Well Thompson played host to the Bud 150 for the Whelen Mod Tour and what a night for racing. No threat of
rain in the area was a welcomed change. The TIS Mods started the night with Glen Boss taking down the victory
for the first win in this car. He was chased to the line by Tim Sullivan, Bart Ramos, Steve LaBreck and Kurt
Vigeant. Boss went virtually unchallenged for the most part as the best action was between Vigeant and Roger
Larson as they tried everything to wreck each other, almost succeeding. Those two have become rivals as of
late, lets hope it doesn’t get too far out of hand.
The mini stocks were up next and a big field of 28 took the green. Shelly Perry once again took the checkers for
the 3rd week in a row in impressive fashion, padding her points lead. Ron Rixham was second, with Scott
Michalski, Brad Caddick and Gee Roy all earning top 5’s.
The Limited Sportsman were next and the Leadfoot, Larry Barnett took yet another win who had a huge lead until
a caution with just a couple laps to go, bunched up the field. But with a single file restart Scott Sundeen wasn’t
able to mount much of a charge and had to settle for second. Keith DeSanctis, Danny Cates and Kevin Riley
rounded out the top 5.
The Late Models took to the track next and had plenty of action all around. A lap one wreck on the backstretch
eliminated Jeff Hartwell from competition and wounded the racers of Steve Landry and Mark Jenison, but both
would continue on. Corey Hutchings looked like he would run away with this one, but a lapped car prevented that
as contact between the two in turn 3 would send Hutchings into the wall. His crew patched up the car and
continued on the lead lap though. Rick Gentes would inherit the lead only to see a suspected oil line come loose
and catch the car on fire. Gentes would climb from the car with possible burns on his feet. I’m sure he will be
back though. Fan favorite Jeff Zuidema with his newer Late Model and new motor would inherit this lead and not
look back despite a strong challenge from Hutchings. Hutchings would spin himself out in turns 3 and 4 on the
last lap ending the charge. Zuidema took down the win, with rooke Paul Newcomb, Steve Landry, Mark Jenison
and Mark Oliviera rounding out the top 5.
The Pro Stocks were next and Mike O’Sullivan finally made it back to Victory Lane, with a crate motor none the
less! He got under Freddy Astle with 2 to go and wrestled the lead away and cruised to victory in what looks like
to be the wave of future of pro stock racing at Thompson. Rumors going saying crates won’t be mandatory next
year, but you are welcomed to use them. Astle would hold on for 2nd with Zuidema, Dennis Maxfield and Todd
Owen rounding out the top 5.
The SKs were the last feature for the Weekly Racing Series and Jimmy Blewett pushed Keith Rocco out of the way
with just a few laps remaining to take down the win. NASCAR Regional Points leader, Jeff Malave would come in
3rd with Woody Pitkat and Bert Marvin rounding out the top 5.
The Mod Tour rounded out the night and I’m sure you all have heard the stories already so I won’t bore you with it
again. Love him or hate him, TC wins the race over Tony Hirschman, Zach Slyvester, Tommy Bolles and Jimmy
Blewett. The newly formed trio of TC, Eddie Whelan, and Brad Lafontaine looks to be pretty potent. Bad news for
the rest of the tour regulars!
Stafford Speedway played host to yet another Friday night of Weekly Racing Series. The DARE Stocks started
the feature rotation with their 15 lap main. Jeff Hubbell started near the front and ran off with the feature win.
Closing in was Norm Sears but he just ran out of time, another few laps though it may have been a different story.
David Gambacorta was 3rd with Vince Gambacorta and Joe Scata rounding out the top 5.
The SK Lights were up next and it would be a rough night for point leader Chris Matthews. Just barely a lap into
the books, Matthews got crossed up coming out of turn 4 and spun. Sitting idle on the frontstraight he was then
hit on the right side of the car just about totally his machine. It will be interesting to see if they can make repairs in
hopes of winning the championship. The rest of the event was fairly clean with Glenn Reen in just his 3rd start
take home the win. Brit Anderson was putting forth a great charge but ran out of time. Anthony Burr was 3rd with
Tony Santangelo and Mike Lane all earning top 5’s.
The Late Models were up next and it was a rough night for these guys. Several cautions slowed the event and
what could have been great racing up front. The cautions started right on the first lap when Mike Quintiliano was
turned into the backstraight wall ending his night. The race would run smooth till about the half way point when it
took several tries to just complete a lap. Once they got things straightened out it was a great battle up front
between Mark Lewis, Wayne Coury and Jim Peterson. Peterson would make it 3 wide and come out on top and
would cruise to his 2nd straight win. The win also tied the legendary Chuck Zentarski for the all time lead in wins
with 23 for the Late Models. Following Peterson across the line would be Tom Fearn, Woody Pitkat, and Todd
Owen.
