Ryan Godown 'Tires' Race of Champions/Poker Series Field At Bridgeport Speedway; Drives Rick Clay No. 88c to Spectacular $4,000-plus Victory; Hoffman Era of Bridgeport Promotion Gets Underway
 
BRIDGEPORT, NJ - Ryan Godown 'tired' the Bridgeport Speedway Modified field on Saturday.
 
Godown, who suffered a right-rear flat tire on lap 47 while running in a second place, pitted for fresh rubber and charged through the field to earn the victory in 'Hand One' of the Poker Series at the South Jersey clay oval. The event doubled as the inaugural South Region Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour visit to Bridgeport.
 
The Doug and Gena Hoffman era of Bridgeport promotion got underway on a damp and cool Saturday. Morning showers ended shortly after noon and a large crowd turned out for the 41st annual Season Opener. The track's regular season kicks off Saturday (April 7). Drivers praised the smooth and racy track conditions in place for Saturday's event and the Friday open practice session.
 
The Ringoes, N.J., driver earned $4,000 plus lap money in the 60-lap event driving for Rick Clay, who earned his first-ever victory as a car owner.
 
"That was crazy," admitted Godown after exiting Clay's Wide Open Technologies-powered No. 88C.  "Never in a million years did I think it would work out that way."
 
Rising star Larry Wight of Phoenix, N.Y., dominated much of the event. Wight raced from third to the lead on the opening circuit and paced the first 51 laps, collecting nearly $1,000 in bonus lap money.
 
Godown inherited second when Wight's teammate, Billy Decker, dropped off the pace on lap 26 while pursuing the leader. However, Godown slowed with the aforementioned flat tire to draw the yellow with 13 laps remaining.
 
Restarting from the back of the field, Godown found the extreme outside lane of the five-eighths-mile clay oval to his liking in turns one and two. Passing cars with ease, Godown had climbed back to second place by the 50-lap mark. A caution on lap 51 put Godown on the back bumper of race leader Wight. Moments after the green was unfurled, the 'Ringoes Rocket' swept by Wight and took a lead he wouldn't relinquish.
 
Wight's run ended with four laps remaining when his right-rear tire went down. Sussex, N.J., star Brett Hearn, who had charged forward from 19th, held second momentarily until his Madsen Motorsports No. 20 suffered the same fate on the final lap.
 
Rick Laubach of Quakertown, Pa., who started seventh, completed the entire distance without changing right-rear tires and finished second driving the Gary and Lori Herrmann No. 7, followed by 2011 Bridgeport champion Ryan Watt of Boyertown, Pa. Watt, like Godown, had pitted for a fresh right-rear on lap 47 with the Ron Roberts-owned No. 14w Troyer. Craig Von Dohren of Boyertown, Pa., nurtured a worn right-rear tire to fourth in Mike Harvey's No. 1c and Bridgeport all-time leading winner Jimmy Horton of Neshanic Station, N.J., from 16th starting spot in Dieter Schmidt's Lincoln Auto Body No. 5. Horton was among the last to pit for a tire on lap 51.
 
Completing the top 10 were Duane Howard of Oley, Pa., in the Craig Pondish No. 6 (after suffering a flat on lap 49), Hearn, Eric Kormann of Vineland, N.J., Wight and Doug Manmiller of Shoemakersville, Pa., in the Dick Biever No. 14.  Manmiller, who ran the entire race on one right-rear tire, appeared poised for a top-five finish until being collected by Hearn's slowing car on the final lap.
 
Mike Barone of Hillsborough, N.J., received a $100 bonus courtesy of MTL Motorsports for his 13th-place finish.
 
The top-two drivers had a choice of a guaranteed starting position in the $20,000-to-win Outlaw 200 at Fulton (N.Y.) Speedway Sept. 29 or the $10,000-to-win 'Hurricane 100' at Brewerton (N.Y.) Speedway Oct. 4.  The third-place driver, Watt, is guaranteed for the RoC Dirt Modified Tour event at Five Mile Point (N.Y.) Speedway April 22.
 
