Post by meg on Mar 21, 2011 16:06:14 GMT -5
Meeting Has Hamlin Speedway Abuzz With Excitement And Many New Drivers For the New Season On The Horizon
By:Steve Pados, GA Motorsports Media
The hustle and bustle of the off-season activities never diminish from the goals of the drivers and the owners as they set their plans in motion for the upcoming racing season. The recent Hamlin Speedway meeting on March 6th has created a new wave of electricity and excitement for the speedway that will become much more evident with the initial Bug Day at the speedway scheduled for April 9th with a time slot of 2 to 6 PM and the gates opening at 1 PM. The premier racing attraction in the Poconos, the Hamlin Speedway, has detailed an exciting season ahead with the new 2011 racing schedule now in place and the season opener set to kick-off on April 16th. With seven phenomenal divisions returning to the speedway to pick up where they left off from a season ago, the excitement has reached a fever pitch with the drivers and owners now spending more time in their shops to button up the equipment in preparation for the racing wars to begin. The spectacular 2010 season was merely a taste of what the exciting new season will bring to the speedway as much shuffling within the divisions during the off-season will find plenty of new faces in new hot rods once the first green flag is thrown for the season. The 2011 season at Hamlin will be the sixth year in sequence with the Smith Family at the helm and another record breaking campaign is expected to benchmark the great racing on the one fifth mile raceway at the season's end. The recent IRCO sponsored Dirt Track Heroes Show in Phillipsburg, New Jersey brought out the many stars of the speedway on March 10th to interview with speedway announcer Steve Pados, his brother Ed, Bobby Stull and Justin Beltrame in a three hour show that gave all of the participants a chance to define their views and goals for the new season ahead.
The two new divisions from a season ago, the Rookie 270 Micros and the Rookie Wingless 600's will find a new crop of budding prospects seeking to add their names to the growing list of winners who have found fame at the Poconos facility and etch their names into the Hamlin record books. The Kutztown Speedway Junior Slingshot champion from a season ago, "T-Jet" TJ Lilly will be among the many new faces in the rookie 270 ranks and should prove to be a threat immediately as he has scored 80 wins in three divisions over the past six seasons. The ten year old driving star will do double duty in the Slingshot division as well. Taylor "Scoot" Eccles will make a run at the title in the Junior Slingshot division in his Metro Optics/Matt's Auto Glass sponsored hot rod. Another fifteen year old talent, Hunter Smith, will make the Hamlin facility his home in 2011 after a successful two year stint in the Karts at the Snydersville Raceway. A former Hamlin Speedway regular in 2004, Ron Pierson Jr will make his return to the speedway in the 270 Micros and should be a threat to claim his share of glory at the speedway in 2011. Accord Speedway Spec Sportsman Champion, "The Bushkill Bullet" Kyle Rohner, will have a seat in the recently purchased Ronda and Gary Phillips owned 600 Micro for action at Hamlin and the pristine race car captured the CARQUEST Gasoline Alley best of show honors for the small car divisions at the recent Dirt Track Heroes Show. Craig Fedoryk is a local talent around the Hamlin Speedway area and recently purchased the former Jamie Czekai owned 270 Micro to kick-off his racing career. Robbie Hocker will be another of the youngsters who will make his home at Hamlin 2011 in the Slingshot division. Sheldon Iudicello will compete in the 600 Micro division in 2011 with help coming from 10-Point Fabrication and Vegas Fuel. Fifteen year old Tommy Kunsman Jr and his Dad Tommy Sr will return to the speedway in 2011 and Tommy Jr will be seeking to add some additional wins after scoring his first win a season ago at the speedway. Joe Honey and Don Schmitt Jr will carry the sponsorship of Darkside Motorsports as the two newcomers find their way around the Hamlin landscape. The 2009 and 2010 Empire Slingshot Tour Champion Charlie Lawrence will put in a full season of competition at Hamlin and the sixteen year old has proven himself a worthy foe in past performances at the speedway. Gary Dennis is another local talent who will put his efforts into the Slingshot Division at Hamlin with his Dennis Motorsports entry. "The Sideways Slant" Grant Hilfiger returns to the speedway in 2011 with a solid effort designed at the 600 Micros. Hilfiger is a two-time Penn Can Speedway Sportsman Champion and will do battle in the
Modified there on Friday night and compete at Hamlin on Saturday nights. Hilfiger enjoyed a couple of solid performances in action in 2009 and is looking forward to his return at the speedway. Herb "The Trigger" Finger will make Hamlin his home in 2011 as he is from the Port Jervis, New York area and will do battle in two of the Slingshot divisions at the speedway. Charlie Shaver and Wes Hearn are a pair of veteran driving talents seeking to do more racing in 2011 at Hamlin.
