The cars and stars of Monadnock Speedway took to the high banks for the last time in the 2017 season. The NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Track Champions were presented with their championship flags and given an opportunity to address the crowd (Sportsman Modified Champion Todd Patnode, Super Stock Champion Joel Monahan, Mini Stock Champion Alex Pearl, Thunder Stock Champion Jason Kozacka and Lightning Stock Champion Hillary Renaud). All five NASCAR Whelen All-American Series division plus the young gun division would be in competition. Fans would also be treated to the spectator race and the Go Kart Race of Champions. This week’s winners were: Chris Phelps (Young Guns), John Fultz (Lightening Stocks), Alexander Pearl (Mini Stocks), Todd Patnode (Sportsman Modifieds), Ed Lofland (Thunder Stocks), and Cole Littlewood (Super Stocks). The spectator race was won by Lightening Stock driver Leon Keniston in his Chevy Pickup. Keniston had an amazing celebration as he did a victory lap in reverse before he climbed on his roof to celebrate with the fans!
The first feature of the evening would be the Go Kart Race of Champions. All five NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Track Champions participated or had someone representing them. Track Champions from various other tracks participated in the 15 lap race on a track configured on the front stretch, but it was Monadnock Speedways Super Stock Champion Joel Monahan that captured the win!
The Young Guns took to the track next for their 10 lap feature. Chloe Wright in the 17 brought the field to the green but would drop a few spots just after the green. Chris Phelps in the 21 jumped into the lead going into turn 1 and was followed closely by the 03 of Nate Wenzel. Phelps would lead every lap on his way to capturing the victory. Wenzel finished 2nd and Wright finished 3rd.
Lightning Stocks flashed onto the track next as 25 laps would be the distance. Alex Barden in the 27 and John Fultz in the 32J made up the front row. Fultz took the lead going into turn 1 as Barden lost a lot of ground dropping out of the top 5 before exiting turn 2. Fultz was followed closely by the 7 of Josh Carey. On Lap 3 the 13K of Leon Keniston and the 88 of Hillary Renaud made slight contact in the middle of turns 3 and 4 while battling for 2nd place, but both cars were able to hold on. Then as Renaud entered turn 1 Keniston drove in a little too deep creating contact which resulted in Renaud spinning. This would bring out the first caution of the race. Renaud and Keniston both found themselves being sent to the rear on the ensuing restart. On the restart Fultz was joined by Young Gun graduate Cale Skillings in the 95. Fultz took control of the lead at the drop of the green. Skillings tried to stay with him but Fultz walked away from the field on the way to victory lane. Skillings found himself in 2nd place in only his 2nd start in the lightning stocks. Carey rounded out the top 3. Fultz noted in victory lane that he is hopeful he can return next season.
Next on the track would be the Mini Stocks for their 25 lap feature event. Kevin Pittsinger in the 50 and the 93 of Tim Paquette brought the field to the green. Paquette jumped out to the early lead but Matt Kimball in the 50x was in tow. Kimball took the lead on lap 4, but his night would end on lap 13 as he came to rest on the front stretch bringing out the first caution of the race. Desmond Skillings in the 90 would assume the lead. Skillings took the lead at the green but on lap 16 Mini Stock Track Champion Alexander Pearl drove his #43 around Skillings for the lead. Caution flew on lap 17 as Skillings and the 97 of Ethan Marsh made hard contact with each other. This would be the end of the night for Skillings as he headed to the pits and never returned. Pearl felt little to no pressure as he captured his 3rd Mini Stock feature win of the season. Louis Maher in the 69 finished 2nd and Jaret Curtis in the 88x finished 3rd. In his interview in Victory Lane Pearl made mention of how much fun the Go Kart Race of Champions was, but that “(his) kart just struggled to stay running.” Pearl also noted that “this is a good way to end the season.”
Sportsman Modifieds raced onto the track for their 30 lap feature. Ben Byrne (#6) and Keith Carzello (#8) set the pace as the field rolled to the green. Byrne took the lead early but would give up the lead to Carzello on lap 8. Caution flew on 13 as the 09 of Chris Ignazio and the 14 of Jessica O’Leary spun in turns 3 and 4. Carzello and Byrne brought the field to the green again. Carzello resumed the lead followed closely by Byrne. Joel Monahan would run 3rd until lap 14 when he was passed by the 50 of Bill Kimball. Todd Patnode (#24) who had started in the rear due to missing qualifying had driven his way into the top 5 and followed Kimball past Monahan. Patnode drove around the outside of Kimball on lap 17 to take over the 3rd spot. Caution flew on lap 18 as the 25 of Brian Robie spun to avoid running into the back of a few cars that had checked up. On the ensuing restart the caution flew again before the leaders made it out of turn 2 as the 22 of Tyler Jarvenpaa made hard contact with the front stretch wall coming to rest on the pit road entrance. Carzello took the lead on the restart followed by Byrne and Patnode. On Lap 20 Patnode made his move to take over the 2nd spot. Carzello did his best to hold the top spot but on lap 28 Patnode made his move on the backstretch to get inside position entering turn 3 and taking the lead off of turn 4. Patnode took the win. Carzello finished 2nd and Byrne finished 3rd. Patnode gave special thanks to his crew for their hard work, especially since they missed practice and qualifying due to being at a wedding earlier in the day. Patnode didn’t forget to thank his sponsors and his family in victory lane as well.
Thunder Stocks thundered onto the track for their 25 lap feature next. The start of the feature was delayed for a few minutes as a few rain drops fell and track officials wanted to make sure the track was safe for racing. Craig Chaffee in the 28 and the 88 of Bill Staves brought the field to the green. Chaffee jumped out to the lead at the drop of the green. Ed Lofland in the 45 followed. Caution flew on lap 4 as the 4 of Richard Vincent made hard contact with the front stretch wall coming to rest just before the pit road entrance. The 43 of Jason Kozacka was also involved ending his day. Chaffee maintained the lead on the restart but the race was slowed on lap 5 for another caution as the 9 of James Nowakowski lost his left rear tire and axle. On the ensuing restart Chaffee and Lofland battled side by side for numerous laps before Lofland was able to complete the pass for the lead. Caution flew on lap 14 as the 02 of Briana Akusis spun. Lofland and Chaffee made up the front row again for this restart. Lofland resumed the lead on the restart as Chaffee lost 3 spots at the drop of the green. Ben Williams in the 7 took over the 2nd spot and Chase Curtis in the 26, making his first start in the Thunder Stocks, took the 3rd spot. Lofland held on to collect the win. Williams finished 2nd and Curtis finished 3rd. Lofland was happy with his car but needed to get back to the pits to put gas in his car as he decided to run his car in the Super Stock feature that would be rolling out next. In a post-race inspection, Williams refused inspection and was disqualified.
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