07/24/09 - Stafford Motor Speedway

[RGeeProductions]

FRANK RUOCCO WINS 6th ANNUAL CARQUEST SK® 150 AT STAFFORD SPEEDWAY

Stafford Speedway returned to action with the
biggest SK Modified® event of the 2009 season, the 6th Annual CARQUEST SK®
150. Frank Ruocco came up the big winner, as he led the final 130-laps to
score his first SK Modified® feature victory of the 2009 season. In other
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series action, Dillon Moltz took down his fourth
win of the 2009 season in the 30-lap Late Model feature, Brit Andersen took
his fourth win of the 2009 season in the 20-lap SK Light Modified feature,
Norm Sears took his first career Limited Late Model feature win in 20-lap
Limited Late Model feature, and Albert Saunders became the first repeat DARE
Stock feature winner of the 2009 season in the 15-lap DARE Stock feature.

The CARQUEST SK® 150 took the green with Matt Gallo going to the outside of
Dave Salzarulo to take the lead. Salzarulo settled into second, with Brad
Hietala, Frank Ruocco, and Tom Bolles making up the top-5.
By lap-20, Ruocco had moved up to second and he went past Gallo to take the
race lead on lap-21. As Ruocco held the race lead, the car that was
charging through the field was Eric Berndt. By lap-50, Berndt had worked
his way from the back of the grid to third place. After a caution, Berndt
moved into second on a lap-60 restart and began to put on a great battle
with Ruocco for the race lead. Lap after lap, Berndt would try the low and
high grooves, but to no avail as Ruocco was too quick to be overtaken.
Just as Berndt had charged up to second, Todd Owen was now the car on the
charge. Owen was fifth on the lap-60 restart and by lap-80 he had run down
the top-2 cars and sat in third place. The top-3 remained the same until a
lap-99 restart that saw Owen move by Berndt for second. And just as Berndt
had challenged Ruocco for the lead, Owen was doing the same, but again,
Ruocco was too quick to be overtaken. Berndt’s great run ended on lap-108
when he spun coming out of turn 2.
Over the final 42 laps, Owen kept trying Ruocco for the lead, but he was
unsuccessful in making a pass for the lead as Ruocco was able to stay out
front all the way to the checkered flag. Owen finished second, with Bolles,
Woody Pitkat, and Zach Sylvester rounding out the top-5.

The 30-lap Late Model took the green with Adam Gray taking the early lead.
Michael Bennett quickly moved into second place and began a great duel with
Gray for the lead. Bennett was able to make the pass on lap-6 to move out
front. Gray began to slide back through the field as J.J. Hill, John
Kasper, Ryan Posocco, and Dillon Moltz all went by.
The cars of Posocco and Hill made contact while racing for second and spun
with 15 laps complete to bring the caution out. This moved Moltz to the
outside of Bennett for the restart. Bennett took the lead back under green,
but Moltz would make the move to take over the lead on lap-19. Jim Peterson
was now in third place, with Kasper and Scott Cook making up the top-5.
Peterson took second from Bennett on a lap-21 restart, but that was as far
forward as Peterson would get as Moltz slowly pulled away to take his fourth
win of the season. Peterson finished second, with Bennett, Woody Pitkat,
and Tom Fearn rounding out the top-5.

The 20-lap SK Light Modified went green took the green with Kyle Spencer
taking the early race lead. Brit Andersen was on the charge in the early
laps, but his charge to the front was interrupted with a spin to bring the
caution out with 7 alps complete.
Spencer continued to lead on the restart, with Tommy Membrino, Jr. second
and John Montesanto and Michael Gervias, Jr. behind him. Spencer held the
race lead until lap-15 when Montesanto took over the race lead. Andersen
was back on the charge after his early spin and he was up to third place
behind Montesanto and Spencer.
Andersen took second on lap-16 and then stalked out Montesanto before taking
the lead on lap-19. Andersen led the final two laps of the race to take his
fourth win of the 2009 season. Montesanto finished second, with Membrino,
Spencer, and Gervais rounding out the top-5.

