2012-04-10

Kyle Grissom earns first PASS super late model win at Hickory

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PASS-South

www.proallstarsseries.com

Chris Ragle

Charlotte, NC 4/9/12- It’s no secret that Kyle Grissom has had success throughout the late model stock car ranks, but just because one has that success doesn’t mean it automatically transfers to the super late model ranks as many have found out. Kyle Grissom, however; wasted no time to making his presence known to the super late model world by winning the PASS South Easter Bunny 150 Saturday night at the Hickory Motor Speedway in Hickory, North Carolina.

Grissom, son of 1993 NASCAR Nationwide Series Champion Steve Grissom, was able to fend off challenges from several different drivers on multiple occasions before pulling away for the win in the final ten laps. The PASS South  newcomer set fast time in qualifying before leading on five different occasions for a total of 101 laps behind the wheel of his #31 Harrison’s Workwear Chevy Impala enroute to his first series win.

 

“None of us expected to win this quick in the PASS South Series, especially at a race like the Easter Bunny, but Greg Marlowe built us an awesome racecar that was hooked up all night long. I had such good forward bite through the center of the turns that I was able to just focus on saving my right rear tire,” said Grissom in victory lane. “I had a lot of fun racing against Andy (Loden) and everyone else that we raced against there at the end for the win because it was just good clean racing. That’s why there’s so many people here tonight in the grandstands at Hickory to watch this race; they know they are going to see some good racing when the PASS series comes to town. A huge thanks goes out to Marlowe Chassis, Harrison’s Workwear, and RE Suspensions for this one. Hopefully we can do it again in two weeks at Orange County.”

Early on in the 150 lap event it was several familiar names in the form of Ryan Blaney and Andy Loden that took turns leading due to top ten qualifying efforts before succumbing to Grissom’s #31 machine. The starting field stayed tight all night long as thirty of the thirty-two car starting field was still on track at the event’s halfway point, before a string of cautions for minor incidents ended a few drivers nights just past lap seventy-five.

Just as the event was heading into the final stretch, series points leader Preston Peltier, experienced a problem that sent him fading through the field. The mechanical issue quickly turned into a bigger issue for the former series champion when his #26 Sig’s Tire Center Chevy Impala got collected in a three car incident ending his night early. The final caution of the night set up a twenty-five lap sprint to the finish when two former Easter Bunny 150 race winners, Ben Rowe and Ryan Lawler, tangled in turn four battling for the sixth position.

Brad Keselowski Racing development driver Landon Cling finished a career best second after having to race his way into the feature event through one of two last chance races for non qualified drivers after time trials. Cling, who is contending for the series championship in 2012, methodically made his way through the field picking off cars one at a time before edging third place finisher Trey Mitchell and PASS North Series regular Cassius Clark for the position on the white flag lap.

 

Mitchell, making his first series start of 2012, and Clark, driving for southern series car owner Dick Woodman, put on a show for the fans to remember that packed the house at the Hickory Motor Speedway. The two drivers raced nose-to-tail and side-by-side throughout the second half of the event before settling for their above stated positions. Last year’s Orange Blossom Special 125 winner at the Orange County Speedway, Roger Lee Newton rounded out the top five.

Next race for the PASS South Series “Bad Boys with the Bad Fast Toys” is the Orange Blossom Special 150 at the Orange County Speedway in Rougemont, North Carolina on Saturday April 21st. For more information on this race and the rest of the PASS South Series schedule in 2012 visit www.proallstarsseries.com.

PASS South Easter Bunny 150

Hickory Motor Speedway-Hickory, NC

Results

1) #31 Kyle Grissom 2) #29 Landon Cling 3) #47 Trey Mitchell 4) #8 Cassius Clark5) #33 Roger Lee Newton

6) #25 Ross Kenseth 7) #12 Jared Marks 8) #22 Kyle Bonsignore 9) #74 Ryan Lawler 10) #4 Jay Fogleman

11) #4n Ben Rowe 12) #19 Nate Caruth 13) #02 Tim Nooner 14) #62 Brandon Ward 15) #48 John Batten

16) #101 Trevor Sanborn 17) #76 Jerick Johnson 18) #98 Ryan Blaney 19) #66 Steve Wallace 20) #2 Gray Gaulding