Heat winners for the 47 assembled RoC Modifieds were Decker, Kevin Hirthler (Boyertown, Pa.), Watt, Von Dohren and Manmiller. Wade Hendrickson and Sammy Piazza, both of Lawrenceville, N.J., won the consolations.
 
Second-generation driver Brett Kressley of Orefield, Pa., won the accompanying 20-lap event for the Crate Sportsman, while Terry Griffin was the 15-lap Outlaw Stock victor.
 
The remaining Modified 'Poker Series' dates are Sun., May 27, Wed., July 4, Mon., Sept. 3 and Sat., Nov. 10. At each 'Poker Series' event, the winner receives an Ace (A), second a King (K), third a Queen (Q) and so on down to the 13th-place finisher receiving a Deuce (2).  Following the completion of the five-race series, the driver with the best poker hand receives $2,500, second $1,500 and third $1,000. The driver with the worst hand receives $1,000. Drivers must participate in all five events to be eligible for a points fund.
 
For further information on Bridgeport Speedway, visit www.bpspeedway.com. Bridgeport Speedway, located just minutes from Pennsylvania and Delaware off I-295 Exit 14, is a state-of-the-art auto racing facility with a five-eighths-mile clay oval and a quarter-mile clay oval embedded in the center.
 
POKER POINTS: Doug Hoffman personally addressed the drivers and fans to say thank you for their support on a cold and wet day.  Hoffman also praised Chip Wingate, who heads the track crew, for his efforts with the surface despite the trying weather conditions and heavy rain Friday night into Saturday morning....Jeff Strunk's Norm Hansell No. 357 was sidelined by a vibration after hot laps. Strunk spent the rest of the program working on the No. 66 driven by Jimmy Blewett....A surprise entrant was Randy Chrysler of Lewiston, N.Y.  Chrysler failed to make the main event....Duane Howard was leading the afternoon's third heat race comfortably until encountering fuel pressure problems.  The issue sent the former Bridgeport regular to a consolation....Larry Wight was impressive in his first feature event at Bridgeport and third trip to the track....
 
BRIDGEPORT SPEEDWAY RoC/POKER SERIES HAND ONE MARCH 31, 2012 RACE SUMMARY
 
Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour/Poker Series Feature Finish (60-laps): 1. RYAN GODOWN 2. Rick Laubach 3. Ryan Watt 4. Craig Von Dohren 5. Jimmy Horton 6. Duane Howard 7. Brett Hearn 8. Eric Kormann 9. Larry Wight 10. Doug Manmiller 11.Wade Hendrickson 12. Stewart Friesen 13. Mike Barone 14. Pat Ward 15. Sammy Piazza 16. Jimmy Blewett 17. Kevin Hirthler 18. Brian Kressley 19. Neal Williams 20. Jimmy Phelps 21. Mike Iles 22. Matt Harrell 23. Billy Decker 24. Richie Pratt, Jr. 25. Danny Johnson         
 
DNQ:  Dominic Buffalino, Danny Bouc, Ray Swinehart, Larry Solomon, Dave Witte, Don Cogdill III, Ron Roberts, Mike Franz,  Rob Nixon, Stan Frankenfield, Brett Tonkin, Jesse Hill, Dale Hartz, Bob Sarkisian, Gary Hager, Brett Ballard, Tommy Scheetz, Jr, Randy Chrysler, Jim Bobbitt, Kyle Borror, Jeff Strunk

Crate Sportsman Feature Finish (20-laps): 1. BRETT KRESSLEY 2. Travis Hill 3. Jordan Watson 4. Matt Budd 5. Frank Dorry, Jr. 6. Jeff Brown 7. Mike Cogdill 8. Ricky DiEva 9. Ken Eckert, Jr. 10. John Micek 11. Aleia Geisler 12. Ryan Anderson 13. Andrew Krause 14. Ryan Wozunk 15. Brett Kelly 16. Brad Roberts

DNS: Chuck Buchman

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Friesen Cures Cabin Fever in New Egypt RoC Event

New Egypt, NJ (March 24, 2012) - Stewart Friesen of Niagra-on-theLake, Ontario, Canada was victorious at New Egypt Speedway Saturday night as he captured the 60 lap RoC Modified feature event sponsored by Buhler Ford. The "Cabin Fever 60" season opener saw Tim McCreadie dominate much of the race as he led the first 57 laps, only to have Friesen pass him with just three laps remaining to grab the victory.

