GENERAL RACING NEWS 2010
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FEBRUARY 28, 2010 - BROCKTON, MA ..... NEMA ANNOUNCES JULY 21 "SHOWDOWN OF CHAMPIONS" AT SEEKONK SPEEDWAY ..... On Wednesday July 21, Seekonk Speedway hosts the Northeastern Midget Association’s “Showdown of Champions” a star-studded 25-lap event featuring some of the most-heralded racing talent ever assembled in New England.
Announced during a NEMA press conference held at the recent Racers Expo Trade Show in Marlborough, MA. the race will be part of Seekonk’s “Open Wheel Wednesday” event which also features a full slate of action for the NEMA full-Midgets.
Organizers drew from a vast talent pool for the “Showdown” coming up with a cast of championship-caliber competitors representing several different segments of the sport.
Competing in equally-prepared NEMA Lites Series entries in a 25-lap dash will be Nokie & Drew Fornoro, Chris Perley, Russ Wood, Ted Christopher, Mike Stefanik, Bentley Warren, Vinny Annarummo, and Fred Astle. The group represents literally hundreds of victories and multiple championships in everything from Indy Cars, Midgets and Sprint Cars, to Modifieds, Super Modifieds, and Pro Stocks. There remains the possibility of more “notable” racers being added to the roster.
“We worked diligently at getting some of the best drivers from all facets of the sport to participate, and the response was overwhelmingly positive,” stated NEMA Lites Series Race Director Steve Grant. “We aimed for an absolute “All-Star” cast competing on a completely-level playing ground. In the months-ahead, we’ll be working even-further to assure that the Lites Series cars we’ll be utilizing for the event are truly-equal in performance for these guys. It’s an opportunity for fans to see the “Cream of the Crop” all in one event. There will be no advantages – this one will go to the best driver. With all the talent in this group, “bragging-rights” are sure to be a top priority,” he says.
Started with only a handful of entries in 2008, the Lites Series has served as both an economic starting-point for new drivers to get involved in what remains one of the countries “purest” forms of open-wheel competition, and also as a venue for some of the most-seasoned of NEMA competitors. Utilized in the division are economical “sealed” engines. Only a few other subtle differences separate the Lites cars from their “full” Midget counterparts. The competition is both thrilling and equal, setting the stage for a great deal of “side-by-side” racing.
For more information on the July 21 “Showdown of Champions” and other Northeastern Midget Association events, log-on to www.nemaracing.com.
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FEBRUARY 17, 2010 - PORTLAND, ME ..... VARIETY SPICES RACIN' PREVIEW 2010 AT THE PORTLAND EXPO ..... A full spectrum of local and regional oval track racing will be represented this Friday and Saturday at the Portland Expo’s 16th Annual Racin’ Preview 2010.
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series racers from Beech Ridge Motor Speedway’s present will be out in full force, alongside an extensive display of racecars driven by those who built the sport on the Scarborough track’s old dirt surface.
Tracks from throughout the Northern New England region will be represented, including New Hampshire ’s Lee USA Speedway, Canaan Fair Speedways and Big Daddy’s Speedbowl; Vermont ’s Bear Ridge Speedway and Maine ’s Unity Raceway, Richmond Raceway Park and Wiscasset Raceway, among others.
The fastest short track cars racing on asphalt, ISMA Supermodifieds, will be represented, as will the purest racecars in the region, the Sprint Cars of New England open-cockpit Sprint Cars that compete on the region’s dirt tracks.
Open-wheel Modifieds from the Modified Racing Series will be displayed, as will the fastest full-bodied racecars in the region, the Pro All Stars Series Super Late Models.
If it’s racing on an oval track in Northern New England during the 2010 season it will likely be at Racin’ Preview 2010. Oval track go-karts, racing lawnmowers, kiddy classes, Legends Cars and entry-level oval track racers will all be on hand.
Commercial exhibitors add to the flavor of the show, like Chad Dow’s new Innovative Specialities fabrication operation. Dow will have noted Maine Hall of Famer Ralph Nason in his booth for most of Saturday’s activities.
Many local and regional oval track racers will be available at various autograph sessions scheduled throughout the weekend.
Hundreds of door prizes will be handed out, including dozens of free tickets to 2010 motorsports events to be contested throughout the racing season.
Current associate sponsors of Racin' Preview 2010 include Racin' Paper, Pave Tek Motorsports of Kennebunk, Mainely Motorsports TV, Redneck Raceway of Acton, Saco Pathfinders, R & D Racing and Fabrication of Limerick, Chad Dow’s Innovative Specialties of Unity and Wayne Elston's Speed Shop of Carmel.
