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Track Talk – GRANDVIEW SPEEDWAY RELEASES 2021 RACING SCHEDULE WITH MORE THAN 40 EVENTS SET

by Lou Modestino

BECHTELSVILLE, PA January 16, 2021 . . . It will be a busy racing season at Grandview Speedway. The 2021 schedule just released has more than 40 events set to take place starting with an Outlaw Racing Series Enduro and Outlaw Vintage Racing Series doubleheader on Saturday, March 20th. This will mark the 59th consecutive season of racing at the one-third-mile, banked clay track in Bechtelsville, PA.

The very popular Free-To-The-Public practice session, open to all divisions of competition, is set for Saturday, March 27th with a 12-Noon starting time.

On April 4th the 4th Annual Bruce Rogers Memorial Money Maker, a 50 lap race featuring Big and Small Block Modifieds will remember the late race track owner and promoter. The winner of this prestigious event goes home with at least $7,500. Sportsman stocks will also be featured.

The T.P. Trailers Modifieds and T.P.Truck Equipment Sportsman will be featured each Saturday night, right on up to the Freedom 76, starting on April 10th.

On five Saturdays the 602 Sportsman will join the Modifieds and Sportsman making for a tripleheader show.

Again this season the Saturday night Modifieds and Sportsman will be part of the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts National Weekly Racing Series.

The first Thunder on the Hill Racing Series event, a Bob Miller/Rogers Family promotion, will be offered on Thursday, April 22nd and will feature the USAC National Sprint Tour and 358 Modifieds. The Thunder on the Hill Series will be seen on seven dates in 2021.

Craig Von Dohren, an 11-time track champion and winner of more than 100 features, will be in action on Saturday nights looking for his 12th title. Jeff Strunk, shooting for his 11th title, will be driving for new owner Zubi Racing and is expected to have young Dillon Steuer as his teammate. And rising star Danny Bouc will be a regular in Saturday night Modified action with the Norm Hansell #357. As the season opener gets closer more race team information is expected to be released.

A complete schedule of events for 2021 can be found at www.grandviewspeedway.com

This is a 1/3 mile, high banked, clay race track located in Bechtelsville. Classes running include NASCAR Modifieds, NASCAR Late Models, Open Sprints and Micro Sprints.

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Season tickets covering all Saturday night events are available for $350. A check covering each pass being ordered can be sent to Grandview Speedway, 87 Wilt Road, Bechtelsville, PA 19505. Enclosing a self-addressed postage paid envelope will speed delivery.

The track is located on Passmore Road in Bechtelsville, PA just off Rt. 100, 10 miles north of Pottstown. The track phone number for information is 610.754.7688.

GRANDVIEW SPEEDWAY 2021 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS (1/15/2021)

This schedule is subject to change without notice. For information on events, weather, etc. call 610-754-7688 or visit www.Grandview Speedway.com. A NASCAR license is required for all of those entering the pit area on a Saturday Night event.

Weekly Saturday night Modifieds and Sportsman are sponsored by T.P.Trailers and T.P.Truck Equipment.

Saturday, March 20 Outlaw Racing Series Enduro and Outlaw Vintage Racing Series 1 PM (Rain Date Sunday, March 21 -1 PM)

Saturday, March 27 FREE to the Public Open Practice All Divisions, 12 Noon

Saturday, April 3   4th Annual Bruce Rogers Memorial Money Maker – 50 laps for Big & Small Block Modifieds, $7,500 to win, plus Sportsman 7 PM

Saturday, April 10 Modifieds, Sportsman 7 PM

Sunday, April 11 Outlaw Racing Series Enduro & Outlaw Vintage Racing Series 1 PM

Saturday, April 17 Modifieds, Sportsman, 602 Sportsman 7PM

Thursday, April 22 Thunder on the Hill Racing Series-USAC National Sprint Tour and 358 Modifieds* 7:30 PM

Saturday, April 24 Modifieds, Sportsman, Outlaw Vintage Racing Series 7 PM

Saturday, May 1 Modifieds, Sportsman 7:30 PM

Friday, May 7 Outlaw Racing Series Enduro, & Outlaw Vintage Racing Series 7PM

Saturday, May 8 Modifieds, Sportsman, 602 Sportsman 7:30 PM

Saturday, May 15 Modifieds, Sportsman & East Coast USAC Sprints 7:30 PM

Saturday, May 22 Modifieds, Sportsman, Outlaw Vintage Racing Series 7:30 PM

Saturday, May 29 Modifieds, Sportsman 7:30 PM

Sunday, May 30 THUNDER ON THE HILL RACING SERIES – Triple 20’s Modifieds*, Sportsman & Outlaw Vintage Racing Series 7:30 PM

