FINAL OPEN PRACTICE BEFORE ICEBREAKER NEXT WEEKEND

 

THOMPSON, CT    A bright and sunny day offered  the perfect combination to bring out  ”race fever” at the Thompson International Speedway. Race teams converged on the Thompson oval to take advantage of six hours of open practice time offered by the speedway.

                Race cars representing seven different NASCAR Whelen racing divisions used the open practice opportunity to fine tune their race cars after off-season updates, improvements, changes and, in some cases, test brand new race cars. In all, over eighty race teams took advantage of the chance to get their cars ready for Thompson’s ICEBREAKER which is only two weeks away.

                NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour cars lead the list of competitors getting a jump on the racing season.  Joining the “Tour” teams were Sunoco Modifieds, Super Late Models, Thompson Modifieds, Late Models, Limited Sportsman, Mini Stocks, Race Trucks and antique race cars. Seven time Modified Tour champion, Mike Stefanik was grateful to have the on-track time. “We found that over the winter we solved a problem that had plagued us for a good part of last year. We are here to shake it down and things are going well,” he said.

                This was the first of two open practice dates leading up to the season-opening ICEBREAKER. The next open practice date is Saturday, March 28^th. The track will be open for practice between the hours of 11 AM and 6 PM. Any safe race car is welcome. NASCAR has granted permission for Whelen Modified Tour cars to participate on the 28^th as well. The grandstands will not be open, but any interested race fan at least sixteen years of age may sign in through the pit area and view the on-track activity from the pit grandstands.

                Thompson’s ICEBREAKER is set for the weekend of April 4^th & 5^th. The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour will open its 25^th season with qualifying on Saturday April 4^th and will compete in a 150-lap main event on Sunday, April 5th. Tour drivers will gather on Sunday at 12 Noon for a huge autograph session. Fans are urged to bring their cameras and items they would like to have autographed by their favorite NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour driver.

                In addition to the Modified Tour, ICEBREAKER weekend will feature Thompson’s “Super 6” NASCAR Whelen All American Series divisions. In fact, the Sunoco Modifieds and Late Models will be doing double duty. They will race both Saturday night after qualifying and again on Sunday. They will be joined by the Thompson Super Late Models, Limited Sportsman, Thompson Modifieds and Mini Stocks.

                Thompson’s ICEBREAKER weekend is more than a major event race weekend. It is a big social event as race fans get to see other fans, friends and competitors. Thompson is the perfect location for this kind of event

                Tickets, which are good for both days of the ICEBREAKER, are available in advance by calling the Thompson track office at 860-923-2280. All major credit cards are accepted. Complete details and a full schedule of the ICEBREAKER weekend may be found on the track’s web page. www.thompsonspeedway.com

Historical ACT Invitational at New Hampshire Motor Speedway Creates Buzz 

WATERBURY, VT - On September 19th, 2009, the New Hampshire Motor Speedway (NHMS) will become the 23rd different track to host an American-Canadian Tour Late Model event. It will also become the largest track (1.058 mile) to ever hold an ACT event, surpassing the 7/8ths mile Sanair Super Speedway in St. Pie, PQ. 

Sanair Super Speedway held the inaugural ACT Late Model Tour race and was won by Norm Andrews of Warren, VT on April 26, 1992. To date, there have been 186 ACT Late Model Tour events with 57 different winners, including the non-point counting All-Star race at Autodrome Chaudiere in Vallée-Jonction, PQ held in 2008. 

In 2009 there will be 12 point counting events and another All-Star race at Chaudiere before the ACT Invitational. That will bring the total events to 199 and make the ACT Invitational at NHMS the 200th event run by the American based ACT Late Model Tour. 

It will also be the first time the point leaders from the nine ACT affiliated tracks will be invited to an invitational event. These nine tracks are Thunder Road in Barre, VT, Lee (NH) USA Speedway, White Mountain Motorsports Park in North Woodstock, NH, Oxford Plains (ME) Speedway, Seekonk (MA) Speedway, Waterford (CT) Speedbowl, Twin State Speedway in Claremont, NH, Capital City Speedway in Ottawa, and Kawartha (ON) Speedway. 

The ACT Invitational wouldn’t be possible without the revolutionary crate engine and spec shock programs, and their acceptance by these affiliated tracks. These programs were developed by ACT President Tom Curley to keep short track Late Model racing in the Northeast affordable and competitive. Since these programs were introduced into ACT competition, they have kept car counts up by allowing teams to be competitive without going broke. This has been crucial to keeping short track racing alive in the Northeast.

Short track racing will continue to grow this season with all the interest created from the ACT Invitational. Few short track drivers get the opportunity to race at NHMS, the only track in the Northeast on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule. This year 36 drivers will get that rare opportunity. These 36 drivers will include the winners of each of the first twelve 2009 ACT Tour events, the first eight Serie ACT Castrol events and three non-point counting events; the TD Bank Oxford 250, the Showdown at Autodrome Chaudiere and the Governors Cup at Thunder Road. This will most likely mean more drivers will show up to these events in the hope of qualifying for the Invitational and a chance to race at NHMS. 

Also qualifying for the Invitational will be the point leaders of the nine racetracks previously mentioned. The opportunity to race at NHMS should make the points battles at these racetracks even more intense and therefore the racing even more exciting. 

