2016-02-02

Sold-Out Crowd Celebrates at Devil’s Bowl Speedway Banquet of Champions

Sold-Out Crowd Celebrates at Devil's Bowl Speedway Banquet of Champions

White, Eddy honored with John Bruno Award; eight track champions crowned

 

For Immediate Release                                                                                                                                                                                 DBS-013116-1

 

RUTLAND, Vt. – A sold-out crowd of more than 370 stock car drivers, team members, race officials, sponsors, and media put the cap on the 2015 Devil's Bowl Speedway racing season on Saturday, January 30 at the track's annual Banquet of Champions.  The event was hosted by the Holiday Inn Rutland-Killington in Rutland, Vt., and officially crowned the season champions in eight different divisions at the West Haven, Vt., speed plant.

Several special annual awards were also presented, including the track's highest honor, the John Bruno Award.  The trophy was shared by Debbie Eddy of Fair Haven, Vt., and posthumously by her longtime partner, Ron White, in recognition of their significant lifetime contributions to racing while maintaining high standards of conduct and respect on and off the track.

The couple has fielded winning Modifieds for drivers including Harry Peek, Ray Hoard, and most recently Ron Proctor.  Proctor drove the team's car to a 100-lap victory on May 9, just four days before the unexpected passing of the well-liked Ron White.  Ms. Eddy, upon accepting the award, received an extended standing ovation.

Brandon, Vt., veteran Vince Quenneville Jr. collected his first championship on the asphalt half-mile in the Bond Auto Parts Modified division of the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series presented by Yandow Sales & Service and John Deere.  Quenneville's five-win season was enough to edge Proctor for the title while Greg Atkins, the late Leon Gonyo, and Billy Lussier completed the top five.

Tribute was also paid to veteran driver Gonyo, of Chazy, N.Y., who passed away suddenly on September 19, moments after winning the final asphalt Modified race of the season.  Matt Gonyo accepted his father's fourth-place trophy with a moving speech, and he, too, received a lengthy standing ovation.

Other asphalt track champions included Josh Masterson of Bristol, Vt., in the Central Vermont Motorcycles Late Models; Robert Gordon of Milton, Vt., in the Brileya's Chrysler-Jeep Renegades; and Chris LaVair of Gabriels, N.Y., in the Portland Glass Mini Stocks. Masterson and LaVair were each their first-time champs in their respective divisions, while Gordon's title was his third in four years. Rookie of the Year titles went to Bob Kilburn of Fair Haven, Vt., (Modified), Richard Lowrey III of Charlotte, Vt., (Late Model), Matt Monaghan of Colchester, Vt., (Renegade), and Bradley Bertrand of Ferrisburgh, Vt., (Mini Stock).

Kenny Tremont Jr. of West Sand Lake, N.Y., added to his legendary career with his seventh Devil's Bowl championship.  The title, which came in the Liberty Street Discount Beverage & Deli Sportsman Modified class of the Berlin Optical Expressions Dirt Track Series, was his first on the new 3/10-mile Dirt Track at Devil's Bowl.  He beat Tim Hodge, Jackie Brown Jr., Quenneville, and Josh Sunn for the crown.

Darrell Older of Ballston Spa, N.Y., and Brian Bishop of Bridport, Vt., also won dirt championships.  Older's title was in the Renegade division, while Bishop topped the Mini Stocks.  Brett Wood of Georgia, Vt., collected his first title in the MFT Sauce & Rub Co. Enduro Series, which holds races on both track surfaces at Devil's Bowl.

The Award of Excellence was given to racing mainstay and Sunoco Race Fuels dealer John Holland of New England Racing Fuels, while the Dedication Award was presented to longtime Devil's Bowl Speedway track official Nick Lussier, a veteran of 45 years at his hometown facility.

Sportsmanship Awards were given to drivers from each division on both the asphalt and dirt, as determined by a vote of their peers.  On the asphalt side, awards went to Bob Kilburn (Modified), Steve Miller (Late Model), Robert Gordon (Renegade), and Chuck Bradford (Mini Stock), while dirt trophies went to Billy Lussier (Sportsman Modified), Matt Mosher (Renegade), and Chris Cardarelli (Mini Stock).  Most Improved Driver laurels, also voted on by drivers, were bestowed upon asphalt racers Billy Lussier (Modified), Seth Bridge (Late Model), Scott FitzGerald (Renegade), and Kyle Sorensen (Mini Stock).

Bonus and contingency awards were also presented on behalf of Bond Auto Parts, Central Vermont Motorcycles, Portland Glass, Five Star Race Car Bodies, Shiley Fabrication, Crazy Horse Racing, American Racer Tires, The University of Northwestern Ohio, and NASCAR.

Devil's Bowl Speedway's 50th season of racing will include NASCAR Whelen All-American Series-sanctioned action for both the asphalt half-mile and the dirt 3/10-mile tracks, totaling 27 scheduled events.  The asphalt track will race primarily on Saturday nights, and the dirt track will race primarily on Sunday nights; opening weekend is scheduled for May 21-22.

