Champ Trail -
May 3, 2016 |
The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Series is currently in a mini-spring break.
The tour springs back into action on May 18 at the revamped New
London-Waterford Speedbowl. After two events Doug Coby sits atop the
standings with a one point edge over Timmy Solomito. Six points out of the
lead is Justin Bonsignore who currently sits third. Rowan Pennink, who has
injected new life into the Ole Blu No. 3 of the Boehler family sits in
fourth, some 12 points out of the lead. Rounding out the top five is Chase
Dowling, 19 points out. Sixth thru tenth are Bobby Santos, Donny Lia, Shawn
Solomito, Max Zachem and Matt Swanson.
The New London-Waterford Speedbowl with a fabulous new look is scheduled
to begin their season this coming Saturday night with Blast Off 2016 with
all their regular divisions. Fans and competitors will be greeted by a new
view as the grandstands have been painted, the wooden walls and Armco are
gone with concrete in their place, a new back stretch gate plus upgraded
rest rooms. Track owner Bruce Bemer and track manager Shawn Monahan are
responsible for the new look. A great job by both and their staff.
Keith Rocco has high hopes to keep rolling along at the New
London-Waterford Speedbowl as he intends to build on his record setting
feature win total. Rocco currently has 121 wins at the shoreline oval.
The Stafford Motor Speedway begins its regular Friday night racing season
this coming Friday night, May 6th. Adult General Admission tickets are BOGO.
Bring a friend to the track and buy one adult ticket and get a second ticket
for FREE! The BOGO offer is also valid for General Admission Season Ticket
holders.
The Valenti Modified Racing Series started their 2016 season at the 1/4
mile high banked Monadnock Speedway in Winchester, NH. There were 23 cars
and a packed house of fans on hand for the event. Qualifying heat winners
were Richard Savory, Michael Willis and David Schneider.
Chris Pasteryak scored an impressive win after taking the lead at the half
way mark. Kirk Alexander finished second with Russ Hersey, third. Donnie
Lashua and Jon McKennedy rounded out the top five. Sixth thru tenth were
Todd Patnode, Richard Savory, Woody Pitkat, Colbey Fournier and Mike
Holdridge.
Savory led the opening laps and was in control until passed by Woody
Pitkat on lap 25. Pitkat led until lap 49. Eleven of the original 22
starters were on the lead lap at the finish. Next up for the Valenti
Modifieds is an 80 lapper at the Stafford Motor Speedway on May 20.
The Bowman- Gray stadium in Winston-Salem, NC opened for the season on
Saturday night with the Hayes Jewelers 200. Unfortunately rain prevailed
after 40 laps were completed. The event will resume this coming Saturday
night with Tim Brown and Burt Myers on the front row.
NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour driver Donny Lia made an interesting and
factual observation following this past Sundays NASCAR Sprint Cup event at
Talladega. "Danica's hit would of killed her only 15 yrs ago. It gets
dismissed nowadays. NASCAR, soft walls, Hans, chassis and the seat
manufactures just don't get enough credit anymore. It's taken for granted.
Dale Earnhardt's death did so much more than anyone knows. Sadly many guys
had to die before Sr., before anything got done. In the end his life has
basically saved 100's of other lives." Very well said!
The Seekonk Speedway beat the rain that blanketed New England this past
Sunday. Fred Astle was the opening day Pro Stock winner.
On the speedway stock market scene last week, all three speedway stocks
ended the week on the negative side. The International Speedway Corporation
dropped 0.57 to 33.49 while Speedway Motorsports dropped 0.58 to 17.52 and
Dover Entertainment dropped 0.07 to 2.30. NASCAR tire supplier took a big
hit as they dropped 3.41 to 28.97 while Sunoco (Energy Transfer) dropped
0.87 to 35.42 and NASCAR cup sponsor Sprint dropped 0.31 to 3.43. The auto
makers had another off week. Toyota dropped 0.575 to 101.70. In the home
improvement sector, Home Depot dropped 1.77 to 133.89 while Lowes dropped
0.03 to 76.02. With the exception of McDonalds which went up 0.99 to 126.49,
the big team sponsors stocks were down for the week. Coca-Cola dropped 1.55
to 159.37, Target dropped 2.83 to 79.50, Aarons Rentals dropped 0.33 to
26.21 and Fedex dropped 1.21 to 165.11.
Coming up this weekend is a high-octane, 3-part series that chronicles the
gritty, true story of NASCAR. CMT cable TV network will present the series
in three two hour segments beginning this Sunday night, May 8, at 9:00pm.
On the tube this week:
Thursday, May 5
5:00 PM, NASCAR Race Hub, FOX Sports 1
Friday, May 6
11:30 AM, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Kansas practice, FS1
12:30 PM, NASCAR Race Hub - Weekend Edition, FS1
1:30 PM, NSCS Kansas final practice, FS1
4:30 PM, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Kansas qualifying, FS1
6:00 PM, NASCAR Race Hub - Weekend Edition, FS1
6:30 PM, NSCS Kansas qualifying, FS1
8:00 PM, NCWTS SetUp, FS1
8:30 PM, NCWTS Kansas race, FS1
9:30 PM, American Restoration - NASCAR History 300: Dales of Thunder, FYI
11:00 PM, NCWTS Kansas Post Race Show, FS1
Saturday, May 7
1:30 AM, American Restoration - NASCAR History 300: Dales of Thunder, FYI
4:00 AM, NCWTS Kansas race re-air, FS1
6:30 AM, NSCS Kansas qualifying re-air, FS1
7:00 PM, NASCAR RaceDay, FS1
7:30 PM, NSCS Kansas race, FS1
Sunday, May 8
3:00 AM, NSCS Kansas race re-air, FS1
9:00 PM, NASCAR: The Rise of American Speed, CMT
11:00 PM, NASCAR: The Rise of American Speed, CMT
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.
|
Source: Phil
Smith / Champ Trail
Posted: May
3,
2016 |
|
|