2017 Sunoco Modified Point Standings Heating Up...

Posted By Wayne G. Barber  Photos by Wayne G. Barber

3 point races left in 2017

1	57	Keith Rocco	230
2	81	Todd Owen	208
3	31	Ryan Preece	208
4	6	Woody Pitkat	202

Pro 4 Modifies add a new race Aug. 19, 2017

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

	Saturday August 19, 2017       Star Speedway
	Saturday September 9, 2017   Monadnock
	Saturday October 6 and 7, 2017  Lee USA
	Saturday October 13 and 14, 2017  Thompson	Speedway

Josh King wins rain shortened Granite State Pro Stock Series JBH 100

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

Two races for Kim next week !

Josh King wins rain shortened Granite State Pro Stock Series JBH 100

Winchester, NH: Monadnock Speedway was back in action Saturday night, after getting an off week due to rain. The NASCAR Whelen All-American Series would be joined by the Granite State Pro Stock Series for their annual JBH 100. With possible rain around 9pm in the forecast the decision was made to start qualifying at 5:30pm; but unfortunately the rain came and shortened the racing program. The Sportsman Modifieds and Thunder Stocks were unable to run their feature events and the Granite State Pro Stock Series saw their 100 lap feature get stopped and called complete on lap 72. The Thunder Stocks and Sportsman Modifieds will compete in double features this Saturday, August 19^th. Before the rain came there was plenty of action to be seen. Tyler Leary found his way back to victory lane in the Super Stocks. Chris Phelps (Young Guns), Matt Kimball (Mini Stocks), and Zachary Lyn (Lightning Stocks) visited victory lane for the first time this season.

Young Guns started the night out with their 15 lap feature event. Chris Phelps in the #21 started on the front row and led the field to the green. Phelps wasted no time as he jumped out into the lead at the drop of the green flag. Before the first lap could be completed the 17 of Chloe Wright made contact with the 21 of Phelps cause her to have a tire go down and for her rear bumper cover to come to rest on the backstretch; and the first and only caution. Wright would leave the track and not return. Phelps, still in the lead, jumped out to a commanding lead on the restart. By the halfway point Phelps was starting to feel the pressure of the 95 driven by Cale Skillings. Skillings would try everything to get around Phelps; without any luck. Phelps managed to hold the lead for the entire race and collect his first win of the season. Skillings would finish second and Sammy Silva in the 28 finished 3^rd. Phelps who has had his share of frustrations was very reserved in victory lane and was visibly happy with getting his first win.

Lightning Stocks came on track next for their 20 laps of electric racing. Zachary Lyn (33x) and Alex Barden (27) started on the front row. Lyn had his 33x out front for the entire feature and it looked like a rocket ship that no one could catch. Leon Kiniston and his traveling 13K found himself running in 2^nd place for the first half of the feature but on lap 11 Hillary Renaud drove her #88 machine right past him taking 2^nd place but Keniston was able to keep his 13K right behind Renaud to get his second podium finish in a row. Mike Radzuik brought his #7 home in 4^th place; while the #4 of Eric Silvernale rounded out the top 5 finishers.  Lyn stated in victory lane that he plans on running the rest of the season.

Kevin McKnight in the 76 and Jaret Curtis in the 33 brought the field of 19 Mini Stocks to the green flag. McKnight led the first 3 laps until Matt Kimball put his 50x into the lead on lap 4. Also on lap 4, the 23 of Devin Guy made contact with the 90 of Desmond Skillings. The contact would send both cars threw the infield but both cars were able to continue on for a few laps until a caution flew. Lap 8 saw a nasty accident that brought out the Red Flag and the ambulance. The 61 of Jay Maki attempted to avoid a few spun cars and made hard contact with them. All cars were able to continue on. On the ensuing restarts the 50x took the lead at the drop of the green and never looked back. Alexander Pearl finished 2^nd and Louis Maher crossed the line in 3^rd place. I was able to catch up with Kimball in victory lane and he was happy to get the win, but is looking at the bigger point’s picture as he has a lot of ground to cover. Pearl continues to use consistency to maintain his points lead and is just looking to “keep getting good finishes.”

