge when accompanied by an adult.  Reserved seating is priced at $32.00 for all ages.  All ticket prices include 10% CT Admission Tax.  Stafford Speedway offers free parking with free overnight parking for self-contained RV’s available.  There will also be a barbeque taking place on the midway with some great food available to race fans for only $10. 

For more information on the July 7th NAPA SK 5K, or to order tickets, contact the Stafford Motor Speedway track office at 860-684-2783 or visit us on the web at www.staffordspeedway.com.

Boston Louie NEMA Event Tonight at Seekonk

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

The Legacy of Boston Louie
Lives On in the 21st Annual
Boston Louie Seymour Memorial

For the past 20 years, the race held in honor of the Massachusetts based car owner who campaigned his winning midgets, sprints and Silver Crown cars across America, has brought together the very best in open wheel Midget racing.

On March 25, 2017, the most accomplished pavement open wheel racer in America , Dave Steele of Tampa Fl. passed away at Desoto Speedway in Bradenton while attempting to win his 100th sprint car race in the state of Florida.

When the NEMA Midgets roll into Seekonk Speedway for the 21st Annual Boston Louie Memorial, NEMA will honor Steele by extending the customary 29 lap race to 33 laps (Steele's number) for the NEMA LITES portion of the event.

A special thanks to Seekonk Speedway, NEMA, the many sponsors, fans and dedicated race coordinators, who have helped produce this spectacular event for the past two decades.

3 Time NEMA Champion John Zych and Elizabeth with be there.

Entries From All Around Come in for New England Short Track Showdown VMRS Race

Posted by Wayne G. Barber Photos from Wayne G. Barber Collection

Many Accomplished Modified Drivers Will Race on July 1st at New Hampshire Motor Speedway

 The Modified portion of the New England Short Track Showdown presented by ARBodies at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on July 1st is a points race for the Valenti Modified Racing Series. However, an early peek at the entry list for the event, which is up to nearly 30 competitors so far, shows that the race winner could come from one of many branches in the Modified racing family tree.
 Drivers representing Northern New England, Southern New England, Pennsylvania, Long Island and even the South are entered in the event.  Several different Modified tours and tracks may be the regular homes for these drivers, but they are all going to be attracted to the VMRS when the Showdown takes place.
 VMRS point leader Anthony Nocella, the winner of the last three events on the VMRS schedule, is the driver who everyone will be chasing.  VMRS regulars Michael Willis, Colby Fournier,  Jeff Gallup, Rob Richardi and Richard Savary will be right there as well.
 Nocella and company will have some big dogs in their mirror too.
 Those other competitors include former NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion Ted Christopher, multi-time Modified champion Woody Pitkat, five-time PASS Modified champion Andy Shaw, Tri-Track Modified and VMRS feature race winner Stephen Masse, Long Island NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour regular and former race winner Eric Goodale, Connecticut short track standout Jeff Rocco, PASS Modified standout Bill Dixon, multi-time Pro Four Modified feature race winner Dan Meservey, Jr., Granite State Pro Stock Series race winner Donnie Lashua, ARCA Racing Series and former NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour competitor Bryan Dauzat and Pennsylvania’s Zane Zeiner.
 The New England Short Track Showdown presented by ARBodies is made up of four races that will feature the cornerstone types of cars in New England asphalt short track racing.  Tour-type Modifieds will run with the Valenti Modified Racing Series, Pro Stocks/Super Late Models will run with the Granite State Pro Stock Tour, Street Stocks will run with the Street Stock Showdown Series and Mini Stocks will run with the North East Mini Stock Tour.
 The event will be a fun one for experience race fans and newcomers to the sport alike. 
June 30, 2017 will kick off an all day practice for the 4 racing divisions in a rotating format while Saturday July 1, 2017 will see a single round of practice for the divisions followed by pre-race ceremonies at 12:30 PM and heat racing events starting at 1:00 PM sharp. Heats and consolation races will be run as needed and then features will kick off around3:00 PM (est).
Grandstand Admission for Saturday is only$20 at the track.  Children’s tickets are $12 at the track.  Military members and senior citizens can purchase tickets for $18 at the track.  A special family package for two adults and two children is available for $50.Source VMRS Press Release

Busy July for Eddie MacDonald Begins at New Hampshire Motor Speedway

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Eddie MacDonald is scheduled to compete in the first-ever New England Short Track Showdown at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in the Granite State Pro Stock Series on July 1^st. The following week on July 8, Eddie Mac will take the green flag in the K&N Pro Series East Series’ NASCAR Busch North Throwback 100 at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park. The K&N East Series will complete its northern swing at NHMS as part of the Cup weekend with the United Site Services 70 on July 15.

