RGeeProductions
12-16-2012, 02:20 PM
Thompson International Speedway celebrated the 2012 season this weekend with two ceremonies honoring seven division champions in the NASCAR Whelen All American Series. Ryan Preece of Berlin, Conn. took center stage and was honored as the Sunoco Modified Champion on Saturday night while Late Model Champion Tommy O'Sullivan of Wilbraham, Mass. took top honors on Friday night.
Other champions honored Friday night included Limited Sportsman Champion Scott Sundeen of Douglas, Mass. and Mini Stock Champion Chad Baxter of Pascoag, RI. On Saturday night, Super Late Model Champion Derek Ramstrom of Worcester, Mass., Lite Modified Champion Cam McDermott of Scituate, RI, and Thompson Modified Champion John Lowinski-Loh, Jr. of Milford, Mass joined in celebrating their division titles.
Preece led a talented pool of drivers in one of the most competitive divisions in New England racing to win the Sunoco Modified championship. Preece's season included an astonishing 10 victories, a record that is only matched by Ted Christopher in 2010, and he finished in the top-five in all 19 starts. The effort was headed by car owners Al and Cathy Moniz of North Falmouth, Mass. Preece accomplished the championship while running weekly at two other tracks and full-time on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour. Preece bested runner-up Kerry Malone for championship honors with Dennis Perry, Ted Christopher, and Woody Pitkat rounding out the top-five in points.
"All my wins were pretty memorable, but winning the Icebreaker and starting the season off on the right note was a big help," said Preece about his championship setting year. "Thompson has a lot of history so to win a title and a lot of races there - that's just incredible. It was really special to get Al and Cathy (Moniz) a championship and that means a lot to me."
Special awards were presented to Sunoco Modified Most Improved driver, Eric LeClair, and Rookie-of-the-Year, Dennis Perry.
Preece was also the recipient of the Chief Starter's Award, presented by Tim Bennett, for sportsmanship to a driver or drivers in the NASCAR Whelen All American Series divisions. Bennett also presented the award to Jesse Gleason of Lisbon, CT in the Limited Sportsman division.
Derek Ramstrom was honored with his owner Rick Ramstrom for the Super Late Model Championship. It is his third division title in four seasons with the Super Late Models at Thompson Speedway. Ramstrom won the championship after placing third in the final 50-lap feature of the season and edging out Jim Banfield by a mere six points for the title. The division ran a limited schedule with Ramstrom earning two victories and five top-five finishes. Rookie-of-the-Year honors were presented to Colby Fournier.
The LKQ/Keystone Lite Modifieds made its debut at Thompson International Speedway this season with 2011 Thompson Modified champion Cam McDermott moving up the ranks and winning the series title in commanding style. McDermott checkered the first race on May 20th and racked up an impressive 14-win total by season's end. Runner-up Troy Talman was also presented with the Rookie-of-the-Year award.
John Lowinski-Loh, Jr. and car owner John Lowinski-Loh, Sr. were honored for their dominating season in the Thompson Modifieds. The 2011 Rookie-of-the-Year secured nine victories over the course of the season and concluded the year with 18 top-five finishes. The Milford, Mass. native was also presented with the Most Improved Driver award for the division. Danny Gamache, Jr. was presented with the Rookie-of-the-Year award.
Tommy O'Sullivan took center stage Friday night as Thompson Speedway honored him for a second consecutive Late Model championship. O'Sullivan's consistency yielded an amazing 11 victories and 17 top-five finishes in 18 starts. T&E Motorsports fielded the car for O'Sullivan, who's accomplishments have not been seen in the division in over a decade. O'Sullivan bested runner-up John Falconi for the title and third place point man Randy Tucker. Special awards were presented to Most Improved Driver Damon Tinio and Rookie-of-the-Year Jared Materas.
Scott Sundeen repeated his 2008 Limited Sportsman division accomplishments by winning the division title this season for the second time in his career. Sundeen was dominant with eight victories, 16 top-10's and 15 top-five finishes. Sundeen, who was recently honored by NASCAR for the Division III Asphalt Short Track national title, was joined by car-owner Cheryl Sundeen in the honors. Most Improved Driver went to Corey Fanning while Lloyd Anderson, Jr. was presented with Rookie-of-the-Year.
