Rain Forces Rescheduling of Thompson NWAAS Racing

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

Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park had planned to host its fifth weekend of oval racing action on June 30 with a showcase of the track’s five divisions. However, Mother Nature was the big winner of the afternoon forcing the rescheduling of the event to Labor Day weekend.

The speedway was able to get practice completed before heavy rain impacted the track and lightning in the area forced fans to take shelter. A stoppage in the weather allowed track drying to begin with plans to begin feature racing as soon as possible. Track officials canceled heat racing with the hopes of completing racing action in a timely manner, but the weather persisted, and another series of showers soaked the track. Track officials called the race just after 4:15 p.m. telling fans their wristbands would serve as credit towards any forthcoming race in 2019 at the speedway.

Lock City Drift, which served as a companion event to the oval track racing, was able to complete the second event in their 2019 Street Series schedule on the Clubhouse Circuit.

The oval race was rescheduled to Sunday, September 1. Thompson Speedway’s next oval track event will take place on Sunday, July 28 again featuring the track’s five NASCAR Whelen All American Series divisions. Source: Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park Media Press Release 

TTOMS OPEN WHEEL WEDNESDAY AT SEEKONK TO WILLIAMS

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

Seekonk, Mass (June 26, 2019): It was quite a week for Ellington, CT, driver Ronnie Williams. Riding high after a big win at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Sunday, Williams rolled into Seekonk Speedway with momentum and a strong Roscoe Racing team on his side. A short-pit strategy during the Tri-Track Open Modified Series (TTOMS) Open Wheel Wednesday and a potent race car paid off in a big way for Williams.

Tommy Barrett, Jr. of Millis, MA and Matt Swanson of Acton, MA, also scored podium finishes.

Williams short-pitted on lap 43 while other contenders pitted after halfway, thus avoiding some tense moments in the closing stages to make a late race pass for the win and the $10,000.   

Race favorite Matt Hirschman of Northampton, PA, had to settle for a fourth-place finish. Todd Patnode of Swanzey, NH, quietly came home in fifth over early race leader Woody Pitkat of Bellingham, MA. TTOMS newcomer Austin Kochenash of Danielsville, PA, had a strong run all night to come home seventh. Calvin Carroll, of Andover, NJ, Ron Silk of Norwalk, CT, and Jon Keivman of Deerfield Beach, FL, completed the top-ten.  

After a redraw following qualifying, Pitkat led the 27-car field into 100 green flag laps of racing. After a quick side-by-side battle with Kochenash for the top spot, Pitkat edged ahead for the lead. Anthony Sesely of Matwah, NJ, jumped into the fray getting alongside Kochenash while Matt Swanson and Silk were locked in a great battle for fourth.

Swanson began to fade slightly on the outside groove losing spots to Patnode and Mike Holdridge of Madison, CT. By lap 12, Silk had moved into second taking chase of Pitkat.  Silk was the new leader at lap 16.  Just outside of the top ten was Hirschman, Chuck Hossfeld of Ransomville, NY, Keith Rocco of Berlin, CT, and Williams.

Silk continued to lead a freight train that included Pitkat, Sesely, Kochenash and Patnode.  Stafford SK rivals Williams and Rocco were locked in a battle for ninth position. Leader Silk never missed a beat as he entered lapped traffic at lap 30. Holdridge continued to have a strong run in sixth position.

Silk and Pitkat had started to get some distance over third-running Sesely when the caution flew on lap 31 for a single car spin by Geoff Rollins of Groton, MA. Kochenash gave up the fourth spot to head pit side for early service; as did Carroll, Hossfeld, Brian Robie of Sunapee, NH, and Kirk Alexander of W. Swanzey, NH.  

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Back under green once again it was all Silk. Patnode and Swanson looked for running room in the high groove. With the bottom proving to be the preferred line each lost ground to Holdridge and Hirschman.

On lap 37, Hirschman moved past Holdridge and into fourth. Rocco continued to move to the front;  breaking into the top -five on lap 38. The second caution of the event flew on lap 43 for a single-car spin by Carl Medeiros, Jr. of Westport, MA. Under the caution Rob Murphy of Rochester, MA, Williams, Les Hinckley of Windsor Locks, CT, Anthony Nocella of Woburn, MA, Dana DiMatteo, of Farmington, CT and Patnode pitted under the caution period.  

