2017-07-12

PASS North Championship Rolls To Star For Special Weekday Show

 

-       For Immediate Release

 

NAPLES, ME (July 11) – Closing in on the mid-point of the 2017 season, the Pro All Stars Series (PASS) North Super Late Models head to Star Speedway for a special Thursday night show.  The tight quarter-mile in Epping, NH always poses a tough test and this week's PASS Make-A-Wish 150 should be no different.

The Granite State is home to some of the toughest racers in New England, including Joey Squeglia from nearby Derry.  An occasional racer in PASS North, Squeglia scored his first career series win last year at another New Hampshire track, Lee USA Speedway.  Squeglia hopes he can make it a pair of PASS North wins on Thursday night at Star.

"We had a decent car last week at Lee, we had some luck and were patient with the tires," said Squeglia, driver of the Cairns Equipment/Auto Mart #03.  "Jeremy [Davis] had some misfortune and it handed us the win.  We will have to step up our game for the PASS guys this Thursday night."

In three PASS North starts this season, Squeglia has scored a pair of top 10 finishes. Squeglia hopes a tight points race heading into the Make-A-Wish 150 might take some of the championship contenders focus away and allow him to capitalize for another big win.

            "The PASS North tour is the best and we look forward to racing with them when they come to town and when we head up to Oxford," says Squeglia.  "There are 15 or so teams in the race Thursday night at Star that can win and we hope we are one of them."

The battle for the PASS North championship could not get much better with the top six drivers in the standings separated by less than 70 points.  While Glen Luce leads the points race as he seeks his first PASS North Super Late Model title, four of his five nearest challengers are all former champions, including DJ Shaw, Travis Benjamin, Ben Rowe and Johnny Clark. 

A strong field is expected on Thursday night including Dave Farrington, Jr., Derek Griffith, Derek Ramstrom, Joey Doiron, Tracy Gordon, Brandon Barker, and Kyle Larson's spotter, Derek Kneeland, who will be in town for all the festivities in Loudon coming up this weekend.

While the PASS Make-A-Wish 150 will have the eyes of the New England racing scene on it, that will not be the only big event on Thursday night at Star Speedway.  The action packed 350 Supermodified cars will compete in a 35 lapper, along with the Roadrunners, and Strictly Stocks.

All the action gets under way on Thursday with pit gates opening at 2:30 PM, heat races at 6:30 PM, and feature events to follow.  The complete weekend schedule can be found at ProAllStarsSeries.com.

Entry forms for upcoming PASS Super Late Model action at Star Speedway, Southern National Motorsports Park and Oxford Plains Speedway, along with the 44th Annual Oxford 250 and Mason-Dixon MegaMeltdown 300, can be found at ProAllStarsSeries.com.

Television sponsorship inquiries for MAV TV's coverage of the Oxford 250 can be made by contacting Alan Dietz atalandietzpass@live.com or 704-231-2039.

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 and Mason-Dixon MegaMeltdown 300 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 oralandietzpass@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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Brandt Graham Keeps LOSC Point Lead with a Strong Sauble Showing

Brandt Graham Keeps LOSC Point Lead with a Strong Sauble Showing

By Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media

 

Just a week after sweeping both portions of twin 50 lap features at Flamboro Speedway for his first wins of the 2017 Lucas Oil Sportsman Cup Series season, Brandt Graham and the Graham Racing team returned to action Saturday, July 8th at Sauble Speedway. Getting back to the venue where he captured the 'Boss of the Beach' bonus for scoring back-to-back main event wins on the way to his 2016 championship, the #14 crew was looking for another solid effort.

 

Things started off on a high note, as the team took the pole position in time trials and selected the 5th place starting position in the 'Fast 5' redraw. From the drop of the green flag, the 19 year-old, second-generation speedster from Orono, Ontario settled into a rhythm, before starting to make his march through the field. Graham was picking-off cars one at a time and when he got to the runner-up spot, the caution flag flew. Using the outside line on the restart, the youngster dropped-back a few spots and then mounted a new run for the lead. With about 25 laps on the scoreboard, he took control of the field with a nice pass on the leader; just as another yellow flag waved.

