Rules For Only PASS South… Not PASS North Or Other PASS Series
From the local Street Stock competitor to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stars, it’s every driver’s goal to become a champion. Over the last several years, PASS has crowned champions in its regional series’, the PASS North and PASS South Super Late Model divisions. Beginning in 2008, PASS will crown its first ever National Champion. Both the PASS North and PASS South will have 14 race schedules that will award regional championships in both divisions. Within those two schedules, there will be a Champions Series that will determine who the PASS Super Late Model National Champion will be.
“It has been our goal since we started the PASS South Series in 2006 to eventually crown a National Champion,” said PASS President Tom Mayberry. “We believe that with the strength of the PASS North and PASS South Super Late Model divisions that 2008 is the right time to give back to the drivers that support both our series.”
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Rob Tower of RTraceparts and NEMA President Mike Scravarni are pleased to announce that RTraceparts/Torco Race Fuels will be the preferred fuel supplier and a series sponsor of NEMA for 2008.
Tower presented details of both the 2008 Torco Race Fuels points fund program and series sponsorship while attending the NEMA annual meeting & luncheon on Saturday, December 15th at Perriwinkles & Georgios Restaurant in North Oxford, MA.
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Happy Holidays! With the first five honorees of the “Top 25 ACT Drivers of 2007” in the books, we continue our countdown this week with a look at drivers 20 through 16. Here’s a look back at drivers 25-21 from last week:25. Matt White, NAPA Tiger Sportsman – Two-time Thunder Road winner, made successful Late Model debut at Chittenden Milk Bowl in September
24. John Donahue, American-Canadian Tour (ACT) Late Model – Won the Bond Auto Labor Day Classic 200, scored emotional Challenge Series win at Oxford
23. Mike Martin, Allen Lumber Street Stock – Fast, smooth, consistent, took an exciting Mekkelsen RV Memorial Day victory
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Robert Alan Wells, Sr., age 77 of Bethel, died Sunday, December 16, 2007 at his home with his family in attendance, after a short battle with cancer. He was the husband of the late Betty Jane Stanton Wells.
He was born in New Milford, CT, July 23, 1930 son of the late Franklin and Alma Smith Wells. He was an automobile mechanic, until moving to Kissimmee, FL, where he worked at Walt Disney World for 10 years, returning to the area after the death of his wife.
Bob’s passions included the New York Yankees, the New York football Giants and NASCAR racing. He was a life member of the Southern New York Racing Assoc., serving in several capacities, including ambulance driver and pit crew member of both Chick Stockwell and his son.
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The holiday spirit, complete with some bargains for shoppers, will be in full force at Waterford Speedbowl’s annual Christmas Party Thursday night, Dec. 20 at the Groton Motor Inn & Suits in Groton, CT.
“Party goers” are asked to bring a new toy that will be donated to the Connecticut Department of Children and Families. Over the past half dozen years the Speedbowl family has been very generous in support of the less fortunate in the area. A toy automatically enters the donor into a drawing for valuable prizes.
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Daytona Beach, FL — Whelen Engineering’s relationship with NASCAR racing continues to grow and flourish, evidenced by the fact that it was announced last Friday that the company is extending its entitlement sponsorship for both of NASCAR’s Modified Tours – the NASCAR Whelen Modified and NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tours – through 2016. Whelen is a Connecticut-based company that is the leading manufacturer of automotive, aviation, industrial and public emergency lighting and warning systems, including the caution lights on the track and pace cars at NASCAR events and has been involved in sponsoring NASCAR’s Modified touring division since 2004.
“When Whelen became the entitlement sponsor of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, I stated that we were in this for the long run and now we have formalized that commitment,” said Phil Kurze, vice president of motorsports for Whelen Engineering. “The Modified Tours are very special to everyone at Whelen. We think these Tours provide some of the most exciting and competitive racing NASCAR has to offer and we are proud to be associated with both of them. Our support of grassroots racing is very strong and we have demonstrated that by providing NASCAR with the longest running entitlement sponsorship agreements for any NASCAR Series.”
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Daytona Beach, FL — Red Byron was the first. In 1948, Byron won the first sanctioned NASCAR event – in a Modified – and went on to win the 1948 NASCAR Modified Division championship.
