Maybe for once, the groundhog was right!
Spring weather seems to be just around the corner in northeast Pennsylvania as the calendar is now under 30 days until the first race of the 2016 season for the CJ’s Tire & Automotive Services 358 modifieds in the 45th annual opener on Sunday, March 20 at Big Diamond Speedway in Minersville.
The 30-lap feature will pay $4,000 to win and $300 to take the green. The U.S.S. Achey Sportsman will be in action with a 20-lap feature paying $1,000 to win while the Savage 61 roadrunners will round out the three-division show.
The gates will open at 11 a.m. on March 20 with racing getting underway at 2 p.m.
The track will hold an open practice on March 13 at 2 p.m. for any car with a roll cage. An Enduro 60 will take place also that day.
The first Friday night race of the season takes place on April 1 on U.S.S. Achey Night. The Money in the Mountains Modified 40 pays $5,000 to win and $400 to take the green. The street stocks, Savage 61 roadrunners and 600 Modifieds round out the card. Gates will open at 5:30 p.m. on April 1 with racing slated to get underway at 8:15 p.m.
* * *Before competitors enter a season-long war to claim the throne as the New Egypt Speedway Modified Champion, an exhibition-style battle brings in the top racers from the region fighting for bragging rights and over $25,000 in prize money as the Ocean County dirt-oval presents March Madness Meltdown on Saturday, March 19.
Headlined by the mighty Modifieds in a 50-lap main event, March Madness Meltdown includes a lucrative payout that boasts $5,000 to the winner, $1,000 for fifth, and $400 to start. With the popular Sportsman division also on tap, both classes are offered a unique set of rule package options allowing nearly every driver in the region the opportunity to compete.
“This is one of our biggest events of the season,” General Manager Allyse Wolfinger said. “We feel like the best way to kick off 2016 is with a great paying event that allows our regulars and a host of invaders the opportunity to participate. It’s a win-win for the drivers and fans.”
Drivers like defending Modified Champion, Ryan Godown of Ringoes, N.J., as well as Billy Pauch and Billy Pauch Jr., both of Frenchtown, N.J., are expected to participate – along with invaders like Duane Howard of Oley, aboard the Petruska No. 66, and Jeff Strunk of Pottstown, aboard the Glenn Hyneman owned No. 126.
As an added bonus to the competitors, New Egypt Speedway is currently collecting contingency awards and lap money. Laps are currently on sale for a minimum of $15 per lap for the Modified division and a minimum of $10 per lap for the Sportsman. There are also additional sponsorship opportunities available to get involved with the event. For more information or to get involved, contact the Speedway office at 609-758-1900 or nesoffice@comcast.net.
Drivers are encouraged to pre-enter for the event. Modified early entry is $20 and Sportsman early entry is $10 – entry fees for both divisions will see a $5 increase on the day of the event.
Pit gates will open at 12 p.m. for early technical inspection. All cars MUST be inspected before hitting the racetrack. Front gates will open at 3 p.m. with hot laps starting at 4 p.m. and racing starting at 5 p.m.
Adult admission is $25, seniors 65 and older are $23, teens 12-15 and members of the military and their spouses are $15, and children 11 and under are FREE. Pit admission is $35 with any track or series license and $40 without a license.
For full rules and information about Saturday, March 19 and the March Madness Meltdown visit www.newegyptspeedway.net
* * *Again this year, as they have for the past four years, T.P. Trailers of Limerick, PA will continue as a major sponsor at NASCAR sanctioned stock car racing at Grandview Speedway. Over the course of the past few years thousands of dollars have been distributed by the well-known local business that specializes in just about anything relating to trailers, rental and sales along with other equipment and services.
This year T.P. Trailers will be posting bonus bucks in the form of $250 for the winner of each Saturday night T.P. Trailers NASCAR 358 Modified feature race bringing the top prize to $2750. In addition the winner of the BRC Late Model and Sportsman stock car feature races on Saturday nights will receive $100.
Racers are reminded that in order to be eligible for the awards a T.P. Trailers decal must be clearly visible on both sides of the race car.
“We are happy to be back as a sponsor at Grandview,” said Tom Perkins speaking for all the members of the T.P.Trailers team. “We have had great results from our marketing efforts at Grandview and our relationship with the Rogers family (operators of the track) has been outstanding. All indications are that it is going to be another great season at Grandview and we are already looking forward to our June 11th T.P. Trailers Night at the track.”
T.P. Trailers, Inc. is a family-owned and operated business specializing in the sale, rental and repair of Landscape trailers and utility trailers, Dump Inserts and Trailers, Cargo trailers, Utility trailers, Car haulers, ATV trailers, Storage trailers, Storage containers and Conex Boxes, Open and Enclosed Motorcycle trailers, Snow Plows and Salt Spreaders, Truck Beds, Bodies, Bodies and Interchangeable Truck Systems. Approaching its 51st anniversary as a truck maintenance facility, T.P. Trailers expanded into the trailer/container industry nearly 25 years ago.
T.P. Trailers is located just a short distance from Grandview Speedway at 703 West Ridge Pike, Limerick, PA 19468. Telephone 800.255.0666.
T.P. Trailer decals are available at their business location and will be available at the free-to-public practice session that is set for Saturday, March 26th at Grandview with a noontime start.
The official opener for the 2016 season, kicking off the point battle in each division, takes place on Saturday, April 2nd at 7 p.m. the T.P.Trailers NASCAR 358 Modifieds, BRC Late Models and Sportsman stock cars all seeing action.
