Archive for Ernie Saxton Communications
NEW RULES ANNOUNCED FOR SATURDAY NIGHT STOCK CARS AT GRANDVIEW SPEEDWAY
Posted by: | CommentsNEWS FROM ROGERS FAMILY GRANDVIEW SPEEDWAY, BECHTELSVILLE, PA
Presenting Saturday night NASCAR stock car racing plus special events
Track telephone: 610.754.7688
Media Contact: Ernie Saxton @ 215.752.7797 – Cell:267.934.7286-Email:Esaxton144@aol.com
A FEW RULE CHANGES RELEASED FOR STOCK CAR RACING AT GRANDVIEW SPEEDWAY
BECHTELSVILLE, PA January 24, 2018 . . . With the new season of weekly stock car racing at NASCAR sanctioned Grandview Speedway a few rule changes have been announced as a result of a recent rules meeting.
Late Model stock cars racing at the one-third-mile, banked clay Bechtelsville oval will now be able to us any CFM Holley style carburetor.
All 602 and 604 Crate engine Sportsman cars with aluminum or steel wheels must weight 2,300, a weight reduction from past seasons. All other Sportsman weights will remain the same as they have been.
No digital dashboards will be allowed, only analog gauges are permitted.
Newcomers in the Sportsman and Modified divisions will be permitted to run American Racer tires with their current track stamps for the first week of official competition. A G-View stamped tire must be added each week after that until all four wheels have G-View stamped tires.
Late Model division newcomers may run their current track tires the first night (Hoosier or American Racer). Each week following the first week a G-View stamped tire must be added until and all fours have the G-View tires.
Management plans to have the new track rule book in place at www.grandviewspeedway.com in a week or two.
Ed Scott can answer any questions racers may have at 610.298.2408 (after 6 pm) or Cliff Quinn at 484.357.2587.
The racing season at Grandview Speedway kicks off on Saturday, March 31st with a free-to-the-public practice session open to all divisions of competition.
The Bruce Rogers Memorial is set to get the “real racing” started on Saturday, April 7th. The Modifieds will race in a 50-lapper paying $7,500 to win while all feature starters will earn at least $1,000. Sportsman stock cars will also be part of the doubleheader show. There is no entry fee, no points and no license required for this special race.
For more information on racing at Grandview Speedway as the season moves closer check in at www.grandviewspeedway.com or telephone 610.754.7688.
The Rogers Family Grandview Speedway will be moving into their 56th consecutive season of racing. The track is located on Passmore Road, just off Route 100 in Bechtelsville, PA, 10 miles north of Pottstown.
MEDIA NOTE: Those media planning to cover events at Grandview on a REGULAR BASIS should be in touch to arrange for season media credentials. Freelancers must have proof of assignment. Email me at esaxton144@aol.com. Include name, media affiliation, postal mailing address and telephone number.
INDOOR AUTO RACING SET FOR AC BOARDWALK HALL FRIDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHTS
Posted by: | CommentsNEWS FROM LEN SAMMONS PRODUCTIONS
2018 INDOOR AUTO RACING CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES FUELED BY VP RACING FUELS
INDOOR AUTO RACING EVENTS AT TRENTON, ALLENTOWN, ATLANTIC CITY AND ALBANY
PROMOTER: Len Sammons (609)888-3618 - MEDIA CONTACT: Ernie Saxton Communications, Inc.
Esaxton144@aol.com – EMAIL ---- 267.934.7286 – Ernie’s CELL PHONE
Release created by Steve Barrick
INDOOR AUTO RACING ACTION SET FOR BOARDWALK HALL TWO NIGHTS, JANUARY 26-27
ATLANTIC CITY, NJ January 23, 2018 . . . The most prestigious Indoor Auto Race meet in the east, the Atlantic City NAPA Know How Indoor Race, is ready to roar inside Boardwalk Hall this Friday and Saturday January 26 and 27 with the most coveted prize of all, the Three Quarter (TQ) Midget Gambler’s Classic victory, at stake.
Only eight men have won the Gambler’s Classic since its first race in 2003. Anthony Sesely of Matawan, NJ and Erick Rudolph of Ransomville, NY. have dominated the recent event history, each winning three of the last six Classics
Both are entered in this year’s race and are among the favorites.
