2012 USAC WEST COAST 360 SPRINT CAR SERIES SCHEDULE
DATE - TRACK - LOCATION
March 8: *Las Vegas Motor Speedway - Las Vegas, NV (Sin City Showdown / Non-Points)
March 17: Tulare Thunderbowl Raceway - Tulare, CA
March 24: Bakersfield Speedway - Bakersfield, CA
April 7: Kings Speedway - Hanford, CA
April 14: Tulare Thunderbowl Raceway - Tulare, CA (Chris & Brian Faria Memorial)
April 21: Santa Maria Speedway - Santa Maria, CA (Ron Otto Memorial)
May 5: Santa Maria Speedway - Santa Maria, CA
May 12: Tulare Thunderbowl Raceway - Tulare, CA
June 9: Kings Speedway - Hanford, CA
June 23: Santa Maria Speedway - Santa Maria, CA (Bud Stanfield Memorial)
July 7: *Santa Maria Speedway - Santa Maria, CA (War At The Shore / Doug Fort Memorial)
July 14: Tulare Thunderbowl Raceway - Tulare, CA (John Anthony Sharp Memorial)
August 4: Kings Speedway - Hanford, CA (Jim Evett Memorial)
September 8: Kings Speedway - Hanford, CA (Jim Turner Memorial)
September 22: *Canyon Speedway Park - Peoria, AZ (Brawl For It All / Non-Points)
September 29: Santa Maria Speedway - Santa Maria, CA (Billet Cup / John Jewett Memorial / Non-Points)
October 13: Kings Speedway - Hanford, CA (Cotton Classic)
-----------------------------------------------
* = Co-Sanctioned Event With ASCS Canyon Region Sprints.
This schedule is subject to change.

Daytona 500 Double for Kenseth Matt Kenseth outran Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Greg Biffle to the checkered flag to capture his second career Daytona 500 victory. Full Story Montoya Crashes into Jet Dryer Juan Pablo Montoya and a track worker escaped injury in a fiery crash when Montoya made contact with a jet dryer during Monday night’s Daytona 500. Full Story Georgia Great for Dungey Red Bull KTM’s Ryan Dungey fended off all challengers to take his second victory of the year in Saturday night's Monster Energy AMA Supercross event at the Georgia Dome. Full Story King Crowned at Daytona John King captured his first career win in a wild NextEra Energy Resources 250 at Daytona International Speedway that ended with three green-white-checkered finishes. Full Story Sprint Cup Standings Nationwide Standings Camping World Truck Standings Daytona 500 Results Daytona 500 Photos Daytona 500 Loop Data eBook Daytona 500 Hopes End Early for Some An early race accident in the Daytona 500 erased the chance of winning for drivers including Jimmie Johnson, David Ragan, Trevor Bayne and Danica Patrick. Full Story Buescher Survives Daytona for First Win James Buescher scored his first career NASCAR Nationwide Series win on Saturday surviving a crash-filled DRIVE4COPD 300 at Daytona International Speedway. Full Story ISC Commits to Drive to End Hunger Four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon, International Speedway Corporation Chief Executive Officer Lesa France Kennedy and AARP Foundation President Jo Ann Jenkins announced ISC’s commitment to donate food throughout the 2012 race season. Full Story Program Calendar     Date: 02/28/12 12:00 PM ET Hosts: Steve Post and Kendra Jacobs   Date: 02/28/12 7:00 PM ET   Date: 02/29/12 12:00 PM ET Hosts: Marty Hough and Dough Herbert

Feb. 26, 2112

UNOH All Star Circuit of Champions Fantasy League enters 4th Season

CAMARGO, IL (2-24-12) By Brian Liskai Do you think you can pick which University of Northwestern Ohio All Star Circuit of Champions driver will win each night? If so, you should join the UNOH All Star Circuit of Champions Fantasy League, which is now entering its fourth year of competition.

Last season, the All Star Fantasy League champion was Andy Andersons team of Black Deuce. In 2011, the All Star Fantasy League changed its format to a regional bracket for drivers as the series incorporated an Eastern Region, Ohio Region, Great Plains Region and National champion. Also last year, fantasy team owners were able to pick drivers from each region along with a national touring driver.

This change helped the league grow in popularity last year.

Something new for 2012teams will be allowed to make up to four roster changes throughout the season. When a fantasy team makes a roster change, they may change one driver or all five drivers with one move. This will cause fantasy team owners to pay close attention to what track the UNOH All Stars will be competing at during the season. Fantasy teams can take advantage of putting a driver in their line-up if that driver has overwhelming success at a particular track.

To register your fantasy team for the 2012 UNOH All Star Circuit of Champions Sprint Car season visit www.fantasydirtracing.com.

UNOH All Star Circuit of Champions would like to thank Fantasy Dirt Racing for helping bring fantasy racing to fans all around the world.

For more information about the UNOH All Stars visit www.allstarsprint.com

 

Feb. 22, 2012

UPDATED 2012 USAC WEST COAST 360 SPRINT CAR SERIES SCHEDULE

DATE - TRACK - LOCATION
March 8: *Las Vegas Motor Speedway - Las Vegas, NV (Sin City Showdown / Non-Points)
March 17: Tulare Thunderbowl Raceway - Tulare, CA
March 24: Bakersfield Speedway - Bakersfield, CA
April 7: Kings Speedway - Hanford, CA
April 14: Tulare Thunderbowl Raceway - Tulare, CA (Chris & Brian Faria Memorial)
April 21: Santa Maria Speedway - Santa Maria, CA (Ron Otto Memorial)
May 5: Santa Maria Speedway - Santa Maria, CA
May 12: Tulare Thunderbowl Raceway - Tulare, CA
June 2: Kings Speedway - Hanford, CA (Pombo-Sargent Classic)
June 23: Santa Maria Speedway - Santa Maria, CA (Bud Stanfield Memorial)
July 7: *Santa Maria Speedway - Santa Maria, CA (War At The Shore / Doug Fort Memorial)
July 14: Tulare Thunderbowl Raceway - Tulare, CA (John Anthony Sharp Memorial)
August 4: Kings Speedway - Hanford, CA (Jim Evett Memorial)
September 8: Kings Speedway - Hanford, CA (Jim Turner Memorial)
September 22: *Canyon Speedway Park - Peoria, AZ (Brawl For It All / Non-Points)
September 29: Santa Maria Speedway - Santa Maria, CA (Billet Cup / John Jewett Memorial / Non-Points)
October 13: Kings Speedway - Hanford, CA (Cotton Classic)
-----------------------------------------------
* = Co-Sanctioned Event With ASCS Canyon Region Sprints.
This schedule is subject to change.

#29 Bud Kaeding. Photo by Lance Jennings / SCRAFAN.COM.
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
USAC WEST COAST 360 SPRINT CAR SERIES

POMBO-SARGENT CLASSIC RETURNS TO HANFORD JUNE 2ND;
OTHER CHANGES MADE TO USAC WEST COAST 360 SCHEDULE
by Lance Jennings

SANTA MARIA, CA – FEBRUARY 22, 2012... Officials with the Tulare Thunderbowl Raceway and Kings Speedway have reached an agreement that the "Pombo-Sargent Classic" will return to the Hanford facility on June 2nd. The popular Central Valley event will now showcase the winged King of the West Sprints, USAC West Coast 360 Sprints, IMCA Modifieds, and Vintage Super Modifieds.

In addition to the June 2nd date relocating from Tulare to Hanford, there are other updates to the USAC West Coast 360 Schedule. The July 14th race previously scheduled at Kings Speedway has been moved to Tulare and is now the new date for the "John Anthony Sharp Memorial." Hanford's "Jim Evett Memorial" has been moved to August 4th.

The USAC West Coast 360 Sprint Car Series will kickoff their 2012 campaign on Thursday, March 8th, at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The non-point "Sin City Showdown" is also the first round of the 3-race "Grudge Series" with the ASCS Canyon Region and will showcase both groups with the famed World of Outlaw Sprint Cars. There is a $50 entry fee for competitors and for more information on the $2,500-to-win, $300-to-start event at Las Vegas, visit www.lvms.com.

Two days after the March 8th "Sin City Showdown," Ventura Raceway will host the first round of the All Coast Construction 360 Challenge. The Saturday, March 10th, $2,500-to-win VRA Sprint Car event also allows racers to use the Hoosier Medium and VRA Right Rear Tires. The USAC West Coast 360 rules can be found at www.westcoastsprintcars.com  and the ASCS Canyon Region rules are online at www.canyonspeedwaypark.com.  Rules for the VRA Sprint Cars and Ventura Raceway are posted at venturaraceway.com.

The "Grudge Series" will resume at Santa Maria Speedway on July 7th for the "War at the Shore" and conclude at Canyon Speedway Park's non-point "Brawl for in All" on September 22nd. Each race of the mini-series will carry a $2,500-to-win and $300-to-start purse, with a $50 entry fee. Thanks to sponsorship from Southwest Contractors, Hoosier Tire, and ParkerStore of Phoenix, the 3-race mini-series has a point fund of $15,000 with $5,000 up for grabs to the champion and $700 for 10th place in points. As this writing goes to press, Promoters Chris Kearns and Kevin Montgomery are looking for more sponsorship to pay at least $500 for 15th in "Grudge Series" points and the current point fund is listed at the end of this release.

The USAC West Coast 360 Sprint Car Series would like to thank Southwest Contractors, Hoosier Tire, Amsoil, ButlerBuilt, Competition Suspension Inc., Cory Kruseman's Sprint Car & Midget Driving School, Crow Enterprizes, DJ Safety, Extreme Mufflers, Hilborn Fuel Injection, Hinchman-Indy Racing Uniforms, Integra Shocks, Kaeding Performance, Keizer Wheels, ParkerStore of Phoenix, Port City Racing, Rod End Supply, SBI Fuel Systems, Saferacer.com, Saldana Racing Products, Sander Engineering for their support. If you or your company would like to become part of the series for the upcoming 2012 season, please email PR Director Lance Jennings at lwjennings@earthlink.net.

For more information on the USAC West Coast 360 Sprint Car Series, please visit westcoastsprintcars.com, usacracing.com, racesantamariaspeedway.com, or follow the series on facebook.
-----------------------------------------------
2012 GRUDGE SERIES POINT FUND: (USAC vs. ASCS)
1. $5000, 2. $2500, 3. $1500, 4. $1200, 5. $1000, 6. $900, 7. $800, 8. $700, 9. $700, 10. $700.

2012 USAC WEST COAST 360 SPRINT CAR SERIES SCHEDULE
DATE - TRACK - LOCATION
March 8: *Las Vegas Motor Speedway - Las Vegas, NV (Sin City Showdown / Non-Points)
March 17: Tulare Thunderbowl Raceway - Tulare, CA
March 24: Bakersfield Speedway - Bakersfield, CA
April 7: Kings Speedway - Hanford, CA
April 14: Tulare Thunderbowl Raceway - Tulare, CA (Chris & Brian Faria Memorial)
April 21: Santa Maria Speedway - Santa Maria, CA (Ron Otto Memorial)
May 5: Santa Maria Speedway - Santa Maria, CA
May 12: Tulare Thunderbowl Raceway - Tulare, CA
June 2: Kings Speedway - Hanford, CA (Pombo-Sargent Classic)
June 23: Santa Maria Speedway - Santa Maria, CA (Bud Stanfield Memorial)
July 7: *Santa Maria Speedway - Santa Maria, CA (War At The Shore / Doug Fort Memorial)
July 14: Tulare Thunderbowl Raceway - Tulare, CA (John Anthony Sharp Memorial)
August 4: Kings Speedway - Hanford, CA (Jim Evett Memorial)
September 8: Kings Speedway - Hanford, CA (Jim Turner Memorial)
September 22: *Canyon Speedway Park - Peoria, AZ (Brawl For It All / Non-Points)
September 29: Santa Maria Speedway - Santa Maria, CA (Billet Cup / John Jewett Memorial / Non-Points)
October 13: Kings Speedway - Hanford, CA (Cotton Classic)
-----------------------------------------------
* = Co-Sanctioned Event With ASCS Canyon Region Sprints.
This schedule is subject to change.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ben Shelton (msrmafia@gmail.com)

February 20th, 2012



Jay Dickens Racing Engines Wreak Havoc in Florida



Aberdeen, MS (02/20/12) – With the first week of Speedweeks in the books Jay Dickens Racing Engines (JDRE) has already claimed some big wins.

With many of the top teams in the nation in Florida for a two week stretch Don O’Neal got off to a quick start during the 36th Annual Winternationals at East Bay Raceway Park (Gibsonton, Florida), which was sanctioned by the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series (LOLMDS). He began the six race series by winning the $5,000-to-win opener at the 1/3 mile oval on Monday night before backing it up on Tuesday night with another $5,000 win in his #71 Mastersbilt/Jay Dickens Racing Engine Super Late Model.

The World of Outlaws (WoO) Super Late Model tour was in action at Bubba Raceway Park (Ocala, Florida), and it was 2011 series’ champion, Rick Eckert, who claimed the $12,000 win on Saturday night at the unique, clay oval in his #24 Bloomquist/JDRE-powered entry.

WoO Rookie of the Year contender, Bub McCool, also made some noise at Ocala Bubba Raceway Park by recording a pair of top ten finishes to earn the Rookie of the Race honors for two of the events in his #57J Victory Circle By Moyer/Jay Dickens Racing Engine powered entry.

As JDRE continues to prepare for the rapidly-approaching Speedweeks 2012 in Georgia and Florida, the company would like to thank all of their customers for their support throughout the 2011 season and looks forward to an even bigger season in 2012.

The Florida Speedweeks action now moves to Volusia Speedway Park (Barberville, Florida) for a six race series over the course of February 20th-25th, which includes four UMP DIRTCar events and two World of Outlaws Super Late Model events.

Jay Dickens Racing Engines power many of the nation's top teams with racing engines. In addition, they offer a full range of racing products and components from various vendors. For more information on Jay Dickens Racing Engines and all of their products, please visit http://www.JayDickens.com . 

 

Feb. 20, 2012

Jackson County Speedway/Midway Speedway AMRA Modified Challenge
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mt. Alto, WV-The importance of collaboration was recently emphasized with the signing of Midway Speedway to an AMRA contract. Innovative Jackson County Ohio Promotoer Brad McCown and Midway promoters Phil Stalling, Jr. and David Pryor immediately struck up a deal to entice drivers to both tracks under the AMRA banner and forge a partnership that most assuredly will benefit both parties.

