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Monthly Archives: March 2018
Série ACT adds second event at Autodrome Chaudiere in Quebec
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www.autodromechaudiere.com
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Vallée-Jonction, QC – Autodrome Chaudière officials announced today that an agreement has been reached with American-Canadian Tour (ACT) co-owner Cris Michaud and Serié ACT representative Marc-Patrick Roy to add a second event this season at the Vallée-Jonction, QC speedway. Continue reading
Be on the lookout for your tickets.. Make plans for this year’s events at Lime Rock
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World of Wheels stops in the Hub this weekend March 23-25
The Town Fair World of Wheels held this weekend always draws a big crowd who want to view some the top customs and hot rods.
Track Talk
By Lou Modestino (for sat. 2/24/17)
The World of Wheels is being held at the World Trade Center in Boston today, Saturday, 3/24 and Sunday, 3/25. It will be the destination for many Boston area gear heads. The show, held annually in The Hub, always draws a huge crowd. The WOW always features race cars of all types along with many show cars that never drive on the street. Those are always referred too as “trailer queens”. Former NASCAR racing star Tony Stewart will be making an appearance at 2 pm today, Saturday, March 24.
Tom Dunn of Wrentham passed away and will be waked at the James H. Dealeny Funeral Home at 48 Common St. in Walpole on Tuesday, March 27 from 4-7 pm. Dunn was a well know oval track race car owner and built and maintained top race cars. One of which was a Modified driven by the late Leo Cleary of Hanover. Prior to Dunn’s foray into oval track racing, he built and drove dragsters at the New England Dragway in Epping, NH and many other venues in the northeast..
Weather permitting, the New England racing season will get off to start on the weekend of April 6-8 at the Thompson Motorsports Park in Connecticut. Practice is set for Friday with qualifying going Saturday with some features events well into the evening. There will be eleven different classes competing that weekend. Sunday at noon will start the remaining main events. The final one. around 4 pm, will be opening round of the 2018 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour. It will be the first of some 46 paved track Modified Tour Type races this coming season between early April and the last weekend in October. Besides the NWMT events, that large number of races will be sanctioned by the Modified Tour Series, Tri-Track Open Modified Tour and the Race of Champions based in central and western NY State.
On the same note we got this from TMSP. Today’s open practice session for the nine of eleven divisions entered in the Icebreaker was cancelled due to the snow still melting on the track and pit areas.
MADHOUSE, a weekly TV program aired on the History Channel in 2010, depicting Saturday night Modified racing and numerous fist fights at the quarter-mile famous Bowman-Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, NC. It was one of the highest rated programs to be featured on that cable network up to that time. That reality show only aired for one season.
According to a report in Area Auto Racing New of NJ, the Discovery Channel will produce several episodes of MADHOUSE in 2018 featuring several drivers and teams from NC as well as New England racing at that NASCAR sanctioned track. That venue features both oval track racing and local football games! This came from Area Auto Racing News of NJ.
That very flat oval track is very hard to pass on which results in drivers pushing cars in front of them out of the way! That causes the large number of fist fights following the heats and feature events. The local police force details lots of its officers to that event in order to break up the fights and maintain the peace. Sometimes the bad brawls result in arrests with the subjects removed from the scene and locked up in the local jail! (end)
Information for this column came from several sources and personal notes.
New England’s best racers ready to duel with South counterparts at Easter Bunny 150 On Saturday, March 31
CHARLOTTE, NC (March 23) – While short track racing appears to be on the verge of a renaissance, one very bright spot over the last decade has been the immergence of the Easter Bunny 150 at Hickory Motor Speedway. As it has since 2006, the Easter Bunny 150 Presented By MyComputerCareer will pit some of the best Pro All Stars Series (PASS) Super Late Models racers from across North America against one another at one of the most legendary short tracks in the country. With 26 cars already entered, this year’s race has added importance as the top five finishers at Hickory will each receive guaranteed starting positions for either the 45thAnnual Oxford 250 at Oxford Plains Speedway in August or the inaugural Commonwealth Classic at Richmond Raceway in October. It will be an action-packed weekend of racing at Hickory Motor Speedway that will see the fastest cars in the South compete as the PASS Super Late Models will be joined by the entertaining SMRS Tour Modifieds.