Racin’ Preview 2010 at the Portland Expo is open from 4:00-10:00 p.m. on Friday, February 19. The show will go on between 9:00 a.m and 9:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 20. A very limited amount of commercial display space remains available. For more information call (603) 447-4251.
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FEBRUARY 14, 2010 - MARLBOROUGH, MA ..... MUCH ANTICIPATED 2010 RACERS EXPO SHOW ON TAP FOR FEBRUARY 26th & 27th ..... Later this month, the Best Western Plaza Hotel in Marlborough, Massachusetts transforms into the site of one of the years most-anticipated auto racing events, as the 2010 Racers Expo goes-green on Friday, February 26 at 4 pm.
A two-day affair, Friday’s show runs until 9 pm. On Saturday the action continues from 10 am to 9 pm. Admission is free.
Attendees can expect to view wares from a number of the nations top racing equipment vendors. Company representatives will be present to answer any & all questions regarding their product lines.
Also on the slate are a series of informative seminars, along with raffle drawings offering prizes such as a Dirt Track Driving School Session, First Turn Driving School Midget Session, and equipment from renowned racing companies including Bell, Oakley, and The Race Depot.
Several New England speedways and sanctioning bodies will be on-hand to offer enthusiasts an exclusive sneak-peek of the upcoming racing season.
It’s simply a can’t-miss affair for both competitors and fans.
The Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel is conveniently located at 181 Boston Post Road West in Marlborough, Massachusetts.
For more information, log-on to www.theracersexpo.com.
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FEBRUARY 11, 2010 - PORTLAND, ME ..... THRIVING NORTHERN NEW ENGLAND DIRT TRACK SCENE IN THE SPOTLIGHT AT RACIN' PREVIEW 2010 ..... While the pavement went down some 25 years ago at nearby Beech Ridge Motor Speedway and the era of serious dirt track racing seemingly ended in Maine, the regional dirt track scene in Northern New England is on the rebound. The regional dirt track scene will have a healthy presence on Friday and Saturday, February 19-20 as the Portland Expo hosts Racin’ Preview 2010.
Sprint Cars of New England (SCoNE) is a touring series for the fastest dirt track racecars competing in New England, and they race at all three of Northern New England’s remaining dirt tracks. The winged warriors are seeing increased interest in the club and expect a banner 2010 season, which they’ll kick off at Racin’ Preview 2010. At least a couple of the powerful, fuel-injected, winged racecars will be on display at Northern New England ’s annual stock car racing showcase.
Bear Ridge Speedway in Bradford , Vermont tops the list of current New England dirt tracks in longevity. Track owner and promoter C.V. Elms IV will oversee the 44th consecutive season of dirt track action at the ¼-mile oval. The weekly racing program is headlined by Sportsman Modified cars. Bear Ridge races every Saturday night.
New Hampshire ’s Canaan Fair Speedway also features Sportsman Modified racecars atop its’ weekly racing program. Dick Therrien takes the reigns as general manager of the facility this year. The 1/4-mile Canaan Dirt Speedway, adjacent to a 1/3-mile asphalt oval that uses the same pit area, presents stock car competition on Friday evenings.
Newly-renamed Big Daddy’s Speedbowl operated last season as Rattlesnake Motordrome, and has been known as Legion Speedway, Pines Speedway and Nor-Way Pines Speedway in the past. New promoter Mike Rivers has put a lot of time, effort and money into a near-complete rebuild of the racing facility and has moved the traditional Saturday night racing card to Sunday evenings.
All three tracks will host special events both with the SCoNE Sprint Cars and the Granite State Mini Sprint racing club, and all three tracks will be on hand at Racin’ Preview 2010.
Joining the dirt trackers at Racin’ Preview 2010 will be several paved racetracks, including Beech Ridge Motor Speedway, Lee USA Speedway, Unity Raceway, Wiscasset Raceway, along with touring classes with the Pro All Stars Series, Modified Racing Series and other sanctioning bodies.
Current associate sponsors of Racin' Preview 2010 include Racin' Paper, Pave Tek Motorsports of Kennebunk, Redneck Raceway of Acton, Saco Pathfinders, R & D Racing and Fabrication of Limerick, Chad Dow’s Innovative Specialties of Unity and Wayne Elston's Speed Shop of Carmel.
Racin’ Preview 2010 at the Portland Expo is open from 4:00-10:00 p.m. on Friday, February 19. The show will go on between 9:00 a.m and 9:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 20. For more information call (603) 447-4251.