Additionally, the American Motor Racing Association would like to congratulate the folks at I-77 Speedway for landing the coveted Hillbilly 100 for the Labor Day Weekend. Much hard work at that facility has enticed the racing world to stand up and take notice with the landing of this mega-event. As always AMRA thanks all participating tracks and soon will issue a release of all tracks and their respective opening dates.

The Jackson County Speedway/Midway Speedway AMRA Modified Challenge will pay out $2,500 in cash to the top 5 drivers who compete at both tracks from May through August. This one of a kind series will payout $1,000 to the winner with the total payout structure looking like this 1.) $1,000 2.) $600 3.) $400 4.) $300 5.) $200.

Drivers who participate in the Jackson County Speedway/Midway Speedway AMRA Modified Challenge could walk away with over $9,000 in cash and prizes. This is obtainable by winning the AMRA National Points ($5,000), Jackson County Speedway Points (2013 Coyote Chassis valued at $3,000), Challenge winner ($1,000) plus year end awards at Midway Speedway.

The points structure for the Jackson County Speedway/Midway Speedway AMRA Modified Challenge will be as follows: 20 show up points, 25 point bonus for racing Friday and Saturday, Feature Only Points of 50-40-35-31-28-25-23-21-19-17-15-13-11-9-7-5-4-3. Maximum points that can be earned for any one weekend is 165 points, with points starting at Jackson County Speedway on May 4th. All drivers entering the events at either track will be eligible for the Jackson County Speedway/Midway Speedway AMRA Modified Challenge.

Octane Racing Products will be on board as a sponsor of AMRA in 2012 and will add $1000 to the AMRA National Points fund, again making the modified national points' $5000 to win. Octane will add contingency awards in random drawings at the banquet to racers displaying the Octane Racing Products decals.
Malta Doors and Windows is the Title Sponsor of the AMRA Modifieds and Tru-Tech Automotive for the Late Models. Other fine sponsors of the MALTA AMRA Modified series are Dave Poske's Performance Parts, Wrisco, Hoosier Racing Tire/Hoosier Tire Ohio Valley, Carthage Auto Parts, AERO Racing Wheels, Rocket Chassis, Lincoln Welders & Lincoln Electric, Hypercoils, Bazell Race Fuels, Alky Racing Alcohol and Sunoco Race Fuels, Impact Racing, ADP Rivets, RCI, OTR Filters, MSD Ignition, Wilwood, Kluhsman Racing Components (KRC), Evans Vinyl Signs, WV Tax & Bookkeeping, Winters Performance, Bilstein Shocks, PST Drive Shafts, Schoenfeld, Killer Bee Race Bodies, The Bumper Man, and Pike Street Lanes. Join the AMRA now!-America's Open Wheeled Modifieds Most Competitive Series!
Look for several big upcoming announcements concerning the 2012 series!
Please visit www.amramodified.com 

Feb. 20, 2012
AMRA Tech Inspector Training!
Feb. 25 1 p.m.

MT. ALTO, WV- The American Motor Racing Association (AMRA) has announced that it will hold its annual Technical Inspector's meeting and training session Saturday, February 25 at the race shop of AMRA competitor Robbie Evans near Mineral Wells, West Virginia. Time for the event will be 1 to 4 p.m.

Directions to the Tech Inspector's meeting will be provided on the AMRA website at << www.amramodified.com  >>  and will also be listed at the conclusion of this release. The AMRA modifieds must run Hoosier Tires, while the AMRA Late Models currently have an open tire rule.

The technical training for our inspectors will be held to more consistently enforce existing rules and clarify new areas of concern to preserve the fidelity of race cars and maintain a level "playing field" for all. The event will be restricted to all AMRA promoters and their technical inspectors. Tracks are welcome to send more than one technical inspector.

The weight break of 50# for steel non-adjustable, no-Schrader-valved shocks goes into effect his year in hopes of reducing costs and to entice competitiors to run shocks that are dependable and less expensive. Also, GM Crate Engines have a weight break again this year.

The AMRA also noted that Crate Engines must have a legal seal, as authorized by GM. New crate engines wishing to get the weight break must have the GMPP seal only. "No counterfeit bolts, nor counterfeit seals will be tolerated."

Presenting awards in excess of $50,000 in prize money and $10,800 in contingencies, the AMRA crowned its 2011 champions at its 19th annual banquet at Cedar Lakes Conference Center last fall. Kenny Johnson, Mineral Wells, WV was the National Champ while Doug Henry, Beverly, Ohio, was crowned as the Modified Road Warrior Challenge Tour champion. Crowned as the AMRA Late Model Division champion was Chris Garnes, Evans, WV. Since 1993, well over half a million dollars has been awarded in prizes and point contingencies.
Directions:

From I-77 South, take the Mineral Wells exit, turn left on Rt 14 South for 2.3 miles. Turn left on Society Hill Road for 4/10ths of a mile. Turn right at the office on 141 Evans Avenue.
From I-77 North, take the Mineral Wells exit, turn right on Rt 14 South for 2.2 miles. Turn left on Society Hill Road for 4/10ths of a mile. Turn right at the office on 141 Evans Avenue.

Physical address:
141 Evans Avenue
Mineral Wells, West Virginia 26150

Octane Racing Products will be on board as a sponsor of AMRA in 2012 and will add $1000 to the AMRA National Points fund, again making the modified national points' $5000 to win. Octane will add contingency awards in random drawings at the banquet to racers displaying the Octane Racing Products decals.

Malta Doors and Windows is the Title Sponsor of the AMRA Modifieds and Tru-Tech Automotive for the Late Models. Other fine sponsors of the MALTA AMRA Modified series are Dave Poske's Performance Parts, Wrisco, Hoosier Racing Tire/Hoosier Tire Ohio Valley, Carthage Auto Parts, AERO Racing Wheels, Rocket Chassis, Lincoln Welders & Lincoln Electric, Hypercoils, Bazell Race Fuels, Alky Racing Alcohol and Sunoco Race Fuels, Impact Racing, ADP Rivets, RCI, OTR Filters, MSD Ignition, Wilwood, Kluhsman Racing Components (KRC), Evans Vinyl Signs, WV Tax & Bookkeeping, Winters Performance, Bilstein Shocks, PST Drive Shafts, Schoenfeld, Killer Bee Race Bodies, The Bumper Man, and Pike Street Lanes. Join the AMRA now!-America's Open Wheeled Modifieds Most Competitive Series!
Look for several big upcoming announcements concerning the 2012 series!
Please visit www.amramodified.com 
 

Feb. 16, 2012

ACCORD SPEEDWAY NEWS

Accord, NY - Hudson Valley Cycle Center Signs On As Headline Sponsor For Accord Speedway Midweek Madness Racing Season
By: Steve Pados, Accord Speedway Media

On going marketing plans for the hard working promotional team of Gary and Donna Palmer has yielded yet another sponsor for the upcoming big season ahead for their "Gem In the Catskills" Accord Speedway located in Ulster County in New York State. With the the completion of the 2012 racing schedule now online and the final plans shaping up for the upcoming speedway banquet ahead on March 3rd, the Palmer Family continues to fine tune all of the pieces into place for the season and with the many changes and additions taking place, the new season at Accord will be exciting from start to finish for the racing fans, driving teams and speedway sponsors. Joining the speedway for the 2012 season will be the Hudson Valley Cycle Center located in Kingston, New York and will serve the headline sponsor for the quick-hitting Midweek Madness programs that begin on June 6th and continue through August 29th. Hudson Valley Cycle Center has been serving the Catskill Mountain region since 1997 and have expanded from a small Honda franchise to carry such manufacturer lines as Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha, Triton Trailers and Honda Power Equipment. Hudson Valley Cycle Center is located at 601 State Route 28 in Kingston, New York and the hpone number to reach them is: 845 340 1100. The well documented website is: http://www.hvcycle.com  and offer online sales and information regarding new and pre-owned cycles, parts, catalogs, and dealer services to accommodate online customers as well as provide information regarding financing. The store hours are: Tuesday through Friday 9 AM until 6 PM and from 9 Am until 5 PM on Saturdays. Hudson Valley Cycle Center has earned the American Honda Council of Excellence Award and continue to be the one stop shop for motorcycles, ATV's, utility vehicles, scooters, dirt bikes, snowmobiles, Honda Power Equipment and Triton Trailers. They also carry a large selection of on and off road helmets, parts and accessories. All major credit cards are accepted and the well established sales force at Hudson Valley Cycle Center are looking forward to serving your needs.

With much of the grading and bulldozing done throughout the favorable winter months back to the configuration of the speedway to the way it existed in 2009 and 2010, the speedway will be a tick of the clock slower than in 2011 but the competition will once again have full use of the ultra wide racing channels the fans have come to love and appreciate. The new racing surface will be worked by Palmer to perfection and the four and sometimes five wide racing action will return in full force. In keeping in step with having a top-notch racing facility, the Redi-Rock International walls in the turns were dismantled in turns one and two and the old walls removed and then set back in place to give the facility a definitive and attractive appearance to greet the drivers and fans when racing gets underway and turns three and four will receive the same treatment shortly. With keeping safety to the forefront for the fans and the drivers, Palmer will be adding an extra row of Redi-Rock International walls to the turns as last season one race car flipped out of the facility and into the pit area and cleared the existing walls in doing so. Luckily no one was injured in the mishap but Palmer took note of the incident and is raising the walls another row to keep everyone inside the racing arena in a dedicated effort to keep everyone safe on the racing grounds.

Arkel Motors, Healey Brothers Group, Ruges Parts, Campers Barn, VP Fuels, Lucas Oil and Hudson Valley Cycle Center are among the major sponsors for the weekly racing divisions and with WRWD 107.3 taking a bigger role at the speedway with the sponsorship of the Lightning Sprints and Fireball Four Cylinders, all divisions are covered for the exciting new season ahead. Many new sponsors are on board to sponsors a night of racing and include Williams Lumber, Mombaccus Excavating, Dig Safely, Power's NAPA, Want Ad Digest, KB Photos, Cordova Plumbing & HotWired Electric, Reichel Diesel, Royal King Cleaners, Kingston Nissan, Mid Hudson Concrete & Redi-Rock International, Fredericks Excavating, Tom's Repair Shop, Upstate Auto Night, Taylor Rental and Liggan's Insurance. WLR Construction has once again signed on as the sponsor for the ever-expanding King of the Catskills two day racing extravaganza that will take place on the weekend of September 21st and 22nd with a raindate of the following week. All of the speedway's six divisions will return in 2012 with the Modifieds, Sportsman, Spec Sportsman, Pro Stocks and Pure Stocks duking it out on a weekly basis and the thrill a second Lightning Sprints and Fireball Four Cylinders alternating every other Friday.

Two practice dates have been set aside for the drivers to test their new or refurbished hot rods and those dates are April 6th and the 13th. Opening night will be April 20th and once again will feature the Scott Harvey Memorial in memory of the late Accord Speedway announcer. All feature events for the Modifieds will offer $2,000.00 to the winner based on car counts. Midweek Madness will kick-off on June 6th and the speedway will once offer many changes to the Wednesday night card of events. The full but quick-hitting race show will offer Go Karts, Quads 100cc and under, 600 wingless Micros, 3 divisions of Slingshots, Fireball Four Cylinder racers and 305 Sprints going to war on the Accord high banks. TT Quads will return to the speedway for the new season ahead and a new course is being developed to utilize parts of the 1/4 mile track and the infield areas that will produce some excellent side by side racing on the speedway.

All drivers and fans wishing to attend the banquet are requested to go to the Accord Speedway website at: http://www.accordspeedway.com  and search the Files section for the pertinent information regarding the banquet and awards dinner. The event will be held March 3rd at the Brookside Manor in Middletown, New York with a time slot of 6 to 11 PM. Tickets for the event are priced at $40.00 and a cash bar will be available for those desiring a beverage. Wednesday and Friday night racers will be honored during the evening.

Many more topics will continue to be highlighted during the next few weeks as the upcoming 2012 racing season continues to build. For further updates and information regarding all of the news and additions to the Accord Speedway, logon to their well documented website at: http://www.accordspeedway.com  or call the speedway hotline at: 845 626 3478. For video work or questions regarding the purchase of videos from the exciting on-track action at the Accord Speedway, contact Jason at: http://www.tristatestudios.com  For the purchase of the upcoming banquet, action or victory lane track photos, contact Kevin at: http://kbsracingphotos.com 
At the Accord Speedway............................................



A Trail Of Dirt Leads Right To Our Door
 

#2 Danny Faria Jr.

Photo by Paquet Photography

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
USAC WEST COAST 360 SPRINT CAR SERIES

USAC VS. ASCS "360 GRUDGE SERIES" BEGINS MARCH 8TH AT LAS VEGAS;
$5000 UP FOR GRABS TO MINI-SERIES CHAMPION
by Lance Jennings

SANTA MARIA, CA – FEBRUARY 16, 2012... On Thursday, March 8th, the USAC West Coast 360 Sprint Car Series will kickoff their 2012 campaign at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The non-point "Sin City Showdown" is also the first round of the 3-race "Grudge Series" with the ASCS Canyon Region and will showcase both groups with the famed World of Outlaw Sprint Cars. For more information on the Las Vegas "Sin City Showdown," visit www.lvms.com.

The "Grudge Series" will resume at Santa Maria Speedway on July 7th for the "War at the Shore" and conclude at Canyon Speedway Park's non-point "Brawl for in All" on September 22nd. Each race of the mini-series will carry a $2,500-to-win and $300-to-start purse, with a $50 entry fee. Thanks to sponsorship from Southwest Contractors, Hoosier Tire, and ParkerStore of Phoenix, the 3-race mini-series has a point fund of $15,000 with $5000 up for grabs to the champion and $700 for 10th place in points. As this writing goes to press, Promoters Chris Kearns and Kevin Montgomery are looking for more sponsorship to pay at least $500 for 15th in "Grudge Series" points and the current point fund is listed at the end of this release.

"This is a unique opportunity to bring two series together for three special events with substantial payouts and championship fund," says Kearns. "The two series are very close as far as rules and we are looking forward to letting some talented racers from both series get together to put on great events for the fans."