 

"The cautions are a part of the sport," the driver said. "Sometimes they can help your race, while other times they'll hurt you. It seemed like every time we started to catch a break, we had to regroup. My Dad did a good job on the radio to keep me calm and we just took things as they happened. There really wasn't anything else to do."

 

Graham battled hard, but it seemed like every time he'd almost complete the pass, there would be another yellow. With a couple of laps left to go and an exciting finish to come, the #14 and another car got together. Brandt restarted 5th and after a green-white-checkered restart, made it back to 3rd. The second-place finisher beat him to the line by just a couple of inches.

 

"It would be great to win every race, but being in a position to win is just as important," Brandt Graham said. "The team always gives me a great car and no matter what, we'll always do our best to represent our sponsors, fans and friends at every show. We're leading the points, heading into the next race – Saturday, August 12th – at Peterborough Speedway. We have a lot of experience there and it's the closest event to 'home' on the schedule, so I'm looking forward to a great run."

 

Brandt Graham's 2017 Lucas Oil Sportsman Cup Series Schedule

 

Saturday, May 13th:               Flamboro Speedway

Time trialed 3rd, started 4th (after fast 5 redraw). Finished 2nd.

 

Saturday, July 1st:                  Flamboro Speedway

Time trialed 2nd, won both 50 lap segments.

Saturday, July 8th:                  Sauble Speedway

Time trialed 1st, started 5th (after fast 5 redraw). Finished 3rd

 

Saturday, August 12th:          Peterborough Speedway

Saturday, August 19th:           Flamboro Speedway

 

Saturday, September 16th:    Flamboro Speedway

 

Graham Racing is pleased to have sponsorship support from Full Circle Automation, Arcade Pools, J & M Restoration, Hot Rod Swag, Goat Transportation Inc., Mayhew Graphics and DJD Graphics for this year's program.

 

Follow the team behind the scenes and at the track by checking @Graham_Racing on Twitter and the Graham Racing page atwww.facebook.com. Look for www.graham98racing.com, an Image Factor web-site. Clarke Motorsports Communications is proud to support the 2017 season for Graham Racing.


Photo attachment: Graham Racing collection

 

Brandt Graham turned-in another strong performance, finishing 3rd in the Lucas Oil Sportsman Cup Series event – Saturday, July 8th – at Sauble Speedway. The tour returns to action at Peterborough Speedway August 12th.

 

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




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NASCAR Champion Busch, Governor Scott Highlight Talented Vermont Governor’s Cup Field

NASCAR Champion Busch, Governor Scott Highlight Talented Vermont Governor's Cup Field

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                         TR071217-34


<<ATTACHED PHOTO (IMG_7664.JPG): Vermont Governor Phil Scott (#14VT) is expected to be one of the biggest challengers to NASCAR Champion Kyle Busch in the Vermont Governor's Cup this Thursday, July 13. (Alan Ward photo)>>

 

Barre, Vt. – The 38th Vermont Governor's Cup presented by VP Racing Fuels rolls to the line at Barre's Thunder Road this Thursday, July 13.NASCAR Champion Kyle Busch and Vermont Governor Phil Scott are expected to lead a talented field of Late Model racers going for the victory in one of the biggest races of the year on the high banks.

 

Las Vegas, Nevada's Busch will make his first visit to Thunder Road looking to add to a résumé that includes the 2015 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Championship, the 2009 Xfinity Series Championship, and hundreds of race wins on tracks across North America. He would be the first NASCAR driver to emerge victorious in an event that has seen stars such as Tony Stewart, Clint Bowyer, and Ken Schrader in the line-up over the years.

