Of the 40 drivers expected to vie for one of the 28 starting spots in the Shark Cycle 100, 15 of them have won a race at Stafford Motor Speedway in their racing careers. The list of Stafford feature winners that are expected for the Shark Cycle 100 inlcude Ted Christoper, Ken Barry, Ronnie Silk, Eddy Spiers, Doug Coby, Dave Etheridge, Norm Wrenn, Keith Rocco, Mike Stefanik, Shelly Perry, Bobby Santos, III, Jeff Malave, Todd Owen, Ryan Preece, and Tom Bolles.

There are also several drivers who, although have yet to record a win at Stafford, have Modified Racing Series feature victories to their credit. Those drivers include Jacob Dore, Les Hinckley, Rob Goodenough, Todd Annarummo, Steve Masse, Jack Bateman, Rowan Pennink, Dwight Jarvis, Chris Pasteryak, Eric Goodale, Jimmy Dolan, Jimmy Kuhn, Jon McKennedy, and Louie Mechalides.

The mix of Stafford and Modified Racing Series feature winners means that 29 out of the 40 drivers that are expected to try to qualify for the Shark Cycle 100 know how to find their way into victory lane. There are several drivers with championship pedigree on their racing resumes. Christopher, Coby, Rocco, Stefanik, and Perry have all won track championships at Stafford with Christopher and Stefanik also having Whelen Modified Tour championships to their credit. Christopher and Rocco are also NASCAR Whelen-All American Series national champions. Former Modified Racing Series champions that are entered for the Shark Cycle 100 include McKennedy, Pasteryak, and Jarvis.

The 2010 championship chase in the Modified Racing Series is one of the tightest races you will find anywhere in racing. Jon McKennedy, the defending Modified Racing Series champion, is currently tied with Les Hinckley for the championship lead with Dwight Jarvis only one point behind them. Behind Jarvis sits Rowan Pennink, Steve Masse, Ken Barry and Todd Annarummo, the winners of the past 4 Modified Racing Series events.

Everything adds up to a night of phenomenal modified competition as 40 cars will vie for 28 starting positions. Drivers will have to qualify for the 100-lap feature event through 12-lap heat races or the last chance 15-lap consolation race. With qualifying race positions determined by the luck of the draw, the heat races promise to be a dogfight between an eclectic mix of modified drivers with a wide range of track experience at Stafford.

Tickets for the Inaugural Shark Cycle Modified Racing Series 100 event at Stafford Motor Speedway are on sale now and are priced at $20.00 for Adult General Admission, $5.00 for Children Ages 6-14 General Admission, $23.00 for Reserved Seating, and $35.00 for Pit Passes. Tickets can be ordered by calling the Stafford Motor Speedway track office at 860-684-2783 or by logging onto the Online Ticket Sales section of www.staffordspeedway.com.

For more information, contact the Stafford Motor Speedway track office at 860-684-2783 or visit us on the web at www.staffordspeedway.com.

Sources: Scott Running/Stafford Motor Speedway PR

“That number has been in my family for a long ti me and it would be really nice to have the car going good at Stafford,” said Preece. “I ran the 2x at New Smyrna and won with it down there, but this will be the first time running the car up north. I’m sure that a lot of fans from way back when will be at Stafford for the race and I’m sure those fans will like seeing the 2x on the track. It would be very special to me if we were able win the race, I’m definitely looking forward to it and hopefully we can have a good run.”

Among the expected 40 entrants for the Inaugural Shark Cycle 100, Preece can count himself among the experienced drivers at Stafford with 1 victory and 2 poles in Whelen Modified Tour competition over the past four seasons. Preece has also made 10 starts thusfar in the SK Modified® division at Stafford and he has come tantalizingly close to victory lane.

“I think that the guys who have experience will usually prevail,” said Preece. “I think the last race at Thompson showed that the Modified Tour guys had an advantage, but there are some good drivers on the MRS and I wouldn’t be surprised if there are 8-10 cars that will be racing for the win at Stafford.”

In 10 SK Modified® starts this season at Stafford, Preece has recorded 6 top-5 finishes, including a second and three third place finishes in his last four starts. Preece will be pulling double duty the night of the Shark Cycle 100, and he thinks that he and the #40 Mike Paquette/Bob Hitchcock team will reach victory lane before the end of this season.