Eddie Mac won the first Pro Stock/Super Late Model event held at NHMS and hopes to duplicate the win in the inaugural Short Track Showdown saying, “We are really excited to go to Loudon for this race. Anytime you get to race there it is always something to look forward to and hope we can put on a good show. The same car we won with two years ago there is almost ready and we can’t wait for the race. It is a 50 lap race so everyone will be going hard from the start. It should be exciting and a number of Granite State cars are scheduled to be there so it should be a very competitive field. Hopefully we can get another win for car owner Dave Lemieux and sponsor Derek Beatrice from EXIT Realty Beatrice Associates in Middleton, Mass.

The Showdown will feature four divisions with the Valenti Modifieds, North East Mini Stock Tour, and an open Street Stock event in addition to the Granite State Pro Stock Series. A full day of practice beginning at 9:00 am is scheduled for Friday and a full slate of practice, heats, and features will begin at 9:00 am, on Saturday.

The K&N Pro Series East will return to Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park for the NASCAR Busch North Throwback 100 with teams encouraged to revive paint schemes from that era. Eddie Mac’s first Thompson victory came in 2005 and has gone on to notch ACT and Pro Stock victories at the Connecticut speedway, the most recent a Pro Stock win in the Icebreaker this spring. Eddie Mac will pilot the Grimm Construction Chevy owned by Rob Grimm of Waymart, Pa.

“Thompson is a fast, fun track to drive,” said Eddie Mac. “It seems so long ago (2005) that we got our K&N win there. We have had others there but to get that K&N win is really something special. With the high-banked turns and the long straights, it makes for great racing. Our association with Rob Grimm began at Thompson so it would be special to get a win there. We are working on a “Throwback” paint scheme that will definitely please a lot of people, so hopefully that will happen. We hope to make that announcement soon.”

The following week, the K&N series returns to New Hampshire Motor Speedway for its annual participation in the big NASCAR Cup weekend. The Rowley, Mass. veteran driver has three career K&N wins at the track saying, “We have run well at NHMS in the past and hope to get back in contention this year. We have made a lot of changes to the car and hope that all this pays off. The field is extremely competitive but we feel all our experience at the track gives us an advantage. It is only 70 laps so everyone will be charging when the green drops so it will be a wild dash to get to the front. It should be a lot of fun and hopefully we will be there at the end.”

Eddie Mac has posted nine wins at NHMS including five American Canadian Tour Bond Invitational wins, one Pro Stock/SLM win, to go along with the three K&N wins. The most recent honor for Eddie Mac and the team was the induction of his famous “flame” late model into the North East Motor Sports Museum just down the street from the main entrance to the track on route 106.

“We hope to have a very successful three weeks with other races possibly added, so we are excited and will look forward to seeing a lot of our fans who have greatly supported us through the years,’ said Eddie Mac. Source:  Dick Casey

Nocella Rolls To Win Number Three

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Win #2 photo from Simply the Best, Crystal Snape

Valenti Modified Racing Series

New London/Waterford Speedbowl, Waterford,CT.

   Woburn, MA driver Anthony Nocella came to the Waterford Speedbowl leading the V.M.R.S points standings and on Saturday June 24th he expanded that lead by winning his 3rd M.R.S. race of the season.

   By virtue of winning at Speedway 51 in Groveton, NH a week ago, Nocella had to start 18th in the 20 car field at Waterford and steadily worked his way towards the front, taking the lead from Jeff Gallup of Agawam, MA on lap 72 then held a pack of hungry drivers at bay to take down the victory.

   

   Nocella said "We had to start 18th and I thought we had a pretty good car in practice, ran somewhat conservative in the heat race. I knew those guys up front had some fast cars and knew they were going to push it somewhat. I just tried to keep my car underneath me and hope they would slowly come back to us. If I thought I could make a clean pass I made it to work my way slowly to the front. Some of these guys were aggressive at times squeezing each other against the walls, so I just rode behind and watched them. I followed Hinckley for a bit, when he pressured me I let him go and let him make the holes for me rather than tear the wheels off my car."

