by Jay | Dec 1, 2009 | ACT, Canada, New England
Waterbury, VT – The American Canadian Tour (ACT) Late Models from Thunder Road will open the newly paved Devil’s Bowl Speedway in West Haven, Vermont on Sunday, May 23, 2010. Track promoter Jerry Richards said, “This is going to be a great way to bring the new asphalt to life at Devil’s Bowl. It has been over 30 years since the track was asphalt, but we think having Thunder Road’s Late Models on the ½ mile will certainly give our fans at the “Bowl” a great opening event.”
Thunder Road Late Models will be joined by some of the regular ACT U.S. Touring teams for this grand opening of the original Champlain Valley Racing Association (CVRA), which was founded by legendary promoter CJ Richards.
Tom Curley, the President of ACT and managing partner of Thunder Road said, “When we learned that the “Bowl” was being returned to asphalt we really wanted our teams to be a part of it. Most of the Thunder Road Late Models have raced various tracks on the ACT, and this just seemed like a great fit. We have no races scheduled at Thunder Road from May 2 until Memorial Day weekend, so I am sure there will be great support from the Late Model teams.” When asked if there would be some ACT U.S. Touring teams in attendance, Curley concluded, “I am sure there will be a number of teams from Chittenden County and central Vermont who will want to give Devil’s Bowl a try, and this change the CVRA is going through is something ACT wants to support.” The sister track of Devil’s Bowl, Albany Saratoga Speedway, will host an ACT event on April 25th at the newly paved 4/10ths mile speedplant.
Some of the Northeast’s biggest names in Late Model racing are expected to attend this historic event at Devil’s Bowl. Defending Thunder Road Champion Jean-Paul Cyr, who started his Modified racing career at Devil’s Bowl, along with three-time Thunder Road Champion Cris Michaud, will bring his potent Ford to the ½ mile. “I think this is really great,” said ACT star Brent Dragon from Milton, VT. “My father (Beaver Dragon) and uncle (Bobby Dragon) were both a part of the five-track Northern NASCAR circuit back in the mid ‘70’s, and I am really excited that we have a “long track” back in Vermont”, said Dragon. Brent Dragon is noted for his dominant performances on most of the long tracks where the ACT participates.
by Jay | Nov 30, 2009 | ACT, Canada, New England
Waterbury, VT – Officials at Waterford Speedbowl have announced an agreement with the American Canadian Tour (ACT) to close the 2010 season with a Fall Doubleheader stock car 300 lap spectacle. The Late Model stars of the ACT and the ‘Bowl’ will join the southern New England SK Modified division at Waterford on the weekend of October 09/10.
The event will feature 150 lap main events for each division. The ACT Championship will be decided at the fall event, and teams from throughout the northeastern United States and Canada are expected to make the trip to the historic coastal Speedbowl. The popular SK Modified division, which has become a staple of Southern New England racing at the Speedbowl, Stafford Motor Speedway, and Thompson Speedway will assure a large field of the powerful open-wheeled stock cars.
“This is going to be a very much anticipated weekend for our race teams. We plan on having a year-end get together with fans and teams at Mohegan Sun Casino, a 150 lap race for ACT Late Models, on what is arguably one of the most competitive and fun race tracks the Tour races at, and a championship crowning to our 2010 season. This should make for a great weekend,” said Tom Curley, President of the American Canadian Tour.
The two-day event will feature Saturday practice and qualifying, and Sunday will be filled with 300 laps of championship racing for the ACT and SK Modified teams. Over $50,000.00 in posted awards will bring the best of both divisions to the “Bowl” to conclude their 2010 race seasons.
The addition of the Waterford Speedbowl event has required a change in the 2010 ACT schedule. The previously scheduled 48th annual Chittenden Milk Bowl at Thunder Road Speedbowl in Barre, VT will now become a stand alone race, and will not be an ACT 2010 point counting event.
