Archive for the 'Uncategorized' Category

Patrick Laperle Prevails in Wild PASS North 150-Lapper at Autodrome Chaudiere

Runner-up finish in borrowed car keeps Joey Doiron atop Series standings

Vallee-Jonction, QC – Patrick Laperle of St. Denis, Quebec rebounded from an early-race spin to earn his first trip to victory lane in Pro All Stars Series North Super Late Model competition in six years on Saturday night in the Frameco 150 at Autodrome Chaudiere in Vallee-Jonction, Quebec.

Charging from the back of the pack after starting from 16th position in the 28-car Super Late Model field, Laperle wheeled his LaSalle Ford/Vision Harley-Davidson-sponsored machine through traffic almost flawlessly, setting up a late-race battle versus hometown competitor Martin LaTulippe, in the closing laps.

Occasionally swapping paint, Latulippe, fought a gallant battle throughout the event, but couldn’t hold back the talented Laperle, a proven champion in Late Model competition. Laperle, whose last PASS North triumph came in a $12,000-to-win 250-lapper at Maine’s Unity Raceway in 2007, was chased under the checkered flag by Joey Doiron of Berwick, Maine.

Continue reading ‘Patrick Laperle Prevails in Wild PASS North 150-Lapper at Autodrome Chaudiere’

Another Photo Finish: Hoar Wins

PLATTSBURGH, NY — Two weeks ago at Devil’s Bowl Speedway, Eight-time American Canadian Tour Stock Car Champion Brian Hoar lost the race by .027 of a second – the closest margin of victory in ACT history. The ACT 100 at Airborne Speedway on Saturday, May 18 was decided by nearly the exact same margin, but this time it was all Hoar, earning the victory with an epic last lap pass of ACT Point Leader Jimmy Hebert, leaving rival Wayne Helliwell, Jr. to round out the podium in third.

In the early going, Hebert muscled by polesitter Eric Chase in the outside lane to gain the lead, bringing Helliwell in tow along with Tiverton, RI’s Ray Parent. The trio split from the field, setting a blistering pace that sent the leaders into lap traffic before lap 30 of the 100-lap event. Meanwhile, Hoar quietly worked his way from his 13th starting position into the top five.

By lap 33, Helliwell was ready to launch his assault on Hebert’s back bumper for the lead, but Hebert held his ground, fighting tooth and nail to keep his position at the point. The first caution of the race came on lap 54, bringing the leaders back into the waiting arms of the field.

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NEMA Lites Visit Star Speedway on May 11th

NEMA LITES, EKeys Mods, Allen’s Outlaws, Woodys Strictlys, 6Shooters, and Legends

PIT GATES OPEN @ 3 PM – HOT LAPS @ 4 PM

FRONT GATES @ 4:30 – FIRST QUALIFIER @ 6:06 PM

www.star-speedway.com

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Whelen Mod Tour News & Notes: Monadnock

Pennink And Preece Enter Monadnock As Drivers To Watch

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – As the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour heads to Monadnock Speedway this week, a pair of drivers stand as favorites to either continue a historical trend or make their own mark on the record books.

Although the competition is nearly too close to call across the board, Whelen Modified Tour co-point leaders Rowan Pennink and Ryan Preece lead the tour contingent into the Town Fair Tire Whitcomb 200 at the quarter-mile oval on Saturday, May 11 in rural Winchester, N.H.

Pennink will look to continue the historical trend at Monadnock that has seen a different driver win each of the previous eight all-time Whelen Modified Tour events at the track. Conversely, last year’s Monadnock winner Preece will attempt to become the tour’s first two-time victor there.

