Atlantic City, NJ — An added incentive is up for grabs for those participating in the winter season TQ-Midget events.
Race organizers of the indoor TQ-Midget races announced today that drivers will be competing for point fund money.
The Leonard J. Sammons Jr. Indoor Winter Series sponsored by Dr. Lowe started last weekend at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, R.I. Sammons was the founder and publisher of Area Auto Racing News. He passed away in 1991.
The next event on the indoor TQ-Midget series is the Atlantic City (N.J.) Indoor Race, which is scheduled for January 29-30, 2010, at Boardwalk Hall.
The winner of the series will receive $500, while the runner-up receives $300 and third place receives $200.
Continue reading ‘Point Fund Announced For Indoor Winter TQ-Midget Series’
Providence, RI — Mike Stefanik gave Rhode Island race fans bragging rights on Saturday night as the 51-year-old from Coventry, R.I., claimed the 40-lap TQ-Midget Coffee Cup main event at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center.
Stefanik, 51, a seven-time NASCAR Modified Tour champion and two-time Camping World East champion, was the only Ocean State entry in the field of more than 40 cars that tackled the indoor concrete oval.
“This is incredible,” Stefanik said. “This win is so sweet. When I looked over the entry list and saw guys like Billy Pauch, Lou Cicconi Jr., Davey Hamilton, Ted Christopher, Frank Fischer entered to race, it got me all pumped up.”
Stefanik never raced a TQ-Midget indoors until last March, when the indoor series debuted at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center.
[Photo Gallery] by Matt Wiernasz Continue reading ‘Stefanik Gives Home State Fans Reason To Cheer With Coffee Cup Victory’
Providence, RI — Mike Lichty was hoping this would come one day.
For the past five years, the Innerkip, Ontario, driver has been chasing an indoor auto racing victory.
On Friday night at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, R.I., Lichty, 22, got his wish as he claimed a wild 30-lap TQ-Midget main event that saw him and the rest of the feature field wrestle through numerous caution flags.
“I’ve been hoping for this day for a long time,” Lichty said. “(Car owner) Larry Turnbull has given me a top car, but we haven’t got the right breaks over the years.
“We’ve finished in the top five many times. We’ve had second, third and fourth place finishes indoors, but we’ve never been able to get a win.”
[Photo Gallery] by Matt Wiernasz
Continue reading ‘Lichty Scores Impressive Coffee Cup Victory At Dunkin’ Donuts Center’
Indoor auto racing for Three-Quarter Midgets and Champ Karts takes place this weekend at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, RI. Former NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion Ted Christopher won in Atlantic City and Providence’s inaugural weekend last March. Dirt track racer Mike Iles won the inaugural TQ Midget feature at the capital city oval. Will one of them continue their success or will a new driver emerge victorious?
Two racing veterans will be making their debuts in Three-Quarter Midgets at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center. NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver David Reutimann will be competing on Friday night. Indy 500 and open-wheel veteran Davey Hamilton will be competing both nights. Both drivers will be teammates of Lou Cicconi, Jr., who finished 2nd to Ted Christopher in March. He is a driver with experience in Midgets and Supermodifieds who has won indoors at Atlatnic City and Fort Wayne, Indiana before.
Champ Karts will join the TQ Midgets for a pair of 25-lap features this weekend.
NEMA Midget legend and NEAR Hall of Famer Dave Humphrey is the grand marshall for the event.
Event Schedule
Entry List
Continue reading ‘Providence Indoor Auto Racing Returns Tonight & Tomorrow’
Providence, RI — Many of the leading race drivers in the Northeast will compete alongside nationally-known competitors when the high-powered, three-quarter-size Midget Cars return to the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, R.I., on December 4 and 5.
They will race in two complete programs for the “Coffee Cup” on a concrete oval on the arena floor. Cars will be reaching speeds of close to 70 mph, the spectators have thrilling views from seats overlooking the track.
NASCAR Sprint Cup star David Reutimann and Indy 500 driver Davey Hamilton will race at Providence for the first time.
