(Naples, ME — May 2, 2007) After a long winter, a rainy spring, and a few false starts, the fastest full-bodied race cars in the Northeast return to the local tracks this Saturday and Sunday, May 5th and 6th in a big PASS Doubleheader Weekend.
A total of close to 60 pro stock-type touring cars are expected at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway in Scarborough, ME for the PASS North, PASS Outlaws, and PASS Modified Series 2007 season opener Saturday afternoon at 3 PM.
There are 30 Super Late Model/Pro Stocks already registered, including 2006 PASS North Champion Johnny Clark, the three-time PASS North Champion Ben Rowe, the 2006 PASS South Champion Mike Rowe, multi-time winner in 2006 Cassius Clark, the 2006 PASS North Rookie of the Year Alan Tardif, 2006 PASS Outlaw Champion Derek Ramstrom, Richie Dearborn, Bill Penfold, Trevor Sanborn in the Jay Cushman #29, Rick Martin, Joey Porciello, the father and son combo of Dale and DJ Shaw, Lonnie Sommerville of St. John, New Brunswick, and several Beech Ridge pro stock regulars.
In addition, Bill Jr and Jeremie Whorff, Dave Dion, and Kelly Moore are coming, plus several others who say they may be ready now that the rainout last week has given them an extra week to finish their cars. Jay Sands and Derek Ramstrom are both bringing Super Late Models and Outlaw cars and may do both races if the cars test well in the Friday afternoon practice. It looks like 36 to 38 teams will be drawing numbers for their spots in the heat races for the 150 green flag lap New England Dodge Dealers 150.
To that total you can add 22 to 26 Outlaw Late Models (formerly called two-barrel pro stocks) that will be chasing 2006 PASS Central Division Champion Jimmy Rosenfield of Middleboro, MA and the Northern Division Champion Matt Lee of Albion, ME for 100 green-flag laps in the opener for the chase for the 2007 divisional titles and the overall Series title. Mike Fowler, Jay Sands, Mike Harnish, Ben Erskine, Charlie and Chuck Colby, Mike Thomas, Joe Decker, Gary Norris, Jr, Chris Staples, Rich Eaton, George Fernald, Jr, and Katie Hagar will also be on hand for the season opener. In addition, newcomers Jeremy Davis of Tamworth, NH, Jimmy Chambers of Atkinson, NH, and Gunnar Lee Josselyn of Farmington, ME will be making their first start in the Outlaw Late Models.
That’s a total of between 50 and 60 pro stock-type cars at Beech Ridge on Saturday. For the fans that have been waiting all winter for some big fast race car action it will be a day filled with speed, action, and surprises.
The PASS Modifieds will also be kicking off their 2007 season for 40 green flag laps as Chris Staples will be looking to add another title to his resume. The 2003 and 2004 Beech Ridge Motor Speedway Limited Sportsman Champion Chris Smith will be wheeling a modified for the first time at his home track hoping for that home track advantage. Multi-time Oxford Plains Speedway Limited Sportsman champion Kenny Harrison and Tom Oliver of Windham, ME will also be joining the fray.
But that’s only half of the story. After the Beech Ridge show, the Super Late Models and Modifieds pack up and head up Route 95 to Speedway 95 in Hermon, ME for another go at it on Sunday afternoon May 6th in 150 green flag laps of PASS North Super Late Model action and 40 laps for the PASS Modifieds. The action gets under way with heat races at 2 PM.
Remember, they’re called Super Late Models for a reason!