Race of Champions & Rocket Performance Continue to Cultivate Race of Champions Rocket Performance 602 Sportsman Modified Division
– Second Season for New Racers to Develop Modified Racing Skills –
Williamson, New York (January 30, 2022) – Race of Champions Family of Series and Rocket Performance management are proud to announce the schedule for the second season of competition in the Race of Champions Rocket Performance 602 Sportsman Modified Series.
“This was a great idea brought to us by racers, to build something,” stated Joe Skotnicki, Race of Champions. “We started with a clean sheet of paper and built this. Tommy Catalano and his Rocket Performance Speed Shop have been vital in creating and helping this division. His dedication to the motor program has been outstanding.”
The Series is based around a Stock “602” Chevrolet Performance Crate Engine, which only Rocket Performance supplies for the division. The new Chevrolet “602” engines come with the proper oil pan installed, sealed for installation into the car and competition. The intention for the division is not to admit “other” seals and/or engines from other Series and/or sanctions and to maintain an entirely stock application for the division.
The intention of a crate “602” engine class remains the same and is for each competitor to have the same engine, while many other divisions have different “crate” engine rules, the original intent of the “crate” engine was not for it to be rebuilt or altered, therefore we are mandating a stock “602” in its manufactured format.
In addition to the “602” engine, there are several other rules in place to maintain the division as an entry-level Modified racing starting point.
Eligibility for the division will be based on an individual basis for the 2022 season. Any competitor with Modified racing experience or that is currently competing in the Sportsman Modified or Modified division will not permitted to participate in the division.
“This division has been in place to help further Modified racing,” stated Tommy Catalano from Rocket Performance. “Our first year was encouraging. Often, as racers, we base success off of different measures. While there has been a limited car count, this division has provided talented individuals a place to grow their racing careers and gain valuable experience. We will continue to support this program for the long haul.”
Andrew Lewis, Jr., of Ontario, N.Y., captured the division title during the Series first year of competition. Lewis scored all but one victory during the season, earning five trips to victory lane. Alyssa Leaty, of Williamson, N.Y, was most recently named the Series Most Popular Driver, scored an emotional and popular victory at Spencer Speedway last September, and was the only other driver to reach victory lane during the 2021 season.
The Race of Champions Rocket Performance 602 Sportsman Modified Series 2022 Schedule
Friday, June 3; 67th Annual Spencer Speedway Season Opener
Friday, June 17; Spencer Speedway
Friday, July 1; Spencer Speedway
Friday, August 5; Spencer Speedway
Friday, August 19; Spencer Speedway
Friday, September 2; Spencer Speedway
Saturday, September 24; Lake Erie Speedway, part of Presque Isle Downs & Casino Race of Champions Weekend
The Race of Champions is a sanctioning body presenting Modified and Stock Car racing on asphalt and dirt surfaces throughout the Northeast, with events in New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey with primary marketing partners Hoosier Racing Tire, VP Racing Fuels, Waddell Communications, Image X Graphic Designs, Sherwood Racing Wheels, DirtTrackDigest.com, FX Caprara and Billy Whittaker Ford. The 72nd annual Race of Champions weekend will take place in 2022 at Lake Erie Speedway in North East, Pennsylvania and is the second longest consecutive auto-racing event in North America, second only to the Indianapolis 500.
For more information, contact;
Race of Champions Media at media@rocmodifiedseries.com
Follow us on Twitter; Instagram and Facebook; @RoCModSeries or visit our website: www.rocmodifiedseries.com
Sources: ROC PR
Photos by Duane Canfield – MoJo Photos, Andrew Lewis, Jr.; Alyssa Leaty