NEW ENGLAND MOTORSPORTS NORTH For June 3, 2015

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NEW ENGLAND MOTORSPORTS NORTH For June 3, 2015
By Lou Modestino

Two-time American-Canadian Tour (ACT) Champion Wayne Helliwell Jr. was in the right place at the right time on Saturday night, taking his second win of the season in the rain-shortened Generation Next 151 at Speedway 51 in Groveton, NH.

Helliwell got the break on Rowley, MA’s Eddie MacDonald on a lap-85 restart and was in front when the caution flew for Travis Stearns’ spin a lap later. A caution for rain came out on the subsequent restart. Although the race was able to resume, the rains returned just five laps later, forcing the conclusion of the event after 91 of the scheduled 151 laps.

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NEW ENGLAND MOTORSPORTS NORTH

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655768Vermont’s Devil’s Bowl Speedway can lay claim to the most diverse schedule of stock car racing events in the Northeast in 2014, as details for the first-ever “Battle at the Bowl” dirt series have been announced. The three-race run begins on Friday, September 26 at 7 p.m.

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NEW ENGLAND MOTORSPORTS NORTH

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332The starting field for the 6th annual Bond Auto ACT Invitational at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway (NHMS) on Saturday, September 20, 2014 has been set. The sixth edition of the event will have the American Canadian Tour (ACT) introducing fans to a promising future for regional Late Model short track stock car racing. Veteran champions and former NHMS winners Eddie MacDonald, Rowley, MA; Joey Polewarczyk, Jr. (Pole), Hudson, NH; Ray Parent, Tiverton, RI; and Brian Hoar, Williston, VT have all won events at the “Magic Mile”. This year there are lots of young emerging stars who will challenge the veterans.

Top ten point chasers who are looking to make a statement at the Bond Auto ACT Invitational include two Vermont drivers, Jimmy Hebert, Williamstown and 18 year-old Emily Packard, E. Montpelier. Hebert already has two ACT wins with an opening event at Lee USA Speedway in 2013 and a win at the 7/8ths mile Sanair Speedway, outside Montreal, Quebec. He was also second-fastest of the thirty-five (35) cars participating in the recent test and tune session at NHMS. Packard may have more laps in 2014 than any other competitor in the field entering the Invitational. She has raced a full schedule on the ACT US and is currently 5th in points, less than 10 points out of second place. She also has maintained full-time weekly schedules at both Thunder Road Int’l Speedbowl in Barre, VT and Devil’s Bowl Speedway in West Haven, VT.

The State of Maine sends two drivers to the annual event with Rowland Robinson, Jr. from “Downeast” Steuben and Ben Ashline from Pittston. Robinson’s family team has found consistency in the 2014 season and this will be the #28ME team’s third Invitational. Ben Ashline has been the surprise of the 2014 season. After sitting out over a year and a half from racing due to non-racing injury, the Ashline team has been fast, and brought home consistent top finishes all season.

Veteran Joey Pole said, “This is always one of the most fun races to be involved with. Not only is it in my home state, and I have lots of friends and family there, but it really is like no other race we run all year. ACT has a starting system that makes teams like ours sweat it out all day. We try to figure out what we should do to come from what usually is in the mid twenties on the starting grid in order to try and win in just 50 laps. We usually end up throwing the playbook out the window and just put the right pedal on the floor and hang on!”

Two young Quebec stars have experience and talent to challenge the former winners and ACT Champions. Alex Labbe, driving the Larue Industrial Ford out of Quebec City, has risen to become another in a long line of favorites for an enthusiastic Quebec fan base. Labbe will lock up his first ACT title at the Autodrome Ste. Eustache 200 on Sunday, September 14, 2014 just by showing up. He was at the top of the speed charts throughout the NHMS test and tune day. The potent Larue team won two events during the championship run this season. Dany Trepanier is another of the fast Quebec teams with experience in the Bond Auto ACT Invitational. He won an event this season at the Autodrome Ste. Eustache (ASE), and currently sits just five points out of second place in the ACT Quebec Series, going into the final event of the year in a return visit to ASE.

