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Monthly Archives: November 2018
TMSP Newsletter-Save the Date: The 2018 Awards Banquet is on January 12th at 6PM!
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Stafford Speedway News-Order 2019 season tickets | Sami Anderson to SK Lights in 2019
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Sami Anderson joins Stafford’s 2019 SK Light Rookie Class
While some teams are still making plans for the upcoming 2019 season, Wolcott, CT native Sami Anderson has her plans finalized as she will make the move from the Street Stock division to the SK Light Modified division at Stafford Speedway. Anderson will take the wheel of the same #35 car that Andrew Molleur piloted to 4 wins in 2018 and she couldn’t be more excited about her new opportunity.
“We’ve always been close with Mike and Andrew Molleur from racing quarter midgets and we’ve always been around Ken Barry and after talking with him the pieces fell into place for me to run the car next season,” said Anderson. “I actually ran the last SK Light race at Waterford and it was a lot of fun, I loved it. It’s so exciting. Quarter midgets are open wheel but they don’t have any power compared to the SK Light. After having a chance to get used to the car by running that race at Waterford, now I’m obsessed with it.”
Strictly on paper, Anderson’s SK Light debut looks disappointing with a 19thplace finish after a crash took her out of the race. Despite the crash, Anderson says that everything went well and she now has a good baseline to start out with in 2019.
“The Waterford race actually went pretty well but unfortunately we got put into the wall which ended our day,” said Anderson. “We had to start last in the feature and my Dad was actually preparing me for what to do if I got lapped. I was up to 8th early in the race rolling the top groove and as I was going past the 7th place car, the car behind us punted the inside car and that car went straight into me and we hit the wall. My overall goal was to finish the race and unfortunately we didn’t do that, but I was able to pass way more cars than we thought we would and hopefully it will only get better from here. It was definitely a good start for me.”
In addition to getting her first feel of an SK Light versus the Street Stock, Anderson was able to work with Ken Barry for the first time and establish a good working relationship in preparation for the 2019 season.
“I’m sure I’m going to have a decent learning curve this season,” said Anderson. “I have a really good team behind me with Ken Barry and SPAFCO and we work so well together. From the first time I got onto the track at Waterford to the race, I made such an improvement that a lot of people thought I was racing full time at Stafford. That really made me feel good and confident for the race. You’re always learning something in racing. If you’re not learning, you’re not improving. Knowing how well Andrew ran in the car is a big confidence booster and Kenny and I really understood each other and we have great chemistry working together.”
When Anderson takes to the track for the 2019 NAPA Auto Parts Spring Sizzler on April 26-28, she will be following in her father Bill’s, her Uncle John’s, and the Membrino side of her family’s footsteps behind the wheel of a modified.
“It’s so cool to be following in my family’s footsteps and not just my father’s,” said Anderson. “My father, my Uncle Johnny, and the Membrino side of my family all raced modifieds so to follow them is something special. I’ll be the first female in my family to break into modified racing at Stafford which I think is pretty cool.”
Anderson will carry sponsorship from First Class Automotive, RoyalScrew.com, Tick Mike with Tick Free Organic Tick and Deer Control, M & G Towing, and Sky Top during her debut SK Light season and just like any racer, she has one goal in mind and that is to reach NAPA Victory Lane.
“My goal is to become better each time I go out on the track and I want to win races,” said Anderson. “I was dying for a win in the Street Stocks. We almost had the car figured out but sometimes there’s not much you can do when you’re fighting to keep the car off the wall because it’s too tight. The first couple of practice sessions and races are going to be important for me to listen to Kenny and his feedback. I think learning the line around the track will hopefully be the hardest thing for me and after that it can all be downhill. Rookie of the Year is definitely something I’d like to win but when it comes down to it, I’d rather win races. If I can win races we’ll win Rookie of the Year. It doesn’t matter how long it takes, we’re going to give it our all.”
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@hotmail..com
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Last call to register: Sam Schmidt is featured speaker for special IMS Museum ‘Distinguished Speaker Series’ event Thursday, Dec. 6
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NHRA New England Nationals tickets on sale NOW!
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Newport Car Museum donates Mini Electric Car to Samuels Sinclair Dental Center
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East Coast Indoor Dirt Nationals in Trenton developing into quite a rivalry
NEWS FROM LEN SAMMONS PRODUCTIONS
2018-2019 INDOOR AUTO RACING CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES FUELED BY VP RACING FUELS
Event Promoter: Len Sammons
Source: MEDIA INFORMATION: Ernie Saxton Communications
EAST COAST INDOOR DIRT NATIONALS RIVALRY DEVELOPING AMONG OPEN COCKPIT SPECIALISTS, 600 MICRO SPRINT RACING REGULARS
A fierce rivalry is expected at the second annual East Coast Indoor Dirt Nationals, December 13-15 at the CURE Insurance Arena in Trenton, NJ.
