Docherty Wins Pros, Outlaw Checkers to Gentes & Monahan in Saturday World Series Action at Thompson
 

Thompson, CT:  The 30^th Annual World Series of Speedway Racing presented by Xtramart was well underway on Saturday night with features for both regular and Outlaw divisions.  Chuck Docherty of Springfield, MA took Pro Stock honors, while Rick Gentes of Woonsocket, RI was victorious in the Outlaw Late Model division.  Other Outlaw winners included Jim Silvia of Middletown, RI in the Outlaw Strictly Stocks and Mike Viens of Seekonk, MA in Outlaw Minis.  Shawn Monahan of Waterford, CT checkered the Limited Sportsman main event and Joe Godbout of Hope Valley, RI was the Mini Stock winner.  It was none other than Richard Savary of Canton, MA in Pro Four Modified victory lane.  Tommy Cravenho of Raynham, MA was the Sunoco Modified B-Main victor. 

Chuck Docherty of Springfield, MA put an exclamation point on a highly successful season driving his #48 to victory lane for fifth time in ’03.  Todd Owen finally rid himself of his Thompson jinx as he stormed out to the lead, holding off the charges of Docherty for the first third of the event. 

Jim Mavlouganes and Joe Lemay where battling hard for the third position when contact was made between the two as they tried to make their way through lapped traffic.  A restart set-up another few circuits of side-by-side racing for Owen and Docherty.  On lap 16, Docherty put his Ford out front.  Coming on strong was division champion, Dave Berghman.  

Third place was not a good place to be as Berghman spun after contact with Andy Johnson.  The green stayed out allowing Docherty to extend his lead slightly over Owen.  The man on the move was Jeff Zuidema.  Up from his 18^th starting position he had moved into the top five. 

In lapped traffic Docherty continued to extend his lead.  Owen had to be happy with a second place finish after the string of hard luck he has experienced here over the last few seasons.  Dennis Maxfield was scored in third position but lost the position after post race technical inspection.  Zuidema, too fell victim to tech leaving third place to Rick Martin.  Andy Johnson, who was penalized for an incident on the track, was scored fourth.  Greg Kleila rounded out the top-five.

Thompson regular Rick “the Woonsocket Rocket” Gentes added another title to his name, 2003 World Series Outlaw Late Model champion.  After chasing 2003 Seekonk Speedway Sportsman champ Gerry DeGasparre, Jr. for the lead for a couple of laps, Gentes set sail at the head of the pack that ran 39 strong.  A handful of good cars took up pursuit including Woody Pitkat, Bill Fiske and Jeff Zuidema. 

After a restart on lap 11, Pitkat made his way into the second position and started to reel in Gentes while DeGasparre and Fiske were locked in a heated battle for the third position.  With the green in the air, Gentes once again moved out to a sizeable lead.  DeGasparre got some breathing room as well.  In the late stages, lapped traffic began to play a major role in the event.  Gentes got trapped behind a bunch of slower cars, opening the door slightly for Pitkat.  Gentes was able to maintain his position.  DeGasparre would not be so lucky as Fiske got by him traffic.  Gentes cruised to the checkers ahead of Pitkat, Fiske, and DeGasparre. 

Shawn Monahan of Waterford, CT checkered his seventh Limited Sportsman win of the season on Friday night over a full World Series field, 40 cars strong.  Monahan hopes for much of the same success when he makes his first-ever Sunoco Modified start on Sunday.  Scott Sundeen led at the drop of the green flag but as he approached the halfway marker he had a mirror full of Monahan with Boss closing quick.  Monahan was able to overtake Sundeen on lap eight. 

Sundeen was able to hold off the advances of the Boss until lap 15 while Monahan stretched out his lead.  A caution on lap 16 bunched up the field for a single-file restart.  Like much of the year, the battle came down between Monahan and division champ Boss.  In the end, Monahan hit the stripe for another win.  Boss was second followed by Danny Cates, Kevin Mason, and Sundeen. 

Jim Silvia of Middletown, RI put on a strong performance to triumph in the Outlaw Strictly Stock feature event.  Steve Palmer held the top spot until relinquishing the lead to Silvia on lap 12.  Lapped traffic made it interesting on the white flag lap when the #21 slowed in front of leader Silvia, allowing second place Palmer a last ditch effort for the lead.  Silvia recovered nicely to take down the World Series victory.  Palmer settled for second over Anthony Crimaldi, Bob Bettencourt, Jr., and Ken Bamford in the top five. 

Thompson’s own Mini Stock division champion, Mike Viens of Seekonk, MA turned Outlaw for the World Series.  A duel between Jeff Miller and Viens at the head of the 35-car pack headed an equally as intense battle for third between Bill Leonard And Chris Burton on the opening laps of the 15-lap event.  At lap 8, Viens, who had been trying the high side for several laps, pulled an outside move to take over the top spot from Miller.

Once out front Viens, who was driving in relief for Adam Murphy, started to pull away.  A big puff of smoke billowed out of Miller’s ride, ending his bid for a podium finish.  A quick cleanup set the field for a two-lap dash to the checkers.  A burst of energy from Leonard off the blocks was of little concern for Viens as he motored in for the win.  Leonard settled for second followed by Burton, Nate Apell and Joe Godbout. 

Joe Godbout of Hope Valley, MA capped off a four-win season with a feature win on World Series Weekend.  The Thompson Mini Stock race was treated to an extra payoff, extra-distance race as a thank you for a great season of competition. Much like the rest of the season, the Mini Stockers put on a great show.  Scott Michalski of Attawaugan, CT jumped out to take command of the event early, he led uncontested until lap 18 when he relinquished the lead to Godbout. 