Tom Curley, President of the American Canadian Tour said, “I think the great strength of our ACT system is that the program seems to introduce new and talented young teams every season., As we look to the future this is good for ACT and especially good for regional racing, both weekly and touring. The field of 43 teams we have assembled for the Invitational this year is the most diverse to attend over the past six years. It should be exciting.

NEW ENGLAND MOTORSPORTS NORTH July 8, 2014

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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.
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NEW ENGLAND MOTORSPORTS NORTH July 2 2014

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By Lou Modestino

On Sunday, July 20, 2014, the 41st edition of the Oxford 250 will be run, and in conjunction with the premiere Super Late Model 250 lap main event, The PASS Mods will be racing a 75 lapper which will pay $1,000, and carry a brand new sponsors name with it. PASS and Oxford Plains Speedway would like to welcome Mayhan Antiques and More as a new marketing partner.

“This will be a big test for the PASS Modifieds and to see a new sponsor come on board for this event is very exciting news, stated General Manager, Dick Therrien. This will be the biggest payday of the season for the PASS Mods, and with this support from Mayhan Antiques and More, it is sure to be an exciting event for the fans and the drivers alike. John Mayhan is an avid supporter of the PASS Modifieds and we appreciate him coming forward to sponsor this race. John is also donating a new, solid oak, Adirondack Chair to the winner, plus there will be gift certificates and t-shirts to the top three PASS Mod finishers”

The PASS Mod 75 lapper is part of the Oxford 250 weekend which starts on Friday night, July 18th with the PASS Sportsman and PASS Mods headlining the card on Sun Journal night. Saturday, July 19th offers up a great night of racing as Dunkin Donuts presents the NEMA Midgets, and NEMA Lites, plus the all new Dave’s Small Engine Repair PASS Northeast Late Model Series 125. Sunday, July 20thwill feature Super Late Models racing 250 green flag laps in a PASS National point’s event. Sunday will also feature the Mayhan Antiques and More PASS Mod 75.

Mayhan Antiques and More is located at 24 Johnson Hill Road in Poland, Maine. Mayhan Antiques and More is a small family owned business that specializes in furniture, new to antiques. John, wife Jen, and daughter Nicole take great pride in their hobby styled business, and because of their low overhead, most items in their home-based store cost less than $200. The Mayhan’s have been a proud sponsor of PASS Mod drivers, Andy Shaw and Evan Armington. John Mayhan has been an avid supporter of racing here in Maine as he helped run the charity auction at the Northeast Motorsports Expo for many years, as well as hosting a local radio show on WOXO with Bob Morris at the old Bull Ring Steak House.

The Pro All Stars Series Super Late Models head back to Beech Ridge Motor Speedway in Scarborough, Maineon Saturday night, July 5th for the Southern Maine Motors, Firecracker 150. Defending race winner, Cassius Clark will try to get back on track after struggling in the early going on the PASS North Series in 2014. Last year Clark held off a late race challenge from Mike Rowe, Travis Benjamin, Joey Doiron and Corey Bubar.

The PASS Super Late Models visited Beech Ridge earlier this season and Mike Rowe picked up the win after a race long battle with Scott Mulkern, Austin Theriault, Travis Benjamin and DJ Shaw. Rowe grabbed the lead on a lap 101 restart, and held off eventual runner-up, Travis Benjamin over the final 49 laps.

A large field of Super Late Models is expected for this event. PASS Modifieds and support divisions will join the PASS Super Late Models on the card. Post time at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway is 7pm.

Opening night of Go-Kart racing at Oxford Plains Speedway saw a good field of Jar Racing Photography Go-Karts provide some great family entertainment. Each division ran a pair of features, and the overall winners were decided by low score of the finishes from both features. Overall winners included Maddy Herrick, Austin Teras, Riley Corbridge and Chris Dresser.