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Dowling, Wood, & Fluckiger Score CARQUEST Tech-Net Spring Sizzler Saturday Feature Victories at Stafford

Stafford Springs, CT — Stafford Motor Speedway opened its doors for racing in 2013 with feature events for its SK Light, Limited Late Model, and DARE Stock divisions as part of the Saturday CARQUEST Tech-Net Spring Sizzler Weekend festivities. Stafford’s three NASCAR Whelen All-American Series divisions were joined by the Northeast Mini Stock Tour for a total of four feature events on the day to kick off the new season. Chase Dowling took the checkered flag in the 20-lap SK Light feature in his first career Stafford start, Josh Wood was the winner of the 20-lap Limited Late Model feature for the second year in a row, Kris Fluckiger won the 15-lap DARE Stock feature, and Emerson Cayer was the winner of the 25-lap Northeast Mini Stock Tour feature event.

In the 20-lap SK Light Modified feature, Joey Ferrigno took the lead at the green, but Rick Williams spun in turn 1 to bring the caution out before a lap could be completed. On the restart, Ferrigno took the lead ahead of Tony Membrino, Jr. as Bob Charland spun in turn 2. The entire field avoided Charland and the race stayed green but it was only for one lap as Tyler Hines took a hard hit into the turn 1 wall to bring the caution back out. Just as the caution came out, Ferrigno spun at the front of the pack. But because the caution had already come out, Ferrigno was able to keep the number one position for the restart with Membrino alongside.

The field took the green flag with Ferrigno back in the lead ahead of Membrino, Shayne Prucker, Ronnie Williams, and Glenn Griswold. The caution came back out with three laps complete for a spin by Dylan Menditto.

Continue reading ‘Dowling, Wood, & Fluckiger Score CARQUEST Tech-Net Spring Sizzler Saturday Feature Victories at Stafford’

Eric Berndt Looking To Get 2013 Season On Track With Strong Finish In 42nd Annual CARQUEST Tech-Net Spring Sizzler

Stafford Springs, CT — For Cromwell native Eric Berndt, the 2013 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour season got off to a less than desired beginning. Berndt qualified 18th of 29 cars and he finished last after oil issues sidelined him after only completing 38 of 150 laps. But if there is one track that can get Berndt and the #46 Cape Cod Aggregates / North End Auto Parts team back on track, it is Stafford Motor Speedway.

Berndt has 2 career pole positions in his NWMT career with one of those poles coming at Stafford. While Berndt has yet to win a NWMT race, he nearly took his first checkered flag in the 2010 TSI Harley-Davidson 125, but a late caution erased his lead and he was a sitting duck on older tires and finished the race in sixth place. With his knowledge of Stafford from his SK Modified® experience, Berndt is looking forward to getting his 2013 season back on track.

“I like our chances going to Stafford,” said Berndt. “We’ve qualified well there in the past and we want to be able to solidify our position and get a top-5 or top-10 finish in the Sizzler. I think we should have a good car and a good shot at achieving that goal as long as nothing stupid happens to us. We just need to be there at the end. Three years ago in the May race, I think we led all but about 20 or 25 laps in that race. The caution came out around lap-105 of 125 and we were on old tires. We had some oil issues at Thompson with our backup engine, so we’re coming to Stafford with one of my family engines in the #46 and we’re looking for a good finish.”

Continue reading ‘Eric Berndt Looking To Get 2013 Season On Track With Strong Finish In 42nd Annual CARQUEST Tech-Net Spring Sizzler’

2013 Frank Maratta’s Auto Show and Race-A-Rama

[Photo Gallery] by Nicholas Teto

Coastal 181 Acquires Rose Racing Publications’ Open Wheel Racing Book Inventory

Newburyport, Mass. — Racing book publisher Coastal 181 announced today that it has acquired the inventory of Rose Racing Publications of Glendale, Arizona.

Buzz Rose built his publishing company into a highly regarded source f or authoritative books on open-wheel racing in America . He brought vast experience and a huge network to his titles, as he was himself a renowned sprint car road warrior. His successes behind the wheel led to his induction into the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in Knoxville , Iowa .

