16th Annual John Blewett North / South Shootout Victory

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Jim and Crystal Snape would like to wish you all a great holiday.

Concord Motor Speedway

Concord, N.C.

11.10.2018

   It didn't take long for Jon McKennedy of North Chelmsford, Mass to show everyone how potent the Tommy Baldwin Jr. prepared 7NY modified was for the John Blewett Memorial North/South

   From victory lane McKennedy said "The last 20 laps were tough for sure, it seemed Andy (Seuss) myself and a few other guys were all even and I knew we needed a good 6 or 7 lap run when the car was really the strongest. I told my guys on the radio my best chance to get him (Seuss) was on the restart and that's exactly what happened, it all worked out and here we are." He added "The long red flag delay on lap 105 really helped us with the heat cycle on our tires, my car was getting tight and the heat cycle made it loosen up. We led a lot of laps (56) got the pole with the quickest time and won the race, its an awesome day. There's a lot of good cars here today so this win feels great."

   Turning in the quickest time of the day with a 15.296 second lap gave McKennedy the pole for the 125 lap marathon. Brandon Ward of Winston-Salem, N.C. started along side McKennedy with a 15.486 sec. lap.

   When starter Randy Smith showed the 28 car starting field the green, McKennedy became the first leader of the event until he pitted for adjustments on a lap 42 caution flag. 

   The crashed filled event was slowed or stopped 11 times, the worst on lap 105 when 6 cars tangled on the front stretch blocking the track which resulted in a 30 minute delay. That crash eliminated Chase Dowling, Cameron Sontag, Chuck Hossfeld and Jeremy Gertsner from the event.

   When racing resumed on lap 106 McKennedy wasted no time overpowering race leader Andy Seuss, (Hempstesd,N.H.) then held off all challengers including Matt Hirschman (Northhampton,PA.) who starting picking off competitors one at a time until he found himself in second place behind McKennedy on lap 123. Hirschman glued himself to McKennedy's back bumper but never found the opening to challenge the race leader for the win.

  At the checkered flag McKennedy, Hirschman and Jimmy Blewett (Howell,N.J.) who turned in a stellar performance, ran nose to tail.

   John Smith (Mount Airy,N.C.) and Andy Seuss finished 4th and 5th.

   Runner up Hirschman said, "It didn't go the way I wanted it to go, there were a few things that didn't go my way. It was so close at the end, you could say one more lap or a few more laps but when the checkered flag comes out at 125, it's all over. We were right there but a little too short." He added, "There were just so many cautions, delays and red flags, I don't know, just a lot to process really. It was just a very wild race and a break here or there would have made a difference in the outcome, but it is what it is."

   Third place Blewett said "It was interesting, a lot of ups and downs. For the most part we were able to get the car fixed and get back out on the track." (lap 57 Blewett stalled and stopped in turn 3.) "We got a flat in practice and hitting the fence was disheartening for us but we just started working and to come back to finish third really means something to me. I thought I might have something for those guys at the end (McKennedy-Hirschman) but it just got too loose."

   Anthony Nocella (Woburn,MA.) looked to be a serious contender for the win even without power steering for the last 50 laps but ran out of fuel under yellow while running third. Nocella came back to finish 7th.

Track- Concord Speedway, Concord,N.C.

Track size- 1/2 mile- Tri Oval

Starting Field- 28 Cars

Quick Time- 7NY, McKennedy-15,296 sec.

Race Leaders- 7NY, McKennedy--#76, Jimmy Zacharias--#11, Ron Silk--#25, John Smith--#57, Andy Seuss--#1, Burt Meyers--#19, Brandon Ward

