Tech Can't Stop 'Em Now

Sorry for being late once again. (I should just have my blogging party moved to Wednesdays so I can get everything organized. But nonetheless, I'm doing it for your enjoyment.) Okay, so we had an event on August 18. And all the features were run. I say we start the festivities and begin with the minutes of the evening. Sounding good? Great! Read on...

The first of the usual five features on the night was the DARE Stock 15-lapper. From the start, Jeff Hubbell powered himself in front of the field, and it appeared as though nobody could stop him. Nothing could stop him, either. No cautions were drawn in the making of this feature, and to Hubbell, this was a good thing. He dominated the race and took his first of the 2006 season. After him was Norm Sears, David Gambacorta, and Vince Gambacorta. (To the person who requested I write this: You get your wish.)

Next on the docket was the SK Lights for 20-laps of racing. Lap-2 showed the brunt of the race as Dennis Eschenbrenner and Chris Matthews nailed each other on the frontstretch. (They would both be done for the night.) Lap-8 proved to be a near disaster for Anthony Burr as he soon gets involved in his own private accident in turn two. Strange enough, he'd finish the race in a good way, as the rest of the race was green to the finish. Glen Reen--who had finished fourth the previous week--became the most recent first time winner in the 2006 season by taking down the win. Following him to the line included Brit Andersen, Burr, and Tony Santangelo.

The Late Models soon followed with 30-laps...of pure insanity with a special finish to be remembered for the rest of eternity. On the opening lap, Mike Quintiliano nailed the turn one wall on the driver's side and would finish the race in a not-so-good spot. Lap-9 was the second trouble spot, and the location for an accident with John Severns and Billy Snow as turns one and two. Everything seemed to be resolved in terms of driving styles until lap-16. Johnathan Smith spun in turn two and a quick caution ensued. On the restart, Charlie Christoforo (and possibly Snow) collects the frontstretch wall. About five laps are needed to clean up the mess, and we are back to racing...and another caution on lap-17. This time, we find Rick Lanagan in an accident in turn one while Doug Blowers spins in a nearby location on the racetrack. The chaos continues on lap-19 when Tony Lafo supins in turn two, and a lap later, Wayne Coury spins in turn four. Of course, the cautions don't seem to leave our sight and we've got a mess of things to come on lap-21. On the initial running, Blowers spins yet again, this time in turns three and four. Quick caution and a green later, we find ourselves in turns one and two when a multi-car accident takes place. And with this, the cautions end. But like I said earlier, there was insanity in all aspects of this race. And the second attempt at the restart on lap-21 was no different. Jim Peterson blazes from about fourth to first on lap-20 and charged his way to the win. Scott Foster, Tom Fearn, and Woody Pitkat finish behind him. Now what's going to be remembered for the rest of Stafford's Late Model history is that Peterson's win in the August 18th event ties him for the most Late Model victories since they were incepted with Chuck Zentarski.

From the historic to the so-so, the Limited Late Models were on hand to put on their 20-lap show. The first and only caution occured on lap-3 (as I was taking care of some business, my mom decides to write this for me) as Charlie Newman is involved in a solo accident in turn one. Since that was the end of the yellows for that race, the green stayed out for the remaining 17 laps. Mike Sweeney took the lead from Rich Hammann and never looked back, cruising to the win with ease. Paul Conte, Sean Foster, and Kevin Gambacorta finished 2nd through 4th respectively. (This was Sweeney's first win of the 2006 season.)

Finally, we come to our 40-lap feature for Jack Arute's child...Stafford's own SK Modifieds. Like the Late Models, we start the cautions on the very first lap. Scott Bennett spins on the backstretch, causing the banana to fly. Three laps later, John Blewett III spins in turns three and four, presenting the caution again. Things seemed to run normally (yes, even with the sudden spawn in yellows), but all of a sudden...our little friend known as the scoreboard goes "el busto" in our faces. All I can tell you is that some time between the 4th and 12th lap, Brad Hietala has a meet-and-greet with the backstretch wall. The next lap I remember clearly (the scoreboard is still lights out) is lap-33. This is because Blewett spins yet again, this time on the frontstretch. And the restart? Well, that doesn't prove to be driver's best friend. Right as the pack of cars starts to round turn one, a multi-car caution occurs. But since this was the final caution of the night, things start to look up. Woody Pitkat had the lead since lap-5 and didn't let it go, although Frank Ruocco wanted to change some plans. It didn't work. Pitkat lead 35 laps to win his second win of the season. Ruocco finished second, Chris Jones third, and Jeff Malave fourth.

The night in a nutshell is closed, but there's just one more thing that needs to be detailed: Bo Gunning. Although he wasn't involved in much going on, he did receive a week's vacation from the track. Apparently he was doing donuts in the infield and left said location during the feature. Therefore, he gets a week's time off to think about what he did.

Now that's it. I promise. Have a safe Thursday and enjoy what's going to be happening this Friday night: Another regular night full of features that will prove to be as exciting as the next. I hope.