   Starting from the pole Todd Annarummo of Swansea, MA assumed the initial lead while the always fast Keith Rocco of Berlin,CT charged from his third row starting position. Within 10 laps Rocco was third following Annarummo and second place Kyle James of Westerly,RI.

   A lap 11 crash brought out the first yellow of the event and gave Rocco the opportunity to race past James on lap 12 then slingshot by Annarummo for the lead one lap later. Rocco was running on a rail at his home track while behind him the action was constantly heating up. 

   Gallup, who started deep in the pack, is showing he can and will race with the best as he moved forward taking over fourth place by the quarter mark.

   A lap 43 yellow for a minor spin closed the field up with Rocco holding the point, Kyle James doing an outstanding job second, Annarummo third, Gallup fourth,  Les Hinckley of Winsor Locks, CT and Nocella 5th and 6th. When the green flew so did Rocco but James wasn't going to let Rocco run away with the event and pressured Rocco lap after lap looking first inside then outside making Rocco push his mount harder than he probably wanted to. All the while Hinckley was on a mission and drove by both Annarummo and Gallup, settling into 3rd then put on a side by side 5 lap battle with James. The 06 of Hinckley would prevail taking over second place on lap 53. A lap later Gallup out muscled James for third while Hinckley shot by Rocco becoming the new race leader on lap 56. Hinckleys lead would only last 12 laps as Gallup made an outside pass to become the fourth leader of the marathon.

   With a host of lead cars starting to fade, Nocella seized the oportunity and put Rocco and Hinckley in his rear view mirror, and followed Gallup out to a 15 car length lead over the rest of the field. Then a lap 71 spin brought out the caution for the third time and Hinckley, Rocco and James pitted for adjustments. The restart brought Gallup and Nocella side by side to the green flag and Nocella wasted no time taking over command of the race.

   The last yellow of the race came on lap 89 and by that time Hinckley had charged back to fifth place. In the last 10 laps Hinckley raced by 15 year old Sammy Rameau of Westminster, MA, Annarummo and Gallup but could only follow race leader Nocella across the line to finish a hard fought second place.

   Gallup, Annarummo and Rameau finished third through fifth.

   Heat winners were Todd Annarummo,  Kyle James and Anthony Flannery  .         

   Hard charger of the event had to be Matt Mead and crew. During warmups a suspension part broke sending the Fenton Family Dealership sponsored #77 hard into the wall. After rebuilding the entire right side of the car, Mead started last in the feature and finished 10th.

Summary

Cautions-(4)-laps 11,43,71,89

Lap leaders-(5)-#12   1-12

                       #57   13-55

                       #06    56-67

                       #4      68-71

                       #92     72-100   

Unofficial finish.

1---92-A.Nocella

2---06-L.Hinckley

3--- 4-J.Gallup

4---12-T.Annarummo

5--- 6-S.Rameau

6---93-G.Sherman

7---21-K.James

8---76-D.Perry

9---25-A.Flannery

10--77-M.Mead

11--83-M.Willis

12--16-C.Fournier

13--57-K.Rocco

14--35-A.Molleur

15--55-J.Doucette

16--17-D.Lashua

17--27-D.Robbie

18--50-C.Medeiros Jr

19--34-D.Etheridge

20--12M-R.Richardi

Next Event---July 1, 2017. New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Loudon, NH

by James Snape

photos by Simply the Best, Crystal Snape 

Seekonk Points Race in Sports Trucks and Sportsmen Divisions Heating Up in 2017

Posted by Wayne G. Barber  Photo's from Wayne G. Barber Library

News, Results, Standings, Free Seekonk Speedway Tickets at 1-401-766-1380 and Driver Interviews !

E-Mail from now thru the broadcast at waynewnri@yahoo.com

Tonight tentatively scheduled at 6:10 pm Sports Truck  Joshua Hedges # 38

Tentatively Scheduled for 6:35 pm will be Sportsmen Division Cory Fanning to break down the 2017 racing schedule.

Photo credit Tracy Strohmier Facebook Post.