Devil's Bowl Speedway is located on Route 22A in West Haven, Vt., four miles north of Exit 2 off of U.S. Route 4 and just 20 minutes from Rutland, Vt.  For more information, visit www.DevilsBowlSpeedwayVT.com or call (802) 265-3112.  Devil's Bowl Speedway is on Facebook at facebook.com/DevilsBowlSpeedway and on Twitter and Instagram at @DevilsBowlSpeed; follow the action using the #DevilsBowl hashtag.

 

DEVIL' S BOWL SPEEDWAY – BANQUET OF CHAMPIONS AWARD WINNERS

Saturday, January 30, 2016

 

Special Annual Award Winners

John Bruno Award:

·         Deborah Eddy, Fair Haven, Vt., & Ron White, Fair Haven, Vt.

Award of Excellence:

·         John Holland, New England Race Fuels, Burlington, Conn.

Dedication Award:

·         Nick Lussier, West Haven, Vt.

 

Asphalt 1/2-mile – NASCAR Whelen All-American Series pres. by Yandow Sales & Service and John Deere

Track Champions:

·         Bond Auto Parts Modified – Vince Quenneville Jr., Brandon, Vt.

·         Central Vermont Motorcycles Late Model – Josh Masterson, Bristol, Vt.

·         Brileya's Chrysler-Jeep Renegade – Robert Gordon, Milton, Vt.

·         Portland Glass Mini Stock – Chris LaVair, Gabriels, N.Y.

Rookies of the Year:

·         Bond Auto Parts Modified – Bob Kilburn, Fair Haven, Vt.

·         Central Vermont Motorcycles Late Model – Richard Lowrey III, Charlotte, Vt.

·         Brileya's Chrysler-Jeep Renegade – Matt Monaghan, Colchester, Vt.

·         Portland Glass Mini Stock – Bradley Bertrand, Ferrisburgh, Vt.

Most Improved Drivers:

·         Bond Auto Parts Modified – Billy Lussier, Fair Haven, Vt.

·         Central Vermont Motorcycles Late Model – Seth Bridge, Mendon, Vt.

·         Brileya's Chrysler-Jeep Renegade – Scott FitzGerald, West Rutland, Vt.

·         Portland Glass Mini Stock – Kyle Sorensen, Ballston Spa, N.Y.

Sportsmanship Awards:

·         Bond Auto Parts Modified – Bob Kilburn, Fair Haven, Vt.

·         Central Vermont Motorcycles Late Model – Steve Miller, Vergennes, Vt.

·         Brileya's Chrysler-Jeep Renegade – Robert Gordon, Milton, Vt.

·         Portland Glass Mini Stock – Chuck Bradford, Addison, Vt.

 

Dirt 3/10-mile – Berlin Optical Expressions Dirt Track Series

Track Champions:

·         Liberty Street Discount Beverage & Deli Sportsman Modified – Kenny Tremont Jr., West Sand Lake, N.Y.

·         Renegade – Darrell Older, Ballston Spa, N.Y.

·         Portland Glass Mini Stock – Brian Bishop, Bridport, Vt.

Sportsmanship Awards:

·         Liberty Street Discount Beverage & Deli Sportsman Modified – Billy Lussier, Fair Haven, Vt.

·         Renegade – Matt Mosher, Queensbury, N.Y.

·         Portland Glass Mini Stock – Chris Cardarelli, St. George, Vt.

 

MFT Sauce & Rub Co. Enduro Series

Series Champion:

·         Brett Wood, Georgia, Vt.

 

Contingency Award Winners

Crazy Horse Racing Winner's Circle Challenge:

·         Central Vermont Motorcycles Late Model – Josh Masterson, Bristol, Vt.

Five Star Race Car Bodies Bonus Certificates:

·         Bond Auto Parts Modified – Ron Proctor, Charlton, N.Y.

·         Central Vermont Motorcycles Late Model – Chad White, Fort Ann, N.Y.

·         Brileya's Chrysler-Jeep Renegade – Jared Blake, North Hero, Vt.

University of Northwestern Ohio Youth Achievement Award & Scholarship:

·         Central Vermont Motorcycles Late Model – Walter J. Hammond, Canaan, N.H.

 

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Posted by Marc Patrick Roy at 2.2.16 0 comments

2016-02-01

Ontario Modifieds Racing Series Releases an Active 2016 Schedule

 

Ontario Modifieds Racing Series Releases an Active 2016 Schedule

By Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media

 

Don't let the snow and cold temperatures confuse the issue. Drivers and teams with the Ontario Modifieds Racing Series – powered by Torque Builders Inc. – are anxious to get the new season of action underway.

