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.