NEW ENGLAND MOTORSPORTS
The Man Behind The Writings - Lou Modestino Biography
27 Bayberry Drive | Unit #2 | Sharon | MA | 02067
Phone: (781) 784-7857 | Fax: (781) 784-7857 | Email: lmodestino@hotmail.com
2010 SOUTH RACING REPORTS
(3/12-3/14) ..... The 36th annual Town Fair Tire World of Wheels custom car show rolls into Boston's Bayside Expo Center this weekend March 12-14 with its now familiar and popular mix of custom cars, about 300 expected, and special attractions.
The Town Fair Tire World of Wheels, holder of Bayside's weekend attendance record, each year attracts local creators of custom vehicles of all types, representing millions of dollars worth of one-of-a-kind hot rods, customs, street rods, collectibles, race cars, antiques, restorations, tuners and more. The show also always offers spectators the chance to meet and get free autographs from celebrities, to see specialty vehicle exhibits and to be entertained by many other attractions for the whole family.
Special automotive exhibits will include Drag City USA and Motorama. Drag City USA will feature Kalitta's '67 Bounty Hunter, Prudhomme's '70 Wynn's Winder and Garlits' '60 Swamp Rat III, '62 Swamp Rat IV and '66 Swamp Rat VIII. Motorama will show off traditional rods, customs and bobbers not seen at other Boston-area car shows. Spectators also will be able to shop an automotive memorabilia and toy show.
Thirty-sixth annual Town Fair Tire World of Wheels show hours are Friday, March 12, 5-10:30 p.m , Saturday, March 13, 10 a.m. -10:30 p.m., and Sunday, March 14, 10 a.m. -7 p.m. Admission is $15 for adults, $5 for children 6-12, free for children 5 and under. Discount coupons for $2 off adult and children's tickets will be available at participating Town Fair Tire stores. Boston's Bayside Exp Center is located off I-93 at Columbia Road and a short walk from the MBTA Red Line's JFK/UMass stop. Free shuttles will run to and from the T stop during show hours.
The NASCAR short-track community is connected to the gold medal winning four-man United States Olympic bobsled team. The team of driver Steve Holcomb, Steve Mesler, Justin Olsen and Curtis Tomasevicz won the four-man bobsled Olympic gold medal during the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia Sunday, Feb. 28. It was the first USA four-man bobsled Olympic gold medal in 62 years. In addition, Erin Pac and Elana Meyers had a bronze medal performance in the women’s two-man bobsled competition.
Geoff Bodine, the 1986 Daytona 500 winner, began his quest to develop an American made and built bobsled for the USA Olympic bobsled team in 1992. Joined by Bob Cuneo, owner of Chassis Dynamics,formerly of Connecticut, the effort became known as the Bo-Dyn Bobsled Project.
Ten years ago, Whelen Engineering, based in Chester, Conn., began supporting the team through sponsorship. Whelen Vice President Phil Kurze has been president of the Bo-Dyn Bobsled Project for nine years. Whelen is also the title sponsor of the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series, NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour and NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour.
“It was amazing to see a grassroots American team compete and win the gold medal on the world stage,” Kurze said. Kurze was at the bottom of the 16-turn track just feet from the finish line. He said Bodine was up top at the push-off area. “Team USA’s bobsleds were designed, built and raced by Americans, which was the goal of everyone involved.” The earliest versions of the Bo-Dyn bobsleds competed in the 1994 Winter Olympics, and with each four-year Olympic cycle, the sleds became increasingly competitive. The gold-winning sled is named “Night Train.” Holcomb and team also drove it to the world championship in 2009.
“It’s been a long road,” Darrin Steele, CEO of the U.S. Bobsled and Skeleton Federation, told a reporter. “We’ve been building this for quite some time. The athletes were amazing … it’s a great day for the USA. With the Bo-Dyn Project, our sleds are as good or better than the competition." Bodine has hosted the Lucas Oil Geoff Bodine Bobsled Challenge for NASCAR champion drivers at the Olympic Sports Complex in Lake Placid, N.Y., each January since 2006. 2010 NASCAR participants included three-time NASCAR Whelen All American Series national champion Philip Morris, 2009 NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour champion George Brunnhoelzl, 2007 NASCAR K&N Pro Series champion Joey Logano and 2006 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion Todd Bodine. NHRA drag racing drivers made up the balance of the 2010 field. Logano was the overall winner of the 10-sled event. The two-day event was telecast on SPEED.
