December 17, Brockton, MA--- Brand new for the 2008 racing season will be driver eligibility for the popular Thompson International Speedway Modified division. Since its inception, the “TIS” modified division has been limited to either new drivers or drivers moving up  to compete in this open wheel NASCAR Whelen Modified division. After numerous requests by drives and race teams and much consideration by the management of the Thompson International Speedway, the decision was made to open the division to any and all drivers who are at least 16 years of age.
“Many drivers have approached us since we started this division asking if they could compete in a Thompson Modified, said speedway owner, Don Hoenig. After much consideration and discussion by our management team, we have decided that by opening the division to all drivers, everyone will benefit. This change will give drivers the chance to get additional track time in this exciting division and will offer the race fans even more exciting racing in an already exciting division,” Hoenig concluded.
 
The T.I.S.  Modifieds began as a brand new division in 2005. In their three years of competition, the Thompson Modifieds have become a fan favorite and, due to the restrictions on the cars and the costs, it is a very attractive division for the competitors. Week in and week out, the race teams of the T.I.S. division have put on some incredible, wheel-to-wheel battles that have made for great NASCAR Whelen All American Series weekly racing.
 
The rules committee at Thompson made a few minor changes in the rules governing the T.I.S. division and virtually no changes in any of the other five divisions that compete on a weekly basis at Thompson. The 2008 rules have been posted on the Thompson web page and any changes for the 2008 season in the racing or general safety rules are shown in red. Competitors are urged to download copies of the rules that pertain to their division and the General and Safety rules that apply to every division.  
 
The next event that is on tap at the historic speedway is the awards banquet weekend. The banquets are a two-night affair and will be held on Friday, January 25th and Saturday, January 26th. Both evenings will be held at the Raceway Restaurant and Lounge on the grounds of the Thompson Speedway.  Race teams finishing in the top 10 in the final points standings will be honored and should get their tickets early as they are going fast. 
 
The staff of Speedway Illustrated is hard at work preparing for their 2nd annual SpeedwayEXPO. With a new building at the Eastern States Exposition and the same flair for excitement, the February 29-March 2 event is already shaping up to be one of the biggest events of the 2008 racing season. No success was more gratifying or more motivating than that experienced by one of EXPO’s charter guests. Last March SpeedwayEXPO provided promotional and fund-raising opportunities to several worthy charities, including the Boy Scout Venture Crew 35. Seven months later this non-profit organization is still realizing the benefits of its SpeedwayEXPO participation.
 
Troop 35 is a Boy Scout Troop from the Springfield/Chicopee district of the Pioneer Valley Council of the Boy Scouts of America organized as an elite “Venture Crew.” Known for their unusual undertakings and lofty goals, this year Troop 35 elected to tackle the Baja as Venture Crew Racing. This team of boys and girls, ages 14-21, with their adult leadership, decided to participate in the Tecaté SCORE Baja 1000—the most famous American off-road race. They have spent the months designing and building a race truck to compete in the rigorous event.
 
 
“Speedway Expo was a huge help to us, both directly and indirectly,” said Steven Harrell, Crew 35 Baja Coordinator. “Directly, we recruited three scouts and one very excited, Baja-happy father. We also met people from Central Connecticut Four Wheelers, Rory from Rory’s Off-Road Supply and others who have helped us since March.” Contacts made during the show have developed into meaningful partnerships for the kids and their program. Over the summer, with the help of CC4W, Team 35 set up a display at the Southwick (MotoX 338) race track during off-road races. A chance meeting led to a defining moment for the future of the group: “One day on my way up to the track, I ran into a man at a gas station who had built an all-tubing, fully street-legal buggy,” said Harrell. “I talked to him about our project, handed him one of our flyers, and we went our separate ways. A day later he emailed me. Today he is our team’s chief mechanic.”
 
