Rolling Thunder e-Mag. Canandaigua Big Block Birthday Special—Edition 21 Editor; Brett “Pirate” Swanson PHOTO’S All photo’s by Brett Swanson & Kieran Swanson for Pirate Media. Swanson.1@bigpond.com CONTRIBUTORS; Brett Swanson CMP Media
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Front Cover: Super Matt Sheppard (9s) won the first 25 lap Big Block Modified feature, while Billy Dunn (49 seen here outside of Chad Homan 91) high-lined his way to the win in the second 25 lap feature ahead of Aussie Peter Britten. Above: Aussie Peter Britten.
Happy 50th, CMP, 1953-2013 . After opening on Memorial Day 1953 (the first Monday of May), Canandaigua Motorsports Park (CMP) is in the midst of celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2013. Hang on a second, 2013 minus 1963, that’s 60 years not 50. That’s correct, it is 60 years. However, CMP is not celebrating its 50 anniversary of existence, rather it’s celebrating its 50th year of racing. Sadly for the hallowed half miler on the Ontario County Fairgrounds, it has had periods of inactivity which thankfully are now just a distant memory. CMP, which is nestled in the heart of New York State’s picturesque Finger Lakes Region, stands as one of the most revered ovals on the entire Northeastern circuit. 2013 will mark the 41st consecutive season of racing for CMP which is also known as the Fastlands of the Finger Lakes. Big Block Modifieds are the major draw card and living legends “A.J Slideways” Alan Johnson and “Hurricane” Steve Paine are still among the biggest attractions today.
Johnson’s first CMP track title came way back in 1977 with his last being recorded in 1988. At the time of writing Johnson leads the all time win list with 118 victories between March 1975 and now, ahead of “Barefoot” Bob McCreadie on 99 (1983 – 2002) and Paine on 88 (Dec 1984 to current). Paine however, has a staggering 11 titles to his name the first being scored on 1990. It was ten years before he recorded his second track title but from 2000 he went on a rampage of being undefeated as track champ for nine years. His final CMP title came about in 2010. Even to this day it is hard to miss “the Hurricane” as his yellow #7 usually has the inside wheels lifted higher than anyone else with the bodywork twisted beyond belief. CMP’s other claim to fame is that it is the weekly base for Aussie Peter Britten who has made it home for his US campaigns for the past few years. Ironically, although it’s his US home track, a feature win here has still eluded him. June 22nd 2013 featured a huge field of competitors across six
classes with the headlining Big Block Modifieds (BBM) running twin 25 lap features as the highlight. First impressions upon entering the venue are that it’s big and long and like a lot of American tracks, is built just across the street from residential premises. “Grandfather” legacy rules apply to allow these venues to continue to operate as they did when they were first opened, i.e. no mufflers and sometimes not even a curfew, or at least a midnight curfew. None the less a huge and varied field of cars were on hand to satisfy all speedway tastes.
Left, Aussie Peter Britten in heat action at his American home base— Cananadaigua Motorsport Park. Below, looking down along the grandstands.
11 time CMP champion Steve “Hurri side out in early heat racing. Note t touching the ground.
icane� Paine tries to turn his car inthe far side rear bodywork is almost
Big Block Modifieds. When the Big Blocks hit the track for some hot laps while the track is heavy, hooky and quick you realise just how fast they are and how much they lay over on the right hand side as they enter the corners. Oh, and the other thing that you can’t miss is that they are definitely loud due to the fact that, despite the nearby houses, they do not have to run mufflers. The other thing that is noticable is that the level of support for Aussie Peter Britten is quite mixed and it is automatically assumed that as an Aussie we are fans of Britten’s. As if to prove that neither Johnson nor Paine were spent forces, the pair lead the timesheets after practice with Paine edging Johnson, Jimmy Phelps, Vince Vitale, Justin Haers and Britten.
Big Block Modified heat racing action like this has been a regular feature at CMP for 50 years.
(Right) Dave Rauscher 48too. (Centre) Derrick Podsiadlo (Consi winner) inside Gil Tegg Jr. Paine was the only driver to go below the 18 second lap mark. By the time heats for the Big Blocks had started the track had already slicked off and Matt Fink took the first heat win from position 3 with veterans Phelps, Dunn and Danny Johnson struggling already to go forward. The second heat fell to Dave Rauscher who maximised his front row starting spot. The final heat saw Sheppard credited with the win from the back of the pack while the lap charts don’t support that result. Britten was on the high-line and could only manage 4th after starting 5th. The consolation event was won by Derrick Podsiadlo, from Matt Billings, Dave Allen, Gill Tegg Jr, Eldon Payne Jr and Greg Birosh. The only driver in the consi to not make the twin features was the unlucky Adam Roberts. At the previous meeting here Britten had destroyed his brand new racer, so his confidence may have been down a little, although a pole position start in
feature No. 2 may have given him some hope. However, despite a couple of Aussie tourists being in the house and wishing him on, Britten was unable to score the feature win although a pair of top fives including a runner up position, was if nothing else, consistent. While Britten just missed out on a feature win, his preference for the high-line was certainly a crowd pleaser although, in the opening feature this at times was a handicap as he lost positions despite his gallantry, when those set up to run the bottom were able to slip past while Britten was up top, spinning his wheels in the looser surface. The first feature went to “Super” Matt Sheppard in his 9s, his fourth feature win of the season. Sheppard showed why he is considered “Super” after starting 16th. Rauscher in his black bodied #48too was the early race leader until Sheppard made his move for the lead on lap 12 and forged on to victory. Dunn, another high-line hero, soon followed Sheppard past Rauscher but was unable to challenge. Instead he sat back and looked and learned. Johnson too was able to demote Rauscher pushing him back to fourth by races end with Britten capturing 5th. In the second feature Britten and Rauscher shared the front row and Britten was beaten away by Rauscher who led the first 4 laps before Britten made the pass to lead until a caution on lap 11 allowed Dunn to make the pass and go on for the win, his second CMP victory of the year. Britten was able to hang on for second. Sheppard worked his way to 3rd from 17th ahead of Rich Scagliotta and Justin Wright. “It was a good night for this race team,” Dunn admitted afterwards. “To be honest, we were able to watch Matt in the first race and what lane he ran and make the changes necessary to win. I’m hoping that we can keep this going.” “We were really good in the first race,” Sheppard said in victory lane. “We had to change an axle between the two races. The car was really good in the second race but we had to come too far from the back.”