Chad Baxter was honored as the championship owner/driver in the Monster Mini Stock division. Baxter, who has been competing at Thompson since 2009, earned the title with three wins, 16 top-10 and 13 top-five finishes in a division that saw eight different winners over the course of the season. Special awards were presented to Most Improved Driver Nick Anderson and Rookie-of-the-Year Steve Violette.
The John Hoenig Memorial Award, which recognizes one individual for their hard work and dedication to the Speedway, was presented to Dick Brooks.
Brooks has served in many capacities in the auto racing industry and with the track since the 1970's. He was the Chief Starter at Thompson for many years, before stepping up as the NASCAR Chief Steward, a position he was familiar with after serving in that capacity at Riverside Park Speedway. In 2009, Brooks assumed full responsibility for enforcing NASCAR and track rules in the infield. All of his positions at Thompson have put him in direct and close contact with the competitors on a week-to-week basis. In addition to his responsibilities at Thompson, Brooks also serves as an official for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour and as the race director at New Smyrna Speedway (FL) during Speedweeks and with the North-South Shootout.
SUNOCO MODIFIED DIVISION (Top-10): 1. Ryan Preece, Berlin, CT; 2. Kerry Malone, Needham, MA; 3. Dennis Perry, Pawcatuck, CT; 4. Ted Christopher, Plainville, CT; 5. Woody Pitkat, Stafford Springs, CT; 6. Todd Ceravolo, Gales Ferry, CT; 7. Keith Rocco, Meriden, CT; 8. Wayne Arute, Meriden, CT; 9. Eric LeClair, Easthampton, MA, ; 10. Jimmy Smith, Woodstock, CT.
SUPER LATE MODEL (Top-5): 1. Derek Ramstrom, Worcester, MA; 2. Jim Banfield, S. Glastonbury, CT; 3. Mike O'Sullivan, Springfield, MA; 4. Larry Gelinas, Buxton, ME; 5. Dick Houlihan, Bridgewater, MA.
LKQ/KEYSTONE LITE MODIFIEDS (Top-5): 1. Cam McDermott, Scituate, RI;
2. Troy Talman, Oxford, MA; 3. Nikki Ouellette, East Granby, CT; 4. Eric LeClair, Easthampton, MA; 5. Shawn Brule, W. Thompson, CT.
THOMPSON MODIFIEDS (Top-5): 1. John Lowinski-Loh, Jr., Milford, MA; 2. Jay Sundeen, Douglas, MA; 3. Brian Tagg, Oxford, MA; 4. Chad LaBastie, Uxbridge, MA; 5. Danny Gamache, Jr., Woonsocket, RI.
MONSTER MINI STOCKS (Top-10): 1. Chad Baxter, Pascoag, RI; 2. Eric Bourgeois, East Haddam, CT; 3. Steve Violette, Canterbury, CT; 4. Joe Baxter, Pascoag, RI; 5. Steve Michalski, Brooklyn, CT; 6. Mike Viens, Seekonk, MA; 7. Nick Anderson, Oxford, MA; 8. Dave Trudeau, Mansfield, CT; 9. Travis Jurcik, Chaplin, CT; 10. Brad Caddick, Wyoming, RI.
XTRAMART LIMITED SPORTSMAN DIVISION (Top-10): 1. Scott Sundeen, Douglas, MA; 2. Jesse Gleason, Lisbon, CT; 3. Jason Chicolas, Sutton, MA; 4. Steve Kenneway, Lowell, MA; 5. Corey Fanning, Mapleville, RI; 6. Tom Shea, New London, CT; 7. Lloyd Anderson, Jr., Wauregan, CT; 8. Mike Palin, Dudley, MA; 9. Kevin Bowe, Pawtucket, RI; 10. Art Moran, III, Preston, CT.
LATE MODELS (Top-10): 1. Tommy O'Sullivan, Wilbraham, MA; 2. John Falconi, Oakham, MA; 3. Randy Tucker, Millis, MA; 4. Mike Scorzelli, Malta, NY; 5. Damon Tinio, Mendon, MA; 6. Ryan Waterman, Danielson, CT; 7. Robert O'Connell, Jr., Wrentham, MA; 8. Marc Palmisano, Hadley, MA; 9. Jared Materas, Palmer, MA; 10. Wayne Coury, Sr., Milford, CT.
