Thompson, CT (October 15, 2006): Another World Series of Speedway Racing is in the record books at Thompson International Speedway. Adding their names to the history books on Sunday were NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour winner Reggie Ruggiero of Rocky Hill, CT; Nokie Fornoro of Reeders, PA in the International Supermodified Association and Ben Seitz of Monument Beach, MA in the Northeastern Midget Association. In the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series divisions it was Todd Ceravolo of Gales Ferry, CT taking home the checkers in the Sunoco Modifieds. Dave Berghman of Seekonk, MA won the 50-lap Pro Stock event and Marc Palmisano dominated in the Late Models.
Reggie Ruggiero inherited the lead after an incident on lap 147 involving leaders Ted Christopher and John Blewett III. He withstood a final caution flag that forced a green-white-checker restart to score the win. The victory ended a drought for Ruggiero that dates back to 2004. Jimmy Blewett came home second and was joined on the podium by Jerry Marquis. Donny Lia and Mike Stefanik rounded out the top-five.
By virtue of his fifth place finish on Sunday, Mike Stefanik clinched car owner Eric Sanderson his first-ever Modified Tour championship. All Stefanik has to do is start at Stafford Motor Speedway to earn his ninth NASCAR championship and seventh Modified title.
In Supermodified action it was Nokie Fornoro of Reeders, PA scoring the victory. Joe Petro jumped out to the early lead but quickly relinquished the lead to newly crowned ISMA Supermodified champion, Chris Perley, on lap four. Perley withstood a number of cautions, extending his lead on each restart until a problem on lap 30 sent him pit side. Fornoro was the benefactor, inheriting the lead. Fornoro took over the role as dominator. He, too, withstood a number of cautions to take down the victory followed by Bentley Warren, and Rob Summers, who was doing double-duty running the Whelen Modified tour race. Doug Didero and Bobby Magner rounded out the top five.
Ben Seitz of Monument Beach, MA turned in a dominating performance to score the victory in the NEMA feature event. It took only a short-time for Seitz to prove his prowess on Sunday. He rocketed into the third position on lap two, took over the second spot on lap three. On lap four he dove to the inside of Pernesigilio to take over the lead by inches at the stripe. The current point leader (with one race remaining) went on to stretch out his lead and his point lead as well. Seitz went unchallenged to the checkers. Joey Payne finished second, also with a sizeable margin, over third-place Randy Cabral. Greg Stoehr and B.J. MacDonald completed the top-five.
Todd Ceravolo of Gales Ferry, CT scored his third win of the season in the Sunoco Modifieds. It was a nice change for Ceravolo who has been plagued by bad luck over the last half of the regular season. Keith Rocco took advantage of his pole starting position to show the way in the Sunoco Modified main event. The battling was heavy inside the top five. Todd Ceravolo hounded the leader as Jeff Malave, in turn, was fighting for position on Ceravolo. Tommy Cravenho, Jimmy Blewett and Bert Marvin had their own battle. A few laps later mechanical failure appeared to befall Marvin sending him pit side. Ceravolo was successful for his bid for the lead before the caution flew on lap 10 for a spin by Butch Perry.
On the restart, Rocco hung on the outside of Ceravolo briefly, but settled back in line in the second spot. Blewett was able to take third from Malave. Green flag racing was short-lived as the caution flew once again. On the restart, Malave faltered falling back to fifth. Rocco also struggled on the restart. Blewett came on strong and was the new leader. Ceravolo held second position over Cravenho. Cravenho’s day came to an end with a hard hit in the turn two wall.
On the ensuing restart, Ceravolo was able to steal the top spot from Blewett. Before they could get more than a few laps in the record books, the #78 of Rocco slowed collecting a number of cars. Ceravolo was still in control when the racing resumed. Blewett followed with Malave taking chase. The best battle was for the fourth spot. Kerry Malone had it but both Zach Sylvester and Woody Pitkat wanted it.
Up front, Ceravolo got some breathing room when Blewett and Malave ran wheel-to-wheel for second. Zach Sylvester meanwhile had taken over fourth leaving Malone to battle Pitkat. Ceravolo went on to cruise to the victory over Blewett and Malave. Sylvester had a good run for his sponsor XTRA-Mart. Malone rounded out the top five.
Dave Berghman of Seekonk, MA held back the challenges of early leader Fred Astle, Jr. to score the victory in the 50-lapper for the Pro Stocks. Astle, Jr. passed polesitter Todd Owen on the opening lap to take command of the main event. The early going was marred with a pair of cautions. Under yellow on lap 11 Owen, who had fallen back to fourth, headed to pit road. Under green, Dave Berghman almost immediately began to challenge Astle for the top spot. Things settled down out front with Astle in control until the race approached the halfway marker. Berghman resumed his assault on Astle’s lead while Mike O’Sullivan began to make his move battling with Bessette for third. Les Rose, Jr. also became a factor. By lap 25, Owen was back to fifth.