According the ASCS Canyon Promoter Kevin Montgomery, "With the USAC West Coast Sprint Car Series adopting the Hoosier 105/16 Medium right rear tire and the weight rule adjustment for both series to 1475lbs, it will closely match the neighboring Sprint Car Series and mark the first time in history that both traveling series will have a unified set of rules."

Two days after the March 8th "Sin City Showdown" at Las Vegas, Ventura Raceway will host the first round of the All Coast Construction 360 Challenge. The Saturday, March 10th, VRA Sprint Car event also has a $2,500-to-win purse and the Hoosier Medium and VRA Right Rear Tire are legal for both shows. The USAC West Coast 360 rules can be found at visit www.westcoastsprintcars.com.  The ASCS Canyon Region rules are online at www.canyonspeedwaypark.com.  The VRA Sprint Car and Ventura Raceway rules are online at venturaraceway.com.

The USAC West Coast 360 Sprint Car Series would like to thank Southwest Contractors, Hoosier Tire, Amsoil, ButlerBuilt, Competition Suspension Inc., Cory Kruseman's Sprint Car & Midget Driving School, Crow Enterprizes, DJ Safety, Extreme Mufflers, Hilborn Fuel Injection, Hinchman-Indy Racing Uniforms, Integra Shocks, Kaeding Performance, Keizer Wheels, ParkerStore of Phoenix, Port City Racing, Rod End Supply, SBI Fuel Systems, Saferacer.com, Saldana Racing Products, Sander Engineering for their support. If you or your company would like to become part of the series for the upcoming 2012 season, please email PR Director Lance Jennings at lwjennings@earthlink.net.

For more information on the USAC West Coast 360 Sprint Car Series, please visit westcoastsprintcars.com, usacracing.com, racesantamariaspeedway.com, or follow the series on facebook.
-----------------------------------------------
2012 GRUDGE SERIES POINT FUND: (USAC vs. ASCS)
1. $5000, 2. $2500, 3. $1500, 4. $1200, 5. $1000, 6. $900, 7. $800, 8. $700, 9. $700, 10. $700.

2012 USAC WEST COAST 360 SPRINT CAR SERIES SCHEDULE
DATE - TRACK - LOCATION
March 8: *Las Vegas Motor Speedway - Las Vegas, NV (Non-Points)
March 17: Groppetti Automotive Thunderbowl Raceway - Tulare, CA
March 24: Bakersfield Speedway - Bakersfield, CA
April 7: Kings Speedway - Hanford, CA
April 14: Groppetti Automotive Thunderbowl Raceway - Tulare, CA
April 21: Santa Maria Speedway - Santa Maria, CA
May 5: Santa Maria Speedway - Santa Maria, CA
May 12: Groppetti Automotive Thunderbowl Raceway - Tulare, CA
June 2: Groppetti Automotive Thunderbowl Raceway - Tulare, CA
June 23: Santa Maria Speedway - Santa Maria, CA
July 7: *Santa Maria Speedway - Santa Maria, CA
July 14: Kings Speedway - Hanford, CA
August 4: Kings Speedway - Hanford, CA
September 8: Kings Speedway - Hanford, CA
September 22: *Canyon Speedway Park - Peoria, AZ (Non-Points)
September 29: Santa Maria Speedway - Santa Maria, CA (Non-Points)
October 13: Kings Speedway - Hanford, CA
-----------------------------------------------
* = Co-Sanctioned Event With ASCS Canyon Region Sprints.
This schedule is subject to change.
 

Feb. 15, 2012

HAMLIN SPEEDWAY NEWS

Hamlin, PA - Successful Hamlin Speedway Meeting Has Drivers Anxious To Tackle The New Racing Season Ahead
By: Steve Pados, GA Motorsports Media

The premier racing attraction in the Pocono Mountains, the Hamlin Speedway, enjoyed a very successful drivers and owners meeting on Sunday, February 12th, as more than two hundred people filed in to the S&S Speedways for the initial meeting to lay out the plans and changes for what will be another banner season for the Denise and Randy Smith promoted 1/5 mile clay oval racing facility. The 2012 racing season will serve as the seventh year in sequence for the Smith Family at the helm of the popular multi-division speedway and all indications for another great season is expected as many questions were answered during the two hour session.

The recent year end announcement of the Smith Fabrications/Stage One Modified division coming on board as a new division at the speedway for the 2012 racing season has created a new buzz and excitement and has many drivers weighing out their options as to which path to take when they go racing in 2012. The Stage One Modifieds have been on various racing circuits since 2007 and will be a welcome addition to the already great racing found at Hamlin every Saturday night. The Stage One Modifieds are a small scale model of the Northeastern Modified division and powered by Briggs and Stratton powerplants and fabricated by former Northeastern Modified great Richie Smith. The addition of the growing class of race cars will add yet another dimension to the already great speedway driving roster and the early indication from the racers is finding much interest from those who are seeking a new class to compete with.

Topics being discussed at the informative meeting included that Hans Devices will be mandatory for all competing classes, no top lube in the fuel for the 600 Micros and no handicapping. Promoters Denise and Randy Smith welcomed all racers and will leave the welcome mat out for all racers who have yet to decide on their speedway of choice for the new season ahead. With the landscape surrounding various raceways in the Northeast constantly changing, Hamlin Speedway has proven time and time again to promote and present some of the best racing available for small car division racing and each show is professionally produced with a great working staff on board to insure the success and the excitement of each passing week. Last year the Hamlin driving roster regularly had representation from a six state area and with one of the best purses in the area expect to continue to draw top fields of racers on a weekly basis

Keep in touch with all of the latest updates in Hamlin information by visiting their website often. All of the news regarding the new 2012 racing season and special events will follow in a timely manner and the complete 20102 racing schedule is on the website for review. The Smith Family would like to thank all of the drivers, owners, staff and the loyal band of race fans who have helped make the Hamlin Speedway the finest well-rounded small car division racing facility in the country today.

The next event for the Hamlin Speedway will be the Napa Auto Parts sponsored 5th annual Dirt Track Heroes Show held at the Phillipsburg Mall on Route 22 East from March 4th until March 10th. Hamlin Speedway announcer Steve Pados along with his brother Ed and Bobby Stull will once again host the nightly activities for the fifth consecutive season. As in the past, the representation from the Hamlin Group has always ranked among the best for the show and the Pados Brothers encourage all teams that are set to go to place their racers into the event so the race fans can see the pride and care the racers have for their equipment and their sponsors and assist in bringing out new fans when the racing action gets underway. Hamlin Speedway Night is set for March 8th along with the Stage One Modifieds, Accord Speedway, Orange County Fair Speedway and Big Diamond Speedway.
Should a driver have a problem in getting to the Mall on the assigned evening, please come out when you are available and you will be interviewed the evening you are available.

For additional updates and information regarding all of the news and additions to the Hamlin Speedway, logon to their well documented website at: http://www.hamlinspeedway.com  or call the speedway hotline at: 570 420 5500. For video work or questions regarding the purchase of videos from the exciting on-track action at the Hamlin Speedway, contact videographer Barry Boyd at: http://www.boydracingvideos.com  For the purchase of banquet, action or victory lane track photos, contact track photographer Rick Schwindenhammer at: http://www.ricksracingphotos.zenfolio.com 
Visit us often for a great night of racing action as............................................


The Hamlin Speedway Is The Gateway To The Poconos

 

Feb. 14, 2012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE- - - THANK YOU
CONTACT: BOB MILLER 443 513 4456

Release prepared by STEVE PADOS



Hamlin Speedway Joins Growing List Of Sponsors For NAPA Auto Parts Fifth Annual Dirt Track Heroes Show



The buzz of the telephone and additional work on the road continues to pay huge dividends for the upcoming 2012 edition of the NAPA Auto Parts fifth annual Dirt Track Heroes Car Show as the past, present and future of auto racing will join forces together under one roof in Phillipsburg, New Jersey. NAPA Auto Parts of the Delaware Valley will be headlining the event as theshow sponsor for this years edition of the tremendously successful show and the addition of Smith Fabrications and the Stage One Modifieds, Moe Pagni's Outten Used Cars, R&F International Muffler & Brake and Caffe Europa signing on as nightly sponsors, the event work staff continues to work their magic to fill in the necessary blanks for another amazing event. The IRCO Community Federal Credit Union, who set the wheels in motion to lend their support to the show when it first launched in 2008 and have continuously supported the Dirt Track Heroes Car Show through the show's first four years of the show's existence, will continue to have a presence at the event when the doors of the Mall swing open to welcome the return of the show to the Phillipsburg Mall in 2012 with opening day set for Sunday, March 4th. The show encompasses the majority of the local short track scene and will continue through Saturday night, March 10th. The Phillipsburg Mall, located on Route 22 East in Phillipsburg, NJ, has proven to be a popular setting for this special event and will offer a multitude of race cars, racing memorabilia, collectibles and photos on display throughout the course of the show. The show continues to be free of charge to the mall traffic and the 2012 edition of the show is the trend setter of the many shows that are scheduled during the year. With an exciting and diverse schedule of events to whet the appetite of any true race fan, large crowds are expected to fill the wide walkways of the Phillipsburg Mall.

The newest edition to the growing list of sponsors for the show is the Denise and Randy Smith promoted Hamlin Speedway. Located in the heart of the Poconos Mountains, the Hamlin Speedway was resurrected from a dormant state seven years ago by the Smith Family and with a solid working staff have transformed the facility into a show place for eight divisions of racing every Saturday night with a solid roster of driving stars who are making their mark in the world of motorsports. With car counts normally surpassing the 140 count each week, the excitement and wheel to wheel racing action at Hamlin has made the speedway one of the top entertainment values in the country today for small car division racing. Buoyed by a great kitchen staff thats turns out some of the best speedway cuisine in the nation, the Hamlin Speedway is a must see and do for great family fun at affordable pricing. Contact them today at: 570 420 5500 or check out their newly designed website at: www.hamlinspeedway.com Don't forget when you are looking for something fun and exciting to do, try the S&S Speedways Indoor Go Karts for fender to fender and paint trading fun with a gang of friends. Party rentals are available and the excitement of stomping the throttle and dicing it out with your friends will have you coming back for more. Check it out at: www.SSSpeedways.com

Once again Smith Fabrications, the home of the Stage One Modifieds, will play an important role in this year's edition of the show. "Rapid Rich" Smith has incorporated his solid background in racing and the technical know how to improve upon his finished product and the Stage One Modified is a beautiful piece of craftsmanship from the master fabricator Richie Smith. The Stage One race car is beautiful to look at and the performance of the car on the race track is a thrill a second for those who have tried the equipment on for size. Touting affordability and safety as the race car's primary selling points, a ready to race unit is priced in the neighborhood of $12,000.00 and with the recent announcement the Stage One Modifieds will becoming a regular attraction this season at the always exciting Hamlin Speedway. For additional information regarding the Stage One Modifieds, log-on to their website at: www.smithfabrications.com  or contact by phone at: 610 462 4302. Moe Pagni's Outten Used Cars, located at 1902 South Fourth Street in Allentown, Pennsylvania is returning to the show for the second consecutive year as a nightly sponsor for the event. Moe coined the phrase, "Stop Dreamin, Start Drivin" as the excellent sales staff will find you the credit you need to slide behind the wheel of a quality used car and begin to re-build your credit once again. To reach the Outten team, call today at: 610 791 7912 or check out their website at: www.moes.outtencars.com  R&F International Muffler & Brake is located at 1951 West Main Street in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania and offer the "the best exhaust at the best cost" among the many services they offer at their complete car care facility. The number to reach them is: 570 476 2120. Caffe Europa, located in the Mall, was named as the official restaurant of the NAPA Auto Parts Dirt Track Heroes Show last week and will be an important stop-over point for the racing fans as the popular eatery offers up many tantalizing Italian entrees and sandwiches as well as piping hot pizza from their brick ovens. The phone number is: 908 387 9787 for take out orders and the restaurant offers a cafe oriented seating area. PR Performance Truck & Trailer Repair is located at 1 State Street in Bloomsbury, New Jersey with a phone number to reach them at: 908 479 0102 and they also provide 24 hour towing and recovery services.

The NAPA Auto Parts Stores of the Delaware Valley has five stores conveniently located within the immediate area and the locations are: Easton, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey locations Stewartsville, Hackettstown, Clinton and Flemington. The stores are owned by Quaker City Motors Parts with their headquarters located in Middletown, Delaware. NAPA was founded in 1925 to meet America's growing need for an auto parts distribution system. To date, NAPA has 69 Distribution Centers, more than 6,000 stores and 13,000 affiliated NAPA AutoCare repair facilities, over 320,000 parts in inventory every day and ASE-Certified Parts Professionals. To learn more about NAPA Know How, go to their extensive website at: www.napaonline.com  or contact by phone at: 800-LET-NAPA (800-538-6272. All of the stores will have representation at the show throughout the week offering specials and discounts to the racers and fans.

IRCO will remain a big part of the show as they will sponsor the stage area where the nightly shows will be presented. Vice President of IRCO, Greg Collins, will become part of the announcing team lined up for the shows that include the longtime broadcasting team of Ed and Steve Pados from Gasoline Alley fame, veteran announcer Bobby Stull, Bridgeport and Thunder announcer Jeff Ahlum and former Lake Mocatek co-announcer Justin Beltrame. Collins, who serves as the noted historian of the Harmony Speedway, is expected to have much of his memorabilia from the Harmony Speedway for the event and Beltrame will once again spearhead and show the vast collection of Lake Mocatek material he has collected over the years.

The "Golden Era" of auto racing from the late fifties through the early eighties was an era that saw many changes take place in the way the race cars were constructed. The word "stock" gave way to ingenuity at first and followed closely by technology as the race cars became less stock appearing and relied more heavily on the latest speed part that would make the race car go faster. While the years have changed the look and the cost of racing, the spirit of the competition remains much as it was when racing in the local area was launched. The great fan base of racing can come out to this grand Mall event and be transported back to a time when they could hop into their family jitney and travel less than a half hour to witness the excitement of a night at the races. All historical racing groups including Reading, Flemington, Harmony, Dorney Park and Nazareth will have their memorabilia on display and their many scrapbooks open for the fans to take another long look at the glory years of racing and possibly find a picture or two they want to purchase as a keepsake from past glory or racing exploits.

