NERacer.Com - North East NE Racing news blog » PASS

PASS National Schedule To Feature Some Of Nation’s Most Famed Short Tracks

Jay Hall — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 02:08:54 +0000

NAPLES, ME (February 1) – Pro All Stars Series (PASS) officials announced today the seven venues that will make up the 2012 PASS National Championship schedule. The PASS National Championship is comprised of seven races that combines select events from the PASS South and PASS North schedules to crown the nation’s only true Super Late Model Champion. The PASS National Championship will be contested at some of the country’s most famous short tracks including: Hickory (NC) Motor Speedway, Stafford (CT) Motor Speedway, White Mountain (NH) Motorsports Park, Beech Ridge (ME) Motor Speedway, Fairgrounds Speedway in Nashville, TN, Caraway (NC) Speedway, and Concord (NC) Speedway.

“The 2012 PASS National Championship will be staged at seven of the most iconic racing venues in the United States,” said PASS President Tom Mayberry. “Not only will the PASS National schedule be comprised with some great race tracks, but it will be encompassed by some of the biggest events in short track racing, including the Easter Bunny 150 at Hickory, Nashville’s All-American 400, and the PASS 400 at Beech Ridge. It definitely will not be easy to win and whoever so does can truly say that they beat the best competition in Super Late Model racing.”

The PASS National Championship will kick off with the 7th Annual Easter Bunny 150 on Saturday, April 7th at Hickory Motor Speedway. The Easter Bunny 150 has become a short track racing classic attracting drivers from all over the country and has hosted the first race of the PASS National Championship since its beginning back in 2008. The PASS National Championship will then head North for the next three events, highlighted by PASS’s debut at Stafford Motor Speedway on Sunday, August 26th. White Mountain Motorsports Park hosts race number three of the PASS National Series on Saturday, September 8th. The following week the series is back in action with the 8th Annual PASS 400 Weekend at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway, one of New England’s biggest short track events of the year.

The PASS National Championship will conclude with its final three events in the South and will be highlighted by the All-American 400 at the Fairgrounds Speedway on Saturday, October 6th. The All-American 400 once attracted drivers from all over North America and saw such legendary winners as Darrell Waltrip and Rusty Wallace. With PASS, that winning heritage will return in 2012 when the Nation’s best drivers compete in a true 400 lap contest with the winner possibly taking home $30,000.

Caraway Speedway will host its first PASS National event on Saturday, November 10th as PASS takes over the Super Late Model sanction of one of short track racing’s most anticipated events every year, the North-South Shootout. And finally, the PASS National Champion will once again be crowned on Thanksgiving weekend at the Concord Speedway as part of the 7th Annual Mason-Dixon Meltdown.

The PASS National Championship has been won by drivers from both the North and South with Cassius Clark taking the title in 2008, Ben Rowe in 2009 and 2011, and Preston Peltier in 2010.

The 2012 PASS South season will kick off its 16 race schedule on Saturday, March 10th with the 7th Annual South Carolina Clash at Dillon (SC) Motor Speedway. PASS North will get their season under way on Saturday, May 5th at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway. For more information and schedules on any PASS division, including the new PASS Super Limited division, please visit the website at ProAllStarsSeries.com

PASS To Sanction Super Limited Division in 2012

Jay Hall — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 02:30:30 +0000

Super Limiteds will serve as major support division at approximately 10 PASS South events

CHARLOTTE, NC (January 22) – Officials from the Pro All Stars Series (PASS) announced today that it will sanction the Super Limited division beginning in 2012. The Super Limiteds will run as a support division to the PASS South Super Late Models at approximately ten events. The PASS Super Limiteds will employ a variety of chassis and engine combinations to allow racers an affordable way to compete in a touring division.

“We’re looking forward to having the PASS Super Limiteds as part of our great weekends of racing throughout the Southeast with the PASS South Super Late Models,” said PASS President Tom Mayberry. “We think the PASS Super Limiteds will be a great stepping stone division for youngsters looking to make the move from Bandelero and Legends cars up to PASS. This should be a really affordable way for everybody involved to go racing.”

The PASS Super Limiteds will be open to both perimeter and straight rail chassis, with rules aimed at making both types of chassis competitive. Racers will also be able to utilize a variety of different engine combinations including the 602/603 crate with a 390 CFM Holley HP Series, the 604 Fast Burn crate with a 500 CFM 2 barrel Holley HP Series, the Limited Built Motor with a 350 CFM 2 Barrel Holley HP and the Late Model Built with a 350 CFM 2 Barrel Holley HP. There will be a claim rule for shocks and brake calipers. Also in an effort to keep costs down, racers will race on scuffed Hoosier F-45 bias ply tires.
The purse is guaranteed paying $1,000 to win and $150 to start. The inaugural race for the PASS Super Limiteds will be on March 10th at Dillon (SC) Motor Speedway as part of the 7th Annual South Carolina Clash. The PASS Super Limiteds will join the PASS South Super Late Models at other venues including Hickory Motor Speedway, Orange County Speedway, Wake County Speedway, Anderson Motor Speedway, Motor Mile Speedway, and Caraway Speedway. Many drivers have already expressed interest in this exciting, new division.