Ted Christopher makes a Statement at Stafford Speedway 6-23-17

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

In the 40-lap SK Modified® feature event, Tom Abele, Jr. and Michael Gervais, Jr. ran wheel to wheel for the first lap before Abele got clear to take the early race lead.  Mike Christopher, Jr. was third in the early running with Stephen Kopcik in fourth and Dylan Izzo in fifth.  Ronnie Williams nearly got into the turn 4 wall on lap-9 but he avoided the wall and got back into line in 18^th place as Abele continued to lead the race.  Dylan Izzo came to a stop in turn 4 to bring the caution out with 9 laps complete.

Todd Owen, Dan Avery, Tom Bolles, Josh Wood, and Matt Galko were all involved in a pileup in turn 4 before the field could complete a lap and brought the caution back out.

Gervais took the lead on the restart with Abele behind him in second.  Christopher, Jr. was third with Cam McDermott up to fourth and Ted Christopher was up to fifth.  Kopcik was sliding backwards as Christopher continued his charge towards the front as he took fourth from McDermott on lap-14.  McDermott now had Keith Rocco to deal with as Rocco was applying heavy pressure.  Christopher got around Christopher, Jr. to take over third on lap-15 and he was working the outside lane against Abele in a bid for second on lap-17.  Abele was able to maintain the spot and Christopher settled back into line in third. 

Gervais drifted high in turn 4 on lap-18, which allowed Abele to pull alongside and then take over the lead.  Abele’s move opened the door for Christopher and Christopher, Jr. to both get by Gervais to drop him back to fourth.  Christopher took  the lead from Abele on lap-21 with a pass in turn 4.  Owen hit the wall in turn 1 to bring the caution out with 21 laps complete.

Christopher took the lead back under green with Abele, Christopher, Jr., McDermott, and Chase Dowling lined up behind him.  Kopcik spun in turn 2 to bring the caution back out with 24 laps complete.  Rowan Pennink was sent to the rear of the field for overaggressive driving under the caution.

Christopher took the lead back under green with Christopher, Jr. making a strong move in turn 3 to overtake Abele for second.  Abele came right back on the next lap to move back into second while Dowling was able to move into third and Rocco took fourth as Christopher, Jr. fell back to fifth.  Ed Spiers spun in turn 3 to bring the caution out with 28 laps complete.

Christopher took the lead on the restart with Dowling and Rocco in chase but he lost the lead to Dowling on lap-33.  Christopher came back in turn 3 on lap-34 and gave Dowling a shot to the bumper, but that actually slowed Christopher and allowed Rocco to move into second.  Christopher got back around Rocco on lap-36 and he took the lead from Dowling at the line on lap-37.  Dowling got to the inside of Christopher in turn 3 on lap-38 to move back into the lead and Christopher made the very same move on lap-39 and he had the lead coming to the white flag.  Rocco pulled alongside Dowling on the final lap in a duel for second and that allowed Christopher to maintain his gap to the two cars and he took his second win of the 2017 season.  Dowling nipped Rocco at the line for second with Abele and Christopher, Jr. rounding out the top-5.

SK MODIFIED® (40)

1) Ted Christopher, Plainville (2) 105 th SK Career Win

2) Chase Dowling, Roxbury (2)

3) Keith Rocco, Berlin

4) Tom Abele, Jr., Norwich

5) Michael Christopher, Jr., Wolcott

6) D.J. Burnham, East Hartford

7) Rowan Pennink, Huntingdon Valley, Pa

8) Todd Owen, Somers

9) Cam McDermott, Canterbury

10) Brendon Bock, Franklin Square, Ny

11) Glen Reen, Wilbraham, Ma

12) Tom Bolles, Ellington

13) Tony Membrino, Jr., Berlin

14) Stephen Kopcik, Newtown

15) Michael Gervais, Jr., Southbury

16) Dan Avery, Somers

17) Ronnie Williams, Tolland (1)

18) Ed Spiers, Beacon Falls

19) Robert Goulet, Plainville

20) Tommy Membrino, Jr., Prospect

21) Tyler Hines, North Haven

22) Josh Wood, Palmer, Ma

23) Matt Galko, Meriden (1)

24) Dylan Izzo, Monroe

ISMA Results: Stafford Speedway 6-23-17

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

In the 60-lap ISMA SuperModified event, Ben Seitz shot into the lead at the green with Mike Orway, Jr., Timmy Jedrzejek, Moe Lilje, and Otto Sitterly making up the top-5.  Sitterly quickly worked his way around Lilje to move into fourth.  Dave McKnight came to a stop in the middle of turns 1+2 to bring the caution out with 13 laps complete.  Under the caution, Lilje lost an engine and he retired from the race.

