Ryan Preece and the Preece Racing team of Kensington, Connecticut, have announced a busy schedule of events for the 2008 racing season. The talented teenager looks to build upon a successful rookie season in 2007 in the NASCAR Modified division. It will all start with the 42nd Annual World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing at New Smyrna Speedway in Florida beginning on Friday, February 8.
Preece will be doing double duty at New Smyrna. He will be racing his family-owned #40 Modified in the NASCAR Tour Type Modified division, featuring such top drivers as defending New Smyrna champion Eric Beers, Ted Christopher, Jimmy Blewett, Chuck Hossfeld and Charlie Pasteryak. He will also pilot at Florida/IMCA Modified owned by his grandfather, Bob Judkins. Judkins is a legendary figure in Modified racing and a Hall of Fame member who now races at New Smyrna on a weekly basis.
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Modified Driver Earned Two Titles In 2007
W. Babylon, NY — Whether he is gripping the steering wheel of a 600-horsepower ride on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, or a remote at his RC race track, Donny Lia enjoys racing on any scale.
In his fifth full season on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour in 2007, Lia collected six victories en route to becoming the 60th champion in the Modified division’s long and storied history with NASCAR. But before he was ever a NASCAR champion, the Jericho, N.Y., resident had already piloted his RC (remote-controlled) car to a national title.
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Stafford Springs, CT — TSI Harley-Davidson will be shifting their event title sponsorship to the May 23rd NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour event at Stafford Motor Speedway. The race will be…
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Second Time in Three Years Modified Driver in Endurance Event
Daytona Beach, FL — Ted Christopher has never been shy about driving anything with wheels. So it’s no surprise the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour veteran jumped at the chance to run in the 2008 Rolex 24 at Daytona.
Christopher is one of three drivers currently committed to take the wheel in the Southard Motorsports Riley-Lexus Daytona Prototype (DP) car co-sponsored by Whelen and Loctite for the Jan. 26-27 event.
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NASCAR Modified Champion Takes Part in Bodine Bobsled Challenge
Huntington, NY — Donny Lia has raced just about everything at least once in his career. He’s won championships as diverse as on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour and in R/C Car racing. He has driven in the ARCA RE/MAX Series, NASCAR Busch East Series, USAR Pro Cup Series and even the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series as well.
But recently, Lia got into a machine that he had probably never ever dreamed of competing in. This time, the Long Island racer got into a bobsled at Lake Placid, New York as part of Third Annual Chevy Bodine Bobsled Challenge presented by Whelen Engineering. Lia ranked fifth out of 15 drivers in the three-day event.
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With the checkered flag ready to wave on 2007, it is time to reflect back on a very successful season for the DeLange Racing team. There were a number of memorable accomplishments on the racetrack. There was also the remarkable growth in the career of Erick Rudolph. The Ransomville, New York teenager made his debut in a Modified and drove the #45 Original Pizza Logs #45 to several top finishes, including a victory in a Race of Champions Tour event at Wyoming County International Speedway in only his sixth career Modified race. It was a season to remember for one of the rising young stars in motorsports.
DeLange Racing realizes that success is a result of a team effort. We are fortunate to have some very talented people on our team and we truly value their efforts. One group that doesn’t get enough credit is our sponsors. We are proud to have the support of many fine people and companies, including the following: Major Sponsors – Bob Cordova and Original Pizza Logs, Tom Snyder and PrimeTyme Motorsports, Tom Brigham and Brigham Concrete; Associate Sponsors – Comp Cams, ASI Racewear, C & C Racing Souvenirs, Castle Products, Randy LaJoie and The Joie of Seating, Mike Loescher, Bilstein Shock Absorbers, Bob Mueller and Troyer Racecars, Bob Bruneau and Bob Bruneau Engine Research. All of these individuals and companies are helping us enormously in our preparation for 2008 and many have supported us in the past. We extend our deep gratitude and appreciation to all.
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Westfield, NC — Ronnie Silk of Norwalk, CT has been named as the new driver for Hillbilly Racing. Silk, one of the up and coming stars of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour is coming off the most successful season of his young career, having earned his first career Tour victory and finished forth in the point standings. He replaces Woody Pitkat who drove the #79 Coors Light Pontiac in 10 races for Hillbilly Racing in 2007.
