Jarvenpaa Celebrates First Sportman Modified Win...(By Gary Dutton) – Sportsman Modified pilot Tyler Jarvenpaa was a first-time winner Saturday, June 15, at Monadnock Speedway. Ditto for both Dennis Stange and Beth Adams. Jarvenpaa, a potent sophomore in the high-banked speedplant’s open-wheel division, scored his first career victory in Monadnock’s premier division. Adams’ Mini Stock win was the first of the season for the perennial powerhouse, while the veteran Stange scored his first-ever Super Stock victory.

Other winners Saturday included Thunder Stock blaster Ed Lofland, who stayed perfect on the season with his fifth win in as many outings, Young Gun hot shoe Chris Lawrence, who earned his third win of the summer, and Rob Richardi, who topped the Pro-4 Modified feature.

 Joey Kendall set a torrid pace in the Sportsman Modified main, leading the pack for seven laps until Jarvenpaa edged past him to take command. Bill Kimball would drop Kendall back to third two laps later, with two-time winner Adam Norton then up to fourth and charging.  While Jarvenpaa would be undaunted by a lap-14 caution, Kimball’s workload would increase, as he got hung on the outside and lost two spots before falling back in line. With Jarvenpaa quickly taking charge again, Kendall moved back into second, with Norton stilled riding in his shadow. Norton grabbed the deuce spot on lap 16, with Kimball moving back to third six laps later as Kendall’s ride began to fade. Jarvenpaa, who missed half of last season with a broken arm, was on a rail though, outrunning Norton by ten lengths to score his first-ever Sportsman Modified victory. Norton finished his strong night’s work in second, with Kimball, Keith Carzello, and Brian Chapin rounding out the top five. With the victory, Jarvenpaa became the sixth different Sportsman Modified winner in seven weeks this season at the high-banked quarter-mile.

Dennis Stange led the first nine laps of the Super Stock feature, with Tyler Lescord leading the furious charge behind him. Farther back, Tom Carey III and John Lavoie were sailing through the pack. Carey reeled in Stange and edged into the lead on lap ten, with Lavoie already up to third from row five. Lavoie’s undoing, however, would begin a lap later. Bounced out of the top three on lap 11, the two-time defending champion would be gone for the night two laps later, after heavy contact with Lescord’s ride while under caution.Carey’s bid for victory would end on the ensuing restart, as he coasted to a stop as the green waved again. Back in the lead, Stange would run out the race to score the win five lengths ahead of steady Bill Johnston. Eddie Brehio III, Ben Poland, and Dave Striebel rounded out the top five.

Kevin McKnight led the first four laps of the Mini Stock feature, with Beth Adams then taking charge and immediately opening lots of airspace between herself and the rest of the pack.Julia Raymond powered into second on lap 14, but Adams had a half-lap lead by then. Mike Stebbins – bidding for his third win of the summer – took the deuce spot from Raymond on lap 20, but the Adams Express was nowhere in sight.With Adams taking her first victory lap of the season after beating Stebbins by a third-lap, Stebbins completed his own impressive run in second, followed under the flags by Raymond, Joe Rogers, and JT Cloutier. For the first 24 laps of the Thunder Stock feature, Ed Lofland’s unbeaten streak was in severe peril.

Tyler Janovsky led lap one, then watched Marshall Usher storm into the lead and pull away.At the halfway mark, Usher had opened a huge lead, with Scott Thompson second, and Lofland third. A lap-24 caution was the last thing Usher wanted to see, and just what the doctor ordered for Lofland.It took Lofland two laps to clear Thompson for second, and when Usher left the door wide open on lap 27, Lofland ran right through it. With Lofland topping his fifth event of the season, Thompson came home second, followed by Usher, Janovsky and Jason Barden.

The Young Guns feature was Chris Lawrence’s race to lose. The youth division powerhouse had no intention of that happening though, leading all the way to score his third victory of the summer.Joe Collins came from row four to finish second, ten lengths behind Lawrence, with Cameron Sontag making a last turn pass to come home third. Matt Kimball was fourth on the night, with Cole Littlewood fifth.

In the Pro-4 feature Rob Richardi took the lead from Dan Meservey Sr. on lap three and dashed off to victory. Andy Major got up for second, with Robin Berghman strong in third. Mark Charette piloted the first Limited car under the checkers.