21) # 88 Kyle Dessouza 22) #89 David Latour Jr. 23) #29L Andy Loden 24) #2n Matt Matheson 25) #41 Wes Burton

26) #26 Preston Peltier 27) #81 Craig Goess Jr. 28) #26c Tyler Church 29) #11 Mark Gibson 30) #71 Jimmy Doyle

31) #12c Garrett Campbell 32) #80 Dustin Hubbard

 


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2012-04-09

Ryan Kimball Kicks Kawartha Speedway Plans into High Gear

By Jim Clarke, Kawartha Speedway PR/Clarke Motorsports Communications

 

It hasn’t come to the extreme of tearing apart couch cushions or collecting empty bottles, but Ryan Kimball is looking for change.  After enduring a few frustrating seasons running an older chassis in Kawartha Speedway’s NAPA Auto Parts ACT Late Model division, the Norwood, Ontario racer will head into the 2012 campaign at the controls of new McColl Racing Enterprises machine.  Making the change to an updated piece is more than just jumping behind the wheel and taking the green flag.  There are long hours in the shop before getting to that point.

 

Kimball’s fresh ride has already been assembled and then taken apart to have some of the components powder coated.  The frame, cage and related components now need to be prepped for Kawartha’s season opener Friday, June 1st.  The driver and crew member Graham Annis are burning the midnight oil putting the finishing touches on the car, including adding the engine and transmission from last year’s 8th place finisher, securing the body panels and designing this year’s graphics package.  Kimball says he’d be lost without help he’s received from Annis.

 

“Graham’s been involved with racing for many years and has helped a number of different drivers along the way,” said Kimball.  “The full-time fabricator and welder at Kerr Industries in Oshawa has been making the hour long trip from Newcastle to our shop a few times a week.  When we get everything finished, we’ll probably have spent about a thousand hours working behind the scenes...and that’s before we get to turn a lap on the track.”

 

With top 10 point finishes in each of his 4 seasons in Kawartha’s headline division, the 2010 most improved driver award to his credit and the confidence boost of a 100 lap late model win last year at Sunset Speedway, Kimball is still chasing an elusive main event checkered flag at his hometown track.  While he can do some of the maintenance on the car, Kimball’s time to shine happens behind the wheel and with new equipment at his disposal; the 28 year-old employee of Black and MacDonald says he hopes this could be a breakthrough season.

 

“After winning the thunder car crown in 2002, I know what it takes to succeed and earning one championship just makes you hungry for another.  Capturing the late model title at the Fraserville facility means a guaranteed starting spot for the American Canadian Tour invitational at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in September,” said Kimball.  “Dan (McHattie) has been there for the last 3 years and while I have a ton of respect for everything he’s done and the information he has shown for all of the late model runners over the years, it might just be time for a changing of the guard.”

 

Racing success – even at the short track level – doesn’t come without a price.  Ryan Kimball figures it costs about $1,000 a night to field a competitive team and for the new season, he’s added support from Adam Simmonds of Flat Rate Realty and Johnny on the Spot to compliment the backing he’s received from long-time sponsors Larry Crowe at Trail’s End, E. Carter Concrete, Archer Trucking, Mayhew Graphics, Benson Auto Parts, Heather Wiebe Photography and Reaction Sportswear.  Behind the scenes, help from his father Bill along with crew members, family and friends Brent, Steve, Tim, Nate, Krystal, Jen and Markis will keep the #16 car on the track.

 

Kimball says this year’s car will also feature a tribute to honour the memory of Mike Johnson, a freelance videographer from Lindsay, Ontario who was a Kawartha Speedway fixture for a number of years and a strong promoter of local stock car racing.  Johnson passed away in December of 2011.

 

Kawartha klips:  Kawartha Speedway’s 2012 race action gets started with an open practice Friday, May 25th.  The first night for track points is Friday, June 1st.  Fans can see the complete schedule and the latest off-season news anytime at www.kawarthaspeedway.com.

 

Photo attachment:  Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications

Norwood, Ontario’s Ryan Kimball will enter Kawartha Speedway’s 2012 NAPA Auto Parts ACT Late Model action with a brand new McColl Racing Enterprises chassis.