Two time past winners are Joey Payne of Fairlawn. NJ. Lou Cicconi, Jr., of Aston, PA, and the late Ted Christopher. Canadian Andy Mackereth, Jeff Heotzler of Wallkill, NY and Mike Tidaback of Little Falls, NJ are the three single Classic winners.
Payne is an entrant in this year’s race along with his son Anthony. Cicconi is not driving but has entered several cars as an owner.
The NAPA Know How Weekend and the Gambler’s Classic is part of the Indoor Auto Racing Series Fueled By VP Racing Fuels.
Ryan Flores of Cornelius, NC is the defending Series champion. He will be joined in Boardwalk Hall by Jimmy Blewett of Howell, NJ, who maintains Flores’ TQ Midget. Blewett missed the Series opener earlier this month in Allentown, PA while Flores was leading both features late in the race when a slow tire leak and a failed oil filter ended his bids in each race.
Justin Bonsignore of Holtsville, NY and Scott Kreutter of Buffalo, NY are also expected to be extremely competitive, having each won a TQ Midget feature in the Allentown opener. Over 70 TQ entries are expected.
The quest for victory in the prestigious NAPA Know How weekend will begin on Friday, January 26th, with TQ Midgets racing in four 20 lap events to determine the front end of the starting lineup for Saturday’s Gambler’s Classic. Each of the 70 TQ’s entered will compete in what often is the best races of the weekend on Friday night.
The unpredictable Slingshots and agile Champ Karts will also run Friday night events that will help set their line-ups for Saturday races.
Cale Ross of Lambertville, NJ is the defending Champ Kart Atlantic City race winner. Ross, a dirt Sportsman racer, also won the Indoor Series race opener in Allentown, PA earlier this month.
The Slingshot division promises to be a wide open affair. with defending race winner Gary Hieber, Jr. not entered this year.
The NAPA Know How Atlantic City Indoor Race moves into high gear on Saturday, January 27th with the running of a full slate of qualifying races and the 16th annual Gambler’s Classic TQ Midget 40-lap main event. Champ Karts and Slingshots will also run 25-lap features on Saturday.
On Friday, January 26th doors will open for spectators at 6:00 PM with racing starting at 7:30.
The Saturday schedule calls for doors to open at 5:00 PM with racing starting at 7:00 PM.
The early opening of the Boardwalk Hall doors Saturday is to allow fans extra time to visit ‘Fan Fest’, a fun and exciting time for fans of all ages to meet the drivers and car owners, have their souvenir programs and event shirts autographed and have pictures taken with their favorites before the racing starts.
Good seats remain available for both nights of action through Ticketmaster or at the Box Office.
The Indoor Series finale will be a first annual event in New York State, on Friday and Saturday night February 9th and 10th in the Times Union Center in downtown Albany, N.Y. Both events in Albany will be complete shows with features each night for the TQ Midgets and the Slingshots. Champions will be crowned after Saturday night’s main events.
For choice tickets, contact the Times Union Center Box Office, charge-by-phone at (800) 745-3000, or visit online at ticketmaster.com.
Complete information on all events is available at the series web-site, www.indoorautoracing.com.
LONG LIST OF FREE SEMINARS FOR THOSE ATTENDING PPB MOTORSPORTS SHOW, JANUARY 19-21
Posted by: | CommentsNEWS FROM PPB MOTORSPORTS 2018 PRESENTED BY SUNOCO RACE CAR AND TRADE SHOW
PRODUCED BY LEN SAMMONS PRODUCTIONS – 609-888-3618
MEDIA CONTACT: Ernie Saxton Communications, Inc. – 215.752.7797 – Esaxton144@aol.com – 267.934.7286 (cell)
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OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN OFFERED IN VARIETY OF FREE SEMINARS AT PIONEER POLE BUILDINGS MOTORSPORTS 2018 RACE CAR AND TRADE SHOW
OAKS, PA January 15, 2018 . . . School will be in session, sort of, at the Pioneer Pole Buildings Motorsports 2018 Race Car and Trade Show taking place at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, PA January 19-21.
