NASCAR Champion Ted Christopher Wins Providence Indoor TQ Midget Finale
PROVIDENCE, RI – March 7 ... Defending NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion Ted Christopher is proving he is one of the best indoor racers.
Christopher,
50, of Plainville, Conn., captured Saturday night’s 30-lap TQ Midget
feature event at the Dunkin Donuts Center in Providence, R.I. The race
concluded the two-day event, which was the first held in the Ocean
State in 50 years.
“I enjoy the opportunity of being part of
history,” Christopher said. “I think this race was a success especially
with how full the stands were and the racing was incredible.”
The
win gives Christopher a pair of indoor TQ Midget events this year. In
January, Christopher won the Gambler’s Classic in Atlantic City, N.J.
Christopher
had a busy 24 hours in Rhode Island. After Friday’s race, which was won
by New Jersey dirt Modified driver Mike Iles, Christopher had to take
his TQ Midget to Seekonk, Mass., where it was repaired at Wayne
Darling’s race shop.
In his qualifying heat race on Saturday, Christopher b
arely
qualified after a rear radius mount broke. The team went to work and
made the respective repair just in time for the main event.
For the second consecutive night, it appeared as if Iles had the victory in hand.
Iles
jumped out into the lead at the start of the race, but his momentum was
slowed on lap five after Bobby Santos III spun out his race car in turn
three.
Matt Janisch of Nazareth, Pa., moved into the runner-up spot on lap nine and started to challenge the race leader.
But
a several car incident slowed the race and took out the front runners
on lap 12 as Iles, Janisch and Mike Lichty were involved in a crash in
turn two.
Ryan Smith had the lead, but that was short lived as Christopher took over the top spot on the restart.
As
expected, indoor master Lou Cicconi Jr., who was substituting for an
ill Matt20Roselli, challenged Christopher for the lead spot, but a
miscue (he hit the kill switch on a restart) hindered his chances of
getting by the race leader.
“Lou raced me real clean and I appreciated it,” Christopher said. “He’s one of the best indoor racers ever.”
Cicconi
of Aston, Pa., settled for second, while Timex Morgan of Rochester,
N.Y., was third, Smith was fourth and Mike Tidaback of Little Falls,
N.J. was fifth.
Heat races went to Iles, Janisch, Mike Stefanik and Licty. Tim Adams and Glenn Heverin won the consolation races.
In the 20-lap Champ Kart main, Chris Daley o
f Pleasant Valley, N.Y., scored his second consecutive main at the Dunkin Donuts Center.
Daley got the lead after a close race with John Hillman, who later crashed.
Daley defeated Eric Zeh, George Bark, Justin Bonsignore and Ron Midford Jr. completed the top five.
TQ
Midget Feature Finish, 30 Laps: 1. Ted Christopher; 2. Lou Cicconi Jr.;
3. Timex Morgan; 4. Ryan Smith; 5. Mike Tidaback; 6. Joey Payne; 7. Ian
Cumens; 8. Matt Janisch; 9. Bobby Santos III; 10. Alex Bright; 11. Paul
Lotier Jr.; 12. Mike Lichty; 13. Jeff Kot; 14. Don Zrinski; 15.
Jonathan Reid; 16. Glenn Heverin; 17. James Michael Friesen; 18. Mike
Iles; 19. Heath Hehnly; 20. Tim Adams; 21. Mike Stefanik; 22. Ryan
Barlett.
Champ Kart Feature Finish, 20 Laps: 1. Chris Daley;
2. Eric Zeh; 3. George Bark; 4. Justin Bonsignore; 5. Ron Midford Jr.;
6. Jay Dimond; 7. Bryan Ray; 8. Evan Beaulieu; 9. Nick Hadden; 10. Ryan
Arsenault; 11. Tammy Smith; 12. Mike Perry; 13. Clinton Mills; 14.