Jimmy Horton and McCreadie brought the 29 car star studded field to the green flag with McCreadie jumping out to a sizeable lead over Horton.  Friesen chased the top two from the start with Ron John Koczon, Jimmy Phelps and Billy Pauch in tow.  During the first half of the event some great battles took place throughout the field as McCreadie and Horton ran away and hid. One of the big movers of the event was Ryan Godown who raced from his 23rd starting spot to 7th place by the halfway point, but 1 lap later Godown appeared to go into turn three a little too hard as he collided with 5 time NES champ Billy Pauch sending both of them spinning. They both would restart the event at the rear with Godown going on to finish 13th while Pauch dropped out of the event just two laps later. A late race
yellow on lap 45 would prove to be the difference as Friesen, who was still running third, found new life on the restart and quickly moved by Horton for second.  He then moved in on T-Mac making the winning pass with just 3 laps remaining to go on and post the popular win.  McCreadie settled for second, followed by 19th starter Duane Howard. Horton held on for fourth while Jimmy Phelps completed the top 10. Sixth thru tenth were Danny Johnson, Pat Ward, Craig Von Dohren, Rick Laubach and Brett Hearn.

John Aumick of Highland Lakes, NJ shocked everyone by taking top honors in the 40 lap RoC Sportsman tour event, including himself, stating that he had just brought the car out to shake it down today. Aumick, driving his Crate-1 Sportsman car, took advantage of the slick surface during the second half of the event to move into the runner up position. Then when leader Anthony Perrego ran out of fuel coming off the last turn, Aumick pounced to claim the biggest victory of his career, his first in a regular Sportsman event. DJ Ruppert chased Aumick across the line for second and 2 time defending RoC Sportsman champ Jeff Crambo finished third. Perrego coasted across for fourth while Jared Umbenhauer completed the top five.

Next Saturday, March 31, New Egypt Speedway will host its annual practice day from 12noon-5pm. All divisions will be practicing and fans are invited to come and watch free of charge. Then on April 7th NES will kickoff the 2012 regular season with a full card of Big-Block Modifieds, Crate-1 Sportsman, Fastrak Late Models, Tri-State Racesavers 305 Sprint Cars and Rookie Sportsman. Gates open at 4:00 p.m. with the first race starting at 6:00 pm.  For more information call the speedway office at (609) 758-1900 or log on to www.newegyptspeedway.net.

NES RESULTS 3/24/12

MODIFIEDS Feature (60 Laps): 1. Stewart Friesen 2. Tim McCreadie 3. Duane Howard 4. Jimmy Horton 5. Jimmy Phelps 6. Danny Johnson 7. Pat Ward 8. Craig Von Dohren 9. Rick Laubach 10. Brett Hearn 11. Richie Pratt Jr. 12. Jackie Brown 13. Ryan Godown 14. Danny Creeden 15. Sam Martz 16. Bob Drayton 17. Ron John Koczon 18. Johnny Guarino 19. Sammy Pizza 20. Wade Hendrickson 21. David Van Horn 22. Billy Decker 23. Billy Pauch 24. Bobby Trapper 25. Ryan Watt 26. Doug Manmiller 27. Larry Wight 28. Willie Osmun 29. Billy Pauch Jr. 

Heat 1: 1. Jimmy Phelps 2. Jimmy Horton 3. Doug Manmiller
Heat 2: 1. Ryan Watt 2. Stewart Friesen 3. Craig Von Dohren
Heat 3: 1. Sam Martz 2. Tim McCreadie 3. Johnny Guarino
Heat 4: 1. Billy Pauch 2. Ron John Koczon 3. Brett Hearn
Heat 5: 1. David Van Horn 2. Wade Hendrickson 3. Richie Pratt Jr.
Heat 6: 1. Danny Johnson 2. Pat Ward 3. Billy Pauch Jr.
Consi 1: 1. Duane Howard 2. Willie Osmun
Consi 2: 1. Billy Decker 2. Ryan Godown
Consi 3: 1. Rick Laubach 2. Jackie Brown
Provisionals: Larry Wight, Bob Drayton, Bobby Trapper, Sammy Piazza, Danny Creeden.

