January 19, Brockton, MA--- The True Value Modified Racing Series officially announced an eighteen-race schedule, new sponsorships, and new racing events for the 2008 season. The announcement came at the tours winter meetings at Best Western Hotel, Keene, NH by series president and founder Jack Bateman.

The series will kick off its new campaign at the Monadnock Speedway, Winchester, NH on Saturday April 12 with a 100 lap feature race highlighting the season opener. The tour will visit the Winchester oval July 5, and again on Aug 23.

On Sunday April 20, the Modifieds will join with the ACT Late Model Series at Lee USA Speedway, Lee, NH., for that tracks annual “Governors Cup 200.” Each division will compete in 100 lap feature races. Lee will also host the modifieds on July 11 and at their season ending Oktoberfest weekend Oct 4 and 5.

It will be “Bowl” month in May with the TVMRS opening the month with a stop at Waterford (Conn.) Speedbowl on Saturday May 3 returning to the shoreline oval Saturday June 21, and Saturday Aug. 16. The series will close out the month when it competes for the first time in Vermont at another historical facility, the famed Thunder Road International Speedbowl. The event will be Memorial Day weekend, Sunday May 25.

Seekonk Speedway, Seekonk ,MA. plays host to the ground-pounding Modifieds Saturday June 14, Saturday Aug 30, and the traditional D.A.V. Festival of Racing Saturday, Sunday Oct 11-12. Another new venue for 2008 will find the tour visiting the Wiscasset Raceway, Wiscasset, ME on Saturday June 28.

Two legendary racing facilities will host the series in Maine this summer. Saturday July 19 will find the tour returning to the Oxford Plains Speedway, Oxford, ME and the Beech Ridge Speedway, Scarboro, ME., brings the Modifieds back on Saturday Aug 2.

September finds the Thompson (Conn.) Speedway playing host its third annual “Mod Mania” weekend Saturday, Sunday Sept 6, 7. The TVMRS will be on hand for a 75-lap race. On Saturday, Sept 20 the series returns to All-Star Speedway, Epping, NH.

Bateman also announced New England Racing Fuels, distributor of Sunoco Race Fuel products, will be the official race fuel supplier of the TVMRS. The Burlington, Conn. based company will again present the “Hard Charger” award at each event, sponsor the “Mod Mania” guaranteed starter program, and contribute toward the series point fund.

Inside Track Racing Collectibles will become the official souvenir vendor for the 2008 campaign. Bateman said owner Frank Carpenter is excited about the opportunity. “Frank is looking forward to working with us and he too has made a commitment to our year end point fund.” He added, “A special thank you goes out to Judy Jarvis and Mountainside Graphics for doing an excellent job for our series and its competitors over the last four years.” Bateman also disclosed that twenty-six cars will start each race in 2008.

Racin' Preview 2008 at the Portland Expo goes on Friday and Saturday, February 22 -23. Most of the North Country racing venues plan to have major displays at this show next month.

SpeedwayEXPO, proudly presented by Sunoco, will again recognize the talent, competitive spirit, and dedication of the Northeast’s racing community with its annual SPEEDY Awards, honoring racers, fans and others who excelled during the 2007 season.

The nominees and winners in 11 categories will be honored at the SPEEDY Award ceremony at EXPO on March 2 at 3 p.m. hosted by Speedway Illustrated Editor Karl Fredrickson. SpeedwayEXPO takes place on the weekend of February 29-March 2 at the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, MA.

SPEEDY Award categories include Break-Out Racer of the Year, the Long Haul Award, Best Weekly Racer, Best Northeast Touring Racer, Best Weekly Show, Best Individual Performance in an Event, Best Individual Promotion, Best Series or Track Coverage, Race Fan of the Year, Outstanding Contribution Award and the Unsung Hero Award.

Current nominees include champions Joey Logano, Donny Lia, Bob Garbarino, Patrick Laperle, Ben Seitz and JR Heffner as well as veterans like Brett Hearn, Ted Christopher, Bobby Gahan, and Ron Bolduc along with up-and-comers such as Mike Ordway, Jr., Keith Rocco, Erica Santos, and Nick Sweet. Unsung heroes, including Irene Venditti, the Seymour Family, and Bonnie Jarvis, also take their well-deserved spot in the limelight.

Others include racing writer Travis Barrett, Thunder Road International Speedbowl, All-Star Speedway, and Albany-Saratoga Speedway; and great racing organizations like PRONYNE Motorsports, C&C Racing Promotions, Coastal 181, and Area Auto Racing News. The entire racing community is invited to make their nominations as well. Nominations will be accepted until February 15 on speedwayexpo.com.

SpeedwayEXPO will feature more than three indoor acres dedicated to motorsports, with displays from local and regional tracks and associations, vendors of performance parts, safety equipment, accessories, apparel and memorabilia. In addition there will be a full schedule of special events, racing seminars and activities, including autograph sessions with racing celebrities, the Pit Crew Challenge, pedal-car races and a host of specialty vehicle displays. Schedules and full information is posted on speedwayexpo.com.

The 9th Annual Busch East Scene Snowmobile Poker Run for Charity will take place on Saturday, February 2 at the Club House Restaurant in Rangeley, Maine. There will be NASCAR Busch East Series drivers and team members joining the ride again this year. The ride is open to everyone: teams, fans and all, so make your plans to ride with the NASCAR stars of the Busch East Series / Camping World Series today.

The Legion Speedway in Wentworth, NH plans a 100 Lap Enduro on Saturday, February 16. Gates open at 10 a.m. while the green flag waves at 1 p.m. The winner gets $750; second place is worth $150 and third is worth 100 bucks.

Here's what's going on in the North Country this weekend. At Rockingham Park in Salem, NH it's the Motorcycle Expo on Saturday and Sunday. Berry's Pond in Moultonborough, NH will be the scene of stockcar ice racing starting at noon.

    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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