Well another Thursday night is in the books for Thompson Speedway, this one done in record time. As heats
and features for all 6 divisions were completed by 8:45pm. The heat races kicked off the night and for
whatever reason they decided to have just one BIG heat race for the mini stocks. All 21 minis took the green
for the heat race, but a missed shift for the G. Roy stacked up the field and ended the night early for a few of
the racers. Not sure why they didn’t give them 2 heat races like in the past, but maybe that will force them to
rethink the issue next week. That was pretty much the only blunder in heat race action.
The mini stocks started the night of features as 17 of the 21 minis took the green flag. The only other flags
they saw would be the white and checkered as they went green to checker. Only snafu came early in the race
where Scott Michalski turned Shelly Perry into the infield, but she being more of a “man” than Scott kept on
going instead of waiting for a caution. Every week it seems as if Scott makes it a “mission” to give Shelly
trouble, maybe just me but he seems to “race” her a bit harder than others. The race was won by Rick
Blanchard yet again, followed by Andy Publicover, Tyler Poulin, Michalski, and Chuck Rogers.
The TIS Mods were next and all 12 of them were on hand yet again, though I heard a rumor a 13th car is in the
process of being completed by Leo “Bim” Adams of the good ol Late Model days. Tim Sullivan took down his
1st ever win at the Big T, by holding off none other than Roger Larson. The race was slowed by just two
cautions, both for minor spins. Rounding out the top five would be Glen Boss, Richie Ferreira, and Chad
Hancock.
Another 1st career win happened in the Limited Sportsman feature as Brian Blaise took the checkers. Blaise
led all 20 laps from his pole position fighting off a HARD charging Larry Barnett. Those two raced door to door
for almost 10 laps with barely a scratch on either car…mighty impressive! Barnett insisted on passing on the
inside as that is where his car runs best, but Blaise would have none of that. What wasn’t impressive was the
acts of Tim Taylor trying to make it 5 wide in the turns. His antics proved costly to front runners Keith
DeSanctis and Glen Boss as both suffered damage to their cars during this incident. Danny Cates, Kevin Riley
and Ed Puleo chased the Blaise and Barnett show to the checkered flag.
The 13 car Pro Stock field was next on the 5/8ths oval, with Freddy Astle claiming the win there. Front runners
Jeff Connors, Jeff Zuidema and George Bessette were all involved in an early wreck as Bessette tried to look
under both Connors and Zuidema, but to no avail as all three got into the wall coming out of turn two. Zuidema
might have been able to continue until Jay Macedonio either did not see all of this or his spotter was out having
an ice cream or something, but Macedonio climbed up and over the left rear of Zuidema’s car tearing just about
every body panel off the car. Tough break for Zuidema as he could of gained some ground on Bessette in the
points race. Once the race got back to green, Astle and Dennis Maxfield checked out on the field finishing
nearly a half track ahead of Jim Banfield, who took down his 1st top 5 in a long time, with borrowed motor parts.
Jeff Connors recovered for 4th and Steve Desmarais rounded out the top 5.
The SK’s were next on the track and Keith Rocco motored on for the win for his 2nd of ’06. The start of the
race was shaky as problems for Bert Marvin getting up to speed stacked up the field but the only casualty was
Marvin as his mechanical problem (and severe body damage) ended his night before he got to turn one.
Rocco jumped to the point from his 3rd place starting spot and led pretty much all the way. He held off a hard
charging Woody Pitkat who tried to use a late race restart to his advantage but to no avail. Chasing those two
to the line would be Tommy Cravenho, Jeff Malave, and Todd Ceravolo. Those of you who keep track of the
NASCAR Regional points will see that Jeff Malave once again is chasing a guy from Minnesota for the Regional
Points lead. With strong showings at both Stafford and Thompson a NASCAR championship for Malave is very
much within grasps.
The Late Models closed out the show with once again a great showing amongst the leaders as once again
Corey Hutchings was involved in the finish. This time Rick Gentes held back the charges of Hutchings who
hasn’t finished outside the top 5 since the 1st race of the year in which he didn’t even take the green. I wonder
if that will come back to haunt him in the end as he sits just 8 points out of first. Only a couple minor spins
slowed the field during the 25 lapper allowing fans to see a great race for the lead. Rounding out the top 5
would be points leader Steve Landry, Mark Jenison (who is having a great year for a rather “underfunded”
team) and Mark Palmisano.
