By Lou Modestino
The 41st Annual Oxford 250 is quickly coming upon us, as July 20th is just a couple weeks away, and the excitement and buzz about the event is at an all time high. With almost fifty cars pre-entered for the mega event, and close to seventy Super Late Models expected, the entry list reads like a Who’s Who in the racing world.
This year’s edition will feature a strong contingent from the PASS South Series as several teams will head north to try and capture the Oxford 250 winner’s trophy. Leading the way will be Preston Peltier from Concord, North Carolina. Peltier has numerous PASS South victories, and is always a threat to win the big events. Tyler Dippel from Walkill, New York has picked up victories in 2014 down south and he is ready for the challenge. The father and son team of Jay Fogleman, and Tate Fogleman will be returning to the Oxford 250 for the second consecutive year, with Jay Fogleman vowing to be a contender after last year’s podium finish. Recent PASS South winner, Daniel Hemric has thrown his hat into the ring, as well as Derek Kneeland, and don’t forget two time NASCAR Sprint Cup winner, Steve Park will be aboard the potent Dickie Woodman entry.
The Canadian contingent will be lead by Karl Allard from St. Felicien, Quebec. Allard is always a contender when he enters a race at OPS. Fellow Canadians Kevin Roberge and Matt Matheson are expected to compete as well.
Travis Benjamin will be out to make it two Oxford 250 wins in a row, as he is the favorite heading into the race. Johnny Clark has rebounded nicely in 2014, and now that Joey Doiron has picked up his first win of the season, he too will be a good bet to put on a competitive show. One driver that can never be counted out is Mike Rowe as he’ll be looking for his unprecedented fourth Oxford 250 winner’s trophy. Rowe has also had a solid PASS North season. The winningest driver in 2014 on the PASS Series, DJ Shaw will bring the potent #60 with high hopes of collecting his first 250 win, and of course you can never count out Ben Rowe, or recent ARCA winner, Austin Theriault.
The Oxford weekly Pro Late Model teams will be out in force as the Brackett family, Tim, TJ and Vanna will all be in competition. Point leader Shawn Martin has been on a roll as of late as has Jeremy Davis, who is coming off a Granite State Pro Stock Series victory at Star Speedway recently.
This definitely will be one of the most competitive field of cars that the Oxford 250 has seen in quite some time. There will also be plenty of free camping as the campground opens up Monday, July 14th.
The 35th running of the Vermont Governor’s Cup 150, presented by VP-Small Engine Fuels (SEF), to be held Thursday, July 10th, at Thunder Road International Speedbowl in Barre, VT, will in all likelihood break the 6 race string of consecutive different feature winners to begin the 2014 racing campaign.
Jimmy Hebert, Williamstown, VT is the latest entry for the VT Governor’s Cup. He is currently second in points after the first six events on the American Canadian Tour (ACT) this season. “We have a pretty long time before our next ACT point’s race, (Beech Ridge Motor Speedway, August 9, 2014) and with T-Road just about five minutes from our shop, the guys thought it would be fun to go back to a track that we are pretty familiar with. We usually have pretty good luck with the 150 lap races, and having a chance to race with Clint Bowyer at my home track is pretty cool, “said Hebert.
In recent years the VT Governor’s Cup presented by VP-SEF has included guest appearances by NASCAR stars, Ken Schrader, Tony Stewart and Clint Bowyer. The only non-Thunder Road regular visiting driver to win the VT Governor’s Cup was ACT point leader Joey Polewarczyk, Jr. (Pole) from Hudson, NH. He won the VT Governor’s Cup during the 50th anniversary of Thunder Road in 2009.
The ACT Late Model division at Thunder Road is loaded with previous champions. Most have graduated from the intermediate Bond Auto Tiger Division over the years. Barre’s favorite son, Nick Sweet won a Tiger Championship in 2007 and two King of the Road championships in 2010 and 2012. John Donahue is back racing for his first Late Model track championship; he won back to back Tiger titles in 2000 and 2001. Montpelier’s David Pembroke won a Tiger championship and has two “King of the Road” titles. Shawn Fleury is a three time Tiger Champion looking for his first ACT Late Model win in this year’s Governor’s Cup.
Defending Thunder Road Late Model track Champion Derrick O’Donnell from North Haverhill, NH also won a Tiger crown in 2011. “There has always been something special about winning at Thunder Road. Maybe it’s the crowd, certainly the competition is as good as any short track in the country, but the track itself is also a constant challenge every time out. Winning there takes more than a good set-up, you have to have some luck, things happen in a hurry, but I guess that is what makes it so satisfying when you do get a win,” said O’Donnell.
The 35th running for the Vermont Governor’s Cup 150, presented by VP Small Engine Fuel is scheduled for Thursday, June 10. Gates will open at 4 p.m. and post time for qualifying heats is 6 p.m. Adult tickets are just $20 dollars and kids 12 and under are free.
