JANUARY 7, 2011
Former USAC Executive Vice President Roger McCluskey has posthumously been inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America and will be honored along with fellow inductees Donnie Allison, Sid Collins, Ed McCulloch, Augie Pabst, Bruce Penhall and Ed Winfield when the organization stages its annual induction celebration on August 23 and 24, 2011 in Detroit.

“This class is an extraordinary group of pacesetters,” says Ron Watson, president of the Motorsports Hall of Fame, “not only on the track, but in the engineering department and the broadcast booth, as well.”
Donnie Allison, a member of the famed "Alabama Gang," compiled nearly 400 short track victories before joining the NASCAR Cup circuit in 1968. He won 10 Cup races and captured 17 pole positions. In 1970, he scored three wins and had 10 top five finishes. Allison, who earned the Rookie of the Year title in the 1970 Indy 500, will join his brother Bobby in the Hall of Fame.
Sid Collins was the original broadcast voice of the Indianapolis 500 and launched the IMS radio network in 1952 shepherding its growth from 26 to 1,200 radio stations. Listening to his dramatic, often poetic, race descriptions became an established tradition for families at holiday picnics and homesick members of the armed forces at remote locations around the globe.
Roger McCluskey won Sprint Car championships in 1963 and 1966, National Stock Car championships in 1969 and 1970, the Indy Car title in 1973 and competed in all but one Indy 500 between 1961 and 1979 when he retired from driving to become USAC’s vice president and director of competition.
For 30 years, Ed “The Ace” McCulloch split his time between drag racing's two most powerful divisions, notching 18 Funny Car victories and four Top Fuel wins. He was named Driver of the Year in 1973 and 1988, was inducted into the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame in 2000 and continued in the sport as a tuner and crew chief between 2001 and 2010.
Augie Pabst was one of the brightest and most versatile stars of road racing in the late ‘50s and early ‘60s. He won USAC and SCCA road racing titles in 1959 and 1960 behind the wheel of the Meister Brauser Scarab. During his career he won 13 major races including the Road America 500 three times and the GT category at Sebring in 1963.
Bruce Penhall was considered to be America’s greatest speedway motorcycle rider. After establishing himself in the U.S., he won several important European motorcycle racing titles and led the U.S. comeback in World Championship speedway racing in the early ‘80s, winning the World title in 1981 and 1982. In doing so, he was the first American to win that crown in 44 years.
Ed Winfield was regarded as one of the all-time great mechanical minds motorsports has ever known. He was an expert in engine design and carburation and played a major role in the development of the famed Novi engine with his brother, Bud. He is generally recognized as the “Father of the Racing Cam Business,” making his first performance camshaft in 1914 at age 13 and is credited with creative cylinder head designs and other engine advancements.
The new inductees will unveil their permanent Hall of Fame sculptures at the “Heroes of Horsepower” Reception to be held at the Detroit Science Center on Tuesday, August 23, 2011. The black-tie Twenty Third Annual Induction Ceremony will take place at the historic Fillmore Detroit Theatre on Wednesday, August 24, 2011. Tickets for the events can be purchased by calling 313-577-8400, ext. 482 or by visiting the Hall of Fame website www.mshf.com.

The Motorsports Museum & Hall of Fame is operated by the nonprofit Motorsports Museum and Hall of Fame of America Foundation Inc. Currently housed in the Detroit Science Center in the Motor City’s Museum District, the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America features the compelling stories of 188 Heroes of Horsepower along with the display of a wide variety of racing and high performance vehicles. The constantly changing collection features racers from the world of Indy cars, stock cars, Can Am, TransAm, sprint cars, powerboats, truck racing, drag racing, motorcycles, air racing and even snowmobiles.

Dick Jordan
USAC

The Associated Press
Tuesday, January 4, 2011; 6:36 PM

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Former NASCAR crew chief Ray Evernham has signed on as a consultant for one of Rick Hendrick's companies.

Evernham won three championships in the 1990s as crew chief for Jeff Gordon with Hendrick Motorsports. Now, his company Ray Evernham Enterprises, will consult on special projects for Hendrick Companies.

"Hendrick Performance parts and cars will have a racing pedigree, and Ray is someone who will help ensure that on behalf of our customers and dealers," Hendrick said in a statement Tuesday.

