Archive for Ernie Saxton Communications

Ernie Saxton Communications

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NEWS FROM ERNIE SAXTON’S MOTORSPORTS SPONSORSHIP MARKETING NEWS

Contact: Ernie Saxton @ 267.934.7286 or Esaxton144@aol.com

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“HOW TO FIND TIME FOR SPONSORSHIP WORK” AND MORE IN THIS EDITION OF ERNIE SAXTON’S MOTORSPORTS SPONSORSHIP MARKETING NEWS

LANGHORNE, PA March 2, 2019 . . . Often times we hear racers tell us that the reason they are not successful at securing sponsorship is because they just don’t have the time needed to devote to it. In the latest edition of Ernie Saxton’s Motorsports Sponsorship Marketing News Kristin Swartzlander, considered an expert in sponsorship marketing, shares some ideas on “How to Find Time for Sponsorship Work”. We are sharing a few of the ideas but you will have to sign up for a subscription to see the rest of the article.

When working with clients, answering questions in our sponsorship success group, fielding emails or talking to racers at events, one of the biggest barriers teams feel in finding sponsorship is: "I don't have enough time."

It's a legit concern, but it's a claim that we make probably every day.

Think about the conversations you just had over the holiday season. When someone mentions what they're up to or their goals for the next year, we've all said we don't have time for things that we legitimately want to do. It might be finding sponsors for the upcoming season. It might be starting a side business or working out or cooking home-cooked meals or taking the kids to a trampoline park. (<- That's what you do with children, right? 'Trampolines' seems accurate.) We've never been - or felt - busier. There's never enough time. But here's the hard truth: if you don't have time to find sponsorship, you don't have time to have marketing partners because you don't have time to serve them. Sad, but true. And the Swartzlander article goes on. Also in this edition of Motorsports Sponsorship Marketing News is the finish of a two part article by Attorney M.K Spotts on “Social Media Management”. Kym Oberauer offers some great sponsorship help with his article titled “How to Attract Sponsors Using Irresistible Opportunities”. And there is some help with public relations efforts including an article from Mickie Kennedy’s eReleases that offers great tips on producing news releases that will be used plus a load of news on successful sponsorship deals that have recently been announced. A one year subscription to the newsletter, now in its 35th year, is priced at $29.99 while a two year subscription is just $39.95. That is quite a savings. And if you sign up by April 1st we will include the issue which has the first part of the Spotts article at no charge. Send check payable to ESC at 1448 Hollywood Avenue, Langhorne, PA 19047 or have your MasterCard or VISA ready and telephone 267.934.7286. Publisher Ernie Saxton, with more than 45 years’ experience in sponsorship and public relations, offers his services in sponsorship marketing, public relations and consulting. Telephone 267.934.7286 or email Esaxton144@aol.com to have some questions answered or just find out how we can help you. Or check out our website at www.saxtonsponsormarket.com.

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Ernie Saxton Communications

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NEWS FROM ERNIE SAXTON’S MOTORSPORTS SPONSORSHIP MARKETING NEWS
Published since 1985
Media Contact: Ernie Saxton @ 215.752.7797—Mobile @ 267.934.7286 or Esaxton144@aol.com

THE SEASON IS WINDING DOWN, TIME TO GO SEARCHING FOR MARKETING PARTNERS/SPONSORS

LANGHORNE, PA August 16, 2018 . . . “Six reasons why you should be Sponsored” is an article that every reader will find helpful and rewarding. Sponsorship expert Kym Oberauer talks about the halo effect, engaged and passionate audience of fans, social proof and influence, word-of-mount referrals, irresistible experiences and content creation.

With the season winding down and sponsorship efforts getting started, actually should be started, this and other articles in the newest edition of Ernie Saxton’s Motorsports Sponsorship Marketing News will be a big help.

Kristin Swartzlander returns with “The right-sized sponsorship Prospects” while Marcie Barlow shares her thoughts on sponsorship engagement.

Attorney Michael K. Spotts shares his thoughts on IndyCar and NASCAR Monster Energy sponsorship.

PR expert Mickie Kennedy shows how enhanced press releases are important to sponsorship success.

And there is news on new sponsorship deals that have been announced recently.

This info packed issue will be sent FREE when you sign up for a one year subscription to Ernie Saxton’s Motorsports Sponsorship Marketing News, now in its 35th year of publishing. One year is priced at just $29.95, or two years for $39.95. To order telephone Ernie Saxton at 215.752.7797. Or just send your check to ESC, Inc., 1448 Hollywood Avenue, Langhorne, PA 19047.