Saturday, June 5 Modifieds, Sportsman 7:30 PM

Friday, June 11 Outlaw Racing Series Enduro, & Outlaw Vintage Racing Series 7 PM

Saturday, June 12 Modifieds, Sportsman, 602 Sportsman 7:30 PM

Tuesday, June 15 THUNDER ON THE HILL RACING SERIES 7:30 PM

Jesse Hockett Classic USAC National Sprint Tour & 358 Modifieds*

Saturday, June 19 Modifieds, Sportsman, Wingless Super Sportsman 7:30 PM

Saturday, June 26 Modified, Sportsman, Outlaw Vintage Racing Series 7:30PM

Tuesday, June 29 THUNDER ON THE HILL RACING SERIES 7:30 PM

$10,000 to Win Hodnett Cup PA 410 Sprint Speed Week & 358 Modifieds* 7:30 PM

Saturday, July 3 Modifieds & Sportsman Firecracker 40 7:30 PM

Friday, July 9 Outlaw Racing Series Enduro & Outlaw Vintage Racing Series 7PM

Saturday, July 10 Modifieds, Sportsman 7:30 PM

Saturday, July 17 Modifieds, Sportsman & URC Sprints 7:30 PM

Saturday, July 24 Modifieds, Sportsman & Outlaw Vintage Racing Series 7:30 PM

Saturday, July 31 Modifieds, Sportsman, 602 Sportsman 7:30 PM

Tuesday, August 3 THUNDER ON THE HILL RACING SERIES 7:30 PM – USAC National Midgets Ken Brenn Masters & 358 Modifieds* 7:30 PM

Friday, August 6 Outlaw Racing Series Enduro & Outlaw Vintage Racing Series 7PM

Saturday, Aug 7 Modifieds & Sportsman 7:30 PM

Saturday, August 14 Forrest Rogers Memorial for Modifieds 50 Laps & Sportsman 7:30 PM

Saturday, August 21 Modifieds, Sportsman, (Tentatively 602 Sportsman) 7:30 PM (Forrest Rogers Rain date)

Thursday, August 26 THUNDER ON THE HILL RACING SERIES 7:30 PM – Tony Stewart All Star Circuit of Champions 410 Sprints & 358 Modifieds* 7:30 PM

Saturday, August 28 Modifieds, Sportsman & Outlaw Vintage Racing Series 7:30 PM

Friday, September 3 Outlaw Racing Series Enduro, & Outlaw Vintage Racing Series 7 PM

Saturday, September 4 Modifieds, Sportsman & ARDC Midgets 7:30 PM

Saturday, September 11 Champions Night! Modifieds, Sportsman 7:30 PM

Friday, September 17 Sportsman 38 laps, (TBA), Modified Practice 7:30 PM

Saturday, September 18 51st Annual Freedom 76 Modified Classic 7 PM

Saturday, September 25 Outlaw Racing Series Enduro, & Outlaw Vintage Racing Series (Freedom 76 Rain date) 7PM

Saturday, October 16 THUNDER ON THE HILL RACING SERIES 6 PM MODS AT THE MADHOUSE Triple 20’s & Sportsman 6 PM

Sunday, October 17 Outlaw Racing Series Enduro, & Outlaw Vintage Racing Series 1 PM

Sunday, November 7 Fall Racer’s Flea Market Starting at 7 AM

*indicates NASCAR points

Thunder on the Hill Racing Series is a Rogers Family/Bob Miller Promotion 32nd Anniversary Season!

Visit our web sites: www.grandviewspeedway.com and www.thunderonthehillracingseries.com

(more…)

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Dakar Rally – Toby Price within touching distance of bike lead as Al-Attiyah wins his fifth stage.

by Mike
Dakar Rally – Toby Price within touching distance of bike lead as Al-Attiyah wins his fifth stage.

Toby Price kept within touching distance of Dakar Rally glory after his makeshift repair – using cable ties to fix his back wheel – held on a marathon stage eight. And in the car class, Nasser Al-Attiyah took a fifth stage victory to close the gap on Stéphane Peterhansel. (more…)

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Dakar Rally – Toby Price within touching distance of bike lead as Al-Attiyah wins his fifth stage. Read More

Track Talk – Thompson Speedway Has Three Upcoming Virtual iRaces / Strong List of Modifieds Already Entered for New Smyrna

by Lou Modestino
Track Talk – Thompson Speedway Has Three Upcoming Virtual iRaces / Strong List of Modifieds Already Entered for New Smyrna

THOMPSON, Conn. — Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park will come to virtual life three times during the winter months, as a new iRacing series will give drivers and fans a chance to prepare for the 2021 season. In a series promoted by Souza Media, full-time Modified, Late Model & Super Late Model drivers from across New England will compete in three different races — including the virtual historic Thompson 300 — with one-race in January, another in February and a final in March.