Last Friday night at the Mohegan Sun Resort, Donny Lia was officially crowned the 2007 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion, making him the 60th Modified champion in NASCAR history. And with Lia’s coronation, NASCAR and series sponsor Whelen Engineering kicked off a celebration of the rich legacy of NASCAR’s Modified division that will last throughout 2008.
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Daytona Beach, FL — NASCAR unveiled today the new official series logo for the NASCAR Camping World Series. Last Saturday, NASCAR announced that beginning in 2008, Camping World, the country’s largest RV and outdoor retailer, will entitle the long-standing Grand National Division, East and West Series.
The NASCAR Camping World Series features cars similar in design and appearance to those cars competing in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. The East Series races in key markets in the northeast, along the Atlantic seaboard, and as far west as Iowa. The West Series features events along the Pacific coast, and several western states, reaching as far east as Iowa, where the two separate series meet for a combined event in May. Both series run at a challenging combination of short tracks, intermediates, road courses, and speedways, with a number of races held in combination with NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events.
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Stafford Springs, CT — Stafford Motor Speedway has announced that its season ending CARQUEST Fall Final Weekend event has added the NASCAR Camping World East Series, formerly known as the…
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Oswego, NY”s Paul Colloca of Xtreme Chassis Inc. had the beautiful new Bob Haynes Sr.-owned, Bobby Haynes Jr.–driven winged supermodified which was completed earlier this fall in his booth at the prestigious PRI show in Orlando, Florida. The PRI show, held in early December, is touted as the show to be at by everyone in the auto racing business and this year proved to be no different.
Colloca, of Xtreme Chassis Inc. agreed to display the Haynes ISMA Supermodified when ISMA president Howie Lane’s plans on attending with his own 97 car fell through. Colloca proudly showed off his newest creation to the many interested show participants and attendees. The Collocas – Paul and his wife Megan – also helped answer questions about the winged ISMA supermodifieds and where they competed. Xtreme chassis are currently run by Todd Stowell, Joe Gosek and Bobby Bond. Bobby Haynes Jr. will run his new car beginning in 2008 and Paul has a new car in the works for MSA champion Dave Shullick Jr.
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Atlantic City, NJ — Motorsports promoters from more than a dozen states representing more than 50 auto racing facilities will be taking part in the first annual Promoter’s Summit which will be part of the huge Motorsports 2008 Race Car Show presented by VP Racing Fuels.
Dennis Huth, president of Racing Speed Associates which owns the American Speed Association, will kick off the two day Summit on Friday, January 18th at 9am as a keynote speaker. Huth, who is given credit by many for getting the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series started when he was a NASCAR executive, will share some of his thoughts on the state of the short track racing industry.
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The Pro Four Modifieds of New England Racing Series is pleased to announce its action packed 2008 schedule of 15 race events. These dates take the series to seven tracks in Connecticut, New Hampshire and Maine.
The Pro Four Modifieds always provide exciting side by side racing at every track they go to and 2008 will not be an exception. 2007 Pro Four Modified Champion Norm Wrenn looks to defend his title against formidable competition.
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Historic Tracks Highlight Calendar For Top Developmental Series
Daytona Beach, FL — Several new tracks join a list of historic venues that will make up the 2008 NASCAR Camping World Series schedule, as the top developmental series in NASCAR presents a stronger, more geographically diverse mixture of short tracks, speedways and road courses across the United States. Also today, NASCAR announced that beginning in 2008, Camping World would be the new title sponsor for the sport’s long-standing Grand National Division, East and West Series.
The NASCAR Camping World Series calendar will run on 23 tracks in 16 states, including a return trip to Iowa Speedway for a combination race between the East and West on the 7/8-mile tri-oval in Newton, Iowa. Last year’s event drew almost 25,000 fans that witnessed an epic battle in which 17-year-old Joey Logano, the eventual 2007 East champion, outdueled 2007 Daytona 500 winner Kevin Harvick to claim the victory.
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NASCAR Welcomes Camping World As News Series Sponsor
Daytona Beach, FL — The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) announced today that Camping World, the country’s largest RV and outdoor retailer, will become the title sponsor for NASCAR Camping World Series beginning in 2008, entitling NASCAR’s top developmental series – the long-standing Grand National Division, East and West Series.
