by Jay | Jan 14, 2010 | Maine, PASS
FARMINGDALE, Maine — With 10 championships between them, Maine racers Ben Rowe and Johnny Clark are teaming up for a winter road trip.
A long winter road trip — to Florida.
Rowe, who has four PASS North Series championships as well as PASS South and PASS National championships on his resume, and Clark will field a joint effort for the inaugural PASS Winterfest 150 at New Smyrna (Fla.) Speedway on Jan. 29-30. The event is the first of five PASS National Championship races scheduled for the 2010 season.
“We wanted to go down and support this race, because we think it could grow into something really big in the future,” said Clark, a four-time PASS North champion, including the last two series titles. “If everything goes well, we should both have a chance to win this one.”
Clark’s race hauler will carry both his familiar Clark’s Car Crushing No. 54 and Rowe’s new Community Pharmacies No. 48. The deal to pool the resources of Johnny Clark Motorsports and Mulkern Racing was finalized at last weekend’s Northeast Motorsports Expo held at the Augusta Civic Center.
Rowe was named Touring Series Driver of the Year at the Expo.
“I think it’s going to be a lot of fun,” said Rowe, who will debut with his new team and new crew chief, Seth Holbrook, at New Smyrna. “Me and Johnny have never teamed up before, so it’s going to be a blast.”
Of the two drivers, only Clark has New Smyrna experience, having competed on multiple occasions in the annual New Smyrna World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing held each February.
He compared New Smyrna’s high-banked half-mile layout to Thompson (Conn.) International Speedway, a track familiar to PASS North Series competitors.
“It’s a lot like Thompson,” Clark said. “It’s big and fast, and it’s definitely a fun and challenging track. It’s extremely hard on brakes, and you need one of the biggest motors you can find there.”
Rowe said he’ll take Clark’s word for it, having never raced at New Smyrna himself. He has, however, watched a number of races there from the pit area.
“It does race a lot like Thompson — at least that’s what Johnny tells me,” Rowe said. “Hopefully he’ll help me out when we get there and we can go from there.
“We’re going to take a bunch of guys from the north down there and see what we can do together.”
Teams hit the track on Friday, Jan. 29 for an extended practice session. Qualifying and feature racing will be held on Saturday, Jan. 30. The Winterfest 150 is tentatively scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. green flag.
by Jay | Jan 14, 2010 | PASS
NAPLES ME (1/13) Super Late Model racers from all over the eastern seaboard are ready to shake off the winter doldrums and take on the high banks of New Smyrna Speedway when the Pro All Stars Series (PASS) Super Late Models invade the sunshine state on January 30th for The PASS WInterfest 150.
The entry list is growing daily and all indications point to a battle royal between Florida’s fastest, the PASS super late model touring pros and a host of outlaws that seek out the biggest races and the toughest competition.
Tim Russell was first to file his entry for Winterfest and the Apopka driver has to be considered one of the favorites. He’s got plenty of extra distance event wins at the legendary short track, and it will be tough to beat the home track boys at their own game. Still, there’s a bunch of tough customers that are going to give it their best shot, including four time PASS North Super Late Model Champion Johnny Clark, who will make the trip from Maine to tackle New Smyrna. Lonnie Sommerville is a journeyman racer from the Canadian Maritimes, and he can’t wait to take on the challenge. Brandon Ward has taken over the wheel of Jeff and Jane Day’s potent New Day Motorsports entry, and you can expect this combination from Winston-Salem North Carolina to make some noise right out of the box. Dale Brackett is making a run at the PASS National Championship in 2010, and he will tow all the way from Strong Maine for round one of the five race PASS National Championship schedule.
Local racer Shane Snipes will be behind the wheel of a Mike Skinner owned super late model, and two of the best from the Carolinas, Jay Fogleman and Preston Peltier, have both committed to the January 30 race. Heath Hindman will make the trip from Tennessee and North Carolina’s Clay Jones has his race car prepared for the 150 green flag laps that are one of the signatures of the Pro All Stars. Since the series’ inception in 2001, all feature events race the advertised distance under green; all restarts are double file, so the action is guaranteed to be fast and furious for all 150 laps round the tough oval.
For the hardcore race fan it will be a double header weekend of diverse motorsport. Just up the road at Daytona International Speedway the Rolex 24 at Daytona gets the green at 3:30 on January 30 and the checkered won’t drop until 3:30 PM on Sunday January 31th. It’s one of the most grueling endurance racing around and short track and road racing fans alike have a rare and unique opportunity to see the best of two motorsport worlds on the weekend of January 30 and 31.