The series will help preview the real-life season at Thompson for 2021 — which is slated to begin with the annual Icebreaker weekend from April 9-11, and hold six oval events, promoted by the American Canadian Tour and Pro All Star Series. All three iRacing events will take place on Saturday’s — January 23, February 20 and March 20 — and will all begin with the drop of the green flag at 2PM. The feature races will air live, in full, on Extreme Sim TV, via Facebook and YouTube. Qualifying heat races, consolation races and a B-Main will be conducted prior to the broadcast start.

The three iRacing events will include an opener with iRacing’s SK Modified, previewing the Sunoco Modified season at Thompson, on January 23, for a 100-lap event. The second will put some of New England’s best Late Model stars together in ACT-style Late Models for their own 100-lapper on February 20. The final will help promote and preview the return of the historic Thompson 300, as Tour-Type Modifieds are used for a virtual 300-lapper on March 20. In real-life, officials are bringing back the Thompson 300 as part of the Sunoco World Series of Racing at Thompson in October of 2021.

“This iRacing series will give drivers and fans of Thompson Speedway a chance to come together during the cold winter months for some virtual racing,” Kyle Souza, owner of Souza Media, said. “We’re looking forward to watching the Thompson 300 in real-life, but we think this virtual experience will showcase some of what it will take to win the real-life event and get fans energized for the October 2021 race.”

  1. A maximum of 29 drivers will start each race, in order to keep the car count reasonable on a tight, banked track, and produce green flag racing. Out of the 29 competitors, 28 drivers will qualify through the heats, consi’s and B-Main sessions, while one provisional is available for a most recent Thompson track champion or Modified, Late Model or Super Late Model champion, if needed. If no champions fail to qualify, the provisional may be used for a promoters option. Qualifying will begin at 10 AM on each of the race days, while there will also be multiple practice sessions prior to race day.

In order to be eligible for the events, drivers must fit one of the requirements put in place by officials. Race officials have the final determination on eligibility and may elect to refund participants who register but don’t fit qualifications. For all three events, drivers must be:

  • A current or past full-time weekly competitor in Late Models, Super Late Models or Modifieds

  • A current or past touring series competitor in Late Models, Super Late Models or Modifieds

  • Immediate crew member of one of the above drivers — defined as either a car owner, crew chief or spotter.

  • *If all spots are not filled for the event five days prior to event start, fans of Thompson Speedway, Modifieds, Super Late Models or Late Models will be able to register to fill the spots*

The first 60 entered drivers will be registered for the event. Anyone who registers past that 60 number will be placed on a waitlist. Registration fees are $15 per event, or $45 for the entire series. Registration can be completed at kylesouza.com/thompson-iracing-series. In order for a registration to be counted as one of 60, payment must be received. Drivers who complete registration will be invited to the league on iRacing directly to confirm their registration has been received.

A payout is guaranteed for the top-five at the end of each race, with a minimum of $50 to win the feature. The virtual Thompson 300 will pay at least $125 to win. Sponsorship opportunities for the series are available by emailing kylesouzamedia@gmail.com. Sponsorships will include full race deals and contingency awards.

VIRTUAL THOMPSON iRACING SERIES SCHEDULE:

  • January 23 —  SK Modified — 100 laps

  • February 20 — Late Models — 100 laps

  • March 20 — Tour-Type Modified — 300 laps

Source: SOUZA MEDIA

Strong List of Modifieds Already Entered for New Smyrna

Source: Speed51

The year 2020 is still not over, but Tour-type Modified fans already have reason to smile in 2021, as the entry list for the 55th World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing is already packed with talent. With 19 drivers entered so far for the five nights in February at New Smyrna Speedway, the anticipation in the Northeast is high heading into Florida Speedweeks.

Three-time New Smyrna World Series Tour-type champion Ryan Preece of Berlin, CT is expected to do a part-time schedule in the No. 6 while the ‘Mighty Modifieds’ are in town from February 8 to 12, as he begins his third NASCAR Cup Series season with JTG-Daugherty Racing just up I-95 at Daytona International Speedway.

As for those going for the championship, two-time and defending New Smyrna champion Matt Hirschman is entered in the No. 60, while 2014 Tour-type & two-time World Series SK Modified champion Ron Silk of Norwalk, CT. is slated to make his return to New Smyrna for the first time since 2018, driving in the No. 16 Modified he fielded on multiple occasions in 2020.