Russ Dowd
Other champions honored Friday night included Limited Sportsman Champion Scott Sundeen of Douglas, Mass. and Mini Stock Champion Chad Baxter of Pascoag, RI. On Saturday night, Super Late Model Champion Derek Ramstrom of Worcester, Mass., Lite Modified Champion Cam McDermott of Scituate, RI, and Thompson Modified Champion John Lowinski-Loh, Jr. of Milford, Mass joined in celebrating their division titles.
Preece led a talented pool of drivers in one of the most competitive divisions in New England racing to win the Sunoco Modified championship. Preece's season included an astonishing 10 victories, a record that is only matched by Ted Christopher in 2010, and he finished in the top-five in all 19 starts. The effort was headed by car owners Al and Cathy Moniz of North Falmouth, Mass. Preece accomplished the championship while running weekly at two other tracks and full-time on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour. Preece bested runner-up Kerry Malone for championship honors with Dennis Perry, Ted Christopher, and Woody Pitkat rounding out the top-five in points.
"All my wins were pretty memorable, but winning the Icebreaker and starting the season off on the right note was a big help," said Preece about his championship setting year. "Thompson has a lot of history so to win a title and a lot of races there - that's just incredible. It was really special to get Al and Cathy (Moniz) a championship and that means a lot to me."
Special awards were presented to Sunoco Modified Most Improved driver, Eric LeClair, and Rookie-of-the-Year, Dennis Perry.
Preece was also the recipient of the Chief Starter's Award, presented by Tim Bennett, for sportsmanship to a driver or drivers in the NASCAR Whelen All American Series divisions. Bennett also presented the award to Jesse Gleason of Lisbon, CT in the Limited Sportsman division.
Derek Ramstrom was honored with his owner Rick Ramstrom for the Super Late Model Championship. It is his third division title in four seasons with the Super Late Models at Thompson Speedway. Ramstrom won the championship after placing third in the final 50-lap feature of the season and edging out Jim Banfield by a mere six points for the title. The division ran a limited schedule with Ramstrom earning two victories and five top-five finishes. Rookie-of-the-Year honors were presented to Colby Fournier.
The LKQ/Keystone Lite Modifieds made its debut at Thompson International Speedway this season with 2011 Thompson Modified champion Cam McDermott moving up the ranks and winning the series title in commanding style. McDermott checkered the first race on May 20th and racked up an impressive 14-win total by season's end. Runner-up Troy Talman was also presented with the Rookie-of-the-Year award.
John Lowinski-Loh, Jr. and car owner John Lowinski-Loh, Sr. were honored for their dominating season in the Thompson Modifieds. The 2011 Rookie-of-the-Year secured nine victories over the course of the season and concluded the year with 18 top-five finishes. The Milford, Mass. native was also presented with the Most Improved Driver award for the division. Danny Gamache, Jr. was presented with the Rookie-of-the-Year award.
Tommy O'Sullivan took center stage Friday night as Thompson Speedway honored him for a second consecutive Late Model championship. O'Sullivan's consistency yielded an amazing 11 victories and 17 top-five finishes in 18 starts. T&E Motorsports fielded the car for O'Sullivan, who's accomplishments have not been seen in the division in over a decade. O'Sullivan bested runner-up John Falconi for the title and third place point man Randy Tucker. Special awards were presented to Most Improved Driver Damon Tinio and Rookie-of-the-Year Jared Materas.
Scott Sundeen repeated his 2008 Limited Sportsman division accomplishments by winning the division title this season for the second time in his career. Sundeen was dominant with eight victories, 16 top-10's and 15 top-five finishes. Sundeen, who was recently honored by NASCAR for the Division III Asphalt Short Track national title, was joined by car-owner Cheryl Sundeen in the honors. Most Improved Driver went to Corey Fanning while Lloyd Anderson, Jr. was presented with Rookie-of-the-Year.