The Limited Late Models were up next and Mike Sweeney took down his first career win. He jumped out to a
substantial lead and cruised to the win. Paul Conte finished an impressive 2nd with Sean Foster, Kevin
Gambacorta, and BIG Bill Davis rounding out the top 5.
The SK mods ended the night with Lloyd Agor and Kurt Lenahan leading the hungry pack to the green. The was
short lived as Woody Pitkat would jump out to the front shortly there after. Just a few cautions would slow the
event just enough to keep the field close and competitive. The final caution came out for Ted Christopher as his
Pettit puffer went POOF on the frontstraight. Pitkat went on for the win over a hard driving Frank Ruocco who had
Woody sideways at one point but gave him room to save it. Chris Jones would be 3rd with Jeff Malave and Eric
Berndt shaking the bad luck for 5th.
Well it looked as if Seekonk would get their show in without interruption but that wouldn’t be the case. Just a lap
into the Late Model feature pesky mist moved in and the track decided to call the show with the True Value Mods
still waiting to run.
The Sport Trucks took to the track for their 25 lap feature and Billy Prisco took down his first win of the year. A
few cautions slowed the event including a scary hit for Bill Clarke. He got out of shapr coming out of turn 2 and
went head on into the wall. It was a very hard hit but when you are 74 years young, I’m sure any hit is a hard
one. I’m sure he’ll get the truck back on track soon. Prisco took the lead on a restart with about 3 to go and held
off leading point getter Mike Cavallaro. John Paiva, Brian Clarke and Lenny Guy all got top 5’s.
The ever entertaining Street Stocks were up next and the seemed to be “off their game” as several cautions
plaqued them in the middle of the event. None worse for wear though and John Hanafin became the first repeat
winner of the year after having 9 different winners to start the season. Following him to the line was Ryan
Lineham, Mike Taschereau, Steve Axon, and Paul Lallier rounding out the top 5.
The True Value Mods will make up their race on Sept. 16, as all qualifying was completed. Only casualty was in
the consi when Elmer Wing, forgot where the brakes were and just sailed it WAY into turn one taking out a couple
racers. Officials made a right call in DQ’ing him from the race as he certainly didn’t deserve being in the feature
with that petty driving style.
Well that’s it for this week, hopefully the weather will co-operate fully next week!!
rain in the area was a welcomed change. The TIS Mods started the night with Glen Boss taking down the victory
for the first win in this car. He was chased to the line by Tim Sullivan, Bart Ramos, Steve LaBreck and Kurt
Vigeant. Boss went virtually unchallenged for the most part as the best action was between Vigeant and Roger
Larson as they tried everything to wreck each other, almost succeeding. Those two have become rivals as of
late, lets hope it doesn’t get too far out of hand.
The mini stocks were up next and a big field of 28 took the green. Shelly Perry once again took the checkers for
the 3rd week in a row in impressive fashion, padding her points lead. Ron Rixham was second, with Scott
Michalski, Brad Caddick and Gee Roy all earning top 5’s.
The Limited Sportsman were next and the Leadfoot, Larry Barnett took yet another win who had a huge lead until
a caution with just a couple laps to go, bunched up the field. But with a single file restart Scott Sundeen wasn’t
able to mount much of a charge and had to settle for second. Keith DeSanctis, Danny Cates and Kevin Riley
rounded out the top 5.
The Late Models took to the track next and had plenty of action all around. A lap one wreck on the backstretch
eliminated Jeff Hartwell from competition and wounded the racers of Steve Landry and Mark Jenison, but both
would continue on. Corey Hutchings looked like he would run away with this one, but a lapped car prevented that
as contact between the two in turn 3 would send Hutchings into the wall. His crew patched up the car and
continued on the lead lap though. Rick Gentes would inherit the lead only to see a suspected oil line come loose
and catch the car on fire. Gentes would climb from the car with possible burns on his feet. I’m sure he will be
back though. Fan favorite Jeff Zuidema with his newer Late Model and new motor would inherit this lead and not
look back despite a strong challenge from Hutchings. Hutchings would spin himself out in turns 3 and 4 on the
last lap ending the charge. Zuidema took down the win, with rooke Paul Newcomb, Steve Landry, Mark Jenison
and Mark Oliviera rounding out the top 5.
The Pro Stocks were next and Mike O’Sullivan finally made it back to Victory Lane, with a crate motor none the
less! He got under Freddy Astle with 2 to go and wrestled the lead away and cruised to victory in what looks like
to be the wave of future of pro stock racing at Thompson. Rumors going saying crates won’t be mandatory next
year, but you are welcomed to use them. Astle would hold on for 2nd with Zuidema, Dennis Maxfield and Todd
Owen rounding out the top 5.