In addition to the show, filling 250,000 square feet of show space with just about everything imaginable in motorsports, opportunities to learn are being offered. For just the price of an admission ticket to the show attendees will be able to attend seminars on the basics of racing, legal issues, Micro Sprint racing with Mike Dicely of Hyper Racing, Dirt Late Model Set-Ups with the Bernheisels, Basics of Sponsorship with John Snyder, Safety at the track with Warren Alston and more. Some highly respected people in the industry to be part of the long list of seminars.
Wingless open cock-pit racing has been growing in popularity in recent years. Levi Jones, a seven-time USAC national champion and current top runner Chad Boespflug will help guide local winged racers into the world of wingless Sprint Car racing at a Saturday seminar. They will talk about the changes needed for what will be a new journey for many planning to race the new regional USAC wingless 360 Sprint Car series this year as well as the annual Eastern Storm events for the National USAC Sprint division.
More than 250 racing vehicles and booth displays will be in place for the three day show with three time NASCAR Cup Series Champion Tony Stewart topping the list of participants. In addition former NASCAR Cup winning crew chief and FOX TV personality Larry MacReynolds will be there along with 20-time World of Outlaws Sprint Champion Steve Kinser and rising Sprint Car standout David Gravel along with a long list of local and regional racers.
A long list of speedways and sanctioning organizations will be offering information on their 2018 season plans.
The Pine Brook Speedway Reunion will be a big part of the show featuring cars and drivers from that era.
Show attendees will have many, many opportunities to meet racers and collect autographs, take photos and get up close with the many racing vehicles on display during the three days.
The show opens on Friday, January 19 at 2 p.m. and closes at 9. Doors open on Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m. The box office and D-Hall exhibit area open one hour earlier each day. Free parking is available.
Check out www.motorsportstradeshow.com or call 609-888-3618 for further information.
MOTORSPORTS 2018 SEMINARS
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
Friday, January 19: (Show Hours 2 to 9 p.m.)
5:00 - 6:00 PM: (Room 1) The Basics of Racing - Set-up, tire and general maintenance on Street/Pure/Factory Stock and Front Wheel-Drive (asphalt and dirt) “U-car” divisions. Presented by Roy Anderson of Anderson Race Cars.
6:30 -7:15 PM: (Room 2) Legal Issues in Racing, and with the Racing Business - Presented by attorney Meri Van Blarcom-Gupko of Wiley, Malehorn, Sirota and Raynes legal firm. A practicing lawyer with an auto racing background, she will answer racing-related legal questions that you may have, such as sponsor liability, insurance and what responsibilities you need to be aware of as a racer and/or track operator. Open to racers and promoters/track managers. (Note: Legal questions will be answered at no charge during the presentation).
Saturday, January 20: (Show Hours 11 Am To 9 P.M.)
11:30AM - 12:00PM: (Room 2): NEW DIVISION! The Pennsylvania 600 Restricted Micro Sprint class will make its debut in the area in 2018. Wayne Lesher and Mike Dicely will share their vision for the division from young racers ages 10-16 years old.
1:00 - 3:00 PM: (Room 2): INTRODUCTION TO 600cc SPRINT RACING AND 600cc SPRINT CHASSIS SETUP - An introduction to 600cc Sprint racing and 600cc Sprint chassis setups presented by Mike Dicely of Hyper Racing. The first 15 minutes will be dedicated to offer the basic information needed for a race team considering a move to 600cc Sprints. This is ideal for the beginner, someone moving from Quarter-Midgets or anyone interested in the sport. The next 45 minutes will be dedicated to an introduction to 600cc Sprint chassis setups. There will be a Q & A after.
1:15 - 2:15 PM: (Room 1) - Dirt Late Model Set-ups and Chassis Tuning - presented by Jim Bernheisel, and sons Brandon and Bryan, of Bernheisel Race Components/ Lazer Chassis. The Bernheisel family, one of the sport's experts in dirt Late Model chassis building and driving.
2:30 - 3:30 PM: (Room 1): BRIDGEPORT CRATE SPORTSMAN MEETING - Bridgeport Speedway will be allowing only 602 crate engines in their Sportsman division in 2018. At the meeting Pace Performance, KillerCrate, Bridgeport tech, and Bridgeport’s service centers will be present for comments and questions. All 602 Crate- Sportsman drivers who intend on competing at Bridgeport are encouraged to attend.
