By Lou Modestino
Management has pulled the plug once again on Friday nights, Budweiser Oxford Championship Series. With rain showers throughout the area, and more rain scheduled for overnight, it was in best interest of both racers and race fans to postpone the event til Sunday afternoon, June 1st, at 1:30 pm.
Budweiser day at the races will feature the PASS Mods, Pass Sportsman, Budweiser Pro Late Models, Allen’s Coffee Flavored Brandy Street Stocks, Ripley & Fletcher Ford Outlaw Sportsman, and the all new Bandit division.
The pit gate will open at 9 am, while the grandstands will open up at 11am. Adults are just $12, Seniors and Military Personnel are just $10, and Juniors are just $5.
A summer time of Thursday night action on the high banks of Barre’s Thunder Road is set to kick off with FairPoint Communications night. This Thursday, June 5, the “Nation’s Site of Excitement” opens its gates for its 55th season of stock car racing Thursday night action. The Late Models, Bond Auto Tiger Sportsmen and Allen Lumber Street Stocks will all be racing. While the first two events of the season were among the biggest and most prestigious held at Thunder Road, it’s the gritty Thursday night action each week where drivers win or lose titles.
Barre’s Jason Corliss sits atop the Late Model standings after his thrilling win in the Mekkelsen RV Memorial Day Classic. The division will run its first 50-lap feature this Thursday for their second point-counting event. Unlike the 100-lap Memorial Day event, weekly 50-lap features are sprint races that require drivers to be aggressive each and every lap. Two-time “King of the Road” Nick Sweet will look to avenge his Memorial Day loss, while Cody Blake, Dave Pembroke and a host of others continue their title campaigns.
Jason Woodard of Waterbury leads the way in the Bond Auto Tiger Sportsmen division. Woodard enters 2014 as the only returning Tiger driver from last year’s top five in the standings. He was an early favorite for the title, but Worcester’s Jeff Bousquet threw himself into the championship picture with an opening day win and sits just four points out of the lead. Montpelier’s Donny Yates paces the Allen Lumber Street Stocks with the help of his win on opening day. Sophomore driver Jaden Perry of Hardwick leaves him no room for comfort, just two points back.
The championship battles heat up this Thursday, June 5 with FairPoint Communications Night. Post time is 6:30pm. Admission is just $12 for adults, $3 for kids (ages 6 to 12), kids under 6 are free, and a family ticket (2 adults, 2 kids) is $25. Front gate opens at 5:00 pm.
Thunder Road International Speedbowl begins the traditional Thursday night racing on June 5, 2014. Beginning its 55th year of stock car racing, the “Nation’s Site of Excitement” will present the strongest field of American Canadian Tour Late Models in the 22-year history of the division.
“We had a tremendous transition from a year ago with several Bond Auto Tiger teams moving into Late Models for the 2014 season. These are high caliber teams with lots of Thunder Road high-bank experience. Earlier this month the 100-lap Mekkelsen Memorial Day Classic went the 100 lap distance without a caution, and that defines just how good the talent level is,” said Tom Curley, Promoter at Thunder Road.
The latest star to emerge from the famous Thunder Road Tiger division is Jason Corliss whose surprise win in the Memorial Day Classic might have sounded the alarm for Thunder Road’s favorite sons Nick Sweet, Phil Scott, Dave Pembroke, Dave Whitcomb and Jamie Fisher, all former “Kings of the Road”.
“You have to remember we all started there (Street Stock and Tiger divisions) at one time in our racing careers,” said Sweet, two-time Thunder Road Champion. Sweet was also a star in the four-cylinder Allen Lumber Street Stock division and Bond Auto Tigers. “The cars certainly are different, but learning how to be patient, taking the necessary time to complete passes and figuring out things like the ‘widow maker’ (turn 4 at T-Road) make the transition from a Tiger to an ACT Late Model car a lot easier,” explained Sweet.