“I think we’re right around the corner with the SK car for a win,” said Preece. “I’ll be in the SK for the rest of the year at Stafford and I think we’ll definitely win a race by the end of the season. I have great car owners and I have a great team behind me, I’m having a blast driving the car.”

Tickets for the Inaugural Shark Cycle Modified Racing Series 100 event at Stafford Motor Speedway are on sale now and are priced at $20.00 for Adult General Admission, $5.00 for Children Ages 6-14 General Admission, $23.00 for Reserved Seating, and $35.00 for Pit Passes. Tickets can be ordered by calling the Stafford Motor Speedway track office at 860-684-2783 or by logging onto the Online Ticket Sales section of www.staffordspeedway.com.

For more information, contact the Stafford Motor Speedway track office at 860-684-2783 or visit us on the web at www.staffordspeedway.com.

Sources: Scott Running/Stafford Motor Speedway PR

Stefanik has owned the CARQUEST Fall Final with 8 of his 20 career Stafford Whelen Modified Tour victories coming in the fall classic event. Stefanik had a streak of 2 wins in a row in the CARQUEST Fall Final broken last season by Donny Lia. Stefanik currently sits third in the 2010 Whelen Modified Tour championship standings, 61 points behind championship leader Bobby Santos, III and 29 points behind Ted Christopher, who is second in the standings.

Former Stafford SK Modified® competitor Pallai is currently sitting second in the 2010 Sunoco Rookie of the Year race behind Justin Bonsignore and he is currently 15th overall in the 2010 championship standings with 1 top-10 finish to his credit in 11 starts this season. Pallai will also be handing out free CARQUEST Belts & Hose Tee-Shirts during the CARQUEST Belts & Hose Pit Party on Sunday, Oct. 3.

The 38th annual CARQUEST Fall Final Weekend is the final race of the 2010 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series season at SMS, and will serve as the penultimate round of the 2010 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour championship.

The 2010 CARQUEST Fall Final Weekend kicks off on Friday, Oct. 1 with pit gates opening at 12:00pm with a practice session running from 2:00pm to 6:30pm for Stafford’s weekly divisions. The General Admission grandstands will be open to the public at no charge for the practice session. The G.A. Grandstands will open at 2pm.

Action continues on Saturday, Oct. 2 with Coors Light Pole Qualifying for the Whelen Modified Tour cars at 2:15pm, followed by heat and consolation races for Stafford’s weekly divisions. Saturday’s events wrap up with feature events for Stafford’s SK Light Modified, Limited Late Model, and DARE Stock divisions.

The CARQUEST Fall Final Weekend continues on Sunday, Oct. 3 with the famous Stafford CARQUEST Belts & Hose Pit Party kicking off the day’s activities from 11:00am to 12:00pm, with 220 laps of feature racing to follow.

Stafford’s SK Modifieds® and Late Models will join the Whelen Modified Tour 150-lap CARQUEST Fall Final as the feature events of the day. As a special bonus, the first 300 fans through the CARQUEST Belts & Hose Pit Party gates will receive a free reusable CARQUEST bag.

Tickets for the CARQUEST Fall Final Weekend are available and on sale now at the Stafford Motor Speedway Box Office. Tickets are priced at $35.00 for adult General Admission, $5.00 for children ages 6-14, and children ages 5 & under are free. Reserved seating is $38.00 for all ages. All tickets cover both Saturday and Sunday admission to the Fall Final. As always, Stafford Motor Speedway offers free parking with overnight parking available.

Tickets can be ordered by calling the Stafford Motor Speedway track office at 860-684-2783 or by logging onto the Online Ticket Sales section of www.staffordspeedway.com.

For more information, or to order tickets, contact the Stafford Motor Speedway track office at 860-684-2783 or visit us on the web at www.staffordspeedway.com.

Sources: Scott Running/Stafford Motor Speedway PR

“The car always runs good at Thompson, so we’re hoping that we can have another good run at Stafford,” said Owen. “It’s going to be a tough race for sure. There will be a variety of guys who are coming to Stafford for the first time versus guys with a lot of experience at Stafford. I think the guys with the experience will have a big advantage over the guys with no experience. Stafford is a tough track and you have to know the line and how to run that line to be fast. But there’s several guys who run well no matter what track the Modified Racing Series is at, so it’s going to be an interesting race to see.”