Tyler Robertson; 15. Tim Buckwalter; 16. Adam Gage; 17. Andrew Swisher;
18. John Hillmann; 19. Andrew Hutchinson; 20. TJ Laro.
DIRT MODIFIED RACER MIKE ILES WINS PROVIDENCE INDOOR TQ MIDGET RACE
PROVIDENCE, RI – MARCH 6TH ... Mike Iles of Medford, N.J., pulled off a huge upset Friday night at the Dunkin Donuts Center by claiming the 20-lap TQ Midget feature race.
Iles is the defending Modified champion at the dirt 5/8th-mile Bridgeport Speedway.
Iles made history with the win at the Dunkin Donuts Center as the race was the first held in Rhode Island in 50 years.
“It is very cool to win in Rhode Island since the state hasn’t had a race in so long,” Iles said. “It is a real honor.”
TQ Midget star Joey Payne of Fairlawn, N.J., finished second, while Ryan Smith of Kunkletown, Pa., was third, Timex Morgan of Rochester, N.Y., was fourth and Matt Roselli of Broadheadsville, Pa., completed the top five spots.
Although Iles was fast and captured the main event, a crash on lap 16 ultimately changed the complexion of the race itself.
Lou
Cicconi Jr., a top name on the20indoor Midget Car racing circuit, was
running in the second spot and pressuring Iles for the lead when a
water line broke and sent his car and others into the wall in turn one.
Cicconi’s
car crashed and collected many other front runners including cars
driven by Matt Janisch, multi-time NASCAR Modified champion Mike
Stefanik, defending NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion Ted
Christopher, Mike Lichty and Jeff Heotzler.
Heotzler,
a dirt Modified ace, got out of his car under his own power but he was
later transported to a nearby hospital for observation.
Prior to the big crash on lap 16, Iles was leading after he passed Janisch for the lead position on the backstretch.
“I love racing this TQ Midget indoors,” Iles said. “We race on the big track on dirt, but this indoor stuff keeps you sharp.”
Iles also praised Cicconi in the post-race interview session.
“Lou
and his father helped w
ith a lot with the set-up of the car,” Iles said. “Although I own this
car, it is a Hyper Chassis that Lou designed so much of the credit has
to go to him.”
Heat
race action went to Cicconi, Iles, Ian Cumens and Lichty. Jeff Kot and
Chris Haskell won the consolation races. Cicconi posted a fast lap
speed of 8.6325 seconds.
Chris Daley of Pleasant Valley, N.Y., captured the 20-lap Champ Kart, while Justin Bonsignore, Ron Milford Jr., Eric Zeh and George Bark Jr. completed the top five.
Daley and Bonsignore won the Champ Kart heat races.
Racing action continues Saturday with the second night of action. A complete show of TQ Midget and Champ Kart fills the card.
TQ
Midget Car Feature Finish, 20 Laps: 1. Mike Iles; 2. Joey Payne; 3.
Ryan Smith; 4. Timex Morgan; 5. Matt Roselli; 6. Jeff Kot; 7. Don
Zrinski; 8. Ian Cumens; 9. Ted Christopher; 10. Lou Cicconi Jr.; 11.
Matt Janisch; 12. Jeff Heotzler; 13. Mike=2
0Stefanik; 14. Mike Lichty; 15. Alison Cumens; 16. Richie Coy Jr.; 17.
Christopher Allen Jr.; 1. Tim Adams; 19. Bobby Santos III; 20. Joe Lord
Jr.
Champ
Kart Feature Finish, 20 Laps: 1. Chris Daley; 2. Justin Bonsignore; 3.
Ron Milford Jr.; 4. Eric Zeh; 5. George Bark Jr.; 6. Tammy Smith; 7.
Tim Buckwalter; 8. Jay Dimons; 9. Dennis Perry; 10. Andrew Swisher; 11.
Nick Hadden; 12. Clinton
Mills; 13. Paul McCollum; 14. Bryan Ray; 15. Evan Beaulieu; 16. Ryan
Arsenault; 17. Tyler Robertson; 18. Andrew Hutchinson; 19. John
Hillman; 20. TJ Laro.