There was a scary moment on lap 29 when Wayne Dion, Willis Longley, and Dennis Krupski went three-wide. Longley and Krupski made contact also collecting Scott Rotherforth. Rotherforth rolled hitting the outside wall in turn one on his roof before the car erupted in flames. Track official Ben Dodge came to the aid of Rotherforth helping him exit the burning vehicle. Rotherforth walked away from the incident.
Berghman was finally able to grab the lead from Astle on lap 30. Astle had plenty left for the new leader; however. Astle got a run on lap 35 but settled back into line. Bessette continued to run in third followed by Owen and Rose. Astle took the lead back again however the pass was negated by a caution for a spin by Dion. Sparks were flying for the lead as the two continued to battle with Owen now watching from third. Despite the efforts of Astle, Berghman ran to the victory. Astle came home second. Owen rebounded to find his place on the podium. Bessette and Rose rounded out the top five.
Marc Palmisano of Hadley, MA continued his domination of the Late Model division at Thompson. After sweeping the Twin events on the final Thursday night of competition, the 2006 divisional champion scored his fourth feature victory in a row at the World Series on Sunday afternoon. Palmisano took the lead early in the 25-lap event and never looked back. The best battle came late in the race as Gentes and Hutchings battled for the second spot. For most of the race, Gentes held the position but with only a handful of laps remaining Hutchings made his move. In the end it was all Palmisano followed by Hutchings and Gentes. Paul Newcomb came on strong in the waning laps to finish a strong fourth. Dennis Perry rounded out the top-five.
NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. Reggie Ruggiero, Rocky Hill, CT; 2. Jimmy Blewett, Howell, NJ; 3. Jerry Marquis, Broadbrook, CT; 4. Donny Lia, Jericho, NY; 5. Mike Stefanik, Coventry, RI; 6. Tony Hirschman, Northampton, PA; 7. Ronnie Silk, Norwalk CT; 8. Chris Pasteryak, Lisbon, CT; 9. Zach Sylvester, Lebanon, CT; 10. Danny Sammons, Trenton, NJ.
NEMA Midgets Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1.Ben Seitz; Monument Beach, MA; 2. Joey Payne; Fairlawn, NJ; 3. Randy Cabral; Plymouth, MA; 4. Greg Stoehr; Bridgewater, MA; 5. B.J. McDonald; 6. Ryan Dolan, Acton, MA; 7. Mike Keeler; Danbury, CT; 8. Pete Pernesiglio; Lake Grove, NY; 9. Shane Hammond; Bridgewater, MA; 10. Mike Luggelle, Hull, MA.
ISMA Supers Feature Finish (Top Ten):1. Nokie Fornoro, Reeders, PA; 2. Bentley Warren, Knnebunkport, ME; 3. Rob Summers, Manchester, CT; 4. Doug Didero, Mooresville, NC; 5. Bobby Magner, Oswego, NY; 6. Justin Belfiore, Ipswich, MA; 7. Johnny Torrese, Miami, FL; 8. Lou Cicconi, Aston, PA; 9. Jeff Holbrook, Oswego, NY; 10. Craig Rayvals, Brockville, Ontario.
Sunoco Modified Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. Todd Ceravolo, Gales Ferry, CT; 2. Jimmy Blewett, Howell, NJ; 3. Jeff Malave, S. Windsor, CT; 4. Zach Sylvester, Lebanon, CT; 5. Kerry Malone, Needham, MA; 6. Woody Pitkat, Stafford, CT; 7. Josh Steeves, Webster, MA; 8. Matt Hirschman, Northampton, MA; 9. Scott Bennett, Stafford, CT; 10. Rick D’Abate, Johnston, RI.
Pro Stock Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. Dave Berghman, Seekonk, MA; 2. Fred Astle, Jr., N. Westport, MA; 3. Todd Owen, Somers, CT; 4. George Bessette, Danbury, CT; 5. Les Rose, Jr., E.Wareham, MA; 6. Jeff Connors, Ellington, CT; 7. Mike O’Sullivan, Springfield, MA; 8. Mike Brightman, Acushnet, MA; 9. Peter “Buzzy” Eriksen, Baldwin, NY; 10. Dennis Maxfield, Fitchburg, MA
Late Model Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. Marc Palmisano, Hadley, MA; 2. Corey Hutchings, Salem, CT; 3. Rick Gentes, Woonsocket, RI; 4. Paul Newcomb, Jr., Bryantville, MA; 5. Dennis Perry, Pawcatuck, CT; 6. Tommy O’Sullivan, Springfield, MA; 7. Wayne Coury, Jr., Milford, CT; 8. John Materas, Voluntown, CT; 9. Michael Lindquist, Wilton, CT; 10. Steve Witt, Auburn, MA.
