January 28, Brockton, MA--- In indoor racing action at the Atlantic City Boardwalk Convention Center, Connecticut's Ted Christopher was able to pull off a tenth in the M&R Midget Race 1 while Franklin's Bobby Santos, III ended up fourth in Race 2.

New England entries for the upcoming World Series of Stockcar Racing at the New Smyrna Speedway in northeast Florida include Lou Mechalides of Tyngsboro, MA in the Super Late Models, Joey Pole of Hudson, NH with his Crate Late Model while Glenn Griswold, Jr. of Conn. Also, in the Tour Type Modifieds inking entries are: Charlie Pasteryak of Lisbon, Conn., Andy Seuss of southern NH and Ted Christopher of Plainville, Conn.

Tom Fox, then 15, first climbed behind the controls of a Street Stock in 1978, beginning a decades-long association with Waterford Speedbowl. Winner of over 60 Speedbowl features, the second-generation racer returns to his old haunt in 2008 but in a different role. Rather than driving his familiar # 47 SK Modified, his contributions will be more in the “behind the scenes” mode.

“Right around the time of the annual Speedbowl Christmas party, Race Director Steve Harraka and I were discussing the open-slot left by our departing Chief Technical Inspector,” says Fox. “For the first time in many years my plans didn’t include racing, but I still had an interest in staying involved. It’s hard to completely pull-away from a sport you’ve been associated with for so long and I want be a part of the Speedbowl’s success. After all, I virtually grew-up there.”

“We’re elated to have Tom,” says Harraka. “The timing was right, and it created an opportunity for him to contribute to our operation. Having been around the Speedbowl for so long, and seeing the sport from many vantage points, it should be a win-win situation for all of us. Tom brings a degree of respect and familiarity to the position as well as a vast knowledge of the technical side of our sport.”

With 61 “documented” victories, Fox is eighth on the all-time Speedbowl win list. He ranks third on the Late Model list with 45, winning two championships in the latter division. His win list includes the 2005 SK-150. He received “special recognition” at the recent Awards Banquet.

Fox quickly acknowledges the prior “tech team” did a commendable job and that he’s not out to make earth-shattering changes. “The prior technical team made a great effort, but there’s always room for improvement,” Fox says.

“My job is not to disqualify competitors, it’s actually just the opposite,” says Fox. “We’re all involved in racing to put on a show for our fans, and close-competition is what it’s all about. The object of my role is to assure that all the teams are competing on an equal footing, which in the end, results in better racing. Nothing would please me more than to see little, if anything, in the way of disqualifications based on technical infractions. That’s true job satisfaction in my view.”

Keeping up with things is a part of the job. The “nuts & bolts” side of racing is an ever-evolving affair,” he continues. “If rule-changes are made, we want to be sure that it’s in the best interest of all involved. Hopefully, our efforts will result in the Speedbowl furthering its reputation as a track where teams can compete knowing that the rulebook is being followed in their best interest.” The Speedbowl kicks-off its 58th consecutive season with the Budweiser Modified Nationals on April 12-13.

She's back! Erin Crocker of Wilbraham has landed a NASCAR Craftsman Truck driving assignment with Morgan-Dollar Motorsports (MDM). She'll steer the Chevy Silverado in the first two events of the 2008 season. Those will be the events held at Daytona and the California Speedway. Nothing is assured beyond those two events but MDM plans a major a major effort to get funding for Crocker. Erin raced in a number of ARCA stockcar events in 2007 when she drove for Evernham Motorsports as a development driver. Prior to that Crocker had 27 starts in the CTS including a full season back in 2006. Her resume includes success in the World of Outlaws, sprint cars, ARCA and several starts in the NASCAR Nationwide Series.

Highcroft Racing, based in Danbury, Conn., announces exciting changes for the 2008 American Le Mans Series season. Scott Sharp, a native of nearby Westport, Conn., will be joining the team and partnering with Le Mans-winning driver, David Brabham, with Patron Spirits as the team's title sponsor. Patron Spirits is the distiller of Patron Tequila, the world's number-one selling ultra-premium tequila.

