Category: Other Series PR

Bobby Tolton and Tolton Motorsports would like you to join us at the 2013 Mega Speed Custom Car and Truck Show as the No. 13 OSCAAR Modified in which Tolton will pilot in 2013 will be on display.

The Modified will be on display in OSCAAR’s booth at the show, joining Kevin Cornelius’ Super Late Model and Rob Poole’s Super Late Model.

The 2013 Mega Speed Custom Car and Truck Show will be taking place at the International Centre from March 21st to 23rd. Information, including tickets, can be found at the show’s website – .

For the 2013 season, Tolton will be moving up to the OSCAAR Modified division and competiting for rookie of the year. The news was announced via OSCAAR’s official website and can be seen at .

Photos of the build of the new car are available on Tolton’s website at . The car is set to be wrapped just before the show by Knightworks Design. Fans are encouraged to stay tuned to Tolton’s website for updates throughout the course of the 2013 season.

The OSCAAR Modifieds are entering their second full season and their schedule, plus more information, can be found on their website at .

Watertown, Conn.—March 13, 2013 — David Gravel has heard and read about the sprint car racing scene in California for as long as he can remember. He has been looking for the right opportunity to race in the Golden State for the past few years. That chance will come this week as he makes his California debut at Thunderbowl Raceway as he continues to fill-in for the injured Bill Rose in the Fire Text Response Maxim on the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series circuit.

The two-night event at the high-banked, third-mile Thunderbowl Raceway in Tulare is set for Friday, March 15 and Saturday, March 16 and will serve as the fourth and fifth races of the 12-race West Coast Swing for the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series. Each night will be comprised of a full racing program, capped by a 35-lap A-Feature.

“I’ve always wanted to race in California, so I’m really excited to get back in the car this week and get to race there,” said Gravel. “I’ve heard that Tulare (Thunderbowl Raceway) is a pretty action-packed track and gets right up against the wall, so hopefully it suits me and we can have a strong run. We have some momentum from last weekend, so that should help as well.”

Gravel opened the World of Outlaws West Coast swing last week with a pair of top-10 showings. He finished a season-best fourth at The Dirt Track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 7 and was eighth at Tucson International Raceway on March 9. In the opener at Las Vegas, he soldiered to a 13th-place finish after sustaining a bent front axle and broken shock in the main event. The 20-year-old was visiting each of those two venues for the first time in his career.

“I felt pretty comfortable in the car last week and probably will feel even better this week as I continue to make more laps in it,” he noted. “There was a big field at Las Vegas and we did okay out there, so I think we’ll be all right at Tulare as well, no matter how many cars are there.”

Thunderbowl Raceway is a high-banked, third-mile bullring and Gravel raced at tracks that size on a number of occasions in 2012. He competed in four races at Attica Raceway Park in Ohio with the UNOH All Star Circuit of Champions last year, recording a best-finish of eighth in the fall. Gravel finished sixth at Wilmot Speedway in Wisconsin also with the All Stars during the annual Thunder in the Plains. He recorded a top-10 finish at Waynesfield Raceway Park in Ohio with the All Stars during Ohio Sprint Speedweek. With the World of Outlaws he raced at Beaver Dam Raceway, a third-mile in Wisconsin, last year. In addition, Gravel has raced at Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 in Missouri with the series in the past, which is very similar to Thunderbowl Raceway.

“It definitely helps having raced at places like Attica and Pevely and it’s a big benefit that my crew chief Tyler (Swank) and Bill (Rose) have both been to Tulare a number of times and know what it takes out there,” stated Gravel. “As long as we get the car pretty close, we should be okay, and then it’s up to me to adapt and get the feel of the track.”

Gravel heads to Thunderbowl Raceway tied for ninth in the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series standings, on the strength of three top-10 finishes in the first six races of the year. The native of Watertown, Conn., will be contending for the Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year Award this season, with the changes that were made to the rookie format prior to the season.

Keep up-to-date with David Gravel and DDR Motorsports by visiting www.DavidGravel89.com. Follow David on Twitter @davidgravel89gand like David on Facebook.