 

Prepared by:  Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications

 

 


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Coca-Cola to Present Independence Day Racing and Fireworks at Devil's Bowl Speedway


For Immediate Release                                                                     DBS-040912-1

WEST HAVEN, VT -- Coca-Cola, Devil’s Bowl Speedway, and stock car racing fans in the Champlain Valley will celebrate their independence in style on Wednesday, July 4 at the first annual Coca-Cola Firecracker Twin 44s.  The event is scheduled to be the only stock car race held in the area on the Independence Day holiday and will include a pair of special feature races and a massive fireworks display.


Coca-Cola will host extra-distance 44-lap races for both the Bond Auto Parts Modified and Late Model divisions at the event, along with championship races for the Renegade and Bomber divisions as part of the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series program.  The event will begin at a special 5:00pm twilight start and will conclude with a festive fireworks show.
As part of its long-term partnership agreement, Coca-Cola will be the Official Soft Drink of Devil’s Bowl Speedway through the 2016 racing season.  Coca-Cola will be served in Devil’s Bowl Speedway’s concession areas at each event, along with top brands including Diet Coke, Sprite, Dr. Pepper, Fanta, and NOS Energy Drink.
“Coca-Cola is thrilled to be celebrating a true American holiday with our partner Devil’s Bowl Speedway this year,” said Jerry Jokinen, Market Development Manager.  “Coca-Cola’s unique twilight race and fireworks display is a refreshing way for NASCAR racing fans to enjoy the Fourth of July, while sharing moments of happiness with their favorite brand.”
Devil’s Bowl Speedway opens its 46th season of stock car racing on Sunday, May 6 at 1:30pm with the prestigious Spring Green 112 for the American-Canadian Tour Late Models and the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series.  General admission is $18 for adults, $15 for seniors (62+), and free for children 12 and under; season passes are also available.  For more information, visit www.devilsbowlspeedwayvt.com or call (802) 265-3112.
-30-


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LE CHAMPIONNAT DE KARTING DE L'EST CANADIEN...

Communiqué de presse                          Pour diffusion immédiate

De nouvelles pistes, une nouvelle série
et beaucoup d'action attendue en vue de la saison 2012 !

Montréal (Québec), le 9 avril 2012.– Alors que la neige a fait place au gazon et à la floraison printanière, l'arrivée de la belle saison redonne un élan à tous les pilotes canadiens de karting. Avec le lancement imminent de la saison 2012, les pilotes et leurs équipes ont débuté leur préparation en vue des premières épreuves. Pour les organisateurs de la série, les choses ont commencé depuis un bon moment en vue de cette saison du Championnat de karting de l'Est canadien, puisque le calendrier officiel de course avait été annoncé dès janvier. Pour cette troisième année d'activités de la série, de nouvelles pistes, équipes et partenaires se joignent à la série afin d'en faire le meilleur dans le monde du karting canadien.


« Je suis très enthousiaste à l'idée de débuter mon deuxième mandat comme directeur de la série » indique Louis-Philippe Gelinas. « De faire partie du meilleur championnat de karting et travailler avec des personnes exceptionnelles qui se consacrent entièrement au sport est une occasion unique, et le meilleur moyen d'obtenir la reconnaissance internationale.»

À moins de deux mois de l'ouverture de la saison en Ontario au Goodwood Kartways, le championnat de l'Est canadien se promet d'être exceptionnel. Deux nouveaux sites de course font leur entrée au calendrier cette année, tous deux au Québec. Un programme double aura ainsi lieu au Circuit ICAR, un tracé d'un kilomètre, imaginé à l'origine avec la collaboration du champion du monde de Formule 1 1997, Jacques Villeneuve. Après Goodwood et ICAR, la série se produira sur le tracé international de karting de Mosport en juin avant le rendez-vous final qui prendra d'assaut les rues de Trois-Rivières pour le prestigieux et fascinant événement "Petit Monaco", tracé dans le parc de l'exposition, en prélude au Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières. Connu pour attirer plus de 25 000 spectateurs et pour sa télédiffusion sur RDS, l'événement sera à coup sûr une finale 2012 des plus passionnantes. « Mon but est d'offrir aux concurrents les meilleurs événements de karting, en terme d'organisation et lieux de rendez-vous ! ICAR possède de magnifiques installations et la piste est unique ! De plus, le nouvel emplacement pour le "Petit Monaco" sur le site du GP3R offre la possibilité aux pilotes de se produire devant des milliers de spectateurs. Soyez assuré que ce sera de l'excellent spectacle, nous invitons les spectateurs à venir nombreux, ils ne seront pas déçus » mentionne Louis-Philippe Gélinas.

