Forty years ago in
1969, the big event of the weekend was the annual Race of
Champions at the Langhorne Speedway in Langhorne, Pa. Ray Hendrick and Dutch
Hoag were the pole sitters. These two legends put on one of the greatest
races ever seen as they ran wheel to wheel for 90 laps until Hoag lost oil
pressure and had to drop out. From there on, Hendrick cruised to the
200-mile victory. Roger Treichler finished second and was followed by Jerry
Cook, Chuck Boos, Merv Treichler, Guy Chartrand and Richie Evans.
Thirty five years ago in 1974,
the Race of Champions had moved to Trenton and was stretched to 300 miles in
the 1-1/2 mile kidney shaped oval. Fred DeSarro who had had a sub par season
showed up with a tri-colored creation owned by Len Boehler and proceeded to
put on one of the best all time performances at the New Jersey oval. DeSarro
was in the hunt all day but it all came down to the last lap when he and
long time rival Bugsy Stevens came off of turn four wheel to wheel. With the
crowd on its feet, the two raced to the finish line with DeSarro winning by
less than six inches. Stevens finished second with Satch Worley, third.
Thirty years ago in 1979, the
Thompson World Series was on tap. A 50 lapper was run for the modifieds.
Richie Evans took the win and was followed by Dave Thomas, Charlie
Jarzombek, Ronnie Bouchard and Eddie St Angelo. Denny Wheeler won the
Supermodified portion. Bentley Warren finished second with Doug Hevron,
third. Bobby Fuller was the late model winner.
Twenty five years ago in 1984,
the World Series at Thompson saw Reggie Ruggiero beat the master, Richie
Evans. Brian Ross ended up third. At Wall Stadium, Doug Wolcott took the
Saturday night main event over Tony Siscone and Gil Hearne.
Twenty years ago in 1989, the
World Series was scheduled at Thompson, qualifying was done on Saturday and
just before the Sunday features were to begin the main grandstand collapsed.
Luckily only a few spectators were in their seats and only a few minor
injuries incurred. Needless to say, the event was cancelled and was
rescheduled to November 12.The grandstand had been in place since the
speedway was built in 1939.What was left was bulldozed and carted away and a
new all steel grandstand which is in place today was erected.
Fifteen years ago in 1994, the
World Series at Thompson drew a record of 467 cars for nine divisions and a
near record attendance of 14,000 fans. In the Modified Tour Series 125,Jan
Leaty pitted early for tires and drove his way to the front to take the lead
on lap 74 and the eventual win. Mike Ewanitsko finished second and was
followed by Reggie Ruggiero, Tim Connolly, Satch Worley and Mike Stefanik.
John Anderson was the SK winner over Tom Tagg and Bert Marvin and Tommy Fox
was victorious in the Late Models.
Ten years ago, in 1999, it was
a big weekend and a sad one to say the least. Riverside Park, a Saturday
night institution for many ran its last events before the speedway would be
destroyed to make way for more amusement park rides. Bob Polverari, a many
time Park champion, scored his 38th career victory after Ed Flemke Jr. and
Brad Hietella tangled with eight laps to go in the 100 lap modified feature.
Chris Wenzel finished second with Flemke, third and Rob Summers, fourth.
Todd Szegedy was the SK modified winner. Prior to the final event, Richie
Evans, Polverari, Mike Stefanik and NASCAR Chief Steward Richard Brooks were
inducted into the Riverside Park Hall of Fame. At Thompson, Rick Fuller won
the rained out World Series-Featherlite Modified Tour Series 125. Fuller
took the lead from Tim Connolly on lap 118.Conelly finished second and was
followed by Tony Hirschman, Ed Flemke Jr. and Tom Cravenho. Hirschman was
declared the 1999 series champion. Todd Szegedy carried his winning momentum
from Riverside to Thompson as he won the 30 SK World Series main. Szegedy
started last. Mike Christopher finished second with Chris Kopec, third.
Driving a Super Modified normally driven by Mike Ordway, Ted Christopher
started dead last and with the entire grandstand cheering, took the lead in
the event with two laps to go and went on to victory. Bryan Wall won the
Busch North Finale at Lime Rock. In Winston Cup action at Talladega, Dale
Earnhardt Sr. took the win.