However, qualifying for the Invitational is not a guarantee even for those who are leading the points at these tracks. They must not only be 100% ACT legal, but they also have to meet experience and quality standards as determined by ACT. These requirements will ensure that only the highest quality teams will be at NHMS, therefore making the ACT Invitational field one of the stoutest to ever compete in the Northeast. 

The Invitational will put more pressure on drivers to win races and earn a chance to qualify. Veteran driver Randy Potter of Groveton, NH, said, “There is a lot of extra pressure on all of us to win and get into this race. Plus there most likely will be guys who have already run the big shows in different type cars (Busch East, Cup, etc) that will come in with big budgets and try to ”steal” some of the spots from the full time ACT guys by winning a race.” 

Five-time ACT Tour champion Brian Hoar of Williston, VT, is back full time this season taking over the seat from Jean-Paul Cyr in the Rick Paya machine. He says, “I will always put a lot of pressure on myself and my team to win races!  Winning is one of the many allusive goals that keep us coming back for more. That being said, I always look at the big picture and realize winning is not everything.” If the past is any indication, Hoar should have no trouble qualifying for the Invitational. He has won at least one race in each of his full time seasons on the ACT Late Model Tour from 1992 to 2000 and holds the record for most wins in a season with five in 1999. He also has the most total wins in ACT Late Model Tour history with twenty-three.

The opportunity to race at NHMS seems to be the hot topic among drivers competing on the ACT Tour in 2009. Hoar, who has raced at NHMS in a Busch East car, is excited to return. He continued, “I have always loved the place, the speed and had good results, which I hope to add or improve to this fall.  I think the Late Models will put on an exciting race, much like the modifieds do.  With the limited horsepower and tires I think the cars will race more similar to the mods than other divisions.” 

Potter added “I have a short “bucket” list and one of them is to compete at NHMS. So this is the best chance I’ll have.” But the race at NHMS isn’t blocking his view of his main goal, “We want to be in contention to win multiple races this year to put ourselves in a position in points to run for the title and all of the rest of that qualifying stuff will take care of itself.”

The ACT Invitational at New Hampshire Motor Speedway will add a new dynamic to the ACT Tour and Series ACT Castrol schedules, as well as the ACT affiliated tracks with the opportunity to qualify. 

The first qualifier will be determined at Lee USA Speedway in Lee, NH on Sunday April 19th, as the ACT Tour kicks off its 2009 season with the New Hampshire Governor’s Cup 150. A practice session is scheduled for Saturday April 18th.

Rock Maple Racing suspends 2009 operation of Quad-X ATV Series

       DERRY, NH (Mar. 18, 2009) – You don’t have to look very far to see wide-ranging effects from the current economic downturn. Everyone from major automobile manufacturers down to the smallest companies have modified their spending habits.
       Businesses and industries that rely on discretionary income are enduring hard times, and that includes every aspect of the motor sports industry. Retailers of ATVs, motorcycles and snowmobiles have seen their lowest sales numbers in many years.
       Given these facts, officials from Rock Maple Racing (RMR) have decided to suspend operations of its Quad-X ATV Series for 2009.
       ”This was a difficult decision to make,” said Rock Maple Racing president Tara Saxton. “But with the economic situation right now, we felt it would be tough going in 2009. A lot of folks simply won’t have the funds required to travel and race this year, and we understand.
       ”When we first tested the waters in ATV racing back in the fall of 2006, response was positive. We had two great seasons of competition in 2007 and 2008, but late last summer we could see participation starting to fall off. As much as we enjoyed ATV racing, the time has come to step back and allow our struggling economy to recover.”
         Rock Maple Racing’s Quad-X series would not have been possible without support from a host of great companies. In addition to Can-Am ATVs by BRP, RMR would also like to thank Dodge, Bickford’s Sport Center; Dasilva Motorsports; Ingles Performance; CDB Motorsports; Scott USA; PowerMadd; New England Racing Fuel; Quad Graphics and Rick’s Motorsports Electrics. Your support of organized ATV racing was greatly appreciated.
       From late 2006 until the 2008 season was completed, RMR’s Quad-X series competed at a variety of respected  motocross tracks across the northeast, including Hemond’s MX Park in Minot, Maine; Twister Valley in Fort Plain, NY; Thornwood MX in Williamstown, NY; River’s Edge ATV Park in Canaan, NH; Thunder Ridge in South Edmeston, NY; and Crow Hill Motor Sports Park in Templeton, Massachusetts. RMR would also like to thank New England Dragway in Epping, NH, for hosting the Quad-X series in 2008. Blessed with great tracks as host sites, Rock Maple had an advantage when setting up its ATV circuit.
       Riders from across the northeast participated in the Quad-X series during its three-year existence. Class champions from 2007 (first full season with points awarded)  include James Handy (Pro Unlimited); Freddy Kiefer (Pro Am Unlimited); Brian Daigle (A Unlimited); Steffan Dager (B Unlimited); and Brad Burbine (C Unlimited).
       In 2008, RMR spilt the Quad-X series into two divisions (East and West) to reduce travel expense for teams chasing points. Some class champions from the 2008  season include Luke Marois (Pro Unlimited East); Andrew Ruel (C Unlimited East & West); Justin Chamberland (Open Amateur East); Dale Robinson (Open Amateur West); David Livingston (16-24 Unlimited East); and Bruce Gaspardi (16-24 Unlimited West).
       Rock Maple Racing is now completing its 17th consecutive season of regional snocross competition. All that remains is the West series finale March 28-29 at the Peek N’ Peak ski area in Findley Lake, NY, and the Central series finale on April 4-5 at Windham Mountain in Windham, New York. For more information, please visit www.rockmaple.com.

