Well, we're almost at the end of the season already. There's only a few more weeks left before the Fall Final gets here. So what does that mean? There's already a ton of news up on Stafford's site. At some point inbetween the last feature of the August 29 program and 3:00am EST on August 30, there are three links you're going to be familiar with from now until the last weekend arrives.
Want to know what the schedule looks like as of now? You got it right here. Also, entry lists for the Whelen Modified Tour and the Camping World East Series are already up and running. Not much now, but there will be more names on these lists in the course of the next month.
More news to come very soon. I mean, tomorrow. I'm planning on getting a lot done. I have a busy Labor Day weekend (telethon phone bank on Sunday night, which means television time), so I can't waste time I already shouldn't be. Expect an earlier entry than usual this week.
After my hiatus since May, I've decided on a new lease on life. I've re-emerged from the dark layers of hell with a new location for all things VFT1.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Thursday, August 28, 2008
No Title Necessary. Results of 8/22.
Good day, all! I hope you had a great weekend a great week so far. And I know you had a great Friday, seeing as last week was the second of two Late Model 100s at SMS. So what do you find in this week's blog entry? Details on the LM 100 and the rest of the night in question. August 22, taken from what I wrote for Long Island Motorsports. (I swear I'll come up with some new material for next week.)
The program started off with the Limited Late Models and their 20-lap feature. The early leader of the event was Carla Botticello, who took the lead from the outside row on the drop of the green flag and started to stretch the lead out. Shawn Thibeault, who started on the pole, fell to second; he'd lose second to David Capriati on lap-7. Bill Davis was also making his way through the field, and he would make the pass Thibeault for third. The race ran under green until the caution came out with four laps to go as Thibeault didn't have enough power to get off of the track, setting up a dash to the cash. Botticello once again took the lead on the restart, and she was able to hold off Davis for her first win of the season. Davis would finish second, followed by Sean Foster and Andrew Durand.
Next up on the agenda was the 40-lap SK Modified feature. It started with Corey Hutchings leading the first 15 laps of the race before Todd Owen was able to make the move. Two laps after Owen took over, the caution came out and tightened the field back up. Again, it was Owen out in front, but the caution came back out on lap-20 for another accident. Keith Rocco was the new leader on lap-21, but the third caution of the race came out on lap-22 for two separate incidents; one of which needed extensive cleanup, bringing out the red flag in the process. Once the race went back to yellow, then back to green, Rocco was right back out in front. But behind him was Frank Ruocco, and Ruocco would make the pass for the lead on lap-33. Rocco tried everything he could to retake the lead, but it wasn't enough. It would be Ruocco's second win of the season, with Rocco in second, Ted Christopher in third, and Owen in fourth.
More modified racing was up next, with the SK Lights and their 20-lap feature. After a false start to begin the race, Mike Lane jumped out in front and led the first three laps of the race before a caution came out to slow the field down. On the restart, Chris Matthews took over the lead from Lane until another caution came out with nine laps complete. Again, a new leader on the restart; that being Alan Provost. He would lead the next three laps until yet another caution on lap-13. The restart provided yet another new leader as Mark Bakaj moved out into the lead. Matthews moved back into second, and he had the opportunity to make a move to reclaim the lead. But he couldn't make the pass, and it was Bakaj who won his third race of the season. Matthews would go on to finish second, followed by Joe Allegro, Jr and Provost.
Then it was time for the main event: The second of two Late Model 100s on the season. It began with an opening lap caution which involved five cars, but once everything was cleaned up, the race really got underway. On the restart, it was Scott Cook out in front; but only for eight laps. The first lead change of the event came on lap-9 when Dillon Moltz took over. Moltz led through three caution periods for three different spins, but he would be challenged by Woody Pitkat on lap-62. Pitkat moved into the lead, but Moltz would not back down. He would retake the lead on lap-68, and would be out in front until lap-93 as the caution came out a spinning car on the frontstretch, and then again on the very next lap for a multi-car spin in turns one and two. This set the stage for a dramatic finish. Michael Bennett made the jump out front on the restart, coming up to the lead from third; but he went up high on lap-97, and Moltz retook the lead. Ryan Posocco followed, but he couldn't find a way around Moltz over the course of the last two laps of the race. Moltz took the win; his fourth of the season. Posocco would finish second, followed by Pitkat in third and Bennett in fourth.
