Right Coast News

Michael Barnes “Plum Ready” for Full Schedule at Oswego Speedway

February 22, 2012 By Bobby G Leave a Comment

“The Hustler” Takes Over Seat of Plum Crazy No. 99 Supermodified

By Danny Johnson Oswego Speedway Reporter

OSWEGO, NY (February 22) – “We want to finish races, have fun, and roll it on the trailer at the end of the night,” is how veteran Novelis Supermodified driver Michael Barnes described what he is looking for out of his 2012 Novelis Supermodified season at Oswego Speedway. “That’s how we’re looking at it. Of course we want to run well and win races, but we all get along and have fun. The way I’m looking at it is, this is my sophomore year of Supermodified racing at Oswego Speedway.“

Pat Strong has picked Michael Barnes as Joey Payne's replacement in the "Plum Crazy" 99 for the 2012 Oswego Speedway season. Photo by RG Design

Michael was tabbed by Pat and Terry Strong midway through the 2011 season to be the wheelman for the newer car out of the Plum Crazy stable. “I can’t thank Pat and Terry enough,” Michael said with gratitude. “They gave me a chance to drive their second car, the newer car last year. They put the car together in ’09, but it didn’t see much track time.”

“Joey (Payne) was happy with the older car, and was confident in what the older car could do. Pat and Terry were looking for someone to get in the newer car, and get the bugs worked out of it.”

Michael looked back at the journey for himself and the newer 99 in 2011. “It was a pretty good run at the end of the year,” he reminisced. “The first few weeks it was decent. It was ok, but there was something that wasn’t quite right with it. I wasn’t totally comfortable in it, and that was my fault. I wanted to get in it, and was more worried about diagnosing the car, as opposed to being comfortable. I was more worried about getting the car to work better.”

“I was sliding around in the seat, not taking the time to make the adjustments needed,” he added. “Once I took the time to fix the seat, and be comfortable, it was like slipping a switch. Then at the same time, Pat found an issue with the car too. Instantly, we picked up a half second.”

Michael Barnes races ahead of his former Double Deuce Racing ride driven by Pat Lavery in the 25th Annual Mr. Supermodified event at Oswego Speedway in 2011. Photo by RG Design

Michael continued. “The $10,000 to win show, we started 9th, and Joey was up near the front. He led, and we got up to third. The team cars were running really well, and I remember it well. It was lap 22; there was a red flag. The team cars were first and third, but Pat wasn’t happy. That was when Joey had the flat tire costing him a possible win. Then Otto got by me, and the stagger on the car went away, I couldn’t turn the car. Tires that night cost us two podium finishes.”

Despite that night, the Strong Team was happy with their newer creation. “We were pretty happy”, Michael looked back. “Other than typical Michael Barnes bad luck, we did ok. We had fuel pick up problems one night, drove over Otto on a restart another, but all in all, we were happy with the car.”

“This year, we’re going as a one car team,” Michael said looking a few months ahead. “That’s the game plan so far. We’ll work on it tune it, and see what we can get out of it. It’s a really good car, and they are a really great bunch to work with.”
The backbone of any race team is the crew, and that fact isn’t lost on the 3-time Novelis Supermodified feature winner. “Pat has a great crew with him,” Michael said. “They all do a great job. They are a great bunch of guys, very dedicated, and have a very good car to work with.”

SEE MORE PHOTOS OF THE STRONG RACING “PLUM CRAZY” 99 HERE

“It’s really cool, we enjoy going to the shop. We go over on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, we golf on Thursday, and usually we have Friday off,” Michael said of their maintenance schedule. “We don’t mind maintaining them, but don’t like to fix them. Maintaining the cars, you can look for a tenth here or there, fixing them you have to work just to get it back together, that’s not fun.”

Michael Barnes at speed in the Strong Racing 99. Photo by Pinner

Michael Barnes at speed in the Strong Racing 99. Photo by Mike "Pinner" Johnson

“We had a fun year last year.” Michael mentioned. “I can’t thank Pat, Terry and the guys on the crew enough. They took a chance on me when a lot of people wouldn’t. They did. That means so much to me. This is my second season of racing at Oswego Speedway, and we’re really excited about it. We’re looking for a really good year, and we can’t wait to get started.

The 2012 racing season at Oswego Speedway begins May 5^th. Events run May through September on most Saturday nights, culminating with the Fall Championship 75 on September 15^th.

The annual Speedway open practice is scheduled for April 28^th.

Advertising opportunities with the Speedway are still readily available. If you or your business would be interested in marketing with the Speedway please e-mail dbond@oswegospeedway.com.

For more information on Oswego Speedway be sure to visit www.oswegospeedway.com. You can also LIKE the (Official) Oswego Speedway page on Facebook, or FOLLOW on Twitter @OswegoSpeedway. To purchase tickets or order merchandise please call the Speedway box office at (315) 342-0646.

Michael Barnes – Oswego Statistics

Career Supermodified Wins	(3), Tied 43rd All-Time (First: August 5, 2006 – Last: June 30, 2007)
Top5 Supermodified Finishes	(9), Tied 92nd All-Time (First: July 8, 2006 – Last: August 18, 2007)
Career SBS Wins	(3), Tied for 24th All-Time (First: June 18, 2005 – Last: June 17, 2006)

About Oswego Speedway: Oswego Speedway, a sports entertainment company, is a 5/8 mile semi-banked pavement racing oval located off the shores of Lake Ontario in scenic Oswego, NY. Oswego Speedway has been a continuously run weekly racing venue since August, 1951. The premier open-wheel pavement short track cars in the world, Supermodifieds, run weekly at Oswego Speedway making Oswego the only weekly Supermodified racing venue in the world. The Small Block Supermodifieds accompany the full blown Supers on a weekly Saturday night schedule which runs from May through September. Oswego Speedway is mentioned in racing circles as the “Indy of the East,” as no fewer than a dozen past and present competitors have competed at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway including Mario Andretti, arguably the greatest driver of all time, two-time Indy 500 champion Gordon Johncock, along with former International Classic Champions Bentley Warren, Joe Gosek, and Davey Hamilton.

Popularity: unranked

Filed Under: News, Right Coast News Tagged With: Michael Barnes, oswego speedway, Strong Racing

Oswego Speedway Old Timers Update

January 31, 2012 By Bobby G Leave a Comment

“More Than Just Memories”

January 30, 2012….Unfortunately we have some very sad news to pass along to you.

Jimmy Warren, son of supermodified ace Bentley Warren, passed away on Saturday, January 28th. We have very few details to tell you other than services for Jimmy are tentatively set for February 11th. For updated information please check the following websites:

www.gosupers.com

www.oswegospeedwayoldtimers.com

We also received the sad news yesterday that former supermodified car owner Lester “Hot Rod” Baird passed away in November. Oswego fans may best remember him competing at the Big O with Eldon Schrader in his red number 20 super back in the sixties. He had one of the most colorful personalities the sport had ever seen!!! Hot Rod, as he was so affectionately called, was 92.

On behalf of all our Oswego Speedway Old Timers family we send our most sincere condolences to both families.

Popularity: 2%

Filed Under: News, Right Coast News Tagged With: Jimmy Warren, Lester Baird, Oswego Speedway Old Timers

29TH ANNUAL ISMA AWARDS BANQUET HELD NOVEMBER 5TH

November 7, 2011 By Bobby G Leave a Comment

By Carol Haynes
Verona, NY – The Turning Stone Casino Cypress Room served as the backdrop for the 29th annual ISMA Awards banquet Saturday night, November 5th with many being honors for their 2011 achievements. Anne Schaefer, ISMA Auxiliary chairperson, served as Master of Ceremonies and after the awards, Ron Gray’s Millennium Music provided the music.