Kurze has had the opportunity to ride in a Bo-Dyn bobsled and said the experience is unique.“It’s exhilarating,” Kurze said. “You feel 5Gs as if you’re in a military jet. Its fast and very exciting. You still feel it after you get out of the sled. The ride is like being on a roller-coaster without rails.” Prior to heading to the NASCAR top tier circuits, Bodine drove a potent NASCAR Modfied for the late Dick Armstrong of Franklin for several years and in the process won numerous championships and races at various paved tracks in the northeast and southeast.
NASCAR has announced that its Modified touring divisions will now award bonus points for its races, starting this weekend with the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour race at Atlanta Motor Speedway. In order to reward drivers for running up front and to provide a further incentive to race for the lead, NASCAR has instituted lap-leader bonus points for the first time to the Whelen Modified and Whelen Southern Modified Tours.
“This will bring the two Modified divisions in line with NASCAR’s three national series, and all other touring series, which already award lap-leader bonus points,” NASCAR Director of Touring Series Richard Buck said. “With one scoring system across the board, this is a positive move for the competitors and fans.”
Five bonus points will be awarded to each driver and car owner whose car officially leads a lap during a race and five additional bonus points will be awarded to the driver and car owner leading the most official laps in an event. This will bring the maximum number of points a driver can earn in a race to 190, with 180 awarded for first place.
The first time bonus points will be awarded in a NASCAR Modified Tour race were awarded on March 5, when the Whelen Southern Modified Tour makes its inaugural visit to Atlanta’s quarter-mile to open the 2010 season. Bonus points will be employed for the first time in a Whelen Modified Tour race for the season-opener at Thompson (Conn.) International Speedway on April 11.
With the recent announcement of a new title sponsor, Bob Valenti AutoMall.com for the 2010 racing season, Modified Racing Series officials have disclosed two new companies will also be involved with the Northeast’s premier racing series. Connecticut Trailers Inc, and Basement Systems, have come on board in support of the series contingency program for the new campaign.
Connecticut Trailers Inc. has been in the business of selling trailers since 1997. Located in Bolton, the company has grown to become the largest supplier in the northeast shipping trailers across the nation. They offer the highest quality trailers on the market at fair prices backed by knowledge and personalized service both before and after the sale. Connecticut Trailer is a large supplier to the racing industry and will provide the official trailer of the Modified Racing Series.
Seymour, CT., based Basement Systems, is the world leader in developing and providing products that result in dry, below-grade space. Basement Systems, innovators in wet basement and crawl space repair, has a network of more than 300 dealers throughout the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Ireland. The company will contribute to this years point fund.
Back for 2010 but in a bigger way is long time series sponsor New England Racing Fuels, suppliers of Sunoco Race Fuels. John Holland will now provide fuel for the series competitors at each event. Holland will again sponsor the Sunoco Hard Charger award.
DART Machine Company returns to present a weekly bonus award to the highest finishing drivers running under the DART program guidelines as well as the DART Steel Head Engine Builder of the Year Award at seasons end.
Koszela Speed of Coventry, R.I., returns to sponsor the 2010 Rookie of the Year program. SPAFCO Race Cars, Preston, CT., will again provide a weekly bonus to the most improved driver, Sherwood Wheels, Owego, NY, is back with their weekly certificate program, Racing Electronics will again outfit series officials with communications equipment, and Hoosier Tire East, Manchester, CT., returns as the official tire supplier for 2010.
Series officials are busily preparing for the season opening “Budweiser Blastoff” at the Waterford Speedbowl, Waterford, CT., Friday, Mar 26, Saturday, March 27, and Sunday, March 28. Friday will be utilized as a practice day with qualifying races on Saturday and the 100 lap green flag feature race on Sunday.
In the recent AMA Flat Track Motorcycle events held at the Daytona Intl. Speedway, Ken Coolbeth of Morris, CT had to settle for a second place behind winner Jake Johnson in the Grand National event. They both rank one-two in the GN Point Chase. The next race for that series will be on May 1, in Prescott, AZ.
According to the Concord (NH) Monitor, looking to prop up the bottom line at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway, GM Gerry Gappens has proposed to the State of NH that the venue wants to build a gambling casino if it can get approval from the state and local authorites. Also part of the expansion is New England Racing Hall of Fame Museum. This comes on the heels of the recent announcement that the Kansas Speedway, owned by International Speedway Corp.(ISC), received permission to build a casino on the track property. The results of which will find the management of ISC petitioning NASCAR for a second NASCAR Cup and support series weekend. The result of which could see another transfer of a Cup race from a southeastern US track which could be one of the events held at the Martinsville (VA) Speedway.
The Monitor story also revealed that the nearby Lakes Region Dog Track, in Belmont, NH, has objected to the inclusion of NHMS as one of the possible sites to get casino gambling because of the close proximity of the two venues. Gappens, who took exception to the Lake's Region objections, told the Monitor that NHMS has proven itself as a "destination site" in the Granite State by hosting the two NASCAR weekends in June and September that draw big crowds on those two weekends and has a major economic impact on the Lakes Region of NH.
