2012-02-02

Delaware Speedway Withdraws from NASCAR Weekly Series

Feb 2nd, 2012

Delaware, ON, Canada

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Delaware Speedway is taking a year off as a NASCAR sanctioned track in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series.  After discussions with NASCAR officials in Daytona Beach, speedway officials were unable to come to a resolution to meet NASCAR sanction requirements with the shorter schedule planned for the 2012 season at Delaware Speedway.

 

“We are new to this business and we need to get our feet wet,” explained track owner Mannie deMelo.  “The decision has nothing to do with not wanting to be involved with NASCAR. We will work with NASCAR to see if our concerns can be addressed in the future”

 

Key to the decision was changes to the track’s schedule which, after competitor consultation, reduced the number of races for its top-tier Late Model racing series.  As a result, the track would be unable to complete the mandated 14 races required by the NASCAR Weekly series.  Furthermore, it would be difficult for the track to complete the 18 races necessary for Delaware Speedway drivers to be competitive in national rankings.

 

“For a driver to be truly competitive in NASCAR’s national rankings, they must complete at least 18 races or more,” explained track PR director John Houghton.  “With Delaware’s shortened schedule, it would be extremely difficult to complete this mandate in a way that is effective for fans and drivers.”

 

Delaware Speedway has enjoyed the benefits of its partnership with NASCAR and plans to retain a positive relationship moving forward.  The change in sanctioning will not have an effect on the track’s scheduled NASCAR Canadian Tire Series event and all weekly programs will continue as scheduled.  Speedway officials have left the door open on the possibility of rejoining the NASCAR Weekly Series program in the future if solutions to the track and NASCAR’s shared challenges can be found.

 

“For Delaware Speedway’s drivers, fans, and new owners the 2012 season is about building the strength of their weekly racing program,” said Houghton.  “We have every expectation that this will be an excellent season.”

 

About Delaware Speedway: Delaware Speedway is a half-mile paved oval stock-car track located just west of London, Ontario, Canada. Since 1952, Delaware Speedway has been the home to some of the best stock car racing in Canada. Its unique natural amphitheatre-like setting allows a family or group of friends to enjoy exciting, comfortable and affordable evening or afternoon of action at the track.

 

About the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series: The NASCAR Whelen All-American Series (NWAAS) is a national championship program for more than 50 sanctioned tracks across North America.  As part of the program, drivers compete for track, state/provincial, and national championship points.  Approximately 10,000 drivers participate in the program.  In 2011, the series featured three Canadian tracks including Delaware Speedway.

 

Delaware Media Inquiries: John Houghton

 


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NEW ADDITION TO CANADIAN MOTORSPORT HALL OF FAME FEATURED IN DISPLAY AT THE CME

 

 

(TORONTO, ON // FEBRUARY 2, 2012) – The Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame will feature the latest addition to the Hall's collection at its display during the Canadian Motorsports Expo. The three-day show runs February 10, 11 & 12 at the International Centre, adjacent to Toronto’s Pearson Airport.

 

The vehicle is a Grand-Am Daytona Prototype, owned by the Wilkins Family. The car – Riley Chassis #001 – is the first-ever Riley DP produced for Grand-Am competition, and was active between 2003 and 2011. Originally owned by Chip Ganassi, the car won several races for Ganassi Racing. It also won while being race-prepped and run by Woodbridge, Ontario’s AIM Autosport.

 

The car’s appearance at the Canadian Motorsports Expo, Powered by Inside Track Motorsport News, will mark the first time that the vehicle – restored to its most memorable ‘AIM era’ colours – will be publicly displayed by the Hall of Fame. The vehicle was loaned to The Hall late last year.

 

In addition to exhibiting the AIM Daytona Prototype, the Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame (CMHF) booth at the CME will be staffed by several inductees to the Hall, including Canadian racing champions Craig Hill, Bill Brack, Ron Fellows and Ross de St. Croix. Hall of Fame Chairman Dr. Hugh Scully and motorsport journalists Dean McNulty (Toronto Sun) and Norris MacDonald (Toronto Star) will also be making guest appearances at the CMHF booth during the show.

 

“Having Riley DP Chassis #001 make its public debut for the Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame – in the AIM colours that Canadians remember so well – is very big news for the Canadian Motorsports Expo,” said the CME’s David Weber. “The car, the inductees and special guests will educate and entertain racing fans at the show. We appreciate that the Hall is making the CME part of its efforts to promote Canada’s great racing history.”

 

Several other members of the Hall of Fame are also expected to be on hand to meet with show visitor and to discuss the Hall’s future plans. Be sure to stop by the CMHF exhibit (Booth #417) in Hall 6 for details on inductee and special guest appearances during the CME. For more information about the Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame, contact Sid Priddle at sidpriddle@yahoo.ca. Or visit them on the web at www.cmhf.ca.

 

ABOUT THE CME: The Canadian Motorsports Expo Powered by Inside Track Motorsport News is a three-day celebration of Canadian racing that runs February 10, 11 & 12, 2012 at the International Centre (6900 Airport Road in Mississauga, Ontario (Canada)). In addition to booths and racing vehicles representing the entire spectrum of Canadian motorsports, the show is loaded with seminars and forums to entertain and inform racers and fans alike. Celebrity drivers will be at the CME to sign autographs and meet the fans. One of the special themes of this year’s CME is the CASCAR Reunion. Please check the show’s website (www.CanadianMotorsportsExpo.com) for news, updates, schedule information and more. For more information on exhibitors, seminars, conferences, special events and guests, visit www.canadianmotorsportsexpo.com, call 416-962-7223 or email info@canadianmotorsportsexpo.com.

