July 1, Brockton, MA--- The Midgets of NEMA return to the Thompson International Speedway to kick off this year's 4th of July celebration. The incredible Midget racecars have been part of the tradition at Thompson for over sixty years and will be in the holiday spotlight on Thursday, July 3rd.

    The Midget field will be lead by current NEMA point’s leader Randy Cabral of Plymouth. Drivers like Joey Payne, Greg Stoehr of Bridgewater, Erica Santos of Franklin, William Wall and many more’ll join him. A full field is expected as Thompson International Speedway begins the holiday weekend celebration with a full line up of racing competition.

       In addition to the exciting NEMA Midgets, Thompson's NASCAR Whelen All American Series "Super 6" divisions will also be in competition. These racing divisions have provided edge-of-the-seat competition for race fans to enjoy all season long.

At the top of the "Super 6" list is the Sunoco Modified division. This division is filled with amazing talent and their wheel-to-wheel competition has fans raving about the exciting race events that they see each week from this high speed, open wheel racing division. Drivers like Keith Rocco, Bert Marvin, Woody Pitkat, Todd Ceravolo, Danny Cates, Tommy Cravenho, Jr of Raynham and many more bring fans to their feet night-after-night with their hard-charging driving styles.

     Pro Stocks are another much talked about division at Thompson. The division is filled with veteran talent. However, in 2008 a 16-year-old sensation, Derek Ramstrom of Worcester, has come upon the scene and has already visited victory lane twice. Ramstrom has become the talk of the division and has generated a huge amount of interest and chatter among media members and Thompson race fans.

     Jeff Zuidema of N. Brookfield has been the dominant player in the Late Model division. He has won three of the four races run in the division in 2008 and appears to be on a non-stop roll to claim more checkered flags. Mark Palmisano, Rick Gentes, Mark Jenison, Jay Stuart and Conrad Cote have proven to be tough competitors and will all attempt to overtake the Zuidema express.

      Similar battles exist in the Thompson Modifieds, Limited Sportsman and Mini Stock divisions. Glenn Boss leads the point’s parade in the Thompson Modified division and it is Scott Sundeen who tops the list in the Limited Sportsman. Mike Romano sits atop the points chase in the Mini Stock Division.

      With so much on the line, fans can expect exciting race action every Thursday night at Thompson. However, when you add the NEMA Midgets to an already exciting race program, you have a great way to begin the mid-summer, 4th of July holiday celebration.

      Multi-time champion Allen Coates will return to Speedbowl Late Model competition wheeling a machine owned by Scott Gregory. Sponsored by Foxwoods Resort Casino, B & W Landscaping, and Roy & Sons Auto Body, the car is a former Scott Fearn-owned mount and will carry Coates’ familiar # 90. Making their debut last weekend, the newly formed team expects to compete in several events during the remainder of the season.

    ALMS Race Day equals hospitality for the fans at Lime Rock Park in Conn.  They'll get exclusive access and shaded seating with the best view. Closed circuit TV and a lunch. Also, the chance to win some very cool prizes. If you are a Red Sox or Yankee fan come join the party during the American Le Mans race weekend, 12 July 2008.

 You can spend the day at Lime Rock Park and show your team spirit.  While the American Le Mans series hits the track, you could be enjoying the luxuries of the baseball Fan Zone.  Here’s the catch…your side of the Fan Zone (New York or Boston) has to have more fans than the other side in order to be eligible to win one of the following prizes:

•    Two tickets to a 2008 Red Sox or Yankee game plus two Coca-Cola racing jackets
•    1 winner (21 years or older) will win a night out at Mohegan Sun & Michael Jordan’s restaurant, Cabaret Comedy Series tickets and limo for 6 people.
•    BMW M5 Driving School at the Performance Center in Spartanburg, SC
•    Set of tires from Town Fair Tire
•    Skip Barber Racing School: Introduction to Racing
•    Free karting at F1 Boston
•    Dinner for two in either Boston or New York City
•    Cold Case of Harpoon Beer

Call the Track Office at 800.RACE.LRP or visit limerock.com and buy your Fan Zone Pass today!

