March 23, Brockton, MA--- The start of the 2008 racing season is almost here. With high fuel and heating oil prices it's going to be a real challenge for the various New England tracks to draw profit-making crowds. Especially vulnerable are special touring events with a big-ticket price. Venues that have adjusted their admission prices, perceived by fans to be a bargain, will do well provided the weather is good. Because fans and potential fans will be sticking close to home and looking for some cheap entertainment.

Concession stands should have excellent quality food reasonably priced. It's been said that 80 percent of the attendees at a given track come from a 20-mile circumference of the venue. With that in mind, tracks should be promoting, right now, their entertainment programs using newspapers, cable TV, radio and even direct mail. The tracks should also make serious efforts to get the fans home at a decent hour. The events should be three hours tops. Tracks starting at 7 p.m. should be emptying out their parking lots no later than 10 p.m. Enough said.

Ryan Preece of Conn. got the nod from the Boehler Family of E. Freetown to drive their Whelen Modified Tour entry during the 2008 season. Mike Boehler is the crew chief. The young driver was impressive last year and was rated by officials of the Thompson Speedway as The Most Improved Driver in the Modified class.

Preece will have some big shoes to fill as Bobby Santos, III of Franklin had that ride for 11 starts last year and scored a victory in the World Series finale at that 5/8 mile oval. In addition to that the Boehler car, in the past four decades, had some of the biggest name drivers in NASCAR's Modified division.

Things seem to be in order for Nokie Fornoro – all the things necessary to capture the Northeastern Midget Association championship for himself and owner Mike Jarret. “I’m going after it,” declares Fornoro, about to start his 34th season. “I have no other commitment. I don’t have to worry about missing races. It’s about time. I haven’t had a championships in over 10 years and that sort of bothers me.”

NEMA opens its 19-race schedule April 4-5-6 at Thompson International Speedway. A spot on Waterford Speedbowl’s Budweiser Modified Nationals follows a week later (April 12-13). A large and impressive entry list compliments the agenda. He expects a “quick” start to his quest. The cooler temperatures mean faster speeds at Thompson he says. Motors will run better and the banking will have more affect. “Thompson is always faster when you can use the banking. I love the speed you get there.” He and Bobby Santos III of Franklin were “down in the seventeen seconds” at last year’s. World Series.

“The Midgets,” he declares, “are “scary fast” at Thompson. Fornoro’s last championship was the 1995 ARDC title, one of several he owns including the 1981 NEMA crown. His last Midget victory, the 105th of his career, came last August at the Waterford Speedbowl. With his father Nick and his brother Drew, Nokie is part of one of Midget racing’s most successful families. “Considering the caliber of cars we have now –12-to-15 cars can win any given night – you have to have one heck of a maintenance program to win a championship,” says Fornoro. “I believe money can’t buy you wins. Yea, it can help you get the best stuff but if you don’t have a maintenance program, you’re in trouble.”

He gives owner Peter Valeri, the champ three of the past four years (driver Ben Seitz of Monument Beach won four in a row) “all the credit in the world. Every race, no matter what happened, they went through the car and that’s what you have to do.” Fornoro has always “been blessed with good owners” and Jarret is one of them. “Whenever Mike gets involved he does it wholeheartedly,” says Fornoro. “There is nothing this team should lack; there is no reason why we shouldn’t do well. I feel we’ve got the best stuff.”

The present operation, including Mike Scrivani Jr. of Brockton, is a carry over from the glory days of early 1980s when Fornoro dominated in cars owned by Hall of Famer Mike Scrivani Sr., the larger than life character known as ‘Iron Mike.’ Both Jarret and Mike Jr. were key parts of an operation that produced the NEMA title and a couple of his five ARDC crowns. Fornoro vividly recalls his first Thompson run way back in 1976, a sixth place finish after a confrontation with Joey Coy. Since then he has” hundreds and hundreds of laps” around the historic oval in both Midgets and SuperModifieds. He was an ISMA winner there in 2006.