After only a single lap of green flag racing with Silk again at the point, the caution flew again for a solo spinner. The lap 44 restart looked much the same for leader Silk. Hirschman was looking to the outside of Sesely for third with Swanson in tow. Hirschman was able to complete the pass on the outside on lap 47. Hossfeld and Kochenash, who pitted early, were making their way back into contention.

At halfway, Silk continued to show the way over Pitkat, Hirschman, Sesely, Swanson, Rocco, Russ Hersey of Swanzey, NH, Holdridge, Andy Jankowiak of Tonawanda, NY, and Hossfeld inside the top-ten.  The running order and the entire complexion of the race would change shortly after with the event’s fourth caution on lap 55 for an incident involving Alexander and DiMatteo. 

Under the caution most of the frontrunners headed to the pits including Silk, Pitkat, Hirschman, Sesely, Rocco, Hersey and others. The ensuing restart pitted Swanson against Rob Murphy with Jankowiak and Kochenash in the front two rows.

Swanson was the new leader on lap 55. Kochenash was dogged in his pursuit of Murphy for second. Williams and Barrett headed several rows of side-by-side racing deeper in the pack. Earlier front-runners were not making headway back toward the front. Mired in traffic, at lap 65, Silk, Sesely, Hirschman and Rocco were outside of the top-ten in the running order.

While Swanson could not shake Murphy, Williams broke into the top-five before the completion of lap 70.  With 25 laps remaining Swanson led Murphy, Kochenash, Jankowiak, Williams, Barrett, Holdridge, Carroll, Robie and Patnode.

The fifth caution of the event lap at lap 77 when the #50 of Ronnie Silk spun in turn two. The early leader would take the opportunity under the caution period to pit.  A great restart on lap 77 gave Swanson the lead free and clear quickly. Kochenash took over second with Murphy hung up on the outside. Williams moved into third.

William dove to the inside of Kochenash looking for second when the sixth caution flew on lap 80 for an uncharacteristic second spin by Silk with reports of a tire going down.  The now 20-lap shootout was set with Swanson holding the top spot over Kochenash and a charging Williams.

With heavy pressure coming from Williams Kochenash bobbled on the restart; stacking up the field. Sparks were flying inside the top-five and resulted in an accordion effect spin by Hinckley; bringing out the seventh caution.

In the second attempt at the lap 80 restart, Swanson rocketed out to the lead. Williams took advantage of the bottom groove to get by Kochenash for second.  Williams stalked Swanson for the top spot. Kochenash had a small gap in third followed by Murphy and Barrett.

The eighth caution flew when Robie came to rest on the front stretch on lap 85. With 15 laps remaining it was Swanson followed by Williams, Kochenash, Murphy, Barrett, Holdridge, Carroll, Patnode, Hirschman, and Rocco inside the top ten. Sesely, Jankowiak, Hersey, Silk, Pitkat, were next in line.

Swanson was able to gain a slight advantage over Williams on the restart. Over the next five laps, Williams applied heavy pressure to leader Swanson. Lap-after-lap, Williams looked low on Swanson.  Barrett was able to get by Kochenash and into third.  Williams had gotten alongside Swanson in a bid for the lead when a multi-car incident on the backstretch slowed the strong battle for the top spot on lap 90. Through the scuffle Hirschman had made this way into eighth.

The front two rows on the restart were Swanson and Williams, Barrett and Kochenash. Williams laid back on the restart and then immediately ducked low on Swanson in turn one. The two went wheel-to-wheel for a single lap before Williams took over the lead on lap 93. Barret was comfortably in third with Kochenash in fourth. Hirschman was coming after the restart; picking off cars. He was fifth when the tenth and final caution flew on lap 96 for a spin by Rolllins.

Williams was to set the pace for the restart with Barrett to his outside. Barrett stayed alongside Williams for a single lap before ducking behind and settling into second. Over the closing laps, Swanson had his hands full with Hirschman.  Williams flew under the checkers for the win and the $10k payday followed by Barrett. Swanson held on for third over Hirschman. Patnode quietly came home in fifth over early leader Pitkat. Kochenash had a strong run all night to come home seventh. Carroll, Silk and Jon Keivman of Deerfield Beach, FL, completed the top-ten.   

Heat Race wins went to Silk, Swanson and Hirschman. The consolation event went to DiMatteo.

