Rocco Takes Center Stage as Thompson Celebrates '07 Champion
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
Wallingford took center stage as the Sunoco Modified champion. He shared the
spotlight with fellow titlists-Late Model ace Rick Gentes of Woonsocket, RI,
and TIS Modified champion Kurt Vigeant of Oxford, MA. A night earlier, Pro
Stock Champion Mike O'Sullivan of Springfield, MA, was honored along with
Limited Sportsman honoree Keith DeSanctis of Monson, MA, and Mini Stock
victor Mike Romano of Pascoag, RI. NASCAR's Chad Little was on hand on
Saturday night to present the champions with their wares.
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, Jenison scored four wins to prove he was for real in 2007.
Up-and-comers Tommy O'Sullivan, R.J. Marcotte, and Paul Newcomb rounded out
the top-five. R.J. Marcotte was also recognized as the division's "Most
Improved Driver". With a season that included a top-five finish and four
top-ten finishes, Randy Waterman was honored as the 2007 Late Model
Rookie-of-the-Year. Runner-up Jenison was also presented with The First
Annual 'Chief Starter's Sportsman Award' for exhibiting exceptional
cooperation and sportsmanship.
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' Adams, Richie Ferreira, Glenn
Boss, Roger Ducharme, and Bart Ramos. Shane Michalski also received "Most
Improved Driver" honors while Josh Walmsley was named Rookie-of-the-Year.
A very special award was presented by Speedway management on Saturday night.
Track employee Mario Palladini was bestowed with a well-deserved honor when
he was awarded with the prestigious John Hoenig Memorial Award. The award,
named in honor of the track's founder, is presented annually to the employee
who exhibits a true dedication to the Speedway. Mario possess a genuine
admiration for the Hoenig family, track management, his fellow employees,
and the competitors. He is truly committed to maintaining the lore that is
Thompson Speedway and to improving the weekly presentation.
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 Nashua, NH driver was relatively quiet in 2007 but
still came home to finish second with two wins. George "Mad Dog" Bessette,
Jay Macedonio and the two-time and defending champ Jeff Zuidema rounded out
the top-five. During a tremendously competitive season, Macedonio captured
the attention of even the division's hottest dogs. His prowess during the
2007 season was recognized with the "Most Improved Driver" Award. Nick Ribbe
was presented with the Rookie-of-the-Year honors.
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-March 2, 2008 in
the Mallary Complex at the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield,
MA.
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, Howell, NJ;
11. Dan LaJeunesse, Norwich, CT; 12. Stephen Masse, Bellingham, MA; 13.
Jimmy Blewett, Howell, NJ; 14. Carl Oberg, Sutton, MA; 15. Geoff Gernhard,
Salem, CT.
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.,
E. Wareham, MA; 11. Steve Desmarais, Westport, MA; 12. Michael Rivard, N.
Scituate, RI; 13. Dennis Maxfield, Fitchburg, MA; 14. Nick Ribbe, Kingston,
MA; 15. Andy Johnson, Rehoboth, MA.
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 Cote, Lisbon, CT; 11.
James Kiley, Jr., Griswold, CT; 12. Randy Waterman, Killingly, CT; 13. Al
Mandarino, Lake Grove, NY; 14. Rich Holton, Manchester, CT; 15. Jeff
Hartwell, East Putnam, CT.
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, Douglas, MA; 11. Brian Blaise,
Colchester, CT; 12. Gerald Sevigny, Brooklyn, CT; 13. Chris Bisson, Putnam,
CT; 14. Jason Chicolas, Sutton, MA; 15. Tom Shea, New London, CT.
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, Sterling, CT; 11. Leo
Oliveira,Raynham, MA; 12. Josh Walmsley, Scotland, CT; 13. Keith "Cam"
McDermott, 14. Steven LaBreck, Millbury, MA.
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, Warwick, RI;
11. John Kelly, Groton, CT; 12. Mike Anzalone, Griswold, CT; 13. Robert O'Connell,
Jr., Plainville, MA; 14. Bill Schoeler, Warwick, RI; 15. Scott Roy,
Bloomfield, CT.
Last Updated on 01/28/08
By George Campbell or Greg Fish
Email: neracing@neracing.com
