Just weeks after celebrating his third consecutive Riverhead Raceway NASCAR Modified championship John Beatty Jr. of Merrick disclosed on social media that he along with car owner Mark S. Mina had their entire operation available for purchase. The whispers and rumors began to swell, what’s the story? Are they changing chassis types? Are they splitting? Monday afternoon John Beatty Jr. made it official when he announced he would retire from driving after he and the MSM Elite Motorsports teams historic three straight championships. Beatty’s retirement leaves the chase for the 2026 Riverhead NASCAR Modified title wide open.
Lou Modestino’s Track Talk
CSV Motorsports Partners with the Kancamagus 112 on July 25 at White Mountain
N. Woodstock, NH —White Mountain Motorsports Park (WMMP) officials are excited to announce a new partner in Newport, Vermont’s CSV Motorsports for the 2026 season. CSV Motorsports has partnered with the return of the Kancamagus 112, the much-anticipated second of three events in the Wall’s Ford Platinum Series, set for Saturday, July 25.
How Did Northeastern Drivers Do At Kansas?
Tyler Reddick won the Cup race at Kansas. Ryan Preece of Berlin, CT ended up 11th, and Joey Longano of Middletown, CT finished way back in 30th place.
Taylor Gray won the O’Reilly Series event with Anthony Alfredo of Ridgefield, CT placing 30th.
Gio Ruggiero of Seekonk, MA won the Menard’s ARCA Series.
Motorsports TV Listings For April 21 – 26, 2026
Motorsports TV Listings are from RacingTVSchedule, and times are eastern.
Stephen Kopcik No Fluke, Takes NASCAR Icebreaker 150 at Thompson Speedway
Thompson, CT — Yet another picture-perfect day greeted the fans at Thompson Speedway to finish off the 52nd Icebreaker with the help of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour. Single car, time-trial qualifying saw Mike Christopher Jr. leading much of the session before Matt Hirschman and Jon McKennedy both tied with a 19.125-second lap. Hirschman would lead the twenty-nine car field to green for the Icebreaker 150.
Riverhead Raceway To Host First Of Two Practice Days Saturday, Free Grandstand Admission For Fans
The roar of race engines with the aroma of Sunoco Race Fuel will fill the air surrounding Riverhead Raceway Saturday afternoon April 18th as the track hosts the first on track activity leading up to the 2026 race season. As tradition dictates, grandstand admission for the Saturday test & tune will be free for race starved fans as well for the second practice day set for Saturday April 25th. Cars are scheduled to take to the historic quarter mile at 11:00 AM with rotating practice running into early evening.
Jon McKennedy Pockets $10K in Opening Monaco Modified Icebreaker 75 At Thompson Speedway
Thompson, CT — Sunny Saturday greeted the fans at Thompson Speedway to kick off the 52nd Icebreaker with thirty cars filling out the Monaco Modified field. Ronnie Williams quickly took the point with just 75 laps on the board to claim the $10,000 winners share at the end. Berndt would put the hammer down in his #11CT to steal the lead away from Williams with Jon McKennedy taking advantage of the backslide to take second. While McKenndy crept up on Berndt at the front, fans had their eye on Mike Christopher Jr. and Ron Silk as they made their way into the top five by lap thirty.
John Maybury of Maybury Material Handling Named Grand Marshal of 54th Annual NAPA Spring Sizzler at Stafford Speedway
(Stafford Springs, CT)—Stafford Motor Speedway has announced that John Maybury, longtime supporter of Stafford Speedway and head of Maybury Material Handling, has been named Grand Marshal for the 54th Annual NAPA Spring Sizzler®, set for April 25–26. Maybury will send the field of open modified cars on their way for 100-laps of ground pounding excitement with the most famous words in motorsports, ‘Drivers start your engines.’
Poland, Cabral, Chambers Top Claremont Spring Fling Opener
CLAREMONT, NH – Former track champ Ben Poland won the 79-lap Outlaw Late Model main event Saturday at Claremont Motorsports Park. Midget car legend Randy Cabral topped the NEMA feature, and former speedway Pure Stock king Chris Chambers outran a 20-car field to win his opening day top event.
Daniel Harding Dominates Opening Day at Wiscasset Speedway
Written By: Amy Worrey – Chasing the Checkered
After a long and cold 6 months of hibernation, Wiscasset Speedway finally opened their doors again on Saturday afternoon for the track’s 2026 season opener featuring the T&L Automotive Pro Stocks, County Truss 4-Cylinder Pros, Davis Erector Group 207 Crate Modifieds, Thunder 4 Minis and the Darling’s Brunswick Ford Super Streets.