"The Rockaway Rocket" Danny Buccafusca, the Junior Slingshot champion and a 12-time winner at Hamlin a season ago, will step into the Regular Slingshot division in 2011 and Danny is looking forward to the new challenges ahead of him in racing. Having secured 23-wins in a spectacular racing season in 2010, the young speedster is set to go for the new season. Making the transition along with Danny will be "Slick" Rick Rasiner, a three-time winner a season ago and a third place finisher in points. Rick's Dad, a noted racer himself before devoting his attention to his son's career, feels the move will be beneficial for his young charger. AJ Tonkin, who was fourth in points a season ago, will also make the transition into the Regular Slingshots in 2011. Third generation driving talent Eddie Strada was an attention getter right away last season as his Dad was a former Modified Champion at the now defunct Lake Mocatek Speedway and the Strada fans now shift their hopes on the youngster who will also make the jump into the Regular Slingshot Division. The runner-up in points in 2010, "The Midget" Chris Kurtz will loom as a favorite for the title for the new season ahead. The "Little Tornado" Zack Weisenfluh, a top five performer a year ago, will put plenty of pressure on Chris along with Thomas Strupp.
The Super Slingshot division in 2010 saw not only a rise in numbers from previous seasons but the division was highly competitive throughout the year and headed up by the "The Carbondale Comet" Paul Ennes who reigned as the champion of the Super Slingshot division. Hard-riding Henry Anderson, Dale Kober, Tom Arntz, Aaron Henneforth, Bob Clark, "Double J" Jim Johnston, "The Harmony Hurricane" Roger Collins and Jerry Hughes threw their talent into the mix and more of the same is expected when the first green flag drops.
Additional hot-shoes looking to unseat Burd from the roost include former champion Nunzi Allegrucci, "Double M" Matt Mountz, Kurt Bettler, "The Aviator" Robbie Watson, CJ Heinig, Rob Pajauis, "The Rattlesnake" Rich O'Neill, "Lightning" Larry Mekic and Larry Hoagland. Rookie 270 champion "The Warrior" Jeffrey Anderson will add to the already solid mix of driving talent along with Kyle Rutledge and Glenn Macomber.
"The Conductor" Bobby Butler captured the Wingless 600 Micro title and has indicated he will not be running for the title in 2011 but will concentrate on adding additional wins to racing resume. The division had many winners during the 2010 season and with the excellent graduating rookie crop added to the already great mix of drivers, this division will be rock-ribbed with talent and desire for the new season ahead. Expected to challenge will be Brett Michalski, Stan Tykarski, Gary Berkenstock, Kyle "The Hot" Lick, Danny Wykes, Matt Mountz, Shannon Smith and Billy Clark. Making the transition into the division will be rookie 600 Wingless champion "The Goshen Gladiator" Joe Kata, runner-up "The Wild Child" Brian Gilmore and third place runner "The Rocketman" Ryan Wood. Jordy Farry, a part-time campaigner in 2010, recently purchased the former Jeff Hartman machine for battle at the speedway in 2011.
"The Oxford Express" Dale Kober returns as the Regular Slingshot champion and he will face stiff challenges all along the way as 2010 National Slingshot champion "The Dirt Diva" Shannon Smith, Paul Ennes, Kyle "Hot Rod" Rode, "The Belvidere Bullet" Kyle Rutledge, "The Mack Attack" Mack Brink, "The Factoryville Flyer" Billy Clark, Russell Benke, Simon Egan, MIke McLaughlin and Jess Benke. Recent news finds 2009 National Slingshot champion "The Bangor Renegade" Cody Kline and "The Dream" Billy Weaver returning to the speedway wars as regulars in 2011.
Keep in touch with all of the latest updates in Hamlin information by going to their website often at www.HamlinSpeedway.com. Additional news regarding the 2011 racing season and some special events will follow in a timely manner. The Smith Family would again like to thank all of the drivers, owners, staff and the loyal band of race fans who have helped make the Hamlin Speedway the finest well-rounded small car division racing facility in the country.