RACERS AND FANS LOOKING FOR ANOTHER EXCITING SEASON AT THOMPSON

 

THOMPSON, CT.  Race fans and competitors alike are looking forward to another exciting year of competition at the Thompson International Speedway. It all starts with the ICEBREAKER on the weekend of April 4^th and 5^th at the historic 5/8ths mile oval. The ICEBREAKER is the traditional season opening race for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour and the “Super 6” NASCAR Whelen All American Series divisions that compete each week at Thompson.

             Much of the excitement centers on the fact that the 2008 racing season was the most competitive in years at Thompson. Fans and race teams remember that not a single NASCAR Whelen All American Series track title was determined until the final night of competition during which track points were awarded.

            Going into that final event, nerves were frayed and anticipation was high as a total of twenty two different drivers had a shot a claiming one of the six NASCAR Whelen All American Series titles. When the final lap of competition had been completed, it was Kerry Malone (Sunoco Modifieds), Fred Astle, Jr (Pro Stocks), Jeff Zuidema (late Models), Kurt Vigeant (Thompson Modifieds), Scott Sundeen (Limited Sportsman) and Danny Field (Mini Stocks) who claimed their respective division’s crowns. The 2009 season promises to be another one filled with excitement and challenges right down to the wire for championship crowns.

            The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour championship was a very tight race all season long. That championship was also decided in the final race of the season at Thompson. Ted Christopher went into the final 150-lap event with a small points advantage over Matt Hirschman but crossed the finish line with a 127 point advantage and his first Modified Tour championship. Christopher, a two-time ICEBREAKER winner, will lead the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour into its 25^th anniversary year with a 150 lap main event on ICEBREAKER weekend.

 

            A brand new season means that the long drive for a NASCAR championship begins again at Thompson. The two-day ICEBREAKER event is one of the key races of the season. Fans have high hopes for their favorite driver and the race teams work tirelessly to get a good finish at this tradition-laden race. It is a commonly shared view that a good finish at Thompson’s ICEBREAKER will set the stage for the season. All cars will qualify on Saturday, April 4^th.  Once qualifying has been completed, Thompson’s Sunoco Modifieds and Late Models will compete in feature event races. Sunday, April 5^th, will feature all seven divisions in feature event competition.

            The track will open for practice on Saturday, April 4^th, at 9 AM. Grandstands will open at 9:30 AM. Qualifying will begin at 1:30 PM and the Sunoco Modified and Late Model features will follow.  The traditional Saturday night ICEBREAKER dinner and dance will be held at the Raceway Restaurant and Lounge on Saturday night. Grandstands will open at 9:30 AM on Sunday, April 5^th and pre-race activities will get underway at about 11:30 AM. The race program along with a huge autograph session for NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour drivers will get underway at 12 Noon.

            ICEBREAKER tickets are available at the Thompson International Speedway track office. Fans may call and order their tickets and avoid long lines on race weekend. (860-923-2280). The complete schedule of events for this incredible weekend of racing may be found on the track’s web page.  www.thompsonspeedway.com

NEW ENGLAND MOTORSPORTS NORTH
By Lou Modestino (for 3/20-3/22/09)
 
 
He has been in speedway promotions since the 1970’s following a tour in Viet Nam. He has organized and promoted races in New Hampshire and Florida over three decades with much success. He has orchestrated radio shows, owned a Florida speedway, and promoted the famed Volusia County Speedway in Barber Florida, can talk a dog off a truck load of steaks, and if given the opportunity, get you into the biggest concert venues possible. Bob Watson loves a challenge, and the soon to be 60 year old track manager agrees, “The 2009 season is going to be a challenge.”

 

“I’m optimistic,” said Watson recently, days after returning from the recent Speedway EXPO racecar show promoting Lee USA Speedway; the track Watson started his career at in the mid-70’s. Reflecting on the country’s economic status, Watson agrees it will be tough, but he expects to survive. “Every time we have a crisis like this, we survive, we do okay. The crisis of the 70’s was the fuel shortage. That was a challenge but we got through it. We got through the high gas prices last year. Am I concerned, yes, I’m very concerned, but I’m confident we’ll get through it. We just have to work harder.”

 

Last year Watson threw himself on the seacoast and southern Maine in an attempt to get new fans, kids, and local people involved in his racetrack. At seasons end it was felt that despite the economy and gas prices, Watson’s theory of “working the coast” paid off in a big way. Solid crowds, first time fans, old time fans visiting Lee for the first time in years.

 

John Spence Sr., the tracks chief announcer and a long time friend and colleague points out Watson has always been a strong believer of being visible as much as possible. Follow him around for a summer and you’ll quickly find out.

 

“I recall talking to Bob last winter. We were concerned about the high gas prices. We agreed we’d have to go hard and market around the speedway. Bob focused his advertising, press releases, and flyers, on a 20-mile radius around Lee. He hauled an ISMA super modified all over the seacoast to promote the ISMA race, at car shows, at fairs, parades, malls, got involved in radio station broadcasts, helped start a racing talk show in Dover, bought radio time on area stations, gave away tickets, passed out flyers at schools, libraries, did special deals, you know Bob, he always has a deal going, the guy literally blanketed the area and the result was very clear.  From the tower each week, we saw more and more new faces, families, and kids all over that Kid Zone. I personally had not seen crowds (kids) like that since the 80’s, the guy lives to promote. Like Russ Conway, Bob could get people come to watch snow melt.” Spence said.