3:15 - 4:15 PM: (Room 2): The Basics of Race Team Sponsorship - Presented by race team Media Relations consultant and motorsports journalist John Snyder. The basics you need from writing proposals and who do send them to is covered from an expert who has had winning success for decades with several drivers including Brett Hearn.
3:45 - 4:45 PM: (Room 1) INTRODUCTION TO WINGLESS SPRINT CAR RACING - Levi Jones, one of the most decorated drivers in the history of the United States Auto Club (USAC) and current top series racer Chad Boespflug, will help guide local winged racers into the world of wingless Sprint Car racing. They will talk about the changes needed to your race car, help in set-up as well as what you need to be prepared for in what will be a new journey for many in the northeast with the new regional USAC wingless 360 Sprint Car group starting this year as well as the annual Eastern Storm events for the National USAC Sprint division.
5:00 - 6:00 PM: (Room 1) SAFETY AT THE SPEEDWAY - Presented by Warren Alston, a veteran racing flagger and official; and by profession an Emergency Medical Services Chief and Occupational Health Technician. The first part of the seminar will cover what safety measures are, or should be, in place at local racetracks. Topics will include Safety Terms, Kinematics of Trauma, Scene Survey in an accident, Rapid Assessment (RPM) and Treatment Priorities. It will be followed by an actual demonstration, with a race car, of the “team approach” to remove an injured driver. A “must attend” for racetrack first responders, but also open to fans and track management/officials.
4:30 - 5:30 PM: (Room 2) WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT RACING SHOCKS - Presented by Mike Walton and Bruce Harwood of Fox Shocks. Hear from the experts how you can tune your race car with shocks, what effect gas PSI has, linear vs. digressive valving, shock maintenance and how to read a dyno sheet. This informative seminar will conclude with a question and answer session.
5:45- 6:35 PM: (Room 2): Taking Photos at the Track - For the “amateur” or the person looking to enter the business, this seminar provides “the basics” of racing photography. One attendee will get a chance to take photos at the Ms. Motorsports competition, with the professionals! Hosted by award winning racing photographer Bob Yurko of Area Auto Racing News
6:15 - 7:15 PM: (Room 1): SPRINT CAR HELP - Greg Hodnett’s winning crew chief Ryan “Roach” Hand will share his knowledge of preparing a Sprint Car for dirt track competition from the work in the shop to pre-race jobs at the speedway. Hand will be open to answer questions from attendees as well.
Sunday, January 21: (Show Hours 11 Am To 4 P.M.)
Noon - 1:30 PM: (Room 1) - USAC Quarter-Midgets Regional Meeting - With the addition of several new quarter-midget clubs in the area, USAC will be conducting a meeting with new and old members to outline the exciting season ahead for the .25 Midgets both locally and nationally.
JIMMY BLEWETT READY FOR INDOOR AUTO RACING ACTION AT BOARDWALK HALL, JAN.26-27
Posted by: | CommentsNEWS FROM LEN SAMMONS PRODUCTIONS
2018 INDOOR AUTO RACING CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES FUELED BY VP RACING FUELS
INDOOR AUTO RACING EVENTS AT TRENTON, ALLENTOWN, ATLANTIC CITY AND ALBANY
PROMOTER: Len Sammons (609)888-3618 - MEDIA CONTACT: Ernie Saxton Communications, Inc.
Esaxton144@aol.com – EMAIL ---- 267.934.7286 – Ernie’s CELL PHONE
Release created by Steve Barrick
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JIMMY BLEWETT READIES FOR NAPA KNOW HOW WEEKEND INSIDE ATLANTIC CITY’S BOARDWALK HALL FOR 16TH RUNNING OF THREE QUARTER MIDGET GAMBLER’S CLASSIC
ATLANTIC CITY, NJ January 15, 2018 . . . Versatile Jimmy Blewett, whose racing resume of 125 career feature wins includes victories on both asphalt and dirt, is ready to race in the NAPA Know How Weekend inside Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall over the January 26th and 27th weekend.
“I didn’t have my own car ready for the Allentown race and spent the weekend helping my friend Ryan Flores with his car,” Blewett, who races out of Howell, N.J., said. “Now, the red, white and blue No. 76 is ready to win.”
Blewett’s talent as Flores’ setup man in Allentown was evident when Flores moved to the front of the field in both races. A slow tire leak and a cracked oil filter took Flores out of the lead late in each of the two races.
