Newburgh, NY — The ALNRS held it’s annual Pre-Season meeting this past weekend. Several veteran teams along with some new rookie teams attended the meeting to hear Series Director Michael A. Vasquez, Sr. discuss the upcoming 2008 ALNRS Season. The director discussed the 2008 Race Procedures and also discussed some improvements that will be made heading into the 2008 Season. Following a quick lunch break the teams were given some basic set up techniques from ALNRS Team owner Scott Tuthill. John Berardi who is the official chassis repair specialist for the ALNRS was on hand to go over some of the new tech tools that will be introduced for the 2008 season. These tools and the new scaling system will help the series provide a more thorough and efficient tech inspection off all the ALNRS cars. The ALNRS would like to give a special thanks to John Berardi and his family for their hospitality in hosting the meeting.
Next up on the 2008 ALNRS Schedule is the annual Speedway Expo in Springfield, MA Feb 29 -March 2. Three ALNRS teams will be on hand to display their new 2008 race cars. So Stop by the booth and learn all about the ALNRS and the stars of tomorrow.
Waterford, CT -- It is not easy finding the right spot for Ted Christopher in Waterford Speedowl’s hierarchy. He loves every minute of the puzzle.
Calling him a “visitor” doesn’t make sense considering he has won the 1992 SK-Modified championship, 36 features (in four different divisions) and four poles at the Bowl. Still, he never fails to generate extra ordinary “big time” excitement when he does appear.
Christopher hopes to add to his Bowl resume in the 12th annual SK-150, the centerpiece of the season-opening Modified Nationals April 12-13. The 1999 winner, Christopher will come with his own SK and also is “working on” a Midget ride.
Stafford Springs, CT — Stafford Motor Speedway has announced that Reliable Welding and Speed of Enfield will return as the title sponsor of the track’s Rookie of the Year awards…
Stafford Springs, CT — The Robert Bosch Company, and their line of Bosch Platinum IR Fusion Spark Plugs, will return to Stafford Motor Speedway’s SK Light division as a contingency…
Naples, ME — For teenager Dale Shaw Jr., success behind the wheel of a race car seems to be preordained .Better known by his nickname D.J., his family tree reads like a racing legacy. Race wins and championships abound. His father Dale Shaw is well known throughout the racing world as a Busch North Series Champion, a successful car builder and the first Pro All Stars Series (PASS) feature winner ever. His grandfather Steve Blood earned 46 feature wins and a track championship at Maine’s Oxford Plains Speedway.
D.J. has already cemented his place in this racing family’s history book. He’s earned major race wins and a track championship against some of the toughest competition in New England. In 2008 he hopes to advance his career running a full fourteen race schedule with the PASS North Super Late Models, the fastest full-fendered short track racing series in the east. (more…)
Naples, ME — The Pro All Stars Series (PASS) is pleased to welcome one of the nation’s foremost racing parts suppliers back for their second season as a PASS awards sponsor.
The BSR Products/PASS Hard Charger award will be presented to the driver who improves their starting position the most in each PASS Super Late Model North and South event. The award winner will receive a $100.00 product certificate redeemable at the short track superstore. BSR Hard Charger points will be accumulated at each of the fourteen PASS North and South Super Late Model events and the driver in each division who gains the most positions throughout the season will receive an additional $250.00 product certificate in recognition of their achievement as the 2008 BSR Products/ PASS Hard Charger. (more…)
Thompson Speedway has long represented the top of the mountain in Midget racing. Atleast six drivers will be looking to get back there when the Northeastern Midget Association opens its 56th season April 5-6 at the historic oval’s season-opening Icebreaker.
It is the busiest schedule in 20 years for NEMA which will race 19 times at eight tracks.
Randy Cabral tops the list of active drivers, last year’s World Series triumph his fifth career checkered at Thompson.Also on the list are Nokie Fornoro ((4), defending champion Ben Seitz(3) Bobby Santos (3), Greg Stoehr (1) and Joey Payne (1).
We started digging in to our passage last week and this week we continue the process. There is a certain confidence that comes with having someone walking along side you that knows the way. We see it throughout life; someone with experience mentoring someone who is learning their way. Who do you have beside you to show you the way? Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Mike McLaughlin was a good racer in his own right. His nickname, Magic Shoes, indicates that he could peddle with the best of them. Now he spends his time coaching young drivers for Joe Gibbs Racing, helping them learn the ins and outs of driving a racecar.
Waterford, CT — Veteran Speedbowl competitor Tom Fox has been named among the nominees to receive a “Speedy Award” at Sunoco Speedway Expo 08’.
Slated for February 29 – March 2 at The Big E, Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, MA., Speedway Expo serves as a showcase for New England motorsports.