 

Watson has a genuine concern for the competitor. Always trying to make things better for the race team, this season will be no different. His popular racecar show at the Lilac Mall, Rochester, NH, March 20 through the 22, has an abundant amount of cars ready for the weekend. Fully realizing the economy will take its toll this year, a new coupon book will be made available to his weekly competitors that will save them money when touring shows drive up the price of pit area admittance.

 

“If the weekly racer registers prior to April 1, they’ll receive a coupon book. The coupon will be presented when signing in on race night for the events that carry a higher back gate fee. That way the competitor will always pay the same price they do for our weekly events. The coupon books will be available at the Lilac Mall show,” said Watson

 

 

Watson also stated that his open wheel division, the small-block Super-Modifieds would run a reduced schedule this year, by choice. “After talking with our competitors, we all decided that 14 races were enough, that it was better for them.” he said.

 Lee opens its season on Sunday afternoon April 19 with the ACT Late Model Series 150 lap event. and a full program.

 

New England race fans are counting the days until the season-opening Thompson ICEBREAKER kicks off the 25^th year of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour’s racing season. The ICEBREAKER ushers in the beginning of the season for the Modified Tour and for Thompson’s “Super Six” NASCAR All American Series divisions. All of this is scheduled for the weekend of April 4 & 5 at the Thompson International Speedway.

           

 

Preparations for this event have been going on for some time and winter weary fans are beginning to get excited about the start of another season of exciting races at the historic speedway. The first signs of racing will come alive this Saturday, March 21 when virtually any legal race car will be welcomed at Thompson for the first of two open practice sessions. The second such session will be held on Saturday, March 28.  The director of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, Chad Little, has given permission to “Tour” teams to take advantage of both of the Thompson open practice dates. The open practices will be held between the hours of 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.

           

 

Thompson’s ICEBREAKER is one of he most exciting race weekends of the season. New teams, new drivers, new paint schemes and more are mixed with the return of many veteran race teams. Some driver’s find themselves working with new cars and crews while others return with their tried and true cars and teams. Each race team looks to kick start their season with a good finish at the ICEBREAKER. Many racers believe that a good performance at the ICEBREAKER will lead to a successful season of competition in their respective divisions.

           

Many eyes will be on the famed NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour team owned by Mystic, CT veteran car owner, Bob Garbarino.  This team, with driver Donnie Lia, won the 2007 “Tour” championship. Lia then moved to the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. His 2009 efforts will be centered on the Garbarino team’s desire to capture a second Modified Tour title. However, Lia will compete in selected Camping World Truck Series events as well.

           

Lia’s championship year began with wins in five of the first eight events and that momentum carried him to the team’s first-ever division title. Both Lia and Garbarino have made no secret about the fact that they are looking for that second title. Defending champ, Ted Christopher, along with last year’s ICEBREAKER winner, Ed Flemke, Jr. may have something to say about that, as will many other WMT race teams searching for the season-ending brass ring.

           

 

Thompson’s ICEREAKER will be a two-day event with practice and qualifying on Saturday, April 4. Once qualifying events have been completed, fans will be treated to the first of two feature races that weekend from Thompson’s Sunoco Modifieds and the Late Models. Each of these divisions will compete in feature event races on both Saturday and Sunday.

           

The introduction of Thompson’s Super Late Model division will also take place as part of the ICEBREAKER weekend. Super Late Models is the new name for the track’s former Pro Stock division. The name change was announced over the winter and was done to more closely reflect the changes that these ultra sleek and fast racecars have gone through in recent years.

           

In addition to the WMT, Sunoco Modifieds and Super Late Models, the ICEBREAKER will also host the Thompson Modifieds, Late Models, Limited Sportsman and Mini Stock divisions. Competition in these divisions is also expected to be fierce.  2008 division champs will be looking to defend their titles while others will be dedicated to claiming the crowns themselves.

           

Race fans look forward to the ICEBREAKER every year with great anticipation. It is not only a huge racing weekend, but it is also a truly wonderful social event. Campers take full advantage of the track’s free parking policy and move in as early as a week before the race. The Thompson complex offers fans a full lineup of food, drink and fun at the on-site Raceway Restaurant and Lounge.  It all starts Friday night with a special Clubhouse menu for dinner. The famous breakfast buffet will be available on both Saturday and Sunday mornings. Saturday night is when the clubhouse shines with a special ICEBREAKER menu and live entertainment. On Sunday night, once the racing is complete, many fans avoid the traffic congestion by heading to the Clubhouse for food and drink to complete the season-opening celebration.

           

Tickets for ICEBREAKER 09 are now available by calling the track office. 860-923-2280. More information along with the weekend’s schedule, the entire season’s schedule, and driver rosters, nearby accommodations, attractions and much more are all-available on the Thompson web site.  www.thompsonspeedway.com.

 

Here’s some information from James Respoli, formerly of Londonderry, NH, who races motorcycles. “Well my first Daytona race as a pro has come and gone and I can tell you it had both its ups and downs for sure. Overall I have no complaints because I know I gave it everything I had in my preparation leading up to the season opener and left nothing on the table when I went on the track as well.  I first have to thank my team for all they did in getting my equipment ready and the outstanding support they provided me all week long. Dick Weirbach prepared some awesome motorcycles, and he and the crew were awesome in making sure my ride was top every time I went on to the track.