 

After a monumental campaign that saw close to 20 different competitors make at least one start in the popular open wheeled series, the 2016 agenda looks to be bigger and better. Once again, there will be 10 races on the schedule, with Peterborough Speedway serving as the unofficial home track for OMRS with 6 dates on the calendar. A pair of July stops for the familiar turf of Flamboro Speedway are part of the itinerary. The series will also journey to the popular Sunset Speedway, north of Toronto to open and close the calendar. Rick Warnes – who along with Randy Hollingsworth and Bill Pickford make up the team of OMRS officials – says everyone is excited to get things rolling.

 

"The series continues to grow and we're making headlines with every green flag," said Warnes. "If you look at the 2015 results – where the top 5 drivers in points were less than 50 markers apart and none of top 7 finishers won a main event – you'll see some incredibly competitive fields. Our teams are looking forward to getting back on the track and opening the season with our first ever event at Sunset."

 

Warnes also pointed to the annual Test a Modified Day – Sunday, June 18th – at Canada's Toughest 3rd of a Mile Paved Oval as an important part of the schedule. Although its not a race date and there are no points on the line, the session has proved to be an asset to the series.

 

"JP Josiasse and Dave Sikma at Peterborough Speedway have been good friends to the Ontario Modifieds Racing Series over the years and the test has been a great way to introduce drivers from other tracks and different racing divisions to our cars," said Warnes. "Combined with our driver development program, it can be the first step toward putting some fresh faces into the winner's circle." 

 

2016 Ontario Modifieds Racing Series Schedule:

 

Saturday, May 21st                 Sunset Speedway

Saturday, May 28th                 Peterborough Speedway

 

Saturday, June 11th                Peterborough Speedway

Saturday, June 18th                Peterborough Speedway

                                                Annual Test/Try a Mod Day (11:00 to 2:00)

 

Saturday, July 2nd                  Flamboro Speedway

Saturday, July 16th                 Flamboro Speedway

Saturday, July 23rd                 Peterborough Speedway

 

Saturday, August 6th              Peterborough Speedway

Saturday, August 13th            Peterborough Speedway

                                                Toonie Grandstand Admission

Saturday, August 27th            Peterborough Speedway

 

Saturday, September 24th     Sunset Speedway – qualifying

Saturday, September 25th     Sunset Speedway – feature event

 

Fans can find full series details at www.ontariomodifiedsracing.com or

www.facebook.com/OMRS Ontario Modifieds Racing Series powered by TORQUE BUILDERS Inc. The Ontario Modifieds Racing Series is supported by Clarke Motorsports Communications.

 

Photo attachment: Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media

 

The Ontario Modifieds Racing Series – powered by Torque Builders Inc. – has an exciting 10 race 2016 schedule, getting underway Saturday, May 21st at Sunset Speedway.

 

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


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Posted by Marc Patrick Roy at 1.2.16 0 comments

2016-01-27

Legendary Broadcaster Barney Hall Passes Away At Age 83

Legendary Broadcaster Barney Hall Passes Away At Age 83

 

 

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Barney Hall, who communicated the thrill of NASCAR stock car racing to millions of radio listeners during a more than 50-year broadcast career has died at the age of 83.

 

A native of Elkin, North Carolina, Hall was one of the original members of the Motor Racing Network staff and was known as the "Voice of MRN." He was inducted into the National Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2007 and in 2012 joined former MRN colleague Ken Squier as the initial recipients and namesakes of the NASCAR Hall of Fame's Squier-Hall Award for NASCAR Media Excellence. 

 

"The entire NASCAR family extends its condolences to the family, friends and fans of Barney Hall, a NASCAR broadcasting giant for more than 50 years," said Brian France, NASCAR Chairman and CEO. "Barney's impeccable delivery and incredible storytelling skills left an indelible mark on the sport that he so clearly loved. His legacy remains through an honor that rightly carries his name – the Squier-Hall Award for NASCAR Media Excellence. It will remain a constant reminder of the skill and passion that Barney brought to his work."

 

Hall began his broadcast career in the 1950s working at local radio stations in North Carolina. He served as Bristol Motor Speedway's first public address announcer and called his first Daytona 500 in 1960.

 

Hall joined the Motor Racing Network first as a turn announcer and then moved to the booth in the late 1970s, where he had been a fixture until 2014.

 

Hall called a number of the sport's milestone moments including the landmark 1979 Daytona 500 that featured a post-race scuffle among Bobby and Donnie Allison and Cale Yarborough; Richard Petty's 200th career victory in 1984; and Dale Earnhardt's 1998 win in the Daytona 500.

 

Hall's NASCAR broadcast career began almost by accident. The recipient of free tickets as a local radio personality, he started attending races in the late 1950s. He was offered $75 for a weekend of public address duties at the then-new Bristol Motor Speedway in 1960 and a career was born.

 

That led to a job with what was known as the Daytona 500 Network, operating out of WNDB in Daytona Beach, Fla. – a forerunner of the Motor Racing Network.

