2015-02-24

Josh Demers Led All Newcomers at Florida American Racer Challenge

Josh Demers Led All Newcomers at Florida American Racer Challenge

 

ATTACHED PHOTO: New Smyrna.jpg - Josh Demers (10VT) races hard with Travis Stearns (16ME) and Wayne Helliwell, Jr. (27NH) during the American Racer Cup Challenge at New Smyrna Speedway. (Photo by Eric LaFleche)

 



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                       ACT-022415-10

Waterbury, VT – American Canadian Tour (ACT) sophomore driver Josh Demers of East Montpelier, VT graduated from the Bond Auto Tiger division in 2013, an intermediate division at his home track Thunder Road International Speedbowl in Barre, VT.

That year, Demers also bought a used ACT Late Model in anticipation of moving full-time to the ACT Late Models at Thunder Road in 2014. He entered his first ACT Late Model event at the inaugural International race held in July 2013 at Airborne Speedway, Plattsburgh, NY. It was a $25,000.00 to win race with every major team in ACT registered to compete. After qualifying heats and consolations, Demers had one final chance to get into the biggest race of the year. He needed to win the "last chance race" which offered a purse of $3,000.00 to win or, give up the money, and receive a starting spot in the 300-lap segment main event and start dead last in 40th position. He gave up the money and went into his first ever ACT Late Model event.

"I will take the spot and race. We came to race and this win gives us that chance. Forget about the money! Let's do it," said Demers. The crowd sent out a cheer for this former Tiger driver. He finished 28th out of 40 teams that went to post that day.

The 2014 Thunder Road season included a full effort of weekly racing for the family-run team from East Montpelier. He finished a respectable 12th overall. They also entered the Thunder Road ACT opening Merchants Bank 150 lap Championship race. He failed to qualify for one of the 30 starting spots among the 43 drivers who entered. The only other ACT Late Model event the Demers team competed in during 2014 was the Bond Auto ACT Invitational at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway last September, finishing 35thout of the 43 cars that started.

When the ACT teams were invited to return to the New Smyrna Speedway to be part of the week long festivities known as the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing, the Demers team was not one that ACT officials thought would be interested in attending such an event, but the Demers #10VT team's entry was one of the first to be received. The results of that interest turned out to be one of the great highlights of the three races run at NSS during the annual yearly event known as speed-weeks throughout the Daytona Beach area, held at various short tracks, in conjunction with the Great American Race at the Daytona International Speedway. What was not known was that the family team (Josh, father Randy, and sister Joellen) were also going to bring along former Tiger and veteran ACT driver "Chip" Grenier as added help. Grenier is known as an accomplished set-up man and crew chief, when not behind the wheel of his own race operation.

President of the American Canadian Tour, Tom Curley said, "Josh, Chip, and their overall team effort certainly was one of the highlights of the American Racer Challenge weekend for me. I knew there was something special going on when we ran 100 lapsSunday night without a caution. Josh was competing at a very high level with veteran champions like Patrick Laperle. He ran side-by-side on that big half mile he had never seen before, with little experience on bigger tracks. Good Lord, he was in the top five most of the three nights with guys like Eddie MacDonald, who went on to sweep the three events, Wayne Helliwell, Jr., Joey Polewarczyk, Jr., Ray Parent, and a host of the best ACT has in our present system."

Bruce Bernhardt, owner of two-time ACT Champion Wayne Helliwell, Jr., Dover New Hampshire, said, "How could you not notice the 10VT performance (Josh Demers). That was a real surprise. I went over to him and congratulated him for racing so hard and clean. It is really great when a young team like that can have an impact on the kind of racing we all enjoy. They should be congratulated."

He was so impressive that the Fans Choice television broadcasters all started to take notice and the Demers effort became a big part of the weekend's live flag-to-flag telecasts.

"For me, the complete effort from the Demers Florida trip was total validation for the rules work we have put in for the past 15 years. We have tried to make and keep this a 'driver's series', and not just a money series for those who have unlimited budgets to buy tires, shocks, engines, and all the tricked up parts to go fast. I have never believed that short track racing should be defined by who can outspend the other, which generally results in separation of the bigger teams and talented teams with fewer resources. In my opinion, that really does not work for keeping things equitable and exciting for fans and teams. I was very proud of the results by a relatively inexperienced home-grown Thunder Road team having such success at New Smyrna. The Demers/Grenier effort should have given great hope to all those race teams who work so hard to be competitive, and proved that a level playing field will assist in that effort. At least for this week, we found a "poster boy" for selling that concept to short tracks across the nation. I left the Daytona Beach area with a smile on my face," concluded Curley.