Seitz took the lead on the restart with Jedrzejek applying heavy pressure to Ordway for second.  Sitterley was fourth with Mike McVetta fifth and Jon McKennedy in sixth.  Jerdzejek kept the pressure on Ordway for second and he was finally able to make a pass on lap-23 to move into second. 

Seitz began to hit lapped traffic on lap-27 which allowed Jerdzejek to close right in on the back bumper of Seitz but Seitz was able to fend off his challenges and once they got through the lapped cars, Seitz was able to stretch out his lead.  While this duel for the lead was going on, Sitterly moved into third with McKennedy moving up to fourth and Mike Lichty up to fifth.

With 10 laps to go, Seitz was still in command with Jedrzejek still giving chase.  Sitterly was still running third with McKennedy and Lichty still behind him.  Jedrzejek made a strong run in the final handful of laps and he was able to get to Seitz’s rear bumper at the the checkered flag but came up just short of taking the win.  Sitterly, McKennedy, and Lichty rounded out the top-5.
Ben Seitz now has 7 career wins and the 2014 championship in the fastest touring group that makes scheduled stops on the East Coast.

ISMA SUPERMODIFIED (60)

1) Ben Seitz, Bourne, MA

2) Timmy Jedrzejek, Independence, OH

3) Otto Sitterly, Canajoharie, NY

4) Jon McKennedy, Chelmsford, MA

5) Mike Lichty, Innerkip, ON

6) Dave Shullick, Jr., West Lake, OH

7) Mike McVetta, Wellington, OH

8) Dan Bowes, Byfield, MA

9) Mike Muldoon, Baldwinsville, NY

10) Mike Ordway, Jr., Windham, ME

11) Trent Stephens, Ravenna, OH

12) Mike Netishen, Auburn, NH

13) Dave Danzer, Oswego, NY

14) Jamie Timmons, North Andover, MA

15) Joey Payne, Fairlawn, NJ

16) Joe Gosek, Oswego, NY

17) Mark Sammut, London, ON

18) Chris Perley, Rowley, MA

19) Eddie Witkum, Jr., Westford, MA

20) Rob Summers, Ellington

21) Moe Lilje, Vickery, OH

22) Dave McKnight, Brampton, OH

GSPSS Heads to Seekonk

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

SEEKONK, Mass. – With race four of the season on the horizon, the Granite State Pro Stock Series is headed for Massachusetts and the third-mile Seekonk Speedway. The inaugural Seekonk 100, which has $2,500 up for grabs to the winner, will take place on Saturday night, June 24.

The feature event will showcase top series regulars like former Seekonk driver Mike Mitchell and veteran Barry Gray up against some of the weekly NASCAR Whelen All American Series Seekonk competitors. David Darling currently leads the Seekonk point standings and has entered for

the 100 lap feature after winning the most recent Pro Stock event at Seekonk.

PLACE: Seekonk (Mass.) Speedway

DATE: Saturday, June 24

TIME: 8 p.m.

TRACK: 1/3 mile slightly banked asphalt oval

TWITTER: @seekonkspeedway

GSPSS CONTACT: Mike Parks, mparks@gspss.net

Entries for Saturday night’s 100 lap main are upwards of 25 cars and will see plenty of series regulars hoping to keep their championship hopes alive. Coming into Saturday’s race, Scott MacMichael leads the point standings by just two points over Riverhead winner Mike Mitchell. Both drivers have entered for the inaugural Seekonk feature.

Regulars Devin O’Connell, Nick Lascuola, Mike O’Sullivan and Cory Casagrande are also expected. Representing the Action Track of the East, names like Radical Rick Martin, David Darling, Tom Scully Jr., Bobby Pelland and Billy Joerres will attempt to capture the payday. 

“We are thrilled to be making our first appearance at Seekonk this weekend,” series president Mike Parks said. “David Alburn (Competition Director at Seekonk Speedway) and I have been talking about this for a couple of years now and we both felt the time was right. We look forward to having a stellar field of cars with the Seekonk regulars and our series teams. This should be an outstanding event.”