The 20-lap Limited Late Model took the green flag with Bill Davis taking the
early lead. Davis led the first two laps before Norm Sears took over the
top spot. Kevin Gambacorta moved into second behind Sears and was applying
heavy pressure for the lead. Gambacorta spun on lap-6 but was able to keep
moving and the race stayed under green. The caution did come out the next
lap when Michael Wray went up in smoke in turn 2.
Sears continued to hold the lead on the restart with Dave Yardley, III and
Andrew Durand behind him. Durand rode behind Yardley for several laps
before he moved into second. Sears and Durand were running nose to tail
dueling for the lead when the caution came back out with 15 laps complete.
Sears took the lead on the restart, but Durand was keeping pace with Sears.
Carla Botticello spun in turn 3 with 19 laps complete to set up a
green-white-checkered restart. Sears again powered into the lead on the
restart and he was able to drive to his first career victory. Durand
finished second with Shawn Thibeault, Dan Flannery, and Yardley rounding out
the top-5.

In the 15-lap DARE Stock feature took the green with Andrew Hayes taking the
early lead. Bill Dunn was hot on Hayes’ heels, and he almost had a pass
made for the lead on lap-3, but Hayes moved back out front to keep the lead.
Albert Saunders was third, with Tony Membrino, Jr. and Duane Provost making
up the top-5.
At the 10-lap mark, Hayes continued to hold the race lead with Dunn,
Saunders, Membrino, and Provost behind him. Saunders got by Dunn for second
and he moved by Hayes for the lead on lap-14. Saunders led the final two
laps to take his second win of the 2009 season. Dunn finished second, with
Membrino, Don Wood, and Kyle Casagrande rounding out the top-5.

For more information contact the Stafford Motor Speedway track office at
(860) 684-2783, or visit us on the web at www.staffordspeedway.com.

Scott Running

[RGeeProductions]

SK MODIFIED® (150)
1) Frank Ruocco, Cheshire
2) Todd Owen, Somers
3) Tom Bolles, Ellington
4) Woody Pitkat, Stafford Springs
5) Zach Sylvester, Lebanon
6) Jeff Malave, Manchester
7) Richie Pallai, Jr., Yorktown Heights, Ny
8) Curt Brainard, Canton
9) Jimmy Blewett, Howell, Nj
10) Ted Christopher, Plainville
11) Eric Berndt, Cromwell
12) Wade Mattesen, Tolland
13) Kerry Malone, Needham, Ma
14) Sean Foster, Ellington
15) Paul Charette, Woodstock
16) Dave Salzarulo, Monson, Ma
17) Willie Hardie, Jr., Willington
18) Matt Gallo, Kensington
19) Mark Bakaj, Lebanon
20) Nichole Morgillo, Yalesville
21) Doug Coby, Milford
22) Kenny Horton, Guilford
23) Donny Travaglin, Winsted
24) Keith Rocco, Wallingford
25) Brad Hietala, Ellington
26) Joe Allegro, Jr., Vernon
27) Keith Carzello, Enfield

LATE MODEL (30)
1) Dillon Moltz, Waterford
2) Jim Peterson, Monson, Ma
3) Michael Bennett, Stafford Springs
4) Woody Pitkat, Stafford Springs
5) Tom Fearn, East Longmeadow, Ma
6) Ryan Posocco, Stafford Springs
7) J.J. Hill, Stafford Springs
8) John Kasper, Wilbraham, Ma
9) Scott Cook, Uncasville
10) Mark St. Hilaire, Berlin
11) Dave Wray, Meriden
12) Ed Gertsch, Jr., East Haven
13) Alan Provost, Monson, Ma
14) Adam Gray, Belchertown, Ma
15) Walt Wosko, Jr., West Suffield
16) Tom Butler, Stafford Springs
17) Brian Chapin, Three Rivers, Ma
18) Doug Blowers, Jr., Newton Highlands, Ma
19) Tony Lafo, Higganum
20) Mike Mordino, Southington
21) Rick Charette, Vernon
22) Joe Rzeszutek, South Hadley, Ma

