Lancaster Speedway

LANCASTER DRAGWAY @ NYIRP SALUTES 2019 CHAMPIONS AT AWARDS BANQUET

Leave a comment

Janis, Antonicelli, DeLaney & Salemi inducted into Wall of Fame

LANCASTER, N.Y. (December 7, 2019) – Lancaster Dragway @ New York International Raceway Park (NYIRP) honored the efforts its competitors and teams during the 2019 season on Friday night during the annual awards banquet. 

The Variety Club Banquet Hall in Lancaster was the venue for the sold out affair that recognized track champions, award winners and the induction of the 2019 class of the Lancaster Dragway Wall of Fame.

Topping the list of 2019 track champions was Mallare Trucking Top ET champion Jan Winkowski of Cheektowaga, N.Y. WInkowski has piloted his “Lunatic Fringe” Chevrolet Nova 31 seasons at Lancaster, but never won a title until this season.

Reid Ricketson of Darien Center, N.Y. claimed his second Gianna Mazia’s Mod ET track title out of the last three seasons. Ricketson piled up four class wins while en route to the championship.

In Hebeler’s Sales Bikes & Sleds, Lucas Salemi of Amherst, N.Y. won his second career track championship. Salemi and Mike Peters battled all season long with each driver winning five times in 2019, but Salemi prevailed in the points race.

Donny “DJ” Raiser claimed his first track in 24 years by taking top honors in Tread City Tire Street. Raiser, a member of the Lancaster Dragway Wall of Fame, won three times in Street this year.

PJ Marston claimed his first ever Jr. Dragster track title in 2019 during our Tuesday Night racing program.

The fourth ever class of the Lancaster Dragway Wall of Fame was inducted during the ceremonies. Leading the 2019 class was NYIRP track owner, car builder and former racer Vito Antonicelli. Antonicelli and his wife Sylvia, along with Mike Swinarski, purchased the racing facility just weeks before the start of the 2019 racing season. 

Joining Antonicelli was racer and contributor Mike Janis. Janis got his start racing at Lancaster and has gone on to win Pro Modified World Championships in both NHRA and IHRA. He is also the owner of Jan-Cen Racing Engines and Jan-Cen Motorsports, which is located in Elma, N.Y. Jan-Cen builds engines for racers around the world.

The third member of the 2019 class was former racer and graphic designer Den DeLaney. DeLaney competed for a number of years at Lancaster, but is best known for his artwork. Dan “The Sign Man” DeLaney has designed and hand painted numerous race cars that have competed around the country.

The final inductee into the Wall of Fame was former racer and car builder Jim Salemi. Salemi owns and operates G-Force Racing Cars, which is an industry leader in building “doorslammer” style drag racing cars. Salemi is also the father of Bikes & Sleds champion Lucas Salemi.

A few individuals were also recognized for their efforts during the 2019 season with specialty awards. Wayne Cleveland was honored as the Sportsman of the Year. Diane Frank received the Libby Gaymon Award for her support of the Bracket Finals team that traveled to Pittsburgh this past September. Top ET racer Ann Marie Nugent was given the Most Improved Driver Award. She was the only driver to rack up two wins in Top this season.

With the 2019 season now in the books the staff and management of NYIRP will reflect on their first season as the stewards of Lancaster Dragway & Speedway during the holiday and Christmas season, and then turn their attention to preparing for 2020. The NYIRP ownership group thanks the Western New York racing community for their support during these past months, and looks forward to continuing the tradition of racing at Lancaster.

PHOTO BY SHARON HUGHES

Evergreen Raceway

Thomas Vitale Takes Over as New Race Director AT EVERGREEN Raceway

Leave a comment

Years of experience pay dividends in the racing community. As with anything in life, knowledge is power and Thomas Vitale certainly brings that to the table and the Evergreen Raceway facility.

Vitale has been involved in motorsports for more than thirty years. He has experience racing from the Super Speedways of Daytona Beach all the way to the local short tracks of America. He has been a crew member for multiple teams and divisions such as the ARCA Menards Series, Nascar Whelen Modifieds, ROC Modifieds, Street Stocks and Late Models.