Rose Racing Publications’ titles include definitive histories on the East Coast’s URC, the California Racing Association (CRA), and IMCA, AAA, USAC, and CSRA. The most recent w or k is the robustly researched but sobering volume, “RACERS AT REST: The Checkered Flag,” profiling the considerable number of drivers who have perished in open-wheel competition.

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GRIZCO Racing Owner Steve Griswold Passes

3-time NASCAR BNS Champion Owner was 64

Steve Griswold, owner of the GRIZCO Racing team for 18 years (1988-2005), passed away on Sunday. He was 64.

Steve and Peg Griswold fielded the #55 entry on the NASCAR Busch North Series (now called K&N Pro Series East). Brad Leighton drove for the team 1995-2002. Mike Stefanik drove the car from 2003-2005. The team captured 3 championships (1999-2000, 2005) with Brad Leighton and Andy Santerre.

In 2005, GRIZCO moved to North Carolina and created the first multi-car team in series history for Andy Santerre, Mike Stefanik and Brad Leighton. The team’s historic final season saw a 1-2 points finish with teammates Santerre and Stefanik. Santerre captured his historic 4th consecutive series championship.

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Tombarello Back On Top At Lee

Second All-American Series Crown in Four Years

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Tommy Tombarello Jr. is enjoying a quick rise in one of short track racing’s fastest cars.

Tombarello, 31, of Haverhill, Mass., won his second small block Supermodifed track championship at Lee (N.H.) USA Speedway in 2012. Because his 2010 title came before the division became Lee’s NASCAR Division I, the 2012 championship is his first in the track’s top NASCAR Whelen All-American Series division.

“I’ve been around my brother-in-law Justin Belfiore’s Supermodifieds since I was 13 or 14,” Tombarello said. “His dad (Jim) builds Belfab Supermodified chassis. I learned these cars inside and out before I ever drove one.

Continue reading ‘Tombarello Back On Top At Lee’

ACT “Tracks by the Facts” Star Speedway

Tracks by the Facts – Star Speedway

Star Speedway in Epping, New Hampshire returns to the American Canadian Tour schedule after a 9 season hiatus. The ¼-mile speedway will host the eighth event of the 2013 ACT US schedule, which will be 150 laps on Saturday, July 6.

· ACT has run a total of 5 events at Star with the first on April 21, 2001 and the most recent on July 26, 2003.

· Cris Michaud won the first ever ACT event at the speedway in 2001.

· Todd Stone claimed the win in the most recent ACT event held at Star in 2003.

· There have been 5 different winners in the 5 events. Michaud and Stone are joined by Jamie Fisher, Patrick Laperle and Scott Dragon.

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Motorsports 2013 Race Car & Trade Show Opens for Business on Friday, January 18th, Good Weather Predicted

OAKS, PA — Motorsports 2013, Fueled By Sunoco and Distributed by Insinger Performance, will be open for business at 2 p.m. on Friday, January 18th. Predictions call for good weather conditions. The show offering just about everything imaginable in motorsports will continue until 4 p.m. Sunday, January 20th.

Two time Daytona 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup winner Michael Waltrip will be a big part of opening day activities for the 28th annual edition of the Motorsports Race Car and Trade Show set for the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, PA.
The veteran racer and Sprint Cup car owner is also a popular TV personality on SPEED and Fox. He will be talking with show attendees and signing autographs from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on opening day.

In addition to Waltrip, who will be trying for a spot in the 2013 Daytona 500, show attendees will have the opportunity to meet 1963 Indianapolis 500 winner Parnelli Jones as he makes appearances at the show throughout the day on Saturday, January 19th. He will be talking about his highly acclaimed new book that will be available at the Coastal 181 display.

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LaJoie Looks To Continue Winning Ways

2012 East Wins Leader Set For UNOH Battle At The Beach

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The 2012 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East season saw Corey LaJoie win at bullrings, short tracks and speedways. To begin the 2013 racing calendar, one of NASCAR’s top prospects has high hopes of continuing his winning ways on the short track at Daytona International Speedway, Feb. 18-19.