The top 20 owners and drivers in the final point standings received plaques and checks to start off the ceremonies. The 2011 Car Owner champion Vic Miller and the 2011 Driver champion Russ Wood were presented trophies and a jacket denoting their titles. The Driver Point Fund sponsors were recognized by Kathy Harrington, who spearheads the endeavor.

The Slice n Go Deli Mechanic of the Year $500 check and jacket went to a very deserving Rich Witkum Jr. who helped driver Jeff Locke pilot the 37 car to a fifth place in the standings.

The Randy Witkum Memorial Rookie of the Year award, sponsored by EF Shea Concrete, went to Dan Bowes who had a successful inaugural year finishing 13th in the standings with his 18 super.

The Most Improved Driver plaque went to 2010 Rookie of the Year Joey Scanlon who drove the Budnick 88 to a 12th place position in points. Car owner Budnick, who had announced his retirement at the end of this season, was also honored with a Special Recognition award for his longtime support of the ISMA organization. He also won the BS&B Radiator by luck of the draw. Budnick deservedly capped off the night by taking home the Jim Soule Award as presented by Dan Soule.

The Gater Racing News Fan’s Choice Most Popular Driver went to Canadian Mike Lichty, third place finisher in the ISMA point, as voted on by the fans.

Eddie Witkum Jr., driver of the Lane 97, took home a new helmet courtesy of Seymour Enterprises while 8-time ISMA champion Russ Wood claimed the 2011 Achievement award.

The Vic Miller number 11 crew was honors as 2011 Crew of the Year receiving shirts from sponsor Race Threads.

Marsha Gadzera won the Lois Matczak Memorial award and was also voted in as the new ISMA Vice President. Marsha and her husband Tony surprised Carol Haynes and Jim Feeney with beautiful watches in recognition for their longtime association with ISMA.

And last but not least, Tony Sammut, father of Mark Sammut, won the coveted Jim Shampine award for his efforts on his son’s 78 supermodified.

A host of excellent door prizes were taken home by many lucky winners thanks to Burke’s Home Center Eagle Beverage, Gater Racing News, Kathy Harrington, the ISMA Novelty trailer Tony and Marsha Gadzera, Essex Seafood, Jerry and Mary Lou Kritzman, Miller Racing 11, Mitchell’s Speedway Press, Murray’s Transmission, Oswego Speedway, PATCO Transportation, Racing Against Cancer, Bud and Barb Skinner, Turning Stone and Woody’s Automotive.

Earlier in the day, at the General Membership meeting, Howie Lane discussed a tentative 13- event 2012 ISMA schedule and Race Director Jerry Kritzman noted only one rule change that would become effective next season.

The ISMA Auxiliary were applauded for helping make the banquet a success.

Popularity: 4%

Filed Under: News, Right Coast News Tagged With: Bruce Budnick, Chris Perley, Eddie Witkum Jr, ISMA, mike lichty, News, russ wood, Vic Miller

CALLING HOURS AND SERVICE FOR RICKY MOORE

October 20, 2011 By Bobby G Leave a Comment

Last weekend, ISMA lost a very good friend, a fine gentleman and a person who was an integral part of our racing fraternity when Ricky Moore of R&R Engines passed away unexpectedly. Our sincere condolences go out to his family and friends.

Calling hours will be Thursday, Oct. 20 from 4 pm to 8 pm at the Peabody Funeral Home, 290 Mammoth Road (Rt. 128), Londonderry, NH. Funeral services will be held at 10 am on Friday, Oct. 21.

Further information may be obtained at www.peabodyfuneralhome.com.

Popularity: 4%

Filed Under: News, Right Coast News Tagged With: Ricky Moore

Chris Perley Takes Fifth Straight World Series ISMA 50

October 16, 2011 By Bobby G Leave a Comment

DOMINATES FOR NINTH OVERALL THOMPSON SÙPERMODIFIED VICTORY SINCE 2000

By Carol Haynes

Chris Perley enjoys another ISMA victory lane celebration at Thompson International Speedway. Photo by RG Design

10.16.11 Thompson, CT – It wasn’t a tremendous surprise to anyone when Chris Perley pulled the Vic Miller 11 into victory lane on Sunday at Thompson Speedway. After all he’d been there eight times before. His first World Series ISMA 50 win came on Oct. 15, 2000 and he’s only been out of the winner’s circle at that Connecticut oval three times since. He only took seven laps to move into the frontrunner spot from his 11th place starting position. His complete domination of the supermodified portion of the famous Thompson World Series is undeniable, as the record books show, but Perley himself can’t quite explain why.

He shook his head in victory lane and admitted, “I don’t think the domination here has a lot to do with me. Every time we unload here I just can’t believe it. I just sit in the car and drive it. The car seems to love it here. I don’t know what to say really. We don’t break down. The crew gives me an awesome car. Thompson has been just great to come to every year. I kind of wish we came here more often but I wouldn’t want to take anything away from what we have right now. I don’t want to wear it out. It’s just incredible. Happy to see the weather came out great this weekend and all the fans who all came out to see us. I’m happy my family made it too. It’s just that I have a great car, great sponsors, great motors for a great track and it’s a great day. Congratulations to my car owner Vic Miller on his seventh ISMA car owner title. It was great to race for him when I could this year and it’s been great every year. You just can’t beat all of this.”

Having an exciting run to finish second was Raymond, NH’s Jeff Locke who got to lead one lap before the 11 stormed by. Locke had some strong challenges, especially toward the end of the 50-lapper from Timmy Jedrzejek, but he held onto the runner-up spot. He said after the race, “This was awesome. I have to thank Richard (Witkum). The car was really good. I didn’t have a whole lot for Chris. I could stay with him but that was about it. Congratulations to him and the whole team. They obviously have this place figured out. I’m really happy to come home second. I have to thank my father and my family for sticking with me. This is a great finish to a pretty crummy year for us. I’m very happy.”

Also very happy was third place finisher who finished up a pretty good year with his new car owner Dan Soule. “This was a real good run for us. The whole team did a great job today. We adjust yesterday and I hadn’t been to this place in ten or twelve years. So we’re pleased with what we have as a crew. We started off the race a little slow and I think I dropped back maybe to tenth or so. Then the car started to come to me and we weren’t so concerned about being fast at the start of the race but we knew we had to be fast at the end. I thought Jeff and I had a pretty good battle for a while there for second. I just couldn’t hold it with him. I’d get there on those last couple restarts and he’d just pull back around me on the next lap and then I couldn’t do anything after that. Congratulations to Chris and Jeff for first and second and we’ll go happily home to Ohio with third.”

Action Early

26 ISMA supers started the Thompson World Series. Photo by RG Design

Canadian Craig Rayvals had the pole for the ISMA 50 and took advantage of the spot to take the early lead but on lap 7 the 37 of Locke took over and only one lap later Perley absconded with the point and the eventual win. Locke would have to contend with a strong runner Jon Gambuti in his 14, a former Cicconi-owned machine. Behind Jon were the likes of Rob Summers, Rayvals, Mike Lichty, Johnny Benson, Jedrzejek and Russ Wood.

Dave Sanborn, in the Lane 9, flew the first yellow on lap 15 with several pit stops made in the ensuing slowdown by Ben Seitz, Brandon Bellinger and then Johnny Benson Jr. Benson had unintentionally tagged his own teammate Lichty, cutting a tire.

The restart attempt brought out another yellow when Bob Bond grazed the front straight cement wall and was hooked out of the event. Ray Graham Jr. also parked the 90 and Louie Cicconi, driving the deRitis 66, another of the Aston, PA driver’s previous machines, also called it a day.