Over the years, this series has helped launch the careers of many future NASCAR stars, including current NASCAR Sprint Cup Series standouts Kevin Harvick, Martin Truex, Jr., and David Gilliland, along with two-time championship crew chief Greg Zipadelli. As the new title sponsor, Camping World looks to continue the tradition of developing talented young drivers that aspire to go on and excel in the highest levels of NASCAR racing. Recent enhancements to the series included a schedule with an expanded geographic reach, new competition and cost-containment initiatives such as the new “spec engine” and composite body, and a lowered age-limit to 16 for drivers.
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Uncasville, CT — Teenage NASCAR phenom Joey Logano returned to his home state to be honored as the 2007 NASCAR Grand National Division, Busch East Series at the series’ awards ceremony at the Mohegan Sun Resort in Uncasville, Conn. Saturday night.
The 17-year-old rookie driver from Middletown, Conn., was presented the championship trophy and postseason team awards. Logano’s winnings, bonus awards, and point fund earnings pushed his season total to $233,978. The championship celebration culminated with NASCAR Managing Director of Racing Operations George Silbermann presenting Logano with the prestigious NASCAR championship ring.
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Tradition Continues For NASCAR’s Oldest Division
Daytona Beach, FL — The Modified Tours have always been an integral part of NASCAR racing, dating back to the first race in NASCAR history in 1948. As NASCAR celebrates 60 years of racing and 60 years of Modified champions, the 2008 schedules for both the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour and NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour enable the series to race at some of the best short tracks in America and revisit some of the roots of the sport.
“The schedules for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour and NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour are very strong. They encompass new markets and position both series well for the future,” said George Silbermann, NASCAR’s managing director of racing operations. “With the support of Whelen Engineering, a terrific group of track promoters and a strong field of competitors, we’re looking forward to continued excitement and close racing throughout the season.”
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Uncasville, CT — Donny Lia’s championship season came to a crowning conclusion Friday at the Mohegan Sun Resort where he was honored as the 2007 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion at the series awards banquet.
Lia’s first career NASCAR title made him the 60th NASCAR Modified champion dating back to the division’s first champion, Red Byron, in 1948. NASCAR’s first sanctioned event was a Modified race and Lia’s coronation kicks off a celebration of the Modified division’s rich and storied history that will encompass the entire 2008 season.
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Stafford Springs, CT — With the 2007 Stafford Motor Speedway NASCAR Racing season in the history books, it is time once again for competitors to be rewarded for their season-long…
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As the Christmas season gets into full swing, we are bombarded by planning and preparing. This is not unlike preparing for the racing season where the right preparation can make the difference between success and failure. What will make our Christmas season a success? What are the priorities we need to have so that we will understand the true meaning of Christmas? Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
I want to thank my wife, Lynda, for filling in last week as I recovered from an injury. What a difference a week makes. I am on the mend but have a few more procedures that need to be done before everything is 100%. Thank you for your prayers.
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Atlantic City, NJ — Veteran NASCAR Sprint Car racer Elliott Sadler will be part of the huge Motorsports 2008 Race Car Show presented by VP Racing Fuels. The three day show, set to open at noon on January 18th, will take place at the Atlantic City, NJ Convention Center and is expected to attract in excess of 30,000 people.
The show, filling close to 300,000 square feet of the Convention Center, will offer just about everything imaginable in motorsports including more than 250 motorsports vehicles on display.
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Atlantic City, NJ — The RAACE Foundation (Race Against Abuse of Children Everywhere) will be a big part of the Motorsports 2008 Race Car Show Presented by VP Racing Fuels. The three day show, offering something for everybody in motorsports, is set for January 18th thru January 20th at the huge Atlantic City, NJ Convention Center.
Sprint car racer Stevie Smith along with his car owner father Steve Smith, a legend in Central Pennsylvania sprint car racing, will have their familiar RAACE Foundation yellow and purple sprint car and hauler on display.
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Thompson, CT — Brand new for the 2008 racing season will be driver eligibility for the popular Thompson International Speedway Modified division. Since its inception, the “TIS” modified division has been limited to either new drivers or drivers moving up to compete in this open wheel NASCAR Whelen Modified division.
After numerous requests by drives and race teams and much consideration by the management of the Thompson International Speedway, the decision was made to open the division to any and all drivers who are at least 16 years of age.
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A fifteen-person panel – including media members from Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, and Québec, officials from the American-Canadian Tour and Thunder Road, and a pair of die-hard race fans – have compiled their efforts to decide the “Top 25 ACT Drivers of 2007.” The criteria for each panelist were simple: 1. Using your personal opinion, create a list of the ten ACT/Thunder Road drivers that you felt stood head and shoulders above the rest in 2007; and 2. Rank them in order.