 

Contact:

Josh Hamilton

NASCAR Integrated Marketing Communications


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Posted by Marc Patrick Roy at 27.1.16 0 comments

2016-01-26

Southern Modified Racing Series License, Entry Forms, And Purse Structure Announced

Southern Modified Racing Series License, Entry Forms, And Purse Structure Announced

 

-       For Immediate Release

 

CHARLOTTE, NC (January 26) – Officials from the Southern Modified Racing Series Presented By PASS made several major announcements today regarding the 2016 season.  The South's newest Tour-type Modified division will compete 11 times during the year at eight different speedways. 2016 licenses for the Southern Modified Racing Series Presented by PASS are now available and can be found atSouthernModifiedRacingSeries.com.  Drivers purchasing licenses for the 2016 season will receive bonus points for each race they are pre-registered for and will also save money towards any events that they enter early.  There will also be a $50 discount for drivers that purchase a license early.

Entry forms are also posted atSouthernModifiedRacingSeries.com for the inaugural event for the new series.  The Easter Bunny 125 will go green on Saturday night, March 26 at Hickory Motor Speedway, pairing the Southern Modified Racing Series with the PASS South Super Late Models for the first time this season.

This will be the first of four "mega-shows" between the Southern Modified Racing Series with the PASS South Super Late Models, and will include events throughout the season at Concord Speedway and Anderson Motor Speedway. 

            Each Southern Modified Racing Series Presented By PASS event this year will be 125 laps and pay $3,000 to win and $500 to start, with the exception of the inaugural race at Hickory Motor Speedway.  The Easter Bunny 125 will pay $5,000 to the winner of the history making first race.

            Veteran short track racer Brandon Ward plans to compete for the championship in the Southern Modified Racing Series Presented By PASS and is excited for what the new series has to offer.

"I love driving the Modified cars and I'm glad to see them growing in the South," says Ward.  "I think the fans will especially see some great and exciting racing when the Mods and the Super Late Models race together.  From what we hear, it sounds like the competition will be tough.  I just have to thank Will Spaugh, Kevin Powell, Jeff Day and everyone with Progressive Racing Engines and Precision Built Spindle for making it possible for us to make a run at the first SMRS championship."

The inaugural Southern Modified Racing Series Presented By PASS event is scheduled for Saturday, March 26 at Hickory Motor Speedway as part of the 11th Annual Easter Bunny 150 weekend.  Along with a PASS National Championship race for the Super Late Models and the first race for the new South East Mini Stock Tour, the prestigious Easter Bunny 150 weekend will only continue to grow in prominence with the addition of the Southern Modified Racing Series.

            Other major events planned for the 2016 season include the Charles Kepley Memorial 125 at Concord Speedway on Friday night, May 27 and the Kenny Minter Memorial 125 at Caraway Speedway on Saturday night, October 22.

 License forms, rules, and entry forms for Hickory Motor Speedway are now posted atSouthernModifiedRacingSeries.com.

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

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Posted by Marc Patrick Roy at 26.1.16 0 comments

Theetge First to Enter 2016 Série ACT Championship Chase



Theetge First to Enter 2016 Série ACT Championship Chase

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                             ACT012616-08

 



<<ATTACHED PHOTO (DSC06537.JPG): Two-time Serie ACT Champion Donald Theetge (80QC) of Boischatel, QC has filed the first full-season entry for the 2016 season. (Heather Aube photo)>>

 

Waterbury, VT – American-Canadian Tour (ACT) officials announced today that Boischatel, QC's Donald Theetge has filed the first official 2016 Série ACT season entry. The two-time Série ACT Champion is the Tour's all-time winningest driver.

 

Theetge finished in the top-10 in Série ACT points for six consecutive years from 2009 to 2014, which included winning the 2009 championship. He earned his first championship on the Quebec-based series in 2006. Theetge scored his 21st career Série ACT win at Quebec's Autodrome St-Eustache last September and also picked up two runner-up finishes while running a partial 2015 schedule.

 

Série ACT opens its $10,000-to-win 2016 championship chase with the St-Eustache 100 on Saturday, May 21. The Tour will make multiple stops at Autodrome St-Eustache, Autodrome Montmagny, and Vallée-Jct.'s Autodrome Chaudiere throughout the summer.

 

For more information contact the ACT offices at 802-244-6963, media@acttour.com, or visit www.acttour.com or www.serieact.com.

 

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Posted by Marc Patrick Roy at 26.1.16 0 comments

2016-01-25

More than $100,000 on the Line for ACT Competitors in 2016

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                         ACT012516-07

 



<<ATTACHED PHOTO (IMG_1640.JPG): The ACT Late Model Tour and Série ACT Champions will each receive $10,000 in 2016. (Guy LaRoche photo)>>

 

Waterbury, VT – American-Canadian Tour (ACT) Late Model competitors will once again have big potential prizes waiting for them at the end of the 2016 season. More than $100,000 in point fund money will be up for grabs between the ACT Late Model Tour, Série ACT, and Barre, VT's Thunder Road. Both the ACT Late Model Tour and Série ACT Champions will receive $10,000, with $7,500 going to the Thunder Road Late Model Champion.

