Archive for the 'Daytona' Category

George Brunnhoelzl III Not Racing at UNOH Battle at the Beach

Published at February 15, 2013 in Daytona, NASCAR WMT and NASCAR WSMT. Closed

George Brunnhoelzl III, three-time NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified champion, has made the decision not to race in the UNOH Battle at the Beach on Tuesday, February 19th. Brunnhoelzl suffered a shoulder injury toward the end of the 2012 race season resulting in surgery in late December to repair a torn Labrum. Currently recovering, George is pleased with the progress he is making in physical therapy but recognizes he will not be at 100% in time for the race. “It was a tough decision, but if I want to contend for another NWSMT championship I need to hink long-term and participating in what would be a great race [Battle at the Beach] is simply not the smart move,” said Brunnhoelzl.

Brunnhoelzl is looking forward to returning to the seat in March in the family owned No. 28. He is planning to run the full 2013 NWSMT season pending sponsorship. Brunnhoelzl won the 2009 NWSMT Championship in the No. 28.

To stay up to date on George’s 2013 schedule follow him on Twitter (@GB3Racing) or like him on Facebook (www.facebook.com/GeorgeBrunnhoelzlIII). If you are interested in sponsoring the No. 28 for the 2013 NWSMT season, please contact George Brunnhoelzl III directly at Brunnhoelzl racing, 704-662-3443.

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David Smith’s Benchmarks and Breakouts

Published at February 14, 2013 in Daytona, NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, NASCAR WA-AS, NASCAR WMT and NASCAR WSMT. Closed

Motorsports Analytics Previews UNOH Battle At The Beach

Tuesday, I wrote about the obvious choices for the UNOH Battle at the Beach, but this event offers so much more; seasoned veterans and young drivers just emerging as notable prospects help fill the fields of the two-night NASCAR Home Tracks showcase at the World Center of Racing.

Some of those short track lifers and hopeful young‘uns are racers with which you need to become familiar.

Let’s start with the grizzled vets:

BENCHMARKS

Traditional scouting methods (i.e. the eye test, going by the gut) require a measurement for achievement. It’s easy to spot a young driver if he’s beating an unbeatable, never-phased veteran. That certain vet is what’s called a benchmark.

The benchmark is the consummate professional in a racing series, whose wisdom and wiliness is seldom bested. A benchmark’s presence also tends to go unappreciated, but a stage the size of Daytona can help rectify some wrongs in this regard. The UNOH Battle at the Beach has plenty of benchmarks ready and able to school fields littered with youthful adversaries.

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NASCAR, Swan Racing & Michael Waltrip Partner to Pay Tribute to Newtown, Conn., Community

Published at February 14, 2013 in Daytona and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Closed

Waltrip To Drive No. 26 Sandy Hook School Support Fund Toyota Camry for the DAYTONA 500®; Fans Can Make $10 Donations By Texting NEWTOWN to 80888

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Using the biggest race of the year as a backdrop, NASCAR, Swan Racing and two-time Daytona 500 champion Michael Waltrip announced today a special tribute to raise awareness and contributions for the Sandy Hook School Support Fund.

Following a private meeting with town officials, community leaders, first responders and victims’ families last week in Newtown, Conn., NASCAR, Swan Racing and Waltrip announced that the No. 30 Lean1 Swan Racing Toyota will instead garner the No. 26 Sandy Hook School Support Fund Toyota. Waltrip’s ride for the Daytona 500 (Sunday, Feb. 24 1 p.m. ET on FOX) will honor the 26 victims of Sandy Hook Elementary School and prominently feature a call-to-action decal encouraging the NASCAR community to make $10 donations by texting NEWTOWN to 80888.

The Sandy Hook School Support Fund, established jointly by United Way of Western Connecticut and Newtown Savings Bank, supports the healing process for the broader Newtown community including children, teachers, first responders, families, residents, mental health professionals, counselors and others, following the tragic events that occurred at Sandy Hook Elementary School in December. One hundred percent of the funds raised for the Sandy Hook School Support Fund go to meet the needs of the Newtown community.