Fox joins fellow nominees Ted Christopher (Stafford Motor Speedway), Ron Bolduc (All-Star Speedway), Keith Rocco (Thompson & Stafford Speedways), JR Heffner, (Lebanon Valley Speedway), Roger Brown (ACT), Travis Adams (Oxford Plains), and, JR Baril: (Lee USA Speedway).
Waterford, CT — Why does Dennis Gada have six Waterford Speedbowl championships? Why is he a definite contender to win a record seventh in 2008? Jeff Pearl, one of his toughest competitors, believes he has the answers.
“When things are not going right, when things are going badly he stays positive,” offers Pearl. “That’s why Dennis Gada wins championships.”
Lake Mary, FL — In the Grand Ballroom at the Orlando Marriott Lake Mary, February 11, Lynn Phillips, promoter of Talladega (AL) Short Track, was revealed as the Thirty-Second Auto…
Charlotte, NC — Pro All Stars Series (PASS) Super Late Model Series Officials and RaceTalkRadio.com are proud to announce the addition of a brand new show to join RaceTalkRadio.com’s lineup of successful internet radio shows. “Live To PASS” will air every Tuesday night at 7:30pm Eastern beginning on March 18th.
“The PASS Series is a series that we really wanted to step up our coverage of in 2008,” said Dennis Michelsen of RaceTalkRadio.com. “Last year’s coverage of the PASS South Series with Alan Dietz, as well as racing in the Mid-Atlantic region, was very popular with our fans. We’re really looking forward to increasing our coverage to both the PASS North and South divisions in 2008.”
Westbrook, CT — This weekend, NASCAR and race fans everywhere will celebrate the running of the 50th Daytona 500. Local race fans will get the opportunity to observe the historical event in grand-style while helping support the Racing Against Cancer (TM) Program. The Stadium Sports Bar and Grill at the Foxwoods Resort Casino will host the Racing Against Cancer team for a race day fundraiser on Sunday, February 17, 2008.
The fun gets underway at 1PM with a Wii Racing Tournament. The festivities will also include a Racing Against Cancer Team jacket raffle. The FOX Broadcast of the running of ‘the Great American’ race is set for 2PM with the drop of the green flag scheduled for approximately 3:20 PM. Admission to the R.A.C. Daytona 500 Party is free. Look for the Racing Against Cancer race vehicles in front of the Stadium Bar and Grill located inside on Casino Level at the Rainmaker Entrance of the Foxwoods Resort Casino.
Salisbury, MA — While Tony Stewart is racing in Vegas, his fans and auto enthusiasts will enjoy what “Smoke” sent to SpeedwayEXPO presented by Sunoco on February 29-March 2. The 1984 Cadillac Brougham hearse often referred to as one of Tony’s prize possessions will be on display throughout the weekend.
The tricked-out hearse was restored and customized by Will Castro’s Unique Autosports of Long Island for the Speed Channel show Unique Whips. Castro will also appear at SpeedwayEXPO and sign autographs from noon to 5:00 on Sunday, March 2.
Daytona Beach, FL — Following his 2007 breakthrough season that culminated with his first NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour championship, Donny Lia has secured a ride in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series for 2008 with TRG Motorsports.
Lia, a native of Jericho, N.Y., will drive the No. 71 Chevrolet Silverado for Kevin Buckler and TRG Motorsports. In five full seasons on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, Lia collected 11 wins – including six in 2007. Lia was the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Sunoco Rookie of the Year in 2003.
Daytona Beach, FL — NASCAR announced today Chad Little has been named the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour director. Little, a former NASCAR driver, has been an official with NASCAR since 2005, most recently as advisor to the NASCAR Mexico Series.
“Modified racing is an integral part of NASCAR history,” Little said. “The series is strong and I am looking forward to helping it continue to grow. I had the chance to meet and get to know a lot of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour officials, competitors, promoters and fans last year. There is not a more passionate group than those involved with Modified racing, and that translates into some of the best racing in NASCAR.”
Seekonk, MA — Seekonk Speedway is pleased to announce the addition of several new partnerships and the continued support of several returning sponsors at the Route 6 facility in 2008. “Sponsorship always has, and always will, play a vital role in sustaining short track auto racing,” speedway Vice-President Francis Venditti explains. “We are thrilled to welcome so many new and returning partners to our family in 2008.”