Before one can win the race, they must first get qualified for the race. There will be 40 cars racing for 28 spots in the Shark Cycle 100. The Modified Racing Series teams draw for their heat race starting positions and they must start the race on the tires that they qualify on, which can lead to some exciting racing.

“It all really comes down to the luck of the draw,” said Owen. “You have to start the race on the tires that you qualify with and you’d like to be able to save the car and the tires a little for the race. But if you happen to draw a number that puts you at the rear of the heat race, you can’t save anything on the car if you want to get into a qualified position in the heat so you have to go all out. You might see some guys take some chances in the heat race in order to get a spot on the track, its definitely going to make for an exciting round of heat races.”

Owen will certainly have experience on his side as he takes to the track for the Shark Cycle 100. Owen has 7 career ProStock and 4 career SK Modified® feature victories at Stafford, and he has won a 100-lap feature in both the ProStock and SK Modified® divisions at Stafford.

“We’re hoping to have a good run,” said Owen. “There’s going to be a lot of local fans in the stands and hopefully we can have a good run for them and be among the cars going for the win at the end of the race.”

Tickets for the Inaugural Shark Cycle Modified Racing Series 100 event at Stafford Motor Speedway are on sale now and are priced at $20.00 for Adult General Admission, $5.00 for Children Ages 6-14 General Admission, $23.00 for Reserved Seating, and $35.00 for Pit Passes. Tickets can be ordered by calling the Stafford Motor Speedway track office at 860-684-2783 or by logging onto the Online Ticket Sales section of www.staffordspeedway.com.

For more information, contact the Stafford Motor Speedway track office at 860-684-2783 or visit us on the web at www.staffordspeedway.com.

Sources: Scott Running/Stafford Motor Speedway PR

The track returns to racing next Friday night September 10th with the debut appearance of the Modified Racing Series for the Inaugural Shark Cycle 100.

Sources: Stafford Motor Speedway PR

“You won’t find a more competitive racing tour around than the Modified Racing Series or a more competitive track for them to compete on than the Speedbowl” offered track promoter Terry Eames. The ‘Bowl’s smooth two-groove race surface make it extremely popular with both fans and competitors alike.

The Modified Racing Series returns for their third and final appearance at the shoreline oval this season. Doug Coby of Milford won the 100-lap race during Budweiser Blastoff Weekend back in March, New England’s kickoff to the racing season. At the Speedbowl’s popular Wings ‘n Wheels event in August, Stephen Masse of Bellingham, MA closed out the 100-lap race on a roll, going on to his first Speedbowl win. In 10 previous series events held at the ‘Bowl, only Coby has scored a repeat win.

The series has seen 10 winners in 12 events this season and is amidst its most exciting championship battle to date, showing just how competitive the racing has been. Four drivers are within 33-points at the top of the standings – Les Hinckley, defending series champion Jon McKennedy, Dwight Jarvis and Rowan Pennink, the latter coming off a win in the last series race plus a top-five finish at Wings ‘n Wheels. The title is up for grabs with just a handful of events remaining on the schedule.

Joining the Modified Racing Series are all five NASCAR Whelen All-American Series divisions at the track – the SK Modifieds®, Bob Valenti Auto Mall Late Models, Street Stocks, Norwich Bulletin Mini Stocks and A.B. CDL Driver Training Center Trucks. The Legends Cars and Allison Legacy Series will also be on hand. Each will compete in 25-lap races.

Adult admission is $30 for adult grandstands and $10 for youth age 6 through 14. All kids age 5 and under are admitted free. For Military Appreciation Night, valid Military ID will be good for $10 off purchase of one adult grandstands admission and must be presented at time of purchase on Saturday.

Thunder on the Sound gets underway with practice and spectator gates opening at 12:30pm. Racing begins at 4:45pm with the first of eight feature events as well as qualifying rounds for the Modified Racing Series. Fans will want to arrive prior to 6:30pm to take in the night’s special opening ceremonies before the main events and 100-lap Modified Racing Series event.