Entries are now accepted to display in the NAPA Auto Parts Dirt Track Heroes Show. More information is available by calling: 443-513-4456 or you may complete the entry form located on the home page of the: www.thunderonthehillracingseries.com web site. Follow the simple instructions posted on the web site to register. Space is available for race cars of all divisions, vendors and race tracks as well.

In the previous events, cars that were on display included big and small block Modifieds, Sportsman, Micro-Sprints, ARDC Midgets, URC Sprints, Late Models, go-karts and a broad variety of vintage and restored race cars. New Egypt, Grandview, Big Diamond, Bridgeport, Hamlin, Accord, Kutztown, Borger's and Snydersville will again be among the many speedways involved with the 2012 show. The week-long event will set aside one evening to salute the "Stars of Tomorrow" with a special night set aside for the budding young racing talents competing with the many quarter midget clubs in the area and this night has proven to be one of the highlights of the week as many will be giving their first ever interviews to a sizable crowd. The NAPA Auto Parts Dirt Track Heroes Car Show will again offer a great keepsake event souvenir program book and shirt. The Phillipsburg Mall is open Sunday 11 AM to 6 PM and from Monday through Saturday from 10 AM to 9 PM. For additional NAPA Auto Parts Dirt Track Heroes information, contact show organizers Bob and Donna Miller by phone at 443.513.4456, via e-mail at TOTH98@aol.com  or on the web at: www.thunderonthehillracingseries.com.

And don't forget, the sister event to the NAPA Auto Parts Dirt Track Heroes Car Show is the popular and established 27th Annual Racing Legends Reunion & Car Show, set for the Fairgrounds Square Mall in Reading, PA February 19-25, 2012.

Both events offer race teams a great opportunity to promote their sponsors and announce their racing plans for the 2012 racing season.

(Revised) 2012 Fifth Annual NAPA Auto Parts Dirt Track Heroes Car Show Schedule of Events

Sunday- March 4 - (Starting at Noon) - NAPA Auto Parts Dirt Track Heroes Car Show Opening Ceremony (Stage) Presented by Moe Pagni's Outten Used Car Center - All Tracks and Driver Autograph Session: Highlighting Nazareth And Nazareth National Speedways with Reading, Harmony, Orange County, Hatfield, Dorney Park, Langhorne, Trenton, Flemington, East Windsor, Sanatoga, Allentown Fairgrounds, Stroudsburg, Mahoning, Mountain and a salute to the Legends of Lake Mocatek Speedway


Monday- March 5 - (6 PM) – Presented by R& F International Muffler & Brake welcoming ATQMRA, Borger’s Speedway, Kutztown Speedway, Shellhamers Speedway, Snydersville Raceway, X-Cel 600 Modifieds, Oreville Karts and the Friends of Hinchliffe Stadium

Tuesday- March 6 - (6 PM) Smith Fabrications/Stage One Modifieds/Hamlin Speedways welcoming the “Stars of Tomorrow” featuring Quarter Midget Clubs: Oaklane, Blue Mountain, Lehigh Valley, West End Raceway, Keystone, South Jersey and Garden State Quarter Midget Clubs

Wednesday- March 7 - (6 PM) - Presented by Caffe Europa featuring New Egypt Speedway and Wall Stadium Night - Saluting the Legends of the East Windsor Speedway - Invite to the Garden State Vintage Racing Club

Thursday- March 8 - (6 PM) – Hamlin Speedways/Smith Fabrications/Stage One Modifieds welcoming Hamlin Speedway, Stage One Modifieds, Accord Speedway, Orange County Fair Speedway and Big Diamond Speedway Night

Friday - March 9 - (7 p.m.) - Salute to Thunder on the Hill Series, Grandview Speedway, Bridgeport Speedway, ARDC Midgets, URC plus the Legends of the Reading Fairgrounds and Dorney Park Speedways

Saturday - March 10 - (Noon until complete) - Flemington Speedway, all divisions, Flemington Speedway Racing Historical Society and Harmony Speedway Historical Society. All drivers invited to return for fan-fest and Autograph Session

Caffe Europa serves as the Official Restaurant of the NAPA Auto Parts Dirt Track Heroes Show

Mall Hours: Sunday 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-9 p.m. -

*Schedule subject to change

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ben Shelton (msrmafia@gmail.com)
February 13th, 2012



Jake Griffin Prepares for UMP DIRTCar Nationals; Welcomes New Sponsors



Quincy, Illinois (02/13/12) –With the 2012 season now upon us Jake Griffin is preparing for his most ambitious campaign to date, and he will be opening it February 15th-21st at Volusia Speedway Park (Barberville, Florida) during the 41st Annual UNOH DIRTCar Nationals.

While Jake has been eagerly preparing to go head-to-head with many of the nation’s top Open Wheel Modified pilots in Florida, there has been some big off-season news for the team. Most notably the team has welcomed Fierge Auto Parts, based in Quincy, Illinois. Fierge Auto Parts is one of the nation’s largest, salvage yards, and company owner, Randy Fierge, has a long history in the motorsports world. In addition to sponsoring some of the top regional drivers, including Steve Fraise, Fierge has also sponsored some nationally-renowned drivers over the years including Jimmy Spencer and Kenny Wallace. While Fierge Auto Parts has not graced the side of a race car in several years, the company makes a return as a racing sponsor for the 2012 season after taking note of the rapid progression of Jake Griffin in his career.

In regards to the new sponsorship Jake comments, “For Mr. Fierge and his family to decide to become involved with my program means a lot to me. He’s helped a lot of great drivers over the year, and to now be one of those drivers is a really big deal. I plan to do everything that I can to make his sponsorship as beneficiary as possible.”

For more information on the company, please visit www.Fierge.com .

Jake recently received more exciting news as he has been cleared to compete in the Asphalt Late Model division at Hawkeye Downs Speedway (Cedar Rapids, Iowa). This is big news for the team because Jake will be the youngest driver to ever run a Late Model at the facility as well as providing an opportunity for him to gain valuable pavement experience. He will compete at the track on Friday nights from May until August. Griffin also plans to compete at Quincy Raceways on Sunday night with his UMP Modified and UMP Late Model. More information on the respective facilities can be found at www.HawkeyeDownsSpeedway.com  and www.QuincyRaceways.com .

In just a few days Jake will be headed to the Sunshine State for the 41st Annual UNOH DIRTCar Nationals at the lightning fast, ½ mile oval at Volusia Speedway Park (Barberville, Florida), where he will take his #08 Bob Pierce Open Wheel Modified into battle. On Wednesday, February 15th-Sunday, February 19th, individual programs will be held, which lead up to the $5,000-to-win, UMP Gator Championship on Monday, February 20th. The event will conclude with triple features on Tuesday, February 21st. Over 70 of the nation’s top UMP Open Wheel Modified competitors are expected to take part in the event. For more information on the festivities, please visit www.DIRTCarNationals.com .

Jake Griffin Racing would to like to thank all of their sponsors including Fierge Auto Parts, McPike’s Pawn Shop, Crawdad’s Classics Gourmet Hot Sauce, Triple R Machine Shop, Microtel Inns & Suites, Bob Pierce Race Cars, Kelly’s Restaurant, Powder Coat Plus, Wilco Fast Breaks, Green Smart Builders, and Outdoor Power Inc.

For more information on Jake Griffin Racing, please visit www.JakeGriffin.net .

 

Feb. 11, 2012

NEWS FROM JERRY HIGBIE RACING

GOSHEN, NY-- "The Statesman" Jerry Higbie "Gets Higgy With It" As He Preps For Accord And OCFS Duty In 2012
By: Steve Pados, GA Motorsports Media

Modified superstar Jerry Higbie and the Higbie Racing Team have been going guns a blazing at their full service race shops, located in Goshen, New York, since the final checkered flag fell on the 2011 racing season. The 2011 racing season was another solid performance for the likable and popular driving star as he drove to two runner-up finishes at his regular weekend junkets at both the Accord Speedway and the Orange County Fair Speedway. At Accord Higbie fell to first time champion Brett Hearn as Jerry suffered from a few mechanical gremlins throughout the season that brought him a lone win on the final night of points at the speedway. At OCFS, Higbie fought tooth and nail all season long with new champion Tommy Meier for the track title that wasn't settled until the final night of the regular season. The season at OCFS was an important one for Higbie as he utilized his own in-house chassis to go after his third straight Modified title. While falling a tad short of his goal for the racing hat trick, the full season of R&D Jerry spent in racing with his own chassis provided valuable insight as to the potential of the construction of the race car and what the next step of the development process would be. That being said, Jerry will get "higgy with it" for the 2012 racing season and compete in a pair of Hig Chassied race cars with the primary goal being to recapture the track titles that eluded him in 2011. The new design chassis attracted much attention during the 2011 racing season and the success Jerry spawned with the car at OCFS, has had new chassis customers lining up to place an order for the new race car. New Hig Chassis racers were built for fellow OCFS campaigners Jackie Brown and Jesse Kline, while Western Pennsylvania hot shoe Del Rougeux also has an order in for a new race car. Top Sportsman competitors Anthony Perrego, Tyler Dippel and Mike DuBois have also placed orders for the new hot rods and Higbie will be assisting those drivers with his knowledge throughout the racing season.

Jerry owns two big blocks titles at OCFS in 2009 and 2010 and has earned three 358 Small Block Modified titles as well. Jerry also own three Modified titles at the Accord Speedway, winning his first in 1994 and then following up with consecutive titles in 2009 and 2010. Jerry is a past winner of the Eastern States 200 race classic, winning the event in 2009 and Jerry has earned one King of the Catskills triumph at Accord also winning that event in 2009. Many accolades have followed Jerry in his successful racing career including two straight wins in the prestigious Joe Winne Memorial event also held at the Accord Speedway.

With a whirlwind of continuous activity at the Higbie Race Shops, Jerry continues on with a decisive game plan with his approach to the start of the new 2012 racing season ahead. As previously noted, Jerry raced at OCFS during 2011 in a recently spawned chassis of Higbie design for competition at the hard clay oval. Much thought and design went into the race car and the development process of learning the ins and outs of what the new creation can do has the shop buzzing from morning till night with the new 2012 design. Power for the race cars will come from the well-noted Precision Engine Shops with a small block power plant for duty at the Accord facility and big block power for work at the OCFS racetrack.

The Higbie Family owned signature numbered 97 race cars were a welcome addition back to their regular speedways, having been missing in action at the speedways for the past couple of seasons. The large and loyal contingent of Higbie racing fans are delighted to see the famous and popular race cars working the racing surface hard in quest of more victories and more track championships. Long-time Higbie sponsors Shaver Construction, Beaverkill Trout Hatchery, Mr K's Carpet Service, Hutchings Insurance, Behrent's Speed Center, SKJ Towing, Bada Bing Pizza and GA Motorsports Media will all be assisting the Higbie Racing Team efforts as the new season looms ahead..

Higbie's business, Hig-Fab, has been super busy throughout the off-season with not only the new chassis, but is currently making appointments for race cars to be refurbished for the new 2012 racing season. With sponsorship dollars dwindling, many of the racers are seeking to stay within the closing restraints of their tightening racing budgets so many of the racers have opted to retain their current equipment and have the experts with the Hig-Fab Team perform their magic to update the race cars. The Hig-Fab shop is ready, willing and able to serve the racer's needs whether it be an entire new body or just new body pieces. The Hig-Fab shop can do frame repairs or front and rear clips and can supply new bumpers for any Chassis car racing on the circuit, including Slingshots and Micro Sprints. Scaling of the race cars and Performance shock work is all done in-house. For more information regarding the services and capabilities of the highly trained Hig-Fab Staff, please contact the shop at: 845 294 0898. Don't wait to have your race car updated or re-skinned for the next racing season, the time to prepare for the new season is now. Hit the tracks running as the experts at Hig-Fab eliminate your worries for a great looking and great handling race car.


 

Feb. 11, 2012

K-C/Atomic Speedway For Sale

CHILLICOTHE, OHIO- The historic Atomic Speedway, most recently Schrader's K-C Raceway, near Chillicothe, Ohio is up for sale and as of press time will not open in 2012.

Tough economic times and bad weather that resulted in small attendance figures at various junctures--including last spring, whittled away at the economic foundation to keep the track open. While car counts were at near record numbers, and the racing was the same high quality that Atomic was historically known for, the economics of sustaining another season were not there. Over the past three years, the speedway was owned and operated by Jeff and Vicki Schrader.

"As of Monday the track is again 100 percent mine," said Jimmy Nier. "And the whole operation is up for sale. If I keep it, the track will not open in 2012. At this point in my life I want to dedicate my time to my racing and my family."

Nier is a talented Sprint car driver in the Midwest and is a two-time K-C Champion as well as winning a "Night the Stars Come Out" championship and posting wins with the All-Star Circuit of Champions. Most recently, Nier has been one of the top guns in the Ohio Valley Sprint Car circuit.

"The first time around I put a ton of money into making improvements. I love that place and that's why I bought it the first time around; to keep it open. But as I said before when we put it up for sale three years ago, I don't want to see my Mom and Dad work themselves to death at the race track. If I own it, I know that is what they would do. They love Atomic Speedway as well."

Nier bought the track from Jason Laugherty, who after one night of being an owner-promoter threw in the towel. For the previous 18 years, the Karshner family operated the speedway as K-C Raceway.

In 1953 a group of Chillicothe businessmen realized a plan that had been in the making for several years. The group, which consisted of racing fans, drivers, and car owners, sought to provide a premier racing facility for the rapidly growing sport they knew as Stock Car Racing. It was a sport they lived and loved. It was the vision of this particular group of men--the Chillicothe Stock Car Racing Association-- that led to the construction of Atomic Speedway, which became known nationwide as K-C Raceway in 1985. As of October 14, 2011 K-C Raceway once again became Atomic Speedway in a move the Schrader's hoped would help bring prosperity back to the track.

Nier noted that the track "can be a money maker".

"The first couple years we ran the place, I tried to run it like a race fan and we lost money. The last few years we ran it like a business and we made money. If someone comes along and runs it like a business, I am confident they will make a go of it."

"As much as I hate to see the track close, it just isn't going to open unless a buyer comes along."