Blewett and well over 70 other Three Quarter (TQ) Midget drivers will be seeking victory in the prestigious Gambler’s Classic, a race first run by Len Sammons Motorsports Productions in 2003.
Only eight men have won the Gambler’s Classic. Anthony Sesely and Erick Rudolph have dominated the recent event history, each winning three of the last six Classics.
Two time past winners are Joey Payne, Lou Cicconi, Jr., and the late Ted Christopher. Andy Mackereth, Jeff Heotzler and Mike Tidaback are the three single Classic winners.
Blewett won ten times in three different classes of race car this past season at Wall (NJ) Stadium en route to winning the Modified championship, his first at the speedway in 15 years.
The fiery speedstar, whose nickname is ‘Showtime’, will go to post in Atlantic City aboard a Lafler chassis TQ Midget with a Dave Orange-prepared engine.
Blewett’s quest for victory in an Indoor Auto Racing Series Fueled By VP Racing Fuels race has been a five year chase. Despite several Series second and third place finishes, Blewett remains winless.
That’s a situation that could very well change, particularly in light of the fact that at the 2018 Indoor Auto Racing Series opener over January 5th and 6th, Justin Bonsignore, of Holtsville, N.Y., and Scott Kreutter, of Buffalo, N.Y., two drivers who had been trying for their first wins as long as Blewett has, each won for the first time.
Both Bonsignore and Kreutter are expected to provide Blewett with plenty of competition, as will Erick Rudolph, Ransomville, N.Y., an eight time Series past winner who didn’t score at Allentown but finished second and third in the pair of feature events.
The quest for victory in the prestigious NAPA Know How weekend will begin on Friday, January 26th, with TQ Midgets racing in four 20 lap events to determine the front end of the starting lineup for Saturday’s Gambler’s Classic.
The unpredictible Slingshots and agile Champ Karts will also run Friday night events that will also help set their line-ups for Saturday races.
NAPA Know How Weekend moves into high gear on Saturday, January 27th with the running of a full slate of qualifying races and the 16th annual Gambler’s Classic TQ Midget 40-lap main event. Champ Karts and Slingshots will also run 25-lap features on Saturday.
On Friday, January 26th doors will open for spectators at 6:00 PM with racing starting at 7:30.
The Saturday schedule calls for doors to open at 5:00 PM with racing starting at 7:00 PM.
The early opening of the Boardwalk Hall doors Saturday is to allow fans extra time to visit ‘Fan Fest’, a fun and exciting time for fans of all ages to meet the drivers and car owners, have their souvenir programs and event shirts autographed and have pictures taken with their favorites before the racing starts.
For tickets, contact Ticketmaster, the Boardwalk Hall Box Office, or the Area Auto Racing News office at 609-888-3618.
The finale Series will be a first annual event in New York State, on Friday and Saturday night February 9th and 10th in the Times Union Center in downtown Albany, N.Y. For choice tickets, contact the Times Union Center Box Office, charge-by-phone at (800) 745-3000, or visit online at www.ticketmaster.com.
SUNOCO/INSINGER PLAN HUGE PRESENCE AT PPB MOTORSPORTS 2018 SHOW, JANUARY 19-21
Posted by: | CommentsNEWS FROM PPB MOTORSPORTS 2018 PRESENTED BY SUNOCO RACE CAR AND TRADE SHOW
PRODUCED BY LEN SAMMONS PRODUCTIONS – 609-888-3618
MEDIA CONTACT: Ernie Saxton Communications, Inc. – 215.752.7797 – Esaxton144@aol.com – 267.934.7286 (cell)
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SUNOCO RACE FUELS/INSINGER PERFORMANCE WILL HAVE A HUGE PRESENCE AT THE PPB MOTORSPORTS 2018 RACE CAR & TRADE SHOW FUELED BY SUNOCO AND DISTRIBUTED BY INSINGER PERFORMANCE
OAKS, PA JANUARY 14, 2018 . . . Variety could be a word to describe the Sunoco Race Fuels/Insinger Performance display at the Pioneer Pole Buildings Motorsports 2018 Race Car & Trade set to take place Friday, January 19th through Sunday, January 21st at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, PA.
