Albert Ouellette looking to compete and win in Stafford’s SK Lights

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

Thompson Speedway

(Stafford Springs, CT)--- The 2020 NASCAR Weekly Racing season will mark the realization of a dream for Ellington, CT native Albert Ouellette as he will compete full time in the SK Light division behind the wheel of the #51 Polar Beverages car owned by Harold Burdick. 

“I’ve been waiting a long time and now I finally have the opportunity to say that Stafford is going to be my hometrack for a season,” said Ouellette.  “Stafford is right in my backyard and I’m pretty stoked to get started racing this season.  We have great sponsors behind us with Polar Beverages, Streb Family Chiropractic, Salvadore Chevy, Lyman Signs, and Passing Bird Photography, and for the crew we have Jeremy, Jason, Roger, Muffy, and Harold.  Even though Harold’s wife Cindy has passed on, she’s always with us in spirit.”

Ouellette began his career racing Mini Stocks before moving into the N.E. Truck Series. Great battles with Long Island's Roger Turbush every racing card.  Ouellette has raced in the SK Lights for the past two seasons, racing at New London/Waterford in 2018 and then at Thompson Speedway last season.  Ouellette finished second in the standings last season at Thompson Speedway and is now ready to tackle his next challenge of racing at Stafford.

“We didn’t win at New London/Waterford but we finished third in points and by the end of the season we were in contention to win each week,” said Ouellette.  “We were a factor in almost every race at Thompson last season and we finished second in points, so Stafford is the next step for us.  Stafford is where the SK Light division has the most cars, so it’s definitely the place to be, you can really see what you have and how good you really are.  Last year in the World Series feature at Thompson, most of the heavy hitters from Stafford were in that race and based on that race, we think we can compete this season at Stafford.  Nothing would be better for us than winning the Spring Sizzler race in memory of my car owner Harold’s wife Cindy.”

Ouellette scored a Stafford sweep in 2016, winning the NETS feature events at the NAPA Spring Sizzler® and Fall Final events.  Ouellette has made one SK Light start at Stafford, finishing 16^th in last year’s Sizzler feature event and is looking to put his limited Stafford experience to good use.

“We’re ready to go racing,” said Ouellette.  “We ran one race last year at Stafford and we got up to around 11^th or 10^th before I got into the marbles and fell back and finished 16^th.  I think we had a top-10 car that day and that was our backup car and not the primary car, which is the car we’re coming with this season.  I don’t have a lot of track time at Stafford, but I have about 15 years of watching races at Stafford.  The racing line is the racing line, regardless of what kind of vehicle you’re driving and I know the characteristics of the track.  The couple truck races we won I did a classic bottom shot move to take the lead in one of the races and the second win we used the outside groove to take the lead.”

As he and the #51 team prepare for the 2020 season, Ouellette is looking at winning Rookie of the Year honors as well as developing into a weekly contender for the checkered flag each and every Friday night.  Ouellette will also have a new backup car to utilize during the 2020 season should the need for it arise.

“Obviously Rookie of the Year is a main goal for us this season but we really want to be a weekly contender,” said Ouellette.  “My biggest thing is I’d really like to be one of the names in the top-3 or top-5 at the end of the year.  I think we can be a dark horse this year.  Normally we always run stronger in the second half of the season so we just have to piece together a good start to the year to where we don’t put ourselves into a big hole that we have to dig out of in the points standings.  We sold our backup car and bought Jeff Baral’s SK Modified® car so now we have 2 cars that are nearly identical and if something happens to our primary car, we’ll be back the next week just as strong.”

The 2020 SK Light season kicks off with the 49^th Annual NAPA Spring Sizzler® on April 24-26.  Tickets for the “Greatest Race in the History of Spring” are on sale now by calling the Speedway Box Office 860-684-2783 or online at www.staffordspeedway.com.

Ray Christian, III Looking Forward to First Stafford Speedway Experience in Call Before You Dig Pro Late Model

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

(Stafford Springs, CT)---Stafford Speedway has added two more cars to the entry list for its Inaugural Call Before You Dig Pro Late Model 81, scheduled for May 29.  KB Motorsports has entered the #93ct Parkway Pavilion Health and Rehab Center car for Ray Christian, III and the #93 Crazy Horse Racing car for SK Modified® veteran Todd Owen.  While Owen is a seasoned veteran of over 20 years at Stafford, Christian has never raced at Stafford and the 29 year old Uncasville, CT native has never seen Stafford in person.  Despite his lack of track experience at Stafford, Christian is looking forward to the May 29 race.