Comme première série canadienne de karting, le Championnat de karting de l'Est canadien accueillera plusieurs nouvelles équipes en 2012. La compétition sera féroce d'autant que les récompenses seront grandes avec notamment des places en finale du Challenge international Rotax Max. Un autre intérêt pour les équipes et les pilotes est la création d'un championnat des manufacturiers, en plus de multiples prix et récompenses pour les pilotes. Un nouveau système de points de Rotax sera également mis en place, ajoutant au prestige de la série Rotax Max qui verra quatre pilotes se voir invités à prendre part aux finales mondiales des séries Rotax (RMCGF).

Le double champion du monde en Rotax DD2 Pier-Luc Ouellette remettra son titre de champion de l'Est canadien acquis en 2011 en jeu. Il visera un nouveau titre dans l'espoir de défendre à nouveau les couleurs d'Équipe Canada au championnat du monde (RMCGF). Ouellette est l'un des pilotes qui place la barre haut cette saison encore, désireux de poursuivre sa domination face aux meilleurs pilotes du  Canada, de l'Amérique du Nord et du monde.

Plusieurs commanditaires traditionnels ainsi que des nouveaux, ont confirmé leur présence.  Par ailleurs, le Championnat de karting de l'Est canadien a le plaisir d'annoncer le lancement d'un championnat Briggs & Stratton, pour catégorie de moteurs 4-Temps, qui sera à l'horaire de chacun des rendez-vous. Ce championnat comprendra les catégories Junior, Sénior et Master. Cette nouvelle série est rendue possible grâce à la collaboration de Paul Cooke d'ASN Canada et de David Klaus de Briggs & Stratton. La popularité croissante du karting a permis aux organisateurs de la série de mettre en place ces différents championnats. Toutes les classes de Briggs & Stratton utiliseront des pneus Bridgestone.

« Ce championnat national sanctionné par ASN Canada FIA débutera à Goodwood Kartways, qui a plus ancienne piste en activité (sans interruption) au Canada » fait remarquer Paul Cooke, directeur de la commission karting de l'Autorité Sportive Nationale (ASN), qui ajoute : « le championnat de karting de l'Est canadien s'est établi au fil du temps comme la référence, de l'Est du Manitoba aux rives de l'Océan atlantique. Le championnat offre le meilleur pour les concurrents disposant de machines à moteur Rotax et maintenant aussi Briggs & Stratton. Cette saison, la série verra le meilleur du karting lors des événements en Ontario et au Québec

« À l'issue de cette saison 2012, il y aura quatre de nos pilotes de Rotax qui s'en iront disputer la finale mondiale au Portugal en novembre » ajoute Cooke. « Qui seront-ils ? C'est là l'un des intérêts majeurs de cette saison 2012 qui va débuter ! » conclut-il.

Le championnat de karting de l'Est canadien est sanctionné par ASN Canada FIA et regroupe quatre séries dans un calendrier de six  épreuves, en Ontario et au Québec. Ce championnat, qui en est maintenant à sa troisième année, débutera sa sison 2012 par un programme double au Goodwood Kartways à Stouffville en Ontario, les 26-27 mai. Le circuit ICAR à Mirabel accueillera la troisième course, le 17 juin. Elle sera suivie du deuxième programme double de la saison, sur le Mosport Karting International (près de Bowmanville, Ontario), les 30 juin et 1er juillet. La série conclura sa saison dans le cadre du "Petit Monaco" de Trois-Rivières, le 29 juillet.

Le championnat de Karting de l'Est canadien consacrera des champions dans les classes Rotax Max  Junior, Senior, Master et DD2, en plus d'un champion national 4-Temps Briggs & Stratton. Pour plus d'informations sur le championnat de karting de l'Est canadien, visitez le site eckc.ca.