Firecracker 100 Advanced Tickets...Discounted tickets are available now for the Firecracker 100 (Saturday-July 6th) featuring the Valenti Modified racing Series and the best Fireworks Display in the region by Altas Pyrotechnics! Adult general Admission $20 ($25 day of event ), Seniors 65+ $10 ($15 day of the event), Students $5 and children 12 and under are free.  Tickets are available at the souvenir booth on race day or by calling the speedway's office Tuesday - Thursday 10am-3pm.  Deadline to purchase tickets is Wednesday, July 3rd. Family Four packs will be available the day of the event for $40 and includes 2 Adults & 2 Children General admission tickets.

Carzello takes the checkers...Keith Carzello held Tyler Jarvenpaa in his shadow for 29 sizzling laps Saturday, June 8, at Monadnock Speedway to win his first Sportsman Modified feature of the season. Carzello became the fifth different winner in six weeks of competition at the high-banked speedplant.
Other winners included John Lavoie, who rock...eted to his third Super Stock victory of the young season; Mike Stebbins, who earned his second Mini Stock victory of the summer; and Young Gun Cameron Sontag, who also notched his second victory.

Lightning Stock ace Chris Davis made a furious charge from eight rows back to snag the lead with one lap to go en route to his second win of the summer, opening up a sizable lead in the points parade with Saturday’s victory. In the NE Champ Kart feature, Mike Dinsmoor led all the way to score his first Monadnock victory.
Carzello started on the point in the 30-lap Sportsman Modified feature, outgunned Eric LeClair to lead lap one, and then, after a lengthy caution brought out by a four-car jingle along the backstretch wall, outran the potent field to earn his first win of the summer.

Before lap two was completed, action came to an abrupt halt, as points leader Adam Norton, Jeff Beckwith, Alyssa Rivera, and Brian Chapin tangled along the backchute, with Beckwith’s ride receiving the heaviest damage, while Norton and Chapin were able to return to the track after hasty work pitside by his crew.
Tyler Jarvenpaa rocketed into second on the ensuing restart, and would remain glued to Carzello’s bumper the rest of the race, looking high and low without success until the checkers waved on his second runner-up showing of the season.

Bennnington Bullet Bill Kimball finished at Jarvenpaa’s bumper to complete his hard night’s work in third, with Steve Fifield and Norton fourth and fifth, as the rapid quintet rode nose-to-tail the final five laps of the event.
Dave Striebel set the fast pace for the first ten laps of the Super Stock main, until watching Eddie Brehio III rocket past from the low groove, with John Lavoie following Brehio by as Striebel got hung outside.
Lavoie stayed glued to Brehio the next nine trips around the high banks, until inching ahead of him from the top of the track on lap 19. Tom Carey III would grab third on lap 22 and, with Lavoie setting a blistering pace he would score his third win of the summer ahead of Brehio, Carey, Striebel, and Craig Smith.

Joe Rogers held the point in the Mini Stock feature for the first six laps, but then Mike Stebbins – from row four - would complete his rapid march to the front, with Chris McTaggart dropping Rogers to third three laps later.
McTaggart would look high and low but, on this night, Stebbins had the hot hand, outgunning McTaggart by two carlengths to score his second win of the year. JT Cloutier, a first-time winner a week earlier, came back from a lap-three crash to claim third, with Beth Adams and Kimmy Rivet rounding out the top five.
Hillary Renaud set the pace for laps one through four in the Lightning Stock 30-lapper, then giving way to Tim O’Shea. By lap 16, O’Shea was putting open track between himself and Renaud, but further back, red hot Chris Davis – from row eight – was mowing through the field.

Davis pulled finally pulled up on O’Shea’s bumper with two laps to go, took command at the white flag, and sped off to victory. O’Shea was a solid second, with Renaud impressive in third. Matt Gauffin, like Davis, came from deep in the field to claim fourth, with steady Gary Johnson coming home fifth.

In the Young Guns feature, Cameron Sontag started on the front row, held Sonja Carey in his shadow for five laps, and then drove away from the pack to win his second event of the summer by half a lap.
Carey completed her strong run in second, with Matt Kimball third, Cole Littlewood fourth, and Justin Faford fifth. Her deuce finish was Carey’s second runner-up showing in as many weeks.

