by Jay | Nov 26, 2009 | Maine, Oxford Plains Speedway
OXFORD, Maine – The 37th annual TD Bank 250, two American-Canadian Tour events, four prime-time Motor Mayhem shows and a record 11 fireworks displays will highlight the 60th anniversary season at Oxford Plains Speedway in 2010.
Maine State Lottery Fireworks Night will fall on the traditional date of Saturday, July 3, and set the stage for a giant pyrotechnic display almost every Saturday night in July, August and September.
With the exception of the eve of the 250 (Saturday, July 17) every weekly event will feature a show by Central Maine Pyrotechnics to cap the night.
“In thinking of ways to make this a festive, special anniversary season, we recognized that some of the most popular and crowd-pleasing events each year are our fireworks nights,” Ryan said. “We’ve added three or four to the traditional Fourth of July weekend date the last few years, and they have been extremely well-received. But we don’t know of any other track that makes it a part of every week’s race program as we plan to do throughout the second half of 2010.”
OPS also will give fans an early-season dose of sight and sound on Saturday, May 29, lighting up the skies on Memorial Day weekend as part of Motor Mayhem.
That will be the first of four Motor Mayhems in 2010, three of which are scheduled for Saturday night: May 29, July 24 and Sept. 4. There also is a Friday night Mayhem under the lights on June 25.
“We enjoyed a resurgence with our Motor Mayhem program in 2009. By holding those events at night and re-introducing such fan favorite events as a demolition derby and monster truck as well as a bunch of crazy stuff we’d never tried at Oxford before, it seemed to fill a big demand for unique, family fun at a low cost to both fans and competitors,” Ryan said. “So we’ve added a date and plan even more surprises to ramp up the ‘Mayhem’ in 2010.”
ACT again will open the season on Sunday, May 16. And in a change that is sure to popular with fans and drivers alike, the tour has added a fate on Saturday, June 19.
“That tour race about a month before the TD Bank 250 was a long tradition at Oxford, and it’s something we haven’t had for a couple of years,” Ryan said. “It kind of brings back that concept of a ‘tune-up’ race for the 250. The winner certainly will establish himself as one of the early favorites to win in July.”
TD Bank 250 weekend will be a two-day event in 2010, ensuring fans the most action-packed eve of the big event in history.
The fourth-annual True Value Modified Racing Series 100 will highlight the Saturday, July 17 card. Eight divisions will be in competition that night, including the Strictly and Mini Stocks and all five Acceleration Series classes.
Acceleration Series mid-week action cranks up for its 12th season on Wednesday, June 16 and continues most weeks through the end of August. In addition, two divisions again will compete each Saturday night in the ‘Grand Slam’ series.
Other notable dates to mark on your calendar:
– Fan Appreciation Night is Saturday, May 22. Adult admission is $5 with juniors free for this special, once-a-year event.
– Championship Nights for the respective series are Wednesday, August 25 (OAS) and Saturday, Sept, 11 (OCS).
– The 15th annual Little Guy 100s and Acceleration Series Showdown will run concurrently on Sunday, Sept. 26.
Deep discounts of 50 percent or more are available to drivers and spectators who purchase season pit and grandstand passes before December 31. Call (207) 539-8865 for more details.
by Jay | Nov 26, 2009 | ACT, NASCAR, New England, New Hampshire, NHMS
Waterbury, VT – The American Canadian Tour (ACT) and New Hampshire Motor Speedway have reached an agreement for the Second Annual ACT Invitational to take place at the only superspeedway in the Northeast on Saturday, September 18, 2010.
“The overwhelming success of the inaugural ACT Invitational this past September made it an easy decision to have the short track stars of our region return again next September,” said Jerry Gappens, executive vice president and general manager of New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
Thirty-six teams from all six New England states, Quebec, and Ontario took part in the inaugural ACT Invitational during the SYLVANIA 300 weekend this past September. One of the largest Saturday crowds in the 19-year history of the speedway was treated to an action packed tripleheader of racing featuring the American Canadian Tour Late Models, the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, and the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.