“I’m excited about coming to Stafford,” said Christian.  “Bigger tracks seem to be my forte and I’ve always run better at tracks like Jennerstown, Thompson, Richmond, and Loudon.  Funny thing is I’ve lived in Connecticut my whole life but I’ve never even seen Stafford before.  I might have to come to the Sizzler and at least get my eyes on the track before I get out on the track and run some laps.  I’ve always heard great things about Stafford but between work and Stafford racing on Friday nights, I usually like to get home from work and go to sleep.  Big thanks to Crazy Horse Racing, my wife Ashley, my entire crew, and everyone that supports me.  We’re super excited for this race and as soon as it was announced we knew we were going to be coming to Stafford.”

After winning races in the Mini Stock and Late Model divisions at Waterford Speedbowl, Christian joined the Granite State ProStock Series in 2018 and won Rookie of the Year honors.  Christian followed that up with a runner-up finish in the standings last season and will be looking to lean on his ProStock experience as he gets to grips with the Stafford half-mile.

“I think the Granite State experience will help,” said Christian.  “Stafford is pretty flat and some of the tracks we run are flat.  I think Jennerstown and Stafford are pretty similar and we have a pretty good notebook for Jennerstown so we’ll probably start off with a similar set up.  We have a few races on our schedule that come up before the Stafford race so we should be ready to go once May 29 rolls around.”

Although Christian has yet to turn a lap at Stafford or even see what the track looks like in person, he might not be at as much of a disadvantage as it seems.  Most drivers will be racing Pro Late Model style cars at Stafford for the first time since a PASS race was held in 2012 and won by Ted Christopher.  One driver who has had experience both racing at Stafford and in the GSPSS is Cory Casagrande, who Christian has tabbed as the early favorite.

“I think we’ll be able to settle in pretty quickly with the car,” said Christian.  “Right now I’d say that Cory [Casagrande] probably has a two-tenths of a second edge over everyone.  It’s been a while since these type of cars have raced at Stafford so what worked in the PASS race 8 years ago might not necessarily work now.”

As much as Casagrande might have an advantage over other drivers, Christian can always turn to his teammate Owen for advice.  Even though Owen hasn’t raced a full bodied car at Stafford since the 2000 season, he won 7 races in the ProStock division in 1999 and 2000 and he finished second to Doug Coby in the 2000 points standings.  Between Owen’s knowledge of Stafford and Christian’s knowledge of the cars, the two drivers can be mutually beneficial to one another in preparing for the 81 lap CBYD race on May 29.

“Todd hasn’t been in a ProStock type of car for years now so I’m hoping that we can get to a test with both of us and he can show me the ropes around the track,” said Christian.  “Between the two of us, I need to learn the track and he might need to re-learn the cars a little so in a perfect world we’ll be able to help each other out and have a good run.”

Despite having never seen Stafford before, let alone race around the half-mile layout, Christian has only one goal in mind and that is to go home with the checkered flag and the trophy.

Dubeau Enters ACT History Books at 2019Banquet of Champions

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Dubeau Enters ACT History Books at 2019 Banquet of Champions

Knights, Payea, and Kuhn Family Receive Special Awards

Montpelier, VT – The American-Canadian Tour (ACT) put a bow on the 2019 season at the ACT Banquet of Champions on Saturday, January 18. Plainfield, NH’s Rich Dubeau was recognized as ACT Champion at the Capitol Plaza Hotel & Conference Center in Montpelier, VT as well as many other drivers and people who stood out during the 2019 racing campaign.

Dubeau was crowned champion of the ACT Late Model Tour after one of the most unlikely title runs in series history. Racing with one of the smaller teams and budgets on the Tour, Dubeau won the first two ACT races of his career and posted eight top-5 finishes in 10 point-counting events.

The former Rookie of the Year went toe-to-toe with Jimmy Hebert for most of the season before pulling away down the stretch. Dubeau’s 85-point final margin was the eighth-largest in the Tour’s 28-year history, surprising almost everyone – including himself.

The racer from the Upper Valley was complimented all night by his fellow drivers, leading to him getting emotional with joy at the start of his acceptance speech. He recalled first seeing the ACT Tour while racing a Super Street at the now-defunct Canaan Fair Speedway and how it seemed improbable he would ever race with the series, let alone win the championship.