The move is made with the hope that this will be the beginning of a long successful relationship. “We’re looking to build a relationship that will last for awhile,” says team owner Roger Hill. “We not only want to win now, but work with a driver who we can have in our car for a number of years. Ronnie Silk is that driver.”
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Daytona Beach, FL — Whelen Engineering’s relationship with NASCAR racing continues to grow and flourish, evidenced by the fact that it was announced last Friday that the company is extending its entitlement sponsorship for both of NASCAR’s Modified Tours – the NASCAR Whelen Modified and NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tours – through 2016. Whelen is a Connecticut-based company that is the leading manufacturer of automotive, aviation, industrial and public emergency lighting and warning systems, including the caution lights on the track and pace cars at NASCAR events and has been involved in sponsoring NASCAR’s Modified touring division since 2004.
“When Whelen became the entitlement sponsor of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, I stated that we were in this for the long run and now we have formalized that commitment,” said Phil Kurze, vice president of motorsports for Whelen Engineering. “The Modified Tours are very special to everyone at Whelen. We think these Tours provide some of the most exciting and competitive racing NASCAR has to offer and we are proud to be associated with both of them. Our support of grassroots racing is very strong and we have demonstrated that by providing NASCAR with the longest running entitlement sponsorship agreements for any NASCAR Series.”
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Daytona Beach, FL — Red Byron was the first. In 1948, Byron won the first sanctioned NASCAR event – in a Modified – and went on to win the 1948 NASCAR Modified Division championship.
Last Friday night at the Mohegan Sun Resort, Donny Lia was officially crowned the 2007 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion, making him the 60th Modified champion in NASCAR history. And with Lia’s coronation, NASCAR and series sponsor Whelen Engineering kicked off a celebration of the rich legacy of NASCAR’s Modified division that will last throughout 2008.
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Tradition Continues For NASCAR’s Oldest Division
Daytona Beach, FL — The Modified Tours have always been an integral part of NASCAR racing, dating back to the first race in NASCAR history in 1948. As NASCAR celebrates 60 years of racing and 60 years of Modified champions, the 2008 schedules for both the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour and NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour enable the series to race at some of the best short tracks in America and revisit some of the roots of the sport.
“The schedules for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour and NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour are very strong. They encompass new markets and position both series well for the future,” said George Silbermann, NASCAR’s managing director of racing operations. “With the support of Whelen Engineering, a terrific group of track promoters and a strong field of competitors, we’re looking forward to continued excitement and close racing throughout the season.”
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Uncasville, CT — Donny Lia’s championship season came to a crowning conclusion Friday at the Mohegan Sun Resort where he was honored as the 2007 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion at the series awards banquet.
Lia’s first career NASCAR title made him the 60th NASCAR Modified champion dating back to the division’s first champion, Red Byron, in 1948. NASCAR’s first sanctioned event was a Modified race and Lia’s coronation kicks off a celebration of the Modified division’s rich and storied history that will encompass the entire 2008 season.
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- Lia’s Coronation Friday at Mohegan Sun
- Gathering of Modified Champions a Who’s Who of NASCAR Champions
- Sixteen Champions To Be Honored
Daytona Beach, FL — When Donny Lia steps to the podium Friday to accept the trophy as the 2007 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion, he will extend a lineage of championship drivers that dates back not only to the beginning of the Whelen Modified Tour in 1985 but even further back, to the earlier days of NASCAR.
As NASCAR’s oldest division, the Modified division have always held a special place in NASCAR history. In 2008, both NASCAR and the Modifieds will celebrate their 60th year of racing. And Friday, as Lia is crowned the newest champion, he will be surrounded by some of the sport’s greatest drivers.
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With the 2007 racing season now over, planning for 2008 is underway at DeLange Racing. The first step is assessing the team’s strengths and weaknesses and how to improve in the next year. That process is already underway and should be completed shortly.
The next step is to put together a schedule for next season. One decision that has already been made is to focus on Modified racing in 2008. The team plans to follow the Race of Champions Asphalt Modified Tour once again next year. The specific races will depend on the 2008 RoC Tour schedule once it has been released. Team owner Dave DeLange plans to compete for a Regional title and hopefully the overall championship.