 

My Weirbach Racing/Bettencourt Suzuki was just plain hooked up and rocked all week long!!!  I also want to shout out to Dave Bettencourt of Bettencourt Suzuki of Bridgewater, MA for the years of outstanding support he has provided me and other racers.  I was saddened to hear Dave (Bettencourt) didn’t make it down to Daytona this year due to illness to see his motorcycle and sponsored rider in the #1 spot at the famous Daytona Stadium.  I know this win puts a smile on his face.

 

The two nights of racing were great.  On Wed. I qualified third fastest and was feeling really good about getting into the main event.  My heat race wasn’t stacked too tough and I should have been able to transfer to the main pretty easily.  Unfortunately, on the second lap JD Beach was stood up by a rider and went down right in front of me with no place to go. My bike stalled after I hit into him and I was sent to the LCQ.  Under the new race format there were no B races so 18 of us who missed out had one more chance to get in the show.  I had to come from the 16th place and third row on the grid and find a way to the top four spots otherwise I was done for the night. I only had six laps to do it and was determined that I was going to get in that main event.  I got a great start from the outside and immediately shot to the bottom of the track going into one.  I pushed my way passed several riders and exited two drifting out to get to an open spot on the track to get it turned making a long straight away. 

 

I got a great drive and while everyone was trying to hold their position I shot right back through the middle with a great hook up and passed 4-5 people as I headed into to turn three on lap one.  I was in 8th place after the first lap and went to work. I chipped my way up to 5th with two laps to go and closed in on the riders battling for third and fourth, the last transfer spot.  On the last lap I stuck it in hard banging off riders. On my exit of turn four I got under both riders and exited in second only to give a big old handful of throttle and high side the bike a little allowing both riders back around me. I finished in fifth and was not going to the main. 

 

While I was really mad at myself, I had no one to blame; I just didn’t get it done. Beach was behind me somewhere and knew he wasn’t going to be a factor.  I was upset for a little while, who wouldn’t be, but I shook it off and went out to watch the races to see what I could learn for Thursday nights race.

 

On Thursday I was rested and ready to put it on the field.  In the first timed practice I aced the run and was on top of the leader board by 4/10ths of a second, a huge amount.  It was funny because at dinner the night before, I told a friend of mine that I was going to do exactly that, get pole by 4/10ths.  However, the track crew allowed the track to groove up for the next time trial and my set up wasn’t exactly the best for those conditions. The west coast groove track specialist and those from the PA car tracks burned some quick laps while my bike bucked a little and lost a fraction in overall lap time.  I ended up sixth fastest out of around 60 riders.

 

My heat was uneventful, I just practiced my hole shot and stayed out of trouble.  I won that race and was set up for a front row start in the main event.  In the main, I concentrated and got the hole shot again and was off.   My Weirbach Racing/Bettencourt Suzuki was hooked up and tracking awesome on the newly prepared track for the final.  I knew if I could put in some hot laps I would force my competition to race each other allowing me to find the best lines on the track up and out of the way of all the commotion on the track.  My goal was to stay consistent and steady and I led start to finish to win my first Daytona Stadium Pro race under the light and in front of a sell out crowd. I had a little pressure from Austin Greenland and Brad Baker, but knew my bike was better coming off of turn four and just made it happen.

 

On the cool down lap I was overjoyed that I just dropped my bike and ran up to the fence to embrace the fans.  All I could see was them cheering and screaming and it was awesome.  On the podium I got to thank my team and sponsors but also wanted to dedicate the race to my mom and good friend Alex Lyskawa who both were taken from us too early last year.  I finally got a chance to spray some champagne and raise that #1 trophy for the media.  The feeling was like nothing else. Last, I just want to thank all my sponsors who stayed with me all through my amateur career and helped me get to this point. And to all you fans, thank you for allowing us riders to put on a show that you enjoy and wants to make you come back for more.  I can’t wait for Springfield!”

 

 New England racing legend Stanley “Stub” Fadden died on Wednesday. He was 75 years old. Fadden, of North Haverhill, N.H., won more than 230 feature races in his career spanning more than 30 years, including four on the old NASCAR Busch North Series, where he was a mainstay for 12 seasons.

Fadden was the grandfather of two-time Camping World East Series champion Mike Olsen, who continues to run his team under the banner of “Fadden Racing.” Before Fadden’s retirement from full-time competition after the 1998 season, he and Olsen formed the only grandfather-grandson team in NASCAR history.  Our condolences go out to his family.

 

By all indications, the Pro All Stars Series is alive and well heading into its ninth season under the guidance of series President, Tom Mayberry. The series will head into this season with a full head of steam, after last year’s torrid point battle, which wasn’t decided until the final event of the season. The 2009 P.A.S.S. North Series will kick off the season at Speedway 95 in Herman, Maine on Sunday, April 19.

 

As far as excitement goes, there is no more competitive racing than when the P.A.S.S. Tour comes to town. The P.A.S.S. Tour is known for its’ photo finishes and side-by-side racing throughout the field. The competition is so keen that in 2008, the top six Super Late Models were separated by just seventy-two points in the final standings in which Johnny Clark edged out Ben Rowe by a mere ten points, 2593 to 2583. Just sixteen points back was Travis Benjamin with 2577. Benjamin sat atop the standings for a good part of the season before slipping back to third in the final rundown. Hard charging youngster, Adam Bates came on strong in 2008 and secured the fourth position with 2571 points. Rounding out the top six in points contention were DJ Shaw, 2539 points, and Cassius Clark with 2521 points.