Thompson International Speedway will mark the opening of its 70th anniversary year with the running of the traditional Icebreaker on the weekend of April 10 and 11. The famed, high-banked oval will usher in the 2010 racing season with the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour and Thompson’s own “Super 6” NASCAR Whelen All-American series divisions. Just prior to the actual running of the Icebreaker, the speedway will be open for two full days of open practice. The first of these days is scheduled for Saturday, March 27 with the second the following Saturday, April 3.
The open practice sessions are for any and all race cars providing that they meet safety requirements. The track will be open for “round robin” sessions between the hours of 11 a.m and 6 p.m.. All competitors are invited and are urged to take advantage of this opportunity to get their race cars dialed in for the big season opening Icebreaker.
Thompson’s 2010 race schedule is one of the most exciting to be seen in many years. The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour will make three appearances during the year and the track has scheduled, for the first time, four Tour Type Modified Shoot Out events. These events will be open competition Modified races in a dash for the cash 35-lap feature event format. Fans have already expressed their excitement about these events and Thompson management is working hard to assure that these events will meet the fan’s expectations.
In addition, Thompson will also host the Modified Touring Series for two 75-lap events during the 2010 racing season. Add to all of this the weekly Thursday Night Thompson Thunder (TNTT) races, the traditional Memorial Day weekend Eve of Destruction program, the Vintage Antique Car Extravaganza and the season-ending World Series of Speedway Racing and you’ve got an amazing and diverse line up of high-speed racing action.
Copies of the 2010 Thompson racing schedule are available on the track’s web page and in hundreds of retail locations throughout New England. Schedules may also be obtained by calling the track office to have a one mailed directly to your home. Thompson’s web page also offers an opportunity for competitors and race fans to sign up for the free service known as Rained Out. In the event that a race program is cancelled or postponed, fans can receive that information only moments after the decision is made via their cell phones or by email. Competitors can get the inside track on special announcements by signing up for free email alerts with the new feature called EMAIL NEWSLETTERS.
With the winter flakes being dusted off under the warmer skies, Seekonk Speedway has finalized the 2010 racing schedule. With 4 weeks until the first Test & Tune, scheduled for Saturday, April 03, the staff is gearing up for a busy season once again. Opening day has been set for Sunday, May 2, featuring the Phil’s Propane 75 for the ARC Pro Stocks. This is the first of two 75 lap mains for the Pro’s in 2010. The second is Saturday, June 19. The winners of these events will be a guaranteed started for the second annual PASS 150 on Saturday August 14. These are the only extra distance events for the Pro Stocks in 2010, not including the DAV Fall Classic. They will be idle on three occasions, including the PASS 150. The other event will be when the Modified Racing Series sponsored by BobValentiAutoMall.com. comes to town.
Headlining the schedule will be the sixth annual Open Wheel Wednesday Modified Madness. With $10,000 up for grabs to the winner, and five different winners in five events, 2010 should be the best yet. This is a non-sanctioned open competition event allowing competitors from all modified tours and weekly competitors to challenge each other on one of the toughest bullrings around. Included on the card on Wednesday, July 21 will be the NEMA Midgets and the Pro4 Modifieds, for three open wheel features, keeping the fans on the edge of their seats.
Added to this years’ show is the first ever “Showdown of Champions” at Seekonk. Pitting legends such as open wheel veteran Bentley Warren, six time Seekonk Speedway Champion Vinny Annarummo, NEMA veterans Nokie & Drew Fornoro, Multi time ISMA Champions Chris Perley and Russ Wood, 7 time NASCAR Whelen Modified Champion Mike Stefanik, 4 time Seekonk Pro Stock Champ Freddy Astle, and NASCAR National Champion & former Whelen Mod Tour Champ Ted Christopher, in identically prepared NEMA Lites for a 25 lap feature will keep people taking about this one for a LONG time.
Also added to the schedule will be an appearance of the ISMA Super Modifieds for the first time since June, 2005. Chris Perley leads all drivers with 3 wins at Seekonk Speedway, while Rick Wentworth and Liquid Lou Cicconi are the other 2 winners. The return is scheduled for Saturday, October 2, with a rain date of Oct 3. Details for this event are still being finalized.
The Modified Racing Series sponsored by BobValentiAutoMall.com. will challenge the 1/3 mile on three occasions again in 2010. The first is Saturday June 12. They will return on Saturday, August 21. They will help close out the 2010 season as part of the DAV Fall Classic in October. The NEMA Midgets return for three events as well. Their first visit will be as part for the 6th Annual Open Wheel Wednesday show, July 21. They will return for the Boston Louie Seymour Memorial on Boston Louie and DAV Fall Classic events.