- FIN -

Contact :Louis-Philippe Gélinas, lpgelinas@eckc.ca


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PSL Karting annonce la tenue d'une école de karting de deux jours avec le champion du monde Pier-Luc Ouellette

Communiqué de presse                                        Pour diffusion immédiate

 

 

École de PSL Karting les 21 et 22 avril...

 

Trois-Rivières, Québec, le 6 avril 2012.– Êtes-vous le prochain champion du monde ? PSL Karting invite les pilotes à venir le découvrir, en présence de l'un des plus grands pilotes de karting, le double champion du monde Rotax DD2 Pier-Luc Ouellette, qui donnera une école de pilotage de karting pour PSL Montréal, les 21 et 22 avril prochain au Circuit ICAR à Mirabel.

 

L'an dernier, le programme de diplômes offerts par PSL Karting a connu un vif succès. Cette année, la réputée structure de karting propose une école de deux jours afin d'apprendre la base et les rudiments essentiels au karting enseignés par l'un des meilleurs pilotes du monde, rien de moins ! Pier-Luc Ouellette a remporté deux fois le championnat du monde (2007 et 2011) et une fois le titre de vice-champion (2008) en Challenge Rotax Max DD2. Il était aussi en 2011 champion en titre de l'Est du Canada et champion national canadien, toujours en DD2.

 

Ouellette possède de vastes connaissances du karting et son expérience au niveau mondial, en plus de sa détermination à réussir, en font une référence inestimable à l'école de course PSL Karting, qui peut ainsi en faire profiter d'autres pilotes.

 

Cette école d'une durée de deux jours rencontre les critères de l'ASN (Autorité Sportive Nationale), en ce qui à trait à la sécurité, les drapeaux, règles et codes à respecter en sport automobile, le tout complété par un examen écrit. Sont également inclus dans le cours, les procédures de l'ASN concernant les événements : spécificités des pistes, procédures de grille de départ d'une course, règles de pré et post inspection technique et règles de départ. le tout combiné à une évaluation du pilote en piste, qui doit accomplir des tours en dedans de la règle des 105% du meilleur, ce cours permet à tous les participants de bien maîtriser tous les aspects afin d'obtenir leur diplôme.

 

Pier-Luc Ouellette couvrira aussi la préparation physique et mentale d'un pilote, l'apprentissage d'une piste, les zones de freinage et leurs limites, l'accélération, la géométrie des karts, leur préparation, les petits conseils pour gagner en vitesse, ainsi que les tactiques de qualification, de course et les dépassements. Avec tous ces conseils et boni venant de l'expérience directe enseignée par un double champion du monde, l'école PSL Karting donne les moyens à ses élèves de devenir des pilotes de premier plan !

 

Les techniciens de PSL Karting seront également sur place pour expliquer et conseiller les élèves pilotes sur différents aspects mécaniques comme les réglages du châssis, de l'embrayage, de la carburation, des dimensions des machines, l'acquisition de données et plus encore...

 

Cette école de pilotage très pratique et très complète coûte 395$ pour les pilotes disposant de leur propre kart. Le coût est de 895$ pour utilisation de machines et équipement de PSL Karting.

 

Réservez dès maintenant votre place en contactant PSL Montréal ! Et si vous désirez en apprendre davantage sur le représentant mondial numéro 1 de la marque CRG, le service des ventes et des pièces, les opportunités de course "clé en main", les moteurs PSL ou toute information pour distribuer les produits de PSL Karting, visitez le site www.pslkarting.com.

 

- FIN -

 

Contact et inscriptions :
Louis-Philippe Gélinas, PSL Karting

Tél.: 514-641-5278

 

 

 


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2012-04-08

FAMILY MATTERS: Crazy Horse Racing Off To Big Start

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – 4.6.12
For more information visit
http://www.crazyhorseracingparts.com or E-Mail GWCNewEngland@gmail.com
Great Run at Waterford Speedbowl Sign of Things to Come in 2012
SOUTH PARIS, Maine – It's still early on a Saturday night, at least by stock car racing's standards, when Mitch Green's cell phone rings.
The first thing I'm thinking is, 'Uh-oh. This can't be good,'” Green recalls. “Usually when you get that call so soon, something must have gone wrong.”


