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Fifty years ago in 1960 rain washed out the Wednesday night
racing program at what was called then, The New London-Waterford
Speedbowl. By Saturday night the skies had cleared and bad boy Dick
Beauregard won the Modified feature. Ted Stack was the non-Ford
winner and Daring Dick Caso was the Bomber winner. Freddie Schultz
was the winner at the Norwood Arena.
Forty five years ago in 1965 Don Wayman was the Friday night
winner at the Stafford Springs Speedway. Rain prevailed at the
Waterford Speedbowl. Lou Lazzaro got his third feature win at the
Fonda Speedway. At Riverside Park it was George Circosta and at the
Utica-Rome Speedway Dave Kotary took the 30 lap win over Sonny
Seamon and Tom Kotary.
Forty years ago in 1970, the Albany-Saratoga Speedway ran
twin features on Friday night. Bugsy Stevens took the opener over
Eddie Pieniezak and Charlie Jarzombek. The nightcap saw Richie Evans
take charge with a convincing win over Jarzombek, Stevens and Lou
Lazzaro. The big news of the week was that New Britain construction
company owner Jack Arute had taken over at Stafford which was in
dire financial trouble. Along with the speedway, Arute inherited
over 1000 rain checks. Steady Eddie Flemke, a modified legend in his
own time, driving a modified co-owned by the Garuti Bros. and Arute
won the 100 lap modified event in front of a packed house. Leo
Cleary finished second and was followed by Bugsy Stevens, Ernie
Gahan and Bobby Santos. Now some 35 years later, Jack Arute can look
back with the self-satisfaction with the fact that he saved the
speedway from oblivion plus he has been a force in the longevity of
modified racing in general. Waterford and Fonda rained out. At
Plattsburg Dick Fowler out ran Guy Chartrand and Dave Gault. Fowler
repeated at Utica-Rome on Sunday. In twin 25 action at Thompson,
Fred DeSarro won both events over Flemke and Santos.
Thirty five years ago in 1975 Friday night at Freeport saw Fred
Harbach take the win over Charlie Jarzombek. Stafford and Islip
rained out on Saturday. Jack Arute announced that beginning on July
20 Stafford would be running small block open competition events
against Thompson on Sunday nights. At Shangri-La, Richie Evans took
the win over Jerry Cook and Sonney Seamon and at Lancaster, Roger
Treichler was the victor. Racing at the Waterford Speedbowl was
rained out. Sonny Seamon won a 100 lap Trenton qualifier at Fulton
on Sunday night. Bill Slater, who had recently left his position at
Stafford, was hired as race director at Thompson. At Thompson, the
speedway management announced that they would raise their race
purse, beginning the following week. Yankee All Star League racing
at Star Speedway was cancelled due to rain.
Thirty years ago in 1980, the Stafford Speedway presented the
Ferrara 100.With an overflow crowd on hand, ticket booths and
admission gates were closed at 8:30pm with people lined up out to
the road. Ray Miller in the Mike Greci wrenched No.01 scored an
impressive victory over Satch Worley. Richie Evans lost his stagger
when a tire grew and ended up third. Rounding out the top five were
Corky Cookman and Bugsy Stevens. Geoff Bodine was the winner of a
Friday night Busch Grandnational event at South Boston, Va. Rain
washed out racing at Riverside, Westboro, Waterford and at Wall
Stadium with Islip and Shangri-La the only Saturday night tracks to
get their events in. At Islip it was Tom McCann over Bob Park and at
Shangri-La Richie Evans swept an 80 lapper over George Kent.
Thompson had a packed house on Sunday night as close to 10,000
looked on as Richie Evans beat out Ronnie Bouchard and Brian Ross.
Other weekend winners were Wayne Anderson at New Egypt on Wednesday,
Ronnie Bouchard at Monadnock on Thursday and George Kent at Spencer
on Friday
Twenty five years ago in 1985, Greg Sacks, driving an R&D Winston
Cup car crew chiefed by Gary Nelson, scored an upset victory when he
won the Pepsi 400 at Daytona International Speedway. Sacks flew back
north to Stafford for the Ferrara 100 at Stafford and were given a
standing ovation while being driven around the oval in the pace car.
Driving the Art Barry modified, Sacks tried his best but was no
match for Charlie Jarzombek who won the 100 lap modified event.
Reggie Ruggerio finished second with Brian Ross, third. The modified
tour paid a visit to the Spencer Speedway where George Kent won out
over Tony Hirshman. John Blewett Jr. went two for two as he won at
New Egypt and at Wall while at Riverhead, Wayne Anderson took the
top spot over Bill Park and Fred Harbach. At Shangri-La, Richie
Evans got the jump on Jim Spencer to take the win. Rain washed out
Waterford, Riverside and Thompson. Dave Dion closed out the weekend
as he won the Oxford 250, which paid $30,000.