DeLange Racing will also be taking a move upward in 2008 by running a limited schedule of races on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour. Once again the exact races to be run will depend on the Modified Tour schedule. It has been decided the team will run the traditional Tour April openers in Connecticut; the Icebreaker at Thompson International Speedway in Thompson, Connecticut, and the Spring Sizzler at Stafford Motor Speedway in Stafford Springs, Connecticut. Spencer Speedway in Williamson, New York has announced they will host a NASCAR Modified Tour race on July 12, 2008, and that event will definitely be on the DeLange schedule. Other races will be added when the full Tour schedule is released in a few weeks and should number from six to eight events for the DeLange team.
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2007 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion Donny Lia is entered in this Friday’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season finale.
The Jericho, New York native is looking to make his second career start at Homestead-Miami Speedway after his debut at Loudon earlier this year. Lia will be driving the #59 Simply Fit Toyota for Jim Harris, which was formerly driven by fellow Long Islander Steve Park, and Terry Cook this season.
According to SPEED Channel’s Ray Dunlap, the #59 Harris Trucking Toyota will have a new driver during the 2008 season. He mentioned Donny Lia as the new driver of the Jim Harris owned machine with a sponsorship announcement coming soon.
Lia, a Jericho, New York native won 6 races this season on route to his first NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour championship in Bob Garbarino’s #4 Mystic Missile. He also competed in his first Craftsman Truck Series race earlier this year at New Hampshire International Speedway. He brought Bill Davis’ #36 home in 20th place.
Sources: SPEED Channel NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series broadcast – Casino Arizona 150
Agawam, MA — Gary J. Michnovetz, 65, died suddenly on Tuesday. He was born in West Spring-field, son of the late John and Mafalda Mich-novetz and graduated from West Springfield High School Class of 1962. He resided in West Springfield and Agawam all his life. Gary worked for many years at Germano Auto Sales before owning Gary‘s Service Center in Agawam, which he sold two years ago. He was currently employed at Boardwalk Auto Sales in South Windsor, CT.
He was an avid race car fan, a member of NASCAR. He started his interest in racing with Leo Matte at Riverside Park with the likes of George Lombardo, Ed Patnode and Labbee Brothers Racing. Later years were with Tom Rosati, Rene Charland, Bob Polverari, Reggie Ruggerio and Jerry Marquis. He was part of a championship crew with Barry Kuhnel, Bill Pelley and Bob Polverari in the 80’s and 90’s. He later was a crew member with Bill Pelley and Reggie Ruggerio before moving on to 44 racing with Jerry Marquis and Mari Fiore and was part of their National Modified Championship of 2000.
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Thompson, CT — Twenty-two-year-old Bobby Santos III scored his first career NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour victory at the track he grew up watching racing.
Santos (No. 3 Roby’s Propane/Cape Cod Copper Chevrolet) led 109 laps, including the final 32, in winning the Xtra/Mart 150 at Thompson (Conn.) International Speedway.
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Thompson, CT — Anthony Ferrante Jr. earned his second career Budweiser Pole Award Saturday, and then redrew the top spot for Sunday’s Xtra-Mart 150 at Thompson (Conn.) International Speedway.
Ferrante’s time of 120.656 mph around the .625-mile oval beat out Tony Hirschman Jr. by .025 seconds. Donny Lia, who has already clinched the 2007 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour championship, qualified fourth, followed by Billy Pauch Jr.
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Berkley, MA – When the checkered flag falls on the 2007 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour season at Thompson this Sunday it will mark the end of an era in New England auto racing. Dick Houlihan, who began his racing career in 1972 at the now closed Lakeville Speedway (MA), will climb from his racecar for the final time.
Since that first start “Houly” has raced at tracks all around New England, the east coast, as far west as Indiana and even in Canada. Throughout his career he has driven for many car owners including Danny Fournier, Jim McCloud, Sam Medeiros, Frank Procopio, Bill Ambrosio, Dan Andruck, John McKenna, Lenny Ellis, Greg Paquin and Wayne Darling. Along the way Dick won over 150 Features and 9 championships including 3 NASCAR Weekly Series titles, one at Thompson in 1996 and back to back titles at Seekonk in 2002 and 2003. He was also voted the Most Popular Driver at Seekonk in 2001 and 2002.