In the visiting NE Champ Kart feature, Mike Dinsmoor led every lap but one to score the victory. Scott Foster turned on the afterburners on his final trip around the high banks to seize the runner-up spot, and Damon Schuster came home third.
 

Monadnock Speedway "Fast Cash" Rewards...We are rewarding you for supporting local businesses in support of the campaign "Local Matters"! Please visit the following participating businesses and receive a $5 "Fast Cash" reward good towards Adult General Admission!  Keene, NH:Rick's Gourmet Ice Cream, U-Save Car & Truck Rental, Hamshaw Lumber, Pamela Moore Bridals, Little Zoe's Take and Bake, Life is Sweet, Alpha Dogs Circus of Weiners, Toy City, Video Headquarters, Jim Eddie's Restuarant, The Sport Source and RA Tanning; Winchester, NH: Big Daddy's RV, Kathyrn's Florist and Toy Box Kustoms; Swanzey, NH: Bob's Auto/West Swanzey Garage and Angie's Pizzaria; Winchendon, Ma: Chick's tavern and CS Pizza; Brattleboro, VT: Stop and Go Oil Change.  (Only one $5 "Fast Cash" reward may be used towards Adult General Admission and cannot be combined with any other discount).

Norton Takes Two in a Row (By Gary Dutton):Second generation racer Matt Kimball scored his first career win Saturday, May 18, at Monadnock Speedway, topping one of two Young Guns feature events to earn a victory lap his father, Sportsman Modified ace Bill Kimball, has taken many times at the high banked speedplant. Other first-time victors Saturday included Ed LaQuire Jr., who wired the Super Stock main event to score his first Monadnock win, and Matt Gauffin, who earned his first victory of the year by dominating the Lightning Stock feature.

Thunder Stock strongman Ed Lofland won his third feature in as many tries this season, while a trio of drivers scored their second win of the young campaign. Adam Norton won his second consecutive Sportsman Modified feature, with defending Mini Stock champion Kimmy Rivet earning her second in a row as well, and Young Gun Chris Lawrence notched his second victory of the summer.

Ken Thompson led the first eight laps of the Sportsman Modified main event, then giving way to Eric LeClair on a restart. LeClair's stay at the point would be brief, though, as another caution a lap later brought Adam Norton alongside for the subsequent restart, with Norton then speeding ahead at the drop of the green. With Norton leading the final 15 laps of the event, Tyler Jarvenpaa’s charge came up three lengths short, netting him a strong runner-up showing. Keith Carzello completed his solid night’s work in third, with Bill Kimball and Russ Hersey rounding out the top five.

Ed LaQuire Jr. survived eight caution flag restarts to hold of Bill Johnston in the Super Stock main. Johnston, from deep in the field, grabbed second from Tyler Lescord on a lap-16 restart, staying glued to LaQuire the rest of the way to earn a solid runner-up finish. Eddie Brehio III was strong in third, with Tom Carey III and Lescord rounding out the top five. Points leader John Lavoie finished out of the money after being jostled on lap 19 and, while keeping his ride under him, losing valuable positions while getting back up to speed.

Joe Rogers led the first five laps of the Mini Stock main, then giving way to JT Cloutier, who would pace the sizzling field the next 11 laps. Mike Stebbins took command when Cloutier bobbled on lap 17, holding the point until Kimmy Rivet rocketed under him three laps later. Beth Adams would soon grab second, settling for the deuce finish behind Rivet. Chris McTaggart got up for third, with Stebbins coming home fourth, and Julia Raymond fifth.

Jason Barden held a healthy lead in the Thunder Stock main until a pair of cautions brought Ed Lofland knocking at his door, with Lofland taking control on lap 15 and then outgunning Barden by a dozen carlengths to score his third win of the season. Barden, Joe Ethier, Jon Goddard, and Marshall Usher completed the top five.

In the Lightning Stock 30-lapper, Matt Gauffin came from row four to seize the lead from CJ Johnson on lap three and then pull away. Craig Chaffee, from deep in the field, put on a strong run to finish 20 lengths behind Gauffin, with Chris Davis a close third. Johnson and Matt Somerville rounded out the top five.

