September 15, 2021
Williams Runs it Back for Victory in Tripoint Showdown 75 at Thompson
Acttour.com release
Nicholas Teto/YankeeRacer.com photo
Thompson, CT — Tolland, CT’s Ronnie Williams made it two in a row with the Outlaw Open Modified Series by capturing the Twisted Tea Tripoint Showdown 75 at Connecticut’s Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park on Wednesday, September 15. Williams followed a similar script to his Midsummer 75 victory in August by coming on strong late in the going to take home another $5,000 top prize at the final tune-up for the $20,000-to-win Thompson 300.
Thanks to the plus-four they earned in their qualifying heats, Williams and Bethlehem, CT’s Chase Dowling led the field to the green flag. Williams paced the first seven laps in his Casella Racing machine before Dowling muscled inside entering turn two, bringing Chelmsford, MA’s Jon McKennedy along for the ride.
After initially coming back on McKennedy, Williams began to drift back in the field. As he did, McKennedy asserted himself, grabbing the point from Dowling on lap 25. McKennedy then led a four-car breakaway of Dowling, Chris Pasteryak, and Richard Savary.
The race shifted on lap 36 when Russ Hersey came to a halt at the pit road entrance, bringing out the first caution. Every lead lap car except McKennedy headed to the pits with all of them putting on a fresh right rear tire and some also making chassis adjustments. Pasteryak won the race off pit road to restart second with Matt Swanson, Williams, Tyler Barry, and Dowling in tow.
McKennedy’s gamble looked good at first as the field diced for second on the restart, which allowed him to open a big lead. But once they got organized, Williams, Dowling, and Swanson ran McKennedy down. Williams gracefully drove below McKennedy coming into turn three on the 52nd circuit, then parried the crossover attempt to reassume command.
Five laps later, Barry’s Modified went up in smoke to trigger the second caution. McKennedy finally decided to pit, handing the second spot to Dowling with Swanson and Keith Rocco in his rear view mirror. Berlin, CT’s Rocco — who had started the feature at tail after problems in qualifying — grabbed third on the restart and took second from Dowling a couple laps later.
But Rocco had nothing for Williams, whose crew had again made all the right calls. The former Stafford Speedway champion was off into the night, pulling farther and farther away over the final laps and making him an early favorite for the Thompson 300 on October 10.
Dowling put some heat on Rocco down the stretch before settling for third. Swanson and Savary had solid top-five efforts while McKennedy could climb no higher than sixth after his late pit stop. Brett Meservey, Pasteryak, Rob Richardi Jr., and Paul Charette completed the top-10.
Williams Runs it Back for Victory in Tripoint Showdown 75 at Thompson
Acttour.com release
Nicholas Teto/YankeeRacer.com photo
Thompson, CT — Tolland, CT’s Ronnie Williams made it two in a row with the Outlaw Open Modified Series by capturing the Twisted Tea Tripoint Showdown 75 at Connecticut’s Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park on Wednesday, September 15. Williams followed a similar script to his Midsummer 75 victory in August by coming on strong late in the going to take home another $5,000 top prize at the final tune-up for the $20,000-to-win Thompson 300.
Thanks to the plus-four they earned in their qualifying heats, Williams and Bethlehem, CT’s Chase Dowling led the field to the green flag. Williams paced the first seven laps in his Casella Racing machine before Dowling muscled inside entering turn two, bringing Chelmsford, MA’s Jon McKennedy along for the ride.
After initially coming back on McKennedy, Williams began to drift back in the field. As he did, McKennedy asserted himself, grabbing the point from Dowling on lap 25. McKennedy then led a four-car breakaway of Dowling, Chris Pasteryak, and Richard Savary.
The race shifted on lap 36 when Russ Hersey came to a halt at the pit road entrance, bringing out the first caution. Every lead lap car except McKennedy headed to the pits with all of them putting on a fresh right rear tire and some also making chassis adjustments. Pasteryak won the race off pit road to restart second with Matt Swanson, Williams, Tyler Barry, and Dowling in tow.
McKennedy’s gamble looked good at first as the field diced for second on the restart, which allowed him to open a big lead. But once they got organized, Williams, Dowling, and Swanson ran McKennedy down. Williams gracefully drove below McKennedy coming into turn three on the 52nd circuit, then parried the crossover attempt to reassume command.
Five laps later, Barry’s Modified went up in smoke to trigger the second caution. McKennedy finally decided to pit, handing the second spot to Dowling with Swanson and Keith Rocco in his rear view mirror. Berlin, CT’s Rocco — who had started the feature at tail after problems in qualifying — grabbed third on the restart and took second from Dowling a couple laps later.
But Rocco had nothing for Williams, whose crew had again made all the right calls. The former Stafford Speedway champion was off into the night, pulling farther and farther away over the final laps and making him an early favorite for the Thompson 300 on October 10.
Dowling put some heat on Rocco down the stretch before settling for third. Swanson and Savary had solid top-five efforts while McKennedy could climb no higher than sixth after his late pit stop. Brett Meservey, Pasteryak, Rob Richardi Jr., and Paul Charette completed the top-10.
September 10, 2021
Ronnie Williams Impresses With Incredible Performance At Richmond Raceway
By Davey Segal NASCAR.com w/RWR Headline
RICHMOND, Va. – In the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour’s return to Richmond Raceway, Ryan Preece dominated, leading 98 of 156 laps and surviving multiple late-race restarts to win his third consecutive race over a three-month stretch and first at “The Action Track.”
“Usually you really don’t want late-race restarts, but I knew I had a really good car,” Preece said. “And I knew from the first restart we had that my car was gonna take off. I was good on the short run and good on the long run. It all worked out.”
While multiple big names and championship contenders ran into issues behind him, Preece made staying up front a point of emphasis, understanding the effect clean air has on a car at the 0.75-mile track, regardless of vehicle.
“Clean air was something I wanted,” he said. “Funny to say in a modified, but it matters. I knew the deeper you get into the pack, the less your car is going to do what you want it to do. Ultimately, I’m pretty happy we controlled the race and we had a fast race car.”
His wins at Richmond, Stafford and New Hampshire mark the fourth season in the Berlin, Connecticut, native’s career he has won three or more races on the Modified Tour. This is Preece’s final scheduled race of his Modified Tour season.
Earning his best finish of the season in the runner-up spot was Jon McKennedy. Following back-to-back 16th-place finishes at Beech Ridge and Oswego, the Tommy Baldwin-led group gained a total of 18 positions on the evening after starting back in 20th.
Ronnie Williams brought his No. 50 machine home third after leading three times for a total of 34 laps, the best finish of his career, with Cup Series veteran Ryan Newman and six-time series champion Doug Coby rounding out the top five finishers. Kyle Bonsignore, Austin Beers, Andy Jankowiak, Burt Myers and Woody Pitkat completed the top 10.
Notably absent from the front all night long were the three championship contenders: Justin Bonsignore, Patrick Emerling and Ron Silk.
Around Lap 40, Emerling’s No. 07 began smoking on track. Shortly thereafter, he brought it to the garage for service and a rear end issue was diagnosed. A handful of laps later, points leader and championship rival Bonsignore suffered a similar issue and brought his No. 51 behind the wall. The two teams worked feverishly to get back on track, only a few yards from each other.
Both Bonsignore and Emerling were able to get back on track, but returned to the garage mere laps later, ending their nights early. They finished 24th and 25th, respectively.
Their trouble meant Ron Silk, winner of the last two races on the tour, had an opportunity to pounce. But the No. 85 struggled most of the night and ultimately was involved in a crash of his own, leading to the eventual overtime finish.
With two races to go in the season, Bonsignore’s lead over Emerling in the standings is at 22 points. Up next for the Whelen Modified Tour is a trip to Riverhead Raceway on Sept. 18. Doug Coby earned both wins earlier this season, with Justin Bonsignore winning the four prior in a row (eight overall).
Ronnie Williams Impresses With Incredible Performance At Richmond Raceway
By Davey Segal NASCAR.com w/RWR Headline
RICHMOND, Va. – In the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour’s return to Richmond Raceway, Ryan Preece dominated, leading 98 of 156 laps and surviving multiple late-race restarts to win his third consecutive race over a three-month stretch and first at “The Action Track.”
“Usually you really don’t want late-race restarts, but I knew I had a really good car,” Preece said. “And I knew from the first restart we had that my car was gonna take off. I was good on the short run and good on the long run. It all worked out.”
While multiple big names and championship contenders ran into issues behind him, Preece made staying up front a point of emphasis, understanding the effect clean air has on a car at the 0.75-mile track, regardless of vehicle.
“Clean air was something I wanted,” he said. “Funny to say in a modified, but it matters. I knew the deeper you get into the pack, the less your car is going to do what you want it to do. Ultimately, I’m pretty happy we controlled the race and we had a fast race car.”
His wins at Richmond, Stafford and New Hampshire mark the fourth season in the Berlin, Connecticut, native’s career he has won three or more races on the Modified Tour. This is Preece’s final scheduled race of his Modified Tour season.
Earning his best finish of the season in the runner-up spot was Jon McKennedy. Following back-to-back 16th-place finishes at Beech Ridge and Oswego, the Tommy Baldwin-led group gained a total of 18 positions on the evening after starting back in 20th.
Ronnie Williams brought his No. 50 machine home third after leading three times for a total of 34 laps, the best finish of his career, with Cup Series veteran Ryan Newman and six-time series champion Doug Coby rounding out the top five finishers. Kyle Bonsignore, Austin Beers, Andy Jankowiak, Burt Myers and Woody Pitkat completed the top 10.
Notably absent from the front all night long were the three championship contenders: Justin Bonsignore, Patrick Emerling and Ron Silk.
Around Lap 40, Emerling’s No. 07 began smoking on track. Shortly thereafter, he brought it to the garage for service and a rear end issue was diagnosed. A handful of laps later, points leader and championship rival Bonsignore suffered a similar issue and brought his No. 51 behind the wall. The two teams worked feverishly to get back on track, only a few yards from each other.
Both Bonsignore and Emerling were able to get back on track, but returned to the garage mere laps later, ending their nights early. They finished 24th and 25th, respectively.
Their trouble meant Ron Silk, winner of the last two races on the tour, had an opportunity to pounce. But the No. 85 struggled most of the night and ultimately was involved in a crash of his own, leading to the eventual overtime finish.
With two races to go in the season, Bonsignore’s lead over Emerling in the standings is at 22 points. Up next for the Whelen Modified Tour is a trip to Riverhead Raceway on Sept. 18. Doug Coby earned both wins earlier this season, with Justin Bonsignore winning the four prior in a row (eight overall).
August 11, 2021
Williams Comes Alive Late to Win Truly Hard Lemonade Midsummer 75
www.acttour.com release
Thompson, CT — Tolland, CT’s Ronnie Williams found some late magic to win the Truly Lemonade Hard Seltzer Midsummer 75 at Connecticut’s Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park on Wednesday, September 15. Williams took the lead from Chelmsford, MA’s Jon McKennedy with 17 laps remaining and got stronger as the race wound down to grab the $5,000 victor’s paycheck for the Outlaw Open Modified Series.
The multi-time SK Modified champion started on the outside pole after both he and Keith Rocco earned three passing points in their qualifying heat. However, Williams spent the first portion of the event running in the second pack as Rocco, Ryan Preece, and Matt Swanson set a torrid pace. After Rocco led the first 13 laps, Preece was on the good end of a crossover three-pack to nab the point entering turn one.
Preece started to pull away around the halfway mark while McKennedy went on the march. McKennedy started at the back after failing to finish his qualifying heat but was up to the third spot with less than 35 laps to go. Just as McKennedy reached Rocco’s rear bumper with 46 laps complete, Andrew Charron and Brett Meservey got wadded up in turn two to bring out the race’s only caution flag.
All lead-lap cars went to the pits during the yellow for a fresh right rear tire and adjustments. McKennedy’s team was one of those that also switched the left front and left rear tires with each other. This dropped them back to fifth on the restart behind Preece, Rocco, Chris Pasteryak, and Eric Goodale. Williams was alongside McKennedy in sixth place.
When the green flag came back out, both McKennedy and Williams went right to work. McKennedy rumbled to third within a lap and spent several circuits inside Rocco with Williams knocking on the door. After McKennedy finally cleared Rocco, he set his sights on Preece, dipping below him entering turn three on the 55th circuit to take over the lead.
However, McKennedy’s time on top was short-lived. The Gary Casella team had made the right moves for Williams during the pit stop, and he couldn’t be stopped. Williams drove below McKennedy to get the lead on lap 58 with McKennedy unsuccessfully trying to cross him over in turn one.
From there, Williams went into beast mode. As Preece dropped back with an ill-handling car, Williams went into overdrive, running his fastest lap of the race on lap 64. With no spins or other speed bumps to slow him down, Williams marched to the $5,000 payday in front of an impressive crowd.
McKennedy kept Swanson at bay over the final laps to finish second. Rocco ended up fourth followed by Pasteryak, Goodale, Preece, Tyler Barry, Paul LaPlante, and Charron. Swanson and Preece were the heat race winners.
Williams Comes Alive Late to Win Truly Hard Lemonade Midsummer 75
www.acttour.com release
Thompson, CT — Tolland, CT’s Ronnie Williams found some late magic to win the Truly Lemonade Hard Seltzer Midsummer 75 at Connecticut’s Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park on Wednesday, September 15. Williams took the lead from Chelmsford, MA’s Jon McKennedy with 17 laps remaining and got stronger as the race wound down to grab the $5,000 victor’s paycheck for the Outlaw Open Modified Series.
The multi-time SK Modified champion started on the outside pole after both he and Keith Rocco earned three passing points in their qualifying heat. However, Williams spent the first portion of the event running in the second pack as Rocco, Ryan Preece, and Matt Swanson set a torrid pace. After Rocco led the first 13 laps, Preece was on the good end of a crossover three-pack to nab the point entering turn one.
Preece started to pull away around the halfway mark while McKennedy went on the march. McKennedy started at the back after failing to finish his qualifying heat but was up to the third spot with less than 35 laps to go. Just as McKennedy reached Rocco’s rear bumper with 46 laps complete, Andrew Charron and Brett Meservey got wadded up in turn two to bring out the race’s only caution flag.
All lead-lap cars went to the pits during the yellow for a fresh right rear tire and adjustments. McKennedy’s team was one of those that also switched the left front and left rear tires with each other. This dropped them back to fifth on the restart behind Preece, Rocco, Chris Pasteryak, and Eric Goodale. Williams was alongside McKennedy in sixth place.
When the green flag came back out, both McKennedy and Williams went right to work. McKennedy rumbled to third within a lap and spent several circuits inside Rocco with Williams knocking on the door. After McKennedy finally cleared Rocco, he set his sights on Preece, dipping below him entering turn three on the 55th circuit to take over the lead.
However, McKennedy’s time on top was short-lived. The Gary Casella team had made the right moves for Williams during the pit stop, and he couldn’t be stopped. Williams drove below McKennedy to get the lead on lap 58 with McKennedy unsuccessfully trying to cross him over in turn one.
From there, Williams went into beast mode. As Preece dropped back with an ill-handling car, Williams went into overdrive, running his fastest lap of the race on lap 64. With no spins or other speed bumps to slow him down, Williams marched to the $5,000 payday in front of an impressive crowd.
McKennedy kept Swanson at bay over the final laps to finish second. Rocco ended up fourth followed by Pasteryak, Goodale, Preece, Tyler Barry, Paul LaPlante, and Charron. Swanson and Preece were the heat race winners.
July 17, 2021
Ronnie Williams Finishes 4th In Biggest Whelen Modified Tour Race Of The Year at NHMS;
Cup Series Driver Ryan Preece Scores Win
NASCAR.com w/ RWR Headline
LOUDON, N.H. — Ryan Preece finally got the win he’d been hoping for.
On a last-lap overtime dive to the outside in Turns 3 and 4, Preece sprinted around Ron Silk and Justin Bonsignore to go from third to first to win the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour’s Whelen 100 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Saturday afternoon.
Preece was showered in cheers by the crowd after the native New Englander put on an incredible show.
“I’m from Berlin, Connecticut, born and raised, and I have my local tracks in Connecticut,” Preece said. ‘But when it comes to the big three (national touring series) and the Cup Series, this is the only track that’s two and a half hours away. … But this is New England. And all of us New Englanders, we’re kind of our own breed. It’s just really cool to win in front of them all.”
The race was pushed to overtime when J.B. Fortin and Eric Goodale collided on the front straightaway with two laps to go, setting Silk and Preece on the front row for the final restart.
In a backup car following a crash in Saturday morning’s practice, Silk got the jump on the restart with a massive push from Bonsignore into Turn 1. The No. 85 of Silk shot to the lead but had the field strong in tow, thanks to the effect of the draft.
Silk led to the white flag, but Bonsignore had an outstanding run off Turn 2. He darted to the inside, but Silk hung a left to defend. Preece, meanwhile, held his line against the outside wall while the two leaders lost momentum.
Bonsignore jumped out to lead for a brief moment, but Preece rocketed around both drivers to launch to his first win at the “Magic Mile.”
“I can play it back in my head probably a billion times and probably do 10 different things off of Turn 2, but that’s the move you think you got to make,’ Bonsignore said. “And Ronnie did exactly what I would have done as the leader and probably stalled us both out too much and then Ryan got a good run.”
Bonsignore also elected not to take fuel when the caution fell at Lap 74, choosing to take tires and track position instead. Off Turn 4 on the final lap, Bonsignore said the engine stumbled, hindering any momentum coming back to the checkered flag.
In third place, Silk completed an impressive effort in a backup car that had zero practice laps on it and just two qualifying circuits before Saturday’s contest.
“All you can do at this place is put yourself in a position to win at the end and then it kind of just falls where it falls,” Silk said. “But yeah, to have zero laps of practice on this car and have a good run like that, it’s really good.”
The race kicked off with a caution on Lap 1 when Matt Swanson drifted wide off Turn 4 and contacted the outside wall. As the field scattered around him, Max McLaughlin was turned into the outside wall, and both drivers’ days ended early.
After a lengthy cleanup period, the race got back underway at Lap 12, kicking off a long 62-lap green-flag run.
The front end of that run featured incredible fights for the lead between Bonsignore and Preece, who traded the lead seemingly every other lap as the draft came into play.
“It’s always fun,” Bonsignore said. “We understand what each other is trying to do. You can’t be tucked up behind the guy for too many laps. Otherwise, you start to run hot. So it’s more of a game of just ‘Hey, I need to lead to cool the motor back off and lead three, four laps and get the lead back.’ But at the same time you want to be the leader because if the caution comes out, you want to make sure you’re lined up as the leader, so it’s a game of cat and mouse.”
Bonsignore held the lead at the Lap-74 caution, which flew for Bryan Dauzat’s failed engine, and elected to take tires only while the majority of the leaders pitted for both fuel and tires.
At Lap 93, Tyler Rypkema suffered a right-rear tire puncture heading into Turn 1 and spun driver-side into the outside wall before climbing out under his own power.
That set up a restart with four to go, leading to the eventual contact between Fortin and Goodale.
Patrick Emerling entered Saturday’s race with a three-point lead over Bonsignore in the championship standings but instead left with a disappointing 13th-place finish, at one point losing a lap to Bonsignore.
Doug Coby came into Saturday’s race fourth in points 41 points out despite missing the event at Oswego Speedway, but a blown motor ended the six-time champion’s day after just 44 laps.
Completing the top five behind Preece, Bonsignore and Silk were Ronnie Williams and Jon McKennedy. Andy Seuss, Dave Sapienza, Bobby Santos III, Kyle Bonsignore and Timmy Solomito rounded out the top 10.
Ronnie Williams Finishes 4th In Biggest Whelen Modified Tour Race Of The Year at NHMS;
Cup Series Driver Ryan Preece Scores Win
NASCAR.com w/ RWR Headline
LOUDON, N.H. — Ryan Preece finally got the win he’d been hoping for.
On a last-lap overtime dive to the outside in Turns 3 and 4, Preece sprinted around Ron Silk and Justin Bonsignore to go from third to first to win the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour’s Whelen 100 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Saturday afternoon.
Preece was showered in cheers by the crowd after the native New Englander put on an incredible show.
“I’m from Berlin, Connecticut, born and raised, and I have my local tracks in Connecticut,” Preece said. ‘But when it comes to the big three (national touring series) and the Cup Series, this is the only track that’s two and a half hours away. … But this is New England. And all of us New Englanders, we’re kind of our own breed. It’s just really cool to win in front of them all.”
The race was pushed to overtime when J.B. Fortin and Eric Goodale collided on the front straightaway with two laps to go, setting Silk and Preece on the front row for the final restart.
In a backup car following a crash in Saturday morning’s practice, Silk got the jump on the restart with a massive push from Bonsignore into Turn 1. The No. 85 of Silk shot to the lead but had the field strong in tow, thanks to the effect of the draft.
Silk led to the white flag, but Bonsignore had an outstanding run off Turn 2. He darted to the inside, but Silk hung a left to defend. Preece, meanwhile, held his line against the outside wall while the two leaders lost momentum.
Bonsignore jumped out to lead for a brief moment, but Preece rocketed around both drivers to launch to his first win at the “Magic Mile.”
“I can play it back in my head probably a billion times and probably do 10 different things off of Turn 2, but that’s the move you think you got to make,’ Bonsignore said. “And Ronnie did exactly what I would have done as the leader and probably stalled us both out too much and then Ryan got a good run.”
Bonsignore also elected not to take fuel when the caution fell at Lap 74, choosing to take tires and track position instead. Off Turn 4 on the final lap, Bonsignore said the engine stumbled, hindering any momentum coming back to the checkered flag.
In third place, Silk completed an impressive effort in a backup car that had zero practice laps on it and just two qualifying circuits before Saturday’s contest.
“All you can do at this place is put yourself in a position to win at the end and then it kind of just falls where it falls,” Silk said. “But yeah, to have zero laps of practice on this car and have a good run like that, it’s really good.”
The race kicked off with a caution on Lap 1 when Matt Swanson drifted wide off Turn 4 and contacted the outside wall. As the field scattered around him, Max McLaughlin was turned into the outside wall, and both drivers’ days ended early.
After a lengthy cleanup period, the race got back underway at Lap 12, kicking off a long 62-lap green-flag run.
The front end of that run featured incredible fights for the lead between Bonsignore and Preece, who traded the lead seemingly every other lap as the draft came into play.
“It’s always fun,” Bonsignore said. “We understand what each other is trying to do. You can’t be tucked up behind the guy for too many laps. Otherwise, you start to run hot. So it’s more of a game of just ‘Hey, I need to lead to cool the motor back off and lead three, four laps and get the lead back.’ But at the same time you want to be the leader because if the caution comes out, you want to make sure you’re lined up as the leader, so it’s a game of cat and mouse.”
Bonsignore held the lead at the Lap-74 caution, which flew for Bryan Dauzat’s failed engine, and elected to take tires only while the majority of the leaders pitted for both fuel and tires.
At Lap 93, Tyler Rypkema suffered a right-rear tire puncture heading into Turn 1 and spun driver-side into the outside wall before climbing out under his own power.
That set up a restart with four to go, leading to the eventual contact between Fortin and Goodale.
Patrick Emerling entered Saturday’s race with a three-point lead over Bonsignore in the championship standings but instead left with a disappointing 13th-place finish, at one point losing a lap to Bonsignore.
Doug Coby came into Saturday’s race fourth in points 41 points out despite missing the event at Oswego Speedway, but a blown motor ended the six-time champion’s day after just 44 laps.
Completing the top five behind Preece, Bonsignore and Silk were Ronnie Williams and Jon McKennedy. Andy Seuss, Dave Sapienza, Bobby Santos III, Kyle Bonsignore and Timmy Solomito rounded out the top 10.
June 4, 2021
Ronnie Williams Becomes 6th Different SK Modified Winner In 6 Weeks At Stafford Motor Speedway
www.staffordspeedway.com release
(Stafford Springs, CT)—Stafford Speedway returned to Friday night racing action with a Stafford Weekly Series program on Friday night, June 4th. Ronnie Williams and Alexander Pearl were both first time 2021 winners in the SK Modified® and SK Light Modified feature events respectively. Mike Hopkins notched his first career Limited Late Model feature victory while Michael Bennett took down his third Late Model feature win of 2021 and Chris Meyer scored his second Street Stock feature win of 2021. The Kids Night Big Wheel Race was won by 6 year old Aiden Royce of Stafford Springs.
In the 40-lap SK Modified® feature event, Doug Meservey, Jr. took the lead ahead of Teddy Hodgdon at the drop of the green but before a lap could be completed, a multicar incident in turn 4 involving the cars of Dan Wesson, Jon Puleo, Todd Owen, and several others brought the caution out.
Meservey took the lead on the restart with Hodgdon right behind him. Bryan Narducci was third in line followed by Tyler Leary and Mikey Flynn. Ronnie Williams was sixth followed by David Arute, Andrew Molleur, Marcello Rufrano, Michael Gervais, Jr., and Chase Dowling.
Hodgdon made a move to get by Meservey and move back to the lead on lap-6. Williams got around Flynn to move into fifth and now Arute was all over the back bumper of Flynn for sixth. Williams continued to charge his way towards the front as he took third from Narducci on lap-9 and then took second from Meservey on lap-10. Williams completed his move to the front on lap-14 as he went around Hodgdon to take over the lead.
At the halfway point of the race, Williams was still in command with Hodgdon in second. Meservey was third followed by Narducci, Stephen Kopcik, Leary, Flynn, Rufrano, Arute, and Dowling. Kopcik went by Narducci to move into fourth place on lap-23 before the caution flew with 24 laps complete as Arute spun in turn 4.
Hodgdon and Williams ran 2 laps side by side for the lead before Williams got clear to the lead. Kopcik and Hodgdon were now side by side for second with Kopcik getting the better of that duel on lap-29. With 10 laps to go the order was Williams, Kopcik, Hodgdon, Meservey, Narducci, Dowling, Owen, Michael Christopher, Jr., Leary, and Flynn. The caution came back out with 32 laps complete for a spin in turn 4 by Noah Korner.
Just like the last restart, Williams and Kopcik went side by side for the leada with neither driver giving an inch. Williams finally got clear to the lead on lap-35 with Hodgdon in third, Meservey fourth and Narducci fifth. Narducci moved up to fourth on lap-37 and his move brought Owen up to fifth with Meservey sliding back to sixth in line.
Kopcik was looking high and low for a way to get around Williams, but Williams was able to hold him off. Kopcik couldn’t get close enough to Williams on the final lap as Williams nailed down his first win of the 2021 season. Hodgdon finished third with Owen and Narducci rounding out the top-5.
Ronnie Williams Becomes 6th Different SK Modified Winner In 6 Weeks At Stafford Motor Speedway
www.staffordspeedway.com release
(Stafford Springs, CT)—Stafford Speedway returned to Friday night racing action with a Stafford Weekly Series program on Friday night, June 4th. Ronnie Williams and Alexander Pearl were both first time 2021 winners in the SK Modified® and SK Light Modified feature events respectively. Mike Hopkins notched his first career Limited Late Model feature victory while Michael Bennett took down his third Late Model feature win of 2021 and Chris Meyer scored his second Street Stock feature win of 2021. The Kids Night Big Wheel Race was won by 6 year old Aiden Royce of Stafford Springs.
In the 40-lap SK Modified® feature event, Doug Meservey, Jr. took the lead ahead of Teddy Hodgdon at the drop of the green but before a lap could be completed, a multicar incident in turn 4 involving the cars of Dan Wesson, Jon Puleo, Todd Owen, and several others brought the caution out.
Meservey took the lead on the restart with Hodgdon right behind him. Bryan Narducci was third in line followed by Tyler Leary and Mikey Flynn. Ronnie Williams was sixth followed by David Arute, Andrew Molleur, Marcello Rufrano, Michael Gervais, Jr., and Chase Dowling.
Hodgdon made a move to get by Meservey and move back to the lead on lap-6. Williams got around Flynn to move into fifth and now Arute was all over the back bumper of Flynn for sixth. Williams continued to charge his way towards the front as he took third from Narducci on lap-9 and then took second from Meservey on lap-10. Williams completed his move to the front on lap-14 as he went around Hodgdon to take over the lead.
At the halfway point of the race, Williams was still in command with Hodgdon in second. Meservey was third followed by Narducci, Stephen Kopcik, Leary, Flynn, Rufrano, Arute, and Dowling. Kopcik went by Narducci to move into fourth place on lap-23 before the caution flew with 24 laps complete as Arute spun in turn 4.
Hodgdon and Williams ran 2 laps side by side for the lead before Williams got clear to the lead. Kopcik and Hodgdon were now side by side for second with Kopcik getting the better of that duel on lap-29. With 10 laps to go the order was Williams, Kopcik, Hodgdon, Meservey, Narducci, Dowling, Owen, Michael Christopher, Jr., Leary, and Flynn. The caution came back out with 32 laps complete for a spin in turn 4 by Noah Korner.
Just like the last restart, Williams and Kopcik went side by side for the leada with neither driver giving an inch. Williams finally got clear to the lead on lap-35 with Hodgdon in third, Meservey fourth and Narducci fifth. Narducci moved up to fourth on lap-37 and his move brought Owen up to fifth with Meservey sliding back to sixth in line.
Kopcik was looking high and low for a way to get around Williams, but Williams was able to hold him off. Kopcik couldn’t get close enough to Williams on the final lap as Williams nailed down his first win of the 2021 season. Hodgdon finished third with Owen and Narducci rounding out the top-5.
September 5, 2020
Ronnie Williams Wins White Mountain Essential Workers 100
(MRS PR)
N. Woodstock NH- (Sept 5, 2020) - Another first for Ellington, Connecticut’s Ronnie Williams. His first visit to a new track for him and he wins again. This time he notched his first Modified Racing Series victory of the season Saturday night at North Woodstock, New Hampshire’s White Mountain Motorsports Park landing car owner Gary Casella in victory lane for the second time in this race shortened season.
The race was named ‘To Honor Essential Workers 100’ by the speedway.
All-time Series winner Kirk Alexander, started outside front row in the Norm Perry owned # 76 and led the event beyond the half-way point with pole-sitter Kevin Ianarelli in hot pursuit. Ianarelli was strong all-day.
The first of two caution flags waved on lap-53 with former series champion Woody Pitkat and Williams closing on the leaders.
When the race re-started, Pitkat worked his way by Alexander before Williams settled into the lead for good.
Said Williams. “It’s a cool little race track. Coming out for the first time I thought wow this place is fast. Gary and these guys gave me a great race car just happy we were able to bring it home for them.”
Pitkat, finished second, Alexander grabbed the podium. Iannarelli finished an impressive fourth, and Brett Meservey fought back from an earlier spin (lap 53) to finish fifth.
Iannarelli and Alexander were the New England Race Fuel heat winners
Race Summary:
White Mountain Motorsports Park
N.Woodstock, New Hampshire
Race# 2
September 5, 2020
Entrants: 15
Distance: 100-laps
Lap Leaders: Alexander, Pitkat, and Williams
Margin of Victory: 1.162
Best Lap Time: 11.793
Best Speed: 76.316
Best Lap: Williams 11.793
Cautions: (2)
Race was completed in 27:25:295
Unofficial Order of Finish: (1) Williams, (2) Pitkat, (3) Alexander, (4) Iannarelli, (5) Meservey, (6) Donnie Lashua, (7) Jeff Gallup, (8) Carl Medeiros, 9 (Andy Shaw,(10) Colbey Fournier, (11) Kreig Heroth, (12) George Sherman, (13) Bill Dixon, (14) Josh Zentak, (DNS) Jacob Perry
Ronnie Williams Wins White Mountain Essential Workers 100
(MRS PR)
N. Woodstock NH- (Sept 5, 2020) - Another first for Ellington, Connecticut’s Ronnie Williams. His first visit to a new track for him and he wins again. This time he notched his first Modified Racing Series victory of the season Saturday night at North Woodstock, New Hampshire’s White Mountain Motorsports Park landing car owner Gary Casella in victory lane for the second time in this race shortened season.
The race was named ‘To Honor Essential Workers 100’ by the speedway.
All-time Series winner Kirk Alexander, started outside front row in the Norm Perry owned # 76 and led the event beyond the half-way point with pole-sitter Kevin Ianarelli in hot pursuit. Ianarelli was strong all-day.
The first of two caution flags waved on lap-53 with former series champion Woody Pitkat and Williams closing on the leaders.
When the race re-started, Pitkat worked his way by Alexander before Williams settled into the lead for good.
Said Williams. “It’s a cool little race track. Coming out for the first time I thought wow this place is fast. Gary and these guys gave me a great race car just happy we were able to bring it home for them.”
Pitkat, finished second, Alexander grabbed the podium. Iannarelli finished an impressive fourth, and Brett Meservey fought back from an earlier spin (lap 53) to finish fifth.
