NEMA’s Cantor Set For Speedowl Opener

Published at March 16, 2010 in NEMA and Waterford. 0 Comments

Brockton, MA — Coming off his best campaign yet, Adam Cantor begins his tenth season with the Northeastern Midget Association March 27-28 at Waterford Speedbowl’s Budweiser Blast Off.

NEMA’s 58th season opener is part of a busy Blast Off agenda that also includes the NEMA Lites. Both NEMA and the Lites will qualify on Saturday, the Lites running their feature on Saturday night, NEMA on Sunday.

“For the first time I feel no pressure to do anything but go out and have some fun,” says Cantor, a two-time winner last season en route to a third place in the point standings. One of the wins came at Waterford.

The Long Islander, part of NEMA since 2001, returns with the MOPAR-powered Beast chassis that netted six podium finishes a year ago.

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Speedbowl SK Modified® division ramping up for 2010

Published at March 15, 2010 in Waterford. 0 Comments

Waterford, CT — Every March as the winter hiatus begins to break, word of off-season moves and newcomers to the racing scene escalates to near fever pitch. The upcoming season in the SK Modified® division at the Speedbowl exemplifies that more than ever. Names synonymous with Speedbowl success plus others looking to play an active role in the track’s headline NASCAR Whelen All-American Series division have emerged, making this one of the most eventful off-seasons in recent memory.

Two past track champions lead the list of those looking to get back into weekly racing action at the ‘Bowl. Todd Ceravolo, the 1997 division champion will return to weekly action for the first time in more than a decade. Ceravolo has won 19 career races at the shoreline oval. His father Dick was the 1988 track champion. Ricky Young, the 1991 division champion also eyes a possible return to competition for the first time since 2004. He has 14 career wins, but none since 2003.
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Speedbowl.com Now Goes Wherever You Go!!

Published at March 15, 2010 in Waterford. 0 Comments

Waterford, CT — The Waterford Speedbowl management team is pleased to announce the newest addition to Speedbowl.com, a mobile friendly site.

This new site will be an extension of the current site, playing host to some of the great features already found on Speedbowl.com but slimmed down to work best on your mobile device. Features like the top bar scroll, Latest News from the Bowl, Driver Point Standings, Race Results, Lap Times, Nightly Event Schedules, and Season Schedules will be seen easily on this site in the new mobile friendly format.

New additions to the mobile friendly site that will not be found on the full site include Mobile Alerts, which throughout a race night will inform you when updates are made to race results, point standings and other special events or deals. A Mobile Poll will bring fan interaction to an all-time high. Questions and opinions of fans in the stands may be used to get you, the fan, involved. Also available may be Mobile Offers via online coupons, affording Speedbowl fans instant savings by showing their mobile device at the Box Office or Concessions.
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Icebreaker First Step Towards 2010 Thompson Championships

Published at March 15, 2010 in Thompson. 0 Comments

Thompson, CT — The season-opening Icebreaker, April 10th and 11th, at the Thompson International Speedway kicks off the racing season and the drive for a coveted division championship at the historic speedway. In all, six NASCAR Whelen All-American Series division titles are up for grabs for Thompson’s weekly racers. The historic speedway is also the location where many other championships like the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, NEMA Midgets, ISMA Super Modifieds and others are traditionally decided at the end of the racing season.

Race teams look to the Icebreaker to kick start their season. Many feel that a good finish in this event will lead to a successful racing season. Keith Rocco, the 2009 Sunoco Modified champion began his chase for the title with a win at last year’s Icebreaker. The record book shows the same for Thompson Modified driver and champion Brian Sullivan. Super Late Model driver, Derek Ramstrom began his march to that division’s championship with a top five finish as did Late Model titlist John Materas and Limited Sportsman champ, Larry Barnett. The only exception to this pattern was Mini Stock title winner Scott Michalski. After a dismal Icebreaker weekend, Michalski went on a tear and won the title by a 58 points advantage.

Every race team will have an opportunity to fine tune their race cars before the Icebreaker. The track has scheduled two open practice sessions leading up to the April 10th and 11th Icebreaker weekend. The track will open the pit gates at 10 AM on the mornings of March 27th and again on April 3rd. The track will be race ready when the cars begin their “round robin” practice sessions at 11 AM. A full six hours on each day have been set aside expressly for this purpose.

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Whip City Standout Bethany Viets To Make NEMA Lites Debut At Speedbowl Opener

Published at March 14, 2010 in NEMA, NEMA Lites and Waterford. 0 Comments

Brockton, MA — Young, but already a winning veteran racer with impressive credentials, Bethany Viets makes her NEMA Lites debut later this month at the Waterford Speedbowl. Part of an on-going “Youth Movement” within the division, she’ll be wheeling the Charles Gunther-owned Drinan chassis entry.
 