A driver that might feel he has some unfinished business at Hickory Motor Speedway is Scarborough, ME’s, Garrett Hall. In last November’s Mason-Dixon MegaMeltdown at Hickory, Hall was one lap away from taking home $15,000 when he got tangled up with a lapped car and lost out on the big prize to hometown favorite, Brandon Setzer.
“My team and I are going to Hickory looking for some redemption and plan on getting a top five finish to get locked into the 250 or Richmond,” says Hall, driver of the Norm’s Used Cars Chevrolet #94. “It’s huge to be qualified into those events and it will make it much easier for us when we go to those races.”
Hall has been one of the top Super Late Model drivers in New England in recent years and believes a good run at Hickory will set him up well for a busy month of PASS North racing.
“We have a lot going on between racing at Hickory, then to Thompson for the North season opener, and then to Oxford afterwards,” says Hall. “But I feel like we are well prepared for the upcoming season and excited to go to Hickory and start it off right.”
Hall will have no lack of competition on Saturday, March 31 at the 13th Annual Easter Bunny 150 Presented By MyComputerCareer as he is joined by a huge contingent of New Englanders including former winner, Ben Rowe, as well as South Carolina Clash winner, Derek Griffith, Derek Ramstrom, DJ Shaw, Bryan Kruczek, Jimmy Renfrew, Sammy Gooden, Joe Squeglia, Jr., Gabe Brown, Jake Johnson, Travis Stearns, Dennis Spencer, Jr., and Wyatt Alexander. PASS South title contenders hope to keep the home fires burning led by Matt Craig, Kodie Conner, Tate Fogleman, Jeff Batten, and Jimmy Doyle. Jerrick Johnson will pilot the MyComputerCareer machine and will be joined by former Hickory winners, Brandon Setzer and Tyler Church, as well as Trevor Noles, “Mad Max McLaughlin, Kevin Floars. And two Canadian provinces are currently represented by Ontario’s, JP Josiasse and New Brunswick’s, Lonnie Sommerville, returning to Hickoryfor the first time in a number of years.
The action kicks off on Friday, March 30 with optional practice for all competing divisions from 2 – 5:20 PM. On Saturday, March 31, practice will begin at 1 PM, followed by qualifying at 4 PM, the pit party at 5:30 PM, last chance race at 6:30 PM, and features for the PASS South Super Late Models and SMRS Tour Modifieds at 7 PM
Entry forms and the complete weekend schedule for the 13th Annual Easter Bunny 150 Presented By MyComputerCareer will be posted soon on ProAllStarsSeries.com.
The Pro All Stars Series is recognized as North America’s premier sanctioning body for asphalt Super Late Models and boasts such marquee events as the legendary Oxford 250 at Oxford Plains Speedway and PASS South’s Easter Bunny 150 at the historic Hickory Motor Speedway. And new for the 2018, the inaugural Commonwealth Classic at Richmond Raceway.
Source: Alan Dietz/PASS Tours PR
Kevin Harvick posts weekly bonus in honor of Ted Christopher at Stafford Speedway
Kevin Harvick supports short track racing at Short tracks. Posts bonus money at Stafford Motor Speedway in honor of the late TC. (Credit: NASCAR photo.)
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(Stafford Springs, CT)—Following his March 11th victory at ISM Raceway, Kevin Harvick expressed his frustration with the disconnect between the short tracks of America and the highest levels of NASCAR. ‘When I look at our hardcore fans, they’re all sitting at those short tracks and they’re mad,’ Harvick said in his post race press conference following his 2nd consecutive win. Since that remark the NASCAR community has been buzzing with talk of returning to the roots and supporting local short track racing. Harvick, the 2014 Cup Series Champion, is backing up his comments with contingency support at Stafford Speedway in 2018.
Through his company, KHI Management, Harvick will present two weekly bonuses to the SK Modified® division in 2018, both in honor of Stafford Speedway legend Ted Christopher. Weekly, both the leader on lap-13 and the 13th place finisher will receive a $125 bonus provided by Kevin Harvick and KHI Management in remembrance of Ted Christopher’s number 13.