The Junior Box Stock class opened the night and Maddy Herrick won both segments. Logan Spencer and Colby Brackett finished second and third in segment one, while Dillon Drew and Logan Spencer finished second and third in segment number 2. Herrick won the overall title for the night with Spencer finishing second and Dillon Drew was third.

Riley Corbridge picked up both segment wins in the Junior Sportsman division as he defeated Everett Allen and Shelby Carey in round one, and Carey and Allen in round number two. Corbridge collected the overall award over Carey and Allen.

The Sportsman class saw Austin Teras pick up both victories as he defeated Kayla King and Ethan Brown. Teras almost lost the second feature as he spun out with two laps to go. He recovered and passed King for the win on the final lap. Brown placed a solid third. Teras picked up the overall trophy and was followed by King and Brown.

The Senior Sportsman put on a great show for the fans as this highly competitive class saw every driver lead at least a lap in the main events. Feature one saw Stephan Beattie edge out Chris Dresser and Brandon Varney. Dresser came back in the nightcap to defeat Beattie and Jordan Childs. The overall top three were Dresser, Beattie and Childs.

***All ties are broken by who finishers better in the second segment.

Go-Kart racing returns to OPS on Sunday, July 13 at 1:30pm.

Scott Dragon of Colchester returned to Thunder Road victory lane during the American Racer event on Thursday, June 26. Dragon piloted his Richard Green ride to an uncontested win as the 50 lap Late Model event went wire-to-wire caution free. It was Dragon’s second career Thunder Road Late Model win with his last coming in May of 2003.

Dragon rocketed to the point from the outside pole and was followed by Jason Allen. The duo built a large lead over the remainder of the field as Ricky Roberts and rookie Josh Demers battled side-by-side for several laps. Roberts finally got the advantage late in the event and broke away for third. Joey Laquerre and Emily Packard followed to complete the top five. Demers slipped to sixth followed by Nick Sweet, Cody Blake, Derrick O’Donnell and John Donahue rounding out the top ten.

Burlington’s Darrell Morin became the second repeat winner of the 2014 season at Thunder Road. He got the advantage after a fierce battle with Eric Johnson for the lead. Morin gained the advantage just before halfway of the 35 lap event. Tucker Williams followed him by Johnson and began the chase for Morin. Williams got to Morin’s back bumper with two to go but ran out of time to contest for the win. Brendan Moodie used the high lane to take third followed by point leader Jason Woodard and Joe Steffen completing the top five. Johnson faded to sixth followed by George May, Cameron Ouellette, Jeff Bousquet, and Christopher Pelkey rounding out the top ten in the caution free event.

Jamie Davis of Wolcott became the first repeat winner at Thunder Road in 2014 when he claimed his second Allen Lumber Street Stock win of the season. He came from the 11th starting position and with the help of several early cautions, took over the lead before halfway. He held off a hard charging Garry Bashaw as they fought through lapped traffic late in the 25 lap event. Davis and Bashaw were followed across the line by Donnie Yates, Bunker Hodgdon and Jaden Perry. Kyle Streeter, Troy Kingsbury, Will Hennequin, Marcel Gravel and Alan Maynard completed the top ten.

The LaForest brothers of Barre made it 1-2 at the front of the Rough Rider finish. Kevin took first while Chris settled for second after the tie breaker in the two segment, lowest combined score event. Paul Dudley completed the podium.

Thunder Road International Speedbowl will be back in action next Thursday, July 3 for Northfield Savings Bank Night. The event will feature all four divisions of racing followed by the annual holiday fireworks show. There will also be Kid’s Race Car Rides from 4:00 pm until 4:40 pm. Racing will begin at 6:30 pm.