 

In addition, the top-15 finishers in the final 2016 standings for both the ACT Late Model Tour and Série ACT are slated to receive a payout. Drivers or registered car owners must attend all events on either series to be eligible for any point fund payout.

 

The Bond Auto New Champions program will return for eligible ACT Late Model Tour and Série ACT drivers. Competitors with one or fewer ACT-sanctioned win entering the 2016 season may be eligible. The top five drivers in the final New Champions standings will receive a point fund payout, with $2,000 going to the top driver. Any driver who earns their first ACT win in 2016 will again earn an additional $500 "Breakout Award".

 

The top rookie in each ACT series will receive $1,000, with payouts for the top five rookies. ACT Late Model Tour drivers will also compete for the season-long "Outstanding Star" Three Star Award. The driver who earns the most Star awards throughout the season will receive a $1,000 bonus. If there is a tie for most Star awards, these drivers will split the point fund money evenly.

 

Full-season entries are already arriving for the 2016 ACT season. The ACT Late Model Tour and Série ACT will visit a combined 15 tracks throughout the northeast United States and Quebec. Teams who file a full season entry for either series by March 16 will receive a discount on their entry fee.

 

For more information contact the ACT offices at 802-244-6963, media@acttour.com, or visit www.acttour.com.

 

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Posted by Marc Patrick Roy at 25.1.16 0 comments

2016-01-24

2016 NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Honors Five Of Sport’s Greatest

 

2016 NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Honors Five Of Sport's Greatest

Cook, Isaac, Labonte, Smith, Turner Officially Enshrined

 

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 23, 2016) – Five of NASCAR's iconic figures – four drivers and one motorsports entrepreneur – were enshrined into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, North Carolina this afternoon during the Induction Ceremony held in the Crown Ball Room at the Charlotte Convention Center.

 

Those who added their names to the list of now 35 NASCAR Hall of Fame inductees, included: Jerry Cook, Bobby Isaac, Terry Labonte, O. Bruton Smith and Curtis Turner. 

 

The group makes up the Hall's seventh class in its history.

 

Jerry Cook made his name in the modified division, winning six NASCAR Modified championships, including four consecutively from 1974-77. He joins his rival from his hometown of Rome, New York, Richie Evans, as only the second Hall of Fame driver whose career wasn't connected to NASCAR's premier series. Cook won 342 NASCAR Modified races in 1,474 starts. Upon his retirement, Cook stayed with the sport and helped shape the series known today as the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour. He served as the series' director and also served as NASCAR's competition administrator.

 

"For me, it's always been NASCAR," Cook said. "I've spent my entire life in the greatest sport in the world and to be honored in this way – tonight – to be inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame along with the greatest names in the sport – is the pinnacle of my career."

 

One of NASCAR's original speedsters, Bobby Isaac captured 19 poles in 1969 – a mark that still stands as the record for poles in a single season. His 49 career poles are the 10th-most all time. More than just a strong qualifier, Isaac won the 1970 premier series championship by posting 11 victories, 32 top fives and 38 top 10s in 47 starts. His 37 career wins rank 19th on NASCAR's all-time list.

 

"He died at the age of 45 doing what he loved to do," said Isaac's former spouse, Patsy Isaac. "But he died way too soon. Bobby would've loved this honor."    

 

Terry Labonte raced his way to two NASCAR premier series championships, the first in 1984, and the second in 1996. The Texan's 12-year gap between titles is the longest in NASCAR history. A consummate professional, Labonte earned the moniker "Iron Man" thanks to his 655 consecutive starts in NASCAR's premier series, a record which stood until 2002. Labonte won 22 races, bookended by Southern 500 victories in 1980 and 2003. His 361 top-10 finishes ranks 10th all time.

"Before, I'd be introduced as a two-time champion," Labonte said. "Now I'll be introduced as a NASCAR Hall of Famer. And I think that's a whole lot cooler." 

 

O. Bruton Smith finished building Charlotte Motor Speedway in 1960, the facility that became the foundation of his Speedway Motorsports Inc. empire, which currently owns eight NASCAR tracks hosting 12 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events, the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race and additional high-profile motorsports activities. He made SMI the first motorsports company to be traded at the New York Stock Exchange when he took it public in 1995. Smith is the founder of Sonic Automotive group and is active in child-related causes with his philanthropic foundation, Speedway Children's Charities.

 

"I appreciate you all coming. I hope you have a great season, a great racing season," Smith said. "I'm delighted and I'm glad to be a part of the (Hall of Fame) here, this is great." 

