‘The Show and Go at the ‘Bowl’ features HDRA 100 Foot Drags and free Cruise Shows weekly May to October
Waterford, CT — When the Waterford Speedbowl gates open for its 60th anniversary season this spring, a major addition to the calendar of events will be welcomed. The Show and Go at the ‘Bowl, a Friday evening event featuring 100 Foot Drags plus free Cruise Shows will be held each Friday from May through October 1 beginning at 5:00pm.
The Speedbowl first added the 100 foot drags a year ago by trial, met with rousing success. A healthy turnout of drag racers routinely took to the ‘Bowl’s asphalt. That support, along with promising interest from fans, led to the return of the only official drag race competition in Connecticut to the ‘Bowl in 2010. Several intense battles took place during the elimination rounds a year ago, including a grudge match order demanded by a packed Speedbowl crowd during 2009’s Back to School Bash event.
An open-format Cruise Show, free to the public, will accompany the drag races and convert the Speedbowl midway into “Main Street”, the coolest and most eclectic collection of cars around. A popular summertime activity for car enthusiasts of all ages, cruises are wildly popular. The pairing of the Cruise Show with the competition of drag racing is sure to make The Show and Go at the ‘Bowl a unique experience.
Continue reading ‘Speedbowl adds Friday evenings in 2010′
Grassroots Racing In The Spotlight At Daytona
Daytona Beach, FL — NASCAR Whelen All-American Series race tracks from throughout North America were represented at the 2010 Track Operators Meeting in the Daytona 500 Club at Daytona International Speedway on Friday morning.
The event was part of the annual gathering of NASCAR track operators at Speedweeks in Daytona.
The featured speaker was Darrell Waltrip, a three-time champion in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, who talked about his passion for short track racing.
“You’re the backbone of this business,” said Waltrip, who early in his career was a regular at the fairgrounds speedway in Nashville. “This is where it all starts. This where I learned everything I needed to know – at short tracks.”
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Jeff Burton, who got his start at South Boston (Va.) Speedway, also addressed the track operators in attendance. He talked about the pioneers of the sport who carved tracks out of farm lands and fairgrounds, and helped lay the foundation of NASCAR today.
Continue reading ‘Track Promoters Meeting Gets Speedweeks Started’
Will Split Schedule With Blewett, DeLange
Northampton, PA — For the 2010 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, Eric Beers, from Northampton Pa., is being given one the best opportunities to win the NASCAR championship with two of Modified racing’s long time supporters.
Dave and Laura DeLange of Lockport, N.Y., and John Blewett, of Howell N.J., are going split the 2010 season as car owners with Eric as the pilot of the NASCAR Modified.
“I can not begin to tell you how excited I am to enter into this joint venture with the Blewett family,” Dave DeLange said. “The Blewett’s are a storied family in racing and by joining forces, Eric will have top notch equipment. Laura and I are ecstatic to be part of this venture which gives Eric an opportunity to excel at a level that matches his experience and talent.”
The 2010 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour season will see Eric in the Blewett-owned Modified for the two events at New Hampshire, the three at Thompson and the one race at Riverhead. Eric will wheel the DeLange Modified at Stafford (four times), Martinsville, Lime Rock, Monadnock, and Bristol.
“Funny, how things work out,” Beers explained. “The DeLange’s wanted to run some tour races but not the entire season. We were still figuring out what we wanted to do when Jimmy (Blewett) called. He asked what I was doing in 2010 and said Grandpa [John Blewett] wants to run four races on the tour. We met and talked some more and came up with what I feel is the perfect deal. I have known the Blewett’s since our Flemington days and from day one, we have had a relationship where we treat each other like family. Lot’s of details to figure out yet but I can’t wait for the season to start.”
Continue reading ‘Beers To Return To Tour In 2010′
Published at February 4, 2010
in Stafford.