Additionally, the fate of the DTWC has been decided. The 2012 Dirt Track World Championship (originally set for Atomic) will be held at Portsmouth Raceway Park under the Lucas Oil banner.

For more information about Atomic Speedway, please contact Jimmy Nier at 340 Bailey Chapel Rd, Piketon, OH 45661-9673 or call 1-740-289-2629 or (740) 289-3925. Serious inquiries only!
 

Feb. 10, 2012

ACCORD SPEEDWAY NEWS

Accord, NY - Accord Speedway Stresses Safety First On The Racetrack
By: Steve Pados, Accord Speedway Media

The hard working promotional team of Gary and Donna Palmer continue into the planning stages for the anticipated big season ahead for their "Gem In the Catskills" Accord Speedway located in Ulster County in New York State. The most recent weeks have found the work shutting down on the speedway with the workload shifting to the office with the completion of the scheduling and the upcoming speedway banquet ahead on March 3rd. The Palmer Family continues to fine tune all of the pieces into place for the season and with the many changes and additions taking place, the new season at Accord will be exciting from start to finish for the racing fans and driving teams. With much of the grading and bulldozing done throughout the favorable winter months back to the configuration of the speedway to the way it existed in 2009 and 2010, the speedway will be a tick of the clock slower than in 2011 but the competition will once again have full use of the ultra wide racing channels the fans have come to love and appreciate. The new racing surface will be worked by Palmer to perfection and the four and sometimes five wide racing action will return in full force. In keeping in step with having a top-notch racing facility, the Redi-Rock International walls in the turns were dismantled in turns one and two and the old walls removed and then set back in place to give the facility a definitive and attractive appearance to greet the drivers and fans when racing gets underway and turns three and four will receive the same treatment shortly. With keeping safety to the forefront for the fans and the drivers, Palmer will be adding an extra row of Redi-Rock International walls to the turns as last season one race car flipped out of the facility and into the pit area and cleared the existing walls in doing so. Luckily no one was injured in the mishap but Palmer took note of the incident and is raising the walls another row to keep everyone inside the racing arena in a dedicated effort to keep everyone safe on the racing grounds.

Palmer has always kept the safety standards at his speedway at a high priority level. The speedway retains impeccable safety standards throughout the history of the speedway and being a former competitor himself, Palmer is always seeking the inroads to improve on the finished product. The speedway has had it's own completely outfitted safety vehicle for the past three seasons and the work done by the crew throughout the racing season has been superb. The safety team has been the "johnny on the spot" for the drivers who have become involved in a skirmish on the race track and has done a yeoman's job in assisting in keeping the show moving swiftly each evening. The Palmer Family has been extremely proud of the purchase of the safety vehicle as they realize they have taken a major step to help insure the safety of the drivers, crews and fans with the addition of such a vehicle on the premises.

Arkel Motors, Healey Brothers Group, Ruges Parts, Campers Barn, VP Fuels and Lucas Oil are among the major sponsors for the weekly racing divisions and with WRWD 107.3 taking a bigger role at the speedway with the sponsorship of the Lightning Sprints and Fireball Four Cylinders, all divisions are covered for the exciting new season ahead. Many new sponsors will be noted in the weeks ahead leading up to the start of what will be another banner season at Accord. WLR Construction has once again signed on as the sponsor of the ever-expanding King of the Catskills two day racing extravaganza that will take place towards the end of the 2012 season.
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The 2012 racing schedule will be available soon and will be posted on the Accord Speedway website shortly. All of the speedway's six divisions will return in 2012 with the Modifieds, Sportsman, Spec Sportsman, Pro Stocks and Pure Stocks duking it out on a weekly basis and the thrill a second Lightning Sprints and Fireball Four Cylinders alternating every other Friday.

Two practice dates have been set aside for the drivers to test their new or refurbished hot rods and those dates are April 6th and the 13th. Opening night will be April 20th and once again will feature the Scott Harvey Memorial in memory of the late Accord Speedway announcer. All feature events for the Modifieds will offer $2,000.00 to the winner based on car counts. Midweek Madness will kick-off on June 6th and the speedway will once offer many changes to the Wednesday night card of events. The full but quick hitting race show will offer Go Karts, Quads 100cc and under, 600 wingless Micros, 3 divisions of Slingshots, Fireball Four Cylinder racers and 305 Sprints going to war on the Accord high banks. TT Quads will return to the speedway for the new season ahead and a new course is being developed to utilize parts of the 1/4 mile track and the infield areas that will produce some excellent side by side racing on the speedway.

All drivers and fans wishing to attend the banquet are requested to go to the Accord Speedway website at: http://www.accordspeedway.com  and search the Files section for the pertinent information regarding the banquet and awards dinner. The event will be held March 3rd at the Brookside Manor in Middletown, New York with a time slot of 6 to 11 PM. Tickets for the event are priced at $40.00 and a cash bar will be available for those desiring a beverage. Wednesday and Friday night racers will be honored during the evening.

Many more topics will continue to be highlighted during the next few weeks as the upcoming 2012 racing season continues to build. For further updates and information regarding all of the news and additions to the Accord Speedway, logon to their well documented website at: http://www.accordspeedway.com  or call the speedway hotline at: 845 626 3478. For video work or questions regarding the purchase of videos from the exciting on-track action at the Accord Speedway, contact Jason at: http://www.tristatestudios.com  For the purchase of the recent banquet, action or victory lane track photos, contact Kevin at: http://kbsracingphotos.com 
At the Accord Speedway............................................



We Measure Excitement A Quarter Mile At A Time
 

Feb. 9, 2012

Midway Speedway Signs with AMRA in 2012
By Scott Wolfe

MT. ALTO, WV-The American Motor Racing Association (AMRA) has announced that the newly re-opened Midway Speedway near Crooksville, Ohio will be joining the ranks of the Ohio Valley's most established open-wheeled sanctioning body, beginning with a tentative grand-opening date of Saturday, May 19. AMRA will sanction the exciting open wheel modifieds and the powerful Super Late Models in 2012.

Partners David Pryor and Phil Stalling, Jr. have joined forces to re-open the historic Mid-Ohio Valley bullring after having the facility sit idle for nearly a year and a half. A new website at http://www.midwayracing.com is up and running and will post up-to-the minute news as it is announced concerning the anticipation of opening day, and the 2012 schedule.

"We are shooting for mid-May opening date, tentatively setting Saturday, May 19 as opening night," said Pryor. "We are very excited to get the gates back open and racing restored to this track. We are equally excited to be sanctioned by the AMRA."

"Basically the whole reason for going AMRA was that we sat down, mapped the area out, and looked at both sides of the equation. Most of the cars that came to Midway were from the South. Geographically, we are one of the tracks right on the line (bordering other sanctions). Both the AMRA representatives and the AMRA drivers that we spoke to were nothing but supportive of us, and that meant a lot to me and my partner in deciding to go with AMRA."

"The AMRA is a strong organization and the fact that they have been around and have shown stability in the region is a plus. My partner and I want to do what is best for ourselves and what is best for our track."

AMRA President Larry Keefer said, "The folks at Midway are first class. We knew right away that Midway and the AMRA would be a good match, and to have them anchor our organization to the north is a great asset to us. Together, I think that Midway Speedway and the AMRA will thrive. I wish the new promoters and the staff at Midway the best of luck in the upcoming year."

Midway has long been a hot spot of area dirt track racing, featuring one of the biggest shows in the Midwest in the Jim Dunn Memorial for many years. The 3/8 mile speedplant has hosted numerous nationally recognized events both in Late Models and the open wheelers.

The new promoters hope to put a new face on the speedplant and combine that with the rich history of the facility. A general face lift and ongoing improvements will be taking place throughout the season along with the debut of an enthusiastic, dedicated crew and many new faces.

"We are trying to turn this place around, and take Midway Speedway in an all new direction. Fans will see all new faces," added Pryor. "We hope to open up a new door for our fans and for the AMRA guys."

As of this press release, K-C Raceway which reverted back to its old namesake of Atomic Speedway apparently will not open in 2012 unless a new owner steps forward. With Midway running on Saturdays, this strengthens the AMRA's hold in the region and gives drivers an even greater chance for season ending points' money. Drivers from Jackson and Skyline, two Friday night AMRA tracks, will now have a reasonably close Saturday night racing venue.

"We are extremely pleased to announce that Midway Speedway is back in the AMRA fold," said AMRA Racing Director Scott Wolfe. "It is an exciting time to see Midway Speedway back in action. Logistically, this gives our AMRA drivers along the Route 50/Route 32 corridor and north, a great two-night racing weekend. This no doubt will be good for Midway and good for our drivers, fans, and sponsors."

Midway Speedway will include the following classes: Super Late Models, Modifieds, Street Stocks, Outlaw FWD 4-Cylinders (allowing race tires), and the Kid’s Mini-Wedge (ages 6 – 13).

Street Stocks, Outlaw 4-Cylinders FWD with racing tires, and Kid’s Mini Wedge rules are being worked on and will be posted on the Midway website as they are completed.

"As I said before," noted Pryor, "The AMRA contingent was very supportive in this process. Right now our main goal is to get the gates open and the season underway. We are not going to re-invent the wheel; we just want to get it rolling again. We want everyone involved to have a positive experience and to feel like they are at a totally new track."

A 2012 Full Schedule will be released on Friday 2/10/2012 . Midway Speedway is located at 2317 State Route 93, Crooksville, Ohio 43731.

Octane Racing Products will be on board as a sponsor of AMRA in 2012 and will add $1000 to the AMRA National Points fund, again making the modified national points' $5000 to win. Octane will add contingency awards in random drawings at the banquet to racers displaying the Octane Racing Products decals.

Malta Doors and Windows is the Title Sponsor of the AMRA Modifieds and Tru-Tech Automotive for the Late Models. Other fine sponsors of the MALTA AMRA Modified series are Dave Poske's Performance Parts, Wrisco, Hoosier Racing Tire/Hoosier Tire Ohio Valley, Carthage Auto Parts, AERO Racing Wheels, Rocket Chassis, Lincoln Welders & Lincoln Electric, Hypercoils, Bazell Race Fuels, Alky Racing Alcohol and Sunoco Race Fuels, Impact Racing, ADP Rivets, RCI, OTR Filters, MSD Ignition, Wilwood, Kluhsman Racing Components (KRC), Evans Vinyl Signs, WV Tax & Bookkeeping, Winters Performance, Bilstein Shocks, PST Drive Shafts, Schoenfeld, Killer Bee Race Bodies, The Bumper Man, and Pike Street Lanes. Join the AMRA now!-America's Open Wheeled Modifieds Most Competitive Series!

Look for several big upcoming announcements concerning the 2012 series!

Please visit www.amramodified.com  or http://www.midwayracing.com  for more information. 
 

Feb. 7, 2012

ACCORD SPEEDWAY NEWS

Accord, NY - "Showtime" Danny Tyler Sets The Wheels In Motion For 2012 Assault At Accord Speedway Title
By: Steve Pados, Accord Speedway Media

The favorable climate of the winter months has brought about a bright outlook for an exciting new season of racing activity just weeks ahead. With Mall race cars shows and chassis seminars dotting the area arenas, the eager race fans await the start of the season as just much as the drivers and crews do themselves. The racing buzz always lends to much speculation as to who might be the next driving star on the horizon or what team or driver has done the most during the winter months to improve his racing program the most. One such driver who is gearing up for a big season on the racing trail is 22-year old driving sensation, "Showtime" Danny Tyler. The talented Cottekill, New York hot-shoe enjoyed a great season in 2011 as he raced to seven runner-up finishes at various speedways and scored an all-important third place finish in the final points at his home facility, the always spectacular Accord Speedway. Tyler was fast out of the box last season and his great finishes had him in the top five places in points from the opening bell as he showed the maturity of his nine years of racing to come away with his outstanding third place finish in the point's chase behind two of the great ones in Brett Hearn and Jerry Higbie. The improvement from Tyler showed well as he moved up three positions in the points from the 2010 season and without question has proved to be among the crowd favorites when he pulls onto to the raceway to do battle. Along the way Tyler served notice he is here to stay as he led the Penn Can Clash event for 48-laps until overtaken by Billy Decker, who captured the win with Tyler in the runner-up role.

The showtime kid is a star in the making for as in the legendary George Benson song, "Everybody is searching for a hero", Tyler fills the bill with his ability and daring on the race track and still have the needed time for his adoring fans once the racing is completed. Tyler is a past titlist at the speedway in a couple of divisions and would like nothing more than to add the elusive Accord Speedway Modified title to his already impressive driving resume. Tyler was the 2005 Pro Stock Champion at the speedway and captured the title on the final night of points as he came into the event sitting in second place and when the night was completed came away with the track title. Tyler quickly made the transition into the sportsman driving ranks where he became the Sportsman champion during the 2007 racing season. Tyler first moved into the Modified ranks for the 2008 racing season and although at times took some lumps and bumps, has shown tremendous potential in the premier division at the speedway as highlighted by his third place finish in the 2008 edition of the King of the Catskills event behind battling stars Rich Ricci and Brett Hearn. Tyler has been honored as the Rookie of the Year at the Accord speedway on four separate occasions as he moved through the ranks at the speedway and has captured win in five differnt divisions at Accord. Tyler moved around to various speedways during the 2009 racing season and returned to Accord for the 2010 racing season and is solidly entrenched as part of the great Modified roster that competes on a weekly basis at the speedway. With a completely new racing surface greeting the drivers for the new season, Tyler will have his equipment primed and ready for the first practice sessions scheduled at the speedway earmarked for April 6th. Tyler and the Accord Speedway driving roster will utilize the practice sessions to dial in the racing equipment in order to be ready for the opening at the speedway scheduled for April 20th with the running of the annual Scott Harvey Memorial event.

The new Accord Speedway surface has been a hot topic in the off-season as Promoter Gary Palmer listened and understood his drivers when they asked to have the banking reduced for the new season ahead. Palmer took a foot and a half out of the banking and moved the great clay base around to other sections of the speedway and rough-graded it to sit before he begins to work his magic to the racetrack. In questioning Tyler about the changes in the track, "Showtime" remarked, "The track was wickedly fast last year and possibly a tad too fast for all of the great equipment racing there. Going back to the former banking will add the same dimensions back to the speedway as was in the past and it will make for better racing and competition all through the ranks". Tyler later added, "We have done a lot of work over the winter months and this year we will spend the money where we need to the most and that would be the motor department and we do feel we can make a solid run at the title".