The Littlewood brothers qualified on the front row for the Super Stocks 25 lap feature event. Justin Littlewood in the 12 took the lead at the drop of the green. Justin Littlewood held the top spot for the first 13 laps before he couldn’t hold of the 11x of Tyler Leary. But before Leary could take the lead the race was slowed by a red flag period after the 96 of Nancy Muni spun to avoid another spun car. Unfortunately Muni would need medical attention. The best battle of the race took place on this restart as Justin Littlewood and Leary would race hard and clean side by side from lap 8 until lap 13 when Leary was able to get past Justin Littlewood and assume the lead. Leary started to pull away from the field once he took the top spot. A lap after Leary passed Justin Littlewood; Joel Monahan in the 03 would slip past Littlewood too. As Leary captured his 5^th win of the season, Monahan crossed the line in 2^nd and Justin Littlewood held on for 3^rd place. When I caught up with Leary in victory lane I asked what made the difference for him tonight, he stated “we made a few changes, the first in a few months, and it paid off.”

Due to the threat of incoming weather the visiting Granite State Pro Stock Series, JBH 100 was moved up in the running order. Josh King in the 21 of Vernon, VT and the 51 of Jeremy Harclerode of Newmarket, NH started on the front row for the JBH 100. The race was slowed before the first lap could be completed for 3 cars spinning. No cars were damaged. On lap 2 the 14 of Travis Benjiman spun but was able to avoid any damage as well. On the ensuing restart King would take the lead. By lap 15 the top 3 cars had started to pull away from the field but on lap 24 the 43 of Devin O’Connel of Madison, CT was contacted by the lapped car of Steve Pailler. This would end both competitors’ nights. The race would run without interruption until the rain came. King would be followed closely by the 72 of Scott MacMichael of New London, NH. King would lead the first 60 laps before MacMichael made an amazing pass for the lead, but King never gave up. On lap 68 King saw the right moment and retook the lead. The rain would come on lap 72. After a few caution laps to make sure the rain wasn’t just a quick passing shower; the decision was made to finish the race. King captured his first Granite State Pro Stock Series win. MacMichael finished 2^nd; while Barry Gray drove his #29 machine from the 10^th starting spot to finish 3^rd.

This Saturday, August 19^th, Monadnock Speedway will be back in action hosting the Modified Touring Series in their 125 lap feature event plus Mini Stocks, Lightning Stocks and Young Guns plus both the Sportsman Modifieds and Thunder Stocks will compete in double features.  Race time is at 5PM.

Young Gun Results: Chris Phelps, Cale Skillings, Sammy Silva, Nate Wenzel, Chloe Wright, Matt Lambert

Lightning Stock Results: Zachary Lyn, Hillary Renaud, Leon Keniston, Mike Radzuik, Eric Silvernale, Alex Barden, Randall Phillips Jr, Randall Phillips Sr, Steve Fucile, Tyler Purington

Mini Stock Results: Matt Kimball, Alexander Pearl, Louis Maher, Kevin Mcknight, Pat Houle, Ethan Marsh, Ben Williams, Cody Leblanc, Desmond Skillings, Darren Jacobs, Tim Paquette, Bill Chaffee, Zachary Morse, Kevin Pittsinger, Jack Beal, Justin Faford, Jay Maki, Jaret Curtis, Devin Guy, Chris Curtis

Super Stocks: Tyler Leary, Joel Monahan, Cole Littlewood, Eric Pomasko, Tyler Lescord, Justin Littlewood, Nancy Muni, Mike McGoldrick, Jeff Morse, Scott Beck

Driver Line-Up for 8-14-17

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

News, Driver Changes, Schedules, Race Annalist and current standings, Banquets and driver interviews. 

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

Tentatively scheduled tonight at 6:10PM will be 5 Time NEMA Champion  Randy Cabral discussing his big win at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park on August, 9th and his podium finish at New London/ Waterford Speedbowl Aug. 12th this past week end. Only a few left to decide a champion.

Eddie Mac has the knack at Beech Ridge

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

SCARBOROUGH, Maine – Eddie MacDonald passed American Canadian Tour (ACT) point leader Scott Payea for the lead on lap 41 and went on to win the Coastal 100 at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway Saturday.

MacDonald was shadowed by Payea the rest of the way as race stayed under green from start to finish. His winning margin of three car-lengths was the farthest MacDonald ever got from Payea, who was attempting to break his own record of four consecutive ACT Late Model wins.

“I was glad to be able to steal a little thunder from him, he’s having a great year,” MacDonald said. “It was starting to look like the race was going to stay green and I wanted the lead if I could get it.”

Jimmy Hebert finished third well behind the leaders a short distance head of a torrid battle for fourth that went to Jean-Francois Dery.

Rowland Robinson Jr. (from 13th) was a close fifth, three feet ahead of Oren Remick, who edged out Rich Dubeau to finish 6th.

Miles Chipman, Dillon Moltz and Shawn Swallow completed the top ten.

