Charles Kepley Memorial Trophy to be Awarded at UNOH North/South Showdown at Thompson Speedway this Weekend
Thompson, CT: The friends of the late Charles Kepley, Indocil Art & Design and Thompson Speedway have joined forces to present the first annual Charles Kepley Memorial Trophy in conjunction with this weekend’s UNOH North/South Showdown for the Northern and Southern Whelen Modified Tours.
As the founder of the original John Blewett III Memorial North-South Shootout, Charles Kepley’s insight brought the Modified racing community an amazing independently run event that featured the best drivers both north and south of the Mason-Dixon to battle head-to-head. It was a throwback to the golden age of Modified racing, one that tests the metal of a great gathering of racing talents. This season the North-South Shootout will celebrate its tenth year.
Charles Kepley unexpectedly passed away in May of last year; leaving the racing community an incredible legacy.
The UNOH Showdown is a three-race combination that will spotlight the Whelen Southern Modified Tour in a 75-lap point race followed by the Whelen Modified Tour in a 75-lap point race of their own. Upon completion of the two individual Tour’s races, the best of both series will be combined for the 50-lap UNOH Showdown. The winning driver in the non-point combination event will win $15,000 and a custom-painted helmet by Indocil Art & Design presented in memory of Charles Kepley.
“During the early years of the Shootout, C&C Racing Promotions gave away a custom-painted helmet. It was always a HUGE hit with the drivers,” said Dale Wolbrink. “The helmet, painted by Ryan Young of Indocil Art, will undoubtedly be a work of art that will truly be a great tribute to Charles and a coveted trophy for the winner.”
Indocil Art is the South's premiere custom helmet shop; selling and service all brands of safety equipment and providing paint for some of the best racers in the world including Joe Gibbs Racing, Helio Castroneves, Andretti Autosport, Kevin Harvick, Lucas Wolf, Michael Annett, and many more.
The UNOH Showdown is a two-day event, September 8&9, with practice and qualifying for the Modified Tours on Saturday and other on track activities for Thompson’s NASCAR Whelen All-American Series divisions. On Sunday, grandstands open at 9:30 AM for a full day of activity both on the speedway and on the midway. The first race of the day is scheduled for 12:30 PM with the UNOH Showdown 50 taking place at approximately 5:30 PM.
“Special thanks to Thompson Speedway, Goodridge USA, the Grigas and Burch Families for helping to bring the Charles Kepley Memorial Trophy to fruition,” added Wolbrink.
There are countless names that come to mind when you think about the long and storied history of the mighty Modifieds. There are heroes that sat behind the wheel; there are legends who turned wrenches; and there are still others who helped keep the sport strong behind the scenes. While his name may never be mentioned in Hall of Fame discussions, Charles Kepley will always be one of those who helped celebrate Modified Racing.
“It is our goal to keep Charles Kepley’s name in the forefront of Modified Racing for many, many years to come, for many generations to come,” concluded Wolbrink.
Sources: Dale Wolbrink/North-South Shootout PR