11/18/14
November
18, 2014 |
Fans and competitors of the Waterford Speedbowl received some
good news last week when the New London Day reported that New London
Superior Court judge Emmett Cosgrove had ruled that actions among parties
involved in the Oct. 18 foreclosure auction of the Waterford Speedbowl did
not lead to a chilling effect on bidding.
Creditor Edward DeMuzzio claimed in an objection filed earlier this month
that collusion led to a winning bid that was artificially low, as the track
is valued at about $3 million. Bruce Bemer, owner of Bemer Petroleum in
Glastonbury, CT, won ownership of the track with a bid of $1.75 million at
the auction.
“Although there is a substantial difference between the appraised value
of the property and the amount of the sale, the court is not confident that
a new sale would render any different results, but rather would only incur
additional expenses and the continued accrual of interest,” wrote Cosgrove
in a memorandum of decision released on Friday, Nov 14. He added “The court
approves the committee of sale’s report, approves the requested committee
fees and expenses and appraisal fees,” The committee of sale is defined as
the attorney who oversees a sale at auction.
With that out of the way Bemer has 30 days following the approval of sale
to close on the property, though he said his attorney has informed him that
DeMuzzio has a window for appeal of the court’s decision. Once the sale is
consummated creditors, competitors and vendors who are owed money by Terry
Eames will be out of luck as it appears that most or all the $1.75million
paid by Bemer will go to Rocco Arbitell and Peter Borelli.
The Thompson Motorsports Park Speedway saluted its NASCAR champions last
weekend. Ryan Preece was the Sunoco (SK type) Modified champion by six
points over Keith Rocco. Preece was absent from the affair but had a good
reason as he was driving the Tommy Baldwin Racing No. 36 Accell Construction
Chevrolet in a NASCAR Nationwide Series event at the Homestead-Miami
Speedway in Florida. Preece started 33rd and finished 28th on the lead lap.
Todd Ceravolo ended up in the third spot with Keith McDermott and Kerry
Malone rounding out the top five. Sixth thru tenth were Tyler Chadwick,
Danny Cates, John Catania, Woody Pitkat and Andrew Carron.
Rick Gentes took the Late Model Championship at TMPS by a mere eight
points over Larry Gelinas. Mark Curtis, Glenn Boss and James Banfield
rounded out the top five. Other TMPS Champions included Scott Sundeen in the
Limited Sportsman, Michael Veins in the Mini Stocks and Robert Palmer in the
Lite Modifieds.
Numerous special awards were presented. Sunoco Modified Most Improved
driver, Andrew Charron and Rookie-of-the-Year, Keith “Cam” McDermott. The
Most Improved Late Model driver, Jared Materas and Rookie-of-the-Year, Nick
Ladyga. Ladyga as also presented with the UNOH Youth Achievement Award, an
award that is open to NASCAR drivers between the ages of 14-17. Xtra Mart
Limited Sportsman Most Improved Driver award was presented to Hank Stott. In
the Mini Stocks, Most Improved driver, Jeff Moffat and Rookie-of-the-Year,
Christopher Viens.
The John Hoenig Memorial Award, which recognizes one individual for their
hard work and dedication to the Speedway, was presented to Barbara Pickett.
Pickett has been with Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park for 45 years. She
began her tenure as a bookkeeper, but soon was assisting in management of
the golf course, restaurant, the Pro Shop, and the trucking company. She has
served any role necessary including waitress or bartender if needed, and
even served as Donald Hoenig’s personal secretary. The one constant
throughout her 45 years of service, however, has been working the ticket
booth at the speedway.
Good news comes from the Stafford Motor Speedway. According to their
website pitch for season tickets the 2015 schedule currently consists of 23
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series events, 4 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour
events, Valenti Modified Racing Series events yet to be determined, NAPA SK
5k, and Legend Cars. Stafford Speedway 2015 Season Tickets are available now
with no increase in price from the 2014 season.
Stafford will hold their 45th Annual Stafford Awards Banquet this coming
Friday, Nov 21, at Maneeley’s, 65 Rye Street, South Windsor, CT.
The New England Antique Auto Racing Hall of Fame held their annual
induction this past weekend. Drivers Deke Astle, Jim Martel, Mike Rowe, Fred
Schulz, Ron Wyckoff, drag racing icon Bob Tasca, historian R.A. Silvia and
car builder/mechanic Dave Tourigny and auto racing writer Bones Bourcier
made up the New England AntiqueAuto Racing Hall of Fame’s class of 2014.
Also inducted were Briggs Cunningham II, Roy “Pappy” Forsyth and Fred Borden
who are the veterans committee picks for inclusion into the Hall of Fame.
On the speedway stock market scene last week all three speedway stocks
were down for the week. Taking the biggest dip was Speedway Motorsports
which went down 0.26 to 19.51. The International Speedway Corporation
dropped 0.10 to 32.30 and Dover Entertainment dropped 0.04 to 2.37. NASCAR
tire supplier Goodyear went up 0.97 to 25.62 while NASCAR cup sponsor Sprint
dropped 0.88 to 5.05 and NASCAR fuel supplier Sunoco (Energy Transfer)
dropped 0.79 to 65.22. The car makers were all green for the week. Toyota
went up 1.15 to 119.82 while Ford went up 0.97 to 15.14 and General Motors
went up 0.20 to 31.79. In the home improvement sector, Lowes went up 0.89 to
58.58 and Home Depot went up 0.59 to 98.24. With the exception of Target
Department Stores dropping 1.04 to 68.13 the big team's sponsors stocks were
in the green. Dupont went up 1.65 to 70.80, Coca-Cola went up 1.68 to 91.68,
Aarons Rentals went up 1.60 to 27.30 and FedEx went up 0.34 to 171.56.
On the tube this week:
Wednesday, November 19
7:00 AM, NASCAR America, NBC Sports Network
7:30 AM, NASCAR America, NBCSN
8:00 AM, NASCAR America, NBCSN
8:30 AM, NASCAR America, NBCSN
5:00 PM, NASCAR Race Hub, FOX Sports 1
5:00 PM, NASCAR America, NBCSN
6:30 PM, The 10 - Greatest NASCAR Rivalries, FOX Sports 2
Thursday, November 20
7:00 AM, NASCAR America, NBCSN
7:30 AM, NASCAR America, NBCSN
8:00 AM, NASCAR America, NBCSN
8:30 AM, NASCAR America, NBCSN
5:00 PM, NASCAR Race Hub, FS1
5:00 PM, NASCAR America, NBCSN
Friday, November 21
7:00 AM, NASCAR America, NBCSN
7:30 AM, NASCAR America, NBCSN
10:30 AM, How It's Made - NASCAR Engines, SCI
5:00 PM, NASCAR America, NBCSN
Sunday, November 23
6:00 PM, NASCAR Awards Ceremony - NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR
Camping World Truck Series, FS1
That’s about it for this week from 11 Gardner Drive, Westerly, and
R.I.02891. Ring my chimes at 401-596-5467. E-mail:
smithpe_97_97@yahoo.com.
Phil Smith has been a
columnist for Speedway Scene and various
other publications for over 3 decades.
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Source: Phil
Smith / Champ Trail
Posted: November
18, 2014 |
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