From there, the 25 drivers receiving the most votes and/or praise would be ranked against the others, with an additional ten on the list of racers that missed it by “this much.” The intent was, in theory, to pit ACT Late Model Tour Champion Jean-Paul Cyr against, say, Power Shift Online Junkyard Warrior Champion Bunker Hodgdon, at least on paper. Also included were the Série ACT Castrol and Thunder Road’s weekly Late Model, NAPA Tiger Sportsman, and Allen Lumber Street Stock divisions.
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- Lia’s Coronation Friday at Mohegan Sun
- Gathering of Modified Champions a Who’s Who of NASCAR Champions
- Sixteen Champions To Be Honored
Daytona Beach, FL — When Donny Lia steps to the podium Friday to accept the trophy as the 2007 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion, he will extend a lineage of championship drivers that dates back not only to the beginning of the Whelen Modified Tour in 1985 but even further back, to the earlier days of NASCAR.
As NASCAR’s oldest division, the Modified division have always held a special place in NASCAR history. In 2008, both NASCAR and the Modifieds will celebrate their 60th year of racing. And Friday, as Lia is crowned the newest champion, he will be surrounded by some of the sport’s greatest drivers.
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Marjorie Fay will step down from her position as Director of Marketing and Advertising from the American-Canadian Tour (ACT) stock car racing sanctioning body, which also operates Thunder Road International Speedbowl in Barre, VT, effective December 13. Fay was hired to the organization as Director of Media in 1985, and held several positions in the company during the last 23 racing seasons.
“My time at ACT and Thunder Road has provided much professional and personal development, and it has been inspiring to work with such talented people both on and off the track,” she said. “I will miss it.”
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Some interesting news, courtesy of Kevin at the Danbury-Racearena message board:
The Golden Age of Trucking museum has asked me to put on another Racearena seminar about the history of the Danbury Racearena and the SNYRA. We have set the date for April 12,2008 from 11-3PM. The museum currently has a display of 3 former Danbury cars and a display case full of memoribilia. If you get a chance, it’s a great way to spend a few hours. There is also a restored boat that raced at Danbury in 1949 when they had the boat races. Please pass the word. We are looking for fans and drivers to attend. The museum is located off exit 16 on I-84 and is open Thurs.-Sat. 10-4PM. Sun. 12-4PM.
Sources: Kevin/ Danbury-Racearena.com
BSA Troop from Western MA Benefits from EXPO Invovlement
Salisbury, MA — The staff of Speedway Illustrated is hard at work preparing for their 2nd annual SpeedwayEXPO. With a new building at the Eastern States Exposition and the same flair for excitement, the February 29-March 2 event is already shaping up to be one of the biggest events of the 2008 racing season.
No success was more gratifying or more motivating than that experienced by one of EXPO’s charter guests. Last March SpeedwayEXPO provided promotional and fund-raising opportunities to several worthy charities, including the Boy Scout Venture Crew 35. Seven months later this non-profit organization is still realizing the benefits of its SpeedwayEXPO participation.
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“Big Phil” Was Loyal Crew Member on Vic Miller’s #11
Long time crew member of the Miller-Perley race team lost his long battle with heart disease on Tuesday 12/04/2007. Phil started working with Vic Miller back in the 1980’s when Larry Record was driving the #11. He was the truck driver and fuel man for more than 20 years until his ailing health caused him to cut back on his travel with the team.
Rest In Peace Big Guy, you will be missed.
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There’s still time to reap the benefits of Waterford Speedbowl’s “Super Savings” Plans for 2008 grandstand and pits season passes.
The Speedbowl will open its 58th consecutive season with the nine-division Modified Nationals on April 12-13. The season will run through the Finale Oct. 4-5 and again feature the SK-Modifieds, Late Models, Sportsman, Mini Stocks and Legends.
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Coming off a sensational 2007 season, the Northeastern Midget Association has decided to “invest in the future” with the “NEMA Lite Series.” The series, approved by the NEMA Contest Board, is gaining momentum.
Called a “feeder class” by NEMA Vice President Tim Bertrand, the series is designed to introduce new competitors to winged midgets “in very low cost, less powerful cars.” Competitors can use any chassis that currently meets NEMA specifications but engines will be limited to Ford Focus and Quad4 Oldsmobiles. All the cars will have starters.
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