Enjoy Shots from Saturday’s Action-HERE

Finally back underway, it was Perley pulling away from Locke and Summers putting Gambuti back a spot into fourth. The 11, which was on rails was ticking off some 16.6 second laps, but Chris wasn’t pulling totally away from Locke, but not really threatened either.

At the midway mark, it was Perley, Locke, Summers, Jedrzejek, Lichty, Jon McKennedy, Gambuti and Witkum, working his way up from 23rd starting spot.

Just prior to lap 30, Benson pulled the 74 pit side and a lap later, Summers followed suit out of third. Overheating caused the demise of the 35.

The long, quick green run found Perley well in command with Locke, Timmy J, Lichty and McKennedy, the top five. Witkum and Wood were next in line trailed by Oswego regular Brian Sobus, Mark Sammut, Gambuti and Joey Scanlon.

Yellow flew on lap 35 when the 28 of Bob Dawson puffed an ominous cloud which turned out to be just water. On lap 40 Dan Bowes caused another slowdown and one lap later it was Moe Lilje’s turn to drop the flag.

Lichty and Witkum Finish in the Top Five

These last couple of restarts bunched the field and although Perley pulled away cleanly, some torrid racing ensued between Locke and Jedrzejek and Lichty and Witkum, which continued to race end. At the checkered Perley had done it again, picking up his fifth in a row with Locke, Jedrzejek, Lichty and Witkum the top five.

Lichty, in his first ride at Thompson in the car he’d taken to a King of Wings win at Oswego, said of his fourth place. “For what we had all day yesterday after bringing a new car that I’ve never driven here which is definitely a fast place, we were out to lunch. I was better in the heat race yesterday but the wing kept coming over center and I just adjusted way too far on the wing. I wasn’t letting it come down enough and that’s what killed us today. Our straightaway speed was definitely not there. But, the car was decent. We started out a little loose but I think if the wing came down we would have gained more positions. I just have to thank dad, Craig Reed, Dickie, the whole crew and my beautiful car owner Raven Reed Racing. It’s the last race and it was a bummer because now we have to wait five months now to go racing.”

Witkum was more than pleased with his fifth, which unofficially earned him an extra $100 donated by Bio-Based.us as the Hard Charger. “It wasn’t a bad race for me at all. After not running the heat race and starting 23rd, fifth feels like a win. The guys did a great job. I have to thank Howie, my Uncle Bob, Pete, Wally, Tony everybody just kept the think in one piece and I had to do my job. So, that’s all I could get out of it. We traded a little paint with Lichty battling for fourth but that’s okay. He was a little bit better than I was. He was a little loose off and I was tight off.”

Russ Wood, Mark Sammut, Joey Scanlon, Jon Gambuti and Dan Bowes rounded out the top ten.

Vic Miller is Crowned ISMA Champion

Vic Miller, whose 11 car was credited with 7 wins in 2011 thanks to Perley and Lou Cicconi, has clinched the ISMA Car Owner of the year title, his seventh. He said briefly amidst the chaos of pits at tech, “That was a great run Chris had here today. I finished up a good year. I wish he could have run all the races this year, but we had a bunch of different guys that really helped out like Louie Cicconi, Vern Romanoski and Otto Sitterly, so it was a great year. We’re really happy. It couldn’t have been better. And, it’s great to get a 7th car owner title.”

In his hauler, Russ Wood also acknowledged what should be his 8th ISMA Driver Championship and giving his car owner Jeff Holbrook a runner-up spot in the Car Owner division. “We finished sixth today and we did what we had to do. Everybody did a good job and we’re just happy to get the driver’s points deal. Congratulations to Chris and Vic. They had a really super year. That’s about it. It’s over and done with and now we relax. It’s a little odd to be the driver champion and have someone else be the owner champion but it’s a team sport and even though it’s a driver’s championship, this team is 100 percent behind it. So it is what it is. Even though we made the sacrifice to go to all the races, we did well and this is the end result. We’ll take it.”

See the entire ISMA Thompson World Series Photo Gallery-HERE

Summary ISMA Event #14. Thompson Sunoco World Series
Heat 1: Chris Perley, Johnny Benson, Timmy Jedrzejek, Craig Rayvals, Jamie Timmons, Ray Graham, Jr., Dave Duggan, Brian Sobus, Joey Scanlon (dnf).
Heat 2: Jeff Locke, Jon Gambuti, Russ Wood, Mike Lichty, Mark Sammut, Dave Sanborn Moe Lilje, Bob Bond, Kody Graham
Heat 3: Ben Seitz, Rob Summers, Jon McKennedy, Bob Dawson, Lou Cicconi, Brandon Bellinger, Justin Belfiore, Eddie Witkum and Dan Bowes (last 2 dns).
ISMA 50:
1. Chris Perley (11), 2. Jeff Locke (37), 3. Timmy Jedrzejek (32), 4. Mike Lichty (84), 5. Eddie Witkum Jr. (97), 6. Russ Wood (29), 7. Mark Sammut (78), 8. Joey Scanlon (88), 9. Jon Gambuti (14), 10. Dan Bowes (18), 11. Craig Rayvals (04), 12. Kody Graham (21), 13. Jamie Timmons (27), 14. Brian Sobus (79x), 15. Brandon Bellinger (02), 16. Dave Duggan (51), 17. Moe Lilje (08), 18. Jon McKennedy (79), 19. Bobby Dawson (28), 20. Rob Summers (35), 21. Johnny Benson Jr. (74), 22. Ray Graham Jr. (90), 23. Bobby Bond (25), 24. Ben Seitz (17), 25. Dave Sanborn (9), 26. Lou Cicconi (66)

Popularity: 5%

Filed Under: News, Right Coast News Tagged With: Chris Perley, ISMA, Jeff Locke, Thompson International Speedway, Tim Jedrzejek

JOHNNY BENSON JR. PICKS UP SECOND STRAIGHT RACING AGAINST CANCER 100 AT SEEKONK

October 3, 2011 By Bobby G Leave a Comment

By Carol Haynes

Seekonk, MA – Last year Johnny Benson Jr. of NASCAR truck fame, came to Seekonk Speedway for the first time to compete in the ISMA 100. He left Seekonk with his career-first ISMA victory after an exciting battle with Chris Perley to the end of the 1st annual Racing Against Cancer 100. Benson duplicated his feat Sunday at the Cement Palace with a few different adversaries, but an equally awesome run. Benson was able to present the $2500 ISMA check once again to the Racing Against Cancer effort and he also participated in the Cancer Team Walk on Saturday for one fulfilling weekend.

The former NASCAR Camping World truck champ started 7th in the field of 26 potent supermodifieds and had to work by Eddie Witkum Jr, swap the top spot with 7-time ISMA champ Russ Wood and then spend over half the race fending off the torrid advances of Louie Cicconi in his newly-purchased Vic Miller machine, a car which Cicconi had taken to two wins in 2011 while subbing for Chris Perley. Benson was finally able to clear some heavy traffic with less than five to go, leaving second place finisher Russ Wood a couple car lengths behind at the checkers.

Benson mentioned the traffic factor in victory lane, “I would have liked to see some open traffic in those last laps. I’ve got to thank Brad and Mike Lichty, Reggie, Duane and all the guys that work on the 74. The thing was pretty good tonight. I began to think toward the end there that I might have used it up more than I wanted to, but it just felt good. I remember from last year that you could run the car pretty hard here so that’s what we did.