For the second year, the Pro All Stars Series Super Late Models will return to the Action Track of the East. Last years event became a domination of the home town heroes, as Tom Scully Jr won the 150 lap grind over Ben Rowe and Johnny Clark. With one event under their belts, the starts of PASS will return with a vengeance.
Pro4 Modified racing returns 4 times this season. With the Open Wheel Wednesday and DAV Fall Classic, and also on Saturdays June 5 and September 4. Both Saturday night events are courtesy of Kraze’s Speed Equipment of Seekonk. The Late Models, Sport Trucks and Street Stocks will round out the Saturday night card for 2010. The Late Models will compete in two extra distance affairs. The first will be a 50 lap main on Saturday June 26 and a 75 lap feature on Saturday, July 31. This will be the longest Late Model event since September, 2000, when Ron Reed won the only 100 lap Late Model feature ever held. The Sport Trucks will hold their Kraze’s Speed Equipment special on Saturday, September 4, while the Street Stocks have their Kraze’s Speed Equipment 30/30 on Saturday, June 5.
NEAR, STAR and ACOT bring us back into yesteryear on Saturday, July 10.
The ARC Points chase comes to a close on Saturday, September 18, as the 2010 Champions are crowned. Fast Friday action returns in 2010, with the Pure Stocks, Sport4’s, and the Seekonk Youth Racing Association 750 and 600 classes headlining the schedule. 14 Friday nights are posted on the schedule, with 4 additional events for the Pure Stocks as part of the Sunday Thrill Shows. For 2010, the Kart racing portion of the schedule has been cancelled.
The 65th season of competition concludes with the 19th annual DAV Fall Classic, as we honor the man who made his vision come true. The Pro Stocks and Modified Racing Series sponsored by BobValentiAutoMall.com will headline the weekend with twin 100’s. NEMA Midgets, NEMA Lites and Pro4 Modifieds will join the open competition racing of the Late Models, Street Stocks, and Sport Trucks. The Fast Friday classes will also be a part of the season finale on October 9 & 10.
Race fans anxious for a sneak peek at the 2010 race season can venture out to the Crystal Mall in Waterford this weekend, March 12-14, for the annual Speedbowl car show. Speedbowl racecars will be on display on the lower level of the mall concourse, near the Sears and Old Navy area of the mall.
Teams representing the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modified, Late Model, Street Stock and Truck divisions are set to be on hand. They are just four of the 14 divisions that will be in competition at Budweiser Blastoff Weekend, the track’s 60th season opener March 26-28. The blockbuster weekend of racing includes the New England based Modified Racing Series, NEMA Midgets, Allison Legacy North Racing Series and Pro4 Modifieds in addition to the Speedbowl’s own weekly divisions. A full schedule of events including pricing and gate times is available at www.speedbowl.com. Mall hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. The Mall is located on Route 85, just south of the Speedbowl.
Last Sunday we had a chance to take in two local events. The first was in Norfolk at Holmes Motor Freight for a Model A Flea Market. We got to see some interesting thing such as Dick Holmes private display that included a restored 1932 Ford school bus and a pre-war midget race car that he purchased from a mid-west resident. Holmes is also restoring an 1930 era Mini Bus. Also, we got to see Dick's collection of toy tracktors and pedal cars with antique gas pumps and juke boxes. On the way home from Norfolk we stopped a Christina's Restaurant in Foxborough where the Mystic Valley Railroad Assn. was hosting a model train exhibit and collectables show. MVRA also organizes various railroad trips all over the northeast for serious rail buffs and the occasional ones such as yours truly. Both events were well attended because the weather was favorable after long cold winter. It was a nice way to spend Sunday morning in early March.
From Hillside Speedway in Westport comes this info. The track's first Awards Banquet is scheduled for Saturday, March 27, 2010 at 6 p.m. at the V.F.W. Hall, Route 118, Rehoboth. Secondly, the bad news, we have lost the use of Hillside Speedway in Westport. The owner of the property, because of various reasons, will not allow us to use the track. However, we have a couple of back-up plans and it was evident at our club meeting, unanimously. We are still going to race in 2010 as an organized club. I have been in touch with Pete Giamalvo of Sideway's Promotions who organizes dirt track motorcycle and kart events. We presented the club the invitation from Pete to race at his track, Wachusetts Valley Riders Club in Winchendon and Jolly Roger in E. Lempster and also race at the Brockton Fairgrounds. We can get a strong car count for Brockton and will put on a good show, " said organizer Bill St Laurent.