For more information on the PASS Super Limiteds please contact Ollie Spain at 336-214-8072 or visit raceccs.com. For more information on any PASS division please visit proallstarsseries.com.

PASS South Schedule Expands to 16 Races, Features Marquee Events

Jay Hall — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 02:00:02 +0000

CHARLOTTE, NC (January 22) – The Pro All Stars Series (PASS) South Super Late Models will embark on its most ambitious schedule yet in 2012 with 16 races spanning 4 states. PASS South will be entering its seventh season and will feature some of the biggest events in short track racing including the All American 400, Easter Bunny 150, North-South Shootout and Mason Dixon Meltdown.

“Just when you think it can’t get any better, it does,” said PASS President Tom Mayberry. “We’ve got some really great events this year at some of the South’s premier facilities. When you look at all the races, all the major events we have scheduled, I know that all of our PASS South competitors can’t wait to get this historic season kicked off in March at Dillon.”

The season will be highlighted by PASS South’s first visit to the historic Fairgrounds Speedway in Nashville, TN on October 6th for the All American 400. In 2012, this prestigious event will return to a true 400 lap race, with the winner having the opportunity to take home $30,000. South Boston (VA) Speedway will host three PASS South events in 2012, with Orange County (NC) Speedway, Concord (NC) Speedway, and Hickory (NC) Motor Speedway each hosting two events each. Dillon (SC) Motor Speedway, Wake County (NC) Speedway, Anderson (SC) Motor Speedway, and Motor Mile (VA) Speedway will each hold a single PASS South event in 2012. Returning to the schedule this year for the first time since 2008, will be the Caraway Speedway near Asheboro, NC. Caraway Speedway will host two events including the Labor Day Classic and the North-South Shootout on November 10th.

The PASS South Super Late Models will kick off their 2012 season on Saturday, March 10th with the 7th Annual South Carolina Clash at the Dillon Motor Speedway in South Carolina.

2012 schedules and driver registration forms can be found at proallstarsseries.com.

PASS will sanction the ALL AMERICAN 400 at historic Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway in 2012

Jay Hall — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 20:05:56 +0000

CHARLOTTE, NC (January 3) – Officials today from the Pro All Stars Series (PASS) and Fairgrounds Speedway in Nashville, TN announced today a major addition to the 2012 racing schedule. The PASS South Super Late Models will stage a 400 lap event on Saturday, October 6th at the historic .596 mile Tennessee oval. The race will be highlighted by a return to its traditional 400 lap distance and will pay $22,000 to the winner. There will be an additional $20 per lap awarded to the race leader which could push the winner’s total to $30,000.

“We are very honored that the PASS Super Late Models will be a part of returning the All American 400 to its rightful place as the premier Super Late Model event in the country,” said PASS President Tom Mayberry. “Fans and drivers have been begging to see the All American return to a true 400 lap test between man and machine and we are glad that we can make that happen.”

“It’s hard to express my emotions on this announcement, but being a 42 year native driver of this historic Fairgrounds Speedway, I’m so honored to be the promoter again and to work with such a great promoter as Tommy Mayberry to make this one of the biggest short track races in history,” said Fairgrounds Speedway Promoter Tony Formosa. “The All American 400 has not really been a true 400 since 2000. This used to be the biggest short track event in the country and thanks to PASS and working with the city of Nashville, it will be again. We’re working on making sure of that as I speak right now.”

In its heyday, the All American 400 attracted drivers from all over North America and saw such legendary winners as Darrell Waltrip and Rusty Wallace. With PASS, that heritage will return in 2012.

“When you look at the great drivers that race in PASS North from New England and Canada like Johnny Clark, Ben Rowe, Lonnie Sommerville and others and the great PASS South drivers like Jay Fogleman, Preston Peltier, Brandon Ward, Andy Loden and those guys, this is the type of event that they want to win and be a part of,” said Mayberry. “You take those competitors, along with all the other great Super Late Model drivers from the Midwest, West Coast and the Canadian Maritimes…that’s gonna be one heck of a show come October.”