LaJoie, the K&N Pro Series East championship runner-up this past season with a series-high five victories, will head to Daytona with his No. 07 team to participate in the inaugural UNOH Battle At The Beach on the temporary .4-mile short track on the backstretch at Daytona.

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.” Teams from both the K&N Pro Series East and K&N Pro Series West will compete alongside each other in the inaugural non-points event.

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David Comeau Ready to Fulfill Racing Dream By Joining DARE Stock Class at Stafford Speedway in 2013

Stafford Springs, CT — For Palmer, MA native David Comeau, the urge to race in stock car competition has been a lifelong dream. Comeau was unable to fulfill that dream due to his travel commitments for work. But that has all changed for the 2013 season and Comeau will finally be able to realize his dream as he will join the DARE Stock ranks at Stafford Motor Speedway for the 2013 season.

“I work in water treatment and I travel a lot for my job,” said Comeau. “2013 will be the first time in 11 years that I’m local for work and Stafford is close to home for me. I have a couple of friends that race at Stafford and I’ve raced with Ernie from Josh Wood’s crew and I first got the itch to go racing from going to the track with Ernie. I’ve been saving my money and doing a lot of research on cars that were available. I wanted to race in an entry level division so that’s why I chose the DARE Stock division at Stafford.”

When Comeau takes to the track for the CARQUEST Tech-Net Spring Sizzler this coming April, he will be a rookie in almost every sense of the word.

Continue reading ‘David Comeau Ready to Fulfill Racing Dream By Joining DARE Stock Class at Stafford Speedway in 2013′

Coastal 181 Announces Release Of Parnelli Jones Memoir

Newburyport, Mass., December 11, 2012 – A year ago acclaimed racing journalist Bones Bourcier sat down with Parnelli Jones, the Indy 500 winner often referred to as America’s most versatile race driver. It was quite the conversation.

Today motorsports publisher Coastal 181 announced the release of its latest title, “As A Matter of Fact I AM Parnelli Jones.”

Jones and Bourcier track Parnelli’s wild years on the infamous California Jalopy circuit and his rise through Sprints, Champ Cars, Midgets, NASCAR Grand National, Trans-Am, and Baja –smack into 20 domestic and international racing Halls of Fame.

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Fatheadz Eyewear Signs as Title Sponsor for Three-Race Len Sammons Indoor Auto Racing Series

TRENTON, NJ — Len Sammons Motorsports Productions has announced a new partnership for its three-race Indoor Series.

Fatheadz Eyewear of Brownsburg, Ind. has become the title sponsor of the newly designated “Fatheadz Eyewear Indoor Racing Series Presented By Precise Racing.” The first of the trio of events is set for 1st Mariner Center in Baltimore, Md, on Saturday, December 8th. The newly named series’ second event is logged in for Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, R.I., on December 31 and the two-race weekend finale is scheduled for February 1-2, 2013 in Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall.

Fatheadz is synonymous in the Midwest with open wheel racing by marketing heavily in the Sprint car and Midget ranks since it’s founding and sponsors other forms of motorsports throughout the country. Drivers Dave Darland, Jon Stanbrough, Tracy Hines, Brady Bacon and Hunter Schuerenberg, all fly the Fatheadz banner wherever they pilot their open wheeled machines.

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Mechalides – Griffith to invade Showtime Speedway – Nov. 24th

When some of us think of Thanksgiving and the following weekend, thoughts of being seated together with family around a dining room table come to mind, but for young Derek Griffith of Hudson NH, he will be seated in his pro stock running against some of Floridas' best Super Late Model drivers.

On November 24th fourteen year old Griffith will drive the Louie Mechalides owned #12 Super Late Model at Showtime Speedway located in Clearwater FL for the Florida State Championship 100 Lap Super Late Model Race. Although Derek has never been to this track before, he is sure to be a contender in the $5000 to win 100 lap race.