 

One of his biggest challenges may come from Governor Phil Scott. Thunder Road's all-time winningest Late Model driver added to his legacy last Thursday when he became the nation's first sitting governor to triumph in a stock car race. Despite a busy schedule, Scott continues to compete as often as he can at the historic track where he has been racing and winning since 1991, and he plans to go for his first Governor's Cup win this Thursday.

 

"Thunder Road has been a part of the social fabric of central Vermont, and arguably for all of Vermont and the Northeast, for more than 50 years," Scott said. "Racing at Thunder Road has been an important part of my life. I'm glad to have gotten a few races in this year while serving as Governor, and I'm looking forward to competing against NASCAR's Kyle Busch and the entire field at this Thursday's Governor's Cup."

 

Both Busch and Scott will have strong teams at their disposal. Four-time Vermont Governor's Cup winner Nick Sweet is putting the finishing touches on the machine that Busch will pilot out of Eric Chase's Mad Dog Motorsports shop. Scott's car, as it has been all season, will be fielded by Pete Duto's FastOne Motorsports with multi-time Thunder Road Champion Derrick O'Donnell serving as crew chief.

 

All the best Thunder Road weekly racers will also look to add their name to a trophy that includes Northeast racing legends such as Robbie Crouch, Dave Dion, Bobby Dragon, Beaver Dragon, and Joey Kourafas. Former Vermont Governor's Cup winners Scott Dragon of Milton and Cody Blake of Barre could score a second entry in the record books. Multi-time ACT winner Bobby Therrien currently leads the Thunder Road Late Model point standings and would add to his margin with a big win. Top weekly racers such as Jason Corliss, Kyle Pembroke, Trampas Demers, Eric Chase, and Marcel J. Gravel will be on hand as well, while ACT Tour standout Rich Dubeau is among the invaders expected in attendance.

 

The Lenny's Shoe & Apparel Flying Tigers and Allen Lumber Street Stocks will be on the card as well with their own brand of spectacular action. Wolcott's Brendan Moodie has been the man to beat in the Flying Tigers with seven straight top-ten finishes, but Morrisville's Dwayne Lanphear, Waterbury Ctr.'s Jason Woodard and Hardwick's Jaden Perry are all ready to pounce. Hardwick's Will Hennequin leads a tight battle in the Street Stocks with the top six drivers separated by just 13 points.

 

Qualifying for the 38th Vermont Governor's Cup presented by VP Racing Fuels gets underway at 6:30pm on Thursday, July 13. The pit gates open at 2:30pm and the front gates open at 3:30pm. Admission is $20 for adults and free for kids ages 12 and under.

 

For more information, contact the Thunder Road offices at (802) 244-6963, media@thunderroadvt.com, or visit www.thunderroadvt.com.

 

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NASCAR Pinty’s Series Statistical Advance: Toronto


NASCAR Pinty's Series Statistical Advance: Toronto

Analyzing the Grand Prix at Honda Indy Toronto

 

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — The After a successful return to Honda Indy Toronto last season the Pinty's Grand Prix of Toronto is set to be held on the street course located near downtown Toronto for the second straight year. Below is a statistical look at the performance of the series at the road course and selected drivers:

Pinty's Grand Prix of Toronto Setup:
• This is the series' fourth visit overall to the track.
• Andrew Ranger won back-to-back events at Exhibition Place in 2010 and 2011, winning the pole and leading every lap in the inaugural visit for the series. Alex Tagliani edged Ranger in a green-white-checkered finish in the return for the series last season.
• Kevin Lacroix enters this race having won both road-course events so far this season for the series at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park in May and last Saturday at Circuit ICAR.

At Honda Indy Toronto:

History
• This will be the 31st event at Honda Indy Toronto. IndyCar will be competing on Sunday, with the NPS racing on Saturday.
• Ranger and Kerry Micks are the only drivers to finish in the top five in all three previous NPS events in Toronto.
• The event weekend was originally known as the Molson Toronto Indy, the event dates back to 1986 at the site formerly known as Exhibition Place.