Stafford Springs, CT — Village Springs Water of Willington, CT has signed on to be the Official Water of Stafford Motor Speedway for the 10th consecutive season. Village Springs joined the SMS Family of Sponsors in 2001 and has been involved at the track every year since. Village Springs has become a fixture in Stafford’s CARQUEST Victory Lane as the first thing that drivers turn to in order to refresh themselves after the wear and tear of their respective feature events. Village Springs is the only water that is sold on Stafford Speedway grounds each and every Friday night during the NASCAR racing season.
“We’ve been the official water of Stafford Speedway since 2001 and we are going to continue our sponsorship of the track,” said Sean Cassells, Owner of Village Springs. “Our sponsorship of Stafford Speedway is something we look forward to doing every year, and we’re looking forward to another great season with Zach Sylvester driving our car. Stafford Speedway does a great job promoting our product during their events. Our billboard has been seen on television, and with the track announcing our name every week, customers will usually buy our product when they go into the convenience store to purchase water. There is a level of brand loyalty that we enjoy being associated with the track.”
Village Springs Distributor is a full service, family owned and operated bottled spring water company serving Connecticut and parts of Massachusetts. Village Spring brings their customers in both the residential and commercial markets the best tasting most refreshing natural spring water possible at a price you can afford and a service you’ll love.
Continue reading ‘Village Springs Water Continues Partnership as Official Water of Stafford Motor Speedway’
Published at February 4, 2010
in Stafford.
Stafford Springs, CT — Stafford Motor Speedway SK Modified® competitor Jeff Malave is poised to challenge for the 2010 track championship after a roller coaster ride 2009 season that saw the Manchester native enjoy the highest of highs as well as the lowest of lows. Malave had a strong beginning to the 2009 season, picking up his first victory at the Connecticut half-mile since the end of the 2004 season in the second race of the year. Malave stayed in championship contention for much of the year, but poor finishes in four of the final five races dropped him from second in points all the way down to his finishing position of seventh.
“I was really happy with the year we had, it was a great season,” said Malave. “We had three bad races at the end of the year that dropped us down in the points standings. We were second for most of the year and we only finished 10 points out of third place. Those three races at the end of the year is where we lost those points, so we could have easily finished third or second. Those three races we had a broken transmission, a wreck, and we broke a rocker in the engine. The funny thing about the night we lost the transmission is we had it out of the car the previous week and it showed no signs of trouble. We came to the track the next week, we ran practice and a heat race, and still no signs of trouble. Then we went out for the feature and we lost the tranny. Some nights, you’d rather be lucky than good and we didn’t have any luck that night. We have a really good team, it’s always a privilege to drive for The Davidson Company, and I think we have a shot at winning the championship again this year.”
A big boost for Malave and the Davidson team during the 2009 season was the addition of Wendell Kilcollins coming on board as the crew chief. Before joining the Davidson team, Kilcollins turned the wrenches on the SK Modified® machine of Willie Hardie, guiding him to the bulk of his 13 career wins, including 2 100-lap wins.
Continue reading ‘Jeff Malave Looks Forward to Contending for 2010 SK Modified® Track Championship at Stafford Speedway’
Published at February 4, 2010
in Stafford.
Stafford Springs, CT — Bo Gunning, who has won more SK Modified® features at Stafford Motor Speedway than anyone not named Ted Christopher, will return to the track’s premier division for the 2010 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series season. After a year away from the Connecticut half-mile, Gunning will return with a car owned by his brother Tom and attempt to win a fourth track championship in the SK Modified® division.
“We bought a Troyer chassis from John Jensen, and we’re just about done putting everything together on the car,” said Gunning. “I’ve learned over the years to never say never. I’ve butted heads with the track before, but Stafford is home for us and always has been home for us. After sitting out last year, we realized how much we missed racing and we’re looking forward to coming back this year and having some fun out there. All the guys on the crew were real keen on racing at Stafford this year.”