"He's assembled a terrific group of people at REE, and I see a lot of opportunities for them to be a valuable resource for our organization on projects like this. I know the kind of high standards Ray sets."

Rick Hendrick formed Hendrick Companies in 2005 to oversee his strategic initiatives. Evernham's role will be to help with the development of the Hendrick Performance retail brand of high-performance parts, vehicles, products and related services.

"Rick and I have had many conversations over the years about our passion projects, and there's so much crossover with what we enjoy working on," said Evernham. "We both sense an opportunity to do some unique things, whether it's with performance parts and cars, his dealership business or other ways to build the Hendrick brand."

Evernham left the Hendrick organization in 1999 to form his own NASCAR team. He's most recently been a television analyst for ESPN.

The network said Evernham is leaving ESPN for his new role with Hendrick.

"Ray has been a valuable member of our NASCAR team for the past three seasons and we wish him all the best in his new role," said Rich Feinberg, vice president of motorsports for ESPN.

"If he ever wants to come back, we'd be happy to talk to him."

Allentown, PA: CARQUEST Gasoline Alley Rings In The New Year With Racing Stars Daryn Pittman, Jimmy Owens, Cole Whitt And Tyler Walker To Monday Night's Show
By:Steve Pados, GA Motorsports Media

The extremely popular and nationally acclaimed CARQUEST Gasoline Alley TV/Internet Show will ring in the New Year as the Gang cranks up the airwaves on Monday evening with another fabulous edition of their show on Monday evening, January 3rd as they play host to another blockbuster lineup of talented racing stars and personalities who join the Gang for the fastest, funniest, and most informative racing show in the country today. The show airs from 6 to 8 PM every Monday evening on channels 103 and 137 and worldwide on the Internet. The Gang has been serving the racing world for the past eight years on the airwaves and is well noted for their well noted "theme" show format and will host the 506th edition of their show since they hit the airwaves and their 294th show since joining forces with the party channel at WALN Digital Cable and "Happy Jack" Burns on Channels 103 and 137. The Gasoline Alley Team of Ed and Steve Pados is looking forward to more of the same great format they have been following since the inception of their show back in 2002.

With this edition of the show the Gang will welcome a very diverse and talented group of driving stars who have made plans to compete at the upcoming 25th Annual Edition of the running of the Chili Bowl in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The prestigious event now has 258 entries for the upcoming indoor spectacular that will pair the best of the best drivers in the country against each other for a run to victory lane and the coveted Golden Driller trophy. Daryn Pittman, who enjoyed a sensational season of competition on the Central Pennsylvania circuit, will join the Gang to talk about the Chili Bowl as well as his pairing with the Lehigh Valley based Heffner Racing Team. Daryn will share his 2011 plans with the fans in the interview. "The Newport Nightmare" or the "O-Show" Jimmy Owens will join the Gang for the first time to talk about his maiden voyage in a Kenny Brown owned Midget race car at the Chili Bowl event. Jimmy is one of the top campaigners in the Late Model ranks in the country and should adapt very quickly to the light-weight Midget race cars. Cole Whitt, the sensational Californian who was a standout rookie in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East ranks in 2010, returns to the Chili Bowl to try to improve upon last year's runner-up finish to winner Kevin Swindell. Cole will be taking his first ride in a Midget in a year but the talented young racer would like nothing better than to capture the prestigious victory. Cole will once again pair with noted car owner Keith Kunz in his quest for the win. Recently returning from Australia "T-Dub" Tyler Walker rejoins the Gang to talk about his solid season in Pennsylvania and his recent experiences in Australia where he captured a win during his stay. Tyler will talk about the recent addition of Crew Chief Kirk DeWease to the Keen Transport team for the upcoming 2011 racing season.

Miss WALN Cable Radio Vickie Kidd will join the Gang for this edition of the show.

The popular award winning TV/Internet show offers a live internet video feed to all of the Internet subscribers to view the wide assortment of the many racing videos that are played while the show is in progress and to enjoy the chat sessions with the many great personalities from within the racing community who pay the Gang a visit to discuss racing. As always, a surprise or two will be expected as the Gasoline Alley Gang continues to bring the racing community the fastest, funniest and most informed racing show on the airwaves today. All shows produced by GA Motorsports Media are carefully researched, authenticated and fully scripted to produce for our loyal sponsors, guests and racing fans the best show on the airwaves today.