Twenty years ago in 1990, Stafford rained out but at Monadnock it
stayed dry and Reggie Ruggiero took top honors with Bruce Del,
second. Donnie Bunnell held off veteran Jerry Pearl to take a win at
Waterford and at Riverside it was veteran Bob Polverari over Richie
Gallup. The Modified Tour traveled to Jennerstown where Mike
McLaughlin took the win over Tony Hirshman and Jamie Tomaino. At
Shangri-La, John Preston took the win.
Fifteen years ago in 1995 auto racing pioneer and former president
of the United Stock Car Racing Club, Harvey Tattersall, passed away
at the age of 78. Bo Gunning scored his 25th career win in a special
Tuesday night event at Stafford. Due to an on track incident and a
difference of opinion with track owner Jack Arute, Chief Starter
Chris Hopkins was asked to take a week off. Hopkins took offence to
this and resigned which opened the door for Frankie Sgambato to take
over the chief starter’s role. Because of the Winston Cup weekend,
Stafford was silent on Friday. Waterford ran a non-point event on
Saturday, which drew only 12 cars. Ricky Young took the win over
Richie Gallup and Chris Jones. It took only 23 minutes and 38
seconds for the Featherlite Modifieds to run 40 laps at Loudon on
Saturday. Steve Park took the lead on lap eight and never looked
back. Tony Hirshman finished second with Tim Connolly third. Because
of stoppages because of rain, it took 5-1/2 hours to run the BGNN
150, which was eventually won by Ricky Craven. Jeff Gordon was the
Winston Cup winner on Sunday. Riverside rained out but Riverhead was
able to get their show in with Tom Tillottson taking the win.
Ten years ago in 2000 saw one of NASCAR's darkest days as
Winston Cup driver Kenny Irwin lost his life in a practice session
accident at Loudon. Fifty-six Modifieds were on hand for the Winston
Cup weekend at Loudon. David Berghman was the Busch Pole sitter as
he established a new record of 131.415 mph. John Blewett III came
from a 29th starting spot to take the lead from Reggie Ruggiero on
lap 92 of the 100 lap event. It was the biggest win of Blewett's
career. Mike Christopher, who started 34th, finished second and was
followed by Tim Connolly, Ruggiero and Tom Cravenho. Jerry Marquis
finished sixth and made a hasty retreat and made it to Stafford in
time to win the Friday night SK Modified feature. Jeff Pearl won at
Waterford on Saturday night over Mark LaJunnesse and Frank
Muccicharo and at Riverhead; Bill Park went pole to pole for the
win. Tony Stewart won the NHIS Winston Cup event and in victory
lane, dedicated his win to Kenny Irwin
Five years ago in 2005 the big news of the week was the fact
that the developer who held an option on the Waterford Speedbowl
property had not renewed his option, which meant that auto racing
would continue hopefully for many years to come. Terry Eames stated
that he was looking into expanding the use of the Speedbowl
property. A tractor-trailer training school, a large-scale flea
market and possibly a drag strip are some of the ideas that have
been thrown around. A drag strip would be a mistake. Those of us who
were around when the Norwood Arena in Massachusetts decided to stage
drag races can remember they were a deciding factor in the ultimate
closing of the track because of the noise problems generated. Eames,
who is also heavy into titles, announced that Pete Zanardi, formerly
the Public Relations man, had been re-titled to be Vice President of
Communications and Strategic Planning. Hope he got a big raise with
his new title. Bill Roth, who seems to be honest and up-front, would
be re-titled from being the General Manager to the Vice
President/Chief Operating Officer. Hope he got a big raise too. In
other Speedbowl news it was announced that Bill Roberts would be
leaving his position as Race Director as his primary employment
location had changed. Steve Harraka would replace Roberts. For some
strange reason the speedbowl management opted to run one of its
biggest events on Saturday night directly opposite the New London
Sailfest Grucci Fireworks display. The event which consisted of 100
lap events for the SK Modifieds and Late Models with 50 lap events
for Sportsman and Mini Stocks turned into a marathon session that
went close to the midnight curfew. Ron Yuhas Jr got the benefit of
Ron Silks misfortune, as he was the eventual winner. Silk was
leading the event in the late stages when he was taken out by one of
the Monahan brothers. Rob Summers ended up second with Dennis
Charette, third and Jay Miller, fourth. Corey Hutchings paid a visit
to Waterford and walked off with the 100-lap Late Model win. Bruce
Thomas finished second. Norm Root Jr won the 50 lap Sportsman event.
The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Series traveled to Jennerstown, PA
on Saturday for the Wheeler Brothers 150. Tony Hirschman cleaned
house as he lapped all but the top five to record the win.
Hirschman, who started sixth, took the lead from Jerry Marquis on
lap 48 of the 150 lap event. Marquis faded to fourth while Chuck
Hossfeld, who started seventh, finished a close second. Ed Flemke Jr
had his best showing to date as he finished third. Jamie Tomaino
started fourteenth and rounded out the top five. Point leader Ted
Christopher finished 23rd after losing numerous laps because of a
leak.
Jeff Malave started fourth in the 30 lap Sunoco Modified feature at
the Thompson Speedway on Thursday night and led every lap to annex
the victory. Bert Marvin finished second with Kerry Malone, third.