“But those last 15 laps were pretty spectacular. The car was getting loose and sliding around pretty good. But I’m sure the other guys were doing the same thing. I don’t know if it was Russ or Louie who got beside me there but that woke me up. You have to be patient in traffic. You have to keep tires on the car. Sometimes you come up on guys and you kind of surprise them. You kind of click through when you do. When somebody puts the pressure on, then you have to go. I probably took a few chances out there, but outside that we did pretty good.

“Again I have to thank Brad, Patco Transportation and the whole Lichty family for giving me this opportunity and to Gary Sagar for having me come up here two years in a row. The hospitality has been great. The walk they had for Breast Cancer was a pretty cool success. It’s been a good time this week. We appreciate everybody who has helped the cause. On behalf of ISMA, I get to present the check for $2500 for Racing Against Cancer. There are a lot of great people who help make this happen. It was great to be a huge part even though I only walked 25 laps!”

Russ Wood, who actually led the race briefly, and then had to get by Louie Cicconi late in the race for second, commented, “It was a pretty fun race there. Johnny won here last year and I think he’s got this place down pat. We were good and then we were bad. I was having fun in traffic. I had a ball. Thanks to Gary from Kraze Korlacki Speed Equipment for putting this on and to everybody who has given to Racing Against Cancer this year. Every little bit helps.”

Rob Summers, in the thick of things all race long, came across in third after Cicconi got some help for a late race bobble. Said Summers, “I was running pretty good but toward the end of the race I got in a bad lane and got shuffled back. Then we were able to get back toward the front again. Russ was good but none of us were as good as Johnny. He owns this place. I can’t thank enough Jeff Holbrook, Russ Wood, JWJ Enterprises, Brian Allegresso and all these guys who gave me a great car tonight.”

The ISMA 100, which had been delayed a day due to bad weather forecasts, got underway just after 5 pm on Sunday with Dave Sanborn and Mike Ordway Jr. leading the strong 26-car field down to green. Sanborn took the early lead but his teammate Eddie Witkum Jr. came up and stole his thunder on lap 5.

Witkum survived a couple cautions for spins in those early laps but soon had Benson bearing down on his 97, until Russ Wood stepped in to give Benson a battle.

First Wood got Benson, then Benson got Wood, and then Wood got both Benson and Witkum to lead lap 28. But, that was the only lap Wood led. Shortly thereafter, both Witkum and Benson maneuvered through a pack of cars to put Wood back in third and Eddie back in the lead. Coming on strong in the meantime was Louie Cicconi, trailed by Justin Belfiore and Rob Summers

On lap 31, Benson put the Lichty 74 into the lead thanks to some more traffic and the race was on. A quick yellow for Brandon Bellinger one lap later bunched up the field, but Benson was able to pull slightly ahead on the restart.

By lap 35, Johnny was back chomping at the tail of the field at the quick third mile oval. Wood followed Benson through, diving high and low with Cicconi doing likewise. Witkum held fourth now ahead of Summers and Belfiore, trailed by Mike Lichty, Chris Perley and Jon McKennedy.

On lap 44, Cicconi, in one hairy, breath-taking move in traffic, got by Wood for second.

Just prior to the half way mark, things tightened up as yellow fell for Oswego Classic champ Otto Sitterly who had bounced off the track. Several cars pitted during the time including Mike Lichty. Things got underway, only to slow up again when Jeff Locke repeated Sitterly’s spin.

A lot of water and dirt had been kicked up on the speedway and the race was red flagged for cleanup and a quick refueling due to the number of caution laps already run.

The race went green again on lap 55 and Benson was off like a shot, knowing Cicconi and Wood were right there now trailed by Summers and Perley. Minutes later Benson approached a tangle of cars, which put Cicconi right on his tail again.

Cicconi throwing every trick from a long playbook, took the advantage on lap 71 but Benson played the trump card and was back in front on lap 72. Johnny was able to put a couple car roadblock on Cicconi but Lou jumped it and was back on Benson’s tail at the 20 to go mark, not leaving out Wood, Summers, McKennedy and Perley by any means.

With 8 laps to go the excitement escalated if that was possible as Benson hit another traffic wall, allowing Cicconi to catch right up again. With five to go, Benson had cleared a path through and one lap later Wood get by Cicconi in the cat and mouse chase leaving Summers, Cicconi, McKennedy and Perley not far behind.

With three laps to go, Cicconi suddenly appeared to slide up the track losing a couple valuable spots to Summers and McKennedy. After finishing sixth, Cicconi said on those last laps, “I was running with Benson. I thought I was going to get a shot in lap traffic. Actually, I did get by him but I didn’t take his line away and I should have. He runs me so clean. Then we were going through that heavy lap traffic and Jonathan McKennedy made a right turn into me, hit me and almost spun me out. I was able to hold on though.”

Benson came through the last two laps unscathed with Wood and Summers chasing for the top three spots. McKennedy and Perley finished up the top five.

McKennedy commented later, “We had a good car. I want to thank Paul and Helen Dunigan for letting me run the car again. At the beginning of the race, the car was a little bit tight – it might have been all the fuel. Chris and I had a pretty good race back and forth there. It was fun racing with him. … good clean racing. We were able to catch up to Russell and Robbie but at that point the race was over. Congratulations to Johnny on his second win in a row here.”

Perley, who watched as his second Vic Miller ride for years, left the stable for the Cicconi garage, said of his run, it was round and round for 100 laps. Let’s see here. At Star we finished second and we were wondering what was wrong with the car. It was good but it was a good second place car. We came here and the car was good all day but it wasn’t quite what we’re used to I guess you could say. We worked on it and I think we did the best we could. I was really happy with a fifth after starting fourteenth, but now we think we know what it is. So, we’re going to go home and cut it up. But I’m happy. The car ran the whole 100 laps. It was a tough race and it was fun racing with everybody. Everybody raced clean. Traffic was tough which made it fun. Fifth is good. We’ll take it.”

Lou Cicconi, Bob Bond, Mark Sammut, Dan Bowes and Jon Gambuti rounded out the top ten.

Notes…ISMA’s $2500 donation to Racing Against Cancer came from a share of their purse for the night’s feature… Rick Wentworth, driver/owner of car 10 gave all of his earnings for the night to Racing Against Cancer…Russ Wood gave his second place trophy to a young man, Austin Hayes, who was a young cancer survivor fan…ISMA’s season finale comes at Thompson Speedway on Oct 14-16…

Summary ISMA Event #13
Racing Against Cancer 100
Sunday, Oct. 2, 2011
Heat 1 – Justin Belfiore, Mike Lichty, Dave Sanborn, Jamie Timmons, Jon McKennedy, Otto Sitterly, Joey Scanlon, Bob Magner, Rick Wentworth
Heat 2: Russ Wood, Johnny Benson, Lou Cicconi, Eddie Witkum, Chris Perley, Dan Bowes, Ben Seitz, Brandon Bellinger, Dave Duggan
Heat 3: Jeff Abold, Mike Ordway Sr., Rob Summers, Jon Gambuti, Mark Sammut, Jeff Locke, Bob Bond, Dave Danzer, Bob Dawson
RAC 100: 1. Johnny Benson Jr. (74), 2. Russ Wood (29), 3. Rob Summers (35), 4. Jon McKennedy (79) 5. Chris Perley (11), 6. Lou Cicconi (75), 7. Bob Bond (25), 8. Mark Sammut (78), 9. Dan Bowes (18), 10. Jon Gambuti (14), 11. Jeff Locke (37), 12. Eddie Witkum Jr. (97) 13. Mike Lichty (84), 14. Joey Scanlon (88), 15. Dave Sanborn (9), 16. Bobby Dawson (28), 17. Bobby Magner (40), 18. Brandon Bellinger (02), 19. Rick Wentworth (10), 20. Jeff Abold (04), 21. Ben Seitz (17), 22. Jamie Timmons (27), 23. Justin Belfiore (98), 24. Otto Sitterly (7) 25. Mike Ordway Sr. (61), 26. Dave Danzer (52).