Tri-Track Open Modified Series – OPEN WHEEL WEDNESDAY OFFICIAL RESULTS – June 26, 2019 - Seekonk Speedway (Laps Comp): 1.  Ronnie Williams, Ellington, CT (100); 2. Tommy Barrett, Millis, MA (100); 3.  Matt Swanson, Acton, MA (100); 4.  Matt Hirschman, Northampton, PA (100); 5. Todd Patnode Swanzey, NH (100); 6. Woody Pitkat, Bellingham, MA (100); 7. Austin Kochenash, Danielsville, PA (100); 8. Calvin Carroll Andover, NJ(100); 9. Ron Silk, Norwalk, CT (100); 10. Jon Keivman, Deerfield Beach, FL (100); 11. Rob Murphy, Rochester, MA (100); 12. Anthony Sesely, Matwah, NJ (100); 13. Russ Hersey, Swanzey, NH (100); 14. Keith Rocco, Berlin, CT (100); 15. Mike Holdridge, Madison, CT (100); 16. Les Hinckley, Windsor Locks, CT (100); 17. Colbey Fournier, Berkley, MA (100); 18. Geoff Rollins, Groton, MA (100); 19. Andrew Charron, E. Greenwich, RI (100); 20. Andy Jankowiak, Tonawanda, NY (90); 21. Kurt Vigeant, Oxford, MA (90); 22. Chuck Hossfeld, Ransomville, NY (89); 23. Brian Robie, Sunapee, NH (85); 24. Anthony Nocella, Woburn, MA (60); 25. Kirk Alexander, W. Swanzey, NH  (55); 26. Dana DiMatteo, Farmington, CT (54); 27. 50 Carl Medeiros, Westport, MA (43). DNQ: Matt Galko, Meriden, CT, Donny Hartzel, Hunlock Creek, NJ; Richard Savary, Canton, CT.   Source:  Media Contact: Dale Wolbrink,

Nema Lites Dave Steele Memorial Race: Seekonk Speedway 6-26-19

    Seekonk ,Massachusetts  6-26-19       Wayne G. Barber and Photos Property of Wayne G.Barber

NEMA Lites founded on 2008 JUNE 11 @ NEW LONDON WATEFORD SPEEDBOWL now closed till further notice.

PJ Stergois 14 wins, Anthony( The Ant) Nocella 13 wins and first round Hall of Famer, Randy Cabral over 10 victories

I have my calendar marked for Modified Madness and the Boston Louie Seymour Classic every racing season and truly think it's one of the best events in New England. $10,000 to win for the asphalt pounders brings in the top race teams from the east coast and the NEMA event from the entire country. I truly enjoy the photo-op in the pits, conversation interview hospitality by everyone you meet as long as you give them their space preparing for their event and on the track where the heats are fierce and the pressure of making the show or going home is in the race fuel and rubber racing fan addictive fumes in the air. The NEMA Lites went a 50 lap distance feature, up from the 29 laps for David Steele's race car number to the delight of the late arriving crowds that filled the bleachers and standing area for the first feature as the hot sun subsided and the changing of the tide ocean breeze cooled us off.
 The guest NEMA driver tonight was and old friend Kenny Schrader who gave me one of my first driver interviews at Loudon, NH back in the early 90's. Schrader's last visit to the Konk was in 1991, which resulted in a victory.  Definition of a "Class Act", and encouraged me to stay with it back then and said that NASCAR was well aware of all I try to do to promote our sport on the worldwide internet Race Chatter Racing Radio Program for the last 8 years. This meant a lot to me and makes it all worth while promoting short track racing and it's great participants. Schrader has raced every type of race car in his stellar career with NO enemies that this scribe is aware of. He told me in our interview that I was correct about driving a race car in all 48 States except Rhode Island and Hawaii.
 I told him about the Ed Marceau barnyard in Chepachet, RI and his eye's lit up like a Christmas tree. I  then suggested that Carl Fredrickson and his Speedway magazine to start a GO FUND me page to send you to the big ISLAND  racing pineapple

  3 time guest on the award winning Race Chatter Radio Program ,Randy Cabral

Thank You, for the inside scoop of this great touring group !

First class race team earns their victories one at a time !