Five years ago, in 2004, the
NASCAR Featherlite Modified Tour Series was at the Thompson Speedway. It was
showdown time between Tony Hirschman and Eddie Flemke Jr. for the series
title. Fifty Modifieds were on hand for time trials. The Long Island gang
dominated the top spots as Mike Andrews, a regular competitor at the
Riverhead Raceway and Donnie Lia were the fastest. Andrews went 119.827 mph
and Lia, the Bud Pole Champion for 2004, clocked in at 118.997 mph. The top
six re-drew for starting spots with third fastest qualifier Tony Hirschman
drawing the pole starting spot. Todd Szegedy, the 2003 series champion, drew
the outside pole. Eddie Flemke was not so fortunate as he qualified in 24th
spot.
In what had to be one of the best events ever put on by the
Modified Tour Series, Mike Stefanik came from a dead last starting spot to
ring down the curtain on 2004 with a convincing win. Tony Hirschman, who led
the first 33 laps ended up third in the final rundown and secured his fourth
Modified Tour Series Championship. Hirschman, who was in contention with
Eddie Flemke JR for the title, was able to breathe easier after an incident
on a lap 58 restart that ultimately eliminated Flemke from the title chase.
It appeared that Ted Christopher checked up or brake checked Todd Szegedy as
they exited turn two which resulted in a scramble on the back chute which
saw Flemke suffer front end damage that would cause him to lose laps in the
pits making repairs. Prior to that, all eyes were on the Southington,
Connecticut racer as he put on a brilliant display of driving as he came
from his 24th starting spot to as high as fourth. Christopher continued to
lead until he hit the turn two wall on lap 82 and ended up spinning in turn
four with a flat right rear tire. Szegedy assumed the lead from that point.
Mike Stefanik, who pitted early in the event for a front-end adjustment,
worked his way to the front and on lap 92 took the lead. Stefanik and
Szegedy traded the lead back and forth until lap 97 when Stefanik was able
to put a little distance on the 2003 series champion. Szegedy ran second to
Stefanik until lap 123 when he brushed the wall in turn two. Chuck Hossfeld
moved into second with Hirschman moving up to third. Rookie’s Zach Sylvester
and Kenny Barry rounded out the top five. Barry and Sylvester ended up tied
for the Rookie of the Year title. Barry was given the nod, as he was higher
in the final point standings. An estimated crowd of 9,500 sat in the sun
drenched grandstands.
Tony Hirschman, who was a guest on Gary Danko’s radio show during the week,
hinted that he might cut back his racing schedule in 2005. Hirschman hoped
to help his son, Matt, further his racing career and feels that if he still
races it could alter his focus. Because of the fact that Mike Stefanik was
committed to the Busch North Series at the Wall Township Speedway on
Saturday Todd Ceravolo was asked to qualify his Mod Tour ride at Thompson.
Congratulations to Modified Tour Series photographer Mary Hodge as she was
presented the Yvonne Durocher Woman in Racing Award at the recent New
England Antique Racers Awards Banquet. Mary and her husband Howie do an
excellent job of covering the Modified Series tour with their pictures,
which are seen in every major racing publication.
The Busch North Series traveled to the Wall Township Speedway in
New Jersey on Saturday to wrap up their season. On and off rain all day
Saturday, on the Jersey shore forced officials to cancel the event. It would
not be made up. Andy Santerre had already wrapped up the series
championship.
The Dodge Weekly Racing Series at Thompson on World Series weekend
provided some excellent racing. Jim Civali gave Ted Christopher some of his
own medicine as he took the win in the 30 lap Sunoco SK-type Modified event.
Christopher started on the pole and led just about all the event except for
a brief moment when Kerry Malone led before dropping out. Civali glued
himself to Christopher’s bumper and when the opportunity presented itself
when the pair exited the fourth turn on the final lap Civali made his move.
Christopher attempted to block but Civali held fast and the pair touched.
Christopher lifted long enough to allow Civali to forge ahead and take the
win. During the slow down lap Christopher vented his frustrations as he spun
Civali in turn two. Eric Berndt ended up third with Bert Marvin and Tom
Cravenho rounding out the top five. David Berghman capped off his
championship season in the Pro Stock division with a convincing win.