Continue reading ‘NASCAR Star & Indy 500 Veteran Set for Coffee Cup’
Fans Asked To Support Holiday Food Bank
Providence, RI — NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver David Reutimann will be making a special appearance on Friday, December 4, to compete in the “Coffee Cup” Indoor Auto Races being held at the Dunkin Donuts Center located in Providence, RI.
Reutimann, 39, will be racing in the headline three quarter size midget car division for car owner Lou Cicconi of Aston, Pa. Reutimann’s appearance is being sponsored by Dunkin Donuts. The car will carry Reutimann’s signature No. 00 and the logos of the Rhode Island Community Food Bank.
Reutimann will not only compete against 48 other top drivers, but will sign autographs as well for fans before the races get underway at 7 p.m. Because Reutimann is racing on behalf of the Food Bank, fans are encouraged to “Give Back This Holiday Season” by bringing a non-perishable food item to the races that can be donated to that cause.
Continue reading ‘NASCAR Star Reutimann to Race in Indoor Event’
Providence, RI — Davey Hamilton has turned many laps at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Now, he’ll try to be the best at the upcoming Coffee Cup at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, R.I., on December 4-5.
Hamilton, a nine-time Indianapolis 500 starter, is the latest entry for the upcoming two-day indoor three-quarter size Midget Car race, which drew rave reviews from competitors and fans when the same cars competed at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in March.
Continue reading ‘Indianapolis 500 Veteran Enters Indoor Coffee Cup Event’
Providence, RI — Mike Iles wouldn’t mind it if he could race indoors 52 weeks a year.
One of those places he likes to visit is the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, R.I., which will host the three-quarter-size Midget Cars on December 4-5 in search of success at the Coffee Cup event.
“It is one of the more exciting racing events race fans will ever see,” said Iles. “As a driver, I can say it’s the most intense race I have driven. Lap-after-lap, you’re racing less than inch from other cars.”
Continue reading ‘Inaugural Providence Winner Mike Iles Files Coffee Cup Entry’
Providence, RI — Two auto racing legends will compete when the high-powered, three-quarter-size Midget Cars return to the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, R.I., on December 4 and 5 in search of success at the “Coffee Cup” event.
The race is returning to the Dunkin’ Donuts Center based on the success from the inaugural event held in March. The action takes place on a concrete oval on the arena floor, with the cars reaching speeds of close to 70 mph. The spectators have breathtaking views of the racing, from seats overlooking the track.
Billy Pauch of Frenchtown, N.J., and Mike Stefanik of Coventry, R.I. are two of the initial drivers to file entries.
Continue reading ‘Pauch And Stefanik File Early Entries For Providence Race’
Providence, RI — Race fans can purchase tickets for the upcoming indoor Three-Quarter Midget event at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, R.I., on Friday, Sept. 4 at noon.
Tickets can be purchased at all Ticketmaster locations and the Dunkin’ Donut Center box office.
Ticketmaster can be reached online at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Information on the event will be available at aarn.com or by calling 609-888-3618.
Continue reading ‘Cofee Cup Tickets On Sale Today for Upcoming Providence Race’
Providence, RI — Race fans can purchase tickets for the upcoming indoor Three-Quarter Midget event at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, R.I., on Friday, Sept. 4 at noon.
Originally, tickets were to be on sale on Sept. 1, however there was a delay in ticket production by Ticketmaster.
Tickets can be purchased at all Ticketmaster locations and the Dunkin’ Donut Center box office.
Ticketmaster can be reached online at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Information on the event will be available at aarn.com or by calling 609-888-3618.
Continue reading ‘Coffee Cup Ticket Sale Date Postponed To Sept. 4′
Three-Quarter Midget Auto Racing Returning to Rhode Island One More Time in 2009
Providence, RI — Three-Quarter Midget auto racing is returning to Rhode Island one more time before 2009 comes to an end. Based on the success last March of the first auto racing event held in the Ocean State in 50 years, the roar of engines will once again be heard from the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, R.I. on December 4 and 5.