CARQUEST Gasoline Alley TV/Radio/Internet Show continues with its outstanding line-up of talented guests with this week's edition of the show. The Show's programming on WALN Digital Cable Radio, Internet www.walncableradio.com for the Audio portion and: livestream.com/walncableradio/old for the video portion. The Show is available on Service Electric Digital Cable TV, Channels 103, and 137 and is live from 6 to 8 PM and later tape delayed on Channel 50 at 11 PM.

Join the Gasoline Alley broadcasting team of Ed and Steve Pados on Monday evening January 3rd as they take you on a two-hour circular journey with their well documented, very informative and extremely funny show.

Should you have questions on how to be a part of the show through advertising, appearances or remotes, please contact Steve Pados at: 610 573 9706; Ed Pados at: 610 739 0391; or the WALN Studios at: 610 791 1818. You may also email: steveswp@ptd.net

RACING NEWS THE WAY IT IS MEANT TO BE

NEWS FROM…
EASTERN MOTORSPORT PRESS ASSOCIATION
CONTACT: LENNY SAMMONS, PRESIDENT, 609-888-3618
RON HEDGER, VICE PRESIDENT, 518-885-7481
JOHN SNYDER, MEDIA OFFICE, 845-225-3560
ROBIN ERWIN, WEBMASTER, robinervin1@comcast.net

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

INDY 500 VICTOR AND IZOD INDYCAR SERIES CHAMPION DARIO FRANCHITTI NAMED EMPA NATIONAL DRIVER OF THE YEAR
Canadian Stewart Friesen chosen Northeast Driver of the Year

TRENTON, NJ (December 31).…..Dario Franchitti, winner of the 2010 and 2007 Indianapolis 500 and the 2010 IZOD IndyCar Series champion, was chosen by the members of the Eastern Motorsport Press Association (EMPA) as their 2010 Al Holbert Memorial National Driver of the Year. Driving for Target Chip Ganassi Racing, Franchitti is only the 17th driver in the history of the 500 to win it more than once.

Among other special awards, Stewart Friesen, 27, of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, was voted the Richie Evans Memorial Northeast Driver of the Year. Friesen won 24 dirt track Modified feature races during the year, including the Syracuse 200. He was the Race of Champions Dart Dirt Modified Tour champion and won weekly track point titles at both Five Mile Point Speedway and Utica-Rome Speedway, both in New York.

Also honored by the EMPA was multi-faceted team owner Floyd “Chip” Ganassi who was named the T. Wayne Robertson Newsmaker of the Year. Under the Target Chip Ganassi Racing banner, the Pittsburgh native’s team won the IZOD IndyCar Series including the Indianapolis 500 with driver Dario Franchitti, and with co-drivers Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series championship. In NASCAR, the Earnhardt/Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates team won the Daytona 500, the Brickyard 400, and the October Bank of America 500 with driver Jamie McMurray.

Austin Hubbard, an 18-year-old Late Model stock car driving sensation from Seaford, Delaware was chosen by the EMPA members as the winner of The John Blewett III Young Guns Award Presented by New England Fuels. As a rookie driver, Hubbard won twice on the national World of Outlaws Late Model Series tour and finished seventh in year-long series points.

Each year, the EMPA Board of Directors chooses the recipient of the Junie Donlavey Spirit of the Sport Award. This award goes to a person who best represents grass-roots and die-hard perseverance in participating in the sport they love. This year’s award winner is Pennsylvania 410 Sprint Car owner/driver Rick Lafferty.

Former EMPA president Ernie Saxton and his wife, Marilyn, who served as EMPA’s executive secretary have been unanimously named to the EMPA Hall of Fame. Also in the 2010 Hall of Fame class are NASCAR driver Geoffrey Bodine; the late Lindy Vicari, Reading (Pennsylvania) Fairgrounds promoter; and the late John “Ace” Lane, Sr., a pioneer motorsports photographer.