“I remember thinking, ‘these guys and this tour are very professional. This is a big deal – these guys are serious,’” Dubeau said. “And I remember thinking that there was no way I was ever going to be a part of the Tour – even just to drive on the Tour, let alone this. So this is really cool for me. I never thought this was going to happen. The team’s just as excited as I am.”  

Dubeau went on to thank at length every member of his team, in particular his mother, stepdad, brother David, and car owner Chick Henry. He also thanked the late Tom Curley for founding the Tour as well as current owners Cris Michaud and Pat Malone for carrying on the series.

Dubeau’s achievements came as part of one of the most competitive ACT seasons in recent memory. Eight different drivers went to Victory Lane in the 10 point-counting events with three other winners at non-point sanctioned events. The Tour averaged more than 32 cars per event with several successful big-money races and winners regularly coming from deep in the field.

Many other top drivers from 2019 ACT season were honored at the Banquet of Champions. Williamstown, VT’s Hebert matched his career-best with a second-place points finish. He posted a win and eight top-10 finishes to remain in the title hunt until getting caught up in crashes at the final two events.

Rookie Ryan Kuhn of E. Bridgewater, MA edged out two-time champion Scott Payea of Colchester, VT for third in the standings. Sophomore standouts Dylan Payea and Christopher Pelkey, rookies Stephen Donahue and Trent Goodrow, Northeast racing veteran Bryan Kruczek, and sister racers Peyton and Reilly Lanphear were also honored.

Kuhn also received both the ACT Rookie of the Year Award and the Gordon R. “Doc” Nielsen Outstanding Rookie Award. The 18-year-old had three top-5 and seven top-10 finishes to run away with top rookie honors while sporting one of the best attitudes at every event. The Doc Nielsen Award, which goes to the most impressive rookie across both the ACT Late Model Tour and Thunder Road, has been presented since 1998 in honor of both organizations’ longtime head scorer.

Several other special awards were presented to drivers and officials. ACT Director of Competition Pete Knights was the recipient of the Thomas A. Curley Memorial Award. Knights earned the award, presented in honor of ACT’s late founder, for more than 40 years of involvement in Northeast racing as a crew member and official. He has worked for ACT since 2018. Before that, he was the Head Technical Inspector at N. Woodstock, NH’s White Mountain Motorsports Park for five years. He also won the ACT Crew Chief of the Year Award in 2008 while working with Randy Potter Racing.

This year’s ACT Crew Chief Award went to James Kuhn. He helped his son Ryan win the Rookie of the Year Award and finish third in driver points in their first full year on the Tour. Kuhn, who has a long history of racing throughout the region, also gained tremendous respect throughout the pit area for his team’s positive outlook and hard work every race day.

Scott Payea received the ACT Sportsmanship Award. The two-time ACT Late Model Tour Champion has also long been one of the most respectful, hard-working drivers in the ACT garage area. He always races hard, takes it stride when things don’t go his way, and always makes time for others regardless of his results. In doing so, Payea has set the standard for what a top racer can be as a person.

Midstate Site Development to Present The Firecracker 30 Street Stock Special Event at Stafford Speedway

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

(Stafford Springs, CT)---Midstate Site Development of Bloomfield, CT has signed on to present the Firecracker Street Stock 30 at Stafford Speedway.  A new event on the 2020 race schedule, the Midstate Site Development Firecracker will be a 30-lap special event for Stafford’s Street Stock division scheduled for Friday, July 3rd.  The night’s events will be capped off with a fireworks display to honor Independence Day and kick-off the July 4th weekend.

The 2020 event will feature a total purse of $5,145 including $700 to win and $125 to start. To be eligible to compete in the July 3rd 30-lap event teams will be required to compete in at least 50% of the Street Stock events in 2020 held at Stafford prior to July 3rd.

“Over the last few seasons we’ve showcased our Street Stock teams through special events,” explained Stafford Speedway CEO Mark Arute. “This year we wanted to create another big event for the division.  Pairing an extra distance event with fireworks and a Fourth of July celebration will bring this night to the next level.”

Stafford’s Street Stock division has been highly competitive over the last few seasons with close finishes and a tight championship race.  2019 track champion Zack Robinson is set to return to competition in 2020 along with runner up Meghan Fuller.  Multiple new teams are expected to join the Street Stock field in 2020 with new entries such as Larry Barnett and Al Stone, III already registering their number.