Here's what else is happening in southern New England this weekend. The Waterford Speedbowl has its Annual Car Show at the nearby Crystal Mall with a 10 a.m. starting time on Saturday and Sunday. There's also a Camping and RV Show the same days at the Gillette Stadium in Foxborough at the same times. On Saturday On Karting in Wallingford, CT hosts the 2nd Annual Shane Hammond Race For Fun at 9 a.m. which includes lunch and a tape on a big TV of the January Chili Bowl held in Tulsa, OK. The Redline Diner in Framingham has it's year-round cruise night at 5 p.m. On Sunday there's a St. Patrick's Day Parade in Hartford which includes a lot of classic cars starting at 1 p.m. The VFW in Lowell offers a Military Vehicle Flea Market at 9 a.m. that day.
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(3/5-3/7) ..... Since the Annual Norwood Arena Reunion started five years ago, the event has grown. Adding a street classic, muscle and antique car show complimented the gathering of race cars, drivers, car owners and officials. Last year's superb weather resulted in a total of 105 combined race cars, street classic, muscle and antique race cars. Last year the addition of motorcycles resulted in some great looking bikes in attendance. Dash plaques went to the first 100 entries into the reunion and trophy was awarded to be best looking race car, street car and motorcycle. The Bezema family, owners of the dealership on the well known Auto Mile in Norwood, plan to continue on with this event every year on the first Sunday in June. The loss of patriarch Marty Bezema, Sr. last year didn't put a damper on the festivities planned last June. "My father would have wanted this event to continue," said Erik Bezema, the principal of the dealership.
With that said, fans attending this year's event on Sunday, June 6, 2010 can look forward to a another large turnout of oval race cars, drag cars, classic street vehicles and motorcycles. Over the years memorabilia collectors and vendors have requested space. More turn out every year coming from all over New England to show and display their wares.
Other displays have included a slot car track, radio controlled race cars and fans displaying their collection of pictures, programs, tickets and news reports about the now shuttered Norwood Arena which closed in 1972. The track hosted midget, stockcars, sports cars and motorcycle racing on the oval. The adjacent paved parking lot was dubbed New England Dragway South as an eighth-mile drag strip that ran street drags all the way up to Fuel Dragsters, Funny Cars, Altereds and even Jet Cars. The latter caused quite a stir with neighbors and it was one factor, among many, that resulted in a bad decision by the stockholders to shut down the race plant and turn it into an industrial park.
The result of which saw the original stockholders lose their investment as the result of a foreclosure by the old Norfolk County Trust Co. to take possession of the property and sold it to a development group which turned the property into a vast industrial/office park which stands on the property to this day.
The vintage race cars of NEAR, STARS and ACOT are all expected to return to the 6th Annual Norwood Arena Reunion. An invitation to the Maine Vintage Car Racing Assn and the Wicked Good Vintage Racing Assn., also in Maine, was extended by the organizers of the Norwood Arena Reunion. The Norwood Arena event is also promoted year-round at various indoor and outdoor auto shows and cruise nights all over New England. Don Thomas, webmaster of NorwoodArena.com of the internet site plans to make his annual trip from California to southeastern MA.
Fans attending the event on Sunday, June 6, 2010 can look forward to meet some of the legendary Norwood Arena competitors, share memories, view memorabilia and talk racing. They can also take photos of race cars, hot rods, classic cars and motorcycles. The Bezema family who host the event every year will feed the attendees a free light lunch consisting of hamburgers and hotdogs. It begins at 11 a.m. and runs until 4 p.m. that day.
Bezema Buick, Pontiac, GMC is located at 402 Providence Hwy.(Rt. US 1), Norwood, MA 02062. For further information call the dealership at 781.769-4700 or the Norwood Arena Reunion Organizer at 781.784.7857.
Waterford (CT) Speedbowl Management has announced its Late Model division will compete on Goodyear tires in 2010. All competitors will be required to compete on the designated Goodyear tire compound, beginning with the season opening Budweiser Blastoff event March 26-28.
The Goodyear model D2672 and D2882 tires will be introduced. This change helps the Speedbowl become congruent with the ACT Late Model tire program in place across New England and on the ACT’s U.S and Canadian tours. Goodyear tires will be available for purchase by Speedbowl Late Model teams at Budweiser Blastoff opening weekend and each week during the 2010 race season. The tires can also be mounted at the track. The Speedbowl’s Late Model division competes in the NASCAR Whelen All American Series as Division 2.
“The folks at ACT have done their homework and have a good product with this tire” stated Speedbowl Race Director Tom Fox. “Many of our competitors who have competed on these Goodyear tires in the past have liked their performance. We’ve received a lot of positive feedback from competitors in favor of the switch”.