The Tyler Racing Team with a long history of success at the Accord Speedway will roll into the new season with a pair of famly owned refurbished 2011 TEO Chassis, one that will be painted white and sporting a familiar 97t in honor of his great grandfather Art Tyler who was an icon for many years at the Accord facility and will be the primary Accord car. The second car will be a red painted numbered 22 that will serve as the on the road racer as Tyler will follow the ROC Sportsman Tour in hopes of landing that title to add to his racing laurels. Power for the race cars comes from the well known Morrsion Shops and are fresh and ready to tackle the rigors of the short track racing wars. Sponsorship for the team comes by way of Doug Tyler and Sons, Millens Recycling, CR (Catalytic Recovery), SWDS (Solid Waste Disposal Service) and Morrison Performance.

"Showtime" Danny Tyler and the rest of the six division Accord Speedway roster will test a brand new racing surface when they begin to pound the Accord clay with the first practice sessions scheduled for April 6th and April 13th. Rain dates for the practice sessions are set for April 7th and April 14th. Opening night for Accord is set for April 20th with the running of the Annual Scott Harvey Memorial event. The 2012 season for the speedway is shaping up to rank as another great one when the Palmer Family swings open the gates for the action to begin. The 2012 racing schedule will be available soon and Webmaster guru Jason Yaniga from the TriState Studios is revamping the Accord website to give it a fresh new look and will add many new features to keep the loyal race fans glued to the popular site.

Midweek Madness will kick-off on June 6th and the speedway has undergone some major changes with the weekly schedule of competition for the Wednesday night shows. Three divisions of Slingshots, Go-Karts, Quads up to 100cc, 270 Micros, 600 Micros, Legends, "Fireball" Four Cylinder divisions and the new Body Snatchers will all be going to war on the Accord high banks and the addition of the exciting new divisions will produce some excellent side by side racing on the ultra-wide channeled speedway. All interested competitors for the new divisions at the speedway should contact the speedway office or Media Correspondent Steve Pados regarding additional information about Accord and are encouraged to complete the Driver Profile Form as quickly as possible for use during the 2012 racing season at the speedway. Steve can be reached at: steveswp@ptd.net 

Many more topics will be highlighted during the next few weeks as the dates for the 2012 racing season are confirmed. The April 20th opening is projected for the start of the 2012 racing season at Accord while the Midweek Madness racing is slated for Wednesday evening on the 6th of June. For further updates and information regarding all of the news and additions to the Accord Speedway, logon to their well documented website at: http://www.accordspeedway.com  or call the speedway hotline at: 845 626 3478. For video work or questions regarding the purchase of videos from the exciting on-track action at the Accord Speedway, contact Jason at: http://www.tristatestudios.com  For the purchase of the recent banquet, action or victory lane track photos, contact Kevin at: http://kbsracingphotos.com 
At the Accord Speedway............................................



A Trail Of Dirt Leads Right To Our Door
 

Feb. 6, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT LOU LONG, PRES. AND PR DIRECTOR

KING SHARES IN RECORD BOUNTY

The BRP/Hoosier Tire Modified Tour celebrated its fourteenth year of operations by distributing a record amount of cash and contingencies at its annual, family-style, covered dish banquet and awards ceremony. The lion’s share went to “the granddaddy of the BRP Tour,” Rex King, Sr., who chalked up his third consecutive and fifth career point championship. Add in another crown for son Russell, now a budding Late Model star, and it is easy to see why King proclaimed the Modified Tour as “the best thing going.”

“We had a few setbacks during the year,” said Modified Tour president, Lou Long, “but overall, we had a successful season.” Indeed, the Big Block circuit completed ten of its scheduled programs, losing two races to the incomplete track renovation at one facility and two other shows to scheduling complications. Despite this, the Modified Tour paid out combined purses in excess of $105,000 over the course of the season. And, thanks to its loyal sponsors, the point fund and other prizes distributed at the awards ceremony topped $65,000. “We presented competitive, entertaining and economical races for our fans, our racers and our promotional partners,” Long added. “The 2012 season promises to be even bigger and better!”

The points chase came down to the final event of the year, the Steel City Stampede held at Lernerville Speedway. On the strength of his three feature wins, Kevin Bolland had a mathematical shot at the championship. However, an uncharacteristic poor heat race performance on Bolland’s part, combined with a point-earning preliminary run by King, gave the Ohio veteran enough breathing room to lock up the title by starting the A Main. King was relieved to clinch the title the night before, as he suffered a DNF in the finale when he had a flat tire and, then, a broken power steering belt send him pitside.

King’s lone win came at the Sharon Speedway, where he took the Russ King Memorial, a race named in honor of his late father. “I’m tickled,” said King after that win. He picked a perfect time to register a dominant performance, as many friends, family members, neighbors, sponsors and employees were on hand for the gala event. He was somewhat concerned when the number 3 flashed up in second on the scoreboard, as New York invader Chad Brachmann had tracked him down to take the win away the night before at Pittsburgh’s Pennsylvania Motor Speedway and he did not want to have that happen again. “He was much faster down there in Pittsburgh,” King said of his challenger, but, in the end, it was King’s vast experience at Sharon that made the difference.

King earned $4,000 for his point championship and, like all of other drivers in the top twenty in points, his prize package included gift certificates from Ultra-Shield, Big Daddy’s Speed Center and Pietragallo Gordon Alfano Bosick & Raspanti, LLP. In addition, like all others, King received product from Wrisco Aluminum and ISC Racers Tape. King also received a Kirkey Racing Fabrication gift certificate. Completing his record haul was a Contingency Connection Perfect Attendance Award worth more than $2,000. A total of fourteen perfect Attendance Awards were doled out, along with four Contingency Connection Wild Card Awards

For his runner-up finish, Bolland received a check for $2,500 and a prize package that also included the Fast Axle Top Qualifier Award. Bolland earned that for his six heat wins and fast time at the Russ King Memorial, the only event run under a time trial format in 2011.

Dave Murdick was a model of consistency in 2011, using eight top five finishes to solidify his hold on the other podium spot. His point fund check was $1,500 and he got the second Kirkey Racing Fabrication certificate.

Jeremiah Shingledecker and Rex King, Jr. tied for fourth, each earning $1,055. Shingledecker was the series Hard Charger Award winner, receiving a Bert Hub for the effort. King Jr. was the first of four Bilstein Shocking Performance Award recipients. His came for his first Tour win at Mercer Raceway Park.

Sixth in the standings was the only New Yorker to complete the entire grind, Shannon Whaley. His point fund check was worth $1,040, the most he’d ever earned in Modified racing. He, too, was a Bilstein Shocking Performance Award winner.

Kevin Hoffman finished seventh, good for $1,030 and Frankland Rear Ends gift certificate. Hoffman also received a gag prize, ten pounds of lead for the Flyweight Award, due to coming up light at the scales a few times in 2011.

Mike Turner was eighth in the point standings, earning $1,020. He was named the Most Improved Driver. His award for that was a pair of racing shoes courtesy of RaceQuip.

Chris Haines finished in ninth, receiving $1,010. His prise package also included a Bert Hub.

Rounding out the top ten was Mark Frankhouser. Mark received $1,000. However, he was also named the first ever recipient of the Debbie Oyler Memorial Award for his professionalism and positive attitude. His special prize was a fire suit compliments of RaceQuip.

Tom Mattocks finished just outside the top ten in his first full season on the Tour. His point check was for $790. He also received a set of seat belts from RaceQuip and a gift certificate from R2C Performance Products.

Twelfth was ageless Carl Murdick. At age 75, he completed the entire Tour and received $780. He received the third Bilstein Shocking performance Award.

Shawn Fleeger occupied the lucky thirteenth position, worth $770. He got a Kirkey Racing Fabrication gift certificate, along with the other prizes.

Brian Weaver, a first-time winner on the Tour, placed fourteenth after missing some races due to work commitments in the Binghamton area during the summer flooding. Brian earned $760 and a R2C Performance Products gift certificate. He was one of the Wild Card winners of a Contingency Connection prize package.

Brian Swartzlander, another Wild Card winner, took home $750 and prizes that included an R2C Performance Products certificate. Brian was a Contingency Connection Wild Card winner.

Don Brown placed sixteenth, good for $540, and also received an R2C certificate and RaceQuip gloves.

Brad Rapp placed seventeenth, despite starting the year strongly. His title hopes were dashed in a wreck at PPMS, which knocked him out of the next race at Tri-City Speedway. For that, Brad was named the Hard Luck Award winner. That carried with it a RaceQuip helmet. His point check was for $530. He also was a Contingency Connection Wild Card winner.

Next was Eric Gabany, the fourth and final recipient of a Bilstein Shocking Performance Award. His came for two outstanding runs with his 358 Modified at Mercer Raceway park. His point check was $520. He was the final Contingency Connection Wild Card winner.

Nineteenth was Steve Feder. He earned $510 and a set of seat belts from RaceQuip in addition to a R2C gift certificate.

Placing twentieth was Mark Flick. He received $500 in the final year driving for car owners Lon and Pam Baker.

Long reviewed the tentative 2012 race schedule and announced several new sponsors for the 2012 season. Watch for future announcements for further details.

Finally, Long announced two rules changes designed to make the race programs a bit more exciting. The Modified Tour will now utilize point average handicapping for the top twelve starting positions in the A Main. “We think that this will give more racers a shot at the win,” he said. “It will also produce more passing for the fans, as the top runners will have to claw their way to the front each night.” And, to spice things up in the pits, drivers will be able to play Mulligans if they do not like their pill draw, which is used for heat race line-ups. For $5, the driver can buy a second chance in the pill draw.

The roster of 2011 sponsors for The Modified Tour, Inc. included: Bicknell Racing Products; Hoosier Racing Tire Corp.; World Racing Group - DIRTcar; Sunoco Race Fuels - Bazell Oil Co.; Approved Toilet Rentals, Inc.; Bert Transmission; Big Daddy's Speed Center Inc.; Bulldog Rear Ends - Diversified Machine, Inc.; Engles Trucking Services, Inc.; Bilstein Shocks – Fastline Performance; ISC Racers Tape; Hall's Safety Equipment Corp.; King Brothers; Kirkey Racing Fabrication Inc.; Landrum Spring; McCool's Signs and Graphics; Motorsports World; Oyler Photos & More; Pietragallo Gordon Alfano Bosick & Raspanti, LLP; Preist Enterprises, Inc.; Pro Shocks; R2C Performance Products; RaceQuip; Ray's Racing Collectibles; Rock Concrete; Rod End Supply; Slippery Rock Sportswear; T & D Machine; Ultra-Shield Race Products; Valken Wheels; Winters Performance Products Inc.; and Wrisco Industries Inc. Watch for further additions to the list of 2011 sponsors.

Completing its fourteenth year of success, The Modified Tour, Inc. racing series is a non-profit organization established to give the V-8 Modifieds in the Western Pennsylvania area the opportunity to compete for higher purses and for a seasonal point fund. It expands the profile for this exciting brand of motorsports throughout the the tri-state area.


From: Motorsport Aspects [mailto:motorsportaspects@yahoo.com] 
Sent: Monday, February 06, 2012 9:07 AM
To: earl@areaauto.com;  Area Auto
Cc: Louis C. Long
Subject: BRP Modified Tour Banquet Photos and captions

Modbanq.ly.1 - Rex King and wife Sis celebrate their fifth BRP Hoosier Tire Modified Tour Championship.

Modbanq.ly.2 - Top drivers from the 2011 BRP Hoosier Tire Modified Tour gathered at the awards banquet on Saturday.

Modbanq.ly.3 - BRP Hoosier Tire Modified Tour President Lou Long presents five time Champion Rex King with a check for $4,000.

Modbanq.ly.4 - Mark Frankhouser was presented a new firesuit as the BRP Hoosier Tire Modified Tour's "Debbie Oyler Memorial Award" Winner.


Mike Lysakowski
MOTORSPORT ASPECTS
L I M I T E D
motorsportaspects@yahoo.com
 

FOR RELEASE: February 1, 2012
CONTACT: Dan Harpell
607-595-4100
Dharpmotorsports@yahoo.com

RACE OF CHAMPIONS MODIFIED SERIES TO MAKE MAIDEN VOYAGE TO BLACK ROCK SPEEDWAY ON JULY 11th; EVENT TO BE PROMOTED BY DAN HARPELL

KIRKWOOD, NY…Black Rock Speedway in Dundee, New York will play host to the Race of Champions Dirt Modified Series on Wednesday, July 11th. It will be the first time the series has competed at the Yates County oval and marks the return of former Five Mile Point Promoter Dan Harpell to the promotional ranks.

Harpell and track owner Dean Hoag have reached an agreement to bring the Race of Champions Series to Black Rock for the first time. It will be a homecoming of sorts for Harpell as he served as Race Director and handled the Public Relations duties at the track in the late 1980‘s.

The best Modified drivers in the northeast will converge on the fast 4/10ths mile semi banked clay oval to compete for the $5,000 top prize. The Race of Champions Street Stock Series will join the show along with the FWD Four Cylinders, who will compete in a qualifier for their season ending $10,000 to win enduro.

“I’m really excited to get back into doing what I love to do and that’s promoting races”, said Harpell. “I look forward to working with Dean Hoag and his staff to put on a first class show at a track that will be neutral ground for the drivers”. Black Rock, which is located just outside of Watkins Glen in the beautiful Finger Lakes Region, has not run Modifieds on a regular basis in several years. “Some of the drivers that will be in competition will be visiting the track for the first time and I am absolutely certain they will love what they see when they get there”, added Harpell.

Hoag, an outstanding racer in his day in Modifieds and Supermodifieds, is the son of legendary driver Dutch Hoag, a five time winner of the Race of Champions. Dean’s son Alex used to compete on the Race of Champions Asphalt Modified Series. It’s a natural tie in to run a Race of Champions series event at a track that is owned by someone that knows full well the history of the Race of Champions. “I was there for my father’s wins in those Race of Champions events and have very fond memories”, said Dean Hoag. “It’s really a thrill to be able to host a Race of Champions event at my track. It kind of brings history back full circle for me”.