The Connecticut National Guard will put thunder in the sky with a scheduled appearance by a UH-60 Black Hawk, giving Speedbowl fans a closer look at a chopper. Some lucky fans will be selected to get up close and personal with the chopper with a VIP tour.

The UH-60 features a four-blade main and tail rotors and is powered by two GE T700 turboshaft engines. It can carry 11 troops with equipment, lift 2,600 lb of cargo internally or 9,000 lb of cargo externally by sling. The Black Hawk helicopter series can perform a wide array of missions, including the tactical transport of troops, electronic warfare, and aeromedical evacuation. The UH-60 entered service with the U.S. Army in 1979.

Sources: Waterford Speedbowl PR

Veteran racer Carl Blandina led the early laps of the 20-lap Legends Cars feature before Dennis Pantani took over on lap-5. Nick Ladyga moved inside Blandina for second position out of turn four when contact saw Dan Butler go around and collect George Dorothy Jr. and George Whitney just behind.

Ladyga challenged Pantani following the restart with Garbo and Troy Talman also joining the mix. Ladyga took a peek outside the leader, but Garbo filled the hole opened by Ladyga to go by both leaders and into the race lead on lap-12. Just as Garbo cleared the leaders, contact between Ladyga and Talman saw both go around in turn one and draw caution once again.

Garbo pulled out to a four-car length lead over Joey Mucciacciaro who had advanced to second position in his best effort of the year. Anthony Flannery used the outside groove to race his way into the top five as the laps continued to click off the scoreboard.

As the pack raced to the white flag, Flannery was up to third. He moved around the outside of Mucciacciaro out of turn two to take over second. Garbo was too far out front to be challenged and went on to his second win of the season, with both coming in the past three weeks. Flannery was second ahead of Mucciaccaro at the checkered flag.

Jim Boyle raced to the early lead over Moran in a caution-free Super X-Car 20-lap feature. Moran made an outside move to take over on lap-4. Further back eyes were on Mike Maskell and Charles Beal, the two championship contenders. Maskell worked through traffic first, clearly the aggressor as he trailed Beal in the standings entering the race. Beal was more methodical in his maneuvering in traffic.

Moran opened up a several car lead over Boyle. Mark Boisvert moved outside Boyle to challenge for second position, taking that spot on lap 10. Maskell was up to sixth position by halfway while Beal was stuck in traffic, mired back in 12th position keeping things interesting.

Moran’s lead was up to a straight away over the final laps. She cruised to her second win of the year in dominating fashion. John Yagmin came through the field to finish in second with Shawn Perkins in third ahead of Boisvert and Maskell. Beal finished in tenth which was enough to give him the division championship over Maskell by 7-points.

A dramatic 20-lap X-Car race saw the battle for the championship on the line between Glen Thomas Jr. and Dan D’addario. A wild opening to the race saw Thomas, the point leader, in trouble on lap-2. Shawn Stula and Brad Voglesong tangled exiting turn four battling at the back of the top-five, sending those cars across the track in front of Thomas. Thomas got collected, sliding through the infield after contact was made. Thomas re-entered the racing surface in turn two in 14th position, however the yellow flag flew when Voglesong came to rest on the backstretch. Thomas went pit side for repair during the caution period.

D’addario went three-wide around the outside to come to fifth on the restart. Only one lap could be complete before Randy Johnston spun in the middle of the track in turn one on lap-3, causing anxious moments for several including Thomas. He suffered contact to the front of the #53 in the skirmish but continued on.

Mike Marvin and Pete Zaikarite battled for the lead of the race when racing resumed, with Chris Garside also in striking distance. D’addario moved up to fourth position by lap-5, with Thomas climbing back through the field trying to re-enter the top ten. Caution on lap-7 waved when C.P. Burdick spun off the backstretch. Thomas survived two more scares on lap-8 as contact sent him sideways and jostled him outside the top ten.

The race for the win out front was intense between five cars. Zaikarite raced outside Marvin for the lead, while behind Patrick Williams and Garside were side by side. D’addario was blocked in behind in fifth looking for any lane.