 

Three time, and defending Series champion, Hallowell, Maine’s, Johnny Clark, is all set to defend his title against one of the most talented field of racers in the Northeast. Clark, whom collected four big wins in 2008, is prepared to take on all challengers in 2009, including the likes of four time P.A.S.S. Super Late Model Series champion, Ben Rowe. Clark was a dominant car at many of the races in 2008, as he led 469 laps, which was more than double the amount of his nearest competitor, Cassius Clark. Johnny Clark, who is noted for his consistency, and bonsai charges to the front of the pack, managed eleven top ten finishes, and eight top five finishes to go along with his four wins in the fourteen events in route to his third Series title. Four time Series champion, Turner, Maine’s, Ben Rowe, will likely be searching out one for the thumb this year, as he will look to improve on a season which saw him win a pair of races in 2008. Rowe led but 76 laps in 2008, but his consistency led him to the runner-up spot in the final standings. He garnered 11 top ten’s, and nine top five’s along the way. Morrill, Maine’s, Travis Benjamin is also set to challenge Clark for the title in 2009. Benjamin grabbed a big win last season at Scotia Speedworld, and almost pulled off the upset, falling just sixteen points short of a championship. Benjamin ran off nine consecutive top ten finishes to start the season, and ended up with twelve for the year.

 

There is a new generation of drivers all set to challenge for the championship in 2009. The young guns are poised and confident that they can now run at the front of the pack; pick up some wins, and pull of a championship. The big three, Adam Bates, DJ Shaw and Derek Ranstrom all showed the veterans that they have what it takes to be competitive at every event. Leading the way in 2009 will be Warner, New Hampshire’s, Adam Bates, the 2008 P.A.S.S. North most improved driver. Bates got stronger and stronger as the season progressed in 2008, winning a pair of events and claimed eleven top ten finishes and eight top five runs. Look for Bates to be a contender for the championship. Center Conway, New Hampshire speedster, DJ Shaw claimed the 2008 P.A.S.S. Rookie of the Year award, plus the youngster captured two Super Late Model wins. The talented driver is following in the footsteps of his dad, noted car builder Dale Shaw, and he too has aspirations of unseating Clark for the championship. The third of the young lions is Derek Ranstrom, from West Boylston, Mass. Derek also picked up a win, and was competitive all season long. Keep your eye on this group as one of these drivers could end up being crowned the 2009 P.A.S.S. Super Late Model champion.

 

Other notable drivers that certainly will create waves on the P.A.S.S. tour in 2009 include Kelly Moore, Gary Smith, Richie Dearborn, Donnie Whitten and Scott Chubbuck. These names and a whole lot more will once again make the P.A.S.S. Super Late Model Tour one of the premiere traveling organizations in the Northeast. Last season, one hundred-ten different drivers competed at the various venues. With this year’s events including a first ever run at the “Cement Palace”,  Seekonk Speedway, Speedway 660 in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada and the return to Lee USA Speedway and Canaan Fair Speedway, you can rest assured that those numbers should easily be surpassed.

 

 

 

Let’s see what else is happening in the North Country this weekend.  On Friday night the Windmill Restaurant in Loudon, NH hosts the SCCNH monthly meeting at 6 p.m. On Saturday

 3rd Autoworks in Hudson, NH hosts the SCCNH Pre-Season Tech Meeting at 9 a.m.

CHANGES COMING AT LEE USA SPEEDWAY IN 2009

Lee, NH (March 6, 2009) — As a part of “Lee USA Families” program, several
changes have been made at Lee USA Speedway for 2009.
Effective immediately, Lee USA Speedway will officially recognize and
dedicate a “family section” at the race track. The section of the bleachers
directly in front of the Johnson Lumber Control Tower, and next to the Kids
Zone, is now the “family zone”.

This area of the bleachers is set aside for families with young children.
There will be NO SMOKING, NO SWEARING, and NO ALCOHOL allowed in this
section of the bleachers. Patrons that violate this policy will be subject
to removal from the section and possibly removal from the facility
completely.

To further the commitment that Lee USA Speedway has to families, the track
has announced that ages for junior admission pricing will change from 10 and
under, to 12 and under. As a result, student pricing will now be for fans
between the ages of 13 and 16. Adult admission will remain at the reduced
2008 ticket prices of 10 dollars per person for weekly events.

In addition, there will be two major structure changes at Lee in 2009.
First, Lee USA Speedway will now sell tickets at a new back gate ticket
booth every Friday night. This should help alleviate the traffic problem a
bit and get people into the races faster.

Secondly, the porta potties will be removed and will be replaced with a
brand new full bathroom facility where they once stood. The facilities will
feature working plumbing in two separate sections with separate entrances
and exits for men and women. Both restrooms will have changing tables for
the convenience of those with children that may need those services.
Construction on the new restrooms is expected to be completed in July.

The renovation is partly made possible from a capital improvement grant and
NASCAR. Combined with the investment from Lee USA Speedway, the improvements
are scheduled and everyone at Lee USA Speedway is looking forward to being
able to provide the improvements to the Lee USA Speedway fans, racers, and
staff members.

Tickets and registrations:
On April 1st tickets will go on presale for the July 14th event at Lee USA
Speedway. Fans may contact the PASS offices at
http://www.proallstarsseries.com/ to purchase advanced tickets for PASS’
return to Lee USA Speedway.