DNQ: Jeff Strunk, Mike McAleer, Tad Cox, Neal Williams, Eric Kormann, Mike Franz, Mike Barone, Tommy Carberry Jr., Jimmy Blewett, Dominick Buffalino, Danny Hieber, Gary Butler, Danny Bouc, Marc Herman, Eric Engstrom, Tim Fuller, John McClelland, Dave Witte, Mike Iles, Kyle Borror, Donnie Radd.

SPORTSMAN Feature (40 Laps): 1. John Aumick 2. DJ Ruppert 3. Jeff Crambo 4. Anthony Perrego 5. Jared Umbenhauer 6. Mike Hendershot 7. Mike Lyons 8. Mike Butler 9. Steve Davis 10. Danny Tyler 11. Mike Howardson 12. Rocco Infante 13. Nick Petrilak 14. James Cornell 15. Brian White 16. Randy Yaple 17. Kevin Vaclavicek 18. Kevin Beach 19. Ryan Beltz 20. Clay Butler 21. Brian Roemer 22. Randy Green 23. Eddie White 24. Jerry Tonti 25. Joe Funk 26. Jim Housworth

Heat 1: 1. Jared Umbenhauer 2. Jerry Tonti 3. Nick Petrilak 4. Anthony Perrego
Heat 2: 1. Jeff Crambo 2. DJ Ruppert 3. Brian White 4. James Cornell
Heat 3: 1. Rocco Infante 2. Mike Lyons 3. Kevin Beach 4. Randy Green
Heat 4: 1. Danny Tyler 2. Eddie White 3. Mike Hendershot 4. Randy Yaple
Heat 5: 1. Jim Housworth 2. Brian Roemer 3. John Aumick 4. Ryan Beltz
Consi 1: 1. Clay Butler 2. Mike Butler
Consi 2: 1. Steve Davis 2. Kevin Vaclavicek
Provisionals: Mike Howardson, Joe Funk.

DNQ: Bill Liedtka, Jarrett Rozycki, Tim Apgar, John Cornell III., Mick Search, Ryan Simmons, Luke Schostkewitz, Ebby Ridge, John Kovatch IV, Bob Lineman Jr.

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PAUCH DOMINATES ICEBREAKER V FOR RoC MODS AT SELINSGROVE ON SATURDAY
BY JR KENNERUP

Selinsgrove, Pa. Billy Pauch of Frenchtown, NJ who had won seven times previously in a Sprint Car at the Selinsgrove Speedway finally got his first career Modified won on Saturday night by leading all 40 laps to claim the $5,000 feature win.

Jimmy Phelps chased Pauch the entire distance to finish second with Jeff Strunk in third, Jimmy Horton, Jr. in fourth and Danny Johnson ending up in fifth.

Duane Howard and Billy Pauch brought the 28 car field to green with Pauch using Pat Morrison power to out drag Howard into turn one to grab the lead. Jimmy Phelps moved from fifth to second with Howard in third, Jackie Brown, Jr. in fourth and Jeff Strunk in fifth.

Howard and Phelps waged a torrid battle for second the next three laps with Howard finally securing second for good on lap five.

Meanwhile up front Pauch was literally flying around the fastest half mile track in the east as he entered lap traffic on lap nine. While the lap traffic did slow up Pauch for a little bit and that allowed Howard and Phelps to close in. But once Pauch cleared the lap traffic he opened up his big lead once again.

Tim Fuller moved into fifth on lap 13 by getting past Strunk and three laps later the engine let go on the Howard machine sending him pit side. The first yellow of the race on lap 22 slowed the action and on the restart Fuller went from fifth to third and one lap later Strunk got past Brown for fourth.

Following a lap 26 restart Jimmy Horton, Jr. moved into fifth with the good run of Fuller ending on lap 38 as he brought out the final yellow of the race with a broken driveline.

The two lap shootout would finish the race and it was no contest up front as Pauch motored to his eighth career Selinsgrove feature win over Phelps, Strunk, Horton, and Danny Johnson.