Notebook
• Andrew Ranger, Kerry Micks and Peter Klutt are the only drivers to have completed every lap of competition in all three previous events (110).
• Ranger has led 73 of the 110 laps ran in competition in the previous three events at the facility.
• This will also be the 100th career NASCAR Pinty's Series start for Ranger.
• Alex Tagliani gave Chevrolet its first victory at Toronto last year with Dodge winning the first two events at the facility in 2011 and 2011, respectively.

Honda Indy Toronto Data

Race #: 5 of 13
Track Layout: 2.82 kilometers (1.755-mile) 11-turn road course on the streets of Toronto at Exhibition Place
Race Length: 35 laps (61.4 miles/100 kilometers)
Telecast: TSN – Saturday, July 22, 2 p.m. ET; RDS – Aug. 6, 2 p.m. ET

Qualifying/Race Data
2016 Race Winner: Andrew Tagliani, Chevrolet, 63.146 mph, 1 hour, 1 min. 42 secs.
2016 Pole Winner: Andrew Ranger, Dodge, 81.091 mph, 77.912 secs.
Qualifying Record: Jason Bowles, Dodge, 82.801 mph, 76.26 secs., July 9, 2011

Active Category Leaders at Honda Indy Toronto:

Wins
1. Andrew Ranger … 2
2. Alex Tagliani … 1

Poles
1. Andrew Ranger … 2

Top Fives
1. Andrew Ranger … 3
Kerry Micks … 3
3. DJ Kennington … 2

Top 10s
1. Andrew Ranger … 3
2. Kerry Micks … 3
3. Peter Klutt … 3

Laps Led
1. Andrew Ranger … 73
2. Alex Tagliani … 13

Laps Completed
1. Andrew Ranger … 110 (all)
2. Peter Klutt … 110
3. Kerry Micks … 110

Starts
1. 10 drivers … 3 (all)

Select Driver Highlights:

J.F. Dumoulin (No. 04 Spectra Premium/Bernier/BellemareDodge)
• Has five top-five and 23 top 10s in 40 career NPS starts.
• 2017 will mark the second season J.F. will compete full-time in the series. He competed in all 11 events in 2015 in his best season to date finishing the year with four top-five and seven top-10 finishes.
• Has made two starts at Toronto finishing 10th last season for his best finish to date on the road course.

L.P. Dumoulin (No. 47 WeatherTech Canada/Bellemare Dodge)
• The 2014 NPS Champion and 2011 Rookie of the Year has four wins, one pole, 32 top fives and 48 top 10s in 75 career starts.
• Enters this week fourth in the season standings with two top-five and three top-10s finishes this season.
• Has an average finish of 10th at Toronto with his best finish in three starts of fourth in this race last year.

Larry Jackson (No. 25 Wonder/Dunright Foam Inc/CBRT/B&B Decals Dodge)
• He has one top five and 8 top 10s in 43 career starts.
• Finished 24th in his lone start at Toronto last season after he suffered mechanical issues 10 laps in the race.
• He scored his lone top-five finish at Sunset Speedway in 2016.

D.J. Kennington (No. 17 Castrol Edge Dodge)
• The 2010 and 2012 NPS champion maintains series records for top fives (79) and top 10s (104), and is the only driver to start each of the 125 all-time events.
• Ranks second in series history in wins (19), laps led (2,938) and ranks fifth in poles (11).
• Sits seventh in points after four races with two top-five and three top-10 finishes so far this season.
• In the three races at Toronto he's finished third, fifth and 25th last year.

Gary Klutt (No. 59 Pioneer Family Pools/PoolSuppliesCanada.ca Dodge)
• Has a win, two poles and 19 top 10s in 30 career NPS starts. He won the pole and his lone win in the 2015 season-opener at CTMP. His other pole came at Sunset Speedway also in 2015.
• Finished sixth last year on his only previous start at Toronto.
• Will compete against his brother Ryan this weekend in the Pinty's Grand Prix of Toronto.

