FASTRAK NORTHEAST TOURING SERIES GOES INTERNATIONAL WITH $2,000 TO-WIN EVENT SUNDAY AT CANADA’S HUMBERSTONE SPEEDWAY
By Mike Leone
May 18, 2011 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Port Colborne, ON)…After another rainout at Tyler County Speedway last Saturday, the Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC FASTRAK Northeast Late Model Touring Series is set to head north to unchartered territory on Sunday. Humberstone Speedway in Port Colborne, Ontario, Canada will host the first ever FASTRAK Touring event outside of the United States! FASTRAK will compete with the 358 Modifieds in an event sponsored by Peters Excavating and Brian’s Tire Repair as part of Canada’s Victoria Days celebration.
Humberstone signed on as weekly-sanctioned FASTRAK speedway for the 2011 season and was able to hold the first ever International FASTRAK event last Friday night. Canada’s own Darren Peters captured the memorable event over New York’s Wayne Robertson and Darren’s 14-year-old son Jorden, who is a “Futures Cup” contender. Both Peterson and Robertson are two racers who are highly anticipating Sunday’s 30-lap “Canadian National Championship,” which will pay $2,000 to-win! The winner of the event will also receive a beautiful custom-made cherry-framed Canadian flag trophy presentation!
“We really have to thank promoter Bob Davidson of Humberstone for stepping up to the plate like he did this year,” explained fifth year FASTRAK Northeast Co-Director Vicki Emig. “It’s awesome to be able to promote FASTRAK outside of our borders and expand into Canada. Davidson is really looking forward to Sunday and to be able to showcase his facility to our FASTRAK competitors. We’re very excited to be part of this historic event!”
Because passports or enhanced New York drivers license are now required for entry into Canada, FASTRAK announced over the winter that it was putting a together a travel package for its top 15 drivers. Recently, Niagara Falls, New York-based Original Pizza Logs became the sponsor of this program, which will award $150 to these drivers in addition to their race winnings.
The top 15 drivers from the 2010 points will first be eligible. If any of these drivers do not attend, the top so many racers from 2011’s points will fill in to account for 15 drivers. The following drivers will receive the $150 provided they compete on Sunday: Max Blair, Mike Pegher, Jr., Butch Lambert, Josh Holtgraver, Bud Watson, Joe Martin, Dan Angelicchio, Steve Dixon, Bryan Force, Dan Karalagas, Mike Blose, Kyle Zimmerman, Kyle Lukon, Troy Shields, and George Kowatic (due to the passing of fourth place 2010 point man Gary Knollinger).
The next five drivers in line to receive the $150 would be Bobby Cossell IV, Wayne Robertson, Robbie Marhefka, Shane Hitt, and Darren Peters.
Robertson, the 2010 BRP Can-Am 360 Late Model Champion, was at winner at Humberstone last year and would be considered one of the favorites on Sunday. Another former BRP Can-Am racer, Steve Dixon, has some experience at Humberstone and will certainly be one of the drivers to beat. Dixon captured two victories close to home in 2010 FASTRAK Northeast Touring action at McKean and Woodhull Raceways.
For the majority of the FASTRAK racers, Sunday’s event will be the first ever time they have competed outside of the USA. Defending two-time Touring champion Max Blair is one of the few that has as last year he raced with his father in All Star Super Late Model competition in Canada. There’s a good possibility that Robbie Blair may also be in action. Several of the western New York FASTRAK racers are also expected to cross the border to compete on Sunday.
The Utsinger’s Towing “Hoosier Tire Giveaway” program will resume Sunday night awarding a new FASTRAK Hoosier tire to the driver running last on the lead lap at the finish. New Jersey’s Steve Davis took the honors at Roaring Knob.
The Original Pizza Logs Contingency Connection will again award two $1,000 contingency packages to lucky drivers on Sunday. Winner Mike Pegher, Jr. and last place Ricky Meglaye were the recipients at Roaring Knob.