The owner of the track also hired two of the Scouts as pit security when the AMA Motocross riders came to town. Their salaries went directly into the Venture Crew 35 program. In addition, AMA riders including Ricky Carmichael, the Alessi Brothers and Bubba Stewart donated autographed race gear to the cause, which, through eBay, raised a further $900. Since then the group has acquired a number of product sponsors such as KC HiLiTES, K&N Filters, Magnaflow Exhaust and Lincoln Welders.
 
Since SpeedwayEXPO, Venture Crew 35 has also added the longest off-road race in the United States to its lofty goals—the Best in the Desert Series’ Vegas to Reno race. At SpeedwayEXPO ‘07 Venture Crew 35 had little more than a giant wooden box of parts and accessories. Today, thanks to the efforts of chief mechanic Jeff Bergen, they have a '98 Ford Ranger X-cab short-box pickup, already accessorized with special wheels and tires and a body-lift kit. ”We can't wait to show off our new truck at Expo,” said Harrell.
 
SpeedwayEXPO is just as excited to see the new truck and share the inspiring story of Troop 35 with everyone at the February 28-March 2, 2008, event. The 2nd Annual SpeedwayEXPO will be in the Mallory Complex at the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, MA, for three days of racing fun. To see highlights of SpeedwayEXPO ‘07 and to track the progress of the coming event, visit speedwayexpo.com.
 
It’s time for NASCAR to open the record books. LENOX Industrial Tools and New Hampshire International Speedway (NHIS) announce they have gone the EXTRA MILE – literally – with the creation of the LENOX Industrial Tools 301. For the first time in history, the length of a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race will be 301 laps. The EXTRA MILE was added in honor of LENOX customers – users and suppliers of industrial tools – who perform physically demanding jobs, yet receive little recognition.  To celebrate their efforts, LENOX announces the EXTRA MILE HERO program.
 
“The LENOX philosophy is to go the EXTRA MILE in our product performance and service to our customers.” said Bill Burke, President of LENOX Industrial Tools. “This program will recognize the heroes of our industry who go above and beyond by contributing to their communities in a meaningful way.” LENOX will conduct a hero search throughout 2008.  Ten finalists will be chosen to receive a cash prize and a matching donation to a charity of their choice.  One grand prize winner will have a chance to win one million dollars to split with their selected charity. Finalists will also be honored at the 2009 LENOX Industrial Tools 301 at NHIS.
 
“Our goal here at New Hampshire International Speedway is to always go the extra mile for our guests,” said Jerry Gappens, Executive Vice President and General Manager of New Hampshire International Speedway. “This is a great way, through our partnership with LENOX, to acknowledge everyone who goes the extra mile each and every day.  If you look at the history of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, how many times have you heard the second place driver say, ‘If I only had one more lap?’”
 
    John Salemi of Nashua, NH credits his success on the Busch East Tour to his crew and crew chief, and Rockland native, Dale Quarterley.  "We couldn't have done it without Dale because he's a genius with a race car," said John. After finishing up 14th overall.  in Busch East points, the Salemi/Quarterley duo traveled to the post season ending Toyota Showdown out in Irwindale, Calif. and in an eleventh hour charge managed to take ninth overall at the checkered flag.  The All-Star Showdown 250 was run in three segments.  The Salemi/Quarterley tandem picked up their awards in the NASCAR Busch East fete held last weekend at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, CT.
 
Multiple True Value Modified Racing Series Champ Kirk Alexander of W. Swanzey, NH plans on defending his championship again next year. He's so focused on it he won't even compete in various Open Comp events at Seekonk(MA) and All-Star Speedway in Epping, NH according to reports. That's not good news for the rest of the TVMRS drivers that have had to settle for the leftovers.
 
The Modified Tours have always been an integral part of NASCAR racing, dating back to the first race in NASCAR history in 1948. As NASCAR celebrates 60 years of racing and 60 years of Modified champions, the 2008 schedules for both the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour and NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour enable the series to race at  some of the best short tracks in America and revisit some of the roots of the sport. 
 