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Bonsignore, Lia Lead Long Island Contingent

Published at February 13, 2013 in Daytona, NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, NASCAR WA-AS, NASCAR WMT and NASCAR WSMT. Closed

UNOH Battle At The Beach To Have Plenty of N.Y. Representation

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour standouts Justin Bonsignore and Donny Lia will lead a strong contingent of drivers from the New York hotbed of Modified racing – Long Island – for the inaugural UNOH Battle At The Beach, Feb. 18-19 at Daytona International Speedway.

Eight of the 34 drivers entered so far come from Long Island for the event that will feature the NASCAR Whelen Modified and NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tours compete in combination on a .4-mile short track on the backstretch at Daytona.

The trek from the snow-covered northeast will be led by Bonsignore, from Holtsville, and Lia, who hails from Jericho. The pair earned secured starting positions for the inaugural short-track showcase by virtue of their wins during the 2012 season, which both came at Thompson International Speedway in Connecticut.

Drivers that won Whelen Modified races or captured the championship during this past season are locked in to the UNOH Battle At The Beach Modified main event. All others will have to qualifying their way into the feature through heat races.

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Coby, Santos Secure Rides for Daytona

Published at February 12, 2013 in Daytona, NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, NASCAR WA-AS, NASCAR WMT and NASCAR WSMT. Closed

Champion Whelen Modified Drivers Team Up With Legends of the Sport

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — With their own teams not able to make the trip, a pair of champion NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour drivers leaned on relationships developed through the years to secure rides for the inaugural UNOH Battle At The Beach, Feb. 18-19 at Daytona International Speedway.

Reigning NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Champion Doug Coby and 2010 tour titlist Bobby Santos will head to the “World Center of Racing” thanks to arrangements secured just recently to allow them to compete in the new special event on the .4-mile oval on the backstretch at Daytona.

Those arrangements will also see them team up with another pair of champions, and legends in the Modified ranks. Coby is slated to compete in a team car to Ted Christopher – the 2001 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series national champion and 2008 Whelen Modified Tour titlist – while Santos’ car will come out of the same shop as that of nine-time NASCAR champion Mike Stefanik.

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NEAR Hall of Famer Red Foote Passes at 85

Published at February 6, 2013 in Atlanta, Bowman-Gray, Daytona, Eastern States, Lonsdale, Martinsville, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR WMT, NEAR, New Egypt, Norwood, Nostalgia, Plainville, Riverside Park, Seekonk, South Boston, Stafford, Thompson, Waterford and Westboro. Closed

Red_FooteFOOTE, Melvin “Red,” 85, of Chesterfield, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, February 3, 2013. Red is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Loretta Foote; his stepdaughter, Linda Strasburg; stepgrandson, Michael (TiAnna) Talley; stepgranddaughter, Michelle (Richard) King; sisters-in-law, Rev. Beverly J. Samford and Julianna Duke.

Red enjoyed racing stockcars for 35 years, is formerly known as one of the “Eastern Bandits” and was inducted into the New England Hall of Fame for racecar drivers in 1999. After retirement he spent much time at Newpoint Campground on his boat fishing. Red was devoted to his cats and his good friends at Dutchgap. Red will be remembered for his quick wit, humor and willingness to help others and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, February 7 at Morrissett Funeral and Cremation Service, 6500 Iron Bridge Rd (Rte 10). His graveside service will be February 8, 2013 at 2 p.m. at Bethel UMC Cemetery in Alberta, Va., with the Rev. Beverly J. Samford officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the Richmond SPCA at 2519 Hermitage Road, Richmond, Va. 23220.

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Silk Set For Week Of Racing In Florida

Published at January 31, 2013 in Daytona, NASCAR WMT and New Smyrna. Closed

 2011 Modified Champ To Compete At Daytona, New Smyrna

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The winters in Connecticut can be long, and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour offseason even longer, which is why Ron Silk and TS Haulers Racing eagerly anticipate the opportunity to hit the race track in Florida during 2013 Speedweeks.

The 2011 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champions, Silk and the No. 6 crew will participate in the inaugural UNOH Battle At The Beach on the short track Daytona International Speedway, Feb. 18-19. They’ll follow that up with by participating three nights at the World Series of Stock Car Racing at recently-NASCAR-sanctioned New Smyrna Speedway. 

“We’re racers,” Silk said of the team’s motivation to head to Florida. “It’s been a long time since the [2012 season finale] World Series and we just want to get back on the race track. It’s nice to get away from the weather up here for a few days and get some racing in.”