Iannarelli and Alexander were the New England Race Fuel heat winners
Race Summary:
White Mountain Motorsports Park
N.Woodstock, New Hampshire
Race# 2
September 5, 2020
Entrants: 15
Distance: 100-laps
Lap Leaders: Alexander, Pitkat, and Williams
Margin of Victory: 1.162
Best Lap Time: 11.793
Best Speed: 76.316
Best Lap: Williams 11.793
Cautions: (2)
Race was completed in 27:25:295
Unofficial Order of Finish: (1) Williams, (2) Pitkat, (3) Alexander, (4) Iannarelli, (5) Meservey, (6) Donnie Lashua, (7) Jeff Gallup, (8) Carl Medeiros, 9 (Andy Shaw,(10) Colbey Fournier, (11) Kreig Heroth, (12) George Sherman, (13) Bill Dixon, (14) Josh Zentak, (DNS) Jacob Perry
August 21, 2020
Ronnie Williams Wins Lincoln Tech Open Modified 80 At Stafford Speedway
www.staffordspeedway.com
(Stafford Springs, CT)—Open Modified cars returned to Stafford Motor Speedway for the third time during the 2020 season on Friday, August 21st for the Lincoln Tech Open Mod 80. Ronnie Williams took the lead from Jon McKennedy with 6 laps to go and went on to win the Lincoln Tech Open Mod 80, his second career open modified win at Stafford.
The race took the green flag with Ryan Preece going from third to the lead in a 3-wide move around Michael Christopher, Jr. and Cam McDermott on the first lap. Christopher nearly took the lead back from Preece on lap-2 but settled into line in second. Chase Dowling quickly moved up to third with Joey Cipriano in fourth and McDermott side by side with Matt Swanson for fifth place.
Dowling took second from Preece on lap-8 with a pass going into turn 3 while Ronnie Williams took fifth from Swanson. Williams continued to charge to the front by taking fourth from Cipriano on lap-11 and Dowling got around Preece to take second. Williams took third from Preece on lap-14 with Christopher still leading the race.
With 25 laps complete Christopher and Dowling were still nose to tail for the race lead with Williams and Preece giving chase. Cipriano was still running fifth and he was leading a train of cars that included Swanson, McDermott, and Jon McKennedy.
At the halfway point of the race it was still Christopher in command with Williams now in second. Preece was still in third with Dowling back to fourth and Cipriano still running in fifth. Just behind Cipriano was McKennedy, Swanson, and McDermott. The first caution of the race came out with 47 laps complete for Dana DiMatteo, who spun at the entrance of turn 3.
Under the caution all the lead lap cars came to pit road for a change of 2 tires. McKennedy won the race off pit road followed by Christopher, Eric Goodale, Preece, Keith Rocco, Cipriano, Owen, Dowling, Swanson, and Matt Galko. McKennedy took the lead on the restart while Christopher didn’t come up speed right away and he fell back to fifth as Goodale took second, Rocco third, and Preece fourth. Rocco took second from Goodale while Christopher came back and took fourth from Preece on lap-50 and he was looking to the outside of Goodale for third. Christopher made the move around Goodale on lap-52 and Preece followed suit and went around Goodale to move into fourth and drop Goodale back to fifth in line.
Christopher’s great run came to a premature end on lap-58 as his car dropped off the pace and he pulled behind the pit wall. McKennedy was still the leader with Rocco, Preece, Goodale, Cipriano, Williams, and Galko giving chase. Williams took fourth on lap-61 with Galko moving up to fifth as Goodale slid back to seventh behind Galko with McKennedy still leading Rocco and Preece. Debris on the race track brought the caution back out with 66 laps complete.
McKennedy took the lead back under green with Rocco glued to his back bumper. Williams got around Rocco to take second on lap-68 and he took the lead from McKennedy on lap-69 but McKennedy came right back with a crossover move and he maintained the lead. Rocco was third in line with Preece fourth and Galko in fifth.
McKennedy threw a block on Williams on lap-75 but Williams somehow found a way to squeeze to the inside of McKennedy in turn 3 to take the lead. There would be no crossover move from McKennedy this time as he settled into second. Rocco was still third with Preece and Galko making up the top-5.
Williams led McKennedy to the checkered flag to win the Lincoln Tech Open 80. Rocco finished third with Preece and Galko rounding out the top-5
Ronnie Williams Wins Lincoln Tech Open Modified 80 At Stafford Speedway
www.staffordspeedway.com
(Stafford Springs, CT)—Open Modified cars returned to Stafford Motor Speedway for the third time during the 2020 season on Friday, August 21st for the Lincoln Tech Open Mod 80. Ronnie Williams took the lead from Jon McKennedy with 6 laps to go and went on to win the Lincoln Tech Open Mod 80, his second career open modified win at Stafford.
The race took the green flag with Ryan Preece going from third to the lead in a 3-wide move around Michael Christopher, Jr. and Cam McDermott on the first lap. Christopher nearly took the lead back from Preece on lap-2 but settled into line in second. Chase Dowling quickly moved up to third with Joey Cipriano in fourth and McDermott side by side with Matt Swanson for fifth place.
Dowling took second from Preece on lap-8 with a pass going into turn 3 while Ronnie Williams took fifth from Swanson. Williams continued to charge to the front by taking fourth from Cipriano on lap-11 and Dowling got around Preece to take second. Williams took third from Preece on lap-14 with Christopher still leading the race.
With 25 laps complete Christopher and Dowling were still nose to tail for the race lead with Williams and Preece giving chase. Cipriano was still running fifth and he was leading a train of cars that included Swanson, McDermott, and Jon McKennedy.
At the halfway point of the race it was still Christopher in command with Williams now in second. Preece was still in third with Dowling back to fourth and Cipriano still running in fifth. Just behind Cipriano was McKennedy, Swanson, and McDermott. The first caution of the race came out with 47 laps complete for Dana DiMatteo, who spun at the entrance of turn 3.
Under the caution all the lead lap cars came to pit road for a change of 2 tires. McKennedy won the race off pit road followed by Christopher, Eric Goodale, Preece, Keith Rocco, Cipriano, Owen, Dowling, Swanson, and Matt Galko. McKennedy took the lead on the restart while Christopher didn’t come up speed right away and he fell back to fifth as Goodale took second, Rocco third, and Preece fourth. Rocco took second from Goodale while Christopher came back and took fourth from Preece on lap-50 and he was looking to the outside of Goodale for third. Christopher made the move around Goodale on lap-52 and Preece followed suit and went around Goodale to move into fourth and drop Goodale back to fifth in line.
Christopher’s great run came to a premature end on lap-58 as his car dropped off the pace and he pulled behind the pit wall. McKennedy was still the leader with Rocco, Preece, Goodale, Cipriano, Williams, and Galko giving chase. Williams took fourth on lap-61 with Galko moving up to fifth as Goodale slid back to seventh behind Galko with McKennedy still leading Rocco and Preece. Debris on the race track brought the caution back out with 66 laps complete.
McKennedy took the lead back under green with Rocco glued to his back bumper. Williams got around Rocco to take second on lap-68 and he took the lead from McKennedy on lap-69 but McKennedy came right back with a crossover move and he maintained the lead. Rocco was third in line with Preece fourth and Galko in fifth.
McKennedy threw a block on Williams on lap-75 but Williams somehow found a way to squeeze to the inside of McKennedy in turn 3 to take the lead. There would be no crossover move from McKennedy this time as he settled into second. Rocco was still third with Preece and Galko making up the top-5.
Williams led McKennedy to the checkered flag to win the Lincoln Tech Open 80. Rocco finished third with Preece and Galko rounding out the top-5
July 27, 2020
Defending Champion Ronnie Williams Grabs First Win of 2020 at Stafford
www.staffordspeedway.com release
In the 40-lap SK Modified® feature event, Bryan Narducci and Troy Talman dueled side by side for the lead with the 2 rows behind hem side by side for position. Cory DiMatteo made a strong move to go from third to the lead going into turn 3 on lap-4 with Talman in second. Ronnie Williams was up to third with Narducci and Michael Christopher, Jr. side by side for fourth. Williams moved into second on lap-6 with Talman falling back to third. Christopher was fourth and Keith Rocco was up to fifth as Narducci had fallen back to eighth in line.
With 10 laps complete it was DiMatteo out front with Williams, Christopher, Rocco, and Todd Owen making up the top-5. Stephen Kopcik was sixth followed by Talman, Membrino, Narducci, and Mikey Flynn.
The order remained the same until lap-20 when Williams went by DiMatteo coming out of turn 2. Christopher was still in third with Rocco in fourth and Owen in fifth. The caution came out with 21 laps complete for a spin in the middle of turns 3+4 by Marc Burke.
Williams took the lead on the restart with Christopher taking second. Owen moved into third with Kopcik moving up to fourth and Rocco was fifth. DiMatteo slid back to sixth in line with Talman, Michael Gervais, Jr., Andrew Molleur, and Membrino behind him. Tyler Hines spun through the frontstretch grass to bring the caution back out with 25 laps complete.
Williams took the lead on the restart with Christopher and Owen side by side for second behind him. Rocco and Kopcik were side by side for fourth behind Christopher and Owen. Owen took second on lap-28 with Kopcik taking fourth and dropping Rocco back to fifth as Williams continued to lead.
Williams led lap-33 to collect a $433 bonus that was put up by Doug Dunleavy from Dunleavy’s Truck and Trailer Repair in memory of Wade Cole. Williams led Owen and the field to the checkered flag to pick up his first win of the 2020 season. Kopcik finished third with Christopher and Rocco rounding out the top-5.
Defending Champion Ronnie Williams Grabs First Win of 2020 at Stafford
www.staffordspeedway.com release
In the 40-lap SK Modified® feature event, Bryan Narducci and Troy Talman dueled side by side for the lead with the 2 rows behind hem side by side for position. Cory DiMatteo made a strong move to go from third to the lead going into turn 3 on lap-4 with Talman in second. Ronnie Williams was up to third with Narducci and Michael Christopher, Jr. side by side for fourth. Williams moved into second on lap-6 with Talman falling back to third. Christopher was fourth and Keith Rocco was up to fifth as Narducci had fallen back to eighth in line.
With 10 laps complete it was DiMatteo out front with Williams, Christopher, Rocco, and Todd Owen making up the top-5. Stephen Kopcik was sixth followed by Talman, Membrino, Narducci, and Mikey Flynn.
The order remained the same until lap-20 when Williams went by DiMatteo coming out of turn 2. Christopher was still in third with Rocco in fourth and Owen in fifth. The caution came out with 21 laps complete for a spin in the middle of turns 3+4 by Marc Burke.
Williams took the lead on the restart with Christopher taking second. Owen moved into third with Kopcik moving up to fourth and Rocco was fifth. DiMatteo slid back to sixth in line with Talman, Michael Gervais, Jr., Andrew Molleur, and Membrino behind him. Tyler Hines spun through the frontstretch grass to bring the caution back out with 25 laps complete.
Williams took the lead on the restart with Christopher and Owen side by side for second behind him. Rocco and Kopcik were side by side for fourth behind Christopher and Owen. Owen took second on lap-28 with Kopcik taking fourth and dropping Rocco back to fifth as Williams continued to lead.
Williams led lap-33 to collect a $433 bonus that was put up by Doug Dunleavy from Dunleavy’s Truck and Trailer Repair in memory of Wade Cole. Williams led Owen and the field to the checkered flag to pick up his first win of the 2020 season. Kopcik finished third with Christopher and Rocco rounding out the top-5.
April 8, 2020
RONNIE WILLIAMS SET TO DEFEND TRI TRACK OPEN MODIFIED SERIES TITLE IN 2020
By Kyle Souza
SEEKONK, Mass. -- When the Tri Track Open Modified Series season takes the green flag, Ronnie Williams will look to keep his hot streak going.
Williams seems like a driver who is more than fit to chase a second consecutive championship. The Ellington, Connecticut, native won the 2019 Tri Track title with car owner Gary Casella in their first year together as a team. Williams took the victory in the Open Wheel Wednesday $10,000 to win race at Seekonk Speedway, and sealed the title right back at Seekonk in the Haunted Hundred in October.
But that wasn’t his only success last year.
Williams also earned his second straight SK Modified championship at Connecticut’s Stafford Motor Speedway, becoming just the sixth driver in history to accomplish that feat. He drives for Adam Skowyra over at Stafford, another combination that has also been a successful one.
“It’s completely different with Gary and Adam,” Williams said. “They both bring great cars to the track – but Adam has like 15 guys that show up to the track and Gary has like four – but they both provide me great race cars that every single time I go to the track, I know I can win. I hadn’t been to at least a few of the tracks on the Tri Track last year – but we were able to have instant success. I’m really looking forward to going back there with Gary.”
Williams finished third in the opener last year at Claremont and followed it up by winning Seekonk. In the heat of the summer, he finished second at Star Speedway and second at Oxford Plains, which helped him open a gap in the standings. It was enough to hoist the crown with No. 25 team after Monadnock Speedway and Seekonk’s finale.
Just prior to Seekonk’s Open Wheel Wednesday win, Williams had come off a victory at New Hampshire Motor Speedway driving for Casella just a few days earlier. After that, he won Seekonk, then picked up a win at Stafford in their biggest SK Modified race of the year – all in the same week.
“I look back at that week and it was just an unbelievable week,” Williams said. “I would have never thought we would go to Loudon, blow-up, and have the guys head back, and we win our heat and the race. We weren’t even planning to go to Seekonk when the motor blew – we had decided we were going to Loudon – but when we won – we decided to get ready and go to Seekonk, and we win that. Then on Friday, at Stafford, I was involved in a wreck and came back to beat Keith Rocco at the line... it was just a crazy week, and one I will definitely look back and just keep saying “wow” about.”
Two of those wins came with Casella, who he plans to team with again in 2020. Casella is no stranger to modified racing in New England – winning various races, and championships, across the region in his time as a car owner.
Tri Track races are a bit different than anything else Williams runs, because they are consistently 100 laps and do require drivers to save tires behind the wheel. He will be back at Stafford and will run select NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour races in 2020.
He brings star-power to what the Tri Track Open Modified Series offers.
“You have to have a brain to know you are not going to win the race in the first 10 laps, so you don’t ruin your day or your teams day early,” Williams said. “Knowing when to save, when to go... just watching races over the years and learning about how to make it all work and having the car that will stay consistent throughout the race is key to the long races.”
New for 2020, teams will compete in at least five races to be eligible for championship, with one drop race factoring into the standings. The champion will be decided by taking the best five out of six point totals a driver receives. This will allow drivers to afford a small miscue and still be in contention for the title.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Tri Track officials have extended the registration deadline for teams until April 30. Teams that enter before April 30 will have the opportunity to be part of all six races for just $450, while single event registration is open for $150 per race. To register, teams should visit the team info tab of tritrackmodifieds.com.
As of this writing, the season opener remains slated for Saturday, May 9, at Monadnock Speedway in Winchester, New Hampshire. If there are any changes prior to the date, Tri Track officials will release them via the website and all social media channels. Tri Track plans to compete on Memorial Day weekend, May 24, at Claremont Speedway in New Hampshire.
In the meantime, follow Tri Track on social with Facebook, Instagram and a new Twitter handle, @TriTrackNE.
RONNIE WILLIAMS SET TO DEFEND TRI TRACK OPEN MODIFIED SERIES TITLE IN 2020
By Kyle Souza
SEEKONK, Mass. -- When the Tri Track Open Modified Series season takes the green flag, Ronnie Williams will look to keep his hot streak going.
Williams seems like a driver who is more than fit to chase a second consecutive championship. The Ellington, Connecticut, native won the 2019 Tri Track title with car owner Gary Casella in their first year together as a team. Williams took the victory in the Open Wheel Wednesday $10,000 to win race at Seekonk Speedway, and sealed the title right back at Seekonk in the Haunted Hundred in October.
But that wasn’t his only success last year.
Williams also earned his second straight SK Modified championship at Connecticut’s Stafford Motor Speedway, becoming just the sixth driver in history to accomplish that feat. He drives for Adam Skowyra over at Stafford, another combination that has also been a successful one.
“It’s completely different with Gary and Adam,” Williams said. “They both bring great cars to the track – but Adam has like 15 guys that show up to the track and Gary has like four – but they both provide me great race cars that every single time I go to the track, I know I can win. I hadn’t been to at least a few of the tracks on the Tri Track last year – but we were able to have instant success. I’m really looking forward to going back there with Gary.”
Williams finished third in the opener last year at Claremont and followed it up by winning Seekonk. In the heat of the summer, he finished second at Star Speedway and second at Oxford Plains, which helped him open a gap in the standings. It was enough to hoist the crown with No. 25 team after Monadnock Speedway and Seekonk’s finale.
Just prior to Seekonk’s Open Wheel Wednesday win, Williams had come off a victory at New Hampshire Motor Speedway driving for Casella just a few days earlier. After that, he won Seekonk, then picked up a win at Stafford in their biggest SK Modified race of the year – all in the same week.
“I look back at that week and it was just an unbelievable week,” Williams said. “I would have never thought we would go to Loudon, blow-up, and have the guys head back, and we win our heat and the race. We weren’t even planning to go to Seekonk when the motor blew – we had decided we were going to Loudon – but when we won – we decided to get ready and go to Seekonk, and we win that. Then on Friday, at Stafford, I was involved in a wreck and came back to beat Keith Rocco at the line... it was just a crazy week, and one I will definitely look back and just keep saying “wow” about.”
Two of those wins came with Casella, who he plans to team with again in 2020. Casella is no stranger to modified racing in New England – winning various races, and championships, across the region in his time as a car owner.
Tri Track races are a bit different than anything else Williams runs, because they are consistently 100 laps and do require drivers to save tires behind the wheel. He will be back at Stafford and will run select NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour races in 2020.
He brings star-power to what the Tri Track Open Modified Series offers.
“You have to have a brain to know you are not going to win the race in the first 10 laps, so you don’t ruin your day or your teams day early,” Williams said. “Knowing when to save, when to go... just watching races over the years and learning about how to make it all work and having the car that will stay consistent throughout the race is key to the long races.”
New for 2020, teams will compete in at least five races to be eligible for championship, with one drop race factoring into the standings. The champion will be decided by taking the best five out of six point totals a driver receives. This will allow drivers to afford a small miscue and still be in contention for the title.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Tri Track officials have extended the registration deadline for teams until April 30. Teams that enter before April 30 will have the opportunity to be part of all six races for just $450, while single event registration is open for $150 per race. To register, teams should visit the team info tab of tritrackmodifieds.com.
As of this writing, the season opener remains slated for Saturday, May 9, at Monadnock Speedway in Winchester, New Hampshire. If there are any changes prior to the date, Tri Track officials will release them via the website and all social media channels. Tri Track plans to compete on Memorial Day weekend, May 24, at Claremont Speedway in New Hampshire.
In the meantime, follow Tri Track on social with Facebook, Instagram and a new Twitter handle, @TriTrackNE.
October 29, 2019
Title Drive Survives Bang-up Finish
Ellington's Ronnie Williams claims Modified crown amid mayhem of finale at Seekonk
By Matt Buckler
SEEKONK, Mass. — It was a clutch performance that deserved headlines — how Ronnie Williams of Ellington was able to overcome dire circumstances and win his first Tri-Track Open Modified Series championship.
It was buried under the bedlam that was created, however, when Matt Hirschman came up with the forearm shiver heard around New England racing.
Hirschman had just lost the lead to Ron Silk of Norwalk on the last lap of the Haunted 100 at Seekonk Speedway, the final race of the New England season, on Saturday.
Anyone who has followed social media in the last 72 hours knows what happens next. Hirschman drove in the grass in turn 3. When he came out, he harpooned Silk’s car, knocking Silk out of the lead and sending almost half the cars behind him into a panic attack.
Hirschman crossed the line first, but was quickly disqualified. Normally officials are reluctant to take down race winners, so that should give fans a good idea of how blatant Hirschman’s move was. Chase Dowling, who finished one spot behind Hirschman, was awarded the win.
There was another story, however, that not many noticed and it involved Williams. He was cruising to a series championship, running in fifth place with 10 laps to go. All he needed was to finish 12th or better and he would put the title under lock and key.
On the last lap, however, he was an innocent bystander in the war that developed between Hirschman and Silk.
“It got crazy,” Williams said. “My spotter told me to go low, and I got clipped by Silk who was moving down the track and it blew my right rear.”
Williams didn’t know if Hirschman was going to get DQ’d, or where Matt Swanson was. Swanson started the day 28 points behind Williams and still had a shot at the title.
That meant Williams had to figure out a way to get from the middle of turns 3 and 4 to the finish line with a flat tire.
“It was nerve-wracking,” Williams said. “I really had to force the car to get going and we crossed the line backward. We were moving, but we weren’t moving very quickly.”
Williams finished in 20th, however. Even though Swanson finished sixth, he couldn’t evict Williams from the Tri-Track throne.
“It didn’t seem like it was real,” Williams said, “Three days later, it still doesn’t seem real. It still hasn’t sunk in yet.”
Perhaps the social media will start paying attention to Williams and the amazing season he had. It’s doubtful that anyone in New England had a better one — or a more lucrative one.
It started at Stafford where he won five SK Modified features against New England’s toughest weekly competition. He won his second straight track championship at Stafford.
There was more to Williams’ season than just a Stafford title. He won several big money races for the first time in his career.
At Stafford, he won the SK 5K, worth $5,000, for the second time. He went to Seekonk on Open Wheel Wednesday and won a $10,000 first-place check. At Loudon, N.H., he was a winner of a Modified Racing Series race, worth another $5,000.
He finished the year with 13 wins driving for two car owners. His SK Modified was owned by Adam Skowyra of Palmer, Mass. He also won an Open 80-lap Modied race at Stafford driving for Skowyra.
For the first time this season, he drove for car owner Gary Casella and won four races, including three on the MRS Tour.
“I drove for two capable teams,”Williams said. “My goal is to win as many races as I can and they gave me the equipment to do that.”
Williams said his engine builder, Mike Pettit, helped him secure the Casella ride.
“Mike called me and said Gary Casella was looking for a driver this season,” Williams said. “And that’s how we hooked up. And Mike also helped me get the ride in the No. 50 car for Adam Skowyra. So I owe him a lot.”
Williams did not have a full-time ride on the Whelen Modified Tour, but that doesn’t bother him.
“Not driving on the Whelen Tour doesn’t faze me,” Williams said. “I got a lot of wins and I was able to win two championships. If I went into a Whelen car just for the sake of running a Tour car, I’d be taking a step back. I go to the race track to win and I’m driving for two owners that enable me to do that.”
About the only problem for Williams in 2019 was that he had to sweat a lot harder Saturday at the Haunted 100.
“The Tri-Track title means a lot,” Williams said. “I raced at three tracks I never raced at before — Star, Claremont and Oxford Plains. We almost didn’t race in the big money race at Seekonk because we blew a motor at Loudon, but Gary’s team worked hard and got the car ready.
It was an unbelievable year. The only thing better for next year would be to get more checkered flags.”
And avoid that last-lap pandemonium.
Title Drive Survives Bang-up Finish
Ellington's Ronnie Williams claims Modified crown amid mayhem of finale at Seekonk
By Matt Buckler
SEEKONK, Mass. — It was a clutch performance that deserved headlines — how Ronnie Williams of Ellington was able to overcome dire circumstances and win his first Tri-Track Open Modified Series championship.
It was buried under the bedlam that was created, however, when Matt Hirschman came up with the forearm shiver heard around New England racing.
Hirschman had just lost the lead to Ron Silk of Norwalk on the last lap of the Haunted 100 at Seekonk Speedway, the final race of the New England season, on Saturday.
Anyone who has followed social media in the last 72 hours knows what happens next. Hirschman drove in the grass in turn 3. When he came out, he harpooned Silk’s car, knocking Silk out of the lead and sending almost half the cars behind him into a panic attack.
Hirschman crossed the line first, but was quickly disqualified. Normally officials are reluctant to take down race winners, so that should give fans a good idea of how blatant Hirschman’s move was. Chase Dowling, who finished one spot behind Hirschman, was awarded the win.
There was another story, however, that not many noticed and it involved Williams. He was cruising to a series championship, running in fifth place with 10 laps to go. All he needed was to finish 12th or better and he would put the title under lock and key.
On the last lap, however, he was an innocent bystander in the war that developed between Hirschman and Silk.
“It got crazy,” Williams said. “My spotter told me to go low, and I got clipped by Silk who was moving down the track and it blew my right rear.”
Williams didn’t know if Hirschman was going to get DQ’d, or where Matt Swanson was. Swanson started the day 28 points behind Williams and still had a shot at the title.
That meant Williams had to figure out a way to get from the middle of turns 3 and 4 to the finish line with a flat tire.
“It was nerve-wracking,” Williams said. “I really had to force the car to get going and we crossed the line backward. We were moving, but we weren’t moving very quickly.”
Williams finished in 20th, however. Even though Swanson finished sixth, he couldn’t evict Williams from the Tri-Track throne.
“It didn’t seem like it was real,” Williams said, “Three days later, it still doesn’t seem real. It still hasn’t sunk in yet.”
Perhaps the social media will start paying attention to Williams and the amazing season he had. It’s doubtful that anyone in New England had a better one — or a more lucrative one.
It started at Stafford where he won five SK Modified features against New England’s toughest weekly competition. He won his second straight track championship at Stafford.
There was more to Williams’ season than just a Stafford title. He won several big money races for the first time in his career.
At Stafford, he won the SK 5K, worth $5,000, for the second time. He went to Seekonk on Open Wheel Wednesday and won a $10,000 first-place check. At Loudon, N.H., he was a winner of a Modified Racing Series race, worth another $5,000.
He finished the year with 13 wins driving for two car owners. His SK Modified was owned by Adam Skowyra of Palmer, Mass. He also won an Open 80-lap Modied race at Stafford driving for Skowyra.
For the first time this season, he drove for car owner Gary Casella and won four races, including three on the MRS Tour.
“I drove for two capable teams,”Williams said. “My goal is to win as many races as I can and they gave me the equipment to do that.”
Williams said his engine builder, Mike Pettit, helped him secure the Casella ride.
“Mike called me and said Gary Casella was looking for a driver this season,” Williams said. “And that’s how we hooked up. And Mike also helped me get the ride in the No. 50 car for Adam Skowyra. So I owe him a lot.”
Williams did not have a full-time ride on the Whelen Modified Tour, but that doesn’t bother him.
“Not driving on the Whelen Tour doesn’t faze me,” Williams said. “I got a lot of wins and I was able to win two championships. If I went into a Whelen car just for the sake of running a Tour car, I’d be taking a step back. I go to the race track to win and I’m driving for two owners that enable me to do that.”
About the only problem for Williams in 2019 was that he had to sweat a lot harder Saturday at the Haunted 100.
“The Tri-Track title means a lot,” Williams said. “I raced at three tracks I never raced at before — Star, Claremont and Oxford Plains. We almost didn’t race in the big money race at Seekonk because we blew a motor at Loudon, but Gary’s team worked hard and got the car ready.
It was an unbelievable year. The only thing better for next year would be to get more checkered flags.”
And avoid that last-lap pandemonium.
October 12, 2019
Ronnie Williams Tops Modified Racing Series At Sunoco World Series
A www.racedayct.com article
THOMPSON – Ronnie Williams knew going into the season that driving for Gary Casella’s Roscoe Racing team came with some big expectations.
Casella’s organization has long been one of the standard-bearers of success when it comes to racing on the Valenti Modified Racing Series.
And in 2019 Williams helped to keep those standards riding high for Casella.
That successful run continued with the perfect ending of the season for Williams and Casella Saturday.
Williams led every lap on the way to victory in the 50-lap Valenti Modified Racing Series feature Saturday at the World Series of Speedway Racing at Thompson Speedway.
“We knew were going to start up front,” Williams said. “We knew we had a fast race car. Been fast all weekend. I just had to keep the wheels under it. … This group, they’re one of a kind. Gary puts together a great race car. It’s just my job to go out there and complete it, which is going out there and winning.”
Chase Dowling of Roxbury was second and Craig Lutz of Miller Place, N.Y. third.
Williams had three victories for Casella this year. Williams got his first series victory on June 8 at Monadnock Speedway in Winchester, N.H. and also won for the team on June 23 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon.
“I don’t know what it is,” Williams said. “They don’t have the biggest crew in the world … but they put their hearts and souls into it every time you go to the race track you know it’s going to be a fast car. It’s basically all up to the driver at that point. I think everyone going into that car knows that the goal is to win. Second place isn’t an option. … He’s had a great group of drivers and hopefully I can be here next year for him.”
Mike Willis Jr. of Grantham, N.H. used a 22nd place finish to clinch his first series title.
“It was a great year,” Willis said. “We got our first win this year with the [series]. … We had a good shot at it last year. I thought we were going to get it last year and it didn’t come our way. It was really important to get this championship for me. We’ve always won at our local track so to go out here and win in our touring series at many different tracks is pretty amazing.”
Ronnie Williams Tops Modified Racing Series At Sunoco World Series
A www.racedayct.com article
THOMPSON – Ronnie Williams knew going into the season that driving for Gary Casella’s Roscoe Racing team came with some big expectations.
Casella’s organization has long been one of the standard-bearers of success when it comes to racing on the Valenti Modified Racing Series.
And in 2019 Williams helped to keep those standards riding high for Casella.
That successful run continued with the perfect ending of the season for Williams and Casella Saturday.
Williams led every lap on the way to victory in the 50-lap Valenti Modified Racing Series feature Saturday at the World Series of Speedway Racing at Thompson Speedway.
“We knew were going to start up front,” Williams said. “We knew we had a fast race car. Been fast all weekend. I just had to keep the wheels under it. … This group, they’re one of a kind. Gary puts together a great race car. It’s just my job to go out there and complete it, which is going out there and winning.”
Chase Dowling of Roxbury was second and Craig Lutz of Miller Place, N.Y. third.
Williams had three victories for Casella this year. Williams got his first series victory on June 8 at Monadnock Speedway in Winchester, N.H. and also won for the team on June 23 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon.
“I don’t know what it is,” Williams said. “They don’t have the biggest crew in the world … but they put their hearts and souls into it every time you go to the race track you know it’s going to be a fast car. It’s basically all up to the driver at that point. I think everyone going into that car knows that the goal is to win. Second place isn’t an option. … He’s had a great group of drivers and hopefully I can be here next year for him.”
Mike Willis Jr. of Grantham, N.H. used a 22nd place finish to clinch his first series title.
“It was a great year,” Willis said. “We got our first win this year with the [series]. … We had a good shot at it last year. I thought we were going to get it last year and it didn’t come our way. It was really important to get this championship for me. We’ve always won at our local track so to go out here and win in our touring series at many different tracks is pretty amazing.”
September 29, 2019
Todd Owen Wins SK Mod Battle, Ronnie Williams Wins The War At Stafford NAPA Fall Final Championship Day
A www.racedayct.com article
STAFFORD – It was a day for Ronnie Williams and Todd Owen at Stafford Speedway that illustrated just how immensely important every position gained or lost in every event of the season is.
After 20 events this year, the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series championship was ultimately decided by a pass for fourth place with less than three laps left in the season at Stafford Speedway.
Williams passed Michael Gervais Jr. for fourth place on lap 37, which proved to be the championship clinching move for him in the 40-lap SK Modified finale at the NAPA Fall Final Sunday at Stafford Speedway.
Owen, of Somers, got his fourth victory of the season in the race. Owen came into the event in second place in the standings, six points behind Williams. Each position on the track is worth two points. William and Owen ended up tied at the top of the standings with Williams winning the tiebreaker on the strength of five totals wins on the season compared to Owen’s four victories.
“It’s unbelievable,” Williams said, “I can’t thank these guys enough. We worked hard all year.”
Said Owen: “I told myself before today that no matter I wasn’t going to be disappointed. I lied. That’s a heartbreaker for sure. Not just for myself but for everyone of my guys, everyone that sponsors me, everyone that stands behind me.”
Stephen Kopcik of Newtown was second in the feature and Keith Rocco of Wallingford third.
The championship battle of the day was between Williams, Owen and Rocco, who came into the day 16 points behind off the lead in the standings.
Williams and Owen each finished the season with 840 points. Rocco finished with 826 points.
“It goes down to every spot matters no matter what you’re doing,” Owen said.
Owen led Williams by 42 points coming into the Aug. 9 SK Modified feature. In the event Owens was involved in an early wreck and recorded a 22ndplace finish. Williams used a last corner pass of Mike Christopher Jr. in the same event to win that night. It left Williams and Owen tied at the top of the standings that night.
“We had a 42-point lead and lost it in one week,” Owen said. “You never know what’s going to happen. All we could do going into the weekend was come here and win and let the cards fall as they may. We did what we had to do.”
Said Williams: “I almost feel bad for the one bad race that [Owen] had where he got wrecked on the backstretch. I also made that move on [Mike Christopher Jr.] for the win on the last corner. That right there made all the difference. That changed our season and it came down to the wire. He did what he had to do, which was go out and win the race. And we also did what we had to do.”
Williams started eighth in the 27-car field with Owen starting ninth and Rocco 11th.
At the start it was Owen and Rocco going forward and Williams going backward. By lap eight Williams had fallen to 13th.
