RYAN TRUEX ADDS NAME TO GAMBLER’S CLASSIC ENTRY LIST
ATLANTIC CITY, NJ -JANUARY 10, 2009. . . New Jersey resident Ryan Truex is returning to his roots for the Gambler’s Classic TQ Midget/600 cc Micro Sprint event at Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall on January 16-17.
Truex, the 16-year-old brother of NASCAR Sprint Cup start Martin Truex, will drive an entry owned by Lou Cicconi Jr.
Cicconi, who will try to win his second Gambler’s Classic, has several TQ Midgets in the field for drivers Bobby Santos III, Chris Stockham and Truex.
The entry list has nearly reached its 100-car maximum limit.
Truex has won numerous Legend Car events over the past years, including a division title at Wall Twp. Speedway. He made his NASCAR Camping World Series East debut last September at Stafford Motor Speedway in a Dale Earnhardt Inc. Chevrolet, replacing Jeffrey Earnhardt in the car. He finished 11th in the race after starting 15th in the field.
“He has some great talent,” said older brother Martin Truex Jr. last week. “He knows what he wants and he is really hungry to get it.
“I will never forget the first time we took him to practice (in April) a Late Model at Tri-County Speedway. It was the first time he was in a big car. He came flying off turn four and was sideways. I thought, ‘here we go.’ Somehow, he saved it and I am real proud of him.”
Truex is one of many driving stars on the entry lists. Defending NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion Ted Christopher, two-time Gambler’s Classic winner Joey Payne, last year’s winner Mike Tidaback and dirt Modified track champions Billy Pauch (New Egypt Speedway) and Mike Iles (Bridgeport Speedway) are entries. Cicconi, a recent indoor race winner in Indiana over Tony Stewart, and Santos, the USAC Midget Turkey Night winner in Irwindale, Calif., are among the pre-race favorites.
In addition to the TQ Midgets, the Briggs and Stratton Slingshots and Senior Champ Carts will be added to card. Dirt Modified racers Rick Laubach and Ryan Godown are part of the Slingshot entry list.
Friday's nights event will include qualifying races for all three divisions and a 25 lap feature event for the TQ 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 TQ Midgets.
Tickets for Friday and Saturday night programs are on sale through Ticketmaster by calling: 1-800-736-1420 or online at:http://www.ticketmaster.com/. They'll also be available the day of the event at the Boardwalk Hall box office.
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.
Gambler’s Classic information is available online at: http://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.
LIQUID LOU ADDS BOBBY SANTOS III TO HIS ATLANTIC CITY TEAM
ATLANTIC CITY, NJ January 5, 2009 . . . Lou Cicconi Jr. has a few reasons to be excited about the seventh annual Gambler’s Classic for TQ Midgets/600 cc Micro Sprints at the Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall on Jan. 15-17.
In addition to fielding his own car for the prestigious indoor race, Cicconi of Aston, Pa., will field a car for Bobby Santos III, a third-generation driver from Franklin, Mass.
“His family is a friend of mind and I found out he was looking for a ride for the Atlantic City race, so I asked him if he wanted to drive one of my cars,” Cicconi said.
Santos has competed in events sanctioned by NASCAR, ARCA, USAC, NEMA, PRA, RoC and QMA.
He most recently won a USAC-sanctioned race at Toyota Speedway in Irwindale, Calif. This past season, Santos won several NEMA-sanctioned events throughout the northeast.
Cicconi needs little introduction. His accomplishments read a mile long with championships in various sanctioning bodies. He captured the 2006 edition of the Gambler’s Classic after a spirited duel with ISMA standout Joey Payne.
“I enjoy the Atlantic City race,” Cicconi said. “As far as I am concerned, the competition is second only to the Rumble Series race in Ft. Wayne, Ind.”
Speaking of the indoor Rumble Series race in Ft. Wayne, Cicconi won the main event on December 28, beating out NASCAR Sprint Car Series driver and car owner Tony Stewart.