Oxford Plains Speedway finally defeated Mother Nature this past Friday night, July 3rd, and a solid crowd enjoyed a fantastic night of racing and the giant fireworks display on Ripley & Fletcher Ford night. Visiting Allen’s Coffee Flavored Brandy victory lane were Chris Coolidge, Corey Morgan, Troy Jordan and Derek Cairns.
Chris Coolidge passed race leader Donnie Wentworth on lap 24 and looked to be on cruise control until Trevor Sanborn ran him down and drove underneath him on lap 40. Coolidge regrouped and drove back around Sanborn on lap 45, and cruised home for the win. Sanborn hung on for second and Donnie Wentworth outraced Shawn Martin for third. Fifth through tenth included Justin Drake, TJ Brackett, Scott McDaniel, Tim Brackett, Jeremy Davis and Scott Farrington. Heat checkers flew for Wentworth, Kyle Treadwell and Tim Brackett.
Corey Morgan ran and hid from the Allen’s Coffee Flavored Brandy Street Stocks field as he easily outdistanced Richard Spaulding, Kyle Hewins, John Childs and last week’s winner, Ryan Hewins. Morgan also captured the qualifying heat.
Troy Jordan padded his point lead in the Ripley & Fletcher Ford Outlaw Sportsman 25 lap main event as he bolted to the lead on lap six and never looked back. Missy Morgan had a career best finish with a solid runner-up position as she held off hard charges from Michael Haynes, and Shannon Judd. Joe Morey completed the top five. Troy Jordan carried the heat checkers.
The Bandito’s feature was claimed by first time winner Derek Cairns. Greg Sessions, Dan Wade, Shawn Hinkley and Robert Kahkonen rounded out the top five. Cam Childs was DQ’d from his third place finish for unsportsmanlike conduct in victory lane.
Oxford Plains Speedway will return to action on Friday night, July 11th as NAPA Auto Parts will sponsor the night’s activities, the final tune-up event before the Oxford 250 on July 20th. There will be a full card of racing including Pro Late Models, Street Stocks, Outlaw Sportsman and Bandito’s plus a Kid’s Poster Contest. Post time is 7:30pm.
A major announcement from Oxford Plains Speedway, Route 26 in Oxford, Maine has been released to the general public stating that Oxford Plains Speedway will be switching their Friday night, Budweiser Oxford Championship Series racing over to Saturdays on August 2, 2014.
Oxford Plains Speedway President Tom Mayberry confirmed the announcement stating the following; “After much deliberation, we have made the decision to switch our Friday night program to Saturday nights beginning on Saturday, August 2, 2014. We have done everything possible to make our Friday night show work, but unfortunately the numbers in the grandstands just haven’t increased enough to make it sustainable. One of the biggest complaints that we have received about Friday night racing is that people from more than an hour away can’t seem to get here in time for the races. By the time they get out of work, get home and relax over dinner, they are totally rushed and many just stay home. We feel that everyone can make it out to the track on a Saturday night, and not be as hurried. We are hoping this will increase the number of fans at OPS weekly. We have an unbelievable show on Friday nights, and we think it will only get better. Several drivers are unable to get to the track on Fridays as their work schedule does not allow for them to get here, and this should also add to our solid car counts, making us even stronger and more appealing to the race fan.”
Whited RV from Auburn, Maine will be the first sponsor when OPS switches to Saturday nights on August 2nd. The first Saturday night race card will feature the PASS Sportsman, Budweiser Pro Late Models, Allen’s Coffee Flavored Brandy Street Stocks, Ripley & Fletcher Ford Outlaw Sportsman, Bandito’s and the Kids Pit Tour. Post time will be 7 p.m.
Devil’s Bowl Speedway provided the fireworks, but it was young Late Model stock car racing stars Josh Masterson and Emily Packard in charge of the show on Friday, July 4. Masterson and Packard waged an exciting battle for the Coca-Cola Firecracker 100 victory that brought the largest grandstand crowd in the track’s asphalt era to their feet. The enthusiastic fans also cheered winners Leon Gonyo, Richard Lowrey, III, Bobby LaVair, and Richie Turner during NASCAR Whelen All-American Series action.
Seventeen year-old Packard, of East Montpelier, VT, led much of the well-driven race, taking the lead from veteran Bucko Branham at lap 18. She held the point as Masterson made his way through traffic and ran some entertaining laps with Branham, Jamie Fisher, Jamie Aube, and Brandon Atkins. Bristol, VT racer Masterson, 22, was making big gains on Packard’s lead when the caution flag flew on lap 81, setting up a duel between them for the final 20 circuits.