ACT management was instrumental in working with Goodyear engineers and marketing personnel in the research and development of the 8" slick, which is currently used at ten (10) ACT affiliate tracks and on both the ACT U.S. Touring Series and Série ACT Castrol in Canada. The same Goodyear model tires the Speedbowl Late Model competitors will be on are used at Thunder Road Speedbowl in Barre, VT and New Hampshire tracks Lee USA Speedway, White Mountain Motorsports Park and Twin State Speedway. Oxford Plains Speedway in Maine and Seekonk Speedway in Massachusetts are also part of the ACT Late Model program. Tracks using the Goodyear brand through ACT in Canada include Capital City Speedway in Ottawa and Kawartha Downs Speedway in Ontario. ACT’s current agreement with Goodyear goes through 2014.
Questions can be directed to Speedbowl Race Director Tom Fox by email at tfox@speedbowl.com, or by contacting the track office. Each of the Speedbowl’s other race divisions will continue to compete on the Hoosier Tire program. No changes will be implemented to those divisions.
Two-time defending champions Tim Bertrand and Randy Cabral of Plymouth were competitors before they were teammates. They shared the podium at the 2002 Boston Louie at Waterford Speedbowl.
Bertrand, in the family car, was second and Cabral, also in a family ride, third to Bobby Santos III of Franklin in a Seymour machine. It was the first Midget victory for Santos, now a USAC standout. It is a part of NEMA's long history at the Speedbowl. NEMA opens its 58th season at the three-eights oval on March 27-28. The Speedbowl has been hosting Midgets since its opening in 1953. Johnny Thomson, considered still to be the area's premier open cockpit racer, was the winner.
Cabral is NEMA's all-time NEMA winner at Waterford with eight, six of them coming in Bertrand equipment. Back in '02, however, things were different. Bertrand was a winner earlier that year, beating both Cabral and Santos. Cabral's first Waterford win came later that season. While the Cabral/Bertrand combo didn't win at the 'Bowl last year, it did post the fastest feature lap, a sizzling 13.075 effort. The team will debut its new Honda power in the opener.
Adam Cantor and Russ Stoehr of Bridgewater were Waterford winners last year. Both are back, part of a strong field that will include a pair of promising youngsters - 2009 Rookie of the Year Chris DeRitis in a Lou Cicconi machine and one-time NEMA Lites standout Jesse State who takes over the Power Point #99 car. Since 1953, there have been 42 winners in 81 NEMA features at Waterford. Active NEMA drivers in addition to Cabral, Russ Stoehr and Cantor with at least one Speedbowl victory are Nokie Fornoro, Jeff Horn, Barry Kittredge, Jim Miller and Greg Stoehr of Lakeville.
"Yes I'm going to try to run a Pro Stock again at Seekonk," said Elmer Wing, III of Lakeville. Also, eying Seekonk is Jimmy Rosenfield of Middleboro is still making an effort to cut a deal with Fred Astle, Jr. to drive his Late Model car. "I sold my Pro Stock to Bob Pellen and he converted it to a Late Model. I may also return to racing in the Fall when I get the Ok from my doctor because I had a back operation recently and it's a long recuperation. I'm also sidelined from driving my dump truck and that's making it hard to earn a living," he said.
After being in an associate sponsorship position for the past two years, two New Hampshire based companies have teamed up to take on the role of Title Sponsor of the Pro Four Modifieds of New England Racing Series. The RF Logic / Bot-L-Gas Pro Four Modifieds of New England racing series has set a 16 race schedule for 2010 that begins on march 27 at the Waterford Speedbowl and ends at Thompson Speedway for the World Series of Racing weekend. Based in Hudson, NH, RF Logic is a leading supplier of high quality coaxial cable assemblies, custom test equipment and related components to the RF/Microwave and high-speed digital markets. At RF Logic, the management and technical teams have been organized to provide customer-focused solutions for a wide variety of satellite, commercial, military and telecommunication requirements.
Bot-L-Gas is the leading supplier of propane in southern New Hampshire, providing 24-hour customer service by trained service technicians to both commercial and residential customers. The Pro-Four Modifieds of New England Inc. (PFMNE) is an exciting competitive division that tours many top tracks throughout New England. In 1978 the division was created and began its career at Seekonk Speedway. The immediate success of the Pro-Four Modified's with the fans allowed this division to begin touring New England race tracks. In 1979 the division became know as a limited touring division.
This division is an open-wheel modified series, it is a division with many veterans and young drivers who take advantage of the learning environment to someday progress to a V8 modified touring series. Our engine sizes are limited to 2330cc's capable of 300 hp with spec chassis. The weight to horse power ratio allows extraordinary speed and handling. Local drivers who compete in the Pro 4 Modifieds include; Corey Cleary and Mike Crawford both of Plymouth, Rob and Dave Richardi, both of N. Easton, Henry Sirignano of Abington and Frank Perry of Holbrook.
