{"id":19979,"date":"2019-02-16T10:28:25","date_gmt":"2019-02-16T15:28:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.maineracing.com\/wp\/?p=19979"},"modified":"2019-02-17T08:39:45","modified_gmt":"2019-02-17T13:39:45","slug":"new-year-brings-new-cars-new-opportunities-for-pass-racers-at-dillon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/maineracing.com\/legacy\/2019\/02\/new-year-brings-new-cars-new-opportunities-for-pass-racers-at-dillon\/","title":{"rendered":"New Year Brings New Cars & New Opportunities For PASS Racers At Dillon"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

CHARLOTTE, NC (February 14) \u2013 Racers from across the country are busy counting down the days as the 2019 Pro All Stars Series (PASS) Super Late Model season opener at Dillon Motor Speedway draws closer.  The 14th<\/sup> Annual Winter Meltdown 200 at Dillon on Saturday afternoon, February 23 will not only mark the beginning of the PASS National Championship Series, but the introduction of a new body to the Super Late Model racing landscape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Wisconsin-based Five Star Race Car Bodies, a longtime supporter of PASS, has just introduced the new \u201cGen 6\u201d body, which more closely resembles the production Ford Mustangs, Chevrolet Camaros, and Toyota Camrys.  PASS and Oxford Plains Speedway led the way in approving the new bodies for competition, which will compete alongside the existing bodies that are based on a 20-year-old design. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"\/<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The new bodies, which are set to make their East Coast debut at Dillon for the Winter Meltdown, have racers and fans excited for the new season.  One of those drivers is Turner, ME\u2019s, Ben Rowe, who will be driving a \u201cGen 6\u201d Toyota for the 2019 campaign.  Like many fellow racers around the country, the former 5-Time PASS National Champion agrees the time is right to spice things up a little on the grassroots level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI can\u2019t wait to try it out, it\u2019s a much needed change for us as a group to keep up with the times and it definitely looks pretty cool,\u201d says Rowe. \u201cThis year with the new body, nobody knows the balance on the car that we are going to need just yet.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Along with Rowe, a stellar list of drivers have gone to victory lane at Dillon, including two-time Winter Meltdown winner, Ryan Blaney, as well as Justin Wakefield, Preston Peltier, Austin Theriault, Daniel Hemric, Tyler Church, and Jared Irvan.  In last year\u2019s race, New Hampshire\u2019s Derek Griffith started off his national championship season with a win at Dillon by holding off Ray Christian, III and Rowe.  Rowe hopes he can be just a little bit better this year and can join Blaney atop the Dillon Motor Speedway win column.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDillon has kinda grown into that big 200 lap race at the beginning of the year that we look forward to going to,\u201d says Rowe.  \u201cPlus, for us New Englanders, it gives us a chance to get out of the cold and snow and get a jumpstart on racing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rowe will be joined by several of his New England counterparts, including Griffith, Christian, Travis Benjamin, and Mike Hopkins.  Former PASS South champion Tate Fogleman has also filed an entry, along with Wyatt Alexander, Kodie Conner, Jody Measamer, and Canadian, JP Josiasse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the action gets under way on Friday afternoon, February 22 at Dillon Motor Speedway with open practice for all competing divisions from 2 \u2013 5 PM.  On Saturday, February 23, practice will begin at 10 AM with qualifying starting at 12:30 PM for the PASS Super Late Models, Challenger AR, and Mini Stocks, followed by main events starting at approximately 2 PM.  While the Challengers will be racing for $1000 to win, the Mini Stocks will go for $500 to win and a guaranteed starting position at Richmond Raceway in March.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n