The road to Victory Lane in the upcoming Gambler’s Classic
Indoor Auto Races at the Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall might go
through the Asphalt Modified community.
Ted Christopher, who clinched his first career NASCAR Whelen
Modified Tour title in October, and Erick Rudolph, the Dunn Tire
Raceway Park SST champion, submitted their respective entries
for the seventh annual event, which will take place on January
16-17, 2009.
Christopher, 50, of Plainville, CT, ended this season with 11
victories to his credit. Most recently, he won the SK Modified
feature at the North/South Shootout at Concord Motorsports Park
in Concord, N.C.
However, that win wasn’t the defining moment on Christopher’s
season as he claimed the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour title at
the Thompson International Speedway World Series on October 19.
This isn’t Christopher’s first foray in the Gambler’s
Classic. He’s made three visits to the indoor event. He now
co-owns his own car that he uses only at the annual January
event. Last year he won a Roaring 20 preliminary race with the
car and vows it will be even stronger this year.
Rudolph, 16, of Ransomville, N.Y., will bring versatility to
the Atlantic City race.
In addition to his success on the pavement in Modified action,
Rudolph won the Town Mechanical DIRTcar Sportsman feature at the
New York State Fairgrounds in early October. It was his first
career Sportsman start on the mile oval.
And Rudolph has extensive experience in the TQ Midgets, Mini
Modifieds and Go Kart classes. Last year he turned 16 just prior
to the event and was very fast in the feature event before
mechanical problems knocked him from the race.
"We’re excited to have these two drivers entered for our
event," said event organizer Danny Sammons. "Their presence will
only add to the great tradition of the race. Teddy’s experience
at Atlantic City will make a viable contender, and Erick’s
indoor and Mini Modified success makes him a natural threat to
become a first-time winner."
Mark Tidaback of Little Falls, N.J., is the defending
champion. He left the event last year with more than $6,000 in
his pocket after leading the final half of the 40- lap main
event on Saturday evening.
For the first time in event history, time trials will be held
on January 15 for all divisions. While the grandstand will not
be open to the public, fans with tickets for Friday and/or
Saturday (Jan. 16-17) can obtain a restricted Thursday-only pit
pass, which will allow them access to catch all of the
pole-night activities. Friday's nights event will include
qualifying races along with a 25 lap feature event for the
Three-Quarter Midgets. Saturday night's program is highlighted
by feature events for all three divisions including the 40 lap
Gambler's Classic main event for the Three-Quarter Midgets.
Tickets for Friday and Saturday night programs are on sale
now by calling the Area Auto Racing News office at: 609-888-3618
(please have a MasterCard, Visa, or American Express card
ready).
Also, tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster by
calling: 1-800-736-1420 or online at:www.ticketmaster.com.
Gambler’s Classic information is available online at:
www.aarn.com. The Gambler’s
Classic is run in conjunction with the huge Motorsports 2009
Race Car & Trade Show taking place at the Atlantic City
Convention Center on January 16-17. The show offers close to
300,000 square feet of just about everything imaginable in
motorsports along with many famous racers and personalities
signing autographs.
The two events together make for a fantastic weekend of
motorsports excitement in Atlantic City, NJ.
Source: Ernie
Saxton/Ernie Saxton Communications
Posted:
November 19, 2008