Green bids a hello to the voice on the other end and then tentatively asks how things have gone at a race track on the other side of New England. He is pleased when Jeff Marshall, a competitor in the weekly Late Model division at Riverside Speedway in Groveton, N.H., fills him in on some good news.
We won!” Marshall tells Green, and Green is already smiling.
From that night on, Marshall never tried another trick with his stock car – riding Green's advice and a setup provided by Crazy Horse Racing to the 2011 Riverside Speedway track championship.
Those are the things that I enjoy most about being in this business,” said Green, who took over Crazy Horse Racing in 2008 – combining the chassis builder known as Race Basics with his own race car parts business. What competitors have enjoyed the most is Crazy Horse Racing's reputation for success on short tracks across the northeastern United States and eastern Canada.
In four short years, Crazy Horse Racing teams have won dozens of feature races and ACT Late Model Tour main events. In a relatively short period of time, the former schoolteacher, his wife, Judy, and his son, Mickey, have made Crazy Horse Racing into a name synonymous with success.
Last weekend during Waterford (Conn.) Speedbowl's traditional opening day for New England short-track racing, Crazy Horse Racing teams claimed six of the Top-9 finishing positions in a 50-lap Late Model event, including race winner Keith Rocco for car owner Scott Fearn. The day also featured the debut of the 2012 Crazy Horse chassis, one driven by Travis Stearns.
The reason that we have good-going cars is because we have a lot of great drivers and teams,” Green said. “Because of their outcomes, they propel our business. When Judy and I got into this, we did it because we love the sport. Our enthusiasm sets us apart. We're not in this for the money... We put in ungodly hours – but if you love what you do, you never work a day in your life.”
Certainly, Crazy Horse's customers don't feel as though they're part of a business transaction. As important as performance is a commitment to helping its teams both find and maintain success.
No matter where they're competing.
We've got 40-50 cars across the U.S. and Canada, and every one of those guys has my cell phone number and Mickey's cell phone number. So, they know we're accessible,” Green said. “If they have an issue or a concern, they know they can feel free to call anytime they need to.
Our philosophy on that is that the Wednesday night four-cylinder guys at Oxford (Plains Speedway) are just as important to us as the (ACT Tour) cars we setup for Loudon. The guy sitting in that seat, it's just as important to him as it is for the guy running at New Hampshire. Sure, they walk in and they know we build Late Models here, but they also walk in and they know that they are every bit as important to us.
It has to be that way.”
Crazy Horse Racing is located in South Paris, but its reach extends far beyond nearby Oxford Plains Speedway. Welch won the 2011 track championship at White Mountain Motorsports Park – one of the highlights of Green's tenure as a chassis builder – while Marshall and Aaron Fellows (Canaan Fair Speedway) also won track titles.
But, as Stearns rolling out a new car illustrated over the weekend, there is no resting on the laurels of previous wins or championships.
Competition is the best thing that there is to improve your product,” Green said. “Never say you're the best, because it will turn around and bite you. While you're sitting around high-fiving, the other guys are going by you.”
Not in this case they're not.
###
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14th ANNUAL MERCHANTS BANK 150 OPENS THUNDER ROAD SEASON

                                    

                       
BARRE’S NICK SWEET LOOKS FOR THREE IN A ROW

For Immediate Release                                   TR – 040612-18

Attached Photos:
pic1.jpg: Nick Sweet celebrates his second straight Merchants Bank 150 win in 2011. (Photo by Eric LaFleche)
pic2.jpg: Brian Hoar (37VT) wins the 2011 Milk Bowl with Nick Sweet (88VT) following him to the line in the closest finish in Milk Bowl history. (Photo by Eric LaFleche)

            Barre, VT – The ‘Nation’s Site of Excitement’, Thunder Road Int’l Speedbowl will open for the 53rd year of stock car racing with the traditional Merchants Bank 150 on Sunday, April 29, 2012. There has been over $30,000.00 in purse and prize money posted for the event, with the winner receiving $3,000.00 for the 150 lap contest. Defending event champion Nick Sweet from Barre, VT has an opportunity to become the first driver to win three in a row. The St J Auto team has back-to-back wins in 2010 and 2011 already in the record books.