All teams will have the opportunity to practice on Friday January 29 from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Pit gates will open at 12:00 Noon. On race day January 30 the pit area opens at 10:00 AM, practice runs from 12:00 to 2:30 PM and Super Late Model time trials get underway at 3:30 P.M.
For more information visit www.racewithpass.com or www.proallstarsseries.com. New Smyrna Speedway is on line at www.newsmyrnaspeedway.net . Address media and marketing questions to Norm Desjardins at (603) 539-3368. For technical information please contact PASS Technical Director Scott Reed at (207) 625-3230.
by Jay | Jan 14, 2010 | NASCAR, NASCAR K&N Pro Series
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – A California native, and rising star in the Joe Gibbs Racing development program, Matt DiBenedetto will return to The Golden State for the NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown, Jan. 29-30 at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale (Calif.).
Originally from Grass Valley, Calif., DiBenedetto burst onto the scene in 2009 as a consistent frontrunner in NASCAR Camping World Series East action. Although he competed in just seven of the season’s 11 events, DiBenedetto piloted the No. 18 Joe Gibbs Driven Toyota to a pair of wins, five top 10s and a 14th-place finish in the final standings. The 18-year-old rookie was also impressive in his NASCAR Nationwide Series debut last fall in Memphis when he qualified fifth and finished 14th.
The NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown will be the first time that DiBenedetto turns a lap around Toyota Speedway at Irwindale.
“I’m really looking forward to racing at Irwindale for the Showdown. It’s an awesome track and has multiple grooves which will make for some great racing,” said DiBenedetto, who will be behind the wheel of the No. 98 Toyota fielded by car owner Mike Curb. “I’ve never been there, only watched it on TV, so I’m really looking forward to turning some laps. I’m also excited to get to race in my home state, and in front of a bunch of my family members. I want to thank Mike Curb and Joe Gibbs Racing for making this race possible.”
“We are thrilled with the opportunity to help Matt,” Curb said. “He is a true talent with a very bright future.”
The seventh running of the NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown, which brings together the top racers from across North America for the ”Daytona 500 of short-track racing,” will be highlighted by the 225-lap Camping World Series all-star race. Each race winner during the 2009 Camping World Series season is eligible for a protected starting spot, as are the 2009 champions from each of NASCAR’s six regional touring series and the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series national champion.
DiBenedetto’s rookie campaign was highlighted by wins at Tri-County Motor Speedway and the June race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
The 18-year-old earned poles in his first road-course races at Watkins Glen International and Lime Rock Park, and shattered the series’ qualifying record in the season finale at Dover International Speedway, which earned him the season Coors Light Pole Award. Despite not competing in four races, DiBenedetto also earned the series’ Wix Lap Leader Award.
“2009 was a great season for me. I won a couple races and I was able to get my feet wet with the Joe Gibbs Racing guys,” DiBenedetto said. “It also allowed me to get my first Nationwide race under my belt. I’m really looking forward to the 2010 season in the NASCAR Camping World Series East.”
In addition to eligible 2009 race winners and series champions, the starting lineup will be determined through time trials, limited provisionals for Camping World Series regulars, and the last-chance “Open” race that provides drivers one final chance to make the grid.
The 2010 NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown schedule also includes 100-lap Whelen All-American Series Super Late Model and 75-lap Late Model races. Both nights of racing will air live on SPEED.
by Jay | Jan 11, 2010 | New
Morin, LePage split Pro finals in Malone for Rock Maple Racing snocross series
MALONE, N.Y. (Jan. 11, 2010) — In almost every form of motorsports, when a talented rider, driver or team gets on a roll, they can be difficult to stop.
Just ask anybody in NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series garage, as they try to figure out how to stop four-time champion Jimmie Johnson from dominating their sport. Momentum plays a huge role in week-to-week results, and snocross racing is no different.
Veteran riders Mathieu Morin and Bobby ‘The Rage’ LePage carried the momentum from last month’s season opener into Malone, splitting the Pro finals as Rock Maple Racing (RMR) completed Round 2 of its 2009-10 season Sunday at the Franklin County Fairgrounds.
Morin (Ingles Performance/Ski-doo), of Val-D’ Or, Quebec, chased down early leader Danny Poirier and checked out to win Pro Stock. Poirier crossed the line four seconds later as the runner-up, while LePage settled for third. LePage (Hulten Speed Sports/Polaris) used lapped traffic to his advantage in Pro Open to take top honors. Morin settled for second in this one, giving Ski-doo and Polaris a true split in the manufacturers battle for supremacy. Only three riders completed all 20 laps in the Open final, while seven completed all 20 laps in Pro Stock.