Jack Bateman, founder and president of the Modified Racing Series has announced, an agreement has been reached with Bob Valenti Automall.Com as the title sponsor for the 2010 racing season. Bateman made the disclosure at the all-new Racers Expo, Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel and Trade Center, Marlborough, MA., Saturday, February 27.
“Bob Valenti Automall.Com has signed on for the new season. We look forward to working with the Valenti family. They are strong supporters of racing and have been for many years. We are pleased to have them as part our series,” Bateman concluded. Bateman was joined by Bob Valenti Automall representatives including company Vice President Rob Valenti who eagerly looks forward to the new sponsorship. “We have been involved in local racing for nearly 20 years sponsoring drivers and local tracks. The Modified Racing Series gives Bob Valenti AutoMall the opportunity to continue our sponsorship at the local level while expanding our reach to consumers throughout New England”.
Valenti added, “The Modified Racing Series and Bob Valenti AutoMall.com are the perfect fit as they both offer exciting vehicles at a great value to the customer. We are very excited about the 2010 season and look forward to a long and prosperous relationship”.
The family owned and operated business, based in Mystic, CT., and Westerly, R.I., specializes in new and pre-owned vehicle sales and service. The Valenti family has been in the automotive business for over 80 years. The popular Modified Racing Series, featuring open-wheel modified race cars, will compete in 19 races at speedways throughout the Northeast including first time appearances at Albany-Saratoga Speedway, Malta, NY., Airborne Speedway, Plattsburgh, NY., and Stafford Springs Motor Speedway, Stafford, CT. In 2009, 15 races were run with 12 different drivers victorious. Seven of those drivers were first time winners.
Mark J. Hann, President and CEO of Victory MotorSports Marketing Services, LLC, the newly named marketing specialist for the Modified Racing Series, worked with Bateman, Rob Valenti, and Dennis Perry, Business Development Manager of Bob ValentiAutoMall to bring this exceptional sponsorship program to the series. Mr. Hann noted “to have Bob Valenti AutoMall become involved with the series as a marketing venue speaks volumes to what this sport and the series has to offer.”
Hann also disclosed something new this season for race fans to look forward too at each race. The Modified Racing Series sponsored by Bob Valenti AutoMall.Com” souvenir trailer and hauler will be on display so fans can purchase series related items and obtain information about Bob Valenti AutoMall. The 2010 season kicks off Saturday and Sunday, March 27 and 28, with the running of the “Budweiser Blastoff” 100 lap race at Waterford Speedbowl, Waterford. CT.
On Wednesday July 21, Seekonk Speedway hosts the Northeastern Midget Association’s “Showdown of Champions” a star-studded 25-lap event featuring some of the most-heralded racing talent ever assembled in New England. Announced during a NEMA press conference held at the recent Racers Expo Trade Show in Marlborough, MA. the race will be part of Seekonk’s “Open Wheel Wednesday” event which also features a full slate of action for the NEMA full-Midgets.
Organizers drew from a vast talent pool for the “Showdown” coming up with a cast of championship-caliber competitors representing several different segments of the sport. Competing in equally-prepared NEMA Lites Series entries in a 25-lap dash will be Nokie & Drew Fornoro, Chris Perley, Russ Wood, Ted Christopher, Mike Stefanik, Bentley Warren, Vinny Annarummo, and Fred Astle. The group represents literally hundreds of victories and multiple championships in everything from Indy Cars, Midgets and Sprint Cars, to Modifieds, Super Modifieds, and Pro Stocks. There remains the possibility of more “notable” racers being added to the roster.
“We worked diligently at getting some of the best drivers from all facets of the sport to participate, and the response was overwhelmingly positive,” stated NEMA Lites Series Race Director Steve Grant. “We aimed for an absolute “All-Star” cast competing on a completely-level playing ground. In the months-ahead, we’ll be working even-further to assure that the Lites Series cars we’ll be utilizing for the event are truly-equal in performance for these guys. It’s an opportunity for fans to see the “Cream of the Crop” all in one event. There will be no advantages – this one will go to the best driver. With all the talent in this group, “bragging-rights” are sure to be a top priority,” he says.
Started with only a handful of entries in 2008, the Lites Series has served as both an economic starting-point for new drivers to get involved in what remains one of the countries “purest” forms of open-wheel competition, and also as a venue for some of the most-seasoned of NEMA competitors. Utilized in the division are economical “sealed” engines. Only a few other subtle differences separate the Lites cars from their “full” Midget counterparts. The competition is both thrilling and equal, setting the stage for a great deal of “side-by-side” racing. For more information on the July 21 “Showdown of Champions” and other Northeastern Midget Association events, log-on to www.nemaracing.com.