ACT will also visit the 3/8th mile Speedbowl on August 21st for a 100 lap event. The 2010 ACT traditional opener will take place at the Lee USA Speedway in Lee, NH on April 18th with the New Hampshire Governor’s Cup 150. The event was won in 2009 by Brad Leighton of Center Harbor, New Hampshire.
by Jay | Nov 30, 2009 | Maine, NASCAR, New England
Modified Champion Gahan Passes
Maine Resident Was The 1966 National Champion
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Ernie Gahan, the 1966 NASCAR Modified national champion, passed away Thursday night at his home in Cranberry Isles, Maine at the age of 83.
Gahan, originally from Dover, N.H., got his start in auto racing at his hometown track – Dover Speedway – in 1948 after serving more than two years as an Army military policeman in Germany following Word War II. After getting his start at Dover, Gahan competed in the NASCAR Sportsman division until 1965, when he moved over to Modifieds.
Gahan compiled 6,560 points during his 1966 run to the title to distance himself from runner-up Bugs Stevens and third place Ray Hendrick. Driving a 1936 Chevrolet coupe, Gahan won 15 of the 71 races he entered that season, but led Hendrick by just 48 points heading into the season finale in Atlanta, Ga. Hendrick was caught up in an early race accident and Gahan crossed the line 10th to earn the crown.
Gahan made 11 starts in what is now known as the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series from 1960-66. He was bestowed the Buddy Shuman Award for outstanding contributions to NASCAR following an incident in which he helped Tiny Lund rescue Marvin Panch from a fiery crash prior to the 1963 Daytona 500.
Winner of an estimated 300-plus races during his nearly three decades as a racer, Gahan was a member of the inaugural New England Antique Racers Hall of Fame in 1998 and was a 1990 New York State Stock Car Association Hall of Fame inductee. Additionally, he is a member of the Maine Motorsports Hall of Fame and Beach Ridge Motor Speedway Hall of Fame.
Gahan was in attendance at the 2007 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Awards Banquet as many of the NASCAR Modified champions gathered to kick-off the celebration of 60 Years of Modified Champions. He was honored for his 1966 title at the 2008 Spring Sizzler at Stafford.
“Ernie was part of the Modified legacy that has helped make NASCAR what it is today. He was a great racer and true New England legend,” said Jim Hunter, NASCAR vice president for corporate communications. “On behalf of NASCAR and the France family, our thoughts and prayers go out to Gahan’s family and friends.”
Services for Gahan will be held Wednesday at Purdy Memorial Chapel, 2 Concord Rd., Durham, N.H. The wake will be from 12-2 p.m., followed by the funeral service.
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 22, 2009 | ACT, Canada, New England, Thunder Road
DRUMMONDVILLE, QC – 2009 Série ACT Castrol Stock Car Champion Donald Theetge of Boischatel, Quebec was honored at the annual Série ACT Castrol Banquet of Champions at the Best Western Hotel Universel in Drummondville, QC on Saturday, November 21. It is Theetge’s second career Série ACT Castrol Championship, with his previous title coming in 2006. The top ACT teams, officials and fans were in attendance to help honor Theege and his team. Theetge beat 2008 ACT Tour Champion Patrick Laperle of St-Denis, Quebec in the closest point battle in Série history to become the first Série ACT Castrol repeat champion. With his two victories during the 2009 season, Theetge also became the all-time Série ACT Castrol wins leader with 14. Theetge’s championship earned him a point fund paycheck of $9,000.
Justin Holtom of Ottawa, Ontario received the 2009 Série ACT Castrol Rookie of the Year Award. Holtom was the only Série regular from outside the province of Quebec. The 19 year old picked up his career best finish (5th) at Autodrome Montmagny in August and contended for the win at several events during the season on his way to 12th place in the Série ACT Castrol Championship Standings.
St-Félicien, Quebec’s Karl Allard earned the votes of his fellow competitors and Série officials to win the Série ACT Castrol Sportsmanship Award for the second time in his career. Allard earned the award based on his competitive but fair nature. Allard finished the season third in the Championship Point Standings and finished an impressive 12th at the Inaugural ACT Invitational at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in September.
The 2009 Série ACT Castrol Most Improved Driver Award was also awarded based on driver and official votes. Earning the most votes was 19 year old Jonathan Desbiens of Levis, Quebec. Desbiens finished 10th in the Championship Point Standings in just his third season with the Série. He also improved his best career finish in 2009 with a 6th at Autodrome Chaudiere in August.