Closing out the program was the 15-lap DARE Stock feature. In front early was Victoria Bergenty, who led the first three laps of the race before giving the lead to Todd LaPorta. But the caution would fly with two laps to go, setting up a green-white-checker finish. On the restart, both Scott Roy and Don Wood made the move around LaPorta, and Roy was able to hold Wood off to pick up his second win of the season. Wood would finish second, with Laporta in third and Flannery in fourth.
Stafford will have another five division program on Friday. No need for that "weather permitting" disclaimer I have on the end of every entry that has a schedule attached to it, because there's no chance of rain whatsoever. And there are fireworks to kick off the Labor Day weekend, so that's always good. So sit back and enjoy what's coming up tomorrow. Stay safe (and dry?), and I will see you tomorrow.
The program started off with the Limited Late Models and their 20-lap feature. The early leader of the event was Carla Botticello, who took the lead from the outside row on the drop of the green flag and started to stretch the lead out. Shawn Thibeault, who started on the pole, fell to second; he'd lose second to David Capriati on lap-7. Bill Davis was also making his way through the field, and he would make the pass Thibeault for third. The race ran under green until the caution came out with four laps to go as Thibeault didn't have enough power to get off of the track, setting up a dash to the cash. Botticello once again took the lead on the restart, and she was able to hold off Davis for her first win of the season. Davis would finish second, followed by Sean Foster and Andrew Durand.
Next up on the agenda was the 40-lap SK Modified feature. It started with Corey Hutchings leading the first 15 laps of the race before Todd Owen was able to make the move. Two laps after Owen took over, the caution came out and tightened the field back up. Again, it was Owen out in front, but the caution came back out on lap-20 for another accident. Keith Rocco was the new leader on lap-21, but the third caution of the race came out on lap-22 for two separate incidents; one of which needed extensive cleanup, bringing out the red flag in the process. Once the race went back to yellow, then back to green, Rocco was right back out in front. But behind him was Frank Ruocco, and Ruocco would make the pass for the lead on lap-33. Rocco tried everything he could to retake the lead, but it wasn't enough. It would be Ruocco's second win of the season, with Rocco in second, Ted Christopher in third, and Owen in fourth.
More modified racing was up next, with the SK Lights and their 20-lap feature. After a false start to begin the race, Mike Lane jumped out in front and led the first three laps of the race before a caution came out to slow the field down. On the restart, Chris Matthews took over the lead from Lane until another caution came out with nine laps complete. Again, a new leader on the restart; that being Alan Provost. He would lead the next three laps until yet another caution on lap-13. The restart provided yet another new leader as Mark Bakaj moved out into the lead. Matthews moved back into second, and he had the opportunity to make a move to reclaim the lead. But he couldn't make the pass, and it was Bakaj who won his third race of the season. Matthews would go on to finish second, followed by Joe Allegro, Jr and Provost.
Then it was time for the main event: The second of two Late Model 100s on the season. It began with an opening lap caution which involved five cars, but once everything was cleaned up, the race really got underway. On the restart, it was Scott Cook out in front; but only for eight laps. The first lead change of the event came on lap-9 when Dillon Moltz took over. Moltz led through three caution periods for three different spins, but he would be challenged by Woody Pitkat on lap-62. Pitkat moved into the lead, but Moltz would not back down. He would retake the lead on lap-68, and would be out in front until lap-93 as the caution came out a spinning car on the frontstretch, and then again on the very next lap for a multi-car spin in turns one and two. This set the stage for a dramatic finish. Michael Bennett made the jump out front on the restart, coming up to the lead from third; but he went up high on lap-97, and Moltz retook the lead. Ryan Posocco followed, but he couldn't find a way around Moltz over the course of the last two laps of the race. Moltz took the win; his fourth of the season. Posocco would finish second, followed by Pitkat in third and Bennett in fourth.