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Win At Stafford Has Stefanik Looking At Thompson With Optimism
Mike Stefanik was just two races away from a long, soul-searching winter.
And then came the Fall Final.
The seven-time NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion arrived at Stafford (Conn.) Motor Speedway having muddled through a season that had produced just three top fives and six top 10s in 14 starts. Title No. 8, a goal in the offseason, was never a serious consideration after a 34th in the season-opener at Thompson (Conn.) International Speedway for the No. 16 Diversified Metals Pontiac.
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Loudon, NH — Donny Lia of Jericho, N.Y. has captured the 2007 Lincoln Electric/Merriam-Graves Track Championship at New Hampshire International Speedway (NHIS) in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour.
Driving the famous No. 4 Mystic Missile Dodge for legendary car owner, Bob Garbarino, Donny won the New England 100 in June and was third at the New Hampshire 75 in September. Lia has also been crowned as the 2007 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Champion. This is Bob Garbarino’s first NASCAR Touring Championship since he established Mystic Missile Racing. Donny was third in the standings in the Speedway’s Whelen Modified Tour Track Championship in 2004.
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Stafford Springs, CT — Whelen Modified Tour driver Mike Stefanik ended a 27-race winless drought Sunday afternoon by taking the lead from Matt Hirschman on lap 92 of the CARQUEST…
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Huntington, NY — When Donny Lia and the Bob Garbarino-owned #4 Mystic Missile team joined forces at the beginning of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour season, everyone involved with the…
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Stafford Springs, CT — Donny Lia’s 2007 season has been so successful, he was able to clinch the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour championship with a race remaining on the schedule.…
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Stafford Springs, CT — Challenger Todd Szegedy (No. 2 Wisk/Snuggle Ford) and points leader Donny Lia (No. 4 Dodge) will start on the front row for Sunday’s Carquest Fall Final…
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Thompson, CT — It is a racing weekend like no other. Thompson International Speedway’s World Series of Speedway Racing brings together just about every type of racecar to be found in the northeast for a three-day racing extravaganza that includes over five hundred racecars and fourteen different divisions. It all happens the weekend of October 12th, 13th, and 14th.
The 34th annual World Series of Speedway Racing, presented by Whelen Engineering and XTRAMART, is the largest and most diversified racing weekend held anywhere in the country. Race teams and race fans from over a dozen states and two Canadian provinces make their annual pilgrimage to this incredible event which is as much a huge party as it is a non-stop race weekend.
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Daytona Beach, FL — Donny Lia needs to finish ninth or better Sunday at Stafford (Conn.) Motor Speedway’s Carquest Fall Final to be in position to win his first NASCAR…
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Thompson, CT — The two week wait was worth it for Ronnie Silk of Norwalk, CT, who earned his first career NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour win at Thompson International Speedway during the running of part two of Modified Mania II. Louie Mechalides of Tynsboro, MA, turned in a dominating performance to win the 75-lapper for the True Value Modified Racing Series.
Ronnie Silk scored a popular win in the Whelen Modified Tour 150 at Thompson in front of a crowded house. In the opening stages of the event current point leader Donnie Lia and Ron Yuhas, Jr. ran at the head of the field.
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Thompson, CT — The exciting conclusion of the Sunoco Modified Mania race program will be this Sunday afternoon at the Thompson International Speedway. Race teams from both the True Value Modified Series and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour will gather at the ultra-fast Thompson Speedway to compete in their events that were rained out on September 9th.
The six-division racing spectacle began under threatening skies on September 9th. Four of the six races were completed before the rains came and the remainder of the event had to be rescheduled. Weather concerns do not seem to be in the cards for this weekend as forecasters are predicting bright sun and temperatures in the mid to upper 70s.
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Stafford Springs, CT — Robert Alderton, Regional Manager for CARQUEST Belts & Hose, has been named as the grand marshal of Stafford Motor Speedway’s 35th annual CARQUEST Fall Final Weekend.…
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