Starting 29th,
Berghman made a superb charge to the front and took the lead in the
30 lap feature on lap 18 to record his 9th victory of the season. Other
winners on Sunday were Corey Hutchings in the Late Models, Chris Perley in
the Supermodifieds and Mark Buonomo in the NEMA Midgets.
The Stafford Motor Speedway hosted an automotive Flea Market over the
weekend.
The final point standings for 2004 at the Waterford Speedbowl were
made official. Eddie Reed JR. was officially the SK Modified Champion. Reed
had three wins to his credit. Dennis Gada, who was a five-time champion,
finished second, 16 points back. Ron Yuhas JR, with two wins finished third
with Chris Pasteryak and Rob Janovic rounding out the top five. Corey
Hutchings was by far the class of the Late Model field as he won six events
on his way to the title. Hutchings, also the Late Model champion at
Thompson, beat Allen Coates by 46 points. Coates had five feature wins to
his credit. Mark St. Hilaire, with two wins, ended up third. Former division
champion Phil Rondeau, three wins and Carl Erickson round out the top five.
Second generation driver Keith Rocco won the Sportsman division championship
on the final lap of the final feature. Rocco, the son of Ronnie Rocco, beat
Ed Gertsch by eight points. Rocco had three wins while Gertsch had six wins
to his credit. Dwayne Conant, Norm Root and Roger Perry rounded out the top
five. Glenn Colvin, with three wins, is the Mini Stock Champion. Colvin beat
Tim Jordan by 22 points. Richard Brooks was the top feature winner with five
victories and finished third in the final standings. Joe Bavalocco and Bill
Leonard rounded out the top five. Michael Pepe, with two wins, is the
Legends Champion. Pepe outdistanced Silas Hiscock JR by 50 points. Sixteen
year old Jeffrey Paul ran in only eight events but he won six of them which
placed him third in the final standings. Jim Ahern and Silas Hiscock Sr
rounded out the top five.
The Nextel Cup and the Busch Racing Series divisions of NASCAR were
at the Lowes Motor Speedway in Charlotte, NC. Mike Bliss made a dramatic
three wide pass in the closing stages to take the lead and eventual win on
Friday night’s Busch Series event and on Saturday night Hendrick Motorsports
teammates Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon finished one-two. Casey Kahne had
them covered until a blown out tire forced him into the wall and out of the
event.
Last year, 2008, The NASCAR
Whelen Modified Tour Series returned to the Stafford Motor Speedway to make
up the rained out Fall Final. Just prior to the weekend it was learned that
Speedway announcer Deane Mercier had passed away.
Mike Stefanik led a banner field of Modifieds as he captured the
Coors Lite Pole award as he turned in the fast time in qualifying for the
CARQUEST Fall Final. Stefanik toured the Stafford oval in18.158 seconds
(99.130mph). It was the first pole for Stefanik since 2006 at the
Martinsville (Va.) Speedway. In the process he tied Tony Hirschman for the
series’ all-time lead with 41 career poles, and extended his own record for
poles at Stafford to 15. Eric Beers was the second-fastest qualifier at
18.168 seconds (99.075 mph) and started in the third row following the
redraw. Rob Summers was third fastest at 18.316 seconds (98.275 mph). Series
points leader Ted Christopher who seventh in time trials when he was clocked
at 18.355 seconds (98.066 mph). After the redraw Christopher started
alongside Stefanik in the front row on Sunday. Californian Brian Ickler was
the pole sitter for the companion NASCAR Camping World Series East event.
Mike Olsen, Kevin Swindell, Ted Christopher and Woody Pitkat rounded out the
top five. Series champion Matt Kobyluck was sixth fastest.
Stefanik capped off a dominating weekend by reaching Victory Lane
in the CARQUEST Fall Final for the eighth time in his illustrious career.
Stefanik used the front row starting position to his advantage as he led 129
of the 150 laps in what was Stafford’s last race of the year. The win was
Stefanik's eighth in the Fall Final, Stafford 's traditional season-ending
race. It was also his 20th all-time win at track and the 69th in his career
overall. All three totals are NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour records.