Black Rock Speedway has been the sight of some tremendous racing since its gates swung open in 1957. Modifieds, Late Models and Sprint Cars are just a few of the divisions that have served as the headliner over the years. Some of the greats in racing have competed and won at the track including Bob McCreadie, as well as Danny and Alan Johnson in the Modifieds. Alan Johnson won the season ending Modified special last fall. Waterloo’s Steve Paine dominated the track in its final years of running Modifieds weekly. Tony Stewart has competed in a sprint car at the track on several occasions as well as a one time stint in one of Paine‘s backup Modifieds. Empire Super Sprint star Lance Yonge got his start racing in the Modified division at the Dundee oval and is a former Track Champion.

For fans that will be making their first visit to the track they will be impressed. “The facility is first rate”, said Harpell. “I have always loved the covered grandstand at Black Rock. It creates a fairgrounds type atmosphere“, he added. There are VIP Rooms on both the homestretch and the backstretch, which is where the pit area is located. It also provides plenty of space for camping on the grounds. Most importantly the track is fast, wide and very racy. Expect multiple racing grooves and plenty of action.

Fans can expect to get a lot of bang for their buck at this show. Plenty of things are now in the planning stages to make this a memorable, fan friendly event. “I have a bunch of ideas floating around in my head that we plan to bring to fruition over the next few months”, said Harpell. “I will work hard to produce the best show in the business for both the fans and drivers alike”, he added.

More and more details will be announced in the coming weeks as the excitement builds up to July 11th and the first ever appearance of the Race of Champions Modified Series at Black Rock Speedway. It’s not too early to start making your summer plans now so be sure to mark down July 11th on your calendar as a must see event.

- 30 -

Jan. 29, 2012

JB MOTORSPORTS RACING

Bloomingdale, NJ- "The Brass Section" John Bockhorn Sounds The Trumpets To Rock The Boardwalk This Weekend
By: Steve Pados, GA Motorsports Media

The annual indoor racing season will kick-off this coming weekend in the Garden State as four divisions of racing will take over the famous Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey for the tenth edition of the Gamblers Classic events. While the Three-Quarter Midgets command the billboard space, the Slingshot contingent of racers doing battle will be well fortified with some outstanding driving talent and one of the hopefuls looking for an outstanding run this weekend will be Bloomingdale, New Jersey hot foot "The Brass Section" John Bockhorn. The thirty year old Bockhorn is coming off a 2011 racing season that saw him book-end two wins at the racy and always exciting Hamlin Speedway oval with wins coming early on May 7th and then towards the end of the season on August 28th was able to claim another win for his racing resume on his way to solid 13th place finish in the final points while competing at without question the most competitive Slingshot field of drivers in the country today at any one facility. In between the wins, a series of mechanical issues slowed his pace to a degree, but overall the brass man was quite pleased with his first full season as a rookie racer at Hamlin. Bockhorn has been a great addition to the weekly driving roster at Hamlin as his incredible drives from the top shelf of the raceway lend much credence to his "Brass Section" moniker

With two race ready cars at his disposal, Bockhorn reached out for a teammate for the Atlantic City journey and tabbed Butler, New Jersey driving ace Jimmy "Spellbound" Spellmon as his partner for the weekend of racing action. Spellmon steered the Bockhorn racer up to a very impressive third place in last year's Atlantic City event, however, brake issues took him out of the competition before the checkered flag fell on the event. Spellmon himself enjoyed a great year behind the wheel of his race car as he found victory lane at the Orange County Fair Speedway in July and the win propelled him to a solid run towards the Sportsman track title as he ended up in fourth place at the season's end. Spellmon spent the 2010 racing season at the New Egypt Speedway in New Jersey and scored a win there and enjoyed some great finishes while also taking part in the 30-mile race for Sportsman at the Syracuse Fairgrounds in New York State and scored a 14th place finish in his maiden voyage at the "Moody Mile" facility.

The two-car team will be a formidable force once the racing swings into gear this weekend. The pair of warriors will have a host of great sponsors on board when they roll into the Garden State arena for battle. Bockhorn constructed a new race car in the off season and will buckle into the racer with his long list of sponsors including Creative Auto Interiors, John Fogg Excavating, Eber's Auto, JBJ Electric, Bennett Motors, Hig-Fab, Slinger Warehouse, Finger Motorsports and The Pickle Man supporting his racing efforts. The team car driven by Spellmon will have Mike Sparta Trucking, Diamond Hart Inc, Harrington Speed and Auto and Slinger Warehouse assisting his New Jersey assault.

Bockhorn will parlay his performance at Atlantic City and ready one of his racers for inclusion at the upcoming NAPA Auto Parts sponsored 5th Annual Dirt Track Heroes Show that begins on March 4th at the Phillipsburg Mall on Route 22 in Phillipsburg, New Jersey for it's annual week-long run. Last season the Mall show saw more than 300 interviews conducted and the Mall space filled with 141 entries of all types of race cars, race related equipment and racing memorabilia. John's home track, the Hamlin Speedway, has enjoyed great participation since the show's inception and Accord and Hamlin Speedway Announcer Steve Pados, his Brother Ed and guest Announcers Bobby Stull and Justin Beltrame will once again be conducting interviews throughout the week with Hamlin's night scheduled for March 8th from 6 PM until 9 PM. The show runs all week and is absolutely free to the public. The show is a great way to gain exposure for the race teams and the sponsors who support them through their racing efforts.

The spectacular 2011 racing season at Hamlin Speedway was but a fraction of what the Smith Family has planned for the speedway in 2012. The 2012 season at Hamlin will be the seventh year in sequence with the Smith Family at the controls and the excitement is already building for another record breaking campaign. The two rookie divisions, the Rookie 270 Micros and the Rookie Wingless 600's will find a new crop of budding prospects seeking to add their names to the growing list of winners who have found fame at the 1/5 mile clay-kickin' oval. New for the 2012 racing season will be the exciting Stage One Modifieds and they will be in-house all season long adding yet another dimension to what is the most diversified small car division racing facility in the country today. For additional updates and information regarding all of the news and additions to the Hamlin Speedway, log-on to their well documented website at: http://www.hamlinspeedway.com or call the speedway hotline at: 570 420 5500

 

Jan 28, 2012

ACCORD SPEEDWAY NEWS

Accord, NY - Accord Speedway To Introduce "Body Snatchers" Division To Midweek Madness Program
By: Steve Pados, Accord Speedway Media

The amount of excessive work that goes into promoting and manicuring a racetrack is definitely not a chore for the meek or the mild. The task at hand takes a family or person that has the commitment and the fortitude to stand up to any type of adversity and can endure the hardships the economy and the inclement weather can place upon them. The hard working promotional team of Gary and Donna Palmer have more accomplished that as they focus on their twelfth season at the helm of their "Gem In The Catskills" Accord Speedway speedplant located in Ulster County in New York State. The speedway has been a work in progress since their purchase of the facility in 2000 and through hard work, determination and lots of sweat equity have turned the speedway and the surrounding grounds into a showplace for themselves and the entire racing community. Gary Palmer and staff took full advantage of a very favorable fall and winter season and have worked tirelessly at re-working the speedway back to the configuration of the speedway the way it existed in 2009 and 2010 to lower the track banking and give the drivers back the track they desire to race on. With snow laying down on the ground in the area of late, Gary and Donna Palmer are in the process of detailing the final plans for the upcoming annual banquet on March 3rd at the Brookside Manor in Middletown, New York. They are also working at completing the 2012 racing schedule for the speedway's two racing nights, the Friday action which opens up on April 20th and the Midweek Madness programs that will begin on June 6th.

Gary Palmer and speedway media correspondent and announcer Steve Pados have been working out the details for a new racing division the speedway will launch with the June 6th opening of the Midweek Madness programs. Dubbed the "Body Snatchers" this exciting and affordable new division has been exclusively designed for the many drivers that would like to go racing but no longer have the budget to do so. One evening last summer Palmer and Pados counted fifteen drivers who walked under the announcing tower on their way to their way to their seats in the grandstands. Through that sighting, the pair have worked countless hours to come up with a set of rules that would hopefully allow those drivers to return to the racing wars because most drivers never leave racing because they want to...more often that not it is the lack of dollars in the pocket that forces a driver to the sidelines and into the grandstands. With that in mind the "Body Snatchers" division will be offered for the 2012 racing season. Even though the division was kicked around in 2009, the interest for the new division began to gain momentum throughout the summer months of last season. Due to the fact so many 358 Sportsman engines are available in the tri-state area and there are many race cars remaining dormant in their shops and garages collecting dust, the idea for the new division was spawned to put the drivers back into the seats of their race cars to be able to resume their racing careers at an affordable cost. The division will compete on Wednesday evenings starting June 6th and should the interest and the car counts be favorable, it is hoped to showcase them on a few Friday evenings during the racing season as well. A few of the cost cutting measure for the division will be the fact the race car will race with no outer body as the inner tin is to be tucked to the framework with no wings of any type allowed. Pump gasoline, oil filled shocks and a mandated right rear tire by the track will be part of the rules package designed at keeping the races highly competitive and the keep the racers in competition. Gary Palmer has been encouraged by the number of phone calls he has received regarding the proposed new class and remarked, "Steve and I have spent a considerable amount of time working on this through phone calls and meetings back and forth and we both feel the rules have been properly designed to put drivers back into the racing game. We may hit a snag here and there and we will adjust to that but if we can allow the less fortunate drivers budget-wise to get back on the speedway, then we have accomplished our mission". Palmer later added, "This is not re-inventing the wheel, this is giving the drivers sitting on the sidelines a chance to turn the wheel".

The new division will also make a great transition for the younger drivers who are stepping out of their current division of racing to move into full size race cars without spending the family fortune to do so. Gary Palmer was the first promoter to entertain the Spec Sportsman division of racing on a regular basis and began with between four to six cars to start and the division has blossomed and has spawned some great talent and the new division will offer pretty much the same scenario and the hopes are high the race drivers sitting on the sidelines and the financially strapped younger families will take advantage of an exceptional opportunity to get back in action at the race to the walls speedplant.

The recent announcement of the disappearing of the Sail Panels for 2012, has brought in many favorable responses to both the Accord office and to Pados's Office in Pennsylvania. While the one negativity is that three divisions will appear almost identical, the true and loyal race fans will know the difference when the light turns green on the speedway. The drivers almost in unison feel the changes made to the track surface and the removal of the sail panels will make the racing better for each weekly competitor.

Arkel Motors, Healey Brothers Group, Ruges Parts, Campers Barn, VP Fuels and Lucas Oil are among the major sponsors for the weekly racing divisions at Accord and with WRWD 107.3 taking a bigger role at the speedway with the sponsorship of the Lightning Sprints and Fireball Four Cylinders, all divisions are covered for the exciting new season ahead. Many new sponsors will be noted in the weeks ahead leading up to the start of what will be another banner season at Accord. WLR Construction has once again signed on as the sponsor of the ever-expanding King of the Catskills two day racing extravaganza that will take place towards the end of the 2012 season.
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The 2012 racing schedule will be available soon and will be posted on the Accord Speedway website shortly. All of the speedway's six divisions will return in 2012 with the Modifieds, Sportsman, Spec Sportsman, Pro Stocks and Pure Stocks duking it out on a weekly basis and the thrill a second Lightning Sprints and Fireball Four Cylinders alternating every other Friday.

Two practice dates have been set aside for the drivers to test their new or refurbished hot rods and those dates are April 6th and the 13th. Opening night will be April 20th and once again will feature the Scott Harvey Memorial in memory of the late Accord Speedway announcer. All feature events for the Modifieds will offer $2,000.00 to the winner based on car counts. Midweek Madness will kick-off on June 6th and the speedway will once offer many changes to the Wednesday night card of events. The full but quick hitting race show will offer Go Karts, Quads 100cc and under, 600 wingless Micros, 3 divisions of Slingshots, Fireball Four Cylinder racers and 305 Sprints going to war on the Accord high banks. TT Quads return to the speedway for the new season ahead and a new course is being developed to utilize parts of the 1/4 mile track and the infield areas that will produce some excellent side by side racing on the speedway.

Tickets are selling fast for the upcoming banquet. All drivers and fans wishing to attend the banquet are requested to go to the Accord Speedway website at: http://www.accordspeedway.com  and search the Files section for the pertinent information regarding the banquet and awards dinner. The event will be held March 3rd at the Brookside Manor in Middletown, New York with a time slot of 6 to 11 PM. Tickets for the event are affordably priced at $40.00 and a cash bar will be available for those desiring a beverage. Wednesday and Friday night racers will be honored during the evening.

Many more topics will continue to be highlighted during the next few weeks as the upcoming 2012 racing season continues to build. For further updates and information regarding all of the news and additions to the Accord Speedway, logon to their well documented website at: http://www.accordspeedway.com  or call the speedway hotline at: 845 626 3478. For video work or questions regarding the purchase of videos from the exciting on-track action at the Accord Speedway, contact Jason at: http://www.tristatestudios.com   For the purchase of action or victory lane track photos, contact Kevin at: http://kbsracingphotos.com 
At the Accord Speedway............................................


A Trail Of Dirt Leads Right To Our Door

 

Jan. 27, 2012

MICHAEL RASKOVIC RACING NEWS RELEASE

New Glarus, Wisconsin: Michael Raskovic Racing Prepares To Launch For 2012 Racing Season
By Steve Pados, Michael Raskovic Racing Media

A fresh young face with a very familiar name in the local racing circles is set to begin his racing career as the 2012 racing season comes to fruition. Fourteen year-old Michael Raskovic, the son of Peter Raskovic, will launch his career in racing with a two dimensional motorsports program that will see him compete in the Bandits Division at the "Wisconsin Action Track" the Jefferson Speedway on alternating Saturday nights and Michael will also see action at the Dell's Raceway Park as he becomes accustomed to the larger horsepower Late Model race car that is ready to go at the family race shop in New Glarus.

The racetrack at Jefferson is a 1/4 mile paved oval and the task at hand will be to unseat Bandit track champion Heather Stark who last season became the very first female competitor to land a track title at the facility that began racing in 1962. The Dell's Raceway is a 1/3 mile paved oval facility that last season saw Rich Schumann Jr land the championship in the Late Model division.