The return was based on the big crowd that attended the event on March 6-7. The date change is due to the Dunkin’ Donuts Center hosting an NCAA Division I basketball regional tournament in March of 2010. Dunkin’ Donuts will be joining Castle Equipment Company to sponsor the event, to be known as the “Coffee Cup”.
Continue reading ‘Coffee Cup Up for Grabs at Dunkin’ Donuts Center’
[Friday] by Nicholas Teto
[Saturday] by Nicholas Teto
Defending NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion Ted Christopher is proving he is one of the best indoor racers. Christopher, 50, of Plainville, Conn., captured Saturday night’s 30-lap TQ Midget feature event at the Dunkin Donuts Center in Providence , R.I. The race concluded the two-day event, which was the first held in the Ocean State in 50 years.
“I enjoy the opportunity of being part of history,” Christopher said. “I think this race was a success especially with how full the stands were and the racing was incredible.”
The win gives Christopher a pair of indoor TQ Midget events this year. In January, Christopher won the Gambler’s Classic in Atlantic City, N.J.
Continue reading ‘NASCAR Champion Ted Christopher Wins Providence Indoor TQ Midget Finale’
Providence, RI — Mike Iles of Medford, N.J., pulled off a huge upset Friday night at the Dunkin Donuts Center by claiming the 20-lap TQ Midget feature race.
Iles is the defending Modified champion at the dirt 5/8th-mile Bridgeport Speedway.
Iles made history with the win at the Dunkin Donuts Center as the race was the first held in Rhode Island in 50 years.
“It is very cool to win in Rhode Island since the state hasn’t had a race in so long,” Iles said. “It is a real honor.”
TQ Midget star Joey Payne of Fairlawn, N.J., finished second, while Ryan Smith of Kunkletown, Pa., was third, Timex Morgan of Rochester, N.Y., was fourth and Matt Roselli of Broadheadsville, Pa., completed the top five spots.
Continue reading ‘Dirt Modified Racer Mike Iles Wins Providence Indoor TQ Midget Race’
On the eve of auto racing’s long anticipated return to Rhode Island, here is a sneak preview of the indoor track. It is wider than Atlantic City’s track and will see its first race cars at 3PM Friday for practice. As of yesterday evening, about half of the Three-Quarter Midget teams have already arrived.
Tickets are still available for the two-day racing event featuring Three-Quarter Midgets and Senior Champ Karts on the event card.
More Photos Below
Continue reading ‘Dunkin Donuts Center Track Taking Shape’
Providence, RI – The sound of racing engines will finally be heard in the state of Rhode Island will soon be heard as the small, but powerful Three-Quarter Midget Cars will take to Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, R.I., on March 6-7.
The two-day event, which will include Senior Champ Kart racing both nights, has received much hype and attention throughout the state and entire northeast corridor.
“I don’t want to miss an event of this caliber,” said defending NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion Ted Christopher. “This is a first time for a motorsports event in 50 years in the state of Rhode Island, and I want to be a part of it.”
Continue reading ‘Inaugural Dunkin’ Donuts Center Indoor Race Just Over A Week Away’
Behrent’s Bonus Gives Indoor Racers Incentive
Providence, RI — Noted auto racing historian R.A. Silvia has been named the Grand Marshal for the upcoming TQ-Midget event at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, R.I., on March 6-7.
“It is quite an honor to be the Grand Marshal of this great event,” Silvia, 68, of Warwick, R.I. “This event has generated a lot of buzz here in the state and throughout the entire northeast.
“I am very proud to be a part of it. When I found out that I was going to be the Grand Marshal, I went into work and told the guys that I’m going to go out and by a scepter, crown and cape.”
Silvia, then 18, attended the three indoor Midget Car races held at the Rhode Island Auditorium in 1959. The final race on April 18, 1959, was won by Jerry Wall of Wallenburg, N.J.
Continue reading ‘Historian R.A. Silvia Named Providence Grand Marshal’