The team will be known as Patron Highcroft Racing. Highcroft Racing is a factory-backed team which campaigned an Acura ARX-01a in the LMP2 class in the 2007 ALMS season.

Duncan Dayton, Team Principal of Patron Highcroft Racing, said, "I am truly excited to announce the partnership between Patron Spirits and Highcroft Racing's Acura program in the ALMS. Our ability to attract Patron Spirits is a testament to the hard work that Highcroft has put in over the past 18 months and our results on the track. This partnership represents a significant milestone for this young team and for the ALMS.

"The team is delighted to welcome Scott Sharp to the Patron Highcroft Racing family," Dayton continued. "Scott comes from a long line of sports-car racers and holds strong family ties to the Connecticut area. In fact, some of our team members worked for the original Newman-Sharp teams over 20 years ago. Scott's distinguished career in the Indy Racing League certainly bodes well for a successful partnership with Patron Highcroft Racing, Acura and David Brabham."

In moving from the IndyCar Series to the ALMS, Scott Sharp's career has come full circle. Sharp began racing sports cars in the beginning of his professional career, and is returning to the arena once again. Sharp has won nine IndyCar events and has 35 top-five finishes in the Series. He holds the record of 138 consecutive IndyCar starts. In 1996, he was the IndyCar Series co-champion and also won the 24 Hours of Daytona. He is a two-time Trans-Am champion, winning 15 races over three seasons.

NASCAR New England, Stafford (Conn.) Motor Speedway’s award winning television program, will return to the New England Sports Network for the 2008 season, marking the third consecutive year that Stafford Motor Speedway’s in-house produced show will air on the biggest sports network in New England.” We’re happy to be back on NESN for a third consecutive season,” said Jack Arute, ABC/ESPN reporter and NASCAR New England host. “NESN is certainly the number one sports network in New England and partnering with NESN gives us the ability to be seen in homes throughout New England as well as nationwide via satellite.”

Specific weekly timeslots for the 2008 season of NASCAR New England have yet to be set by NESN. The 2008 edition of NASCAR New England will once again showcase Stafford’s SK Modified and Late Model divisions with highlight coverage of Stafford’s SK Light, Limited Late Model, and DARE Stock divisions. NASCAR New England will also continue to bring you stories showcasing the weekly racers behind the scenes. The show’s success on NESN has produced a unique return for the track’s competitors. Team sponsors, as well as track advertising partners have received liberal on air references and increased visibility as well as exposure to the core New England market as well as a national audience.“

Stafford embarked upon our TV project during the 2001 racing season with the goal to provide our competitors a unique tool that they could use to acquire individual team sponsorships,” said Mark Arête, SMS CEO/GM. “As we embark on our third season of NASCAR New England on NESN, and our eighth overall season of NASCAR New England, we have evolved NASCAR New England from public access in Connecticut to a regional network that can reach every home in the United States.”

Stafford’s NESN coverage is the only weekly television coverage of NASCAR’s Whelen All American Series in New England, offering Stafford teams and their supporters a unique marketing opportunity. ABC/ESPN reporter Jack Arute will return as the show’s host with Matt Buckler lending his voice to the play-by-play duties and former Whelen Modified Tour champion Rick Fuller serving as the race analyst. SMS Images & Teleproductions in association with NESN will once again produce NASCAR New England. Air times will be announced later.

Finishing fourth in points in the final Waterford (Conn.) Speedbowl SK-Modified standings last year was Tyler Chadwick’s “greatest accomplishment yet” but the 19-year old is hardly satisfied. He’ll return in 2008 “focused on getting that first victory.”

Last season’s top three – champion Rob Janovic Jr., runner-up Dennis Gada and steady Jeff Pearl – are all due back as well and with definite intentions. That trio has eight Speedbowl championships and 110 feature wins among them.

The campaign opens with the SK-150, the centerpiece of the 11th annual nine-division Modified Nationals April 12-13. “If we’re there at the end, I believe we have a shot at winning the opener,” says Chadwick, presently a freshman at New England Tech in Warwick, RI. A one-time Quarter Midget ace, he is about to begin his fourth full season in a SK. The SK-150 shares Sunday with the Late Model (50 laps), Sportsman (30), Mini Stock (30) and Midget (25) features.

