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Blewett will be behind the wheel of his familiar red, white, and blue family owned #76 Starrett Racing machine, but he will be bringing a new SPAFCO chassis to Stafford for the race. “I’m excited for the Starrett 150,” said Blewett. “Stafford is definitely one of my favorite tracks and I feel like it’s always one of my strong points. One thing going into the race is that we’re bringing a new SPAFCO car for this race and I feel very comfortable bringing a new car to Stafford. This will be a whole new ball game for me but there’s nothing like a good challenge. Last Saturday was my 15th win with the new chassis and so far we’ve only lost 4 races with it. It’s a good car and I’ve built up a great relationship with Kenny Barry and everyone at SPAFCO. I feel like we’ve found something the last 3 or 4 races we’ve run and we can definitely apply some of that for the Stafford race.” |
Andrew Molleur Wins !
Race #4 of the Stafford Motor Speedway Season.
Andrew Molleur Scores first victory of the season
in the SPAFCO Rental SK Light on 5/18/2018
Race #4 of the Stafford Motor Speedway Season.
Andrew Molleur Scores first victory of the season
in the SPAFCO Rental SK Light on 5/18/2018
Back To Back To Back
BLEWETT AGAIN IN WALL STADIUM MODIFIED RACE
Defending Pete and Elda’s Bar/Carmen’s Pizzeria Modified champion Jimmy Blewett raced to his third All American Auto Group Racing Series feature race win in as many 2018 starts at Wall Stadium Speedway Saturday night. It was the Howell resident’s 69th career Modified stock car win at the speedway.
Winning his qualifying race from a last place starting spot was a key on this night as that victory set him up on the front row for the feature race. Blewett then rocketed to the lead on the green flag and never looked back in the non-stop test. Zack Alspach of Willingboro, who chased Blewett the entire distance, found his runner-up finish to be a personal victory because he crashed hard after hitting oil in afternoon testing forcing his crew to make extensive repairs to his car for the night’s race.
Howell’s Eric Mauriello chipped his way through the field to finish third, with Steven Reed of Jackson and Holmdel’s Andrew Krause wrapping up the top five.
“I didn’t think I would be here tonight,” Blewett, who was also racing in Connecticut on both Saturday and Sunday, said. “My grandfather arranged for me to get a plane ride back for tonight so here I am!”
myracenews.com
BLEWETT AGAIN IN WALL STADIUM MODIFIED RACE
Defending Pete and Elda’s Bar/Carmen’s Pizzeria Modified champion Jimmy Blewett raced to his third All American Auto Group Racing Series feature race win in as many 2018 starts at Wall Stadium Speedway Saturday night. It was the Howell resident’s 69th career Modified stock car win at the speedway.
Winning his qualifying race from a last place starting spot was a key on this night as that victory set him up on the front row for the feature race. Blewett then rocketed to the lead on the green flag and never looked back in the non-stop test. Zack Alspach of Willingboro, who chased Blewett the entire distance, found his runner-up finish to be a personal victory because he crashed hard after hitting oil in afternoon testing forcing his crew to make extensive repairs to his car for the night’s race.
Howell’s Eric Mauriello chipped his way through the field to finish third, with Steven Reed of Jackson and Holmdel’s Andrew Krause wrapping up the top five.
“I didn’t think I would be here tonight,” Blewett, who was also racing in Connecticut on both Saturday and Sunday, said. “My grandfather arranged for me to get a plane ride back for tonight so here I am!”
myracenews.com
BLEWETT REPEATS
IN WILD WALL STADIUM MODIFIED RACE
Defending Pete and Elda’s Bar/Carmen’s Pizzeria Modified champion Jimmy Blewett has proven to be tough again this season as he won his second straight 40-lap race in the All American Auto Group Racing Series at Wall Stadium Speedway. Saturday night’s program was the second of the young season.
Starting from the third row Blewett began his charge towards the front immediately as Jason Hearne of New Egypt jumped to the lead. By lap five Blewett had entered the top four and advanced to the top three by lap ten. By lap 12 Blewett was up to second and locked in a struggle for the lead with Hearne, Holmdel’s Andrew Krause and Chas Okerson of Freehold.