 

Nicknamed the "Babe Ruth of stock car racing" for his big-time personality and talent, NASCAR pioneer Curtis Turner remains the only premier series driver to win two consecutive races from the pole leading every lap. Turner notched 17 wins, 54 top fives and 73 top 10s in 184 starts. He is the only driver to win a NASCAR premier series race in a Nash and tallied 38 victories in 79 NASCAR Convertible Division events. In 1972, NASCAR Founder Bill France said, "Curtis Turner was the greatest race car driver I have ever seen."

 

"At day's end and chats catching up, Daddy would always say, anything is possible," said Turner's daughter, Margaret Sue Turner Wright, who accepted on behalf of her father. "And it was, and for us, so it is."

 

Each of the five inductees had an inductor who officially welcomed them into the hall. The inductors for the five inductees: Robin Pemberton for Jerry Cook; Randy Isaac (son) for Bobby Isaac; Kristy Labonte Garrett (daughter) for Terry Labonte; Darrell Waltrip for Bruton Smith; and Leonard Wood for Curtis Turner.

 

Active drivers introduced each inductee during tonight's program: Tony Stewart for Jerry Cook; Ryan Newman for Bobby Isaac; Kyle Busch for Terry Labonte; Brad Keselowski for Bruton Smith; and Kevin Harvick for Curtis Turner.

 

In addition to the five inductees enshrined on Saturday afternoon, Harold Brasington was honored as the second recipient of the Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR. 

 

Brasington, who believed in the potential of Bill France's fledgling NASCAR business, architected Darlington Raceway in his hometown of Darlington, South Carolina. After completing the project, he expected 10,000 fans to show up at the track, but instead 25,000 spectators showed up for the inaugural Southern 500 – NASCAR's first 500-mile race. The race turned out to be a mega-event that is still run to this day. After building Darlington, Brasington helped create Charlotte Motor Speedway and North Carolina Motor Speedway in Rockingham.

 

Prior to today's Induction Ceremony, long-time NASCAR broadcaster Steve Byrnes was bestowed the fifth Squier-Hall Award for NASCAR Media Excellence.

 

Byrnes's motorsports broadcasting career spanned more than three decades. He most recently served as the play-by-play announcer for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series on FS1 and was the network's co-host of NASCAR Race Hub. Last April, Byrnes passed away after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Throughout his career, Byrnes provided mentorship for countless young broadcasters and provided race fans with quality insight and entertainment as a pit reporter for CBS, TNN, TBS and FOX.

 

About NASCAR

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc. (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States. NASCAR consists of three national series (the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series™, NASCAR XFINITY Series™, and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series™), four regional series, one local grassroots series and three international series. The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. Based in Daytona Beach, Fla., with offices in eight cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races in more than 30 U.S. states, Canada, Mexico and Europe. For more information visit http://www.NASCAR.com and http://www.IMSA.com, and follow NASCAR atwww.Facebook.com/NASCAR and Twitter: @NASCAR.

 

About NASCAR Hall of Fame

Conveniently located in uptown Charlotte, N.C., the 150,000-square-foot NASCAR Hall of Fame is an interactive, entertainment attraction honoring the history and heritage of NASCAR. The high-tech venue, designed to educate and entertain race fans and non-fans alike, opened May 11, 2010 and includes artifacts, hands-on exhibits, 278-person state-of-the-art theater, Hall of Honor, Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant, NASCAR Hall of Fame Gear Shop and NASCAR Media Group-operated broadcast studio. The venue is opened 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. seven days a week and has an attached parking garage on Brevard Street. The five-acre site also includes a privately developed 19-story office tower and 102,000- square-foot expansion to the Charlotte Convention Center, highlighted by a 40,000 square-foot ballroom. The NASCAR Hall of Fame is owned by the City of Charlotte, licensed by NASCAR and operated by the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority. www.NASCARHall.com.

 

Contact:                                                                                                                                                                      

Josh Hamilton

NASCAR Integrated Marketing Communications


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Posted by Marc Patrick Roy at 24.1.16 0 comments

2016-01-22

358 Modifieds to Return in 2016

358 Modifieds to Return in 2016

 

PLATTSBURGH - The 358 Modified class will make its return to Airborne Park Speedway on Sunday, May 29. The Modifieds will be part of an action-packed Memorial Day weekend schedule. 

The Modifieds ran two shows during the 2004 Airborne racing campaign. Mike Perrotte claimed both checkered flags that season and then he had ideas about the future. The following season Perrotte, as track promoter, implemented the dirt-style Modifieds on the asphalt as the headline division. They competed as the headline division at Airborne until 2013. At its peak, the Modified division had as many as 35 cars signed into the garage area for weekly racing, forcing B-main features for the final qualifying spots. 

Airborne promoter John Walker contacted Perrotte about holding a 358 Modified race this year. 

"I'm happy to announce that we have reached a deal with Mike," Walker said. "We're extremely excited to have the Modifieds back at Airborne. I can't wait to hear the roar of the 358's as they race around the half mile."

Perrotte will be directing the Modifieds in their return to Airborne. 