Ernie Saxton, involved in sponsorship, marketing and public relations in motorsports for more than 40 years, is available to consult regarding sponsorship, put together a sponsorship package, contract representation of race team and track sponsorship marketing efforts and more.

Saxton’s articles on sponsorship can be found in a variety of publications including National Dragster and Late Model Racing. His columns on the sport can be found in Area Auto Racing News, Canada’s Inside Track Motorsports News, PennSports.Live, Digital First Media ( a chain of newspapers, plus a variety of daily and weekly newspapers along with websites.

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Ernie Saxton Communications

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NEWS FROM ERNIE SAXTON COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

Publisher: Ernie Saxton’s Motorsports Sponsorship Marketing News

1448 HOLLYWOOD AVENUE, LANGHORNE, PA 19047 –

CONTACT: Ernie Saxton @215.752.7797, 267.934.7286 or Esaxton144@aol.com

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AN OPEN LETTER TO MAJOR LEAGUE RACING….REBUILD YOUR BASE WITH GRASSROOTS RACERS

LATEST EDITION OF MOTORSPORTS SPONSORSHIP MARKETING NEWS OFFERS SUGGESTIONS

LANGHORNE, PA April 20, 2018 . . . Why is much of grassroots racing struggling? That is a question often asked and being addressed by Attorney Michael K. Spotts in the just released latest edition of Ernie Saxton’s Motorsports Sponsorship Marketing News.

Spotts offered his thoughts on the situation and ideas on correcting the grassroots problems. He calls on Major League Racing to help Grassroots racing and an improved Grassroots will be a big help in attracting fans, media support and sponsorship for tracks, organizations and racers.

Kristin Swartzlander offers “A Mile Wide and An Inch Deep” an article that just may change the way we go after sponsorship. The question is, is having more sponsors better? Swartzlander addresses that question.

“How do Fans show Support for Their Favorite Team” by Marcie Barlow offers some interesting ideas on how that helps sponsorship and Mickie Kennedy gives readers tips on how to write better press release leads. You are sending out press releases aren’t you?

NASCAR Cup and Formula 1 owner Gene Haas offers his thoughts on motorsports and business in an article penned by Herb Anastor.

In addition there are a number of sponsorship news updates in Volume 34, Issue 2 of the newsletter that has helped so many major leaguers and grassroots racers with their sponsorship efforts.

A one year subscription to the newsletter is being offered for $29.95 which is a $10 discount off the regular price. And for those taking advantage of this special offer Saxton will include his popular article of sponsorship helps titled “Hodgepodge of Sponsorship Helps”.

To subscribe telephone 215.752.7797 and have your VISA or MasterCard ready. Or you can mail a check to ESC, Inc. 1448 Hollywood Avenue, Langhorne, PA 19047. And for just $50.00 you can get a two year subscription.

There is a great deal of sponsorship information available at www.saxtonsponsormarket.com.

Ernie Saxton, a veteran of more than 45 years in sponsorship, marketing and public relations in motorsports, is available to answer questions about sponsorship and help with your sponsorship marketing efforts.

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Grandview Speedway

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NEWS FROM ROGERS FAMILY GRANDVIEW SPEEDWAY, Bechtelsville, PA

Presenting Saturday night NASCAR stock car racing plus a variety of special events, now in their 56th consecutive season.

Track office: 610.754.7688 - Public relations and marketing: Ernie Saxton @ 215.752.7797: Email: Esaxton144@aol.com – Cell phone: 267.934.7286

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COMING EVENTS:
Saturday, April 21st, 7 p.m. Start of NASCAR and Track Point Championship Chase featuring T.P.Trailers 358 Modifieds, Late Models and Sportsman stock cars plus Blast from the Past Vintage Cars.

Saturday, April 28th, 7 p.m. NASCAR T.P.Trailers 358 Modifieds, Late Models and Sportsman stock cars.

Saturday, May 5th, 7:30 p.m. (note change in starting time). NASCAR T.P.Trailers 358 Modifieds, Late Models and Sportsman stock cars.

Sunday, May 6th, 1 p.m. Outlaw Enduro and Blast from the Past Vintage Car racing.

