RGeeProductions
07-06-2015, 06:06 PM
With the Independence Day break now complete Wall Stadium Speedway stock car racers are ready for a schedule packed with extra-distance and prestigious events that will last through the summer season. The first of these events will be presented this Saturday night (July 11) as the Downs Ford Modifieds compete in the 41st running of the $4,000 to win “Garden State Classic 100.”
With a full card of racing action in addition to the “Classic” on tap speedway officials have announced that qualifying will begin at 5:00 p.m. with the first two main events for the O’Shea’s Auto Repair Factory Stocks and the Green Monster Insulation 4 Cylinder Stocks set for a 6:00 p.m. start. A brief break will follow before the remaining main events including the 100-lap “Classic” are presented.
This year’s 100-lap “Classic” format, offering $4,000 to the winner, is attracting the attention of several racers in the Modified division. Invader Jimmy Blewett of Howell has said that he plans to compete while other travelers including Anthony Sesely of Matawan and Zane Zeiner of Bath, Pa. have also expressed interest in the big payday.
Series regulars expected to see action include top drivers Andrew Krause of Holmdel, Eric Mauriello of Howell, Jackson’s Jason Treat, Brick’s Shawna Ingraham, Jackson’s Steven Reed and Derek Hopkinson of Toms River. Also among expected local entries are Adam LaCicero of Lavallette, 10-time track driving champ Chas Okerson of Freehold, Shaun Carrig of Little Falls Zack Alspach of Willingboro and Jason Hearne of New Egypt. Trevor Alspach of Willingboro is the defending champion while Okerson, Blewett and Reed have also won the race.
The Modifieds are not the only racers in Saturday night’s spotlight. The Factory Stocks, 4 Cylinder Stocks, Snap-on Tools Sportsman, Elite Maintenance Limited Late Modified and the Green Flag Driving Experience Legend Cars will all see action in special “Cone Races.” In a “Cone Race” a traffic cone is placed on the backstretch at the one-to-go sign for a restart. Any driver can choose to go inside the cone or outside the cone. If the first four drivers choose the inside, for example, the fifth place driver can choose outside and move up to the front row. Does a driver take the preferred inside groove and restart further back on the inside, or does he or she choose the shorter line of cars on the outside and hope he or she can make it stick? That’s the issue each driver will face on each restart.
In addition to the large field of present day competitors, 20 past “Garden State Classic” champions, including Gil Hearne, Tony Siscone, Jerry Cranmer, Bob Rossell, Tony Hirschman, Don Stives, John Blewett, Jr., Dan McLaughlin, Jr. and Sam Russo have been invited to be on hand to be honored and to sign autographs during a “Garden State Classic Champions Reunion.” Recreations of the No. 68 sedan that the late Pete Frazee, the first “Classic” champion drove here, and the famous No. XL-1 that was so successful will be on display in addition to several other vintage cars. Banner Night festivities will also be presented where fans can display banners for the their favorite current day drivers. In addition Jeff’s Service Center, Zeiner Fabrications and Mattarazzo Construction, all sponsors of the Zane Zeiner No. 76 Modified entry, will present new bicycles to two lucky young fans and Downs Ford will present the first 300 fans special gifts.
Saturday’s schedule will see the competitor pit area open at 1:00 p.m. Regular practice will start at 3:00 p.m., while spectator seating will open and qualifying will start at 5:00 p.m.
Another big night is set for July 18 when Sportsman division sponsor Snap-on Tools will sponsor a full card of racing. A large gathering of guests is expected and the more courageous fans will have the opportunity to ride a mechanical bull. The Garden State Vintage Stock Car Club will be on hand featuring Pintos, Gremlins, Mustangs, Vegas, Chevette and Falcon cars that raced on the speedway from the mid-1960’s through the 1970’s. Non-club members are also invited to display their special cars. In addition the TQ Midgets will race on the inner oval flat track and the Pro 2 Modifieds will also debut.