The Hudson, NH native has been on the race scene for only a short time, running Thunder Lights, Mini Stocks, Outlaws and most recently Pro Stocks at such tracks as Hudson, LeeUSA, Star, Monadnock and other speedways on the Granite State Pro Stock Series.The 2012 GSPSS season saw the Griffith/Mechalides Pro Stock finish in the top ten in points with an impressive 2nd place finish in a 100 lap race at Monadnock Speedway in Winchester NH.
Louie Mechalides and crew will have the Blackwater Firearms, F.E.B. Insurance Chevrolet in race trim for the Nov 24th outing, hoping to bring the win and big pay off back home to New England. That will make for a nice Thanksgiving!

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Jett Fabrication Presents Thrilling 2012 Season Finale

Texas Roadhouse North East Mini Stock Tour - 10/6/2012

The NEMST rolled into Waterford Speedbowl for the second time this season and the final event of 2012. This year has been full of ups and downs including the early season soar of Shawn Swallow, the rocketship of Mike Mason, the dominance of Emerson Cayer, the improvement of Cris King, and the perseverance of Danny Field.

Coming into the final event of the season the points were the tightest they have been all season. The leaders were separated by just 6 points and the following 4 cars separated by a mere 34. All of the drivers in the top 10 were fighting for the bigger trophy at the season end banquet in November.

Jett Fabrication sponsored the event at Waterford and presented the winner with a cool AMSOIL prize pack and other goodies along with bonus cash. Waterford Speedbowl presents a fierce challenge for the Tour regulars as the weekly mini-stock competitors are allowed to join in on tour events. Waterford as held the highest car counts the NEMST has ever seen and there was no changing that this weekend. 34 cars signed in for the event Saturday night and we begin a fight for only 30 starting spots. As the challenge began so did the drama. Emerson Cayer rolled his car out of the trailer and found that it would not start as the other teams began practice. Point leader Danny Field was also experiencing fuel and ignition issues.

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Doug Coby Bringing Different Strategy to Stafford for Second for Second Annual Lincoln Tech 80

Stafford Springs, CT — When the Valenti Modified Series came to Stafford last Friday night for the Shark Cycle 80, no driver had more momentum on their side than Doug Coby. Coby had won all three Whelen Modified Tour races at Stafford thusfar this season, and he finished third in both VMRS races held at Stafford last season. But after starting 10th and finishing 6th in the Shark Cycle 80, Coby says he and his Rick Czarnecki owned #20 team will be coming back to Stafford with a different strategy for the Lincoln Tech 80.

“I felt like we would have had a better car,” said Coby. “We had to race a lot harder to get back to the front after we got caught up in that little jingle when Teddy Christopher and Timmy Jordan got together. We pitted and made an adjustment on the car that helped us. We started 9th because Tommy Barrett went to the back and we lost 4 or 5 spots on the start. We were up to 7th or 6th when we got in that wreck and we had to pit. You can try to save all you want, but I guess I’m too aggressive to save those tires. We have to work on that and that’s what we’re thinking about for the next race at Stafford.”

Coby was running as high as fourth in the late stages of the Shark Cycle 80, but he couldn’t keep pace with the cars in front of him and he fell back to sixth at the finish.

Continue reading ‘Doug Coby Bringing Different Strategy to Stafford for Second for Second Annual Lincoln Tech 80′

Mark Bakaj Hoping Track Experience will Help Him Land First Top-5 Finish in Shark Cycle 80 at Stafford

Stafford Springs, CT — When the Valenti Modified Racing Series returns to Stafford Motor Speedway for the Shark Cycle 80 on August 31 and the Lincoln Tech 80 on Sept. 14, one driver who will be looking for a breakout performance is Mark Bakaj. The former SK Modified® and SK Light weekly competitor at Stafford made the transition into the VMRS for the 2012 season and he has four top-10 finishes in the first 8 races and currently sits 8th in the points standings. While Bakaj has yet to notch a top-5 finish this season, he is hoping that his track experience at Stafford will pay dividends and yield a top-5 finish for him and his #7 crew.