The Hall of Fame inductions and award presentations will be made Saturday, January 8, during the NASCAR/EMPA Hall of Fame Banquet, part of the weekend’s annual EMPA Convention, being held at the Crowne Plaza Valley Forge in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania.

A gathering of professional motorsports photographer, journalists, and electronic media specialists, the EMPA Convention includes press conferences, seminars, presentations by track and racing series promoters, writing and photography member contests, and social interaction with all types of American motorsports personalities. This year’s keynote speaker is Don Miller, co-author of the highly-acclaimed Miller’s Time with EMPA member Jim Donnelly. Best known as a former executive with Roger Penske’s NASCAR teams, Miller also worked with Goodyear and Sears in their motorsports programs. In his younger days, Miller was an accomplished drag racer.

“We’re really looking forward to Miller’s address,” says EMPA president Len Sammons. “He’s a tremendous motivator, and I know the members will get a great deal from his talk.”

Sponsors of the EMPA Convention include NASCAR, NHRA, IZOD IndyCar Series, World Racing Group (DIRTcar/WoO), and Brice NAPA.

Sammons also invites speedway and racing series operators who cannot be present during the convention to make their printed 2011 schedules and other information available. Please contact him at 609-888-3618 to facilitate this matter.

Promoter/Organizer: Len Sammons @609.888.3618
MEDIA CONTACT: Ernie Saxton Communications, Inc.
Ernie Saxton @ 215.752.7797
Cell: 267.934.7286
Esaxton144@aol.com

MOTORSPORTS CLASS ROOMS OPEN FOR BUSINESS AT MOTORSPORTS 2011 RACE CAR AND TRADE SHOW

OAKS, PA December 30, 2010 . . . The instructors are ready and the class rooms will be open for business when the NASCAR sponsored series of motorsports seminars are presented at the Motorsports 2011 Presented by SEF Race Car and Trade Show.
Thousands of people are expected to make their way through the three day show that will offer just about everything imaginable in motorsports with the show opening at 2 p.m. on Friday, January 21st and continuing until 4 p.m., Sunday, January 23rd. It all happens at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, PA and the show will cover all 250,000 square free of exhibit space.
One of the highlights of the show is the FREE seminars that are presented for show attendees.
New to the NASCAR classrooms this year will be “Race Car Braking” presented by Wilwood Engineering’s Carl Bush. Everything that racers need to know about brakes and braking will be presented by Bush.
The first Modern Motor Racing Oil Update will be hosted by Lake Speed Jr. and Joe Gibbs Racing Oil. He will discuss changes in today’s racing oils, their performance and proper use.
A third new seminar for this year at Motorsports 2011 will be “Race Tire Prep” presented by representatives of Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic. They will show racers how to gain the best performance from preparing race tires properly.
Additional seminars being presented during the first two days of the three day show include a variety of seminars covering subjects such as “Dirt Late Model Set-Up and Chassis Tuning”, “Getting Started, The Basics of Racing”, “Safer Racing Tour” covering racing safety in all forms of auto racing, “The Basics of Race Team Sponsorship” offered for the 26th consecutive year; and "Legal Issues in Racing and with the Racing Business."
Show attendees have the opportunity to learn more about auto racing and there is absolutely no cost to attend the seminars other than the $12 show admission fee.
The complete NASCAR seminar schedule includes:
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

Friday, January 21: (Show Hours 2 to 9 p.m.)

4:00 - 5:00 PM: (Room 1) "THE BASICS OF RACING" - Set-up, tire
choice and general maintenance on Street Stock/Pure Stock/Factory
Stock division cars. Presented by Roy Anderson of Anderson Race Cars.

5:00 - 6:00 PM: (Room 2) TBA

5:15 - 6:15 PM: (Room 1) "Safer Racer Tour" presented by Randy
LaJoie of LaJoie Seating. He will cover racing safety in all divisions.

6:30 - 8:30 PM: (Room 1) "OPEN FORUM FOR PROMOTERS" -- moderated by
J.R. Keifer, promoter of Pa.’s Bedford Speedway and the Appalachian
Dirt Late Model Speedweek. All promoters (dirt and paved track) and
track/series managers are welcome to attend, to join a "round table
discussion" on items such as insurance, surface preparation, race
format, building relationships with neighbors, the town and
businesses; sponsorship and marketing of your track/divisions.