Caution/Red Flags-11--Laps 24,31,42,57.87.87.89.93.93.94.105 

story by Jim Snape, photos by Crystal Snape

	#7 Johnathan McKennedy   Tour Modifieds
	Laps	Total Time	Best Lap	Best Time	Diff	Gap
	125	03:00:48.702	99	00:15.885
2	#60 Matt Hirschman   Tour Modifieds
	Laps	Total Time	Best Lap	Best Time	Diff	Gap
	125	03:00:48.836	114	00:15.973	0.134	0.134
3	#76 Jimmy Blewett   Tour Modifieds
	Laps	Total Time	Best Lap	Best Time	Diff	Gap
	125	03:00:49.778	99	00:15.961	1.076	0.942
4	#25 John Smith   Tour Modifieds
	Laps	Total Time	Best Lap	Best Time	Diff	Gap
	125	03:00:51.853	97	00:16.019	3.151	2.075
5	#57 Andy Suess   Tour Modifieds
	Laps	Total Time	Best Lap	Best Time	Diff	Gap
	125	03:00:53.856	100	00:15.904	5.154	2.003
6	#17 Bobby Measmer   Tour Modifieds
	Laps	Total Time	Best Lap	Best Time	Diff	Gap
	125	03:00:54.781	98	00:16.048	6.079	0.925	Jr
7	#92 Anthony Nocella   Tour Modifieds
	Laps	Total Time	Best Lap	Best Time	Diff	Gap
	125	03:00:56.480	97	00:15.942	7.778	1.699
8	#81 Todd Owen   Tour Modifieds
	Laps	Total Time	Best Lap	Best Time	Diff	Gap
	125	03:00:56.784	100	00:15.993	8.082	0.304
9	#07 Patrick Emerling   Tour Modifieds
	Laps	Total Time	Best Lap	Best Time	Diff	Gap
	125	03:00:59.627	98	00:16.137	10.925	2.843
10	#79 James Civalli   Tour Modifieds
	Laps	Total Time	Best Lap	Best Time	Diff	Gap
	125	03:01:01.874	2	00:15.924	13.172	2.247

2019 ACT Late Model Tour Schedule of Events

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

#             DAY       DATE     EVENT                                                  

TRACK                                                   LOCATION

1              Sun         Apr 14    Oxford Plains 150                                                Oxford Plains Speedway                     Oxford, ME

2              Sun         Apr 28    Community Bank N.A. 150                  Thunder Road Speedbowl                  Barre, VT

3              Sat           May 11   Spring Green 119                                White Mtn. Motorsports Park           N. Woodstock, NH

4              Sat           Jun 1       Chaudiere 150                                     Autodrome Chaudiere                        Vallée-Jct., QC

5              Sat           Jun 15    Thompson 75                                        Thompson Speedway                          Thompson, CT

6              Sat           Jun 29    Star 150                                                 Star Speedway                                      Epping, NH

7              Sat           Aug 3      Midsummer 250                                  White Mtn Motorsports Park            N. Woodstock, NH

***         Sat           Aug 17   Bacon Bowl 200                                   Autodrome Chaudiere                        Vallée-Jct., QC

8              Sat           Aug 24   Oxford Plains 150                                                Oxford Plains Speedway                     Oxford, ME           

9              Sun         Sep 1      Coca-Cola Labor Day Classic 200       Thunder Road Speedbowl                  Barre, VT               

***         Sat/Sun  Sep 28/29  57^th Vermont Milk Bowl                 Thunder Road Speedbowl                  Barre, VT

10           Sat           Oct 12    World Series 75                                   Thompson Speedway                          Thompson, CT

Schedule subject to change

R..I.P. David Pearson

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

David Pearson, a NASCAR pioneer and longtime rival of Richard Petty, has died. He was 83.

Pearson died today, The Wood Brothers racing team said, but details were not immediately available.

Pearson was a three-time Cup champion, and his 105 career victories trail only Petty's 200 on NASCAR's all-time list.

Born just outside of Spartanburg, S.C., Pearson made his NASCAR debut in 1960 and along with Petty, Bobby Allison and Cale Yarborough, they raced all over the country as the cornerstone during NASCAR's period of slow growth beyond a regional racing series. Pearson was inducted into the second class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

2018 PASS NATIONAL SLM CHAMPION DEREK GRIFFITH #12G

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Hudson, NH residend Derek Griffith finished second to capture the PASS National Championship Super Late Model title and third place finisher Matt Craig took his third straight PASS South championship.

Griffith's championship season culminated on a day that saw it nearly slip away in morning practice. He avoided the wall after breaking a trailing arm bracket, which allowed his team to make the necessary welding repairs at Setzer's nearby shop prior to qualifying.

"This is just amazing, the guys did a great job to get the car repaired," said Griffith. "I can't thank Brandon and Dennis [Setzer] for letting us use their shop. Ray Christian, my nearest competitor for the championship, he offered to let me use their backup car. I mean, what can you say about that? This has just been a great year and I'm so proud of what we've been able to accomplish."

The Mason-Dixon MegaMeltdown 200 from Hickory will air on MAVTV on Wednesday night, January 23, 2019 at 7 PM Eastern as part of Speed51's Short Track America.

The 2018 PASS Super Late Model is complete, but continue to monitor ProAllStarsSeries.com over the coming weeks for moreinformationon the upcoming season.  Source: PASS SUPER LATE/MODEL PRESS RELEASE AND PHOTO.