Masterson got the break on the restart and took over the lead, but was never more than a car length ahead. Packard made two bids at the lead on the inside lane in the final six laps as Masterson preferred the top groove. She nosed ahead to lead the 99th lap by inches and pulled ahead further on the backstretch, but Masterson made a daring drive into the final corner and carried his momentum to the victory. The finish – and the show of respect between the drivers in victory lane after a hard-fought but clean battle – drew huge cheers from the crowd.
Three-time NASCAR K&N Pro Series East champion Aube of North Ferrisburgh, VT had his best drive in several years as he ran among the leaders throughout the race and finished third. Atkins finished fourth with Fisher fifth. Chris Bergeron, Robert Bryant, Jr., rookies Scott Coburn and Dan St. Hilare, and early leader Branham completed the top 10 finishers.
If the Late Model race highlighted the region’s youth movement, the 30-lap Bond Auto Parts Modified feature was one for the veterans. Leon Gonyo, 61, of Chazy, NY, benefitted from contact between leaders Vince Quenneville, Jr., and Jessey Mueller to take the lead at lap 22, then held off defending champion Todd Stone to earn his first win in more than two years.
Quenneville appeared to be headed to the winner’s circle to end a similar two-year drought, but contact from Mueller sent him off the track and put both drivers at the rear of the field. Gonyo held the lead and fended off attempts from Stone in both lanes over the final laps. Stone settled for the runner-up spot with Joey Roberts, Johnny Scarborough, and Ron Proctor next in line.
Teenagers Richard Lowrey, III, and Stephen Donahue turned in an entertaining race in the 20-lap Renegade feature. Lowrey, 15, missed last week’s event while he attended football camp at Boston College, but returned to earn the first victory of his career. Donahue raced with Lowrey for the lead early, then spun to the infield. Rookie Scott FitzGerald of West Rutland, VT drove up to second place and finished there for a career-best effort, and a quick recovery by Donahue left him as the final podium finisher. Randy Howard and rookie Eric Messier – in his first start – completed the top five. Point leader Robert Gordon suffered a mechanical issue and failed to finish the race.
Bobby LaVair of Saranac Lake, NY became the seventh different winner in eight races for the Central Vermont Motorcycles Mini Stock division, taking a 20-lap feature event. Point leader Chuck Bradford came through traffic to finish second, while the winner’s brother, Chris LaVair, used a car borrowed from Dan Collins to finish third. Roger LaBounty finished fourth in his first start with John McCarron fifth. The win was the ninth of Bobby LaVair’s career at Devil’s Bowl and moves him into a first-place tie with Chad Brown at the top of the Mini Stock division’s all-time list.
Former Renegade champion Richie Turner of Fairfax, VT won a 75-lap event for the Enduro Series for his first win in the division. Turner threaded his way through a spate of early crashes that eliminated many competitors, then won a race of mechanical attrition down the stretch. Shawn “Mr. Bojangles” Fountain took the runner-up spot, with Brett “Woody” Wood third.
Jerry Jokinen of Castleton, VT won the annual Coca-Cola employee’s race in the first event of the season for the Daredevil “community” racing division. Jokinen, a manager at Coca-Cola in Rutland, VT, drew cheers from the fans but jeers from his co-workers as he drove to the win. Kelly Bullock finished second with Laura Zsido third. Drew Allen had a wild final lap as he spun out of second place, but managed to recover for fourth place ahead of Jamie Zsido.
Devil’s Bowl Speedway returns to action on Friday, July 11 at 7:00 p.m. with the first-ever “Twitter Twin 25s” event for the Modified division.
Joey Doiron has not been setting the world on fire in the 2014 PASS North Super Late Model Series, but his luck may have just peaked at the right time as he picked up a big win in the Southern Maine Motors Firecracker 150 at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway in Scarborough, Maine this past Saturday night. Doiron’s victory comes just two weeks before the biggest Super Late Model event in the Northeast, that being the 41st Annual Oxford 250 on July 20th.
Joey Polewarzyk started on the point for the main event, and set a blistering early pace as he was starting to lap cars 30 laps into the race. Glen Luce held onto second, while Austin Theriault, Doiron and Scott Mulkern settled in for a long run of green flag laps. The first caution waved on lap 56 for a minor spin in turn three. The restart saw Mulkern get the jump with Doiron glued to his back bumper. On lap 90 Mulkern slipped up in turn three allowing Doiron to slip underneath for the lead. Mulkern recovered in time to hold off a fast charging Mike Rowe, and Theriault.
Three quick cautions for spins slowed the pace from lap 122 through lap 129, but it did nothing to slow the pace for Doiron as he continued to pull away from the pack on each restart. Doiron cruised to his first victory of the season as he finished ahead of Theriault, Glen Luce, Mike Rowe and Mulkern. Sixth through tenth places went to Cassius Clark, Travis Benjamin, Trevor Sanborn, Johnny Clark and Brent Dragon. Qualifying checkers flew for Polewarzyk, Luce and Dave Farrington Jr.
