PASS 400 week end just around the corner

Naples ME (8/31) While the Pro All Stars Series (PASS) super late model race teams are prepping for the return of oval track racing to North Wilkesboro (NC) Speedway this weekend, there’ another big weekend of racing on the horizon when the PASS Super Late Models, Mods and Sportsman take to another history-laden venue in the form of Maine’s Beech Ridge Motor Speedway on September 11 and 12.

It’s the sixth edition of PASS 400 weekend, a four day motorsports extravaganza that’s become a must attend event for racers and race fans from all over the eastern seaboard. It’s the longest race of the season for all three PASS North touring series, and there’s track time for almost every circle track division one can find in northern New England.

There’ll be a full field of super late models on hand to try and break the Rowe stranglehold on the 300 lap grind. Mike and Ben Rowe finished 1-2 in the inaugural PASS 300 and Ben earned the victory in 2006. Ben’s dad was back in victory lane in 2007 but Johnny Clark broke the Rowe win skein in 2008. Mike Rowe came back in 2009 to score his third PASS 300.

So will the Rowe family dominance continue in 2010, or will a new face grace victory lane? Certainly there’s plenty of worthy challengers. Johnny Clark has already proven he can get the job done. Adam Bates would like nothing better than to reclaim his Beech Ridge dominance in the 300. Bates has had a tough season but there’s no question he and his team are capable of putting together a winning performance at the Cusack family’s immaculate oval. Beech Ridge regular Bill Rodgers scored a big PASS win in July, and he knows the secret to being around at the end of distance races. Kelly Moore is due at the Ridge, and the veteran racer still has all the necessary tools to score in the 300. Cassius Clark is third in the series standings, but he hasn’t stood atop the podium in 2010. Beech Ridge might be the perfect opportunity for Cash to cash in.

What about Trevor Sanborn? He’s won in both PASS North and South, he’s a multi-time weekly Pro Series winner at Beech Ridge, but a PASS win on his home track continues to elude him. He’s come close on many occasions, but he has all the pieces to the puzzle now and 2010 may be his year to capture the big one.

The list of potential winners goes on and on, and the fact that the PASS 300 is race four of the five race PASS National Championship series will likely add PASS National and PASS South point leader Preston Peltier and his nearest National Championship challenger Jay Fogleman into the mix as well.

The four day racing party gets started Thursday at 5:45 PM with the Little Guy’s PASS mid-week open (more on that next week!), and there’s a full day of practice set for Friday September 10th , starting at 12:00 noon. On Saturday September 11th the racing goes green in earnest with qualifying for the PASS Super Late Models, Mods and Sportsman plus feature racing for the Road Runners, Wildcat/Strictly and Legends divisions.

Then on Sunday September 12th its feature time: 50 laps for the PASS Mods, 100 for the PASS Sportsman and a new addition for 2010, a 50 lapper for the New England Mini Stock Tour. Topping off the day will be the sixth annual PASS 300, 300 green flag laps for the super stars in the super cars.

Sunday practice gets underway at 11:00 AM and the first feature is set for a 12:15 PM green flag.

Look for more information as the big weekend approaches at www.proallstarsseries.com and www.beechridge.com