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Tommy Baldwin Racing Pays Homage to Its Heritage

Published at January 17, 2013 in Daytona, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and NASCAR WMT. Closed

Mooresville, N.C. — Tommy Baldwin Racing is paying homage to its heritage with the announcement that Dave Blaney will drive the No. 7 Chevrolet SS in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starting at the season-opening Daytona 500.

The number is a tribute to team owner Tommy Baldwin,Jr.'s late father, Tom Baldwin, Sr., who was a beloved NASCAR Modified driver, and sported the number 7NY throughout his career. Working on his father's cars is how Baldwin got his start in racing, and ultimately led him into NASCAR's elite series.

"It is a very special moment today to announce the number 7 on our Chevrolet SS. The number has been in the Baldwin family for a long time and it is going to be pretty special to carry on that legacy in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series."

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Preece To Begin Busy 2013 Slate In Daytona

Published at January 14, 2013 in Bristol, Daytona, Monadnock, NASCAR WMT, NHMS, Riverhead, Stafford, Thompson and Waterford. Closed

Modified Tour, All-American Series Driver Has Grand Plans

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Connecticut’s Ryan Preece – one of the “race anytime, anywhere” drivers that permeates NASCAR’s weekly and regional touring ranks – plans to launch his aggressive 2013 racing schedule with the inaugural UNOH Battle At The Beach at Daytona International Speedway, Feb. 18-19.

Preece has steadily increased his racing involvement since bursting on the scene at age 16 in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour in 2007. Now 21, the Berlin, Conn., racer is looking at nearly 100 races in total for the 2013 season, starting with his first trip to the “World Center of Racing.”

“Drivers at my level, we don’t ever know if we’ll have the opportunity to race on the big track at Daytona, so to be able to be there [to race the short track] is pretty cool,” Preece said.

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Daytona On Deck For Short-Track Stars

Published at January 11, 2013 in Daytona, NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, NASCAR WA-AS, NASCAR WMT and NASCAR WSMT. Closed

UNOH Battle At The Beach Final Event Details Announced

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The Nearly 11 months ago, NASCAR and Daytona International Speedway announced the concept of a unique short-track event to take place Feb. 18-19 during the 2013 Speedweeks. With the kickoff just over five weeks away, the anticipation and excitement around the inaugural UNOH Battle At The Beach continues to rise.

Friday, NASCAR released the entry blanks to the competitors that outlined the complete details, from the final event schedule to the complete race format for the special non-points events.

“Our team has devoted a great deal of time generating feedback from not only drivers and owners, but fans and media as well, to work to create a truly special event that will serve as the crown jewel of the short-track calendar,” said Brad Moran, NASCAR touring series director. “The end result is a format and rules package designed to showcase the best talent throughout NASCAR’s regional and touring series.

“The benefit of this being a completely new and unique event is we were able to take a fresh look at everything and really create something special and exciting.”

LINKS: TRACK MAP | LOCKED-IN DRIVERS | LATE MODEL RULES

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Seuss Headed To Daytona For UNOH Battle At The Beach

Published at January 5, 2013 in Daytona and NASCAR WSMT. Closed

Whelen Southern Modified Tour Driver Excited For Speedweeks

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — A winner at eight different tracks during his NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour career, Andy Seuss has his sights set on adding the short track at Daytona International Speedway to his list.

Seuss, a 12-time winner overall in seven seasons as a competitor on the Whelen Southern Modified Tour, will head to Daytona with his No. 11 team to participate in the inaugural UNOH Battle At The Beach at Daytona International Speedway, Feb. 18-19.

For the first time, NASCAR’s weekly and regional touring series will have a prominent place during Budweiser Speedweeks in Daytona, the “Worlds Center of Racing.” Since the special event was unveiled last February, Seuss has anticipated the opportunity to race on the hallowed grounds.

“It’s going to be really exciting to say I raced at Daytona,” Seuss said. “It’s going to be quite an honor. Just to look around at the high banking and to know the people that have been there is going to be real neat.”

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Christopher Secures 2013 Mod Tour Plans

Published at January 3, 2013 in Daytona and NASCAR WMT. Closed

Will Team With BRE Full-Time Starting With Daytona

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – After a trial run between the two parties in 2012, Ted Christopher and Boehler Racing Enterprises are set to contend for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour championship together in 2013.