Hearne continued to lead the way while the trio wrestled behind him with plenty of contact between the cars and occasional smoke coming from a rubbing tire on Blewett’s racer. The action continued hot and heavy until three laps to go when Hearne and Blewett touched on the backstretch and Hearne spun from the lead. Blewett then raced on to the win with Howell’s Eric Mauriello grabbing second. Jackson’s Steven Reed, Tyler Truex of Mayetta and Manasquan’s Kenny Van Wickle wrapped up the top five. After being involved in tangles on the final lap Krause was eighth and
http://myracenews.com/
Wall Stadium Speedway Jimmy Blewitt starts 2018 right where he left off the
2017 season at wall stadium putting his SPAFCO
in victory lane!!!Opening night pole and feature victory
WALL TOWNSHIP, N.J. ~ His race car may have had a new paint scheme, sponsor and number, but the final results were the same as Jimmy Blewett raced to the opening night win in the Pete and Elda’s Bar/Carmen’s Pizzeria Modified 40-lap feature at Wall Stadium Speedway Saturday night. The All American Auto Group Racing Series victory moved the Howell speedster to second spot on the all-time Modified win list.
With opening night qualifying determined by time trials, Blewett started at the front and never looked back. The race for second was frantic, however, as Jackson’s Steven Reed and Holmdel’s Andrew Krause wrestled for the spot most of the way before Krause nailed down the finish. Howell’s Eric Mauriello was also impressive as he slipped into third in the closing laps after pitting in the first half of the race when his window net became unlatched. Reed was fourth and Freehold’s Chas Okerson was fifth.
www.myracingnews.com
Photo: JJLane Racing Photos
2017 season at wall stadium putting his SPAFCO
in victory lane!!!Opening night pole and feature victory
WALL TOWNSHIP, N.J. ~ His race car may have had a new paint scheme, sponsor and number, but the final results were the same as Jimmy Blewett raced to the opening night win in the Pete and Elda’s Bar/Carmen’s Pizzeria Modified 40-lap feature at Wall Stadium Speedway Saturday night. The All American Auto Group Racing Series victory moved the Howell speedster to second spot on the all-time Modified win list.
With opening night qualifying determined by time trials, Blewett started at the front and never looked back. The race for second was frantic, however, as Jackson’s Steven Reed and Holmdel’s Andrew Krause wrestled for the spot most of the way before Krause nailed down the finish. Howell’s Eric Mauriello was also impressive as he slipped into third in the closing laps after pitting in the first half of the race when his window net became unlatched. Reed was fourth and Freehold’s Chas Okerson was fifth.
www.myracingnews.com
Photo: JJLane Racing Photos
- Matt Swanson Kicks Off
Fifth At Icebreaker 150 At Thompson
THOMPSON – With a part-time schedule planned for 2018, Matt Swanson kicked off his 2018 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour campaign Sunday in a positive way with a fifth place finish in the Icebreaker 150 at Thompson Speedway.
Swanson skipped the season opening Whelen Modified Tour event at Myrtle Beach (S.C.) Speedway on March 17.
Picking his way through the field, Swanson took the green flag 21st, survived the melee of cautions, pitted just prior to the halfway mark before getting through some late race aggressive action to finish fifth.
“Missing the first race I wasn’t really sure what to expect here at Thompson but this Starrett Tools Ford was very good today,” Swanson said. “All the guys at SPAFCO, my father, my brothers, all the crew guys, prepared me a great race car and I was glad to prove it for them.”
“You always expect a little contact at the end of a Tour race here, today, there was a little extra contact. We were able to keep all four wheels on it, we’re rolling it through tech and we’re putting it in the trailer.”
Swanson used an early pit stop for adjustments and one tire that paid dividends.
“We felt we could gain putting a new tire on,” Swanson said. “We pitted early with a couple other cars. We had a back up plan if the cautions didn’t fall the right way, but they did. We were able to come in, put three tires on and the car held it self the rest of the race. It handled as well at the end of the race as it did when we bolted on three tires.”
Swanson’s team returns to action with the series in the NAPA Spring Sizzler April 29 at Stafford Motor Speedway.
www.racedayct.com
SPAFCO Race Chassis with 3 Cars in
top 10 at VMRS Race at Thompson
Ice Breaker 50
4th Woody Pitkat
7th Jeffery Gallup
8th Kyle Trayner
top 10 at VMRS Race at Thompson
Ice Breaker 50
4th Woody Pitkat
7th Jeffery Gallup
8th Kyle Trayner
Jimmy Blewett To Run SPAFCO Chassis at Stafford
When it comes to his racing calendar for the 2018 season, longtime Modified competitor Jimmy Blewett describes his plans as “playing it be ear” for much of what he’ll do.
But there is one thing he’s sure of.
