Feb 22, 2017 | Maine Racing News, Modified Racing Series, NE Racing News, Touring Series News
EXIT Realty has signed on as the premier sponsor of the Modified Touring Series for 2017. Derek Beatrice, owner of EXIT Realty Beatrice Assoc., has been involved in motor sports for a number of years sponsoring billboards at several speedways, as well as assisting several race teams. Some of these ventures with EXIT Realty included sponsorship of drivers Eddie MacDonald in a Sprint Cup Car he ran at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and John McKennedy of the Valenti Modified Tour, both champions in their own right. EXIT Realty will make their presence at each event informing spectators of their services and loyalty to the sport.
Gary and Alichia Knight, founders of the series, would like to welcome EXIT Realty as the Title Sponsor for the new and exciting Modified Touring Series. Gary, former race car driver turned promoter, has been working very hard to promote the series and looks forward to working with EXIT Realty to give them maximum exposure.
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Dec 1, 2016 | Beech Ridge, Maine Race Tracks, More Maine Racing News, NE Racing News, Oxford Plains Speedway, PASS, Touring Series News
photo by Norm Marx
– 44th Annual Oxford 250 at Oxford Plains Speedway to pay PASS Super Late Model winner $25,000, plus $25,000 in guaranteed lap leader money
– Easter Bunny 150 at Hickory Continues Tradition as Spring’s Premier Super Late Model Event
– Dillon, Orange County, Thompson, And Beech Ridge Fill Out Remainder Of Championship Schedule
NAPLES, ME (November 29) – Pro All Stars Series (PASS) officials have released the six dates and locations that will make up the 10th Annual PASS National Championship Series. The schedule is comprised of six premier Super Late Model events in both PASS North and PASS South that will determine an overall PASS National Champion. The PASS National Championship Series will see the champion crowned for the first time ever at the prestigious 44th Annual Oxford 250 at Oxford Plains Speedway in August. And, the PASS National Championship Series will return to North Carolina’s Orange County Speedway next March for the first time since 2014.
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Dec 1, 2016 | Lee Speedway, More Maine Racing News, NE Racing News
Lee USA 2016 champs (l to r) Tyler Mailhot (Pure Stocks), Ryan Pitkin (Ironman), Dylan Bilodeau (Hobby Stocks), Jimmy Russell (Late Model Sportsman), and Dave Helliwell (Supermodifieds).
Manchester, NH – Race teams, track officials, fans, and sponsors gathered at the Executive Court Inn and Conference Center to celebrate the 2016 Lee USA Speedway “Banquet of Champions” on Saturday night, November 5, closing out the 30th year under the leadership of track owners Red and Judy MacDonald.
Heading up the list of honorees at this year’s banquet was freshman competitor Dave “Hollywood” Helliwell of Pelham, who not only captured Rookie of the Year honors in the EKeys4Cars-sponsored NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Supermodified division, but also rode an impressive 4-win season to the track championship as well.
Helliwell nabbed 14 top five finishes in 17 races on his way to the title, beating out two-time main event winner Moe Lattime of Kingston by 25 points to secure the title. Rochester’s Mike Spurling grabbed three feature wins on his way to a third place finish, just four points further back in the final standings.
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Dec 1, 2016 | GSPSS, Maine Racing News, More Maine Racing News, NE Racing News, Seekonk Speedway, Touring Series News
WALPOLE, N.H. – Even though the 2016 Granite State Pro Stock Series season finished just a few weeks ago at New London-Waterford Speedbowl, the GSPSS is already looking ahead to the 2017 campaign.
And with that, the series is proud to announce the first scheduled race for next season at Seekonk Speedway in Seekonk, Mass. The inaugural Seekonk 100 will take place on Saturday night June 24, 2017.
“We are extremely happy to be able to work with Seekonk Speedway to bring the GSPSS there for the 2017 season,” GSPSS president Mike Parks said. “Seekonk is the home of weekly Super Late Model racing in Southern New England. By adding the GSPSS to the schedule, it has the making of a super event. We have been talking to them for two years and we feel the timing is correct for 2017.”
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Dec 1, 2016 | Maine Racing News, More Maine Racing News, NE Racing News, PASS, Touring Series News
PASS photo
MIDLAND, NC (November 5) – Dalton Sargeant held off Preston Peltier in a near photo finish to claim his first career Pro All Stars Series (PASS) South Super Late Model win Saturday afternoon in the Mason-Dixon Meltdown as part of the North-South Shootout at Concord Speedway. Maine’s Ben Rowe also celebrated his fourth career PASS National Championship, while Matt Craig edged out Kodie Conner for the PASS South Super Late Model title.
“First off, I really want to thank Preston [Peltier] for driving me as clean as he did, I really respect that,” said Sargeant in victory lane. “I think we had a little bit better drive off the corner than he did, but it’s just amazing to get this win as part of the PASS North-South Shootout. I’ve got to thank my guys for all the hard work they’ve put in all year long.”