Closing out the program was the 15-lap DARE Stock feature. In front early was Victoria Bergenty, who led the first three laps of the race before giving the lead to Todd LaPorta. But the caution would fly with two laps to go, setting up a green-white-checker finish. On the restart, both Scott Roy and Don Wood made the move around LaPorta, and Roy was able to hold Wood off to pick up his second win of the season. Wood would finish second, with Laporta in third and Flannery in fourth.
Stafford will have another five division program on Friday. No need for that "weather permitting" disclaimer I have on the end of every entry that has a schedule attached to it, because there's no chance of rain whatsoever. And there are fireworks to kick off the Labor Day weekend, so that's always good. So sit back and enjoy what's coming up tomorrow. Stay safe (and dry?), and I will see you tomorrow.
Friday, August 22, 2008
No More Gripes.
Just a quick "it's early Friday and I've got something I need to say" kind of thing.
You remember the last entry I did, griping about the schedule and how the SK consolation event (if needed) was going to go right before the feature? Well, someone realized that a mistake would be made. And it's now corrected. There is now the consi out in front, followed by the Limiteds and the Late Model 16 (again, if needed). Then it's the SK consi.
I wanted to make sure that everything was straightened out now before I looked right before I went out the door in the afternoon.
You remember the last entry I did, griping about the schedule and how the SK consolation event (if needed) was going to go right before the feature? Well, someone realized that a mistake would be made. And it's now corrected. There is now the consi out in front, followed by the Limiteds and the Late Model 16 (again, if needed). Then it's the SK consi.
I wanted to make sure that everything was straightened out now before I looked right before I went out the door in the afternoon.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Schedule Gripe.
Yesterday, I was nice enough to post the schedule for Friday night's event. Tonight, however, I shall not be as nice as I was a little over 24 hours ago.
I'm sure you can see that little circle around what is an unlikely but still possible back-to-back marathon for the SK Modifieds. In the event that there are enough cars to run a consolation, it will be run right before the feature? I don't think that's such a good idea. I would have put at least one feature inbetween the consi and the feature -- perhaps something like the Limited Late Models. But that's just my opinion.
It's a gripe. Obviously. But a necessary gripe. I don't do these kinds of things often.
I'm sure you can see that little circle around what is an unlikely but still possible back-to-back marathon for the SK Modifieds. In the event that there are enough cars to run a consolation, it will be run right before the feature? I don't think that's such a good idea. I would have put at least one feature inbetween the consi and the feature -- perhaps something like the Limited Late Models. But that's just my opinion.
It's a gripe. Obviously. But a necessary gripe. I don't do these kinds of things often.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Late Model 100 Schedule
The schedule is (partially) out for Friday's Late Model 100. It doesn't contain the order of features, but that'll certainly be there in due course. Also known as later in the week. Other than that, no new news to report on this week, since there wasn't really any news. I'll catch you either Friday, weather permitting, or when news does come up through the woodwork. Stay safe and dry, and I'll talk to you at some point in time.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Rain Wins.
Well, practice was concluded at Stafford. And that's all they got done. When the rain came, the decision was made to stop racing tonight. So no on-track activity beyond practice.
Trying again next week with the second of two Late Model 100s. For now, stay safe and dry.
Trying again next week with the second of two Late Model 100s. For now, stay safe and dry.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Quick Results of 8/8/08.
I hate to give you a link for something like the results, but I'm afraid that's what's going to happen this week. You see, for the past few days, I haven't been feeling up to par (and I don't have any idea why this is the case). So unfortunately, here's a link to the release from the track.
I hope to be better for this upcoming week. Again, truly sorry.
Results of 8/8/08 -- Weekly Features
Press Release of 8/8/08 -- NE Dodge Dealers 150 (WMT)
And here is the schedule for tomorrow night. As usual, weather permitting.