Heat 1 winner Matt Fink (below) and (above) Matt Billings inside Eldon Payne Jr.
Nick Guerrreri —heat winner (left) Sportsman winner Paul Guerreri (centre) turned around a tuff season to grab his first win of the year.
Sportsman
In the Sportsman 25-lap event, Paul Guererri held on for dear life after his right front tire began to lose air with five laps remaining to win his first main event of the season. Guererri took the lead on lap six and held off Eric Giguere at the end in a thriller. “I saw the 67g (Giguere) on the outside,” Guererri said following the race. “I really thought I was going backwards. I’m glad that it held out.” It has been a tough season for Paul up to this point. “We’ve been struggling pretty bad all season long. We really needed this one.” Finishing third was Matt Guererri followed by Kevin Ridley and Andrew Jacobson in the top-five. Heat race winners were Kane Bristol, Steve Gray and Nick Guererri.
Steve Gray (right) was also a heat winner.
(Below)—3 wide sportsman action . Dan wiesner 66 inside Rob Bussey 76 & Tyler Meeks 17. Kane Bristol 31 (right) was able to score a heat win.
(Centre right) Kane Bristol 31, Jimmy Maier 3M & Dan Wiesner 66 continue the 3 wide action. (Bottom right) The setting sun gleams off the roof of Dan Wiesner 66 as he dices with Kaitlin Pashina 16K.
305 Sprints The 305 Sprints 20-lap main event ended with Charlie Donk returning to victory lane. Donk won the first three events of the 2013 season but hasn’t been back in winning form until now. “We have been struggling so bad with this car,” Donk said. “We just didn’t know what was wrong with it. I guess we found out.” Nick Cooper led the first eight laps before Donk took over the lead. Finishing second was Paul Habeck followed by multi-time 305 Sprint winner Darryl Ruggles. Rounding out the top-five were Bob Dreste and Todd Henderson. Heat race winners were Darryl Ruggles and Nick Cooper. One of the biggest surprises of the night was the relative lack of
performance from Chuck “the Cobra” Hebing. With their straight out exhausts and on the big flowing track these 305’s could easily be mistaken for 360’s and the cars were all presented immaculately.
Charlie Donk (pictured) on his way to the main event win.
Top - Darryl Ruggles (48jr), Bottom—Will Glover (21), Nick Cooper (35), Chuck Hebing (29), Todd Henderson (18H) & Kelly “Ltitle Cobra”Hebing (10).
Top - Nick Cooper 35, Middle - Phil Peworchik Jr (2) and Steve Glover (121), Bottom - Chuck “The Cobra” Hebing (29).
Street Stocks
(Above) - Mike Welch (00) dic Mike Coop (Bottom right) - Charles Harvey hit by George LaVare Sr (8L) as (Bottom centre) - Heat w (Bottom right) - Keit
ces with Blane Smith (55B) & per (715). y (01h) spins and is about to be s Keith Keuer (5K) goes around. winner Bill Weller (69). th Keuer (5K) spins.
Mike Welch won his eighth Street Stock feature of the season in the 15-lap main event. Welch took the lead on lap eight and went on unscathed to the chequered flag. “This season has been way beyond our expectations,” Welch said. “This one goes to Gevo, who lost his wife this past week. This one's for him.” Blane Smith finished second followed by Ron Marsden, who made his first CMP start of the 2013 campaign. Bill Weller was the fourth-place finisher while Steve Pesarek was fifth. Bill Weller was the heat race winner.
Above—Chris Gingrich (10), George LaVare Jr (6), Mike Minutolo (52B) &Vance Vanderwall (Roger Bush’s 9R). Below—Feature winner Marc Minutolo (25B) inside Greg Netherwood (57).
Pure Stocks
Heat winner Eric Chapman. In the 12-lap Pure Stock feature, Marc Minutolo won his first major of the season, beating his dad Mike Minutolo Sr. to the finish line. Marc took the lead on lap eight and settled in there for the remainder of the feature. “This car was so good in the middle of the track,” said the 2012 Pure Stock runner-up in points. “We just kept it there all race long.” Finishing third was 2012 CMP Pure Stock champion Vance Vanderwall, who made his first start of the 2013 season steering Roger Bush's mount. Fourth was Nick Dandino, who led the first lap of the event and Eric Chapman was fifth.” Heat race winners were Eric Chapman and Mike Minutolo Sr.
New Legends winner Chris Mangiarelli ( above.). Ray Hendershot (11b) spun (right). A quick lift jack and the CMP watertruck (both below).
New Legends Sportsman In the 10-lap New Legends Sportsman feature, Chris Mangiarelli won his first feature of the season. “This car was great, I didn’t want to get out of it,” Mangiarelli said. “We’re not going to do anything different with it. I think I found something we like.” Ray Hendershot finished second followed by Bruce Batzel. Rounding out the top-five were Jason Caldwell and Eric Bell. Chris Mangarelli also won the heat.