Mitch Miller raced by leader Travis Buzzell on a lap 34 restart and cruised to victory in the PASS Modified 40 lap feature. Scott McDaniel raced home third ahead of Scott Alexander and Billy Dixon. Andy Saunders and Alexander picked up heat victories. The next event on the calendar is the prestigious 41st Annual Oxford 250 weekend set to go green July 18th – 20th.
Todd Patnode scored his fourth win of the summer Saturday, July 5, at Monadnock Speedway. With a capacity crowd on hand for the high-banked speedplant’s annual Firecracker Night extravaganza, Richard Savary topped the 100-lap Valenti Modified Series main event, and Alyssa Rivera won her career-first Super Stock feature.
Chris McTaggart notched his first victory of the summer in the potent Mini Stock division. Hailey Guy was a first-time winner in the Young Guns, Kyle Boniface earned his sixth victory in the Lightning Stocks, and David Greenslit powered to his third 2014 win in the Thunder Stock feature.
Todd Owen set a torrid early-race pace in the VMRS main event, holding Justin Bonsignore and Chris Pasteryak in his shadow for 21 laps, with Bonsignore then powering to the point, where he would hold of Pasteryak, Owen, and Kirk Alexander until Pasteryak took control on lap 34.
With crowd favorites Kirk Alexander and Russ Hersey both challenging the leader in hope of scoring the big win to honor their late friend and longtime on-track foe Jim Boniface – Alexander what driving the Boniface 88 ride – Pasteryak held strong for 62 laps.
While Pasteryak was setting a torrid pace, Richard Savary was running a smooth and powerful race of his own not far behind the leaders. Saving his best stuff for show time, Savary – from row seven – cracked the top five on lap 70, entered the top three only five laps later, tooked over the deuce spot on lap 88, and quickly reeled Pasteryak in.
Savary edged under Pasteryak on lap 97 and then outdistanced his to take the checkers two lengths ahead of him. Bonsignore was solid in third, Rowan Pennink got up for fourth, and Hersey came home fifth. Alexander completed his strong night’s work in sixth.
Leslie Keyser led the first seven laps of the Sportsman Modified feature, with Trevor Bleau then leading Bill Kimball and Brian Chapin to the front. Kimball spun out of third on lap 18, and Chapin seized the lead the ensuing restart. Todd Patnode was up to fifth and coming fast.
Patnode steadily reeled the leaders in, taking over second when Bleau spun on lap 23. Chapin and Patnode hit the stripe dead even on lap 24, with Patnode in control the next time around and then dashing off to his fourth win of the summer. Chapin was solid in second, with Scott MacMichael, Joey Kendall and Keith Carzello rounding out the top five.
Alyssa Rivera took the lead from Bill Johnston on lap ten of the Super Stock main, quickly opening a comfortable lead as the charging pack battled for second behind her. Dave Striebel would reel Rivera in but, on this night, had to settle for second as Rivera earned her career-first victory.
Striebel helped his cause in the points chase, solidifying his second-place ranking with the runner-up finish. Robert Hagar finished his strong night’s work in third, with Tyler Leary fourth and Johnston fifth.
Eric Pomasko and Kevin McKnight both had strong early-race runs at the front in the Mini Stock feature, but former division champ Chris McTaggart, from row three, was never behind. McTaggart took the lead from McKnight on lap 12 and never looked back as he stormed to victory in front of the huge crowd.
Beth Adams, the defending track titlist, got up for second on lap 18 but could get no closer than eight lengths behind the winner. Rookie Cameron Sontag was steady and strong all night, coming home third, ahead of Mike Stebbins and Pomasko.
Dylan Morse held the point for 13 laps of the Young Guns feature, with Cole Littlewood and Hailey Guy putting up strong runs close behind him. When the lead pair jingled along the backstretch on the final lap, Guy was able to earn the lead and, with it, her first career victory. Matt Kimball was second, Alicia Springer third, Solomon Brow fourth, and Dan Starkweather fifth.
Henry Martin and Randy McGee set the early-race pace in the Thunder Stock feature, with David Greenslit reeling McGee in on lap 14, taking the lead six laps later, and then blasting off to earn his third win of the season. McGee was solid in second, with Paul Barnard third, Scott Vien fourth and Usher fifth.
Kyle Boniface took the lead from early leaders Pat Houle and Tim Paquette in the Lightning Stock feature and then held Tim O’Shea in his shadow to score his sixth win of the season. With O’Shea strong in second, Paquette, Hillary Renaud, and Eric Silvernale rounded out the top five.
Monadbock Speedway will be taking a summer break this Saturday. Racing will resume on Saturday, July 19th featuring the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour plus all the speedway’s weekly racing divisions. Time Trials start at 4 p.m.