This Thursday night will showcase the best balance of veteran and newcomers to race at one of the toughest weekly racing divisions in the country. With the ultimate goal of having your name put on the champion’s granite stone at the entrance to Thunder Road, the 2014 season is about to be one of the most interesting in the long history of one of America’s most famous short tracks.
Derrick O’Donnell from North Haverhill, NH is the defending champion. Jason Corliss won the Memorial Day Classic. Brooks Clark from Fayston, VT and Eric Chase from Milton, VT each won two races last year, and Cody Blake won the Vermont Governor’s Cup. Combine those credentials with all the champions’ pedigrees and the 2014 season at Thunder Road should prove to be one of the most exciting of all time.
Gates open at 5:00 pm on Thursday, June 5 for FairPoint Communications Night. Admission for adults is just $12.00, kid’s admission for ages 6 to 12 is just $3.00. Kids under age 6 are free. A family ticket for two adults and two kids is just $25.00. Post Time is 6:30 pm.
This year’s edition of the NAPA Show, Shine and Drag at Oxford Plains Speedway will certainly be a Father’s Day gift that any dad would enjoy. The mega-event is scheduled for Sunday, June 15th at 9 am.
“We are extremely excited about this year’s NAPA Show, Shine and Drag, stated Oxford Plains Speedway Vice President, Michael Mayberry. We have been working on this project since last October, and this show should be a good one. We have added motorcycles as well as one-lunger engines for display, plus we have added a BBQ, a beer garden and music to this year’s edition. There is plenty of entertainment for families to enjoy, and we are expecting a large turnout of classic cars, muscle cars and hot rods as well, as we have been hitting numerous car shows, and have contacted many car clubs throughout the Northeast. We are very proud of having NAPA on board with us this year, and expect to have a quality show.”
Track president, Tom Mayberry wants to reassure everyone that even though there won’t be any weekly drag racing at the Oxford Dragway, there will be plenty of drag racing for the NAPA Show, Shine and Drag. “We will have the strip in top shape for the event! Mayberry explained that due to Oxford Dragway personnel problems, it forced us to close the facility for 2014. We will evaluate the situation in the future and see what will happen.”
Lancaster, New Hampshire’s, Quinney Welch held off a stellar field of Pro Late Models at Oxford Plains Speedway this past Sunday afternoon on Budweiser day at the races. Welch is well known for his late model expertise in Vermont and New Hampshire, but this being only his third Pro Late Model start, he even surprised himself. Other winners on the day included J.R. Baril, Rusty Poland, Ryan Hewins, Frank Weare and Jamie Heath.
Justin Drake was almost the star of the day as he led the first thirty-five laps before he slipped up in turn one allowing Welch to sneak underneath. The race was far from over as Gary Chaisson closed up to Welch’s rear bumper at the white flag, and Tim Brackett was looking to his inside. Welch hung on for the win over Chaisson, and Brackett. Shawn Martin and Adam Polvinen completed the top five. Sixth through tenth went to Justin Drake, TJ Brackett, Jeremy Davis, Dale Shaw and last week’s winner, Trevor Sanborn. The four heat checkers flew for Billy Childs Jr., Drake, Mark Lundblad Jr., and Dale Shaw.
J.R. Baril led the entire forty lap PASS Mod main event as he dominated the race for his first career PASS Mod victory. The battle for second wasn’t decided until the start/finish line as Ryan Robbins nipped Doug McClure in a near photo finish. Travis Buzzell and Josh Brown rounded out the top five. Baril and Billy Dixon won their respective qualifiers.
Rusty Poland scored and impressive victory in the PASS Sportsman 50 lap main event. Poland easily outdistanced Joe Pastore Jr., Nathan Leavitt, Dan McKeage and Scott Dorr. Leavitt and Pastore Jr. won the two qualifying rounds.
Ryan Hewins picked up his first win of the season in the Allen’s Coffee Flavored Brandy Street Stocks as he held off a late race challenge by Josh Childs. Kyle Hewins raced home third followed by Spencer Morse and last week’s winner Matt Williams. Ryan Hewins and Childs won their respective qualifiers.