“I just couldn’t get in the right line,” Williams said. “We were lined up on the top and it just seemed like the top wasn’t going today. I was definitely getting frustrated in the car.”
On lap 12 Owen went by Marcello Rufrano for the lead. Rocco was into second three laps later, with Wiliams mired in 10thplace. At lap 21 Owen and Rocco continued to pace the field with Williams sitting in 10thplace.
“I was about to lose my mind,” Williams said.
But Williams began picking off spots one by one and was up to sixth place by lap 29.
On lap 31 Williams went by Rufrano for fifth place and quickly caught the bumper of fourth place running Michael Gervais Jr.
On lap 37 Williams dove under Gervais in turn three and came out of turn four with possession of fourth place.
“He had a strong car coming off of [turn] two and I could really get him in [turns] three and four,” Williams said. “It was just a matter of me hitting my perfect marks. I kind of three it in there … and I think we pulled him away from him a little bit.”
Said Owen: “We definitely can’t hang our heads down. We had an awesome year. Won four races. … It’s just going to make me want to go home this winter and work hard for next year.”
Todd Owen Wins SK Mod Battle, Ronnie Williams Wins The War At Stafford NAPA Fall Final Championship Day
A www.racedayct.com article
STAFFORD – It was a day for Ronnie Williams and Todd Owen at Stafford Speedway that illustrated just how immensely important every position gained or lost in every event of the season is.
After 20 events this year, the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series championship was ultimately decided by a pass for fourth place with less than three laps left in the season at Stafford Speedway.
Williams passed Michael Gervais Jr. for fourth place on lap 37, which proved to be the championship clinching move for him in the 40-lap SK Modified finale at the NAPA Fall Final Sunday at Stafford Speedway.
Owen, of Somers, got his fourth victory of the season in the race. Owen came into the event in second place in the standings, six points behind Williams. Each position on the track is worth two points. William and Owen ended up tied at the top of the standings with Williams winning the tiebreaker on the strength of five totals wins on the season compared to Owen’s four victories.
“It’s unbelievable,” Williams said, “I can’t thank these guys enough. We worked hard all year.”
Said Owen: “I told myself before today that no matter I wasn’t going to be disappointed. I lied. That’s a heartbreaker for sure. Not just for myself but for everyone of my guys, everyone that sponsors me, everyone that stands behind me.”
Stephen Kopcik of Newtown was second in the feature and Keith Rocco of Wallingford third.
The championship battle of the day was between Williams, Owen and Rocco, who came into the day 16 points behind off the lead in the standings.
Williams and Owen each finished the season with 840 points. Rocco finished with 826 points.
“It goes down to every spot matters no matter what you’re doing,” Owen said.
Owen led Williams by 42 points coming into the Aug. 9 SK Modified feature. In the event Owens was involved in an early wreck and recorded a 22ndplace finish. Williams used a last corner pass of Mike Christopher Jr. in the same event to win that night. It left Williams and Owen tied at the top of the standings that night.
“We had a 42-point lead and lost it in one week,” Owen said. “You never know what’s going to happen. All we could do going into the weekend was come here and win and let the cards fall as they may. We did what we had to do.”
Said Williams: “I almost feel bad for the one bad race that [Owen] had where he got wrecked on the backstretch. I also made that move on [Mike Christopher Jr.] for the win on the last corner. That right there made all the difference. That changed our season and it came down to the wire. He did what he had to do, which was go out and win the race. And we also did what we had to do.”
Williams started eighth in the 27-car field with Owen starting ninth and Rocco 11th.
At the start it was Owen and Rocco going forward and Williams going backward. By lap eight Williams had fallen to 13th.
“I just couldn’t get in the right line,” Williams said. “We were lined up on the top and it just seemed like the top wasn’t going today. I was definitely getting frustrated in the car.”
On lap 12 Owen went by Marcello Rufrano for the lead. Rocco was into second three laps later, with Wiliams mired in 10thplace. At lap 21 Owen and Rocco continued to pace the field with Williams sitting in 10thplace.
“I was about to lose my mind,” Williams said.
But Williams began picking off spots one by one and was up to sixth place by lap 29.
On lap 31 Williams went by Rufrano for fifth place and quickly caught the bumper of fourth place running Michael Gervais Jr.
On lap 37 Williams dove under Gervais in turn three and came out of turn four with possession of fourth place.
“He had a strong car coming off of [turn] two and I could really get him in [turns] three and four,” Williams said. “It was just a matter of me hitting my perfect marks. I kind of three it in there … and I think we pulled him away from him a little bit.”
Said Owen: “We definitely can’t hang our heads down. We had an awesome year. Won four races. … It’s just going to make me want to go home this winter and work hard for next year.”
September 10, 2019
Ronnie Williams Sweeps SK Mod Features, 20/20 Shootout Overall Title At Thompson
A www.racedayct.com article
THOMPSON – On May 19 Ronnie Williams held off Keith Rocco to get his first career SK Modified victory at Thompson Speedway.
It took a few months later for Williams to find his way back to victory lane at the track, but Sunday he made the return in grand style.
Williams swept both feature events of the annual SK Modified 20/20 Sprint.
Williams, of Tolland, ended up finishing fourth in the 10-lap finale shootout for the format to capture the day’s overall championship.
Williams went to the lead on lap 11 of the first 20-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modiifed feature and never trailed again. Troy Talman of Oxford, Mass. was second and Keith Rocco of Wallingford third.
In the second feature Williams made everything a little more dramatic.
Williams used a last corner pass into turn three to grab the lead from Woody Pitkat and win.
“I could just tell where he was getting a little bit tight through the center [of the corner] and we could roll him pretty good,” Williams said. “I just had to send it in in the final corner. Didn’t make much contact if any with him. I don’t think he was too happy with it.”
Pitkat, of Stafford, held on for second and Rocco was third.
In the final 10-lap shootout it was Rocco going by Williams for the lead on lap one and never trailing again. Williams ended up finishing fourth in the final segment. Pitkat was second in the final segment and Owen, of Somers, third. P
“I kind of made a stupid rookie mistake on the second restart and that got Keith in front of race,” Williams said. “… From there it was just hanging on, hoping you can find a spot. You’re not going to boot anyone out of the way. I was just finding a spot and running there.”
The overall winner of the event was determined by the driver haven’t the lowest cumulative finishing number for the three segments. Williams finished with a six. Rocco had a seven. Pitkat was third in the overall with an eight.
“These guys gave me an awesome car and I can’t thank them enough,” Williams said. “We’ve been getting closer and closer to having the perfect car here and the last couple weeks we figured it out. I’m just happy we were able to get it twice to victory lane and get the overall victory.”
Said Rocco: “We won the one that didn’t count, but we’ll take it. Second place overall, it’s a decent payday but it’s definitely not what we wanted.”
Ronnie Williams Sweeps SK Mod Features, 20/20 Shootout Overall Title At Thompson
A www.racedayct.com article
THOMPSON – On May 19 Ronnie Williams held off Keith Rocco to get his first career SK Modified victory at Thompson Speedway.
It took a few months later for Williams to find his way back to victory lane at the track, but Sunday he made the return in grand style.
Williams swept both feature events of the annual SK Modified 20/20 Sprint.
Williams, of Tolland, ended up finishing fourth in the 10-lap finale shootout for the format to capture the day’s overall championship.
Williams went to the lead on lap 11 of the first 20-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modiifed feature and never trailed again. Troy Talman of Oxford, Mass. was second and Keith Rocco of Wallingford third.
In the second feature Williams made everything a little more dramatic.
Williams used a last corner pass into turn three to grab the lead from Woody Pitkat and win.
“I could just tell where he was getting a little bit tight through the center [of the corner] and we could roll him pretty good,” Williams said. “I just had to send it in in the final corner. Didn’t make much contact if any with him. I don’t think he was too happy with it.”
Pitkat, of Stafford, held on for second and Rocco was third.
In the final 10-lap shootout it was Rocco going by Williams for the lead on lap one and never trailing again. Williams ended up finishing fourth in the final segment. Pitkat was second in the final segment and Owen, of Somers, third. P
“I kind of made a stupid rookie mistake on the second restart and that got Keith in front of race,” Williams said. “… From there it was just hanging on, hoping you can find a spot. You’re not going to boot anyone out of the way. I was just finding a spot and running there.”
The overall winner of the event was determined by the driver haven’t the lowest cumulative finishing number for the three segments. Williams finished with a six. Rocco had a seven. Pitkat was third in the overall with an eight.
“These guys gave me an awesome car and I can’t thank them enough,” Williams said. “We’ve been getting closer and closer to having the perfect car here and the last couple weeks we figured it out. I’m just happy we were able to get it twice to victory lane and get the overall victory.”
Said Rocco: “We won the one that didn’t count, but we’ll take it. Second place overall, it’s a decent payday but it’s definitely not what we wanted.”
August 17, 2019
Ronnie Williams Extends Point Lead With 2nd Consecutive SK Mod Win At Stafford
www.staffordspeedway.com release
In the 40-lap SK Modified® feature, Tony Membrino, Jr. took the early lead with Dan Wesson and Stephen Kopcik lined up behind him. The caution flew with 3 laps complete as a multicar pileup in the middle of turns 3+4 brought the caution out.
Membrino took the lead back under green with Wesson right behind him but the caution came out with 7 laps complete for a spin in turns 3+4 by Marcello Rufrano. Kopcik took the lead from Membrino in the outside lane on the restart with Membrino and Cory DiMatteo side by side for second. DiMatteo took second going into turn 3 and he took the lead from Kopcik at the line on lap-9. The caution flew with 10 laps complete as Dan Wesson spun coming off turn 4.
Kopcik took the lead on the restart but DiMatteo went 3-wide with Kopcik and Ronnie Williams on lap-12 to take the lead. Kopcik came right back on lap-13 with a push from Williams to retake the lead. Keith Rocco was now in the mix for the lead as the top-4 cars were side by side two rows deep before the caution came back out with 18 laps complete for a spin by Tyler Jones at the exit of turn 2.
Williams powered his way into the lead back under green with Rocco and Kopcik fighting side by side for second. DiMatteo was fourth in line with Michael Gervais, Jr. up to fifth. Rocco cleared Kopcik for second on lap-26 and he began to set his sights on Williams in the lead. The caution came back out with 30 laps complete for a spin by Eric Berndt in turn 4 and Andrew Molleur came to a stop against the turn 2 wall.
Williams took the lead back under green while Kopcik and Rocco resumed their side by side duel for second. Rocco got clear of Kopcik on lap-33 and DiMatteo was now side by side with Kopcik for third with Gervais in fifth. Kopcik took third on lap-34 with Gervais pulling alongside DiMatteo for fourth. Up front, Rocco pulled to the outside of Williams on lap-35 and the two leaders were once again side by side. Williams cleared Rocco on lap-37 with Kopcik diving to the inside of Rocco for second. Coming to 2 to go, Rocco was right on Williams’ back bumper. Rocco tried a crossover move but Williams was able to fend off his challenge. The two cars touched going into turn 3 but Williams was able to maintain the lead with Rocco still in second. Rocco made one last bid for the lead in turns 3+4 but Williams took the checkered flag to pick up his second consecutive win and fifth of the 2019 season. Rocco finished second with Kopcik, Gervais, and DiMatteo rounding out the top-5.
Ronnie Williams Extends Point Lead With 2nd Consecutive SK Mod Win At Stafford
www.staffordspeedway.com release
In the 40-lap SK Modified® feature, Tony Membrino, Jr. took the early lead with Dan Wesson and Stephen Kopcik lined up behind him. The caution flew with 3 laps complete as a multicar pileup in the middle of turns 3+4 brought the caution out.
Membrino took the lead back under green with Wesson right behind him but the caution came out with 7 laps complete for a spin in turns 3+4 by Marcello Rufrano. Kopcik took the lead from Membrino in the outside lane on the restart with Membrino and Cory DiMatteo side by side for second. DiMatteo took second going into turn 3 and he took the lead from Kopcik at the line on lap-9. The caution flew with 10 laps complete as Dan Wesson spun coming off turn 4.
Kopcik took the lead on the restart but DiMatteo went 3-wide with Kopcik and Ronnie Williams on lap-12 to take the lead. Kopcik came right back on lap-13 with a push from Williams to retake the lead. Keith Rocco was now in the mix for the lead as the top-4 cars were side by side two rows deep before the caution came back out with 18 laps complete for a spin by Tyler Jones at the exit of turn 2.
Williams powered his way into the lead back under green with Rocco and Kopcik fighting side by side for second. DiMatteo was fourth in line with Michael Gervais, Jr. up to fifth. Rocco cleared Kopcik for second on lap-26 and he began to set his sights on Williams in the lead. The caution came back out with 30 laps complete for a spin by Eric Berndt in turn 4 and Andrew Molleur came to a stop against the turn 2 wall.
Williams took the lead back under green while Kopcik and Rocco resumed their side by side duel for second. Rocco got clear of Kopcik on lap-33 and DiMatteo was now side by side with Kopcik for third with Gervais in fifth. Kopcik took third on lap-34 with Gervais pulling alongside DiMatteo for fourth. Up front, Rocco pulled to the outside of Williams on lap-35 and the two leaders were once again side by side. Williams cleared Rocco on lap-37 with Kopcik diving to the inside of Rocco for second. Coming to 2 to go, Rocco was right on Williams’ back bumper. Rocco tried a crossover move but Williams was able to fend off his challenge. The two cars touched going into turn 3 but Williams was able to maintain the lead with Rocco still in second. Rocco made one last bid for the lead in turns 3+4 but Williams took the checkered flag to pick up his second consecutive win and fifth of the 2019 season. Rocco finished second with Kopcik, Gervais, and DiMatteo rounding out the top-5.
July 14, 2019
Ronnie Williams Wins Bud Light Open Modified 80
A www.staffordspeedway.com release
(Stafford Springs, CT)—Stafford Speedway hosted the 2nd Annual Bud Light Open Modified 80 with tour style modifieds taking center stage for an 80-lap race around the Connecticut half-mile. Ronnie Williams came home as the big winner, holding off Matt Swanson in a four lap sprint to the finish.
The Bud Light Open 80 took the green flag with Tommy Barrett, Jr.’s car immediately dropping off the pace and coming to a stop in turn 1 to bring the caution out before a lap could be completed. Matt Galko and Todd Owen were side by side on the restart with Galko taking the lead by a nose at the line at the end of lap-1. Keith Rocco was third with Eric Goodale in fourth and Michael Christopher, Jr. in fifth. Ronnie Williams was sixth with Anthony Sesely, Cam McDermott, Chase Dowling, and Joey Cipriano rounding out the top-10. Jeff Gallup came to a stop against the turn 4 wall with a flat tire to bring the caution out with 7 laps complete.
Galko took the lead back under green with Owen and Rocco side by side for second and Christopher and Goodale side by side for fourth. Things settled into line with Galko leading Owen, Rocco, Christopher, and Dowling. McDermott was sixth followed by Williams, Goodale, Cipriano, and Sesely. Williams took sixth from McDermott on lap-14 and Owen got by Galko to take the lead on lap-14. Sesely spun coming off turn 2 to bring the caution out with 30-laps complete and the order still Owen, Galko, Rocco, Christopher, and Dowling.
Under the caution several cars, including Dowling, Williams, Andrew Molleur, David Schneider, Matt Swanson, Marcello Rufrano, Sesely, Bakaj, Owen, Dylan Kopec, James Pritchard, Jr., and Andy Shaw all came to pit road for 2 fresh tires and adjustments.
Back under green, Galko took the lead with Rocco, Christopher, McDermott, and Goodale lined up behind him. Anthony Flannery was up to sixth with Gallup, Owen, Kopec, and Molleur rounding out the top-5. Rocco got around Christopher to move into second on lap-36 and began to apply heavy pressure to Galko for the race lead. Just behind the two leaders, Christopher and McDermott were having an intense battle for third. The caution flew with 41 laps complete for Schneider, who came to a stop backwards against the turn 3 wall.
This caution period saw Galko, Rocco, Christopher, McDermott, and Goodale all come to pit road for their two fresh tires and adjustments. The pit stops put Owen back into the lead with Flannery, Molleur, Kopec, Bakaj, and Williams into the top-3 rows for the restart.
Owen charged back into the lead on the restart with Molleur in second. Swanson was third with Williams getting by Bakaj to move into fourth. Bakaj and Kopec got together and spun in the middle of turns 3+4 to bring the caution out with 45 laps complete.
Owen took the lead with Swanson moving up to second and Williams to third on the restart. Dowling was fourth with Goodale in fifth. Molleur was sixth line followed by Galko, Rocco, Rufrano, and McDermott. Goodale took fourth from Dowling and Goodale was now challenging Dowling for fifth on lap-51. Galko completed the pass while Williams was starting to search high and low for a way to get by Owen for the lead.
Williams got a good run to Owen’s inside on lap-56 and he took the lead on lap-57. With 20 laps to go, the order was Williams in the lead with Goodale, Owen, Swanson, Galko, Dowling, Rocco, Christopher, Molleur, and Gallup making up the top-10.
With 10 laps to go, Williams was slowly stretching out his lead over Goodale in second while Swanson got by Owen to move into third. Dowling was now looking to get by Owen to take fourth with Rocco right behind Dowling. Dowling took fourth on lap-73 and Rocco took fifth from Owen on lap-74 as Williams continued to pull away. Williams’ advantage was erased by the caution for a spin by Kopec in the middle of turns 3+4 with 75 laps complete.
Williams took the lead on the restart with Goodale in second. Owen drifted up the track in turn 4 to lose a couple spots but the race stayed green until a multi car spin brought the caution back out with 76 laps complete.
Williams took the lead while Swanson pulled alongside Goodale for second. Swanson cleared Goodale on lap-78 with Rocco in fourth and Galko in fifth. Goodale and Swanson touched wheels with Goodale going through the grass and rejoining the track to keep the race under green. Williams led Swanson to the checkered flag to pick up the win. Rocco finished third with Galko and Christopher 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.
Ronnie Williams Wins Bud Light Open Modified 80
A www.staffordspeedway.com release
(Stafford Springs, CT)—Stafford Speedway hosted the 2nd Annual Bud Light Open Modified 80 with tour style modifieds taking center stage for an 80-lap race around the Connecticut half-mile. Ronnie Williams came home as the big winner, holding off Matt Swanson in a four lap sprint to the finish.
The Bud Light Open 80 took the green flag with Tommy Barrett, Jr.’s car immediately dropping off the pace and coming to a stop in turn 1 to bring the caution out before a lap could be completed. Matt Galko and Todd Owen were side by side on the restart with Galko taking the lead by a nose at the line at the end of lap-1. Keith Rocco was third with Eric Goodale in fourth and Michael Christopher, Jr. in fifth. Ronnie Williams was sixth with Anthony Sesely, Cam McDermott, Chase Dowling, and Joey Cipriano rounding out the top-10. Jeff Gallup came to a stop against the turn 4 wall with a flat tire to bring the caution out with 7 laps complete.
Galko took the lead back under green with Owen and Rocco side by side for second and Christopher and Goodale side by side for fourth. Things settled into line with Galko leading Owen, Rocco, Christopher, and Dowling. McDermott was sixth followed by Williams, Goodale, Cipriano, and Sesely. Williams took sixth from McDermott on lap-14 and Owen got by Galko to take the lead on lap-14. Sesely spun coming off turn 2 to bring the caution out with 30-laps complete and the order still Owen, Galko, Rocco, Christopher, and Dowling.
Under the caution several cars, including Dowling, Williams, Andrew Molleur, David Schneider, Matt Swanson, Marcello Rufrano, Sesely, Bakaj, Owen, Dylan Kopec, James Pritchard, Jr., and Andy Shaw all came to pit road for 2 fresh tires and adjustments.
Back under green, Galko took the lead with Rocco, Christopher, McDermott, and Goodale lined up behind him. Anthony Flannery was up to sixth with Gallup, Owen, Kopec, and Molleur rounding out the top-5. Rocco got around Christopher to move into second on lap-36 and began to apply heavy pressure to Galko for the race lead. Just behind the two leaders, Christopher and McDermott were having an intense battle for third. The caution flew with 41 laps complete for Schneider, who came to a stop backwards against the turn 3 wall.
This caution period saw Galko, Rocco, Christopher, McDermott, and Goodale all come to pit road for their two fresh tires and adjustments. The pit stops put Owen back into the lead with Flannery, Molleur, Kopec, Bakaj, and Williams into the top-3 rows for the restart.
Owen charged back into the lead on the restart with Molleur in second. Swanson was third with Williams getting by Bakaj to move into fourth. Bakaj and Kopec got together and spun in the middle of turns 3+4 to bring the caution out with 45 laps complete.
Owen took the lead with Swanson moving up to second and Williams to third on the restart. Dowling was fourth with Goodale in fifth. Molleur was sixth line followed by Galko, Rocco, Rufrano, and McDermott. Goodale took fourth from Dowling and Goodale was now challenging Dowling for fifth on lap-51. Galko completed the pass while Williams was starting to search high and low for a way to get by Owen for the lead.
Williams got a good run to Owen’s inside on lap-56 and he took the lead on lap-57. With 20 laps to go, the order was Williams in the lead with Goodale, Owen, Swanson, Galko, Dowling, Rocco, Christopher, Molleur, and Gallup making up the top-10.
With 10 laps to go, Williams was slowly stretching out his lead over Goodale in second while Swanson got by Owen to move into third. Dowling was now looking to get by Owen to take fourth with Rocco right behind Dowling. Dowling took fourth on lap-73 and Rocco took fifth from Owen on lap-74 as Williams continued to pull away. Williams’ advantage was erased by the caution for a spin by Kopec in the middle of turns 3+4 with 75 laps complete.
Williams took the lead on the restart with Goodale in second. Owen drifted up the track in turn 4 to lose a couple spots but the race stayed green until a multi car spin brought the caution back out with 76 laps complete.
Williams took the lead while Swanson pulled alongside Goodale for second. Swanson cleared Goodale on lap-78 with Rocco in fourth and Galko in fifth. Goodale and Swanson touched wheels with Goodale going through the grass and rejoining the track to keep the race under green. Williams led Swanson to the checkered flag to pick up the win. Rocco finished third with Galko and Christopher 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.
June 29, 2019
Money Maker: Ronnie Willams Wins NAPA SK 5K For Second Consecutive Year At Stafford
A www.racedayct.com article | Photo: Fran Lawlor/RaceDayCT
STAFFORD – In the ranks of Modified racing Matt Hirschman holds the moniker Money Matt for his success at capturing wins when big paydays are on the line.
But when it comes to the true Money Man in Modified racing this week, nobody can come close to Ronnie Williams.
Williams completed an astonishing week of success Friday by coming out on top of an epic battle with Keith Rocco to win the sixth NAPA SK 5K at Stafford Motor Speedway.
It was the second consecutive NAPA SK 5K victory for Williams, making him the first repeat winner in the event. It was third consecutive victory in the event for his team owner Adam Skowyra, who won with driver Chase Dowling in 2017.
Williams collected a $5,000 winner’s purse Friday at Stafford. It completed a six-day span where Williams scored $20,000 in winning purses over three events. He got a $5,000 win in the Valenti Modified Racing Series feature at the New England Short Track Showdown Sunday at New Hampshire for team owner Gary Casella. On Wednesday Williams earned a $10,000 payday for winning for Casella at the Tri-Track Open Modified Series’ Open Wheel Wednesday event at Seekonk (Mass.) Speedway.
“It’s pretty cool,” Williams said. “It’s awesome. Gary gave me a great car. Adam gave me a great car. It’s all these guys, they put in the work. I’m just lucky enough to drive them.
“… You take it one race at a time. You don’t take anything for granted. Things can fall apart real quick so we’re going to ride this as far as we can. Hopefully we can keep this going. It’s great momentum.”
Rocco, of Wallingford, was second by inches in a side-by-side battle to the checkered. Dowling, of Roxbury, was third.
The $5,200 Dunleavy’s Gamblers Challenge bonus was split between the 11th through 20th place finishers.
Williams was involved in a lap 41 crash that collected 12 cars off of turn four. After getting two flats repaired and work done to a twisted steering rack, he returned to the track to begin the rally from the rear.
“I was trying to take it easy in the beginning and we just got caught up in a wreck coming out of [turn] four,” Williams said. “We had [two flat tires], the [steering rack] was all messed up. It just shows how good these guys are.”
On lap 83 Williams went under Dowling for second place. At that point Rocco lead by just over half a second. Williams took huge bites out of the lead over the next four laps and was on Rocco’s bumper by lap 88.
On lap 90 Williams dove under Rocco into turn three and the pair went side-by-side to the line with Rocco leading. Rocco fought back on the outside to clear Williams off of turn two on lap 91.
On lap 92 Williams got under Rocco again in turn three and the side-by-side battle resumed. Rocco led at the line on laps 93 and 94 and then cleared Williams once again off turn two on lap 95.
On lap 98 Williams went back under Rocco again in turn three. The pair went side-by-side for lap 99, taking the white flag with Williams leading by inches. Rocco stayed to Williams’ outside for the final lap with Williams winning the drag race to the line out of turn four to the checkered.
“I was trying to race as clean as possible,” Williams said. “I know me and him have some history, going back to even this year at Thompson [Speedway]. Just make a show of it. I know he wants it bad. But I was hungry today that’s for sure.”
Said Rocco: “We probably just needed to ride a little bit more in the beginning and save a little bit of tire. We were really good, we had good drive, but the right front got used up. … I think I’m the king of second in this race. Two years in a row I’m second to Ronnie. It was a good race, good battle, good show for the fans. He did a good job.”
Money Maker: Ronnie Willams Wins NAPA SK 5K For Second Consecutive Year At Stafford
A www.racedayct.com article | Photo: Fran Lawlor/RaceDayCT
STAFFORD – In the ranks of Modified racing Matt Hirschman holds the moniker Money Matt for his success at capturing wins when big paydays are on the line.
But when it comes to the true Money Man in Modified racing this week, nobody can come close to Ronnie Williams.
Williams completed an astonishing week of success Friday by coming out on top of an epic battle with Keith Rocco to win the sixth NAPA SK 5K at Stafford Motor Speedway.
It was the second consecutive NAPA SK 5K victory for Williams, making him the first repeat winner in the event. It was third consecutive victory in the event for his team owner Adam Skowyra, who won with driver Chase Dowling in 2017.
Williams collected a $5,000 winner’s purse Friday at Stafford. It completed a six-day span where Williams scored $20,000 in winning purses over three events. He got a $5,000 win in the Valenti Modified Racing Series feature at the New England Short Track Showdown Sunday at New Hampshire for team owner Gary Casella. On Wednesday Williams earned a $10,000 payday for winning for Casella at the Tri-Track Open Modified Series’ Open Wheel Wednesday event at Seekonk (Mass.) Speedway.
“It’s pretty cool,” Williams said. “It’s awesome. Gary gave me a great car. Adam gave me a great car. It’s all these guys, they put in the work. I’m just lucky enough to drive them.
“… You take it one race at a time. You don’t take anything for granted. Things can fall apart real quick so we’re going to ride this as far as we can. Hopefully we can keep this going. It’s great momentum.”
Rocco, of Wallingford, was second by inches in a side-by-side battle to the checkered. Dowling, of Roxbury, was third.
The $5,200 Dunleavy’s Gamblers Challenge bonus was split between the 11th through 20th place finishers.
Williams was involved in a lap 41 crash that collected 12 cars off of turn four. After getting two flats repaired and work done to a twisted steering rack, he returned to the track to begin the rally from the rear.
“I was trying to take it easy in the beginning and we just got caught up in a wreck coming out of [turn] four,” Williams said. “We had [two flat tires], the [steering rack] was all messed up. It just shows how good these guys are.”
On lap 83 Williams went under Dowling for second place. At that point Rocco lead by just over half a second. Williams took huge bites out of the lead over the next four laps and was on Rocco’s bumper by lap 88.
On lap 90 Williams dove under Rocco into turn three and the pair went side-by-side to the line with Rocco leading. Rocco fought back on the outside to clear Williams off of turn two on lap 91.
On lap 92 Williams got under Rocco again in turn three and the side-by-side battle resumed. Rocco led at the line on laps 93 and 94 and then cleared Williams once again off turn two on lap 95.
On lap 98 Williams went back under Rocco again in turn three. The pair went side-by-side for lap 99, taking the white flag with Williams leading by inches. Rocco stayed to Williams’ outside for the final lap with Williams winning the drag race to the line out of turn four to the checkered.
“I was trying to race as clean as possible,” Williams said. “I know me and him have some history, going back to even this year at Thompson [Speedway]. Just make a show of it. I know he wants it bad. But I was hungry today that’s for sure.”
Said Rocco: “We probably just needed to ride a little bit more in the beginning and save a little bit of tire. We were really good, we had good drive, but the right front got used up. … I think I’m the king of second in this race. Two years in a row I’m second to Ronnie. It was a good race, good battle, good show for the fans. He did a good job.”
June 27, 2019
Connecticut Driver Continues Big Week at Seekonk
Story by: Zach Evans, Speed51.com Southeast Editor - Twitter: @ztevans | Photo credit: Speed51.com photo
Ronnie Williams’ hot streak in Modified racing continued Wednesday night at Seekonk Speedway (MA). Just three days removed from his photo-finish victory over Anthony Nocella in the New England Short Track Showdown’s Valenti Modified Series event, Williams took the checkered flag in the Tri-Track Open Modified Series event at Seekonk.
Williams took the lead from Matt Swanson on a restart with 10 laps to go in the 100-lap event, taking the $10,000 Open Wheel Wednesday paycheck along with it.
For Williams, part of the key was pit strategy in the event. Front runners were split between pitting at lap 43 after a caution for a Carl Medeiros spin and pitting on lap 55 after a turn-four incident with Kirk Alexander and Dana DiMatteo.
Williams was among the takers at lap 43, which allowed him to move ahead of contenders such as Ron Silk, Matt Hirschman, Keith Rocco and more who pitted 12 laps later.
“We got a little loose around the halfway mark, and we were one of the first guys to pit,” Williams explained in victory lane. “Just slowly worked our way up there, a lot of guys pitted around lap 60. It was a great race from there.
It was a quick turnaround for Williams and his team after the New Hampshire triumph, but that made the second trip to victory lane on the week that much sweeter.
“It just shows how good these guys are,” said Williams. “They went back to the shop and worked until 2:30 in the morning. They told me that every 10 minutes today. Hats off to them. This is their win, I’m just fortunate enough to drive the car.”
Tommy Barrett also passed Swanson in the closing laps to take the second position, closing in on Williams over the final green-flag run but ultimately running out of time.
“We started off pretty rough today,” said Barrett. “The car wasn’t very good out of the trailer. They made wholesale changes on the car, and we drove up from 18thto second. I was as fast as Williams, but we weren’t loose enough to go by him. Maybe another couple of laps.”
While pit strategy played a role in Williams’ victory, mechanical gremlins prevented Swanson from playing any strategy game. Due to a suspension issue, Swanson and his team elected to stay out for the duration of the race and protect their track position.
That decision led to Swanson leading the majority of the race before fading to a third-place run in the closing laps.
“We had a rear suspension problem about 20 laps into the race,” said Swanson. “The torque arm was actually falling out of the car. It was just a matter of hanging on. We took over the lead there and hung on to it for a while. We never came in to put a tire on. Once we took the lead, we had what we had and just had to hang on to it.”
Race fans who missed Wednesday’s Tri-Track Open Modified Series feature at Seekonk Speedway can relive the action by watching Speed51’s Summer Thunder TV broadcast of the race by clicking here
Connecticut Driver Continues Big Week at Seekonk
Story by: Zach Evans, Speed51.com Southeast Editor - Twitter: @ztevans | Photo credit: Speed51.com photo
Ronnie Williams’ hot streak in Modified racing continued Wednesday night at Seekonk Speedway (MA). Just three days removed from his photo-finish victory over Anthony Nocella in the New England Short Track Showdown’s Valenti Modified Series event, Williams took the checkered flag in the Tri-Track Open Modified Series event at Seekonk.
Williams took the lead from Matt Swanson on a restart with 10 laps to go in the 100-lap event, taking the $10,000 Open Wheel Wednesday paycheck along with it.
For Williams, part of the key was pit strategy in the event. Front runners were split between pitting at lap 43 after a caution for a Carl Medeiros spin and pitting on lap 55 after a turn-four incident with Kirk Alexander and Dana DiMatteo.
Williams was among the takers at lap 43, which allowed him to move ahead of contenders such as Ron Silk, Matt Hirschman, Keith Rocco and more who pitted 12 laps later.
“We got a little loose around the halfway mark, and we were one of the first guys to pit,” Williams explained in victory lane. “Just slowly worked our way up there, a lot of guys pitted around lap 60. It was a great race from there.
It was a quick turnaround for Williams and his team after the New Hampshire triumph, but that made the second trip to victory lane on the week that much sweeter.
“It just shows how good these guys are,” said Williams. “They went back to the shop and worked until 2:30 in the morning. They told me that every 10 minutes today. Hats off to them. This is their win, I’m just fortunate enough to drive the car.”