Rounding the list of former champions is another two-time champion, Chuck Hossfeld, who is also returning to New Smyrna after a year away. Hossfeld will field the No. 2 for Gershow Motorsports; the family team also has both J.R. and Joe Bertuccio also on the provisional entry list.

The Catalano family is once again expected to be heading south in full force this coming February. Tommy Catalano is entered in the PSR No. 17 for the second-straight year. Meanwhile, the family operation has Timmy, Tyler, and Amy Catalano all entered for the week as well.

The ‘Long Island Gang’ is so far represented by two of its toughest customers, both also from the racing town of Riverhead. Former Turkey Derby winner Dave Sapienza is heading back, looking to put his No. 36 in New Smyrna victory lane for the first time. Meanwhile, Eric Goodale will look to add to his win total, and take the No. 58 to its first World Series championship.

While Preece and Silk currently form the veteran arm of Connecticut entrants, it’s Ronnie Williams who heads up the list of young guns in the No. 50, with the former Tri-Track Open Modified Series and Stafford Speedway SK Modified champion expected to make his first start at New Smyrna since 2018.

Entered for their New Smyrna debuts, 2018 Stafford SK Light champ Marcello Rufrano caught the attention of the Modified world with his first Tour-type win at Stafford in 2020. Stafford SK race winning driver and NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour winning crew chief Stephen Kopcik will make his first appearance as a driver in the No. 179, previously attending New Smyrna as a crew member.

Veteran Upstate New York short tracker Chris Finocchario is entered to make his World Series debut in his No. 8 Modified.

New Jersey’s Eddie McCarthy is heading back with his No. 20 after using the 2020 World Series as learning experience for the future.

Brian Robie of New Hampshire is heading back to New Smyrna with redemption on his mind, after destroying his engine early in the week in 2020. Robie and the No. 25 camp are looking for their first World Series race win after sweeping Modified track titles at Claremont Motorsports Park, Monadnock Speedway and Hudson International Speedway back home in 2020.

Perhaps most excited is the lone southern driver entered thus far, Florida’s own Jeremy Gerstner. The former Southern Modified Racing Series champion is eager to pit his new No. 55 Modified against the competition over the five nights of action.

The 55th World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing will run for nine straight nights once again 2021, February 5 through 13. The David Rogers Super Late Models, Florida Modifieds, and Pro Late Models will each run for seven of the nine nights.

The Tour-type Modifieds will begin their first of five-straight nights on Monday, February 8 with a 50-lap feature alongside the season opener for the ARCA Menards Series East. Following at 35-lap sprint race on Tuesday, the John Blewett III Memorial 76 takes center stage on Wednesday, February 10. Another 35-lap feature is on for Thursday, with the Tour Mod schedule wrapping on Friday, February 12 with the Richie Evans Memorial 100.

The World Series itself concludes on Saturday, February 13 with the Orange Blossom 100 for Super Late Models headlining the ninth night.

Stay with Speed51 for more news as Speedweeks 2021 draws ever closer.

-Story by: Connor Sullivan, Speed51 Northeast Editor – Twitter: @Connor51CT

-Photo credit: Speed51

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2021 DAYTONA 500 to Have Limited Fan Capacity; The Tradition, Pageantry, Excitement and Drama Continues on Sunday, Feb. 14

by Mike
2021 DAYTONA 500 to Have Limited Fan Capacity; The Tradition, Pageantry, Excitement and Drama Continues on Sunday, Feb. 14

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Dec. 2, 2020) – The 63rd Annual DAYTONA 500 will play host to a limited number of fans, but The Great American Race will – as it has since 1959 – continue the tradition of the biggest event in all of motorsports, delivering the pageantry, excitement and drama like nowhere else in the world. (more…)

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Track Talk: How Might The Coronavirus Affect Motorsports In The Upcoming 2021 Season?

by Lou Modestino1
Track Talk: How Might The Coronavirus Affect Motorsports In The Upcoming 2021 Season?

Based on what we are hearing about the coronavirus inoculations, they will go to the elderly and first responders immediately. Following that effort, then it will go to the general public. A large percentage of the general public will be concerned about side effects and might defer taking the medicine. Some race fans who attend the modified races on a regular basis may still fear catching the deadly virus and will stay home. The virtual internet broadcasts offered by just about all of the tracks involved do help to add income to the hosting track’s bottom line. Let all of us hope and pray that this second spike in the coronavirus fades away in the upcoming months and by the 2021 spring season this nightmare will be over. (more…)

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