“The schedules for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour and NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour are very strong. They encompass new markets and position both series well for the future,” said George Silbermann, NASCAR’s managing director of racing operations. “With the support of Whelen Engineering, a terrific group of track promoters and a strong field of competitors, we’re looking forward to continued excitement and close racing throughout the season.” 
 
The 16-race, eight-track NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour schedule will begin and end at Thompson (Conn.) International Speedway – a track that first opened in 1940 and has always been an important stop for Modified drivers touring the northeast. The Tour will take the green flag April 5-6 with the traditional season-opening Icebreaker, and conclude Oct. 17-18 as part of the track’s World Series.  
 
The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour will make five stops at the historic 3/8-mile Thompson International Speedway. In addition to the Icebreaker and World Series, the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour will run at Thompson July 19, Aug. 14, and Sept. 6. The July race will be run under a unique format, where for the first time it will be run as a 75-lap event where only green flag laps are counted.
 
The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour will also feature four races at the traditional half-mile of Stafford (Conn.) Motor Speedway. The first race will be April 27 as the main event of Stafford’s Spring Sizzler weekend. The Tour will return to Stafford May 23 and Aug. 8. The final race of the season at Stafford will be Sept. 28 as part of the track’s Fall Final weekend and will run in conjunction with the NASCAR Grand National Division, East Series.
 
The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour schedule features three stops to the state of New York – a traditional hotbed of Modified racing. The Whelen Modified Tour will run on Long Island Aug. 2 at Riverhead (N.Y.) Raceway, a track that has been part of the NASCAR racing schedule for more than 50 years. The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour will make two trips to upstate New York with races at Spencer Speedway in Williamson July 12 and Chemung Speedrome Oct. 4.
 
The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour will make two stops at the Magic Mile – New Hampshire Motor Speedway (July 28 and Sept. 13) – as part of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series weekends. The Tour will also make a return trip to Mansfield (Ohio) Motorsports Park in conjunction with the NASCAR Grand National Division, East Series.
 
2008 NASCAR WHELEN MODIFIED TOUR SCHEDULE
 
Date                      Site                                                  Location
 
April 6           Thompson International Speedway          Thompson, Conn.
 
April 27         Stafford Motor Speedway                         Stafford, Conn.
 
May 23          Stafford Motor Speedway                         Stafford, Conn.
 
June 19        Thompson International Speedway          Thompson, Conn.
 
June 28        New Hampshire Motor Speedway            Loudon, N.H..
 
July 12          Spencer Speedway                                  Williamson, N.Y.
 
Aug. 2           Riverhead Speedway                                Riverhead, N.Y.
 
Aug. 8           Stafford Motor Speedway                         Stafford, Conn.
 
Aug. 14         Thompson International Speedway          Thompson, Conn.
 
Aug. 23         Mansfield Motorsports Park                      Mansfield, Ohio
 
Sept. 7          Thompson International Speedway          Thompson, Conn.
 
Sept. 13        New Hampshire Motor Speedway            Loudon, N.H.
 
Sept. 21        Martinsville Speedway                              Martinsville, Va.
 
Sept. 28        Stafford Motor Speedway                         Stafford, Conn.
 
Oct. 4           Chemung Speedrome                              Chemung, N.Y.
 
Oct. 19         Thompson International Speedway          Thompson, Conn
 
Several new tracks join a list of historic venues that will make up the 2008 NASCAR Camping World Series schedule, as the top developmental series in NASCAR presents a stronger, more geographically diverse mixture of short tracks, speedways and road courses across the United States. Also today, NASCAR announced that beginning in 2008, Camping World would be the new title sponsor for the sport’s long-standing Grand National Division, East Series.
 