Blewett, of Howell, N.J., said he will chase an SK Modified championship at Thompson Speedway in 2018“I will be racing Thompson in the SK ,” Blewett said. “I can’t let it out, let the cat out of the bag who I’m driving for yet. And I’m also putting a new SPAFCO car together with Kenny Barry to run a few shows at Stafford in the SK.” racedayct.com
But there is one thing he’s sure of.
Blewett, of Howell, N.J., said he will chase an SK Modified championship at Thompson Speedway in 2018“I will be racing Thompson in the SK ,” Blewett said. “I can’t let it out, let the cat out of the bag who I’m driving for yet. And I’m also putting a new SPAFCO car together with Kenny Barry to run a few shows at Stafford in the SK.” racedayct.com
- Blewett Feasts on Turkey Derby Trifecta at Wall Stadium
Blewett led all but 23 laps in the 100-lap SK Modified feature. Eric Mauriello finished second, Steven Reed third, Hirschman fourth and Krause fifth.
Blewett said he raced conservatively in the SK race. He had strong restarts and was able to build a large enough gap that he didn’t have to drive as hard as possible.
“The more I was saving, the better I was going,” he said. “We were turning our fastest laps at the end. When you’re younger you dream of weekends like this. I’m not old, but I’m getting older, and I always say to myself, ‘Hey, when am I going to slow down?’”
He said it won’t be anytime soon. In fact, as the years go by, he feels better and better.
“Hey, I seem to be getting a little bit faster with time.”
speed51
- Jerico/Spafco Expand
- Partnership For
- Northeast Customers
Jerico Performance Products is pleased to announce expanded offerings with longstanding New England dealer, Spafco Race Chassis and Parts. Beginning immediately, Spafco Race Chassis and Parts will remain an authorized dealer of Jerico Performance Products and will be expanding in a move designed to expedite the sales and service processes for all Jerico customers in New England.
“Spafco has done a great job representing Jerico in the Northeast in the past, and we are happy to have them expand their services with Jerico Performance Products,” said Jody Rawson of Jerico Performance Products.
Spafco will be offering repair services, as well as increasing the amount of parts and complete transmissions stocked at their Preston, Connecticut facility.
“We are pleased to broaden our relationship with Jerico,” said Ken Barry of Spafco Race Chassis and Parts.
Jerico customers in the Northeast will now have access to repairs without having to ship their transmissions to Jerico’s Concord, North Carolina facility. In addition, Spafco will be stocking two and three-speed units in popular rations.
“Instead of custom ordering a transmission, our customers will be able to have a unit in their hands when they leave our shop,” Barry said.“In an increasingly competitive marketplace, we are always looking at ways to up our game,” said Rawson. “Working closer with top dealers in our network is one way to help improve our customers overall experience.”
speed51.com
Russ Hersey Wins VMRS at
Lee USA Speedway's
Oktoberfest
Russ Hersey of Swanzey, NH, drove to his second win of the season Sunday afternoon, when he captured the ‘Advanced Gas Distributors’ 75- lap modified race sanctioned by the Valenti Modified Racing Series.
The race was part of the 34th annual Oktoberfest program at Lee USA Speedway, Lee. NH. The win was also the second for long-time car owner Warren Mordenti.
Point leader Anthony Nocella, of Woburn, Massachusetts’s finished runner-up, and in doing so, locked in the 2017 VMRS championship.
Westbrook, Maine, veteran Tony Ricci returned to the series this season after taking a break from modified racing and finished a strong third.
Sammy Rameau, of Westminster, Massachusetts, at age 15, made a late race charge to finish in a respectable fourth place, followed my Grantham, New Hampshire’s Mike Willis Jr.
Early race leaders Les Hinckley III, and Jeffrey Gallup, finished sixth and seventh, 17-year old Ryan Doucette an impressive eighth, Mike Douglas Jr ninth, and Jimmy Zacharias, rounded out the top-ten.
13 of the 18 cars that started the event finished on the lead lap. The race was slowed by three caution periods for minor spins.
Racedayct.com
Lee USA Speedway's
Oktoberfest
Russ Hersey of Swanzey, NH, drove to his second win of the season Sunday afternoon, when he captured the ‘Advanced Gas Distributors’ 75- lap modified race sanctioned by the Valenti Modified Racing Series.
The race was part of the 34th annual Oktoberfest program at Lee USA Speedway, Lee. NH. The win was also the second for long-time car owner Warren Mordenti.
Point leader Anthony Nocella, of Woburn, Massachusetts’s finished runner-up, and in doing so, locked in the 2017 VMRS championship.
Westbrook, Maine, veteran Tony Ricci returned to the series this season after taking a break from modified racing and finished a strong third.
