WINCHESTER, N.H. – It’s about an hour from Monadnock Speedway to Sam Rameau’s hometown of Westminster, Mass.
But Saturday night at Monadnock Speedway one might have thought Rameau was racing in his own backyard with busloads of adoring fans.
Rameau used a late pass of Ron Silk to win the Tri-Track Open Modified Series Wonder Casino 100 Saturday at Monadnock Speedway in Winchester, N.H.
And it took just seconds for the party to start at Monadnock after Rameau took the checkered.
Rameau crossed the start-finish line to win the race and then immediately parked his car near the wall in turns one and two and got out of the car to salute the fans as his crew members poured out of the pits to celebrate.
The 18-year old reveled in his second consecutive Tri-Track Open Modified Series win Monadnock. He won last year’s August event at the track for the series.
“It was just about my guys,” Rameau said of the unexpected celebration in turn two. “They put in all the work. I just wanted to stop in [turn two] because I knew they were all there. … I think about an eighth of the grandstand was people from my house or my hometown, my friends and family.”
Silk, of Norwalk, was second and Matt Hirschman of Northampton, Pa. third.
Rameau powered under Silk for the lead going into turn three on lap 98 and came out of turn four in control.
“I just think he was a little bit better than I was as the end,” Silk said. “I didn’t think he was going to get in there that quick. I fought with him a little bit and he did what he had to do to win.”
Rameau was strong early, moving into the lead on lap 18. He held the spot out front until the entire field pitted on lap 56 under caution.
Silk was fifth when the field went to the pits and came back out in front. Rameau restarted 17th.
Silk looked dominant for most of the second half. Rameau began a methodical charge back to the front. By lap 80 Rameau was fifth. On lap 81 restart Hirschman got by Les Hinckley III for second and Rameau went from fifth to third. On lap 94 Rameau got by Hirschman for second and quickly closed on Silk before making the winning move on lap 98.
“To come out of the pits 17th., there’s a lot to figure out there,” Rameau said. “I led some laps and we came in and I came out 17th. There was a lot of work to do to come up through the field. I was running about lap 60 and I thought, ‘I don’t think we can win this thing anymore.’ But then we fought back through traffic. I said to my spotter when I got to Silk ‘ How many laps to go’ and he said ‘Three’ and I said ‘We gotta go.’
“You can’t waste time here. A short bullring like this, you can wait until the last lap to take the lead because they’re just going to right back at you. I came out here with the trophy. The trophy and the money, that’s why we come here.”
Said Silk: “It’s definitely disappointing to lead that much of the second half of the race and come up a few laps short. I feel bad for my guys. I feel like they gave me a car that deserved the chance to win.”
Said Hirschman of Rameau: “He had the most left at the end and he was wheeling it too. It wasn’t that his car was that much better, he was wheeling it. He was driving it.”
Hirschman started near the front but got spun on lap seven and clawed back for the podium.
“We had a good recovery,” Hirschman said. “We got spun around on lap six or seven. I certainly didn’t want that to happen. We worked hard in the heat race to get in the redraw. Track position is here pretty important. I wanted to be as close to the front all night as possible and we were were 22nd on lap six or seven. I didn’t want that to happen but we made a good recovery.”
Wonder Casino 100 Results
1. Sam Rameau
2. Ron Silk
3. Matt Hirschman
4. Justin Bonsignore
5. Les Hinckley
6. Ben Byrne
7. Woody Pitkat
8. Anthony Nocella
9. Ryan Preece
10. Joey Cipriano III
11. Anthony Sesely
12. Max Zachem
13. Devin O’Connell
14. Joel Monahan
15. Chase Dowling
16. Chris Pasteryak
17. Kurt Vigeant
18. Brian Robie
19. Dylan Izzo
20. Richard Savary
21. Matt Swanson
22. Matt Kimball
23. Kirk Alexander
24. Austin Kochenash
25. Ronnie Williams
26. Glen Reen
Had a ton of fun watching from the new grandstands but I can’t help but wonder, why do tracks feel the need to run at night this time of the year? It’s freaking cold at night guys, no reason this couldn’t have started at 1 or 2pm. Sounds like it wasn’t as bad as Stafford was the night before but it still wasn’t really enjoyable dealing with the cold once the sun went down.