Jeff Malave is coming to the Waterford Speedbowl for the SK-150 April 12-13 without a lot of experience on the historic five-eights oval. He is not overly concerned.

“I’ve got good equipment; I’ve got a good crew,” he boasts. “In situations like this you have to use your head and stay out of trouble.” The “150” will be the first of what he expects will be several Speedbowl appearances this year.

Malave is part of a strong group of visitors for the “150,” the headline event of the Speedbowl’s 12th annual Budweiser Modified Nationals. The agenda also includes the Speedbowl’s Late Model, Sportsman, Mini Stock divisions along with the Northeastern Midget Association, NEMA Lites, Allison Legacy Cars, Pro4 Modifieds and All-Star Race Trucks.

A definite charger, Malave hopes to add a Speedbowl line to an impressive showing at Connecticut’s other two ovals. He is definitely excited about the Speedbowl’s outside groove. “The people I’ve talked to say it’s there and you’ve got to get your car to operate out there,” he says.

In the “visitors” group along with the likes of Kenny Horton, Frank Ruocco, Ted Christopher and Woody Pitkat (his Davidson Specialty Foods teammate), Malave, who did compete in the 2000 SK-150, is looking for his experience at the tight Freeport Speedway and on the Whelen Modified Tour to help out as well.

“Couple years back I raced Seekonk for the first time,” he says. “It was in a Whelen Tour car and I set second fast time and finished fourth in the race.”

And there’s time trials. “I love it,” he says. “I wish more people would do that for us.” The SK-150 was the first-ever extra-distance, extra-money race for the division. It was also the first to qualify via time trials. Malave will find himself among the top guns shooting for Jimmy Blewett’s “150” qualifying standard of 14.233 set last year.

Time trials are first on the Saturday (April 12) schedule followed by heats for all the other divisions. Features for the NEMA Lites, Legends, Pro4s, All-Star Trucks and Allison Legacy Cars follow.

The traditional Pit Party is first on the Sunday docket. The SK-150 will share Sunday with a 25-lap Midget feature and extra-distance races for the Late Models (50 laps), Sportsman (30) and Mini Stocks.

Track President, Skip Barber, and board members of The Club at Lime Rock Park have unveiled Phase Two of The Club memberships, an alternative solution for prospective members. To date, a full Founding Membership has been the only option available at $110,000 ($100,000 initiation fee plus $10,000 Connecticut Dues Tax). However, for those that love the idea but want another financial option, they can now become an Associate Member - a ten-year membership that allows drivers ten track dates per season, as well as several Club amenities. The $27,500 ($25,000 initiation fee plus $2,500 Dues Tax) Associate Membership can be re-sold or credited at any time towards a full Membership.

“Many potential members have told us they really want to join the Club but can’t make a large outlay now,” states Barber. “The Associate Membership allows them to start in a modest way, still getting a lot of track time and then upgrading their membership when they’re able.”

Membership Information and Benefits:

Full Founding Member Associate Member

Initiation Fee + CT Dues Tax $110,000 $27,500

Term of membership 50 years 10 years

Track Time (per year/per member) 60 of 60 dates 10 of 60 dates

Qualified Driver Guests Unlimited with fee None

Non-Driver Guests Unlimited Unlimited

Tickets to Lime Rock Park Public Events 4 VIP 2 VIP

Clubhouse Access Yes Yes

Vehicle Storage Yes Yes


Club Member, Matt Meehan – who also serves on the Member Board – notes, “I’ve spoken with many prospective members who would love the Club at Lime Rock Park experience, but need another option to a full Founding Membership. I believe this new Associate Membership addresses their need.”

To date, The Club at Lime Rock Park has 118 member commitments. Revenue from memberships is being used to fund a series of track improvements, which include additional new course options, while at the same time preserving its classic footprint by smoothing the surface and improving safety. Lime Rock Park is scheduled to break ground on track upgrades this spring and re-pave the road course in June.