“My car was excellent in that race,” Cicconi said about his uniquely-designed Midget car, which was requested to be purchased by Stewart.
In the Atlantic City race, Cicconi will pilot a potent, brightly-colored No. 75 car, while Santos will drive a similarly-designed No. 57.
“Ideally, it would be good if we could finish one-two, but there is so much competition at Atlantic City,” Cicconi said. “Plus, you never know what will happen in the race.”
Cicconi knows all about bad luck when it comes to the indoor race.
In 2003, after a thrilling charge from the rear of the field in the feature, his efforts ended by an unfortunate tangle. He set a track record, won a preliminary feature but engine problems sidelined him for the main event in 2004.
Joining the TQ Midgets are the Briggs and Stratton Slingshots and Senior Champ Carts.
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 for all three divisions and a 25 lap feature event for the TQ 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 TQ Midgets.
Also, lap sponsorship is now being taken for the feature events. Those wishing to purchase lap sponsorship can do so by contacting the Area Auto Racing News offices at 609-888-3618.
Tickets for Friday and Saturday night programs are on sale through Ticketmaster by calling: 1-800-736-1420 or online at:www.ticketmaster.com. They'll also be available the day of the event at the Boardwalk Hall box office.
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.
DIRT MODIFIED RACERS ADD TO ATLANTIC CITY INDOOR AUTO RACING ENTRY LIST
ATLANTIC CITY, NJ December 14, 2008 . . . Dirt racing might be their specialty, but Mike Iles, Billy Pauch and Rick Laubach hope the string of success they put together this past season continues into the upcoming Gambler’s Classic inside Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall scheduled for January 16-17, 2009.
Iles and Pauch are confirmed entrants for the seventh annual Three QuarterMidget/600 cc Micro Sprint race in five weeks, while Laubach will participate in the Slingshot division. The Sr. Champ Karts, which has reached its 60-entry limit, will also join in the three-division program.
Iles, Pauch and Laubach will bring dirt Modified championships to an already prestigious list of entries that includes NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion Ted Christopher, NEMA champion Randy Cabral, Wall Twp. Speedway Turkey Derby XXXV TQ Midget champion Paul Lotier Jr. and New York State Fairgrounds Sportsman champion Erick Rudolph.
Iles, of Medford, N.J., captured his first career Modified championship this past season at Bridgeport (N.J.) Speedway, where he captured a pair of feature races on May 24 and August 2.
Pauch, a winner of more than 645 career feature events, had a standout season at New Egypt (N.J.) Speedway, as he captured the track title, a year after winning the Modified title at Bridgeport Speedway.
The Frenchtown, N.J., resident won 10 races this season, which included an Advance Auto Parts DIRTcar Modified event at Volusia County Speedway on February 13, a win at Georgetown Speedway on November 22 and seven main events at New Egypt Speedway. Pauch added to his season-win list with a SpeedSTR win at NES.
Laubach, who is popular-known as the “Quaker Shaker”, carries the prestigious Garden State Challenge title in the Atlantic City event. Laubach won seven features between Bridgeport Speedway (three) and New Egypt Speedway (four), along with wins at Selinsgrove Speedway and Hagerstown Speedway this season.
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 for all three divisions and a 25 lap feature event for the TQ 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 TQ Midgets.
Also, lap sponsorship is now being taken for the feature events. Those wishing to purchase lap sponsorship can do so by contacting the Area Auto Racing News offices at 609-888-3618.
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/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.
BEHRENT’S BONUS COULD MAKE A.C. INDOOR CLASSIC WINNER EVEN RICHER
ATLANTIC CITY, NJ , December 10, 2008 . . . The seventh annual Gambler’s Classic Indoor Auto Race at the Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall could make the TQ Midget/600cc Micro Sprint winner $2,000 richer thanks to Behrent’s Performance Warehouse.
