Grassroots Racers to Share Spotlight at Richmond’s PASS Commonwealth Classic
NAPLES, ME (March 20) – In just over a week, short track racers from across North America will converge on Richmond Raceway for the inaugural PASS Commonwealth Classic. While a lot of the focus will be on the Pro All Stars Series (PASS) Super Late Models as they kick off the 2019 PASS National Championship season, that will be just a fraction of the nearly 400 laps of action fans will be able to see at Richmond next Saturday afternoon. In addition to the PASS Super Late Models, 40 ACT Late Models are currently entered, along with the return of the Tour-Type Modifieds to Richmond, and first-time trips for the MASS Street Stocks and NEMST Mini Stocks.
As of today, 50 Mini Stocks from up and down the Eastern Seaboard are set to try and qualify for their $1,000 to win, 25-lap race. And, like the ACT Late Models, the Mini Stocks will compete in heat races to set the starting lineup for the biggest field in NEMST history. While top southern runners like AJ Sanders, Shane Canipe, Michael Tucker, and Jesse Yopp look to defend their home turf, Rochester, NH’s Josh Rheaume will be leading a strong contingent of New England 4-Cylinder racers.
“Being able to race at Richmond, as a Mini Stock racer, is unreal,” says Rheaume. “When the news came out, we knew we had to make it happen. Last year we struggled a bit with a new engine and chassis package, but ended strong with a podium finish at the World Series. We are beyond grateful for PASS stepping up to put on the show, and NEMST for working with them to allow us Mini Stock racers from all over the country another ‘once in a lifetime’ chance to race at a facility like Richmond.”
Like the Mini Stocks, a big field of nearly 40 MASS Street Stockers are currently entered for Richmond and the chance to win $2,000 at the end of their 40-lapper. Stantonsburg, NC’s Greg Barnette has won numerous Street Stock races over his career and multiple track championships at Southern National and on dirt at County Line Raceway. Since 2016, Barnette has been a regular with the MASS Street Stocks and is honored to have the chance to compete at Richmond Raceway.
“To come from such humble and simple racing roots to racing at a Cup track is unbelievable,” says Barnette, who will debut a new body and paint scheme on the BlackPearl Racing #8. “This is the big stage, this is where we want to shine bright as we battle the other stars of the Mid-Atlantic Street Stock series. It’s a long road from the Carolina dirt tracks and junkyards to the big city lights of Richmond. I hope to see our #8 on that huge scoring pylon when we pull through the tunnel with this car we built in a barn.”
The PASS Commonwealth Classic weekend will begin on Thursday, March 28 with optional hauler parking and safety inspection from 12 – 4 PM. On Friday, March 29, rotating practice for all competing divisions will be from 11 AM – 5 PM. And then on Saturday, March 30, pit gates at Richmond Raceway will open at 7 AM, with practice from 9 AM – 12 PM, qualifying at 1 PM, and racing set to start at around 4 PM
Entry forms and rules contacts for PASS Super Late Models, Tour-Type Modifieds, and MASS Street Stocks are also posted at ProAllStarsSeries.com. PASS Super Late Model entry forms and the complete weekend schedules the inaugural PASS Commonwealth Classic at Richmond Raceway can be found at ProAllStarsSeries.com. Entry forms are also available for upcoming events at Thompson, Oxford Plains, Hickory, and the 46th Annual Oxford 250 at ProAllStarsSeries.com.
The Pro All Stars Series is recognized as North America’s premier sanctioning body for asphalt Super Late Models and boasts such marquee events as the legendary Oxford 250 at Oxford Plains Speedway, the Easter Bunny 150 at the historic Hickory Motor Speedway, and the inaugural Commonwealth Classic at Richmond Raceway. For technical information concerning all PASS divisions please send questions to passracing@roadrunner.com. For media or marketing questions, please contact Alan Dietz at 704-231-2039 or alandietzpass@live.com. And, don’t forget to “Like” the Pro All Stars Series on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @PASSSLM14 to keep up with breaking news as it happens.
Richmond Raceway is America’s Premier Short Track annually hosting two NASCAR race weekends, featuring the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series, on a ¾-mile D-shaped oval. Richmond Raceway is a regional leader for events including sports, live music, and consumer trade shows. The Richmond Raceway Complex’s 1,100 plus acre multipurpose facility hosts more than 200 live events annually including concerts with top national recording artists at Virginia Credit Union LIVE! To learn more, visit richmondraceway.com, richmondracewaycomplex.com, or vaculive.com.
Sources: Alan Dietz/PASS PR