6:15 -7:15 PM: (Room 2) "Legal Issues in Racing, AND WITH THE RACING
BUSINESS" - Presented by Meri Van Blarcom-Gupko and Jim McCreedy of
Wiley, Malehorn, Sirota and Raynes Attorneys.

Saturday, January 22: (Show Hours 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.)

12:00 - 1:00 PM: (Room 1) "The Basics of Race Team Sponsorship" -
Presented by Motorsports Sponsorship Marketing News publisher Ernie Saxton.

12:00 - 1 PM: (Room 2) RACE SAVER 305 SPRINT CARS - Region Director
Joe Grandinetti outlines the basics of the TSRS series which will
compete at New Jersey’s Bridgeport and New Egypt Speedways in 2011.

1:15 - 2:45 PM: (Room 1) "RACE CAR BRAKING" - Wilwood
Engineering’s Carl Bush will present the complete racer seminar on
brake systems. Everything you need to know, with all questions
answered by a true expert.

1:15 - 2:00 PM: (Room 2) TAKING PHOTOS AT THE TRACK - Geared toward
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.

2:15 - 3:15 PM: (Room 2) WHY YOU SHOULD HAVE "RAACE" ON YOUR CAR - The RAACE Foundation explains their mission in the sport and how your
race team can get involved.

3:00 - 4:00 PM: (Room 1) "Dirt Late Model Set-ups and Chassis
Tuning" -- presented by Jim Bernheisel of Bernheisel Race Components/
Lazer Chassis

3:30 - 5:00 PM: (Room 2) Ms. Motorsports Interviews (closed to public)

4:15 - 5:15 PM: (Room 1) MODERN MOTOR RACING OIL UPDATE - Lake Speed Jr. of Joe Gibbs Racing Oil will discuss changes in today’s racing
oils, their performance and proper use.

5:15 - 6:15 PM: (Room 2) Race Track Public Relations/ Media Workshop
-- Open discussion between racing writers/photographers and track/
series Press Directors as to professionalism, credential usage, event
coverage. Hosted by Lincoln, Pa., Speedway press director Wayne Harper.

5:30 - 6:30: (Room 1) RACE TIRE PREP - Hoosier Tire Mid-Atlantic
representatives will discuss preparing race tires for top performance.

6:45 - 7:45 PM (Room 1) GETTING STARTED - "The Basics of Racing"
presented by Area Auto Racing News technical writer Sleepy Gomez.
Emphasis on the Street Stock/Pure Stock/Factory Stock divisions, both
dirt and pavement, with information on building the car, set-ups,
selecting the right parts; and following the all-important safety rules.

6:30 - 8:30 PM: (Room 1) Quarter-Midgets of America (QMA) Region II
Meeting (coordinated by Karen ).

For complete information on the Motorsports 2011 Presented by SEF Race Car and Trade show check in at www.aarn.com or telephone 609.888.3618.
-End-
MEDIA NOTE: Happy New Year and a reminder to get your media credential requests in for Motorsports 2011 as soon as possible. E-Mail me, fax me or call me. Ernie Saxton

Ernie Saxton Communications, Inc.
Motorsports Marketing
215.752.7797 - office
386-677-5152 - Florida
267.934.7286 - cell/text
Esaxton144@aol.com
www.saxtonsponsormarket.com

Allentown, PA: CARQUEST Gasoline Alley Welcomes Chili Bowl Stars Casey Shuman, Timmie McCreadie and Ricky Stenhouse Jr To Monday Night's Show
By: Steve Pados, GA Motorsports Media

The extremely popular and nationally acclaimed CARQUEST Gasoline Alley TV/Internet Show cranks up the airwaves on Monday evening with another fabulous edition of their show on Monday evening, December 20th as they play host to another blockbuster lineup of talented racing stars and personalities who join the Gang for the fastest, funniest, and most informative racing show in the country today. The show airs from 6 to 8 PM every Monday evening on channels 103 and 137 and worldwide on the Internet. The Gang has been serving the racing world for the past eight years on the airwaves and is well noted for their well noted "theme" show format and will host the 505th edition of their show since they hit the airwaves and their 293rd show since joining forces with the party channel at WALN Digital Cable and "Happy Jack" Burns on Channels 103 and 137. The Gasoline Alley Team of Ed and Steve Pados is looking forward to more of the same great format they have been following since the inception of their show back in 2002.