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MEDIA NOTE: Left out of the story from Saturday’s Bruce Rogers Memorial was the $1,000 American Racer Tire drawing shared by drivers that did not make the main event. All non-qualifiers got to draw with four lucky ones getting $250 each and included were Mark Kratz, Danny Erb, Ray Swinehart and Jeff Strunk.

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POINT BATTLES KICK OFF FOR ALL THREE DIVISIONS OF STOCK CAR RACING AT GRANDVIEW ON SATURDAY, APRIL 21ST

BECHTELSVILLE, PA April 17, 2018 . . . When NASCAR stock car racing gets the green flag at Grandview Speedway on Saturday, April 21st, two 10-time champions, Craig VonDohren and Jeff Strunk, will be trying to be the first to reach 11 championships. VonDohren has earned the T.P.Trailers 358 Modified championships the last three years and his strong third place effort in the VP Racing Fuels Bruce Rogers Memorial last Saturday showed that he is ready for another strong season, perhaps a fourth straight title.

However Jeff Strunk is also looking for a strong season as he goes after his 11th title and first since 2014. Duane Howard, another talented veteran, is a five time champion and will be seeking his sixth title, last one won in 2012, during the 2018 season.

Make no mistake though it will not be all about VonDohren, Strunk and Howard as the season gets underway with many young talents setting their sights on the lucrative title. Grandview Speedway is one of very few tracks, perhaps the only track, in the nation that affords racer the opportunity to win two titles, the NASCAR and track championships.

The Saturday card of racing, a tripleheader with a 7 p.m. starting time, will feature the T.P.Trailers 358 Modifieds, Sportsman and Late Model stock cars battling for championship points. An extra added attraction for Saturday is the first 2018 appearance of the Blast from the Past Vintage Car racers with no increase in the regular admission price.

A full slate of qualifying events will lead up to the exciting feature events in each NASCAR division of racing.

Admission for Saturday night is $15 for adults and youngsters under 12 are admitted FREE. Spectator gates open at 5 p.m.

When the racing ends each night fans are invited to head back to the pit area to see the race cars up close, take pictures and collect autographs.

Grandview Speedway is known for their excellent well-stocked concession areas and there is a great novelty stand that offers souvenirs, t-shirts, hats and more along with copies of the latest edition of the track magazine, The Inside Groove.

The one-third-mile, banked clay track, offering clear views of all the action from each seat, is located at 43 Passmore Road, Bechtelsville, PA, just off Route 100, 10 miles north of Pottstown. For up-to-date information check in at www.grandviewspeedway.com or Facebook. The track office telephone number is 610.754.7688.

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NEWS FROM ROGERS FAMILY GRANDVIEW SPEEDWAY, Bechtelsville, PA

Presenting Saturday night NASCAR stock car racing plus a variety of special events, now in their 56th consecutive season.

Track office: 610.754.7688 - Public relations and marketing: Ernie Saxton @ 215.752.7797: Email: Esaxton144@aol.com – Cell phone: 267.934.7286

Race results by Vicki Gehris
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STEWART FRIESEN WINS VP RACING FUELS BRUCE ROGERS MEMORIAL AT GRANDVIEW, KEVIN HIRTHLER TOPS THE SPORTSMAN FIELD

BECHTELSVILLE, PA. April 15, 2018 . . . Mother Nature finally cooperated with the racing community on Saturday night and produced beautiful weather and the 56th racing season at Grandview Speedway got underway in front of a very large turnout of fans. Close to 50 small and big block Modifieds lined the pits to participate in the events leading up to the first annual Bruce Rogers Memorial Money Maker 50-lap race sponsored by VP Racing Fuels. The race was run in honor of the late Bruce Rogers, who passed away last March. Bruce, along with his father Forrest, built the track close to 60 years ago.

Three laps shy of a victory in the prestigious memorial event, Stewart Friesen wrestled the lead away from Mike Gular as the front runners had to deal with lapped traffic. Friesen held on and went on to collect the $7,500 top prize money along with beautiful hardware signifying the victory. In 2014 Friesen, now a regular in NASCAR Camping World Truck Series competition, won the season opener along with the rich Freedom 76 Classic.

Kevin Hirthler, doing double duty in the Modified and Sportsman divisions, took the lead when leader Ryan Lilick dropped out of action and chalked up the victory in the 25-lap Sportsman feature.

Through a heads-up draw, Don Norris Jr., returning to action after a year hiatus, started on the pole in the 50-lap Memorial feature, but it was second-place starter Tim Buckwalter that took the early lead and Gular followed through for second.

