Ricky Miller To Be Remembered
In a joint announcement, track owner Dennis Fleury and series president Jack Bateman, the principals responsible for the inaugural event, advise the 1st annual “Ricky Miller Memorial 100,” presented by New England Outdoor Furnaces,” will be held on Sunday afternoon Sept.28th as part of the Twin State Speedway Fall Challenge, a two day event.
Miller, a Twin State (Claremont Speedway) standout for many years before moving on to the Whelen Modified Tour and the NASCAR Busch Series died at the age of 34. The popular competitor, a one time Florida racer and crew chief for noted car owner/builder Mario Fiore, would also win the last Whelen Modified Tour race at the famed Riverside Park Speedway, Agawam, MA., and claim that tracks final championship for the modified division prior to it’s 1999 closing.
The addition of the September race to the TVMRS schedule has generated a tremendous amount of interest from fans and racers. The opportunity to honor and remember one of the speedways greatest names make’s the event that more special.
Marketing director John Hoyt opined, “The TVMRS and TSS worked very hard to get the series back to where many of the original series drivers called home. We all knew that this event was going to be big, now with the addition of the Miller family as part of this event, it is going to be special. For me this event is now very personal, not only is it being held at my home track but I also get to honor the person that got me involved in racing. The very first race car I ever worked on was Ricky’s. He and the Miller family provided me with opportunities in this sport that few people ever get. In racing there is no higher honor than to be called a Racer. Ricky Miller was a Racer.”
TSS race director Mike Parks noted that the late racer was a big part of the tracks long history. “We wanted to make this event as special as we can, so with the help of the TVMRS and Donnie and Barbara Miller, what a way to bring the Mods back. Ricky cut his teeth racing at the Thrasher Road oval from the start of his racing career, racing in the street stocks with his AMC Javelin. From that point he made the jump to the pro stock class again with many feature wins to his credit. The Miller family has a long history at TSS as Ricky’s dad Donnie “The Golden Jet “Miller was a multi time track champion at the speedway. TSS is proud to be able to honor Ricky with this event.”
Series founder Bateman fondly remembered Miller who passed away in 2004. “I am really happy that the TVMRS and Twin State Speedway have been able to put this together. Donnie Miller is a longtime friend who I raced with for many years. Donnie was one of Claremont’s modified hero’s, known as” The Golden Jet”. His son Ricky followed in his footsteps racing on the local short tracks. He was a strong competitor and became a good friend to me and many in the local racing fraternity. I know that we are all going work really hard to make the series’ inaugural visit to Twin State a huge success. I want to thank track owner Dennis Fleury and everyone involved for making this happen.”
The legendary “Golden Jet” Donnie Miller was emotionally overwhelmed to learn that his late son was going to be remembered in front of many of the drivers he raced with and is hoping for a big turnout from modified fans from all over New England. “Ricky’s mother, sister, brother, and I are so honored to have a racing tribute in Ricky’s memory. He would be very proud and so humbled to have a modified racing event to include his name and memory. Ricky was a true racer and the now Twin State Speedway (formerly Claremont Speedway) was where he cut his teeth in racing at a very young age. It is also where he raced his last race. He raced from Maine to Florida in many different divisions and was moving up racings ladder of success when he was taken from us in the prime of his life.”
The New England racing great added that this race has an additional meaning for him and his family. “I want this event to mean something special and that is why I have decided to make it a fund raiser for Kyle and Patty Petty’s Victory Junction Gang Camp located in North Carolina. Kyle and Patty Petty also lost their son Adam Petty at a very young age. They founded this camp to help chronic and terminally ill children in Adam’s memory. Out of all tragedy comes some good and if we can raise some money to help give some chronic and terminally ill children a little happiness in their lives it will sure help us. I hope we can get support from all of the businesses in and around the Claremont area and the race fans to make this a great success. It would be great to be able to make a nice sized donation to the Victory Junction Gang Camp.”
Miller closed saying, “I would like to say thank you very much from the bottom of my heart to all those involved in making this happen. You know who you are and it is greatly appreciated.”
For additional information contact the TVMRS at 800-924-2594.
Sources: John Spence, Sr./TVMRS PR