Good read, Karl Fredrickson

My friends, Pete  Falconi,,,,, Kevin Boucher, 20 years and John Spence Sr.45 years along with Jack Arute at the play by play

trucks.
 Schrader in his white #6 and Randy Cabral #76 really put on a drivers clinic for 4th thru 6th in this long 50 lapper battle where the laps are not counted under a caution. Ryan Locke in the meticulous prepared red #38 race car started hitting his marks and reeled in #8t driven by young Jake Trainor. Anthony Marvuglio #35 third and Schrader brought home his midget in 4th, and in one piece and Cabral in 5th. 6th went to #39 Dominic Elicone, 7th #48 Jimmy Johnson, Oops no it was Matt Janisch, 8 hole go's to #12 Alan Chambers, 9th # 7 Jim Cataldo and 10th Richie Coy "Woman in Racing driver #41 Meg Cugini qualified  and came home 14th on the lead lap

Red Hot Ronnie Williams Ready to Defend NAPA SK 5K Crown

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

Stafford Springs, CT)---The biggest race of the season, the 6^th Annual NAPA SK 5K is set to take the green flag this Friday, June 28 at Stafford Speedway.  With over $34,000 in total posted awards up for grabs and a guaranteed $5,000 payday to the winner, the NAPA SK 5K is the race that all SK Modified® drivers throughout the Northeast have circled on their calendars.  One of the pre-race favorites has to be Ronnie Williams and the #50 Les’s Auto Center team.  Williams will be searching for back to back NAPA SK 5K wins while the #50 team will be going for their third consecutive win, as they won the NAPA SK 5K with Chase Dowling in 2017 and Williams last season.

“It would be awesome to be able to win the race 3 times in a row for the team and twice in a row for me,” said Williams.  “It’s the biggest race at Stafford.  Everyone circles this race and everyone wants to win this race.  There was nothing better than being able to hold that big check and getting those big trophies in victory lane last year and we’re going to try our hardest to do that again.”

The pairing of Williams and the #50 team could very well be a perfect combination for the extra distance NAPA SK 5K.  Other than a 23^rd place finish in 2014 when he got caught up in a wreck, Williams has scored finishes of 3^rd, 4^th, and 6^th to go along with his victory last year.  The #50 team has a pair of 6^th place finishes in 2014 and 2016 with Woody Pitkat behind the wheel while Dowling won the race in 2017 and finished 11^th in 2015.

“I think we’re a perfect combination in general,” said Williams.  “Adam and all of his guys know what they’re doing and they make the car last for the entire 100 laps.  Having the best car at the end of the race is the key and those guys do a great job with that so it’s up to me to do my job.  I’ve been racing at Stafford for a while now so maybe I’ve learned how to save my stuff over the years and make the most of things at the end of the race.  We’ve had some pretty good cars in the 5K and we’ve been able to put ourselves in the right positions at the right times.  Last year we had a great race going with [Eric] Berndt and [Keith] Rocco and we were able to pull away at the end.”

Williams heads into the NAPA SK 5K fresh off a Modified Racing Series victory at Loudon this past Sunday and a victory in the $10,000 to win Tri-Track Series race at Seekonk on Wednesday night.  With a third place finish in last week’s SK Modified® feature, Williams has some positive momentum in his favor. 

“Winning at Loudon was awesome and last week was a good step for us,” said Williams.  “We have some good momentum going forward and another win in the 5k would be pretty cool.”

Despite the NAPA SK 5K being two and a half times longer than a normal 40 lap feature event, Williams isn’t doing anything different in his pre-race preparations than he normally would.

“Every year I’ve had a game plan going into this race to make it to the end,” said Williams.  “I’m sure the guys will have a few tweaks to make to the car to help it last for 100 laps and not just 40.  This race is all about getting to the end.  It doesn’t matter how many laps you lead or how fast you can get to the front, it's all about surviving throughout the race and being there for the last 30 laps.  Every race is different so you have to see how the race is playing out and we’re hopeful that we can be back on top.”

Williams chased the dream of winning the NAPA SK 5K for four seasons before finally breaking down the door to NAPA Victory Lane last season.  With 6 winners in 8 races thus far in 2019, the competition in Stafford’s premier SK Modified® division is already at an elite level and the competition gets that much tighter for a 100 lap race with over $34,000 in total posted awards up for grabs.

“The competition at Stafford is second to none,” said Williams.  “It’s very tough.  I think everyone shows up each Friday night wanting to win, the NAPA SK 5K just has more money and more bragging rights.  With an extra 60 laps, you have to make the car last and make the best of it.”