O’Sullivan, Gentes, Vigeant, DeSanctis & Romano Also Feted
Thompson, CT (January 27, 2008): The Raceway Restaurant and Golf
Club, on the grounds of the historic Thompson International Speedway, was the
site of the two-day 2007 champions celebration. On Saturday night, Keith Rocco
of
A relative newcomer, Keith Rocco, in only his third year of Sunoco
Modified racing beat the best-of-the-best to score his first NASCAR Whelen
All-American Series Championship in 2007. With a great car owner in Don
Bannister and the backing of a strong race team led by Shane Hopkins, Rocco and
his Interstate Diesel team ran consistency straight to the championship.
Together the team posted four wins, 12 top-five finishes, and 14 top-ten
finishes.
The chase for the championship went right down to the wire with
the top-three of Rocco, Woody Pitkat, and Tommy Cravenho all within striking
distance of the title. All three teams finished in the top-five on that final
night, but it was Rocco claiming the title in exciting fashion and a six-point
edge. Defending champions Woody Pitkat and car owners Robert Hitchcock and
Kelly Iverson came home second over Tommy Cravenho and owners Al and Cathy
Moniz.
Veteran campaigner Kerry Malone finished the season in fourth
while underdog Paul “Buddy” Charette had a breakout season to finish fifth in
the final point standings. Todd Ceravolo, Bert Marvin, Danny Cates, Harry
Rheaume and the late John Blewett III ended the season-long battle in sixth
through tenth positions, respectively. Cates was also honored as the
Rookie-of-the-Year. After catapulting from the Limited Sportman division to the
Modifieds, Cates was impressive scoring three top-five and 10 top-ten finishes.
Josh Steeves was recognized with the “Most Improved Driver” Award.
After a decade of trying, Rick Gentes was once again honored as a
Thompson champion. On Saturday night, Gentes was honored among his peers for a
season that found him in victory lane eight times. He also had 13 top-five and
14 top-ten finishes en route to the title. Like the Modifieds, the Late Model
title hunt came down to the final night with three teams still in the hunt. A
third-place finish was enough for Gentes to win his first championship in 10
years.
Veteran Mark Jenison had to settle for second in the point chase
but has to be proud of his 2007 season. He stunned the Thompson faithful by
immediately becoming the dark horse in the title chase. Going toe-to-toe with
Gentes all season,
The newest division to the Thompson International Speedway, the
TIS Modifieds, continues to grow stronger year-after-year. Still in its infancy
stage, the division quickly evolved into one of the most competitive at the
track. In 2007, Kurt Vigeant proved to be the leader of this spirited pack with
three wins, 11 top-fives and 14 top-tens. Tim Sullivan pressured the champ
until the end to finish second. Roger Larson, Jr., Shane Michalski, and Mike
Viens rounded out the top five. Also honored on Saturday night were sixth
through tenth respectively, Leo ‘Bim’
A very special award was presented by
The celebrations kicked-off on Friday night when Mike O’Sullivan
was honored as the Pro Stock divisional champion. The now multi-time champ had
plenty to celebrate during the 2007 season. Above and beyond his four feature
event wins, he and his wife welcomed their first child. On track, O’Sullivan
drove to 12 top-five and 13 top-ten finishes during his title run.
Second-place finisher Norm Wrenn dogged the champ right down to
the final point race. Wrenn had to settle for being a bridesmaid for the second
straight season. The
Fan-favorite, Limited Sportsman competitor, Keith DeSanctis made
his dream come true during the 2007 season. The racer, who shared every high
and low with his wife Debbie, announced that he would end the phase of his
career as an owner/driver after the 2007 season. The hard-charger went out as a
champion winning the title with three victories 12 top five and 14 top-ten
finishes.
Like there counterparts, the chase to the 2007 Limited Sportsman
title went down to the final night. Ernie LaRose, who returned to Limited
Sportsman competition after a several year hiatus, vied for the title against
DeSanctis. Never missing a beat, LaRose was in the thick of the battle
ultimately finishing second. Last season’s champion, Larry Barnett, settled for
third in the final point standings ahead of veterans Scott Sundeen and Joe
Arena. Second-generation driver Jay Sundeen was named the “Most Improved
Driver”. Rookie-of-the-Year honors in the division went to Fred Bates in his
familiar Richard Petty tribute #43.