By Clayton Johns (@cjohnsmedia) – Reigning Lucas Oil Canadian Vintage Modified champion Shane Stickel has announced he is joining the OSCAAR Modified tour for the 2013 season.

The Kitchener, ON native will be sporting his familiar #39 aboard a Troyer Chassis purchased from NASCAR Whelen Modified driver Rob McCormick out of Calverton, NY. Stickel’s campaign will be supported by MSD Machine Tool, Speedway Photo.ca, Shelane Properties, Paragon Collision Centre, MAC Contracting, Jungle Cat Designs, Huron Fasteners Inc., Creative Edge, and Abtech CAD/CAM.

The 23 year-old is excited to make the transition to a higher horsepower open-wheel car under OSCAAR sanctioning, and felt the timing was right for the jump.

“It’s still a new series and I don’t want to fall too far behind the guys that have started to race in it,” said Stickel.

Like any driver making a move to a new series, Stickel is expecting a host of challenges to go along with his new car. He believes the hardest part of the transition will be getting the car to perform up to his competitive standards.

“The Vintage modifieds are a way different car from a setup stand point,” said Stickel. “I have no experience with the kind of suspension components that are on an OSCAAR Modified. That’s going to be a huge learning curve on its own.”

Nonetheless, Stickel feels he may have an advantage over other newcomers to the series from full-bodied cars.

“The open-wheel experience (will help). I’ve only raced ovals for three years. Compared to a lot of the drivers out there, I’m still pretty new,” explained Stickel. “I’ve learned a ton … being that it’s an open-wheel car, how to race guys clean. It’s probably a natural fit for me to move on to this series.”

The overall task of taking on a new car, new series, and new set of competition has Stickel itching to pilot his new machine. So much so, the multi-time Waterloo Regional Karting Club champion has a tough time narrowing it down.

“What am I not looking forward to is a better question,” laughed Stickel. “I’m really looking forward to the OSCAAR series. I’ve heard it’s a great club and full of great people. To try and race a new car, that’s always exciting.”

Stickel is currently preparing to battle for a rookie-of-the-year title, one that will be nothing short of intense as more drivers continuously throw their name in the hat. Given Stickel picked up his ride late in the off-season, he cautions race fans not to panic if he is absent on opening day.

“To convert a chassis from the States takes a ton of work,” said Stickel. “I don’t know if I’ll be out for the first race, that’s still up in the air.”

Stickel intends to run a familiar vibrant paint scheme, similar to what he has run on his Vintage Modified for the previous three seasons.

“I’m a pretty meticulous guy. I like to keep my equipment nice,” said Stickel. “If anything, that’s why I might be a little bit late getting in. I don’t want to run something I’ve half-ass put together. I definitely want to do it right.”

For a driver in his early twenties, OSCAAR’s young core of drivers were among the factors considered in his search for a new racing home.

“I was the youngest person in the vintage modifieds,” said Stickel. “To see a series like this with a lot of people around my age, that can only mean things like friendship and getting along better at the track. I did miss that from go-karting.”

Despite the time constraints, Stickel will make every effort to be at Sunset Speedway for opening day on May 19. Sunset quickly became one of Stickel’s favourite tracks on the Vintage Modified tour and he hopes the success will translate to OSCAAR.

For more information on Shane Stickel and his crew, visit his website at www.shanestickel.com .

Turner Scott Motorsports NASCAR K&N Pro Series East News & Notes: Bristol Motor Speedway

Welcome to the Series…Turner Scott Motorsports (TSM), which currently houses three full-time NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) and three full-time NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) teams, will expand their operation to include three full-time and two part-time entries in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East (NKNPSE) ranks for the 2013 season.

First NKNPSE Starts…Turner Scott Motorsports and Austin Dyne, Ben Rhodes and Kenzie Ruston will all be making their first start in the NKNPSE at Bristol Motor Speedway (BMS) this coming weekend.