Wall Stadium Speedway is located on Route 34 in Wall Township, N.J., just one mile north of Garden State Parkway exit 98 and Interstate 195 exit 35B. More information can be obtained by visiting www.wallspeedway.com. The speedway hotline number is 732-681-6400 and email address is CKMotorsports@aol.com.
Jeff Gravatt
With a full card of racing action in addition to the “Classic” on tap speedway officials have announced that qualifying will begin at 5:00 p.m. with the first two main events for the O’Shea’s Auto Repair Factory Stocks and the Green Monster Insulation 4 Cylinder Stocks set for a 6:00 p.m. start. A brief break will follow before the remaining main events including the 100-lap “Classic” are presented.
This year’s 100-lap “Classic” format, offering $4,000 to the winner, is attracting the attention of several racers in the Modified division. Invader Jimmy Blewett of Howell has said that he plans to compete while other travelers including Anthony Sesely of Matawan and Zane Zeiner of Bath, Pa. have also expressed interest in the big payday.
Series regulars expected to see action include top drivers Andrew Krause of Holmdel, Eric Mauriello of Howell, Jackson’s Jason Treat, Brick’s Shawna Ingraham, Jackson’s Steven Reed and Derek Hopkinson of Toms River. Also among expected local entries are Adam LaCicero of Lavallette, 10-time track driving champ Chas Okerson of Freehold, Shaun Carrig of Little Falls Zack Alspach of Willingboro and Jason Hearne of New Egypt. Trevor Alspach of Willingboro is the defending champion while Okerson, Blewett and Reed have also won the race.
The Modifieds are not the only racers in Saturday night’s spotlight. The Factory Stocks, 4 Cylinder Stocks, Snap-on Tools Sportsman, Elite Maintenance Limited Late Modified and the Green Flag Driving Experience Legend Cars will all see action in special “Cone Races.” In a “Cone Race” a traffic cone is placed on the backstretch at the one-to-go sign for a restart. Any driver can choose to go inside the cone or outside the cone. If the first four drivers choose the inside, for example, the fifth place driver can choose outside and move up to the front row. Does a driver take the preferred inside groove and restart further back on the inside, or does he or she choose the shorter line of cars on the outside and hope he or she can make it stick? That’s the issue each driver will face on each restart.
In addition to the large field of present day competitors, 20 past “Garden State Classic” champions, including Gil Hearne, Tony Siscone, Jerry Cranmer, Bob Rossell, Tony Hirschman, Don Stives, John Blewett, Jr., Dan McLaughlin, Jr. and Sam Russo have been invited to be on hand to be honored and to sign autographs during a “Garden State Classic Champions Reunion.” Recreations of the No. 68 sedan that the late Pete Frazee, the first “Classic” champion drove here, and the famous No. XL-1 that was so successful will be on display in addition to several other vintage cars. Banner Night festivities will also be presented where fans can display banners for the their favorite current day drivers. In addition Jeff’s Service Center, Zeiner Fabrications and Mattarazzo Construction, all sponsors of the Zane Zeiner No. 76 Modified entry, will present new bicycles to two lucky young fans and Downs Ford will present the first 300 fans special gifts.
Saturday’s schedule will see the competitor pit area open at 1:00 p.m. Regular practice will start at 3:00 p.m., while spectator seating will open and qualifying will start at 5:00 p.m.
Another big night is set for July 18 when Sportsman division sponsor Snap-on Tools will sponsor a full card of racing. A large gathering of guests is expected and the more courageous fans will have the opportunity to ride a mechanical bull. The Garden State Vintage Stock Car Club will be on hand featuring Pintos, Gremlins, Mustangs, Vegas, Chevette and Falcon cars that raced on the speedway from the mid-1960’s through the 1970’s. Non-club members are also invited to display their special cars. In addition the TQ Midgets will race on the inner oval flat track and the Pro 2 Modifieds will also debut.
Wall Stadium Speedway is located on Route 34 in Wall Township, N.J., just one mile north of Garden State Parkway exit 98 and Interstate 195 exit 35B. More information can be obtained by visiting www.wallspeedway.com. The speedway hotline number is 732-681-6400 and email address is CKMotorsports@aol.com.
Jeff Gravatt