SK LIGHT (20)
1) Brit Andersen, Mooresville, Nc
2) John Montesanto, North Branford
3) Tommy Membrino, Jr., Prospect
4) Kyle Spencer, Montgomery, Ma
5) Michael Gervais, Jr., Southbury
6) Frank Cardile, Bolton
7) Tony Santangelo, Middlefield
8) Adam Skowyra, Brimfield, Ma
9) Erica Santos, Franklin, Ma
10) Shawn Brule, West Thompson
11) Heather DesRochers, Granby, Ma
12) Steven Greer, Harwinton
13) Rick Williams, Haddam
14) Ted Cain, Plymouth
15) David Webb, New Milford
16) Earl Pelletier, Wolcott
17) Lauren Cooper, Southbury
18) Harry Wheeler, Stafford Springs
19) Jay Goff, Stafford Springs

LTD. LATE MODEL (20)
1) Norm Sears, Andover
2) Andrew Durand, Chicopee, Ma
3) Shawn Thibeault, Plainville
4) Dan Flannery, Ellington
5) Dave Yardley, Iii, Meriden
6) Dennis Botticello, Suffield
7) Bill Davis, Monson, Ma
8) George Nocera, Jr., Plainville
9) Jesse Hinze, Farmington
10) Greg Butler, Jr., East Hampton
11) Scott Roy, Windsor
12) Kevin Gambacorta, Ellington
13) Brian Clement, Wethersfield
14) Michael Wray, Northford
15) Paul Varricchio, Jr., Berlin
16) Carla Botticello, Manchester
17) Jeff Hubbell, Naugatuck
18) Joe Nogiec, Bristol
19) Chris Cook, Pepperell, Ma
20) Glenn Bartkowski, Manchester

DARE STOCK (15)
1) Albert Saunders, Stafford
2) Bill Dunn, Prospect
3) Tony Membrino, Jr., Plantsville
4) Don Wood, Palmer, Ma
5) Kyle Casagrande, Stafford Springs
6) Duane Provost, Indian Orchard, Ma
7) Victoria Bergenty, Plainville
8) Jeff Jolly, Wallingford
9) Robert Thompson, Springfield, Ma
10) Cliff Saunders, Stafford
11) Matt Chiarizio, Stafford Springs
12) Barry Fluckiger, Vernon
13) Todd LaPorta, Waterbury
14) Stephanie Berardi, Broad Brook
15) Melissa Blowers, Cromwell
16) Kyle Nosal, Higganum
17) Donovin Secore, Vernon
18) John Lampro, Jr., Enfield
19) Andrew Hayes, Enfield
20) William Lami, Cheshire
21) Kelsey Rottino, Willimantic
22) Tom Stirk, West Haven

Scott Running

[RGeeProductions]

CHANGE MADE TO SK MODIFIED® ORDER OF FINISH FROM JULY 24th CARQUEST SK® 150 RACE PROGRAM AT STAFFORD SPEEDWAY

Following post race technical inspection from the July 24th NASCAR Whelen All-American Series feature events at Stafford Motor Speedway, the following changes have been made to the official SK Modified® order of finish.

Unofficial SK Modified® third place finisher Tom Bolles’ car was found to exceed the maximum left side weight percentage allowed and he was penalized from his finishing position of third place to the last place finishing position of 27th place.

For more information, contact the Stafford Motor Speedway track office at 860-684-2783 or visit us on the web at www.staffordspeedway.com.

New Finishing Order July 24th SK Modified®
SK MODIFIED® (150)
1) Frank Ruocco, Cheshire
2) Todd Owen, Somers
3) Woody Pitkat, Stafford Springs
4) Zach Sylvester, Lebanon
5) Jeff Malave, Manchester
6) Richie Pallai, Jr., Yorktown Heights, Ny
7) Curt Brainard, Canton
8) Jimmy Blewett, Howell, Nj
9) Ted Christopher, Plainville
10) Eric Berndt, Cromwell
11) Wade Mattesen, Tolland
12) Kerry Malone, Needham, Ma
13) Sean Foster, Ellington
14) Buddy Charette, Woodstock
15) Dave Salzarulo, Monson, Ma
16) Willie Hardie, Jr., Willington
17) Matt Gallo, Kensington
18) Mark Bakaj, Lebanon
19) Nichole Morgillo, Yalesville
20) Doug Coby, Milford
21) Kenny Horton, Guilford
22) Donny Travaglin, Winsted
23) Keith Rocco, Wallingford
24) Brad Hietala, Ellington
25) Joe Allegro, Jr., Vernon
26) Keith Carzello, Enfield
27) Tom Bolles, Ellington

Scott Running