12/09/14 |
December
9, 2014 |
The never-ending saga and soap opera at the Waterford continues.
Internet racing web site RaceDayCT reported Ed DeMuzzio, a creditor in the
foreclosure case involving the Speedbowl, filed a "motion to reconsider"
with the court, asking the judge that approved the sale price set at the
auction to reconsider that ruling. The motion is not a formal appeal of the
approval.
DeMuzzio had been facing a Thursday, Dec 6 deadline to file a formal
appeal of the approval of the sale price set at the Oct. 18 foreclosure
auction. "We’re going to file what is called a motion to reconsider and ask
that the judge reconsider or reexamine his earlier ruling with regard to our
motion for our hearing to set aside a new sale date," said DeMuzzio’s
attorney, Michael Bonnano. "That is not an appeal. It is a practice book
provision that allows the court to do exactly what it says, which is
reconsider the earlier ruling. "It can be withdrawn at anytime, just like
the appeal can, but it’s something that tolls the appeal the period. That’s
the intent at this time, to ask the court to reconsider its earlier
decision."
A formal appeal of the approval of sale could delay transfer of the
property from owner Terry Eames to Bemer for more than a year and could put
the 2015 racing season at the track in jeopardy. DeMuzzio is at risk of
losing $250,000, which includes about $110,000 invested in the property and
about $140,000 in accrued interest, if the court approves the sale price.
On Nov. 3 in New London Superior Court, judge Emmet Cosgrove heard
objections to the sale filed by DeMuzzio and his company CCI Inc. Cosgrove
filed a memorandum of decision on Nov. 14 in which he denied objections to
the sale filed by DeMuzzio and approved the sale.
This could drag on for a long time. Hopefully DeMuzzio will back off,
lick his wounds and take a loss on his taxes.
The Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park (TSMP) has released a creative and
innovative seven (7) event schedule featuring twelve different touring
series and sanctioning bodies, and boasting over $500,000 in posted awards.
Two weekend events, and a five event Wednesday summer series, with four rain
dates, make up the calendar. The schedule is highlighted by four NASCAR
Whelen Modified Tour (NWMT) events, two new Triple Crown Series, and
significant enhancements to the Sunoco World Series of Speedway Racing.
For the 29th season, the track will operate under the NASCAR Whelen
All-American Series banner, offering Sunoco Modified, Late Model, Limited
Sportsman, and Mini Stock competitors the benefits of NASCAR membership,
awards, as well as state and national championship competition.
The season will begin with the 41st running of the Icebreaker on Friday,
April 10 through Sunday, April 12. Modified fans will be in for a treat, as
not only will the first race for the NWMT be part of the program, but TSMP’s
own Sunoco Modifieds will be featured in a 75-lap main event to kick off the
facility’s 75th anniversary celebration. In addition to the full-fendered
Late Models, Limited Sportsman, Mini Stocks, and Granite State Pro Stock
Series, the winged NEMA Lite cars will make their maiden voyage to the
historic Connecticut oval. The Vintage Outlaws and New England Truck Series
will also be part of the action. Fans will have the opportunity to meet the
stars and cars of all nine divisions on Sunday morning at the Fan
Appreciation Party.
A new addition to the schedule, which was announced in October, is the
addition of another NWMT race. Scheduled for June 10, this 125-lap event
will mark the first time since 2012 that the Tour will make four stops at
TSMP. The Mini Stock and Limited Sportsman Divisions will be on stage for
the summer series opener, also, as they compete in the first race of their
Triple Crown Series. New in 2015, both the Limited Sportsman and Mini Stock
divisions will participate in three events in which their finishing
positions will earn them both TSMP championship points and Triple Crown
Series points. The Triple Crown will pay their own point fund and award the
top three. The Sunoco Modified, Late Model, and Vintage Outlaws will all be
part of an action-packed night of stock car racing, too.
The second annual Late Model 20/20 Sprint will take place on Wednesday
night, July 8. The popular format from the inaugural event will once again
be used in 2015. An added bonus for the race winner, besides the handsome
purse, will be a guaranteed starting position in the ACT Championship 100 at
the Sunoco World Series of Speedway Racing in October. The second Triple
Crown race for the Limited Sportsman, as well as the Mini Stocks and
ground-pounding Sunoco Modifieds will all be in competition, as well.