The Club at Lime Rock Park (www.limerockclub.com) is an exclusive, members-only motorsports club for automotive enthusiasts. The Club caters to drivers of high-performance vehicles who use the track for pleasure as well as business.

The Sunoco Modifieds, the premier NASCAR Whelen All American Series division at Thompson International Speedway, looks to be the most competitive weekly Modified division at any race track in the northeast as a brand new season arrives.

This exciting open wheel division has provided fans with truly great racing events week in and week out for many years. It has grown stronger and stronger with each passing year and 2008 looks to be this division’s best year ever. It all gets underway when the Sunoco Modifieds will compete in two feature events on ICEBREAKER weekend, April 5-6.

Defending Champion, Keith Rocco, will lead a stellar lineup of extremely talented drivers and race teams. Rocco has thrilled race fans with his on-the-edge driving style since he joined the Sunoco Modified division only three years ago.

The division’s 2007 most popular driver and 2006 NASCAR Division IV and Thompson Speedway Champion, Woody Pitkat will join Rocco. Pitkat, another young driver who has captured the hearts and minds of race fans, will return to the high banks of Thompson to seek another division title.

Thompson’s Rookie of the Year, Danny Cates, made the huge jump from the Limited Sportsman ranks into the Sunoco Modified division last year and immediately took his place as a top contender. He will begin the 2008 season with a new Troyer racecar and big plans for his 2008 campaign.

“Showtime” Jimmy Blewett will also return with his eye set on both the Thompson Championship and the NASCAR national title. He will be behind the wheel of his late brother, John Blewett’s car, owned by Ed Partridge. Blewett will carry his traditional number 12 into the competition.

Some brand new faces will be part of the weekly competition for the Sunoco Modifieds. NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour veteran, Bobby Grigas III of Marshfield will take over the controls of the potent # 00 owned by James Paige of Blackstone. Grigas has made a name for himself in Modified circles by being a major contender on both the Whelen Modified Tour and the True Value Modified Tour. Driver Ken Horton of Guilford, CT has also added his name to the growing list of title contenders. He will run for the crown in his own potent # 19.

The name Sylvester has become synonymous with racing in New England. It dates back into the 1950s when Tony Sylvester, Sr. was a “hot shoe” throughout southern New England. Tony’s sons, Tom and Tony, Jr. followed in their dad’s footsteps with Tony wining track championships and most popular driver awards. Tom was a long-time successful competitor who moved to car owner when his son Zach jumped behind the wheel. Zach will be a 2008 regular at Thompson in his XTRA MART sponsored # 56. Tom’s youngest son, Josh, began his open wheel career in 2007 and won three feature events and Rookie of the year honors.

These are just a few of the extremely talented drivers who will be taking on some of the division’s most talented veterans who have played key roles in the success of the Sunoco Modified division at Thompson. A quick look at the roster of Sunoco Modified drivers reveals a ‘Who’s Who’ lineup. Drivers like Tom Cravenho, Jr. of Raynham, Kerry Malone of Needham, Todd Ceravolo, Bert Marvin, Buddy Charette and many more can also be counted on as very tough competitors.

The Sunoco Modifieds will be part of the eight-division ICEBREAKER on April 5-6 at Thompson. The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, NEMA Midgets, Pro Stocks, Late Models, Limited Sportsman, Thompson Modifieds and Mini Stocks will make up the ICEBREAKER program.

In a change that further cements the NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown as the ‘Daytona 500 of short-track racing,’ NASCAR announced today that the sixth edition of the postseason special event will be held Jan. 23-24, 2009 at the Toyota Speedway at Irwindale, CA.

In its five-year history, the NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown – held at one of NASCAR’s premier racing facilities – has quickly become a showcase of top short-track racing.