The inaugural Seekonk 100 is a one-day event, with practice, qualifying and feature racing action all coming in one day. Pit gates open at 2 p.m., with the front grandstands slated to open at 4 p.m. Practice begins at 3:45 p.m. and the GSPSS will be part of the regular practice rotation.

Qualifying heats begin at 6 p.m., with the features to follow. The GSPSS is the last group of heat races and the last feature that will hit the track on Saturday night.

Following Saturday’s Seekonk 100, the Granite State Pro Stock Series is headed for the ‘Magic Mile,’ New Hampshire Motor Speedway for the First Annual New England Short Track Showdown. The 50 lap feature event on the one-mile oval will showcase some of the top talent that New England Super Late Model’s have to offer.  

For more information on the event, fans are encouraged to visit either www.seekonkspeedway.com or the series website, www.gspss.net. For more information on the Granite State Pro Stock Series, fans can follow on Twitter and Facebook for updates, or check the website. 

Payea rolls on at White Mountain Outduels Moltz, Masterson for 3rd straight ACT win

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

NORTH WOODSTOCK, NH – Scott Payea of Colchester, Vt. took the lead from Dillon Moltz on a lap 72 restart and notched his third consecutive American Canadian Tour (ACT) victory in the White Mountain 150 Saturday at White Mountain Motorsports Park.

Moltz started on the pole, led the first 71 laps and then drew even to Payea’s outside on lap 78, but never managed to regain the top spot. With six laps remaining, Payea finally managed to give Moltz the slip. His winning margin was four car-lengths.

Josh Masterson, who had kept contact with the leaders while dicing with local favorite Quinny Welch for over 50 laps, finished third. Welch was fourth, followed by Corey Mason and Jimmy Hebert.

Payea stayed strongest the longest in the Harrison Redi-Mix No. 37. After gaining the lead from the outside of the front row on the lap 72 restart, he was able to protect it from the bottom on the fourth and final restart on lap 97 and smoothly work lapped traffic from anywhere on the track.

It was the 11th victory of Payea’s ACT career.

“The car never fell off,” Payea said. “I can’t thank the RPM team enough. The outside was the place to be, but fortunately, I could make the inside work. He (Moltz) stalked me. I had a mirror full most of the time.”

Moltz expressed disappointed with the outcome. “We came back with the same setup we won with here last year and we got a little too tight,” he said. “It was a heck of a ride though.”

Mike Ziter had a strong showing go for naught when electrical problems forced him to the pits while running in fourth on lap 126.

Ziter, Masterson and Welch had an entertaining back and forth for much of the way.

“I apologize for using Quinny up some there,” Masterson said. “I used the car up a little early, but this was a good change for us. It’s been a struggle.”

Mason earned his top-5 finish after starting 13th. “The lapped cars ran us hard,” he said. “They didn’t want to give up.”

Positions 7-10 went to Rowland Robinson Jr., Jesse Switzer, Scott Dragon and Stacy Cahoon.

The next American Canadian Tour event is at Seekonk Speedway (Mass.) Saturday, July 15.

White Mountain 150 Finish – starting position in (*)

1. Scott Payea (3) 2. Dillon Moltz (1) 3. Josh Masterson (2) 4. Quinny Welch (6)
2. Corey Mason (13) 6. Jimmy Hebert (7) 7. Rowland Robinson Jr. (21) 8. Jesse Switser (8) 9. Scott Dragon (18) 10. Stacy Cahoon (10) 11. Jason Corliss (11) 12. Rich Dubeau (9) 13. Jeff Marshall (12) 14. Kyle Welch (5) 15. Mike Kennison (16) 16. Stephen Donahue (19) 17. Ray Christian (14) 18. Jeremy Davis (25) 19. Jonathan Lemay (23) 20. Oren Remick (17) 21. CJ McClaughlin (15) 22. Scott Corey (20) 23. Mark Hudson (22) 24. Matt Anderson (28) 25. Mike Ziter (4) 26. Spencer Morse (29) 27. James Capps III (24) 28. Miles Chipman (27) 29. Bryan LaQuire (26) 30. Jimmy Linardy (30)

Anthony Nocella Makes First Trip To Speedway 51 a Victorious One.

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Speedway 51, Groveton, N.H.