The 2012 PASS South season will kick off its 16 race schedule on Saturday, March 10th with the 7th Annual South Carolina Clash at Dillon Motor Speedway. For more information and schedules on any PASS division please visit the website at ProAllStarsSeries.com

Theriault Impresses In Brad Keselowski Racing Debut

Jay Hall — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 12:07:07 +0000

CONCORD, N.C. – Austin Theriault finished 12th in the PASS-sanctioned Mason-Dixon Meltdown 200 at Concord Motorsports Park on Saturday, wrapping up an impressive debut with Brad Keselowski Racing (BKR) this month.

Theriault made his first start with the team in the crash-marred World Crown 300 at Gresham Motorsports Park in Jefferson, Ga., two weeks earlier.

“The opportunity to race for BKR is something not a lot of people can say they have,” said Theriault, 17, of Fort Kent, Maine. “Just being able to show your talent on the southern stage is something a lot of people want to be able to do. Anything we can do in the future with (Gary Crooks and Wayne Setteringon) at BKR will be great for us.

“Everything’s looking pretty decent right now. We came out of these two races looking like there’s going to be an ongoing future relationship. I’m not sure about specifics right now – it’s too soon to know anything for certain – but I’m excited about whatever the future holds.”

Theriault made just his fourth career Super Late Model start in the Mason-Dixon Meltdown 200 and qualified seventh out of 35 cars on the fast, challenging half-mile tri-oval at Concord Motorsports Park. He ran with the leaders inside the Top-10 until losing track position following an early pit stop for adjustments, where a one-groove race track and a long green-flag run made it difficult to get back to the front.

BKR crew chief Gary Crooks said the No. 29 Brad Keselowski’s Checkered Flag Foundation Dodge team was impressed with Theriault’s performance.

“We’re all racers and we all want to win, obviously,” Crooks said. “But Austin really did a great job. He’s learning the cars, learning how to give feedback, all of that stuff. He held his own out there, and we were really happy with the job he did for us.”

Theriault first joined BKR for the World Crown 300 in mid-November, qualifying 19th in a stellar field. An early wreck not of his doing took him out of contention in that race – but his performance in both practice and qualifying before the green flag earned him a second shot in the BKR ride.

Theriault, who finished third in the ACT Late Model Tour standings in 2011, said there has been a learning curve in moving to Super Late Models.

“It’s been different,” Theriault said. “Going from Late Models to Super Late Models, there are some adjustments you have to make. They actually drive pretty similarly – but there’s different learning curves. There’s a whole lot more you can do with a Super Late Model as a driver, in terms of giving feedback about what the car is doing.

“Really, it’s all about giving feedback to Gary (Crooks) and all the guys on the BKR team, and just jelling in with the team at this point. Everything’s clicked pretty well. It’s been a great experience. I’ve learned a lot.”

Finishing 12th and on the lead lap at Concord was a big step in the right direction for Theriault.

“The race didn’t quite turn out the way everybody had expected – but from practice to qualifying and even into the race, everything seemed to go pretty well,” Theriault said. “You can always look back at what you could have done different during a race, but overall – for how tough that track was – we came out pretty well with the car in one piece.

“It was important to go out and finish the race. Finishing great is a plus, but what is it they say? You’ve first got to finish before you can finish first, right? So I’m happy with how things have gone.”

Colt James Victorious in PASS South Mason-Dixon Meltdown 200

Jay Hall — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 02:53:16 +0000

Ryan Blaney and Ben Rowe Earn Series Championships

The Pro All Stars Series (PASS) South and National Super Late Model Series seasons concluded at Concord Speedway (NC) on Saturday, November 26th with the running of the Thanksgiving Classic /Mason-Dixon Meltdown 200. When the checkered flag flew, Colt James earned his first PASS South victory while Ryan Blaney won his first PASS South championship and Ben Rowe earned his second PASS National series title.

34 Super Late Model drivers took to the track for qualifying. Jay Fogleman, who entered the event as the South division points leader by a mere six points over Blaney, set fast time, followed by Heath Hindman, James, Blaney, Eric Darnell, Logan Ruffin, Austin Theriault, Gray Gaulding, Preston Peltier and Trey Mitchell. Andy Loden, who entered the event 10 points behind Fogleman in third, qualified 16th. National points leader Rowe (by 38 points) timed in 19th while Cassius Clark, second in National points, qualified 18th.

Before the green flag dropped Gaulding and Clark both had issues getting going, forcing them to start the event from the back of the pack. When the green flag flew, Blaney paced the field, not giving up the top spot until well over halfway in the event. Meanwhile, South points leader Fogleman (tire issue) and National points leader Rowe (shifter broke) both had trouble, putting them laps down to the field. Loden also had trouble during the race, ending his chance at the South title.