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FEBRUARY 5, 2010 ..... 2010 NEAR HALL OF FAME INDUCTION PLAYS BEFORE PACKED HOUSE ..... Literally hundreds of victories and dozens of championships were celebrated at the New England Auto Racer’s Hall of Fame “Class of 2010” induction ceremony which took place before a packed-house on Sunday Jan 31 at the LaRenaissance Banquet Hall in East Windsor, CT.
It was the 13th annual celebration honoring those who laid the groundwork for New England auto racing.
Drivers Geoff Bodine, Mike Murphy, George Savory and Pete Fiandaca, car owners Billy Simons, Bob Garbarino and Vic Miller, along with contributor Frank Ferrara took their place amongst the regions most-celebrated racing personalities. Also honored were NEAR Veterans Committee inductees the late race official Archie Blackadar, open-cockpit star, the late Chuck Arnold, and pioneering car-builder Marty Harty.
Longtime New England racing photographers Howie & Mary Hodge accepted the prestigious Jack Ratta Memorial Media Award. Past NEAR President Pete Newsham was the recipient of the Danny Pardi Memorial Award.
Induction presenters included award-winning journalists Pete Zanardi (himself a Hall of Fame member), Bones Bourcier, and Pete Vanderveer. Sports announcer Jack Arute, ISMA’s Chris Perley, John Spence of the True Value Modified Series and Lee Speedway, 2002 Hall of Fame inductee Ray Miller, noted race car restorer Mark Alden, and New England racing historians Wes Pettingill and Dave Dykes rounded-out the list of presenters. Popular Matt Buckler served as Master of Ceremonies.
The New England Antique Racers club is a non-profit organization that supports the history of New England auto racing. NEAR has been in existence since 1981 and has inducted over 100 individuals into its New England Auto Racing Hall of Fame since 1998.
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FEBRUARY 2, 2010 - PORTLAND, ME ..... EDDIE MACDONALD REBOUNDS FOR EIGHTH PLACE FINISH AT THE ALL-STAR SHOWDOWN ..... The seventh running of the Toyota All-Star Showdown in Irwindale, California did not start out as planned for the Grimm Construction Chevy. After struggling through both practices and a disappointing qualifying run, the team rebounded to finish a respectable eighth place. Eddie MacDonald, driving in the newly sponsored K&N Pro Series, battled back from as far back as 23rd position to post the satisfying finish.
"We really struggled in practice to get the right set-up and we never quite got it," said MacDonald after the race. "We tried four different set ups but the car just did not get any better. It was frustrating for everyone but Rollie and the crew kept working on it. With the cars impounded after qualifying, we planned to go out for the first 100 lap segment, see what the car needed, then make adjustments during the ten minute break."
The first practice only produced a 31st fastest time and after more adjustments, Eddie Mac was only able to improve four positions in the second practice with a time of 19.314 seconds. In qualifying, the Rowley, Mass. driver shaved off over six tenths of a second with a time of 18.711 sec. to earn the 17th starting positions on the grid.
However, when the green flag waved, MacDonald slipped back into the 23rd spot before the mandatory caution flag waved on lap 98 with Eddie Mac saying, "The car was horrible. It just wouldn't turn in the corners and it was bouncing all over the place. It was too bad we couldn't change front shocks because that would have made all the difference. Instead we made a number of small adjustments and the car was a lot better after the break. It was still bouncing but not nearly as bad as it was before the break. Rollie and the guys got the car much better in the turns and we were able to pass some cars. Now we were going forward instead of going backwards."
After the lap 103 restart, MacDonald gained ten positions by the time the caution flag flew on lap 128. Three more of the fourteen total caution flags did not allow enough continuous green flag laps to get the momentum going to pass more cars. A red flag on lap 145 further cooled the chances for the #71 to mount a charge. By the second mandatory break on lap 201, MacDonald was in eighth place and geared up for the final 25 laps.
"The way the car was handling by then I thought we could get a couple of more spots but there weren't enough green flag laps in the final 25 laps because of the two cautions. We lost the momentum we had before the break. The yellow flags killed any chance for us to move up. We expected a better finish but after the start we had, finishing eighth isn't too bad. We are not thrilled but it was decent considering everything."
"I have to thank team owner Rob Grimm, Rollie and the crew for all the hard work. They just never give up. The trip requires a lot and we couldn't do it without the support of our sponsors who have helped us through the years. Of course, Grimm Construction, Waymart Building Center, R.B. Fries, NEMO-New England Mechanical Overlay, Racing with Jesus, Hanover Place, Hancock Electric, Bethel Woods, and HMS Motorsports have been there for us and we greatly appreciate it. This has been a lot of fun and we can't wait for our first points' race at Greenville Pickens Speedway on March 27th."
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