Shiley’s Fabrication / Zemco Speed Equipment $100 heat wins for the 53 cars entered were won by Larry Wight, Kevin Hirthler, Strunk, Pauch, Howard, and Phelps. The Middleswarth Potato Chip Cash Dash worth $300 was won by Hirthler while the SMI Racing $20 Consi wins were captured by Sammy Piazza, Wade Hendrickson, and Pat Ward. The Middleswarth Potato Chip Non – Qualifiers Feature worth $200 was won by Tommy Scheetz, Jr.

NOTES: The show’s starting time was pushed back due to the warm temperatures along with brisk winds in order to provide the teams and fans the best possible racing surface. Richie Pratt, Jr. had problems all day long as he couldn’t get his car up to speed. Besides Sheppard reported blown motors were also suffered by Dan Vauter, Mike Mammana, Dale Planck, and Howard. Kevin Hirthler had to repair the shift linkage after winning his heat.

ICEBREAKER V FINISH: Billy Pauch, Jimmy Phelps, Jeff Strunk, Jimmy Horton, Jr., Danny Johnson, Larry Wight, Kevin Hirthler, Pat Ward, Stewart Friesen, Jackie Brown, Jr., Doug Manmiller, Billy Decker, Brett Hearn, Rick Laubach, Andy Bachetti, Ryan Watt, Tim Fuller, Mike Iles, Jerry Higbie, Jr., Michael Storms, Sammy Piazza, Matt Sheppard, Ryan Godown, Duane Howard, Danny Creeden, Kevin Bates, Wade Hendrickson.

PROVISIONALS; Watt, Bates – RoC, Colsten – Penn Can, Creeden – Five Mile Point.

DNQ’S; Mel Schrufer, Tommy Scheetz, Jr., Mike Mammana, Billy Pauch, Jr., Mike Iles, Tommy Scheetz, Sr., Jeremiah Shingledecker, Alan Johnson, Danny Tyler, Billy Van InWegen, Glenn Strunk, Dan Vauter, Larry Solomon, Randy Chronister, Joey Colsten, Mike Barone, Dale Planck, Vince Gagliardo, Jr., Mark Frankhouser, Mike Kolka, Jr., Richie Pratt, Jr., Bobby Trapper, Sr., Bobby Trapper, Jr., Neil Huber.

LAP LEADERS: Pauch ( 1- 40 ).

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$500 SMALL BLOCK BONUS TO BE AWARDED ON SATURDAY OF ICEBREAKER V WEEKEND AT SELINSGROVE

BY JR KENNERUP

Selinsgrove, Pa.   The State of Pennsylvania is known as small block Modified country and this exciting division is not forgotten at the Friday March 16th and Saturday March 17th with a rain date of Sunday March 18th Icebreaker V Weekend at Selinsgrove.

Of course the Friday March 16th racing program is exclusively for small block Modifieds as they compete in a 25 lap $2,200 to win minimum feature event. This show also sees heat race wins worth $100 each and all non – qualifiers competing in a 12 lap $200 to win Non – Qualifiers Feature.

But on Saturday for the 40 lap $5,000 to win minimum Race of Champions all small block Modifieds are invited to compete against their big block Modified brothers. The small block Modifieds will be allowed a 150 pound weight break but they are only allowed to use racing gasoline and a 750 cfm unaltered carburetor.

The highest finishing small block Modified on Saturday March 17th will receive a $500 Small Block Bonus. Just like the evening prior all non – qualified cars will compete in a 12 lap $200 to win Non – Qualifiers Feature that is sponsored by Middleswarth Potato Chips of Sunbury, Pa.

Also on Saturday all heat wins are worth $100 and all heat winners will be involved in a 3 lap $300 to win Middleswarth Potato Chips Cash Dash.

Currently a weekend sweep of features and a majority of special awards that lucky driver could walk out of Selinsgrove Speedway with over $13,000 Saturday evening.

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2012 Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour Finalized

Black Rock Speedway Added to Final Schedule and Regional Breakdowns in Place

 BINGHAMTON, NY…The 2012 Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour has been finalized with race teams and fans anticipating and outstanding season on the popular northeast tour.   The Modified tour will consist of 17 races this season with the recent addition of a July 11th date announced at the Black Rock Speedway in Dundee, NY.  Two regions will once again be established for the tour with five combination races set to determine the overall championship.