On lap 74, a scary incident placed the field under the red flag when Kevin Love and Michael Pilla made contact through the dogleg on the backstretch, sending Pilla up into the fence. Both drivers walked away from the incident.

During the final 50 laps, Blaney, Darnell and James battled hard for the top spot, taking turns as the leader. James took the lead for the final time though at lap 171, driving on to win the Mason-Dixon Meltdown; his first PASS victory.

“It got wild there at the end,” said James. “It got so spread out there I didn’t know where I was. We finally got that restart and I was fourth. I had a good restart there. Me and Ryan touched a little bit there, and had a good run at the end. I felt like I could pull away, but the one lapped car kind of held me up there the last lap.

“This is our first PASS win. I really love this series. I have never had any luck. I finally had some luck tonight.”

Blaney wanted to end the season with a third victory, but his second-place finish was enough to earn him the 2011 PASS South championship over Fogleman, who finished 17th.

“We led most of the race and just rode around,” said Blaney. “We pitted; they got me in and out of the pits pretty clean. We got back to the lead with about 40 to go. We had a restart and I missed a shift; it messed us up there. We got back to Colt with about 20 to go and couldn’t find a way around him.

“We were trying for two years (for the championship). We had the points lead going into the last race last year and we had a cracked rim and it cost us the championship. We worked really hard this year to get this. It feels really good to have our hard work pay off.”

Rowe entered the race with a virtual lock on the National championship, but early problems with his shifter almost cost him the title. Still, the multi-time divisional champion from Maine was able to finish 18th and earn his second National title.

“The car was really good,” said Rowe. “I thought we had a top four or five car. Then on the second restart I ripped the shifter right off in my hand. It was stuck in third and never made it into fourth, so that kind of ruined our day. We ended up fixing it. It sheered the bolts off. It is just one of them things.

“The National deal is pretty neat. You have the North and the South (championships), then the National, which I think is above them. It is something that we strive all year for, and there is a lot of travel involved. It is a whole team effort. We have a good time, and if you have a good time, good things happen.”

Peltier, Darnell and Brandon Ward rounded out the top-five finishers in the race. Also, after finishing 11th, Gray Gaulding was named the PASS South 2011 Rookie of the Year.

Ryan Phillips Motorsports announces move to PASS Modifieds for 2012 season.

Jay Hall — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 02:47:53 +0000

Buxton,Maine- Ryan Phillips Motorsports is excited to announce that for the 2012 racing season they will be competing full time on the Pro All Stars Series Modified division. The family owned team recently took delivery of a PASS modified purchased from Dale Shaw of Center Conway New Hampshire. It is the same PASS Modified that Shaw drove to victory at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway during the PASS 400 weekend back in September.

RPM is coming off a championship season with driver Ryan Phillips who became the youngest NASCAR champion in the history of Beech Ridge Motor Speedway this season at the age of 17. Phillips scored the championship in the historic speedways Road Runner division in only his second season behind the wheel. In making the announcement, driver Ryan Phillips said “It has always been a dream of mind to drive a Modified race car. Joining the PASS Modified field will give me an opportunity to fulfill that dream while at the same time gather more driving experience on a variety of race tracks around New England.” Ray Phillips will serve as crew chief for his sons PASS Modified effort and is equally excited about the new opportunity for the team. “We have been watching the Pro All Stars Series for a few years and have been very impressed with the way the organization is operated by Tom Mayberry and his staff. The drivers competing in the Modified division are very good competitors and we are looking forward to gaining the respect and racing with them.”

The Pro All Stars Series is based in Naples Maine and travels throughout New England competing at some of the best and toughest short tracks in the country. The 2012 PASS Modified schedule will be announced in the coming weeks.

PASS North recognizes racers at annual Banquet of Champions

Jay Hall — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 12:09:06 +0000

Naples ME (11/7) Pro All Stars Series racers, teams, sponsors and fans packed the Howard Johnson’s Conference Center in Westbrook Maine Friday evening to celebrate the 2011 season, a festive night of awards, food and socializing.

Mike Mayberry filled in for series President Tom Mayberry at the podium, kicking off the ceremony with the Presidents special recognition awards. The PASS Mods Sportsmanship award was presented to Alan Wilson; Sumner Sessions received the Hard Luck Award and the Most Improved driver of 2011 was Dana Reed. The PASS Sportsman were up next and Donnie Morse earned the Sportsmanship Award, the Hard Luck driver was Shane Tatro and Craig Smith was Most Improved. Alex Gingras earned the title of Most Improved driver in the PASS North Super Late Model series, Joey Doiron was recognized for the Hard Luck he experienced in 2011 and Maritime racer Matt Matheson earned the Super Late Model Sportsmanship award.