The NASCAR Camping World Series calendar will run on 23 tracks in 16 states, including a return trip to Iowa Speedway for a combination race between the East and West on the 7/8-mile tri-oval in Newton, Iowa. Last year’s event drew almost 25,000 fans that witnessed an epic battle in which 17-year-old Joey Logano, of Middletown, CT, the eventual 2007 East champion, outdueled 2007 Daytona 500 winner Kevin Harvick to claim the victory.  Five NASCAR Camping World Series events will run in conjunction with NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race weekends in 2008. Additional companion events are scheduled with the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour and the Grand-Am Rolex Series.
 
“We’ve built upon the momentum of a very strong 2007 season by bolstering the calendar for 2008 with several exciting new race tracks on both sides of the Mississippi,” said NASCAR’s Managing Director of Racing Operations, George Silbermann. “With the support of Camping World, our new series sponsor, along with a great group of race promoters, some outstanding competitors, and a comprehensive national television package airing on Speed and HDNet, we are looking forward to a terrific 2008 season.”
 
The schedules for the NASCAR Camping World Series East include 13 races.  The 2008 NASCAR Camping World Series schedule includes races on four road courses. The East will run at Lime Rock Park in Connecticut, in addition to the first trip to Watkins Glen International since 2004. The event at The Glen will run in conjunction with the Grand-Am Rolex Series.
 
The East includes return trips to a number of historic southern tracks: Greenville-Pickens Speedway in South Carolina — where the series will open the season for the third year in a row — Virginia’s South Boston Speedway and the Music City Motorplex at the fairgrounds in Nashville, Tenn. The East will also maintain its northern roots by racing at Thompson International Speedway and the season finale at Stafford, both in Connecticut, as well as returning to Adirondack International Speedway in Beaver Falls, N.Y.
 
Conjunction events with the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series include two weekends at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (June 27 and Sept. 12) and Sept. 19 at Dover International Speedway for the East; the West will run in conjunction with the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series April 10 at Phoenix International Raceway and June 21 at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif.
 The East events at Mansfield Motorsports Park Aug. 23 and Stafford Sept. 28 will be run in conjunction with the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour. The broadcast schedule for the 2008 NASCAR Camping World Series aired on HD Net and Speed will be announced in the near future.
 
2008 NASCAR CAMPING WORLD SERIES SCHEDULE 
 
EAST 
 
Date                      Site                                               Location
 
April 19         Greenville-Pickens Speedway                  Greenville, S.C.
 
May 18          Iowa Speedway                                         Newton, Iowa
 
May 31          South Boston Speedway                          South Boston, Va.
 
June 8          Watkins Glen                                            Watkins Glen, N.Y.
 
June 27        New Hampshire Motor Speedway            Loudon, N.H.
 
July 12          Thompson International Speedway          Thompson, Conn.
 
July 19          Music City Motorplex                                 Nashville, Tenn.
 
July 26          Adirondack International Speedway          Beaver Falls, N.Y.
 
Aug. 16         Lime Rock Park                                        Lakeville, Conn.
 
Aug. 23         Mansfield Motorsports Park                      Mansfield, Ohio
 
Sept. 12        New Hampshire Motor Speedway            Loudon, N.H.
 
Sept. 19        Dover International Speedway                  Dover, Del.
 
Sept. 28        Stafford Motor Speedway                         Stafford Springs, Conn.
 
Subject to Change
 
 
The Town Fair Tire World of Wheels will move into the Bayside Expo in Dorchester, MA the weekend of Jan. 4-6.  Red Sox pitcher Mike Timlin and CARS Star Tow Mater will appear at the 34th Annual event which draws strong crowds every year. Other sports celebs who make appearances there include former Patriouts running back Mosi Tatupu, a couple of Patriots cheer leaders  and WWF and WCW wrestling star Virgil and Amber "Pixie" Acia from TV's LA INK. Also car celebs and extreme car builders Chris Jacbos from TV's OVERHAULIN plus Will Castro from TV's UNIQUE WHIPS among others.

    Lou Modestino is a long-time columnist and Public Relations person, working for numerous tracks in the northeast, and now writes for The Enterprise in Brockton, MA.  He may be reached at lmodestino@hotmail.com. 

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