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Filed Under: News, Right Coast News Tagged With: ISMA, Johnny Benson Jr, Racing Against Cancer, Rob Summers, russ wood, Seekonk Speedway

RUSS WOOD PICKS UP SIXTH STAR CLASSIC WIN

September 11, 2011 By Bobby G Leave a Comment

Leads every lap and ties legendary Bentley Warren for all time Star Classic wins

By Carol Haynes

Epping, NH – A huge throng of fans turned out to watch the rebirth of the traditional Star Classic and they weren’t disappointed. It was a classic race! And, it was a perfect day for Russ Wood at Star Speedway Saturday. He led all 150 green flag laps, collecting the lion’s share of the over $10,000 in lap money and bonuses, plus the $5,000 winner’s share of the purse. It had not been a great year for the Holbrook-Wood team until then, with a blown motor almost keeping Wood out of a race he’d won five times over the years. Then a borrowed motor from fellow competitor Howie Lane, made it all happen. Wood, by virtue of time trials and handicapping, sat on the pole and he took full advantage of the position. Taking off with first his teammate Rob Summers, then five-time Classic winner Chris Perley challenging the entire distance, Wood was able to stay out front through traffic and cautions. It was a very big boost to what has been a declining season of late.

Russ, amidst a huge throng of well-wishers, said in victory lane. “I want to thank Howie Lane for our borrowed motor. Without that we wouldn’t be here. Thanks to Jeff Holbrook and the entire crew for working so hard, my parents and wife and kids – everyone whose supported us this year. We’ve had an up and down year. This makes it all worthwhile.”

With a lot of lap money and a halfway bonus of $1,000 to give incentive, Russ mapped out his strategy. “I was kind of thinking lap money at the beginning. I knew Chris would be coming. I figured he’d blow right by me. But, my car was really not bad. We borrowed a motor from Howie and it was good on power. I can’t believe that we held off Chris. I knew when he got close. I saw the flashes from the cameras. I was just saying, ‘let me pull this off and help us make up for some of the year’. This is awesome, beating Chris and Jonathon. They were fast. Just beating them was something. And, to tie Bentley with six Classic wins is pretty special. It’s not a bad position to be in to be tied with him. I love racing here and I love this race. Thanks for everyone who came out to watch.”

The driver behind Wood for 100 of the 150 lap grind was Chris Perley, who also went into the race with five previous wins of the prestigious event and who was the opponent Russ feared the most. Perley was happy finishing second in a race he deemed as fun.

“This was a great run. I got tight early and didn’t know if it would get better or worse and it got worse. But, it was tough racing. I was able to stay with Russ for most of the race and kept him honest. Lap traffic was tough. It was a good one and a lot of fun. I’m happy to bring the car home in one piece and head on to the next shot. Congratulations to Russ. He did good. It’s nice to race with Russ. It always is. The track was fun, the crowd looked good… it’s nice to be back to the old stomping grounds.”

Taking the third podium finish was Chelmsford’s Jon McKennedy, who doesn’t race supers very often, but when he does, his record is an enviable one. He commented after his run, “We had a good run. We started twelfth and worked our way up to third. It was a tough race. We had a bunch of cautions and a lot of lap cars between every one. Overall it was a good day. It’s the first time we brought the car out all season. We set fast time and due to the handicapping, we had to start twelfth.

“I would have liked to win. This is my third Classic in a row and we’ve been close all three times. At the end of the race we had a pretty good car but it took four or five laps to get going after a caution. Once the tires got hot and the stagger shrunk down, the car would come back to life. Congratulations to Russell. He’s the master around this place. He’s raced here for many years. It’s good to see him win.”

Sixteen cars were locked in from time trials with the top twelve handicapped by ISMA rules. The consi finished lined up the rest of the field. With some bad finishes in the past few races, veteran Russ Wood and teammate Rob Summers made up the front row in the 24-car field. It was Wood taking the point from the green, a spot he would not relinquish.

An early caution for Ben Seitz slowed the pace but green flowed after as Wood and Summers tried to shake off Eddie Witkum, Johnny Benson and quickly up from tenth, Chris Perley.

Traffic soon came into play on the famed bullring as Wood began to lap cars by lap ten as Summers followed. Perley was third a distance behind the lead duo when yellow fell again on lap 22 for Dave Sanborn in the Lane 9.

The slowdown allowed Perley to close the gap on Wood and Summers as Benson, Witkum, Justin Belfiore, Mike Lichty and McKennedy threaded through the traffic left by the leaders as the race stayed green for a long spell.

Just before the lap 50 mark, Perley moved up on Summers as Wood was struggling with a trio of slower cars ahead. On lap 49, Perley became the nemesis for Wood and it would be all their ballgame for the next 100 laps.

Yellow flew again on lap 56 when Dave Duggan’s 51 was into the wall in four. Justin Belfiore pulled the 98 pitside at this juncture, not to return. On the restart of his mishap, Johnny Benson stopped the Lichty-owned 74 coming out of turn one and he too was out for the night.

Wood and Perley, two of supermodified’s greatest, showed the large crowd on hand, why they should be so named. The red 29 and the black 11 diced in and out of traffic in awesome fashion as they headed for lap 75 and an extra $1000 contributed by the fans who bought special 2011 Star t-shirts. Wood picked up that bonus and then continued to tally at least $25 for each lap he led.

A spin by Eddie Witkum brought the intense action to a halt on lap 108. A red was dropped and due to the number of caution laps already run, refueling was allowed as the 97 was taken to the pits.

The race resumed with Wood and Perley now in a different time zone. Timmy Jedrzejek ran in third on the track, but was fifth in the rundown as he had just been gone down a lap prior to the red. Rob Summers and Jon McKennedy were the only remaining cars in the lead lap.

At the 120 mark, it was evident, that the winner was going to be a tiebreaker of sorts with both Wood and Perley tied for most Classic wins with five. Timmy J ran behind Perley in the 5^th place spot with Summers third just ahead of McKennedy in fourth.

Lap 130 found Summers turned around bringing out the yellow and McKennedy continuing after tapping the 35. Summers went to the rear and the 79 held its spot.

A couple attempts at the restart of this lap saw a tangle between the 37 of Locke and the 17 of Seitz with Seitz done for the night. Then Locke pulled in as attrition increased. Another attempt at green found Craig Rayvals off in turn one but he was restarted at the tail.

The race finally got to green and stayed that way for the next 20 laps with no change out front as Wood and Perley stuck together, still slicing and dicing in and out of traffic. McKennedy held onto third while Summers was mired back a distance in fourth. Jedrzejek ran pretty much alone in fifth, coming across under the checkered ahead of the 35.

Summers said succinctly of his fourth. “I’m happy for the whole team that Russ won. We needed that bad. Russ borrowed that motor from Howie and it’s really cool for him to win. We were off a little bit then we got tight. Then I got a little help and got spun around. That kind of sucked. But, hey we came back and finished fourth in one piece. I guess it was a decent day. Hopefully we can continue on for the next couple races.”