Michael has helped his father for the past four seasons as Peter Raskovic started and headed up the former Urban Force Racing Team for four seasons and funded by ABC Supply. New Zealand Midget ace Michael Pickens, Dan Lensing, Wisconsin great Bobby Wilberg, John Baumeister and Zach Riddle were among the drivers to steer the student manned Urban Force race team hot rod and it was with Riddle the past two seasons the team enjoyed much success on the racing circuit by enjoying two straight runnerup battles in the 2010 and 2011 points at the Madison International Speedway as three-time track champion Jeremy Miller withstood the pressure from Riddle to claim the crowns. Michael Raskovic will continue to assist at working on Late Model race cars, his fifth season as such to learn more and more about the race cars he will be competing in. Peter Raskovic founded the Urban Force Race Team along with the late ABC Supply founder Ken Hendricks in 2007 to give students a chance to learn about the working facets of race cars while being educated to become automotive technicians through their school curriculum. The program has been extremely successful in the Midwest area.

Michael's foray into racing is no surprise as his father has been a life-long supporter of racing and spent many of weekends attending the dirt track races at Nazareth and Flemington when he lived on the East Coast in Pennsylvania. Peter Raskovic raced the final event at the now defunct Nazareth Speedway half-mile track and was credited with a thirteenth place finish in the 300 car final Enduro racing event. When questioned by phone about his leap into the racing wars Michael stated, " I feel very fortunate and blessed to have a great father who has taught me the love of racing and to furnish his support and knowledge with my entry into the racing wars. Racing is a tough and demanding sport and he has always taught me that if a driver doesn't understand the car he will always be racing at a big disadvantage. Through that gracious wisdom, I have tried to learn as much as I possibly can about the workings of a race car and what makes it tick". Michael further added, "Becoming a good wrench (mechanic) is just as important to me a becoming a good wheelman (driver)......I need to keep working hard in both areas to become a complete person in those areas of expertise".

The ninth grade freshman at New Glarus High School has set his sights on making a career in racing whether it be in the seat or turning the wrenches. Michael was the youngest crew member to work on an ARCA Race Team in 2011 when he had the opportunity to work on the team owned by NASCAR racing legend James Hylton. Through that experience Michael gained some valuable knowledge and ARCA took not as well as they have lowered the age limit for a crew member from 18 to 14 years old for the new 2012 racing season ahead.

Sponsorship for the new Michael Raskovic Racing Team is provided by Keystone Farms Natural Cheese at: http://www.keytsonefarmsnatural.com.  Jordan Implement, Vinces Pizza and GA Motorsports Media have also come on board for the fledgling race team. For more information regarding sponsorship opportunities, please contact Steve Pados at: steveswp@ptd.net 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ben Shelton (msrmafia@gmail.com)
January 26th, 2012



Dereck Ramir Enjoys Strong Runs in Arizona



Woodward, Oklahoma (01/26/12) – Dereck Ramirez opened his ultra-busy, 2012 campaign last week with the 6th Annual Wild West Shootout at USA Raceway (Tucson, Arizona) as he took both his #4r Ramirez Motorsports/Hughes Race Car/Pro Power Racing Engine Open Wheel Modified and his #4r Ramirez Motorsports/Victory Circle by Moyer/Pro Power Super Late Model into battle.

Over 60 Open Wheel Modifieds entered at least one event with many of the nation's top competitors in action. Ramirez would make a strong showing in the Open Wheel Modified division with five top-ten-finishes and three top-five-finishes as he qualified for all six features with just one DNF. His best finish came in Round #2 of the series, when he finished second to Stormy Scott.

Over 80 Super Late Model pilots registered for action in at least one event, and again a talent-laden field was on hand each night as Ramirez made his first ever laps in a Super Late Model. Dereck went into the six race series with the attitude that he would use the events to become familiar with piloting a Super Late Model. Not only would he gain valuable track time as he took part in four of the events, but he would also impressively qualify for the feature event in Round #5.

Results for Dereck's 2012 Wild West Shootout endeavor are shown below:

6th Annual Wild West Shootout
January 14th: $1,000-to-Win Open Wheel Modified - 6th
January 14th: $3,000-to-Win Super Late Model - DNS
January 15th: $1,000-to-Win Open Wheel Modified - 2nd

January 15th: $5,000-to-Win Super Late Model - DNS
January 18th: $1,000-to-Win Open Wheel Modified - 15th
January 20th: $1,000-to-Win Open Wheel Modified - 4th
January 21st: $1,000-to-Win Open Wheel Modified - 6th
January 21st: $3,000-to-Win Super Late Model - 19th

January 22nd: $1,000-to-Win Open Wheel Modified - 3rd
January 22nd: $10,000-to-Win Super Late Model - DNS



Full results from all of the 6th Annual Wild West Shootout events are available at www.USARaceway.net .

With the opening events of the season in the rearview mirror, the team now turns their attention to the Casey's General USMTS Open Wheel Modified Series openers, which will be held at Royal Purple Raceway (Baytown, Texas) on February 16th-18th. Three separate events will be held. For more information on the events, please visit www.USMTS.com.

Dereck Ramirez and Ramirez Motorsports would like to thank all of their sponsors and supporters including Eibach Springs, VP Race Fuels, Outerwears, Pro Power Racing Engines, Ramirez Motorsports, Day Motorsports, Buddy's Rig Lounge, Case Wireline Service, Red Bone Fishing, , West Oak Production, Raw Truck Wash, Power Rig, Mid-Continent, Boom-Test, Mid-West Refrigeration, Integra Shocks, Bell Helmets, Awesome Racewear, and MSRMafia.com Marketing Services.

For the latest information on Dereck Ramirez, please visit www.DereckRamirezRacing.com.
 

Jan. 26, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE---THANK YOU
CONTACT: BOB MILLER 443 513 4456
THUNDER ROAD SHOWS 2012

THUNDER ROAD SHOWS RETURN TO NEW EGYPT & LINCOLN SPEEDWAY IN 2012

The Thunder Road Show Series will return in 2012 to include three very popular mid-week special events. NAPA Auto Parts will again support special events organizer Bob Miller with his Thunder Road Show Series that will return to both the New Egypt and Lincoln Speedway in the coming season.

The first event will take place at the New Egypt Speedway in New Egypt, NJ on Thursday night, June 3rd with the return of the EASTERN Storm USAC Non-Wing Sprints and a Big Block Modified doubleheader. If you've never seen a non-wing sprint car show, hold on to your seat and check out this event at New Egypt. There's a reason for an outside guardrail and the boys from USAC are not afraid to use it. www.newegyptspeedway.net

The 2nd Annual PPB Battle at Lincoln is set for Wednesday night, June 20. Pioneer Pole Buildings will sponsor the 60 lap ROC Modified feature as MACH1 Chassis will sponsor the 358/360 Sprints that will share this popular showdown. Defending event winners Ryan Godown (modified) and Aaron Ott (sprints) thrilled a capacity crowd and both plan to be back at Lincoln on Wednesday, June 20. www.lincolnspeedway.com

Last but not least is the 2nd Annual Jersey RUSH, returning to the New Egypt Speedway on Tuesday night, August 21st. The Jersey RUSH featured the long awaited return of the 410 sprints to New Egypt and last year it was the "Jersey Jet", JJ Grasso who upset a talented field of the best 410 sprint car drivers in the country. Joining the 410 sprints on the program will be the Big Block Modifieds. The Sammons family of Lenny, Danny and Davey along with Bob Miller are the promotional team for this highly successful Jersey RUSH. Wednesday night, August 22 will be the rain date. Expect an even bigger production in 2012. www.newegyptspeedway.net

Bob Miller, special events organizer began the Thunder on the Hill Racing Series in 1990 with Grandview Speedway Owner Bruce Rogers and 410 sprint car driver Dave Kelly. Since that first Thunder show , one-hundred-and-two events were presented on the "hill" at Grandview Speedway. The Thunder Series offered a variety of divisions including nationally recognized groups like USAC, SCRA, CRA, and the World of Outlaws to name a few.

Over the years, Miller has branched out to present special events at other speedways to include two Down, Dirty & Wild Super Dirt Series event at the Big Diamond Speedway. It was the first ever visit by the Super Dirt Series in God's Country. Miller also teamed up with Delaware International Speedway Promoter Charlie Cathell to bring the Super Dirt Series to the Delmarva facility.

Miller presented as many as six events at the Bridgeport Speedway including a co-promotion with Glenn Donnelly, bringing a Super Dirt Series 200 to Bridgeport, a two day season finale event in South Jersey. The 410 sprints were part of Miller's efforts at Bridgeport along with one of his biggest successes, a co-promotion with Bridgeport Speedway owner Ed Kelly in the tracks 2003 season finale won by Doug Hoffman, a show that drew a field of over seventy modifieds.

In 2010, Miller and Bruce Rogers brought about the return of the USAC non-wing sprints to New Jersey after a 32 year absence from the state. The prior visit by USAC to New Jersey took place at the Flemington Fair Speedway in an event that took the life of famed sprint and modified driver Toby Tobias. USAC returned to New Egypt in 2011 and joins the Eastern Storm scheduled again this year.

In 2011, Miller and event co-organizer and good friend Ray Herold lured the modifieds to the Lincoln Speedway in Abbottstown, PA. After a twenty-year absence at the "pigeon hills" race track, the roar of the big block modifieds returned in 2011. The show will advertised as the "Battle at Lincoln" and featured the ROC Modifieds and 358/360 Sprints in a double-header that was a thriller. The show was such a success that they sold out of programs and the special event t-shirt.

More information on the 2012 Thunder Road Shows will be announced in the coming weeks. Be sure to visit the Thunder on the Hill website at: www.thunderonthehillracingseries.com 
www.grandviewspeedway.com
www.newegyptspeedway.net
www.lincolnspeedway.com
 
END


 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ben Shelton (msrmafia@gmail.com)
January 25th, 2012



Jay Dickens Gets First Win of 2012 in Arizona with Don O'Neal



Aberdeen, MS (01/25/12) – Even though it's just January Jay Dickens Racing Engines (JDRE) customers are already making some noise, and last week Don O'Neal registered the first official win of the year for the company with a triumph in Arizona.

With the new year just recently arriving, Jay Dickens Racing Engines customers made the long trip to the desert to open their season during the 6th Annual Wild West Shootout at USA Raceway (Tucson, Arizona). Arguably the hottest driver in the country in 2011, Don O'Neal from Martinsville, Indiana, began 2012 with the same winning ways by claiming the third round of the miniseries on Wednesday, January 18th with a $3,000 win in his #71 Mastersbilt/Jay Dickens Racing Engine Super Late Model.

"This race track was crazy fast tonight, and my Jay Dickens motor gave me all the power I needed to get the job done," commented O'Neal.

Another JDRE customer, John Anderson from Omaha, Nebraska, also enjoyed a successful outing in the six race series. While he didn't get a win, he did lead the first seventeen laps of the main event on Sunday, January 15th before settling for a second place finish in his #2 Shop Quick Motorsports/Mastersbilt/JDRE entry. Anderson also recorded a third place finish in the $10,000-to-win finale.

As JDRE continues to prepare for the rapidly-approaching Speedweeks 2012 in Georgia and Florida, the company would like to thank all of their customers for their support throughout the 2011 season and looks forward to an even bigger season in 2012.

Jay Dickens Racing Engines power many of the nation's top teams with racing engines. In addition, they offer a full range of racing products and components from various vendors. For more information on Jay Dickens Racing Engines and all of their products, please visit http://www.JayDickens.com . 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ben Shelton (msrmafia@gmail.com)
January 25th, 2012



Jason Hughes Opens 2012 With a Win in Tucson



Westville, Oklahoma (1/25/12) – After building a new car during the off-season Jason Hughes decided to take his #12 West Siloam Pawn/Gressel Racing/Hughes/Mullins Race Engines Open Wheel Modified to USA Raceway (Tucson, Arizona) to test it during the 6th Annual Wild West Shootout, and his opening round testing would result in a $1,000 win.

The 6th Annual Wild West Shootout consisted of six, separate $1,000-to-win shows strewn over a ten day stretch. Many of the nation's top drivers took advantage of the multi-day event to get their cars dialed in for the 2012 campaign as more than 60 drivers took part in at least one event.

Jason opened his 2012 season on Saturday, January 14th in the first of six events in the 6th Annual Wild West Shootout at USA Raceway (Tucson, Arizona). It would prove to be a great outing for Hughes, who entered the six race extravaganza with the intent of testing a new car.

With a talent-laden field of 55 Open Wheel Modifieds entered, Jason won the sixth heat race from the third starting spot. Via passing points he locked into the redraw for the feature, where he was the lucky recipient of the pole position for the $1,000-to-win, 25 lap feature. He was joined on the front row by Stormy Scott, and as the race went green Hughes would bolt to the lead. While he would build a solid lead early in the event, Scott would stage a pair of midrace charges for the lead. Hughes would be able to repel the charges on his way to the win, which came over Scott and Rodney Sanders.

"I really just came out here with the intent to test as many setups as possible on this new car, so to get a win is really something great," commented Hughes.

Jason's results for the miniseries are available on his website at www.JasonHughes12.com and full results for the miniseries are available at www.USARaceway.net.

Hughes Race Cars is currently busy preparing new chassis for the 2012 season. The company also offers full chassis services as well as parts. Visit www.JasonHughes12.com for more information on how to join our winning team.

Jason Hughes would like to thank his sponsors including West Siloam Pawn, Gressel Racing, Hughes Racing Chassis, Road Runner Trucking, LLC, Mullins Race Engines, Integra Racing Shocks & Springs, Hanson Tire Service, Braka Operating, Sunoco Race Fuels, Mert's Truck Center, SAEF Custom Finishing, Wheeler Metals Rainbow Graphics, Hooker Harness, Quarter Master, Beyea Custom Headers, Ultra-Shield Race Products, MB Machine & Tool, T&D Machine Products, Callies, Quick Car Racing Products, Dan Olson Racing Products, FSR Radiators & Racing Products, Tiger Rear Ends, Joe Gibbs Driven Racing Oil, Sweet Mfg, Real Racing Wheels, Rod End Supply, and MSRMafia.com Marketing Services.

For more information on Jason Hughes, please visit www.JasonHughes12.com.