Buckwalter and Gular were bumper to bumper for several laps while back further Norris Jr., Friesen and Jordan Henn diced for positions.

Gular dove underneath Buckwalter for the lead along the homestretch on the 12th lap and heading down the backstretch Buckwalter pulled into the infield out of contention.

With 15 laps in the books Gular, Norris Jr., Friesen, Craig Von Dohren and Matt Sheppard, the third, first, fourth, 12th and sixth-place starters continued to hold down one through five as they encountered slower moving traffic that were also racing for positions.

Kevin Hirthler, who had just broken into the top ten, spun in the fourth turn on the 22nd lap and went pit side. Gular held his line on the restart, but Friesen was right there leaving him no room to slip-up and Friesen knew Von Dohren was pressuring him too.

Sheppard’s solid fourth place run ended on the 24th lap with a right rear flat tire. After a pit stop he rejoined the pack, but was only able to get back to 11th until the end.

At the half-way marker Gular, Friesen and Von Dohren, who all ran the top lane; Watt and Frank Cozze completed the top five.

In the final stages of the event, lap cars hampered the front runners and Friesen had a full head of steam built up even though he abused his tires and was coming on strong as it appeared Gular was having problems getting through turns one and two.

On the 47th lap, three short of a victory for Gular, Friesen passed him. Gular didn’t surrender easily and tried to regain the top spot.

Friesen continued his pace and pulled into the winner’s circle for his third win at the oval followed by Gular, Von Dohren, Watt and Cozze. Rounding out the top ten were Duane Howard, Meme DeSantis, Rick Laubach, Billy Pauch Sr. and Mike Mahaney.

Heats were won by Jordan Henn, Brett Kressley, Sheppard and Von Dohren. Jared Umbenhauer and Laubach won the consolation events.

Jeff Strunk and Doug Manmiller, two of the top favorites, failed to qualify for the prestigious event.

Polesitter Ryan Lilick took the early lead after a complete restart in the Sportsman feature with Jesse Landis, Brad Grim and brothers Brian and Kevin Hirthler, both doing double duty in pursuit.

Grim led the sixth lap, but that was short-lived as Lilick was back in front the next time by.

Lilick’s misfortune when his car broke on the 11th lap was beneficial to K. Hirthler when he now inherited the lead.

Grim made several runs on K. Hirthler, but each one fell short as the lead remained the same while B. Hirthler, Dylan Swinehart and Jim Housworth were in the wings hoping for one of them to falter.

K. Hirthler never surrendered the lead and scored his first win in the division followed by Grim, B. Hirthler, Swinehart and Mark Kemmerer, Kevin’s teammate for the night. Housworth, Jack Butler, Mike Lisowski, Ryan Higgs and Kurt Beitler rounded out the top ten.

Lilick, Landis and B. Hirthler won the heats. The consi was won by Brad Arnold.

The official season of TP Trailers NASCAR Modifieds, Late Models and Sportsman will kick off on Saturday, April 21 all getting underway at 7:00 p.m. An added attraction will be the Blast from the Past Vintage Racers. Spectator gates will open at 5 p.m.

RACE RESULTS

VP RACING FUELS Bruce Rogers Memorial Money Maker (50-Laps): 1. Stewart Friesen, 2. Mike Gular, 3. Craig Von Dohren, 4. Ryan Watt, 5. Frank Cozze, 6. Duane Howard, 7. Meme DeSantis, 8. Rick Laubach, 9. Billy Pauch, 10. Mike Mahaney, 11. Matt Sheppard, 12. Jordan Henn, 13. Kyle Weiss, 14. Brett Kressley, 15. Louden Reimert, 16. Don Norris Jr., 17. Kevin Hirthler, 18. Justin Grim, 19. Mike Lisowski, 20. Tim Buckwalter, 21. Brian Hirthler, 22. Kenny Gilmore, 23. Jordan Umbenhauer, 24. Ryan Grim. DNQ: Danny Erb, Ron Myers, Ray Swinehart, Dan Waisempacher, Bobby Gunther-Walsh, Brett Gilmore, Chris Esposito, Joe Fanelli, Mark Kratz, Jeff Strunk, Mike Kellner, Bobby Trapper, John Willman, Tommy Scheetz, Brian Krummel, Chris Gambler, Clay Butler, Doug Manmiller, Steve Swinehart, Eric Biehn, Briggs Danner, Bobby Trapper Jr., Ron Kline.