Ohioan Jedrzejek, who had not raced at Star for over a decade, was quite pleased with a fifth and his growing progress in the Soule 32. “We’re happy with fifth tonight. We started fourteenth after a qualifying run that we didn’t put down too well. I had to start back there in the pack but I knew right away we had a decent car. I just kept coming and coming. I was watching guys starting to slip and every time someone would slip a little, it would give me another spot and another spot. Unfortunately we got down a lap just before that red flag. And, then we were almost on a lap of our own there for a little while, at least the first car on our own lap. We just had to run it out and not give up any more spots. After the refueling and we got some heat in our tires, I actually felt like the car was pretty good again. We made it to the end and we’re happy to pull it in the trailer and get a fifth place finish. I think we’ve made some more progress on the setup as Danny’s been working on it pretty hard. I was pretty happy with what we had tonight.

Mike Lichty, Joey Scanlon, Mark Sammut, Craig Rayvals and Ben Seitz completed the top ten.

SUMMARY 46^th Star Classic, Sept. 10, 2011

Top 16 time trailers locked into field, top 12 handicapped

Fast time: Jon McKennedy (11.261)

Consi: Ben Seitz, Rick Wentworth, Dave Sanborn, Bobby Haynes Jr., Dan Bowes, Mike Ordway Sr., Dave Duggan, Mike Netishen

Star Classis 150: 1. Russ Wood (29), 2. Chris Perley (11), 3. Jon McKennedy (79), 4. Rob Summers (35), 5. Timmy Jedrzejek (32), 6. Mike Lichty (84), 7. Joey Scanlon (88), 8. Mark Sammut (78), 9. Craig Rayvals (04), 10. Ben Seitz (17), 11. Danny Bowes (18), 12. Jeff Locke (37), 13. Eddie Witkum (97), 14. Joe Gosek (00), 15. Ray Graham Jr. (90) 16. Dave Duggan (51), 17. Dave Sanborn (9), 18. Jon Gambuti (14), 19. Johnny Benson (74), 20. Justin Belfiore (98), 21. Mike Ordway Sr. 22. Bobby Haynes Jr. (44), 23. Rick Wentworth (10). Mike Netishen (01) dns.

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Filed Under: News, Right Coast News Tagged With: Chris Perley, ISMA, Jon McKennedy, russ wood, Star Classic, Star Speedway

CHRIS PERLEY PICKS UP FIFTH OSWEGO SUPER NATIONALS WIN FRIDAY NIGHT

September 3, 2011 By Bobby G Leave a Comment

By Carol D Haynes

Oswego, NY – Chris Perley had to track down Bud Select 55 Super Nationals race leader Tim Ice, twice Friday night at Oswego Speedway, but he finally caught him, and got by for the win in the 18^th annual running of the winged portion of Budweiser Classic Weekend. Perley, who had started tenth in the field, was making his way to the front when he got caught up in a lap 8 yellow involving Bob Dawson, which sent the 11 to the rear of the 18-car field. But a trip to the back didn’t deter Perley. It just gave him a bit of a boost. By lap 22 he was knocking on the Iceman’s back door. On lap 26, he was by and gone for good. It was Perley’s 5^th Super Nationals win, his first coming in 1995, and his 7^th career Oswego supermodified victory overall.

Chris related in victory lane. “The car is the best I’ve had here in a long time. We were fighting it all day… fighting it for us. It was fast, but it was off. We couldn’t figure out what was missing. Like the slower I went, the better the car felt. The faster I went, it felt horrible and wouldn’t really go any faster. We found a right rear shock right before the feature and put a different one on – the one other one we had. Something that Vic found in flea market. It just made the car do what I’d been complaining about all day and couldn’t figure out. It was just awesome after that. I just had to point it and make sure I didn’t hit anything. It was unbelievable. It was a great night at Oswego for us and hopefully for the fans. Thanks to everyone, especially by crew and sponsors.”

As to his stopping by the flag stand to check his being put to the rear on the lap 8 yellow, he replayed the incident. “I stopped because I didn’t know what there was going to be as to a spin to avoid scenario because they were running joint rules. Something looked like it happened to the 28 car there right in front of me. I had a run on the outside of him and he blew up or something. It looked like he went to get out of the way up top but I was already there. So I spiked the brakes and ended up spinning out to miss him. So they put me to the rear but I made sure there wasn’t a chance there was a spin to avoid rule. ISMA doesn’t have one, MSA and Oswego do. It upset me a little bit but sometimes you need just a little extra fuel for the fire.”

Seville, Ohio’s Tim Ice, who had held a strong lead from the ‘git go’ was all smiles after finishing second. “Man this is just good. We struggled during the day and we finally moved that wing back before the feature. We decided to go for it. We thought the motor was flat and we checked that out. Maybe we found something. The car was really consistent in the feature. I bet it was running the same laps for most of the race. It felt so good. Had a little trouble with lap cars toward the end. Got some of that dirty air I guess you call it, but it was all right. Chris is the class of the field. You always dream about getting beat by Chris because he’s such a good racer. He got up there and what are you going to do? You just do your best. It was a great run for us. The May Motorsports team worked hard. It was a great job.”

The most surprised driver in victory lane was Salem. NH’s Joey Scanlon whose Bruce Budnick-owned team had not even intended to run the winged show. “ It’s been one heck of a day. The last place I expected to be tonight is down here on the front stretch. We had our ups and downs today. We weren’t even going to run this race. At the last minute we said, why not this is Bruce’s last year. We threw the wing on and we had one hell of a run tonight. It’s definitely a surprise. But, we have a great crew. All those guys who have helped us out all weekend long. They are a bunch of hard chargers and I couldn’t have done it without them. I’d like to thank my sponsors, Shea Concrete, Ces Auto, Harrington Paving, John K.Young Landscaping, Olsen Truck Repair, Lake Norman Sewer and Septic, Andover Auto, the whole crew and all the fans here tonight. Thanks for coming out. Hopefully we’ll see you all Sunday. Be safe out there. And to the Torrese brothers, thank you very much for this awesome place to race. It’s a yearly tradition to come out here and hopefully this is the start of my best year ever.

The 18-car field, shortened during the day by the demise of Trent Stephens’ 19 and Jamie Timmons’ 27, was led down by Scanlon and Ice after a time trial inversion. Ice immediately took charge as Johnny Benson grabbed second.

Benson applied the pressure but Ice didn’t melt and was able to pull away from the 74 slightly as Scanlon, Paul White, Ted Christopher, Mark Sammut, Ray Graham, Shaun Gosselin and more were sorting things out behind.

Yellow flew on lap 8 when the 28 of Dawson had problems, causing Perley to spin. Brandon Bellinger pitted and was back out before green dropped again. Dawson was pushed to the pits and was done. Perley went to the rear.

On the green, Ray Graham gained the greatest advantage as the 90 moved from seventh to third behind Benson. Ice was still able to pull away slightly with four laps in the books before yellow for debris tightened the pack up once again. Graham had just moved into second by Benson when the flag flew, but the pass was negated, this time anyway.

On the restart of lap 13, Graham repeated his pass putting Benson in third, with Scanlon still holding a strong fourth. The man on the move, of course, had to be Perley, who was now fifth. On lap 17, the 11 had made quick work of Scanlon and Benson to sit in third.

Ice was steady out front as Perley looked for a way around Graham on the outside. On lap 22, he found the way and pulled into second, but at the same time Graham was slowing and the 90 pulled out of the race. Overheating was deemed the cause. At almost the same time, Johnny Benson also parked the 74 with a broken valve spring.

The race was on up front between Ice and Perley as they left Scanlon all alone in third. Paul White in the Miller 16 held off Ted Christopher, Timmy Jedrzejek, Mark Sammut, Mike Lichty, Shaun Gosselin and Charlie Schultz running their own race.