Tommy Barrett also passed Swanson in the closing laps to take the second position, closing in on Williams over the final green-flag run but ultimately running out of time.
“We started off pretty rough today,” said Barrett. “The car wasn’t very good out of the trailer. They made wholesale changes on the car, and we drove up from 18thto second. I was as fast as Williams, but we weren’t loose enough to go by him. Maybe another couple of laps.”
While pit strategy played a role in Williams’ victory, mechanical gremlins prevented Swanson from playing any strategy game. Due to a suspension issue, Swanson and his team elected to stay out for the duration of the race and protect their track position.
That decision led to Swanson leading the majority of the race before fading to a third-place run in the closing laps.
“We had a rear suspension problem about 20 laps into the race,” said Swanson. “The torque arm was actually falling out of the car. It was just a matter of hanging on. We took over the lead there and hung on to it for a while. We never came in to put a tire on. Once we took the lead, we had what we had and just had to hang on to it.”
Race fans who missed Wednesday’s Tri-Track Open Modified Series feature at Seekonk Speedway can relive the action by watching Speed51’s Summer Thunder TV broadcast of the race by clicking here
June 24, 2019
Plenty Of Motor: Ronnie Williams Uses Last Lap Pass To Win Valenti Mod Series Feature At NHMS
A www.racedayct.com article | Photo: Shawn Courchesne/RaceDayCT
LOUDON, N.H. – On Saturday Ronnie Williams and his Gary Casella owned Valenti Modified Racing Series endured a day of misery at New Hampshire Motor Speedway after blowing a motor in practice at the New England Short Track Showdown.
Sunday with fresh motor under the hood it was Williams using horsepower off the final corner to grab the lead and score victory in the 50-lap Valenti Modified Racing Series feature at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
It was the second series victory of the season for Williams with the Casella team and the first for Williams at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
“It’s absolutely amazing,” said Williams, of Tolland. “To win on this premises. You see races here on TV, you see the guys who have won here, I mean it’s Loudon, there’s nothing better than that.”
Anthony Nocella of Woburn, Mass. was second and Jeffrey Gallup of Agawam, Mass. third.
Instead of throwing in the towel on Saturday, the Casella team headed back to the shop and put a new motor in for Sunday.
“Because they had the car that we knew we were going to win with today, we went back to the shop to change the motor,” Williams said. “… We came back here today and got the job done.”
Williams was in the mix with the leaders all day in an event that saw the type of mass lead swapping that Modified racing on the 1.058-mile oval has come to be known for.
On a lap 41 restart it was Chase Dowling holding the lead with Gallup moving past Williams for second.
With Gallup looking to overtake Dowling it was Williams using help from Nocella to go back and back for the lead again. On lap 42 Williams got back by Dowling for the lead off of turn four, but Dowling fought right back to the lead down the front straighaway.
Caution flew again on lap 43. On the ensuing restart it was Dowling holding the lead and Nocella going from fifth to second. Two laps later Nocelle got under Dowling for the lead off of turn four. Dowling went back to the front on lap 46. On lap 47 it was Nocella going back to the lead with Williams following him to second.
Williams got by Nocella for the lead on lap 48. On the final lap Nocella powered by Williams for the lead off of turn two. The pair came off of turn four with Williams riding the high line off the corner. In a side-by-side drag race to the checkered it was Williams edging Nocella for victory.
“I got to [Nocella] and followed him through,” Williams said. “… I just went into the last turn, I knew he was going to dive it in there but I knew he was going to roll tight through the center. I though if I could just roll the top a little bit and he just gave me room, I knew the Pettit [Racing Engines] horsepower could get me the victory.”
Said Nocella: “That was tough. I was getting a little tight. I was going to wait until the last straightaway to try to make a move. … I got a really great run on him there and [Dowling] was back a little bit so I figured I’d try to make the run then and try to make it stick and try to hold him off. Down the backstretch we were able to do that. I got just a little tight through the center [of turn three]. Drove it in a little deep. We had a shot to beat him up off the corner.
“There was a little miscommunication with me and my spotter. He thought he had the run coming low. He started doing that but pulled back to the top. By the time I could get back to the top he was already too far in there to squeeze him and I would have wrecked both of us. I figured I’d give ourselves a shot and drag race him to the checkered and we just missed it by a couple feet. All in all a great run.”
The race was marred by a long red flag period on lap 21 after a vicious wreck involving veterans Roy Seidell and Dave Etheridge.
Seidell was running far behind the leaders and spun in turn two. Seidell was then hit flush to the driver’s side in the corner by Etheridge, who was running third at the time of the accident.
Emergency crews had to cut Seidell out of the car and he was transported to a local hospital. A source close to the Valenti Modified Racing Series said late Sunday that was Seidell was “banged up” but recovering and did not suffer any life threatening injuries.
Plenty Of Motor: Ronnie Williams Uses Last Lap Pass To Win Valenti Mod Series Feature At NHMS
A www.racedayct.com article | Photo: Shawn Courchesne/RaceDayCT
LOUDON, N.H. – On Saturday Ronnie Williams and his Gary Casella owned Valenti Modified Racing Series endured a day of misery at New Hampshire Motor Speedway after blowing a motor in practice at the New England Short Track Showdown.
Sunday with fresh motor under the hood it was Williams using horsepower off the final corner to grab the lead and score victory in the 50-lap Valenti Modified Racing Series feature at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
It was the second series victory of the season for Williams with the Casella team and the first for Williams at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
“It’s absolutely amazing,” said Williams, of Tolland. “To win on this premises. You see races here on TV, you see the guys who have won here, I mean it’s Loudon, there’s nothing better than that.”
Anthony Nocella of Woburn, Mass. was second and Jeffrey Gallup of Agawam, Mass. third.
Instead of throwing in the towel on Saturday, the Casella team headed back to the shop and put a new motor in for Sunday.
“Because they had the car that we knew we were going to win with today, we went back to the shop to change the motor,” Williams said. “… We came back here today and got the job done.”
Williams was in the mix with the leaders all day in an event that saw the type of mass lead swapping that Modified racing on the 1.058-mile oval has come to be known for.
On a lap 41 restart it was Chase Dowling holding the lead with Gallup moving past Williams for second.
With Gallup looking to overtake Dowling it was Williams using help from Nocella to go back and back for the lead again. On lap 42 Williams got back by Dowling for the lead off of turn four, but Dowling fought right back to the lead down the front straighaway.
Caution flew again on lap 43. On the ensuing restart it was Dowling holding the lead and Nocella going from fifth to second. Two laps later Nocelle got under Dowling for the lead off of turn four. Dowling went back to the front on lap 46. On lap 47 it was Nocella going back to the lead with Williams following him to second.
Williams got by Nocella for the lead on lap 48. On the final lap Nocella powered by Williams for the lead off of turn two. The pair came off of turn four with Williams riding the high line off the corner. In a side-by-side drag race to the checkered it was Williams edging Nocella for victory.
“I got to [Nocella] and followed him through,” Williams said. “… I just went into the last turn, I knew he was going to dive it in there but I knew he was going to roll tight through the center. I though if I could just roll the top a little bit and he just gave me room, I knew the Pettit [Racing Engines] horsepower could get me the victory.”
Said Nocella: “That was tough. I was getting a little tight. I was going to wait until the last straightaway to try to make a move. … I got a really great run on him there and [Dowling] was back a little bit so I figured I’d try to make the run then and try to make it stick and try to hold him off. Down the backstretch we were able to do that. I got just a little tight through the center [of turn three]. Drove it in a little deep. We had a shot to beat him up off the corner.
“There was a little miscommunication with me and my spotter. He thought he had the run coming low. He started doing that but pulled back to the top. By the time I could get back to the top he was already too far in there to squeeze him and I would have wrecked both of us. I figured I’d give ourselves a shot and drag race him to the checkered and we just missed it by a couple feet. All in all a great run.”
The race was marred by a long red flag period on lap 21 after a vicious wreck involving veterans Roy Seidell and Dave Etheridge.
Seidell was running far behind the leaders and spun in turn two. Seidell was then hit flush to the driver’s side in the corner by Etheridge, who was running third at the time of the accident.
Emergency crews had to cut Seidell out of the car and he was transported to a local hospital. A source close to the Valenti Modified Racing Series said late Sunday that was Seidell was “banged up” but recovering and did not suffer any life threatening injuries.
June 10, 2019
Ronnie Williams Grabs First Valenti Mod Series Win At Monadnock Speedway
A www.racedayct.com article
(Photo: Jim DuPont/RaceDayCT)
Ronnie Williams made his first career start at Monadnock Speedway one to remember Saturday night.
Williams scored his first career Valenti Modified Racing Series victory Saturday at Monadnock Speedway in Winchester, N.H.
Williams, of Tolland, was making the start at Monadnock for former championship winning car owner Gary Casella.
“We were not really all that good in qualifying, but I was not that concerned about it,” Williams said. “These guys have won here quite a few times so they can put a car in victory lane. I have had a second and third [racing for Casella]. Now I have finally put [his] car in victory lane – at a place that I have never been to. The place is fast and pretty cool to run.”
Kirk Alexander of West Swanzey, N.H. was second and Cameron Sontag of Sterling, Mass. third.
Williams started 13thin the field and worked hi way up to the top five by the second half of the 100-lap feature.
He went by T.J. Bleau for the lead on lap 75 and never trailed again.
“We just road around and saved our stuff,” Williams said. “The race is 100 laps so you are not looking to win the race at lap 50. So we rode around and got what we got and took it at the end.”
Said Alexander” “I knew that [Casella] would bring an awesome car tonight. Ronnie is a great driver. … This is the first race with me in this car. She needed to be a little bit tighter. We held on and got to the front. Then we dropped back to save the equipment but it seemed like those guys really wanted to go. It got pretty rough for a while. We had a great time and maybe next time we will be a little bit better.”
Ronnie Williams Grabs First Valenti Mod Series Win At Monadnock Speedway
A www.racedayct.com article
(Photo: Jim DuPont/RaceDayCT)
Ronnie Williams made his first career start at Monadnock Speedway one to remember Saturday night.
Williams scored his first career Valenti Modified Racing Series victory Saturday at Monadnock Speedway in Winchester, N.H.
Williams, of Tolland, was making the start at Monadnock for former championship winning car owner Gary Casella.
“We were not really all that good in qualifying, but I was not that concerned about it,” Williams said. “These guys have won here quite a few times so they can put a car in victory lane. I have had a second and third [racing for Casella]. Now I have finally put [his] car in victory lane – at a place that I have never been to. The place is fast and pretty cool to run.”
Kirk Alexander of West Swanzey, N.H. was second and Cameron Sontag of Sterling, Mass. third.
Williams started 13thin the field and worked hi way up to the top five by the second half of the 100-lap feature.
He went by T.J. Bleau for the lead on lap 75 and never trailed again.
“We just road around and saved our stuff,” Williams said. “The race is 100 laps so you are not looking to win the race at lap 50. So we rode around and got what we got and took it at the end.”
Said Alexander” “I knew that [Casella] would bring an awesome car tonight. Ronnie is a great driver. … This is the first race with me in this car. She needed to be a little bit tighter. We held on and got to the front. Then we dropped back to save the equipment but it seemed like those guys really wanted to go. It got pretty rough for a while. We had a great time and maybe next time we will be a little bit better.”
May 26, 2019
Ronnie Williams Grabs First Stafford SK Modified Win of 2019
A www.staffordspeedway.com release
In the 40-lap SK Modified® feature event, Andrew Molleur took the lead at the green flag with Joey Cipriano and Marcello Rufrano side by side for second. Ronnie Williams was fourth with Eric Berndt and Ed Spiers side by side for fifth.
Williams moved into third on lap-4 and right behind him Stephen Kopcik made a power move to the inside of Rufrano to move into fourth. Rufrano came right back to Kopcik’s outside and they ran side by side until lap-7 when Rufrano brushed the backstretch wall coming out of turn 2 and slid back in line to sixth.
Williams got around Molleur in turn 3 on lap-8 to take the lead. Cipriano was third in line with Kopcik and Eric Berndt lined up behind him. Spiers spun in the middle of turns 1+2 to bring the caution out with 8 laps complete.
Williams charged back into the lead with Cipriano taking second. Berndt and Molleur were side by side for third place with Todd Owen taking fifth from Kopcik one lap after the restart. Owen took fourth from Molleur on lap-10 and he was looking high and low for a way to get by Berndt for third.
At the halfway point of the race, it was still Williams in command with Cipriano, Berndt, Owen, and Nick Salva making up the top-5. Michael Gervais, Jr. was in sixth with Keith Rocco, last week’s winner Glen Reen, Kopcik, and Rufrano making up the top-10 runners.
Salva got by Owen to move into fourth on lap-26 and Gervais was looking to the inside of Owen on lap-29 and he was able to complete the pass to drop Owen back to sixth.
Williams led the field to the checkered flag to pick up his first win of the 2019 season. Cipriano came home in second with Salva, Berndt, and Gervais rounding out the top-5
Ronnie Williams Grabs First Stafford SK Modified Win of 2019
A www.staffordspeedway.com release
In the 40-lap SK Modified® feature event, Andrew Molleur took the lead at the green flag with Joey Cipriano and Marcello Rufrano side by side for second. Ronnie Williams was fourth with Eric Berndt and Ed Spiers side by side for fifth.
Williams moved into third on lap-4 and right behind him Stephen Kopcik made a power move to the inside of Rufrano to move into fourth. Rufrano came right back to Kopcik’s outside and they ran side by side until lap-7 when Rufrano brushed the backstretch wall coming out of turn 2 and slid back in line to sixth.
Williams got around Molleur in turn 3 on lap-8 to take the lead. Cipriano was third in line with Kopcik and Eric Berndt lined up behind him. Spiers spun in the middle of turns 1+2 to bring the caution out with 8 laps complete.
Williams charged back into the lead with Cipriano taking second. Berndt and Molleur were side by side for third place with Todd Owen taking fifth from Kopcik one lap after the restart. Owen took fourth from Molleur on lap-10 and he was looking high and low for a way to get by Berndt for third.
At the halfway point of the race, it was still Williams in command with Cipriano, Berndt, Owen, and Nick Salva making up the top-5. Michael Gervais, Jr. was in sixth with Keith Rocco, last week’s winner Glen Reen, Kopcik, and Rufrano making up the top-10 runners.
Salva got by Owen to move into fourth on lap-26 and Gervais was looking to the inside of Owen on lap-29 and he was able to complete the pass to drop Owen back to sixth.
Williams led the field to the checkered flag to pick up his first win of the 2019 season. Cipriano came home in second with Salva, Berndt, and Gervais rounding out the top-5
May 20th, 2019
Bumpy Ride: Ronnie Williams Uses Last Lap Pass Of Keith Rocco To Get First Thompson SK Mod Win
A www.racedayct.com article
THOMPSON – The bump and run. Across the realm of short track racing it’s a well-known maneuver when it comes to last lap strategy.
For Ronnie Williams the bump and run took on a new title Sunday at Thompson Speedway. Call it the rock and roll.
Williams gave Keith Rocco a rocking shot into turn three on the final lap and then rolled to the checkered flag to win the 30-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modified feature Sunday at Thompson Speedway.
It was the first career SK Modified victory at Thompson for Williams, the reigning SK Modified champion at Stafford.
“Wins are so hard to come by in the [SK Modifieds] and I’ve been racing here for three years and still hadn’t gotten one,” said Williams, of Tolland. “… You want to do the guys proud. They work so hard in the shop every week to give me an awesome race car. It’s my turn to come out here and do my job and get the victory for them.”
Rocco, of Wallingford, ended up second in what turned out to be a side-by-side duel to the checkered. Tim Jordan of Plainville was third.
The duel between Williams and Rocco likely reignites a rivalry that got heated for the two last year at Stafford.
“We had our battles last year and I thought we put all that behind us but apparently it’s starting all over again and that’s how he’s going to set the tone,” Rocco said.
Said Williams: “It’s not like it’s the first time someone has ever bumped a guy to win a race here. I’m sure he’s done it many times. We were going for the win. I’m not here to make friends.”
Read the rest of this article here: https://racedayct.com/2019/05/bumpy-ride-ronnie-williams-uses-last-lap-pass-of-keith-rocco-to-get-first-thompson-sk-mod-win/
Bumpy Ride: Ronnie Williams Uses Last Lap Pass Of Keith Rocco To Get First Thompson SK Mod Win
A www.racedayct.com article
THOMPSON – The bump and run. Across the realm of short track racing it’s a well-known maneuver when it comes to last lap strategy.
For Ronnie Williams the bump and run took on a new title Sunday at Thompson Speedway. Call it the rock and roll.
Williams gave Keith Rocco a rocking shot into turn three on the final lap and then rolled to the checkered flag to win the 30-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modified feature Sunday at Thompson Speedway.
It was the first career SK Modified victory at Thompson for Williams, the reigning SK Modified champion at Stafford.
“Wins are so hard to come by in the [SK Modifieds] and I’ve been racing here for three years and still hadn’t gotten one,” said Williams, of Tolland. “… You want to do the guys proud. They work so hard in the shop every week to give me an awesome race car. It’s my turn to come out here and do my job and get the victory for them.”
Rocco, of Wallingford, ended up second in what turned out to be a side-by-side duel to the checkered. Tim Jordan of Plainville was third.
The duel between Williams and Rocco likely reignites a rivalry that got heated for the two last year at Stafford.
“We had our battles last year and I thought we put all that behind us but apparently it’s starting all over again and that’s how he’s going to set the tone,” Rocco said.
Said Williams: “It’s not like it’s the first time someone has ever bumped a guy to win a race here. I’m sure he’s done it many times. We were going for the win. I’m not here to make friends.”
Read the rest of this article here: https://racedayct.com/2019/05/bumpy-ride-ronnie-williams-uses-last-lap-pass-of-keith-rocco-to-get-first-thompson-sk-mod-win/
September 16th, 2018
Ronnie Williams Wins 2018 SK Modified Championship At The Historic Stafford Speedway
A www.staffordspeedway.com release w/RWR headline
In the 40-lap SK Modified® feature event, Matt Vassar led the first lap but Todd Owen shot into the lead on lap-2. Glen Reen was side by side with Vassar for second with Chase Dowling fourth and Tyler Hines and Max Zachem side by side for fifth.
With 7 laps complete, Owen was still out front with Vassar holding off Reen for second while Keith Rocco was side by side with Reen for third. Rocco took second from Vassar on lap-10 and Michael Christopher, Jr. was up to fifth behind Owen, Rocco, Vassar, and Reen. Ronnie Williams was following right behind Christopher in the outside lane and he took over fifth place on lap-13.
Rocco closed the gap to Owen and he was right on Owen’s bumper as they completed lap 15. Vassar got into the wall in turns 3+4 and limped back to pit road as the race stayed green. Rocco took the lead from Owen on lap-16 and Owen tried a crossover move, but couldn’t get back by Rocco and he slotted into second. Christopher was now third with Williams fourth and Reen fifth. Eric Berndt was up to sixth with Zachem in seventh and Joey Cipriano in eighth. Stephen Kopcik brought the caution out with 24 laps complete with a spin coming out of turn 2.
Rocco took the lead on the restart with Christopher and Owen side by side for second. Owen took second on lap-26 but Williams moved into second behind Rocco on lap-27. As the two leaders came off turn 4 they touched with Rocco doing a 360 spin to bring the caution out. Williams was sent to the rear for the contact with Rocco, putting Owen and Christopher on the front row for the restart.
Josh Wood, Dowling, and Rocco got into the turn 1 wall on the restart to bring the caution right back out. Christopher got a good run in the outside lane and he took the lead from Owen on the next restart. Glen Reen followed Christopher in the outside lane and moved into second. Reen then almost took the lead from Christopher in turn 4 on lap-29 but he settled back into line. Michael Gervais, Jr. was now third with Owen back to fourth and Tom Bolles up to fifth.
With 5 laps to go, Christopher was still in command with Reen holding off Gervais and Owen for second and Eric Berndt now fifth. Christopher took the checkered flag to pick up his second consecutive win and third overall of the 2018 season. Reen finished second with Owen, Gervais, and Berndt rounding out the top-5. Ronnie Williams rebounded from his penalty to finish 6th, which was good enough to make him the 2018 SK Modified® track champion.
Ronnie Williams Wins 2018 SK Modified Championship At The Historic Stafford Speedway
A www.staffordspeedway.com release w/RWR headline
In the 40-lap SK Modified® feature event, Matt Vassar led the first lap but Todd Owen shot into the lead on lap-2. Glen Reen was side by side with Vassar for second with Chase Dowling fourth and Tyler Hines and Max Zachem side by side for fifth.
With 7 laps complete, Owen was still out front with Vassar holding off Reen for second while Keith Rocco was side by side with Reen for third. Rocco took second from Vassar on lap-10 and Michael Christopher, Jr. was up to fifth behind Owen, Rocco, Vassar, and Reen. Ronnie Williams was following right behind Christopher in the outside lane and he took over fifth place on lap-13.
Rocco closed the gap to Owen and he was right on Owen’s bumper as they completed lap 15. Vassar got into the wall in turns 3+4 and limped back to pit road as the race stayed green. Rocco took the lead from Owen on lap-16 and Owen tried a crossover move, but couldn’t get back by Rocco and he slotted into second. Christopher was now third with Williams fourth and Reen fifth. Eric Berndt was up to sixth with Zachem in seventh and Joey Cipriano in eighth. Stephen Kopcik brought the caution out with 24 laps complete with a spin coming out of turn 2.
Rocco took the lead on the restart with Christopher and Owen side by side for second. Owen took second on lap-26 but Williams moved into second behind Rocco on lap-27. As the two leaders came off turn 4 they touched with Rocco doing a 360 spin to bring the caution out. Williams was sent to the rear for the contact with Rocco, putting Owen and Christopher on the front row for the restart.
Josh Wood, Dowling, and Rocco got into the turn 1 wall on the restart to bring the caution right back out. Christopher got a good run in the outside lane and he took the lead from Owen on the next restart. Glen Reen followed Christopher in the outside lane and moved into second. Reen then almost took the lead from Christopher in turn 4 on lap-29 but he settled back into line. Michael Gervais, Jr. was now third with Owen back to fourth and Tom Bolles up to fifth.
With 5 laps to go, Christopher was still in command with Reen holding off Gervais and Owen for second and Eric Berndt now fifth. Christopher took the checkered flag to pick up his second consecutive win and third overall of the 2018 season. Reen finished second with Owen, Gervais, and Berndt rounding out the top-5. Ronnie Williams rebounded from his penalty to finish 6th, which was good enough to make him the 2018 SK Modified® track champion.
July 24th, 2018
Ronnie Williams Continues SK Modified Dominance At Stafford With Win #4 Of 2018
A www.staffordspeedway.com release
In the 40-lap SK Modified® feature event, Matt Vassar took the lead at the green with Tyler Hines and Michael Gervais, Jr. lined up behind him. Joey Cipriano and Matt Galko were side by side for fourth. Hines took took the lead from Vassar on lap-5 with Gervais moving into second. Cipriano pulled alongside Vassar on lap-7 and he took the spot with Galko following him through to move into fourth and drop Vassar back to fifth. Just behind Vassar was Keith Rocco with Eric Berndt in seventh.
Hines pulled alongside Gervais for the lead on lap-9 and Vassar spun in turn 4 to bring the caution out with 9 laps complete. Rocco was sent to the rear of the field for making contact with Vassar.
Gervais took the lead back under green but Cipriano pulled alongside Gervais and he took the lead on lap-11. Berndt was now side by side with Gervais for second with Ronnie Williams fourth and Galko fifth.
Berndt got clear of Gervais and he made a move going into turn 1 on lap-16 to take the lead from Cipriano. Williams was now third with Gervais back to fourth and Galko was fifth with Hines right behind him in sixth. Williams took second from Cipriano on lap-17 and he made a power move in turn 3 on Berndt but couldn’t complete the pass on lap-18. Williams came back in turns 3+4 and he took the lead from Berndt on lap-19. Glen Reen spun coming out of turn 4 to bring the caution out with 20 laps complete.
Williams took the lead on the restart but the field could only complete one lap before ht caution came back out for a spin by Nick Salva.
Williams took the lead back under green with Berndt, Gervais, Galko, Dan Avery, Stephen Kopcik, and Todd Owen lined up behind him. With 10 laps to go, Williams had pulled away from Berndt in second while Galko was applying heavy pressure to Gervais for third. Reen spun coming out of turn 4 to bring the caution out with 37 laps complete and set up a 3 lap dash to the finish.
The restart saw spins in turn 2 by Doug Meservey, Salva, and Hines to bring the caution back out. Rocco pulled his car behind the wall under the caution and was finished 3 laps early.
Williams took the lead on the restart with Gervais and Berndt side by side for second. Berndt got clear to second as the cars took the white flag. Berndt drove it in deep but he could catch Williams as Williams scored his fourth win of the 2018 season. Gervais finished third with Galko and Avery rounding out the top-5.
Ronnie Williams Continues SK Modified Dominance At Stafford With Win #4 Of 2018
A www.staffordspeedway.com release
In the 40-lap SK Modified® feature event, Matt Vassar took the lead at the green with Tyler Hines and Michael Gervais, Jr. lined up behind him. Joey Cipriano and Matt Galko were side by side for fourth. Hines took took the lead from Vassar on lap-5 with Gervais moving into second. Cipriano pulled alongside Vassar on lap-7 and he took the spot with Galko following him through to move into fourth and drop Vassar back to fifth. Just behind Vassar was Keith Rocco with Eric Berndt in seventh.
Hines pulled alongside Gervais for the lead on lap-9 and Vassar spun in turn 4 to bring the caution out with 9 laps complete. Rocco was sent to the rear of the field for making contact with Vassar.
Gervais took the lead back under green but Cipriano pulled alongside Gervais and he took the lead on lap-11. Berndt was now side by side with Gervais for second with Ronnie Williams fourth and Galko fifth.
Berndt got clear of Gervais and he made a move going into turn 1 on lap-16 to take the lead from Cipriano. Williams was now third with Gervais back to fourth and Galko was fifth with Hines right behind him in sixth. Williams took second from Cipriano on lap-17 and he made a power move in turn 3 on Berndt but couldn’t complete the pass on lap-18. Williams came back in turns 3+4 and he took the lead from Berndt on lap-19. Glen Reen spun coming out of turn 4 to bring the caution out with 20 laps complete.
Williams took the lead on the restart but the field could only complete one lap before ht caution came back out for a spin by Nick Salva.
Williams took the lead back under green with Berndt, Gervais, Galko, Dan Avery, Stephen Kopcik, and Todd Owen lined up behind him. With 10 laps to go, Williams had pulled away from Berndt in second while Galko was applying heavy pressure to Gervais for third. Reen spun coming out of turn 4 to bring the caution out with 37 laps complete and set up a 3 lap dash to the finish.
The restart saw spins in turn 2 by Doug Meservey, Salva, and Hines to bring the caution back out. Rocco pulled his car behind the wall under the caution and was finished 3 laps early.
Williams took the lead on the restart with Gervais and Berndt side by side for second. Berndt got clear to second as the cars took the white flag. Berndt drove it in deep but he could catch Williams as Williams scored his fourth win of the 2018 season. Gervais finished third with Galko and Avery rounding out the top-5.
April 30th, 2018
Ronnie Williams Begins 2018 SK Modified Season With 2nd Place Finish At Stafford Spring Sizzler
A www.staffordspeedway.com release w/RWR headline
In the 40-lap SK Modified® feature, Keith Rocco took the lead at the green with Michael Christopher, Jr., Eric Berndt, and Glen Reen briefly going 3-wide before Christopher took second with Berndt to his outside and Reen on his back bumper in fourth. Ronnie Williams was fifth behind Reen. Berndt slid back several spots to sixth as Reen moved into third, Williams into fourth, and Rowan Pennink took over fifth on lap-3. The caution came out with 5 laps complete for Troy Talman and Stephen Kopcik with Kopcik spinning on the frontstretch after a flat right rear tire.
Rocco took the lead back under green with Reen providing heavy pressure to his back bumper for the lead. Pennink was up to third behind Reen and he was also looking for the lead. But the caution came out with 6 laps complete for spins in turn 3 by Tyler Jones, John Catania, and Tony Membrino, Jr.
Rocco and Reen resumed their duel for the lead on the restart with Pennink in third but the field was only able to complete one more lap before the caution came back out for Membrino, who came to a stop against the turn 2 wall.
Rocco took the lead on the restart with Reen slotting into second just in front of Pennink but the caution came back out with 8 laps complete for spins by Matt Vassar and Jones.
Rocco took the lead back under green with Reen again able to slot himself into second. Pennink was third but Christopher, Jr. took the spot on lap-9 with Jeff Baral up to fifth behind Pennink. Joey Cipriano was sixth with Williams, Todd Owen, Cory DiMatteo, and Tyler Hines making up the top-10. Reen was applying heavy pressure to Rocco for the lead while Pennink was looking high and low for a way around Christopher. Pennink’s car dropped off the pace on lap-14 and the caution came out with 14 laps complete as he limped back to pit road. Pennink would rejoin the race after making the pit stop.
The caution came out on the restart for a spin in turn 1 by David Arute with the car of Vassar put to the rear for contact. Rocco took the lead on the next restart with Christopher, Jr. pulling alongside and then taking second from Reen. Christopher, Jr. made a move for the lead in turn 3 on lap-15 and touched tires with Rocco, but everyone was able to keep going with Rocco keeping the lead and Reen getting around Christopher, Jr. for second. Baral was up to fourth with Williams in fifth. The order was the same when the caution flew with 26 laps complete for a spin on the backstretch by Owen.
Rocco took the lead on the restart while Reen got loose in turn 2 which allowed Christopher, Jr. to charge into second. Kopcik was recovered from his early race flat tire and he took third with Williams fourth and Reen falling back to fifth. Cipriano was sixth with Michael Gervais, Jr. seventh, Arute eighth, Berndt ninth and Chase Dowling tenth. The caution came back out with 33 laps complete as Kopcik got into the backstretch wall after something on his car broke and then spun in turn 3 with a flat tire which also collected Arute and Berndt.
The restart saw Christopher, Jr. get a great jump and he surged into the lead, but behind him Robert Palmer almost got into the turn 1 wall which brought the caution out before a melee erupted in turn 3 that involved Baral, Owen, and several other cars. This put Rocco back out front for the restart with Christopher, Jr. to his outside and Williams and Reen in the second row.
The restart saw another caution come out for a spin on the backstretch by Joey Cipriano that collected Tom Bolles. Rocco took the lead on the next restart with Williams taking second. Christopher, Jr. was third with Reen fourth and Gervais in fifth. The caution came back out with 37 laps complete for a spin in turn 3 by Dowling and Josh Wood.
Rocco took the lead on the restart with Christopher, Jr. taking second. Williams slotted into third with Reen fourth and Matt Galko fifth. Rocco held Christopher, Jr. off to the checkered flag to pick up the first SK Modified® feature win of the 2018 season. Williams finished third with Reen and Galko rounding out the top-5.
Following post race inspection, the cars of Michael Christohper, Jr. and Glen Reen were found to be 11 and 5 pounds underweight respectively and they were each penalized one position per pound underweight, dropping Reen to 9th and Christopher, Jr. to 13th. The new top-5 is Rocco, Williams, Galko, Gervais, and Tyler Hines.
Ronnie Williams Begins 2018 SK Modified Season With 2nd Place Finish At Stafford Spring Sizzler
A www.staffordspeedway.com release w/RWR headline
In the 40-lap SK Modified® feature, Keith Rocco took the lead at the green with Michael Christopher, Jr., Eric Berndt, and Glen Reen briefly going 3-wide before Christopher took second with Berndt to his outside and Reen on his back bumper in fourth. Ronnie Williams was fifth behind Reen. Berndt slid back several spots to sixth as Reen moved into third, Williams into fourth, and Rowan Pennink took over fifth on lap-3. The caution came out with 5 laps complete for Troy Talman and Stephen Kopcik with Kopcik spinning on the frontstretch after a flat right rear tire.
Rocco took the lead back under green with Reen providing heavy pressure to his back bumper for the lead. Pennink was up to third behind Reen and he was also looking for the lead. But the caution came out with 6 laps complete for spins in turn 3 by Tyler Jones, John Catania, and Tony Membrino, Jr.
Rocco and Reen resumed their duel for the lead on the restart with Pennink in third but the field was only able to complete one more lap before the caution came back out for Membrino, who came to a stop against the turn 2 wall.
Rocco took the lead on the restart with Reen slotting into second just in front of Pennink but the caution came back out with 8 laps complete for spins by Matt Vassar and Jones.
Rocco took the lead back under green with Reen again able to slot himself into second. Pennink was third but Christopher, Jr. took the spot on lap-9 with Jeff Baral up to fifth behind Pennink. Joey Cipriano was sixth with Williams, Todd Owen, Cory DiMatteo, and Tyler Hines making up the top-10. Reen was applying heavy pressure to Rocco for the lead while Pennink was looking high and low for a way around Christopher. Pennink’s car dropped off the pace on lap-14 and the caution came out with 14 laps complete as he limped back to pit road. Pennink would rejoin the race after making the pit stop.