Frank Weare dominated the Ripley and Fletcher Ford Outlaw Sportsman class as he walked away from the field scoring an easy victory. Troy Jordan, Guy Childs Sr., Steve Moon and Jerry Freve chased him to the finish. Weare and Jordan each claimed heat wins.
The all new Bandito’s class debuted as the final event of the afternoon. Ten cars battled over twenty laps, and when all was said and done five cars finished under a blanket, with Jamie Heath collecting the win over Randy Henderson, Derek Cairns, Dan Wade and Preston Edwards.
Racing resumes this coming Friday night at 7:30pm with Pro Late Models, Street Stocks, Outlaw Sportsman and Bandito’s. Pits open at 4pm and grandstands open at 5pm. Adult tickets are $12, Seniors and Military personnel are $10, and Juniors are $5. Kids five and under are free.
Matt Frahm picks up his second series victory at Monadnock Speedway after surviving a caution-marred race Saturday night.
Hudson, NH’s Derek Griffith and Buxton, ME’s Larry Gelinas led the field to the line, but before the field could complete a lap, Griffith and Dillon Moltz made contact, sending both to the rear. The start of the race seemed to be a precursor to what was to come, as a total of 12 cautions flew on the night. Swanzey, NH’s Russ Hersey seemed to have the car to beat early, as the 4-time track champ repeatedly found himself at the point, until the 4-time track champ bobbled coming off turn four, in which Frahm took full advantage, jumping multiple positions to the lead. That would be the last time Hersey would lead in the race, as his engine expired, ending his day early.
Belchertown, MA’s Barry Gray methodically fought his way through the field, and became the car to beat mid-race as he began to walk away from the field. Gray would relinquish the spot on a restart after a contested call sent the two-time GSPSS Monadnock feature winner to the back of the pack. Frahm would fend off charges from Gelinas, who ran consistently in the top 6 all night, and Cory Robert late in the race, to become the career wins leader in the Granite State Pro Stock Series. It is the Lambert Roofing/WDW Machine team’s fourth victory in the series’ short life span.
“We tried to save a little bit at the start, but there really wasn’t a lot of saving going on,” Frahm explained. “There was a lot of good racing going on mid-pack and in the front. We just had to play it cool, and pick and choose our battles. Towards the end, guys like (Larry) Gelinas and Barry Gray were really putting on the pressure, so we really had to turn the wick up a bit. I love Monadnock Speedway and I’m very excited to come back here later this year.”
Gelinas would hold on for his second straight second place finish. “It was a pretty eventful race. We tried to save what we could for the end, but it wasn’t quite enough.” Gelinas has been on a tear in the Granite State Pro Stock Series. Dating back to last year, the pilot of the Morrissette’s Oil Burner/Gelinas HVAC Service automobile has finished in the top two spots 4 out of his last 5 races.
Canaan, NH’s Cory Robert recorded his second career top three in the GSPSS with his third place finish at Monadnock Speedway. Robert, who has been battling mechanical issues in his Labine + Son’s Concrete Chevrolet, was satisfied with the result Saturday night. “We’ve been battling carburetors all year, it was still skipping tonight, we were lucky to make it through the race. We’ll try to give it our all at Hudson (International Speedway).”
Mike Parks rebounded from an eventful night, finding his Toyota involved in multiple cautions, but ending up crossing the line fourth. Oakham, MA’s Ron Smith would work his way to the fifth spot for his best career finish with the Granite State Pro Stock Series. Parks and Hersey picked up the heat wins.
The Granite State Pro Stock Series will visit Hudson International Speedway on Sunday, June 15, for the Gate City Classic.
