A memorial party celebrating the life of SK Modified competitor Jay Miller will be held on Sunday July 12th starting at 1:00 P.M. at the residence of his dad, Hall of Fame Racer Ray Miller. Jay passed away unexpectedly on July 15, 2008. The memorial celebration will be the one year anniversary of Jay’s death.
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Date: Sunday, July 12, 2009 All of Jay’s Fans and Friends Are Welcome to Attend CLICK HERE>> For Map & Directions |
YankeeRacer.com would like to send our best wishes for a speedy recovery to Ben Dodge, Jr., who is recovering at home following a brief hospital stay. Dodge is currently a Special Advisor at Thompson International Speedway and announcer at Stafford Motor Speedway. Dodge has announced at race tracks from New Hampshire to Florida. He is also well known as a car owner and as the promoter of the old Riverside Park Speedway in Agawam, MA.
Anyone wishing to send cards, can send them to Thompson Speedway, P.O. Box 278, Thompson, CT 06277.
[Turkey Derby - Friday] - By Paul Fohlin
[Turkey Derby - Saturday] - By Paul Fohlin
[Riverside Park Speedway] By Leif Tillotson
Massachusetts Driver Won 20 Races, 1993 Series Title
Daytona Beach, FL — Former NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion Rick Fuller brought to a close one of the most successful driving careers in the 24-year history of the tour with the announcement that he has retired from racing.
Fuller, of Auburn, Mass., made his NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour debut in the series’ inaugural race on March 31, 1985 at Thompson (Conn.) International Speedway with a 13th place finish in the Icebreaker. Ultimately, Thompson became the site of his last race when was caught up in an early accident and came home 30th in the No. 77 Toyota Certified Used Vehicles Modified in the Xtra Mart World Series on Oct. 19.
Fuller compiled 20 wins, 145 top fives, 231 top 10s and 11 Coors Light Pole Awards in 439 career NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour starts. His win total ranks seventh in tour history.
Continue reading ‘Rick Fuller Retires From NASCAR Modified Racing’
Hard to believe, but the final race at Riverside Park Speedway took place nine years ago this fall. So to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the closing of the Park—after 50 glorious years of racing, “Riverside Rides Again,” the Riverside Park Speedway Reunion, will be hosted by SpeedwayEXPO 2009.
Riverside Rides Again will feature fascinating displays dedicated to the proud history of Riverside Park Speedway, complete with restored race cars from every era, photographs, videos, memorabilia and many of the people who raced there. There will be a host of Riverside events throughout XPO weekend, including autograph sessions and a whole lot of bench racing.
Continue reading ‘Riverside Rides Again at SpeedwayEXPO 2009′
Jay Miller, of Granby, CT passed away unexpectedly on July 15th. The news has come as a shock to members of the racing community. The driver of the #09 SK Modified at the Waterford Speedbowl was a popular and well-liked person among the paddock and the grandstand.
“The Waterford management is devastated. He was an integral part of our program and he was very well liked,” said David Dykes, Waterford Speedbowl’s public relations director. “The Speedbowl family – he was universally liked by everyone at the race track. He was a special kid.”
Jay grew up around the sport of auto racing, just like his father before him. It seemed destined, as it was the family tradition, dating back more than a half-century. His grandfather was a veteran of the ARDC midget circuit in the 1950s. His father, Ray Miller is a NEAR Hall of Famer, with many victories during his career at Stafford and the old Riverside Park in Agawam. Among his accomplishments are a win in the 1981 Thompson 300 and a win during the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour’s inaugural season at Waterford before he retired in 1986. Ray was honored in 2002 with induction into the New England Auto Racers Hall of Fame.
Continue reading ‘Miller Family Suffers Great Loss’
LYONS, William Phelps William Phelps Lyons, 68, of Granby, beloved husband of Anna L. (Blomquist) Lyons, passed away on Thursday (February 28, 2008) at St. Francis Hospital. Born in Westfield, MA, son of the late Newton and Edith Mae (Long) Lyons, he was a lifelong Granby resident. Bill was employed by the Town of Granby for over 40 years, retiring in 2001 as the Director of the Public Works Department. He was also a member and former Captain of the Lost Acres Volunteer Fire Department. Bill had many interests including collector of belt buckles, piggy banks, race cars, and airplanes.
He was the owner of a stock car #144, and raced at Riverside Park, Eastern States, and at other stock car raceways in New England. He enjoyed antique car restoration and woodworking, specifically making birdhouses and whirly gigs. At Christmas time, he made and donated many wreaths and crosses. An avid hunter and fisherman, after his retirement, Bill enjoyed helping out at Young Farms in East Granby.
Continue reading ‘Former #144 Car Owner Bill Lyons Passes at 68′