The Lites are part of the Speedbowl’s Budweiser Blastoff on March 27 & 28. The division will run qualifying and a 25-lap feature on Saturday. 
 
Started in 2008, the Lites Series has become a melting pot for up & coming talent. Viets is typical of the youthful open-wheel competitors drawn to the division with its affordable “spec” rules, and a diverse schedule that includes an assortment of tracks throughout New England.
www.nemaracing.com.

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Ryan Posocco Looks to Challenge for Fifth Career Championship this Season at Stafford Speedway

Published at March 12, 2010 in Stafford. 0 Comments

Stafford Springs, CT — For 4-time Stafford Speedway Late Model champion Ryan Posocco, the 2010 season will be his second attempt at a driver for five this season. Posocco nearly took home a fifth career track championship last season, but he came up 20 points short of Jim Peterson in the fight for the championship. After winning a championship in 2008 and finishing second last season, Posocco will once again be counted among the favorites to challenge for this year’s Late Model crown.

“We’re excited about this season,” said Posocco. “Everything is the same for us, car, engine, crew, and the driver. Last year it seemed to be a three-car fight between Jimmy [Peterson, Dillon [Moltz] and myself, but I think that everyone is going to see a very competitive division this year. Tommy Fearn and Tommy Butler are going to be strong, Corey Hutchings and Woody [Pitkat] are teaming up in good equipment, Keith Rocco is joining the field, and our Davidson teammate Michael Bennett is going to be good. There’s also some guys hungry to win like Brian Chapin, Adam Gray, and J.J. Hill, so I think this could be one of the most competitive seasons we’ve ever had in the Late Model division. Everyone has stepped up their program since last season ended and we’re looking forward to having some fun this year and winning some races.”

The 2010 season will be a special season for both Posocco and his car owner Marcia Kretschman. The 2010 season will be the 10th season for the Kretschman team at Stafford, and Posocco will be reunited with Eagle Leasing, a long-time sponsor of Posocco.

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Busy Off-Season for Fournier Motorsports SK Modified ® Team Brings New Driver and New Sponsor for 2010 Season at SMS

Published at March 12, 2010 in Stafford. 0 Comments

Stafford Springs, CT — It has been a busy off-season for the #20 Fournier Motorsports SK Modified® team. Along with all the hard work being put forth to build and prepare the car for the 2010 season, they have made the most important choice a team can make, the driver. With Wade Mattesen vacating the seat to further his education and career at this time, Fournier Motorsports would like to take this opportunity to welcome, Jeff Baral, who will be taking over the #20’s driver seat.

“Jeff and I worked with each other towards the end of the 2009 season to establish a plan for the coming year” said car owner Lou Mattesen. “Talking with Rocky Arbitell about possible sponsorship opportunities, he was able to acquire funding for the car from REWIND™, a patented Hangover Prevention drink. Last week a meeting was held with them to review the design layout for the car and to finalize the sponsorship. We are happy to publicize that Tim and Laura Fournier will merge with Rewind™ as the primary sponsors for #20 car during the 2010 season”.

“Jeff is a veteran to the SK Modified® division here at Stafford Speedway who has a proven track record of getting a car to Victory Lane,” said Mattesen. “I can say with confidence that you will see our car in the winner’s circle this season. We aren’t coming to the track to just ride around, we want to win races and run up front. Jeff will be able to focus solely on driving the car where before he had to worry about all aspects of his team.”

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Stafford Motor Speedway Kicks off 2010 Season with 39th Annual Tech-Net Spring Sizzler presented by CARQUEST

Published at March 12, 2010 in Stafford. 0 Comments

Stafford Springs, CT — With the spring season fast approaching, yet another season of NASCAR Whelen All-American Series competition is set to kick off at Stafford Motor Speedway with the 39th annual Tech-Net Spring Sizzler Presented by CARQUEST. “The Greatest Race in the History of Spring” will officially begin Stafford’s 52nd season of hosting weekly NASCAR events.

The Tech-Net Spring Sizzler is the oldest and longest running race on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour schedule. The Sizzler tradition began in 1972 with Fred DeSarro winning in front of a standing room only crowd of over 10,000. Jack Arute, Sr. bought the rights to the race in 1973, and it has since become the signature event of the half-mile, with some of the greatest names in modified racing tasting the fruits of victory.