With the car and team combination in place, the only thing left for Gunning is to decide on an engine combination. Gunning and his team will be utilizing the Stafford Speedway SK Modified® Spec Engine option, something Gunning says that he wouldn’t have been able to return to the track without this season.
Continue reading ‘Stafford Veteran Bo Gunning Returning to SK Modified® Division for 2010 Season’
Published at February 4, 2010
in Seekonk.
Ryan Vanasse came back to Seekonk Speedway in 2008, with a focus on the Pro Stock Rookie of the year and Championship. By the end of 2009, he accomplished both goals. Well, almost. Let’s take you back a few years to get the whole story.
Ryan grew up around Seekonk Speedway with his brother Mike, and they watched their father compete weekly in the Sportsman division, which is now the Late Models. Paul was a hard competitor. Not afraid to rub rails and use the front bumper. While he picked up several wins over his career, he never was able to put together the string needed for a title. But he was teaching his sons a lot about the sport in the process.
When Mike and Ryan were old enough to compete, they traveled to Hudson Speedway in NH to compete in their Roadrunner division, which was similar to Seekonk’s’ Formula Four class. They could compete there at the age of 14. Once old enough to race at The Konk, they became threats to win each week. After a season in the 4 cylinders, they made the move up to the Street Stocks. Ryan and Mike continued their winning ways behind the wheel, but they realized they would be a more potent team with Mike turning the wrenches and Ryan turning the wheel. “Mike was unselfish to step out and help advance my career,” Ryan beamed. “He is great at what he does. No matter what we do, we will do it together.”
Continue reading ‘Ryan Vanasse:All in the Family!’
Waterford, CT — Waterford Speedbowl began operations in 1951 and quickly established itself as being a challenging two-groove racing facility. A commitment to Modified racing and a reputation for competitive motorsports action has endured since. In 2010, the shoreline oval celebrates its 60th anniversary season and will look to the past to guide it to a sixth decade of continuous operation.
Speedbowl Management will waste no time going ‘old school’ in honor of the milestone, tapping its roots for the March 26th – 28th season opener. Budweiser Blastoff weekend returns in 2010 and serves as New England’s kickoff to racing. The event will showcase the Speedbowl’s continued loyalty to Modifieds with the popular Modified Racing Series co-headlining the weekend along with the Northeastern Midget Association (NEMA) and the Speedbowl’s SK Modifieds®, the premier NASCAR Whelen All-American Series division at the track.
The Blastoff event dates back as early as 1972 in Speedbowl history. It became a mainstay on the schedule, opening each season except one from 1975 until 1997 when the Modified Nationals event debuted. The Modified Nationals, a 150-lap extravaganza for the SK Mods, moves to close the 2010 season along with a visit from the American Canadian Tour (ACT) Late Model Tour.
Tradition of past Blastoff weekends featured a Modified race in which the number of laps matched the year the event was held. In a twist on the original concept, Blastoff weekend’s SK Modified® race will now celebrate the Speedbowl’s number of years in operation. For this, the Speedbowl’s 60th season, the race will be a 60-lapper. The Modified Racing Series will compete in a 100-lap race and the NEMA Midgets go 25 laps in distance. Eleven other divisions, led by a 50-lap Late Model race, join what is sure to be a blockbuster weekend of racing.
The competition level is sure to be at an all-time high at Budweiser Blastoff 2010. In eight previous Modified Racing Series events held at the ‘Bowl, there have been eight different winners. Since the division’s introduction in 1985, only three competitors have repeat wins in the extra-distance SK Modified® openers held (Ted Christopher, Dennis Gada and Eric Berndt). A hungry and full field of open-wheel experts is expected for both races.
Continue reading ‘Speedbowl looks to its past for 60th Season Opener’
Kyle Hieber (Slingshots) and AJ Roderick (Champ Karts) Win Mains
Atlantic City, NJ — Lou Cicconi Jr. joined some elite company by winning Saturday night’s Gambler’s Classic 40-lap TQ-Midget feature at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J.
