Short Track SuperNationals Modified Program Lacks Repeat Winner Entering “Working Man’s Race” 9 At I-88 Speedway October 7-8
Story By: BRETT DEYO / STSSS MEDIA
Photos By: DAVE DALESANDRO / RACERSGUIDE.COM
AFTON, NY –September 30, 2016- The Short Track SuperNationals “Working Man’s Race” is approaching its ninth running October 7-8 at I-88 Speedway.
In the eight previous renditions, there have been no repeat Modified winners.
Will there be a ninth new face in Victory Lane? Only time will tell. On Saturday (October 8), the big-block/small-block Modifieds race 50 laps for a massive purse structure offering $5,000 to the winner, $1,000 for 10th and $500 just to take the green flag. The race holds added significance as the final round of the Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By VP Halmar International North Region. A $12,000 champion will be crowned at the Afton Fairgrounds.
The first Short Track SuperNationals took place on October 7, 2006 at I-88 (then Afton Speedway) with Mike Ricci of Tillson, N.Y., winning the 50-lap main. Ricci has never missed a SuperNationals since that inaugural triumph and plans to be in attendance once again this season.
The second SuperNationals waited three years to run and it was held October 10, 2009 at N.Y.’s Five Mile Point Speedway. Boyertown, Pa., driver Kevin Hirthler emerged victorious in his family owned No. 117. The event would remain at Five Mile Point through 2013.
In 2010, Justin Holland of Kauneonga Lake, N.Y., put his name on the board as a major-event winner. One year later, at the wheel of the Mike Petruska-owned No. 66, Duane Howard of Oley, Pa., bested a field of 79 to earn the victory. In 2012, young gun Danny Tyler of Cottekill, N.Y., used a late-race pass of legend Billy Pauch Sr. to make his own career highlight.
For 2013, Craig Hanson of Johnstown, N.Y., made his first SuperNationals start a memorable one by winning a hotly contested 50-lap feature. Hanson is now a regular STSS follower and holds a top-10 point position entering this year’s finale.
After outgrowing its host facility, the SuperNationals returned to the Afton oval in 2014. Shaun Walker of Masonville, N.Y., etched his name in the SuperNationals record books with the win.
Last year, Danny Creeden of Wurtsboro, N.Y., took home top honors.
Eight events. Eight different winners. The Short Track SuperNationals has been a picture of parity and the ’16 edition is expected to be no different.
Two full days of racing are set for the I-88 three-tenths-mile.
On Friday (October 7), there are CRSA Sprint Cars in a 40-lap main, Open Sportsman paying $1,500 to win (*with Gambler’s Fee) for 35 laps (the series title will be decided) plus XCel 600 Modifieds, Street Stocks, Empire Lightning Sprints and Modified open practice rounds.
Friday admission prices are as follows: $15 for Adults, $13 for Seniors (ages 65 and up), $10 for Students (ages 9-14) with children eight and under FREE. Pit admission is $30, with no license required.
Pit gates open at 3 p.m. on Friday. Grandstand gates are unlocked at 4 p.m. Hot laps begin at 6 p.m., with racing at 7 p.m.
Saturday (Oct. 8) will again be a “split” program with racing in the afternoon and evening. Divisions to be featured on Saturday are STSS Modifieds in a 50-lap, $5,000-to-win main that will decide the Halmar International North Region championship, GRIT Series Crate 602 Sportsman, XCel 600 Modifieds, Empire Lightning Sprints, Empire Sport Trucks and Vintage Cars.
Saturday admission prices are $22 for Adults, $20 for Seniors (ages 65 and up), $12 for Students (ages 9-14) and children eight and under are FREE. Pit admission is $35, with no license required.
Pit gates open at noon on Saturday. Grandstand gates are unlocked at 1 p.m. Hot laps begin for GRIT Sportsman, XCel 600 Modifieds, Lightning Sprints, Sport Trucks and Vintage Cars at 3 p.m., with heat races to follow immediately.
STSS Modified hot laps are scheduled for 6 p.m. with heat races to follow.
Below, some key forms for the ’16 edition of the Short Track SuperNationals:
Reserved Camping – http://bdmotorsportsmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/ReservedCampingFormSuperNationals.pdf
STSS Modified Entry Form – http://bdmotorsportsmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/STSNModEntryForm.pdf
STSS Open Sportsman Entry Form – http://bdmotorsportsmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/STSNOpenSportsmanEntryForm.pdf
GRIT Crate 602 Sportsman Entry Form – http://bdmotorsportsmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/STSNCrateSportsmanEntryForm.pdf
I-88 Speedway is located conveniently off I-88 Exit 7 (Afton), approximately 25 miles north and east of Binghamton, at 46 East Main Street Afton, N.Y. 13730. There is plentiful space for parking and camping. To learn more about I-88 Speedway, visit www.i-88speedway.com.
To learn more about the Short Track Super Series or BD Motorsports Media LLC, visit www.shortttracksuperseries.com or www.bdmotorsportsmedia.com, call 845.728.2781 or e-mail bdmotorsportsmedia@gmail.com. “Like” Short Track Super Series on Facebook or follow @ShortTrackSS on Twitter.
The 2016 Short Track Super Series is presented by American Racer/Lias Tire, VP Racing Fuel, Bob Hilbert Sportswear, Halmar International, Allstar Performance, ATL Racing Fuel Cells, Behrent’s Performance Warehouse, Bicknell Racing Products, COMP Performance Group, Dirt Track Digest, Fast Axle, Fox Racing Shocks, Hig Fab, Henry’s Exhaust, Hurlock Auto & Speed Supply, HyperCo, Kirkey Racing Fabrication, K&N, Racersguide.com,Race Pro Weekly, Racing Optics, Teo-Pro Car, Vahlco Wheels & Velocita
Short Track SuperNationals Modified Event History
October 10, 2015 – DANNY CREEDEN – Mike Mahaney – Paul Jensen – Jeff Heotzler – Mitch Gibbs
October 11, 2014 – SHAUN WALKER – Mike Mahaney – Mitch Gibbs – Tyler Dippel – Bobby Varin
October 12, 2013 – CRAIG HANSON – Anthony Perrego – Jackie Brown Jr. – Pat Ward – Chad Phelps
October 6, 2012 – DANNY TYLER – Bobby Varin – Brian Weaver – Billy Pauch Sr. – Mitch Gibbs
October 7, 2011 – DUANE HOWARD – Danny Tyler – Billy Pauch Sr. – Jeff Strunk – Jeff Heotzler
October 9, 2010 – JUSTIN HOLLAND – Billy Pauch Jr. – Kevin Bates – Brian Weaver – Danny Tyler
October 10, 2009 – KEVIN HIRTHLER – Mike Ricci – Mike Gular – Sean Merkel – Joey Grammes
October 7, 2006 – MIKE RICCI – J.R. Hurlburt – Brian Weaver – Joey Grammes – Davie Franek