INAUGURAL DUNKIN’ DONUTS CENTER INDOOR RACE JUST A WEEK AWAY
PROVIDENCE, RI February 27, 2009 . . . The sound of racing engines will finally be heard in the state of Rhode Island will soon be heard as the small, but powerful Three-Quarter Midget Cars will take to Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, R.I., on March 6-7.
The two-day event, which will include Senior Champ Kart racing both nights, has received much hype and attention throughout the state and entire northeast corridor.
“I don’t want to miss an event of this caliber,” said defending NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion Ted Christopher. “This is a first time for a motorsports event in 50 years in the state of Rhode Island, and I want to be a part of it.”
The Rhode Island Auditorium hosted the last sanctioned race in the Ocean State on April 18, 1959. The race was won by Jerry Wall of Wallenburg, N.J. Wall’s victory came at the final race of a three-event series at RIA. Other winners were Joe Lacy and Tony Bonadies.
Below are a few story lines to watch as the TQ Midgets take to the floor of the Dunkin’ Donuts Center:
HOMESTATE HERO: Rhode Island fans can cheer for their own as Mike Stefanik, 50, of Coventry, R.I., will compete indoors for the first time in his career. Stefanik was named the second greatest NASCAR Modified driver of all-time in 2003. He has nine overall NASCAR-sanctioned championships (seven Modified and two Busch North).
THREE STATE WINNER?: Ted Christopher is the defending NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion and he’s already off to a top season. If Christopher can win in Providence, it’ll mark the third different state he’s won a race in this year. In January, Christopher won the Gambler’s Classic TQ Midget race at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J. In early February, Christopher won four Tour-Type Modified races at New Smyrna Speedway in Samsula, Fla.
SEVEN STATES AND CANADA: Highways south of Providence will be busy leading up to the event. Pennsylvania has the highest driver representation with 16 drivers, while New Jersey is second with 10. Others include New York (six), Delaware (three), Massachusetts (three), Connecticut (one) and Rhode Island (one). Canada has three drivers entered for the TQ event.
BREAKING THE TIE: The Dunkin’ Donuts Center could give Lou Cicconi Jr. or Joey Payne indoor bragging rights. From 19 selected indoor venues in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic region, the two are tied with six wins. Cicconi of Aston, Pa., won his last regional event on Jan. 21, 2006, in Atlantic City, N.J., while Payne of Fairlawn, N.J., last won on Jan. 13, 2007, in AC.
DIRT CHAMPION: Mike Iles of Medford, N.J. doesn’t shy away from competing on pavement indoors, but one would understand if he would. See, Iles is a weekly dirt Modified driver and he won last year’s track title at Bridgeport (N.J.) Speedway.
ALL IN THE FAMILY: Thanksgiving is eight months away and that’s a good thing for some Providence entries. It will give them time to solve any problems that arise from the indoor race. The entry list features three relatives including Ian and Alison Cumens (brother and sister), James Michael and Stewart Friesen (cousins) and the father/son combination of Jeff Heotzler and Jeff Heotzler Jr.
BUSY DRIVER: Ryan Smith, 21, of Kunkletown, Pa., is multi-tasking this season. Smith will compete in the TQ Midget class in Providence, just as he did in January at Atlantic City. But Smith will get busy when the outdoor season begins as he is scheduled to drive a winged 270 cc Micro Sprint, wingless 600 cc Micro Sprint, ARDC Midget and USAC Silver Crown Series this year.
LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON: Frenchtown, N.J.’s Billy Pauch Jr. is following in his father’s footsteps. Literally. Pauch will drive the No. 8 Ingalls Racing entry in Providence. He is the son of the legendary Billy Pauch, who coincidentally won a preliminary feature in Atlantic City in January.
HOLIDAY CHEER: The Holiday season is a distant memory, but it’s not for a few DDC entries. Paul Lotier Jr. of Lebanon, Pa., won the TQ Midget portion of the Turkey Derby XXV at Wall (N.J.) Speedway, while Bobby Santos III of Franklin, Mass., won the USAC Midget Turkey Night Grand Prix at Toyota (Calif.) Speedway. Also, Lou Cicconi Jr. topped NASCAR star Tony Stewart in a Midget Car race in Fort Wayne, Ind., three days after Christmas.