The Raceway Restaurant and Golf Club, on the grounds of the historic Thompson (Conn.) International Speedway, was the site of the two-day 2007 champions celebration. On Saturday night, Keith Rocco of Wallingford took center stage as the Sunoco Modified champion. He shared the spotlight with fellow champs-Late Model ace Rick Gentes of Woonsocket, RI, and TIS Modified champion Kurt Vigeant of Oxford. A night earlier, Pro Stock Champion Mike O’Sullivan of Springfield was honored along with Limited Sportsman honoree Keith DeSanctis of Monson and Mini Stock victor Mike Romano of Pascoag, RI. NASCAR’s Chad Little was on hand on Saturday night to present the champions with their wares.

A relative newcomer, Keith Rocco, in only his third year of Sunoco Modified racing beat the best-of-the-best to score his first NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Championship in 2007. With a great car owner in Don Bannister and the backing of a strong race team led by Shane Hopkins, Rocco and his Interstate Diesel team ran consistency straight to the championship. Together the team posted four wins, 12 top-five finishes, and 14 top-ten finishes.

The chase for the championship went right down to the wire with the top-three of Rocco, Woody Pitkat, and Tommy Cravenho all within striking distance of the title. All three teams finished in the top-five on that final night, but it was Rocco claiming the title in exciting fashion and a six-point edge. Defending champions Woody Pitkat and car owners Robert Hitchcock and Kelly Iverson came home second over Tommy Cravenho and owners Al and Cathy Moniz.

Veteran campaigner Kerry Malone of Needham finished the season in fourth while underdog Paul “Buddy” Charette had a breakout season to finish fifth in the final point standings. Todd Ceravolo, Bert Marvin, Danny Cates, Harry Rheaume and the late John Blewett III ended the season-long battle in sixth through tenth positions, respectively. Cates was also honored as the Rookie-of-the-Year. After catapulting from the Limited Sportsman division to the Modifieds, Cates was impressive scoring three top-five and 10 top-ten finishes. Josh Steeves was recognized with the “Most Improved Driver” Award.

After a decade of trying, Rick Gentes was once again honored as a Thompson champion. On Saturday night, Gentes was honored among his peers for a season that found him in victory lane eight times. He also had 13 top-five and 14 top-ten finishes en route to the title. Like the Modifieds, the Late Model title hunt came down to the final night with three teams still in the hunt. A third-place finish was enough for Gentes to win his first championship in 10 years.

Veteran Mark Jenison had to settle for second in the point chase but has to be proud of his 2007 season. He stunned the Thompson faithful by immediately becoming the dark horse in the title chase. Going toe-to-toe with Gentes all season, Jenison scored four wins to prove he was for real in 2007. Up-and-comers Tommy O’Sullivan, R.J. Marcotte, and Paul Newcomb rounded out the top-five. R.J. Marcotte was also recognized as the division’s “Most Improved Driver”. With a season that included a top-five finish and four top-ten finishes, Randy Waterman was honored as the 2007 Late Model Rookie-of-the-Year. Runner-up Jenison was also presented with The First Annual ‘Chief Starter’s Sportsman Award’ for exhibiting exceptional cooperation and sportsmanship.

The newest division to the Thompson International Speedway, the TIS Modifieds, continues to grow stronger year-after-year. Still in its infancy stage, the division quickly evolved into one of the most competitive at the track. In 2007, Kurt Vigeant proved to be the leader of this spirited pack with three wins, 11 top-fives and 14 top-tens. Tim Sullivan pressured the champ until the end to finish second. Roger Larson, Jr., Shane Michalski, and Mike Viens rounded out the top five. Also honored on Saturday night were sixth through tenth respectively, Leo ‘Bim’ Adams, Richie Ferreira, Glenn Boss, Roger Ducharme, and Bart Ramos. Shane Michalski also received “Most Improved Driver” honors while Josh Walmsley was named Rookie-of-the-Year.