Slated for Wednesday, July 29, the Sunoco Modifieds will once again
compete in a 20/20 Sprint. As with the Late Models, the same format from
2014 will be used, but with a new twist. Following the completion of the
second segment, the overall leader will be given the opportunity to take
advantage of a bounty, by forfeiting his/her starting position and starting
in the rear for a cash prize, should he or she emerge the overall winner
following the 10-lap sprint. As part of this must-see event, the Mini Stocks
will compete in their second Triple Crown race, and the Vintage Outlaws will
make their third of four stops to the Big T. Late Models and Limited
Sportsman will also do battle in championship point races.
One of TSMP’s favorite summer traditions, a 150-lap NWMT race, will once
again be back on the docket for August 12. An added bonus this year will be
the addition of the Northeastern Midget Association for a 25-lap race, which
is guaranteed to feature at least two NWMT drivers in the field. The Sunoco
Modifieds, Late Models, Mini Stocks, and the final Limited Sportsman Triple
Crown race fill out a very robust night of racing.
The last event of the five-race summer series will feature a double
points opportunity for the Sunoco Modifieds. Twin 25-lap main events will be
contested for TSMP’s top-tier division. The Late Models, Limited Sportsman,
Vintage Outlaws, and the final Triple Crown race for the Mini Stock division
will be part of a Back-to-School Bash night, giving families one more
opportunity to hit the race track before school begins.
Rounding out the season will be the Sunoco World Series of Speedway Racing.
TSMP’s final event will showcase fifteen divisions that will compete over
the course of three days. Culminating with the final NWMT event of the
season on Sunday afternoon, NASCAR’s oldest touring division will be
supported by some of the region’s most popular touring series: the
International Supermodified Association, Valenti Modified Racing Series, and
Northeastern Midget Association. The addition of the 100-lap championship
race for the American-Canadian Tour on Saturday will feature New England’s
most talented full-fendered drivers, and adds to an already star-studded
lineup of events. TSMP’s own Sunoco Modified, Late Model, Limited Sportsman,
and Mini Stock divisions will be joined by the New England Truck Series,
North East Mini Stock Tour, New England Pro 4 Modifieds, and Lite Modifieds
– who will be back after a one-year hiatus. The North East Street Stock Tour
will end their inaugural season by crowing their first champion on Saturday
night. The NEMA Lites, too, will be competing in their first World Series
event, hosting their final points race on Sunday afternoon. When all is said
and done, nearly 600 laps of feature competition will be contested, and
fourteen new champions will have been born.
Shortly after the season ending Whelen Modified Tour Series event at
Thompson Donnie Lia informed Bob Garbarino that he was leaving Mystic
Missile Racing to seek other avenues. Lia and Mark Sypher whom Glen Reen
drove for last year announced that they have joined forces to run the 2015
NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour (NWMT) in the No. 8 Chevrolet. Lia, who has 17
wins in the touring series, will pilot a LFR Chassis in 2015. Numerous
rumors concerning the future of Mystic Missile Racing have come to light but
have not been confirmed.
The Valenti Modified Racing Series staged their 11th annual Awards Banquet
at the Best Western Executive Inn in Manchester, NH this past weekend.
Taking center stage was series driving champion Justin Bonsignore and series
owner champion Art Barry. Bonsignore is the fifth champion in the 11-year
series history.
In his victory speech Bonsignore thanked his pit crew for their hard work
and dedication, crew chief Kenny Barry, Spafco Race Cars & Parts, Spearpoint
Racing, series sponsor Bob Valenti Auto Mall, VMRS officials, and gave a
heartfelt thank you to car-owner Barry for making it possible and for giving
him the opportunity and privilege to be part of a race team loaded with
successful history for over 60 years.
Barry, of Preston, CT, when introduced, received a rousing standing
ovation for his second series title and for his dedication to modified
racing. An emotional Barry thanked all for their support and was read a
special message from his wife, Deb, who for the first time was unable to
attend due to illness.