Marvin, Williams and Zaikarite went three wide into turn one battling for the lead. Williams battled inside, with Zaikarite outside as Marvin’s car dropped off the pace and slid back in the order. Behind D’addario and Garside battled close for third as the race hit lap-15. Zaikarite held the slight edge out front when caution waved on lap-17 for a spin in turn four. Thomas lined up in 13th for the final restart with his ailing car needing more positions to stay in contention for the title.

Zaikarite faltered when the green flag came back out. That enabled D’addario to race by Zaikarite to go on to the win. Garside finished a great outing in second. Williams was third ahead of Rich Hurne and Wayne Shifflett. Thomas limped to an 11th place finish which allowed D’addario to claim the championship.

A three-car breakaway over the first half of the 20-lap Bandolero feature saw Nicholas Sowa, Corey Dimatteo and Kenneth Morin Jr. battle at the front for control of the race. Sowa held the spot while Dimatteo and Morin started battling for second by halfway. Dimatteo was able to hold off Morin through lap 13.

With the on-going battle for second Sowa was able to open up a comfortable lead. He cruised to his fifth win of the year and third in four weeks. Morin finally got around Dimatteo to overtake second position. Dimatteo was third.

Corey Larson and Rob Gallaer were at the front of the 20-lap X-Modified race, but Brouwer moved into the picture by lap-4 to challenge for the lead. He used a move inside Gallaer on lap-5 to power ahead out of turn four.

From there Brouwer cruised to his sixth checkered flag of the year to claim the division championship. Gallaer held on to second over a hard-charging Rick Ceravolo.

Charles Beal Sr. won the 10-lap Super X-Car mechanics race, while Kim Parker took the 10-lap X-Car mechanics race using a last lap pass.

Steve Barrett of Preston was the winner of the 10-lap Officials race, who competed in Super X-Cars.

The Speedbowl returns to action Saturday with the 2nd annual Thunder on the Sound, presented by the Connecticut National Guard. The Modified Racing Series will return to the shoreline oval for a 100-lap race. In total, eight divisions will see action in the holiday weekend event. More details are available on Speedbowl.com.

Waterford Speedbowl 9/1 Wild ‘n Wacky Wednesday Results:

Legends Cars (20-laps): 1. David Garbo Jr., Stonington; 2. Anthony Flannery, East Hampton; 3. Joey Mucciacciaro, Wolcott; 4. Dennis Pantani, Branford; 5. Dana Dimatteo, Farmington; 6. Ed Field, Deep River; 7. Chris Young, Calverton, NY; 8. Nick Ladyga, Voluntown; 9. Evan Beaulieu, Durham, ME; 10. George Whitney, Westbrook; 11. Carlo Blandina, Milford; 12. Troy Talman, Oxford, MA; 13. Brian Spencer, Edison, NJ; 14. Richard White III, North Stonington; 15. Stan Carpenter, Auburn, MA; 16. Dan Butler, Waterford; 17. Bob Weymouth, Topsham, ME; 18. Scott McNickle, Ledyard; 19. Mike Beebe Sr., Old Saybrook; 20. George Dorothy Jr., Deep River

Unofficial Championship Final Standings after fifteen events: 1. Flannery, 704; 2. Field, 560; 3. D. Dimatteo, 552; 4. Blandina, 524; 5. Pantani, 515; 6. Garbo Jr., 490; 7. Mucciacciaro, 434; 8. Ladyga, 418; 9. White III, 406; 10. Talman, 396

Bandolero’s (20-laps): 1. Nicholas Sowa, Middletown; 2. Kenneth Morin Jr., Old Saybrook; 3. Corey Dimatteo, Farmington; 4. Daniel Stolte, Northbridge, MA; 5. Joey Ternullo, Middletown; 6. Jordan Lamothe, Woodstock; 7. Nicholas Matera, Warwick, RI; 8. Tyler Chalue, Dudley, MA; 9. Andrew Carpenter, Auburn, MA; 10. Taylor Martin, Windham, MA; 11. Chace Wood, Danielson; 12. Rachel Forte, Douglas, MA; 13. Jordan Churchill, Lisbon

Unofficial Championship Final Standings after fifteen events: 1. Martin, 721; T-2. Morin Jr., 601; T-2. Chalue, 601; 3. Sowa, 542; 4. Carpenter, 516; 5. DiMatteo, 479; 6. Ternullo, 461; 7. Matera, 426; 8. Churchill, 412; 9. Forte, 406; 10. Stolte, 394