With this edition of the show the Gang will welcome a very diverse and talented group of driving stars and personalities who help make up the latest racing news in the world of motorsports. Joining the Gang as they take a couple of week look at the upcoming 25th Annual Edition of the running of the Chili Bowl in Tulsa, Oklahoma will be some of the great stars who make up the already 240 entries for the upcoming pretigious event. Casey Shuman, who captured the Southern DuQuoin Center event on Saturday night and left the arena with $6,000.00 in earnings joins the Gang to talk about the win and his pairing with Team Loyet for the event and the car he drove to the big win on Saturday evening. "T-Mac" Timmie McCreadie re-unites with the Gang to talk about his pairing for the Chili Bowl with Brian Daugherty. McCreadie captured the 2006 Chil Bowl event and in doing so became the first Modified driver to capture the great event. Ricky Stenhouse Jr, who finished in the runner-up role at the Southern DuQuoin Center, will join the Gang and chat about his pairing with the potent RFMS team headed up by Don Fike. Stenhouse will fill the Gang in with the latest developments in his budding racing career.

Miss WALN Cable Radio Vickie Kidd will join the Gang for this edition of the show.

The popular award winning TV/Internet show offers a live internet video feed to all of the Internet subscribers to view the wide assortment of the many racing videos that are played while the show is in progress and to enjoy the chat sessions with the many great personalities from within the racing community who pay the Gang a visit to discuss racing. As always, a surprise or two will be expected as the Gasoline Alley Gang continues to bring the racing community the fastest, funniest and most informed racing show on the airwaves today. All shows produced by GA Motorsports Media are carefully researched, authenticated and fully scripted to produce for our loyal sponsors, guests and racing fans the best show on the airwaves today.

CARQUEST Gasoline Alley TV/Radio/Internet Show continues with its outstanding line-up of talented guests with this week's edition of the show. The Show's programming on WALN Digital Cable Radio, Internet www.walncableradio.com for the Audio portion and: livestream.com/walncableradio/old for the video portion. The Show is available on Service Electric Digital Cable TV, Channels 103, and 137 and is live from 6 to 8 PM and later tape delayed on Channel 50 at 11 PM.

Join the Gasoline Alley broadcasting team of Ed and Steve Pados on Monday evening December 20th as they take you on a two-hour circular journey with their well documented, very informative and extremely funny show.

Should you have questions on how to be a part of the show through advertising, appearances or remotes, please contact Steve Pados at: 610 573 9706; Ed Pados at: 610 739 0391; or the WALN Studios at: 610 791 1818. You may also email: steveswp@ptd.net

RACING NEWS THE WAY IT IS MEANT TO BE

NEWS FROM Gamblers Classic and Second Annual Coffee Cup
Indoor Three Quarter Midget Racing
Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall and Dunkin’ Donuts Center, Providence, RI
Event Organizer: Len Sammons at (609)888-3618
Media Information Available through Ernie Saxton Communications, Inc.
386-677-5152 (Florida office) - after December 25
215.752.7797 - office
267.934-7286 - Cell
Esaxton144@aol.com - Email

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MORGAN READY FOR MULTI-CAR ASSAULT ON ATLANTIC CITY AND PROVIDENCE INDOOR RACING EVENTS

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ AND PROVIDENCE, R.I. December 16, 2010 – Timex Morgan is bringing a gun to the fight this time.

That’s how he describes the upcoming indoor Three Quarter Midget (Tqs) Car races in Atlantic City, N.J., and Providence, R.I.

Morgan has an arsenal of cars – three to be exact – ready for what will be the busiest two weeks of the winter season as the Rochester, N.Y., resident will be an entrant and owner in both the Gambler’s Classic, which is scheduled for Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J., on Jan. 27-29, 2011, and the Coffee Cup, which is scheduled at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, R.I., on Feb. 5, 2011.

“Until this year, we had the 600cc Micro Sprints and we were racing indoors against the TQ-Midgets,” Morgan said. “That’s like bringing a knife to a gunfight. Now, I feel as if we have a gun and we’re coming prepared to the gunfight.”