Once again the RoC Dirt Modified Tour will open with the annual Icebreaker Weekend at the Selinsgrove Speedway on Friday, March 16th and Saturday, March 17th.   This March will mark the fifth consecutive year of the event at the historic Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania facility.  The event has been established as very driver friendly for the teams competing on the Race of Champions point trail.  A driver’s best finish over the two days will count toward points in both regions for 2012. 

This season the RoC Dirt Modified Tour will return to a two region format (north and south).  Five combination races will determine the overall point title for this year.  Bridgeport Speedway will host the first south regional event on Saturday, March 31st with other events in the south region taking place at Selinsgrove Speedway and Lincoln Speedway on June 19th and 20th, Five Mile Point Speedway on Tuesday, July 17th and Grandview will host the regional championship on July 31st. 

North regional events will see the first race at Five Mile Point Speedway on Sunday, April 22nd with other region events at the I-88 Speedway on Tuesday, June 27th, Black Rock Speedway on Wednesday, July 11th, Glen Ridge Speedway on Tuesday, August 14th and the regional finale at the Utica Rome Speedway on Wednesday August 22nd.

Five combination events will award bonus points and determine the overall championship this season.  New Egypt Speedway will host the first combo event on Saturday, March 24th.  Utica Rome Speedway will then host the “Victoria” event on Monday, May 28th followed by Penn Can Speedway on Tuesday, June 12th and the final two races at Accord Speedway on Friday, September 21st and Five Mile Point Speedway on Saturday, October 27th.

Race of Champions Tour Director Andrew Harpell commented, “We are a little later than normal releasing our Modified schedule but we really put a lot of emphasis on making sure the tour point system is fair and manageable for all of our teams.”  “We put a tremendous amount of time and effort into making our point system obtainable for the teams with the regional alignment.” 

A complete point system breakdown for the tour can be found at www.rocdirt.com.  The RoC Dirt Sportsman and Street Stock schedules are being finalized and will be released this week.  The RoC teams are gearing up for a busy month of March with the annual Awards Dinner on Friday, March 2nd followed up by the Icebreaker Weekend at Selinsgrove on March 16th and 17th.

For more information please contact the Race of Champions offices at 607-775-5555 or by emailing the office at rocdirt@aol.com.  The official RoC Dirt website can be found at www.rocdirt.com.

Schedule and Regional Breakdown

*Fri. March 16th            Selinsgrove Speedway               25*

*Sat. March 17th           Selinsgrove Speedway               40*

Sat. March 24th           New Egypt Speedway             60        (combo event)

Sat. March 31st             Bridgeport Speedway                60         south region

Sun. April 22nd              Five Mile Point Speedway          60         north region

Mon. May 28th             Utica Rome Speedway                        100      (combo event)

Tues. June 12th             Penn Can Speedway               60        (combo event)

Tues. June 19th              Selinsgrove Speedway               40         south region

Wed. June 20th              Lincoln Speedway                     60         south region

Wed. June 27th              I-88 Speedway                          60         north region

Wed. July 11th               Black Rock Speedway               60         north region

Tues. July 17th               Five Mile Point Speedway          60         south region

Tues. July 31st               Grandview Speedway                60         south region

Tues. Aug. 14th             Glen Ridge Speedway                60         north region

Wed. Aug. 22nd            Utica Rome Speedway              60         north region

Fri. Sept. 21st              Accord Speedway                   100      (combo event)

Sat. Oct. 27th               Five Mile Point Speedway      100      (combo event)

* March Selinsgrove events will see single best finish from either day count toward both regions…

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RACE OF CHAMPIONS MODIFIED SERIES TO MAKE MAIDEN VOYAGE TO BLACK ROCK SPEEDWAY ON JULY 11th

EVENT TO BE PROMOTED BY DAN HARPELL

KIRKWOOD, NY…Black Rock Speedway in Dundee, New York will play host to the Race of Champions Dirt Modified Series on Wednesday, July 11th.  It will be the first time the series has competed at the Yates County oval and marks the return of former Five Mile Point Promoter Dan Harpell to the promotional ranks.