Super X-Cars (20-laps): 1. Taylor Marie-Moran, Preston; 2. John Yagmin, Tolland; 3. Shawn Perkins, Groton; 4. Mark Boisvert, Uxbridge, MA; 5. Mike Maskell II, Quaker Hill; 6. Jim Boyle, East Windsor; 7. Rob Corey, South Windsor; 8. Michael Caprio, New Haven; 9. Al Potter IV, Waterford; 10. Charles Beal, Ledyard; 11. Frank Alessio, Colchester; 12. Peter Pollard, Old Lyme; 13. James Consalvo, East Hartford; 14. Dan Moon, Exeter, RI; 15. John Robidoux, Fall River, MA; 16. Bill Reiman, Southington; 17. Richard Avino, North Haven; 18. Paul Sheldon, Guilford; 19. Shawn Butler, Jewett City; 20. Kevin Moon, Exeter, RI; 21. Ed Ryan, Preston

Unofficial Championship Final Standings after fifteen events: 1. Beal, 603; 2. Maskell II, 596; 3. Yagmin, 557; 4. Perkins, 556; 5. Caprio, 549; 6. Corey, 540; 7. Boisvert, 490; 8. Pollard, 486; 9. Consalvo, 470; 10. Downing III, 441

X-Cars (20-laps): 1. Dan D’addario, Columbia; 2. Christopher Garside, Waterford; 3. Patrick Williams, Middletown; 4. Rich Hurne, Groton; 5. Wayne Shifflett, Preston; 6. Pete Zaikarite, Niantic; 7. Jeremy Bourbeau, Taftville; 8. Mike Trask, Plainfield; 9. Randy Johnston, Westerly, RI; 10. Onie Pierce, Norwich; 11. Glen Thomas, Groton; 12. Bruce Hall, Ledyard; 13. Scott Limkemann, East Lyme; 14. John Bowes, Willington; 15. Gary Stone Jr., Northford; 16. Shawn Stula, Colchester; 17. Ed Gould, Warwick, RI; 18. Arthur Phillips, Norwich; 19. David Lloyd, Mystic; 20. Geoffrey Burdick, East Lyme; 21. Rick Mollo, Seymour; 22. Kim Bickford, Jewett City; 23. Michael Marvin, Colchester; 24. C.P. Burdick, Deep River; 25. Robert Butler, Plainfield; 26. Brad Voglesong, Middletown; 27. Christopher Lee, Uncasville

Unofficial Championship Final Standings after fifteen events: 1. D’addario, 657; 2. Thomas Jr., 648; 3. Voglesong, 555; 4. Widger, 548; 5. Shifflett, 496; 6. Johnston, 492; 7. Williams, 491; 8. Trask, 490; 9. Marvin, 441; 10. Hall 406

X-Modifieds (20-laps): 1. Bubby Brouwer, Waterford; 2. Rob Gallaer, Sherman; 3. Rick Ceravolo, Groton; 4. Corey Larson, Bolton; 5. Paul French, Andover; 6. Elmer Wing III, Lakeville, MA; 7. George Wilkinson, Pawcatuck; 8. Steve Skenyon, South Windsor; 9. Brent Sweet, Monroe

Unofficial Championship Final Standings 1. Brouwer, 514; 2. Ceravolo, 470; 3. French, 465; 4. Gallaer, 419; 5. Larson, 292; 6. Shea, 254; 7. Schlegel, 236; 8. Skenyon, 162; 9. Wilkinson, 76; 10. Dimartino, 72.

Sources: Waterford Speedbowl PR

North of the Mason-Dixon, races carrying an owner’s guaranteed starting spot include the Modified Shootout scheduled for this week, September 2, 2010 at Thompson International Speedway in Thompson, CT. Labor Day Weekend will also find Shangri-La Speedway in Tioga Center, NY, playing host to a Modified qualifying event. Stafford Motor Speedway in Stafford, CT, will host qualifying race events for both the Modified Racing Series during their inaugural visit on September 10, 2010 and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour on October 3. The traditional “King of the Mountain” at Sundance Vacations Speedway on October 10 will wrap up the qualifying race schedule for the Northern Mods.

