The 2008 Icebreaker at Thompson International Speedway

April 7, Thompson, CT--- The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour opened its 2008 season with James Civali, the winner of the 2007 edition of the Icebreaker, setting quick time in qualifying on Saturday with a time of 18.533 seconds (120.097 mph). 

The Meriden, CT, driver would start fifth on the field as he drew that starting spot for the #28 Ramar Hall Chevrolet. Bobby Grigas III qualified the #09 Triple G Scaffold Chevy second with a speed of 119.917 mph. Grigas, of North Marshfield, MA, will start first after the draw. Todd Szegedy in the #2 Wisk-Snuggle Ford was third quickest in qualifying at 118.983 mph and will start fourth. Ronnie Silk of Norwalk, CT, in the #79 Hill Enterprises/Coors Light/Sunoco Pontiac was fourth quickest at 118.774 mph and will start second. Jimmy Blewett in the #19 Major Motion Transport/TS Hauler Chevrolet was fifth quickest and will start third in the field.  

Tony Ferrante started sixth in the #31 Sunoco Chevrolet. The New Hyde Park, NY, driver enjoys racing here at Thompson and usually runs well. The #00 driven by Bobby Santos of Franklin, MA, will start seventh in the Sherm’s Towing Chevrolet. Eddie Flemke Jr., of Southington, CT, was eighth fastest in the #10 Ron Bouchard Auto/Premiere Kitchens Chevrolet and Kevin Goodale of Riverhead, NY, in the # 58 Riverhead Building Supply Chevy was ninth fastest. 

Tenth fastest was Chuck Hossfeld of Ransomville, NY, in the #4 Mystic Missile Dodge with a speed of 118.208 mph. The Mystic Missile was driven last season by 2007 NASCAR Whelen Modified Champion Donnie Lia, who currently drives the #71 in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. 

Grigas held the point for the first twelve laps followed by Silk, Szegedy, Civali, Blewett, and Ferrante. There were two cautions in the early laps for minor incidents, with several cars involved in an incident on lap 23. Civali led lap 28 as the crowd waits for the restart. He is followed by Szegedy, Grigas, Ferrante, Hossfeld, Blewett, Eric Beers, Flemke, Ted Christopher, and Reggie Ruggiero. We returned to racing on lap 32 with Civali still on the point. Civali would battle with Todd Szegedy till lap 42 when Szegedy gets by for the lead. The #00 of Santos is out of race. 

Sean Patterson* in the #53 John DeLisa & AXA Financial Pontiac spins on the frontstretch. The #11 of Anthony Sesely gets the “free pass”. Civali pitted on lap 48. The leaders under caution are Szegedy, Ferrante, Hossfeld, Flemke, Blewett, Ruggiero, TC, Grigas, Beers, and Hirschman. Green waves again as the field passes the starter on lap 52.  

Szegedy pulls away on the restart with Flemke on move and Ruggiero close behind. Ryan Preece, driving #3 Mizzy Construction Chevrolet is on the move from 11^th along with Civali, who is working his way back to the front after his pit stop. Szegedy leads lap 61,  with Ferrante, Flemke, Hossfeld Grigas, Ruggiero, Ted Christopher, Civali, Hirschman, and Preece following. The yellow hanky waves again on lap 67 as Sean Patterson spins in turn two. Jake Marosz in the #9 gets the lucky dog.  Lap 71 Flemke takes the lead as the leaders pit under caution. Flemke is joined by Hossfeld, Grigas, Hirschman, Joe Hartmann, Billy Pauch Jr., and Ron Silk who received lucky dog earlier to get back on lead lap.  

The weather and the track are starting to get real damp. On lap 73 it appeared that Hossfeld took the lead on the restart, but caution flew before the completion of the lap. The field reverted to previous line up as the yellow flag flew again for the spinning #06 of Pauch. That would be last action under green as the yellow stayed deployed till lap 93 when the event was red flagged. The #3 went to end of the longest line for pitting before the pits were open.  

Lap 93 goes to red and this was the end of the race. Flemke wins, with Hossfeld second, Grigas third, Joe Hartman fourth, and Joe Abele fifth. Civali finished sixth and Szegedy seventh. The modifieds sat on pit road about five minutes, before the official word was given.  