I hope to be better for this upcoming week. Again, truly sorry.
Results of 8/8/08 -- Weekly Features
Press Release of 8/8/08 -- NE Dodge Dealers 150 (WMT)
And here is the schedule for tomorrow night. As usual, weather permitting.
Thursday, August 07, 2008
The Eye of the Storm. Results of 8/1.
So, I liked this title so much, I decided to reuse it for my blog this week. (The week's almost over. What the...?) But enough of that. Let's get to the stuff that's coming up in this entry. We've got two first-time feature winners. There's a time limit that expired. And a preview of what's coming up tomorrow -- weather permitting. With that said, it's time to jump right into things before I'm writing this on race day.
SK Lights: A wild race started things off with a bang. Three leaders with more than enough cautions to shake a stick at. It was Kyle Spencer out in front early, leading through the start of the race up until a caution on lap-18. Tony Santangelo would take the lead from Spencer on the restart, but a caution on the very next lap would erase that quick lead. And there would be more cautions as well... On the next lap, and on the lap after that. By this point in time, they were already close to the twenty minute time limit and the end of the race. But the race was not over by a long shot. As the race officially hit the 20-lap mark, Spencer was involved in a four-car accident, putting him out of contention. On the restart, both Santangelo and Mark Bakaj got together in turn four, bringing out another caution. This put Earl Pelletier in the lead as time had expired. The yellow and checkered flags flew at the same time, declaring him the winner and giving him his first career victory at Stafford.
Late Models: Another crazy race, but without the extensive drama of the last few laps. Although there was drama towards the end, regardless. Scott Cook was the leader for the first lap of the race before he was tapped and spun out in the backstretch, collecting a few other cars. Tom Fearn would get black flagged for spinning him out. This gave the lead to Tom Butler, who would lead up to lap-5 when he was passed by Ryan Posocco. He was joined by Mike Quintiliano, who along with Posocco, pulled away from the field until lap-27 as the caution came out. Dillon Moltz would pass Quintiliano on the restart for second, but Quintiliano would not back down without a fight, and he eventually got around Moltz. But nobody was able to find a way to challenge Posocco for the win. It would be his fifth win of the season. Quintiliano and Moltz would be second and third respectively, with Michael Bennett in fourth.
DARE Stocks: Two cautions, two leaders, one lead change. That was all that came of this race. But in the end, and just like the SK Lights, a first-time winner emerged afterward. The first of the two leaders was Matt Chiarizio, and he would lead up to a lap-7 caution. That was when Kyle Casagrande passed on him the restart. Another caution would come out on lap-11, but it wouldn't seem to faze Casagrande as he led the rest of the way to pick up his first career feature win. Following him to the line was Dan Flannery, Norm Sears, and Robert Thompson.
SK Modifieds: A repeat performance of what had happened in the race prior to this one (two cautions, and two leaders). But not exactly the same ending. Jimmy Blewett took the lead from the pole on the drop of the green and commanded the field up to a caution on lap-19. This bunched the field back up, but Blewett reclaimed the lead on the restart. The man on the move during the green flag run was Ted Christopher, who worked his way up through the field to get to the top-3 as the second of two cautions came out on lap-30. On lap-31, Christopher made the pass for second, and with five laps to go, he passed Blewett for the lead. The last laps of the race belonged to Christopher as he scored his third win of the season. Blewett would finish second, followed by Keith Rocco and Jeff Malave.
Limited Late Models: The final race of the night, but one without the major drama. Michael Nadeau held the lead from the green to lap-12, as Rob Dow passed him for the lead. (Dow had passed Shawn Thibeault for second on lap-9.) He would have to endure four second-half cautions, however, to protect his lead; and protect he did, not looking back as he won his second race of the season. Sean Foster would finish second, with Corky Hinze third and Joey Ferrigno fourth.