The Aston, Pa., veteran became only the second driver in the eight year history of the race to have won the Gambler’s Classic twice. Cicconi, who collected $5000 for the 40-lap victory, won the event in 2006. Joey Payne is the only other driver to have won twice (2004 and 2007).
“It’s all because of the crew,” Cicconi said. “They work hard in giving me a great car. I love racing in this event, and I’m very proud that I won it with Tony Stewart here.”
Stewart made an unannounced visit to Boardwalk Hall to watch both nights of racing action.
Continue reading ‘Cicconi Claims Second Career Gambler’s Classic Feature Event’
Samsula FL — Brad Leighton took advantage of a late race restart to power around Johnny Clark for the win in the Pro All Stars Series (PASS) super late model Winterfest 150 at New Smyrna Speedway Sunday afternoon. Sam Watts, Jeff Choquette and Lonnie Sommerville chased the top two to the checkers.
The race was Leighton’s’ first with Richard Moody Racing, the team that earned the 2009 PASS National title with Ben Rowe at the wheel.
Johnny Clark set fast time with a lap of 17.505 seconds, followed by Sam Watts (17.534), Jeff Choquette (17.535), Brad Leighton ((17.601) and Preston Peltier (17.629).
Continue reading ‘Brad Leighton Checkers PASS Winterfest 150′
Published at January 30, 2010
in TVMRS.
Canaan, NH — Modified Racing Series founder Jack Bateman has announced his series will participate at The Racers Expo, a two-day event created to exhibit the latest safety equipment and technology for the motorsports industry, Friday and Saturday, February 26 and 27. The first year endeavor will be held at the Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel and Trade Center, 181 Boston Post Rd West, in Marlborough, Mass.
Organized and produced by long-time racer and car-owner-builder, Bobby Seymour, of Seymour Enterprises Performance Products, The Racers Expo will feature displays from short-track racings top sanctioning bodies as well as seminars on safety and sponsorships.
With the annual off season race car show in Springfield, MA., not returning this year, Seymour saw a void and felt it was important to continue a program focused on the racer and their safety.
Continue reading ‘Modified Racing Series Winter Meeting at New Racers Expo’
Atlantic City, NJ — Ted Christopher served notice on Friday night at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J., as he claimed the 30-lap TQ-Midget preliminary main event.
Christopher of Plainville, Ct., the 2008 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion, got the lead from Joey Payne on a lap 19 restart and he held off Billy Pauch to claim the victory.
Christopher enters as the favorite for Saturday night’s 40-lap prestigious Gambler’s Classic. He is the defending champion of the race.
“I like my chances,” Christopher said. “I didn’t see anybody go as fast as us in the heat race. We’ll see what the Gambler’s Classic brings.”
Continue reading ‘Christopher Serves Notice With Gambler’s Classic Preliminary Win’
Published at January 29, 2010
in RWJM.
MOTORSPORTS 2010
The new venue afforded us the opportunity to have Chapel in the stage area. The neat part was that those who were waiting to enter the show also had the opportunity to listen in. What a tremendous blessing. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
We have been working through some Scripture that helps us understand that when we meet Jesus face to face we change. They say there are a few things in life that are certain, change is one of them. Why is it that we need to change?
I was thinking, as I walked through the show, that everything offered there was about change; making things different, better; better looking, safer, more horsepower, easier, faster, better handling, better competition, better gate, better fan experience. Change must make things better, right?
Continue reading ‘MOTORSPORTS 2010′
Published at January 29, 2010
in Stafford.
Stafford Springs, CT — Former SK Light Modified Reliable Welding and Speed Rookie of the Year winner Josh Sylvester has teamed up with Don Silberman to take a run at the Stafford Motor Speedway Reliable Welding and Speed SK Modified® Rookie of the Year honors in 2010. The Silberman car has previously reached victory lane at Stafford with Bo Gunning and was piloted on a part-time schedule during the 2009 season by Fran Siana.