Of course, why not pull over and celebrate with your guysin turn to; the stupid victory lanemicrophone wasn’t working, and the PA system was completely useless in its best times! The fans weren’t going to hear anything anyway. Damn, we go to Stafford on Friday and by the end of the night we are begging to hear less,” literally”,” no question about it.” And then Monadnock on Saturday we hear virtually nothing most of the night! These tracks need to open up their seasons with a meaningless race night just to get the bugs out of their programs. THEN have a big-race night! Both of these nights were a display of incompetenc, mismanaged shows and total disregard for the paying customer. I got ripped off both times and totrtured and it will definitely cause me to spend less of my hard-earned money for an in-person race attendance from now on.
“turn to”? Gawd, I’m so ticked off I can’t even type correctlu !
Whew!!!! 😅 getseereeus, goode thing that wuz thugh onlee won mispelling.
No ride for Glen Reen at Stafford this year?
Rafter Fan,
I haven’t had a chance to talk to Glen, but I understand he told some some people at the track that yesterday’s race would likely be his only start this season.
John Spence mentioned how cold it was last night somewhere between 5 an 10 times. Too bad the crowd couldn’t hear the announcing because it really is a classically competent straight call.
A lot of people that went to the races Friday and Saturday grumpy and who can blame them. On Facebook there are over 100 comments on the Stafford site about the event and virtually none of them about any race at the event. Conditions the topic with mostly two camps. Those complaining and/or saying they left and the other don’t be a pussy it’s New England and racing is worth the sacrifice.
Have to give the Monadnock management an A+ on foresight. Interest rates at record lows a good time for capital improvements even if there aren’t enough people to fill the new stands at this particular moment in history. There will be.
Looked to me like it was Silk that spun Hirschman early. He’s too good that couldn’t have been an error. Payback maybe for something that happened last year perhaps. Then Hirschman does what he does putzing around waiting for the right caution, his crew does a good job getting him out mid pack and it’s go time. The ending was outstanding starring two masters and a grasshopper. Silk passes Hirschman, Matt retaliates with some chrome horn but not enough to spin the 16. Then Rameau for the classic bottom shot pass on Hirschman then the uglier but good racing pass on Silk. The grasshopper beat the masters at the end of the race so how is that not about as cool as it gets. Honorable mention to Bonsignor still getting used to the Paige 00 for a nice forth place.
John Spence can claim all he likes that the high side can work at Monadnock and I’m sure it does for some divisions and cars but it is not the way to win for tour type modifieds.
Four outstanding heats for Tri Track and none covered by Speed51. Then trucks come on, then the mini’s that I thought were a Monadnock regular division that was not supposed to be shown. Confusing as usual but you certainly did not want to be missing any of a great opener for Tri Track.
Getserious, I wish you would! Twenty-six modifieds put on great race at a track whose owners have invested money and time for them to race as we love the mods, side-by-side with a clean pass for the win!
Without question, they should have run the program in the afternoon. The regular divisions should have run features only, fewer laps, or the track should have adjusted to run the mods earlier.
The problem you ignore cane at the gate, with a mile-long line ar the gate and only one person processing tickets. The PA problem brought humor more than anything.
The track ripped you off, you say? A wonderful solution you propose, I see. Add yourself to the increasing number of able-bodied “fans” who do not the race, but video. Your “hard-earned money” (as opposed to those of us who have it easy) will get put to get use. So refreshing to “attend” a race with a good crowd and, overall, “atmosphere”, pun intended.
Keyboard warriors can certainly dishearten even the most optimistic person.
Said Hirschman of Rameau: “He had the most left at the end and he was wheeling it too. It wasn’t that his car was that much better, he was wheeling it. He was driving it.”
Enough said. Great job Sam, you deserved the win!
And Sunday they had the GSPSS with only 9 cars. 9 cars at a track in New Hampshire? The Granite state? What in the actual heck? Waterford gets a full field. In Connecticut. The Constitution state 🤣🤣
Congrats to Sam, and your crew for winning the Tri Track modified race at Monadnock. Great way to start the season. Great job.
It was a sizzle ended by a drizzle, heated competition in a refrigerator and a fizzler on Sunday to wrap up a jam packed weekend of racing.
John Spence mentioned how cold it was Saturday night somewhere between 5 an 10 times. Too bad the crowd couldn’t hear the announcing because Spence delivers a classic, easy on the ears straight call that lets the racing do the talking..
A lot of people that went to the races Friday and Saturday grumpy and who can blame them. On Facebook there are over 100 comments on the Stafford site about the event and virtually none of them about any race at the event. The people complaining, the more hearty calling the complainers pussies, Stafford could have done this or that and thank you Stafford for all you do you did just fine. No worries Ryan about the brake job mistake going down in Sizzler lore. This event will be one remembered for the conditions and surviving them.
