Big Names Top List of Guaranteed Starters for 2006
North-South ShootoutTM
With Qualifying Races Completed
The North-South ShootoutTM
qualifiers have been wrapped up for the 2006 season and the roster of
guaranteed starters looks like a “Who’s Who” of Modified Racing. The
likes of John Blewett, III and Eric Beers headline a list of 15-drivers
that have earned their car owners guaranteed starting spots in the
prestigious North-South ShootoutTM scheduled for November 3&4, 2006 at
the famed Concord Motorsports Park in Concord, NC.
Earlier in the summer, two-time Shootout winner John Blewett
III of Howell, NJ secured his spot for 2006 with his NASCAR Modified
Tour win at Stafford Motor Speedway on July 4, 2006. Burt Myers of
Walnut Cove, NC also earned a spot that holiday weekend with his triumph
at Friendship Speedway. Howie Brode of Bayshore, NY earned his spot by
claiming the victory in the Tom Baldwin Memorial event on July 29, 2006
at Riverhead Raceway.
Jason Myers also of Walnut Cove, NC joins his brother as a
guaranteed starter in the annual North-South ShootoutTM . J. Myers
scored what might be called an upset in the NASCAR Southern Modified
Tour back on August 5, 2006 at the famous bullring, Bowman Gray Stadium,
to secure his place at the Shootout. Myers has been part of the Shootout
festivities since year one.
Tony Ricci of Westbrook, ME won his second of the season in
True Value Modified Racing Series action in the North-South Shootout TM
qualifier at Star Speedway in Epping, NH on Saturday, August 12, 2006.
Gene Pack of Walkertown, NC made his first-career Modified win count as
he turned in a dominating performance at Myrtle Beach Speedway on
September 3, 2006 to become a guaranteed starter for the Shootout. It
would be the first visit for Ricci; however, Pack has participated in
the NSS since its inception.
Three of the guaranteed starters for the North-South
ShootoutTM Modified 100 came from earlier this month when Thompson
International Speedway made history with their Modified Mania on
September 9&10, 2006. New England fans were presented with feature
events for the NASCAR Modified Tour, True Value Modified Racing Series (TVMRS),
and the Race of Champions Modified Tour (RoC). Eric Beers of
Northampton, PA scored a popular win in the NASCAR Modified Tour portion
while Kirk Alexander of W. Swanzey, NH triumphed in the TVMRS and Earl
Paulus of Kunkletown, PA dominated the RoC main event. All three drivers
will be making return visits to the Shootout in 2006. In 2004, Beers was
the runner-up to Shootout winner Donny Lia. Paulus is expected to do
double duty in both a Modified and SK-type Modified.
On September 15, 2006 Brian King of Gibsonville, NC became
the final Modified guaranteed starter for the Shootout by virtue of his
win in the NASCAR Southern Modified Tour event at Ace Speedway in
Altamahaw, NC. The rookie Tour driver used his “home-turf” advantage at
the Speedway where he owns four track championships to win the race and
the spot for car owner Doug Adams.
Five guaranteed starting positions were up for grabs in the
SK-Type Modified division as well for 2006. The winners included a mix
of first-time and return competitors to the North-South ShootoutTM .
Rich Petrucco of Cortland, NY, who was part of the inaugural SK-type
portion of the NSS in 2005, took down his first career SST Modified win
in the Shootout qualifying event at Chemung Speedrome on August 12,
2006.
“This is awesome,” said Petrucco. “To get my first win is
great but to do it in the North-South ShootoutTM qualifier is just
awesome. I’m going to the Shootout!”
That same night, Diego Monahan of Waterford, CT scored an SK
Modified feature win at the Waterford Speedbowl to earn his car owner,
Mahoney Family Racing, a guaranteed starting spot in the SK-type portion
of the Shootout. It would be the first visit for Monahan to Concord
Motorsports Park. Tommy Cravenho of Raynham, MA, who finished third in
the inaugural SK-type Modified 50 at the Shootout in 2005, came away
with a victory at the Thompson International Speedway on Thursday,
August 31st and a starting spot for owners Al & Cathy Moniz of Falmouth
Ready Mix. A day later Eric Berndt of Rocky Hill, CT took top honors at
the Stafford Motor Speedway to garner a guaranteed spot on November 4th.
The final SK-type Modified qualifier was won by John Blewett
III at Wall Township Speedway during Fan Appreciation Night on September
16, 2006. But will it be John or brother Jimmy utilizing the guaranteed
starting spot in November’s Shootout? John, who is vying for NASCAR
regional honors, suffered mechanical failure in his own racecar on that
night. John jumped into the #77 of car owner Frank Tilton, which is
normally campaigned by younger brother Jimmy. Time will tell which of
the Blewett brothers will pilot the #77 for guaranteed starter car owner
Frank Tilton.
In addition to the guaranteed starting spots for their
owners, each of the drivers received a $250 coupon from the Joie of
Seating and a custom-made clock (or other custom items) courtesy of C&C
Racing Promotions, proud promoters of the North-South Shootout TM.
The North-South Shootout TM is a 100-lap Modified race that
features the best Modified drivers from both north and south of the
Mason-Dixon Line on the famed half-mile tri-oval of Concord Motorsports
Park. The popular SK Modifieds will be part of the excitement with a
50-lapper of their own. The format for the third annual event will boast
time trials, heat races, consolation and non-qualifiers event(s) for
both the Modifieds and SKs. Support divisions include a combination
event for the Pro-Four Modifieds and the Four-Cylinders along with two
divisions of authentic vintage racing.
Tickets are now on sale for the prestigious event by
contacting C&C Racing Promotions days at (336) 250-4383 and evenings at
(336) 249-3759. To order online visit the secure on-line store at
www.northsouthshootout.com
or www.ccracingsouvenirs.com.
Source: Dale
Wolbrink/North
South Shootout PR
Posted:
September 25, 2006