The caution came out on the restart for a spin in turn 1 by David Arute with the car of Vassar put to the rear for contact. Rocco took the lead on the next restart with Christopher, Jr. pulling alongside and then taking second from Reen. Christopher, Jr. made a move for the lead in turn 3 on lap-15 and touched tires with Rocco, but everyone was able to keep going with Rocco keeping the lead and Reen getting around Christopher, Jr. for second. Baral was up to fourth with Williams in fifth. The order was the same when the caution flew with 26 laps complete for a spin on the backstretch by Owen.
Rocco took the lead on the restart while Reen got loose in turn 2 which allowed Christopher, Jr. to charge into second. Kopcik was recovered from his early race flat tire and he took third with Williams fourth and Reen falling back to fifth. Cipriano was sixth with Michael Gervais, Jr. seventh, Arute eighth, Berndt ninth and Chase Dowling tenth. The caution came back out with 33 laps complete as Kopcik got into the backstretch wall after something on his car broke and then spun in turn 3 with a flat tire which also collected Arute and Berndt.
The restart saw Christopher, Jr. get a great jump and he surged into the lead, but behind him Robert Palmer almost got into the turn 1 wall which brought the caution out before a melee erupted in turn 3 that involved Baral, Owen, and several other cars. This put Rocco back out front for the restart with Christopher, Jr. to his outside and Williams and Reen in the second row.
The restart saw another caution come out for a spin on the backstretch by Joey Cipriano that collected Tom Bolles. Rocco took the lead on the next restart with Williams taking second. Christopher, Jr. was third with Reen fourth and Gervais in fifth. The caution came back out with 37 laps complete for a spin in turn 3 by Dowling and Josh Wood.
Rocco took the lead on the restart with Christopher, Jr. taking second. Williams slotted into third with Reen fourth and Matt Galko fifth. Rocco held Christopher, Jr. off to the checkered flag to pick up the first SK Modified® feature win of the 2018 season. Williams finished third with Reen and Galko rounding out the top-5.
Following post race inspection, the cars of Michael Christohper, Jr. and Glen Reen were found to be 11 and 5 pounds underweight respectively and they were each penalized one position per pound underweight, dropping Reen to 9th and Christopher, Jr. to 13th. The new top-5 is Rocco, Williams, Galko, Gervais, and Tyler Hines.
April 9th, 2018
Ronnie Williams Gets First Whelen Modified Tour Pole For Icebreaker 150 At Thompson
A www.racedayct.com article
THOMPSON – On Saturday at Thompson Speedway Ronnie Williams turned quite a few heads in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour garage by putting up the fastest time of the day over a pair of practice sessions in preparation for today’s Icebreaker 150.
Sunday the Tolland driver backed up those efforts with a milestone.
Williams scored his first career pole in qualifying for today’s Whelen Modified Tour Icebreaker 150 at Thompson.
It was the first career Whelen Modified Tour pole for Williams, who is making his 13th career series start Sunday.
Williams toured the .625-mile oval with a fast lap of 18.791 seconds.
Doug Coby of Milford, looking for his fifth consecutive Whelen Modified Tour championship in 2018 and sixth title overall, will start second after putting up a lap of 18.803 seconds in group qualifying.
Justin Bonsignore of Holtsville, N.Y. was third in qualifying with a lap of 18.814 seconds.
Rowan Pennink of Huntingdon Valley, Pa. and Jon McKennedy of Chelmsford, Mass. rouned out the top-five respectively in qualifying.
Ronnie Williams Gets First Whelen Modified Tour Pole For Icebreaker 150 At Thompson
A www.racedayct.com article
THOMPSON – On Saturday at Thompson Speedway Ronnie Williams turned quite a few heads in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour garage by putting up the fastest time of the day over a pair of practice sessions in preparation for today’s Icebreaker 150.
Sunday the Tolland driver backed up those efforts with a milestone.
Williams scored his first career pole in qualifying for today’s Whelen Modified Tour Icebreaker 150 at Thompson.
It was the first career Whelen Modified Tour pole for Williams, who is making his 13th career series start Sunday.
Williams toured the .625-mile oval with a fast lap of 18.791 seconds.
Doug Coby of Milford, looking for his fifth consecutive Whelen Modified Tour championship in 2018 and sixth title overall, will start second after putting up a lap of 18.803 seconds in group qualifying.
Justin Bonsignore of Holtsville, N.Y. was third in qualifying with a lap of 18.814 seconds.
Rowan Pennink of Huntingdon Valley, Pa. and Jon McKennedy of Chelmsford, Mass. rouned out the top-five respectively in qualifying.
December 6th, 2017
Ronnie Williams To Drive SK Modified For Team Owner Adam Skowyra At Stafford Speedway
A www.racedayct.com article
Ronnie Williams watched in 2017 as Chase Dowling hunted down an SK Modified championship with team owner Adam Skowyra at Stafford Motor Speedway.
In 2018 it will be Williams taking over the seat that Dowling had so much success with at Stafford this past season.
Skowyra confirmed to RaceDayCT Friday that Williams will take over his No. 50 SK Modified ride for the 2018 season at Stafford.
Skowyra and Dowling parted ways after one season together. Dowling went into the final race of the season at Stafford in a virtual dead heat with Keith Rocco in the battle for the SK Modified title. Rocco took home the prize, besting Dowling by six points in the standings. Dowling ended the season with four victories and 12 top-fives in 17 events at Stafford in 2017 driving for Skowyra.
“I’m actually really pumped up,” Williams said. “… As you can see last year, they basically had a winning car every week unless they got wrecked. I’m definitely excited to be with a group of guys that just have the teamwork that they do.”
Williams finished third in the SK Modified standings in 2017 at Stafford, 26 points behind Rocco. He had one victory and nine top-five’s in 17 starts.
“Ronnie was one of my first choices as a driver,” Skowyra said “He’s just a good young kid. … He’s clean. He doesn’t wreck stuff.”
The 21-year old Williams has eight career SK Modified victories at Stafford since the 2014 season.
Skowyra expected to have Dowling returning in 2018, but last month Dowling announced he would drive for team owner Glenn Johnson in an SK Modified at Stafford as part of a deal with the chassis company LFR and Rob Fuller Motorsports. Dowling, who works at LFR, will race full-time on the Whelen Modified Tour for Fuller and also race an LFR chassis for Johnson in the SK Modified division at Stafford. Skowra fields a Troyer chassis with his team.
“I was so blindsided by what happened that I just needed to take a couple weeks and figure out what I wanted to do,” Skowyra said. “I sat down and talked to the crew and [Williams] was the guy we wanted to do this with. I’m more than happy putting all that other crap behind me. Never in a million years did I think I would have a new driver announcement going into 2018, but I’m really looking forward to this year now. I think Ronnie is going to be a great fit for us.”
Williams had been competing the last four seasons in the SK Modified division at Stafford for his family owned team. He said he will likely use one of his family owned rides to run in the SK Modified division at Thompson Speedway and also keep a car prepared as a backup ready for Skowyra’s team.
“It’s really the main goal coming to this team is to win races and win the championship,” Williams said. “I think me and Adam are on the same page with that.”
Williams ran 10 of 16 Whelen Modified Tour events in 2017 with the Joe Bertuccio owned organization. He said he will compete for that team in the Tour Type Modified events in February at the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing at New Smyrna (Fla.) Speedway.
“We’ve had some talk about doing the full tour schedule,” Williams said. “We’ll be meeting with Joe Bertuccio in January to talk about finalizing those deals.”
Ronnie Williams To Drive SK Modified For Team Owner Adam Skowyra At Stafford Speedway
A www.racedayct.com article
Ronnie Williams watched in 2017 as Chase Dowling hunted down an SK Modified championship with team owner Adam Skowyra at Stafford Motor Speedway.
In 2018 it will be Williams taking over the seat that Dowling had so much success with at Stafford this past season.
Skowyra confirmed to RaceDayCT Friday that Williams will take over his No. 50 SK Modified ride for the 2018 season at Stafford.
Skowyra and Dowling parted ways after one season together. Dowling went into the final race of the season at Stafford in a virtual dead heat with Keith Rocco in the battle for the SK Modified title. Rocco took home the prize, besting Dowling by six points in the standings. Dowling ended the season with four victories and 12 top-fives in 17 events at Stafford in 2017 driving for Skowyra.
“I’m actually really pumped up,” Williams said. “… As you can see last year, they basically had a winning car every week unless they got wrecked. I’m definitely excited to be with a group of guys that just have the teamwork that they do.”
Williams finished third in the SK Modified standings in 2017 at Stafford, 26 points behind Rocco. He had one victory and nine top-five’s in 17 starts.
“Ronnie was one of my first choices as a driver,” Skowyra said “He’s just a good young kid. … He’s clean. He doesn’t wreck stuff.”
The 21-year old Williams has eight career SK Modified victories at Stafford since the 2014 season.
Skowyra expected to have Dowling returning in 2018, but last month Dowling announced he would drive for team owner Glenn Johnson in an SK Modified at Stafford as part of a deal with the chassis company LFR and Rob Fuller Motorsports. Dowling, who works at LFR, will race full-time on the Whelen Modified Tour for Fuller and also race an LFR chassis for Johnson in the SK Modified division at Stafford. Skowra fields a Troyer chassis with his team.
“I was so blindsided by what happened that I just needed to take a couple weeks and figure out what I wanted to do,” Skowyra said. “I sat down and talked to the crew and [Williams] was the guy we wanted to do this with. I’m more than happy putting all that other crap behind me. Never in a million years did I think I would have a new driver announcement going into 2018, but I’m really looking forward to this year now. I think Ronnie is going to be a great fit for us.”
Williams had been competing the last four seasons in the SK Modified division at Stafford for his family owned team. He said he will likely use one of his family owned rides to run in the SK Modified division at Thompson Speedway and also keep a car prepared as a backup ready for Skowyra’s team.
“It’s really the main goal coming to this team is to win races and win the championship,” Williams said. “I think me and Adam are on the same page with that.”
Williams ran 10 of 16 Whelen Modified Tour events in 2017 with the Joe Bertuccio owned organization. He said he will compete for that team in the Tour Type Modified events in February at the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing at New Smyrna (Fla.) Speedway.
“We’ve had some talk about doing the full tour schedule,” Williams said. “We’ll be meeting with Joe Bertuccio in January to talk about finalizing those deals.”
August 16, 2017
Emerling Conquers "Thunder Valley"
Rookie Ronnie Williams Finishes 8th At The Last Great Colosseum
A NASCARHomeTracks.com press release
BRISTOL, Tenn. -- Patrick Emerling swept his way to Victory Lane with a near-perfect performance at Bristol Motor Speedway on Wednesday.
The Orchard Park, New York, driver was fastest in practice, won the Coors Light Pole Award and proceeded to lead 148 of the 150 laps en route to his first career NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour victory.
"It's just a dream come true," said Emerling following the win at the historic track dubbed 'Thunder Valley.' "It's incredible. We only run a handful of the Whelen Tour races and to come down here and win practice, catch the pole and lead every single lap, it's an incredible feeling for us as a team."
The win for the 24-year-old came in his 78th career start and just his third of 2017. He held off challenges from Chase Dowling and Justin Bonsignore on restarts in the first half of the race, then held off four-time tour champion Doug Coby in the dash to the finish.
He crossed the line 1.239 seconds ahead of Coby. Prior to Wednesday, Emerling's best career finish was a second at New Hampshire in 2015.
For Coby, the second-place finish was the third straight in Whelen Modified Tour competition and it helped him claw back towards the top of the championships standings.
Timmy Solomito, who was caught up in a Lap 68 accident, came home 15th to maintain a two-point edge on Rowan Pennink. Ryan Preece finished fifth and is nine points behind Solomito, while Coby is 17 points back.
Justin Bonsignore finished third and is 19 points out of first. Chase Dowling and Preece rounded out the top five at Bristol.
Andy Seuss was sixth, followed by Pennink, Ronnie Williams, Bobby Santos and Matt Swanson.
The Bush's Beans 150 will air on NBCSN Saturday August 26 at 3 p.m. ET.
The NASCAR Whelen Modified Modified Tour returns to the track at Seekonk Speedway on Saturday August 26, with the running of the Seekonk 150.
Emerling Conquers "Thunder Valley"
Rookie Ronnie Williams Finishes 8th At The Last Great Colosseum
A NASCARHomeTracks.com press release
BRISTOL, Tenn. -- Patrick Emerling swept his way to Victory Lane with a near-perfect performance at Bristol Motor Speedway on Wednesday.
The Orchard Park, New York, driver was fastest in practice, won the Coors Light Pole Award and proceeded to lead 148 of the 150 laps en route to his first career NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour victory.
"It's just a dream come true," said Emerling following the win at the historic track dubbed 'Thunder Valley.' "It's incredible. We only run a handful of the Whelen Tour races and to come down here and win practice, catch the pole and lead every single lap, it's an incredible feeling for us as a team."
The win for the 24-year-old came in his 78th career start and just his third of 2017. He held off challenges from Chase Dowling and Justin Bonsignore on restarts in the first half of the race, then held off four-time tour champion Doug Coby in the dash to the finish.
He crossed the line 1.239 seconds ahead of Coby. Prior to Wednesday, Emerling's best career finish was a second at New Hampshire in 2015.
For Coby, the second-place finish was the third straight in Whelen Modified Tour competition and it helped him claw back towards the top of the championships standings.
Timmy Solomito, who was caught up in a Lap 68 accident, came home 15th to maintain a two-point edge on Rowan Pennink. Ryan Preece finished fifth and is nine points behind Solomito, while Coby is 17 points back.
Justin Bonsignore finished third and is 19 points out of first. Chase Dowling and Preece rounded out the top five at Bristol.
Andy Seuss was sixth, followed by Pennink, Ronnie Williams, Bobby Santos and Matt Swanson.
The Bush's Beans 150 will air on NBCSN Saturday August 26 at 3 p.m. ET.
The NASCAR Whelen Modified Modified Tour returns to the track at Seekonk Speedway on Saturday August 26, with the running of the Seekonk 150.
June 27th, 2017
Solomito Wins Third Race On Whelen Modified Tour
Ronnie Williams Puts His Name On The Map With 2nd Place Qualifying Effort And Performance Before Engine Issues
A Riverhead News-Review article w/ Ronnie Williams Racing headline addition
Timmy Solomito of Islip captured his third NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour victory of the season Saturday night in the main event at Riverhead Raceway. Solomito won the Riverhead 200, his 18th career victory at his home track, by holding off Dave Sapienza of Riverhead, the runner-up.
Solomito posted the top lap in qualifying to earn the pole, setting himself up for the early race lead. Ronnie Williams followed in second for the first eight circuits before being passed on Lap 9 by Ryan Preece of Berlin, Conn., who was closing in on the leader, Solomito. Preece managed to pass Solomito on Lap 31 as the duo began to lap another driver.
Solomito and Preece, who have now combined for five victories out of six races, went back and forth, each taking leads through Lap 81. The final pass for the lead took place just past the halfway point on a 10th lap restart where Solomito passed Preece on the outside. Preece sound found himself having to contend with the cars of Justin Bonsignore of Holtsville, Doug Coby of Milford, Conn. and Sapienza closing in on his second-place position.
On Lap 151, Bonsignore made his pass on Preece to move into the second position with Coby trailing in third in the 26-car field. Bonsignore and Coby battled for second before Sapienza emerged to pass them on Lap 173. At that point, Solomito was well on his way to a victory and Sapienza would have needed a late caution flag to have a chance at the lead.
That opportunity came with a Craig Lutz spin with just about five laps to go. With the race in overtime, Solomito managed to hold off Sapienza on the final restart before the race concluded on Lap 208.
Sapienza’s finish was a career best. Coby crossed in third during the late race restart and Preece settled for fourth. Bonsignore was fifth.
The Whelen Modified Tour continues July 14 with the All-Star Shootout at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and on July 15 with the Nor’easter 100. Both races are at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
Riverhead Raceway will host its next Whelen Modified event on Sept. 16.
Three other NASCAR Whelen All American Series feature events were held at Riverhead Raceway prior to Saturday’s main event. Dave Brigati of Calverton scored his fourth win in five starts in the 30-lap modified crates; Eric Zeh of Selden won the 20-lap blunderbust main event and Brendon Bock of Franklin Square was the winner in the legend race event.
Solomito Wins Third Race On Whelen Modified Tour
Ronnie Williams Puts His Name On The Map With 2nd Place Qualifying Effort And Performance Before Engine Issues
A Riverhead News-Review article w/ Ronnie Williams Racing headline addition
Timmy Solomito of Islip captured his third NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour victory of the season Saturday night in the main event at Riverhead Raceway. Solomito won the Riverhead 200, his 18th career victory at his home track, by holding off Dave Sapienza of Riverhead, the runner-up.
Solomito posted the top lap in qualifying to earn the pole, setting himself up for the early race lead. Ronnie Williams followed in second for the first eight circuits before being passed on Lap 9 by Ryan Preece of Berlin, Conn., who was closing in on the leader, Solomito. Preece managed to pass Solomito on Lap 31 as the duo began to lap another driver.
Solomito and Preece, who have now combined for five victories out of six races, went back and forth, each taking leads through Lap 81. The final pass for the lead took place just past the halfway point on a 10th lap restart where Solomito passed Preece on the outside. Preece sound found himself having to contend with the cars of Justin Bonsignore of Holtsville, Doug Coby of Milford, Conn. and Sapienza closing in on his second-place position.
On Lap 151, Bonsignore made his pass on Preece to move into the second position with Coby trailing in third in the 26-car field. Bonsignore and Coby battled for second before Sapienza emerged to pass them on Lap 173. At that point, Solomito was well on his way to a victory and Sapienza would have needed a late caution flag to have a chance at the lead.
That opportunity came with a Craig Lutz spin with just about five laps to go. With the race in overtime, Solomito managed to hold off Sapienza on the final restart before the race concluded on Lap 208.
Sapienza’s finish was a career best. Coby crossed in third during the late race restart and Preece settled for fourth. Bonsignore was fifth.
The Whelen Modified Tour continues July 14 with the All-Star Shootout at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and on July 15 with the Nor’easter 100. Both races are at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
Riverhead Raceway will host its next Whelen Modified event on Sept. 16.
Three other NASCAR Whelen All American Series feature events were held at Riverhead Raceway prior to Saturday’s main event. Dave Brigati of Calverton scored his fourth win in five starts in the 30-lap modified crates; Eric Zeh of Selden won the 20-lap blunderbust main event and Brendon Bock of Franklin Square was the winner in the legend race event.
June 11th, 2017
Ronnie Williams Reigns Supreme On Dunleavy Modifiedz Night
A www.staffordspeedway.com release
In the 50-lap SK Modified® feature event, Tony Membrino, Jr. took the lead at the drop of the green with Jeff Baral moving into second. Michael Gervais, Jr. fell back to third but quickly worked his way back to the outside of Baral in a duel for second with Stephen Kopcik and Glen Reen side by side for fourth. Gervais got clear into second on lap-2 with Baral, Kopcik, and Reen lined up single file behind him. Gervais made a move to the inside of Membrino on lap-5 but Membrino was able to hold him off and keep the lead.
A pileup off turn 4 involving Dowling, Bolles, Berndt, Hines, Baral and Tom Abele, Jr. brought the caution and red flags out with 7 laps complete.
Gervais took the lead on the restart with Reen going 3-wide with Todd Owen and Membrino to move into a side by side duel with Owen for second as Membrino fell back to fourth. Rowan Pennink took fourth from Membrino on lap-9 and Membrino fell back another spot as Ronnie Williams moved into fifth. Dan Avery got into the turn 3 wall after some mid-pack contact to bring the caution out with 10 laps complete.
Reen shot into the lead on the restart with Owen and Gervais side by side for second. Williams and Pennink were side by side for fourth but the caution came back out with 12 laps complete as Cam McDermott spun in turn 3.
Reen took the lead back under green with Owen taking second. Gervais was third with Williams and Pennink side by side for fourth. Williams got to the inside of Gervais and took third on lap-14 with Matt Galko getting around Pennink to move into fifth. Galko then got around Gervais to move into fourth on lap-15.
The action continued at the front as Owen went by Reen to take over the race lead on lap-18 but Reen came right back in turns 3+4 with a crossover move to retake the lead. Gervais took a quick trip through the frontstretch grass but he was able to rejoin the race at the rear and the race stayed green. Reen was the leader with Williams, Owen, Galko, Pennink, and Ted Christopher making up the top-6 on lap-20.
Williams made a power move entering turn 3 on lap-24 to overtake Reen and move into the race lead. Owen, Galko, Penninnk, and Christopher still made up the top-6 behind Williams and Reen. Owen got out of shape on lap-26, which allowed Galko to make a pass and take over third and Pennink was now side by side with Owen in a fight for fourth. The caution came back out with 28 laps complete as Membrino and D.J. Burnham came together in turn 3.
Williams took the lead on the restart with Galko moving up to second and Owen moving up to third as Reen fell back to fourth in the order. Pennink was fifth with Ryan Preece now up to sixth and Rocco was seventh. Reen went high and lost two spots on lap-34 as Pennink and Preece were both able to move around him. Christopher then got by Reen on lap-35 to drop him back to seventh in the running order as Williams continued to lead Galko and Owen.
With 10 laps to go, Williams held the lead with Galko, Owen, Pennink, and Christopher all giving chase. Christopher was working the outside lane against Pennink but was unable to put a pass together. Williams held Galko off to the checkered flag to pick up his first win of the 2017 season. Owen finished third with Pennink and Christopher rounding out the top-5.
Ronnie Williams Reigns Supreme On Dunleavy Modifiedz Night
A www.staffordspeedway.com release
In the 50-lap SK Modified® feature event, Tony Membrino, Jr. took the lead at the drop of the green with Jeff Baral moving into second. Michael Gervais, Jr. fell back to third but quickly worked his way back to the outside of Baral in a duel for second with Stephen Kopcik and Glen Reen side by side for fourth. Gervais got clear into second on lap-2 with Baral, Kopcik, and Reen lined up single file behind him. Gervais made a move to the inside of Membrino on lap-5 but Membrino was able to hold him off and keep the lead.
A pileup off turn 4 involving Dowling, Bolles, Berndt, Hines, Baral and Tom Abele, Jr. brought the caution and red flags out with 7 laps complete.
Gervais took the lead on the restart with Reen going 3-wide with Todd Owen and Membrino to move into a side by side duel with Owen for second as Membrino fell back to fourth. Rowan Pennink took fourth from Membrino on lap-9 and Membrino fell back another spot as Ronnie Williams moved into fifth. Dan Avery got into the turn 3 wall after some mid-pack contact to bring the caution out with 10 laps complete.
Reen shot into the lead on the restart with Owen and Gervais side by side for second. Williams and Pennink were side by side for fourth but the caution came back out with 12 laps complete as Cam McDermott spun in turn 3.
Reen took the lead back under green with Owen taking second. Gervais was third with Williams and Pennink side by side for fourth. Williams got to the inside of Gervais and took third on lap-14 with Matt Galko getting around Pennink to move into fifth. Galko then got around Gervais to move into fourth on lap-15.
The action continued at the front as Owen went by Reen to take over the race lead on lap-18 but Reen came right back in turns 3+4 with a crossover move to retake the lead. Gervais took a quick trip through the frontstretch grass but he was able to rejoin the race at the rear and the race stayed green. Reen was the leader with Williams, Owen, Galko, Pennink, and Ted Christopher making up the top-6 on lap-20.
Williams made a power move entering turn 3 on lap-24 to overtake Reen and move into the race lead. Owen, Galko, Penninnk, and Christopher still made up the top-6 behind Williams and Reen. Owen got out of shape on lap-26, which allowed Galko to make a pass and take over third and Pennink was now side by side with Owen in a fight for fourth. The caution came back out with 28 laps complete as Membrino and D.J. Burnham came together in turn 3.
Williams took the lead on the restart with Galko moving up to second and Owen moving up to third as Reen fell back to fourth in the order. Pennink was fifth with Ryan Preece now up to sixth and Rocco was seventh. Reen went high and lost two spots on lap-34 as Pennink and Preece were both able to move around him. Christopher then got by Reen on lap-35 to drop him back to seventh in the running order as Williams continued to lead Galko and Owen.
With 10 laps to go, Williams held the lead with Galko, Owen, Pennink, and Christopher all giving chase. Christopher was working the outside lane against Pennink but was unable to put a pass together. Williams held Galko off to the checkered flag to pick up his first win of the 2017 season. Owen finished third with Pennink and Christopher rounding out the top-5.
June 5th, 2017
Williams Grabs Another Top 5 At Stafford
A www.staffordspeedway.com release
In the 40-lap SK Modified® feature event, Dan Avery took the lead at the green and he led the first lap before a melee broke out in turn 2 when Tony Membrino, Jr. spun in turn 2 in front of the entire field. Nearly two-thirds of the field were involved in a pileup and brought the caution out.
Avery took the lead back under green with Matt Galko hounding him for the race lead while he was side by side with Cam McDermott for second. Mike Christopher, Jr. was fourth and Glen Reen was fifth. Galko finally got by McDermott and he took the lead from Avery on lap-5. McDermott followed Galko by Avery and Christopher, Jr. took third from Avery on lap-8. Reen was now side by side with Chase Dowling for fifth with Dowling taking the spot on the outside on lap-9.
On lap-12 Ryan Preece went around Dowling in the outside groove to move into fifth place as Galko continued to hold the lead with McDermott, Christopher, Jr., and Avery lined up behind him. The caution came out with 13 laps complete as Josh Wood’s car was smoking heavily and came to a stop at the exit of pit road.
Galko took the lead again with McDermott, Avery, Dowling, and Christopher, Jr. lined up behind him. The caution came back out with 14 laps complete for Tommy Membrino, Jr., whose car came to a stop at the entrance to pit road.
Galko took the lead on the restart with McDermott holding onto second. Dowling was third with Avery and Preece side by side for fourth. Preece took the spot from Avery on lap-18 after the two cars crossed over and Preece was now on the inside of Avery. Ronnie Williams tried to follow Preece by Avery but he settled back into line in sixth.
Dowling was continuing to charge his way towards the front as he took second from McDermott and his move opened the door for Preece to follow him through as McDermott fell back to fourth. With 10 laps to go, Dowling had caught up to Galko and he began working him over for a way to take the lead. That pass materialized on lap-33 as Dowling went to the lead in turns 1+2. Preece was third with McDermott and Williams making up the top-5. The caution came out with 35 laps complete for McDermott, who spun in turn 4.
The race restarted with Galko making a power move to the inside of Dowling in turn 3 to pull alongside in a duel for the lead. The two cars ran side by side lap after lap with neither driver giving an inch. The caution came out with 38 laps complete for Christopher, Jr., who got sideways in turn 4 and kicked up debris on the track.
Galko took the lead on the restart but Dowling was still on his outside and they took the white flag side by side. Preece was right on the leaders’ bumpers if one of them slipped up but Galko was able to get a slightly better run coming out of the last corner and he beat Dowling to the checkered flag by a half car length to pick up his first career SK Modified® feature victory in his fifth season in the division. Preece finished third with Williams and Rowan Pennink rounding out the top-5.
Williams Grabs Another Top 5 At Stafford
A www.staffordspeedway.com release
In the 40-lap SK Modified® feature event, Dan Avery took the lead at the green and he led the first lap before a melee broke out in turn 2 when Tony Membrino, Jr. spun in turn 2 in front of the entire field. Nearly two-thirds of the field were involved in a pileup and brought the caution out.
Avery took the lead back under green with Matt Galko hounding him for the race lead while he was side by side with Cam McDermott for second. Mike Christopher, Jr. was fourth and Glen Reen was fifth. Galko finally got by McDermott and he took the lead from Avery on lap-5. McDermott followed Galko by Avery and Christopher, Jr. took third from Avery on lap-8. Reen was now side by side with Chase Dowling for fifth with Dowling taking the spot on the outside on lap-9.
On lap-12 Ryan Preece went around Dowling in the outside groove to move into fifth place as Galko continued to hold the lead with McDermott, Christopher, Jr., and Avery lined up behind him. The caution came out with 13 laps complete as Josh Wood’s car was smoking heavily and came to a stop at the exit of pit road.
Galko took the lead again with McDermott, Avery, Dowling, and Christopher, Jr. lined up behind him. The caution came back out with 14 laps complete for Tommy Membrino, Jr., whose car came to a stop at the entrance to pit road.
Galko took the lead on the restart with McDermott holding onto second. Dowling was third with Avery and Preece side by side for fourth. Preece took the spot from Avery on lap-18 after the two cars crossed over and Preece was now on the inside of Avery. Ronnie Williams tried to follow Preece by Avery but he settled back into line in sixth.
Dowling was continuing to charge his way towards the front as he took second from McDermott and his move opened the door for Preece to follow him through as McDermott fell back to fourth. With 10 laps to go, Dowling had caught up to Galko and he began working him over for a way to take the lead. That pass materialized on lap-33 as Dowling went to the lead in turns 1+2. Preece was third with McDermott and Williams making up the top-5. The caution came out with 35 laps complete for McDermott, who spun in turn 4.
The race restarted with Galko making a power move to the inside of Dowling in turn 3 to pull alongside in a duel for the lead. The two cars ran side by side lap after lap with neither driver giving an inch. The caution came out with 38 laps complete for Christopher, Jr., who got sideways in turn 4 and kicked up debris on the track.
Galko took the lead on the restart but Dowling was still on his outside and they took the white flag side by side. Preece was right on the leaders’ bumpers if one of them slipped up but Galko was able to get a slightly better run coming out of the last corner and he beat Dowling to the checkered flag by a half car length to pick up his first career SK Modified® feature victory in his fifth season in the division. Preece finished third with Williams and Rowan Pennink rounding out the top-5.
May 23rd, 2017
Nocella Drives To VMRS Victory In New Car At Stafford; Ronnie Williams Finishes 5th in 2017 Tour-Modified Debut
A Modified Racing Series release
Stafford Springs CT-- Woburn, MA, driver Anthony Nocella, like the ten other drivers that finished on the lead lap, weathered the storm of 11-caution flags and a long race to score the season opening win Friday night, May 19, in Valenti Modified Racing Series action at Stafford Motor Speedway, Stafford Springs, CT.
The victory was Nocella’s first at Stafford and his 7th VMRS career win.
Nocella started in the 8th position in a 25-car field. Early race leader Dave Etheridge led the first 11-laps before Keith Rocco, the fastest car in pre-race practice, took the lead. Rowan Pennink and Woody Pitkat would also be front-runners in the 80-lap main event.
It took 1-hour 18 minutes to complete the first race of the year. Three front running drivers were victims of fuel shortage. Rocco, Pennink, and Richard Savary were all sidelined for engines that quit while running at or near the front.
The Nocella Paving race team purchased a brand new Race Works Chassis for the new season and the end result had Nocella pleased post-race.
“Can’t thank Eddie Flemke (car builder) enough. Completely different than the other one. First race out with it so we really didn’t have a clue. We were horrible in practice and then it was awesome the whole race,” said Nocella.
Woody Pitkat, of Sturbridge, MA, ran a strong race and finished runner-up.
Mike Willis. Jr of Grantham, NH, had a solid run and was credited with third.
Charlie Pasteryak and Ronnie Williams finished fourth and fifth.
Also finishing on the lead lap were, Les Hinckley III, Colbey Fournier, Rob Richardi Jr, Matthew Mead, Jonny Kay, and Jeffrey Gallup.
Heat race winners were Etheridge, Pennink, and Keith Rocco.
Race Summary:
Stafford Motor Speedway
Stafford Springs, CT
Race # 1
May 19,2017
Entrants: 27
Richardi (Motor-Practice)
Talman, (Crash – Heat 3
Distance: 80-Laps
Time: 1:18:29.
Margin of Victory: 0.445
Best Speed: 95.648 (K Rocco)
Best Lap Time: 18.819 (K.Rocco)
Lead Changes: 5
Lap Leaders: Etheridge (1-11) K.Rocco (12-39) Pennink (40-50) K Rocco (51) Pitkat (52-74) Nocella (75-80)
Cautions: Laps- 21,30,34,47,50,52,63,71,71,74,74
Unofficial Order of Finish: (1) Nocella (2) Pitkat (3) Willis Jr (4) Pasteryak (5) Williams (6) Hinckley III (7) Fournier (8) Richardi (9) Mead (10) Kay(11) Gallup (12) Seidell (13) Pennink (14) Savary (15) Lashua, (16) Flannery (17) Gernhard (18) K Rocco (19) J Rocco (20) James (21) Medeiros Jr (22) Rameau (23) Etheridge (24) Kopec (25) Sherman
Nocella Drives To VMRS Victory In New Car At Stafford; Ronnie Williams Finishes 5th in 2017 Tour-Modified Debut
A Modified Racing Series release
Stafford Springs CT-- Woburn, MA, driver Anthony Nocella, like the ten other drivers that finished on the lead lap, weathered the storm of 11-caution flags and a long race to score the season opening win Friday night, May 19, in Valenti Modified Racing Series action at Stafford Motor Speedway, Stafford Springs, CT.