BONUS MONEY: Extra cash always makes drivers race harder. The Behrent’s Bonus $500 award is available to any driver who can win both TQ Midget feature races. The award is courtesy of Behrent’s Performance Warehouse. Also, Dr. William Lowe will provide money to the driver who posts the fast time in time trial qualifying.
Tickets can be purchased at the Dunkin’ Donuts Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, by calling 1-800-745-3000 or online at: www.ticketmaster.com.
Friday tickets are $20 (front row for adults and children), $15 (adult seats) and $10 (children age 12 and under). Saturday tickets are $25 (front row for adults a nd children), $20 (adults) and $10 (children age 12 and under).
Show information is available at Len Sammons Productions by calling 609-888-3618 or online: www.aarn.com.
HISTORIAN R.A. SILVIA NAMED PROVIDENCE GRAND MARSHAL
PROVIDENCE, RI - February 21 ... Noted auto racing historian R.A. Silvia has been named the Grand Marshal for the upcoming TQ-Midget event at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, R.I., on March 6-7.
“It is quite an honor to be the Grand Marshal of this great event,” Silvia, 68, of Warwick, R.I. “This event has generated a lot of buzz here in the state and throughout the entire northeast.
“I am very proud to be a part of it. When I found out that I was going to be the Grand Marshal, I went into work and told the guys that I’m going to go out and by a scepter, crown and cape.”
Silvia, then 18, attended the three indoor Midget Car races held at the Rhode Island Auditorium in 1959. The final race on April 18, 1959, was won by Jerry Wall of Wallenburg, N.J.
That event, which was sanctioned by the American Three Quarter Midget Racing Association, was the last-sanctioned event held in the Ocean State according to Silvia.
“Those indoor events were huge back then,” Silvia said. “The building is now torn down and it is a hospital parking lot.”
Silvia was recently presented the prestigious Danny Pardi Memorial Award by the New England Antique Racers (NEAR) club for his=2 0contributions as a long-time New England-area auto racing enthusiasts.
“I went to my first race when I was 5-years-old,” Silvia said. “I still haven’t lost that enthusiasm for the sport.”
Silvia, who has authored many articles over the years, said he has at least 50,000 photographs and/or negatives at his residence. Also, Silvia started the Pronyne Motorsports Museum in Pawtucket, R.I. The building is jammed with racing memorabilia from numerous race tracks over many decades.
Behrent’s Performance Warehouse, owned by Jeff and Harry Behrent, in Florida, N.Y., has added to the two-day event by posting the Behrent’s Bonus.
If a driver wins both TQ-Midget features, Behrent’s will pay a $500 bonus.
BPW is a service and parts provider to the automotive racing industry. Customers can contact BPW at 1-877-372-2348 or at: www.bpw-wd.com
The entry list for the TQ-Midgets has been filled. Entries for the Senior Champ Kart class are still being accepted.
Tickets can be purchased at the Dunkin’ Donuts Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, by calling 1-800-745-3000 or online at: www.ticketmaster.com.
Friday tickets are $20 (front row for adults and children), $15 (adult seats) and $10 (children age 12 and under). Saturday tickets are $25 (front row for adults a nd children), $20 (adults) and $10 (children age 12 and under).
Fans can purchase tickets to the event this coming weekend at the Speedway Expo Show in Springfield, Mass. The TQ Midget that Ted Christopher drove to victory in the Gambler’s Classic at Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall will be on display.
Show information is available at Len Sammons Productions by calling 609-888-3618 or online: www.aarn.com. Special room rates are now available on the web-site at the Hilton for just $79 per night. The Hilton is located within walking distance of the Dunkin Donuts Center
DRIVER ROSTER ANNOUNCED FOR PROVIDENCE INDOOR RACE
PROVIDENCE, RI - The driver roster has been announced for the upcoming event for three-quarter size race cars (TQ-Midgets) at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence on March 6-7.
