By Lou Modestino
The 51st Annual People’s United Bank Milk Bowl will return to its historic three (3) 50-lap segment format on Sunday, October 6 at Barre’s Thunder Road. In recent years, the final two segments had been run with extended 75-laps. After listening to the fans, it has been decided that the shortened 50-lap segments will create more “edge of your seat” action.
“The 50-lap segments were always more volatile,” said Thunder Road Promoter Tom Curley. “The third and final segment was the highlight of the Milk Bowl, as drivers had to go flat out every lap. The 75-lap segments allowed drivers to relax and gave them too much time to work their way through traffic. That isn’t what the Milk Bowl is about. It’s about white-knuckled, up-on-the-wheel, three-wide for the win action. It’s what makes the Milk Bowl the ‘Toughest Short Track Event in North America’.”
While the shortened segments will bring the overall scores up, it should also put more drivers in a spot to win the overall, as they head into the third and final segment. The Milk Bowl uses a combined scoring system, with the winner of each segment receiving one (1) point, second two (2), etc. with the lowest combined score winning the Milk Bowl. The finishing order from each segment is partially inverted to line up the next segment.
The 51st running of the People’s United Bank Milk Bowl will commence on Sunday, October 6 with a post time of 1:00pm. Booth Bros. and H.P. Hood qualifying day will be on Saturday, October 5, with a 1:00pm start, as well.
The American Canadian Tour (ACT) has announced that its tire of choice for the next six (6) years will be the American Racer brand from Race Tires America, located in Indiana, Pennsylvania. ACT and its affiliate tracks will change tire needs from Goodyear to the American Racer beginning with the 2014 season.
“We appreciate the many years of working with the Goodyear Racing Division. They have provided us with nearly a decade of service, and assisted us in the development of new products to meet our tire needs,” said Tom Curley, President of the American Canadian Tour.
American Race Tire has spent the past four months producing and testing a tire to meet the varied and heavy demand of supplying the Late Model teams in the large area which ACT covers.
“We have spent the past 10 months with American Racer developing a program and tire that will fit all the various needs that the ACT network of affiliate tracks requires. We actually began the process with our intermediate division at Thunder Road Speedbowl in Barre, VT this 2013 season and enjoyed outstanding success. In fact, we reduced the division’s tire costs by over 25% and throughout the year only had a couple of tires adjusted which is outstanding”, said Curley.
Newly appointed Director of Racing for Race Tire America, Scott Junod said, “The challenge was to have our engineers develop a special 8” racing slick that would serve the large ACT network of weekly tracks and also satisfy the ACT touring schedules. The requirements are very different. It was a very interesting project for our engineers and we appreciate the tremendous co-operation we received from a number of ACT teams during the process. We could not be happier with the final results and are looking forward to this long-term relationship beginning in 2014.”
The American Canadian Tour is a 28-year old short track sanctioning body that is affiliated with tracks throughout New England and the Provinces of Quebec and Ontario. The touring series races on venues that vary from ¼ mile speedways up to and including the mile at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway
Eddie MacDonald of Rowley, Massachusetts claimed his 3rd Invitational win in the 5th Annual Bond Auto ACT Invitational at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Saturday, September 21. MacDonald pocketed $8,300 for his efforts as he fended off ACT Champions Wayne Helliwell, Jr. and Brian Hoar. MacDonald has previously won the ACT Invitational in 2009 and 2011.
The “Outlaw” MacDonald worked his way through the field from his 26th starting position and seemed to settle in to the top five through the halfway mark. Polesitter Travis Stearns and Quinten Welch swapped the lead over the first dozen laps and two of the three total cautions. Following the second restart, eight-time ACT Champion took the point and battled with Welch until the third and final caution at the halfway point.
On the final restart of the 50-lap event, Helliwell and Hoar broke out to the point with MacDonald in tow. MacDonald took over the lead on lap 35 and held off Helliwell over the final 15 laps. Helliwell could get to his rear bumper, but couldn’t find the momentum to make the pass. MacDonald and Helliwell were followed to the line by Hoar, Aaron Fellows and 2010 ACT Invitational winner Joey Polewarczyk, Jr. Tom Carey, Jr., Quinten Welch, Quebec’s Jean-Franois Dery, Nick Sweet and Glen Luce completed the top ten.
The 50-lap event saw a fiery crash on lap four as Matt White took a hard hit on the frontstretch that took four cars out of the event and brought out a red flag. All drivers were alright. The second caution period was brought out on lap 8 as Ontario’s Bryan Mercer was slowed with a flat tire. The third and final yellow flag flew for 70-year-old Joey Laquerre as he spun coming out of turn four and made hard contact with the inside wall, ending his day.
The event was completed in 58 minutes and 28 seconds. It saw 8 lead changes among 5 drivers. Eddie MacDonald won by a margin of .758 seconds.