Perley finally got by Ice on lap 26 and with no further yellows to slow things down, Chris ran effortlessly around some tail end cars on to victory. Ice, Scanlon and White all were unchallenged for their top five spots but intense racing still existed between Christopher, Jedrzejek, Lichty, Sammut, Gosselin and Schultz. Lichty would gain the most advantage through the latter stages although slipping and sliding on weak tires, especially on lap 43 when he almost caught the fourth turn wall. He finally moved into fourth on lap 48, around White.

With one lap to go, Gosselin, having a strong run in his first Super Nationals, pitted out of the race. It was Perley Ice, Scanlon, Lichty and White, the top five under the checkered.

King of Wings winner Lichty was a little disappointed with the finish. “We definitely had high expectations coming into this race considering how we ran back in July. Our fast time was great and the car was great during practice..quick, quick quick. In the heat race we ran into some bad luck and two cars crashed in front of us. I had to spin it out and smoke the tires off the thing. I tried to do a 360 to get down to the hub rail because I didn’t want to slide toward them. Once I spun it around, I didn’t want to back into the hub rail so I had to keep my foot on the throttle to avoid that. Luckily we did, but we hurt the tires. We flat spotted them and burnt a lot of rubber off. We were just way to loose for the feature. We think we may have a bad torsion bar in it. I just have to thank everybody for working so hard today.”

Temple, Texas’ Paul White was all smiles after his run. “We had an all right run. It was pretty good for us. We’ve been struggling a little with the car but we hit it and did a lot better tonight. We got a heat win – we’ll take that and a top five makes it a pretty good night for us.”

Timmy Jedrzejek and Ted Christopher, in sixth and seventh were the last cars in the lead lap. Mark Sammut, Charlie Schultz and Jeff Abold finished up the top ten.

Race Notes… Trent Stephens had a wing strut break in practice sending his 19 into first turn wall…Three past Super Nationals winners were in the field, Perley, Timmy J and Dave Shullick Jr…Ben Seitz did not return to defend his title…ATQMRA winner Alison Cumens became one of small handful of women to grace Oswego Speedway victory lane and possibly the youngest…Chris Perley will join Mike Lichty and Otto Sitterly as Nicotra Racing teammates for the International Classic on Sunday…It was announced due to inclement weather possibly approaching Sunday, that the Classic 200 could be moved to run anytime after 1 pm…

Summary Bud Select 55 Super Nationals, Sept. 2, 2011

Heat 1 : Johnny Benson Jr., Ray Graham Jr., Shaun Gosselin, Timmy Jedrzejek Ted Christopher, Bob Dawson, Jeff Abold, Jamie Timmons, Brandon Bellinger

Heat 2: Paul White, Chris Perley, Mark Sammut, Tim Ice, Joey Scanlon, Mike Lichty, Bobby Haynes Jr., Charlie Schultz, Dave Shullick Jr. (Trent Stephens dns)

18^th Annual Bud Select 55 Super Nationals – 1. Chris Perley (11), 2. Tim Ice (77), 3. Joey Scanlon (88), 4. Mike Lichty (84), 5. Paul White (16), 6. Timmy Jedrzejek (32), 7. Ted Christopher (61), 8. Mark Sammut (78), 9. Charlie Schultz (7), 10. Jeff Abold (04), 11. Shaun Gosselin (26), 12. Brandon Bellinger (02), 13. Ray Graham Jr. (90), 14. Johnny Benson Jr. (74), 15. Bob Dawson (28), 16. Bobby Haynes Jr. (44), 17. Dave Shullick Jr. (49), 18. Jamie Timmons (dns)

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Butch Valley Jr wins third of season at Lee USA Speedway

August 28, 2011 By Bobby G Leave a Comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Lee, NH – Lee USA Speedway hosted another round of NASCAR Whelen All-American Series action on Friday night, with the Benson Lumber and Hardware Small Block Supermodified, Prime Storage Late Model Sportsman, David’s Race Cars and Components Hobby Stock, and RE/MAX Ironman feature events all paying double points.

In addition, the Northeast Classic Lites joined the program for a non-points event, and the fourth round of the Pro Stock/Super Late Model Six Pack Shoot-Out went into the record books as well.

Matt Frahm of Salem took down the win in impressive fashion in that 50-lap feature event, driving through the field after starting tail due to a first-lap incident, and powering past race-long leader J.R. Baril with five laps remaining to take down the victory.

Baril collected runner-up honors in the post-race ceremony, with series point leader Donnie Lashua rounding out the podium in the third spot. Fourth went to Jake Vanada, with Sulo Burbank, Austin Brehio, J.D. Miller, Rich Eaton, Chris Wilk, and Jeremy Davis fifth through tenth.

Mike Netishen broke out to the early lead in the 18-car Small Block Supermodified main, but it was Butch Valley, Jr. out front when it counted, grabbing his third feature win of the season when flagman Bryon Callen waved the checkers.

Ben Tinker put in a solid run all night to collect the second place hardware, with “Super Dave” Sanborn, Wayne Helliwell, Jr., Mike Ordway, Jr., Matt Riley, Tommy Tombarello, Jr., George Perreault, Jr., Tony Carroll, Sparky MacIver, Moe Lattime, John Leonard, Mike Murphy, Jim Barker, and Matt Seavey next in the final rundown.

Late Model Sportsman point leader Bobby Melvin was sidelined due to mechanical issues he suffered in practice, and with an 18-car field in their pit area as well, it was a bad night for a DNS for the popular Melvin.

Grant Aither climbed aboard the Ricky Porter machine for the night, and looked like he might be on his way to taking home another win, but a rules violation cost him the victory. J.R. Baril was moved up a spot and awarded the win, with Bill Ahern making his season debut with a strong runner-up finish.

Third went to Ryan Green, followed by Tony Kawejsza, Brian Grantz, Timmy Johnson, early leader Kayla Cazares, Larry Moloney, Ryan Gath, Michele Fushpanski, Josh Ball, Mike Mitchell, David Piper, Kyle Roy, and Patrick Stewart.

Steve Dubois collected his first win of the year in the Hobby Stocks, taking advantage of a late-race restart that erased a straightaway lead held by Steve Douphinette. Dubois got the jump on the outside, easily passed Douphinette, and went on to score the win.

Douphinette picked up the second place trophy, with Mike Williams, Bobby Glass, Brian Thompson, Jim Shorey, Mike Anderson, Jim Piaseczny, Brian DeStefano, and Eric Hoffman the remainder of the top ten.

Kyle Roy came from the rear to win another feature in the Ironman main event, making his way back to victory lane and another interview with trackside announcer Peter Falconi. Troy Washburn finished second, with Jake Rheaume, Evan Horvath, and heat winner Danielle Simoneau third through fifth.

Jimmy Ryder picked up his first win of the year in the Northeast Classic Lites main event, outrunning Russ Bryant, Tom “Hulk” Harton, Eddie Gilman, and Jeff Gilman for the victory.

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PERLEY IN SECOND STRAIGHT LEE USA OLLIE SILVA MEMORIAL THAT GOES GREEN TO CHECKERED

August 21, 2011 By Bobby G Leave a Comment

By Carol Haynes

08.19.2011-Lee, NH…Nothing, even an early rain, hampered Chris Perley’s race Friday night as he worked toward a second straight Ollie Silva Memorial win. It was his sixth ISMA victory at the Lee USA oval since ISMA racing began at the New Hampshire oval in 1988. Starting twelfth in the field, Perley had a long road ahead, especially with early leader and 3-time Lee winner Russ Wood out front at the start. Wood, who unexpectedly broke a rocker arm while leading, gave way to Jeff Locke and Locke in turn yielded the point to 2009 Lee 350 champ Dan Bowes. Bowes would provide Perley with his last challenge. From lap 48 to lap 72, the Rowley Rocket chased Bowes, a ten-feature small block winner at Lee, but a rookie with ISMA, through, down and around traffic. As Bowes approached yet another lap car with less than 5 to go, Perley put the Vic Miller 11 under the 18 off turn four and was the leader of lap 73, going on for the win. The race went green to checker in a time of 17.58 minutes, with low 13-second laps the norm.