American Racer Night
Thunder Road – Barre, VT
Thursday, June 26, 2014

Late Model Unofficial Results
Pos. Driver (Car #) Hometown
1. Scott Dragon (16vt) Colchester, VT

2. #Jason Allen (29vt) Barre, VT

3. Ricky Roberts (3vt) E. Barre, VT

4. Joey Laquerre (15vt) East Montpelier, VT

5. Emily Packard (9me) E. Montpelier, VT

6. #Josh Demers (10vt) Montpelier, VT

7. Nick Sweet (88vt) Barre, VT

8. Cody Blake (99vt) Barre, VT

9. Derrick O’Donnell (60vt) N. Haverhill, NH

10. John Donahue (26vt) Graniteville, VT

11. Lance Allen (17vt) Barre, VT

12. Brooks Clark (68vt) Fayston, VT

13. Phil Scott (14vt) Middlesex, VT

14. Eric Chase (40vt) Milton, VT

15. #Eric Badore (4vt) Milton, VT

16. Jason Corliss (66vt) Barre, VT

17. Dave Pembroke (44vt) Middlesex, VT

18. Trampas Demers (85vt) S. Burlington, VT

19. Brett Gervais (11nh) Island Pond, VT

20. Kyle Pembroke (27vt) Montpelier, VT

21. Shawn Fleury (1vt) Middlesex, VT

22. Boomer Morris (13vt) Barre, VT

Local racing legend Eddie MacDonald from Rowley, Mass. will drive the #32 Go FAS Racing Ford Fusion owned by fellow New Englanders Archie St. Hilaire from Old Orchard Beach, Maine and long-time NASCAR crew chief Frank Stoddard from No. Haverhill, N.H. Completing the all-NE team is Michael Alden, President and CEO of Blue Vase Marketing based in Beverly, Mass, as the primary sponsor aboard the Go FAS Racing entry in the Camping World Sales 301 NASCAR Sprint Cup race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on July 13.

Archie St. Hilaire is no stranger to New England racing as a long time participant in the old Busch North Series, currently the K&N Pro Series East, before moving on to the Nationwide Series while Stoddard cut his teeth watching and learning from one of the greats in New England, Stub Fadden from his hometown. The #32 on the Go FAS Racing Ford is in honor of Fadden and his car’s number for nearly four decades. The duo joined forces this year to compete in the Sprint Cup Series and instantly chose Eddie Mac to drive for them at the “Magic Mile.”

“I was talking with Mike (Alden) some time ago and he expressed interest in sponsoring a New England driver for the NHMS race and asked me if I knew of anyone, “ chuckled St Hilaire. “I immediately said “I sure do” and gave him Eddie’s name. Eddie is a great driver with a lot of successful experience at this track with six wins. I love Eddie, his family, and his entire race team. They are a great bunch of people and I couldn’t be happier for Eddie and our team. It will be a lot of fun and with Eddie’s experience we hope to have a strong run.”

“This is my dream come true,” said an elated MacDonald from his race shop in Newburyport, Mass. “I can’t thank Archie, Frank, and Mike enough for giving me this opportunity to race in the NASCAR Sprint Cup race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. It has always been a goal to drive a Cup car and to do it at my home track with family, friends, and supporters from all over New England is something very special to me. I have been lucky enough to win a number of races here so hopefully my experience will provide me the opportunity to run well for Archie and the team. I have driven for Archie a couple of times in the Nationwide Series and I appreciate all he has done for me. Archie is truly one of the nice guys in racing and has always been supportive of me and is always trying to help me out. Archie, Frank, and Mike are providing a great experience to compete on the big stage and I just hope I can learn quick enough to be competitive. I love racing at Loudon and this is the icing on the cake.”

“This is the third race Blue Vase Marketing will be our primary sponsor, “said St. Hilaire. “They were on the hood at Phoenix and Las Vegas and helped us out at Daytona. Mike (Alden) is a great guy and didn’t know anything about racing but has become an enormous fan and supporter. Go FAS Racing is pleased to have him aboard. His company represents many products and Androzene (an herbal male enhancement) will be on the hood and Arthri D3 (an all natural joint health supplement) another of the products his company represents will display on the quarter panels. Mike loves this and has made plans to bring a lot of product sponsors to the track and make a great day of it. We are all happy to have Eddie MacDonald drive our car and look forward to having a good, fun day.”