The victory was Nocella’s first at Stafford and his 7th VMRS career win.
Nocella started in the 8th position in a 25-car field. Early race leader Dave Etheridge led the first 11-laps before Keith Rocco, the fastest car in pre-race practice, took the lead. Rowan Pennink and Woody Pitkat would also be front-runners in the 80-lap main event.
It took 1-hour 18 minutes to complete the first race of the year. Three front running drivers were victims of fuel shortage. Rocco, Pennink, and Richard Savary were all sidelined for engines that quit while running at or near the front.
The Nocella Paving race team purchased a brand new Race Works Chassis for the new season and the end result had Nocella pleased post-race.
“Can’t thank Eddie Flemke (car builder) enough. Completely different than the other one. First race out with it so we really didn’t have a clue. We were horrible in practice and then it was awesome the whole race,” said Nocella.
Woody Pitkat, of Sturbridge, MA, ran a strong race and finished runner-up.
Mike Willis. Jr of Grantham, NH, had a solid run and was credited with third.
Charlie Pasteryak and Ronnie Williams finished fourth and fifth.
Also finishing on the lead lap were, Les Hinckley III, Colbey Fournier, Rob Richardi Jr, Matthew Mead, Jonny Kay, and Jeffrey Gallup.
Heat race winners were Etheridge, Pennink, and Keith Rocco.
Race Summary:
Stafford Motor Speedway
Stafford Springs, CT
Race # 1
May 19,2017
Entrants: 27
Richardi (Motor-Practice)
Talman, (Crash – Heat 3
Distance: 80-Laps
Time: 1:18:29.
Margin of Victory: 0.445
Best Speed: 95.648 (K Rocco)
Best Lap Time: 18.819 (K.Rocco)
Lead Changes: 5
Lap Leaders: Etheridge (1-11) K.Rocco (12-39) Pennink (40-50) K Rocco (51) Pitkat (52-74) Nocella (75-80)
Cautions: Laps- 21,30,34,47,50,52,63,71,71,74,74
Unofficial Order of Finish: (1) Nocella (2) Pitkat (3) Willis Jr (4) Pasteryak (5) Williams (6) Hinckley III (7) Fournier (8) Richardi (9) Mead (10) Kay(11) Gallup (12) Seidell (13) Pennink (14) Savary (15) Lashua, (16) Flannery (17) Gernhard (18) K Rocco (19) J Rocco (20) James (21) Medeiros Jr (22) Rameau (23) Etheridge (24) Kopec (25) Sherman
May 15th, 2017
Williams Puts His No. 49 Machine On The Podium Again At Stafford
A www.staffordspeedway.com release
In the 40-lap SK Modified® feature event, Tyler Hines led the field to the green but Glen Reen quickly took the lead on the first lap with Rowan Pennink slotting into second. Mike Christopher, Jr. was third with Ted Christopher and Hines side by side for fourth. Pennink made a move to the inside of Reen in turn 3 on lap-4 to take over the race lead.
Ted Christopher worked his way past Reen to move into second on lap-9 and he took the lead from Pennink. Reen tried to follow him by Pennink and they touched wheels with Pennink and Reen spinning in turn 4 to bring the caution out. Christopher was now the race leader with Tom Abele, Jr. in second, Mike Christopher, Jr. third, Hines fourth, Keith Rocco fifth, and Ronnie Williams sixth for the restart.
Ted Christopher took the lead with Abele slotting into second. Mike Christopher, Jr. was third with Rocco and Hines behind him. Christopher, Jr. quickly worked his way to the inside of Abele to take over second on lap-11 and they ran side by side with Rocco right on their bumpers as they were all giving chase to Ted Christopher. A multicar incident involving Stephen Kopcik, Tom Bolles, Tony Membrino, Jr., John Catania, and Bobby Grigas just coming out of turn 2 brought the caution out with 13 laps complete.
Hines brushed the wall on the restart and John Catania spun to bring the caution right back out. The next restart saw Abele take to the outside groove to take over the lead. Christopher and Rocco were side by side for second witih Christopher, Jr., in fourth, just in front of Williams. Christopher went back to the lead on lap-16 and now Rocco was looking to get by Abele for second. Rocco worked him over and he made the pass on lap-19 with Williams following him by on lap-20 to drop Abele back to fourth. Cam McDermott was up to fifth with Christopher, Jr., Michael Gervais, Jr., Matt Galko, Todd Owen, and Dylan Izzo rounding out the top-10.
Rocco was starting to work Christopher over for the lead as he was looking high and low for a way to make a pass for the lead on lap-26. Rocco nearly had a pass made on lap-30 but Christopher was able to shut the door on the move. Williams was still in third with Abele and McDermott making up the top-5. Rocco was still looking high and low for a way around Christopher but he was still behind with 5 laps to go.
Rocco was finally able to make a move and he took the lead with a move in turn 3 on lap-37. Christopher wasn’t going away quietly as he was all over Rocco’s bumper. The cars took the white flag locked together. Rocco led down the backstretch and into turn 3. Christopher made a power move in turn 3 to get alongside Rocco and he took the lead by a nose coming off turn 4 and he led Rocco to the line to take the win.
Williams Puts His No. 49 Machine On The Podium Again At Stafford
A www.staffordspeedway.com release
In the 40-lap SK Modified® feature event, Tyler Hines led the field to the green but Glen Reen quickly took the lead on the first lap with Rowan Pennink slotting into second. Mike Christopher, Jr. was third with Ted Christopher and Hines side by side for fourth. Pennink made a move to the inside of Reen in turn 3 on lap-4 to take over the race lead.
Ted Christopher worked his way past Reen to move into second on lap-9 and he took the lead from Pennink. Reen tried to follow him by Pennink and they touched wheels with Pennink and Reen spinning in turn 4 to bring the caution out. Christopher was now the race leader with Tom Abele, Jr. in second, Mike Christopher, Jr. third, Hines fourth, Keith Rocco fifth, and Ronnie Williams sixth for the restart.
Ted Christopher took the lead with Abele slotting into second. Mike Christopher, Jr. was third with Rocco and Hines behind him. Christopher, Jr. quickly worked his way to the inside of Abele to take over second on lap-11 and they ran side by side with Rocco right on their bumpers as they were all giving chase to Ted Christopher. A multicar incident involving Stephen Kopcik, Tom Bolles, Tony Membrino, Jr., John Catania, and Bobby Grigas just coming out of turn 2 brought the caution out with 13 laps complete.
Hines brushed the wall on the restart and John Catania spun to bring the caution right back out. The next restart saw Abele take to the outside groove to take over the lead. Christopher and Rocco were side by side for second witih Christopher, Jr., in fourth, just in front of Williams. Christopher went back to the lead on lap-16 and now Rocco was looking to get by Abele for second. Rocco worked him over and he made the pass on lap-19 with Williams following him by on lap-20 to drop Abele back to fourth. Cam McDermott was up to fifth with Christopher, Jr., Michael Gervais, Jr., Matt Galko, Todd Owen, and Dylan Izzo rounding out the top-10.
Rocco was starting to work Christopher over for the lead as he was looking high and low for a way to make a pass for the lead on lap-26. Rocco nearly had a pass made on lap-30 but Christopher was able to shut the door on the move. Williams was still in third with Abele and McDermott making up the top-5. Rocco was still looking high and low for a way around Christopher but he was still behind with 5 laps to go.
Rocco was finally able to make a move and he took the lead with a move in turn 3 on lap-37. Christopher wasn’t going away quietly as he was all over Rocco’s bumper. The cars took the white flag locked together. Rocco led down the backstretch and into turn 3. Christopher made a power move in turn 3 to get alongside Rocco and he took the lead by a nose coming off turn 4 and he led Rocco to the line to take the win.
April 30th, 2017
Ronnie Williams Opens 2017 Stafford SK Season With 2nd Place Finish
A www.staffordspeedway.com release
In the 40-lap SK Modified® feature, Ryan Preece used the outside lane to get by polesitter Tyler Hines on the first lap to take the early lead. Ted Christopher quickly moved to the inside of Hines to take over second on lap-2 and Keith Rocco followed in Christopher’s tracks to pull alongside Hines in a fight for third and he took the spot on lap-3. Hines settled into fourth Ronnie Williams fifth before the caution came out with 4 laps complete for Austin Pickens, who came to a stop in turn 2.
Christopher got a great restart and powered his way in front of Preece to take the lead. Rocco and Hines were side by side for third behind Preece with Williams and Chase Dowling side by side for fifth place. Rocco took third with Williams fourth and Pennink moved up to fifth with Hines falling back to sixth on lap-8. Pickens spun in turn 4 to bring the caution back out with 9 laps complete.
Christopher resumed his place at the front of the field on the restart with Rocco moving alongside Preece for second with Williams and Pennink side by side for fourth. Rocco took second on lap-12 and Williams was able to take third as Preece fell back into a duel with Todd Owen for fourth. Bo Gunning spun through the frontstretch infield to bring the caution flag out with 13 laps complete.
Christopher took the lead back under green with Williams now on the inside of Rocco in a fight for second. Behind them Preece and Dowling were side by side for fourth with Pennink and Jeff Baral lined up sixth and seventh place. Williams got clear of Rocco on lap-16 while Preece and Dowling were still side by side as Christopher continued to lead the race.
At the halfway point of the race, Rocco was hounding the back bumper of Christopher for the lead with Williams third, Preece fourth, and Pennink in fifth. Dowling was sixth with Baral, Matt Galko, Todd Owen, and Hines making up the top-10.
With 10 laps to go, it was still Christopher in command followed by Rocco, Williams, Preece, and Pennink. Rocco was looking high and low on Christopher but was now two or three car lengths behind Christopher as the laps continued to click off the scoreboard. Josh Wood brought out the caution out with a plume of smoke from underneath his car with 31 laps complete.
Christopher took the lead on the restart with Williams moving into second. Pennink pulled alongside Rocco in a fight for third but the caution came back out with 32 laps complete for Matt Galko, who took a spin through the backstretch grass.
Christopher again took the lead on the restart with Rocco now on the inside of Williams to retake second. Rocco then made a move to the inside of Christopher for the lead and the two cars touched which set off a chain reaction behind them and collected several cars including Preece, Christopher, Pennink, and Danny Cates.
Rocco was the leader for the restart but Dowling quickly made a move to his inside and took over the lead. Williams was third with Owen fourth and Dan Avery in fifth. The caution came out with 36 laps complete as Owen and Avery spun in the middle of turns 1+2 and collected the car of Baral, which ended on top of Avery’s car to bring the red flag out.
Dowling took the lead on the restart after a lap side by side with Rocco, who fell back to third with Williams moving into second. Tom Abele, Jr. was up to fourth with Bo Gunning in fifth as Dowling took the white flag. Williams made one last bid for the lead but he couldn’t catch Dowling as he took the checkered flag. Eric Berndt spun in turn 1 and Gunning spun in turn 4 on the final lap, making the remainder of the top-5 behind Dowling and Williams Rocco, Christopher, and Abele.
Ronnie Williams Opens 2017 Stafford SK Season With 2nd Place Finish
A www.staffordspeedway.com release
In the 40-lap SK Modified® feature, Ryan Preece used the outside lane to get by polesitter Tyler Hines on the first lap to take the early lead. Ted Christopher quickly moved to the inside of Hines to take over second on lap-2 and Keith Rocco followed in Christopher’s tracks to pull alongside Hines in a fight for third and he took the spot on lap-3. Hines settled into fourth Ronnie Williams fifth before the caution came out with 4 laps complete for Austin Pickens, who came to a stop in turn 2.
Christopher got a great restart and powered his way in front of Preece to take the lead. Rocco and Hines were side by side for third behind Preece with Williams and Chase Dowling side by side for fifth place. Rocco took third with Williams fourth and Pennink moved up to fifth with Hines falling back to sixth on lap-8. Pickens spun in turn 4 to bring the caution back out with 9 laps complete.
Christopher resumed his place at the front of the field on the restart with Rocco moving alongside Preece for second with Williams and Pennink side by side for fourth. Rocco took second on lap-12 and Williams was able to take third as Preece fell back into a duel with Todd Owen for fourth. Bo Gunning spun through the frontstretch infield to bring the caution flag out with 13 laps complete.
Christopher took the lead back under green with Williams now on the inside of Rocco in a fight for second. Behind them Preece and Dowling were side by side for fourth with Pennink and Jeff Baral lined up sixth and seventh place. Williams got clear of Rocco on lap-16 while Preece and Dowling were still side by side as Christopher continued to lead the race.
At the halfway point of the race, Rocco was hounding the back bumper of Christopher for the lead with Williams third, Preece fourth, and Pennink in fifth. Dowling was sixth with Baral, Matt Galko, Todd Owen, and Hines making up the top-10.
With 10 laps to go, it was still Christopher in command followed by Rocco, Williams, Preece, and Pennink. Rocco was looking high and low on Christopher but was now two or three car lengths behind Christopher as the laps continued to click off the scoreboard. Josh Wood brought out the caution out with a plume of smoke from underneath his car with 31 laps complete.
Christopher took the lead on the restart with Williams moving into second. Pennink pulled alongside Rocco in a fight for third but the caution came back out with 32 laps complete for Matt Galko, who took a spin through the backstretch grass.
Christopher again took the lead on the restart with Rocco now on the inside of Williams to retake second. Rocco then made a move to the inside of Christopher for the lead and the two cars touched which set off a chain reaction behind them and collected several cars including Preece, Christopher, Pennink, and Danny Cates.
Rocco was the leader for the restart but Dowling quickly made a move to his inside and took over the lead. Williams was third with Owen fourth and Dan Avery in fifth. The caution came out with 36 laps complete as Owen and Avery spun in the middle of turns 1+2 and collected the car of Baral, which ended on top of Avery’s car to bring the red flag out.
Dowling took the lead on the restart after a lap side by side with Rocco, who fell back to third with Williams moving into second. Tom Abele, Jr. was up to fourth with Bo Gunning in fifth as Dowling took the white flag. Williams made one last bid for the lead but he couldn’t catch Dowling as he took the checkered flag. Eric Berndt spun in turn 1 and Gunning spun in turn 4 on the final lap, making the remainder of the top-5 behind Dowling and Williams Rocco, Christopher, and Abele.
December 31st, 2016
Ronnie Williams Racing Announces 2017 Racing Plans
The offseason has been very busy for the Ronnie Williams Race Team. As the primary cars for Stafford and Waterford have been stripped, clipped and powder coated, ready to be rebuilt, there have been a lot of offers and negotiations going on and as of today, the 2017 race season is starting to take shape.
Ronnie will be driving his family-owned SK Modified at Stafford Motor Speedway full-time in 2017 and the #59 car will have a slightly different look as he chases his first Stafford SK Modified Championship at the historic half mile in his 4th season of competition there.
In addition to Stafford, Ronnie he will also start the season driving his 2nd family-owned SK Modified at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl for the first 10 races of 2017. The team will evaluate their 2017 season schedule at NLWS after the 10th event of the season to run and make a determination on any further events.
Ronnie will complete the Connecticut trifecta by securing a full time ride at the Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park as well in 2017. After a very successful season in 2016, finishing 3rd in points and earning the Rookie of the Year title with the Keith Rocco’s race team, 2017 will see some changes for Ronnie at Thompson as he will be driving the #79 John Jenson Owned Sunoco Modified at Thompson in his quest for the 2017 championship.
There will also be some touring modified racing added to Ronnie’s 2017 schedule. Piloting the John Jensen-owned #79 tour modified, Ronnie will be planning to run on every Connecticut track that the Modified Racing Series (MRS), and Modified Touring Series (MTS) puts on, giving him somewhere in the neighborhood of 9 tour races in 2017.
The 2016 off-season saw Ronnie garnering interest from several touring modified teams, while honored to have been thought about highly enough for those opportunities, the family-run team decided to focus their efforts on honing his skills in the ultra-competitive SK Modified and touring modified racing scene in Connecticut.
As more developments happen in the offseason, please follow Ronnie Williams Racing on Facebook and regularly visit our website www.ronniewilliamsracing.com for any and all information regarding Ronnie and his 2017 racing plans.
Ronnie Williams Racing Announces 2017 Racing Plans
The offseason has been very busy for the Ronnie Williams Race Team. As the primary cars for Stafford and Waterford have been stripped, clipped and powder coated, ready to be rebuilt, there have been a lot of offers and negotiations going on and as of today, the 2017 race season is starting to take shape.
Ronnie will be driving his family-owned SK Modified at Stafford Motor Speedway full-time in 2017 and the #59 car will have a slightly different look as he chases his first Stafford SK Modified Championship at the historic half mile in his 4th season of competition there.
In addition to Stafford, Ronnie he will also start the season driving his 2nd family-owned SK Modified at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl for the first 10 races of 2017. The team will evaluate their 2017 season schedule at NLWS after the 10th event of the season to run and make a determination on any further events.
Ronnie will complete the Connecticut trifecta by securing a full time ride at the Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park as well in 2017. After a very successful season in 2016, finishing 3rd in points and earning the Rookie of the Year title with the Keith Rocco’s race team, 2017 will see some changes for Ronnie at Thompson as he will be driving the #79 John Jenson Owned Sunoco Modified at Thompson in his quest for the 2017 championship.
There will also be some touring modified racing added to Ronnie’s 2017 schedule. Piloting the John Jensen-owned #79 tour modified, Ronnie will be planning to run on every Connecticut track that the Modified Racing Series (MRS), and Modified Touring Series (MTS) puts on, giving him somewhere in the neighborhood of 9 tour races in 2017.
The 2016 off-season saw Ronnie garnering interest from several touring modified teams, while honored to have been thought about highly enough for those opportunities, the family-run team decided to focus their efforts on honing his skills in the ultra-competitive SK Modified and touring modified racing scene in Connecticut.
As more developments happen in the offseason, please follow Ronnie Williams Racing on Facebook and regularly visit our website www.ronniewilliamsracing.com for any and all information regarding Ronnie and his 2017 racing plans.
September 18th, 2016
Keith Rocco Rolls To SK Modified Victory At New London-Waterford Speedbowl; Ronnie Williams Finishes 3rd
A www.racedayct.com article w/ Ronnie Williams Racing headline addition
WATERFORD – With the clock ready to strike to Sunday, it was Keith Rocco getting the late work done to perfection Saturday at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl.
Rocco survived a rash of cautions to hold on and win the 35-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modified feature Saturday at the New London-Waterford Speebdowl.
It was the seventh SK Modified victory of the season for Rocco. The race concluded at 11:58 p.m.
“We made a lot of changes right before the race,” Rocco said. “They weren’t small changes either. I’ve got to thank my whole team. They work real hard and stick behind me.”
Matt Galko of Meriden was second and Ronnie Williams of Tolland third.
Bo Gunning took the field to green from the pole but quickly disappeared from the front of the pack.
Todd Owen went to second place by Tyler Chadwick on the opening lap and the first caution flew on lap two.
On the next restart Gunning held Owen at bay briefly by driving into his side at the drop of the green flag, but Owen was able to move past him to the lead a lap later.
The caution flew again with 32 laps left and on the next restart it was Rocco going by Gunning for second place before Gunning wrecked in turn three to bring the caution out again.
With 31 laps left Rocco got under Owen for the lead off of turn four. He would never trail again, but there was plenty of drama left behind.
Diego Monahan moved to second place with 29 laps left. With 21 laps remaining caution was back out again after Gunning punted Adam Gada into the turn two wall deep in the field.
The race rolled to an extended green flag run before Monahan spun in turn two out of second place and collected Ted Christopher in the process.
Under caution Owen gave up second place to move Galko to the spot and Williams to third.
Williams got by Galko on the restart and looked ready to make a move on Rocco at the front before the caution waved with two laps left after Gunning sent Frank Mucciacciaro Jr. spinning in turn four. Race officials removed Gunning from the event at that point for over aggressive tactics.
On the final restart Rocco was able to check out easily and it was Galko getting by Williams for second.
“I think we were a little better than Keith but no one is better than him on the restarts,” Galko said. “I think I used up all my luck on the restarts last week because he smoked me on that one.”
Keith Rocco Rolls To SK Modified Victory At New London-Waterford Speedbowl; Ronnie Williams Finishes 3rd
A www.racedayct.com article w/ Ronnie Williams Racing headline addition
WATERFORD – With the clock ready to strike to Sunday, it was Keith Rocco getting the late work done to perfection Saturday at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl.
Rocco survived a rash of cautions to hold on and win the 35-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modified feature Saturday at the New London-Waterford Speebdowl.
It was the seventh SK Modified victory of the season for Rocco. The race concluded at 11:58 p.m.
“We made a lot of changes right before the race,” Rocco said. “They weren’t small changes either. I’ve got to thank my whole team. They work real hard and stick behind me.”
Matt Galko of Meriden was second and Ronnie Williams of Tolland third.
Bo Gunning took the field to green from the pole but quickly disappeared from the front of the pack.
Todd Owen went to second place by Tyler Chadwick on the opening lap and the first caution flew on lap two.
On the next restart Gunning held Owen at bay briefly by driving into his side at the drop of the green flag, but Owen was able to move past him to the lead a lap later.
The caution flew again with 32 laps left and on the next restart it was Rocco going by Gunning for second place before Gunning wrecked in turn three to bring the caution out again.
With 31 laps left Rocco got under Owen for the lead off of turn four. He would never trail again, but there was plenty of drama left behind.
Diego Monahan moved to second place with 29 laps left. With 21 laps remaining caution was back out again after Gunning punted Adam Gada into the turn two wall deep in the field.
The race rolled to an extended green flag run before Monahan spun in turn two out of second place and collected Ted Christopher in the process.
Under caution Owen gave up second place to move Galko to the spot and Williams to third.
Williams got by Galko on the restart and looked ready to make a move on Rocco at the front before the caution waved with two laps left after Gunning sent Frank Mucciacciaro Jr. spinning in turn four. Race officials removed Gunning from the event at that point for over aggressive tactics.
On the final restart Rocco was able to check out easily and it was Galko getting by Williams for second.
“I think we were a little better than Keith but no one is better than him on the restarts,” Galko said. “I think I used up all my luck on the restarts last week because he smoked me on that one.”
September 4th, 2016
Late Drama: Ronnie Williams Gets First SK Modified Win At Speedbowl
A www.racedayct.com article
WATERFORD – Ronnie Williams has struggled to find victory lane running full-time in the SK Modified divisions this year at Stafford Motor Speedway and Thompson Speedway.
Saturday the Tolland driver took the show on the road for a rare appearance at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl and made the decision to drop in on the action one to remember.
Williams passed Ted Christopher for the lead out of the final corner to win the 35-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modified feature Saturday at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl.
“I just had to the throw it in there,” Williams said. “I know [Christopher] would have probably done the same to me so you just have to do it back. I just beat the king, so it’s a pretty great feeling.”
It was the first career SK Modified victory at the track for Williams.
“Great racetrack, we’ve been fast every time we’ve come here,” Williams said. “So to park it in victory lane after the season we’ve had is definitely a good step and hopefully things continue.”
Christopher, of Plainville, held on for second and Matt Galko of Meriden was third.
Christopher took the lead from Justin Gaydosh with 30 laps remaining and then fended off challenges from Galko and Diego Monahan.
Williams was able to get by Galko for second before a caution flew again with six laps remaining.
“I don’t what really happened but Galko and Monahan got mixed up, but I got into second and I knew the car was good,” Williams said.
Williams stayed on Christopher’s bumper on the ensuing restart, but the action was slowed again with another caution with three laps remaining.
On the final restart, Williams kept Christopher in his sights and gave him a tap to the rear in turn two with a lap and a half remaining.
On the final lap Williams made a diving move into turn three and then rolled off of turn four and into the lead going to the checkered flag.
“He got down in the grass, where am I supposed to go?” Christopher said. “He stuck it in and it stuck. When you go low that’s what happens. If it was anybody else they would have spun out but because it’s me people think they can do that. I’ve got good car control. What are you going to do?”
Late Drama: Ronnie Williams Gets First SK Modified Win At Speedbowl
A www.racedayct.com article
WATERFORD – Ronnie Williams has struggled to find victory lane running full-time in the SK Modified divisions this year at Stafford Motor Speedway and Thompson Speedway.
Saturday the Tolland driver took the show on the road for a rare appearance at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl and made the decision to drop in on the action one to remember.
Williams passed Ted Christopher for the lead out of the final corner to win the 35-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modified feature Saturday at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl.
“I just had to the throw it in there,” Williams said. “I know [Christopher] would have probably done the same to me so you just have to do it back. I just beat the king, so it’s a pretty great feeling.”
It was the first career SK Modified victory at the track for Williams.
“Great racetrack, we’ve been fast every time we’ve come here,” Williams said. “So to park it in victory lane after the season we’ve had is definitely a good step and hopefully things continue.”
Christopher, of Plainville, held on for second and Matt Galko of Meriden was third.
Christopher took the lead from Justin Gaydosh with 30 laps remaining and then fended off challenges from Galko and Diego Monahan.
Williams was able to get by Galko for second before a caution flew again with six laps remaining.
“I don’t what really happened but Galko and Monahan got mixed up, but I got into second and I knew the car was good,” Williams said.
Williams stayed on Christopher’s bumper on the ensuing restart, but the action was slowed again with another caution with three laps remaining.
On the final restart, Williams kept Christopher in his sights and gave him a tap to the rear in turn two with a lap and a half remaining.
On the final lap Williams made a diving move into turn three and then rolled off of turn four and into the lead going to the checkered flag.
“He got down in the grass, where am I supposed to go?” Christopher said. “He stuck it in and it stuck. When you go low that’s what happens. If it was anybody else they would have spun out but because it’s me people think they can do that. I’ve got good car control. What are you going to do?”
August 21st, 2016
Ronnie Williams Methodically Earns Strong 2nd Place Finish
A www.staffordspeedway.com release
In the 40-lap SK Modified® feature event, Matt Galko streaked into the lead at the drop of the green as he went to the outside of Tyler Hines. Mike Christopher, Jr. quickly moved into third with Eric Berndt fourth and Ted Christopher fifth. Christopher went by Berndt for fourth on lap-4 and he was now right on his nephew’s bumper as Galko continued to lead with Hines right behind him. Frank Ruocco spun in turn 3 and backed into the wall to bring the caution out with 8 laps complete.
A huge melee broke out on the restart with the majority of the field coming together and bottling up to bring the caution and red flags out.
Berndt took the lead from Christopher, Jr. with an outside pass with Jeff Gallup in third, Tom Bolles in fourth, and Dan Avery in fifth. Berndt began to pull away from Christopher, Jr., Gallup, and Avery as Ronnie Williams got around Bolles to move into fifth on lap-14. Gallup began to slide backwards as Williams, Hines, Rowan Pennink and Woody Pitkat all got by him to drop him back to ninth at lap-25 as Berndt was still in command with Christopher, Jr. giving chase.
With 10 laps to go, Christopher, Jr. was still giving chase to Berndt for the lead while Williams, Avery, and Todd Owen were in the top-5. The caution came out with 35 laps complete for spins in turn 3 by Cam McDermott and Bob Charland to set up a 5-lap dash to the finish.
Berndt took the lead with Williams pulling alongside Christopher, Jr. for second. Williams took second with avery now challenging Christopher, Jr. for third with 3 laps to go. Berndt led Williams to the checkered flag to pick up his second win of the 2016 season with Avery, Christopher, Jr., and Owen rounding out the top-5.
Ronnie Williams Methodically Earns Strong 2nd Place Finish
A www.staffordspeedway.com release
In the 40-lap SK Modified® feature event, Matt Galko streaked into the lead at the drop of the green as he went to the outside of Tyler Hines. Mike Christopher, Jr. quickly moved into third with Eric Berndt fourth and Ted Christopher fifth. Christopher went by Berndt for fourth on lap-4 and he was now right on his nephew’s bumper as Galko continued to lead with Hines right behind him. Frank Ruocco spun in turn 3 and backed into the wall to bring the caution out with 8 laps complete.
A huge melee broke out on the restart with the majority of the field coming together and bottling up to bring the caution and red flags out.
Berndt took the lead from Christopher, Jr. with an outside pass with Jeff Gallup in third, Tom Bolles in fourth, and Dan Avery in fifth. Berndt began to pull away from Christopher, Jr., Gallup, and Avery as Ronnie Williams got around Bolles to move into fifth on lap-14. Gallup began to slide backwards as Williams, Hines, Rowan Pennink and Woody Pitkat all got by him to drop him back to ninth at lap-25 as Berndt was still in command with Christopher, Jr. giving chase.
With 10 laps to go, Christopher, Jr. was still giving chase to Berndt for the lead while Williams, Avery, and Todd Owen were in the top-5. The caution came out with 35 laps complete for spins in turn 3 by Cam McDermott and Bob Charland to set up a 5-lap dash to the finish.
Berndt took the lead with Williams pulling alongside Christopher, Jr. for second. Williams took second with avery now challenging Christopher, Jr. for third with 3 laps to go. Berndt led Williams to the checkered flag to pick up his second win of the 2016 season with Avery, Christopher, Jr., and Owen rounding out the top-5.
July 29th, 2016
Ronnie Williams Has Strong 5th Place Finish At Stafford
A www.staffordspeedway.com release
In the 42-lap SK Modified® feature event, Dan Avery took the lead at the drop of the green with Michael Gervais, Jr. moving into second after nearly taking the lead from Avery. Keith Rocco was third with Matt Galko moving into fourth and Tyler Hines rounded out the top-5.Rocco quickly took second from Gervais on lap-4 and he began to set his sights on Avery for the lead. Galko and Hines both got by Gervais on lap-8 to drop Gervais back to fifth as Rocco was looking high and low for a way to get around Avery for the lead.
Ronnie Williams was on the charge as he got by Gervais for fifth and then took fourth from Hines on lap-10. Williams continued his charge as he took third from Galko on lap-12 as the caution came out with 12 laps complete for a spin on the backstretch by Tommy Membrino, Jr.
The field completed one lap back under green before the caution came right back out for a spin by Matt Gallo in turn 4 that collected the car of Josh Wood.
Rocco made a bid for the lead on the restart but Avery was able to hold off his challenge and remain as the race leader. Williams was up to third with Galko fourth and Hines in fifth. Hines touched wheels with Todd Owen which got Hines sideways and he nearly spun in turn 2 to bring the caution out with 16 laps complete.
Avery took the lead on the restart with Rocco and Williams behind him. Williams went side by side with Rocco with Ted Christopher moving up to fourth before the caution came out with 19 laps complete for a spin in the middle of turns 3+4 by Ed Spiers.
Avery and Rocco resumed their side by side duel for the lead on the restart with Avery getting clear to the lead after 2 laps. Williams was able to get by Rocco and take over second while Christopher and Galko were fighting for fourth behind Rocco. Christopher got clear of Galko on lap-23 and Rowan Pennink was up to sixth behind Galko after starting deep in the field. The caution came back out with 26 laps complete for Hines, who spun in the middle of turns 3+4.
Avery took the lead back under green with Rocco and Williams going side by side for second. Rocco took the spot on lap-28 and Christopher was able to follow him by Williams, who fell back into a side by side fight with Pennink for fourth. Pennink would take that spot to drop Williams back to fifth after he was just challenging for the lead before the caution. Spiers spun in turn 1 to bring the caution out with 32 laps complete.
Avery took the lead on the restart with Rocco behind him in second. Christopher was third but he got sideways in turn 2 on lap-34 and lost 10 spots to fall back to 13th while Pennink moved into third, Williams moved up to fourth, and Woody Pitkat was now up to fifth. Tom Bolles brought the caution out with 38 laps complete as his car was off the pace and it came to a stop before he could get it behind the pit wall.
Avery and Rocco ran nearly a full lap side by side before Avery got clear into the lead. Pennink got by Rocco to move into second with two laps to go. Pitkat was fourth behind Rocco with Williams in fifth. Pennink made a strong move to the inside of Avery as they were coming to the checkered flag but he couldn’t make it stick as Avery took the checkered flag for his first win since the 2013 season. Rocco finished third with Pitkat and Williams rounding out the top-5.
Ronnie Williams Has Strong 5th Place Finish At Stafford
A www.staffordspeedway.com release
In the 42-lap SK Modified® feature event, Dan Avery took the lead at the drop of the green with Michael Gervais, Jr. moving into second after nearly taking the lead from Avery. Keith Rocco was third with Matt Galko moving into fourth and Tyler Hines rounded out the top-5.Rocco quickly took second from Gervais on lap-4 and he began to set his sights on Avery for the lead. Galko and Hines both got by Gervais on lap-8 to drop Gervais back to fifth as Rocco was looking high and low for a way to get around Avery for the lead.
Ronnie Williams was on the charge as he got by Gervais for fifth and then took fourth from Hines on lap-10. Williams continued his charge as he took third from Galko on lap-12 as the caution came out with 12 laps complete for a spin on the backstretch by Tommy Membrino, Jr.
