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EPPING, NH- The 2011 season
at the Star Speedway was a new beginning of sorts for
the historic quarter-mile racing oval. Many old faces,
and a few new ones made their presence known. The 2012
season promises to be even bigger and better, with
several new race teams already preparing for the season
ahead at the Epping, New Hampshire facility, with more
former drivers preparing for competition as well.
The first official
event for Star will be the Northeast Motorsports Expo,
which takes place in Augusta, Maine at the Civic Center
from January 6-8. The EKeys 4-Cars Modifieds driven by
Jacob Dore and '11 Champion Josh Cantara will be on
display, along with a PASS Tour car, two Maine Modifieds
and one Legend car. All of these groups will be a part
of a season schedule that is sure to please our loyal
New England race fans of all types.
Highlights of that
schedule includes a season-opening event on May 12,
featuring the popular PASS Super Late Model Tour. The
month of June is highlighted by the 2nd annual SBM 125
Tour-Type Modified Open on June 16, which in 2011 was
the only Modified feature race event held in the country
with an entire field made up of past champions and
feature race winners. The month is capped off by a
family fireworks night on June 30 to celebrate our
nation's birthday.
July marks the return
of the NEMA Midgets, who along with the NEMA Lites tour
will bring back memories of how exciting these cars are
to watch at the Epping oval. A special Christmas in July
event and a Wednesday Family Fun Night are also on the
schedule.
The Star summer sizzles
in August, with the Granite State Pro Stock Tour 100 on
August 18th, plus another family fun night. With only
one race currently scheduled for the E Keys 4-Cars
Modifieds in September, the month of August will prove
crucial in deciding a track champion.
September not only has
the E Keys Modified Championship night, but it also will
mark the return of the ISMA Supermodifieds for a 150-lap
event that is the oldest running race in New England for
the winged warriors on September 8. The season concludes
in October with the 27th annual Halloween Howler Enduro,
which brings the largest crowd of the season annually.
Many new drivers have
indicated their intentions to compete at Star this
season. In the EKeys Modifieds new entries include Todd
Annarummo, Russ Wood Jr., and Jodi Johnson. The Outlaw
Late Models will have returning Champion Mitch Wendell
facing some new challengers, as former NASCAR Short
Track Champion Rob Wilcox will be back in his own number
08 car. Former Star Track Champion Joe Squeglia Jr. will
be returning in the Bruce Howard 03, and Bobby Cabral is
building a machine to compete at Star as well.
New for 2012 will be
the return of the Strickly Stock class, which will
replace the Rookie Stocks to provide fans with a faster
breed of full-fendered entertainment. Mike Williams and
Paul Ranberg will drive for car owner Mike White in the
Strickly's, with Connor McDougall, 2011 Champion Bill
Fiske, Lee Champion Mark Parenteau and 2011 Roadrunner
Champion Jack Victoria have all expressed an interest in
racing in the new Star weekly division.
The Roadrunners will
remain a part of the weekly program. It's a low cost
option for drivers looking be a part of the racing
action at Star for a lesser cost. The Paul Brown Full
Throttle Race Team will return in full force in their
car owner's memory.
Returning teams have
only until Jan 1 to reserve the car number they used
last season. All competing teams must register, and have
a Star Speedway membership, which gives teams a weekly
discount on pit admission, a membership card and decal.
For more information on this and other off season
happenings log onto our web site at:
www.star-speedway.com.
News updates will also be posted on the Star Speedway
Facebook page. |