Have to give the Monadnock management an A+ on foresight. Interest rates at record lows a good time for capital improvements even if there aren’t enough people to fill the new stands at this particular moment in history. There will be.
Looked to me like it was Silk that spun Hirschman early. He’s too good that couldn’t have been an error. Payback perhaps for something that happened at New Smyrna?. Actually strategic pay back knowing that it would not take Hirschman out of the race. Then Hirschman does what he does putzing around waiting for the right caution, his crew does a good job getting him out mid pack and it’s go time. The ending was outstanding starring two masters and a grasshopper. Silk passes Hirschman, Matt retaliates with some chrome horn but not enough to spin the 16. Then Rameau for the classic bottom shot pass on Hirschman then the uglier but good racing pass on Silk. The grasshopper beat the masters at the end of the race so how is that not about as cool as it gets. Honorable mention to Bonsignor still getting used to the Paige 00 for a nice forth place.
John Spence can claim all he likes that the high side can work at Monadnock and I’m sure it does for some divisions and cars but it is not the way to win for tour type modifieds.
Four outstanding heats for Tri Track and none covered by Speed51 so the gap issue solved. Exit trucks start the TV show a non NASCAR series. But Monadnock Minis and NHSTRA Modifieds were part of the Speed51 live stream and seeing as how they come under the NASCAR banner it’s a little confusing but oh well. No matter how inconvenient it is trying to figure out when the Tri Track race would be run it was worth it for what they delivered Saturday night.
I wish the PA system at Stafford wouldn’t work. Besides the content of what is being announced as useless to bizarre, it is loud. It is piercingly loud. Annoyingly high frequency loud. I make sure I sit away from the directional line of fire from any of those speakers.
Why do they continue to talk during the racing when the cars drown out the PA? They just don’t get it. They need better quality PA speakers that are more diffusive and better frequency content.
None would be better than that.
Oh dear, to see what 🌈JD 🌈 would have to say about the depraved and deplorable NWMT event on Friday, and the most excellent TTOMS event on Saturday would be priceless.
😝😝😝😝😝😝😝
Not doubt, that Sam RAY-MEE-OH guy was on a mission.
Dareal, I’m going to counterpoint your Stafford speaker issue. I think the sound level is better and you can hear much more of the PA than previously. I rather enjoy listening to the commentary provided. And I’d bet whatever I can’t hear when the cars go by may be still audible at the other end of the stands, hence the continued announcing. I have always wondered if the sound wouldn’t be better if the speakers were behind us though. As your head moves while watching the cars you’d have engines in one ear and the PA in the other, racing stereo.
It was a SIZZLE that ended by a DRIZZLE, and it FIZZLED ….. Fantastic summary by Doug…. When they write the History of the GREATEST race in the HISTORY of SPRING… This chapter will only be a FOOTNOTE or small by-line …. When they do a repave,,, dig out the Corners.. one each Winter… Put in 23 to 35 degree banking and STAFFORD SPEEDWAY will be the FASTEST HALF MILE IN THE EAST!!!!!!!!
Few things can ruin an experience in the grandstands at any track any worse than a speaker that’s too loud! I can always find out a driver of an unfamiliar car by doing a little digging on my phone or simply by asking a person nearby. I appreciate all the work the announcers put in but personally I don’t need to hear them at a volume that carries over cars at full speed.
Also I agree with the person that suggested running a less ambitious show the first week out to work out “the bugs”. All of that being said it is still terrific to be back at the races. Better days are here and more of them are on the way. 🏁
Fast Eddie, I guess I still have pretty good hearing, and I wear my headphones as protection against the PA system… it is piercing for me.
The sound of the open headers is another thing … the lower frequencies are not as painful. 😖
I was thinking if the speakers could be under the stands, and make sort of an immersive sound that could be lower volume?
The volume of the PA should be set at what it needs to be when there are no cars running. Right now, it is so loud as if it is competing with the cars. I’m not the only one, I see others wincing at the PA too. People still have to shout or get into each others ear to talk over the PA when the cars aren’t running.
I can hear the track PA loud and clear when I’m all the way in the in the far north corner area of the pits.
For me Ben Dodge’s repetition and Matt Bucklers silly simile’s are annoying. That’s only because I’ve been hearing the same thing for decades.