Defending NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion Ted Christopher leads the way. The Plainville, Conn., racer won the Gambler’s Classic at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J., on January 17.
But Christopher will have plenty of competition.
Previous Atlantic City winners who will attempt to qualify for the first race held in Rhode Island in 50 years include Joey Payne (2004 and 2007), Lou Cicconi Jr. (2006), Mike Tidaback (2008) and Jeff Heotzler (2005).
Entries were accepted from drivers or their respective cars that qualified for at least one of the two feature races held at the recent two-day (Jan. 16-17) indoor event in Atlantic City.
Seven-time NASCAR Whelen Modified champion Mike Stefanik of Coventry, R.I., will drive an entry owned by Colin Martin, who fielded a car driven by Frank Fischer in Atlantic City.
Bobby Santos III of Franklin, Mass., will pilot a TQ-Midget owned by Johnny Payne. Santos competed in AC for Lou Cicconi Jr.
Billy Pauch Jr. of Frenchtown, N.J., is set to race in a car that his father drove to Victory Lane in a preliminary feature last month.
Other drivers include Stewart Friesen, James Michael Friesen, Joe Lord Jr., Tim Proctor, Don Zrinski, Amanda Quinones, Heath Hehnly, Jeff Kot, Glenn Heverin, Jon Holmquist, Matt Janisch, Ryan Smith, Ian Cumens, Alex Bright, Bob Watkins Jr., Mike Lichty and Timex Morgan.
The top 10 drivers in AC time trials who did not qualify for a main event were accepted. Those drivers included Mike Iles, Matt Roselli, Chris Haskell (car driven by Curtis Friesen), Alison Cumens, Jeff Heotzler Jr., Ryan Bartlett, Mike Osite, Billy Murphy, Mark Yoder and Randy Cabral.
Paul Lotier Jr., the TQ-Midget winner at the Wall Stadium (N.J.) Turkey Derby in November, was accepted as he won the Slingshot main event in AC, a division not on the Providence card.
Jack Spence, Tim Adams, Jonathan Reid and Chris Allen will participate in the indoor race based on the support they’ve given to the AC indoor events since Len Sammons Productions began promoting races there in 2003. Spence and Adams are drivers who have competed at every Boardwalk Hall event, while Reid’s car owner Harry Macy, and Allen’s owners John and Ed Malik have been loyal to the AC events.
Richie Coy, Monnie Wonder and Steve Craig are listed as event alternates in the order in which they timed in AC.
Drivers for inaugural Dunkin’ Donuts Center TQ Midget race: Ted Christopher, Mike Stefanik, Stewart Friesen, James Michael Friesen, Mike Tidaback, Joesph Lord Jr., Tim Proctor, Don Zrinski, Jeff Heotzler, Amanda Quinones, Heath Hehnly, Jeff Kot, Glenn Heverin, Jon Holmquist, Matt Janisch, Ryan Smith, Joey Payne, Ian Cumens, Alex Bright, Bob Watkins Jr., Bob Santos III, Billy Pauch Jr., Lou Cicconi Jr., Mike Lichty, Timex Morgan, Mike Iles, Matt Roselli, Chris Haskell, Alison Cumens, Jeff Heotzler Jr., Ryan Bartlett, Mike Osite, Billy Murphy, Mark Yoder, Randy Cabral, Paul Lotier Jr., Jack Spence, Tim Adams, Jonathan Reid, Chris Allen. Alternates: Richie Coy, Monnie Wonder, Steve Craig
FIRST 25 ANNOUNCED FOR PROVIDENCE INDOOR RACE
PROVIDENCE, RI - The first 25 drivers have been announced for the upcoming TQ Midget race at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center on March 6-7.
Defending NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion Ted Christopher leads the way.
Christopher, 50, of Plainville, Conn., won the Gambler’s Classic at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J., on January 17.
The accepted drivers or their respective cars qualified for at least one of the two feature races held at the recent two-day (Jan. 16-17) indoor event in Atlantic City.