Complimenting an already-thrilling program featured on the concrete floor of Boardwalk Hall on January 16-17, 2009, the Florida, N.Y.-based Behrent’s Performance Warehouse, owned by Jeff and Harry Behrent, will provide added money if a driver wins Friday and Saturday night’s “A” Main.
To be eligible for the $2,000 bonus, the feature winner from Friday night’s “A” Main must start the Saturday night feature from the 12th starting position and win.
However, that is not the only option available. If that driver elects to draw for their starting spot, they will only get a $500 bonus if the sweep is completed.
Drawing for the “A” Main starting spots will be done on the stage during the Ms. Motorsports competition.
Paul Lotier Jr., who captured the Turkey Derby ATQMRA main at Wall Township, NJ Speedway recently, is one of many top drivers who have filled entries for the seventh annual event.
Slingshots and Champ Karts will also be in action during the two-day event, which runs in conjunction with the Motorsports 2009 Race Car and Trade Show at the nearby Atlantic City Convention Center.
“The Behrent’s Bonus will only add to the excitement and atmosphere surrounding this event,” said event organizer Danny Sammons. “It will produce much pre-race hype and lasting memories, plus it could make one driver a lot richer if he can pull off the weekend sweep.”
Mike Tidaback of Little Falls, N.J., is the defending champion. He collected more than $6,000 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 for all three divison and a 25 lap feature event for the TQ 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 TQ Midgets.
Qualifying for Saturday night’s main event will be done in the following format. The top 60 cars from Thursday night’s time trial sessions will compete in five heat races on Friday. The top four from each event will advance to the Friday night “A” Main, which pays $1,000 to the winner. The top 12 from Friday’s “A” Main are guaranteed a spot in the Saturday night 40-lap Gambler’s Classic. Four transfer races will be run on Saturday night to fill the remaining 12 spots. Cars competing in these transfer races will include the non-qualified cars from Friday’s heat races, finishers 13-20 from Friday’s “A” Main and four cars from Saturday night’s Eliminator race.
The Eliminator race will take cars that qualified outside the top 60 in Thursday night’s time trials. The Eliminator race is new this year and will be run under a different format from any other race during the weekend. After five laps, the competitor running last is eliminated. Additionally, any car that is involved in any accident will be eliminated. This procedure will continue until four cars remain and those four will earn the right to compete in Saturday’s transfer races for a chance to make the Gambler’s Classic.
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/American Express card ready). Also, tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster by calling: 1-800-736-1420 or online at:www.ticketmaster.com.
BEHRENT’S BONUS WORTH $2,000 FOR AC INDOOR WINNER
ATLANTIC CITY, NJ – December 1, 2008 . . . The seventh annual Gambler’s Classic Indoor Auto Race at the Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall could make the TQ Midget/600cc Micro Sprint winner $2,000 richer thanks to Behrent’s Performance Warehouse.
Complimenting an already-thrilling program featured on the concrete floor of Boardwalk Hall on January 16-17, 2009, the Florida, N.Y.-based Behrent’s Performance Warehouse, owned by Jeff and Harry Behrent, will provide added money if a driver wins Friday and Saturday night’s “A” Main.
To be eligible for the $2,000 bonus, the feature winner from Friday night’s “A” Main must start the Saturday night feature from the 12th starting position and win.
However, that is not the only option available. If that driver elects to draw for their starting spot, they will only get a $500 bonus if the sweep is completed.
Drawing for the “A” Main starting spots will be done on the stage during the Ms. Motorsports competition.
Paul Lotier Jr., who captured the Turkey Derby ATQMRA main at Wall Speedway this past weekend, is one many top drivers who have filled entries for the seventh annual event.
Slingshots and Champ Karts will also be in action during the two-day event, which runs in conjunction with Motorsports 2009 at the nearby Atlantic City Convention Center.
“The Behrent’s Bonus will only add to the excitement and atmosphere surrounding this event,” said event organizer Danny Sammons. “It will produce much pre-race hype and lasting memories, plus it could make one driver a lot richer if he can pull off the weekend sweep.”