Five different racing vehicles, representing a variety of divisions of motorsports, will be part of the display along with the popular Sunoco Race Fuels Prize Wheel that give all attendees a chance to participate and have the chance to win small apparel and other items by spinning the wheel.
Hurlock Auto & Speed Sports of Hurlock, MD will be using their participation in the show with Sunoco to announce their team plans for 2018. Their dirt Modified will be be part of the huge display at the front of B-Hall at the show.
Veteran Dirt Late Model racing talent Mark Pettyjohn will have his new Swartz by PJ1 race car on display. “We are really excited to have our new car on display,” said Pettyjohn. “We are proud to have Sunoco Race Fuel as a marketing partner, their products are the best in the industry and results show it.” In addition to be a winner at eight different tracks over the years, Pettyjohn was the 2013 Three State Flyers Dirt Late Model Series Champion and in 2017 won the Camp Barnes Benefit Race at Delaware International Speedway.”
Philadelphia Racing Engine/Products will have their National Hot Rod Association Competition Eliminator Drag Car there. The I/SM Chevy Cavalier is driven by Richard Schonberger who is a member of the Schonberger family that has been involved in the sport for several generations and operate Philadelphia Racing Engines. Richard also competes in the I/A class within the NHRA Competition Eliminator division driving an Oldsmobile Cutlass.
Alex Mayer will attract attention with his Mayer Motorsports North America Formula 1000 entry out of Harleysville, PA. He is fresh off his 2017 National Championship effort.
Another attention getter will be the two American Racing Mower Association modified mowers one with Insinger Performance sponsorship and the second one sporting the Sunoco Fuels sponsorship. The spec fuel for the series is Sunoco Optima, unleaded non-ethanol fuel for 4-cycle small engines in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. These machines are capable of reaching speeds of 70 mph. The Gas plus Oil Premixed fuel will be the featured product sponsor on the Insinger Performance mower. Also Insinger Performance is launching the Opitimal Premix Non Ethanol Fuel for 2 cycle small engines.
Teams involved with the display will have hero cards and handouts for attendees and will be able to sign them during the three day show.
More than 300 racing vehicles representing all forms of motorsports will be on display during the three days of Motorsports 2018, January 19-21 at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, PA.
Headlining the show will be three time NASCAR Cup Series champion Tony Stewart along with 20-time World of Outlaws title holder Steve Kinser, rising Sprint Car talent David GraveL, FOX TV personality Larry MacReynolds and a number of local and regional racing talents.
The show, the 33rd annual edition, offers just about everything imaginable in motorsports and includes free seminars, Oliver Construction Ms. Motorsports Pageant, autograph opportunities and a large number of speedways and sanctioning organizations showing what is new for 2018.
For more information check in at www.motorsportstradeshow.com.
Allentown Indoor Race
NEWS FROM LEN SAMMONS PRODUCTIONS
2018 INDOOR AUTO RACING CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES FUELED BY VP RACING FUELS
INDOOR AUTO RACING EVENTS AT TRENTON, ALLENTOWN, ATLANTIC CITY AND ALBANY
PROMOTER: Len Sammons (609)888-3618 - MEDIA CONTACT: Ernie Saxton Communications, Inc.
Esaxton144@aol.com – EMAIL ---- 267.934.7286 – Ernie’s CELL PHONE
Release created by Steve Barrick
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JUSTIN BONSIGNORE CLAIMS OPENING NIGHT ALLENTOWN INDOOR AUTO RACING SERIES THREE QUARTER MIDGET CHECKERED; CALE ROSS IS CHAMP KART WINNER
ALLENTOWN, PA January 6, 2018 . . . NASCAR Whelen Modified Touring Series competitor Justin Bonsignore of Holtsville, Long Island, N.Y., raced his way to the win in the first Ironton Telephone Allentown, Pa., Three Quarter (TQ) Midget feature of the weekend Friday night.
The race was the first of the three event Indoor Auto Racing Series Fueled By VP Racing Fuels.
Bonsigore also earned the E.F. Schneider & Son Hard Charger Of The Race award, worth an additional $150. Bonsignore started 20th in the 25-car field.
“I had to start way back when the front end of my car broke in my heat race,” Bonsignore said. “I had to win the B Main to even start 20th. But the car was always fast. It was just a matter of having the luck to get through the wrecks.”