“I think we can get our first top-5 at Stafford,” said Bakaj. “I thought Waterford would be a good shot for us, but that race got rained out. I think Stafford is right up there with Waterford and Thompson as tracks where we can really have a good showing. I feel pretty confident we’ll have a good showing at Stafford and we’ll run up front with the top guys.”

The 2012 season got off to a slow start for Bakaj with 15th and 21st place finishes in the first two races, but he has finished in the top-10 in four of the last 6 races with a best finish thusfar of 9th. Bakaj and his team are still learning the intricacies of their MRS machine, but their recent form indicates that they are headed in the right direction with their car.

Continue reading ‘Mark Bakaj Hoping Track Experience will Help Him Land First Top-5 Finish in Shark Cycle 80 at Stafford’

Doug Coby Captures Stafford 150 Win

Doug Coby of Milford, CT took no prisoners in streaking to his fourth Whelen Modified win of the year; his third at Stafford Springs, CT in the Wayne Darling owned Reynolds’ Auto Wrecking sponsored #52. The two fastest qualifiers in time trials, Ryan Preece of Berlin, CT and Eric Goodale of Riverhead, NY brought the twenty seven car field to green. Doug Coby wasted little time moving forward from his sixth starting position.

The first of six cautions came on lap 17 when Richie Pallai of Yorktown Heights, NY spun his #39 in turn four. This bunched the field up for the restart which had Preece still leading. At this time Eric Beers of Northampton, PA was in second, Bobby Santos of Franklin, MA third and Doug Coby was in the fourth spot.

On lap 26 Beers overtook Preece and became the new race leader. The second yellow flag flew on lap 29 when the #6 of Ron Silk from Norwalk, CT coasted to a stop on the back stretch with a broken fuel pump.

[Photo Gallery] by Crystal Snape

Continue reading ‘Doug Coby Captures Stafford 150 Win’

Bobby Santos, III Hoping for Successful Return to Stafford In TSI Harley-Davidson 125

Stafford Springs, CT — After winning the Whelen Modified Tour championship in 2010 and finishing 8th in the 2011 points standings, Bobby Santos, III was left without a full-time ride for the 2012 season. But Santos has hooked up with Sully Tinio for a partial 2012 schedule, and he is looking forward to returning to Stafford Motor Speedway for the TSI Harley-Davidson 125. Santos has won three of the last 7 Whelen Modified Tour events at Stafford, and he also has 2 NEMA Midget feature wins to go along with his sweep of the PRA Big Car and Wingless Midget feature events that netted him a $50,000 bonus in 2006 at Stafford.

“I’m very excited about coming back to Stafford,” said Santos. “We’ve had a lot of success the last couple of years at Stafford and I hope we can continue that success with Sully Tinio and the #44 team. It’s a little disappointing to not be running the full schedule this year, but I have a great deal with Sully to run a part-time schedule this year. We tried to make it to the Sizzler, but we couldn’t get the car ready in time after Thompson. Sully’s team is local to Thompson and the original plan was to just run those races, but everyone was real happy with how we ran, so we got the car ready to come race at Stafford.”

After qualifying third and leading two laps in the season opening event at Thompson, Santos was relegated to a 17th place finish after being caught up in an accident. But with three career victories at Stafford, including a win in the 2010 TSI Harley-Davidson 125, Santos is confident that he and his team have the right strategy and equipment to once again reach victory lane.