EXCITEMENT BUILDS AS THOMPSON’S ICEBREAKER NEARS

THOMPSON, CT   New England race fans are counting the days until the season-opening Thompson ICEBREAKER kicks off the 25^th year of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour’s racing season. The ICEBREAKER ushers in the beginning of the season for the Modified Tour and for Thompson’s “Super Six” NASCAR All American Series divisions. All of this is scheduled for the weekend of April 4^th & 5^th at the Thompson International Speedway.

            Preparations for this event have been going on for some time and winter weary fans are beginning to get excited about the start of another season of exciting races at the historic speedway. The first signs of racing will come alive on Saturday, March 21^st when virtually any legal race car will be welcomed at Thompson for the first of two open practice sessions. The second such session will be held on Saturday, March 28^th.  The director of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, Chad Little, has given permission to “Tour” teams to take advantage of both of the Thompson open practice dates. The open practices will be held between the hours of 11 AM and 6 PM.

            Thompson’s ICEBREAKER is one of he most exciting race weekends of the season. New teams, new drivers, new paint schemes and more are mixed with the return of many veteran race teams. Some driver’s find themselves working with new cars and crews while others return with their tried and true cars and teams. Each race team looks to kick start their season with a good finish at the ICEBREAKER. Many racers believe that a good performance at the ICEBREAKER will lead to a successful season of competition in their respective divisions.

            Many eyes will be on the famed NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour team owned by Mystic, CT veteran car owner, Bob Garbarino.  This team, with driver Donnie Lia, won the 2007 “Tour” championship. Lia then moved to the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. His 2009 efforts will be centered on the Garbarino team’s desire to capture a second Modified Tour title. However, Lia will compete in selected Camping World Truck Series events as well.

            Lia’s championship year began with wins in five of the first eight events and that momentum carried him to the team’s first-ever division title. Both Lia and Garbarino have made no secret about the fact that they are looking for that second title. Defending champ, Ted Christopher, along with last year’s ICEBREAKER winner, Ed Flemke, Jr. may have something to say about that as will many other WMT race teams searching for the season-ending brass ring.

            Thompson’s ICEREAKER will be a two-day event with practice and qualifying on Saturday, April 4^th. Once qualifying events have been completed, fans will be treated to the first of two feature races that weekend from Thompson’s Sunoco Modifieds and the Late Models. Each of these divisions will compete in feature event races on both Saturday and Sunday.

            The introduction of Thompson’s Super Late Model division will also take place as part of the ICEBREAKER weekend. Super Late Models is the new name for the track’s former Pro Stock division. The name change was announced over the winter and was done to more closely reflect the changes that these ultra sleek and fast race cars have gone through in recent years.

            In addition to the WMT, Sunoco Modifieds and Super Late Models, the ICEBREAKER will also host the Thompson Modifieds, Late Models, Limited Sportsman and Mini Stock divisions. Competition in these divisions is also expected to be fierce.  2008 division champs will be looking to defend their titles while others will be dedicated to claiming the crowns themselves.

            Race fans look forward to the ICEBREAKER every year with great anticipation. It is not only a huge racing weekend, but it is also a truly wonderful social event. Campers take full advantage of the track’s free parking policy and move in as early as a week before the race. The Thompson complex offers fans a full lineup of food, drink and fun at the on-site Raceway Restaurant and Lounge.  It all starts Friday night with a special Clubhouse menu for dinner. The famous breakfast buffet will be available on both Saturday and Sunday mornings. Saturday night is when the clubhouse shines with a special ICEBREAKER menu and live entertainment. On Sunday night, once the racing is complete, many fans avoid the traffic congestion by heading to the Clubhouse for food and drink to complete the season-opening celebration.

            Tickets for ICEBREAKER 09 are now available by calling the track office. 860-923-2280. More information along with the weekend’s schedule, the entire season’s schedule, driver rosters, nearby accommodations, attractions and much more are all available on the Thompson web site.  www.thompsonspeedway.com

NASCAR’s Wallace family enters TD Banknorth 250 at Oxford Plains Speedway

Kenny, Steve to compete in 36th annual race; Rusty is grand marshal

OXFORD, Maine – Three members of racing’s legendary Wallace family have announced their commitment to the 36th annual TD Banknorth 250 Presented by New England Dodge Dealers on Sunday, July 19, 2009 at Oxford Plains Speedway. Kenny Wallace and Steve Wallace have filed entries for the historic late model race, while NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Rusty Wallace will be grand marshal of the region’s richest single-day short track race. Qualifying begins at 2 p.m. on race day, with the main event scheduled for shortly after 6 p.m. Eighty-eight drivers attempted to earn a starting position in last year’s TD Banknorth 250, with Kevin Harvick capturing the checkered flag.
 
“We’re excited about this announcement that not just one or two but three NASCAR personalities will be part of the TD Banknorth 250 this year,” said OPS owner Bill Ryan. “We’ve been fortunate to have the biggest names in the sport competing in this race since 2004 — Kenseth, Busch, Labonte and Harvick, to name a few. The Wallace name has been synonymous with our sport for more than 20 years, so they are a perfect addition to that list.”
This won’t be the family’s first encounter with Oxford. Rusty Wallace competed in what was then the NASCAR Busch North Series on a Saturday night in August 1987. Two years later, coinciding with his Cup championship season, Wallace qualified 25th and finished 10th in the TD Banknorth 250. Kenny Wallace competed in three consecutive 250s when it was a NASCAR Nationwide Series race in the early 1990s, posting finishes of 20th, eighth and 34th. Rusty’s son and Kenny’s nephew Steve has never competed in the TD Banknorth 250, but he already owns a victory in another storied short track race, the Snowball Derby in Pensacola, Fla.
 