“BRE Racing is very excited to team up with Ted Christopher for the 2013 Whelen Modified Tour season,” said team president Michael Boehler. “The whole team is busy preparing race cars for next season and we will be ready to start in Daytona at the UNOH Battle At The Beach.”

Christopher, from Plainville, Conn., raced BRE’s famed No. 3 “Ole Blue” four times a year ago after the 2008 Whelen Modified Tour champion’s former full-time team closed operations. Despite the long Modified tenures of both driver and team, it marked their first venture together.

Christopher recorded an average finish of 11th in six total points races under the BRE banner in 2012, with a best finish of fourth at Thompson International Speedway in August. Additionally, last year’s effort together was highlighted by a visit Victory Lane in the non-points UNOH Showdown at Thompson in September.

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Stefanik Set For UNOH Battle At The Beach

Published at January 2, 2013 in Daytona and NASCAR WMT. Closed

  

Nine-Time NASCAR Champ Ready For Daytona

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – A large part of NASCAR history in his own right, Mike Stefanik is set to participate in the historical and inaugural UNOH Battle At The Beach at Daytona International Speedway, Feb. 18-19.

For the first time, NASCAR’s weekly and regional touring series will have a prominent place during Budweiser Speedweeks in Daytona, the “Worlds Center of Racing.” As a nine-time touring series champion, Stefanik had to be a part of it.

“At Daytona, whether you win on the road course, the big track or the small track, the trophy will be worth its weight in gold,” Stefanik said.

Stefanik knows a little something about trophies. He shares the all-time record of nine NASCAR championships with NASCAR Hall of Famer Richie Evans. Stefanik won seven NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour championships as well as a pair of NASCAR K&N Pro Series East titles.

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2013 Whelen S. Mod Schedule Announced

Published at December 8, 2012 in Bowman-Gray, Bristol, Caraway, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Daytona, Langley, NASCAR WSMT, South Boston and Southern National Raceway Park. Closed

Inaugural Visit To Southern National Highlights Full Slate

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – NASCAR announced today the 2013 schedule for the ninth season of the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour, which includes two new venues to the slate of events.

Next season’s schedule features 12 dates at seven tracks including two companion events with NASCAR’s national series.

New to the schedule in 2013 will be a special event as part of Speedweeks at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway and two visits to Southern National Motorsports Park, the .4-mile track in Kenly, N.C., on March 23 and Sept. 21.

“Modified fans are as passionate as any in motorsports,” said George Silbermann, NASCAR vice president, regional and touring series. “The expanded 2013 calendar will give them new and traditional opportunities to enjoy the stars, cars, and unbridled excitement of the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour.”

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2013 Whelen Modified Schedule Announced

Published at December 8, 2012 in Bristol, Daytona, Monadnock, NASCAR WMT, NHMS, Riverhead, Stafford, Thompson and Waterford. Closed

 

Action At All 3 Connecticut Short Tracks, 3Companion Events

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – NASCAR announced today the 2013 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour schedule that will feature traditional dates at some of the premier short tracks and speedways in the northeast.

In its 28th season of competition, the Whelen Modified Tour will see the 14-race slate spread across seven tracks in four states. New to the schedule in 2013 will be a special event as part of Speedweeks at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway and a second date at Riverhead (N.Y.) Raceway.

“Modified fans are some of the most passionate in motorsports,” said George Silbermann, NASCAR vice president, regional and touring series. “The 2013 calendar will give them plenty of opportunities to enjoy the stars, cars, and the tremendous excitement of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour.”
The season will commence with the inaugural UNOH Battle at the Beach non-points event on the short track at Daytona on Feb. 19 in which the Whelen Modified Tour and Whelen Southern Modified Tour will compete in combination.

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Late Model Rules For Daytona Announced

Published at October 18, 2012 in Daytona. Closed

Inaugural UNOH Battle At The Beach Expected To Attract Large Field

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The inaugural UNOH Battle At The Beach will be a unique gathering of Late Model teams from across North America at the most hallowed of racing grounds. The event, expected to draw 75 to 100 entries from the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series, will be competing on the .4-mile oval at Daytona International Speedway during the 2013 Speedweeks on Feb. 17-19.