“I’m glad we’ve been able to start the conversations about local short tracks and local racers,” said Kevin Harvick. “Most all of us came from local short tracks, and it’s important not to forget where we came from. These tracks, racers, and fans are an integral part of the motorsports community. It doesn’t take millions to make a difference. My hope is to continue the conversation with this contingency program, because a little can go a long way at the local levels.”
Stafford Speedway’s SK Modified® division is recognized as one of the most competitive weekly short track programs in the country with weekly 40-lap events at the Stafford, Connecticut half-mile facility. Founded in 1982, the SK Modified® division was dominated by short track legend Ted Christopher who, over the course of his career, scored 109 of his 131 career Stafford victories behind the wheel of an SK Modified®. The racing community tragically lost Ted last September just one night after he thrilled fans behind the wheel of his #13 car.
“We can’t thank Kevin Harvick enough for joining our weekly contingency program and bringing attention back to the grassroots of the sport,” said Stafford Speedway General Manager Mark Arute. “Kevin has stepped up in a big way with this bonus, not only showing his support of weekly NASCAR racing but also honoring a short track hero, Stafford Speedway legend, and our friend Ted Christopher. All of us at Stafford are beyond excited. I know one thing for sure, Kevin Harvick just picked up a lot more fans in the Northeast.”
Harvick’s racing career began at the Mesa Marin Speedway in his hometown of Bakersfield, California competing in the Late Model division before moving to the Winston West and NASCAR Truck series in the mid 90’s. Eventually Harvick moved East and joined Richard Childress racing where he competed in the Busch Series and eventually the Cup Series where he won in his 3rd career start.
The KHI Management weekly bonus for the SK Modifieds® will accompany 5 additional contingency sponsors for Stafford’s premier division and boosts the total weekly purse to over $9,000, including just under $2,000 to win. Competition in 2018 will be strong with a mix of youth and experience. Veterans like 2017 track champion Keith Rocco, Rowan Pennink, Todd Owen, and Eric Berndt will compete with a mix of young guns including Chase Dowling, Ronnie Williams, Matt Galko, Michael Christopher, Jr. and others to crack victory lane in 2018.
To add to the deep weekly field, NASCAR Xfinity Series regular Ryan Preece is expected to run Stafford as often as his schedule allows in 2018. The 2011 SK track champion and current driver for Joe Gibbs Racing was quick to show his excitement for the Harvick bonus at his home track.
“Having Kevin Harvick show this kind of support to the grass roots is very humbling,” explained Preece. “All of us who race on Friday night look up to a guy like Kevin Harvick. To have KHI supporting the grass roots and being a contingency sponsor, goes a long way. It’s moments like this that make me want to work harder to win that contingency.”
The 2018 SK Modified® season kicks off at the 47th Annual NAPA Auto Parts Spring Sizzler® on April 27-29 where the SK Modifieds® will be accompanied by 7 divisions including the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour. Tickets for the “Greatest Race in the History of Spring” are on sale now at StaffordSpeedway.com and at participating NAPA Auto Parts stores.
Source: Scott Running/Stafford Speedway PR
Note: If your track, tour or event is not posted on this blog send your press releases and flyers to: lmodestino@hotmail.com
First Woman to attempt to break the world’s fastest motorcyclist record of 377 mph Crashes doing 344 MPH –
Valerie Thompson (aka “The Queen of Speed”) crashed (VIDEO—in real time then slo-mo) while attempting to break the world’s fastest motorcycle record of 376.36 mph. Thompson survived the horrific crash when her streamlined bike went airborne then crashed at 343.7 mph. Miraculously, Thompson walked away from the accident with only minor bumps and bruises. THIS MARKS THE FIRST CRASH EVER OVER 300 MPH WHERE THE DRIVER WALKED AWAY.
Conditions were reported by the team to be ideal for their attempt at the record, but once Thompson had passed the three mile marker – at a speed of 299 mph – the rear-end of the 25-foot long streamliner raised into the air before the parachutes deployed, helping to stabilize the crash.