Admission Ticket: $55 (Kid’s 12 and Under Free)
Fan Zone Hospitality (unlimited access): $45 (for Kid’s 12 and Under, $25)

       Seekonk Speedway is gearing up for their Fourth of July Celebration with $2,000 to win Demolition Derby. As the nation celebrates her biggest day of the year, as folks from sea to shining sea celebrate the birthday of America. One of the biggest celebrations in our area happens on Sunday, July 6, at the Seekonk Speedway, as thousands and thousands of fans cheer on their fellow man in many a competition.

     The afternoon starts off at 5 p.m. with the spectator drags. One-on-one drag races around the third-mile oval keep the competitors on their toes. This competition is open to all coupes, sedans and station wagons. The only thing you need is a helmet and some confidence you can beat someone else around the racetrack.

     Enduro drags are also part of the show. This pits several cars against each other in a similar fashion as the Spectator Drags, but the drivers are encourage to hit each other. These same cars will compete in the Enduro races, a competition that becomes a test of man and machine in an event like no other. It’s all or nothing in this event.

     The Figure Eight race has become one of the most insane events this speedway has ever put forth. Drivers negotiate left and right hand turns, on a racetrack that has usually been watered down. The first one to the center of the X is usually the last one standing. But not always. On top of the twists and turns, there is a ramp located in each end of the straights for the contest. Not only do they have to survive the other cars, they have to survive the beatings they will take in this contest.

        The racetrack will not be the only place fans will look for something exciting. Once again, Seekonk Speedway management has retained one of the highest sought after firework companies, and has set in motion one of the most spectacular fireworks display this side of the Pacific. An Arial assault that is worthy of the Rockets Red Glare.

     The final event of the evening will be the granddaddy of them all. The world famous Seekonk Speedway Demolition Derby. With an average of over 100 competitors in this event over the years, and $2,000 on the line for the winner, there is sure to be nonstop action in this event. Who will be the lone survivor this Independence Day? Come down and find out for yourself.

     The stars and cars of the ISMA Super modified division return to Stafford Motor Speedway on Tuesday, July 8 for the 5th Annual CARQUEST Extreme Tuesday event.  Joining the ISMA Super modified field will be open-wheel legend Bentley Warren, who has four career ISMA Super modified championships, and ranks third on the all-time ISMA Super modified winners list with 41 career victories.

      "I'm absolutely looking forward to coming back to Stafford to race," said Warren.  "Stafford is a great track, I love racing there, and hopefully I can get another win at Stafford." Prior to the CARQUEST Extreme Tuesday program, the ISMA Super modifieds had raced at Stafford five times with Warren winning three times and finishing second in another event.  Warren will be piloting a Vic Miller machine as a teammate to Chris Parley, who is a two-time winner of CARQUEST Extreme Tuesday, which will count him among the favorites to drive to victory lane when the ISMA Supers return to SMS on July 8th.

         "The track races pretty much the same now as it did then," says Warren.  "My favorite Stafford memory had to be winning in one of Norm Swift's cars.  He was a famous driver and to win driving a car for someone like that was something I'll always remember."

        Warren's accomplishments in open wheeled racing are of legendary status.  His racing career spans nearly a half-century and he has over 300 career feature wins to his credit.  Warren has raced in virtually all types of open-wheeled cars throughout his long and illustrious career, from ISMA Super modifieds to USAC, including two career starts in the most prestigious open wheeled race in the world, the Indy 500, where he finished 23rd in both 1971 and 1975.  Warren is also a two-time winner of the Little 500, the richest sprint car race on pavement.  Much of Warren's open wheeled success has come behind the wheel of a super modified.