Sammy Rameau, of Westminster, Massachusetts, at age 15, made a late race charge to finish in a respectable fourth place, followed my Grantham, New Hampshire’s Mike Willis Jr.
Early race leaders Les Hinckley III, and Jeffrey Gallup, finished sixth and seventh, 17-year old Ryan Doucette an impressive eighth, Mike Douglas Jr ninth, and Jimmy Zacharias, rounded out the top-ten.
13 of the 18 cars that started the event finished on the lead lap. The race was slowed by three caution periods for minor spins.
Racedayct.com
|
October 15th, 2016
Matt Swanson Collects 2016 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Sunoco Rookie Of The Year Title
A hometracks.nascar.com release
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Matt Swanson is unique among his high school peers.
While the other student-athletes at his school participate in a multitude of sports, Swanson is the only one who is a full-time race car driver. And Swanson has excelled in his first season on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour. So much so that he's clinched the tour's Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors with a race remaining.
The Acton, Massachusetts, teenager finished fourth at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in September and eighth at the NAPA Fall Final at Connecticut's Stafford Motor Speedway to pull away from Craig Lutz and secure the honor for first-year competitors.
Heading in to the season final this Sunday at Connecticut's Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park, Swanson has won 12 Sunoco Rookie of the Race honors in the first 16 events.
“We set goals for this season and one of them was to win the Sunoco Rookie of the Year Award in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour,” Swanson said. “We started the season just wanting to run well and things fell into place where we now can celebrate this honor.”
Swanson added that his team was also looking to use this year as a learning one to build on for the future.
“The guys on the team worked hard all year and we began the season building our notebook of notes for each track we race at on the schedule,” Swanson said. “We were concerned more with that to start the season and didn’t really worry about finishes until later in the season when we realized we could lock up the ROY award.”
Swanson’s best finish this season so far is a third-place at Thompson in June, but it was his most recent finishes that made the difference for the teenager.
“The third-place finish we had a Thompson was great and that one along with coming from 20th to fourth at New Hampshire and coming home strong at Stafford last weekend helped us a lot.
“I just want to thank Sunoco for this honor and award each week and at the end of the season because it gives new drivers coming in to the series something to race for and as hard as it is to get sponsors in racing these days, every bit of help we get is appreciated,” Swanson said. “This is something I’ll always remember and hope we can build off of this honor like many others have done on the tour and went on to win races and contend for championships.”
Heading into the final race, Swanson leads Lutz 154-134. Andrew Krause, Nick Salva and Walter Sutcliffe, Jr. rounding out the top five.
Rookie points are earned on a 10-to-1 system with the highest-finishing first-year driver in a race scoring 10, the second nine, and so on down to one point for the lowest finishers.
Swanson will receive the Sunoco Rookie of the Year Award on Dec. 10 as part of the NASCAR Night of Champions Touring Series Awards at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Matt Swanson Collects 2016 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Sunoco Rookie Of The Year Title
A hometracks.nascar.com release
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Matt Swanson is unique among his high school peers.
While the other student-athletes at his school participate in a multitude of sports, Swanson is the only one who is a full-time race car driver. And Swanson has excelled in his first season on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour. So much so that he's clinched the tour's Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors with a race remaining.
The Acton, Massachusetts, teenager finished fourth at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in September and eighth at the NAPA Fall Final at Connecticut's Stafford Motor Speedway to pull away from Craig Lutz and secure the honor for first-year competitors.
Heading in to the season final this Sunday at Connecticut's Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park, Swanson has won 12 Sunoco Rookie of the Race honors in the first 16 events.
“We set goals for this season and one of them was to win the Sunoco Rookie of the Year Award in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour,” Swanson said. “We started the season just wanting to run well and things fell into place where we now can celebrate this honor.”
Swanson added that his team was also looking to use this year as a learning one to build on for the future.
“The guys on the team worked hard all year and we began the season building our notebook of notes for each track we race at on the schedule,” Swanson said. “We were concerned more with that to start the season and didn’t really worry about finishes until later in the season when we realized we could lock up the ROY award.”
Swanson’s best finish this season so far is a third-place at Thompson in June, but it was his most recent finishes that made the difference for the teenager.
“The third-place finish we had a Thompson was great and that one along with coming from 20th to fourth at New Hampshire and coming home strong at Stafford last weekend helped us a lot.
“I just want to thank Sunoco for this honor and award each week and at the end of the season because it gives new drivers coming in to the series something to race for and as hard as it is to get sponsors in racing these days, every bit of help we get is appreciated,” Swanson said. “This is something I’ll always remember and hope we can build off of this honor like many others have done on the tour and went on to win races and contend for championships.”