Monadnock 100 Results
5/31/14
POS (Start) DRIVER HOMETOWN
1. (11) Matt Frahm Hampstead, NH
2. (2) Larry Gelinas Buxton, ME
3. (13) Cory Robert Canaan, NH
4. (6) Mike Parks Walpole, NH
5. (4) Ron Smith Oakham, MA
6. (5) Fran Colson Baldwinville, MA
7. (1) Derek Griffith Hudson, NH
8. (19) Zig Geno Canterbury, NH
9. (12) Eric Sands Farmington, NH
10. (10) Barry Gray Belchertown, MA
11. (7) Russ Hersey Swanzey, NH
12. (14) Tommy O’Sullivan Wilbraham, MA
13. (15) Bobby Cabral Medford, MA
14. (17) Carl Eriksson Deep River, CT
15. (18) Greg Nanigian Braintree, MA
16. (8) Keith Caruso Milbury, MA
17. (3) Dillon Moltz Waterford, CT
18. (16) Mike O’Sullivan Springfield, MA
19. (9) Brad Babb Windham, ME
CONTINGENCY AWARDS Winner
AR Bodies (Hard Luck) Russ Hersey
Bond Auto Parts (Last car on lead lap) Zig Geno
Crazy Ed’s Powersports (Hard Charger) Zig Geno
Draco Springs Award (Most positions gained) Zig Geno
Five Star Stock Car Bodies (5th place finisher) Ron Smith
MacLellan Metal Finishing (Heat #1 Winner) Russ Hersey
MacLellan Metal Finishing (Heat #2 Winner) Mike Parks
Racer’s Depot (Random drawing) Dillon Moltz
RB Performance (4th place finisher) Mike Parks
RB Performance (7th place finisher) Derek Griffith
Sherwood Wheels (10th place finisher) Barry Gray
Sunoco Race Fuels (Heat #1 Winner) Russ Hersey
Sunoco Race Fuels (Heat #2 Winner) Mike Parks
It was a bright, sunny day at Wiscasset Speedway. Fans packed the bleachers to watch the races. On the schedule were the group one division including; New England 4 Cylinder Pro Stocks, Napa Super Street, Outlaw Mini’s, and Prostock. At the track this week was an exhibition of modified racing.
The spotlighted race of the week was an action packed thirty-five lap New England 4 Cylinder Pro Stock feature. Starting at the pole was the #38 of Ryan Hayes. Behind him were the #7 of Jerry Bailey and the #2 of James Bailey.
Coming up from his eighth place starting position was the #24 of Jeff Prindall. Prindall passed James Bailey during lap two on the outside of turn two for third. There was a caution during lap eleven, and on the resulting restart, Prindall passed Jerry Bailey on the inside of turn two for second place. Jerry Bailey spun on the track during lap fourteen and James Bailey moved to third.
Prindall advanced up the track looking for first. He was able to pass Hayes for first on the inside of turn two during lap fourteen. However, the following lap Prindall spun on the track alone, causing a caution. Prindall went to the back of the pack. Hayes moved to first. James Bailey moved to second. Advancing into the top three was the #98 of Kamren Knowles. On the restart, the #14 of Bob Patten passed Knowles for third. Moving from the back once again was Prindall. During lap sixteen, Prindall moved to the outside and passed both Patten and James Bailey, taking second.
Jerry Bailey passed James Bailey on the inside of turn one during lap twenty-three and took third. Prindall passed Hayes during lap twenty-four on the inside of turn two for the lead. Knowles passed Jerry Bailey on turn three during lap twenty-four and moved to third. Then, during lap twenty-eight, Knowles passed Hayes for second. Jerry Bailey moved to the outside during lap twenty-nine and passed Hayes for third.
Prindall’s JJ Nissan Ford sped under the checkered in first. This is Prindall’s fourth consecutive win. Prindall is point leader with 172 points. His closest competitors are Kamren Knowles and Craig Dunn, who are both tied for second with 146 points.
Prindall said prior to race time that he was uncertain what the day would bring, “There is stiff competition out there, and you never know what will happen.”