Alex Labbé (No. 32 Cam-Am/Kappa/Cyclops Gear/Lou's BBQ Ford)
• Has two wins (First came at Chaudière – 2016) with five poles, 14 top fives and 20 top 10s in 31 career starts.
• Scored his second NPS race win race in the series' return to Delaware Speedway.
• Labbé sits second the points standings five points behind leader Kevin Lacroix.
• He qualified sixth and finished 12th in his lone start on the street course at Toronto last season.

Kevin Lacroix (No. 74 Bumper To Bumper/Gates/Go Fast Dodge)
• Has three poles, six wins, 10 top-five and 14 top-10 finishes in 22 career starts.
• Only driver to recorded two wins in seven starts during his rookie season in 2015. Won road races at Circuit ICAR and Circuit de Trois-Rivieres.
• Won from the pole at CTMP in last month's season opener and enters this race as the most recent winner in the series taking his second career win at Circuit ICAR last weekend. He also retook the points lead by five points (174-169) over Alex Labbé with the win.
• Qualified fourth and finished third last season in his only start to date at Toronto.

Cayden Lapcevich (No. 76 APC/Fastline Motorsports Dodge)
• The defending NPS champion has four wins, 12 top-five, 17 top-10 and one pole in 22 career starts.
• Became the youngest champion in the history of the NPS last season at 16 years, 10 months and 16 days. He also became the youngest race winner in the history of the series with his victory at Wyant Group Raceway last July.
• Recently named a member of the NASCAR Next class highlighting young and up-and-coming talent within NASCAR.
• Finished eighth in his first career start at Toronto last year.

Andrew Ranger (No. 27 Mopar/Pennzoil Dodge)
• The 2007 and 2009 champion is the series' all-time leader in wins at 22 and holds the record for the poles with 20. Has 55 top fives and 82 top 10s in 99 career starts.
• Finished second in last year's final season standings.
• Won the first two NPS events at Toronto in 2010 and 2011 and finished second in last year's race.
• Currently holds the series' record for consecutive wins at a track with three (ICAR, 2012-14; Trois-Rivieres, 2008-10).
• If he wins this Saturday, the street course in Toronto would be the fifth road course that Ranger has won three or more races on during his NPS career.

Alex Tagliani (No. 18 Lowes Canada/EpiPen/St.Hubert Chevrolet)
• Has five wins, eight poles and 19 top fives, 31 top 10s in 49 career NPS starts.
• Four of his five wins at have come on the ovals (Sunset Speedway 2015-16 and Edmonton 2008 & 2016). His lone road course win came last season in Toronto.
• This will be his 50th career series start on Saturday.

Other Driver Notes
• Marc-Antoine Camirand will try and stay on a hot streak starting his second consecutive series race after finishing third last weekend at ICAR. It was his seventh career top-five finish in 20 starts and first since 2015.
• Adam Martin finished 17th at Toronto last year in his only start at the track.

Up To Speed:
• The 2017 season is the second for series sponsor Pinty's and the 11th overall for the Canadian-based NASCAR division.
• The 2017 schedule features 13 races at 12 different tracks across five provinces and featured a return to Delaware Speedway for the first time since 2013 earlier this season.
• Quebec native Kevin Lacroix won from the pole at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park in May for his third career series win.
• Alex Labbé made Quebec drivers two-for-two this season after he won the CHOKO/Fast Eddie 250 at Delaware Speedway for his second career series victory.
• Defending series champion and current NASCAR Next member Cayden Lapcevich took the lead late from Alex Labbé to score his first win of the season at Autodrome Chaudière.
• Kevin Lacroix used some muscle to make the pass in NASCAR overtime to score his second win of the season and second at Circuit ICAR. He won there during his rookie season in 2015. 

Contact:
Jason Christley
NASCAR Integrated Marketing Communications


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