The American Canadian Tour will decide its champion in the Fall Foliage 200 next Saturday, September 28 at Airborne Speedway in Plattsburgh, NY. Wayne Helliwell, Jr. leads the standings over Joey Polewarczyk, Jr. and Jimmy Hebert.
5th Annual Bond Auto ACT Invitational Unofficial Results
New Hampshire Motor Speedway – Loudon, NH
Saturday, September 21, 2013
Pos. (Start) Driver, Hometown, Laps Completed
1. (26) Eddie MacDonald, Rowley, MA, 50 laps
2. (16) Wayne Helliwell, Jr., Dover, NH, 50 laps
3. (15) Brian Hoar, Williston, VT, 50 laps
4. (9) Aaron Fellows, Croyden, NH, 50 laps
5. (22) Joey Polewarczyk, Jr., Hudson, NH, 50 laps
6. (19) Tom Carey, Jr., New Salem, MA, 50 laps
7. (4) Quinten Welch, Lancaster, NH, 50 laps
8. (28) Jean-Francois Dery, Quebec, QC, 50 laps
9. (17) Nick Sweet, Barre, VT, 50 laps
10. (13) Glen Luce, Turner, ME, 50 laps
11. (27) Alex Labbe, St-Albert, QC, 50 laps
12. (7) Ben Lynch, Huntersville, NC, 50 laps
13. (1) Travis Stearns, Auburn, ME, 50 laps
14. (2) Jamie Aube, N. Ferrisburg, VT, 50 laps
15. (20) Jimmy Hebert, Williamstown, VT, 50 laps
16. (11) Guy Caron, Lempster, NH, 50 laps
17. (14) Luke Hinkley, Claremont, NH, 50 laps
18. (21) Ray Parent, Tiverton, RI, 50 laps
19. (39) Brandon Atkins, Ausable Forks, NY, 50 laps
20. (24) Jonathan Bouvrette, Blainville, QC, 50 laps
21. (8) Bryan Mercer, Port Hope, ON, 50 laps
22. (35) Josh Masterson, Bristol, VT, 50 laps
23. (33) Bobby Therrien, Hinesburg, VT, 50 laps
24. (5) Todd Davis, Claremont, NH, 50 laps
25. (25) Shawn Martin, Turner, ME, 50 laps
26. (30) Taylor Martin, Windham, NH, 50 laps
27. (3) Dave Farrington, Jr., Jay, ME, 50 laps
28. (41) Jerry Dawson, Lynnfield, MA, 50 laps
29. (23) Dany Trepanier, St-Edouard, QC, 50 laps
30. (29) John Falconi, Oakham, MA, 50 laps
31. (36) Jimmy Linardy, Somerville, MA, 50 laps
32. (37) Cody Blake, Barre, VT, 50 laps
33. (42) Matt Anderson, Franklin, NH, 50 laps
34. (6) Jamie Fisher, Shelburne, VT, 50 laps
35. (10) Rowland Robinson, Jr., Steuben, ME, 44 laps
36. (18) Joey Laquerre, East Montpelier, VT, 24 laps
37. (12) Sean Kennedy, Dunrobin, ON, 23 laps
38. (40) Ricky Roberts, Washington, VT, 16 laps
39. (34) John Lowinski-Loh, Milford, MA, 12 laps
40. (31) Matt White, Northfield, VT, 4 laps
41. (38) Joey M. Laquerre, East Montpelier, VT, 4 laps
42. (32) Emily Packard, East Montpelier, VT, 4 laps
43. (43) Kyle Welch, Newport, NH, 4 laps
Lap Leaders: Travis Stearns, 1-2; Quinten Welch, 3-4; Stearns, 5; Q. Welch, 6-12; Brian Hoar, 13-17; Q. Welch, 18-25; Wayne Helliwell, Jr., 26; Hoar, 27-34; Eddie MacDonald, 35-50. (8 lead changes among 5 leaders)
Cautions: 3 (Laps 4 (red), 12, 25)
Time of Race:?58 minutes, 28 seconds
Margin of Victory: 0.758 seconds
A month after becoming the youngest winner in NASCAR K&N Pro Series history, the 15-year-old from Ladera Ranch, Calif., returned to Victory Lane Saturday in the North American Power 150 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
Custer, the son of Stewart-Haas Racing executive Joe Custer, was making just his 12th career NASCAR K&N Pro Series East start and had a dominating weekend. He was fastest in Friday practice, won the 21 Means 21 Pole Award presented by Coors Brewing, and led a race-high 60 laps.
He also won from the pole Aug. 2 at Iowa Speedway.
Daniel Suarez finished second for his fifth top three finish in his last six races, while Cale Conley was third.
Rookie Ben Rhodes and Dylan Presnell finished fourth and fifth, respectively. Rookie Jesse Little took home sixth.
Brett Moffitt finished seventh and cut Dylan Kwasniewski’s points lead to 23 with two races remaining. Kwasniewski was involved in a Lap 34 wreck after a spin battling Custer for the lead and finished a season-worst 24th.