And that shall be it for this. Tomorrow should be a doozy in terms of events. Take five parts weekly racing, mix in one part touring series and blend well before serving. Yes, it's time for the Whelen Modified Tour to return to the track for the third of four appearances in their season. According to the schedule, there will be no qualifying heats for the five weekly divisions. So that means when time trials are over, we're cutting straight to awards and opening ceremonies before the first feature (which will be the SK Lights if everyone's qualified). I have nothing more to say after this, so until tomorrow, stay safe and dry.
SK Lights: A wild race started things off with a bang. Three leaders with more than enough cautions to shake a stick at. It was Kyle Spencer out in front early, leading through the start of the race up until a caution on lap-18. Tony Santangelo would take the lead from Spencer on the restart, but a caution on the very next lap would erase that quick lead. And there would be more cautions as well... On the next lap, and on the lap after that. By this point in time, they were already close to the twenty minute time limit and the end of the race. But the race was not over by a long shot. As the race officially hit the 20-lap mark, Spencer was involved in a four-car accident, putting him out of contention. On the restart, both Santangelo and Mark Bakaj got together in turn four, bringing out another caution. This put Earl Pelletier in the lead as time had expired. The yellow and checkered flags flew at the same time, declaring him the winner and giving him his first career victory at Stafford.
Late Models: Another crazy race, but without the extensive drama of the last few laps. Although there was drama towards the end, regardless. Scott Cook was the leader for the first lap of the race before he was tapped and spun out in the backstretch, collecting a few other cars. Tom Fearn would get black flagged for spinning him out. This gave the lead to Tom Butler, who would lead up to lap-5 when he was passed by Ryan Posocco. He was joined by Mike Quintiliano, who along with Posocco, pulled away from the field until lap-27 as the caution came out. Dillon Moltz would pass Quintiliano on the restart for second, but Quintiliano would not back down without a fight, and he eventually got around Moltz. But nobody was able to find a way to challenge Posocco for the win. It would be his fifth win of the season. Quintiliano and Moltz would be second and third respectively, with Michael Bennett in fourth.
DARE Stocks: Two cautions, two leaders, one lead change. That was all that came of this race. But in the end, and just like the SK Lights, a first-time winner emerged afterward. The first of the two leaders was Matt Chiarizio, and he would lead up to a lap-7 caution. That was when Kyle Casagrande passed on him the restart. Another caution would come out on lap-11, but it wouldn't seem to faze Casagrande as he led the rest of the way to pick up his first career feature win. Following him to the line was Dan Flannery, Norm Sears, and Robert Thompson.
SK Modifieds: A repeat performance of what had happened in the race prior to this one (two cautions, and two leaders). But not exactly the same ending. Jimmy Blewett took the lead from the pole on the drop of the green and commanded the field up to a caution on lap-19. This bunched the field back up, but Blewett reclaimed the lead on the restart. The man on the move during the green flag run was Ted Christopher, who worked his way up through the field to get to the top-3 as the second of two cautions came out on lap-30. On lap-31, Christopher made the pass for second, and with five laps to go, he passed Blewett for the lead. The last laps of the race belonged to Christopher as he scored his third win of the season. Blewett would finish second, followed by Keith Rocco and Jeff Malave.
Limited Late Models: The final race of the night, but one without the major drama. Michael Nadeau held the lead from the green to lap-12, as Rob Dow passed him for the lead. (Dow had passed Shawn Thibeault for second on lap-9.) He would have to endure four second-half cautions, however, to protect his lead; and protect he did, not looking back as he won his second race of the season. Sean Foster would finish second, with Corky Hinze third and Joey Ferrigno fourth.
And that shall be it for this. Tomorrow should be a doozy in terms of events. Take five parts weekly racing, mix in one part touring series and blend well before serving. Yes, it's time for the Whelen Modified Tour to return to the track for the third of four appearances in their season. According to the schedule, there will be no qualifying heats for the five weekly divisions. So that means when time trials are over, we're cutting straight to awards and opening ceremonies before the first feature (which will be the SK Lights if everyone's qualified). I have nothing more to say after this, so until tomorrow, stay safe and dry.
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