Harpell and track owner Dean Hoag have reached an agreement to bring the Race of Champions Series to Black Rock for the first time. It will be a homecoming of sorts for Harpell as he served as Race Director and handled the Public Relations duties at the track in the late 1980‘s.

The best Modified drivers in the northeast will converge on the fast 4/10ths mile semi banked clay oval to compete for the $5,000 top prize. The Race of Champions Street Stock Series will join the show along with the FWD Four Cylinders, who will compete in a qualifier for their season ending $10,000 to win enduro.

“I’m really excited to get back into doing what I love to do and that’s promoting races”, said Harpell. “I look forward to working with Dean Hoag and his staff to put on a first class show at a track that will be neutral ground for the drivers”. 

Black Rock, which is located just outside of Watkins Glen in the beautiful Finger Lakes Region, has not run Modifieds on a regular basis in several years. “Some of the drivers that will be in competition will be visiting the track for the first time and I am absolutely certain they will love what they see when they get there”, added Harpell.

Hoag, an outstanding racer in his day in Modifieds and Supermodifieds, is the son of legendary driver Dutch Hoag, a five time winner of the Race of Champions.  Dean’s son Alex used to compete on the Race of Champions Asphalt Modified Series.  It’s a natural tie in to run a Race of Champions series event at a track that is owned by someone that knows full well the history of the Race of Champions.  “I was there for my father’s wins in those Race of Champions events and have very fond memories”, said Dean Hoag.

“It’s really a thrill to be able to host a Race of Champions event at my track.  It kind of brings history back full circle for me”.

Black Rock Speedway has been the sight of some tremendous racing since its gates swung open in 1957.  Modifieds, Late Models and Sprint Cars are just a few of the divisions that have served as the headliner over the years.  Some of the greats in racing have competed and won at the track including Bob McCreadie, as well as Danny and Alan Johnson in the Modifieds.  Alan Johnson won the season ending Modified special last fall.  Waterloo’s Steve Paine dominated the track in its final years of running Modifieds weekly.  Tony Stewart has competed in a sprint car at the track with the Patriot Sprint Tour on several occasions as well as a one time stint in one of Paine‘s backup Modifieds.  Empire Super Sprint star Lance Yonge got his start racing in the Modified division at the Dundee oval and is a former Track Champion.

For fans that will be making their first visit to the track they will be impressed.  “The facility is first rate”, said Harpell.  “I have always loved the covered grandstand at Black Rock.  It creates a fairgrounds type atmosphere“, he added.  There are VIP Rooms on both the homestretch and the backstretch, which is where the pit area is located. It also provides plenty of space for camping on the grounds.  Most importantly the track is fast, wide and very racey.  Expect multiple racing grooves and plenty of action.

Fans can expect to get a lot of bang for their buck at this show.  Plenty of things are now in the planning stages to make this a memorable, fan friendly event.  “I have a bunch of ideas floating around in my head that we plan to bring to fruition over the next few months”, said Harpell.  “I will work hard to produce the best show in the business for both the fans and drivers alike”, he added. 

More and more details will be announced in the coming weeks as the excitement builds up to July 11th and the first ever appearance of the Race of Champions Modified Series at Black Rock Speedway.    It’s not too early to start making your summer plans now so be sure to mark down July 11th on your calendar as a must see event. 

For more information, visit www.BlackRockSpeedway.com.

-end-

2012 RoC schedule

March 16 Selinsgrove Speedway 358s
March 17 Selinsgrove Speedway BB
March 24 New Egypt Speedway
March 31 Bridgeport Speedway
April 22 Five Mile Point Speedway
May 28 Utica Rome Speedway (combo)
June 12 Penn Can Speedway (combo)
June 19 Selinsgrove Speedway
June 20 Lincoln Speedway
June 27 I-88 Speedway
July 17 Five Mile Point Speedway
July 31 Grandview Speedway
August 15 Glen Ridge Motorsports Park
August 22 Utica Rome Speedway
September 21 Accord Speedway (combo)
October 27 Five Mile Point Speedway (combo)