Gene Angelillo, a 14-time Northeastern Midget Association owners champion, died Monday after a short illness at St Mary’s Hopsital in Connecticut. Angelillo, 74, also had an ARDC championship on a 30-year plus resume that included over 112 victories, 107 of them in NEMA.
Calling hours for Angelillo will be Thursday, March 4, 1-to-3 and 5-to-9 at Chase Parkway Memorial, 430 Chase Parkway in Waterbury, CT. Funeral services will be at Sacred Heart Church, 910 Main Street South in Southbury, CT on Friday at noon. A Waterbury native, Angelillo’s team was “Dumo’s Desire” in recognition of his late father Dominic and more recently “Marilyn’s Desire” in honor of his late wife. Marilyn and Gene, both officers, brought a passion to Midget racing in general and to NEMA in particular. Survivors include daughter and son-in-law Laura Kibbe and granddaughters Tiana and Brooke. Angelillo and Drew Fornoro formed one of the greatest owner/driver combinations in Midget history. Russ Stoehr and Joey Payne also won features and championships for Angelillo. He won races with Johnny Kay, Nokie Fornoro and Ted Christopher as well.
Waterford Speedbowl officials have announced that work on a construction project to upgrade the track’s retaining wall will begin Monday. The Speedbowl was one of ten facilities selected this season to receive funds through NASCAR’s Capital Improvement Grant program. The grant, coupled with a matching investment from the Speedbowl, will allow for installation of concrete walls lining the front and back chutes of the track. It replaces the armco barrier retaining wall currently in place in those areas.
“We’re entering our 60th season understanding that facility updates such as this help preserve the future of racing in southeastern Connecticut” stated Speedbowl owner Terry Eames. “Financial assistance from NASCAR’s grant program was key in helping to make this happen. It’s a much needed update and the Speedbowl community is appreciative that NASCAR thought so as well.”
Once the Speedbowl received word the grant had been awarded, project details were finalized with engineers to assure proper design, construction and that the work goes according to plan and schedule during a typical New England month of March. The project will get off and running this upcoming week, beginning with the back chute. Construction is scheduled to be completed and the walls ready for the track’s 60th season opener, March 26-28’s Budweiser Blastoff event.
Stay tuned to www.speedbowl.com for updates to the project, which marks the first major change to the wall structure since the armco was installed prior to the start of the 1988 season. That replaced an antiquated wooden beam wall system. The next event for the Waterford Speedbowl is March 12-14’s annual season preview car show at the Crystal Mall in Waterford. Fans can stop by to see just some of the cars and stars of the Speedbowl, and enter for a chance to win tickets to Budweiser Blastoff Weekend.
The Speedbowl opens its 60th anniversary season with Blastoff Weekend March 26-28, highlighted by 100-laps of Modified Racing Series action, a lightning-quick 25-lap race for the exciting NEMA Midgets and a special 60- lap race for the Speedbowl’s headline NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modified® division on Sunday, March 28. Eleven other main events will take place over the blockbuster weekend, New England’s kick off to the 2010 racing season. Detailed event information including pricing, gate times, divisions and race distances are available by visiting www.speedbowl.com.
It's not very often you can get to see a dealership full of Ferraris or Maserati's. We were able to take in an open house event held at the Boch Lux dealership on the Auto Mile in Norwood. The entire inventory of automobiles gave us sticker shock. The Maseratis are the cheapest of the two cars. A coupe averaged $129,000 and a four door sedan was about 20 grand more. The newest Ferraris, coupes or roadsters, started out at $240,000 with the most expensive listed out at $323,000. There was also a yard full of used Ferraris, Maseratis and even a Lotus as well as a Saleen Mustang. The pricetags marked "Clearance" and were listed from $95,000 and up. We also got a eyefull of some classic Farrari cars from the 50 and 60's. These two were in the service bays and belong to customers and were in for maintence like new tires, tune-ups and the like. The Boch Lux dealership also takes trade-ins of classic cars of all makes. And there are winter storage for high line automobiles available on site.
Here' what's happening in southern New England this weekend. On Saturday night the Redline Diner in Framingham offers its year-round cruise night starting at 5 p.m. The momentum picks up for the cruise crowd as the Spring season approaches. On Sunday the American Legion in Bedford offers a Auto Collectable Show, the Holmes Motor Freight Depot in Norfold hosts a Model A Flea Market and the Powder Mill Barn in Enfield, CT has an Auto Flea Market. All three events start at 9 a.m.
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