“We really thought things went great at New Hampshire Motor Speedway during the first ACT Invitational last season,” said Tom Curley, President of ACT. “I would expect things to be even more fun for our teams and fans in 2010. We will add some laps to the event, and are discussing the possibility of allowing a tire change during the event. We will also add some positions to the starting field.”
Teams were qualified for the first Invitational by winning ACT and ACT Castrol Series events in the United States, Quebec, and Ontario. Additional teams qualified through special events such as the Oxford Plains Speedway TD BANK 250 in Oxford, Maine, and the Vermont Governor’s Cup at Thunder Road Speedbowl in Barre, Vt. Individual track champions from ACT affiliated tracks were also invited to attend the inaugural Invitational.
“We plan to change some of the qualifying procedures as we continue to make this one of the most unique and exciting short track events in the country,” said Curley.
2009 ACT Champion, Brian Hoar from Williston, Vt. said, “It is no secret that New Hampshire Motor Speedway is my very favorite track of all time. I can’t tell you how happy I am that we are going back. They tell me Goodyear is making a tire for us just for New Hampshire, and that will be a good thing. I really think I could have been in the battle to the great finish that Eddie (MacDonald), Nick Sweet, and the kid from Ontario (16 year-old Brandon Watson) had going on at the end of the race. But I just ran out of tire. I now know what one of my goals for the RPM Motorsports team is going to be in 2010– I can’t wait.”
Race fans from throughout the short tracks of the Northeast will now need to circle the weekend of September 17-19, 2010. The first of the qualifying events for the 2010 ACT Invitational will be held just down the road from New Hampshire Motor Speedway at the Lee USA Speedway in Lee, N.H. Over 50 teams are expected to try and capture the first invitation at the opening 150-lap event on Sunday, April 18, 2010.
by Jay | Nov 26, 2009 | Lee USA, New Hampshire
A packed house gathered at for the 2009 Lee USA Speedway Banquet of Champions on Saturday night, where Wayne Helliwell, Jr. received the hardware for his 2009 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Late Model track championship.
Among the special awards presented during the night were the NASCAR Crafstman Mechanic of the Year award, picked up by Myra Fowler, and the Ed Castine/Ron Poitras Memorial Dedication award which this year went to Tom and Carol Kimball.
E Keys 4 Cars Late Model racer J.R. Baril also brought home a pile of awards on the night, taking home second overall in the LM’s, and receiving a special NASCAR presentation for his New Hampshire state NWAAS 2009 title.
Third through tenth place trophies were awarded to Bryan Kruczek, Jeffrey Labrecque, Jr., A.J. Begin, Tom Fuller, Jeremy Harclerode, Bobby Baillargeon, Geoff Rollins, and Dean Weber.
Rollins grabbed the prestigious Rookie of the Year honor, with Jeremy Harclerode picking up Most Improved Driver, Bobby Baillargeon taking Hard Luck, Tom Fuller scoring the Sportsmanship award, and the Bruce Bernhardt team taking home Best Team Performance.
Grant Aither collected his championship hardware in the Prime Storage Late Model Sportsmen, with Bobby Melvin, Bill Ahern, Pete Evans, Michele Fushpanski, Jesse Bousquet, Frankie Eldredge, Timmy Johnson, Brian Grantz, and Jimmy Renfrew honored for second through tenth.
Eldredge got the nod for Rookie of the Year in the Sportsmen, while Ryan Green who raced the entire season was under age and not recognized as a NASCAR Rookie. The Speedway has given Ryan the honor of the year as Lee’s Track Rookie of the Year and his 7th place finish in points for the Season. Ahern was recognized as Most Improved Driver, Fushpanski got the Hard Luck award, Melvin was honored with the Sportsmanship award, and Aither’s crew grabbed Best Team Performance.
It was a changing of the guard in the PB Chopper Shop and Rods Small Block Supers, where Dan Bowes celebrated his first career championship.