Preparation is an understatement.

Morgan has ace driver Joey Payne in one of his cars along with female driving star Jessica Zemken. Both will drive entries in Atlantic City along with Morgan in the third TQ-Midget entry.

Payne and Morgan will drive TQ-Midgets in Providence, R.I., and Zemken is a tentative entry dependent on her travel and outdoor racing plans.

And Morgan put an offer on the table for NASCAR Sprint Cup Series car owner and driver Tony Stewart.

“Let me just say that if Tony wants a ride, we’ll make sure he has one,” Morgan said. “I know he has several options available if he wants a ride.”

Although Stewart has not committed to participate as a driver, he did attend last year’s Gambler’s Classic in Atlantic City, N.J., and he expressed an interest in possibly driving indoors.

Morgan has become the poster boy of racing indoors.

He landed Dunkin’ Donuts as a sponsor for his racing team as a result of taking part in the indoor racing events.

And he’s represented the business well on all fronts. He fields a two seat race car that offers fans and dignitaries an opportunity to experience the thrill of racing.

“We had a great experience this past year,” Morgan said. “Thanks to Dunkin’ Donuts, we had a child, who was part of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, ride along with us. It was his thrill of a lifetime. It didn’t matter how bad out night was, and we did have a bad night, but the smiles from that child made everything go away.”

Although Morgan races outdoors, it is the indoor scene that he thoroughly enjoys.

“If it was up to me, we wouldn’t race outdoors,” Morgan said. “There is nothing like going 70 mph indoors with cars inches from you. It’s a battle of inches rather than one of feet.

“Plus, you get the regional top drivers at each event. Look at the entry list. There are guys who win in asphalt Modifieds, dirt Modifieds and so many other divisions who enter these indoor events. In think indoor racing separates men from the boys.”

Thanks to Mark Lafler of Lafler Chassis, Morgan will have his first true TQ-Midget at his disposal.

Payne drove one of the cars to victory already after claiming a division main at Wyoming County International Speedway in Perry, N.Y. Morgan was in contention of winning the Casey’s TQ-Midget Series title, but he finished second although he did claim the series Rookie of the Year title.

“It’s a big difference (switching car designs),” Morgan said. “Joey got out of his car and he said, ‘Now, that’s a race car that can win.’”

Despite it being a month away, Morgan is stoked for the best two weekends of the year.

“The adrenaline and anticipation is already building,” Morgan said. “I go back to what (multi-time Indy 500 veteran) Davey Hamilton said last year.

“He came in and asked us how we drive these things. He said Indianapolis is one thing, but this kind of racing is way harder. That was up in Providence.”

In addition to the TQ-Midget entries, Morgan is fielding a 600cc Micro Sprint Car for Ray Sands to drive in Atlantic City.

Tickets for the Atlantic City Indoor Race are currently on sale through Ticketmaster (1-800-736-1420) or online at www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets are available with no extra fee applied at the Boardwalk Hall box office and at the Area Auto Racing News office in Trenton, N.J. at 609-888-3618
Activity in Atlantic City will begin on Thurs., Jan. 27, with paid practice from 5-10 p.m.
Weekend activity will begin on Fri., Jan. 28, at 4:30 p.m. with time trials. The night will include heat events for TQ-Midgets and B-Mains for the 600cc Micro Sprint Cars, Slingshots and Champ Karts. It will culminate with a 20-lap 600cc Micro Sprint Car main event and a 30-lap TQ-Midget feature race.
The Sat., Jan. 29, program kicks off at 5 p.m. with the Fanfest, which will be held on the indoor racing surface.
The Saturday-night portion of the show is slated to begin at 7 p.m. Heat races and semis will lead up the 40-lap "Gamblers Classic" for TQ-Midgets, with Slingshots and Champ Karts also on the schedule.

Tickets for the Coffee Cup are available at the Dunkin’ Donuts box office, online at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000.

TQ-Midgets and Champ Karts will share the one-day card which begins at 7 p.m.
-End-

Release created by Jerry Reigle

Ernie Saxton Communications, Inc.
Motorsports Marketing
215.752.7797 - office
267.934.7286 - cell/text
Esaxton144@aol.com
www.saxtonsponsormarket.com