Due to differing rules packages at tracks throughout the United States and Canada, the challenge for NASCAR’s Touring & Weekly competition division – led by Lynn Carroll, director of weekly racing, at the NASCAR Research and Development Center in Concord, N.C. – was to generate a set of rules and guidelines to allow as many teams to compete as possible.

“We surveyed tracks throughout all the regions to put this package together,” said Richard Buck, NASCAR director of touring series, competition. “This is a unique, one-of-a-kind showcase for the top Late Model drivers across the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series. Our specific purpose was to open the event to as many NASCAR competitors as possible regardless of where and how they compete on a week-to-week basis.”

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Stafford Motor Speedway’s Joe Coss Wins UNOH Battle At The Beach Announcer Search

Published at October 12, 2012 in Daytona, NASCAR WA-AS and Stafford. Closed

 

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The race fans have spoken and Joe Coss, announcer at Stafford Motor Speedway in Connecticut, has been voted the winner of Daytona International Speedway’s UNOHBattle At The Beach announcer search.

Coss will be part of the announcing team for the inaugural UNOH Battle At The Beach on Feb. 18-19, which will feature two days of racing headlined by three non-points special events in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series, NASCAR Whelen Modified tours and the Late Model division of the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series.

For the past eight years, Coss has served as an announcer at Stafford Motor Speedway where his announcing duties have included coverage of the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour.

“To be able to announce at Daytona and represent the Northeast and short track racing at NASCAR’s biggest stage, is an absolute honor,” Coss said. “It’s something that I would have never expected. It’s a real privilege to be in the position to announce at Daytona. I’m really looking forward to the opportunity and I can’t wait for next February.”

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Short Track Stars to Light Up Daytona

Published at February 17, 2012 in Daytona, NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, NASCAR WA-AS, NASCAR WMT and NASCAR WSMT. Closed

Speedweeks 2013 To Include UNOH Battle At The Beach

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — The bright lights of the “World Center of Racing” will shine on the stars of NASCAR’s regional and touring series, as NASCAR announced today Daytona International Speedway will host the inaugural “UNOH Battle At The Beach” on Feb. 18-19, 2013.

The two-days of racing will be headlined by three non-points special events: the NASCAR K&N Pro Series, NASCAR Whelen Modified tours, and the Late Model division of the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series.

A temporary oval will be set up on Daytona’s Superstretch to host the races, It is tentatively slated to be approximately .4-mile.

“This is all about the stars of tomorrow vying for glory at Daytona International Speedway,” said George Silbermann, NASCAR vice president of regional and touring series. “During two days and nights of intense competition, fans will be able to see today’s aces of short track racing and some great young talent.”

The event will include live television coverage on Speed.

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NEAR Presents “Class of 2012” At 15th Annual New England Auto Racing Hall of Fame Inductions

Published at January 30, 2012 in Airborne, Albany-Saratoga, Autodrome St. Eustache, Beech Ridge, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Daytona, Dover, Eastern States, Holland, Hudson, Keene, Lakeville, Langley, Lee USA, Lonsdale, Martinsville, Monadnock, NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, NASCAR WMT, NEAR, New Smyrna, NHMS, Norwood, Nostalgia, Oswego, Oxford Plains, Plainville, Pro 4 Mod, Riverhead, Riverside Park, Seekonk, South Boston, Spencer, Stafford, Star, Thompson, Twin State, USAC, Utica-Rome, W. Peabody, Wall, Waterford, Westboro and Wiscasset. Closed

East Windsor, CT — On Sunday January 29, The New England Antique Racers (NEAR), presented the 15th annual New England Auto Racers Hall of Fame Inductions. Award-winning sportswriter Matt Buckler served as Master of Ceremonies for the well-attended event held at LaRenaissance Banquet Hall in East Windsor, CT.

Receiving induction honors this year were drivers Reggie Ruggiero, Joey Kourafas, Moe Gherzi, Jerry Humiston, and Roland Lapierre Sr., owner/mechanics Mario Fiore and Jim Jorgensen and track operator Irene Venditti.

Though not present due to prior commitments, longtime Northern media personality Dave Moody was the recipient of the prestigious “Jack Ratta Memorial Media Award.” Veteran auto racing journalist and Hall of Fame Member Pete Zanardi received the Danny Pardi Memorial Award for his many contributions to NEAR over the years.

