Bay State Racing Stars Reen, Cabral Seek Providence RI “Coffee Cup Trophy” at Dunkin’ Donuts Center; Past Winner Christopher & AC Winner Rudolph Loom Large
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — NASCAR Modified star Glen Reen and reigning NEMA Midget champion Randy Cabral are among the latest entrants for the Providence, R.I. Indoor Auto Races, set for March 10-11, 2012 at Dunkin’ Donuts Center.
Reen, of Wilbraham, scored the biggest win in his driving career in October, 2011 when he won the NASCAR Whelen Modified Touring Series race at Connecticut’s Thompson International Speedway’s season-ending World Series Of Auto Racing.
Cabral, of Bridgewater, raced his way to his third NEMA (Northeastern Midget Association) Midget driving championship in 2011. It was the tenth consecutive year in which Cabral has been in the top five in NEMA driver standings.
Reen and Cabral are among over forty early entries set to compete for victory in the fourth running of “The Coffee Cup.”
The weekend race meet includes two days of qualifying races and feature events for the powerful TQ (Three Quarter) Midgets and the bullet-like Champ Karts, culminating on Saturday with the running of “The Coffee Cup Classic”, a 40-lap TQ Midget feature, paying $2,000 to its winner.
On Sunday, the feature for TQ Midgets is a first time event, to be run over a 100 lap distance with a planned mid-race break to allow teams to make adjustments and, if possible, to re-enter the race.
Ted Christopher, Plainville, Ct., is the defending champion of “The Coffee Cup”, run last year as a 40-lap event. “TC” won the preliminary night TQ Midget feature race at Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall one week ago.
On Saturday, March 10, racing begins at 7:00 p.m., one hour after the arena gates swing open. A “double heats” qualifying procedure assures all competitors a fair opportunity to qualify for the feature race.
On Sunday, March 11, racing begins at 2:00 p.m. preceded by “Fan Fest”, an interactive ‘meet & greet’ autograph signing session and photo opportunity for ticket holders. Qualifying races precede the features this day as well.
In addition to Reen, Cabral and Christropher, the entry Erick Rudolph, Ransomville, N.Y., has attracted attention. Rudolph won last Saturday night’s Gamblers Classic in Atlantic City, in a dominating drive. Rudolph will be driving the same Mark Lafler-built, Timex Morgan-owned TQ Midget in the Providence events.
Morgan, Rochester, N.Y., will be a teammate of Rudolph as will past NEMA champion Joe Payne Jr., Fairlawn, N.J. A fourth car in this potent team has been entered without a driver.
The NorthEastern Midget Association (NEMA), a venerable and popular midget car racing in New England, has pledged the support of many of its top drivers besides champion Cabral.
The Champ Kart entry roster has been spiced by the entry of the Panciocco brothers, Mike and Peter, of Johnston, R.I and by a trio of Stoehrs – Avery of Lakeville, Ma. and sisters Bethany and Kathryn.
The Pancioccos have raced at Seekonk Speedway in its Seekonk Youth Racing Association (SYRA) classes while the Stoehrs are daughters of NEMA brothers Russ and Greg Stoehr.
Racers wishing to join in the TQ Midget action at Dunkin Donuts Center may find entry and rule information available at aarn.com.
Tickets for the Dunkin Donuts Center Indoor Race are on sale at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center box office and through Ticketmaster outlets online at www.ticketmaster.com.
Sources: Ernie Saxton