Heading into the final race, Swanson leads Lutz 154-134. Andrew Krause, Nick Salva and Walter Sutcliffe, Jr. rounding out the top five.
Rookie points are earned on a 10-to-1 system with the highest-finishing first-year driver in a race scoring 10, the second nine, and so on down to one point for the lowest finishers.
Swanson will receive the Sunoco Rookie of the Year Award on Dec. 10 as part of the NASCAR Night of Champions Touring Series Awards at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, North Carolina.
June 28th, 2015
Bonsignore Rules At Riverhead; Spafco Driver Scores Second Whelen Modified Tour Win At Home Track
RIVERHEAD, N.Y. – Justin Bonsignore has to enjoy racing at Riverhead Raceway.
Bonsignore passed Timmy Solomito in Turn 3 on Lap 9 and waited out a rain delay and a late charge by Todd Szegedy to score his seventh career NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour win and second at his home track.
Bonsignore piloted his No. 51 M3 Technology Chevrolet around some late race traffic to hold off Szegedy and continue of his streak of scoring at least one tour win every year since 2011.
Doug Coby followed Szegedy in third to score his best career finish at Riverhead with Eric Goodale fourth and Woody Pitkat fifth.
Timmy Solomito, who led the first eight laps of the race, followed in sixth while polesitter Tom Rogers Jr. rebounded from having to start the race at the rear of the 28-car field to finish seventh. Ryan Preece was eighth with rookies Vincent Biondolillo and David Sapienza rounding out the top 10.
This was the second career tour win for Bonsignore at Riverhead as the Holtsville, New York, native won at his home track in 2011 in his first career victory.
The race was slowed seven times for caution with Shawn Solomito and Donny Lia involved in the only multi-car incident in the race on Lap 39. The race also featured a 45 minute red flag for rain to set up the final 51-lap sprint to the finish.
After six points events, the championship standings now feature a tie for the lead between Coby and Preece with 251 apiece. Pitkat sits third, just two tallies back of the co-leaders.
The Riverhead Hoosier Tire East 200 is slated to air on NBCSN Thursday, July 2nd at 6 p.m. ET.
Bonsignore Rules At Riverhead; Spafco Driver Scores Second Whelen Modified Tour Win At Home Track
RIVERHEAD, N.Y. – Justin Bonsignore has to enjoy racing at Riverhead Raceway.
Bonsignore passed Timmy Solomito in Turn 3 on Lap 9 and waited out a rain delay and a late charge by Todd Szegedy to score his seventh career NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour win and second at his home track.
Bonsignore piloted his No. 51 M3 Technology Chevrolet around some late race traffic to hold off Szegedy and continue of his streak of scoring at least one tour win every year since 2011.
Doug Coby followed Szegedy in third to score his best career finish at Riverhead with Eric Goodale fourth and Woody Pitkat fifth.
Timmy Solomito, who led the first eight laps of the race, followed in sixth while polesitter Tom Rogers Jr. rebounded from having to start the race at the rear of the 28-car field to finish seventh. Ryan Preece was eighth with rookies Vincent Biondolillo and David Sapienza rounding out the top 10.
This was the second career tour win for Bonsignore at Riverhead as the Holtsville, New York, native won at his home track in 2011 in his first career victory.
The race was slowed seven times for caution with Shawn Solomito and Donny Lia involved in the only multi-car incident in the race on Lap 39. The race also featured a 45 minute red flag for rain to set up the final 51-lap sprint to the finish.
After six points events, the championship standings now feature a tie for the lead between Coby and Preece with 251 apiece. Pitkat sits third, just two tallies back of the co-leaders.
The Riverhead Hoosier Tire East 200 is slated to air on NBCSN Thursday, July 2nd at 6 p.m. ET.
May 23, 2015
Pitkat Completes Modified Trifecta at Home Track, Wins VMRS Event With Spafco Chassis
Woody Pitkat added another major achievement to his resume at Stafford Motor Speedway (CT) on a cold, windy night in Connecticut on Friday. Pitkat, who calls Stafford, Connecticut home, held off Keith Rocco on a late race restart to score his first career Valenti Modified Racing Series win in his 15th try. The win also completed the Modified trifecta for Pitkat, which includes wins in the SK Modified division, Valenti Modified Racing Series and NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour at his home track.