The field completed one lap back under green before the caution came right back out for a spin by Matt Gallo in turn 4 that collected the car of Josh Wood.
Rocco made a bid for the lead on the restart but Avery was able to hold off his challenge and remain as the race leader. Williams was up to third with Galko fourth and Hines in fifth. Hines touched wheels with Todd Owen which got Hines sideways and he nearly spun in turn 2 to bring the caution out with 16 laps complete.
Avery took the lead on the restart with Rocco and Williams behind him. Williams went side by side with Rocco with Ted Christopher moving up to fourth before the caution came out with 19 laps complete for a spin in the middle of turns 3+4 by Ed Spiers.
Avery and Rocco resumed their side by side duel for the lead on the restart with Avery getting clear to the lead after 2 laps. Williams was able to get by Rocco and take over second while Christopher and Galko were fighting for fourth behind Rocco. Christopher got clear of Galko on lap-23 and Rowan Pennink was up to sixth behind Galko after starting deep in the field. The caution came back out with 26 laps complete for Hines, who spun in the middle of turns 3+4.
Avery took the lead back under green with Rocco and Williams going side by side for second. Rocco took the spot on lap-28 and Christopher was able to follow him by Williams, who fell back into a side by side fight with Pennink for fourth. Pennink would take that spot to drop Williams back to fifth after he was just challenging for the lead before the caution. Spiers spun in turn 1 to bring the caution out with 32 laps complete.
Avery took the lead on the restart with Rocco behind him in second. Christopher was third but he got sideways in turn 2 on lap-34 and lost 10 spots to fall back to 13th while Pennink moved into third, Williams moved up to fourth, and Woody Pitkat was now up to fifth. Tom Bolles brought the caution out with 38 laps complete as his car was off the pace and it came to a stop before he could get it behind the pit wall.
Avery and Rocco ran nearly a full lap side by side before Avery got clear into the lead. Pennink got by Rocco to move into second with two laps to go. Pitkat was fourth behind Rocco with Williams in fifth. Pennink made a strong move to the inside of Avery as they were coming to the checkered flag but he couldn’t make it stick as Avery took the checkered flag for his first win since the 2013 season. Rocco finished third with Pitkat and Williams rounding out the top-5.
July 9th, 2016
Ronnie Williams Drives To Hard Fought 4th Place Finish In The 100 Lap, NAPA SK5K
A www.staffordspeedway.com release
In the 100-lap NAPA SK 5k feature event, Brian Sullivan took the lead with Shawn Thibeault slotting into second. Stephen Kopcik’s car was off the pace on lap-2 and he brought the caution out as he limped back to pit road.
Sullivan took the lead on the restart with Jeff Baral moving into second. Thibeault fell back to third with Eric Berndt up to fourth and Mike Christopher, Jr. was fifth.
Baral was applying heavy pressure to Sullivan for the lead and he made a move to take over the lead in turn 3 on lap-6. Berndt followed him by as Sullivan fell back to third in line with Thibeault fourth and Christopher, Jr. was still fifth. Rowan Pennink and Ted Christopher were charging their way to the front as they moved into sixth and seventh on lap-8.
Berndt was now the race leader with Baral right behind him in second. Sulllivan continued to run in third with Thibeault, Christopher, Jr., Pennink, and Christopher all single file behind him. Baral was working hard to find a way around Berndt to retake the lead but Berndt was able to fend off his challenges.
Christopher, Jr. took over third from Sullivan on lap-16 as Baral was continuing to apply the pressure to the back bumper of Berndt for the race lead. Pennink and Christopher also got by Sullivan to drop him back to sixth in line. Ronnie Williams was working his way towards the front as he moved into sixth place on lap-21. Christopher had gotten around Pennink to move into fourth and he was now pressuring his nephew Christopher, Jr. for the third position as Berndt continued to lead Baral.
The caution came out with 30 laps complete as a melee broke out off of turn 4 with Todd Owen, Tyuler Hines, Tom Bolles, Cam McDermott, Nick Salva, Shawn Thibeault, D.J. Burnham, and Joey Muccicciaro all coming together and blocking the racetrack coming out of turn 4.
Berndt took the lead on the restart with Christopher getting around Baral to move into second. Christopher, Jr. was side by side with Thibeault for fourth place with Ronnie Williams in sixth. Christopher rode behind Berndt until lap-36 when he made a move for the lead in turns 3+4. Baral was third behind the lead duo with Williams now fourth and Pennink fifth. Christopher, Jr. was back to sixth, just in front of Keith Rocco.
As the race hit the halfway point, Christopher was still out in front with Berndt staying glued to his back bumper. Williams had worked his way up to third with Pennink fourth and Woody Pitkat was another car on the charge, cracking into the top-5 for the first time on lap-48.
With 30 laps to go, Christopher was still out front and he had started to build up some distance between himself and Pennink, who was now in second. Berndt was third with Williams and Pitkat making up the top-5.
As Christopher began to navigate lapped traffic, Pennink was able to close down the gap and with 15 laps to go, Pennink was right on Christopher’s back bumper. Berndt was still running in third with Williams in fourth and Pitkat in fifth.
Pennink again closed right on Christopher’s bumper as they worked their way around the lapped car of Frank Ruocco with 10-laps to go. Pennink took a look to the outside of Christopher, but Christopher shut the door on that move and he maintained the lead. Danny Cates spun on the frontstretch to bring the caution out with 94 laps complete and set up a 6-lap sprint to the finish.
Christopher took the lead on the restart with Pennink and Berndt quickly lining up behind him. Williams was fourth and Christopher, Jr. moved up to fifth with a strong run in the outside groove. Pennink looked to be stronger than Christopher in turns 3+4 but Christopher looked to have the advantage in turns 1+2. Pennink made one final effort at the win but Christopher was able to keep the lead and he took down his second consecutive SK Modified® feature win. Berndt finished third with Williams and Christopher, Jr. rounding out the top-5.
Ronnie Williams Drives To Hard Fought 4th Place Finish In The 100 Lap, NAPA SK5K
A www.staffordspeedway.com release
In the 100-lap NAPA SK 5k feature event, Brian Sullivan took the lead with Shawn Thibeault slotting into second. Stephen Kopcik’s car was off the pace on lap-2 and he brought the caution out as he limped back to pit road.
Sullivan took the lead on the restart with Jeff Baral moving into second. Thibeault fell back to third with Eric Berndt up to fourth and Mike Christopher, Jr. was fifth.
Baral was applying heavy pressure to Sullivan for the lead and he made a move to take over the lead in turn 3 on lap-6. Berndt followed him by as Sullivan fell back to third in line with Thibeault fourth and Christopher, Jr. was still fifth. Rowan Pennink and Ted Christopher were charging their way to the front as they moved into sixth and seventh on lap-8.
Berndt was now the race leader with Baral right behind him in second. Sulllivan continued to run in third with Thibeault, Christopher, Jr., Pennink, and Christopher all single file behind him. Baral was working hard to find a way around Berndt to retake the lead but Berndt was able to fend off his challenges.
Christopher, Jr. took over third from Sullivan on lap-16 as Baral was continuing to apply the pressure to the back bumper of Berndt for the race lead. Pennink and Christopher also got by Sullivan to drop him back to sixth in line. Ronnie Williams was working his way towards the front as he moved into sixth place on lap-21. Christopher had gotten around Pennink to move into fourth and he was now pressuring his nephew Christopher, Jr. for the third position as Berndt continued to lead Baral.
The caution came out with 30 laps complete as a melee broke out off of turn 4 with Todd Owen, Tyuler Hines, Tom Bolles, Cam McDermott, Nick Salva, Shawn Thibeault, D.J. Burnham, and Joey Muccicciaro all coming together and blocking the racetrack coming out of turn 4.
Berndt took the lead on the restart with Christopher getting around Baral to move into second. Christopher, Jr. was side by side with Thibeault for fourth place with Ronnie Williams in sixth. Christopher rode behind Berndt until lap-36 when he made a move for the lead in turns 3+4. Baral was third behind the lead duo with Williams now fourth and Pennink fifth. Christopher, Jr. was back to sixth, just in front of Keith Rocco.
As the race hit the halfway point, Christopher was still out in front with Berndt staying glued to his back bumper. Williams had worked his way up to third with Pennink fourth and Woody Pitkat was another car on the charge, cracking into the top-5 for the first time on lap-48.
With 30 laps to go, Christopher was still out front and he had started to build up some distance between himself and Pennink, who was now in second. Berndt was third with Williams and Pitkat making up the top-5.
As Christopher began to navigate lapped traffic, Pennink was able to close down the gap and with 15 laps to go, Pennink was right on Christopher’s back bumper. Berndt was still running in third with Williams in fourth and Pitkat in fifth.
Pennink again closed right on Christopher’s bumper as they worked their way around the lapped car of Frank Ruocco with 10-laps to go. Pennink took a look to the outside of Christopher, but Christopher shut the door on that move and he maintained the lead. Danny Cates spun on the frontstretch to bring the caution out with 94 laps complete and set up a 6-lap sprint to the finish.
Christopher took the lead on the restart with Pennink and Berndt quickly lining up behind him. Williams was fourth and Christopher, Jr. moved up to fifth with a strong run in the outside groove. Pennink looked to be stronger than Christopher in turns 3+4 but Christopher looked to have the advantage in turns 1+2. Pennink made one final effort at the win but Christopher was able to keep the lead and he took down his second consecutive SK Modified® feature win. Berndt finished third with Williams and Christopher, Jr. rounding out the top-5.
June 15th, 2016
Perfection In Motion: Keith Rocco Wins Fourth SK Modified Feature Of Season At Thompson
A www.racedayct.com article
THOMPSON – The numbers have been so good for Keith Rocco at Thompson Speedway this year, even he’s not sure how good they are.
Four consecutive SK Modified wins?
“That might be a record for me,” Rocco said.
What is known that is that Rocco has been perfect in 2016.
Four races at the track this year, four victories for Rocco.
Rocco, of Wallingford, rolled easily to victory in the 30-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series feature Wednesday at Thompson Speedway.
“We’ve got the awesome horsepower under the hood with [Pettit Racing Engines],” Rocco said. “I can’t do it without him. I’ve got to thank [team owners] Mark and Mike Pane. Love and hate relationship right there, but right now I love them.
“We have all the right pieces of the puzzle. The car is in my shop and I’m the last one that touches it before it comes off the scale pads and it just makes a difference.”
Ronnie Williams of Tolland was second and Ryan Preece of Berlin third.
Rocco went by Preece for second on lap eight and on the next lap Rocco used a low move into turn three to get under leader Rowan Pennink. The two cars drifted high in turn four with Rocco coming out of the corner with a lead he wouldn’t let go of again.
“The new tire they went to definitely, if you have the right setup for the car it definitely sticks,” Rocco said “… It makes for good racing.”
Perfection In Motion: Keith Rocco Wins Fourth SK Modified Feature Of Season At Thompson
A www.racedayct.com article
THOMPSON – The numbers have been so good for Keith Rocco at Thompson Speedway this year, even he’s not sure how good they are.
Four consecutive SK Modified wins?
“That might be a record for me,” Rocco said.
What is known that is that Rocco has been perfect in 2016.
Four races at the track this year, four victories for Rocco.
Rocco, of Wallingford, rolled easily to victory in the 30-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series feature Wednesday at Thompson Speedway.
“We’ve got the awesome horsepower under the hood with [Pettit Racing Engines],” Rocco said. “I can’t do it without him. I’ve got to thank [team owners] Mark and Mike Pane. Love and hate relationship right there, but right now I love them.
“We have all the right pieces of the puzzle. The car is in my shop and I’m the last one that touches it before it comes off the scale pads and it just makes a difference.”
Ronnie Williams of Tolland was second and Ryan Preece of Berlin third.
Rocco went by Preece for second on lap eight and on the next lap Rocco used a low move into turn three to get under leader Rowan Pennink. The two cars drifted high in turn four with Rocco coming out of the corner with a lead he wouldn’t let go of again.
“The new tire they went to definitely, if you have the right setup for the car it definitely sticks,” Rocco said “… It makes for good racing.”
June 10th, 2016
Pitkat Earns Second Win Of 2016; Ronnie Williams Finishes A Strong 5th Place
A www.staffordspeedway.com release
In the 45-lap Xtra Mart SK Modified® Xtra D feature event, Michael Gervais, Jr. took the early lead with Tom Bolles in second. Jeff Baral and Dan Avery were side by side for third but that quickly shuffled as Baral got a run on the inside of Bolles for second and Avery was fourth with Eric Berndt and Woody Pitkat side by side for fifth on lap-5.
Bolles was hanging strong on the outside of Baral as they were still side by side on lap-9. Bolles got clear of Baral on lap-10 with Berndt in fourth but the caution came out with 9 laps complete for Ed Spiers, who spun coming out of turn 2.
Gervais took the lead back under green while Baral and Bolles resumed their side by side duel for second. Baral was the one who got the better of the duel this time as he took second on lap-12 and Bolles was starting to slide backwards in the outside groove as Pitkat was now alongside him for third and Berndt was looking to follow him past. Pitkat took the position on lap-14 and Berndt did follow him through but the caution came out with 14 laps complete as Berndt spun through the frontstretch grass.
Gervais took the lead on the restart but Tyler Hines and Tommy Membrino, Jr. spun in turn 1 to bring the caution back out before a lap could be completed. Gervais took the lead back under green with Pitkat moving up to second. Baral was third with Berndt and Bolles side by side for fourth. Pitkat was starting to apply heavy pressure to Gervais for the lead as the race approached the halfway point and he was able to make a pass stick on lap-24. Baral and Berndt were now side by side for third behind Pitkat and Gervais with Bolles in fifth.
Berndt got the better of the side by side action with Baral and he moved up to second behind Pitkat with 10 laps to go. Gervais was now back to third with Baral and Bolles making up the top-5. Berndt was looking high and low for a way to get around Pitkat for the lead, but Pitkat was able to fend off his challenges. Berndt was trying so hard to get around Pitkat that he grazed the backstretch wall on lap-40 but he kept his foot in the gas and stayed glued to Pitkat’s back bumper.
Berndt was able to pull alongside Pitkat in the outside groove on lap-43 and they took the white flag side by side. They were neck and neck down the backstretch and stayed that way through turns 3+4. As they came off turn 4, Pitkat had just enough to pull Berndt down the frontstretch and he took the checkered flag by a nose. Ted Christopher finished third, with Gervais and Ronnie Williams rounding out the top-5.
Pitkat Earns Second Win Of 2016; Ronnie Williams Finishes A Strong 5th Place
A www.staffordspeedway.com release
In the 45-lap Xtra Mart SK Modified® Xtra D feature event, Michael Gervais, Jr. took the early lead with Tom Bolles in second. Jeff Baral and Dan Avery were side by side for third but that quickly shuffled as Baral got a run on the inside of Bolles for second and Avery was fourth with Eric Berndt and Woody Pitkat side by side for fifth on lap-5.
Bolles was hanging strong on the outside of Baral as they were still side by side on lap-9. Bolles got clear of Baral on lap-10 with Berndt in fourth but the caution came out with 9 laps complete for Ed Spiers, who spun coming out of turn 2.
Gervais took the lead back under green while Baral and Bolles resumed their side by side duel for second. Baral was the one who got the better of the duel this time as he took second on lap-12 and Bolles was starting to slide backwards in the outside groove as Pitkat was now alongside him for third and Berndt was looking to follow him past. Pitkat took the position on lap-14 and Berndt did follow him through but the caution came out with 14 laps complete as Berndt spun through the frontstretch grass.
Gervais took the lead on the restart but Tyler Hines and Tommy Membrino, Jr. spun in turn 1 to bring the caution back out before a lap could be completed. Gervais took the lead back under green with Pitkat moving up to second. Baral was third with Berndt and Bolles side by side for fourth. Pitkat was starting to apply heavy pressure to Gervais for the lead as the race approached the halfway point and he was able to make a pass stick on lap-24. Baral and Berndt were now side by side for third behind Pitkat and Gervais with Bolles in fifth.
Berndt got the better of the side by side action with Baral and he moved up to second behind Pitkat with 10 laps to go. Gervais was now back to third with Baral and Bolles making up the top-5. Berndt was looking high and low for a way to get around Pitkat for the lead, but Pitkat was able to fend off his challenges. Berndt was trying so hard to get around Pitkat that he grazed the backstretch wall on lap-40 but he kept his foot in the gas and stayed glued to Pitkat’s back bumper.
Berndt was able to pull alongside Pitkat in the outside groove on lap-43 and they took the white flag side by side. They were neck and neck down the backstretch and stayed that way through turns 3+4. As they came off turn 4, Pitkat had just enough to pull Berndt down the frontstretch and he took the checkered flag by a nose. Ted Christopher finished third, with Gervais and Ronnie Williams rounding out the top-5.
May 27th, 2016
Pitkat Holds On For Stafford SK Victory; Ronnie Williams Lands On The Podium With 3rd Place Finish
A www.staffordspeedway.com release
In the 40-lap SK Modified® feature event, Tom Bolles took the lead from Mike Christopher, Jr. at the start and Keith Rocco followed him by Christopher in the outside groove. Rocco moved by Bolles in turn 1 on lap-4 to move into the lead. Christopher and Bolles were now side by side for second with Dan Avery in fourth and Ronnie Williams was up to fifth.
With 10 laps complete, Rocco continued to hold the race lead with Christopher, Jr. in second, Bolles third, Williams fourth, and Woody Pitkat was now in fifth.Williams moved around Bolles for third and he was closing in on the Rocco and Christopher, Jr. up front and at the halfway point of the feature, it was a three-car fight for the lead with Rocco, Christohper, Jr., and Williams lined up in a nose to tail train. Pitkat was up to fourth with Bolles continuing to run in fifth. The caution came out with 27 laps complete as D.J. Burnham came to a stop sideways on the frontstretch.
Rocco took the lead back under green with Williams moving up to second and Pitkat was third. A multicar melee in turn 2 involving Eric Berndt, Brian Sullivan, Tyler Hines, D.J. Burnham, and Dan Avery brought the caution back out with 28 laps complete.
Rocco took the lead on the restart although Pitkat was applying heavy pressure right from the green. The two cars touched going down the backstretch with Pitkat slotting into line behind Rocco. Williams was third with Christopher, Jr. fourth and Ted Christopher was now up to fifth. Pitkat made a move in turn 4 to the inside of Rocco to move to the front of the field. Danny Cates made a pass on Ted Christopher in turn 4 to move into fifth on lap-35 as Rocco was looking high and low for a way to get by Pitkat and reassume the race lead.
Rocco was working the outside lane and on lap-39 he was able to pull even with Pitkat as they took the white flag. Rocco made one final effort on the final lap, but he wasn’t able to make the pass stick in the outside groove as Pitkat picked up his first win of the 2016 season. Williams finished third, with Christopher, Jr. and Cates rounding out the top-5.
Pitkat Holds On For Stafford SK Victory; Ronnie Williams Lands On The Podium With 3rd Place Finish
A www.staffordspeedway.com release
In the 40-lap SK Modified® feature event, Tom Bolles took the lead from Mike Christopher, Jr. at the start and Keith Rocco followed him by Christopher in the outside groove. Rocco moved by Bolles in turn 1 on lap-4 to move into the lead. Christopher and Bolles were now side by side for second with Dan Avery in fourth and Ronnie Williams was up to fifth.
With 10 laps complete, Rocco continued to hold the race lead with Christopher, Jr. in second, Bolles third, Williams fourth, and Woody Pitkat was now in fifth.Williams moved around Bolles for third and he was closing in on the Rocco and Christopher, Jr. up front and at the halfway point of the feature, it was a three-car fight for the lead with Rocco, Christohper, Jr., and Williams lined up in a nose to tail train. Pitkat was up to fourth with Bolles continuing to run in fifth. The caution came out with 27 laps complete as D.J. Burnham came to a stop sideways on the frontstretch.
Rocco took the lead back under green with Williams moving up to second and Pitkat was third. A multicar melee in turn 2 involving Eric Berndt, Brian Sullivan, Tyler Hines, D.J. Burnham, and Dan Avery brought the caution back out with 28 laps complete.
Rocco took the lead on the restart although Pitkat was applying heavy pressure right from the green. The two cars touched going down the backstretch with Pitkat slotting into line behind Rocco. Williams was third with Christopher, Jr. fourth and Ted Christopher was now up to fifth. Pitkat made a move in turn 4 to the inside of Rocco to move to the front of the field. Danny Cates made a pass on Ted Christopher in turn 4 to move into fifth on lap-35 as Rocco was looking high and low for a way to get by Pitkat and reassume the race lead.
Rocco was working the outside lane and on lap-39 he was able to pull even with Pitkat as they took the white flag. Rocco made one final effort on the final lap, but he wasn’t able to make the pass stick in the outside groove as Pitkat picked up his first win of the 2016 season. Williams finished third, with Christopher, Jr. and Cates rounding out the top-5.
May 21st, 2016
Pennink Takes Two In A Row At Stafford; Ronnie Williams Battles Back To Finish 5th
A www.staffordspeedway.com article
In the 40-lap SK Modified® feature event, Keith Rocco powered his way into the lead at the drop of the green but his lead was short lived as Matt Galko made a power move on the outside of Rocco and powered his way into the lead. The caution came out with 2 laps complete as Tom Bolles got turned into the frontstretch wall and collected the cars of D.J. Burnham and Ronnie Williams.
Eric Berndt powered his way around Galko to take the lead on the restart with Tyler Hines in third and Rocco was side by side with Dan Avery for fourth. Rocco got clear of Avery on lap-5 and he continued his charge back towards the lead as he took third from Hines on lap-6. Hines continued to slide backwards as Brian Sullivan took fourth and Glen Reen took fifth as Bendt continued to lead Galko and Rocco. The caution came back out with 10 laps compelte as there was a multicar incident in turn 2 that involved the cars of Woody Pitkat, Jeremy Sorel, Jeff Baral, and Tommy Membrino, Jr.
Back under green it was a high speed pace lap as Berndt and Galko were side by side for the lead and Rocco and Sullivan were side by side for third. Berndt got clear of Galko for the lead and Rocco got clear of Sullivan for third after two laps of side by side racing. The caution came back out with 13 laps complete for a spin in turn 2 by Hines.
Berndt and Galko resumed the side by side duel for the lead on the restart with Reen nearly sticking his nose under them both in turn 4 in what would have been a 3-wide move. Reen backed out and the top-3 settled into line with Berndt leading Galko and Reen. Rowan Pennink was up to fourth and applying pressure to Reen for third with Ted Christopher in fifth. Ryan Preece was now sixth after starting at the rear of the field and Rocco was back to seventh before the caution came out with 18 laps complete for a spin in turn 1 by Todd Owen.
Berndt and Galko spent one lap side by side before Berndt got clear to the lead. Pennink was working to the inside of Galko and he took over second with Galko falling back to third in line. Preece was up to fourth and Williams was back up to fifth after being involved in the lap-3 incident on the frontstretch. The caution came back out with 23 laps complete as Reen spun in turn 4.
Pennink took the lead back under green with Berndt able to slot into second right behind him. Galko and Preece were side by side for third with Christopher and Williams side by side for fifth. Preece took the spot from Galko and he moved into second on lap-26. Reen got out of shape on the backstretch but kept going and the race stayed green. Preece was closing in on Pennink’s back bumper and with 11 laps to go, he was right on his bumper at the stripe. Preece looked low on Pennink in turn 4 on lap-30 but Pennink was able to keep him at bay. Berndt was third with Christopher hounding him for the spot and Williams was running in fifth.
Preece was able to make the inside move stick in turns 3+4 to take over the lead on lap-32 and now it was Pennink who was all over the back bumper of the race leader. Pennink returned the favor to Preece as he made the same inside move in the same spot on the track in turns 3+4 to move back to the lead on lap-34. Berndt, Christopher, and Williams continued to make up the top-5.
Preece backed off for a lap and then he was right back on Pennink’s bumper applying heavy pressure for the race lead. Pennink held Preece off to the checkered flag to pick up his second consecutive SK Modified® feature victory of the 2016 season. Berndt, Christopher, and Williams rounded out the top-5.
Pennink Takes Two In A Row At Stafford; Ronnie Williams Battles Back To Finish 5th
A www.staffordspeedway.com article
In the 40-lap SK Modified® feature event, Keith Rocco powered his way into the lead at the drop of the green but his lead was short lived as Matt Galko made a power move on the outside of Rocco and powered his way into the lead. The caution came out with 2 laps complete as Tom Bolles got turned into the frontstretch wall and collected the cars of D.J. Burnham and Ronnie Williams.
Eric Berndt powered his way around Galko to take the lead on the restart with Tyler Hines in third and Rocco was side by side with Dan Avery for fourth. Rocco got clear of Avery on lap-5 and he continued his charge back towards the lead as he took third from Hines on lap-6. Hines continued to slide backwards as Brian Sullivan took fourth and Glen Reen took fifth as Bendt continued to lead Galko and Rocco. The caution came back out with 10 laps compelte as there was a multicar incident in turn 2 that involved the cars of Woody Pitkat, Jeremy Sorel, Jeff Baral, and Tommy Membrino, Jr.
Back under green it was a high speed pace lap as Berndt and Galko were side by side for the lead and Rocco and Sullivan were side by side for third. Berndt got clear of Galko for the lead and Rocco got clear of Sullivan for third after two laps of side by side racing. The caution came back out with 13 laps complete for a spin in turn 2 by Hines.
Berndt and Galko resumed the side by side duel for the lead on the restart with Reen nearly sticking his nose under them both in turn 4 in what would have been a 3-wide move. Reen backed out and the top-3 settled into line with Berndt leading Galko and Reen. Rowan Pennink was up to fourth and applying pressure to Reen for third with Ted Christopher in fifth. Ryan Preece was now sixth after starting at the rear of the field and Rocco was back to seventh before the caution came out with 18 laps complete for a spin in turn 1 by Todd Owen.
Berndt and Galko spent one lap side by side before Berndt got clear to the lead. Pennink was working to the inside of Galko and he took over second with Galko falling back to third in line. Preece was up to fourth and Williams was back up to fifth after being involved in the lap-3 incident on the frontstretch. The caution came back out with 23 laps complete as Reen spun in turn 4.
Pennink took the lead back under green with Berndt able to slot into second right behind him. Galko and Preece were side by side for third with Christopher and Williams side by side for fifth. Preece took the spot from Galko and he moved into second on lap-26. Reen got out of shape on the backstretch but kept going and the race stayed green. Preece was closing in on Pennink’s back bumper and with 11 laps to go, he was right on his bumper at the stripe. Preece looked low on Pennink in turn 4 on lap-30 but Pennink was able to keep him at bay. Berndt was third with Christopher hounding him for the spot and Williams was running in fifth.
Preece was able to make the inside move stick in turns 3+4 to take over the lead on lap-32 and now it was Pennink who was all over the back bumper of the race leader. Pennink returned the favor to Preece as he made the same inside move in the same spot on the track in turns 3+4 to move back to the lead on lap-34. Berndt, Christopher, and Williams continued to make up the top-5.
Preece backed off for a lap and then he was right back on Pennink’s bumper applying heavy pressure for the race lead. Pennink held Preece off to the checkered flag to pick up his second consecutive SK Modified® feature victory of the 2016 season. Berndt, Christopher, and Williams rounded out the top-5.
May 18th, 2016
Top 10: Modified Racers in the 2016 Short Track Draft
A www.speed51.com article
One of the greatest features of the Speed51.com Short Track Draft presented by PFC Brakes is that it features drivers from many disciplines of racing. It’s not limited to Late Model racers. It’s not limited to pavement racers. The Short Track Draft truly features the top Short Track Racing prospects regardless of what or where they race.
As we continue our analysis of the 2016 Short Track Draft, we’re going to take a look at the best drivers from each discipline. First up, we’re going to focus in on the top-10 Modified racers in this year’s draft.
Drivers in the Modified category qualified by competing in any of the following series: NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour, Race of Champions Asphalt Modified Tour, Lucas Oil Modified Series, Valenti Modified Racing Series and NASCAR Whelen All-American Series.
Keep in mind that not all Modified racers are eligible for the Short Track Draft. Drivers must be under the age of 25 as of May 1, 2016. Additionally, if they lose their rookie status in any of NASCAR’s top-three series by the end of the 2016 season, or if they run more than 10 races in one of NASCAR’s top three series, they are no longer eligible.
#1 – Timmy Solomito (27th pick) – NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour
Following his first career NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour win at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park (CT) in April, Solomito saw his stock rising going into this year’s draft. “The Natural,” as they call him, is considered by many as the biggest threat to stop Doug Coby’s bid for a third straight NWMT championship. A few more wins over the course of the 2016 season and a run at the championship could certainly help Solomito’s stock rise even more before next year’s draft.
#2 – Austin Barnes (29th pick) – Lucas Oil Modified Series
Barnes led the way for the Lucas Oil Modified Series contingent in this year’s Short Track Draft. The two-time series champion has been tough to beat in recent years and the panel of industry experts recognized that by making him the 29th pick. If he could get into a Late Model on a few occasions and show the same dominance he displays in a Modified, he could improve his stock for 2017.
#3 – Dylan Cappello (34th pick) – Lucas Oil Modified Series
Another Lucas Oil Modified Series driver comes in as the third best prospect in the Modified ranks. Dylan Cappello, the 2014 series champion, has four career wins in the series and has established himself in the same category as Barnes. Like Barnes, he could certainly improve his stock by continuing to win races as well as expanding his horizons.
#4 – Chase Dowling (Best of the Rest) – NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour
Dowling entered the 2015 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour season with high expectations stemming from his success in the SK Modified ranks at Stafford Motor Speedway (CT). He was, and still probably is, considered to be the “next big thing” on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour. His performance one year ago didn’t turn a lot of heads, but he still has the potential to be a star in the Modified ranks.
#5 – Kyle Tellstrom (Best of the Rest) – Lucas Oil Modified Series
Tellstrom is considered to be one of the rising stars hailing from the Lucas Oil Modified Series after scoring his first series win in 2015. He showed consistency throughout last season and is already off to a solid start in 2016. He’s also a very personable driver and that definitely helped his stock with this year’s panel of industry experts.
#6 – Ronnie Williams (Best of the Rest) – NASCAR Whelen All-American Series
If Chase Dowling isn’t the “next big thing” in Modified racing then look no further than Ronnie Williams. Williams battled the best in Modified racing on a weekly basis in the SK Modified division at Stafford Motor Speedway and won six times during the 2015 season. He’s expanding his racing a little more in 2016 by also competing at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park.
#7 – Jimmy Zacharias (Best of the Rest) – NASCAR Whelen All-American Series
When it comes to weekly Modified racing in New York there’s nobody better than Jimmy Zacharias. The three-time NWAAS New York State Champion picked up a whopping 15 wins at Chemung Speedrome in 2015 on his way to another track championship. At 24 years old, Zacharias is reaching the point of being “too old” to make it to the big time but that’s not stopping him from dominating on the short tracks.
#8 – Patrick Emerling (Best of the Rest) – NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour/RoC Modifieds
Emerling experienced mixed results on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour in 2015, but he was able to get his name in the public eye by winning three Race of Champions Modified races. Winning is the best recipe to help a driver’s Short Track Draft stock rise, and Emerling did exactly that in 2015.
#9 – Taylor Minch (Didn’t Make the Cut) – Lucas Oil Modified Series
Minch used a season filled with consistency to record a top-five finish in the Lucas Oil Modified Series championship standings. The 21-year-old driver captured eight top-10 finishes in 10 races on the very competitive series one year ago.
#10 – Matthew Swanson (Didn’t Make the Cut) – NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour
At 16 years old, Swanson is making a name for himself in the Modified ranks by gaining experience and turning in consistent runs on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour. He’s yet to score a breakout victory in Tour-Type Modified competition, but there’s no doubt that it may be coming very soon. At this time next year Swanson could definitely see his stock rising if he’s able to record more strong runs.
Top 10: Modified Racers in the 2016 Short Track Draft
A www.speed51.com article
One of the greatest features of the Speed51.com Short Track Draft presented by PFC Brakes is that it features drivers from many disciplines of racing. It’s not limited to Late Model racers. It’s not limited to pavement racers. The Short Track Draft truly features the top Short Track Racing prospects regardless of what or where they race.
As we continue our analysis of the 2016 Short Track Draft, we’re going to take a look at the best drivers from each discipline. First up, we’re going to focus in on the top-10 Modified racers in this year’s draft.
Drivers in the Modified category qualified by competing in any of the following series: NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour, Race of Champions Asphalt Modified Tour, Lucas Oil Modified Series, Valenti Modified Racing Series and NASCAR Whelen All-American Series.
Keep in mind that not all Modified racers are eligible for the Short Track Draft. Drivers must be under the age of 25 as of May 1, 2016. Additionally, if they lose their rookie status in any of NASCAR’s top-three series by the end of the 2016 season, or if they run more than 10 races in one of NASCAR’s top three series, they are no longer eligible.