Seekonk was rained out this past weekend, as the forecast had many showers in the area so management
pulled the plug on the show. They get back to action this Wednesday for the $10,000 to win Open Mod race.
and features for all 6 divisions were completed by 8:45pm. The heat races kicked off the night and for
whatever reason they decided to have just one BIG heat race for the mini stocks. All 21 minis took the green
for the heat race, but a missed shift for the G. Roy stacked up the field and ended the night early for a few of
the racers. Not sure why they didn’t give them 2 heat races like in the past, but maybe that will force them to
rethink the issue next week. That was pretty much the only blunder in heat race action.
The mini stocks started the night of features as 17 of the 21 minis took the green flag. The only other flags
they saw would be the white and checkered as they went green to checker. Only snafu came early in the race
where Scott Michalski turned Shelly Perry into the infield, but she being more of a “man” than Scott kept on
going instead of waiting for a caution. Every week it seems as if Scott makes it a “mission” to give Shelly
trouble, maybe just me but he seems to “race” her a bit harder than others. The race was won by Rick
Blanchard yet again, followed by Andy Publicover, Tyler Poulin, Michalski, and Chuck Rogers.
The TIS Mods were next and all 12 of them were on hand yet again, though I heard a rumor a 13th car is in the
process of being completed by Leo “Bim” Adams of the good ol Late Model days. Tim Sullivan took down his
1st ever win at the Big T, by holding off none other than Roger Larson. The race was slowed by just two
cautions, both for minor spins. Rounding out the top five would be Glen Boss, Richie Ferreira, and Chad
Hancock.
Another 1st career win happened in the Limited Sportsman feature as Brian Blaise took the checkers. Blaise
led all 20 laps from his pole position fighting off a HARD charging Larry Barnett. Those two raced door to door
for almost 10 laps with barely a scratch on either car…mighty impressive! Barnett insisted on passing on the
inside as that is where his car runs best, but Blaise would have none of that. What wasn’t impressive was the
acts of Tim Taylor trying to make it 5 wide in the turns. His antics proved costly to front runners Keith
DeSanctis and Glen Boss as both suffered damage to their cars during this incident. Danny Cates, Kevin Riley
and Ed Puleo chased the Blaise and Barnett show to the checkered flag.
The 13 car Pro Stock field was next on the 5/8ths oval, with Freddy Astle claiming the win there. Front runners
Jeff Connors, Jeff Zuidema and George Bessette were all involved in an early wreck as Bessette tried to look
under both Connors and Zuidema, but to no avail as all three got into the wall coming out of turn two. Zuidema
might have been able to continue until Jay Macedonio either did not see all of this or his spotter was out having
an ice cream or something, but Macedonio climbed up and over the left rear of Zuidema’s car tearing just about
every body panel off the car. Tough break for Zuidema as he could of gained some ground on Bessette in the
points race. Once the race got back to green, Astle and Dennis Maxfield checked out on the field finishing
nearly a half track ahead of Jim Banfield, who took down his 1st top 5 in a long time, with borrowed motor parts.
Jeff Connors recovered for 4th and Steve Desmarais rounded out the top 5.
The SK’s were next on the track and Keith Rocco motored on for the win for his 2nd of ’06. The start of the
race was shaky as problems for Bert Marvin getting up to speed stacked up the field but the only casualty was
Marvin as his mechanical problem (and severe body damage) ended his night before he got to turn one.
Rocco jumped to the point from his 3rd place starting spot and led pretty much all the way. He held off a hard
charging Woody Pitkat who tried to use a late race restart to his advantage but to no avail. Chasing those two
to the line would be Tommy Cravenho, Jeff Malave, and Todd Ceravolo. Those of you who keep track of the
NASCAR Regional points will see that Jeff Malave once again is chasing a guy from Minnesota for the Regional
Points lead. With strong showings at both Stafford and Thompson a NASCAR championship for Malave is very
much within grasps.
The Late Models closed out the show with once again a great showing amongst the leaders as once again
Corey Hutchings was involved in the finish. This time Rick Gentes held back the charges of Hutchings who
hasn’t finished outside the top 5 since the 1st race of the year in which he didn’t even take the green. I wonder
if that will come back to haunt him in the end as he sits just 8 points out of first. Only a couple minor spins
slowed the field during the 25 lapper allowing fans to see a great race for the lead. Rounding out the top 5
would be points leader Steve Landry, Mark Jenison (who is having a great year for a rather “underfunded”
team) and Mark Palmisano.
Seekonk was rained out this past weekend, as the forecast had many showers in the area so management
pulled the plug on the show. They get back to action this Wednesday for the $10,000 to win Open Mod race.