Rookies Gray Gaulding, Mackena Bell and Ronnie Bassett Jr. rounded out the top 10.
The race featured a season-high six lead changes among five drivers.
The North American Power 100 will air on Fox Sports 1 on Friday, Oct. 4.
The NASCAR K&N Pro Series East will next race in the Drive Sober 150 at Dover International Speedway on Friday, Sept. 27.
NASCAR K&N PRO SERIES EAST-North American Power 100
Unofficial Results
Saturday
At New Hampshire Motor Speedway
Loudon, N.H.
Lap length: 1.058 miles
(Start position in parentheses)
1. (1) Cole Custer, Ladera Ranch, Calif., Chevrolet, 105 laps, 64.944 mph.
2. (3) Daniel Suarez, Monterrey, Mexico, Toyota, 105.
3. (4) Cale Conley, Vienna, W. Va., Toyota, 105.
4. (13) Ben Rhodes, Louisville, Ky., Chevrolet, 105.
5. (10) Dylan Presnell, Sevierville, Tenn., Chevrolet, 105.
6. (6) Jesse Little, Sherrills Ford, N.C., Chevrolet, 105.
7. (8) Brett Moffitt, Grimes, Iowa, Toyota, 105.
8. (9) Gray Gaulding, Colonial Heights, N.C., Toyota, 105.
9. (5) Mackena Bell, Carson City, Nev., Toyota, 105.
10. (14) Ronnie Bassett, Jr., Winston Salem, N.C., Toyota, 105.
11. (19) Scott Heckert, Ridgefield, Conn., Chevrolet, 105.
12. (18) Brandon Jones, Atlanta, Ga., Chevrolet, 105.
13. (11) Matt Tifft, Hinckley, Ohio, Chevrolet, 105.
14. (12) Brandon Watson, Stayner, Ontario, Canada, Chevrolet, 105.
15. (27) Trey Hutchens, Lexington, N.C., Chevrolet, 105.
16. (30) Akinori Ogata, Kanagawa, Japan, Toyota, 105.
17. (25) John Salemi, Nashua, N.H., Toyota, 105.
18. (28) Clay Campbell, Martinsville, Va., Chevrolet, 105.
19. (16) Austin Self, Austin, Texas, Dodge, 98, accident.
20. (21) Kenzie Ruston, El Reno, Okla., Chevrolet, 76, accident.
21. (29) Cory Joyce, Gilford, N.H., Chevrolet, 76, accident.
22. (24) Brandon Gdovic, Yorktown, Va., Toyota, 61, engine.
23. (7) Eddie MacDonald, Rowley, Mass., Toyota, 44, accident.
24. (2) Dylan Kwasniewski, Las Vegas, Nev., Chevrolet, 34, accident.
25. (23) Ryan Gifford, Winchester, Tenn., Toyota, 34, accident.
26. (15) Ben Kennedy, Daytona Beach, Fla., Chevrolet, 34, accident.
27. (26) Rafael Vallina, Chihuahua, Mexico, Toyota, 34, accident.
28. (22) Bryan Ortiz, Bayamon, Puerto Rico, Toyota, 34, accident.
29. (17) Austin Dyne, Malibu, Calif., Chevrolet, 27, engine.
30. (20) Johnny VanDoorn, Coopersville, Mich., Chevrolet, 10, engine.
Race Statistics
Time of Race: 1 hour 42 minutes 38 seconds
Margin of Victory: 0.743 seconds
Fastest Qualifier: C.Custer * (128.420 mph, 29.659 seconds)
Caution Flags: 8 for 33 laps.
Lead Changes: 6 among 4 drivers.
Lap Leaders: C. Custer 1-40; E. MacDonald 41-44; C. Conley 45-46; D. Suarez 47-55; C. Custer 56; D. Suarez 57-86; C. Custer 87-105.
Standings: 1. D. Kwasniewski, 473; 2. B. Moffitt, 450; 3. B. Kennedy, 418; 4. E. MacDonald, 418; 5. D. Suarez, 414; 6. G. Gaulding, 404; 7. K. Ruston, 395; 8. R. Gifford, 391; 9. B. Gdovic, 385; 10. C. Custer, 383.
This Saturday, September 28th, Monadnock Speedway will host their traditional Super Saturday event to conclude the 2013 race season. The action-packed event will be filled with 8 divisions as visiting competitors will challenge the speedway’s home track competitors in extra distance showdowns to the checkers. Divisions on tap for the special event include; 50 Lap Sportsman Modified, 35 Lap Super Stock, 35 Lap Mini Stock plus the Lightning and Thunders Stock, Young Guns along with visiting divisions of the Pro 4 Modifieds and Vintage Outlaws. The 2013 Champions will be present to officially accept their titles and then do battle against each other in the very popular Great School Bus Race. The event also includes Spectator Races and Big Wheels race.
The event will begin at 2pm with School Bus rides around the track for all Kids starting at 1:30pm. Pit gates open at 9am with practice session starting at 11:30am. Main gate opens at Noon.