Waterford, CT — Late Model competitor Ernie Bertrand is bracing for a busy 2008. In addition to preparing for upcoming Waterford Speedbowl season, which begins with the April 12-13, Budweiser Modified Nationals, Ernie and wife Crystal are expectant parents.
“Crystal is due any day now, so needless to say, it’s a busy time for us right now,” says Bertrand. “ You can pretty-much bet on me being at the Nationals. It’s not a race a driver wants to miss. Still, it’s going to be hectic.”
Host of Contenders to Vie for Championship
Daytona Beach, FL — With Donny Lia, the 2007 champion, having moved on to the NASCAR Craftsman Trucks Series, a host of drivers have lined up to take his place as the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion in 2008.
Nearly six months of offseason preparation will be put to the test this coming weekend as the 24th season of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour – and 61st of NASCAR Modified racing overall – commences with the Icebreaker at Thompson (Conn.) International Speedway on Sunday, April 6.
Thompson, CT — The stars of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour will be out in force this weekend for the season opening ICEBREAKER at the Thompson International Speedway. The list of race teams and drivers pre-entered for the April 5th & 6th event is made up of champions and challengers.
Four former winners of the ICEBREAKER will be on hand as will a host of drivers that want to add this prestigious event to their win list. The driver who has the most ICEBREAKER wins is Rick Fuller. The Auburn, MA driver won the event in 1991, 1994, 1997 and 2001. Seven time Modified Tour division Champion, Mike Stefanik, a two-time ICEBREAKER winner (’98 & ’06), will be joined by another two-time victor, Ted Christopher (’04 & ’05). Last year’s ICEBREKER winner, James Civali, will try to make it two in a row.
[Icebreaker Schedule]
[Icebreaker NASCAR WMT Roster]
Continue reading ‘Racing’s Stars Will Shine at Icebreaker This Weekend’
With one of the snowiest New England winters on record, The True Value Modified Racing Series has been forced to restructure its plans for the start of the new season as a recent snowfall and an abundant amount of remaining snow forced the postponement of the season opener at Monadnock Speedway, Winchester, NH. The “Bond Auto Parts -Spring Dash 100” will now be run Saturday April 26 at 6 PM. Mother nature forced tour operatives to seek other race venues for their annual pre-season practice sessions to prepare for season opening events.
Series officials’ advise a practice session is scheduled for Waterford CT., Speedbowl Saturday, April 5, 12 noon to 5:00 PM. Grandstands will not be open to the public. Pit gates open at 9 AM.
Continue reading ‘True Value Modified Series Alters Spring Schedule’
Waterford, CT — Jimmy Blewett and car owner Eddie Partridge have filed an entry for the $20,000 SK-150 at Waterford Speedbowl’s 12th annual Budweiser Modified Nationals April 12-13.
Involved in a controversial call last year, Blewett returns to take on the strongest entry list in the event’s history. Led by Jeff Pearl, Frank Ruocco, Ted Christopher and Dennis Gada, all looking for their second “150” win, the list includes Matt Hirschman, Kenny Horton, Rob Summers, Jeff Malave and Woody Pitkat.
Today’s edition of the Carey and Coffey show (March 30th from 10am-Noon) will feature their 2008 NASCAR Whelen Modified Preview Show. Guests include several drivers: Chuck Hossfeld, Ryan Preece, Ronnie Silk and Todd Szegedy.
You can listen now to 940/150 ESPN radio here.
Dart Becomes Official Sponsor of Steel Head Engine Bonus Program
Canaan, NH — The True Value Modified Racing Series announced today that DART Machine will become the official sponsor of the 2008 Steel Head Bonus Program. The bonus program will reward the two highest finishing competitors will a steel head motor, as well as a commitment to the series year end point fund.
“It’s a real honor to have a company like DART take an interest in our series, we look forward to a long term relationship with them” said True Value Series President Jack Bateman. “We believe that our steel head program offers our competitors an option that is affordable and competitive on the race track. As DART becomes the Official Head of the True Value Modified Racing Series, we welcome the opportunity to promote a great product through our series.”
Continue reading ‘Dart Machine to Sponsor TVMRS Engine Program’
Canaan, NH — In a joint announcement, True Value Modified Racing Series president Jack Bateman and Thompson International Speedway owner Donald Hoenig advise additional races have been added for this years qualifying series for “Sunoco Mod-Mania” weekend at Thompson. The annual two day event will be held Sept 6-7 at the historic oval.