All Divisions Run Weekly and...... are subject to change. Hamlin Speedway is now on Facebook! NOTES: Slingshot Drivers, Owners & Fans: Now you can order your slingshot parts in your PAJAMAS! Shop ONLINE at: shop.ssspeedways.com
For additional updates and information call the speedway hotline at: 570 420 5500. For video work or questions regarding the purchase of videos from the exciting on-track action at the Hamlin Speedway, contact videographer Barry Boyd at: www.boydracingvideos.com
By:Steve Pados, GA Motorsports Media
The hustle and bustle of the off-season activities never diminish from the goals of the drivers and the owners as they set their plans in motion for the upcoming racing season. The recent Hamlin Speedway meeting on March 6th has created a new wave of electricity and excitement for the speedway that will become much more evident with the initial Bug Day at the speedway scheduled for April 9th with a time slot of 2 to 6 PM and the gates opening at 1 PM. The premier racing attraction in the Poconos, the Hamlin Speedway, has detailed an exciting season ahead with the new 2011 racing schedule now in place and the season opener set to kick-off on April 16th. With seven phenomenal divisions returning to the speedway to pick up where they left off from a season ago, the excitement has reached a fever pitch with the drivers and owners now spending more time in their shops to button up the equipment in preparation for the racing wars to begin. The spectacular 2010 season was merely a taste of what the exciting new season will bring to the speedway as much shuffling within the divisions during the off-season will find plenty of new faces in new hot rods once the first green flag is thrown for the season. The 2011 season at Hamlin will be the sixth year in sequence with the Smith Family at the helm and another record breaking campaign is expected to benchmark the great racing on the one fifth mile raceway at the season's end. The recent IRCO sponsored Dirt Track Heroes Show in Phillipsburg, New Jersey brought out the many stars of the speedway on March 10th to interview with speedway announcer Steve Pados, his brother Ed, Bobby Stull and Justin Beltrame in a three hour show that gave all of the participants a chance to define their views and goals for the new season ahead.
The two new divisions from a season ago, the Rookie 270 Micros and the Rookie Wingless 600's will find a new crop of budding prospects seeking to add their names to the growing list of winners who have found fame at the Poconos facility and etch their names into the Hamlin record books. The Kutztown Speedway Junior Slingshot champion from a season ago, "T-Jet" TJ Lilly will be among the many new faces in the rookie 270 ranks and should prove to be a threat immediately as he has scored 80 wins in three divisions over the past six seasons. The ten year old driving star will do double duty in the Slingshot division as well. Taylor "Scoot" Eccles will make a run at the title in the Junior Slingshot division in his Metro Optics/Matt's Auto Glass sponsored hot rod. Another fifteen year old talent, Hunter Smith, will make the Hamlin facility his home in 2011 after a successful two year stint in the Karts at the Snydersville Raceway. A former Hamlin Speedway regular in 2004, Ron Pierson Jr will make his return to the speedway in the 270 Micros and should be a threat to claim his share of glory at the speedway in 2011. Accord Speedway Spec Sportsman Champion, "The Bushkill Bullet" Kyle Rohner, will have a seat in the recently purchased Ronda and Gary Phillips owned 600 Micro for action at Hamlin and the pristine race car captured the CARQUEST Gasoline Alley best of show honors for the small car divisions at the recent Dirt Track Heroes Show. Craig Fedoryk is a local talent around the Hamlin Speedway area and recently purchased the former Jamie Czekai owned 270 Micro to kick-off his racing career. Robbie Hocker will be another of the youngsters who will make his home at Hamlin 2011 in the Slingshot division. Sheldon Iudicello will compete in the 600 Micro division in 2011 with help coming from 10-Point Fabrication and Vegas Fuel. Fifteen year old Tommy Kunsman Jr and his Dad Tommy Sr will return to the speedway in 2011 and Tommy Jr will be seeking to add some additional wins after scoring his first win a season ago at the speedway. Joe Honey and Don Schmitt Jr will carry the sponsorship of Darkside Motorsports as the two newcomers find their way around the Hamlin landscape. The 2009 and 2010 Empire Slingshot Tour Champion Charlie Lawrence will put in a full season of competition at Hamlin and the sixteen year old has proven himself a worthy foe in past performances at the speedway. Gary Dennis is another local talent who will put his efforts into the Slingshot Division at Hamlin with his Dennis Motorsports entry. "The Sideways Slant" Grant Hilfiger returns to the speedway in 2011 with a solid effort designed at the 600 Micros. Hilfiger is a two-time Penn Can Speedway Sportsman Champion and will do battle in the
Modified there on Friday night and compete at Hamlin on Saturday nights. Hilfiger enjoyed a couple of solid performances in action in 2009 and is looking forward to his return at the speedway. Herb "The Trigger" Finger will make Hamlin his home in 2011 as he is from the Port Jervis, New York area and will do battle in two of the Slingshot divisions at the speedway. Charlie Shaver and Wes Hearn are a pair of veteran driving talents seeking to do more racing in 2011 at Hamlin.