Southern Modified competitor Brian King has already secured his spot for his car owner R.D. Adams with his victory in C&C Racing Promotion’s Frostbite Modified event that was run on March 20, 2010 at Orange County Speedway in Rougemont, NC. Joining King will be the winning car owners of the September 6 event at Ace Speedway and the Southern Whelen Modified Tour event scheduled for October 14, 2010 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Qualifying events for the SK-Type Modifieds kicked-off last weekend Saturday, August 28 in NASCAR Whelen All-American Series action at the Waterford Speedbowl in Waterford, CT. Tyler Chadwick of Ledyard, CT, was in the right place at the right time to secure the victory and the starting spot for his father Jeff. This was the second qualifying race win for Chadwick.

The competitors in the Sunoco Modified division at Thompson will get their opportunity to score a starting spot on September 2 alongside their Modified comrades. Like Thompson, Shangri-La will be hosting a double-header with a starting spot on the line in the Sports Modifieds on September 2 as well. Stafford Motor Speedway will play host to a qualifying event for their SK Modifieds on September 10; in conjunction with the MRS event. The Sport Modified portion of the King of the Mountain event on October 9 at Sundance Vacations Speedway will also carry an owner’s starting position to wrap up the events for the SK-Type Modifieds

While the winning car owners secure the starting spot in the 8th Annual John Blewett III Memorial North-South Shootout, each of the drivers will earn a gift certificate from the Joie of Seating.

The Joie of Seating, the leader in racing seat safety technology, is returning to the family of sponsors for the North-South Shootout for the seventh straight year. Their support will go not only to the winners of qualifying races but also various competitors during the race weekend as well. To learn more about the Joie of Seating visit www.joieofseating.com.

Now in its eighth year, the North-South Shootout has earned a reputation as one of the most prestigious events in short track racing. The stars of both the Northern and Southern Modified racing community duke it out on the high-banks of the Concord Speedway half-mile tri-oval in an all green flag racing shootout to gain notoriety for themselves and their regional comrades. After being shut-out for the first five years of the event, the South, at the hands of Burt Myers, has been victorious for two-straight years. The race was renamed in 2007 to honor the late John Blewett III; a two-time winner of the Shootout.

The format for the eighth annual event will include time trials for the Tour-Type Modifieds, SK-Type Modifieds, and the ASA Southeast Asphalt Tour as well as heat races, and consolation event(s) for all three divisions. The USA Modified Series will make their NSS debut his season; while the ever-popular vintage Modified contingent return as part of the two-day racing extravaganza.

For complete details on the 8th Annual John Blewett III Memorial North-South Shootout log on to the official website at northsouthshootout.com.

Sources: Dale Wolbrink/Thompson International Speedway PR

The teams, with drivers Tony Kanaan and Scott Dixon, are participating in a two-day Firestone Tire Tests. The test wraps up Wednesday.

In just a little less than a year, the IZOD IndyCar Series will race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on August 14, 2011.

“The track is very suitable for these cars,” said 2008 Indianapolis 500 winner Scott Dixon, driver of the No. 9 Target Chip Ganassi Racing car, during a break in testing. “I think we are already averaging over 160 mph. The racing here is going to be unbelievable.”

Sharing the testing responsibilities with Dixon is 2004 IZOD IndyCar Series Champion, Tony Kanaan, driver of the No. 11 Team 7-Eleven car. While he is looking forward to next year’s race, Kanaan knows how important his role is during the two-day Firestone Test.

“For now, we have a big responsibility to get a good package for next year,” said Kanaan during the first day’s lunch break.

Tuesday’s Firestone Tire Test session was open free-of-charge to fans. Wednesday’s testing will be closed to the public.

IZOD IndyCar Series Technical Director Kevin Blanch is one of the many people in the IndyCar community who is excited to return to the New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Blanch’s enthusiasm for the event cannot only be attributed to the great racing he expects to see, but also to experience the natural beauty that New Hampshire has to offer.

When he was last at NHMS in 1998, Blanch was the crew chief for Panther Racing and driver Scott Goodyear. Blanch was telling Lake Winnipesaukee fishing stories on pit road during a break in testing.