2018 Stafford Speedway Track Champion Spotlight

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Photo by Wayne G.Barber

(Stafford Springs, CT)---With the final checkered flag of the 2018 season displayed at the NAPA Auto Parts Fall Final,  Ronnie Williams, Tom Fearn, Marcello Rufrano, Jeremy Lavoie, and George Bessette, Jr. have etched their names in the Stafford Speedway history books as 2018 track champions.  Here we take a brief look back at each champion’s drive to their title success this season.

In the NASCAR Whelen All American Series Division I, SK Modifieds®, the fight for the championship was a season long duel between Williams and Keith Rocco.  Rocco began the season with a 4-race winning streak that established himself as the championship favorite.  Williams and the #50 Les’s Auto Center team were finishing races right behind Rocco on the podium, allowing him to keep the deficit to Rocco in the standings to a reasonable margin.  A big win on June 29 in the NAPA SK 5K, with a payday of $10,625, was definitely the boost the #50 team needed as they pursued the race for the championship.  Williams took the point lead for the first time following a win on July 6 and he led the standings for the remainder of the season and won his very first track championship at Stafford.  For the season Williams posted 4 wins, 14 top-5 and 17 top-10 finishes.

Tom Fearn and the #92 King Ward Coach Lines team enjoyed a season for the ages in the NWAAS Division II, Late Models.  In 21 starts this season, Fearn finished on the podium 19 times with 12 wins, 6 second place finishes, and one third place finish.  Fearn’s 12 wins this season set a Stafford Speedway Late Model division record and he also set a division record with six consecutive wins from May 18 to June 22.  For the season Fearn posted 12 wins, 19 top-5 and 19 top-10 finishes with a miniscule average finish of 2.4.  Fearn’s 12 wins this season also made him Stafford’s winningest driver in Late Model history with 48 career wins, passing Ryan Posocco who had 45 career Late Model wins at Stafford.

The NWAAS Division III, SK Light Modifieds, produced one of the tightest championship races in the track’s long and storied history.  Marcello Rufrano and Bryan Narducci, two drivers who grew up racing against each other in the Stafford Wild Thing Kart Series, renewed their friendly rivalry in grand fashion this season.  The two drivers took turns swapping the point lead back and forth this season with the pair combining to win 11 of 21 races.  Rufrano took the checkered flag in the biggest SK Light race of the season, the May 25 Dunleavy’s Modifiedz Night extra distance race that paid an SK Light season high $2,025 with purse and contingency bonuses.  Narducci looked to have the championship within his grasp late in the season, but two 15^th place finishes in the 4 races leading into the season ending NAPA Fall Final allowed Rufrano to enter that race tied with Narducci in the standings.  As the two were racing for the lead in the final race, they made contact and both drivers crashed out of the race.  With Rufrano being in front of Narducci on the last completed green flag lap, he was scored one position ahead of Narducci and became the SK Light champion.  For the season, Rufrano and the #88 Wheelers Auto Service team posted 6 wins, 11 top-5, and 16 top-10 finishes.

The NWAAS Division IV, Limited Late Model crown was dominated by Jeremy Lavoie and the #6 Aspen Hill Farm team.  The season didn’t begin under the best of circumstances for Lavoie as a mechanical issue left him in last place in the season opening race.  But Lavoie showed that he would be a force to be reckoned with this season with wins in four of the next five races after his mechanical issue, including a three-race winning streak.  Lavoie would go on to record a second three race winning streak later in the season and he took control of the points race with a 6-race stretch from June 29 to August 3 that saw him win 4 times and finish second twice.  Lavoie clinched the championship with one race to go and for the season he posted 8 wins, 16 top-5, and 20 top-10 finishes.

After finishing second in the NWAAS Division V Street Stock points as a rookie in 2017, George Bessette, Jr. and the #39 Lasco Roofing and Sheet Metal team returned to Stafford in 2018 as a championship favorite.  Two of Bessette’s main rivals this year in the championship race were Meghan Fuller, daughter of former Whelen Modified Tour champion Rick Fuller, and Brandon Michael.  All three drivers each took a turn leading the points early in the season but Bessette went on an amazing run in the second half of the season to leave his closest pursuers in his rearview mirror and claim the championship.  In the final 12 races of the season, Bessette notched up 11 podium finishes that included 4 wins, including a win in the extra distance R.A.D. Auto Machine Street Stock 30 that paid a Street Stock season high $575 with purse and contingency bonuses.  Bessette’s consistency allowed him to clinch the championship with one race left to go but that didn’t slow him down as he won the season ending NAPA Fall Final feature event to close out his season in style.  For the season Bessette posted 5 wins, 17 top-5 and 19 top-10 finishes. 