“I can’t tell you how excited our family is to be part of the TD Banknorth 250 and get back to Oxford Plains Speedway again,” said Rusty Wallace, now owner of a NASCAR Nationwide Series team and lead auto racing analyst for ABC and ESPN. “It’s been 20 years, but I remember like it was yesterday having to sweat out those qualifying races and compete with a hundred other guys just to make the feature. It’s just an old-school event. There really aren’t many races like it anywhere in the country anymore.”
Rusty Wallace won 55 races and 36 poles in his Sprint Cup career. He won the 1989 NASCAR all-star race in memorable fashion, was the 1991 IROC champion and was named one of NASCAR’s 50 greatest drivers in 1998. He also earned the victory in the inaugural Sprint Cup race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in 1993.
 
Kenny Wallace, 45,=2 0is a veteran of more than 750 starts in NASCAR’s top two series. He owns nine wins, 10 pole positions and 157 top-10 results in the Nationwide Series, where he currently drives the #28 United States Border Patrol car. Wallace finished second in the Nationwide point standings in 1991. He has won the pole three times and posted 27 top-20 finishes in his Sprint Cup career, mostly notably finishing second at Talladega Superspeedway in October 2000. Kenny’s drafting help late in the race assisted what was Dale Earnhardt’s final win.
“We thought we had a chance to win at least two of our races at Oxford, which is a testament to how tough the TD Banknorth 250 is,” Kenny Wallace said. “You’re going up against the best drivers in this part of the country on their home turf. That’s what is so amazing about what Kevin Harvick was able to do last year.”
 
While still active as a driver, Kenny Wallace also is one of the sport’s most popular television personalities. He is co-host of “NASCAR RaceDay” and “NASCAR Victory Lane” on SPEED.
Steve Wallace is only 21, but his racing resume already includes multiple poles and top-five finishes in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, numerous victories in ARCA competition, a win in the first-ever Late Model stock car race at Bristol Motor Speedway and a national championship as a youth in the INEX Bandolero Car series. Perhaps his greatest achievement to date took place in 2004,20when at 17 he became the youngest winner in the 37-year history of the Snowball Derby.
 
“I hear this race is very similar (to the Snowball Derby) in a lot of ways,” Steve Wallace said. “But they also tell me it’s a tough track to get a hold of. I love new challenges and the TD Banknorth 250 is going to be one for sure.”
 
Team and sponsor affiliations for Kenny and Steve Wallace will be announced at a later date. The TD Banknorth 250 is the headline event of a three-day weekend presented by New England Dodge Dealers that also will include full cards of racing competition on Friday and Saturday.
 
Past winners of the summer classic include Mike Rowe, Dave Dion, Ralph Nason, Geoff Bodine, Ben Rowe, Butch Lindley, Bob Pressley, Joey Kourafas, Jamie Aube, Dick McCabe, Chuck Bown, Ricky Craven and Junior Hanley.

COUNTDOWN CONTINUES TO MARCH 21^ST AT THOMPSON

THOMPSON, CT.  March arrived in New England like a lion. A major late winter snow storm blanketed the Thompson International Speedway with over a foot of snow. However, this has not changed the goal of having the historic oval open for the first practice session of the new season on March 21^st.

            A few warm days to melt the snow and allow the ground to dry is all that’s needed for the crews to ready the speedway for the first of two scheduled open practice sessions leading up to ICEBREKER ’09  slated for the first weekend in April.

            Thompson management is determined to have the track race ready for both March 21^st and again on March 28^th.  “We feel that these two open practice sessions are extremely important for competitors,” said owner and promoter, Don Hoenig.  “Every year, we schedule these dates so that race teams can get their cars out on the track and get them race ready before one of the biggest races of the season. The ICEBREAKER is a New England tradition and doing well in that event usually sets the stage for a successful season,” Hoenig stated.

            The Thompson open practice sessions are designed to provide valuable track time for new and veteran teams and seat time for new drivers. The speedway is scheduled to be open from 11 AM until 6 PM on both the 21^st and the 28^th.  Any and all race cars are welcome to participate in the “round robin” format that goes non-stop for all seven hours on each of the two days.

            “We open the track to everyone who may be competing here or at other New England ovals during the ’09 racing season.  We deliberately do not limit these dates to race teams that will be regular weekly competitors at Thompson. Our goal is to provide an opportunity for racers to get a ‘heads up’ on the season and to also provide teams that are trying new ideas the chance to test those ideas before race day,” Hoenig concluded       

In addition to the track being open for practice, 2009 NASCAR licenses will be available. Race teams will also be able to work with track officials to be sure that their cars meet the technical requirements of their respective divisions.

            The grandstands will not be open to the public for either of these events, but anyone sixteen years of age or older is welcome to sign into the Thompson pit area and may watch the on-track activity from the pit grandstands.

            For more information racers and fans are urged to visit the Thompson web site  www.thompsonspeedway.com   Questions may also be directed to the track office which is

In full operation and is also offering advance sale of ICEBREAKER tickets.