Speedway management on Saturday night presented a very special award. Track employee Mario Palladini was bestowed with a well-deserved honor when he was awarded with the prestigious John Hoenig Memorial Award. The award, named in honor of the track’s founder, is presented annually to the employee who exhibits a true dedication to the Speedway. Mario possess a genuine admiration for the Hoenig family, track management, his fellow employees, and the competitors. He is truly committed to maintaining the lore that is Thompson Speedway and to improving the weekly presentation.

The celebrations kicked-off on Friday night when Mike O’Sullivan was honored as the Pro Stock divisional champion. The now multi-time champ had plenty to celebrate during the 2007 season. Above and beyond his four feature event wins, he and his wife welcomed their first child. On track, O’Sullivan drove to 12 top-five and 13 top-ten finishes during his title run.

Second-place finisher Norm Wrenn dogged the champ right down to the final point race. Wrenn had to settle for being a bridesmaid for the second straight season. The Nashua, NH driver was relatively quiet in 2007 but still came home to finish second with two wins. George “Mad Dog” Bessette, Jay Macedonio and two-time and defending champ Jeff Zuidema rounded out the top-five. During a tremendously competitive season, Macedonio captured the attention of even the division’s hottest dogs. His prowess during the 2007 season was recognized with the “Most Improved Driver” Award. Nick Ribbe was presented with the Rookie-of-the-Year honors.

Fan-favorite, Limited Sportsman competitor, Keith DeSanctis made his dream come true during the 2007 season. The racer, who shared every high and low with his wife Debbie, announced that he would end the phase of his career as an owner/driver after the 2007 season. The hard-charger went out as a champion winning the title with three victories 12 top five and 14 top-ten finishes.

Like there counterparts, the chase to the 2007 Limited Sportsman title went down to the final night. Ernie LaRose, who returned to Limited Sportsman competition after a several year hiatus, vied for the title against DeSanctis. Never missing a beat, LaRose was in the thick of the battle ultimately finishing second. Last season’s champion, Larry Barnett, settled for third in the final point standings ahead of veterans Scott Sundeen and Joe Arena. Second-generation driver Jay Sundeen was named the “Most Improved Driver”. Rookie-of-the-Year honors in the division went to Fred Bates in his familiar Richard Petty tribute #43.

Mike Romano went from a relative unknown to a contender during the 2007 season. On the heals of five feature win, 12 top-fives and 13 top-tens, the young driver from Pascoag, RI was crowned the Mini Stock champion and now the man to beat. Romano had stiff competition that lasted through to the final race of the season from the likes of runner-up Brad Caddick and third-place finisher Rick Blanchard. Ron Rixham and Leo Defevers finished fourth and fifth respectively in the season long point chase. In addition, to his runner-up finish, Caddick was also named the Mini Stock “Most Improved Driver”. John Kelly was recognized as the Mini Stock Rookie-of-the-Year.

Also on Friday night, champions Mike O’Sullivan and Keith DeSanctis were recognized by chief starter Tim Bennet with his First Annual ‘Chief Starter’s Sportsman Award’.

In just over two months the excitement of the 2008 season starts with the annual ICEBREAKER. April 5-6 will mark the start of another chase for championship honors in all six of the Thompson Speedway divisions. The on-track activities will begin on March 22 and March 29 with test and tune sessions. To learn more about the 2008 season including “test and tune”, visit www.thompsonspeedway.com or see track officials when Thompson Speedway is represented at the upcoming SpeedwayEXPO on February 29-March 2, 2008 in the Mallary Complex at the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield.

Let's see what's happening in southern New England this weekend. It's all happening on Sunday with MotoTown in Windsor, Conn. hosting another indoor mini-sprint car event starting at 9 a.m. At the same time the Hamilton Rod & Gun Club in Sturbridge offering another New England Dirt Track Series race on the ice. the Powder Mill Barn in Enfield, Conn. will hold an indoor swap meet. At Studley's Custom Fab Shop in Hopedale has bench racing starting at 9 a.m.

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