 


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ACT Veteran Randy Potter Files First Season Entry

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                 ACT-020212-4

Waterbury, VT – Veteran American Canadian Tour (ACT) stock car racer Randy Potter of Groveton, NH filed the first full season entry for the 10-event 2012 ACT Tour. Potter and his Lancaster Auto Sales/Speedway Sports Park Chevrolet team were recently honored at the ACT Banquet of Champions for their 5th place finish in the 2011 standings.

 

“Our chances at the 2012 title right now are as good as anyone’s, but in order to pull it out of the clutches of RPM and Brian Hoar we are going to need luck, no mechanical or mental break downs and some really good finishes in all of the 10 races,” said Potter.

During the 2011 season, Potter had one of the most consistent years of his career. He finished with four podium finishes, including three straight at White Mountain Motorsports Park, Twin State Speedway and Beech Ridge Motor Speedway. He capped off the year with a second at Airborne Speedway in the season finale.

Potter is looking forward to the 10-event 2012 season and ACT’s return to Sanair Super Speedway in St-Pie, Quebec. “Ten races will probably get more cars to run the whole tour schedule, which is good for the car counts and the competition, but it will make it tougher to qualify too,” said Potter. “I’ve always wanted to go to Sanair. Something always happens to keep us from making the trip so I hate to jinx anything, but I’m really looking forward to it.”

Potter, a former Riverside Speedway (Groveton, NH) Late Model Champion, raced off and on with ACT beginning in 1993. He returned to the Tour full-time in 2007 and immediately established himself as a championship contender with his first career ACT win in the season opener at Oxford Plains Speedway. Since 2007, Potter has finished in the top ten in the final standings each season, including three times in the top five. He is also the only driver to qualify for all 63 ACT feature events since 2007.

The 2012 will kick off with the traditional NH Governor’s Cup 150 at Lee USA Speedway in Lee, NH on Sunday, April 15.

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Attached Picture: Randy Potter (02) and Joey Polewarczyk, Jr. (97) battle during the 2011 ACT season finale at Airborne Speedway in Plattsburgh, NY.

 

 


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ARCA, University of Northwestern Ohio Extend Sponsorship Agreement; Race Officials Train, Refresh at University

For Immediate Release:

Thursday, February 2, 2012

 

 

(TOLEDO, Ohio) - The University of Northwestern Ohio, located in Lima, has renewed its position as the Official and Exclusive Educational University of the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards for the 2012 season.

 

The agreement includes a continuation of the UNOH student intern program, which creates at-track internship opportunities with race teams and the sanctioning body for UNOH students. Numerous UNOH students have served as technical officials at ARCA events, and many others have worked in varying roles on ARCA race teams.

 

"The program we have with ARCA and the ARCA teams has been extremely beneficial to our marketing and branding strategies," said Steve Farmer, vice president of corporate development for UNOH. "Our students have benefited from the hands-on experience they get working with some of the best teams in the racing industry. It is an education they can get nowhere else in the country."

 

The university will contribute $2500 to the series' annual point fund, and also sponsor several special award programs - totaling $300 per each of the season's 20 events and a $2500 award at the season's end.

 

The relationship's ninth season began in earnest last weekend, when over 25 ARCA Racing Series officials traveled to Lima to visit the university's Dr. Jeffrey A. Jarvis High Performance Motorsports Complex for a preseason training session.

 

Split into four small groups, the officials took instruction on several elements of at-track procedure. Two classroom settings provided pit road and race procedure discussions, and two in-garage classes allowed officials to learn more about qualifying and impound procedures. A race car formerly used in competition stood on jack stands to give officials a closer view. Each of the four classes lasted one hour, allowing for a lecture, a question-and-answer session, and other discussion in every area. All officials - returning and new - were tested at the end of the day.

 

Though many attending the program were ARCA veterans looking to refresh their knowledge after seasons of experience, several new officials participated and gained real experience.

 

At 75,000 square feet, UNOH's High Performance Motorsports Complex features eight different compartments: custom engine-building, engine-building, fabrication, high-performance welding, high-performance chassis, steering and suspension, accessories trends, and a dyno building with four dyno machines. The dyno building also houses the school's motorsports team, which fields modified cars and stock cars at the university's Limaland Motorsports Park.

 

2012 will be the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards' 60th Anniversary Season, featuring 20 races at 18 tracks. The season begins with the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday, February 18. The event will air live on SPEED.

 

The complete 2012 event schedule is available at ARCARacing.com.

 

The ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards has crowned an ARCA national champion each year since its inaugural season in 1953, and has toured over 200 race tracks in 28 states since its inception. The series has tested the abilities of drivers and race teams over the most diverse schedule of stock car racing events in the world, visiting tracks ranging from 0.4 mile to 2.66 miles in length, on both paved and dirt surfaces as well as a left- and right-turn road course in its most recent season. This year, the series will visit Alabama's Mobile International Speedway and Minnesota's Elko Speedway for the first time; ARCA's first visit to Minnesota will give ARCA a race in a 29th state.

 

Founded by John and Mildred Marcum in 1953 in Toledo, Ohio, the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) is recognized among the leading sanctioning bodies in the country. Closing in on completing its sixth decade after hundreds of thousands of miles of racing, ARCA administers over 100 race events each season in three professional touring series and local weekly events.

 

The University of Northwestern Ohio is an entrepreneurial, not-for-profit, university founded in 1920. There are five colleges within the university: The College of Applied Technologies, College of Business, College of Occupational Professions, College of Health Professions, and the Graduate College. UNOH has taught students from all 50 states and 16 foreign countries, and currently has more than 4500 students enrolled from 36 states and 6 foreign countries. UNOH offers more than 60 different programs of study including Master's, Baccalaureate, Associate, and Diploma programs.

 

CONTACT:

Griffin Hickman, ARCA

 

Don Radebaugh, ARCA

 


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