“Eddie wanted to get racy early,” Payea said. “I decided to let him go and wait for a yellow to cool the tires, but it never came. I can’t be disappointed. Any time you have a solid finish up front, you don’t want to ask for more.”

Payea started on the outside pole and quickly grabbed the lead. Remick took up hot pursuit from the fourth starting spot before yielding second place to MacDonald on lap 23.

At the halfway mark, MacDonald was in front with Payea glued to his bumper while Hebert worked underneath Remick for third, several car-lengths off the pace.

“I got pushed up the track some racing the 30-car (Dubeau) and I found the outside had come in and I got going better,” Hebert said, “but I needed a caution. I used the tires up some trying to stay with the leaders.”

MacDonald’s win was his first ACT victory this season. He has five top-5’s in his last five starts at Beech Ridge, including a win in 2013.

“We changed the car a lot,” MacDonald said. “I love coming out and racing with ACT. Thanks to my team and my sponsors Hancock Electric, Exit Realty, Annie Mac Home Mortgages and Grimm Construction.”

Miles Chipman, Josh Masterson and Payea won the qualifying heats.

The next event on the American Canadian Tour is at White Mountain Motorsports Park Saturday, August 19.

Christopher claims his 4th SK victory at Stafford Speedway in 2017

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

Certain Hall of Famer Ted Christopher

In the 40-lap SK Modified® feature event, the action at the front was fast and furious as Tom Abele, Jr. went by pole sitter Glen Reen to lead the first lap before giving way to Rowan Pennink, who took the lead on lap-2.  Mike Christopher, Jr. was second behind Pennink with Ted Christopher quickly moving up to third.  Tommy Membrino, Jr. spun in the middle of turns 3+4 brought the caution out with 5 laps complete.

Pennink took the lead back under green with Ted Christopher taking second from Mike Christopher, Jr.  Todd Owen was now up to fourth with Keith Rocco in fifth.  Ted Christopher then pulled alongside and took the lead from Pennink on lap-9.  The caution came back out with 10 laps complete as Rocco spun in turn 2.

The restart saw Rocco, Stephen Kopcik, and John Catania spin on the backstretch to bring the caution right back out before a lap couple be completed.  Rocco’s car was double hooked off the track and he was finished for the night.

Ted Christopher took the lead back under green with Pennink all over his back bumper.  Christopher was able to get clear on lap-15 and Todd Owen was now on the outside of Pennink in a challenge for second.  Pennink won that battle and Owen was now side by side with Christopher, Jr. for third with Matt Galko and Chase Dowling side by side for fifth.  At the halfway point, Ted Christopher still had Pennink glued to his back bumper with Christopher, Jr., Owen, and Dowling lined up in third to fifth.  Tommy Membrino came to a stop on the backstretch to bring the caution out with 25 laps  complete. 

Christopher took the lead back under green and he held the lead until lap-28 when Pennink went to the front.  Christopher took the lead back on lap-31 while behind them, Christopher, Jr. was holding off strong challenges from Owen and Williams.  Owen and Williams touched tires and got into the turn 4 wall to bring the caution out with 31 laps complete.

Back under green Christopher and Pennink were swapping the lead again with Christopher taking the lead on the restart, but Pennink went to the front on lap-33.  Pennink held the lead for 2 laps before Christopher went back to the front on lap-36.  With the lead swapping back and forth, Dowling was now up to third with Christopher, Jr. in fourth and Tyler Hines was up to fifth.

Christopher was able to hold off Pennink to the checkered flag to pick up his fourth win of the 2017 season.  Pennink got loose in the last corner and nearly lost second to Dowling, but he was abel to beat Dowling to the line by inches.  Christopher, Jr. finished fourth with Hines rounding out the top-5.

SK MODIFIED® (40)

1) Ted Christopher, Plainville (4)

2) Rowan Pennink, Huntingdon Valley, Pa

3) Chase Dowling, Roxbury (4 )

4) Michael Christopher, Jr., Wolcott

5) Tyler Hines, North Haven

6) Matt Galko, Meriden (1)

7) Josh Wood, Palmer, Ma

8) Dan Avery, Somers

9) Stephen Kopcik, Newtown (1)

10) Glen Reen, Wilbraham, Ma

11) Michael Gervais, Jr., Southbury

12) Tom Abele, Jr., Norwich

13) Tommy Membrino, Jr., Prospect

14) Todd Owen, Somers (1)

15) Ronnie Williams, Tolland (1)

16) Keith Rocco, Berlin

17) John Catania, Agawam, Ma

Randy Cabral has the fastest Wings at Thompson again ...