The “Wheelman” Bonus Event Challenge Series is back for its second season and will take place at Humberstone provided there are 30 or more cars. Kyle Zimmerman took the top honors at Roaring Knob winning the non-qualifiers event, and now has the early point lead. Justin Kreider is the defending champion.
There have been 55 Northeast Touring Series races contested with 25 different winners all-time in the Northeast Touring Series meaning nearly a new winner nearly every other event. Max Blair and Mike Pegher, Jr. are tied with nine wins a piece followed by Dick Barton, Bobby Powell, John Lacki, and David Scott with four, Alan Dellinger & Steve Dixon with two, and Todd Andrews, Kyle Drum, Frank Guidace, Butch Lambert, Carl McKinney, Dennis Lunger, Jr., Tom Snyder, Jr., Chris Meadows, Jim Frank, Mike Blose, Josh Holtgraver, Robbie Blair, Jonathan Davenport, Gary Knollinger, Joe Martin, Dusty Hamrick, and Bud Watson with one victory.
Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC FASTRAK Northeast Touring Series Points (only Northeast Touring Series members receive points): 1. Mike Pegher, Jr. 35 2. Dan Angelicchio 34 3. Josh Holtgraver 33 4. George Kowatic 32 5. Max Blair 31 6. Bobby Cossell IV 30 7. Butch Lambert 29 8. Troy Shields 27 9. Wayne Robertson 26 10. Rob Marhefka 24 11. Steve Dixon 22 12. Joe Martin 19 13. Shane Hitt 18 14. Bud Watson 17 15. Darren Peters 14 16. Billy Stile III, Kyle Zimmerman, Michael Hughes, Mike Laughard, Rick Strickler, Russell Baird, Jr., Scott Beitzel, Ryan Montgomery, Lauren Longbrake 10.
Humberstone May 22 payoff: 1. $2,000 2. $1,000 3. $625 4. $525 5. $450 6. $425 7. $400 8. $350 9. $325 10. $300 11. $275 12. $265 13. $250 14. $225 15. $215 16. $210 17. $205 18-24. $200. Bonus Event for non-qualifiers to be held if 30 or more cars paying $175 to-win, $105 to-start. Tow/Non-qualifiers $100.
RACEceivers are mandatory at all Northeast Touring Series events. Transponders will be mandatory at Humberstone and the track is charging just a $5 rental. There is a $100 entry fee. Any tech questions or information on the RACEceivers, call Brad Hibbard at 330-540-RACE.
On Sunday, pits open at 5 p.m. with grandstands at 6, hot laps at 7 and racing at 7:15. FASTRAK members will be admitted for just $20 in the pits, and pit admission for all others is $25. Adult grandstand admission is $15. A special family pass offer will also be in effect.
Humberstone is a 3/8-mile clay oval owned by Pete and Linda Cosco and just celebrated its 50th anniversary last year. Humberstone is located on Highway 3 two miles east of Port Colborne, Ontario, Canada. From Peace Bridge in Fort Erie/Buffalo: Take Q.E.W. to the 2nd cut-off, which is Thompson Rd. Go down the ramp, and keep to the right hand side of the road turning onto Hwy. # 3 going towards Port Colborne and the track is approx. 20 miles down the road on the right hand side. For more information, check out their website at
www.humberstonespeedway.com or call 905-834-4002 or 905-935-2886.
FASTRAK Northeast’s 2011 marketing partners include Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC, The Original Pizza Logs, Bully Dog, Contingency Connection, Utsinger’s Towing, Hoosier Tire, and Golf Cars 4 All.
You can reach co-directors Vicki Emig and Mike Leone at the FASTRAK Northeast office at 724-964-9300. E-mail to info@fastraknortheast.com and snail mail to 4368 Route 422, Pulaski, PA 16143. The office is open daily late mornings and after 1:30 p.m. For more information, check out the FASTRAK Northeast website at
www.fastraknortheast.com. Become our fan on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/fastraknortheast.