     Warren has four career International Super Modified Association championships (1984, 88, 89, 90), and he has 41 career victories, which places him behind only Russ Wood and Chris Perley on the all-time ISMA Super modfied feature winners list. Warren also has a total of 7 track championships at Oswego Speedway, and has won the prestigious Budweiser Classic 6 times at Oswego.  At 67 years of age, Warren shows no signs of slowing down any time soon. "I love racing, I enjoy the hell out of it," said Warren.  "I think about [retirement] sometimes, but as soon as I get back behind the wheel I love it all over again."

      Joining the ISMA Super modifieds will be the NEMA Midgets and the Pro-4 Modifieds.  The ISMA Super modified feature will be 50-laps, the NEMA Midget feature will be 30-laps, and the Pro-4 Modified feature will be 25-laps.  Spectator gates open at 4 p.m., qualifying races begin at 5:45 p.m., and feature events begin at 7:30 p.m.

       Stafford Motor Speedway has announced that NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series points leader Johnny Benson, Jr. will be part of the ISMA Super modified field for the Tuesday, July 8 CARQUEST Extreme Tuesday program. Benson is the most recent winner on the Craftsman Truck Series, winning at the Milwaukee Mile, and he currently leads Todd Bodine by 50 points in the Craftsman Truck Series point’s standings.

      Benson’s visit to Stafford will be his first visit behind the wheel at the Connecticut half-mile.” I’ve heard lots of good things about Stafford, but I’ve never seen it before,” said Benson. “That definitely should make it more exciting!”   Benson is currently working on putting together his own ISMA Super modified car, but for the CARQUEST Extreme Tuesday show, Benson will be piloting a car out of the Mike Lichty stable as a team car to Mike Lichty and Dave McKnight. “I’m working on putting my own car together, but it’s not quite finished yet,” said Benson. “I’ve driven Brad [Lichty’s] car about five times before, and it’s a really nice thing to be able to travel to different parts of the country and see some tracks that I’ve never seen before.”

      After a full slate of qualifying, the combination of rain and dense humidity forced the postponement of Thompson’s Super Six NASCAR Whelen All-American Series action last Thursday Night. The rains came just as the Mini Stock division was preparing to take the green. After an extended and rigorous attempt to dry the track, management was forced to reschedule the program in its entirety.

      Rain checks will be honored next week, Thursday, July 3, 2008 when the racing community will be treated to an action-packed night of racing that will include all six of Thompson regular divisions that will also feature double features for the Sunoco Modified division and a 25-lap extra-distance race for the TIS Modifieds.  Joining the Super Six will be the exciting Northeastern Midget Association (NEMA) for their traditional Independence Day visit.

      Saturday night's Pepsi 300 is the middle jewel in Waterford Speedbowl's "Triple Crown."  Often referred to as the "midsummer classic," it is a showcase for the 'Bowl's NASCAR Whelen All American Series competitors.

      This will be the tenth edition of the Pepsi 300 that lists 100 lappers for the SK Modifieds and Late Models and 50 lappers for the Sportsman and Mini Stocks.  The season-opening Modified Nationals and season-closing Finale are the other jewels.  The gates open at 4 p.m. and the first feature starts at 7.

Competition remains torrid at the Speedbowl. Last week, Jay Miller was the Bowl's seventh SK winner and 25th Whelen Series winner of the season. Three drivers including defending Late Model champion Bruce Thomas Jr. will be looking to capture three straight "triple crown" wins going back to last year's Finale. Also hoping to keep '08 Triple Crown hopes alive will be SK point leader Dennis Gada and Sportsman pacesetter Al Stone III.

      Chuck Hossfeld driving Bob Garbarino's Mystic Missile out of Conn. stole the lead away from Ted Christopher coming down for the checkered lag in the New England 100 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour at NHMS in Loudon, NH. From the look of it, Chuck won by less than a foot. Up until the checkered flag TC appeared to be the dominant driver in that event that had 38 starters. Ed Flemke, another Conn. driver, came in third. Next was Eric Beers in the Berkley Racing car wrenched by Bob Caton then Reggie Ruggiero, Bob Santos, III of Franklin, Todd Szegedy of Conn., Ryan Preece at the wheel of Mike Boehler's car from Freetown with Jeff Fuller and Ronnie Silk comprising the top ten.  