Aubuchon Hardware, family owned and operated since 1908, operates HardwareStore.com in conjunction with over 130 retail locations throughout Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Connecticut and Upstate New York. As part of their Centennial Celebration, Aubuchon’s season-long partnership with the Cement Palace will be highlighted by a special Aubuchon Hardware Night on Saturday, July 12. The Tiverton, RI-based Phil’s Propane Company, which services over 5,000 residential, commercial and industrial accounts covering all of Newport and Bristol Counties, providing bulk propane delivery, 24 hour emergency service and installation of space heating, water heating and other propane equipment, is a returning partner in 2008. The firm will sponsor an extra distance-extra cash-extra excitement Late Model event on Phil’s Propane Night, August 2.
There has been a lot of speculation this off-season on where 2007 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Champion Donny Lia would land for 2008, but the rumors can be put to rest now that Lia has signed to drive the No. 71 Chevrolet Silverado in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series for Kevin Buckler’s TRG Motorsports team. Lia has signed on to drive a second TRG Motorsports entry, as a teammate to fellow New York-native and three-time Rolex Grand Am Champion Andy Lally. Both drivers will compete for Raybestos Rookie of the Year honors and the Championship Crown.
“We are really excited to sign Donny Lia to drive a second truck for us in 2008,” said Team Principal, Kevin Buckler. “When we were looking at adding a second truck team, it made perfect sense to bring Donny in as our second driver. Donny is a very talented young man and has won in just about everything he has raced. He’s one of the most determined racers out there and he’ll make a great addition to our team. Both he and Andy are true racers and they are the future of TRG.”
Jon Seaman Jr. Concentrates on Engineering Studies
Southbury, CT — While Jon Seaman Jr. devotes time to his Mechanical Engineering studies at Rochester Institute of Technology, TSR Motorsports has named 2007 NEMA Rookie of the Year Jeremy Frankoski to fill the driver’s seat of the No. 63 Midget for the 2008 season.
“TSR Motorsports feels very fortunate to have Jeremy on their team for the upcoming 2008 season,” commented team principal Jon Seaman Sr. “His focus anddetermination will blend well with the young but experienced crew Jon Jr and TSR Motorsports have built.”
SpeedwayEXPO ’08 will have some interesting people from the automotive world during the event held February 29 – March 2 at the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, MA.
Former NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion and 2007 runner-up Mike Skinner will be making an appearance with the date to be determined. Hall of Famer and former NASCAR Modified championship owner Art Barry will be debuting his Richie Evans tribute car. Will Castro, host of the popular Unique Whips tv show on SPEED Channel, will be in attendance as well and he’ll be bringing Tony Stewart’s custom hearse along for the trip.
This year’s show has it all: from racing cars and stars to seminars. Saturday night will be busy with two major events. The inaugural Toast and Roast is set for 5PM while the Pit Crew Challenge is set for 7PM. The second-annual SPEEDY Awards to honor racing’s best are also set for Sunday. For more information, please visit SpeedwayEXPO.com.
Stafford Springs, CT — The 5th annual CARQUEST Auto Parts SK 150, scheduled for Friday, July 25 at Stafford Motor Speedway, will feature total posted awards of over $25,000. The…
Newburyport, MA — Motorsports publisher Coastal 181 has announced the upcoming release of ED OTTO, NASCAR’s Silent Partner, a gripping new biography of Ed Otto, one of America’s greatest all-time motorsports promoters. The book will be launched formally as part of the 50th Daytona International Speedweeks celebration.
Few fans of racing today may know the name Ed Otto. However, it is safe to say that the sport would be very different now if not for the cigar-smoking super-promoter from New Jersey. Deeply involved in the formative seasons of NASCAR 50 years ago, Otto was a dynamo of a man. He offered up hundreds of shows at facilities across North America, a feat that would seem impossible before the advent of email and cell phones, let alone the national highway system. He was unendingly creative, establishing a list of firsts that has never been equaled. Among them were the first use of TV to broadcast races; the organization of the inaugural NASCAR races in California, at the Polo Grounds in Manhattan, and at Chicago’s Soldier Field; as well as the NASCAR events at Watkins Glen. He was first to use airplanes to transport drivers from one event to another; he ran motorcycle races in Yankee Stadium and the Winter Nationals drag races in Florida with Wally Parks. As NASCAR’s 40% silent partner, it was his charge to take the fledging association out of the South to a national audience.
Waterford, CT — The 11th annual Budweiser Modified Nationals featuring the SK-150 will kick off Waterford Speed bowl’s 58th consecutive season April 12-13. A record 10 divisions fill the busy two-day agenda that is preceded by a practice weekend April 5-6.
Sunday’s lucrative “150,” is the oldest of the SK special events. Speedbowl regular Jeff Pearl will be looking for a second straight “150” prize while Rob Janovic Jr. will begin defense of the ’07 SK championship. Frank Ruocco, the ’06 winner, Kenny Horton, Ron Yuhas Jr., Jeff Malave and Rob Summers have all filed entries.