Continue reading ‘Bobby Santos, III Hoping for Successful Return to Stafford In TSI Harley-Davidson 125′

Gary Danko’s “Speedway Line Report” Radio Show Returns To The Airwaves April 2nd for it’s 14th Season

Waterbury, CT — Gary Danko, the host of “The Speedway Line Report” radio show on WATR 1320 AM in Waterbury, CT, has announced that his auto racing talk show will again include live streaming audio on the Internet when the show resumes its schedule on Monday, April 2nd. for it's 14th season on the air. The Speedway Line Report is presented weekly by Schaller Acura of Manchester, CT.

Danko’s popular talk show, which covers local auto racing in Connecticut, New England and around the nation, airs Mondays from 6-7:30 p.m. the show again can be heard live on the Internet, via streaming audio at www.watr.com. Listeners can also access the live audio on www.speedwaylinereport.com. All radio shows will be archived and can be accessed on www.speedwaylinereport.com giving listeners who miss the live broadcast a chance to listen to a re-broadcast anytime. Features of the show include live call-ins from listeners, by calling (203) 757-1320. The Speedway Line Report will again have a variety of Co-Hosts which in the past have included long time car owner and mechanic on the Whelan Modified Tour, Billy "The Bear" Calicchio, Racing Photographer Fran Lawlor, Ricky Rotondo, Crew Chief on the North End Auto Parts #54 driven by Eric Berndt, Sid Dimaggio of Sid's Vault, The Hartford Courant's Motorsports Journalist Shawn Courchesne and others.

Since the show was founded in 1998 at a Springfield, MA. Radio Station, Danko’s guests have included many of the top auto racing personalities in the Northeast and several national celebrity guests. Danko, of Southington, CT, was a former member of the Waterford (CT) Speedbowl, Stafford Speedway and Riverside Park Speedway's broadcast teams and has also appeared on the “Speedway Heat” television show, SPEED Channel and the Motor Racing Network (MRN). Danko is a graduate of New England Broadcasting Institute.

Continue reading ‘Gary Danko’s “Speedway Line Report” Radio Show Returns To The Airwaves April 2nd for it’s 14th Season’

New Modified Tour Starts in New England

 

Slot car racing’s popularity has dwindled since the 1960’s and 70’s and has evolved more into a hobbyists sport. However some racers and slot car enthusiasts from Long Island and the New England area have come up with a cool new concept that could very well bring slot car racing back to the hobby forefront.

Pete Pernesiglio, a NEMA Midget driver from Long Island and Ray Brown former Late Model driver from Attleboro, Massachusetts collaborated with friends who share their passion for this hobby and have formed the Reality Modified Tour.

“Slot car racing has kind of died out over the years, there aren't many stores or tracks to race at anymore.” says Pernesiglio. “Now, more and more people are building tracks in their home and inviting friends over once a week to race and have fun.”

Ray Brown from Reality Raceway.net started building a spec 1/24th scale asphalt Modified to resemble an actual NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour car. Unless you are a model guru, you won’t be able to find a more actual looking NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour car.

Continue reading ‘New Modified Tour Starts in New England’

MoveThatBlock.com Indy 225

INDYCAR Is Coming

Loudon, NH — Only two weeks remain until the fastest racing in America returns to New Hampshire Motor Speedway for the MoveThatBlock.com INDY 225 on Aug. 14.

Defending series champion Dario Franchitti, female sensation Danica Patrick, Dancing with the Stars performer Helio Castroneves and all of the IZOD IndyCar stars will bring speeds of up to 200 mph back to New England for an excitement-packed weekend.

Friday, fans can enjoy a free day of racing as the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour and the American-Canadian Tour take on “The Magic Mile,” for both qualifying and practice sessions.

The wheel-to-wheel action will continue Saturday, when the IZOD IndyCar Series and the Firestone Indy Lights race for the first time at NHMS in 13 years during their practice and qualifying sessions. Immediately following INDYCAR, the mighty Whelen Modified Tour will race the 1.058-mile oval for the second time this year. The American-Canadian Tour will wrap up Saturday’s doubleheader with its All-Star Showdown 75-lap event.

