EPPING, NH- In the midst of the holiday season, the management at Star Speedway in Epping, New Hampshire has been busy finalizing their 2013 race schedule, and on July 6 the level of competition and amount of entertainment at the quarter-mile oval will be at an all-time high.

For the first time since 2003, the American-Canadian Tour will compete at Star as part of a special holiday event that includes the EKeys 4 Cars Tour-Type Modifieds and a gigantic fireworks display following the 150-lap ACT event. For 2012 ACT Champion, Wayne Helliwell Jr., the race will mark a return to where he grew up watching his father race Pro Stocks in the 1980's.

"I'm really looking forward to getting back there," the Pelham, N.H., native admits. "It's one of the tracks I got to go to every Saturday night growing up watching my dad. It should be pretty good with these Late Models. I think they are going to put on a whale of a show."

While Helliwell might have a bit of a home track advantage that includes the experience of his father with setting up his Bruce Bernhardt owned Late Model, there will be plenty of competition from teams accustomed to learning different track setups, such as eight-time ACT Champion Brian Hoar from Williston, Vermont and rising stars Austin Theriault of Fort Kent, Maine and Hudson's Joey Polewarczyk Jr.

The EKeys Modifieds are expected to have an increased car count and some stiff competition for the coveted 2013 Star Speedway Track Championship. Just announced this week was an additional $350 awaiting the EKeys Champion courtesy of American Race Tire, which once again will be the tire of choice for 2013.

Jacob Dore, who earned more than $6,000 in cash and contingencies for winning the 2012 EKeys Modified title will be among the favorites in a division that saw a full field of cars for the season finale.

"Adding the EKeys 4 Cars Modifieds to the July 6 event makes for a high total purse payout, but it also creates a doubleheader night of headline division racing for fans that is second to none," reasoned Star Speedway Promoter Bob Webber Jr. "This event should rank very high on the list of special events in New England next summer, and we are very excited to have the ACT Tour back at Star."

This special July 6 holiday spectacular will be one of many special events on the 2013 Star Speedway schedule, which includes the June 15 SBM 125 Modified Open. That event could become  the highest paying race in southern New Hampshire in 2013 because of donations to the purse from race fans, which are running well ahead of last season already.

Stay tuned for many more updates to come, and a full 2013 race schedule release within the next few weeks. More information can be found on the Star Speedway Facebook page, and also on: www.star-speedway.com.