Lee USA Speedway 7/15/16 race Report

photo by Rich Hayes

photo by Rich Hayes

Lee, NH – Rookie EKeys4cars Supermodified driver Dave Helliwell of Pelham continued his impressive freshman campaign on Friday night at Lee USA Speedway, taking down his third NASCAR Whelen All American Series feature event win of 2016 at “New Hampshire’s Center of Speed”.

Jim Lindquist was on hand representing Whelen Engineering for the annual Whelen Night festivities, and he presented Helliwell and all the other weekly division winners with their trophies, and Helliwell with a special medallion commemorating his win.

Helliwell gridded seventh for the 30-lap main event, and wasted little time starting his charge to the front, cracking the top five just two circuits in. Mike Keddy of Raymond was out front setting the early pace, with Tilton driver Jim Lowrey, Jr. in tow for the first eight laps.

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Emily Packard Ready to Return for Race #2 of the Southern New England Triple-header at Seekonk Speedway

Emily2016EAST MONTPELIER, Vt. – After missing the Speedway 51 race to attend a family member’s graduation, Emily Packard is anxious to get back into her Northstar Fireworks/Packard Fuels sponsored race car at Seekonk Speedway. “I can’t wait to get back in the car,” said the 19-year old. “I have missed being in the car, and I am really looking forward to going to Seekonk for the second race of the Southern New England Triple-Header.” Earlier this year ACT announced the addition of the Southern New England Triple-header, where local drivers from those three tracks can showcase their talent against the ACT tour regulars. The first race was held at the New London/Waterford Speedbowl, where Packard brought home a twelfth place finish. The final round will be run at Thompson Speedway, the last race of the American Canadian Tour season. A separate point fund has been set-up and at the conclusion of the race at Thompson, someone will be crowned the Triple-header Champion.

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ACT TOP FIVE INVADE SEEKONK SPEEDWAY AT HALF-WAY POINT

American-Canadian-TourWaterbury, VT – The 2016 American Canadian Tour (ACT) Late Models of New England head to the famous “Cement Palace” that the Venditti family has owned and operated for over six decades. This Saturday night, July 16, a 150-lap ACT Triple Header, round two event, will be contested with the best of the ACT competitors and the weekly racers from Seekonk, Waterford Speedbowl, and Thompson Speedway. The first of the three Triple Header events was won in a run-away by Joey Polewarczyk, Jr. (Pole) at the Waterford Speedbowl in May. He also won his first race, and the last ACT race held at Seekonk, in 2007. He looks to become the spoiler in his limited schedule of 2016 events this Saturday night.

 

“It is a different mind-set when you are not in a title battle. Our team just has to concentrate on winning the race and not worry about the championship points. I miss the competition for winning titles, but after over a decade of chasing point standings, this is kind of fun just running for the wins. I just don’t want to upset what has turned out to be a very competitive title run for four or five teams, so that puts a little added pressure on us to try and get clear of their track action if possible,” said Pole.

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Eddie MacDonald Leads All-New England Team in Sprint Cup Race at NHMS

photo by RPM 360

photo by RPM 360

Eddie MacDonald will again partner with Go Fas Racing owned by Old Orchid Beach, Maine resident Archie St. Hilaire in this Sunday’s NASCAR’s Sprint Cup New Hampshire 301 at Loudon’s New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Bentley’s Saloon of Arundel, Maine will be the primary sponsor with The Rod Father of Sanford, Maine as an associate sponsor.

For the third time in as many years Eddie Mac will pilot the #32 Bentley’s Saloon Ford at the “Magic Mile,” saying, “This is a great thrill for me to drive for Archie on my favorite track. This is something you work your whole life for and to be given the opportunity to realize your dream for the third time is incredible. Archie and his son Mason are fantastic people and I can’t even describe how thankful I am to them. And to have Bentley Warren sponsor the car is special. Bentley is the greatest Super Modified driver of all time and has been a friend of my father for over fifty years and has always been supportive of my racing since I started at Lee USA Speedway, my parent’s track. Les Sanborn, The Rod Father, is another super guy and is always in my corner and does whatever he can to help me out. I am lucky to have these people with me.” (more…)

Lee USA Speedway 7/8/16 race Report

photo by Rich Hayes

photo by Rich Hayes

Lee, NH – Lee USA Speedway showcased another program of weekly NASCAR Whelen All American Series action on Friday night, featuring the “Supermodified Special” with twin-25’s for the Supers, regular feature events for the LMS, Hobby Stocks, and Ironman competitors, and double features on tap for the Pure Stocks due to rain the week before. Another appearance by the Northeast Classic Lites rounded out the racing schedule for the night.

Rookie contender Dave Helliwell of Pelham, NH scored his second win of the 2016 season in the first 25-lapper for the Supers, taking the lead from Mike Murphy of Groveland, MA on lap nine, and eventually holding off a hard-charging Kyle Sawyer of Raymond to pick up the checkers with a .386 margin of victory.

Two-time 2016 winner Lance Barthelemy recovered from early-race problems to collect third pace honors, followed by Mike Spurling of Rochester, Moe Lattime of Kingston, Tilton’s Jim Lowrey, Jr., Mike Keddy of Raymond, Murphy, Jim Barker of Meredith, and Leslie Keyser of Northfield.

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