A pivotal figure during the formative years of the sport and truly one of the regions earliest stars, Moe Gherzi came to stock cars following a brief fling with midget racing during the busy post-war era. Gherzi won for some of the best teams in the early days of the sport while displaying a flashy style which became his trademark. Nicknamed “Moneybags” owed to a knack of winning many big-dollar events, he tasted success at virtually all of the regions tracks. He later served as the longtime Racing Director at Connecticut’s Plainville Stadium. Accepting for her late father from presenter Dave Dykes was Ms. Alma Michaud.

[Photo Gallery] by Nicholas Teto

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‘Rapid Roman’ Richie Evans Rode Orange Chariot Into History

Published at January 19, 2012 in Albany-Saratoga, Bowman-Gray, Caraway, Chemung, Daytona, Dover, Fonda, Hickory, Holland, Langhorne, Lee USA, Martinsville, Monadnock, NASCAR WMT, New Smyrna, North Wilkesboro, Oswego, Oxford Plains, Riverhead, Riverside Park, Seekonk, Spencer, Stafford, Star, Thompson, Twin State, Wall, Waterford and Westboro. 0 Comments

New York Star Won Nine NASCAR Modified Series Titles In Hall Of Fame Career

Daytona Beach, FL — Richard Ernest “Richie” Evans certainly was the face of NASCAR – and modified racing – in the northeast, winning an estimated 475 times in approximately 1,300 starts. It equates to a win in every three starts (a 36.5% clip), something unheard of in modern racing at any level.

Evans will be inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame on Friday, one of five members of the Hall’s third class comprised of the New York native, legendary crew chief Dale Inman, team owner Glen Wood and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champions Darrell Waltrip and Cale Yarborough. He is the first of 15 inductees without a connection to NASCAR’s premier series.

The 2012 enshrinement ceremony kicks off NASCAR Acceleration 2012 weekend, which includes the NASCAR Preview 2012 Presented by Sprint, where fans can interact with the sport’s legends and current stars in person, get autographs and catch a sneak peek at the upcoming season. Fans can go to NASCARacceleration2012.com for more information.

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Bobby Pelland III Tests at Daytona

Published at December 31, 2011 in ARCA, Daytona and Seekonk. 0 Comments

Bobby Pelland, III experienced a breakthrough season at Seekonk Speedway in 2011. The driver of the A&A Auto Parts #12 earned two victories in the Late Models. Pelland steadily improved during the season to notch third place in point standings behind 5-time champion Gerry DeGasparre, Jr. and 2-time champion Ryan Vanasse. “It was a good year and I was happy with our performance and the cars we had every week,” Pelland said. “I could have had a couple more breaks go our way for a better season, but overall I am happy with the results.”

December is normally the heart of the offseason with drivers waiting for their next race in the Spring. Ryan Vanasse and his father had something in the works. A University of Rhode Island freshman, Pelland’s father told him about the Daytona trip while he was studying at school for finals. Daytona’s 2.5-mile oval left an impression on the 18-year-old. “It was unbelievable to race on a track with so much history and prestige,” Pelland said. “The banking was something else too. Also, it was a lot narrower then I had expected so it shows what kind of talent is in NASCAR when they go 3 or 4 wide in the draft.”

Pelland had to adjust to new surroundings – a powerful ARCA race car and by far the biggest race track in his brief career. “It took a lot longer then what I was used to to get up to speed and what not. Also, the not lifting thing was different I thought about it the first turn but I knew I didn't have to so I didn’t and after you did it once it came naturally.” The ARCA car felt comfortable for Pelland. “It’s obviously different but I would have to say the main thing is just the power other then that I did not feel much difference,” Pelland said. “I think on a short track or intermediate where handling matters more you would be able to notice the differences a lot more then Daytona.”

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Measure of the Man

Published at June 19, 2011 in Albany-Saratoga, Bowman-Gray, Caraway, Chemung, Daytona, Dover, Hickory, Holland, Lee USA, Martinsville, Monadnock, NASCAR WA-AS, NASCAR WMT, New Smyrna, North Wilkesboro, Oswego, Oxford Plains, Riverside Park, Seekonk, Spencer, Stafford, Star, Thompson, Twin State, Utica-Rome, Wall, Waterford and Westboro. 0 Comments

Equal parts talent, lifestyle and legend earn Evans his Hall call

Every Christmas Day, no matter how cold or how much snow was on the ground, Richie Evans would drive his race car over to The Rusty Nail, the Rome, N.Y., bar that also sponsored his famous orange and black No. 61, to celebrate the holiday. For Evans was never far from his roots.