Rookie of the Year honors were up next, with Spencer Morse capturing the Sportsman series Rookie crown, and Mark Lundblad Jr. claimed the award in the PASS Mod series. An unusually strong Rookie of the Year crop in the PASS Super Late Models led to Co-Rookies of the Year being named. Lonnie Sommerville and Kyle DeSouza shared the podium for this award.

Then it was time for hardware and check presentations to all the qualifying drivers, speeches from PASS Mod Champion Andy Shaw, PASS Sportsman titlist Carey Martin and 2011 PASS North Super Late Model Champion Johnny Clark. Both Shaw and Martin are now two-time champions in their respective division, while Clark now has six PASS North Super Late Model titles on his resume, including the last four.

The PASS South and PASS National Championship series will wrap up their 2011 campaigns at Concord (NC) Speedway on November 25 and 26 with the Thanksgiving Classic/Mason-Dixon Meltdown.

There’s loads of banquet photos on line now at www.proallstarsseries.com

PASS South Returns to Hickory Motor Speedway on Saturday, October 29th

Jay Hall — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 02:00:49 +0000

150 Laps of Super Late Model Racing Up Next in Penultimate Series Event

The 2011 racing season is winding down, but the battle for the championship in the Pro All Stars Series (PASS) Super Late Model Series South division is far from over as the series returns to Hickory Motor Speedway (NC) on Saturday, October 29th, for 150 laps of racing action in the penultimate event of the year.

The championship chase has primarily been between two racers. Cagey veteran Jay Fogleman sits on top of the points with a victory to his credit at the start of the season at Anderson Motor Speedway (SC). His consistency has placed him in the lead with young racer Ryan Blaney trailing by just four points. Blaney earned victories at Dillon Motor Speedway (SC) and Ace Speedway, and has finished ahead of Fogleman in the last five events, helping to close the gap.

While it might be a tight two-horse race out front, there are others battling hard within the top 10 to move their way closer to the top. With one win and a slew of pole positions, Andy Loden currently occupies the third position, followed by Preston Peltier and Heath Hindman. Steven Legendre, Jimmy Weller, Gray Gaulding, Justin Wakefield and Jody Lavender are sixth through 10th in the standings.

Earlier this year at Hickory Motor Speedway, Fogleman and Blaney finished third and fourth respectively with Stephen Nasse and Peltier claiming the top-two positions in the 150-lap Easter Bunny event. Loden, Legendre and Hindman also landed top-10 finishes, which will lend to an exciting 150 laps of competition on Saturday.

Throwing a wrench into the plans of the top drivers in the points pulling off victories are the other series regulars as well as drivers dropping in to see if they can steal a Halloween weekend victory. Daniel Hemric, Rebecca Kasten, Dean Clattenburg, Ryan Moore and Logan Ruffin are just a few looking to be the spoilers.

As with all PASS South Super Late Model events, all 150 laps will be completed under green flag conditions, and all restarts will be double file, lending to excitement from green flag to checker.

Practice for the Pro All Stars Series (PASS) South 150-lap event at Hickory Motor Speedway will take place on Friday, October 28th, starting at 2 PM. On Saturday, October 29th, pit gates open at 12:00 PM with practice starting at 2:00 PM. Time trials will kick off at 4:30 PM with feature racing at 6:00 PM. Legends, Bandoleros, CCS Late Model Sportsmans and the Allison Legacy Series will also be in competition.

For more information on the Pro All Stars Series and the 150-lap event at HMS, go to www.proallstarsseries.com, or visit the track’s website at www.hickorymotorspeedway.com.

New venue for the PASS Mason Dixon Meltdown/Thanksgiving Classic

Jay Hall — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 15:13:16 +0000

Naples ME (10/17) The Pro All Stars Series has announced that the Mason Dixon/Thanksgiving Classic, previously scheduled for Orange County Speedway, has been moved to Concord Speedway on November 25-26.

The Concord event will see both the 2011 PASS South and 2011 PASS National Champions.c.rowned.

According to series President Tom Mayberry, “After a meeting on October 6th with the new management of Orange County Speedway, we felt it was in everyone’s best interest to seek a new venue for this event I would like to thank track owner Melvin Stanley for the opportunity to race at Orange County over the years. He has been a pleasure to work with.”

A complete schedule for the Concord event will be posted at www.proallstarsseries.com shortly.

The complete 2012 PASS schedule will be released in November.

PASS South returns to Hickory Motor Speedway on October 29th for the “Over the Mountain 150..