Ed Flemke Jr. being interviewed in Thompson's press box after first win since 2004
(Dave Meredith/Meredith images)
(Above image is "thumb-nailed". Click image to enlarge)

Eddie Flemke Jr. in the Ron Bouchard Auto/Premiere Kitchens Chevrolet finally made it happen for the #10 It was Flemke’s 17^th Tour win and the first since the Thompson 300 in 2004. That win was an emotional one as well. 

“It wasn’t great win,” he says. “I made the call. I wasn’t pitting. We’ve pitted in the past thinking we’ve out thunk ourselves – not this time!” Did you make the call to stay out? “Yes, I did,” stated Flemke. “It was really important to me to win an Icebreaker as my career winds down and to savor every win. You never know when it will be your last! I was really happy for Gary (Teto, his car owner). Gary and his guys have worked hard  this Spring to get the car ready to run. They gave me a great car.” (Eddie has worked few late nights at the shop this Spring too).  

Gary Teto was calm when I spoke to him in the pit/inspection area. I asked him, “How does it feel to win your first Tour win?” He stated, “It is very exciting! I’m hoping we can make it happen a few more times! I am so glad that my guys got the chance to enjoy a win.” 

I spoke with Gary Monday evening and he said he was glad that Edward won a prominent race that his Dad also won. The guys were at the shop tinkering on the car just really enjoying the win. I asked if his first win was as exciting as his as his new granddaughter? “Well, of course my granddaughter is more important, but the win was really a long time in getting here!” 

He continued, “I hope we add a couple more this season. I know Eddie Jr. would like more than anything to win at Martinsville. Eddie Flemke Sr. won there. I hope we can make that happen for him this season.” 

Bobby Grigas Jr. who finished third was very excited about his finish. “I can’t believe I just ran in the top five and still have all the wheels on the car! I have a top-five on the Whelen Tour – I’m really excited! The track was off little bit for the set-up of my car and fell back a little bit.  The way it was slipping and sliding on the bottom of the track, I’m glad I just finished third and brought the car home in one piece. I’m just so happy for my crew and Gregsie (crew chief Greg Narducci) – they have been awesome! I hope the momentum we have just keeps up and we keep finishing well.” 

The event went 92 laps for 57 miles it took 1 hour and 25 seconds to complete the race. There were 39 green flag laps, 53 yellow laps and one red to end the event. 

COORS LIGHT POLE AWARD:  James Civali, #28 Ramar-Hall Inc./Genesis Shocks Chevrolet

FEATHERLITE MOST IMPROVED DRIVER AWARD:  Joe Hartmann, #05 WMS Construction Chevrolet

POWERADE POWER MOVE OF THE RACE AWARD:  Tom Abele, Jr.*, #32 Synergyn/M&W Sheet Metal/Crystal Auto Chevrolet

SUNOCO ROOKIE OF THE RACE AWARD:  Tom Abele, Jr.*, #32 Synergyn/M&W Sheet Metal/Crystal Auto Chevrolet

WHELEN WINNER OF THE RACE AWARD:  Ed Flemke, Jr., #10 Ron Bouchard Auto Center/Premier Kitchens Chevrolet 

Caution Flags: Laps 8-11; 17-21; 23-32; 45-52; 67-73; 74-92.  6 for 53 laps.

Lap Leaders: Bobby Grigas, III 1-12, James Civali 13-42, Todd Szegedy 43-70, Ed Flemke, Jr. 71-92.

Total Laps Led: James Civali 30, Todd Szegedy 28, Ed Flemke, Jr. 22, Bobby Grigas, III 12. 3 changes involving 4 drivers.

* Denotes Rookie 

Next Race: Stafford (Conn.) Motor Speedway   

Flemke was very candid about the passing of Northeastern Midget Association (NEMA) driver Shane Hammond. His midget left the track after going airborne over the wheel of a fellow competitor, cleared the concrete fence and landed on the frame work of a cloth banner. He said, “This just has to stop (drivers dying). We have to do something. At all the tracks, the promoters and owners have to help find away to prevent these senseless loses.” 

The rescue and fire personnel reacted quickly to extricate the driver from the car. It took 12 minutes -- which seemed like an eternity -- to free Hammond. It was really well coordinated as the ambulance pulled away and headed to the hospital. The 27-year-old driver was transported to the Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam, CT where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. Connecticut State Police are investigating the accident.
 

Dave and Hazel Meredith of Stratford, CT, have covered auto racing for many different medias including NASCAR Online, Mod Series Scene, Pitstopper Magazine, and currently with Busch East Scene as a modified reporter and photographer. Dave my be contacted at RACEnFISH@aol.com.