Champ Trail - November 15, 2016

  The highlight of last weekend was induction dinner for the New England Auto Racers (NEAR) Hall of Fame. Among those inducted were drivers Ken Bouchard, Ricky Craven, Randy LaJoie, Jerry Marquis, Nokie Fornoro, George “Moose” Hewitt, Dwight Jarvis, and Fred Meeker, along with broadcaster Jack Arute Jr., multi-faceted John Burgess, and brothers Francis and Freelan Stanley, inventors of the “Stanley Steamer” automobile and former land speed record holders.

  The Stafford Motor Speedway has become the first to announce a date for the 2017 Whelen Modified Tour. The 46th Annual NAPA Auto Parts Spring Sizzler will be held on the weekend of April 28-30. Although their scheduled hasn't been released as yet the Stafford management says there will be 22 races with 10 Touring Series races in 2017. The 2016 Stafford Speedway Awards Banquet will be held this coming Friday night, Nov. 18 at Maneeley's Banquet and Catering in South Windsor, CT.

  A benefit party for Modified competitor Todd Ceravolo was held this past Saturday at the Groton Elks Club in Groton, Ct. Ceravolo was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma cancer in April. He has been battling to beat it ever since. Between 400 to 600 family and friends were on hand for the benefit which was used to help defer medical costs. For eight months its been a battle and Todd is now on the home stretch to a full recovery. Among those on hand was multi time NASCAR Modified and K&N (Busch North) champion Mike Stefanik, Stafford Motor Speedway SK Modified Champion Rowan Pennink, New London-Waterford and Thompson Motorsports Park Champion Keith Rocco and many time Stafford, Waterford and Thompson Track Champion Bob Potter. Noted author and fellow scribe Mark Bones Bourcier was also there.

  The Thompson Motorsports Speedway has announced that the 2016 Championship & Awards Banquet will be held on Saturday, December 17, 2016 at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Ct. The speedway will recognize the top 10 in each division, special awards and crown their champions.

  Modified driver Jeff Goodale announced on FaceBook that he is stepping away as a driver on the Whelen Modified Tour Series. Woody Pitkat will take his seat. He said, " My priorities for next year (2017) are devoted to my family business, Riverhead Building Supply". A business that has given me so much and has given me a life I am forever thankful for. I am so happy to finally give back and make a name for myself within the company. I owe it to my family to be the best asset I can possibly be. Aside from work I wanted to devote more time to my personal life. There is so much to enjoy and so many things in life aside from the racing scene that I would like to experience. I know Ill miss being behind the wheel, but I feel it is in my best interest, that missing it a little is the healthiest thing I can do for myself right now".
  Goodale will remain as team owner. "As for the future of Goodie Motorsports, I am very proud and excited to take a step back and become team owner. I am also pleased to announce our new driver, Woody Pitkat". Goodale is the Assistant Manager at Riverhead Building Supply. Riverhead Building Supply offers fourteen convenient locations including two in Rhode Island in North Kingstown and Middletown.

  On the speedway stock market scene this week, the election of Donald Trump as President of the United States gad a big, positive impact on the stock market. The international Speedway Corporation jumped 3.90 to 36.20 and Speedway Motorsports jumped 1.15 to 20.26 while Dover Entertainment remained stagnant at 2.35. NASCAR fuel supplier Sunoco (Energy Transfer) went up 4.97 to 38.13 while NASCAR tire supplier Goodyear went up 1.46 to 29.25 and NASCAR cup sponsor Sprint went up 0.96 to 7.09. The car manufacturers were all positive. General Motors led the way as they went up 2.86 to 34.02. Toyota went up 1.39 to 111.95 and Ford went up 0.94 to 12.28. In the home improvement sector, Home Depot went up 8.94 to 128.85 and Lowes went up 3.48 to 69.73. The big teams sponsor's stocks had a banner week. McDonalds went up 3.18 to 114.22, Coca-Cola soared 26.92 to 167.48, Target went up 4.82 to 71.35, Aarons Rentals went up 2.21 to 27.47 and Fedex went up 8.89 to 183.69.

  On the tube this week:

  Thursday, November 17
1:30 AM, NASCAR The Season, NBC Sports Net
6:00 AM, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Phoenix race re-air, FOX Sports 1
6:00 PM, NASCAR America, NBCSN
6:00 PM, NASCAR Race Hub, FS1
7:00 PM, NASCAR The Season, NBCSN

  Friday, November 18
8:30 AM, NCWTS Homestead practice, FS1
10:30 AM, NCWTS Homestead final practice, FS1
12:30 PM, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Homestead practice, NBCSN
2:00 PM, NASCAR Xfinity Series Homestead practice, NBCSN
3:30 PM, NCWTS Homestead qualifying, FS1
5:00 PM, NXS Homestead final practice, NBCSN
6:00 PM, NSCS Homestead qualifying, NBCSN
7:30 PM, NCWTS SetUp, FS1
8:00 PM, NCWTS Homestead race, FS1

  Saturday, November 19
12:00 AM, NSCS Homestead qualifying re-air, NBCSN
6:00 AM, NCWTS Homestead race re-air, FS1
12:30 PM, NASCAR America, NBCSN
1:00 PM, NSCS Homestead final practice, NBCSN
2:00 PM, NASCAR America, NBCSN
3:00 PM, NXS Countdown, NBCSN
3:30 PM, NXS Homestead race, NBCSN
6:30 PM, NXS Post Race Show, NBCSN

  Sunday, November 20
12:30 AM, NSCS Homestead qualifying re-air, NBCSN
2:00 AM, NSCS Homestead final practice re-air, NBCSN
11:30 AM, NASCAR RaceDay, FS1
1:30 PM, NASCAR America Sunday, NBC
2:00 PM Myrtle Beach 400 Modifieds and Late Models FansChoice.TV
2:00 PM, NSCS Countdown, NBC
2:30 PM, NASCAR Hot Pass, NBCSN
2:45 PM, NSCS Homestead race, NBC
7:00 PM, NSCS Post Race Show, NBCSN
8:00 PM, NASCAR Victory Lap, NBCSN
10:30 PM, NASCAR Victory Lane, FS1

   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: November 15, 2016