Valerie was attempting to break the record at Australia’sLake Gairdner World Speed Trials when something went wrong during her run and the bike fell onto its side, digging a deep trench into the salt flats and spreading wreckage over nearly two miles. She is the first womanto attempt to break the record. She broke her own personal best record of 304.263 mph with a run of328.467 mph piloting the Team “7” Streamliner a few days earlier, making her officially the fastest woman on a motorcycle ever. Thompson is the only female driver in a two-wheeled vehicle over 300 mph. Thompson holds eight land speed records on a variety of bikes ranging from Harley-Davidsons to BMWs and is a member of seven-land speed racing 200 mph Clubs and one 300 mph club.
The world was hoping to see an all-time FIM World Record being recorded from the American speed-queen and her 500 hp, 3000 cc, dual overhead cam, 4 valve, turbocharged V4 motorcycle. The next attempt is tenuously slated for August at the Bonneville Salt Flats.
Source: Rob Bailey
News from NHMS in Loudon, NH
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This Week in Monster Energy Supercross: Round 12 in Indianapolis, IN
Dunleavy’s Gamblers Challenge rolls on for the NAPA SK 5K
(Stafford Springs, CT)—For the 4th consecutive season, Doug Dunleavy of Dunleavy’s Truck and Trailer repair will present the Dunleavy’s Gamblers Challenge at the NAPA Auto Parts SK 5K. What has become one of the marquee events on the Stafford Speedway schedule, the 2018 running of the 100-lap SK Modified® event will be the 5th annual. The Dunleavy’s Gamblers Challenge bonus has been posted for 3 of the 4 NAPA SK 5K events and has increased the base purse by over $15,000 in 3 years.
“I love the modifieds, but there’s something about that race that gets everyone excited,” explained Doug Dunleavy. “The SK Modified® racing at Stafford is the best weekly racing in the country and the NAPA SK 5K is the event everyone wants to win. The Gamblers Challenge is fun because you won’t know who wins the bonus until the end of the race when the winner pulls the lucky chip. Chase [Dowling] dominated last year and won nearly $6,000, a few years ago Ryan Preece won over $12,000. This is a heck of a race, I hope all the fans and drivers are pumped up.”
The Gamblers Challenge bonus is unique in many aspects. Drivers enter the challenge prior to the race by posting $100 which is then matched by Dunleavy. The more drivers that enter, the higher the bonus. Last season’s NAPA SK 5K saw all 27 starters entered in the challenge for a bonus of $5,400. At the conclusion of the race, the winning driver draws one of four chips designating the bonus payout. Based on last year’s $5,400 pot, the draw included:
- $5,400 Bonus to the Winner
- $1,080 to each of the top 5 finishers
- $1,080 to each of the 6th through 10th finishers
- $540 to each of the 11th through 20th finishers
The result of the 2017 Dunleavy’s Gamblers Challenge draw was $1,080 to the 6th through 10th place finishers, which boosted the 5th through 10th place payout to over $2,200 each. Cam McDermott, the 10th place finisher, earned $2,260 on the night.
“The NAPA Auto Parts SK 5K has taken on a life of its own since the first running in 2014,” explained Stafford General Manager Mark Arute. “We wanted to give the SK Modified® division a first class event, something that teams circle on their calendar each year and say, ‘that’s a bucket list win, that’s a show we need to be at’. With great partners like NAPA Auto Parts and Dunleavy’s Truck and Trailer Repair, we’ve been able to do that. I can’t thank them and all our track partners enough.”
With a posted race purse of $27,100 before bonuses, the NAPA Auto Parts SK 5K is the richest SK Modified® event in the country. The winner is guaranteed $5,000 to win but historically the winning share has been boosted by bonuses including a record pay day of $12,825 for Ryan Preece in 2015 and $11,175 for Ted Christopher in 2016. The wealth is shared throughout the field with $450 guaranteed to start with the potential of the Gamblers Challenge bonus payout reaching all of the top-20 finishers.
“What I like about the bonus is that it could go to pretty much anyone, it all depends on the luck of the draw,” continued Dunleavy. “The 20th place guy could go home with almost $1,000, last year the 10th place finisher took home over $2,000.”
The NAPA Auto Parts SK 5K returns to Stafford on Friday, June 29th for the 100-lap race.
Source: Scott Running/Stafford PR
Note:If your track, tour or event is not posted on this blog send your press releases and flyers to: lmodestino@hotmai.com