Drivers Ready to Kickoff Inaugural Southern Modified Racing Series Season at Hickory
CHARLOTTE, NC (March 21) – Modified racers from all over the East Coast are busy preparing for this weekend’s inaugural event for the Southern Modified Racing Series Presented By PASS. The South’s newest Tour-type Modified division will compete 10 times in 2016 beginning with Saturday’s Easter Bunny 125 at Hickory Motor Speedway. Each Southern Modified Racing Series Presented By PASS event this year will be 125 laps and pay $3,000 to win and $500 to start, with the exception of the inaugural race at Hickory Motor Speedway. The Easter Bunny 125 will pay $5,000 to the winner of the history making first race.
The Pasteryak family of Connecticut is synonymous with Tour-type Modified racing in the Northeast. Both Chris and Charlie Pasteryak are entered for Saturday night’s inaugural Easter Bunny 125. Chris Pasteryak is not only excited about the Easter Bunny 125, but also looking forward to competing full-time as he seeks the SMRS championship.
“As a fan, I have always been impressed with PASS and their ability to promote big races for the Super Late Models up and down the East Coast, so to see them apply this to Modified racing could be very good for the division,” says Pasteryak. “Hickory Motor Speedway has played a huge role in short track racing so I can’t think of a better venue to start at. For our team last year, we went to Hickory in the Spring and were able to use the weekend as a great way to get a jump on the New England racing season. So when PASS announced this event, it immediately went right on our schedule. Everyone is excited to get down there and get back to racing again.”
Like Pasteryak, Winston-Salem, NC’s Zach Brewer is excited for the opportunities the SMRS will provide Modified racers in the Southeast. Brewer has been a consistent front runner in the division for the last number of years and hopes to start the season with a checkered flag at Hickory on Saturday night.
“It should be a great race because Hickory is a multi-groove track that fits the Modifieds perfectly,” said Brewer. “Without having as many rules and uncertainty as some other tours, I think the SMRS will have some of the best in the business in attendance. We’re looking to do battle on Saturdayand it should shape up to be a great race.”
In addition to the Pasteryaks and Brewer, the entry list continues to grow by the day for the Easter Bunny 125. John Smith, Cale Gale, and Brandon Ward lead a group of Southern Modified drivers which includes Darren Shaw, Kevin Orlando, Chase Hunt, Mike Norman, and Brian Loftin. Multi-time North-South Shootout winner Matt Hirschman will lead the Northeast contingent to Hickory including Jon McKennedy, Derek Ramstrom, Edward LeClerc, Mike Leaty, and Ryan Russo.
The inaugural Southern Modified Racing Series Presented By PASS event is scheduled for Saturday, March 26 at Hickory Motor Speedway as part of the 11th Annual Easter Bunny 150 weekend. Along with a PASS National Championship race for the Super Late Models and the first race for the new South East Mini Stock Tour, the prestigious Easter Bunny 150 weekend will only continue to grow in prominence with the addition of the Southern Modified Racing Series.
Other major events planned for the 2016 season include the Charles Kepley Memorial 125 at Concord Speedway on Friday night, May 27 and the Kenny Minter Memorial 125 at Caraway Speedway on Saturday night, October 22.
License forms, rules, and entry forms for Hickory Motor Speedway are now posted at SouthernModifiedRacingSeries.com.
The Pro All Stars Series is recognized as North America’s premier sanctioning body for asphalt Super Late Models and Modifieds, boasting such marquee events as the legendary Oxford 250 at Oxford Plains Speedway and the Easter Bunny 150 at the historic Hickory Motor Speedway. For technical information concerning any PASS division, please send questions to passracing@roadrunner.com. For media or marketing questions, please contact Alan Dietz at 704-231-2039 or alandietzpass@live.com. Please visit ProAllStarsSeries.com for more information. And, don’t forget to “Like” the Southern Modified Racing Series on Facebook or follow PASS on Twitter @PASSSLM14 to keep up with breaking news as it happens.
Sources: Alan Dietz/PASS PR