If there is a new fan seeing a race at Stafford on line or in person there is no better announcer to frame the events then Ben Dodge. He’s best at the big races and may retreat into dodgisms more when it’s regular undercard races which is understandable. He’s also at his best when the unexpected happens like an injury or when the lights go out. He’s a fountain of information on the driver background and interrelationships with people and sponsors associated with the team that make the team possible.
He’s promoting stuff virtually all the time. Not just track related interests but sponsors of cars during events. .
Matt Buckler drives me nuts with his ridiculous simile’s that most time make no sense but if I’m bringing children to the races hearing him do what he does for the first time is funny. What did he just say? Did he say the cars were separated by only an elephant’s tusk? It’s his schtick, it’s unique and as far as I can see people for the most part love him for it.
In my view Friday night the team of Dodge and Kyle Ricky were pitch perfect with Dodge being Dodge and Kyle Ricky doing the straight call. After the debacle in Martinsville the entire Stafford presentation was pristine by comparison.
Does Stafford broadcast on a radio frequency like Thompson and Waterford does? If so people listen on their headphones. And now with people watching at home of course they’re going to keep announcing at all times. Love him or hate him, it wasn’t the same without Buckler.
Speaking of Matt, any word on how he is doing Shawn?
Earl,
Matt is doing great. He was back at Stafford last Friday night. He should be back in the booth announcing very soon.
Speaking of Matt Buckler, please thank him for going public right away with his COVID positive test so that others that were exposed to him could be aware and take precautions for their own welfare, and the protection of others that they may have been around.
Matt, thank you very much. Your concern for others is appreciated.
“Does Stafford broadcast on a radio frequency like Thompson and Waterford does? ”
103.1 on the FM dial, or “display” for the kids.
The bugs with the microphone on the track at Monadnock were there all year last year. They had an issue once on Sunday from what I remember. The issue Sunday besides the GSPSS car count was Monadnock race control and the flag man messing up all the local divisions.
In the late model race they threw the checkered and a yellow simultaneously for a spin in 3 and 4 and the leader took the checkered, only for race control to change their mind and say it didn’t count but not before the driver started celebrating, dropping his window net. They made him go to the pits to put it back up other made him restart at the rear for “pitting.”
The NHSTRA Mod feature on Sunday was the highlight of the day Brian Chapman, who had issues Saturday night, ended up running several laps on the outside of Ben Byrne before finally clearing him on the outside. He went on to win the feature. Aaron Fellows passed both Kimball and Byrne on the final lap in turn four for the lap podium spot. Todd Patnode came home second.
Excellent news Shawn. Thanks for the 411
I for one am elated Buckler is on the mend. He’s beloved in local racing, a sure fire NEAR Hall of Famer at some point in the not too distant future and his head is one of the two greatest libraries of racing recollections second only to Ben Dodge.
In racing good drivers make mistakes and are referred to a “bonehead” moves. Usually exceptions to racing exploits filled mostly will admirable performances. Matt Buckler is guilty of a bonehead move in my opinion with regard to Covid19 and should not be hailed as any kind of hero for contracting and surviving it.
He should have been vaccinated with at least one shot at the time he got. I suppose I could believe the nonsense about not being able to get an appointment were I not in the same age group and were I not to travel in circles with many people in that age group none of which were stopped from getting vaccinated were they willing to make the effort and in some cases travel. Then unvaccinated showing up over the weekend at Thompson traveling among the youth in the paddock maskless doing interviews. Pretty much exactly what an elderly man who is over weight and not in the best shape should not be doing. Then if a Facebook post is correct showing up at work at the JI clearly with signs of not being well and soon after being admitted to the hospital.
No he said he didn’t want to be the guy but near as I can figure he is the guy that did virtually everything wrong in his approach to the virus and among the highest at risk while doing it.
Well you can make this guy a hero if you want but in my view his approach to the virus pretty much typifies the backward, resistant approach to safety protocols and vaccinations by far to many in the racing community. A stereotype making poor decisions when he should have been setting an example.
Now we hear he’ll be back soon announcing. He contracted Covid19 around April 10th. The current guidelines no longer require a waiting period other then being out of isolation. Hopefully in addition to acquiring a degree of immunity from being a bonehead with regard to Covid19 he now has had ample time to get at least his first shot.
I had hoped that Buckler and Stafford might show some leadership and make his experience an example of the importance of safety and vaccinations but that ship has long sailed. Stafford won’t even mention the fact his illness was Covid19 related and now he get’s to come back the beloved icon over coming some mysterious illness.