Sportsman Feature (25 Laps): 1. Kevin Hirthler, 2. Brad Grim, 3. Brian Hirthler, 4. Dylan Swinehart, 5. Mark Kemmerer, 6. Jim Housworth, 7. Jack Butler, 8. Mike Lisowski, 9. Ryan Higgs, 10. Kurt BeItler, 11. Kenny Bock, 12. Dennis Smith, 13. John McGovern, 14. Andy Kemmerer, 15. Joe Funk III, 16. Jesse Landis, 17. Brad Arnold, 18. Lex Shive, 19. Craig Whitmoyer, 20. Richard Emel, 21. Ryan Lilick, 22. Mike Mammana, 23. Nathan Mohr, 24. Gary Wagner. DNQ: B.J. Joly, Paul Houseknecht, Andrew Kreis, Bobby Delson, Ryan Beltz and Nicholas Flammer.

COMING EVENTS:
Sunday, April 15th, 1 pm, Outlaw Enduros and Blast from the Past Vintage Car racing.

Saturday, April 21st, 7 p.m. Start of NASCAR and Track Point Championship Chase featuring T.P.Trailers 358 Modifieds, Late Models and Sportsman stock cars plus Blast from the Past Vintage Cars.

Saturday, April 28th, 7 p.m. NASCAR T.P.Trailers 358 Modifieds, Late Models and Sportsman stock cars.

Saturday, May 5, 7:30 p.m. (new starting time) NASCAR T.P.Trailers 358 Modifieds, Late Model and Sportsman

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28

SATURDAY NIGHT AC INDOOR RESULTS

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RYAN FLORES WINS HIS FIRST GAMBLER’S CLASSIC INDOOR RACE IN ATLANTIC CITY; CALE ROSS CLAIMS CHAMP KART FEATURE, BRETT BIEBER TOPS IN SLINGSHOT MAIN

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ January 28,2018...Ryan Flores gained the lead with thirteen laps left in the sixteenth running of the Indoor Auto Racing Series Fueled By VP Racing Fuels Three Quarter (TQ Midget Gambler’s Classic Saturday night inside Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall when leader Tim Buckwalter went spinning off turn two, and then held off Jimmy Blewett for the final thirteen laps of the race to claim his first Gambler’s Classic win.

“I want to apologize to Timmy,” Flores said in Victory Lane. “He slowed up a little, I got a bump from behind and couldn’t avoid hitting him.”

Flores outdistanced Blewett, third place finisher Justin Bonsignore, Matt Janisch and Buckwalter, who stormed from the back of the field into the top five in the final dozen laps.

Erick Rudolph, Ryan Preece, Anthony Sesely, Ryan Tidman and Timmy Catalano rounded out the top ten.

The race was red flagged on lap 18 for a crash on a restart that sent Brandon Azzalina’s car slamming into the fourth turn wall. Azzalina needed to be extricated from his car before being transported to an area hospital. He was said to be complaining of lower back pain but was conscious and alert.

Cale Ross of Lambertville, N.J., scored the 25-lap Champ Kart headliner. Ross’s win was his second straight in Boardwalk Hall and his second straight in the 2018 Indoor Auto Racing Series, having won the Series’ early January inaugural in Allentown, Pa.

Cameron Carter, who was leading the Champ Kart main event, would up being involved in an accident that occurred when another driver, who was running near the back of the field, spun in front of Carter.

Ross then acquired the lead and held off Doug Stearly, Ryan Kendall, Todd Crenshaw and Tyler Brown to win. Champ Kart results are considered unofficial, pending a post-race technical inspection of the top finishers.

Brett Bieber drove to victory in the Slingshot 25-lap main event over Seth Spayd, Tyler Truex, Kyle Herve and Cody Kline.

Tim Buckwalter earned the pole position for the Gambler’s Classic by winning the five-lap, nine-car Pole Position Dash that determined the starting order for the four winners of Friday’s TQ A Main qualifiers and the top five drivers in accumulated qualifying points.

Six 10-lap TQ heat races, each transferring the two top finishers into the A Main, were won by Justin Bonsignore, Matt Janisch, Ryan Preece, Briggs Danner, Kyle Lick and Mike Iles. Lick’s win came in a Micro Sprint.