Previous Atlantic City winners who will attempt to qualify for the first race held in Rhode Island in 50 years includes Joey Payne (2004 and 2007), Lou Cicconi Jr (2006), Mike Tidaback (2008) and Jeff Heotzler (2005).
Billy Pauch Jr. of Frenchtown, N.J., will compete in a car that his father drove to Victory Lane in a preliminary event last month.
Seven-time NASCAR Whelen Modified champion Mike Stefanik of Coventry, R.I., will drive an entry owned by Colin Martin, who fielded a car driven by Frank Fischer in Atlantic City.
Bobby Santos III of Franklin, Mass., will pilot a TQ Midget owned by Johnny Payne. Santos competed in AC for Lou Cicconi Jr.
Other drivers include Stewart Friesen, James Michael Friesen, Joseph Lord Jr., Tim Proctor, Don Zrinski, Amanda Quinones, Heath Hehnly, Jeff Kot, Glenn Heverin, Jon Holmquist, Matt Janisch, Ryan Smith, Ian Cumens, Alex Bright, Bob Watkins Jr., Mike Lichty and Timex Morgan.
The remaining drivers will be announced at a later date.
Accepted entries can be found at www.aarn.com.
SEVEN-TIME NASCAR MOD CHAMP MIKE STEFANIK ENTERS INDOOR RACE
PROVIDENCE, RI - January 30, 2009. . . Seven-time NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion Mike Stefanik will try to add another win to his illustrious resume when high-powered three-quarter size race cars (TQ-Midgets) come to the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, R.I., on March 6-7.
Stefanik, 50, of Coventry, R.I., is scheduled to drive a Colin Martin-owned No. 26 Spitfire Chassis entry in the first indoor race to happen in Rhode Island since 1959.
“It will be something different,” Stefanik said. “I’ve never sat in a TQ-Midget before, let alone race one indoors.”
The races will be right in front of the fans, on a concrete oval track built around the outside of the arena's hockey rink. All seats will provide spectators with an excellent view of the thrilling, high-speed competition with the best drivers in the Northeast competing.
Each night will feature complete shows, including heat races, consolation races and a 20-car feature, for both classes.
Stefanik’s presence in outdoor racing is unprecedented. He was named the second greatest NASCAR Modified driver of all-time in 2003.
His seven series=2 0championships are tied with Jerry Cook for second all-time, trailing only the late Richie Evans.
In 2006, Stefanik tied Evans with nine overall championships in NASCAR-sanctioned competitions, including the unique situation where in 1997 and 1998 when he won both the Modified and Busch North Series (now Camping World East Series) championships in the same year.
From 1989 through 1998, Stefanik won four championships in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, and was an accomplished Busch North Series driver, winning the 1997 and 1998 titles.
In doing so, he became the first driver to win two NASCAR championships in consecutive years.
Following these seasons, Stefanik moved to the Craftsman Truck Series (now Camping World Series) and finished in the top-10 nine times during 1999, achieving the Rookie of the Year honors.
Stefanik has since returned to the Modified ranks and he=2 0is looking forward to representing his state in the TQ-Midget class.
“Rhode Island had the first oval track race and we have a lot of race fans, but we don’t have any race tracks any longer,” Stefanik said. “There seems to be a lot of interest in this race. As soon as I heard about an indoor race coming to Providence, I wanted to be a part of it.”
Martin has fielded some of the top indoor TQ-Midgets.
He fielded an entry for Frank Fischer in the Gambler’s Classic, which was recently completed at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J. Due to work commitments, Fischer is unable to attend the races in Providence.
Stefanik knows first-hand of Martin’s successful race cars.
“I went to one indoor race in Atlantic City and Joey Payne drove one of Colin’s cars to victory,” Stefanik said. “I know Joey Payne is considered one of the Mac Daddy’s of indoor racing.
“I talked to Colin about what it’s like to race indoors. He said I should just go, jump in it and have fun. I guess I’ll be doing some on-the-job training right at the event.”