Austin Dyne…In 2012, Dyne earned two top-fives and eight top-10s in his rookie season in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West (NKNPSW). With one less start than his closest competitor, Dyne’s strong effort allowed him to capture the Sunoco Rookie of the Year award by one point.

“I am really thrilled to be racing for a championship-caliber organization like Turner Scott Motorsports,” said Dyne. “I’m looking forward to kicking off the season at Bristol; I’ve only seen it on TV, but I am confident that we can get a good handle on the track and come out with a strong showing.”

Ben Rhodes… After his first full season of Late Model racing, 16-year-old Louisville, Kentucky, native Ben Rhodes will compete in seven events for TSM in the NKNPSE in 2013 with plans to run for the Sunoco Rookie of the Year and the championship in 2014.

“The 2013 season will be a learning season for me in the series,” said Rhodes. “We are only racing seven events so I can maintain my rookie status for 2014, when we will race the entire series and see if we can get Rookie of the Year honors. I am excited for my debut with the team at Bristol Motor Speedway. It is close to my home state, and it is one of the most-exciting places to race in the country.”

Brandon Jones… Fifteen year old Brandon Jones, a sophomore at Mooresville (NC) High School, who drove in the UARA and PASS series in 2012 as well as having made his inaugural NKNPSE start will drive in four different series for TSM in 2013, including the full UARA season, seven NKNPSE races, two NCWTS events and selected NASCAR Late Model Stock races.

“I feel like we have a great chance to contend for a solid finish in the series’ first points race,” said Jones. “Cale [Gale] and the rest of the Rheem crew has worked really hard this off season to put together some great equipment and I would love to reward them with a solid start to the season.”

Dylan Kwasniewski…Dylan Kwasniewski, the 2012 NKNPSW Champion, will compete for a championship in the NKNPSE with TSM in 2013.Kwasniewski tallied two wins, two poles, eight top-fives and nine top-10s in the NKNPSW in 2011. Not to be outdone by his performance from the previous season, 2012 was one for the record books. Kwasniewski went on to record three wins, six poles, 12 top-fives and 15 top-10s en route to becoming the youngest champion in NKNPSW history.

“I am really ready to hit the track at Bristol,” said Kwasniewski. “My Turner Scott Motorsports team is strong, and I know we have what it takes to have a very successful year together. Hopefully we got all of our bad luck out of the way in Daytona, and we can go out and contend for the win in our first points race of the season.”

Kenzie Ruston…A Super Late Model stand out, Ruston will move up to compete full time in the NKNPSE with TSM in 2013. In the 19 events in which she competed in 2012, Ruston scored six top-five and 12 top-10 finishes and was voted Speed51.com’s National Short Track Most Popular Driver, the first female to win the award since its establishment six years ago.

“I’m just glad the season is finally here,” said Ruston. “I’ve been looking forward to turning some laps at Bristol’s high-banks. My goal for this weekend is to keep the car clean for all 125 laps and be in contention at the end of the race.”

Kevin Cornelius and KDR Motorsports would like you to join us at the 2013 Mega Speed Custom Car and Truck Show as the No. 17 Halton Crushed Stone Lee Sand and Gravel, Hanson Concrete Products, Sandbox Tech Child Care, Alliston Transmission, Ed’s Automotive, Triple Concrete and MacMaster Buick GMC Orangeville OSCAAR Super Late Model will be on display.

The car will be on display in the OSCAAR booth, joined by fellow Super Late Model competitor Rob Poole and OSCAAR Modified rookie Bobby Tolton.

The 2013 Mega Speed Custom Car and Truck Show will be taking place at the International Centre from March 21^st to 23^rd. Information, including tickets, can be found at the show’s website – .

For the 2013 season, Cornelius will be moving up to the OSCAAR ranks from the Limited Late Model ranks to compete for Rookie of the Year.