"The Rockaway Rocket" Danny Buccafusca, the Junior Slingshot champion and a 12-time winner at Hamlin a season ago, will step into the Regular Slingshot division in 2011 and Danny is looking forward to the new challenges ahead of him in racing. Having secured 23-wins in a spectacular racing season in 2010, the young speedster is set to go for the new season. Making the transition along with Danny will be "Slick" Rick Rasiner, a three-time winner a season ago and a third place finisher in points. Rick's Dad, a noted racer himself before devoting his attention to his son's career, feels the move will be beneficial for his young charger. AJ Tonkin, who was fourth in points a season ago, will also make the transition into the Regular Slingshots in 2011. Third generation driving talent Eddie Strada was an attention getter right away last season as his Dad was a former Modified Champion at the now defunct Lake Mocatek Speedway and the Strada fans now shift their hopes on the youngster who will also make the jump into the Regular Slingshot Division. The runner-up in points in 2010, "The Midget" Chris Kurtz will loom as a favorite for the title for the new season ahead. The "Little Tornado" Zack Weisenfluh, a top five performer a year ago, will put plenty of pressure on Chris along with Thomas Strupp.
The Super Slingshot division in 2010 saw not only a rise in numbers from previous seasons but the division was highly competitive throughout the year and headed up by the "The Carbondale Comet" Paul Ennes who reigned as the champion of the Super Slingshot division. Hard-riding Henry Anderson, Dale Kober, Tom Arntz, Aaron Henneforth, Bob Clark, "Double J" Jim Johnston, "The Harmony Hurricane" Roger Collins and Jerry Hughes threw their talent into the mix and more of the same is expected when the first green flag drops.
Additional hot-shoes looking to unseat Burd from the roost include former champion Nunzi Allegrucci, "Double M" Matt Mountz, Kurt Bettler, "The Aviator" Robbie Watson, CJ Heinig, Rob Pajauis, "The Rattlesnake" Rich O'Neill, "Lightning" Larry Mekic and Larry Hoagland. Rookie 270 champion "The Warrior" Jeffrey Anderson will add to the already solid mix of driving talent along with Kyle Rutledge and Glenn Macomber.
"The Conductor" Bobby Butler captured the Wingless 600 Micro title and has indicated he will not be running for the title in 2011 but will concentrate on adding additional wins to racing resume. The division had many winners during the 2010 season and with the excellent graduating rookie crop added to the already great mix of drivers, this division will be rock-ribbed with talent and desire for the new season ahead. Expected to challenge will be Brett Michalski, Stan Tykarski, Gary Berkenstock, Kyle "The Hot" Lick, Danny Wykes, Matt Mountz, Shannon Smith and Billy Clark. Making the transition into the division will be rookie 600 Wingless champion "The Goshen Gladiator" Joe Kata, runner-up "The Wild Child" Brian Gilmore and third place runner "The Rocketman" Ryan Wood. Jordy Farry, a part-time campaigner in 2010, recently purchased the former Jeff Hartman machine for battle at the speedway in 2011.
"The Oxford Express" Dale Kober returns as the Regular Slingshot champion and he will face stiff challenges all along the way as 2010 National Slingshot champion "The Dirt Diva" Shannon Smith, Paul Ennes, Kyle "Hot Rod" Rode, "The Belvidere Bullet" Kyle Rutledge, "The Mack Attack" Mack Brink, "The Factoryville Flyer" Billy Clark, Russell Benke, Simon Egan, MIke McLaughlin and Jess Benke. Recent news finds 2009 National Slingshot champion "The Bangor Renegade" Cody Kline and "The Dream" Billy Weaver returning to the speedway wars as regulars in 2011.
Keep in touch with all of the latest updates in Hamlin information by going to their website often at www.HamlinSpeedway.com. Additional news regarding the 2011 racing season and some special events will follow in a timely manner. The Smith Family would again like to thank all of the drivers, owners, staff and the loyal band of race fans who have helped make the Hamlin Speedway the finest well-rounded small car division racing facility in the country.
All Divisions Run Weekly and...... are subject to change. Hamlin Speedway is now on Facebook! NOTES: Slingshot Drivers, Owners & Fans: Now you can order your slingshot parts in your PAJAMAS! Shop ONLINE at: shop.ssspeedways.com
For additional updates and information call the speedway hotline at: 570 420 5500. For video work or questions regarding the purchase of videos from the exciting on-track action at the Hamlin Speedway, contact videographer Barry Boyd at: www.boydracingvideos.com