“I put an ad on the classified section of the Stafford website, and I had a ton of good names give me a call about getting into the car,” said Silberman. “Josh came down to the shop along with his father, his brother Zach, and Sean Cassells, and we had a great meeting. Josh got along really well with all of the crew guys, so we decided to settle on Josh as our driver. The whole team is looking forward to working together with Josh, and I think we’re going to have a really great year together.”
“I’m really optimistic that we can do good things together,” said Sylvester. “Bo [Gunning] won with this car 2 years ago and any time you get into a winning car, it gives you confidence. I’ve always run a Troyer car and Don’s car is a CD car and the CD cars seem to go really well at Stafford, so it’s going to be fun to try out a CD car. Stafford has the best SK Modified® competition, so I’m looking forward getting onto the track.”
Continue reading ‘Josh Sylvester Teams with Silberman Motorsports for Run at SK Modified® Rookie Honors at Stafford Speedway in 2010′
Stafford Springs, CT — Ted Christopher heads into the 2010 season at Stafford Motor Speedway as the track’s winningest driver with 107 career victories. Christopher has amassed 91 SK Modified® wins, 9 Whelen Modified Tour wins, 6 ProStock wins, and one K & N Pro Series East victory at the Connecticut half-mile facility. Christopher also collected a record 7th SK Modified® track championship last season at Stafford, and he looks to add to his victory total and win another championship not only this year, but in the years to come as well.
“At this point of my career, I like to set marks for myself,” said Christopher. “The next mark for me is to get to 100 wins with the SK car. The way things go at Stafford, I might get 10 wins this year, or I might get 1 win. That’s why we race, you just don’t ever know what’s going to happen. I like to win races, and I’d like to win the championship again at Stafford this year. I might be 52 in number of years, but I don’t feel anywhere near that in mind or body. I love to race and I love to win. It would be one thing if I couldn’t get it done anymore, but I know I can still win and be successful, so why should I stop?”
Christopher’s SK Modified® championship season and his 5 wins at Stafford was part of a 2009 season that saw him win 24 different times across 6 different states, making him the top winner in the Northeast and helping to earn the Eastern Motorsports Press Association Richie Evans Northeast Driver of the Year Award for the second time in his career.
Continue reading ‘Ted Christopher Looks to Keep on Winning at Stafford Speedway in 2010′
Published at January 29, 2010
in Stafford.
Stafford Springs, CT — A theme that has developed in Stafford Motor Speedway’s SK Light Modified division over the past few seasons has been the size of its rookie classes. The 2010 season is no exception with 10 rookie drivers signed up and Matt Galko, of Meriden, looks to race his way to the front of that rookie class this season. Galko has become the newest member of the Davidson Racing Family, and he will pilot the Davidson Company owned #20 SK Light car, taking over the driving duties from Mike Lane.
“With the opening we had for the driver, we were looking for a driver that was local to us,” said car owner Tim Rowe, who is based out of Meriden. “All of our drivers are from Stafford or the Stafford area, and Matt is from Meriden. Matt is a driver who I had seen in several articles in the local papers by winning races and I got in contact with him and his father and offered him the seat for the 2010 season.”
Galko comes to Stafford with 7 years of experience in the quarter midget ranks at Silver City Speedway and he spent last season in the 270 division at Whip City Speedway, where he finished third in points and took home Rookie of the Year honors. Galko is looking forward to getting back on asphalt after spending the 2009 season on dirt at Whip City.
Continue reading ‘Matt Galko Joins Davidson Racing Team; Looks to Win SK Light Modified Rookie of the Year Honors at Stafford Speedway’
Published at January 29, 2010
in Stafford.
