With the start of the Indoor Auto Racing Season just a week away at Trenton’s Sun National Bank Center, the pressure just got turned up on all Three Quarter (TQ) Midget racers entered.
Bob Hilbert Sportswear, of Boyertown, is sponsoring a unique $10,000 challenge. If one driver can win all four rounds of the Indoor Auto Racing Series Fueled by VP he’ll pocket a $10,000 check from the official sportswear supplier of the series.
To earn Bob’s Bonus, a TQ Midget car driver will have to be perfect! The driver will have to win Saturday’s Battle of Trenton A-Main on Saturday, December 10th. The driver will then have to win back-to-back nights in Allentown’s PPL Center on Friday and Saturday, December 30th and 31st. To make the sweep complete, the driver will have to win the NAPA Auto Parts Gambler’s Classic inside Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall on Saturday night, January 28th.
As a consolation prize, if one driver wins three of the four races that driver will receive a contingency sponsorship from Bob Hilbert Sportswear.
Erick Rudolph, the defending Series champion, is coming to Trenton after an unbelievable outdoor season that saw him win 22 dirt Modified events. Ted Christopher, whose eight Indoor Series victories leads all other drivers, is another top candidate to collect Bob Hilbert’s $10,000 challenge. The former NASCAR Modified Series champion from Plainville, Conn., enters the Trenton event driving for Trey Hoddick’s winning team for the first time.
Bob Hilbert Sportswear, founded in 1972, provides the finest in quality screen printing, embroidery, promotional products and more. Equipped with in-house artists and customer service specialists, Bob Hilbert Sportswear has served businesses, schools, colleges, fire/rescue, organizations, events and reunions, along with the motorsports and performance industry, for more than 40 years.
The TQMidgets will headline both Friday’s opening night and Saturday’s “Battle Of Trenton” feature event finale. The Friday night race program, which begins at 7:30 PM, consists of 60 TQMidgets split into three 20-lap Qualifier races. A complete program of heat races and feature event for the Champ Karts is also on the schedule.
As a special preview of the 2016-2017 Indoor Racing Series, general admission tickets for Friday’s Battle Of Trenton opening night have been priced at just $10 for adults and $7 for children.
On Saturday the “Battle Of Trenton” 40 lap feature event will be held after a series of qualifying events for the TQ Midgets. The always popular and wild Slingshots will also be part of this program sponsored by NAPA Auto Parts, Oliver Communications in Bordentown, N.J. and Pete &?Elda’s Bar in Neptune City. N.J. Race time is 7 PM.
Attendees can get a close up look at a TQ Midgets at Fan Zone located on the concourse. Top drivers and Ms. Motorsports 2016 Arynne Moody will be making an appearance at Fan Zone offering autographs and photos free of charge.
Trenton Indoor Race tickets are available online at www.sunnationalbankcenter.com or by phone at 1-800-298-4200.
More information is available at www. IndoorAutoRacing.com or by phoning 609-888-3618.
* * *The NASCAR sponsorship announcement came as somewhat of a surprise. It seems that though Monster Energy was rumored as being in the running as the premier series NASCAR sponsor, discussions had not moved far enough along to make an announcement. And judging from how it was all handled it seems that this was something that came together very quickly. That is why, as part of the announcement, there was no new official name for the series and no new logo unveiled.
It seemed that with all the questions being asked about the lack of a major sponsor for the Cup series, NASCAR brass and Monster Energy decision makers decided to put something together quickly and announce it as part of Champions’ Week in Las Vegas.
NASCAR and Monster Energy announced a multi-year agreement for the premier series entitlement as well as the prestigious annual NASCAR All-Star Race. Monster Energy, which will begin its tenure as naming rights partner on Jan. 1, 2017, will become only the third company to serve as the entitlement sponsor in NASCAR premier series history, following RJ Reynolds and Sprint/Nextel.
As part of the agreement, the brand also becomes the Official Energy Drink of NASCAR.
“Monster Energy is a brand built on excitement and enthusiasm, qualities that align with NASCAR,” said Brian France, NASCAR Chairman and CEO. “This sponsorship position is the most unique in all of sports and entertainment, and we are thrilled to have a partner that will help us further elevate the series. Today’s announcement is the culmination of a thorough search, one that resulted in the right partner at this important time in our sport’s history.”
Though the sponsorship deal, according to a number of sources, involves less financial support than that given by previous sponsors, I think it is good for the sport. Monster Energy attracts the attention of young people and if that can be brought to NASCAR racing, that is a very good happening for the sport.
* * *Looking for that special gift for that special race fan on your Christmas shopping list or just want to buy a gift for yourself Grandview Speedway is offering their annual season pass.
For just $350, no increase in cost over last season, a 2017 Grandview Speedway season pass offers a guaranteed seat for each exciting Saturday night of auto racing entertainment.
Again in 2017 the Saturday night shows will feature the highly competitive T.P.Trailers NASCAR 358 Modifieds, the exciting BRC Late Models and the popular Sportsman stock cars in action plus a special attraction from time-to-time.
Each season pass holder is entitled to a reserved seat, of his or her choice, for all Saturday night events.
A check in the amount of $350 should be sent for each season pass being ordered. Make the check payable to Grandview Speedway and mail to 87 Wilt Road, Bechtelsville, PA 19505. Please include a self-addressed stamped envelope for convenience in getting the season pass returned to you.
The traditional free-to-the-public practice session will kick off the season on Saturday, March 25th at noon as has been the case for many years.
A complete 2017 season schedule will be released in the near future.