After winning the race, Prindall said, “The car was really tight after an altercation during the heat. It did loosen up as the race went on and we did pretty well. Ryan Hayes gave me a run for my money. It was fun racing him side by side. Halfway through the race I spun on the front stretch and I thought oh no. I was able to come out of it though, and went on to win the race.”Coming in second was Knowles. Placing in third was Jerry Bailey.
Providing a show for the crowd were the modified race cars in a twenty lap exhibition feature. Starting at the pole was the #8Y of Calvin Rose. Behind him was the #8B of Richard Jordan and the #5 of Mark Lucas. Jordan passed Rose on the outside of turn two for first during lap one. Lucas passed Rose on the outside of the back stretch during lap two for second.
What ensued next was a battle between Lucas and Jordan for race leader. The duo raced neck and neck, and there were nine leader changes between the two during the next sixteen laps. Lucas headed to the outside during lap eighteen and made the final pass on turn three. Jordan was not able to complete another pass, and Lucas went on to win the race. Jordan placed second. Rose took third.
Lucas said in Victory Lane, “This is my favorite track, here at Wiscasset. I had fun running around the track racing Richard Jordan!”
The last time modified cars raced at the track was in 2003, when they were a regular racing division at the track. The fans cheered at the mention of bringing the modified back as a biweekly division race. The next modified exhibition race will be June 28, 2014 at Wiscasset Speedway.
Next on the agenda was a twenty-five lap Napa Super Street feature. Starting at the pole was the #05 of James Osmond. The #48 of Dan Nessmith and the #8 of Kevin Morse were behind him. The #61 of Shawn Austin passed Morse on the inside of turn two for third during lap one. Then during lap seven, Austin passed Nessmith for second on the inside of turn three.
Coming up from his eighth starting position was the #5 of Adam Chadbourne. Chadbourne passed Nessmith on turn two for third during lap seven. Lap nine saw Chadbourne pass Austin on the outside of the back stretch for second.
Austin passed Chadbourne on the inside of the back stretch reclaiming second place during lap twenty-three. During lap twenty-four Nessmith passed Chadbourne on the inside of turn three for third.
Osmond placed first. Coming into the race, Osmond was third in points, with 158 points. Osmond has placed in the top five in three out of four races this season. First in points was Adam Chadbourne with 172 points. Chadbourne lost the engine of his #1 during the practice on Saturday. Chadbourne lent a hand and instead raced the #5 of Chris Staples. Second in points with 164, was Josh Bailey, who was absent from Saturday’s race.
Osmond said, “The car was as close to perfect as it could be. It was a good win. It felt good to get the first win in of the season. I would like to thank my sponsors: Possibility Salon, Paul Garber Construction, and Red’s Eats.”
In a quick straightforward race, twelve Outlaw Mini’s hit the track for a twenty-five lap feature. The #51 of Mike Mason started on the pole. The #10 of Jimmy Childs and the #14 of Matt Moore were behind him. When the green flag flew Moore passed Childs for second. The #06 of Ryan Glover followed Moore and moved to the inside and passed Childs on turn one for third.
During lap two, Glover passed Moore for second on the inside of the back stretch. The #8 of Calvin Rose Jr passed Moore on turn four for third during lap two. The #20 of Shawn Kimball passed Rose on the inside of turn three for third during lap twenty-three.
Mason finished in first. Mason said, “During practice this car was complete junk. We worked hard and made a lot of changes. We had a rough start this season, but we have it figured out now. It did help that I was up front and started on the pole.”
Glover placed second. Rounding out the top three was Kimball. Coming into Saturday’s race, point leader in the Outlaw Mini division was Jimmy Childs. Childs had 160 points. Shawn Kimball had 142 points coming into the race. Nate Tribbet was third in points with 132.