The ACT teams will now direct their attention to the annual New Hampshire Governor's Cup 150 lap race at Lee USA Speedway, Lee, NH to be held on Sunday, April 12. ACT has opened the Lee USA Speedway 14 times over the years with both its former Pro Stock (Super Late Model division) and now Late Model division. Harmon "Beaver" Dragon, Milton, VT won the race in 1987 at the re-opening of the track by Red and Judy MacDonald. The NH Governor's Cup will start the 2015 campaign of 17 point and non-point specials for the US ACT teams. Eddie MacDonald is the defending champion of the race. The Freddy Petersen-owned, and Rollie Lachance team has plenty of momentum going into Lee. They won the closing race of the 2014 campaign, the Milk Bowl at Thunder Road, Barre VT, last October. They are now coming off three consecutive wins at New Smyrna Speedway. They will be challenged by Lee USA multi-time Champion Wayne Helliwell, Jr., 2014 ACT Champion Joey Polewarczyk, Jr. and 2013 first-time winner Jimmy Hebert of Williamstown, VT.

For additional information contact the ACT office at 802.244.6963, media@acttour.com, acttour.com, or visit media atleeusaspeedway.com

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Carbopoxy(R) de Techniseal(R) de retour à titre de partenaire majeur de la série Procam Super Truck



Un meeting positif pour les Pilotes de la Série Procam Super Truck

Plusieurs pilotes de la série étaient présents pour cette première rencontre. 

À l'ordre du jour : Calendrier, réglementations et présentation du partenaire majeur

de la série.

À tout seigneur tout honneur, nous sommes très fiers d'annoncer le retour, après un an de pause, de Techniseal® à titre de partenaire majeur de la série. Les pilotes représenterons le protecteur pour plancher de garage Carbopoxy® de Techniseal®.

C'est un bel honneur d'être à nouveau les représentants de ce produit qui protège et embellit votre surface de béton.

Carbopoxy® de Techniseal® sera aussi un partenaire important de la série ACT Québec.

Un seul changement à la réglementation; les radios seront acceptées dans la série Procam Super Truck propulsée par Carbopoxy® de Techniseal®. Aucun autre règlement ne devrait changer pour les prochaines saisons.

Un calendrier de 8 courses sur des pistes ovales (une sur terre battue et 7 sur asphalte) passant par Granby, Vallée Jonction, Plattsburgh, Ste-Croix et Montmagny.

Les camions seront en piste, pour la plupart du temps, avec la série ACT et ils seront en vedette à Vallée Jonction et lors de la course Mira à Granby.

Les pilotes ont très bien reçu les nouvelles annonces, les nouveaux bonis et un grand sentiment de positivisme est ressorti lors de cette rencontre.

 




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Inaugural Green Mountain Sprint Car Nationals Coming to The Dirt Track at Devil’s Bowl



ATTACHED PHOTOS (credit MemorEvents): The Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints and the Bond Auto Parts Sprint Cars of New England will meet on The Dirt Track at Devil's Bowl Speedway in West Haven, VT for the inaugural $3,000-to-win Green Mountain Sprint Car Nationals event on Saturday, September 26.
 
 
 
Inaugural Green Mountain Sprint Car Nationals Coming to The Dirt Track at Devil's Bowl

ESS, SCoNE to co-sanction historic $3,000-to-win open-comp Sprint Car event

 

For Immediate Release                                                                                                                                                                                 DBS-022315-1

 

WEST HAVEN, VT – Sprint Car racing history will be made in Vermont as The Dirt Track at Devil's Bowl Speedway hosts a blockbuster open-competition event – the inaugural "Green Mountain Sprint Car Nationals" – on Saturday, September 26.  The new 1/3-mile clay oval is set for a showdown featuring the region's most fearless racecar drivers and their lightning-quick, winged, open-wheel machines.

The Green Mountain Sprint Car Nationals will be the richest Sprint Car race in Vermont history and is expected to draw the region's top teams.  The purse boasts a $3,000 winner's prize and a minimum of $300 to start.  The event is co-sanctioned by the Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints (ESS) and the Bond Auto Parts Sprint Cars of New England (SCoNE), but is open to any winged Sprint Car with a 360-cubic-inch engine limit.

SCoNE champion Chris Donnelly of Piermont, NH became the first Sprint Car winner at The Dirt Track at Devil's Bowl last fall.  Other top SCoNE racers include Dan Douville, Clay Dow, Kevin Chaffee, Luke Greenwood, Jake Williams, Tyler Austin, and SCoNE president Will Hull.  Front-running ESS drivers include Chuck Hebing, Jason Barney, Jeff Cook, Matt Tanner, and Cory Sparks, along with Canadians Lee Ladouceur and 2014 champion Steve Poirier.  A family rivalry is also expected between SCoNE's Lacey Hanson and her cousin, ESS competitor James Hanson, who are each based in Orwell, VT just 10 minutes from Devil's Bowl.

"I think the Green Mountain Sprint Car Nationals will be something special," ESS promoter Dean Reynolds said.  "We'll see the best of both series, and I bet a few Canadian teams will come to Devil's Bowl for the great purse being offered.  We can't wait for this race."