Drivers in attendance from the top 15 in the 2009 Championship Point Standings also received personalized award plaques as well as point fund earnings of over $35,000. Also awarded were certificates for product from Bassett Racing Wheels and Five Star Race Car Bodies.
The 2010 Série ACT Castrol schedule has been announced with 12 events throughout the provinces of Quebec and Ontario. The season will begin on Saturday, May 22 at Autodrome Ste-Eustache. For more information visit www.acttour.com or www.laserieactcastrol.com.
2010 Série ACT Castrol SCHEDULE
# DATE DAY TRACK LAPS
1. May 22 Sat. Ste-Eustache 100
2. May 29 Sat. Montmagny 100
3. June 05 Sat. Chaudiere 150
4. June 12 Sat. Capital City 100
5. June 19 Sat. Riverside 100
6. June 03 Sat. Montmagny 250
7. July 10 Sat. Ste-Felicien 135
*** July 18 Sun. Oxford 250
8. July 26 Mon. Riverside 100
9. July 31 Sat. Ste-Eustache 100
10. Aug. 07 Sat. Chaudiere 150
11. Aug. 14 Sat. Riverside (Combo*) 200
*** Aug. 28 Sat Chaudiere (Showdown) 200
12. Sept. 26 Sun. Ste-Eustache 300
***non-championship point counting event
*Combination race with Série ACT Castrol and U.S. ACT Tour
by Jay | Nov 20, 2009 | New England, PASS
Naples ME (11/17/2009) Johnny Clark’s 2009 Pro All Stars Series (PASS) Championship is remarkable unto itself, given the level of competition in the New England super late model ranks. But two in a row and four titles in the nine years that PASS has been sanctioning super late model racing is a feat that only one other driver has managed to accomplish. Clark tied Ben Rowe for the most series titles by beating Rowe for the thirteen race crown in 2009, and it’s fitting that the two drivers that top the all time PASS standings are now tied in the titles won column.
Clark’s 2008 championship was a come from behind effort that saw the Farmingdale Mainer come on strong in the second half of the season. His 2009 title drive started out just the opposite, winning two out of the first three races (Speedway 95 and Unity) and scoring a seventh at the Beech Ridge PASS opener. Clark’s consistency was challenged throughout the campaign by perennial title contender Ben Rowe and upstart Adam Bates.Derek Ramstrom, Richie Dearborn and Kelly Moore were all ready to pounce should Clark falter.
But Clark and his veteran crew kept their train on the tracks, posting another win in the series’ return to Lee USA Speedway and never finishing outside the top ten after that. The final tally was Clark 2799 -Rowe 2767, a 32 point bulge.
Clark’s 2009 stats are remarkable: thirteen starts, three wins, eight top fives and twelve top tens in the North, plus another top ten in The PASS South opener at Hickory Motor Speedway, a fourth place in the Mason-Dixon Meltdown at South Boston and capped his year of with a win in the season closer at Greenville-Pickens Clark’s only hiccup of the season came at New Brunswick Canada’s Speedway 660 where a wheel departed the Clark’s Car Crushing /Port City Race Cars 54, resulting in a fourteenth place run.
That’s the kind of consistency that championships are made of, and a big chunk of the credit goes to the team that keeps Clark on the speedway lap after lap. From crew chief Robert Green to brother Bobby Clark on the spotters stand, John Marshall taking care of the tires and Heidi Marshall keeping track of the stats. Dad John Clark, Tim Clark, Terri Davies, Craig Smiley and Herb Geraux, each played key roles in the 2009 PASS title for Johnny Clark Motorsports. In fact,many of the team’s members have played a role in all four championships.
The right equipment, team work, consistency, and most of all, the talent and will to win. Those are the key elements to any championship. Johnny Clark and his race team have once again proven that they have them all in spades.
The Pro All Stars Series will return to action in ten weeks, kicking off their 10th season with the non points PASS Florida Speedfest at New Smyrna Speedway on January 29-30, 2010. Keep up with all the off season news at www.proallstarsseries.com and www.racewithpass.com .