The next crowd pleaser was a thirty lap Prostock race. Starting at the pole was the #01 of Joe Decker. Behind him were the #77 of Maggie Ferland and the #15 of Nick Hinkley. When the green flag flew Hinkley, the #07 of Bill Penfold, and the #32 of Mike Orr headed inside and passed Ferland when she was slow off the start.
Hinkley passed Decker on the inside of turn two during lap two for first. However, Hinkley’s lead was short lived as he was black flagged during lap four due to mechanical issues. Decker moved to first. Penfold moved to second. Orr moved to third place.
There was a caution during lap thirteen. When racing action resumed Penfold passed Decker on the outside of turn one. During lap nineteen, Orr passed Decker on the outside of turn three for second.
Penfold took the checkered. Penfold said, “It was a pretty good race. I got underneath the #01 a few times. Then, I got mad and took off. I got to the front. I saw Mike Orr coming up behind me, but I was able to stay ahead. I’d like to thank ACE Smart Homes and Oxford Auto Salvage.” Penfold is the current point leader in the Prostock division. Penfold had 168 points coming into Saturday’s race. His closest competitor is Mike Orr with 164 points. Nick Hinkley is a close third with 162 points. Penfold has had three first place finishes, and one second place finish in the Prostock division this season. Orr placed second. Decker took third.
Wiscasset Speedway resumes racing action, June 7, 2013 with its group two lineup of divisions: Strictly Street, Mini Trucks, Outlaw Mini, Late Model Sportsman, and the flex race of the week will be NEMA Midgets and Lites. This is NEMA’s first appearance at Wiscasset since 1972. The NEMA Midgets will be racing a thirty lap feature. The NEMA Lites will race a twenty-five lap feature. Additionally, there will be a NEMA driver meet and greet on the track for fans at 5:20 PM. Pit gates open at 2:00 PM. Grandstand gates open at 4:00 PM. Racing begins at 6:00 PM. Admission is $5.00 for adults and children aged seven and older. Kids six and under are free.
There was a caution during lap twenty. On the restart, Stearns passed Farrington on the inside of the backstretch and took first. Helliwell passed Farrington for second during lap twenty-two. Jeff Burgess of the #X moved up the track and passed Farrington for third on the inside of the backstretch during lap twenty-two. Then during the same lap, Burgess passed Helliwell for second on the outside of turn four. Helliwell fought back and the pair raced side by side for fourteen laps, with Burgess just ahead by a nose, until a caution was called during lap thirty-six. When racing action resumed, Burgess was passed by Helliwell and the #14 of Dave St Clair. This came from shorttrack racing.
Red hot DJ Shaw picked up his third consecutive PASS North win this past Saturday night in the Littleton Chevrolet 150 at White Mountain Motorsports Park in North Woodstock, New Hampshire.
Glen Luce and Joey Polewarcyzk brought the twenty- four car field to the green flag, and the race was on. Luce jumped to the point and held the lead til lap 76 when Joey Pole tangled with a lapped car bringing out the first caution of the night. On the ensuing restart, Luce and Richie Dearborn made up the front row with Jeremy Davis, DJ Shaw and Travis Stearns rounding out the top five. At the drop of the green, the front row got together sending Dearborn hard into the front stretch wall and Luce spinning in turn one. Dearborn was unhurt but his car was finished for the night along with Brent Dragon’s machine. Jeremy Davis and Shaw took over row one and battled side by side until lap 90 when Shaw finally cleared Davis bringing Johnny Clark with him. The final caution flew for a minor spin in turn four on lap 100. Clark jumped to the point and held Shaw at bay until lap 110 when Shaw battled by and cruised to the victory. Clark settled for second ahead of Joey Pole, Mike Rowe and Jeremy Davis. Derek Ranstrom, Joey Doiron, Scott Mulkern, Travis Stearns and David Oliver completed the top ten. Luce, Travis Stearns, and Joey Pole won their respective qualifiers.
The next event for the PASS North Super Late Models will be on Saturday night, June 6th at Speedway 660 in Fredericton, New Brunswick. Post time is 7:05 pm.