Three TQ B Mains, each transferring the top two finishers into the Gambler’s Classic, were won by Mike Lichty, Steve Kemery and Pat Bealer.

Saturday evening Champ Kart B-Main qualifiers were won by Ryan Kendall and DJ Doyle while Dakota Kohler and Mike Bednar captured the Slingshot B-Mains.

Numerous special awards were presented to TQ competitors for unusual achievements over the NAPA Know How Weekend. They were presented as follows: Larry Michaels Fast Time Award: Ryan Flores; Tony Romit Second Fast Time Award: Erick Rudolph; Sonny Saunders Third Fast Time Award: Andy Jankowiak; Bob Hilbert Halfway Leader Bonus: Tim Buckwalter; Saturday TQ Heat Winners Bonus: Justin Bonsignore, Matt Janisch, Ryan Preece, Briggs Danner, Mike Iles and Kyle Lick; Nick Fornoro Jr. Lap One Leader: Tim Buckwalter; George Stockinger First Non-Gambler Award: Timmy Catalano; Doug Craig Hard Charger: Justin Bonsignore; Joe Pratt Determination Award: Pat Bealer; Ray McCabe ATQMVC Best Appearing Car Award: Matt Janisch.

The Atlantic City race was the second of three events on the Indoor Auto Racing Series schedule. The finale is set for Friday and Saturday, February 9-10, 2018 at the Times Union Center in Albany, N.Y., where the Indoor Auto Racing Series champion will earn the TC (Ted Christopher) Cup, emblematic of TQ Midget racing season excellence.

Tickets for the Albany race are available either at the Times Union Center Box Office or through Ticketmaster outlets.

Gambler’s Classic TQ Midget Feature (40 Laps): Ryan Flores, Jimmy Blewett, Justin Bonsignore, Matt Janisch, Tim Buckwalter, Erick Rudolph, Ryan Preece, Anthony Sesely, Ryan Tidman, Timmy Catalano, Pat Bealer, Steve Kemery, Jesse Maurer, Earl Paules, Mike Iles, Briggs Danner, Andy Jankowiak, Jonathan Reid, Joey Payne, Matt Roselli, Brandon Azzalina, DJ Forbes Jr., Scott Kreutter, Mike Lichty, Keith Rocco, Kyle Lick.

Champ Kart Feature (25 Laps): Cale Ross, Doug Stearly, Ryan Kendall, Todd Crenshaw, Tyler Brown, Ron Midford, Jr., Tony Bootes, Ryan Swartz, John Berger, Chris Daley, DJ Doyle, Brian Chin, Mike Perry, AJ Jadacki, Gene Gregoric, Jeremy Tuttle, Dalton Rivira, Zachary Asklar, Cameron Carter, Anthony Colandro, Richie Davidowitz, Nick Demling, TJ Reed, Eric Zeh.

Slingshot Feature (25 Laps): Brett Bieber, Seth Spayd, Tyler Truex, Kyle Herve, Cody Kline, Chris Grbac, Kurt Bettler, Joe Toth, Dan Spellmon, Damon Paul, Dakota Kessler, Mike Toth, Chris Gall, Alex Lizotte, Mike Lapicki, Scott Adams, Ben Whitaker, Danny Buccafusca, Nick DelCampo, Mike Bednar, Nick Shaw, Jimmy Gagne, Anthony Raisner, Chris Kurtz.

NEWS FROM INDOOR AUTO RACING SERIES, ATLANTIC CITY, NJ
LEN SAMMONS PRODUCTIONS
MEDIA CONTACT: Ernie Saxton -267.934.7286----Esaxton144@aol.com
Results story by Steve Barrick
DATE OF RELEASE: FRIDAY, JAN. 26, 2018

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BLEWETT, PAULES, TIDMAN AND TOMMY CATALANO ARE NAPA KNOW HOW FRIDAY NIGHT THREE QUARTER MIDGET MASTERS IN A.C.BOARDWALK HALL; FLORES FASTEST IN TIME TRIALS; SLINGSHOTS COMPLETE QUALIFYING; 16TH ANNUAL GAMBLER’S CLASSIC SET FOR TONIGHT (SATURDAY)

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ JANUARY 26, 2018 . . . Jimmy Blewett, Howell, N.J., Earl Paules, Palmerton, Pa., Ryan Tidman, Holland, Pa., and Timmy Catalano, Ontario, N.Y., each punched their tickets into Saturday night’s Gambler’s Classic (Three Quarter) TQ Midget feature by winning their twenty-lap A-Main Qualifiers Friday at Boardwalk Hall in day one action of NAPA Know How Weekend in Atlantic City, N.J.