Said Perley in victory lane, “They put some coke down on the track and that’s what gave us an outside groove. People could run inside and out. I could run everywhere. My car was so tight. I saw Danny out there running for everything he had. I couldn’t gain on him. I was hoping we would get to lapped traffic to help even us out a little bit. I wasn’t even sure if I was second, third, or fourth. I had no clue. We just ran. That’s all we could do. It was fun coming here. It always is. It’s always nice coming to a hometown track and putting on a show. I hope we put on one tonight.”

He continued in regard to winning the legendary Ollie Silva’s memorial race. “I’m old enough to know of Ollie, and I’m too young to have raced against him, but I hear all the stories. You never hear anything bad about the guy. He was a legend. To win a race dedicated to him – to win the whole package here tonight – you just can’t beat it. Ed Shea is here tonight and we couldn’t do anything without him. My R&R motors are great. Nothing stops them. Vic builds a great car and it comes with a great crew. I have great sponsors – New England Motor Racing Supply, Perley’s Marina, Malco Products, Barrett’s Transportation and Blink’s Fry Doe. My family is here tonight. It’s all awesome. You just can’t beat it.”

Perley’s enviable part-time 2011 season record continued. In the six ISMA races to date, the August 19^th Silva Memorial victory gave him 4 wins, a second and a dnf.

Runner-up Dan Bowes of Byfield, MA, was proud to finish within sight of Perley at race end. “This is a tough track to drive especially with all the horsepower. I was working good on the outside, but I knew Chris was coming. He’s always fast. I knew I just had to try and keep traction in the turns. That was my main goal all night. I never really had to work hard to pass anybody. For the most part everybody slipped up and I was able to get by. I almost got in trouble with Jamie Timmons high there in three and four. It wasn’t his fault. It was bad timing. My front bumper got hooked with his rear bumper. I couldn’t get away. I thought for sure Chris would have gotten by me then. But he didn’t then, anyway. I just didn’t have enough at the end and I knew he was coming. I tried not to spin the tires. This second isn’t bad. If I had to lose to somebody here, it’s got to be Chris. It’s nice to see such a good crowd here tonight despite the weather. It’s awesome.”

Third place finisher Justin Belfiore had a couple lap cars between his 98 and the top two, but settled for this finish. “The car actually started out a bit loose. I just tried to take my time and to not burn up the tires. It worked out. I was the third fastest car of this crew. It was awesome to run up through the field with Chris and Dan. All these guys ran a good race tonight – nonstop. It was just good racing and I love racing like this. Thanks to all the fans for coming out tonight. It’s nice that you could make it. And, I’m glad you got to see a good race.”

Despite foreboding skies, storm threats all around and an early shower, Lee USA’s Ollie Silva Memorial got off without a hitch. Russ Wood and Jon McKennedy, in the Lane 9, paced the 20-car field, but before the white fell, McKennedy pulled the 9 pit side and out of the race with mechanical ills. Rob Summers pulled into his spot and green fell. The race assumed a rapid flow with Wood and Summers out front of Eddie Witkum Jr, Jeff Locke, Mike Lichty and Timmy Jedrzejek.

It didn’t take long for Locke to move up to third and by Summers on lap 8. The Wood-Locke duo would begin a twenty-plus lap domination of the front two spots, quickly threading through tail-end traffic on the small one-third mile bullring. A Summers-Dan Bowes, Witkum, Lichty, Perley, Belfiore battle was ensuing behind, with Bowes taking Summers on lap 23 in traffic.

On lap 29, Locke pulled by Wood on the backstretch to take the lead. On lap 31, Wood pulled suddenly to the pits, out of second. A broken rocker arm was deemed his demise.

Locke now was able to pull away from Bowes who had Perley a distance behind him. Summers and Belfiore swapped positions just before lap 40 as Witkum, Lichty and Mark Sammut raced hot and heavy in the top eight.

Bowes gradually reeled in Locke who got stuck behind a couple lap cars for a number of laps. This gave Perley and Belfiore the chance to close up on the lead duo. On lap 46, Bowes watched as Locke was still trying to get by the 51 of Duggan and when the time came, Bowes pounced, taking the lead in turn 1 of lap 48. Three laps later, Perley was by Locke and the chase for the lead began, now with two different players. Behind them were Belfiore, Locke and Sammut.

With 15 to go, Bowes’ aforementioned miscue with Jamie Timmons came, but he recovered and Perley remained in second. As lap cars intermingled with the top ten behind, fighting for position was intense, especially between Summers. Lichty, Ben Seitz and Joey Scanlon all in the top eight.

Perley finally seized an opportunity to get by Bowes, getting under him in lap 72 and coming out with the lead on lap 73. Bowes stayed a close second as the checkered flew. Two lap cars separated one and two from third place runner Belfiore. Mark Sammut had a one-car cushion over fifth place Jeff Locke.

Sammut, obviously putting a bad crash at Sandusky at the end of July well behind him, was pleased with fourth. “We were decent. We started eighth by the time the race started. We were a little tight at the start. About lap 15 or 20 the car came in pretty decent. About lap 45, it started to tighten up real bad again. If we had gotten a yellow we might have been in good shape. Hey, we finished fourth on a tough track. Considering where we started, I’ll take it. It was good to see the race go green and nobody got wrecked. You have to like that. So, we’ll put it all together again and hope for the best next time.”

And Locke, who also came away from that Sandusky event with his car in a bad shape, welcomed the fifth place finish. “It was a good run. The car was probably too good, too early. We just got loose. I didn’t have enough to do anything toward the end. For the last 20 laps we just hung on. Going all green actually helped. It spread out the field and when I got loose, I had some track position. I think a caution would have hurt me. Although it might have helped in one aspect. I couldn’t get to my tear offs on my visor and I couldn’t see all that well toward the end of the race. I have to thank Richard Witkum, my crew and my father for giving us good equipment. We’ve had a rough year. So I’m really, really happy to come out of here with a fifth place finish. The car is in one piece. It feels good. We just have to get it a little bit better at the end of the races then we’ll be in good shape.”

Summary ISMA Event #11 Lee USA Speedway

August 19, 2011

Heat 1: Rob Summers, Justin Belfiore, Dan Bowes, Jon McKennedy, Dave Duggan, Ted Christopher

Heat 2: Russ Wood, Eddie Witkum Jr., Timmy Jedrzejek, Mark Sammut, Joey Scanlon, Jamie Timmons, Stephen DuBois

Heat 3: Mike Lichty, Jeff Locke, Chris Perley, Ben Seitz, Jon Gambuti, Craig Rayvals

Feature 75: 1. Chris Perley (11), 2. Danny Bowes (18), 3. Justin Belfiore (98), 4. Mark Sammut (78), 5. Jeff Locke (37), 6. Ben Seitz (17), 7. Rob Summers (35), 8. Joey Scanlon (88), 9. Jon Gambuti (14), 10. Mike Lichty (84), 11. Eddie Witkum (97), 12. Dave Duggan (51), 13. Timmy Jedrzejek (32), 14. Jamie Timmons (27), 15. Russ Wood (29), 16. Craig Rayvals (04), 17. Stephen DuBois (01), 18. Brad Lichty (74), 19. Jon McKennedy (9).

Ted Christopher (61) scratched due to earlier heat accident

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