Continue reading ‘INDYCAR Is Coming’

Bright Stars To Light Up Coastal 181 Booth At Motorsports 2011

Newburyport, MA — As usual, the Coastal 181 booth at the MOTORSPORTS 2011 Race Car and Trade Show will be jumping! Held at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, Pennsylvania , the show is eagerly awaited each year by racers and fans who come to see the latest motorsports products and technology, and to check out Coastal 181’s wide array of racing books and DVDs.

This year, we will welcome sprint car stars and Hall of Famers Rick Ferkel and Shane Carson on Friday, Jan. 21 from 4-6 pm, and Saturday, Jan. 22 from noon-2 pm to sign Coastal 181’s “Win It or Wear It: All-time Great Sprint Car Tales,” written by Joyce Standridge. Seven-time URC champ Curt Michael will join Shane and Rick on Saturday.

On Saturday from 1:45- 2:45 pm fan-favorite Nationwide/dirt track racer and SPEED TV personality Kenny Wallace will sign his Coastal 181-published book, “Inside Herman’s World” at the 181 booth. Based on his last visit, Kenny will have everyone in the neighborhood laughing.

Then another celebrated racer and motorsports personality will join us: Don Miller , best known for mentoring Rusty Wallace and Ryan Newman at Penske Racing, but a drag-racing gearhead in his own right. Don will sign his new book, “Miller’s Time: A Lifetime At Speed,” along with co-author Hemmings Senior Editor Jim Donnelly. Don and Jim will be signing on Saturday from 2:30-3:30 pm and again on Sunday from noon to 1:30 pm.
Continue reading ‘Bright Stars To Light Up Coastal 181 Booth At Motorsports 2011′

2011 Geoff Bodine Bobsled Challenge Cancelled

According to BodynBobsled.com, the “2011 Geoff Bodine Bobsled Challenge in Lake Placid has been canceled. More details will be forthcoming in the next few weeks.”

Auto Industry Legend Bob Tasca, Sr. Dies at 83

Cranston, RI — Bob Tasca Sr., an automotive enthusiast, Ford dealer and drag racing innovator, passed away today, his family announced. Tasca Sr. was 83 years old.

An automotive businessman for more than 60 years, Tasca achieved fame as a record-setting automotive dealer and as an internationally-known designer of high-performance race cars. Tasca Sr. is credited with helping create the Ford Thunderbolt drag racing car, and bringing the Cobra Jet 428 engine to NHRA in the 1960s.

“Bob Tasca Sr. had three important aspects to his life—his family, his friends, and Ford Motor Company,” said his grandson, Bob Tasca III. “Those were the touch points in his life and for that we’re thankful. We are grateful and privileged to have had so many years with him, and it’s hard to say goodbye.

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Start/Finish to Offer Racer’s Discount at Swap ‘n Sell

Vernon, CT — On Saturday and Sunday, January 16 & 17, 2010, Start/Finish Productions presents the Auto Parts Swap ‘n Sell at the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, MA. This annual automotive swap meet and flea market has been a mainstay for the racing community for nearly 30 years. With preparations for the upcoming season in full-swing, the large array of vendors provides competitors with virtual one-stop shopping to provide the season’s essentials and the best bargains. Auto Parts Swap ‘n Sell is the only Motorsports show of its kind in New England offering racers access to hard core automotive vendors.

The event is not only the definitive swap meet for buyers; it also provides a tremendous opportunity for sellers as well. During the struggling economy sellers have the opportunity to generate revenue by liquidating quality new and used parts while buyers can stay on track with their off-season projects without breaking the budget.

Buyers and sellers alike enjoy the comfort of a heated venue and the additional benefit of showcase lighting. Auto Parts Swap ‘n Sell offers prices competitive with any online auction website without the cost of shipping, without the wait, and without the risk of buying sight unseen; helping to ensure mutually beneficial transactions.
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