The winning quartet plus the top five drivers in accumulated Indoor Auto Racing Series Fueled By VP Race Fuels point standings, which includes points earned in Friday’s qualifying plus at the previous Indoor Auto Races in Allentown, Pa. in early January, will race in a Dash event Saturday to determine the top nine starters in the Gambler’s Classic.

Blewett, 2017 Wall Stadium Modified champion and perennial Indoor Auto Racing Series favorite, started seventh in his heat race and outran Justin Bonsignore to the checkered.

Paules, a past champion at Mahoning Valley Speedway in both Modifieds and Late Models, outran a determined Andy Jankowiak to take the checkered.

Tidman took advantage of a situation in which leader Keith Rocco and challenger Erick Rudolph tangled, ending Rocco’s race. Rudolph was then penalized, putting Tidman in front. Tim Buckwalter came on to finish second.

Timmy Catalano, the youngest of the Catalano racing brothers, held off Anthony Sesely for the win, set up when Ryan Flores spun and third place driver at the time, Scott Kreutter was penalized.

The remainder of the 26-car field will be set through a series of heat races that will start the Saturday night race program.

Earlier in the afternoon, Flores, Cornelius, N.C., out qualified 64 other TQ Midget drivers in time trials. Flores’ 8.042 clocking set the standard for the class.

In Champ Kart action, Cale Ross set fast time (9.455 seconds) to outpace 47 other Karters. Ten lap Champ Kart heat races were won by Eric Zeh, Jeremy Tuttle and John Berger.

Damon Paul (9.864 seconds) was fastest among 42 Slingshot time trailers while Mike Lapicki, Kyle Herve and Tyler Truex were winners of the trio of ten lap qualifiers. It was Truex’s first time in a Slingshot and first time in an Indoor race.

At the end of the third TQ A-Main Qualifying race, a multi car accident saw driver Mike Tidaback, Brick, N.J., a former Gambler’s Classic winner (2008), sustain injuries. Tidaback was initially unconscious but did became responsive as he was being evaluated at an area hospital. No further information was available on his condition at this time.

Friday’s action set the stage for Saturday’s Gambler’s Classic for the TQ Midgets, a 40-lap feature for the Indoor Auto Racing Series’ top class. Champ Karts and Slingshots will each complete their racing NAPA Know How Weekend action with 20-lap feature races.

Saturday racing begins at 7:00 PM preceded by Fan Fest, an event that allows ticket holders to meet and greet the drivers, receive autographs and snap pictures.

Tickets are available for the Saturday Gambler’s Classic from the Boardwalk Hall Box Office up until race time. Tickets can be purchased in advance through Ticketmaster outlets.

First TQ Qualifier (20 Laps): Jimmy Blewett, Justin Bonsignore, Jonathan Reid, Matt Roselli, Chris deRitis, Chad Jones, Brandon Azzalina, Brett Michalski, Mike Iles, Geoffrey Sutton, Bobby Butler, Justin Moensch, Ronnie Flaim, Tony DiMattia, Dakota Kessler, Mark Yoder. DNS: Chad Parks.

Second TQ Qualifier (20 Laps): Earl Paules, Andy Jankowiak, Steve Kemery, Matt Janisch, Danny Bouc, Jesse Maurer, Jack Conover, Robert Geibel, Eddie Strada, Tyler Thompson, Bob Baker, Eric Hershey, Mike Lichty, Austin Bishop, Jason Treat, Tommy Catalano.

Third TQ Qualifier (20 Laps): Ryan Tidman, Tim Buckwalter, Ryan Preece, Mike Maresca, Erick Rudolph, Tim Nye, Anthony Payne, Brett Conkling, Kevin VanValkenburg, John Ivy, Timmy Solomito, Jeffrey Kot, Mike Tidaback, Cole Mullen, Keith Rocco, Andrew Nye.

Fourth Heat (20 Laps): Timmy Catalano, Anthony Sesely, Briggs Danner, Ryan Flores, Ryan Bartlett, Andrew Molleur, Connor Sellers, Scott Kreutter, DJ Forbes Jr., Kyle Lick, Bruce Leote, Joey Payne, Bill Force Jr., Patrick Emerling, Shawn Nye.

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