Since the inaugural Sizzler in 1972, there have been 22 different winners with 8 drivers winning the race multiple times. Of those 22 winners, 9 drivers have won a Whelen Modified Tour championship. In 2003, NASCAR released a list of the top-10 modified drivers of all-time, and of those 10 names, 8 were Sizzler winners: Richie Evans, Mike Stefanik, Geoff Bodine, Tony Hirschman, Bugsy Stevens, Fred DeSarro, Jimmy Spencer, and Reggie Ruggiero. Other names who have driven to Sizzler victories include Ed Flemke, Maynard Troyer, Bob Polverari, Greg Sacks, Brian Ross, Ted Christopher, Jeff and Rick Fuller, Mike Ewanitsko, Jan Leaty, John Blewett, III, Jerry Marquis, and Doug Coby. Ted Christopher’s win last season leapfrogged him ahead of Mike Stefanik for the most career Sizzler victories with 5. Stefanik has 4, while Rick Fuller, Maynard Troyer, and Richie Evans have 3 Sizzler wins each.

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New England Racing Fuel Renews Stafford Speedway Contingency Program Sponsorship with Sunoco Gasoline

Published at March 12, 2010 in Stafford. 0 Comments

Stafford Springs, CT — -Stafford Motor Speedway has announced that New England Racing Fuel with John Holland and Mike Joy have renewed their participation in the track’s Contingency Program for the upcoming 2010 season. Last season, New England Racing Fuel increased their participation in the program by offering a contingency bonus to include the top-3 finishers from each SK Modified® and Late Model feature events who were utilizing the SMS Spec Engine.

New England Racing Fuel will continue to provide fuel certificates in the amount of $50 to third place finishers in each SK Modified® and Late Model feature event, and a $25 fuel certificate to the first, second, and third place finishers in each SK Light Modified, Limited Late Model, and DARE Stock feature events. New England Racing Fuel will also continue to offer the Spec Engine bonus, offering a fuel certificate in the amount of $25 to the top-3 finishing SK Modified® and Late Model cars who are competing with the new SMS Spec Engine in each feature event during the 2010 season.

New England Racing Fuel will put up a total of $425 in free gasoline each Friday night for Stafford competitors, and over the past 11 years, they have contributed over $60,000 in free gas to Stafford competitors. In order to be eligible for the New England Race Fuel contingency bonus, a competitor must use Sunoco gasoline and carry a Sunoco sticker on their car.

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New Hampshire Motor Speedway Hosts the Ultimate Open House, Offers Fans a Chance to Drive Around the “Magic Mile” on Saturday, April 3

Published at March 12, 2010 in NHMS. 0 Comments

Loudon, NH — For the first time in the 20-year history of New Hampshire Motor Speedway, fans will have the opportunity to drive their own cars around the “Magic Mile” on Saturday, April 3, as the speedway hosts FANtasy DRIVE, the ultimate open house and fan appreciation day.

In celebrating “20 Years of Motorsports Magic,” fans that purchase a ticket to either of the Saturday or Sunday events for the 2010 LENOX Industrial Tools 301 weekend in June, the 2010 SYLVANIA 300 weekend in September, or who have already purchased tickets for these events will experience the 1.058 mile NASCAR oval that stars such as Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. run on twice a year.

FANtasy DRIVE will include Milo’s (the speedway’s world famous mascot) Easter Egg Hunt, along with an exclusive “Behind the Scenes” tour that includes visiting Bruton Smith’s (Chairman of the Board of New Hampshire Motor Speedway) luxury suite, NASCAR Race Control, the Television Broadcast booths, the Garage Area, and Victory Lane plus camping areas and the scenic landscape of New England’s largest sports and entertainment facility.
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Focused

Published at March 12, 2010 in RWJM. 0 Comments

Have you ever noticed that you can be so focused on something that you miss the gorilla in the room? My wife tells me all the time that I can’t find things that are right under my nose. I think we all suffer from proximity blindness. How focused are we? Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ

Being successful at the track requires focus. The teams that are focused on the task at hand come out on top. They are the ones that can put everything aside and get down to the business at hand. How easily are we distracted from our mission?

Sometimes it isn’t about focus. We can be the most focused person on earth, we just happen to be focused on the wrong thing. Think about it, have you ever been so focused on something that you didn’t even notice that someone was talking to you? Guys this is what happens when you get so involved in a sporting event on TV and your wife wants you to help decide which pattern looks better. We can be so focused on something we forget what is truly important.
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Popular Competitor Dave Zemke Passes Away

Published at March 10, 2010 in Waterford. 0 Comments

Popular Dave Zemke, a winning Sportsman and Street Stock competitor at Connecticut’s Waterford Speedbowl passed-away unexpectedly on Sunday, March 7. Zemke scored several feature victories while behind the controls of his familiar #17 at Connecticut’s Waterford Speebowl during a career that started in the early 1990’s. He also raced at the Thompson Motor Speedway.