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

MR.MONEY, MATT HIRSCHMAN TURNS HAUNTED 100 WIN INTO TTOMS CHAMPIONSHIP AT SEEKONK

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

Seekonk, Mass. (October 28, 2018): Matt Hirschman of Northampton, PA, had been winless in Tri-Track Open Modified Series (TTOMS) competition in 2018 entering the final race of the season. The defending Haunted 100 race winner and series champion came through when it counted most; defending not only his race win but also his championship. 

Entering the event tied with Ron Silk of Norwalk, CT, Hirschman finished a single-spot ahead of his rival to win the championship by a mere two points. Chris Pasteryak of Lisbon, CT, Chase Dowling of Roxbury, CT, and Anthony Sesely of Matawan, NJ, completed the top five.

By virtue of their heat race wins Keith Rocco of Berlin, CT, and Dana DiMatteo of Farmington, CT, led the field to green for the start of the Haunted 100. A great start by Rocco gave him the lead in the opening laps ahead of Brian Robie and Pasteryak as DiMatteo faded. While Rocco drove out to a couple car length advantage, Robie had his hands full with Pasteryak. Les Hinckley was making moves and into sixth spot by lap 11. Championship chasers Silk and Hirschman ran 14 and 27 respectively.

Rocco was able to extend his lead over a battle between Robie and Pasteryak. Hinckley continued his march to the front; taking fifth from Todd Patnode on lap 14 before making quick work of DiMatteo. Pasteryak got by Robie on laps 25; taking Hinckley along for the ride. Hinckley was running down Pasteryak when the first caution flew on lap 26 for a spin by Colbey Fournier.  A handful of cars pitted from the tail end of the field under the caution. On the lap 26 restart Rocco edged ahead once again with Pasteryak and Hinckley taking chase. Back under green, Chase Dowling was using the outside groove to gain positions. Danny Cugini was having a good run in eighth.

The second caution flew when Sammy Rameau spun on lap 29. On the restart Hinckley used the bottom groove to take second away from Pasteryak. Any further progress was stalled when a caution flew for a mechanical failure on the #76 of Matt Galko.

On the ensuing restart at lap 30, Robie faltered; falling back to ninth. Hinckley was all over the back bumper of Rocco for the top spot. Dowling took advantage of Robie’s misfortune moving up inside the top-five. He was able to get by Pasteryak and into third.  Silk now ran fifth.

 

Matt Swanson, who qualified through the consi, broke into the top-ten on lap 35. His progress was slowed by a caution on lap 35 for an incident involving Todd Annarummo, Carl Medieros, Jr. and Andy Jankowiak. Hinckley stayed alongside Rocco on the lap 35 restart. The two went wheel-to-wheel before the caution flew once again on lap 36 after contact between Rob Murphy and Brad Babb sent Babb spinning.

Rocco was strong on the lap 36 restart taking the lead. However, a charging Dowling would not only take second from Hinckley but would also take over the lead from Rocco. Dowling was the new leader on lap 38. Dowling could not shake Rocco. Hinckley and Silk ran nose to tail inside the top-five. Matt Swanson and Hirschman were looking racy as the race approached halfway.

At halfway Dowling continued to lead Rocco and Hinckley. Silk was able to get by Pasteryak for fourth. Anthony Nocella, Swanson, Hirschman, Sesely and Richard Savary completed the top-five after 50-laps. A battle between Pasteryak and Silk had allowed Swanson and Hirschman, who had moved passed Nocella, to catch the lead pack. A spin by Annarummo had the yellow flying for the sixth time on lap 55. During the caution period, Silk and Nocella headed pitside. Back under green Dowling charged back to the lead in front of Hinckley. Hirschman got by Rocco for third.

The seventh caution of the event flew on lap 59 for a multi-car incident that involved Jankowiak and Robie. The top-five for the restart was Dowling, Hinckley, Hirschman, Rocco and Swanson. Silk restarted in position 13. Dowling got a strong restart as did Hirschman. He as able to get by Hinckley and into second. A brewing battle for the lead was cooled when a jumble at mid-pack sent Rameau spinning and the caution flying once again.

Hirschman now lined up beside the leader Dowling on the lap 61 restart. Hirschman rocketed past Dowling to become the new leader on lap 61. Dowling settled into second ahead of Hinckley. The best battle on the field was for fifth. Rocco held the position but a racy Sesely was applying heavy pressure. On lap 66 Sesely moved by Rocco and into the top five. Hinckley was being hounded by Swanson in third. Pasteryak, who had gotten by Rocco, had also reeled in Sesely. He was able to take fifth on lap 70. The jockeying for position inside the top five slowed for a spin by Cugini on lap 71. Under the caution both Hinckley and Rocco went pitside.

