The Chrome Horn - Champ Trail with Phil Smith

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

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