While Eddie Mac has raced and won at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in the K&N Pro Series East and other divisions, he is still in awe of competing at NASCAR’ highest level saying, “It hasn’t completely sunk in yet because we are so busy getting the K&N car ready for the Friday race at NHMS but I’m sure I’ll be speechless when it finally happens and I am in the seat of the #32. I hope all our New England fans come out to support us and enjoy the experience. This is my dream, my goal so I know I am going to love every minute. See you at the track!”

Allen’s Coffee Flavored Brandy Night brought out the best in racers this past Friday night, as race fans were treated to some of the best racing of the season. Winners included Scott Farrington, Ryan Hewins, Troy Jordan, Matthew Bourgoine and Jamie Heath.

Thirty-one Budweiser Pro Late Models rolled off the grid for the 50 lap main event. Jeff Burgess and Kurt Hewins led the field to green with Hewins getting the early jump. Burgess challenged early until the first caution waved on lap 8 for a wreck in turn two that ended last week’s winner, Justin Drakes bid for two wins in a row. When the race went back to green, Burgess got the jump and separated himself from the field. Three cautions kept the field closed up and this allowed Scott Farrington to challenge for the lead with Shawn Martin on his heels. Farrington’s chance came on lap 47 as he drove by Burgess for the lead, and cruised to his first career victory. Burgess held on for second ahead of Shawn Martin, Billy Childs Jr. and TJ Brackett. Completing the top ten were Kyle Treadwell, Vanna Brackett, Adam Polvinen, Kevin Douglass and Jeremy Davis. Heat checkers flew for Burgess, Childs Jr., Tommy Ricker and Kyle Desouza.

Ryan Hewins was the class of the field in the Allen’s Coffee Flavored Brandy Street Stocks as he took over the lead on lap 4 and never looked back to pick up his second win of the season. Spencer Morse was closing quickly at the end, but ran out of time and settled for second place ahead of Zach Emerson, Josh Childs and Curtis Rolando. Corey Morgan and Richard Spaulding won their respective qualifiers.

Point leader Troy Jordan raced to the front early in the race and secured his second victory of 2014 in the Ripley & Fletcher Ford Outlaw Sportsman. Michael Haynes raced home second ahead of Joshua Toothaker, Bryce Mains and Steve Moon. Jordan and Mains won qualifying rounds.

Matthew Bourgoine captured the NELCAR Legends feature as he bested sixteen other cars for the victory. A late charge by Reid Lanpher netted him a second place finish ahead of Matt Grant, Wyatt Alexander and Bob Weymouth. Alexander and Bourgoine won their heat races.

The Bandito’s class continues to grow and Jamie Heath won the 20 lap main event ahead of Dan Wade, Cam Childs, Derek Cairns and Travis Verrill.

This coming Independence Day week features a huge week’s worth of racing as Budweiser presents the Oxford Acceleration Series on Wednesday night at 7pm. On Thursday night July 3rd, Ripley & Fletcher Ford presents the 4th of July Spectacular featuring a giant fireworks display and Kids Bike Races. Post time is 7pm. The Oxford Championship Series comes right back again on Friday night July 4th as Applebee’s sponsors a full card of racing which includes the Husqvarna 100, a 100 lap main event for the new PASS Northeast Late Model Series sponsored by Dave’s Small Engine Repair. Post time is 7pm. Finally the weekend will wrap up on Sunday night, July 6th at 6 pm, as Motor Mayhem #2 will take place. There will be plenty of free camping all week long at the Speedway, so plan your Independence week vacation camping and racing at Oxford Plains Speedway.

An action-packed night of NASCAR Whelen All-American Series stock car racing at Devil’s Bowl Speedway was capped by an unpredictable finale and two first-time feature winners. Johnny Scarborough and Todd Stone split victories in the top-tier Modifieds as Chuck Bradford and Kyle Watrous each won Mini Stock features, and Robert Gordon and Scott MacMichael repeated in the Renegade and SK Light classes, respectively.