The SKs were the last feature for the Weekly Racing Series and Jimmy Blewett pushed Keith Rocco out of the way
with just a few laps remaining to take down the win. NASCAR Regional Points leader, Jeff Malave would come in
3rd with Woody Pitkat and Bert Marvin rounding out the top 5.
The Mod Tour rounded out the night and I’m sure you all have heard the stories already so I won’t bore you with it
again. Love him or hate him, TC wins the race over Tony Hirschman, Zach Slyvester, Tommy Bolles and Jimmy
Blewett. The newly formed trio of TC, Eddie Whelan, and Brad Lafontaine looks to be pretty potent. Bad news for
the rest of the tour regulars!
Stafford Speedway played host to yet another Friday night of Weekly Racing Series. The DARE Stocks started
the feature rotation with their 15 lap main. Jeff Hubbell started near the front and ran off with the feature win.
Closing in was Norm Sears but he just ran out of time, another few laps though it may have been a different story.
David Gambacorta was 3rd with Vince Gambacorta and Joe Scata rounding out the top 5.
The SK Lights were up next and it would be a rough night for point leader Chris Matthews. Just barely a lap into
the books, Matthews got crossed up coming out of turn 4 and spun. Sitting idle on the frontstraight he was then
hit on the right side of the car just about totally his machine. It will be interesting to see if they can make repairs in
hopes of winning the championship. The rest of the event was fairly clean with Glenn Reen in just his 3rd start
take home the win. Brit Anderson was putting forth a great charge but ran out of time. Anthony Burr was 3rd with
Tony Santangelo and Mike Lane all earning top 5’s.
The Late Models were up next and it was a rough night for these guys. Several cautions slowed the event and
what could have been great racing up front. The cautions started right on the first lap when Mike Quintiliano was
turned into the backstraight wall ending his night. The race would run smooth till about the half way point when it
took several tries to just complete a lap. Once they got things straightened out it was a great battle up front
between Mark Lewis, Wayne Coury and Jim Peterson. Peterson would make it 3 wide and come out on top and
would cruise to his 2nd straight win. The win also tied the legendary Chuck Zentarski for the all time lead in wins
with 23 for the Late Models. Following Peterson across the line would be Tom Fearn, Woody Pitkat, and Todd
Owen.
The Limited Late Models were up next and Mike Sweeney took down his first career win. He jumped out to a
substantial lead and cruised to the win. Paul Conte finished an impressive 2nd with Sean Foster, Kevin
Gambacorta, and BIG Bill Davis rounding out the top 5.
The SK mods ended the night with Lloyd Agor and Kurt Lenahan leading the hungry pack to the green. The was
short lived as Woody Pitkat would jump out to the front shortly there after. Just a few cautions would slow the
event just enough to keep the field close and competitive. The final caution came out for Ted Christopher as his
Pettit puffer went POOF on the frontstraight. Pitkat went on for the win over a hard driving Frank Ruocco who had
Woody sideways at one point but gave him room to save it. Chris Jones would be 3rd with Jeff Malave and Eric
Berndt shaking the bad luck for 5th.
Well it looked as if Seekonk would get their show in without interruption but that wouldn’t be the case. Just a lap
into the Late Model feature pesky mist moved in and the track decided to call the show with the True Value Mods
still waiting to run.
The Sport Trucks took to the track for their 25 lap feature and Billy Prisco took down his first win of the year. A
few cautions slowed the event including a scary hit for Bill Clarke. He got out of shapr coming out of turn 2 and
went head on into the wall. It was a very hard hit but when you are 74 years young, I’m sure any hit is a hard
one. I’m sure he’ll get the truck back on track soon. Prisco took the lead on a restart with about 3 to go and held
off leading point getter Mike Cavallaro. John Paiva, Brian Clarke and Lenny Guy all got top 5’s.
The ever entertaining Street Stocks were up next and the seemed to be “off their game” as several cautions
plaqued them in the middle of the event. None worse for wear though and John Hanafin became the first repeat
winner of the year after having 9 different winners to start the season. Following him to the line was Ryan
Lineham, Mike Taschereau, Steve Axon, and Paul Lallier rounding out the top 5.
The True Value Mods will make up their race on Sept. 16, as all qualifying was completed. Only casualty was in
the consi when Elmer Wing, forgot where the brakes were and just sailed it WAY into turn one taking out a couple
racers. Officials made a right call in DQ’ing him from the race as he certainly didn’t deserve being in the feature
with that petty driving style.
Well that’s it for this week, hopefully the weather will co-operate fully next week!!