6/20/2022
Sprint Cars of New England
The Musket Shootout Recap
Loudon, NH- Saturday it was a new track for The JRC Transportation Sprint Cars of New England. The series visited The Flat Track at NHMS. The day was more like a late April or early May with overcast sky's and windy but it did not stop the racing excitement that was in the air. Seventeen cars were on hand for the event. The track surface was very smooth and a little slick but the racers enjoyed the challenge and what was to come. After two groups of practice the teams went to work on what they thought they needed to do to get their car going better. Without a notebook to go by, there was lots of conversation between the teams on what to do. As always the SCoNE teams helped each other out. With the heat races ready to go the anticipation and excitement was seen in the eyes of the drivers.
The FK Rod Ends Heat Race #1, was 8 laps with Scott Holcomb leading all eight but there was some good racing in the short race. Chris Donnelly was second, followed by Matt Hoyt. The O'Reilly Auto Parts Heat race #2 was just as good with Travis Billington taking the win followed by Clay Dow and Luke Greenwood. Once back in the pit area teams were wondering what to do to their car to tackle the slick track. The lineup for the A main was set by the invert. Scott Holcomb winner of Heat Race #1 pulled the number 5, which meant the first five rows would be inverted. That put Jake Williams on the pole for the main event. As the cars were pushing off on the track the 41u of Rick Stone had an issue and was able to get it fixed as the green flag waived and joined the field. So a field of seventeen cars came off turn four and the fans went a little crazy as the pack raced by for lap one.
Williams was able to stay up front with Wayne Stearns until the Floyd Billington was putting pressure and got by. The same time as Will Hull was moving through and got the lead. They were three and four wide many times for the first many laps. Once the leaders got out front some the mid pack drivers were side by side for many laps swapping positions like it was the last lap. As the leaders were catching lap traffic and then reached up to about the tenth position it got a little more exciting for the fans but maybe not the drivers. Hull was trying to get past some cars and Travis Billington was catching him with Donnelly by his side. The event went caution free and Will Hull was able to collect the win along with a check for $1500 and a Musket trophy. Followed by Travis Billington, Chris Donnelly, Floyd Billington, Matt Hoyt rounding out the top five. Six thru ten were Clay Dow, Luke Greenwood, Wayne Stearns,Scott Holcomb, and Caleb Lamson. For the complete rundown click on the results page on the website. sprintcarsofnewengland.com
Some other notes from the day. Luke Greenwood of Hudson, NH returned to the series after a few years absence driving the Barry Lavalley 77, Legion Speedway wingless driver Donald Ottati of Rumney, NH got his first winged sprint car start in the Ron Bryson owned 37, and Dylan Menditto from Brooklyn ,CT made his first 360 winged sprint car start in the family owned 29 a car driven previously by Danny Dietrich.
The SCoNE series had some schedule poster made up for the 2022 season and were handed out. Look for some posted around the tracks the series competes at. The poster featured the sponsors logo for the series , the track, and was presented by Sonia's Auto Group out of MA. The idea for this was given to the Norwich Tech graphic arts class in Norwich Ct. The students there were given some pictures and information, logos and such. Then they had to put together something on there own. The junior class of students then choose the poster design featuring the 68 car of Caleb Lamson. So Thank You to the series sponsors, tracks, and the students of the class of 2023 Norwich Tech graphic arts class. NOTE: Caleb graduated high school a couple weeks ago and received two awards for his accomplishments and is working to become a licensed electrician in his future.
Rick Stone , what can we say about Rick. Rick was probably around when the Musket was invented. He has been racing for over 60 years and still loves attention. On Saturday as he fired off his 41u on the back stretch his top wing came forward and undone from the rear wing tree brackets. He pulled into the infield where NHMS track General Manager David McGrath and Dr. Dirt himself Dick Beggren tried to reattach the wing to the post. I am not sure if McGrath ever touched a sprint car top wing or not but he jumped on the chance to get Rick back out. Berggy he may have had a little experience with top wings in his racing career but with the camera and such he had strapped to him it was not easy. They decided to have the 41u return to pit area and with some quick work by some crew guys Rick was able to get pushed off and started, and joined the field as the green flag waived.
There were many photographers there so if your looking for pictures contact us and we will help you with who was there. I know Alan Ward was there along with Mark McKeon from AARN, Karl Fredrickson form Speedway Illustrated.
The series will have a back to back weekend coming up this weekend. Friday night 6/24 the series will head back to The Legion Speedway for the Jack Cook Memorial race. Then on Saturday 6/25 they head over to Bear Ridge Speedway .
Be kind :)
Submitted By: Ron Giroux
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