"I'm excited and anxious to bring together all of the region's top Sprint Car teams for the first time," SCoNE president and competitor Will Hull said.  "We had a great time at Devil's Bowl last fall and I really think this is going to be a race to remember."

"Our fans are going to see a wild show at the Green Mountain Sprint Car Nationals," Devil's Bowl promoter Mike Bruno said.  "Dean Reynolds of ESS and Will Hull from SCoNE deserve a lot of credit for putting this event together.  It'll be exciting to see how the best from each series stack up against each other."

The inaugural Green Mountain Sprint Car Nationals will be held on Saturday, September 26, with additional details to follow.  Drivers will also have two additional opportunities to compete at The Dirt Track at Devil's Bowl, as SCoNE holds stand-alone events on Sunday, July 5 and Sunday, August 9.

Devil's Bowl Speedway is located on Route 22A in West Haven, VT, four miles north of Exit 2 on U.S. Route 4.  For more information, visit www.DevilsBowlSpeedwayVT.com or call (802) 265-3112.  Devil's Bowl Speedway is on Facebook atfacebook.com/DevilsBowlSpeedway, and on Twitter and Instagram at @DevilsBowlSpeed; follow the action using the #DevilsBowl hashtag.

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Former Dillon PASS South Winners Produce At Daytona


Former Dillon PASS South Winners Produce At Daytona

 

-      For Immediate Release

 

CHARLOTTE, NC (February 24) – With Speedweeks 2015 concluding at Daytona International Speedway, race fans and pundits are now reflecting on what this year's action might tell us about the new season.  Upon observation, several Pro All Stars Series (PASS) Super Late Model graduates had a successful start.  2011 PASS South Super Late Model rookie, Ryan Reed, shocked the racing fraternity by capturing his first Xfinity Series win with a last lap pass of former PASS South car owner Brad Keselowski.

            But, looking even closer, one notices that the 10th Annual South Carolina Clash coming up on March 7 at Dillon Motor Speedway could produce a future Daytona storyline.  As a matter of fact, four of the last five South Carolina Clash winners made their debuts in various series at Daytona.

            Former PASS South Super Late Model Champion Ryan Blaney made his first start in the Daytona 500 this past weekend, driving the iconic #21 for the Wood Brothers.  Blaney had a strong showing, running in the lead draft late in the race before being sidelined by an engine failure.

            Blaney is the only two-time winner of the South Carolina Clash at Dillon, taking the checkered flag in 2010 and 2011.  In fact his win in 2010 at Dillon Motor Speedway, was his first of five career PASS South Super Late Model triumphs.

            Maine's Austin Theriault actually took over the #29 Brad Keselowski Racing Ford in the Truck Series upon Blaney's move up to the Cup Series in 2015.  In his first ever Truck Series start at Daytona, Theriault finished fourth in a four-wide photo finish at the line, after helping teammate Tyler Reddick to the win.

            This was not Theriault's first time crossing the line in a photo finish though.  In the 2013 South Carolina Clash, Theriault took advantage of race leader Preston Peltier as he slowed for the lapped car of John Hunter Nemecheck entering turn three, to take the win in the closest finish in PASS South Super Late Model history.  Not only has Theriault tasted success in PASS South, but he is also a former PASS North Super Late Model winner, winning at Oxford Plains Speedway in 2012 and at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway the following year.

            And finally, last year's South Carolina Clash winner, Daniel Hemric, was able to get his first experience at Daytona International Speedway.  To start Speedweeks, Hemric hit the high banks for the first time with the ARCA series, getting valuable experience in the draft and finishing a very impressive 12th.

            Then, Hemric joined the NTS Motorsports team for their first race together as they go for the Truck Series championship.  Again, Hemric accounted himself well, running near the front, before being collected in a multi-truck accident not of his own making.

            While Daytona International Speedway and Dillon Motor Speedway have little more in common than that they are both asphalt and are both located off Interstate 95, there is little denying that success at the South Carolina short track could someday lead to big things on stock car racing's biggest stage.

The 2015 season will begin on Saturday, March 7 with the 10th Annual South Carolina Clash at Dillon Motor Speedway with rotating practice starting at Noon, followed by qualifying at 3:30 PM, and feature racing at 5 PM for the PASS South Super Late Models, PASS Pro Late Models, Challengers/Chargers, and Legends.  Please go to ProAllStarsSeries.com for entry forms and the complete weekend schedule.

The Pro All Stars Series is recognized as North America's premier sanctioning body for asphalt Super Late Models and boasts such marquee events as the legendary Oxford 250 at Oxford Plains Speedway and PASS South's Easter Bunny 150 at the historic Hickory Motor Speedway.  For technical information concerning all PASS divisions please send questions topassracing@roadrunner.com.  For media or marketing questions, please contact Alan Dietz at 704-231-2039 or alandietzpass@live.com.  And, don't forget to "Like" the Pro All Stars Series on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @PASSSLM14 to keep up with breaking news as it happens.

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