Doug, it’s simple… the racing community is made up with people that live by deliberate ignorance… make it go away, it never existed, tribalism, etc. They are Trumpsters to the bone, and COVID was a hoax to make Trump look bad, remember that? There’s plenty of video out there with Trump making those accusations. But then, many of the Trump tribe, including Trump himself, were infected and sickened with COVID-19. Apparently that makes one look weak, and it proved that COVID is not a hoax. 😝😝😝
Although Stafford may not being using this as a PSA opportunity, and do good with it, they should use it to fine tune and enforce some very strict COVID protocols at the track. It is in their best interests. If they are a super spreader event, then their fan base can be decimated. It’s in the best interest to protect their fans, especially since their fan base are of the ilk that are refusing to get vaccinated. Can’t afford to lose any fans at this point.
I don’t need a psa from Stafford to tell me to get the shot. If I already did get it, it’s because I made that decision on my own. And I’m not going to shame anyone if they decide not to get it. I’ll leave that up to the losers to do.
🌈🦄2020, I’m surprised you didn’t close your post with something like, “AND YOU’RE NOT THE BOSS OF ME!!!!!!!” in a whiny, grammar school playground voice.
Maybe Stafford should do what some stadiums are doing. Have different sections for vaccinated people and unvaccinated people. Probably only need a very small area for the vaccinated folks.
Or just have the unvaccinated people wear one of their dunce caps.
hey DAREAL should the guys in the Tuskegee study be wearing dunce caps . YOU ARE A MORON!
The guys in Tuskegee were not told the truth, they were lied to and deceived. It was considered an ethically unjustified study. The Tuskegee study started in 1932 and was stopped in 1972 when it was exposed. Using humans as unknowing victims was deplorable, FOR FORTY YEARS!!!!
What is going on with anti-vax folks today is nothing like the Tuskegee study.
You are the idiot, and moron for bringing up the Tuskegee study as if it has anything to do with COVID-19 vaccines.
I certainly don’t share any notion that the racing community is monolithically backward with regard to safety protocols and vaccinations. Cleary that’s not the case starting with the publisher of this site and numerous people mentioning they are on board with safety and vaccinations.
I do however think the observation that there is a stereotype that it is the case is on solid ground and it’s popped up in two comments here. Why mention an ethically abusive study conducted over decades that is infamous for it’s deception and had little to do with vaccinations. Why that specific study carefully avoiding the mountain of successes starting with the polio vaccine?
Why mention a plan to segregate the people receiving the vaccine and imply it’s a small percentage like you’re proud of that? First there’s the RaceDayCt poll that showed three quarters of the respondents either getting or willing to get vaccinated.. Then there is the Connecticut data showing that as of April 29 51% of the state residents have received at least on shot. One of the highest rates in a country that has one of the highest rates of vaccinations in the world. Showing results as the hospitalizations are trending down and the infection rate low. Low even as the number of tests administered starts to decline with more and more people vaccinated.
My point was Matt Buckler’s plight was the result of a series of decisions that fed into the negative stereotype that the racing community is behind the curve when it comes to Covid19. Mentioning Tuskegee and implying that those vaccinated attending races is a minority plays into the same stereotype.
If anyone that reads the comments here think they are an island and can make their own decisions regarding safety and vaccinations and the wisdom of participating in either this is a free country and you are free to do so. If you are implying that everyone shares your belief in the island theory and that we can’t learn from the mistakes of others it is likely you are the one behind the curve. The majority at least in our region take a measure of pride from doing our bit to help fight what amounts to an existential threat to our safety and well being.
IN SICKNESS AND IN HEALTH, the Tuskegee Study continued for decades even after meds that cured syphilis became available. Yet the Tuskegee “study” continued to see what happened as the disease progressed, all while the victims were told they were being treated for “bad blood”.
Please tell me why you brought that up here in context of the COVID-19 pandemic? What does the disgraceful Tuskegee study have to do with the #TrumpPandemic? 😷 The only misinformation and disinformation out there about the #TrumpPandemic is coming from Fox, Tucker Carlson, the other anti-vaxers, hoaxers, et al.
Simple fact… the only people being hospitalized now are the unvaccinated.
You want to get back to normal, wide open crowds and racing? Get vaccinated, the sooner the better.
USA deaths per million: 1,781
That’s one person dead for every 562. Feeling lucky, punk?