The Monadnock Speedway Team

Starter Herb Stevens	Flagman Donnie Christmas		Gas Man Larry Bouchard	Announcer Dave Sutherland
Announcer Mark Wiernasz	Parts Supplier Vic Mari		Registration Booth Deneen Cirillo Rhonda Stephens with Dave Sutherland	50/50 Raffle Treve Merrill Sally Oga
Track Officials	Rescue Crew		Track Workers	Track Promoters Carol Craven Bob Stonberg
2003 Big Wheel Racers >
		Photographer Gary Dutton

Nestled in the Monadnock Mountains on Rt.10 in Winchester, New Hampshire is the fastest quarter mile racetrack in the Northeast, “Monadnock Speedway.” The paved track is banked high, well lit with fierce but fair competitive race divisions featuring NASCAR Weekly Series Racing. The fans are high energy and dedicated, as are the owners and track staff.

The weekly track staff is comprised of many long-term, well-informed racing professionals. There is Herb Stephens the Starter, Flagman Donnie Christmas, Gas Man Larry Bouchard, Track Announcers Dave Sutherland and Mark Wiernasz, Parts Supplier Victor Mari, Registration Booth personnel Deneen Cirillo and Rhonda Stephens, Ticket Ladies Treve Merrill and Sally Oga and the list goes on and on. Many great people such as Track Manager Michelle Cloutier (pillars of Monadnock Speedway) support the long-term staff and race teams on a weekly basis.

Starter Herb Stephens has quite a history. He began his track career 25 years ago as a Security Officer when Monadnock was still dirt. He moved from that spot to the Infield Crew then on to Assistant Flagman, a position he kept for fifteen years until his move to Starter. There are many sides to Herb Stephens. He is Fire Chief of Winchester, NH and was a Police Officer for 18 years, drove truck for a living and has been married to his wife Rhonda for 33 years. At Monadnock Speedway, Herb likes all the competitors as individuals. They each treat him with respect even during the times they get angry with him. The two worst experiences he has had at the track were when a Go Kart driver cracked his skull and more recently when Barry Gray (Pro Stock #29) was seriously injured in a crash. The funniest or most embarrassing thing that has happened to him at Monadnock was when one particular driver kept running into his ankles as he lined the cars up. He warned the driver not to do it again but when the driver did, Herb yanked the driver out of the car in front of everyone. Of course, it was during an event when the TV cameras were running. It was most embarrassing. Herb enjoys racing as a sport and watches NASCAR every Sunday.

Flagman, Donnie Christmas, has been at Monadnock since 1996, bringing with him 20 years of race industry knowledge. As Flagman, Donnie says who can go onto the track and when they can go. He is licensed by NASCAR and a stickler for NASCAR rules. An electrician by trade, Donnie owns and operates Christmas Electric. He was instrumental in the new track and pit lighting. Married 35 years (to his high school sweetheart) Donnie and his wife Terry have 3 children. Donnie enjoys golf for relaxation.

There are 2 Track Announcers at this “The fastest quarter mile track in the northeast.” Dave Sutherland has been announcing for 27 race seasons and is truly a professional broadcaster. He also interviews the top 3 feature race winners for the track fans and performs for television spots as is needed. Mark Wiernasz has announced and interviewed at Monadnock for 3 seasons. Though relatively new to the quarter mile New Hampshire track, Mark has been a member of TV22 WWLP News Department since the 80’s and has been published in a stock car racing magazine. He also formerly announced at Riverside Park Speedway.

No one track position is of greater importance, each is a piece of the team that puts a race day together. Parts supplier, Victor Mari has been a part of the” Monadnock Team” for 25 years. Victor arrives early in a race day and sets up in the track pit area. He carries race wares significant to the race teams. Victor also owns Finish Line Performance in Feeding Hills Massachusetts. Gas Man, Larry Bouchard, is a 5-year veteran of the “Monadnock Team.” Larry, too, can be found in the track Pitt area every race of the race season. Deneen Cirillo and Rhonda Stephens have manned the Registration/Handicap Booth for 20 years. Their knowledge and efficiency is amazing. Then there are the personable ticket ladies Treva Merrill, with the track 14 years and Sally Oga with the track 12 years. They have been selling the 50/50 tickets together for 6 years both in the pit area and in the stands.

The combined service years of this dedicated “Monadnock Team” is 171. A race day at Monadnock Speedway requires approximately 50 additional workers, in some capacity, to complete one-day of race competition. This “Monadnock Team” is likened to a beautifully wrapped package opened early on a race day, the goods inside used throughout a day of racing then returned to the team package long after the final race has ended. This package is full of winners committed to the race industry at really great track in Winchester, New Hampshire.

Photographer/Journalist: Sheila Somers