The race includes protected starting spots for the champions of each of the NASCAR Developmental Series. The move of the race from the Fall to January allows for increased preparation and provides greater exposure for the teams and drivers.

“This is the weekend that launches major U.S. motor sports each year,” said George Silbermann, NASCAR Managing Director of Racing Operations. “This move represents a tremendous opportunity to build upon the successes of past NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdowns, broaden the scope of potential participants, and allow competitors additional time to gear up for this huge event.”

In addition, the all-star weekend will include a pair of NASCAR Whelen All-American Series races: The 150-lap Super Late Model race and, new this year, a 75-lap Late Model race that will be run under common West Coast rules.

Last season’s NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown featured Joey Logano of Middleton, Conn., a rising star for Joe Gibbs Racing, holding off the challenge of another top young driver, Peyton Sellers, in a green-white-checkered finish.

Logano’s victory added to a growing legacy of the NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown that started with Austin Cameron’s emotional win in the inaugural event in 2003 that capped a season in which he missed four races while undergoing cancer treatments.

In 2004, eventual race winner Mike Johnson of Salisbury, MA drove from 24th starting spot to the front. David Gilliland’s victory in 2005 started him on a road that has led to a seat with Robert Yates Racing’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team. In the 2006 classic, two-time Showdown runner-up Matt Kobyluck of Uncasville, Conn. emerged the victor of a spirited duel over the final laps with young driver Sean Caisse and West champion Eric Holmes.

Former NASCAR Whelen All-American Series national champion Greg Pursley added to the legacy last year when he went door-to-door with Irwindale track champion Rip Michels en route to winning the Super Late Model race.

“We’re not only honored to host the NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown but we are extremely excited that the event will be held in January,” said Bob DeFazio, Toyota Speedway at Irwindale track operator. “It’s a prestigious event. It’s important to us, and we know it’s important to NASCAR, and we can’t think of a better way for race fans and NASCAR short track racing’s elite to spend their winter.”

The exciting competition on the fast half-mile has become a staple of the NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown. The graduated banking — between six and 12 degrees — at the Toyota Speedway in Irwindale produces multiple racing grooves that make for thrilling side-by-side racing.

The NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown weekend features two nights of live coverage on SPEED, which has broadcast the event in each of its first five years. It will be part of a packed weekend on SPEED that includes the Rolex 24 at Daytona sports car event.

The NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown main event — contested in NASCAR Camping World Series cars — is open to any driver approved to drive on a half-mile or longer tracks in the NASCAR Camping World Series.

Current NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers such as Kevin Harvick, Martin Truex Jr., and Gilliland launched their careers in the NASCAR Camping World Series. The series is the top development step for drivers looking to make the jump to one of NASCAR’s national series.

Each race winner during the 2008 NASCAR Camping World Series season will become eligible for a protected starting spot in the sixth running of the NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown. The 2008 series champions of NASCAR’s regional touring series — the NASCAR Camping World Series East, NASCAR Camping World Series West, NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour, NASCAR Canadian Tire Series, and NASCAR Mexico Series — and the 2008 national champion for the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series are also eligible for protected starting spots.

Last year’s expanded eligibility format drew a record entry of 106 cars for the two races. It also drew drivers from across North America, including 2007 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series champion Andrew Ranger and 2006 NASCAR Mexico Series Rookie of the Year Antonio Perez.

In addition to eligible 2008 race winners and series champions, the starting lineup will be determined through time trials, limited provisionals for NASCAR Camping World Series regulars, and the last-chance “Open” race that provides drivers one final chance to make the final starting grid for the ‘Daytona 500 of short-track racing.’

Checking the southern New England racing schedule has MotoTown in Windsor, CT going with MotoX action all day Saturday. The Capeway Rovers in Middleboro offer the Jack Frost MotoX Series on Sunday starting at 9 a.m. On the same day the New England Dirt Track Series (flat track motorcycles) move into the indoor oval dirt track at MotoTown starting at 9 a.m.

    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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