In addition to Bonsignore, the top 14 drivers in the standings received
recognition and awards from series president Jack Bateman including;
runner-up Rowan Pennink, Richard Savary, Chris Pasteryak, Max Zachem, Mike
Willis. Jr, Steve Masse, Keith Rocco, Norm Wrenn, Todd Szegedy, Dylan,
Kopec, Tommy Barrett, Woody Pitkat, Matt Mead, and Ted Christopher.
The 2014 Specialty Awards, chosen by series officials were presented.
Those included Spafco Most Improved Driver: David Schneider, Tough Luck
Award: Matt Mead, Sportsmanship Award: Willie Doucette, Mechanic of the
Year: Kenny Barry, Rookie of the Year: #38 Michael Willis Jr, Dedication to
Racing Award: Norm Wrenn, Volunteer of the Year Award: Ryan Doucette, Above
and Beyond Award: Warren Alston and the Bob Polverari 7-11 Award: Norm
Wrenn.
During their annual series banquet Saturday, Valenti Modified Racing
Series officials announced a tentative 17-race schedule for the 2015. The
schedule includes 14 definite events with the possibility of three more
added whenever the foreclosure issues are decided at the Waterford
Speedbowl.
Three events will be held at the Stafford Motor Speedway (May 22, June 26
and Sept. 4). The series will also compete at the Thompson Speedway as part
of the Sunoco World Series of Speedway Racing on Oct. 17.
Tentatively the season will open on April 18 at Monadnock Speedway in
Winchester, N.H. Other events include Airborne Speedway in Plattsburgh, N.Y.
(May 30), Seekonk (Mass.) Speedway (June 6), Lee USA Speedway in Lee, N.H.
(June 19, Oct. 11), Monadnock (July 4, Aug. 22), Devil’s Bowl Speedway in
Fair Haven, Vt. (July 24), Beech Ridge Speedway in Scarborough Me. (Aug. 1)
and Oxford Plains Speedway in Oxford, Me. (Aug. 29)
On the speedway stock market scene last week all three speedway stocks
ended the week on a positive note. Leading the way was Speedway Motorsports
which went up 1.81 to 21.50. Dover Entertainment went up 0.06 to 2.63 and
the International Speedway Corporation went up 0.02 to 31.50. NASCAR cup
sponsor Sprint dropped 0.27 to 4.85 and NASCAR fuel supplier Sunoco (Energy
Transfer) dropped 0.65 to 64.52 while NASCAR tire supplier Goodyear went up
0.17 to 27.58. Two of the three car builders had a good week. Toyota went up
5.90 to 129.03 and General Motors went up 0.50 to 33.93 while Ford dropped
0.03 to 15.70. In the home improvement sector, Lowes went up 1.03 to 64.86
and Home Depot went up 0.24 to 99.64. With the exception of Dupont which
went up 1.64 to 73.07 and FedEx which went up 3.85 to 182.03 the sponsor
related stocks were down. Coca-Cola dropped 5.22 to 89.34, Target Department
Stores dropped 0.34 to 73.66 and Aarons Rentals dropped 0.58 to 27.80.
On the tube this week: Pickings are
slim!
Wednesday, December 10
5:00 PM, NASCAR America, NBCSN
Thursday, December 11
5:00 PM, NASCAR America, NBCSN
5:00 PM, NASCAR Race Hub, FS1
5:30 PM, How It's Made - Liquor Jugs, Deli Meats, NASCAR Engines, SCI
Friday, December 12
4:30 AM, How It's Made - Impact Wrenches, Marble Sinks, Plantain Chips,
NASCAR Cars, SCI
7:30 AM, How It's Made - Impact Wrenches, Marble Sinks, Plantain Chips,
NASCAR Cars, SCI
5:00 PM, NASCAR America, NBCSN
5:30 PM, How It's Made - Impact Wrenches, Marble Sinks, Plantain Chips,
NASCAR Cars, SCI
That’s about it for this week from 11 Gardner Drive, Westerly, and
R.I.02891. Ring my chimes at 401-596-5467. E-mail:
smithpe_97_97@yahoo.com.
Phil Smith has been a
columnist for Speedway Scene and various
other publications for over 3 decades.
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Source: Phil
Smith / Champ Trail
Posted: December
9, 2014 |
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