“Really excited about the 2013 race season,” the Orangeville, Ontario native said back in December. “I would have to go back to 1996 when I was in my first race at Sauble Speedway to compare the excitement. Really looking forward to racing in what I consider to be one of the top series in Ontario with the toughest competition with guys like Glenn and Brandon Watson , George Wilson , Derek Tiemersma , Rob Clarke, Rob Poole and the list goes on.

“I think OSCAAR is on the verge of getting real big and that Dave (Gainforth) and the group are heading in the right direction.

As announced previously in December, Cornelius will be piloting a McColl Racing Enterprises chassis. It marks the first M.R.E OSCAAR built chassis.

KDR Motorsports would like to thank Fierce Wraps for wrapping the car. You can check out the Fierce Wraps website at http://www.fiercewraps.com.

Known as Ontario’s premiere late model touring division, the OSCAAR Super Late Models tour across the province, going to a variety of tracks in a compact 13 race schedule. For more information on OSCAAR, check out http://www.oscaar.ca.

To keep up with KDR Motorsports throughout the entire 2013 season, check out the website at and like the facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/kdrmotorsports17.

New Castle, Ind.—March 11, 2013— Indoor midget racing takes a combination of two very important elements to be in contention for wins. First, a fast car and second, a little bit of luck. Tracy Hines had both of those at various times this past weekend as he took to the track at the Cedar Lake Arena in New Richmond, Wisc., for the Sasquatch Indoor Nationals presented by Jack Link’s Beef Jerky, which served as the season opening two races for the Stark Automotive Group/Mid-State Equipment Badger Midget Series. When the checkered flag flew, he crossed the line second in the final feature, after coming home seventh on the opening night.

The finale of the two-day event was run in the afternoon on Sunday, March 10 and found Hines starting ninth on the grid for the 30-lap main event aboard the No. 75 Speed Quip Motorsports Chevrolet-powered Phantom. The race started with accidents that brought out the yellow flag twice before a single lap was completed, necessitating a pair of complete restarts.

On the third attempt at the start, Hines found himself in fourth. He would move into third on the seventh circuit, getting around David Gough. The veteran driver would move into second on lap-23, getting by early race leader Brad Kuhn. Hines battled lapped traffic late in the race as he tried to track down eventual winner Danny Stratton. He would cross the line in the runner-up position. Hines began the afternoon by finishing second in the second 10-lap heat race.

“It was an eventful start to the race to say the least,” said Hines. “That all helped us a bit and I was able to get a pretty good start the third time and run up front. It took a little too long to get into second and we just didn’t have enough time after that. It was a fun weekend and I really have to thank Roger and Lara Miller for letting me drive their car.”

Hines opened the two-day event at the Cedar Lake Arena on Saturday, March 9 with a seventh-place finish in the 30-lap main event. The native of New Castle, Ind., lined up sixth for the race, which featured numerous drivers that are veterans of indoor midget events. A number of cautions dotted the main event, including one that turned into a red flag with 10 laps to-go that brought the field to a stop to improve air conditions inside the Cedar Lake Arena. The night opened for Hines with a second-place finish in the fourth 10-lap heat race.

“That was a pretty demanding race out there,” noted Hines. “As is the case most time with indoors races, it was pretty challenging to get around people and you really had to set up your passes a couple laps before. We learned a few things on the first night that really helped us on Sunday.”

Hines returns to action on Saturday, April 6 at Lawrenceburg Speedway in Indiana with the USAC Amsoil National Sprint Car Series. He is currently third in points with the series, just seven markers out of the top spot, after a pair of wins in Florida last month to open the season. Hines will make his next start in a midget the following weekend, April 12–13 at Kokomo Speedway as part of the inaugural Kokomo Grand Prix for the USAC National Midget Series.

“With how strong we ended the trip to Florida, I can’t wait to get back in the sprint car in a few weeks,” he stated. “Then it’s just one week after that and we are at Kokomo in the midget. It’s almost that time and I’m ready. We’ve been working hard in the shop and have everything ready to go.”

For more information on Tracy Hines Racing, visit http://www.tracyhinesracing.com. Follow Tracy on Twitter atwww.Twitter.com/TracyHinesRacin.