Tom Fearn adds to his All-Time Late Model Wins (55) at Stafford Speedway

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

In the 30-lap Late Model feature event, Tyler Leary took the early lead from pole position with Paul Arute right behind him in second.  Michael Bennett and Kevin Gambacorta were side by side for third with Cliff Saunders in fifth, Al Saunders and Michael Wray side by side for sixth, and Tom and Ryan Fearn side by side for eighth.  Tom Fearn quickly sliced his way through traffic and on lap-7 he took fourth from Cliff Saunders.  Fearn then took third from Bennett on lap-9 as Leary was pulling away from Arute in second.

Fearn chased Arute down and he took second on lap-16.  Fearn’s move opened the door for Bennett to take third and Ryan Fearn fourth as Arute slid back to fifth in line.  With 10 laps to go, Leary had a comfortable margin over Tom Fearn, Bennett, Ryan Fearn, and Wayne Coury, Jr.

Ryan Fearn’s great run came to an end on lap-21 as he dropped off the pace and limped back to pit road with a flat right front tire.  Richard Ciriello spun coming out of turn 4 to bring the caution out with 25 laps complete and erase the large lead that Leary had built up over the field. 

On the restart, Bennett made contact with Leary fighting for the lead and Leary spun coming out of turn 2 to bring the caution back out with 26 laps complete.  Bennett was held for a one lap penalty for the contact with Leary. 

Fearn was now the leader on the restart with Coury in second.  Cliff Saunders was third with Gambacorta and Arute fighting for fourth place.  Fearn led Coury to the checkered flag to pick up his seventh win of the 2019 season.  Arute and Gambacorta made contact on the last lap with Gambacorta spinning.  Arute was penalized to the last car on the lead lap, making Cliff Saunders, Al Saunders, and Wray the remainder of the to the top 5. Fearn now has 664 points in 2019 and a 92 point lead in the division. 
Source: Scott Running Stafford Speedway Media Press Release and Photo

LATE MODEL (30)

1) Tom Fearn, East Longmeadow, MA ( 55 career wins)

2) Wayne Coury, Jr., Fairfield

3) Cliff Saunders, Stafford

4) Al Saunders, Stafford

5) Michael Wray, Northford

6) Tyler Leary, Hatfield, MA

7) Greg DeMone, Ludlow, MA

8) Mike Mordino, Southington

9) Richard Ciriello, Reading, MA

10) Kevin Gambacorta, Ellington

11) Paul Arute, Northridge, MA

12) Gary Theriault, Enfield

13) Michael Bennett, Willington

14) Ryan Fearn, East Longmeadow, MA

15) Darrell Keane, Enfield

Stafford Springs Speedway SK Results 7-26-19

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

In the 40-lap SK Modified® feature, Michael Christopher, Jr. took the early lead from the pole but Cory DiMatteo pulled to his inside and went to the lead on lap-4.  Joey Cipriano came up to second with Christopher third and Keith Rocco in fourth.  Rocco’s car shot up the track and into the turn 2 wall to bring the caution out with 9 laps complete.

Cipriano took the lead on the restart but Andrew Molleur was on his inside and the two cars came back to the line side by side.  DiMatteo spun in turn 2 to bring the caution back out with 10 laps complete.

Cipriano again took the lead on the restart while Todd Owen took to the outside lane to take second from Molleur.  Troy Talman was fourth with Marcello Rufrano and Glen Reen right behind him.  Owen was applying heavy pressure to Cipriano for the lead and Owen took the lead by a nose at the line to complete lap-14.  Talman and Reen touched wheels with both cars spinning in turn 2 and collecting the cars of Tony Membrino, Jr., Eric Berndt, Kyle James, Tyler Jones, DiMatteo, Tyler Leary, John Catania, David Arute, and Matt Galko to bring the caution out with 14 laps complete.

Owen took the lead on the restart but Cipriano was hanging right with Owen in the outside lane.  Molleur nearly made a 3-wide bid for the lead before backing off and settling into a side by side duel with Marcello Rufrano for third.  Ronnie Williams was fifth in line with Reen behind him in sixth.  At the halfway point of the race, things had settled down into a single file line with Cipriano leading Owen, Molleur, Rufrano, Reen, and Williams.  Molleur was looking to the inside of Owen for second but wasn’t able to make a pass stick.  Berndt spun in turn 2 to bring the caution back out with 22 laps complete.

Cipriano resumed his place at the front of the field back under green with Owen giving chase from second  Molleur was third while Rufrano and Reen were side by side for fourth with Williams in sixth.  Owen took the lead by a nose at the line on lap-28 and he cleared Cipriano for the lead on lap-29.  Molleur followed him by Cipriano to move into second but Cipriano made a dive bomb move back into turn 3 to try to retake the spot.  He touched wheels with Molleur which sent Molleur sideways and he collected Rufrano with both cars heading into the turn 4 wall to bring the caution back out with 29 laps complete.  Cipriano was sent to the rear of the field under the caution period, making the order for the restart Owen and Reen on the front row, Williams and DiMatteo in the second row and Michael Gervais, Jr. and Dan Wesson in the third row.