Attrition claimed several front runners early in the competition. Bobby Holmes led early until his car suffered mechanical problems while leading, under yellow. Erick Rudolph, an eight-time career Indoor Auto Racing Series past winner, got airborne and spun to a stop, and went to the back of the field as a result. He charged back through the pack to finish third.
Ryan Flores was the leader at mid-race, chased by Matt Janisch. But Flores, winner of the last two Allentown Indoor Auto Racing Series events, slowed as the laps unreeled, eventually pulling off with what proved to be a slowly deflating tire.
Bonsignore took the lead with fourteen laps left in the race after Flores dropped out. Matt Janisch gained second spot and finished there, while a late race tangle between Jon Reid and Scott Kreutter cost both a top five finish. Instead, Rudolph shot to third and 2017 ATQMRA Outdoor TQ driving champion Ryan Tidman assumed fourth. Earl Paules gained fifth.
Rounding out the top ten in the event were Timmy Catalano, Joey Payne, Kreutter, Geoffrey Sutton and Billy Whittaker.
In the companion race, Cale Ross of Lambertville, N.J., was the winner of the Champ Kart feature.
Ross led the entire distance challenged initially by EJ Holz. When Holz faded at mid-distance, Mike Perry and Richie Davidowitz took up the chase. Back in the field, Tyler Thompson, who had lined up in the eighth row initially, had also clawed his way into the top five.
Despite some seven caution flags and restarts, Ross was never passed. Perry held for second, Thompson grabbed third late after Davidowitz’s car proved balky on the next-to-last restart, and Ryan Kendall moved to fourth at the checkered. James Shutt was fifth. Davidowitz was seventh.
“Every one of the restarts concerned me because you never know if somebody will drive under you,” Ross said. “That and lapped traffic. But no problems with either one in this race,” Ross smiled.
The win was Ross’s third Indoor Auto Racing Series Champ Kart career victory. Previous scores were registered in Atlantic City, N.J. and Trenton, N.J.
Tommy Catalano and Bobby Holmes led the field into the first turn for the start of the 40-lapper with Erick Rudolph, Earl Paules, Tim Buckwalter and Andy Jankowiak in tow.
Six ten- lap TQ Midget heat races were won by Rudolph, Holmes, Buckwalter, Jankiowiak, Catalano and Paules. Three 12-lap TQ B-Mains were run to complete the 24-car starting field. Timmy Catalano, Justin Bonsignore and Bobby Butler won these frenetic affairs.
Ronnie Mullen escaped injury in a wild flip into the outside fence during the third TQ Midget B-Main. “I flew through the air, that’s all I know,” Mullen quipped in a post-crash on-the-spot interview. Mullen’s crash was of sufficient velocity to temporarily dislodge the concrete barrier.
Three eight-lap Champ Kart prelims were earned by Ed Holz, William Davis and Cale Ross. The 10-lap Champ Kart B Main was snared by Eric Zeh.
The first of the two-day Ironton Telephone Indoor Auto Racing Series races drew a 51-car TQ Midget race and a 27-car field of Champ Karts.
TQ Midgets will return tonight Saturday night, January 6, for another 40 lap feature race paired with the Slingshot division that will run a 20 lap event.
TQ Midget Feature (40 Laps): 1. Justin Bonsignore, 2. Matt Janisch, 3. Erick Rudolph, 4. Ryan Tidman, 5. Earl Paules, 6. Timmy Catalano, 7. Joey Payne, 8. Scott Kreutter, 9. Geoffrey Sutton, 10. Billy Whittaker, 11. Jon Reid, 12. Matt Roselli, 13. Bobby Butler, 14. Bfret Conkling, 15. Ryan Flores, 16. Ryan Flores, 17. Andy Jankowiak, 18. Bobby Holmes, 19. Anthony Sesely, 20. Tim Buckwalter, 21. Shawn Nye, 22. Tommy Catalano, 23. Zane Zeiner, 24. Ryan Preece, 25. Tim Nye.
Champ Kart Feature (20 Laps): 1. Cale Ross, 2. Mike Perry, 3. Tyler Thompson, 4. Ryan Kendall, 5. James Shutt, 6. TJ Reed, 7. Richie Davidowitz, 8. Matt Jarosz, 9. EJ Holz, 10. Anthony Colandro, 11. Ron Midford Jr., 12. Chris Hirt, 13. Stephen Beattie, 14. Gene Gregoric, 15. William Davis, 16. Tyler Tank, 17. Dominic Roselli, 18. Ryan Swartz, 19. Eric Zeh, 20. Dalton Rivera.