“The opening Merchants Bank 150 has become really special for our family team. I was born and raised in Barre, I live and work in Barre, and winning at Thunder Road in front of a home town crowd is about as good as it gets in racing for us,” said Sweet.

Sweet has three ACT US career wins; all have come at Thunder Road. “We have been lucky to finish second at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and second in the Oxford 250--that was unbelievable--but winning at home is, well, there really is nothing like it. I know how tough it is to race with Phil (Scott, three-time Thunder Road Champion), Dave Pembroke (defending Thunder Road Champion) and Cris Michaud (another three-time Champion) every week at the ‘Road. When you add in the ACT US teams….it really sets the bar high. We will sure give it our best effort to win our third one,” concluded Sweet.

The field for this year’s Merchants Bank race is expected to have an exceptionally competitive entry list. Besides the regular Thunder Road teams, the best of the ACT drivers have entered the event. Brian Hoar, an (8) eight-time ACT champion who has won just about every major race on the Tour during his career will look for his first-ever Merchants Bank win.

“I have won a championship title at Thunder Road, I won another Milk Bowl there at the end of last year, it really bugs me that I have not been able to win a Merchants Bank 150 opener. Rick (Paya, owner of RPM racing for whom Hoar drives) and I have talked about how much we would like to add that race to our win list. Unfortunately, there are about a dozen Thunder Road regular teams, and probably that many tour teams, that can make winning any race at Thunder Road a pretty lofty goal to achieve. I do like the idea that, for the first time, we can make a tire change during the race this year. I think it might prove to be a good strategy move, and it should make the race more interesting for the fans,” said Hoar.

Thunder Road will open its doors for the 53rd season on Saturday, April 28, 2012 for the annual car show. With the major construction in downtown Barre, the 2012 car show will be held in the Thunder Road pits from 10am-12am. Admission is free to the public. The pit stop contest will take place at 11:00am. Practice for all divisions will take place from 1-5 pm on Saturday.

Gates open for the 14th Merchants Bank 150 at 10 am on Sunday April 29, 2012. Post time is set for 1:00 pm. Admission is: Adult $20.00, Children 12 and under are free.

For additional information contact the ACT office at 802.244.6963, www.acttour.com; media@acttour.com
                                         

                                                                        -30-


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PRO ALL STARS SERIES NEWS: QUICK RESULTS - PASS SOUTH/NATIONAL EASTER BUNNY 150

  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  

Newton NC (4/7) -  Kyle Grissom fought off multiple challenges from several different drivers to earn his first career super late model win in the PASS South/PASS National  Easter Bunny 150 at the Hickory (NC) Motor Speedway. Grissom was able to pull away in the final five laps from Brad Keselowski Racing development driver Landon Cling, who finish a career best second, and Texas native Trey Mitchell in third. Cassius Clark was the best finishing PASS North driver in fourth with Roger Lee Newton rounding out your top five. Current PASS South Series points leader heading into the Easter Bunny 150, Preston Peltier finished 26th after getting caught up in an accident early on.  


Unnofficial Results: PASS South/National Easter Bunny 150 - Hickory Motor Speedway - Newton NC - 4/7/2012 

1) #31 Kyle Grissom 2) #29 Landon Cling 3) #47 Trey Mitchell 4) #8 Cassius Clark 5) #33 Roger Lee Newton 6) #25 Ross Kenseth 7) #12 Jared Marks 8) #22 Kyle Bonsignore 9) #74 Ryan Lawler 10) #4 Jay Fogleman 11) #4n Ben Rowe 12) #19 Nate Caruth 13) #02 Tim Nooner 14) #62 Brandon Ward 15) #48 John Batten 16) #101 Trevor Sanborn 17) #76 Jerick Johnson 18) #98 Ryan Blaney 19) #66 Steve Wallace 20) #2 Gray Gaulding 21) # 88 Kyle DeSsouza 22) #89 David Latour Jr. 23) #29L Andy Loden 24) #2n Matt Matheson 25) #41 Wes Burton 26) #26 Preston Peltier 27) #81 Craig Goess Jr. 28) #26c Tyler Church 29) #11 Mark Gibson 30) #71 Jimmy Doyle 31) #12c Garrett Campbell 32) #80 Dustin Hubbard


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