Perhaps the best show all weekend in the Pro division was the inspiring performance Poirier gave in the Open final. The defending champion got upside down in a major off-sled venture early on, then steadily powered all the way up to third at the finish. Poirier redefines determination when it comes to battling back from adversity.
Defending Pro Am champion Joe Lemieux continued his hot streak in Malone, winning the final over fellow Vermonter Rene Desrochers and Jason Soucy of Sabattus, Maine. Jennifer Pare prevailed in a hotly-contested Pro Women final, with RMR veterans Melanie Acker and Steffanie Lemieux filling out the podium.
In Semi-Pro action Sunday, Garrett Mees and Corin Todd were the guys to beat. Mees, of Setauket, NY, piloted his All-Island Plumbing Ski-doo to victory in the Open final in dominant style. Lincoln Lemieux grabbed the holeshot, but he and Todd got together in the moguls and crashed. Mees carefully snuck through the snow dust and proceeded to check out on the field. Cody Flach made an outstanding return to RMR, coming from dead last to finish second. Ash Woskob stepped up big-time Sunday, as the motocross veteran from Pennsylvania claimed third ahead of Lucas Brunelle.
Todd powered his way around Mees with two laps remaining in Semi-Pro Stock and hung on for top honors. The young athlete from Otego, NY, was the pre-season favorite to win the Semi-Pro title in 2010, and he’s proving why every time the green flag is waved.
In Junior division action at Malone, Montana Jess and Edward Bandel each won multiple finals. Jess, of Westminster, Mass., rode his Ski-doo to victory in Jr. 10-13 380 and 600c action each day, while Bandel won Saturday’s 600 liquid final and two more races on Sunday. Max Burrier and Mason Pierce also earned wins in Jr. 8-10 action at Malone.
Other final round winners over the weekend in Malone include Daryl Nutting (Plus 25 Stock); Rene Desrochers (Plus 35 Masters); Joe Bishop (Sport 500); and rising star Jake Scott (Sport Super Stock Sat.& Sun., and Sport 600).
Rock Maple Racing would like to thank Steve Bailey and everyone at the Malone Chamber of Commerce for hosting last weekend’s event. Thanks to extra effort in providing snow, the track was one of the best seen in many seasons.
Next up is a trip north of the border for RMR’s Pro and Semi-Pro teams, as they travel to Mirabel, Quebec, for a joint race with Marcel Fontaine’s SCM group. This will be a points race for these teams while Sport, Junior and Women riders have the weekend off.
To see full results in all classes from Malone or for more information, please go to www.rockmaple.com.
by Jay | Jan 11, 2010 | New England, New Hampshire
Raymond N.H. – The Northeast Classic Lites held their annual awards Banquet on January 9th at Strikers East Function Hall in Raymond N.H.
After a buffet dinner, Master of Ceremonies Dennis O’Brien began by introducing special guests Phil Boriello of PB Chopper Shop and Rods, Dave Joyce of Davids Racecars, photographers Bob and Rich Hayes, Dan Provost, and Bob Munroe who came out of retirement from flagging to serve as the clubs dedicated flagman when the Classics Lites race at Hudson Speedway.
Trophies were then handed out those drivers that finished in the top twenty five in points. Drivers that finished eleventh through twenty fifth included Paul Colson, Ralph Cook, Jim Ryder Sr., Jeff Gilman, Shane Reinhold, Dan Shields Sr., Sean Kehoe, Dave McGinn, Adam Giacomozzi, Tom McGowan Jr., Dwayne Schofield and Kyle Pittman.
Finishing tenth through second were Roger Provost, Josh Provost, Eric Bacon, Jeff Miller, Jon Provost, Danny Shields, Eddie Gilman, Dennis O’Brien and Jimmy Ryder Jr.
On the strength of five feature wins and eleven top fives in fifteen races Billy Ryder received the Championship trophy.
The Winners Circle Club includes any driver that won at least one feature or heat during the season. These drivers are Reinhold, Jeff Gilman, Ryder Sr., Cook, Colson, Josh Provost, Bacon, Miller, Jon Provost, Eddie Gilman, Ryder Jr. and Billy Ryder.
Jim Ryder Sr., Sam Gilman and John Dimambro received Appreciation Awards. Paul Colson and Dennis O’Brien both received Sportsmanship Awards. Jim Ryder Jr. received the Hard Luck Award. Dan Shields received the Best Appearing Car. Shane Reinhold was Most Improved Driver and Jeff Miller was Rookie of the Year. All drivers in the top five received a check from club sponsor nhyogamatters.com.