Posted by Wayne G. Barber and Photos by Wayne G. Barber

The North Eastern Midget Association (NEMA) Midgets were on the great racing card with yet another driver familiar to victory lane in Thompson taking the checkered flag. Randy Cabral #74 continued his winning ways at the Big-T, adding to his impressive win total that makes him (14) the winningest driver in the NEMA Midgets at Thompson. Cabral also claimed his second consecutive series win on the season and 51st lifetime and fended off a hard charging John Zych, Jr.(engine failure last lap) in the closing lap to get the job done. “I had to keep my cool and keep going,” Cabral said. “It was awesome. I love this place.” The win wasn’t enough to put Cabral in the points lead for the season, but it closed up the tight battle for the championship lead going into the series’ next event at the Waterford Speedbowl on August 12.Rain date is August 13 Ted Christopher will join the NEMA race also. Christopher is no stranger to NEMA and has done well in previous contests and even has a win.

One proud Dad !

  15 race teams qualified for the 25 lap feature.Young shoe Avery Stoehr #39 entered the contest in the Bertrand Motorsports entry with a very slim lead over Jim Chambers, Randy Cabral ( 5 championships) Alan Chambers, Seth Carlson and current three top champion John Zych Jr. within striking distance at the half way point of the 2017 racing season

 I was highly disappointed when Jim Santa Maria #99 came up lame along with Ryan Bigelow #31 and had to park on the infield  for the green checker flag. I also was baffled why Bethany Stoehr was not selected to sing the National Anthem with her golden voice and should think about entering America's Got Talent. 

 As a consolation for me she was driving what looked like brand new midget #5b and started the race up front with Doug Cleveland #87 by her side. The field stayed rather tight for the first 3 laps then the two race cars upfront tangled just before the turn three wall and because of the wings slowing them down no one was injured. The current point leader Avery Stoehr and Seth Carlson #71 were done for the event and the race was red flagged to clean it up. By lap 13 the two cream of the crop teams put on a awesome show for the sell-out crowd and really put on a driving clinic. Mean while we had a race within a race for 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th and no one backing off for a spot to my delight.
  Zych finally caught Cabral in turn three and something happened causing Zych to check up and the tires must have been altered by it. The car was not the same after for Zych who tried everything in his arsenal to catch Cabral , never mine pass him. The last lap Zych's #9 slowed coming out of turn four and took a left on to pit road and Randy Cabral knew it was over in his quest for a record 13th victory at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park with a very proud Dad to cheer him on. The win was Cabral's 51st career and a certain future Hall of Famer and no one works harder than his team to keep them competitive  and his winged warrior turned a amazing lap of 17.976 and about 130 mph. My nominee for Speed 51's Best Touring Group in the entire Country. See them at Seekonk, Monadnock, New London Waterford, Star , Wiscaset or Lee and you will to agree.

Unofficial Results  Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park 8-9-17 Race # 7 of 18 scheduled in 2017

1	74	Randy Cabral	Kingston, MA	Bertrand Motorsports
2	47	Kyle Hamilton	Plainfield, IN	Bertrand Motorsports
3	21	Jim Chambers	Atkinson, NH	Mike Chambers
4	A1	Mike Horn	Ashland, MA	Jeff Horn
5	5b	Bethany Stoehr	Bridgewater, MA	Greg Stoehr
6	48	Todd Bertrand	Danielson, CT	Gill Bertrand
7	30	Paul Scally	Raynham, MA	Paul Scally
8	9	John Zych Jr.	Mendon, MA	John Zych Sr.
9	87	Doug Cleveland	Sudbury, MA	Doug Cleveland
10	7	Alan Chambers	Atkinson, NH	Mike Chambers
11	66	Chris deRitis	Philadelphia, PA	Dan deRitis
12	71	Seth Carlson	Brimfield, CT	Gene Feigel
13	39	Avery Stoehr	Lakeville, MA	Bertrand Motorsports
14	99	Jim Santa Maria	Burlington, CT	Jim Santa Maria
15	31	Ryan Bigelow	East Hampton, CT	Paul Bigelow
16	77	Jesse Jakubajtys	-	Mike Luggelle

Very good day for Bertrand Motorsports

13th Thompson career win and 51 overall, not to shabby !

With the NASCAR Whelen's here the track was totally different for the winged race cars and a whole lot of rubber.

Elizabeth and her husband John, Americas Racing Couple

 Bertrand Motorsports had a great day with the victory in the #74, a second #47 Kyle Hamilton, a sixth #48 Todd Bertrand and a 13th with Avery Stoehr. Put this NEMA tour on your bucket list for 2017 at your local track.