Former two-time titleist Eddie Witkum, Jr. was second, with P.J. Stergios, Mike Spurling, Billy Osborne, Tommy Tombarello, Jr., Johnny Burke, Mike Netishen, and Bob Millett, Jr. also picking up Small Block hardware.
Stergios took home Rookie of the Year honors in the Supers, with Tombarello getting Most Improved Driver, Spurling picking up the Hard Luck award, Witkum being recognized for Sportsmanship, and the Bowes team sweeping best Team Performance.
Jim Shorey was joined by car owners Jeff and Nancy Trask for the Hobby Stock championship celebration, with Jimmy Russell, Patrick Tanguay, Ron Washburn, Eric Hoffman, Kenny Scott, Alby Ovitt, Bobby Glass, Brian Thompson, and A.J. Panessiti picking up second through tenth place awards.
Dennis Dumas was the best of the freshman crop and took home Rookie of the year for his efforts, with Scott awarded Most Improved, Thompson getting Hard Luck, Russell claiming the Sportsmanship award, and the Trask/Shorey crew taking Best Team Performance.
Nick Maniatis and crew were on hand to celebrate the David’s Race cars and Components Roadrunner championship, with Jim Piaseczny, Steve Nichols, Aaron Day, Loren Smith, Tim Boyle, Torrey Kovalesky, James Fitzgerald,, Cristofer King, and Anthony Nadeau filling out the top ten.
Maniatis was a lock for Rookie of the Year in the Roadrunners, while runner-up Piaseczny scored Most improved Driver, Day was awarded Hard Luck, Fitzgerald picked up the Sportsmanship award, and Maniatis’ team picked up Best Team Performance.
Tom Harton led the American Used Auto Parts Ironmen to the stage, taking home the big trophy for his championship season. Kevin Emery, Crystal Brown, Warren Harvey, Matt Bakutis, Troy Washburn, Matt Lambert, and Howard Brown III also received hardware for their efforts.
Norm Wrenn was presented the championship after his dominating three-win performance in the Pro-4 Modified Triple Crown Series, and Sumner Sessions scored the champ’s hardware in the Twin State PASS Modified Series.
by Jay | Nov 26, 2009 | Monadnock Speedway, New Hampshire
Winchester, NH: This past Saturday, November 21st, Monadnock Speedway honored the champions and top ten at the Log Cabin in Holyoke, Ma.
Master of Ceremonies, Dave Sutherland and Mark Wiernasz, welcomed everyone to the 2009 Awards Banquet while recognizing a 2009 Maine Vintage Racing Hall of Fame Inductee, Hannaford Goodwin. Goodwin, who was in attendance, addressed the crowd stating he was honored to be part of the Monadnock Speedway racing family and thanked everyone for a wonderful season. Hannaford is the car owner of the 71ME Modified wheeled by Josh Cantara.
After welcoming the banquet attendees, the awards ceremony began first recognizing the second through tenth place finishers for the Enduros. The recipients included 4-cylinder drivers Matthew Gauffin, Heath Renaud, Julia Raymond, Eric Pomasko, CJ Johnson, Fred Rogers, Adam Houle, John Walker and Pat Houe. Full Size Drivers of Jared Edson, Ryan Rivet, Joe Ethier, Barry Schonborg, Duane Stonier, Bucky Sheats, Robert Thompson, Trevor Dyer and Ed Lofland.