      Not so fortunate was Rockland native Dale Quarterley in the Brady Bunch car who went out just after the halfway mark. Also suffering the same fate was Marshfield's Bob Grigas, III and Canton's Rick Savary they finished 37th and 38th.   Quarterley also was busy supporting his Camping World Series driver John Selemi of NH as his crew chief the previous day. John finished eighth in the Camping World 125. Dale prepared that car during the winter and the plan is to make as many of those events as possible this season.

       Fred Astle, Jr. made a big haul of $4,000 last Saturday night after winning the 75-lap Pro Stock feature while Berkley's Jake Vanada ran a hard race but was denied a top five finish due to problems early on. Charlie Rose won the Sport Truck main with Taunton's Zach Tucan cracked the top five. Dick Cavallaro won the Street Stock feature and Dighton's Chris DeMoura ended the night in sixth. John Dickerson came home first in the Late Model feature while Norwood's Denny Stampfl came in eighth with Qunicy's John Hannifin cracking the top ten.

     Bobby Santos, III of Franklin won the NEMA Midget main at the Lee USA Speedway in NH last weekend besting Plymouth's Randy Cabral who came in second. Bobby's sister Erica finished fifth and Bridgewater's Greg Stoehr ended the night in seventh.

      Joe Kopp beat Ken Coolbeth in the GNC Twins at Bedford, Penn. Coolbeth is sponsored by Bettencourt Honda/Suzuka of Bridgwater. Ken also won his qualifying heat and still leads the point battle over Kopp.

      Last Sunday morning Speedway Motorsports top exec Bruton Smith gave his first ever press conference with the assembled media from the northeast, New England and eastern Canada at NHMS. He tried to answer all the questions. Here's what our take is on it. Neither Cup races will move. No drag strip will be built. NHMS must have lights in case there's a weather problem so that the event can possibly be completed on race day. Monday races are out unless the weather forces a reschedule. Smith also wants to add an Indy Car event with support events from the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, USAC Silver Crown and Midgets.

     SMI may or may not make major modifications to the track but leaves the options open to possibly rebuild the track on an adjacent parcel of land that NHMS owns. "I saw a lot of close racing here and I'm impressed. Also, the New England fans that are really into the sport and that really impresses me. Plus, we have a lot of Canadians coming down for the events. Also from other parts of the northeast. They are great and they like coming here, " he said.

        Smith also likened NHMS to his Bristol Motor Speedway in Tenn. where he expanded to 150,000 seats after his public company purchased the venue.  Bruton would also like to expand current NHMS seating by another 25,000. In concert with that the SMI President would like to expand parking for RV's and services such as restrooms.

       However, published reports in the Union Leader in Manchester, NH cite a 1989 agreement between former owner Bob Bahre and a group against expansion of the speedway as a possible obstacle to Smith's future plans. Bruton Smith, though, has had discussions with the Granite State Governor and other state, county and town officials about his future plans for NHMS.

     Now let's see what else is happening in southern New England this busy Independence Day holiday weekend.   It's Fast Friday at Seekonk Speedway while the Stafford Speedway offers a five-division NASCAR All American Series program the same night. Seekonk adds the three antique racing clubs to it's four division card on Saturday night while Whip City out in Westfield has Mini Sprints on the quarter-mile dirt. Lime Rock Park in Conn. has a Kart Enduro all day Friday and Saturday.    On Saturday and Sunday the New England Dirt Track flat track motorcycles will perform at the Brockton Fairgrounds.   Also going with a Demo Derby on Sunday night is the Waterford Speedbowl in Conn.

    Lou Modestino is a long-time columnist and Public Relations person, working for numerous tracks in the northeast, and now writes for The Enterprise in Brockton, MA.  He may be reached at lmodestino@hotmail.com. 

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