Mike Romano went from a relative unknown to a contender during the
2007 season. On the heals of five feature win, 12 top-fives and 13 top-tens,
the young driver from Pascoag, RI was crowned the Mini Stock champion and now the
man to beat. Romano had stiff competition that lasted through to the final race
of the season from the likes of runner-up Brad Caddick and third-place finisher
Rick Blanchard. Ron Rixham and Leo Defevers finished fourth and fifth
respectively in the season long point chase. In addition, to his runner-up
finish, Caddick was also named the Mini Stock “Most Improved Driver”. John
Kelly was recognized as the Mini Stock Rookie-of-the-Year.
Also on Friday night, champions Mike O’Sullivan and Keith DeSanctis
were recognized by chief starter Tim Bennet with his First Annual ‘Chief
Starter’s Sportsman Award’.
In just over two months the excitement of the 2008 season starts
with the annual ICEBREAKER. April 5-6 will mark the start of another chase for
championship honors in all six of the Thompson Speedway divisions. The on-track
activities will begin on March 22 and March 29 with test and tune sessions. To
learn more about the 2008 season including “test and tune”, visit www.thompsonspeedway.com or see
track officials when Thompson Speedway is represented at the upcoming
SpeedwayEXPO on February 29-
Release Prepared by Dale Wolbrink
Sunoco Modified Final Point Standings (Top Fifteen): 1. Keith
Rocco, Wallingford, CT; 2. Woody Pitkat, Stafford, CT; 3. Tommy Cravenho,
Raynham, MA; 4. Kerry Malone, Needham, MA; 5. Paul Charette, Woodstock, CT; 6.
Todd Ceravolo, Gales Ferry, CT; 7. Bert Marvin, Waterford, CT; 8. Danny Cates,
9. Harry Rheaume; 10. John Blewett III,
11. Dan LaJeunesse,
Pro Stock Final Point Standings (Top Fifteen): 1. Mike O’Sullivan,
Springfield, MA; 2. Norman Wrenn, Nashua, NH; 3. George Bessette, Danbury, CT;
4. Jay Macedono, Somerset, MA; 5. Jeff Zuidema, N. Brookfield, MA; 6. Fred
Astle, Jr., N. Westport, MA; 7. Jim Banfield, S. Glastonbury, CT; 8. Dave
Silvia, Warwick, RI; 9. David Berghman, Seekonk, MA; 10. Les
Rose, Jr.,
Late Model Final Point Standings (Top Fifteen): 1. Rick Gentes,
Woonsocket, RI; 2. Mark Jenison, Danielson, CT; 3. Tommy O’Sullivan,
Springfield, MA; 4. R.J. Marcotte, Millville, MA; 5. Paul Newcomb, Jr.,
Plymouth, MA; 6. Mark Oliveira, Blackstone, MA; 7. Dennis Perry, Pawcatuck, CT;
8.Pete Yetman, Peru, MA; 9. John Materas, Voluntown, CT; 10. Conrad
Limited Sportsman Final Point Standings (Top Fifteen): 1. Keith
DeSanctis, Monson, MA; 2. Ernie LaRose, Plainfield, CT; 3. Larry Barnett,
Ledyard, CT; 4. Scott Sundeen, Douglas, MA; 5. Joe Arena, Kensington, CT; 6. Ed
Puleo, Branford, CT; 7. Tim Taylor, Wauregan, CT; 8. Jay Pepin, Ridgefield, CT;
9. Jesse Gleason, Lisbon,CT; 10. Jay Sundeen,
TIS Modified Final Point Standings: 1. Kurt Vigeant, Oxford, MA;
2. Tim Sullivan, S. Windsor, CT; 3. Roger Larson, Jr., Milford, MA; 4. Shane
Michalski, Woodstock, CT; 5. Mike Viens, Seekonk, MA; 6. Leo ‘Bim’ Adams,
Putnam, CT; 7. Richie Ferreira, Raynham, MA; 8. Glenn Boss, Danielson, CT; 9.
Roger Ducharme, Foster, RI; 10. Bart Ramos,
Mini Stock Final Point Standings (Top Fifteen): 1. Mike Romano,
Pascoag, RI; 2. Brad Caddick, New London, CT; 3. Rick Blanchard, Pascoag, RI;
4. Ron Rixham, Jefferson, MA; 5. Leo Defevers, Brooklyn, CT; 6. Roger Ducharme,
Foster, RI; 7. Steve Michalski, Dayville, CT; 8. Scott Michalski, S. Killingly,
CT; 9. Steve Romjue, Coventry, RI; 10. Jeff Moffat,