Stafford Springs, CT — Stafford Motor Speedway and Family Ford of Enfield have announced that their partnership will grow for the upcoming 2010 season with Family Ford providing a brand new 2010 F-150 Crew Cab to serve as a second safety vehicle. The relationship between Stafford Speedway and Family Ford was forged prior to the 2009 season and it was announced in December that the partnership would continue for 2010 with Family Ford providing an all new 2011 Super Duty F-350 to Stafford Speedway. In addition to the 2011 Super Duty F-350, Family Ford will provide a brand new 2010 F-150 Crew Cab to serve as the track’s safety vehicles for the 2010 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series season.
“Both trucks are currently being built and they should be ready for delivery to the Speedway in about 6 weeks,” said Mike Moriarty, General Manager of Family Ford. “Everyone here at the dealership is psyched to have the trucks arrive and deliver them to the track. We had a great first year with Stafford last season and the partnership gave us a lot of visibility in the area. We saw an influx of customers in both sales and service coming to us from the Stafford area, and we received a lot of positive feedback from customers who saw our truck at the track last season. With the level of advertising we do every month with television, radio, and print, this is a very cost effective way for us to get our name out there and we have seen that working with Stafford Speedway has brought customers to us. We’re going to have both trucks lettered up and install safety lighting on them, and we can’t wait to see them on the track this year.”
“It’s great to have Family Ford coming back with us and increasing their involvement here at the Speedway,” said Mark Arute, Stafford Speedway COO/GM. “As you look at the racing industry as a whole, there are not very many companies that are putting extra resources into sponsorships. I think that Family Ford’s increased participation for this season shows that advertising here at Stafford Speedway works and delivers results.”
Continue reading ‘Family Ford of Enfield to Provide Second Safety Vehicle for 2010 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Season at Stafford Speedway’
Published at January 28, 2010
in NEMA.
Brockton, MA — Chris DeRitis, the Northeastern Midget Association’s 2009 Rookie of the Year, will be driving Lou Cicconi’s #75 Esslinger-powered Drinan chassis in 2010. The three-year old car will be housed at Bertrand Motorsports, Tim Bertrand serving as crew chief.
The car will be ready for NEMA’s opener March 27-28 at Waterford Speedbowl. “We tested there in October and it was damn cold,” said Chris’ father Dan. “Chris turned times that compare favorably with those set by the fastest cars during the warm months.”
DeRitis, a 22-year old Philadelphian, made his full-midget debut last summer in the Chris Desrosier’s Power Point car, finishing fifth in points with eight top tens in 14 starts. He had a fourth at the Speedbowl.
Continue reading ‘Top Rookie DeRitis Gets Cicconi Ride’
It is official! Danica Patrick, one of the most popular drivers in motorsports, confirmed today that she will be racing in the NASCAR Nationwide Series New England 200 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on June 26.
Last month, Jerry Gappens, the executive vice president and general manager of the speedway, flew to JR Motorsports in Mooresville, N.C. with over 20 pounds of fresh lobster for Patrick and her crew. This was an enticement to have New Hampshire on her limited racing schedule with Dale Earnhardt, Jr.’s team.
Today, Danica gave the speedway a gift by adding the New England 200 to her 2010 NASCAR schedule.
Continue reading ‘Danica Patrick to Race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in June’
After handing out point fund checks for the 2009 season at the ACT Banquet of Champions, the ACT Late Model Tour has awarded over 4 million dollars in purses and point funds for its 198 point counting events over the past 18 seasons.
The ACT Late Model Tour was formed in 1992 and held eight events in its first season. The Late Model Tour was an opening act of sorts for the ACT Pro Stock Tour and ran 25 and 50 lap events. That changed after the 1995 season when the Late Models replaced the Pro Stocks as the headlining division.
Since then the ACT Late Model Tour has seen tremendous growth with more events, higher car counts and more competitive racing thanks to a rules package that has kept the cars cost effective. The Tour reached an all-time high during the 2009 season as they competed in the Inaugural ACT Invitational at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, the lone superspeedway in New England.
Continue reading ‘ACT Late Model Tour Breaks $4 Million Mark’