With the laps clicking off the counter, a great battle for the lead erupted with no less than five drivers including Godbout, Michalski, Andy Schoeler, Andy Publicover, and Richard Brooks vying for the lead.  Publicover after taking second from Michalski began to apply heavy pressure on Godbout’s lead.

Godbout had the lead but Publicover and Michalski were doublewide on his back bumper.  John Dumas joined the fray as well. A lap later, Dumas got out of shape, collecting Michalski.  This left the battle for the lead between Godbout and Publicover.  Publicover had nothing for Godbout as he was able to stretch his lead on his way to the checkers.  Publicover, Schoeler, Ron Rixham, and Fred Michalski III completed the top-five.  

Over 64 Sunoco Modifieds signed in to compete on World Series Weekend, necessitating a B-Main.  Erica Santos of Franklin, MA led until lap 7 when Cravenho jumped to her inside in turn three to take over the lead.  Cravenho cruised to the checkers with Adam Norton coming home second.  Santos settled for third. 

In other feature action, Richard Savary of Canton, MA took down the win in the 22-lap Harry Kourafas, Jr. Memorial event for the Southern New England Pro-Four Modifieds.  On Friday night, after a full slate of qualifying for the Outlaw divisions the All-Star Truck Series kicked-off World Series feature race action with a 25-lapper.  The feature event produced a first-time winner as local racer Seth Duvall of Brooklyn, CT posted the win in the caution free race.

Racing action resumes Sunday at Noon.  A full day is planned that includes the deciding point races for the Featherlite Modified Series, NASCAR Touring, the ISMA Supermodifieds, and the NEMA Midgets.  Other features include Late Models and Sunoco Modifieds.  For complete information visit www.thompsonspeedway.com.

Pro Stock Feature Finish (Top Ten):  1.  Chuck Docherty, Springfield, MA; 2. Todd Owen, Somers, CT; 3. Rick Martin, Westport, MA; 4. Andy Johnson, Rehoboth, MA; 5. Greg Kleila, Lindenhurst, NY; 6. Mike Brousseau, Claremont, NH; 7. Joe Lemay, Blackstone, MA; 8. Glenn Tyler, Hampton Bay, NY; 9. Rodney Dufault, Rochdale, MA; 10. Dave Berghman, Rehoboth, MA. 

Outlaw Late Model Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. Rick Gentes, Woonsocket, RI; 2. Woody Pitkat, Stafford, CT; 3. Bill Fiske, Chester, NH; 4. Gerry DeGasparre, Jr., Pawtucket, RI; 5. George Rego, N. Dartmouth, MA; 6. Steve Ratti, Manorville, NY; 7. Grant Aither, Exeter, NH; 8. Michael Bologna, Huntington, NY; 9. Rob Tribuzio, Riverhead, NY; 10. Glen Young, Foxboro, MA.

Limited Sportsman Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1.  Shawn Monahan, Waterford, CT; 2. Glenn Boss, Danielson, CT; 3. Danny Cates, Chaplin, CT; 4. Kevin Mason, W. Warwick, RI; 5. Scott Sundeen, Douglas, MA; 6. Jess Gleason, Lisbon, CT; 7. Rich Souliere, N. Smithfield, RI; 8. Scott Cook, Uncasville, CT; 9. Keith DeSanctis, Monson, MA; 10. Chris Douton, Waterford, CT.

Outlaw Strictly Stock Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. Jim Silvia, Middletown, RI; 2. Steve Palmer, Watertown, CT; 3. Anthony Crimaldi, Port Monmouth, NJ; 4. Bob Bettencourt, Jr., Fall River, MA; 5. Ken Bamford, Coventry, RI; 6. Mike Cavanaugh, Coventry, RI; 7. Dick Cavallaro, Seekonk, MA; 8. Elmer Wing, Lakeville, MA; 9. Dave Yardley, III, Meriden, CT; 10. James Alves, Middletown, RI. 

Mini Stock Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1.  Joe Godbout, Hope Valley, RI; 2. Andy Publicover, Sudbury, MA; 3. Bill Schoeler, Warwick, RI; 4. Ron Rixham, Jefferson, MA; 5. Fred Michalski, III, Dayville, CT; 6. Steve Michalski, Dayville, CT; 7. Clyde Caswell, Jamestown, RI; 8. Roger Larson, Jr., Milford, MA; 9. Glen Naylor, Chepachet, RI; 10. Scott Michalski, Attawaugan, CT.

Outlaw Mini Stock Feature Finish (Top Ten):  1. Mike Viens, Seekonk, MA; 2. Bill Leonard, Wood River Jct., VT; 3. Chris Burton, Chester, CT; 4. Nate Appell, Westbrook, CT; 5. Joe Godbout, Hope Valley, RI; 6. Brian Towle, Woonsocket, RI; 7. Wayne Burroughs, Ledyard, CT; 8. Dick Brooks, Wateford, CT; 9. Steve Pinkham, Waterford, CT; 10. Richard Fournier, Warwick, RI. 

Sunoco Modified B-Main Finish (Top Ten): 1. Tommy Cravenho, Raynham, MA; 2. Adam Norton, Brookfield, MA; 3.Erica Santos, Franklin, MA; 4. Danny O’Keefe, Ridge, NY; 5. Vincent Anglace, Beacon Falls, CT; 6. Richie Carman, Ridge, NY; 7. Dave Bettencourt, Coventry, RI; 8. Billy Ramsey, Uxbridge, MA; 9. Brett LeBlanc, Oxford, MA; 10. Gene Vitiello, Jr., Pascoag, RI.

Pro Four Modifieds Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. Richard Savary, Canton, MA; 2. George Sherman, Framingham, MA; 3. John Studley, Waltham, MA; 4. Tony Mendoza, Taunton, MA; 5. P.J. Fearns, Coventry, RI.