New England Racing Fuels, the official Sunoco Racing Fuel supplier and sponsor for New England’s modified racing series, will again present the special qualifying events including two newly added race tracks for the 2008 campaign. This years schedule has been increased to eight races. Six drivers captured guaranteed starting positions last year.
Continue reading ‘Sunoco Mod- Mania Qualifiers Increased To Eight Races’
Thompson International Speedway hosted another Test ‘N Tune session on Saturday, March 29.
Teams from the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour and NEMA Midgets were on hand to get ready for Icebreaker 2008 next weekend. The NASCAR Whelen All-American Series weekly classes of Sunoco Modifieds, Pro Stocks, Limited Sportsman, Thompson Modifieds and Mini Stocks were also there.
Eric LaFleche of VLF Photos and our own Adam Fohlin were there to capture the action.
[Photo Gallery] by Adam Fohlin
[Photo Gallery] by Eric LaFleche
TIRES WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR PICKUP at the speedway on Wednesday, April 2, between 4 and 7 PM. Tires must first be purchased at the speedway office. This can be done during normal business hours or on Wednesday before tire pickup. Call the office at (508)-336-9959 with any questions.
PRO STOCKS will again run TIME TRIALS on Opening Day 2008 to set their starting positions for qualifying races. Other divisions will start their heat races by drawing for position. As per previous years, cars drawing starting spots in the top five must have attained a minimum speed in practice sessions or will be relegated to the tail end of the field.
Continue reading ‘Seekonk Speedway Updates for Opening Day; Yurko Joins As Videographer’
The NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour race slated for Saturday night at Southern National Raceway Park has been postponed due to inclement weather. The new date for the Night of Modifieds 150 will be announced at a later date.
The Whelen Southern Modified Tour returns to action in the Whelen Southern Modified Tour 150 presented by Kevin Whitaker Chevrolet next Saturday night at Greenville-Pickens Speedway in Greenville, S.C.
Sources: NASCAR WSMT PR.
Pro All Stars Series (PASS) South point leader Corey Williams will lead a strong field of PASS South competitors to Dillon South Carolina Saturday April 5th for the South Carolina Clash 125 at Dillon Motor Speedway.
Williams is coming off a thrilling victory at the PASS South season opener at Hickory Motor Speedway. Williams and 2007 PASS South champion Ryan Lawler waged war in the closing stages of the Easter Bunny 150, racing side by side and swapping the lead countless times. Williams prevailed over Lawler and 15 year-old John Stancill for the win.
Continue reading ‘Williams Leads PASS South to the South Carolina Clash’
Seekonk, MA — In preparation for its 63rd annual season, the 1/3-mile Seekonk Speedway oval will hold its first of three open practice sessions on Saturday, April 5. The Route 6 facility, the oldest family-owned and operated short track in the country, will be open for safety inspections and hot laps for the weekly Pro Stock, Late Model, Sport Truck, Street Stock divisions, the Fast Friday Series’ Pure Stocks and Seekonk Youth Racing Association classes, and competitors from various touring series’, clubs, and other tracks.
The speedway’s pit gates and pit ticket booths will open at 9 AM. A mandatory rookie meeting will begin at 11 AM, to be followed by practice time for all rookie competitors and each represented division. Safety inspections and tire sales will be ongoing throughout the day. “We would expect that each division could easily get in five or six rounds of practice throughout the day,” Race Director and Assistant Manager David Alburn explains. “Practice will run until approximately 5 PM, giving all drivers a generous amount of seat time. We will also be meeting with Pro Stock and Late Model competitors to discuss the tire rule for 2008.”
Continue reading ‘Seekonk Speedway Preps For First Open Practice of ‘08′
Waterford, CT — There are precious days left and John Puglisi is ready to begin the seasonal ritual – getting ready for Waterford Speedbowl’s season-opening Budweiser Modified Nationals April 12-13. Like always, he’ll be there when the first green flag drops.
Continue reading ‘Speedbowl Veteran Puglisi Making Ready For Opener’
Media Favors 2003 Champion to Regain Title
Daytona Beach, FL — Todd Szegedy, the 2003 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Champion, has been tabbed the favorite to recapture the title in 2008 by media members that cover the tour.
Szegedy earned 176 points in the preseason ballot and collected seven first place votes. Matt Hirschman was second in balloting with 164 points and garnered a first place nod by four voters.
Continue reading ‘Szegedy Tabbed Modified Preseason Favorite’