“We are looking forward to the Midstate Site Development Firecracker 30,” explained Glenn Korner of Midstate.  “This will be a great night for all the Street Stock teams as well as the race fans.  The Street Stock division is one of the most exciting every week and we’re excited to be able to support a big event for them.”

Street Stock teams and drivers will be tested in the Midstate Site Development Firecracker 30 with an extra 10 laps on top of their weekly 20-lap distance. The Street Stocks division ran three 30-lap features in 2019 with Meghan Fuller, Mike Hopkins, and Jason Lafayette all scoring wins.  Fuller and Lafayette are both expected to return in 2020.

“All of us at Stafford want to thank Glenn Korner and everyone at Midstate Site Development for signing on to support this event,” continued Arute.  “With their support we’ve been able to come up with a strong total purse of $5,145 including $700 to win.”

Midstate Site Development is a full service site contractor located in Bloomfield, CT with a focus on safety, quality, knowledge, and innovation.  In business for nearly 20 years, Midstate is a leader in heavy highway, commercial, and industrial construction while also providing expertise in other areas including residential & sub-division construction, athletic field construction, as well as sewer, water and utility construction.  For more information on Midstate Site Development visit their website msdct.com.

Bennett, Felton to Run Modified Open at NHMS Northeast Classic

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Mark Summer Photo

Waterbury, VT – Two of the most reputable names in Northeast Modified racing will be part of the operations team for the inaugural Northeast Classic. American-Canadian Tour (ACT) and Pro All Stars Series (PASS) officials have announced that Ed Bennett and Greg Felton will oversee the Modified Open at Loudon’s New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Friday, April 17 and Saturday, April 18. 

Bennett and Felton have been part of the regional Modified racing scene for decades. Each currently holds a major role with the Tri-Track Open Modified Series (TTOMS). Bennett joined the series in January 2019 as a managing partner in charge of race day operations. He is also a longtime Modified car owner who has fielded rides for drivers such as Matt Hirschman, Jimmy Blewett, Chuck Hossfield, and Erick Rudolph. 

Felton was named Series Head of Race Tech for the Tri-Track Modifieds in February 2019. Felton has been a successful Modified crew chief for decades, winning races and championships with Woody Pitkat, Kirk Alexander, Todd Szgedy, and others. He transitioned to a race official in recent years and served as a technical advisor for MRS prior to joining TTOMS. 

Bennett and Felton now bring their expertise to the first-ever Northeast Classic. The Modified Open will be a 50-lap event as part of a packed schedule at the “Magic Mile” that includes the season-openers for the ACT Late Model Tour and PASS North Series as well as an open event for eight-cylinder Street Stocks.

 “We’re excited that Ed and Greg have agreed to take the reins for the Modified Open,” ACT managing partner Cris Michaud said. “When Tom (Mayberry) and I were putting the Northeast Classic together, we knew getting the right people for the Modified portion was a must. Ed and Greg’s resumes speak for themselves. They’re doing great things with the Tri-Track Modifieds and they’ll do a great job for us at NHMS.”

“To run a successful Modified event, you need people who understand Modifieds,” PASS president Tom Mayberry added. “Cris and I are full-fendered guys, so we knew we had to find people for the Modified side that were in their element. Getting Ed and Greg on board was a priority for us, and we’re happy they’ll be part of the team putting on the first-ever Northeast Classic.”  

Modified teams can contact Ed Bennett at (732) 278-6200 and Greg Felton at (413) 695-2272 with any questions or concerns.

The full Northeast Classic event schedule will be announced in the coming weeks. Open practice for all divisions is set for Friday, April 17 with qualifying and feature action on Saturday, April 18. The rain date is Sunday, April 19.

 For more information on ACT, contact the ACT offices at (802) 244-6963, media@acttour.com, or visit www.acttour.com. You can also get updates on Facebook and Twitter at @ACTTour.

For technical information concerning all PASS divisions, please send questions to passracing@roadrunner.com. For media or marketing questions, please contact Alan Dietz at (704) 231-2039 or alandietzpass@live.com. Don't forget to "Like" the Pro All Stars Series on Facebook or follow on Twitter @PASSSLM14 to keep up with breaking news as it happens.