In addition to the Speedbowl’s SK, Late Model, Sportsman, Mini Stock and Legends, the Nationals will host the Northeastern Midget Association, the Pro4 Modifieds, AllStar Race Trucks, Allison Legacy Cars and NEMA’s new “Lites” division.
Waterford, CT — Without hesitation, Jeff Pearl says last year’s SK-150 was the biggest of his 29 career victories at Waterford Speedbowl. He now hopes to tell you what two straight feels like.
The “150” highlights the Speedbowl’s season opening, 11th annual, 10-division Budweiser Modified Nationals April 12-13. It is the oldest and still the most prestigious extra-distance, extra-money SK event.
Winning will be no easy chore. This year’s entry list includes Rob Summers, Kenny Horton, 2006 winner Frank Ruocco, Doug Coby and Jeff Malave in addition to “home bodies” like defending champ Rob Janovic Jr. six-time king Dennis Gada and Dennis Charette.
Canaan, NH — The True Value Modified Racing Series announced today that DART Machine will become the official sponsor of the 2008 Steel Head Bonus Program. The bonus program will reward the two highest finishing competitors will a steel head motor, as well as a commitment to the series year end point fund.
“It’s a real honor to have a company like DART take an interest in our series, we look forward to a long term relationship with them” said True Value Series President Jack Bateman. “We believe that our steel head program offers our competitors an option that is affordable and competitive on the race track. As DART becomes the Official Head of the True Value Modified Racing Series, we welcome the oppor-tunity to promote a great product through our series.”
Charlotte, NC — Blake Lehr has never been one to back down from a challenge. For 2008 that challenge will be a lofty one, competing in the ultra-competitive Pro All Stars Series (PASS) South Super Late Model division. At just 17 years of age Blake has already accomplished a lot in his young career. In 1999 at the age of 8, Blake began his racing career driving a 345-pound, 11 horsepower Ultramax Go-Kart. In 2005 he finished second nationally on the dirt tracks of the World Karting Association, taking four state championships in Florida. In 2006 it was off to the Open Wheel Modifieds of the Gulf Coast Modified division. 2007 saw Blake racing full-time driving Super Late Models in Florida’s Sunbelt Series, earning one win and eight top five finishes on the way to fifth in the point standings. And now, Blake Lehr and has family have moved from Florida to Waxhaw, NC, ready to challenge for the 2008 PASS South Super Late Model championship.
“We first heard about the PASS Series in 2006 when some of their drivers came down to Florida to race in SpeedFest,” said Lehr. “I was really impressed by how competitive the PASS drivers were and that made us think that we needed to begin traveling ourselves.”
Newburgh, NY — The ALNRS held it’s annual Pre-Season meeting this past weekend. Several veteran teams along with some new rookie teams attended the meeting to hear Series Director Michael A. Vasquez, Sr. discuss the upcoming 2008 ALNRS Season. The director discussed the 2008 Race Procedures and also discussed some improvements that will be made heading into the 2008 Season. Following a quick lunch break the teams were given some basic set up techniques from ALNRS Team owner Scott Tuthill. John Berardi who is the official chassis repair specialist for the ALNRS was on hand to go over some of the new tech tools that will be introduced for the 2008 season. These tools and the new scaling system will help the series provide a more thorough and efficient tech inspection off all the ALNRS cars. The ALNRS would like to give a special thanks to John Berardi and his family for their hospitality in hosting the meeting.
We started digging in to our passage last week and this week we continue the process. There is a certain confidence that comes with having someone walking along side you that knows the way. We see it throughout life; someone with experience mentoring someone who is learning their way. Who do you have beside you to show you the way? Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 
Charlotte, NC — Pro All Stars Series (PASS) Super Late Model Series Officials and RaceTalkRadio.com are proud to announce the addition of a brand new show to join RaceTalkRadio.com’s lineup of successful internet radio shows. “Live To PASS” will air every Tuesday night at 7:30pm Eastern beginning on March 18th.
Daytona Beach, FL — 
Seekonk, MA — Seekonk Speedway is pleased to announce the addition of several new partnerships and the continued support of several returning sponsors at the Route 6 facility in 2008. “Sponsorship always has, and always will, play a vital role in sustaining short track auto racing,” speedway Vice-President Francis Venditti explains. “We are thrilled to welcome so many new and returning partners to our family in 2008.”
Southbury, CT — While Jon Seaman Jr. devotes time to his Mechanical Engineering studies at Rochester Institute of Technology, TSR Motorsports has named 2007 NEMA Rookie of the Year Jeremy Frankoski to fill the driver’s seat of the No. 63 Midget for the 2008 season.