“They just keep clicking,” Pitkat told Speed51.com powered by JEGS after the race. “I hope that doesn’t show that’s the only place I can win, but it’s showing that I’m in top notch equipment and I have great people backing me, great supporting cast and great, great fans that have been through the ups and downs with my Tour career until pretty much last year when I turned it up with Buzz and those guys.”
Pitkat took the lead from Rocco on lap 68 of the 80-lap VMRS feature but would not be able to pull away. Rocco stayed glued to Pitkat’s back bumper until the final caution of the night waved with six laps remaining. That wouldn’t be enough to stop Pitkat, however. The driver of the black and blue No. 42 would get a great restart, allowing him to pull away from Rocco and never look back.
“Obviously it’s huge, especially to win here,” said Pitkat. “I really felt like we were going to have a really good car and have a good opportunity. We were so good at Monadnock and we maybe started a little bit too good at Lee and I maybe used it up.
“It’s just awesome to be able to win now, obviously to be able to win on MRS. I really wanted to do that.”
In addition to completing the Modified trifecta at Stafford, Pitkat accomplished another goal on Friday night by scoring his first win in a SPAFCO chassis driving for car owner Peter Kulessa. The opportunity to drive Kulessa’s No. 42 presented itself last year when SPAFCO owner Ken Berry sent a Facebook message to Pitkat.
“Kenny and those guys are really cool,” Pitkat stated. “He sent me a message on Facebook last year saying that they were looking for a driver, so if I was interested to drive let (crew chief) Greg (Felton) know and he’d contact me. I can’t thank him enough for putting my name out there. There are other people they could have put in the car and it’s just awesome.”
Since joining forces during a July VMRS event at Stafford one year ago, Pitkat and the Kulessa-owned team have made steady progress on and off the race track. Pitkat recorded three podium finishes with the team in 2014 before opening the 2015 season with a runner-up finish at Monadnock and a win on Friday night.
“We’re starting to click and everybody knows what we like with each other,” Pitkat said. “We put a good notebook together last year. I feel now that we’re coming back to these tracks that we have a good notebook and we’ll try to keep the momentum rolling.
Pitkat’s strong start to the 2015 season with both the Valenti Modified Racing Series and NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour has given him a new attitude when he shows up to the race track. He’s confident, he’s comfortable and his focus is solely on driving the race car.
“It’s nice to be able to show up to these places with a good attitude and be able to just go out there and focus on giving them your best feedback,” said Pitkat. “It all starts at the shop. They give me unbelievable cars right from when we unload. Your confidence is up and you go out there and give them the best feedback that you can.”
A full lap-by-lap replay of Friday night’s VMRS 80 from Stafford Motor Speedway can be viewed here.
-By Brandon Paul, Speed51.com Editor – Twitter: @Brandon_Paul51
Pitkat Completes Modified Trifecta at Home Track, Wins VMRS Event With Spafco Chassis
Woody Pitkat added another major achievement to his resume at Stafford Motor Speedway (CT) on a cold, windy night in Connecticut on Friday. Pitkat, who calls Stafford, Connecticut home, held off Keith Rocco on a late race restart to score his first career Valenti Modified Racing Series win in his 15th try. The win also completed the Modified trifecta for Pitkat, which includes wins in the SK Modified division, Valenti Modified Racing Series and NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour at his home track.
“They just keep clicking,” Pitkat told Speed51.com powered by JEGS after the race. “I hope that doesn’t show that’s the only place I can win, but it’s showing that I’m in top notch equipment and I have great people backing me, great supporting cast and great, great fans that have been through the ups and downs with my Tour career until pretty much last year when I turned it up with Buzz and those guys.”
Pitkat took the lead from Rocco on lap 68 of the 80-lap VMRS feature but would not be able to pull away. Rocco stayed glued to Pitkat’s back bumper until the final caution of the night waved with six laps remaining. That wouldn’t be enough to stop Pitkat, however. The driver of the black and blue No. 42 would get a great restart, allowing him to pull away from Rocco and never look back.
“Obviously it’s huge, especially to win here,” said Pitkat. “I really felt like we were going to have a really good car and have a good opportunity. We were so good at Monadnock and we maybe started a little bit too good at Lee and I maybe used it up.
“It’s just awesome to be able to win now, obviously to be able to win on MRS. I really wanted to do that.”
In addition to completing the Modified trifecta at Stafford, Pitkat accomplished another goal on Friday night by scoring his first win in a SPAFCO chassis driving for car owner Peter Kulessa. The opportunity to drive Kulessa’s No. 42 presented itself last year when SPAFCO owner Ken Berry sent a Facebook message to Pitkat.