"When John asked me about the possibility of doing something, I talked to some of the drivers and there was a strong interest from the old group of 358 racers," Perrotte said. "This is going to be fun because it's basically a reunion of the group that was racing a few years ago."

Commitments to the event have already began coming in. The Wesley Moody stables will have two machines prepared for competition, with 2008 and 2010 Ernie's Discount Tools Modified Champion Patrick Dupree of Saranac Lake at the wheel. Saranac Lake's George Foley, the 2007 point champion, will have two cars in competition and be piloting his number 34. Other drivers that have committed to the event include Olmsteadville driver Jessey Mueller, Sheldon, Vermont's Aaron and Adam Bartemy, Mooers Forks' Chris Cayea, and Plattsburgh's Kevin Broderick. Some Canadian competitors from the Province of Quebec are expected to throw their hat in the ring as well. 

The DirtCar Modifieds on asphalt are unique, as they are typically found on the clay.

"The Modifieds on asphalt are unique to our era, but in the 1960's they ran regularly on both asphalt and dirt," Perrotte said. "The uniqueness of Modifieds on asphalt today is that the cars aren't designed for optimal handling, which provides exciting racing." 

The Memorial Day weekend at Airborne will be a two-day event on Saturday and Sunday, May 28-29. Saturday will feature regular racing action, including the Renegade and Mini-Modified divisions and an important race for the Sportsman Modified division. The top five finishers in the Sportsman class will be granted a guaranteed starting spot in the 358 Modified race on Sunday.              

More event details and driver commitments will follow. To stay up to date, visit www.airborneparkspeedway.com or on facebook under "Airborne Park Speedway."



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Posted by Marc Patrick Roy at 22.1.16 0 comments

Date Change For NASCAR K&N Pro East At New Hampshire


For Immediate Release

 

Date Change For NASCAR K&N Pro East At New Hampshire

·         Group Qualifying For Bristol, New Hampshire Events

 

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 22, 2015) – NASCAR and New Hampshire Motor Speedway confirmed today the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race at the "Magic Mile" has been moved to Saturday, July 16. This change creates a unique triple-header at the short track, with the series joining the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour and NASCAR XFINITY Series on the Saturday slate of racing.

 

In addition, NASCAR announced the implementation of group qualifying for that race at New Hampshire, as well as the race on Saturday, April 16, at Bristol Motor Speedway.

 

"It is a continuous process of working with our race tracks to provide the best entertainment for our fans," said Brad Moran, NASCAR touring series director. "With our race weekends at Bristol and New Hampshire, we have the opportunity to test the group qualifying format on an oval at the NASCAR K&N Pro Series level."

 

The NASCAR K&N Pro Series East will kick off the season on Sunday, Feb. 14, at New Smyrna (Florida) Speedway with the Jet Tools 150.

 

Contact:

Jason Christley

NASCAR Integrated Marketing Communications


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Posted by Marc Patrick Roy at 22.1.16 0 comments

2016-01-21

Payea, Linardy File First Official ACT Full-Season Entries

Payea, Linardy File First Official ACT Full-Season Entries

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                         ACT012116-06

 

<<ATTACHED PHOTO (060.JPG): Colchester, VT's Scott Payea returns to the ACT Late Model Tour in 2016 behind the wheel of the Rick Paya–owned #37VT Dodge formerly driven by Brian Hoar. (Dave Brown photo)>>

 

<<ATTACHED PHOTO (IMG_8525.JPG): Somerville, MA's Jim "Scruffy" Linardy has been a longtime supporter of the ACT Late Model Tour. (Alan Ward photo)>>

 

Waterbury, VT – Colchester, VT's Scott Payea and Somerville, MA's Jim Linardy have filed the first official full-season entries for the 2016 American-Canadian Tour (ACT) season, officials announced today. The 13-race, $10,000-to-win ACT Late Model Tour championship chase kicks off Sunday, April 10 with the New Hampshire Governor's Cup 150 at Lee USA Speedway.

 

Payea returns to the cockpit following a two-year absence and will seek his first ACT Championship behind the wheel of the Rick Paya–owned #37VT Harrison Redi-Mix Dodge. He has five career ACT Late Model Tour wins and finished second in the final standings for three consecutive seasons from 2007 to 2009.

 

"I'm excited to partner up with a great team," Payea said. "We've got the support of a great sponsor, and I just can't wait for spring. The Tour schedule's looking good – we're returning to some tracks that I've had success at, like Seekonk and Waterford, so we're really pumped up about it. Being a championship contender is certainly our goal, and I think we have the resources in place to make that happen."

 

Linardy has been an ACT regular for the past decade and returns again in 2016 with his familiar #77MA Kayem Hot Dogs Chevrolet. The veteran known as "Scruffy" is known throughout the garage for his upbeat attitude and respect for his fellow competitors.