Next, the NASCAR Whelen All American Series divisions were called up to accept their achievement of placing in the top ten. Mini Stock competitors were honored first as the second through tenth made their way to the stage and included Tim Jackson, Kim River and car owner Ron Rivet, Joey Kendall, Jamey King and car owner Lenny May, Chris Davis, Derek Bergquist, Beth Adams and Rich Fournier. Super Stocks Matt Mead, Ed Brehio III and car owner Ed Brehio Jr, Andy Brooks Jr and car owner Andy Brooks Sr, Bill Johnston and car owner Dana Johnston, Bob Bedaw, Nancy Muni-Ruot, Ken Springer, Kevin Ouellette and Dana Shepard. Outlaw Pros Mike Parks, Steve Gauthier, Brandon Ovitt and car owner Horrocks Motorsports, Barry Gray, Bryon Baker, Eric Poulin, Aric Blanchette Adam Brooks and Geoff Rollins. The final division to be honored for the first time in many years were the Modifieds and included second through tenth of Kirk Alexander, Bryan Shumway and car owner Bruce Shumway, David Berube, Ed Reed and car owner Nicholas Verno, Jim Boniface, Vic Johnson, Josh Cantara, Rob Williams and Eric LeClair.
In the conclusion of second through tenth being honored, General Manager Michelle Cloutier, addressed the crowd stating the track’s appreciation of all the dedication shown from the race teams, fans and employees while thanking them for bringing the true spirit of auto racing to the high banked ¼ mile.
The special awards segment of the program followed Cloutier’s speech and included the categories of Rookie of the Year, Most Improved, Best Appearing and Sportsmanship. The recipients for Rookie of the Year were Jamey King (Mini Stocks), Ed Brehio III (Super Stocks) and Vic Johnson (Modifieds). Most Improved were Kim Rivet and Chris Davis (Mini Stocks), Jeremy Sorel (Super Stocks) and Steve Gauthier (Outlaw Pros). Best Appearing awards went to Joey Kendall and Derek Bergquist (Mini Stocks), Bob Bedaw (Super Stocks), Barry Gray (Outlaw Pros) and Bryan Shum way (Modifieds). Sportsmanship recipients were Kim Rivet (Mini Stocks), Jeremy Sorel Super Stocks) Russ Hersey (Outlaw Pro) and Rob Williams (Modifieds). This years NASCAR Craftsman Mechanic of the Year award went to Scott Adams, crew chief of the #87 Mini Stock of Beth Adams.
To conclude the evening’s ceremonies, the six champions were honored. First to be presented were 4-cylinder Champion Dick Houle and Full Size Champion Dan Yagmin followed Mini Stock Champion, Chris McTaggart, Super Stock Champion Jeremy Sorel with car owner William Sorel, Outlaw Pro Russ Hersey and Modified Champion Todd Patnode. All presented speeches thanking their sponsors, their race team, families and the owner and employees Monadnock Speedway.
by Jay | Nov 26, 2009 | PASS
CHARLOTTE, NC – Officials from the Pro All Stars Series (PASS) and Speedway Associates, Incorporated announced today a major addition to the 2010 racing schedule. The PASS South Super Late Models will stage a 200 lap event on Saturday, September 4th, 2010 at the legendary North Wilkesboro (NC) Speedway. The race will fall on Labor Day weekend and will also include an optional practice day on Friday, September 3rd, 2010. The PASS South Super Late Models will be among the first touring divisions to visit the .625 mile North Wilkesboro Speedway since Jeff Gordon won the final Winston Cup Series event there in 1996.
“We are very honored that the PASS South Super Late Models will be bringing stock car racing back to the great fans in Wilkes County,” said PASS President Tom Mayberry. “This 200 lap event at North Wilkesboro Speedway will be one of the crown jewels in the 2010 PASS schedule. We look for Super Late Model drivers and fans from across the country to converge on North Wilkesboro for this prestigious event.”
“After much work and many conversations, we are proud to have PASS bring its ultra competitive form of racing to the historic North Wilkesboro Speedway,” said Speedway Associates President and Director of Operations Alton McBride, Jr. “This has already been a tremendous undertaking on our behalf and we appreciate all the time and effort PASS has put forth to make this event possible. We believe this 200 lap race will be a great way to kick off the Labor Day weekend and we hope it will be the beginning of a new tradition for years to come.”
The 2010 schedules for all PASS divisions are almost complete and will be released very soon. For more information please log on to the PASS websites, www.racewithpass.com. or www.proallstarsseries.com .