“Kenny and those guys are really cool,” Pitkat stated. “He sent me a message on Facebook last year saying that they were looking for a driver, so if I was interested to drive let (crew chief) Greg (Felton) know and he’d contact me. I can’t thank him enough for putting my name out there. There are other people they could have put in the car and it’s just awesome.”
Since joining forces during a July VMRS event at Stafford one year ago, Pitkat and the Kulessa-owned team have made steady progress on and off the race track. Pitkat recorded three podium finishes with the team in 2014 before opening the 2015 season with a runner-up finish at Monadnock and a win on Friday night.
“We’re starting to click and everybody knows what we like with each other,” Pitkat said. “We put a good notebook together last year. I feel now that we’re coming back to these tracks that we have a good notebook and we’ll try to keep the momentum rolling.
Pitkat’s strong start to the 2015 season with both the Valenti Modified Racing Series and NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour has given him a new attitude when he shows up to the race track. He’s confident, he’s comfortable and his focus is solely on driving the race car.
“It’s nice to be able to show up to these places with a good attitude and be able to just go out there and focus on giving them your best feedback,” said Pitkat. “It all starts at the shop. They give me unbelievable cars right from when we unload. Your confidence is up and you go out there and give them the best feedback that you can.”
A full lap-by-lap replay of Friday night’s VMRS 80 from Stafford Motor Speedway can be viewed here.
-By Brandon Paul, Speed51.com Editor – Twitter: @Brandon_Paul51
February 13th, 2015
Spafco Begins 2015 Season In Victory Lane in Florida
A Speed51.com story
Ryan Preece dominant during Friday night’s opener for the Tour-Type Modifieds at New Smyrna Speedway’s 49th Annual World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing. However, when all was said and done the 2013 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion would not end up picking up his first career World Series win.
Practice throughout the week appeared to have paid off as Preece climbed his way to third on the first lap and into the lead on an ensuing restart, but the win would later be taken away by tech director Ricky Brooks.
“They said it was weight,” Preece explained to Speed51.com powered by JEGS following the disqualification. “What they are trying to do is hold you for a weight of an 18 degree 390 carburetor instead of the spec motor. I guess it’s better than getting caught cheating with a big motor. At least we’re legal in every department and we’ve got tomorrow to see what we can do and go to victory lane again.”
The fortunate one turned out to be last year’s Richie Evans Memorial 100 winner Justin Bonsignore, who passed pole starter Jimmy Zacharias on a late restart for what turned out to be the victory. Still, it was bittersweet for the defending Valenti Modified Racing Series champion who couldn’t help but feel bad for Preece.
“I’ve been around racing a long time so you see these things happen and you take them any way you can get them,” Bonsignore explained. “It definitely sucks for Ryan. He beat us all hands down tonight and it wasn’t because of a couple pounds, but you’ve got to set a precedent for how the rules are going to go for the week. If they didn’t do something it would have probably turned into chaos this week, and if they did now everyone knows where they stand for the rest of the week.”
J.R. Bertuccio moved up to second in the official finishing order with Zacharias rounding out the podium finishers. Kevin Goodale, substituting for his brother Eric, who recently became a father, finished fourth. Dalton Baldwin turned in a fifth-place run in a rare opportunity to excel in his home state.
The feature ended before it started for Spencer Davis after a rear end issue sidelined him prior to the green flag. He lost five laps swapping spots with the driver of the Hillbilly Racing backup car and completed what turned out to be his best finish of the night after disqualifications in the Super and Pro Late Model features.
As the ground pounders return to action on Saturday, several competitors will certainly be seeking redemption after a night that featured the highest of the highs and the lowest of the lows.
By Aaron Creed, Speed51.com Correspondent – Twitter: @Aaron_Creed
Spafco Begins 2015 Season In Victory Lane in Florida
A Speed51.com story
Ryan Preece dominant during Friday night’s opener for the Tour-Type Modifieds at New Smyrna Speedway’s 49th Annual World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing. However, when all was said and done the 2013 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion would not end up picking up his first career World Series win.
Practice throughout the week appeared to have paid off as Preece climbed his way to third on the first lap and into the lead on an ensuing restart, but the win would later be taken away by tech director Ricky Brooks.
“They said it was weight,” Preece explained to Speed51.com powered by JEGS following the disqualification. “What they are trying to do is hold you for a weight of an 18 degree 390 carburetor instead of the spec motor. I guess it’s better than getting caught cheating with a big motor. At least we’re legal in every department and we’ve got tomorrow to see what we can do and go to victory lane again.”
