2015-05-01

Graham Racing Puts the Final Touches on a Busy 2015 Agenda



Graham Racing Puts the Final Touches on a Busy 2015 Agenda

By Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media

 

The calendar shows the opening dates are coming up fast, so the father and son race team of Craig and Brandt Graham is quickly working their way through their pre-season checklists.

 

On one side of the Orono, Ontario shop sits the bright orange Dodge Charger that 16 year old Brandt Graham will campaign on the Lucas Oil Sportsman Cup Series. The Clarke High School student will contend for Rookie of the Year Honours on a 7 event schedule that begins Saturday, May 9th at Full Throttle Motor Speedway. Its stable-mate is the red Chevrolet Impala SS Late Model machine that 2013 Peterborough Speedway track champion will campaign in selected starts on the APC Pro Late Model Tour, getting underway Saturday, May 23rd at Sunset Speedway. Craig Graham says it's an exciting time for the team, as each driver begins the 2015 season with a new racing agenda.

 

"It's almost like counting down the days to Christmas morning," explained Graham. "Each of us raced at one track or another throughout our career, but if everything goes according to plan, we'll spend much of the summer months touring throughout the province. As a father and coach, I want to support Brandt as much as possible. There are a couple of conflicting dates on the schedules, so we'll have to see how things play out."

 

Graham says his father in-law Marten Rottine and the crew have been working hard to get both cars ready to make their 2015 debut. Each machine had the bodywork removed so the frame, chassis and suspension components could be checked over. Engines have been freshened and now, everything is being put back together. It's almost like building model cars; just on a much larger scale.

 

"There's a lot going on pretty much any time of the day or night," admitted Graham, who works as Fixed Vehicle Operations Manager at Clarington Hyundai in Bowmanville. "Everything is on pace and we're working smart, not hard. You can't rush through any aspect of a project this detailed. Marten has always been a stickler for making sure things are done a certain way. Our names are over the doors, but he's the one running the show. Neither team would be in a position to even attempt a program like this without an experienced hand taking charge, so we're letting him call the shots."

 

Marketing plans for the new campaign are coming into place, with Oshawa, Ontario's Arcade Pools on board and complimenting returning sponsors Full Circle Automation Inc., J&M Restoration and Collision, Autocare, Hot Rod Swag and Squirrel Head Music. Paint scheme and design work for Craig and Brandt Graham's 2015 efforts are by Mayhew Graphics, with team media and public relations being handled by Clarke Motorsports Communications.

 

Fans can follow Craig and Brandt Graham on the track and behind the scenes throughout the 2015 season by liking the 'Graham Racing' page at www.facebook.com.

 

Photo attachment: Graham Racing collection

After a long winter of hard work, the Graham Racing equipment for the father and son team of Craig and Brandt Graham is ready for the first green flag of the 2015 season.

 

Prepared by: Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media


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Spencer Davis Eyes PASS South And KOMA Modified Double At Kingsport



Spencer Davis Eyes PASS South And KOMA Modified Double At Kingsport

 

-       For Immediate Release

 

CHARLOTTE, NC (April 30) – Tennessee's Kingsport Speedway will see its share of firsts next Friday night as the Pro All Stars Series (PASS) South Super Late Models and Pro Late Models make their return to the Volunteer State for the first time since 2012. The Daniel Boone Classic will be the first time PASS has ever raced at the 3/8 mile Kingsport Speedway.  It will also be the first time the PASS South Super Late Models have ever been paired with the KOMA Unwind Modified Madness Series.  PASS South and the KOMA Modifieds will compete in Twin 125's in an event no short track fan will want to miss.

One driver especially looking forward to next Friday night at Kingsport Speedway will be Dawsonville, GA's, Spencer Davis. Davis is a former PASS Pro Late Model winner and had a stellar rookie season in the PASS South Super Late Model division in 2013, finishing second to Jay Fogleman in the final standings.  At Kingsport, Davis will attempt the double, driving his family-owned #129 in the PASS South Super Late Model 125 lapper and piloting the #79 Hillbilly Racing entry in the KOMA Unwind Modified Madness portion of the Daniel Boone Classic.

"I'm very excited to pull the double at Kingsport Speedway with PASS and the KOMA Modified Series," says Davis.  "I've never been to Kingsport, but I have received a lot of information for the upcoming race.  I'm excited to be racing on the concrete surface too."

Kingsport Speedway has a reputation for being equally as tough on drivers as it is on equipment.  For Davis, 250 green flag laps in two of short track racing's most competitive divisions could prove to be a daunting task.  But, it's a challenge the 16-year-old driver welcomes as he looks forward to next Friday night.