An attempt to go green on lap 71 was thwarted by a spin by Calvin Carroll.  Bryan Narducci, who had worked his way into the top-ten, saw his strong finish go by the wayside on the second attempt at a lap 71 restart.  Finally, back under green on lap 71, it was all Hirschman; leaving Dowling and Swanson to duke it out for second. Swanson took the spot away before the 12th caution flew for another spin by Annarummo. On the lap 72 restart it was still Hirschman being trailed by Swanson. Pasteryak stayed alongside Dowling in a bid for third. With only 25 laps remaining, Silk started his charge back to the front. Silk took a position away from Pasteryak and set his sights on Dowling. Silk got by Dowling and headed toward the lead duo of Hirschman and Swanson.

Dowling continued to backslide; giving up fourth to Pasteryak. Hirschman and Swanson saw their lead disappear as the yellow flew; this time on lap 84 for a spin by Fournier. On the restart Hirschman jumped back out in front, Silk was able to move by Swanson; putting the championship contenders 1-2.

Hirschman was able to get breathing room while Silk had a mirror full of Swanson. Another caution flew on lap 88 for a spin by Jankowiak; giving Silk a shot. Silk restarted to the outside of leader Hirschman with just 12 green flag laps remaining. The two went wheel-to-wheel into turn two on the ensuing restart and onto the backstretch. Hirschman was finally able to free himself of Silk to complete lap 89. Hirschman began to stretch his advantage. Pasteryak got my Swanson for third with Dowling taking chase. A great three-car able for sixth featured Sesely, Hinckley and a fully recovered Robie.

Coming out of turn four, bumper tag between Dowling, Swanson and Pasteryak, ended with Swanson spinning on the frontstretch. The resulting caution set-up a green-white-checker to determine not only the race winner but the championship.

The restart order with two laps remaining was Hirschman, Silk, Pasteryak, Dowling, Sesely, Hinckley, Robie, Nocella, Patnode, Rocco inside the top ten.  Hirschman rocketed out to the lead. Silk could do nothing as he watched Hirschman cruise to the checkers and the championship. Pasteryak ended a strong day in third followed by Dowling and Sesely. Hinckley, Robie, Nocella, Patnode and Rocco completed the top-ten at the end of the Haunted 100.    Source: Tri-Track Open Modified Series Press Release

Tri-Track Open Modified Series, Haunted 100 Feature Finish, Seekonk Speedway, October 28, 2018: 1. Matt Hirschman, Northampton, PA; 2. Ron Silk, Norwalk, CT; 3. Chris Pasteryak, Lisbon, CT; 4. Chase Dowling, Roxbury, CT; 5. Anthony Sesley, Matawan, NJ; 6. Les Hinckley, Windsor Locks, CT; 7. Brian Robie, Sunapee, NH; 8. Anthony Nocella, Woburn, MA; 9. Todd Patnode, Richmond, NH; 10. Keith Rocco, Berlin, CT; 11. Dana DiMatteo, Farmington, CT; 12. Richard Savary, Canton, MA; 13. Rob Richardi, Taunton, MA; 14. Andrew Molleur, Shelton, CT; 15. Danny Cugini, Marshfield, MA; 16. Calvin Carroll, Johnsonburg, NJ; 17. Colbey Fournier, Berkley, MA; 18. Andy Jankowiak, Tonawanda, NY; 19.Brad Babb, Windham, ME; 20. Matt Swanson, Acton, MA, 21. Zane Zeiner, Bath, PA; 22. Matt Galko, Meriden, CT; 23. Carl Medeiros Jr., Westport, MA;  24. Bryan Narducci, Colchester, CT; 25. Sam Rameau, Westminster, MA; 26. Rob Murphy, Rochester, MA; 27. Dylan Izzo, Monroe, CT. DNQ: Mike Holdridge, Madison, CT; Kurt Vigeant, Oxford, MA; Tommy Barrett, Millis, MA; Dylan Izzo, Monroe, CT; Jake Johnson, Rehoboth, MA; Tom Rogers, Riverhead, NY; Michael Gervais, Wolcott, CT; Bill Dixon, N. Waterboro, ME; Sal Accardi, Jr., Deer Park, NY; Ron Frees, Brick Township, NJ; Jon Kievman, Deerfield Beach, FL; CJ Bolton, Weare, NH; Andy Shaw, Center Conway, NH; Geoff Nooney, Southwick, MA; Russ Hersey, N Swanzey, NH.