This week, short-track fans up and down the East Coast were celebrating the announcement that Evans would be one of five people inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Evans made his name with eye-popping statistics from his career in a Modified.

But Evans cemented his legend a long time ago with the stories that surrounded his career.

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Evans Inducted To NASCAR Hall

Published at June 14, 2011 in Albany-Saratoga, Bowman-Gray, Daytona, Dover, Fonda, Hickory, Holland, Langhorne, Martinsville, Monadnock, NASCAR WMT, New Smyrna, Oswego, Riverhead, Riverside Park, Seekonk, Spencer, Stafford, Star, Thompson, Twin State, Utica-Rome, Wall, Waterford and Westboro. 0 Comments

2012 class includes Yarborough, Wood, Inman, Waltrip

1981 - Richie Evans at Stafford

1981 - Richie Evans at Stafford

Members of the 55-member NASCAR Hall of Fame Voting Panel met today in a closed session in Charlotte, N.C., to vote on the induction class of 2012. The announcement was made by NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France in the NASCAR Hall of Fame’s “Great Hall.”

The class was determined by votes cast by the Voting Panel, which included a nationwide fan vote conducted through NASCAR.COM. The accounting firm of Ernst & Young presided over the tabulation of the votes.

As was the case for the first two classes of the NASCAR Hall Of Fame, the results of this year’s voting were competitive. Yarborough led with 85 percent of the vote, followed by Waltrip (82%), Inman (78%), Evans (50%) and Wood (44%).

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Wood Bros. Success Began At Bowman Gray

Published at February 21, 2011 in Bowman-Gray, Daytona, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and NASCAR WA-AS. 0 Comments

Glen Wood Won Cup Races, All-American Series Titles At Stadium

Daytona Beach, FL — Trevor Bayne’s win in Sunday’s Daytona 500 was the 98th NASCAR Sprint Cup Series win for Wood Brothers Racing.

The foundation for the legendary Wood Brothers’ success was cemented at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, N.C., NASCAR’s longest-sanctioned NASCAR Whelen All-American Series track.

Glen Wood, 85, of Stuart, Va., attended his 65th Daytona Speedweeks this year dating back to the original beach racing days. Wood posted the team’s first three NASCAR Sprint Cup Series wins at Bowman Gray in 1960, and added a fourth win there in 1963. He also won a NASCAR Convertible division race at the historic track in 1959.

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Bayne Takes Short-Track Path to Glory

Published at February 20, 2011 in Daytona, NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, NASCAR Nationwide Series, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and Thompson. 0 Comments

Former K&N Pro Series driver wins 2011 Daytona 500

Daytona Beach, FL — Two and a half years ago, Trevor Bayne was sitting in the press box at Thompson (Conn.) International Speedway talking about his first NASCAR win.

The 20-year-old from Knoxville, Tenn., was nearly speechless Sunday as he stole the spotlight on NASCAR’s biggest stage at Daytona International Speedway with his first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victory — the 2011 Daytona 500.

“If I tried to put it into words, I wouldn’t do it any justice,” Bayne said.

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Série ACT Castrol Champion Donald Theetge Fourth at Daytona

Published at February 1, 2010 in ACT LM Tour, Daytona and Série ACT Castrol. 0 Comments

2009 Série ACT Castrol Champion Donald Theetge and his brother Benoit finished fourth in the Fresh From Florida 200 on Friday, January 29. The first event on the 2010 Grand-Am Continental Tire Sports Challenge schedule was run around the Daytona International Speedway road course.

The Theetge brothers competed in the Street Tuner (ST) Class while driving the #77 Skunk2/Auto Frank et Michel Honda Civic Si for Compass360 racing. They finished 27th overall (out of 75 competitors) and fourth in the ST Class after completing 63 laps (220.5 miles) on the 3.5 mile road course. They finished the race in two hours and ten minutes with an average speed of 88.79 mph.

Continue reading ‘Série ACT Castrol Champion Donald Theetge Fourth at Daytona’