The fortunate one turned out to be last year’s Richie Evans Memorial 100 winner Justin Bonsignore, who passed pole starter Jimmy Zacharias on a late restart for what turned out to be the victory. Still, it was bittersweet for the defending Valenti Modified Racing Series champion who couldn’t help but feel bad for Preece.
“I’ve been around racing a long time so you see these things happen and you take them any way you can get them,” Bonsignore explained. “It definitely sucks for Ryan. He beat us all hands down tonight and it wasn’t because of a couple pounds, but you’ve got to set a precedent for how the rules are going to go for the week. If they didn’t do something it would have probably turned into chaos this week, and if they did now everyone knows where they stand for the rest of the week.”
J.R. Bertuccio moved up to second in the official finishing order with Zacharias rounding out the podium finishers. Kevin Goodale, substituting for his brother Eric, who recently became a father, finished fourth. Dalton Baldwin turned in a fifth-place run in a rare opportunity to excel in his home state.
The feature ended before it started for Spencer Davis after a rear end issue sidelined him prior to the green flag. He lost five laps swapping spots with the driver of the Hillbilly Racing backup car and completed what turned out to be his best finish of the night after disqualifications in the Super and Pro Late Model features.
As the ground pounders return to action on Saturday, several competitors will certainly be seeking redemption after a night that featured the highest of the highs and the lowest of the lows.
By Aaron Creed, Speed51.com Correspondent – Twitter: @Aaron_Creed
December 10th, 2014
Spafco Race Chassis & Parts are proudly on display at the PRI show in Indianapolis
Spafco Chassis and Parts were honored to have their race winning NASCAR Whelen Modifed Tour car on display for NASCAR at motorsports top industry trade show in Indianapolis, IN at PRI.
The Ken Massa owned, and Justin Bonsignore driven, M3 Technology NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour team raced their Spafco chassis to a series leading 3 victories in 2014 and contended for the series championship throughout the entire 2014 season.
Spafco Race Chassis & Parts are proudly on display at the PRI show in Indianapolis
Spafco Chassis and Parts were honored to have their race winning NASCAR Whelen Modifed Tour car on display for NASCAR at motorsports top industry trade show in Indianapolis, IN at PRI.
The Ken Massa owned, and Justin Bonsignore driven, M3 Technology NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour team raced their Spafco chassis to a series leading 3 victories in 2014 and contended for the series championship throughout the entire 2014 season.
November 29th, 2014
Spafco & Justin Bonsignore Crowned 2014 VMRS Champions
Justin Bonsignore, of Holtsville, NY, completed his goal Saturday night, December 6, when he officially became the 2014 Valenti Modified Racing Series champion at the 11th annual VMRS Awards Banquet at Best Western Executive Inn, Manchester, NH. The 26-year-old driver shared the podium with car owner Art Barry.
Bonsignore thanked his pit crew for their hard work and dedication, crew chief Kenny Barry, Spafco Race Cars & Parts, Spearpoint Racing, series sponsor Bob Valenti Auto Mall, VMRS officials, and gave a heartfelt thank you to car-owner Barry for making it possible and for giving him the opportunity and privilege to be part of a race team loaded with successful history for over 60 years. Bonsignore becomes the fifth champion in the 11-year series history.
Art Barry, of Preston, CT, when introduced, received a rousing standing ovation for his second series title and for his dedication to modified racing. An emotional Barry thanked all for their support and was read a special message from his wife, Deb, who for the first time was unable to attend due to illness.
(VMRS Press Release)
Spafco & Justin Bonsignore Crowned 2014 VMRS Champions
Justin Bonsignore, of Holtsville, NY, completed his goal Saturday night, December 6, when he officially became the 2014 Valenti Modified Racing Series champion at the 11th annual VMRS Awards Banquet at Best Western Executive Inn, Manchester, NH. The 26-year-old driver shared the podium with car owner Art Barry.
Bonsignore thanked his pit crew for their hard work and dedication, crew chief Kenny Barry, Spafco Race Cars & Parts, Spearpoint Racing, series sponsor Bob Valenti Auto Mall, VMRS officials, and gave a heartfelt thank you to car-owner Barry for making it possible and for giving him the opportunity and privilege to be part of a race team loaded with successful history for over 60 years. Bonsignore becomes the fifth champion in the 11-year series history.
Art Barry, of Preston, CT, when introduced, received a rousing standing ovation for his second series title and for his dedication to modified racing. An emotional Barry thanked all for their support and was read a special message from his wife, Deb, who for the first time was unable to attend due to illness.
(VMRS Press Release)
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