Owen took the lead on the restart with Williams and Reen side by side for second.  DiMatteo was fourth with Wesson in fifth.  Williams was able to get clear of Reen for second on lap-36 and the fight was now for fourth with Wesson and DiMatteo fighting side by side.  Wesson took the spot on lap-39 but out front it was all Owen, who locked down his third win of the 2019 season.  Williams finished second with Reen, DiMatteo, and Wesson rounding out the top-5    .Source: Scott Running Stafford Speedway Media Press Release

SK MODIFIED® (40)

1) Todd Owen, Somers  3rd win in 2019

2) Ronnie Williams, Tolland

3) Glen Reen, Wilbraham, MA

4) Cory DiMatteo, Farmington

5) Dan Wesson, Monson, MA

6) Michael Christopher, Jr., Wolcott

7) Michael Gervais, Jr., Wolcott

8) Eric Berndt, Cromwell

9) Kyle James, Ashaway, RI

10) Stephen Kopcik, Newtown

11) Joey Cipriano, Waterbury

12) Tyler Leary, Hatfield, MA

13) Ed Spiers, Beacon Falls

14) Tyler Jones, New Milford

15) Tyler Hines, North Haven

16) David Arute, Stafford Springs

17) Matt Galko, Meriden

18) Andrew Molleur, Shelton

19) Marcello Rufrano, North Haven

20) Troy Talman, Oxford, MA

21) Tony Membrino, Jr., Berlin

22) John Catania, Agawam, MA

23) Keith Rocco, Berlin

3rd Annual Ladies Challenge For Charities Returns To Stafford

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

3^rd Annual Ladies Challenge For Charities Returns To Stafford

(Stafford Springs, CT)---The 3^rd Annual Ladies Challenge race joins the action packed NAPA Fall Final Weekend, scheduled for September 28-29.  The 2018 edition of the Ladies Challenge paired 12 women associated with Stafford race teams with a car from Stafford’s Street Stock ranks.  Thirteen different charities reaped the benefits put forth as over $35,000 was donated.

The starting lineup for the Ladies Challenge is determined by how much money each woman raises for their selected charity.  The person raising the most money will be pole sitter for the feature event.  The drivers entered at this time and their associated cars are listed below.

Driver	Associated Street Stock Team	Charity Link for Online Donations
Debbie DeSanctis	#01 – Johnny Walker	Honor and Remember
Cassie Rocco	#2 – Meghan Fuller	National Pediatric Cancer Foundation
Nicole LaRose	#11 – Travis Hydar	T-B-A
Elizabeth Vassar	#16 – Nicole Chambrello	T-B-A
Tiffany Spinnato	#22 – Rent A Racecar	Disabled American Veterans
Mary Ann Gambacorta	#23 – Vince Gambacorta	T-B-A
Ashley Bubna	T-B-A	Catherine V. Hubbard Animal Sanctuary
Dana Jannetty	T-B-A	Muscular Dystrophy Association

 

Race fans will be able to donate to the charity and driver combination of their choosing by visiting the 2019 Ladies Challenge page found at www.staffordspeedway.com.  Check back to the page for updates.

“We’re looking forward to hosting our 3^rd annual Ladies Challenge race,” said Stafford Speedway Vice President, Lisa Arute.  “Last year’s event was a tremendous success thanks to the racing community as well as our Street Stock teams who were willing to lend their cars to this event.  Our women drivers were able to raise over $35,000 for a wide variety of different charities and our goal this season is to surpass that $35,000 donation total.  The race should be a lot of fun to watch and we’re all anxious to see who will come away with bragging rights as the winner of the Ladies Challenge.”

The Ladies Challenge began in 2017 with Cassie Rocco, wife of SK Modified® driver Keith Rocco challenging Maina Rufrano, car owner and proud mom of SK Modified® driver Marcello Rufrano, to a fund raising duel.  The pair accumulated nearly $6,000 in donations from the racing community for the American Cancer Society driving in the Street Stock Feature event in Rent A Racecar prepared cars.

In the 2018 running, Maina Rufrano led the field to the green raising $5,350 for the American Cancer.  Rufrano finished third in the 8-lap race with Debbie DeSanctis, driving Johnny Walker’s #01 car, taking the win after starting fourth by raising $4,169 for Honor and Remember.

The Ladies Challenge for Charities will take the green flag on Saturday September 28 as part of the NAPA Fall Final Weekend.  Tickets for NAPA Fall Final Weekend are priced at $40.00 for adult general admission, $5.00 for children ages 6-14, and children ages 5 and under are admitted free of charge when accompanied by an adult.  Reserved seat tickets are $45.00 for all ages.  All ticket prices include 10% CT Admission Tax. Stafford Motor Speedway offers plenty of free parking along with overnight parking available for self contained Recreational Vehicles.  Discount tickets are available through participating NAPA stores. 