The 2010 Northeast Classic Lites schedule has yet to be finalized, please visit www.neclassiclites.com for updates.
by Jay | Jan 11, 2010 | Video
Some old car commercials
by Jay | Jan 6, 2010 | PASS
NAPLES ME (January 6, 2010) The Pro All Stars Series (PASS) Super Late Models will race five times to determine the 2010 PASS National Champion.
The expanded National Championship schedule will include three new National Championship venues. PASS Florida Winter Fest will get the season underway January 29 and 30 at New Smyrna (FL) Speedway with a 150 lap event that marks the first PASS sanctioned event in the sunshine state. The popular Easter Bunny 150 at Hickory (NC) Motor Speedway on April 2nd and 3rd has been designated as stop number two on the National Championship trail.
July will see one of two northern swings with a July 22nd “Thursday Night Special” at Thompson (CT) International Speedway. September 11th and 12th are the dates for the PASS 300 at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway in Scarborough Maine. The 2010 PASS National Champion will be crowned October 16th at the Mason – Dixon Meltdown’s new home on the ultra fast high banks of at Newport (TN) Speedway.
In addition to being designated as National Championship events, Hickory and Newport will award PASS South Championship points while Thompson and Beech Ridge will count toward the PASS North title tally.
Turner Maine’s Ben Rowe is the defending PASS National Champion; Cassius Clark of Farmington Maine earned the inaugural National title. 79 super late model racers earned PASS National Championship points in 2009.
Keep tabs on all the latest PASS news at www.proallstarsseries.com .
2010 Pro All Stars Series Super Late Model National Championship Events
Date(s) Location Event Distance
1-29/30 New Smyrna (FL) Speedway PASS Florida Winter Fest 150 laps
4-2/3 Hickory (NC) Motor Speedway The Easter Bunny 150 laps
7/22 Thompson (CT) Int’l Speedway 75 laps
9-11/12 Beech Ridge (ME) Motor Speedway PASS 300 300 laps
10-15/16 Newport (TN) Speedway Mason-Dixon Meltdown 200 laps
Schedule Subject to Change
by Jay | Jan 6, 2010 | ACT, New England, New Hampshire, NHMS
Waterbury, VT – The American Canadian Tour (ACT) has announced that the total point fund awards for the 2009 season will total over $85,000. The annual Banquet of Champions will be held at the Sheraton Hotel and Conference Center in So. Burlington, VT on January 16, 2010.
The ACT TOUR will honor the 2009 Championship team of Brian Hoar and owner/crew chief Rick Paya, who also owns RPM Engines in Georgia, VT. Hoar will celebrate his sixth American Canadian Tour title, and car owner, Rick Paya, will also celebrate his sixth ACT title, having won previous titles as crew chief and then owner of the only seven-time ACT winner in its 25-year history, Jean-Paul Cyr. The RPM team will receive $10,000 first place point money at the annual festivities for their efforts during the 2009 thirteen (13) race campaign.
“This past year was a whole lot of fun for RPM racing. We kind of struggled at the beginning of the season, but most of that was trying to figure out what each of us (Hoar and Paya) needed to be successful,” said Rick Paya. “Working with Brian was great, especially after we got things sorted out over the initial few weeks. We kind of entered the deal hoping to get immediate results, but I think our team is better off having to go through the learning curve we experienced. We really are excited about being together for next season, and winning the 25th anniversary title of ACT would be pretty meaningful for Brian and our entire team,” concluded Paya. Both Paya and Hoar have been supporters of the ACT Late Model program since its inception in 1992.
The Thunder Road “King of the Road” title chase was another blending of veteran teams. Ironically, Jean Cyr, who won all those championships with Paya, joined the most storied crew chief of the decade at Thunder Road, Jeff Laquerre, from Barre, VT. Laquerre and his veteran father, Joey Laquerre put together a new team with the sole purpose of winning the 50th anniversary title at Thunder Road. Jeff Laquerre led the Tracie Bellerose championship chase in 2000. She was the first female to win a major division title. Laquerre followed that up with Thunder Road titles for Cris Michaud in 2004 and 2005. The Laquerre-Cyr team took a few weeks to get things sorted out, but in the end they held off Michaud, Phil Scott and David Pembroke to win the coveted 2009 title. The team will receive $5,000 in point fund money for the championship win. Total money awarded to the Thunder Road competitors in three divisions will exceed $20,000.