In Yale New Haven Hospital, David F. Zemke, Jr. on Sunday, March 7, 2010. He was born on June 12, 1968 in New Haven, son of the late David F. and Georgine Pfaff Zemke. Loving father of Alexandra Birdsall of West Haven and brother of Dawn Polivka of East Haddam. Uncle of Frank Polivka III and Abigail Polivka.

David was a Guilford High School graduate and had been employed at Dalling Construction in Stratford.

He drove race cars at Waterford and Thompson Speedways in the Sportsman Division and Late Model Division and was an avid NASCAR fan.
Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. George Church, 33 Whitfield St, Guilford on Monday, March 15 at 10am. Burial will follow in Alder Brook Cemetery, Boston St, Guilford. Friends may call prior to Mass from 8:30 – 9:30am at the Guilford Funeral Home, 115 Church St, Guilford. Contributions in Mr. Zemke’s memory can be made to the Kyle Petty Victory Junction, 4500 Adams Way, Randleman, NC 27317.

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NEMA Winners at Active Tracks

Published at March 10, 2010 in Lee USA, Monadnock, NEMA, Seekonk, Stafford, Thompson and Waterford. 0 Comments

Lee USA Speedway
No. Driver First Last
6 Drew Fornoro 1985 1990

4 Jeff Horn 1987 2009
2 Nokie Fornoro 1986 1989
2 Dave Humphrey 1967 1985
2 Russ Stoehr 1991 1991

One-time Lee USA Speedway winners: Randy Cabral (2009), Joey Coy (1991), Mike Favulli (1988), Walt Gale (1966), Mike Osite (1987), Joey Payne Jr. (2003), Bob Resco Jr. (1994), Bobby Santos III (2008), Ben Seitz (2004), Bobby Seymour (1990).
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Angelillo 45 Remains NEMA Contender

Published at March 10, 2010 in NEMA, NEMA Lites and Waterford. 0 Comments

Brockton, MA – The beat goes on for the Dumo’s Desire/Marilyn’s Passion team. The number 45 with Russ Stoehr aboard will be on hand when the Northeastern Midget Association opens its 59th season March 26-27 at Waterford Speedbowl’s Budweiser Blastoff Weekend.

“We have decided to run because that’s what he would have wanted,” said Laura Kibbe of her late father Gene Angelillo who passed away March 1. “The car is ready.”

Stoehr will join a number of drivers out to end defending champion Randy Cabral’s opening day win streak at two. It’s three in a row for Bertrand who won with Lou Cicconi back in ’07.’ The team will debut a Honda motor at the opener.
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NASCAR Announces Developmental Series 2010 TV Schedule

Published at March 9, 2010 in NASCAR CWSE, NASCAR WMT and NASCAR WSMT. 0 Comments

Daytona Beach, FL — NASCAR has announced today the television schedule for its developmental series for 2010.

The expanded calendar includes 21 events on SPEED for the NASCAR K&N Pro Series and seven races for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour and NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour. This comprehensive package includes airing of every race on the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East and West schedules. Three of the Whelen Modified Tours will air as same-day televised events.

SPEED, anchored by its popular and wide-ranging coverage of NASCAR, is the nation’s first and only cable television network dedicated to automotive and motorcycle racing, performance and lifestyle. The NASCAR Developmental Series programming will air Thursdays at 6 p.m. ET.

“Our NASCAR Developmental Series all have a strong and passionate fan base, and we saw the results in the viewership of last year’s events and in January for our postseason showcase, the NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown,” said George Silbermann, NASCAR managing director of racing operations. “Our fans spoke, and we listened. We are thrilled to be able to work with our television partners to provide extensive coverage of the talented drivers and tracks that help form the foundation of this sport.”
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Largest Pre-Season Registration In MRS History

Published at March 9, 2010 in TVMRS. 0 Comments

Canaan, NH — The recently released roster of 65 race teams intending to compete in 2010 with the Modified Racing Series, sponsored by Bob Valenti AutoMall.Com. is the largest pre-season count in the seven year history of the series.

Competitors from all over the northeast are preparing for the new season and a strong car response is anticipated for the season opener at the “Budweiser Blastoff” weekend at Waterford Speedbowl, Waterford, CT, March 27, 28.