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

Seth Carlson Etches Name in History Books as First Time Winner at New Hampshire Motor Speedway Dirt Track

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Loudon, NH: Seth Carlson of Stafford, CT, became the first winner of a USAC dirt midget race at the new dirt track on the grounds of New Hampshire Motor Speedway. This is Carlson’s third win of the season driving the #2 Seals-it sponsored, Skip Matczak owned dirt midget. Carlson scored the win in front of a packed house of race fans who did not let the extreme heat keep them away from enjoying a full night of racing.

 

Heat race one (8 laps) started with the 5 of Steve Medford from Ellington, CT on pole and the 17 of Justin Sheridan from Suffield, CT outside row one. With the green flag waiving heat race one was underway with Medford’s 5 taking the point and Sheridan’s 17 close behind. Caution came out on lap two for the 91 of Wayne Koehler flipping in turn one. The track was made ready again and back to racing with Medford and Sheridan keeping spots one and two in front of the field with the 26 driven by TJ Foster of West Topsham, VT in third. With the remaining laps going caution free, the top three would finish battling to the first checker flag of the night. Steve Medford in the Seals-it sponsored number 5 would claim the heat race victory followed by Justin Sheridan’s Ray Miller Racing 17 for second and TJ Foster, Mikes Custom Milling number 26 for third.

Heat race 1 finishing order: Steve Medford (5), Justin Sheridan (17), TJ Foster (26), Owen Carbee (50), Bobby White (68), Tim West (23), Wayne Koehler (91). 

Lap leaders: laps 1-8 Steve Medford (5).

Time of race: 10 minutes 6 second (slowed by 1 caution)

Fast lap: Steve Medford (5) 18.02 seconds

Margin of victory: 1.50 seconds

 

Heat race two (8 laps) had Jeff Horn of Ashland, MA in the A1 starting pole with the 18C of Mike Chaffee from Corinth, VT starting beside Horn. The flagman waived the green and off into turn one with Chaffee quickly taking the point position in the 18C now followed by the A1 of Horn. On lap three the 37 of Tyler Rivard would spin in turn three which brought out the caution flag. Back to green flag action with Chaffee’s 18C still in command of the race with the 7X of Dan Douville from Bridgewater, NH now second after getting around the A1 of Horn. The race would conclude with Mike Chaffee piloting the 18C Miller Racing USAC DMA midget to the win with second place going to the 7X of Dan Douville sponsored by Big Enterprises and rounding out the top three was Jeff Horn in the A-1 Automotive number A1.

Heat race 2 finishing order: Mike Chaffee (18C), Dan Douville (7X), Jeff Horn (A1), David Moniz (9M), Tyler Rivard (37), Jack Arute (10), Alex Rose (11).

Lap leaders: laps 1-8 Mike Chaffee (18C)

Time of race: 4 minute 41 seconds (slowed by 1 caution)

Fast lap: Dan Douville (7X) 18.03 seconds

Margin of victory: 0.372 seconds 

Carlson in the 2 and Hull in the 3 would maintain the top two positions with Carlson’s lead stretching out three car lengths over Hull. Lap twenty one had the caution displayed for the last time of the evening as the 18C with Mike Chaffee and the 16 of Justin Philips would bang wheels coming out of turn four causing the18C of Chaffee to spin and ending his night. At the same time Jeff Horn’s A1 would spin in turn one to avoid contact with a slowing racecar. Lap twenty two was back to green and it was Carlson in the 2 and Hull in his number 3 battling lap after lap as both wanted to win this special event. Meantime the 1B of Joe Krawiec of Granby, CT would make his way up to the third position moving the 77 of Champagne back to fourth. As the race started to wind down and closing in on lap thirty, the top three knew it was time to make their move and become the first driver to win this event. Under the checker flag it would be Seth Carlson from Stafford, CT in his yellow number 5 Seals-it sponsored USAC Dirt Midget Association racecar scoring the win followed by teammate Will Hull in the 3 from Plainfield, VT also sponsored by Seals-it and rounding out the top three was Joe Krawiec from Granby, CT in the Miller Racing number 1B.

 

FEATURE RACE:  Finishing order: Seth Carlson (2), Will Hull (3), Joe Krawiec (1B), Jeff Champagne (77), Manny Dias (42), Dan Douville (7X), Justin Phillips (16), Adam Whitney (12), Tyler Rivard (37), Justin Sheridan (17), TJ Foster (26), Tim West (23), Jack Arute (10), Mike Netishen (55), Jeff Horn (A1), Mike Chaffee (18C), Owen Carbee (50), David Moniz (9M), Steve Medford (5), Mark Cole (6X), Bobby White (68), Alex Rose (11)-DNS, Wade Koehler (91)-DNS.

Lap leaders: laps 1-9 Steve Medford (5), laps 10-30 Seth Carlson (2)

Time of race: 25 minutes 31 seconds (slowed by 3 cautions)

Fast lap: Seth Carlson (2) 17.6 seconds

Margin of victory: 0.489 seconds

 

The series will be back in action on Saturday night July 27th at Bear Ridge Speedway in Bradford, VT.

 

To learn more about the USAC Dirt Midget Association, please visit the series website at www.usacdma.com or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/DirtMidgetAssociation

 

For additional information regarding this press release please contact Mark J. Hann, USAC DMA Series Director, at usacdma@usacdma.com