Mike Tidaback of Little Falls, N.J., is the defending champion. He collected more than $6,000 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 for all three divison and a 25 lap feature event for the TQ 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 TQ Midgets.
Qualifying for Saturday night’s main event will be done in the following format. The top 60 cars from Thursday night’s time trial sessions will compete in five heat races on Friday. The top four from each event will advance to the Friday night “A” Main, which pays $1,000 to the winner. The top 12 from Friday’s “A” Main are guaranteed a spot in the Saturday night 40-lap Gambler’s Classic. Four transfer races will be run on Saturday night to fill the remaining 12 spots. Cars competing in these transfer racers will include the non-qualified cars from Friday’s heat races, finishers 13-20 from Friday’s “A” Main and four cars from Saturday night’s Eliminator race.
The Eliminator race will take cars that qualified outside the top 60 in Thursday night’s time trials. The Eliminator race is new this year and will be run under a different format from any other race during the weekend. After five laps, the competitor running last is eliminated. Additionally, any car that is involved in any accident will be eliminated. This procedure will continue until four cars remain and those four will earn the right to compete in Saturday’s transfer races for a chance to make the Gambler’s Classic.
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/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.
ASPHALT MODIFIED RACING STARS ENTER GAMBLER’S CLASSIC A.C INDOOR RACES
ATLANTIC CITY, NJ -November 19, 2008 . . . 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/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.
EARLY ENTRIES COMING IN FOR GAMBLER'S CLASS IN ATLANTIC CITY
ATLANTIC, CITY, NJ November 6, 2008… Mike Tidaback has submitted his entry to defend his Gambler’s Classic Indoor Auto Race title at Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall.
The seventh annual event is scheduled to take place on January 16-17, 2009, on the concrete floor, which was held in front of a near sold- out crowd last January.
Tidaback of Little Falls, N.J., left Atlantic City last year with more than $6,000 in his pocket after leading the final half of the 40- lap main event.
“This is a big race for us, because you run against the best in the Northeast,” Tidaback said. “It’s like our Super Bowl.”
Tidaback, who defeated two-time winner Joey Payne of Fairlawn, N.J., became the first American Three Quarter Midget Racing Association (ATQMRA) Series regular to win the prestigious race.
Entry forms were sent to all race teams that entered the 2008 event. Entries are limited to the first 100 TQ Midgets/600 cc Micro Sprints, 40 Slingshots and 60 Senior Champ Karts.
Scott Campbell of Doylestown, Pa., is the first TQ driver to file an entry.
Former Atlantic City Slingshot winner Jesse Hartman of Flemington, N.J., was the first driver to enter that class. Hartman competes in the Micro Sprint division during the outdoor season.
Rich Tobias Jr. of Hershey, Pa., is the defending Slingshot winner.
Tobias donated his AC race winnings to the National Fragile X Research Foundation.
Tamie Smith of Binghamton, N.Y., was the first Senior Champ Kart entry. Smith has been a qualifying event winner in Atlantic City in recent years, but she is still searching for her first AC feature victory. Chris Daley of Pleasant Valley, N.Y., came from 21st to win the division race last January.
“Last year’s races left the fans wanting more and we’ve received a lot of interest from drivers who want to either return or make the first-ever appearance in Atlantic City,” said event organizer Danny Sammons.
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.
Tickets for the Gambler’s Classic are on sale now by calling the Area Auto Racing News office at: 609-888-3618 (please have a MasterCard/Visa/American Express card ready).
Also, tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster by calling: 1-800-736-1420 or online at: www.ticketmaster.com.
For further information on the Gambler’s Classic, contact Danny Sammons by phone at: 609-888-3618 or via e-mail: danny@aarn.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. Close to 300,000 square feet of show space will be dedicated to everything motorsports. Information on autograph sessions, show activities, tickets and discount lodging can be found at www.aarn.com.
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