Stars of the Central PA Posse Sprint circuit, Dirt Modified and Midget Car competitors want nothing more than to show up the 600cc Micro Sprint regulars at their own game. Drivers who compete weekly on pavement speedways want to show the dirt drivers they can slide around and go fast on a tacky clay oval. The 120 drivers that have entered from 11 different states each want to prove they are the best.
The First Dirt Nationals was won by 36-year-old Staten Island, NY resident Whitey Kidd, III, a Micro Sprint regular. Kidd came from deep in the starting field to make a late race pass for the lead on Midget Car/Micro standout Alex Bright of Collegville, PA. Brian Carber of New Holland, Pa., a Sprint Car/ Micro Star, came from fifth to third on the final lap last year.
Tim Buckwalter of Douglassville, PA, a full-time racer in USAC Sprints, Dirt Modifieds, SpeedSTRs and Micros, finished fourth last year. Austin Quick of Etters, PA, who works full-time in Micro Sprint racing, finished fifth.
To win the top prize of $5,000 last year, Kidd threw caution to the winds to make a brazen outside move on Bright, who had led most of the race.
“He (Bright) gave me the room and I just shot to the outside and held on,” Kidd said. “I’ve been going to Atlantic City since the beginning trying to win there, got close, but never won. I had hoped they (Indoor Auto Racing Series) would do a dirt race, and I’m glad they did,” Kidd exalted.
Kidd’s returning for what he hopes is a second career highlight victory, but the competition will be tougher than ever.
A two car team entered by Tom Fraschetta will be composed of two heavyweights, Lincoln Speedway 410 Sprint champion Brian Montieth of Phoenixville, PA and dirt Modified Super Star Erick Rudolph of Ransomville, NY.
Montieth just missed qualifying for last year’s event, but added experience in a Micro Sprint he should be a contender for the win. Rudolph, fresh off finishing second in the Super DIRTcar big-block Modified series points and winning two other track championships will also rely on his indoor race experience. Rudolph has won three Indoor Racing Series championships in TQ Midget competition on the concrete floor of arenas including one in Trenton.
Lucas Wolfe, 2018 Williams Grove Speedway 410 Sprint champion has also filed an entry. The Mechanicsburg, PA driver will be part of the team entered by Lou Cicconi, Jr. of Aston, PA., who himself will suit up for the event. Scott Kreutter, a Sprint Car regular from Buffalo, NY who won an Indoor Race on the concrete floor in Allentown, Pa. last year, is also entered in a Trey Hoddick No. 49.
Tim Buckwalter, and his cousin Steve of Royersford, PA are returning as is another Sprint driver Joe Trenca of Clay, NY. Brian Carber and his brother Michael, a member of Chase Elliott’s NASCAR Cup team, are also returning.
Dirt Late Model and Modified rising star Mike Maresca of Potsdam, NY, one of racing’s busiest drivers, is also entered after a strong first ever start in a 600 Micro last year.
Other Dirt Modified racing stars include Billy Pauch, Jr., of Frenchtown, NJ, Dominic Buffalino of Sayreville, NJ and Mike Iles of Medford, NJ. Pauch Jr. won the 600 Micro Sprint and SpeedSTR titles this season at Pa.’s Kutztown Action Track.
Popular Ryan Flores, the Indoor Racing Series winner on the concrete floor inside Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall in 2017, will be making his first ever start on dirt. The former New Jersey resident now living in North Carolina, is a tire changer for Ryan Blaney’s Roger Penske owned NASCAR Cup team. Transplanted upstate New York pavement TQ racer Tim Nye of Troutman, NC will also race indoors this season on dirt as well as three concrete series races.
Dirt Micro Sprint racer and another Indoor TQ Midget specialist, Matt Roselli from Brodheadsville, PA is entered along with ARDC Midget standout Eric Heyenreich of Bloomsburg, PA.
This year’s Indoor Dirt Nationals calls for heat races with passing points and four A-qualifier feature races for split fields on both Thursday and Friday night. On Saturday, with all 120 cars on hand, Alphabet mains are scheduled, with racers having the opportunity to advance from double G, F, E, D, C, and B mains to the 50 lap A-Main paying $5,000 to win. Racing will start at 7 PM on Thursday and Friday, 5 PM on Saturday.
The CURE Insurance Arena itself has undergone a makeover from floor to ceiling to enhance the viewing experience for race fans at this year’s Nationals. The goal has been to make the arena one of finest in the state.
Information, including ticket and hotel links, is available at indoorautoracing.com. Other information and select tickets are available by calling the series office during regular working hours at 609-888-3618.
Note: If your track, tour or event is not posted on this blog send your press releases and flyers to: lmodestino