Chris Lawrence led all the way in the Young Guns A feature. Joe Collins and Cameron Sontag were second and third, with Sonja Carey a close fourth, Justin Faford came in fifth. Youth division rookie Matt Kimball won his first career event in the Young Guns B event in style, leading all the way and lapping cars as early as lap seven. Cole Littlewood was second, with Mike McGoldrick third. Corey Wheeler and Dylan Stebbins rounded out the top five.

Rob Riccardi reeled in his brother Dave on lap 11 of the Pro 4 feature, with the siblings then running under a blanket for the next five laps before Rob seized control from the top of the track. With Rob Richardi scoring the win, Andy Major and Robin Bergman were second and third, with Mark Charette wheeling the first Limited machine under the flags.

In the two NEAR events, Lloyd Hutchins topped the Sportsman go-round, with Bob Donahue winning the Modified event. Gregg Massini and Barry Roy followed Hutchins under the checkers, with Scott Poirier and Jimmy Allen chasing Donahue to the flags.

          

Race Tires for the 2013 Season- Monadnock speedway management announced at the Annual Rules meeting that the speedway will be selling the tires for the Sportsman Modifieds, Super Stocks and mini Stocks divisions due to the retirement of Joe Goss from Northern Race Tire.  The speedway has contracted with Hoosier Northeast.  The Sportsman Modifieds will remain on the same Hoosier tire as last year however the Super Stocks and Mini Stocks will be changed from the American Racers to the 8" Hoosier 800 series.  Super Stocks and Mini Stocks may use the American Racer tire from 2012 however any new tire purchases must be made at the speedway and be the designated Hoosier tire.  Tires sales are on race day from 1:30pm - 5:30pm on regular events..

 

Attention Twin State Speedway Competitors...The speedway owners and management are deeply sadden to see the announcement of the possibility that another historical speedway, Twin State Speedway,  may not be in operation this season.  It has been become a horrible reality all over the country and no competitor, race team or fan wants to lose their hometrack.

The Monadnock Speedway management invites all Twin State Speedway race teams to the rules meeting to discuss the possibility of making your new hometrack...Monadnock Speedway.  There are several divisions that Twin State Speedway ran on a weekly basis that will fit into one of the Monadnock Speedway divisions and we are willing to work with you.  If you are interested and cannot attend the rules meeting, please email us at the speedway...monadnockspeedway@ymail.com and a tech official contact you.

 

 

It is with sadness to announce the passing of Carl Merrill.  Carl was a big part of  Monadnock Speedway for many many years as the Race Director up to his retirement in 2011.  He was dedicated to auto racing for well over 60 years starting at Norwood and Westboro. Carl will be sadly missed by all in the racing community. Our prayers go out to his wife Treva and all the Merrill Family.

Alderman Carleton P. Merrill, a lifelong Newton resident, died on Jan 23, 2012. He was 88.  Carleton was elected 13 times to serve as an Aldermen-at-Large from Ward 1 in Newton. His first term was the 1950-1951 term. He then skipped a few years and served 3 terms from 1956 - 1961. In 1962 he became the Veterans Agent for the City and served in that role until 1995 when he retired. Upon retirement he again ran as an Aldermen from Ward 1 and served 8 1/2 terms from 1996 until his death. Carleton graduated from Newton High in 1942 and served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during WW II. An avid stock car racing fan, Carleton had owned and raced his own car. He was a NASCAR official and had officiated at Norwood, Westborough,  Thompson and Monadnock Speedways and had officiated at the Daytona 500 several times. Carleton was also a member of the VFW and American Legion Post 48. He is survived by his wife Treva (Rector) Merrill, his sister Jane Merrill of Newton and his sister in law of Eva Austin of Wilmington DE. He was the brother of the late Edward Merrill.
 

A funeral service will be held on Tues Jan 29 at 11 AM in the Newton Cemetery Chapel 791 Walnut St Newton Centre followed by interment with Military Honors. Relatives and friends are kindly invited. Visiting hours will be in the Eaton & Mackay Funeral Home 465 Centre St. NEWTON CORNER on Mon from 4-7 PM.  In lieu of flowers donations in his name may be made to the American Heart Assoc 20 Speen St. Framingham, MA 01701.