Todd Ceravolo and Ted Christopher rounded out the top five. Jeff
Connors was the Pro Stock winner and Glenn Boss took the Limited
Sportsman feature. Rod Rixham won the Mini Stock feature and Shane
Michalski took the TIS Modified feature. Twin features were run for
the Late Models with Woody Pitkat and Marc Palmisano sharing victory
lane.
Rain washed out the American Sleeve Bearing 100 at Stafford on
Friday night. The event has been rescheduled for Sunday, July 24.
The 2005 season had reached the mid point with 10 events run so far.
In the SK Modified division Ted Christopher led Todd Owen by 26
points. Christopher who had run in nine of the ten events had three
wins. Owen had one win. Lloyd Agor, with two wins, sat in third
spot. Eric Berndt and Frank Ruocco rounded out the top five. Jim
Mavlouganes was the point leader in the track’s Late Model division.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. broke through for his first NASCAR Nextel Cup
victory of the season, using a two-tire strategy and holding off
Matt Kenseth to win at Chicagoland Speedway.
The International Speedway Corporation reported that their
second-quarter profit surged to a record on soaring revenue from
broadcasts and corporate sponsorships, and the company raised its
financial forecast for the 2005 fiscal year. The Daytona Beach,
Florida-based motor sports promoter and racetrack owner reported net
income of $26.5 million, or 50 cents a share, up from $6.1 million,
or 11 cents, a year ago. Revenue rose to $157.4 million from $131.1
million.
The Sun Oil Company announced that its Board of Directors has
approved a two-for-one stock split to be effected in the form of a
stock dividend. The stock split was for shareholders of record as of
July 18, 2005, and shares would be distributed on or about August 1,
2005. Holders of record of the Company's common stock on the record
date would receive one additional share of common stock for each
share of common stock they own.
Last year, 2009 In Thursday Night Thunder action at the
Thompson Speedway rain prevailed.
Ted Christopher returned to familiar ground at the Stafford Motor
Speedway. Christopher drove to his second victory of the 2009 season
and his third overall win in the 40-lap SK Modified feature, Jim
Peterson took down his first win of the season in the 30-lap Late
Model feature, Brit Andersen scored his third win of the 2009 season
in the 20-lap SK Light Modified feature, Shawn Thibeault picked up
his first career victory in the 20-lap Limited Late Model feature,
and Kyle Casagrande picked up his first career victory in the 15-lap
DARE Stock feature a week after his twin brother won his first
career DARE Stock feature.
The Waterford Speedbowl celebrated the nation’s birthday in grand
fashion, hosting the 12th annual Pepsi 300 on a beautiful summer
evening. The Speedbowl’s leaders in the four NASCAR Whelen
All-American Series divisions each performed up to their lofty
status. Keith Rocco checkered the SK Modified race, Bruce Thomas Jr.
won in the Late Models, and Danny Field was the Mini Stock winner.
Ronnie Oldham finished in second in the Street Stocks, while it was
Walt Hovey taking down the event win.
The True Value Modified Series visited the ultra fast ¼ mile high
banked Monadnock Speedway in Winchester, NH. Kirk Alexander started
the race on the outside pole and did what he does best; he drove his
car hard right to the front to capture the lead. He then held on to
the number one position for 100 laps to dominate and win the TVMRS
race. Les Hinckley was Mr. Consistent during the night of
competition running at a steady pace to come across the start finish
lien in second. Running in the top ten in points for the TVMRS,
young Rowan Pennink has continued his competitive run with the
series finishing the night with a podium finish. Dwight Jarvis and
Rob Goodenough rounded out the top five.
In NASCAR Sprint Cup action in Daytona, Kyle Busch passed Tony
Stewart right before the final lap to take the lead, but Stewart
chased him down and calculated his next move. Stewart closed in on
Busch's bumper, and slight contact sent Busch drifting up the track.
Busch slid back down to maintain his lead, then tried to slide in
front of Stewart to block Stewart's next move. The cars were too
close together and Stewart hooked Busch's right corner to send Busch
sailing into the wall.
The contact triggered a multiple crash behind them, but Stewart
sailed through for his second points win of the season. The two-time
series champion is leading the points in his first season as
co-owner of Stewart-Haas Racing, which he overhauled from a
backmarker team into a title contender after 10 seasons at Joe Gibbs
Racing. It was a horrendous wreck for Busch, who climbed from his
car apparently unscathed but had to be forced by four NASCAR
officials into a waiting safety vehicle. He finished 14th and
refused to comment after the race. Jimmie Johnson was second, and
Denny Hamlin, Busch's teammate, finished third. Carl Edwards was
fourth, and Kurt Busch fifth.
Clint Bowyer won the Nationwide Series race at Daytona, holding off
Kyle Busch and Carl Edwards in a green-white-checkered finish.
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This week are several vintage racing
photos Courtesy of SpeedwayLineReport.com & VintageModifieds.com
Click on Photo for Full Size |
That’s it for this week from 11 Gardner
Drive, Westerly RI 02891. Ring my chimes
at 401-596-5467. E-Mail is:
smithpe_97_97@yahoo.com |