Johnny “The Jet” Scarborough of nearby Bomoseen, VT was a convincing winner in the first of two 25-lap feature races for the Bond Auto Parts Modified division. Scarborough took the lead from rookie Jason Reome on the sixth lap and sailed to the victory in a caution-free race. It was Scarborough’s first win at the track since June 20, 1999 and his first in the NASCAR-sanctioned asphalt era. Veteran Leon Gonyo of Chazy, NY finished second with young gun Jason Durgan of Morrisonville, NY third. Joey Roberts and Vince Quenneville, Jr., completed the top five runners.

In the 25-lap nightcap, defending track champion Todd Stone of Middlebury, VT was the unlikely winner of a volatile, crash-marred race. Stone spun through the infield on lap 4 and took part in a three-car jingle on lap 7. He avoided three more wrecks – including one that involved all but four of the cars on the track on lap 14 – to wrestle the lead from Charlton, NY’s Ron Proctor with eight circuits remaining. Proctor stayed close to the leader, but Stone held on for the win. Proctor’s runner-up finish was his best of the year. Roberts, Scarborough, and Gonyo rounded out the top five once the smoke cleared.

The Central Vermont Motorcycles Mini Stock division raced two highly competitive 15-lap events, each with very different outcomes. Point leader Chuck Bradford of Addison, VT held off number-two man Jake Noble in the opening round, with third-place point driver Mike Whalen, Jr. third. The heavy-hitters were stuck in traffic in the finale, however, allowing underdog racers Kyle Watrous and Matt Monaghan to shine. Watrous, of Bomoseen, VT, snuck ahead of Monaghan for the lead on a restart with three laps remaining, then drove to his first-ever victory. John McCarron took the runner-up spot by inches ahead of Monaghan.

Robert Gordon of Milton, VT took his third Renegade win of the season in a 15-lap race, aiding him in a march up the national point standings ladder; Gordon entered the event ranked 15th in NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Division III national standings. Crosstown Milton neighbor Ray Benoit finished a career-best second, with 16 year-old Stephen Donahue third.

Scott MacMichael of Newbury, NH won his second SK Light Modified race of the year, topping Norm Forest and Bruce Jaycox in a two-segment race.

More than 30 young race fans took part in the highly entertaining Kids Bicycle Races, drawing large cheers and laughs from the crowd. Three lucky young fans also won bicycles in a free raffle, courtesy of Bond Auto Parts and Casella Waste Systems.

Devil’s Bowl Speedway is in action on Friday, July 4 at an early 6:00 p.m. start time, with the biggest and loudest Independence Day celebration in Vermont. Coca-Cola presents the annual “Firecracker” event with a 100-lap Late Model race, round two of the wild-and-wacky Enduro Series, events for the Modified, Renegade, Mini Stock, and SK Light divisions, and a 30-minute fireworks extravaganza. General admission for the special event is $20 for adults, $18 for seniors (age 62+), and free for children age 12 and under.

Jeremy Davis returned to the Granite State Pro Stock Series in fine fashion, picking up the win at the Star 100 at Star Speedway.

A strong field of 31 cars attempted to make the feature for the first of two races at Star Speedway in the 2014 season. After qualifying, 22 cars took the green for the Star 100.

Pole sitter Dillon Moltz had the car to beat early, as the Waterford, CT driver shot out of the gate at every restart, sending his RB Performance/Brackett Mechanical Chevrolet to the point each time. Contact with a car being put a lap down sent Moltz spinning in turn 2. Davis then inherited the lead, and was the cream of the crop from mid-race on. Matt Frahm’s day took a turn in the wrong direction, as he was involved in an incident on lap 40. Davis once again held onto the point, and held Brad Babb off until Babb and

Barry Gray made contact on lap 69, sending both drivers to the rear of the field, and ending George “Mad Dog” Bessette’s night, as heavy front end damage knocked Bessette out for the rest of the evening. Davis then had Dillon Moltz breathing back down his neck, as the youngster fought his way back through the field. The two would engage in battle down to the final laps, when Davis proved to be too strong, and pulled away with the victory.