   With event #3 in the record books for the Valenti Modified Racing Series, Woburn MA driver Anthony Nocella probably can't wait for the return to the tight 1/4 mile speedway.

Nocella outdistanced a potent field of modifieds by pacing his Nocella Paving #92 and picking off competitors until overpowering race leader Jeff Gallup of Agawam MA on lap 75. From that point on all Nocella had to do was protect his valuable number one position.

   As Rob Richardi Jr. of Taunton MA and Dana Smith of Sunapee NH brought the field down to the green flag of John Spence Jr, Richardi was off and running holding the lead for 23 laps before surrendering it to Gallup. Gallup tried to check out on the field leading by as much as ten car lengths over a snarling pack behind him, but a lap 70 yellow flag closed the field up.  Nocella used the inside second row restart to his advantage, first cruising by Mike Willis Jr. of Grantham NH for second place then setting up and passing Gallup for the lead.
 Nocella commented, "It was a tough one, our first time here. I knew it was a tough track to pass on, kinda tight. We just set our own pace at the beginning and tried to keep the thing nice and straight. I know these tires, its not a bad tire, you just cant hammer on them start to finish, which I like because you have to use a little strategy instead of just drive through each other. We started on the outside and its a hard place to get down to the bottom. I started to get loose around halfway but I knew they were going pretty hard up in front of me, and I figured if I could keep mine straight they were going to be worse at the end, and they started to be. I had pressure at the end but my spotter is awesome, he gives me just the right amount of info to keep me nice and calm. They might be right on you but they still have to get along side you. We're really happy with this win and can't thank the Valenti Modified Racing Series enough."

    Gallup would have an exciting race holding the point through four caution flags and 52 laps until being overhauled by Nocella. Gallup would hold on to the runner up spot following Nocella across the stripe 0.388 seconds behind.

  "I got lucky on the last couple of restarts, I had a really good car at the beginning of the race, I was able to move up then fell back for a while, then came back up and was able to finish second. It was a pretty wild race. We burnt off the right rear the last 25 laps and had to hang on at that point, but the leaders came back to me, they kinda slowed up and I was able to get back to them."  

   Fifteen year old Sammy Rameau of Westminster MA ran well all race long, starting third on the grid, ran in the top ten all race long, got spun out late in the race and recovered to finish third on the podium.

   "The car was great all day and I had no problems. Momentum is everything here on the outside. If you're on the inside you kinda get trapped, thats what happened most of the race, we were caught in 5th for a long time but just waited it out. In most of these races if you can make it to the end you'll end up in a good spot. I'm really happy for our team and our sponsors, this means a lot. Rubbing is racing and I'm not going to mention any names but there were some people being rougher than they should have been and I just gave it right back to them. It is what it is. I got spun out and made my way back. Me and all my team never gave up and never will. Now its off to Waterford, next race."

   Rob Richardi Jr. and Mike Willis Jr. rounded out the top five.

   Hard charger of the event was the Lee USA speedway winner, Mike Douglas Jr. who started eighteenth and pressured Nocella for the lead late in the race to finish 6th.

   Heat winners were Rob Richardi Jr. and Dana Smith

Summary

Track-Speedway 51. Groveton,N.H.    

Track Length- 0.250 mile

Entry's-19

Race Leaders-(1-22) #12ma---(23-74) #4---(75-100) #92

Cautions-8---laps1,1,39,52,69, 70,98,98

Margin of Victory-0.388

Best Lap Time-12.608

Best Speed-71.383

Best Lap by-33me.-Bill Dixon

Time of Race-52:19.195

Unofficial Finish

1---92-Anthony Nocella

2---4-Jeffrey Gallup

3---6-Sammy Rameau

4---12-Rob Richardi Jr.

5---83-Mike Willis Jr.

6---23- Michael Douglas Jr.

7---16-Colbey Fournier

8---93-George Sherman

9---33me-Bill Dixon

10--14-Dana Smith

11--45-Dan Meservey Jr.

12--17-Donnie Lashua

13--77-Matthew Mead

14--81-Josh Cantana

15--27-Derek Robbie

16--63-CJ Bolton

17--47-Dylan Rock

18--Roy Seidell Jr.

DNS-7X- Scott MacMichael

Next Event- New London Waterford Speedbowl, Waterford,CT. June 24th 

by Jim Snape

photos by Simply the Best, Crystal Snape