“I rented boats each night for the crew, and there were guys catching big smallmouth (bass) who had never fished before. Each night, we’d lose count how many we were catching.”

Firestone tire engineers brought more than 400 tires for the two-day test. More than 20 different combinations of compounds will be tested. The first set of tires Kanaan and Dixon used was the same compound used at the 2009 race on the one-mile oval in Milwaukee.

“We came here with the Milwaukee (aero) numbers and out of the box we were very close,” said IZOD IndyCar Series technical director Kevin Blanch. “In qualifying, with the package we have now, the drivers can probably get flat (around the 1-mile oval) if the car is really good. In the race, there will be no way you’re going to get flat. They’ll have to constantly work the throttle, which is what you want. We’re also learning here, with the progressive banking, that if the car isn’t quite right, they (the drivers) can just change to the next lane and that helps the car. The track is going to lend itself to really good racing when we get the numbers right on the downforce.”

Both Dixon and Kanaan confirmed this Firestone Test was the first trip to “The Magic Mile” for each.

“It’s kind of refreshing to come to a place that you have never been before,” Dixon said. “It’s nice to branch out to new places and the (fan) following for racing is already tremendous as you can see by the Cup races they have here.”

For Kanaan, his first trip to NHMS was not without its detours.

“This morning I got here late because I realized I didn’t know how to get here,” said Kanaan. “I am not good at directions, so I had to ask at the hotel. I had to stop at the gas station to ask for directions too!”

The next major event scheduled for NHMS is the SYLVANIA 300, September 16-19. Purchase your tickets now by calling the ticket hotline at (603) 783-4931 or by visiting us online at www.nhms.com.

Tickets for the IZOD IndyCar Series race are on sale now. Prices range from $35 to $75. Fans can purchase them by calling the ticket hotline at (603) 783-4931.

Sources: Kristen Costa/NHMS PR

Charity Splits has been established in motorsports by benefitting multiple NASCAR Charities and Foundations including: The Tony Stewart Foundation, Victory Junction, The Petty Family Foundation, The Greg Biffle Foundation, The Ryan Newman Foundation, The Dale Jarrett Foundation, and The Kyle Busch Foundation.

This new and innovative model for charitable fundraising is a win-win for NASCAR enthusiasts. Not only do fans have the opportunity to support their favorite drivers’ foundations, but this fall, they will also have the chance to get a big win for themselves, a brand new Camping World RV courtesy of Camping World of New Hampshire.

Beginning August 31, the Race Day Raffle Series enters its own “Chase” format much like the “Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.” By logging onto http://www.theracedayraffleseries.com fans can purchase raffle tickets for $10 each. All of the $10 raffle tickets will be entered to win.

Proceeds from the raffle will be put into a pot for the fan’s preferred foundation, which the fan will choose at the time of purchase and just like the action on track, the foundations will be working hard for fan’s support. The winner can be sure that there will be plenty of bragging rights and happy benefactors for the charity that raises the most money.

“Our goal for the 2010 Race Day Raffle Series and TheRaceDayRaffleSeries.com 175 is to raise over $1,000,000 for our foundation and charity partners, and to give away an RV to one lucky fan,” stated Ryan West, Director of Marketing for The Charity Splits Company. “It is our mission to provide assistance to these great foundations, similar to the way foundations just like these helped my family in our time of need when my mother was critically ill. We believe we can do that through the Race Day Raffle Series.”

About The Charity Splits Company

The Charity Splits Company, “Where Passion Meets Action”, was formed in 2006 by Ryan and Patrick West after seeing first-hand the impact that non-profit organizations had in their mother’s battle with breast cancer. Charity Splits is committed to the prosperity and growth of non-profit organization fundraising across all categories of need by providing a legal, online and interactive platform to raise much needed funds.

TheRaceDayRaffleSeries.com 175 from New Hampshire Motor Speedway will air live on SPEED at 2:30 p.m. EST on Saturday, September 18. The broadcast can also be heard live on MRN Radio and Sirius NASCAR Radio.

For more information on Charity Splits or to donate and enter the prize pool today, please log onto http://www.theracedayraffleseries.com or http://www.charitysplits.info.

Sources: Drew Bedard/NHMS PR