“I saved our stuff,” Davis commented. “Moltz did a great job fighting his way back up through the field, and it was a tough break for him, but I still had some left in the tank at the end for him.”

For Moltz, the race was less than satisfying, even with the second place finish. “It was pretty disappointing, more so for my crew than myself,” states Moltz. “You can’t hang your head with a second place finish with a full field of cars, but it was just a heartbreaker. We had the car to beat tonight. I knew it was going to come down to me and the 09, and he had a little more than me at the end, which is to be expected.”

Brad Babb followed up his second place finish at Hudson International Speedway with a third at Star Speedway. “I really thought I had a car to win tonight,” Babb said. “Early contact bent something in the front end, but that was just a racing deal; it happens. I was a little upset after getting turned around, but I’m pretty lucky to come away with a podium finish after all that.”

Buxton, ME’s Larry Gelinas would hold on to nab the fourth spot with an ill-sounding race car as the race came to a close. Youngster Derek Griffith once again fought adversity and picked up the fifth spot. Cory Robert, Mike O’Sullivan, Zig Geno, Tommy O’Sullivan, and Mike Parks completed the top 10. Moltz, Davis, and Matt Frahm were victorious in the three heat races, with Robert winning the consi.

Next up for the Granite State Pro Stock Series will be in a few weeks, as the series heads to Lee Speedway for the first time in its existence July 25th.

GATE CITY CLASSIC RESULTS

6/15/14

POS (Start) Driver Hometown

1. (2) Jeremy Davis Tamworth, NH

2. (1) Dillon Moltz Waterford, CT

3. (8) Brad Babb Windham, ME

4. (10) Larry Gelinas Buxton, ME

5. (5) Derek Griffith Hudson, NH

6. (19) Cory Robert Canaan, NH

7. (11) Mike O’Sullivan West Springfield, MA

8. (18) Zig Geno Canterbury, NH

9. (9) Tommy O’Sullivan Wilbraham, MA

10. (14) Mike Parks Walpole, NH

11. (21) Babe Branscombe Nottingham, NH

12. (3) Matt Frahm Hampstead, NH

13. (13) Mike Mitchell Cumberland, RI

14. (6) Barry Gray Belchertown, MA

15. (22) Billy Ryder Sandown, NH

16. (16) George Bessette Danbury, CT

17. (4) Russ Hersey Swanzey, NH

18. (20) Larry Moloney Wayland, MA

19. (15) Steven Dickey Londonderry, NH

20. (7) Bobby Cabral Medford, MA

21. (17) John-Michael Shenette Thompson, CT

22. (12) Joey Squeglia Derry, NH

DNQ 71 Carl Eriksson

DNQ 37 Fran “Jr” Colson

DNQ 53nh Tyler Fiscus

DNQ 21 Josh King

DNQ 0 Dennis Maxfiled

DNQ 95 Ron Smith

DNQ 87 Erik Sands

DNQ 02 Geoff Rollins

CONTINGENCY AWARDS Winner

AR Bodies (Hard Luck) Dillon Moltz

Bond Auto Parts (Last car on lead lap) Mike Mitchell

Crazy Ed’s Powersports (Hard Charger) Cory Robert

Draco Springs Award (Most positions gained) Cory Robert

Five Star Stock Car Bodies (5th place finisher) Derek Griffith

MacLellan Metal Finishing (Heat #1 Winner) Dillon Moltz

MacLellan Metal Finishing (Heat #2 Winner) Jeremy Davis

MacLellan Metal Finishing (Heat #3 Winner) Matt Frahm

Racer’s Depot (Random drawing) Matt Frahm

RB Performance (4th place finisher) Larry Gelinas

RB Performance (7th place finisher) Mike O’Sullivan

Sherwood Wheels (10th place finisher) Mike Parks

Sunoco Race Fuels (Heat #1 Winner) Dillon Moltz

Sunoco Race Fuels (Heat #2 Winner) Jeremy Davis

Sunoco Race Fuels (Heat #3 Winner) Matt Frahm

NEW ENGLAND MOTORSPORTS NORTH June 17, 2014

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By Lou Modestino

The legendary Bentley Warren got back behind the wheel of a Super Modified this past Saturday night at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway in Scarborough, Maine, and it was just enough for him to get the itch to be back behind the wheel of an ISMA Super Modified this coming Friday night, June 20th at 7:30pm at Oxford Plains Speedway.