"I honestly have no concerns for competing for 250 green flag laps, I'm actually excited too," said a confident Davis.  "I love the longer races and how much strategy goes into them.  And going from one race to another, it will give me enough time to adapt back to the car I am racing."

The PASS South Super Late Models and KOMA Unwind Modifieds provide some of the fastest, most action-packed competition in all of short track racing.  Each car is relatively light weight, with a lot of power and maneuverability for the drivers.  And, while they do share some similarities, Davis says they also have a lot of differences he will have to decipher through at Kingsport.

"From a driver's standpoint, the biggest similarity between the two cars is how they steer, but other than that, they are totally different," say Davis.  "You run different lines with the cars considering the dramatic change in tire size and the power between the Modified and the PASS Super.  The actual interiors of the cars are really different too and also how much lower to the ground you sit with the Modified."

Davis will have his fair share of competition from the PASS South regulars when he races the Super Late Model, including current points leader, Zane Smith, and fellow championship contenders Tate Fogleman, Jody Measamer, and Jimmy Doyle.  Kingsport Speedway veterans Lee Tissot and Wade Day will also present another variable to the PASS regulars as they try to protect their home turf.

Action begins on Friday, May 8  with pit gates opening at Kingsport Speedway at Noon, rotating practice for the PASS South Super Late Models, KOMA Unwind Modifieds, PASS Pro Late Models, Legends, and Flathead Fords starting at 2 PM, followed by qualifying at 5 PM, and feature racing at 7:45 PM.  PASS South Super Late Model and PASS Pro Late Model entry forms for the Daniel Boone Classic can be found at ProAllStarsSeries.com.

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 AIM Recycling Oxford 250 Presented By Kenny U-Pull 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 to passracing@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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Teams Preparing for Pit Strategy in Modified Opener at Airborne Park Speedway

ATTACHED PHOTO: Jason Durgan (#17) is among the drivers preparing for a twist in pit stop strategy at Airborne Park Speedway's FedEx Ground 100 on Saturday night.  (Airborne Park Speedway photo)

 

 

Teams Preparing for Pit Strategy in Modified Opener at Airborne Park Speedway

Fuel stop may be required in FedEx Ground 100 on Saturday

 

For Immediate Release                                                                                                                                                                                APS-043015-1

 

PLATTSBURGH, NY – Modified stock car racing teams at Airborne Park Speedway are crunching the numbers as the season opener looms on Saturday night,May 2, at 6:00 p.m. For the first time in recent memory, fuel strategy and a mid-race pit stop may come into play for racers in the J&S Steel Modified division during the FedEx Ground 100.

Saturday's feature event for NASCAR Whelen All-American Series presented by Yandow Sales & Service and John Deere will run 100 green-flag laps without a scheduled break. Many past 100-lap races have counted laps run during caution periods as part of the total race distance, thereby extending fuel mileage. Races have also included a "competition caution" break near the halfway mark that would allow teams to refuel and make setup adjustments without losing position; neither will happen on Saturday night.

Race control will allow teams that make pit stops during caution periods ample time to safely refuel, but all cars that stop will be forced to give up their position and rejoin the field at the rear of the running order.

"I know I'm going to have to stop, it's just a matter of when," hometown driver Bucko Branham said. "We'll can adjust the setup, and that can work to your advantage, but it's risky coming back through traffic and passing a lot of cars. It's going to make the race more exciting, that's for sure."

Jason Durgan of Morrisonville, NY said that he knows some teams will try to go the distance without stopping, but that they may be in trouble at the end of the race.

"Caution laps don't count and that burns more fuel," Durgan said. "That alone is enough to make you worry, but you also don't have the luxury of being able to make any changes on the car if you stay out on the track. I'm sure someone is going to roll the dice and go for it."

Saturday is race day all day in Plattsburgh, with a free car show at Lenny's Shoe & Apparel on Tom Miller Road in Plattsburgh from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, followed by the opening FedEx Ground Night event at the Speedway starting at 6:00 p.m. In addition to the J&S Steel Modifieds, championship openers will be held for the Ground Round Late Model, Key R-D Trailer Sales Renegade, and Busch Beer Mini Modified divisions.

Buy-one-get-one-free general admission tickets are available at the gate for just $15 for adults, while all kids age 12 and under will be admitted free.

Airborne Park Speedway is located on Broderick Road in Plattsburgh, NY, one mile south of Exit 36 on the Interstate 87 Northway. Visitwww.airborneparkspeedway.com for more information, or call (518) 647-4444. Airborne Park Speedway is on Facebook at Facebook.com/AirborneParkSpeedway and on Twitter at @AirborneSpeed.

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