Chad Baxter was honored as the championship owner/driver in the Monster Mini Stock division. Baxter, who has been competing at Thompson since 2009, earned the title with three wins, 16 top-10 and 13 top-five finishes in a division that saw eight different winners over the course of the season. Special awards were presented to Most Improved Driver Nick Anderson and Rookie-of-the-Year Steve Violette.
The John Hoenig Memorial Award, which recognizes one individual for their hard work and dedication to the Speedway, was presented to Dick Brooks.
Brooks has served in many capacities in the auto racing industry and with the track since the 1970's. He was the Chief Starter at Thompson for many years, before stepping up as the NASCAR Chief Steward, a position he was familiar with after serving in that capacity at Riverside Park Speedway. In 2009, Brooks assumed full responsibility for enforcing NASCAR and track rules in the infield. All of his positions at Thompson have put him in direct and close contact with the competitors on a week-to-week basis. In addition to his responsibilities at Thompson, Brooks also serves as an official for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour and as the race director at New Smyrna Speedway (FL) during Speedweeks and with the North-South Shootout.
SUNOCO MODIFIED DIVISION (Top-10): 1. Ryan Preece, Berlin, CT; 2. Kerry Malone, Needham, MA; 3. Dennis Perry, Pawcatuck, CT; 4. Ted Christopher, Plainville, CT; 5. Woody Pitkat, Stafford Springs, CT; 6. Todd Ceravolo, Gales Ferry, CT; 7. Keith Rocco, Meriden, CT; 8. Wayne Arute, Meriden, CT; 9. Eric LeClair, Easthampton, MA, ; 10. Jimmy Smith, Woodstock, CT.
SUPER LATE MODEL (Top-5): 1. Derek Ramstrom, Worcester, MA; 2. Jim Banfield, S. Glastonbury, CT; 3. Mike O'Sullivan, Springfield, MA; 4. Larry Gelinas, Buxton, ME; 5. Dick Houlihan, Bridgewater, MA.
LKQ/KEYSTONE LITE MODIFIEDS (Top-5): 1. Cam McDermott, Scituate, RI;
2. Troy Talman, Oxford, MA; 3. Nikki Ouellette, East Granby, CT; 4. Eric LeClair, Easthampton, MA; 5. Shawn Brule, W. Thompson, CT.
THOMPSON MODIFIEDS (Top-5): 1. John Lowinski-Loh, Jr., Milford, MA; 2. Jay Sundeen, Douglas, MA; 3. Brian Tagg, Oxford, MA; 4. Chad LaBastie, Uxbridge, MA; 5. Danny Gamache, Jr., Woonsocket, RI.
MONSTER MINI STOCKS (Top-10): 1. Chad Baxter, Pascoag, RI; 2. Eric Bourgeois, East Haddam, CT; 3. Steve Violette, Canterbury, CT; 4. Joe Baxter, Pascoag, RI; 5. Steve Michalski, Brooklyn, CT; 6. Mike Viens, Seekonk, MA; 7. Nick Anderson, Oxford, MA; 8. Dave Trudeau, Mansfield, CT; 9. Travis Jurcik, Chaplin, CT; 10. Brad Caddick, Wyoming, RI.
XTRAMART LIMITED SPORTSMAN DIVISION (Top-10): 1. Scott Sundeen, Douglas, MA; 2. Jesse Gleason, Lisbon, CT; 3. Jason Chicolas, Sutton, MA; 4. Steve Kenneway, Lowell, MA; 5. Corey Fanning, Mapleville, RI; 6. Tom Shea, New London, CT; 7. Lloyd Anderson, Jr., Wauregan, CT; 8. Mike Palin, Dudley, MA; 9. Kevin Bowe, Pawtucket, RI; 10. Art Moran, III, Preston, CT.
LATE MODELS (Top-10): 1. Tommy O'Sullivan, Wilbraham, MA; 2. John Falconi, Oakham, MA; 3. Randy Tucker, Millis, MA; 4. Mike Scorzelli, Malta, NY; 5. Damon Tinio, Mendon, MA; 6. Ryan Waterman, Danielson, CT; 7. Robert O'Connell, Jr., Wrentham, MA; 8. Marc Palmisano, Hadley, MA; 9. Jared Materas, Palmer, MA; 10. Wayne Coury, Sr., Milford, CT.
Russ Dowd