 

The ACT Late Model Tour will visit 12 different tracks throughout the Northeast United States during the 2016 season. Highlights will include doubleheader events with the Pro All Stars Series (PASS) Super Late Models at Oxford Plains Speedway, Beech Ridge Motor Speedway, and White Mountain Motorsports Park; The Southern New England Tripleheader slated for New-London Waterford Speedbowl, Seekonk Speedway, and Thompson Speedway; and the 8thBond Auto Parts ACT Invitational at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

 

For more information contact the ACT offices at 802-244-6963, media@acttour.com, or visit www.acttour.com.

 

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Posted by Marc Patrick Roy at 21.1.16 0 comments

2016-01-20

Early Entrants Abound For Expanded PASS Winter Meltdown At Greenville-Pickens

Early Entrants Abound For Expanded PASS Winter Meltdown At Greenville-Pickens

 

CHARLOTTE, NC (January 20) – With the release today of the complete weekend schedule for the upcoming PASS Winter Meltdown 150 at Greenville-Pickens Speedway, Super Late Model teams from across North America are beginning to make their final preparations.  This year's third running of the early-season event looks to be the biggest yet as the Meltdown moves to its new home in the Palmetto State.   Northern drivers have dominated the two previous runnings of the PASS Winter Meltdown in Florida with New Hampshire's Brad Leighton taking the checkered flag at New Smyrna Speedway in 2010 and Maine's Joey Doiron claiming the victory at Auburndale Speedway in 2013.

Being on Super Bowl weekend, the PASS Winter Meltdown will be short track racing's first major points event of 2016 and will also feature a 100 lap event for the South East Limited Late Models (Non-Winners), a 75 lapper for the Southeast Supertrucks, both paying $3,000 to win, and a 40 lap event for the Mini Stocks paying $2,000 to the winner.  Rookie Hayden Humphries recently tested at Greenville-Pickens Speedway and plans to do "double-duty," competing in both the PASS Super Late Model and Southeast Limited Late Model races.  The PASS Winter Meltdown 150 lapper will go green on Saturday afternoon, February 6 at 2 PM and will serve as the first race of 2016 for the PASS South Super Late Models and the PASS National Championship Series. 

The first batch of PASS Super Late Models entries has been released and includes drivers from all over the United States.  Northwest short track legend Garrett Evans will pilot the famous #64 in the PASS Winter Meltdown.  The Washington state driver will compete in several PASS events throughout the season, with an eye towards possible competing for the PASS National Championship.  Texas youngster Derek Scott, Jr. will make his first trip to Greenville-Pickens Speedway for the Winter Meltdown.  Scott competed in three PASS South events last year, including the Easter Bunny 150 at Hickory Motor Speedway, where he was the fastest qualifier and led the most laps.  Michigan driver Vinnie Miller returns in 2016 after several impressive runs late last year.  Miller has already announced his intention to compete on the full schedule as he races for the PASS South Super Late Model championship this year.  

A strong group of contenders from North Carolina have also pre-entered, including two former PASS champions.  Tate Fogleman from Durham claimed his first PASS South Super Late Model championship in 2015 and hopes to become the first driver in series history to repeat.  Fellow teenager Kodie Conner from Kannapolis moves up to the PASS South Super Late Model division full-time in 2016 after taking the PASS Pro Late Model title last year.  Matt Craig, another teenaged driver from Kannapolis, looks to build on a strong finish to the 2015 season in the C&C Boilers machine which saw him finish fourth in points.  Veteran Jimmy Doyle of Hendersonville finished fifth in PASS South points in 2015 and will be seeking his first career win.  And, North Carolina's Jeff Batten has filed an entry for the Meltdown, following a career best sixth place finish in the final PASS South Super Late Model standings last year.

            Action gets underway at Greenville-Pickens Speedway on Friday, February 5th with gates opening at 9 AM and rotating practice for the PASS Super Late Models, Southeast Limited Late Models, Southeast Supertrucks, and Mini Stocks from 11 AM – 5 PM.  On Saturday, February 6th, gates will open at 8 AM, with rotating practice from 10 AM – 12:05 PM, qualifying at 12:30 PM, and feature events set to go green at 2 PM.

The complete weekend schedule and entry forms for the PASS Winter Meltdown at Greenville-Pickens Speedway can be found at ProAllStarsSeries.com.  The 2016 license forms for the PASS Super Late Models are now available at ProAllStarsSeries.com.  Drivers purchasing licenses for the 2016 season will receive bonus points for each race they are pre-registered for and will also save money towards any events that they enter early.

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 Easter Bunny 150 at Hickory Motor Speedway and the legendary Oxford 250 at Oxford Plains Speedway.  For media or marketing questions, please contact Alan Dietz at 704-231-2039 or alandietzpass@live.com.  Please visitProAllStarsSeries.com for more information and don't forget to "Like" the Pro All Stars Series on Facebook or follow us on Twitter at @PASSSLM14 to keep up with breaking news as it happens.

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Posted by Marc Patrick Roy at 20.1.16 0 comments

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