Previously, in November, 2009, the ACT Castrol Series awarded over $30,000 in point fund money to those that competed in the 2009 nine (9) ACT Castrol Série.
The Banquet of Champions will award trophies, prize money, and special awards to an expected crowd of 500 teams and fans. Announcements regarding the 25th anniversary season of the American Canadian Tour, along with the prestigious awarding of the annual MacTavish Award, Doc Nielsen Award, and many other special recognitions will highlight the evening’s activities. Tickets are still available by calling the ACT office at 802-244-6963.
The 2010 ACT and Thunder Road seasons will offer Late Model teams in the region over $800,000 in various purse and prizes beginning with the opening event at Lee USA Speedway in Lee, NH on Sunday, April 18th, the New Hampshire Governor’s Cup 150.
by Jay | Jan 5, 2010 | Maine
Three Maine Tracks, One Maine Champion
Spud Speedway in Caribou, Speedway 95 in Bangor and The Wiscasset Raceway are working together in 2010 to help build the Maine Racing Alliance. All three tracks have one common goal, to establish Late Model Sportsmen racing in Maine under one set of rules. Doug White, owner of The Wiscasset Raceway says, “It will take several years of working together to fully realize the goals of the Maine Racing Alliance. Our Maine Late Model Sportsmen Championship Racing series for 2010 is a great start!” The Maine Racing Alliance is hoping that more tracks get involved and join Spud, Speedway 95 and Wiscasset in creating a Maine division of racing with a statewide rules package.
There are three races planned for 2010. All three races will be 100 laps with a posted purse to be announced. The competitors will receive points at each race which will make them eligible for a points fund which will crown a Maine Late Model Sportsman Champion in September 2010. Mr. John Linnehan of the Gospel in Trenton, Maine will again be an associate sponsor of the Late Model Sportsmen Series. Mr. Linnehan will be giving out over $1000 in cash prizes at each race! Please join us in supporting Maine racing in 2010 at one of these exciting events:
The Late Model Sportsmen Championship Series 2010
* Sunday, July 25th , 2pm at Wiscasset Raceway
* Saturday, September 11th, at Speedway 95 in Bangor
* Championship Saturday, September 25th, at Spud Speedway in Caribou
This will be a very exciting series for Maine racers and fans alike! The Maine Racing Alliance is currently seeking sponsors for the 2010 series. For more information please contact any of the three tracks.
by Jay | Jan 5, 2010 | Canada, Maine, New England, PASS
FARMINGDALE, Maine — Johnny Clark is getting an early start on the 2010 PASS North Series season.
Clark, a 4-time PASS North champion, was among the first three drivers to register with the sanctioning body for the upcoming season as he seeks to become the first driver to win five championships in the PASS North Super Late Model ranks.
“There’s no reason to believe we can’t contend for a fifth championship,” said Clark, who won back-to-back series championships in 2008-2009. “The same team is coming back, with (crew chief Robert Green) heading it up. I think it’s going to be a great year for us.”
That year kicks off this coming weekend, Jan. 8-10, at the Northeast Motorsports Expo at the Augusta Civic Center, just a few miles down the road from Clark’s Farmingdale home. Clark will be on hand to sign autographs on Friday night and again on Saturday afternoon.
The racing season begins in earnest with the opener at Speedway 95 in Hermon, Maine, on April 18.
Clark has 19 career PASS North victories to rank second all-time in the series. He’d not only like to break the 20-win plateau this season, but he’d also like to snap a tie with Ben Rowe for the most career PASS championships.
Green, of Benton, Maine, will be back as crew chief on the familiar black, red and yellow No. 54 Port City/Clark’s Car Crushing Chevrolet which won three times in 2009.
“The bottom line is that he wants to win races and that’s it,” Clark said of Green. “That’s really it. He doesn’t go to the racetrack to make friends. That’s a little hard sometimes, because it even goes for our own team, but he simply wants to win races.
“You’ve got to respect that.”
The 30-year-old Clark also won championships in the 2004 and 2006 PASS North seasons, giving him three of the last four series titles. He’s one of only two PASS drivers with multiple championships and more than 15 career wins.
He hopes that the momentum from last year will continue to right through the first half of the 2010 season. Four of the first five series races will be held at tracks where Clark has visited victory lane — Speedway 95, Beech Ridge Motor Speedway, Speedway 660 in Geary, New Brunswick, and Unity Raceway.
But winning isn’t everything on the path to the championship, Clark said.
“You’ve got to be consistent all year,” he said. “The competition is so tough on this tour that you can’t really afford to have any bad races, especially early in the year.
“We’ll be ready, for sure.”