Matt Hirschman came home second to Stefanik. With the runner-up
finish, Hirschman trailed series leader Ted Christopher by just 35 points
with one race remaining on the schedule. Christopher finished sixth. Chuck
Hossfeld was third, while Todd Szegedy and Eric Beers rounded out the top
five finishers. The rest of the top 10 consisted of Christopher, Rowan
Pennink, Anthony Sesely, Glenn Tyler and Kevin Goodale. It was the best
finish of the season for Sesely and Tyler.
There were five caution flags for 27 laps. For the most part the
race was wreck free with only a few minor spins. Ted Christopher held a 35
point lead over Matt Hirschman going into the final event. Todd Szegedy sat
in third, over 143 points out of the lead. Chuck Hossfeld was fourth with
Stefanik rounding out the top five. Prior to the race NASCAR legend Bobby
Allison was honored for his 1964 and 1965 NASCAR Modified division titles as
part of the celebration of 60 Years of Modified Champions.
Woody Pitkat won the battle but it was Keith Rocco who won the war
in the SK Modifieds. Rocco finished second to Pitkat and beat out Ted
Christopher for his first Stafford Track Championship. Peyton Sellers won
the slam-bang NASCAR Camping World Series East event. In lat Model action,
Ryan Posocco took the lead from Scott Cook on lap 11 and led the rest of the
way to win the 30-lap Late Model feature. It was the seventh victory in 17
starts this year for Posocco, the division's all-time winningest driver.
Posocco had already sewed up the Stafford Late Model title.
In True Value Modified Series action at the Seekonk Speedway last
weekend twenty six Modifieds were on hand for the annual D. Anthony Venditti
Memorial event. Three qualifying heats were run with Chris Pasteryak, Kevin
Iannarelli and Todd Annarummo taking the wins. Chris Pasteryak went pole to
pole to win the 100 lap contest. Todd Annarummo finished second and was
followed by Dwight Jarvis, Les Hinckley and Mike Holdridge. Prior to the
start of the event Kirby Monteith, who died this past week was honored by
his fellow drivers. They had a moment of silence and the front row at the
start had an open spot for him.
Jeff Burton used three gas-only pit stops to pull off a Sprint Cup
victory in Concord, N.C., that catapulted him into championship contention.
Burton culminated savvy pit strategy on a final stop, going into the pits
with the lead and taking fuel only to make sure he was still out front on
the restart with 34 laps to go at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Jimmy Johnson
staged a brief battle for the lead, but Burton held steady to snap a 25-race
winless streak. Kasey Kahne, who swept the May races at the track, finished
second and was followed by Kurt Busch. Kyle Busch returned to his familiar
spot in the Nationwide Series on Friday night, cruising to a win in the
soggy, wreck-filled Dollar General 300. The victory was the ninth for the
23-year-old Busch in NASCAR's second-tier series. He has won eight Cup races
and three more in the Craftsman Truck Series. The busy Busch's 70th race of
the season followed a familiar script for Joe Gibbs Racing, whose teams had
won 18 of the 31 Nationwide races. Busch started 16th, but his superior No.
18 Toyota was on display early. He quickly moved to the front and led 137 of
the 200 laps. Busch pulled away from Jeff Burton on a restart with three
laps to go, despite taking just two tires on his final pit stop. Burton held
on to finish second and Brian Vickers was third. Point leader Clint Bowyer
finished fourth and Carl Edwards was fifth.
This week are several vintage racing
photos from the late Peter Lawlor Collection,
courtesy of the
SpeedwayLineReport.com &
VintageModifieds.com.
Bobby Allison at Thompson/1982 * Ed Flemke, Sr. at Wall Stadium/1982 *
Charlie J at Waterford/1981
Bob
Polverari/1982 * Wally Dallenbach, Sr. & Jr., New Egypt/1981
* Tony Siscone at Pocono/1981
.
All other photos courtesy of Tom Ormsby and
VintageModifieds.com
Phil Smith has been a
columnist for Speedway Scene and various
other publications for over 3 decades.
Looking Back Archive
|
