There are not many things that Billy Pauch, Jr. can say that he has accomplished in racing that his legendary father Billy Pauch, Sr. has not.
Winning the Big Diamond 358 modified track title is one of them.
The 28-year-old used consistency last year while scoring one win in route to his first-ever modified track title after coming very close to winning the title in 2014.
“We have had two good years in a row and we are hoping that we are as good as we have been and that we can get more wins than we have had in the last two years,” Pauch Jr. said.
The third-generation racer, who scored his first-ever modified win at the track in 2006, will look to make it two straight titles as the CJ’s Automotive & Tire Services 358 modifieds continue their 2016 season on Friday after having been weathered out last Friday. A 40-lapper will be run for the Modifieds.
The U.S.S. Achey sportsman, Savage 61 roadrunners and Street Stocks will round out the four-division racing card.
Pauch, Jr. experienced the highs and lows of life during the off season.
He and his wife Michelle welcomed their first child, a son, William Arthur on Dec. 31, 2015. He lost both of his grandfathers, including the patriarch of the family, Roy Pauch, on March 7.
“He was a huge part of my racing,” Pauch, Jr. said of Roy. “He spent a lot of time with me and he was at the Diamond a lot on Friday nights. I don’t know who will yell at me but someone sure will.”
Pauch, Jr. said the one piece of advice that has stayed with him from Roy is that the most motor doesn’t win.
“When the track gets slick, you have to de-tune the motor and not spin your wheels,” he said.
The 2016 season will see Pauch, Jr. once again pilot his own car.
“We built a brand new car and we have two fresh motors and we gained a sponsor; that’s huge,” he said. “We’re in a better position to compete and hopefully it will show a little bit more this year. We’re ready to tackle the title defense but we’ll see how things go after the early part of the year.”
The gates open at 5:30 p.m. with warm ups at 7:45 and racing at 8:15 each and every Friday night at Big Diamond Speedway.
* * *Grandview Speedway in Bechtelsville, had their 35-lap T.P. Trailers Modified special weathered out on Saturday and that event is now reset for Saturday, April 16th at 7 p.m. Also included will be the BRC Late Models and Sportsman. Admission is $20 for adults and $5 for youngsters 6 thru 11 with kids under 6 admitted free.
In honor of the NASCAR XFINITY Series’ first race at Pocono Raceway on June 4, Pocono and JR Motorsports have paired up to create the inaugural JR Nation Camping Experience at the 2.5-mile Pennsylvania speedway.
Fans can purchase an exclusive weekend camping spot at the branded JR Nation area inside ‘The Tricky Triangle’ by going to www.poconoraceway.com/jrnation. JR Nation Camping is part of the “JRM On Tour 2016,” a year-long marketing initiative that rewards fans with free merchandise throughout the season’s 33-race schedule.
A camping spot as part of JR Nation Camping is $200 and includes infield access and all of the benefits associated with camping at Pocono Raceway. Those who purchase a spot for JR Nation Camping will be given a commemorative “JRM On Tour 2016” t-shirt and are eligible to be selected to participate in the inaugural JR Nation Campsite Decorating contest, which includes cash prizes and bragging rights.
All camping guests will have access to the JR Nation Camping Experience. As part of the festivities, JR Motorsports NASCAR XFINITY Series drivers – including Elliott Sadler, Justin Allgaier and Alex Bowman — will participate in an autograph session and Kelly Earnhardt Miller will participate in a question-and-answer session. JR Motorsports partners will be on hand throughout the weekend for giveaways and prizes.
In addition to its first NASCAR XFINITY Series race, Pocono Raceway will also host the Axalta “We Paint Winners” 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup on June 5 and the ARCA Series Presented by Menards General Tire #AnywhereIsPossible 200 on June 3.
To celebrate “JRM ON Tour 2016” coming to ‘The Tricky Triangle,’ Pocono Raceway will offer four tickets to Saturday’s NASCAR XFINITY Series race for just $88, two tickets to Sunday’s Axalta “We Paint Winners 400” for $88 and two Pit/Paddock Passes for $88.
Tickets for all races are now on sale at www.poconoraceway.com.
* * *Two tracks, one price. On Sunday, April 17 in Bridgeport, N.J., race fans will be treated to the high-speed thrill of Modifieds on the fast five-eighths-mile Bridgeport Speedway and tight confines of XCel 600 Modifieds battling on the inner quarter-mile oval, recently renamed Spirit Auto Center Speedway.
Headlining the Sunday program are the big-block/small-block Modifieds of the Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By VP.
STSS Modified competitors will battle for a huge payout at Bridgeport, with $5,000 going to the race winner of the 40-lap main. Doug Borger’s XCel 600 Modifieds will battle for a $1,000 payday on the inner quarter-mile oval. Also on the ‘South Jersey Shootout’ program: Bridgeport Sportsman (track rules) and Outlaw Stocks.
Admission for the grandstands is $25 for Adults (ages 16 and up), $10 (Students 10-15) and Kids 9 and under are FREE. Pit admission is $35, with no license required.
The much anticipated Opening Day at Evergreen Raceway in St. Johns, PA is scheduled for Sunday, April 17th and will feature the Evergreen Modifieds, Dirt Modifieds, Late Models, Street Stocks, Factory Stocks and Four Cylinders. The pits will open at 10 a.m. and practice will kick off at 12:30. Racing will start at 2 p.m. The pit entrance fee is $30 with pit license and $40 without.
Grandstand admission is set at $8 and children 10 years of age and younger will be admitted for free. Grandstand gates will swing open at 12:30 p.m.
The track has not been in operation for the last couple of seasons and will be operating pretty much under new management.