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Dec 1, 2016 | Lee Speedway, More Maine Racing News, NE Racing News
photo by RPM 360
By: Dick Casey
Eddie MacDonald’s second place Late Model finish in the DAV Fall Classic at Seekonk Speedway in Seekonk, Mass. on Saturday, Oct, 29 wrapped up a highly competitive campaign in the Freddie Peterson owned Chevy. Unfortunately, the veteran driver could not avoid a wreck on lap three of the 150 lap Pro Stock feature causing terminal radiator damage in the Dave Lemieux owned Chevy.
Eddie Mac started the 50 lap Late Model event in tenth place on the grid in the 23 car field to find the early going very difficult as both the inside and outside groove running side by side with the “Outlaw” saying, “There wasn’t any place to go for the first 25-30 laps because the cars on the outside just stalled. When I finally got by them, my car was pretty good on the outside and I was able to get by a lot of cars but unfortunately the leader had a big lead. We needed one more caution and I think we would have had something for him but that didn’t happen.”
Eddie Mac drew the fourth starting position in the heat and met with the same stalled outside groove to finish fourth in the ten lap heat. The EXIT Realty/Hancock Electric Chevy started tenth in the DAV feature, so named to honor the 1946 speedway founder D. Anthony Venditti, then moved into the sixth spot by lap eight but again was forced to restart on the outside after the first of eight cautions. It was not until a caution on lap 41 that Eddie Mac was able to restart on the inside. The Rowley, Mass veteran quickly took over the third position then had to race the #7 hard for multiple laps before moving to second place on lap 46. With only four laps to go, Eddie Mac could only close the sizeable gap to the leader by a few car lengths. When the checkered flag waved Eddie Mac trailed the winner Ray Parent by 5 car lengths.
“It just took so long to be able to race that the winner had a big lead and I didn’t have enough time to catch him,” said Eddie Mac. “The car was real good on the outside when I finally had room to race and I think I could have gotten by him if we had a caution or a few more laps. He was really tight and his car had fallen off quite a bit. But we had a good run and we are happy to finish second to end our season. It has been a lot of fun and I am already looking forward to next season.”
The nightcap feature, the Pro Stock 150, ended nearly as fast as it started with the EXIT Realty/Neal Excavating Chevy involved in a huge crash started by an impatient driver. Eddie Mac started in the fifteenth position after qualifying fifth in the heat. When the green flag waved to start the event the 24 car field rode side by side for the first three laps. A driver up front on the outside decided to cut to the bottom that is the preferred line around the one-third of a mile bullring. Usually drivers wait until it is clear to do so but this driver turned down with a car in the bottom groove causing a huge pile-up. Eddie Mac weaved his way through the initial carnage but ended up in a wreck as a car that made it through the wreckage suddenly lost control and turned down in front of the approaching field of cars. Eddie Mac and another car plowed into him. Eddie Mac went to the pits for repairs but his night ended with a badly damaged radiator.
“I really feel bad for Dave Lemieux and Brian Neal who have put so much into this car and finally got it to where it could run with the leaders,” said Eddie Mac. “We worked on it Friday and Saturday in practice and in the second practice on Saturday, I think, it was the second fastest car on the track. We had hoped for a better starting position but we were stuck again on the outside in the 12 lap heat and just couldn’t go anywhere. But we knew the car was fast and we just needed to stay out of trouble. This track dictates that you get to the bottom as quick as possible but the guy up front did not want to wait for an opening to do that and just caused a huge wreck. I was able to get through but as soon as I did a car lost it in front of me and came right down the track sideways. This track and this race require patience and guys have to wait their turn to make the move to the bottom. Unfortunately for us, this didn’t happen.”
“Rollie (LaChance) and I have had a great season and we are thankful for the support of so many people. Rob Grimm, our K&N team owner, makes all this possible. Sheila and Freddie Peterson own our Late Model and are simply wonderful people to be involved with. Bobby Wood is an important member of the team. Dave Lemieux owns the Pro Stock and we hope to run more with him next season. Brian Neal is a very important cog in the Pro Stock success. We have a small but very dedicated crew both in the shop and at the track starting with Rollie’s family. His wife Laura, his daughter Rachel and son Ryan do so much for our team and have for years. Jolene and Rob Drandson and Tom Rice juggle work schedules so they can be with us every race. John Tiernan and Dick Casey are in the shop countless hours preparing the cars. I have to give thanks to my girlfriend Kelyn Harrell for the patience, understanding, and support. Scott and Kenny Thompson of Hancock Electric have been incredible sponsors for a decade and Derek Beatrice has been a huge supporter with EXIT Realty Beatrice Associates, Of course, my parents, Red and Judy, have supported my racing career since I was a teenager and continue to do so. We all have to thank our fans for all their support and wish everyone well and hope to see everyone again next season,”
