Ernie Saxton | On Auto Racing
Don Miller, along with his volunteer staff at the North Carolina Auto Racing Hall of Fame, has been voted the winner of the fourth quarter NMPA Pocono Spirit Award.
Miller has worked tirelessly over the years to raise awareness and money for victims of child abuse in Iredell County, N.C., through the popular and celebrated “Stocks for Tots” charity event. The program takes place every winter. It allows fans a chance to meet, take pictures with, and get autographs from NASCAR Hall of Fame members as well as current stars and personalities across different motor sports — all the while raising money through ticket purchases and donations.
It is one of the community’s biggest annual fundraisers. Over the years, Stocks for Tots has raised over $1 million.
Miller is now eligible for the annual NMPA Pocono Spirit Award, which is also voted on by the NMPA membership. It will be presented at the annual convention.
Other nominees who received votes this quarter were NHRA team owner Joe Maynard, NASCAR driver Corey Lajoie, and the late Jeff Alessi of Supercross and Motocross.
Established in 1992 and supported by Pocono Raceway, the Spirit Award is designed to recognize character and achievement in the face of adversity, sportsmanship and contributions to motor sports. It is also meant to acknowledge competitors who have overcome illness, injury, or tragedy to return to racing.
Georgetown Speedway’s final race of season
Georgetown Speedway concludes its season on Saturday with the third try at the Gary Simpson Memorial. The “$12K for the 12K” sees the Millman’s NAPA Modifieds go for 32-laps and a $12,000 winner’s share at the historic Sussex County oval. The Blue Hen Dispose-All Crate 602 Sportsman, First State Chevrolet Crate Late Models, Southern Delaware Vintage Stock Cars, Little Lincolns, Delaware Super Trucks, and Delmarva Chargers conclude the program.
Georgetown Speedway, originally constructed by Melvin L. Joseph in 1949, is located at the intersection of Route 113 and Speedway Road in Georgetown, Del., just miles from the Delaware beaches and less than a 40-minute drive from Ocean City, Md.
Mission Foods named NHRA sponsor
The NHRA and Mission Foods, the world’s leading brand for tortillas and wraps, announced today that Mission Foods has been named the title sponsor of the NHRA’s premier professional series, which will be known as the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series beginning with the 2024 season.
The multi-year professional series title partnership will be in full swing starting next year as the NHRA celebrates its 73rd year in 2024, and comes after a successful first-year partnership between the two companies this season. Mission Foods and the NHRA partnered together this year for the Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge, introducing competitive racing – as well as a bonus purse and bonus playoff points – to Saturday qualifying.
The popular Mission #2Fast2Tasty NHRA Challenge will return in 2024 as part of the growing partnership, increasing to 14 regular-season events, including the two four-wide races, and offering an increased purse. The series title partnership and the Challenge continue Mission Foods’ overall motorsports initiative to help racers and race teams.
As part of the title series partnership, Mission Foods will also be fully integrated at all NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series events and will have a strong presence on the midway, on social media and digitally and as part of every NHRA on FOX broadcast.
Final sprint car race
The final sprint car race of 2023 is set for Saturday, with a 3 p.m. starting time at BAPS Motor Speedway. The winner of the York Excavating Les Stewart Showdown will earn at least $25,000. Also included will be a 50 lapper for 602 Crates and an Enduro.
One of the most historic events in Delaware racing is back on the map this season at Delaware International Speedway with the Delaware State Dirt Track Championship Weekend scheduled for Nov. 17-18.
The final event of 2023 at the half-mile oval under the promotional efforts of BD Motorsports Media LLC is a fan and competitor favorite in the First State with two jam-packed days of racing headlined by the Millman’s NAPA Auto Parts Modifieds, Stockley Speed & Supply Super Late Models and Small-Block Modifieds.
On Nov. 17, the PA/NJ Spec Small-Block Modifieds headline the program with a 30-lap feature event paying up to $5,000 for the winner with the posted pre-race ‘Gambler’s Fee.’
Also on the docket are heat races for the Millman’s NAPA big-block/small-block Modifieds and time trials and heat races for the Stockley Speed & Supply Super Late Models, setting the stage for their Saturday affair.
Southern Delaware Vintage Stock Cars, Delaware Super Trucks and Delmarva Chargers will all join the Friday portion of the weekend for 12-lap, features only racing.
On Nov. 17, all gates open at 3 p.m. Hot laps begin at 6:20 p.m., with racing at 7:15 p.m.
Admission is $25 (Adults), $20 for Seniors (ages 65 and up) & Students (ages 13-17). Kids (ages 9-12) pay $10 and Children 8 and under are FREE.
Pit admission is $40 (Non-Members), $35 (NASCAR Members), $10 Kids (ages 6-12) and $2 for Children (ages 5 and under).
On Nov. 18, following final qualifying, Millman’s NAPA Modifieds and Stockley Speed & Supply Super Late Models will each battle for 40-laps around the half-mile oval just north of the Delaware-Maryland border.
Each of the 40-lap affairs are worth up to $7,000 with the posted “Gambler’s Fee” prior to Friday night’s heat race action.
The Blue Hen Dispose-All Crate 602 Sportsman and Crate Late Models will also be on Saturday’s racing card.
Each of the four divisions will also crown 2023 Delaware International Speedway Champions following each of their respective features.
The Little Lincolns, Delmarva Chargers, and Delaware Super Trucks will complete the Saturday racing with 12-lap, features only affairs.
On Nov. 18, all gates open at noon. Hot laps begin at 3 p.m., with racing to follow at 4 p.m.
Delaware International Speedway is located at 37854 Sussex Highway Delmar, DE 19940.
STSS hoping to finally race
For the third consecutive weekend, the Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By Sunoco fell victim to rain, this time at Orange County Fair Speedway in Middletown, NY back on Oct. 20.
A wet Friday forecast led STSS organizer Brett Deyo — in conjunction with OCFS management — to postpone the ‘Hard Clay Finale’ event to Friday, Nov. 10. The event will carry a rain/weather date of Sunday, Nov. 12.
As the final round of the STSS River Valley Builders North Region championship $15,000 battle, the decision was made to decide the final standings on the track.
The 50-lap STSS Modified event offers $10,000 minimum to the winner thanks to www.bdrspeed.com and $500 bonuses to each of the top-10 finishers thanks to Behrent’s Performance Warehouse (must display decal to be eligible).
Joining the STSS Modifieds on the five-eighths-mile oval will be Crate 602 Sportsman, under OCFS rules, competing for $1,000 to win. This will be a draw/redraw event.
Goodguys announces schedule
Goodguys, the world’s largest hot-rodding association, has announced its 2024 schedule, featuring 15 events across the country including the Goodguys Rod & Custom Association’s Mid-Atlantic Nationals at Dover Motor Speedway June 7-9.
Goodguys is excited to announce this inaugural event that will be billed as the 1st Mid-Atlantic Nationals and will begin its “summer swing” June 7-9 at the Monster Mile.
“Goodguys has been looking for a place to call home in the northeast for many years now and Dover Motor Speedway checks off all the boxes!” said Andrew Ebel, Goodguys COO.
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Ernie Saxton is an auto racing contributor to MediaNews Group. Email him at esaxton144@aol.com.
Source: Berkshire mont
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