#1 – Timmy Solomito (27th pick) – NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour
Following his first career NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour win at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park (CT) in April, Solomito saw his stock rising going into this year’s draft. “The Natural,” as they call him, is considered by many as the biggest threat to stop Doug Coby’s bid for a third straight NWMT championship. A few more wins over the course of the 2016 season and a run at the championship could certainly help Solomito’s stock rise even more before next year’s draft.
#2 – Austin Barnes (29th pick) – Lucas Oil Modified Series
Barnes led the way for the Lucas Oil Modified Series contingent in this year’s Short Track Draft. The two-time series champion has been tough to beat in recent years and the panel of industry experts recognized that by making him the 29th pick. If he could get into a Late Model on a few occasions and show the same dominance he displays in a Modified, he could improve his stock for 2017.
#3 – Dylan Cappello (34th pick) – Lucas Oil Modified Series
Another Lucas Oil Modified Series driver comes in as the third best prospect in the Modified ranks. Dylan Cappello, the 2014 series champion, has four career wins in the series and has established himself in the same category as Barnes. Like Barnes, he could certainly improve his stock by continuing to win races as well as expanding his horizons.
#4 – Chase Dowling (Best of the Rest) – NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour
Dowling entered the 2015 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour season with high expectations stemming from his success in the SK Modified ranks at Stafford Motor Speedway (CT). He was, and still probably is, considered to be the “next big thing” on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour. His performance one year ago didn’t turn a lot of heads, but he still has the potential to be a star in the Modified ranks.
#5 – Kyle Tellstrom (Best of the Rest) – Lucas Oil Modified Series
Tellstrom is considered to be one of the rising stars hailing from the Lucas Oil Modified Series after scoring his first series win in 2015. He showed consistency throughout last season and is already off to a solid start in 2016. He’s also a very personable driver and that definitely helped his stock with this year’s panel of industry experts.
#6 – Ronnie Williams (Best of the Rest) – NASCAR Whelen All-American Series
If Chase Dowling isn’t the “next big thing” in Modified racing then look no further than Ronnie Williams. Williams battled the best in Modified racing on a weekly basis in the SK Modified division at Stafford Motor Speedway and won six times during the 2015 season. He’s expanding his racing a little more in 2016 by also competing at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park.
#7 – Jimmy Zacharias (Best of the Rest) – NASCAR Whelen All-American Series
When it comes to weekly Modified racing in New York there’s nobody better than Jimmy Zacharias. The three-time NWAAS New York State Champion picked up a whopping 15 wins at Chemung Speedrome in 2015 on his way to another track championship. At 24 years old, Zacharias is reaching the point of being “too old” to make it to the big time but that’s not stopping him from dominating on the short tracks.
#8 – Patrick Emerling (Best of the Rest) – NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour/RoC Modifieds
Emerling experienced mixed results on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour in 2015, but he was able to get his name in the public eye by winning three Race of Champions Modified races. Winning is the best recipe to help a driver’s Short Track Draft stock rise, and Emerling did exactly that in 2015.
#9 – Taylor Minch (Didn’t Make the Cut) – Lucas Oil Modified Series
Minch used a season filled with consistency to record a top-five finish in the Lucas Oil Modified Series championship standings. The 21-year-old driver captured eight top-10 finishes in 10 races on the very competitive series one year ago.
#10 – Matthew Swanson (Didn’t Make the Cut) – NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour
At 16 years old, Swanson is making a name for himself in the Modified ranks by gaining experience and turning in consistent runs on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour. He’s yet to score a breakout victory in Tour-Type Modified competition, but there’s no doubt that it may be coming very soon. At this time next year Swanson could definitely see his stock rising if he’s able to record more strong runs.
May 16th, 2016
Twin Pursuit: Ronnie Williams Looking To Chase SK Mod Titles At Stafford And Thompson In 2016
A www.racedayct.com article
When the dust settled on the Icebreaker SK Modified feature on April 10 at Thompson Speedway it was a familiar looking car in third place after race, but a face maybe not so familiar to the track’s regular fans.
But Ronnie Williams of Tolland is hoping the fans at Thompson will be recognizing him more and more this season at the track.
Williams, a regular the last two years in the SK Modified division at Stafford Motor Speedway, finished third in a Keith Rocco backup SK Modified at Thompson’s Icebreaker event.
He returns to the track for the second event of the season Wednesday sitting third in the points, but essentially the closest pursuer in the standings to Rocco, the points leader. Ted Christopher, who finished second to Rocco at the Icebreaker and is second in the standings, will not run at Thompson regularly in 2016 and will not be part of Wednesday’s event.
Williams said the third place at the Icebreaker was a big help in boosting his confidence on the high-banked .625-mile Thompson oval.
“Getting a third place in the first race of the season definitely boosted my confidence,” Williams said. “Especially being at a track I had never really raced at. I think it just makes us want to go back and compete even harder there. Usually we’re not really that great with opening races, so to get a third and already be up there in the points. I just want to stay consistent now and hopefully something good can happen.”
Christopher is three points behind Rocco in the standings. Williams is eight points behind in third. Ryan Preece is fourth in the standings, 10 points behind Rocco.
“We’ve just got to beat Keith now,” Williams said of the man who owns the car he’s racing.
Williams said he doesn’t foresee the driver – car owner relationship leading to any sort of issues.
“I know that he’s a competitor and I’m a competitor,” Williams said. “Once we get on the track we’re not really worrying about that stuff. We’re both going for wins. I have an extreme respect for Keith. But I know at the end, he’ll move me for a win so I’ve got to take that into account too.”
There’s little question about Williams confidence at Stafford Speedway.
The 19-year old had six wins in the SK Modified division in 2016, matching division champion Rowan Pennink for the lead for victories for the season. He finished sixth in the standings.
Consistency issues though are the focus of improvement for Williams’ family owned team at Stafford.
“We had that five or six week period where we didn’t even finish a race and that kind of set us back in the points,” Williams said. “I would say that’s really our main thing to fix this year.”
Williams points to a 17th place finish in the season opening SK Modified division event on April 24 at Stafford’s NAPA Spring Sizzler as actually being a positive in the teams hunt to improve consistency and standings numbers in 2016. Williams said he could have likely just parked his car after being involved in a lap 33 wreck. Instead his team worked to get back out on track and likely gained 10 positions on the track because of it.
“If I had just pulled in and got out of the car we would have finished 27th instead of 17th with all the wrecks that happened afterward,” Williams said. “Those points that we got for that, I mean I was happy with a 17th place finish at that point. What it could have been compared to what we got, it was huge. Turning those bad weeks into sort of good weeks I think is the key thing for us.”
As far as looking beyond the SK Modified divisions at Stafford and Thompson, Williams said he’s not searching for anything for now. Williams made his NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour debut in the NAPA Fall Final 150 at Stafford Speedway last October, finishing 24th. He said, as of no, there are no prospects for any Modified Tour rides in the near future.
“We’re not really fishing around for anything,” Williams said. “If an offer came our way, of course we’d take it. But right now I think we’re focused on the championship at Stafford and at Thompson. If something pops up great, but if something doesn’t there’s always hope for next year.”
Twin Pursuit: Ronnie Williams Looking To Chase SK Mod Titles At Stafford And Thompson In 2016
A www.racedayct.com article
When the dust settled on the Icebreaker SK Modified feature on April 10 at Thompson Speedway it was a familiar looking car in third place after race, but a face maybe not so familiar to the track’s regular fans.
But Ronnie Williams of Tolland is hoping the fans at Thompson will be recognizing him more and more this season at the track.
Williams, a regular the last two years in the SK Modified division at Stafford Motor Speedway, finished third in a Keith Rocco backup SK Modified at Thompson’s Icebreaker event.
He returns to the track for the second event of the season Wednesday sitting third in the points, but essentially the closest pursuer in the standings to Rocco, the points leader. Ted Christopher, who finished second to Rocco at the Icebreaker and is second in the standings, will not run at Thompson regularly in 2016 and will not be part of Wednesday’s event.
Williams said the third place at the Icebreaker was a big help in boosting his confidence on the high-banked .625-mile Thompson oval.
“Getting a third place in the first race of the season definitely boosted my confidence,” Williams said. “Especially being at a track I had never really raced at. I think it just makes us want to go back and compete even harder there. Usually we’re not really that great with opening races, so to get a third and already be up there in the points. I just want to stay consistent now and hopefully something good can happen.”
Christopher is three points behind Rocco in the standings. Williams is eight points behind in third. Ryan Preece is fourth in the standings, 10 points behind Rocco.
“We’ve just got to beat Keith now,” Williams said of the man who owns the car he’s racing.
Williams said he doesn’t foresee the driver – car owner relationship leading to any sort of issues.
“I know that he’s a competitor and I’m a competitor,” Williams said. “Once we get on the track we’re not really worrying about that stuff. We’re both going for wins. I have an extreme respect for Keith. But I know at the end, he’ll move me for a win so I’ve got to take that into account too.”
There’s little question about Williams confidence at Stafford Speedway.
The 19-year old had six wins in the SK Modified division in 2016, matching division champion Rowan Pennink for the lead for victories for the season. He finished sixth in the standings.
Consistency issues though are the focus of improvement for Williams’ family owned team at Stafford.
“We had that five or six week period where we didn’t even finish a race and that kind of set us back in the points,” Williams said. “I would say that’s really our main thing to fix this year.”
Williams points to a 17th place finish in the season opening SK Modified division event on April 24 at Stafford’s NAPA Spring Sizzler as actually being a positive in the teams hunt to improve consistency and standings numbers in 2016. Williams said he could have likely just parked his car after being involved in a lap 33 wreck. Instead his team worked to get back out on track and likely gained 10 positions on the track because of it.
“If I had just pulled in and got out of the car we would have finished 27th instead of 17th with all the wrecks that happened afterward,” Williams said. “Those points that we got for that, I mean I was happy with a 17th place finish at that point. What it could have been compared to what we got, it was huge. Turning those bad weeks into sort of good weeks I think is the key thing for us.”
As far as looking beyond the SK Modified divisions at Stafford and Thompson, Williams said he’s not searching for anything for now. Williams made his NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour debut in the NAPA Fall Final 150 at Stafford Speedway last October, finishing 24th. He said, as of no, there are no prospects for any Modified Tour rides in the near future.
“We’re not really fishing around for anything,” Williams said. “If an offer came our way, of course we’d take it. But right now I think we’re focused on the championship at Stafford and at Thompson. If something pops up great, but if something doesn’t there’s always hope for next year.”
March 12th, 2016
Ronnie Williams Searching for Consistency in 2016 At Stafford Speedway
A www.staffordspeedway.com Article
(Stafford Springs, CT)—What to do for an encore? There lies the challenge facing Ellington native Ronnie Williams and the #59 Advice One SK Modified® team at Stafford Motor Speedway. When the final checkered flag of 2015 flew over the SK Modified® field, Williams wrapped up his best season to date with 6 wins and a sixth place finish in the points standings. Williams says the only proper way to follow that up is with more feature wins during the 2016 season.
“I don’t really want to call last year a breakout season because I feel like we have so much more to give and I as a driver can give more,” said Williams. “I don’t want people to think that was a breakout year and we’re never going to win that many times again. I want to be the car that people think is the car to beat each Friday night. Hopefully last year is the first of many for us.”
If not a breakout year, the 2015 season was a season in which Williams made it known that he is a contender in the SK Modified division. Williams’ 6 feature wins last year were one more than he had accumulated in his previous three seasons of racing at Stafford. Williams won 4 features in 2 seasons of SK Light racing and then had a single win in his rookie SK Modified® season in 2014. As good as Williams was in 2015, he was also just as inconsistent. After winning 2 of the first 4 SK Modified® feature events, Williams didn’t post a top-10 finish in the next 6 races. He then won 4 of 5 races in a stretch from late July into August to end the year with 6 wins.
“Winning those first 2 races last year was extremely big for us,” said Williams. “It brought a different level of confidence that I didn’t have previously. After we won those 2 races to start the season, we had a little stretch that I think I needed as a learning experience, you’re not always going to have the greatest luck each week. We won 4 out of 5 races at the end of June and start of August and that just brought a whole new level of confidence and expectations to us for this year. I think finishing the first and last races of the year is the biggest thing for me to work on this year. I haven’t finished the Sizzler or the Fall Final races yet. Especially the Sizzler, to start the year off and you’re already behind everyone is one of the worst things that can happen to you. I think I’m more focused on the championship this year where last year I was more focused on wins. If we run well, things are going to go our way and we’ll end up in victory lane and to win the championship I need to be more consistent.”
If Williams should need some inspiration, he need to look no further than defending SK Modified® track champion Rowan Pennink. Pennink had only 1 career SK Modified® win before scoring 5 wins in the second half of the 2014 season and then 6 wins and the championship in 2015.
“We just have to continue doing what we were doing in the second half of the season,” said Williams. “If we can carry that over to this season, we have all the same crew guys and equipment, we’re looking to do what Rowan Pennink did. He finished off 2014 strong and he came back last year and dominated. My goal is to win a championship and that will always be our goal. To do that, we have to finish races even when we might not have the best car or a winning car. If you don’t finish well, that’s a lot of points you’re missing out on so I need to do a better job of finishing races. I can’t wait to get back racing. I’ve been telling Stash [Butova] since January that I’m ready to go racing. We have high hopes from last season and hopefully we can carry that over to 2016. Stash hasn’t won a championship since 2006 with Frank Ruocco so I’d love to be able to give him another championship and I’ve never been able to win a championship so to get a championship under my belt would be a pretty awesome accomplishment, especially at a track that I’ve been going to since I was a kid.
Williams will kick off his consistency campaign at the first SK Modified® race of the 2016 season which will be a 45-lap feature commemorating the running of the 45th Annual NAPA Auto Parts Spring Sizzler. Action gets underway Friday, April 22 with a practice session for Stafford’s weekly divisions and the Mr. Rooter Trucks. The practice session will be open to the public at no charge. Action continues on Saturday, April 23 with Coors Light Pole Qualifying for the Whelen Modified Tour cars, along with heat and consolation races for Stafford’s weekly divisions, the U.S. Legend Cars, and the Mr. Rooter Trucks. Saturday will wrap up with feature events for the SK Light, Limited Late Model, DARE Stock, Legend Cars, and Mr. Rooter Trucks. Spring Sizzler action continues on Sunday, April 24 with the NAPA Auto Parts Pit Party from 11am-noon followed by Stafford’s SK Modifieds® in a special 45-lap feature and Late Models joining the Whelen Modified Tour in feature action.
Tickets for the “Greatest Race in the History of Spring” are on sale now at the Speedway Box Office. Tickets are priced at $38.50 for adult general admission tickets, $5.00 for children ages 6-14, and children ages 5 and under are admitted free of charge when accompanied by an adult. Reserved seating will be priced at $42.00 for all ages. All ticket prices include 10% CT Admission Tax. Discount Tickets will be available at all 57 participating NAPA Auto Parts stores beginning on Monday April 4th. For a full list of the 57 locations throughout Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, and Rhode Island, call the speedway office or visit us on the web at staffordmotorspeedway.com/participating-napa-auto-parts-stores .
For more information on the 45th Annual NAPA Auto Parts Spring Sizzler, or to order tickets, contact the Stafford Motor Speedway track office at 860-684-2783 or visit us on the web at www.staffordspeedway.com.
Ronnie Williams Searching for Consistency in 2016 At Stafford Speedway
A www.staffordspeedway.com Article
(Stafford Springs, CT)—What to do for an encore? There lies the challenge facing Ellington native Ronnie Williams and the #59 Advice One SK Modified® team at Stafford Motor Speedway. When the final checkered flag of 2015 flew over the SK Modified® field, Williams wrapped up his best season to date with 6 wins and a sixth place finish in the points standings. Williams says the only proper way to follow that up is with more feature wins during the 2016 season.
“I don’t really want to call last year a breakout season because I feel like we have so much more to give and I as a driver can give more,” said Williams. “I don’t want people to think that was a breakout year and we’re never going to win that many times again. I want to be the car that people think is the car to beat each Friday night. Hopefully last year is the first of many for us.”
If not a breakout year, the 2015 season was a season in which Williams made it known that he is a contender in the SK Modified division. Williams’ 6 feature wins last year were one more than he had accumulated in his previous three seasons of racing at Stafford. Williams won 4 features in 2 seasons of SK Light racing and then had a single win in his rookie SK Modified® season in 2014. As good as Williams was in 2015, he was also just as inconsistent. After winning 2 of the first 4 SK Modified® feature events, Williams didn’t post a top-10 finish in the next 6 races. He then won 4 of 5 races in a stretch from late July into August to end the year with 6 wins.
“Winning those first 2 races last year was extremely big for us,” said Williams. “It brought a different level of confidence that I didn’t have previously. After we won those 2 races to start the season, we had a little stretch that I think I needed as a learning experience, you’re not always going to have the greatest luck each week. We won 4 out of 5 races at the end of June and start of August and that just brought a whole new level of confidence and expectations to us for this year. I think finishing the first and last races of the year is the biggest thing for me to work on this year. I haven’t finished the Sizzler or the Fall Final races yet. Especially the Sizzler, to start the year off and you’re already behind everyone is one of the worst things that can happen to you. I think I’m more focused on the championship this year where last year I was more focused on wins. If we run well, things are going to go our way and we’ll end up in victory lane and to win the championship I need to be more consistent.”
If Williams should need some inspiration, he need to look no further than defending SK Modified® track champion Rowan Pennink. Pennink had only 1 career SK Modified® win before scoring 5 wins in the second half of the 2014 season and then 6 wins and the championship in 2015.
“We just have to continue doing what we were doing in the second half of the season,” said Williams. “If we can carry that over to this season, we have all the same crew guys and equipment, we’re looking to do what Rowan Pennink did. He finished off 2014 strong and he came back last year and dominated. My goal is to win a championship and that will always be our goal. To do that, we have to finish races even when we might not have the best car or a winning car. If you don’t finish well, that’s a lot of points you’re missing out on so I need to do a better job of finishing races. I can’t wait to get back racing. I’ve been telling Stash [Butova] since January that I’m ready to go racing. We have high hopes from last season and hopefully we can carry that over to 2016. Stash hasn’t won a championship since 2006 with Frank Ruocco so I’d love to be able to give him another championship and I’ve never been able to win a championship so to get a championship under my belt would be a pretty awesome accomplishment, especially at a track that I’ve been going to since I was a kid.
Williams will kick off his consistency campaign at the first SK Modified® race of the 2016 season which will be a 45-lap feature commemorating the running of the 45th Annual NAPA Auto Parts Spring Sizzler. Action gets underway Friday, April 22 with a practice session for Stafford’s weekly divisions and the Mr. Rooter Trucks. The practice session will be open to the public at no charge. Action continues on Saturday, April 23 with Coors Light Pole Qualifying for the Whelen Modified Tour cars, along with heat and consolation races for Stafford’s weekly divisions, the U.S. Legend Cars, and the Mr. Rooter Trucks. Saturday will wrap up with feature events for the SK Light, Limited Late Model, DARE Stock, Legend Cars, and Mr. Rooter Trucks. Spring Sizzler action continues on Sunday, April 24 with the NAPA Auto Parts Pit Party from 11am-noon followed by Stafford’s SK Modifieds® in a special 45-lap feature and Late Models joining the Whelen Modified Tour in feature action.
Tickets for the “Greatest Race in the History of Spring” are on sale now at the Speedway Box Office. Tickets are priced at $38.50 for adult general admission tickets, $5.00 for children ages 6-14, and children ages 5 and under are admitted free of charge when accompanied by an adult. Reserved seating will be priced at $42.00 for all ages. All ticket prices include 10% CT Admission Tax. Discount Tickets will be available at all 57 participating NAPA Auto Parts stores beginning on Monday April 4th. For a full list of the 57 locations throughout Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, and Rhode Island, call the speedway office or visit us on the web at staffordmotorspeedway.com/participating-napa-auto-parts-stores .
For more information on the 45th Annual NAPA Auto Parts Spring Sizzler, or to order tickets, contact the Stafford Motor Speedway track office at 860-684-2783 or visit us on the web at www.staffordspeedway.com.
August 29th, 2015
Sophomore Sensation: Ronnie Williams Takes 6th Stafford SK Win of 2015
A speed51.com story
(Stafford Springs, CT) – Stafford Speedway returned to NASCAR Whelen All-American Series racing action with the Lincoln Tech Back 2 SKool Blitz. Taking down feature wins on the night was Ronnie Williams in the SK Modified® feature, Tom Fearn in the Late Model feature, Payton Henry in the SK Light feature, Al Saunders in the Ltd. Late Model feature, Brandon Michael in the DARE Stock feature, and Devin O’Connell in the Legend Cars feature.
In the 40-lap SK Modified® feature event, Matt Galko set the early pace with Ted Christopher and Eric Berndt behind him. Keith Rocco quickly moved into fourth and Rowan Pennink got by Jeremy Sorel to move up to fifth.
Berndt made a move to the inside of Christopher to take second on lap-4 and Rocco was right on his bumper looking to follow suit. Rocco pulled alongside Christopher and he took over third on lap-6. Pennink was now on the inside of Christopher and looking to take fourth but Christopher was able to hold him off.
On lap-10, Ryan Preece moved his way past Christopher to move into fifth after starting ninth. Pennink was up to fourth as Galko was still leading Berndt and Rocco. Ronnie Williams got by Christopher to take sixth.
Rocco made his move to take over second on lap-17 and Pennink was now side by side with Berndt in a duel for third. This allowed Preece and Williams to close right in on their bumpers. Rocco continued his charge as he went by Galko on lap-19 to take over the race lead. Pennink was third with Preece fourth and Berndt and Williams were side by side for fifth.
Galko came back strong on the inside of Rocco on lap-20 and they ran side by side for a lap before Galko retook the lead at the line to complete lap-21. Just as the field completed lap-21, Joey Cipriano’s car came to a stop on the backstretch to bring the caution out.
Galko took the lead back under green while Pennink took second, but only briefly as Williams was on his inside and they were side by side for the spot. Williams took second and he made a move to the inside of Galko and he took the lead at the line as they completed lap-24. Pennink was third with Rocco and Preece making up the top-5. Preece spun in turn 2 and collected Berndt to bring the caution out with 26 laps complete.
Williams took the lead while Pennink and Galko were side by side for second and Woody Pitkat was side by side with Todd Owen for fourth. Pennink took second with Galko slotting into third. Pitkat got the better of his duel with Owen and took fourth.
As the laps began to wind down, Pennink looked like he had a stronger car getting into the corner than Williams, but Williams would stretch out his advantage once they came off the corners. The two leaders were leaving Galko behind, who was in turn all by himself as Pitkat and Owen were side by side for fourth. Williams led Pennink to the checkered flag to pick up his sixth win of the season. Galko finished third, with Pitkat beating Owen to the line by a nose for fourth place.
SK MODIFIED® (40)
1) Ronnie Williams, Tolland
2) Rowan Pennink, Huntingdon Valley, Pa
3) Matt Galko, Meriden
4) Woody Pitkat, Stafford Springs
5) Todd Owen, Somers
6) Keith Rocco, Berlin
7) Tyler Hines, North Haven
8) Ted Christopher, Plainville
9) Jeremy Sorel, Westfield, Ma
10) Ryan Preece, Berlin
11) Michael Gervais, Jr., Southbury
12) Joey Cipriano, III, Waterbury
13) Dan Avery, Somers
14) Eric Berndt, Cromwell
15) Mike Christopher, Jr., Wolcott
Sophomore Sensation: Ronnie Williams Takes 6th Stafford SK Win of 2015
A speed51.com story
(Stafford Springs, CT) – Stafford Speedway returned to NASCAR Whelen All-American Series racing action with the Lincoln Tech Back 2 SKool Blitz. Taking down feature wins on the night was Ronnie Williams in the SK Modified® feature, Tom Fearn in the Late Model feature, Payton Henry in the SK Light feature, Al Saunders in the Ltd. Late Model feature, Brandon Michael in the DARE Stock feature, and Devin O’Connell in the Legend Cars feature.
In the 40-lap SK Modified® feature event, Matt Galko set the early pace with Ted Christopher and Eric Berndt behind him. Keith Rocco quickly moved into fourth and Rowan Pennink got by Jeremy Sorel to move up to fifth.
Berndt made a move to the inside of Christopher to take second on lap-4 and Rocco was right on his bumper looking to follow suit. Rocco pulled alongside Christopher and he took over third on lap-6. Pennink was now on the inside of Christopher and looking to take fourth but Christopher was able to hold him off.
On lap-10, Ryan Preece moved his way past Christopher to move into fifth after starting ninth. Pennink was up to fourth as Galko was still leading Berndt and Rocco. Ronnie Williams got by Christopher to take sixth.
Rocco made his move to take over second on lap-17 and Pennink was now side by side with Berndt in a duel for third. This allowed Preece and Williams to close right in on their bumpers. Rocco continued his charge as he went by Galko on lap-19 to take over the race lead. Pennink was third with Preece fourth and Berndt and Williams were side by side for fifth.
Galko came back strong on the inside of Rocco on lap-20 and they ran side by side for a lap before Galko retook the lead at the line to complete lap-21. Just as the field completed lap-21, Joey Cipriano’s car came to a stop on the backstretch to bring the caution out.
Galko took the lead back under green while Pennink took second, but only briefly as Williams was on his inside and they were side by side for the spot. Williams took second and he made a move to the inside of Galko and he took the lead at the line as they completed lap-24. Pennink was third with Rocco and Preece making up the top-5. Preece spun in turn 2 and collected Berndt to bring the caution out with 26 laps complete.
Williams took the lead while Pennink and Galko were side by side for second and Woody Pitkat was side by side with Todd Owen for fourth. Pennink took second with Galko slotting into third. Pitkat got the better of his duel with Owen and took fourth.
As the laps began to wind down, Pennink looked like he had a stronger car getting into the corner than Williams, but Williams would stretch out his advantage once they came off the corners. The two leaders were leaving Galko behind, who was in turn all by himself as Pitkat and Owen were side by side for fourth. Williams led Pennink to the checkered flag to pick up his sixth win of the season. Galko finished third, with Pitkat beating Owen to the line by a nose for fourth place.
SK MODIFIED® (40)
1) Ronnie Williams, Tolland
2) Rowan Pennink, Huntingdon Valley, Pa
3) Matt Galko, Meriden
4) Woody Pitkat, Stafford Springs
5) Todd Owen, Somers
6) Keith Rocco, Berlin
7) Tyler Hines, North Haven
8) Ted Christopher, Plainville
9) Jeremy Sorel, Westfield, Ma
10) Ryan Preece, Berlin
11) Michael Gervais, Jr., Southbury
12) Joey Cipriano, III, Waterbury
13) Dan Avery, Somers
14) Eric Berndt, Cromwell
15) Mike Christopher, Jr., Wolcott
August 1st, 2015
Williams Keeps Pennink In Rear View For Second Straight SK Modified Win
A speed51.com story
Stafford Springs, CT –Stafford Speedway returned to NASCAR Whelen All-American Series racing action with a Five-Star Series event on July 31st. Taking down NASCAR Whelen All-American Series weekly feature wins on the night were Ronnie Williams in the 40-lap SK Modified® feature, Tom Fearn in the Late Model feature, Joey Ferrigno in the SK Light feature, Andrew Hayes in the Limited Late Model feature, Phil Evans in the DARE Stock feature, and Devin O’Connell in the Legend Cars feature.
In the 40-lap SK Modified® feature event, Todd Owen took the lead at the green but Ted Christopher was all over his back bumper and nearly made a move for the lead in turn 3 before backing out. Eric Berndt got a good run on the outside and he went to the lead at the line. Jeff Malave took a hard hit into the turn 1 wall to bring the red and yellow flags out.
The race went back green with Berndt taking the lead. Rowan Pennink was side by side with Owen for second and Ronnie Williams was right behind them in fourth with Ted Christopher fifth. Pennink got clear to second on lap-5 and he made a move to the inside of Berndt on lap-6 to take over the race lead. Williams was now third with Owen fourth and Christopher fifth. Ryan Preece, who started last in the field, was already up to sixth and going by Christopher to move into fifth on lap-8.
Preece took fourth from Owen on lap-9 as Pennink was starting to pull away from Williams and Berndt, who were running side by side for second. Williams got clear of Berndt on lap-11 and Preece was closing in on Berndt’s bumper. Preece made his move to take over third on lap-14 while behind them, Mike Christopher, Jr. went by Owen, Keith Rocco, and Ted Christopher to move up to fifth place. The caution came out with 21 laps complete for spins in turn 1 by Richie Cooper and John Catania.
Back under green, Preece made a bid for the lead to the inside of Pennink, but he fell back in line. Williams went by Pennink to take over the lead on lap-25 with Preece and Berndt now side by side for third behind Williams and Pennink.
The fight for the lead was beginning to heat up with 10 laps to go as Pennink was looking to the high and low sides of Williams with Preece right behind the lead duo. The three leaders deftly avoided lapped traffic on lap-32 and resumed their fight for the lead.
Pennink nearly got his nose under Williams in turn 1 on lap-36 but Williams was able to keep his car out front. Williams held Pennink off to the checkered flag to pick up his second consecutive and fourth overall win of the 2015 season. Preece finished third, with Mike Christopher, Jr. fourth and Berndt rounding out the top-5.
SK MODIFIED® (40)
1) Ronnie Williams, Tolland
2) Rowan Pennink, Huntingdon Valley, Pa
3) Ryan Preece, Berlin
4) Michael Christopher, Jr., Wolcott
5) Eric Berndt, Cromwell
6) Frank Ruocco, Cheshire
7) Michael Gervais, Jr., Southbury
8) Keith Rocco, Berlin
9) Matt Galko, Meriden
10) Ted Christopher, Plainville
11) Tyler Hines, North Haven
12) Todd Owen, Somers
13) Tommy Membrino, Jr., Prospect
14) John Catania, Agawam, Ma
15) Richard Cooper, West Long Branch, Nj
16) Jeff Malave, Manchester
Williams Keeps Pennink In Rear View For Second Straight SK Modified Win
A speed51.com story
Stafford Springs, CT –Stafford Speedway returned to NASCAR Whelen All-American Series racing action with a Five-Star Series event on July 31st. Taking down NASCAR Whelen All-American Series weekly feature wins on the night were Ronnie Williams in the 40-lap SK Modified® feature, Tom Fearn in the Late Model feature, Joey Ferrigno in the SK Light feature, Andrew Hayes in the Limited Late Model feature, Phil Evans in the DARE Stock feature, and Devin O’Connell in the Legend Cars feature.
In the 40-lap SK Modified® feature event, Todd Owen took the lead at the green but Ted Christopher was all over his back bumper and nearly made a move for the lead in turn 3 before backing out. Eric Berndt got a good run on the outside and he went to the lead at the line. Jeff Malave took a hard hit into the turn 1 wall to bring the red and yellow flags out.
The race went back green with Berndt taking the lead. Rowan Pennink was side by side with Owen for second and Ronnie Williams was right behind them in fourth with Ted Christopher fifth. Pennink got clear to second on lap-5 and he made a move to the inside of Berndt on lap-6 to take over the race lead. Williams was now third with Owen fourth and Christopher fifth. Ryan Preece, who started last in the field, was already up to sixth and going by Christopher to move into fifth on lap-8.
Preece took fourth from Owen on lap-9 as Pennink was starting to pull away from Williams and Berndt, who were running side by side for second. Williams got clear of Berndt on lap-11 and Preece was closing in on Berndt’s bumper. Preece made his move to take over third on lap-14 while behind them, Mike Christopher, Jr. went by Owen, Keith Rocco, and Ted Christopher to move up to fifth place. The caution came out with 21 laps complete for spins in turn 1 by Richie Cooper and John Catania.
Back under green, Preece made a bid for the lead to the inside of Pennink, but he fell back in line. Williams went by Pennink to take over the lead on lap-25 with Preece and Berndt now side by side for third behind Williams and Pennink.
The fight for the lead was beginning to heat up with 10 laps to go as Pennink was looking to the high and low sides of Williams with Preece right behind the lead duo. The three leaders deftly avoided lapped traffic on lap-32 and resumed their fight for the lead.
Pennink nearly got his nose under Williams in turn 1 on lap-36 but Williams was able to keep his car out front. Williams held Pennink off to the checkered flag to pick up his second consecutive and fourth overall win of the 2015 season. Preece finished third, with Mike Christopher, Jr. fourth and Berndt rounding out the top-5.
SK MODIFIED® (40)
1) Ronnie Williams, Tolland
2) Rowan Pennink, Huntingdon Valley, Pa
3) Ryan Preece, Berlin
4) Michael Christopher, Jr., Wolcott
5) Eric Berndt, Cromwell
6) Frank Ruocco, Cheshire
7) Michael Gervais, Jr., Southbury
8) Keith Rocco, Berlin
9) Matt Galko, Meriden
10) Ted Christopher, Plainville
11) Tyler Hines, North Haven
12) Todd Owen, Somers
13) Tommy Membrino, Jr., Prospect
14) John Catania, Agawam, Ma
15) Richard Cooper, West Long Branch, Nj
16) Jeff Malave, Manchester