Tom has seen a wide variety of changes through his thirty years of experience and is looking to bring that knowledge to the forefront of Evergreen Raceway. He has some big plans for Evergreen Raceway by bringing back a fan and driver friendly atmosphere which seems to be missing these days at local short tracks. Tom is in the process of doing what he can to bring door to door, bumper to bumper racing lap after lap. Thomas is excited to now work with car owners, drivers and crew on what they believe will bring continued success to Evergreen Raceway.

Thomas is doing what he can to bridge the competition at the track bringing all back to a level playing field. Vitale is excited for the opportunity and looks forward to working not only with Makarewicz and his staff, but all the fans, drivers and owners alike.

Stafford Motor Speedway

Early Bird Discount on Stafford Speedway 2020 Season Tickets Ends December 14th

Leave a comment

(Stafford Springs, CT)—Stafford Motor Speedway’s 2020 season ticket early buy discount ends Saturday, December 14th.  Time is running out to take advantage of early buy savings on Paddock Passes, General Admission, Reserved Seat, and Kids Fast Pass tickets.  All season ticket packages offer big savings compared to purchasing a ticket for each of the 22 scheduled race events.

Planning ahead to take advantage of the over 50% savings on Season Paddock Passes pays off as race teams saved over $515 per season pass in 2019.  Purchase on or before December 14th and pay $440.  After December 14th the price increases to $500.  The Season Paddock Pass allows access to the paddock area as well as the general admission seating grandstands.  A Paddock Pass with reserved seat upgrade is available for an additional $60.

General Admission Season Tickets are priced at $320 if purchased on or before December 14th, a savings of over 40%.  After December 14th, the General Admission ticket increases to $350.  Reserved Seat Season Tickets purchased on or before December 14th are priced at $360, a savings of over 40%.  After December 14th, the Reserved Seat Season Ticket increases to $390.  The Kids Fast Pass option for kids age 6 to 14 is priced at $60 before December 14th, a 50% savings.  After December 14th, the Kids Fast Pass increases to $70.  All season ticket prices include 10% CT Admission Tax.  New for the 2020 season, General Admission, Reserved, and Kids Fast Pass season tickets can be upgraded to include a ticket to the NAPA lunch buffet at the season opening NAPA Spring Sizzler® on April 24-26 and the season ending NAPA Fall Final on Sept. 26-27 for an extra $17.50 per event, or $35 for both events.

Stafford Speedway will kick off its 2020 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series season with the 49th Annual NAPA Auto Parts Spring Sizzler® on April 25 & 26.  The NAPA Spring Sizzler® will showcase the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour as well as Stafford’s SK Modified®, Late Model, SK Light, Limited Late Model and Street Stock divisions and the Vintage All-Stars.  The 2020 season will offer a variety of touring events joining the weekly divisions.  Stay tuned to Staffordspeedway.com and social media for continuously updated information.

2020 Schedule Highlights

●        3 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Events (4/26, 8/7, 9/27)

●        4 Open Modified 80-Lap Events (5/15, 6/12, 7/10, 8/21)

●        TC 13 Lap SK Modified® Shootout

●        NAPA Auto Parts SK 5K (6/26)

●        The Senator’s Cup (8/14)

●        Dunleavy’s Truck & Trailer Modifiedz Night (7/24)

●        Late Model 50 (9/4)

●        Pro Late Model Open (5/29)

●        Limited Late Model 25 (6/19)

●        Kids Nights (5/8, 6/5, 7/17, 8/28)

Season tickets can be purchased online by visiting the SHOP NOW section found on the www.staffordspeedway.com homepage.  Season tickets can also be ordered by calling the Stafford Speedway office at 860-684-2783, Mon.-Fri. from 9am-5pm.  Take advantage of the “Early Buy” discount and purchase your season tickets before December 14th. 

Check out the Stafford Speedway Holiday Gift Guide for gift cards, tee-shirts, sweat shirts, coats, and hats for the racing fan on your holiday shopping list.  For more information, contact the Stafford Motor Speedway track office at 860-684-2783 or visit us on the web at www.staffordspeedway.com.

From weekly short track racing to NASCAR Cup racing