“It is unbelievable when you think of it,” said tour announcer John Spence. “We have always had respectable numbers going into a new campaign but to have 65 teams saying they are going to give your series a try speaks volumes of where this tour is at. Those numbers are where you like to be going into your seventh season.”
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Crystal Mall Speedbowl Car Show this weekend

Published at March 9, 2010 in Waterford. 0 Comments

Waterford, CT — Race fans anxious for a sneak peek at the 2010 race season can venture out to the Crystal Mall in Waterford this weekend, March 12-14, for the annual Speedbowl car show. Speedbowl racecars will be on display on the lower level of the mall concourse, near the Sears and Old Navy area of the mall.

Teams representing the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modified®, Late Model, Street Stock and Truck divisions are set to be on hand. They are just four of the 14 divisions that will be in competition at Budweiser Blastoff Weekend, the track’s 60th season opener March 26-28. The blockbuster weekend of racing includes the New England based Modified Racing Series, NEMA Midgets, Allison Legacy North Racing Series and Pro4 Modifieds in addition to the Speedbowl’s own weekly divisions. A full schedule of events including pricing and gate times is available at www.speedbowl.com.
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Thompson Prepares for Opening of 70th Year

Published at March 8, 2010 in Thompson. 0 Comments

Thompson, CT — Thompson International Speedway will mark the opening of its 70th anniversary year with the running of the traditional Icebreaker on the weekend of April 10th and 11th. The famed, high-banked oval will usher in the 2010 racing season with the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour and Thompson’s own “Super 6” NASCAR Whelen All-American series divisions.

Just prior to the actual running of the Icebreaker, the speedway will be open for two full days of open practice. The first of these days is scheduled for Saturday, March 27th with the second the following Saturday, April 3rd.

The open practice sessions are for any and all race cars providing that they meet safety requirements. The track will be open for “round robin” sessions between the hours of 11AM and 6 PM. All competitors are invited and are urged to take advantage of this opportunity to get their race cars dialed in for the big season opening Icebreaker.

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2010 Full Season Entries: 25th ACT Season Sees near Record Full Season Entry List

Published at March 8, 2010 in ACT LM Tour. 0 Comments

The American Canadian Tour (ACT) will celebrate 25 years of Championship Stock Car Racing with one of its largest number of pre-season full season entered teams. The balance of veteran champions and new teams joining the US touring division represents five New England states and two provinces of Canada. ACT statistician Nick Bigelow said, “I have reviewed past seasons and this looks like the most diverse and best count ACT has had in the past half dozen seasons.”

A fourteen race schedule will carry teams from the shores of Connecticut at the historic Waterford Speedbowl to new tracks located as far north as Quebec City, (the newly renovated 5/8th mile Riverside Speedway in Ste-Croix), and west to the newly paved 4/10th mile Albany Saratoga Speedway in Malta, NY, just outside the New York capital city.

Veteran title chaser Brent Dragon from Milton, VT said, “This is a great schedule for those of us that like touring. New tracks are always interesting and with two new tracks on the schedule just undergoing renovations and paving (Albany-Saratoga and Riverside-Ste Croix), along with my favorite recently renovated half mile Airborne Speedway in Plattsburgh, NY, I hope this is the year I can finally win an ACT Championship.”

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Seekonk Speedway Releases 2010 Schedule

Published at March 7, 2010 in Seekonk. 0 Comments

Seekonk, MA — With the winter flakes being dusted off under the warmer skies, Seekonk Speedway has finalized the 2010 racing schedule. With 4 weeks until the first Test & Tune, scheduled for Saturday, April 03, the staff is gearing up for a busy season once again.

Opening day has been set for Sunday, May 2, featuring the Phil’s Propane 75 for the ARC Pro Stocks. This is the first of two 75 lap mains for the Pro’s in 2010. The second is Saturday, June 19. The winners of these events will be a guaranteed started for the second annual PASS 150 on Saturday August 14. These are the only extra distance events for the Pro Stocks in 2010, not including the DAV Fall Classic. They will be idle on three occasions, including the PASS 150. The other event will be when the Modified Racing Series sponsored by BobValentiAutoMall.com. comes to town.

Headlining the schedule will be the sixth annual Open Wheel Wednesday Modified Madness. With $10,000 up for grabs to the winner, and five different winners in five events, 2010 should be the best yet. This is a non-sanctioned open competition event allowing competitors from all modified tours and weekly competitors to challenge each other on one of the toughest bullrings around. Included on the card on Wednesday, July 21 will be the NEMA Midgets and the Pro4 Modifieds, for three open wheel features, keeping the fans on the edge of their seats.
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