MARCO ANDRETTI TO TEST THREE QUARTER MIDGET DURING ALLENTOWN INDOOR WEEKEND, JAN. 5-6
Posted by: | CommentsNEWS FROM LEN SAMMONS PRODUCTIONS
2018 INDOOR AUTO RACING CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES FUELED BY VP RACING FUELS
INDOOR AUTO RACING EVENTS AT TRENTON, ALLENTOWN, ATLANTIC CITY AND ALBANY
PROMOTER: Len Sammons (609)888-3618 - MEDIA CONTACT: Ernie Saxton Communications, Inc.
Esaxton144@aol.com – EMAIL ---- 267.934.7286 – Ernie’s CELL PHONE
Release created by Steve Barrick
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ANDRETTI SET TO TEST A THREE QUARTER MIDGET AT ALLENTOWN PPL CENTER
ALLENTOWN, PA December 28, 2017 . . . IndyCar star Marco Andretti will be an interested spectator at the PPL Center in Allentown, Pa., on Friday, January 5 and Saturday, January 6 when the Ironton Telephone/ Avaya Indoor Auto Racing fueled by VP events are held.
Marco, a third-generation racer from the legendary Andretti family from nearby Nazareth, will be a spectator for the Indoor Auto Racing Series event but plans to test drive a Three Quarter (TQ) Midget during the weekend. The 30 year-old has been offered the chance to drive a car that will be in competition at the event by one of his friends, Kyle Lick of Lehighton, Pa.
While fans won’t get a chance to see him compete against a field of 50 other drivers in the TQ Midget division, they will have an opportunity to get his autograph. Marco has volunteered to join all the weekend competitors to meet fans and sign free autographs during Fan Fest which opens the Saturday evening program from 5:30 to 6:30.
At that time, those with free Fan Fest tickets will allowed on to the racing floor of the center to get a close up look at all the race cars competing that night as well as collect autographs. These free Fan Fest tickets are available by clicking the “Fan Fest option” when ordering tickets on-line or when purchasing them at the box office.
TQ Midget racing and Indoor Auto Racing competition are nothing new to the Andretti family. Marco’s grandfather Mario Andretti won a TQ event inside N.J.’s Teaneck Armory in 1962. He also won in the TQ Midgets outdoors at N.J.’s Pine Brook Stadium before embarking on his legendary, internationally known Hall of Fame career.
Marco began racing in Go-karts at the former Flemington, N.J. Speedway, on an infield road course. He quickly advanced to become the youngest ever IndyCar driver at the age of 19 as a teammate to his father Michael.
Since then, Marco has won two IndyCar events. He’ll be driving again next year for the Andretti Herta Autosports team. While he is restricted by contract not to compete in the TQ Midget events, he is allowed to test that car and is eager for the opportunity.
The January 5-6, 2018 Ironton Telephone Allentown event schedule calls for racing to start at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and 7 p.m. on Saturday. TQ Midgets will run a full program of racing with feature events both nights.
On Friday, the Slingshot division backed by the Action Track, USA Kutztown (Pa.) Fairgrounds, will join the TQ Midgets. On Saturday, the TQs will be joined by Champ Karts who will be racing in a complete show.
For tickets, contact the PPL Center Box Office by phone at 610-347-TIXX (8499), online at pplcenter.com. Those wishing to avoid online fees may purchase directly at the Box Office, but are encouraged to do so in advance to avoid possible box office lines the day of the event.
The series moves next to the NAPA Auto Parts Indoor Auto Racing Weekend at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. For tickets, contact Ticketmaster, the Boardwalk Hall Box Office, or the Area Auto Racing News office at 609-888-3618.
The finale will be a first annual event in New York State, on February 9-10, 2018 in the Times Union Center in downtown Albany, N.Y. For choice tickets, contact the Times Union Center Box Office, charge-by-phone at (800) 745-3000, or visit online at ticketmaster.com.
Information including ticket and hotel links is available at www.indoorautoracing.com.