Stefanik isn’t the only NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion who will participate in the two-day event. Defending series champion Ted Christopher of Plainville, Conn., is the first to file an official entry form. Christopher won the Gambler’s Classic TQ-Midget race in January.
“I think this will be a great event for this area,” Stefanik said. “The Modifieds are really strong in the Northeast, plus there is a lot of Midget Car history too. Who would have ever th ought we would be racing indoors in the winter?”
In addition to the TQ-Midgets, the programs will feature Senior Champ Karts, a division that features speeds close to that of the TQ-Midgets.
Entries for the event are limited to 36 TQ-Midgets and 36 Senior Champ Karts.
Tickets can be purchased at the Dunkin’ Donuts Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, by calling 1-800-745-3000 or online at: www.ticketmaster.com.
Friday tickets are $20 (front row for adults and children), $15 (adult seats) and $10 (children age 12 and under). Saturday tickets are $25 (front row for adults and children), $20 (adults) and $10 (children age 12 and under).
Show i nformation is available at Len Sammons Productions by calling 609-888-3618 or online: www.aarn.com. Special room rates are now available on the web-site at the Hilton for just $79 per night. The Hilton is located within walking distance of the Dunkin Donuts Center.
TED CHRISTOPHER FILES PROVIDENCE INDOOR ENTRY
PROVIDENCE, RI –
Defending NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion Ted Christopher is the
first to file an entry for the upcoming indoor Three-Quarter Midget
race at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, R.I., on March 6 and 7.
“I
have to go,” Christopher, 50, said. “I do not want miss an event of
this caliber. This is a first time for a motorsports event in 50 years
in the state of Rhode Island, and I want to be a part of it.
“This
event is huge for the Northeast. For me, it is only an hour-and-a-half
from my home. Plus, we have a lot of race fans in this area and big
markets, like Boston, Mass., Hartford, Conn., and Providence, to draw
from.”
Christopher is skipping an ASA/S.M.A.R.T. Series asphalt
Modified event at Orange County Speedway in Rougemont, N.C., which he
had previously scheduled to attend for that same weekend.
The
versatile driver from Plainville, Conn., collected his first-ever
indoor TQ Midget feature win on January 17 at Boardwalk Hall in
Atlantic City, N.J.
“Winning that race really meant a lot,”
Christopher said. “Racing indoors is so intense for a driver, and it is
just as intense for the race fans. I know race fans will want to
experience the speed and tight racing that happens when you are racing
indoors.”
Just how fast are the TQ Midgets indoors?
In
Atlantic City, Aston, Pa.’s Lou Cicconi Jr., who defeated NASCAR Sprint
Cup star Tony Stewart in Fort Wayne, Ind. recently, posted a record
8.982-second lap. Similar speeds are expected to occur inside the
Dunkin’ Donuts Center.
“I am an intense driver, so indoor racing fits me quite well,” Christopher said.
In
addition to the high-powered TQ Midgets, the programs will feature
Senior Champ Karts, a division that features speeds close to that of
the TQ Midgets.
Entries for the event are limited to 36 TQ
Midgets and 36 Senior Champ Karts. Those who qualified for the feature
events in Atlantic City will get the first chance to compete in the
race at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center as long as those entries are filed
before January 30.
After that, entries will be accepted accordingly.
Each night will feature complete shows, including heat races, consolation races and a feature, for both classes.
Tickets
go on sale this Saturday and can by purchased at the Dunkin’ Donuts Box
Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, by calling 1-800-745-3000 or online
at: www.ticketmaster.com.
Friday tickets are $20 (front row for
adults and children), $15 (adult seats) and $10 (children age 12 and
under). Saturday tickets are $25 (front row for adults and children),
$20 (adults) and $10 (children age 12 and under).
Show
information is available at Len Sammons Productions by calling
609-888-3618 or online: www.aarn.com. Special room rates are now
available on the web-site at the Hilton for just $79 per night. The
Hilton is located within walking distance of the Dunkin Donuts Center.
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