Warren had a couple of hot lap sessions at Beech Ridge just to feel it out and get his feet wet. The first session showed a little bit of rust, but round two he showed why he is such a legend, and ran several solid laps at blistering speeds. Veteran announcer Bruce Elder interviewed him after the second round and there was nothing but a giant smile on Bentley’s face. On Sunday morning Warren made the call to Oxford Plains Speedway President, Tom Mayberry, and proudly announced that Mayberry will have to find another Grand Marshall as he was going to be racing in the 75 lap, Locke Crane Services, ISMA Super Modified feature event. Mayberry quickly stated that he could do that, and how excited he was to have Bentley back behind the wheel at OPS.
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NEW ENGLAND MOTORSPORTS NORTH 06-11-2014

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By Lou Modestino

On Saturday evening of June 14, the race that many consider to be the crown jewel of pavement Modified Open shows; the fourth annual SBM 125 IV will take place at Star Speedway in Epping, New Hampshire. The total purse has grown to more than $44,000 as a result of unprecedented support from race fans and small businesses, with still ten more days for it to increase further.

This premier event for tour-type Modifieds has grown each season since it began in 2011 to help bring teams extra purse money and this fourth annual will be no different. It brings the most diverse field of Modified talent all season to the two-groove quarter-mile oval known as the track, “Where Champions are Made,” because it is where Champion drivers such as Chris Perley, Russ Wood and Bobby Santos learned to win races.
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NEW ENGLAND MOTORSPORTS NORTH 06-03-2014

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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.
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NEW ENGLAND MOTORSPORTS NORTH 11-5-2013

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By Lou Modestino

As the Granite State Pro Stock Series enters its 3rd season of competition in 2014 there are changes ahead. Series President Mike Parks stated today that the afflation with Modified Racing Series will come to a close at the end of 2013. The Race day operations will all remain the same so things will continue as normal. Parks and the entire staff of the GSPSS wish to thank Jack Bateman and the entire group from the Modified Racing Series for their help the last two seasons. As we enter our 3rd season we are ready to stand on our own two feet. We are currently working on the 2014 schedule with a 12 to 14 race schedule. Series officials stated the schedule will be released at the 2013 Awards Banquet on Friday Dec 27th.

Thunder Road International Speedbowl has released its 2014 stock car racing schedule. The schedule features 18 events from the end of April through the beginning of October, as is tradition at the “Nation’s Site of Excitement.” The biggest change for 2014 is the switch from Sunday “Twilight” events in early June to the return of the traditional June Thursday night events.
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NEW ENGLAND MOTORSPORTS NORTH 10/16/2013

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By Lou Modestino

On October 19th, the sound of high-powered engines will once again be present on the Groveton high banks of Riverside Speedway.

Five divisions will be making the trek to try and win some big money for the 2nd annual North Country Ford Fall Brawl. Late Models will be coming in droves to try their hand at picking up the $10,000 check for winning the Fall Brawl, the biggest winner’s purse ever at Riverside Speedway.

Two-time Thunder Road track champ and 2013 Milk Bowl winner Nick Sweet has publicly thrown his name into the hat, as well as “The Punisher” Wayne Helliwell, Jr, Joey Polewarczyk, Jr, last year’s winner Derrick O’Donnell, and 4-time Riverside track champ Bryan Mason.

Helliwell has already qualified by winning the Subway Fresh Fit 150 at Canaan, NH earlier this year, and another driver will have a chance to punch his ticket to the feature at the Fall Brawl by winning this weekend’s Late Model event at Oktoberfest in Lee, NH. This 200 lap event brought fans to the edge of their seat last year, and looks to do the same in 2013.
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