THE COUNTDOWN IS ON FOR WALL STADIUM’S TURKEY DERBY

LARGE FIELDS EXPECTED FOR WALL STADIUM TURKEY DERBY

Story By: Jeff Gravatt/Wall Stadium

Photos By: John John Lane/RacersGuide.com

WALL TOWNSHIP, N.J. ~ If the overflowing number of cars that were in the Wall Stadium Speedway pit area for the two pre-race practice sessions are any indication, the 44th running of the Turkey Derby stock car classic at Wall Stadium Speedway could feature a record setting field in both quality and quantity. The event is presented on Friday, Saturday and Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend during the daylight hours.

Among the Tour Type Modified standouts expressing interest in the annual classic are Matt Hirschman of Northampton, Pa., Jackson’s Steven Reed, Dave Sapienza of Riverhead, N.Y., Shaun Carrig of Little Falls, Holmdel’s Andrew Krause, Earl Paules of Palmertown, Pa. and Long Island racer Kenny Darch. Also planning to compete in Tour Type Modified action are Brick’s Ron Frees, Howell’s Jimmy Blewett and Justin Gumley, Jonathan Mandato of Toms River, Kyle Ellwood of Riverhead, N.Y., Jackson’s Blake Barney and Mitcheel Dowd of Pottstown, Pa. More entries are expected during the final two days leading up to the race.

The speedway’s own Freehold Ford Modifieds will also be well represented by both local favorites and invaders. Newly crowned champion Jimmy Blewett, former champ Steven Reed, Jason Hearne of New Egypt, Brick’s Marc Rogers, , Howell’s Chris Lane, Derek Hopkinson of Toms River, Ricky Collins of Willow Grove, Pa. and Howell’s Eric Mauriello are all reportedly planning to compete in the Wall Modified 100-lap feature. Doug Wolcott of High Point, N.C., Howell’s Chris Reynolds, brothers Zack and Trevor Alspach, both of Willingboro,, Adam LaCicero of Lavallette, Jackson’s Jason Treat and Manasquan’s Kenny Van Wickle are also expected to be in the field.

Reed, Sesely, Krause, Hirschman, Blewett, Carrig and Mandato are among those contemplating competition in both pavement type Modified races. In fact, both Blewett and Krause plan extra duty as they are also planning to compete in the Dirt Modified feature race. A healthy field of Dirt Modifieds has practiced during the two tune-up sessions.

In fact, each division that will compete in Turkey Derby action was well represented by both locals and invaders at both practice sessions indicating that large fields will be on hand for every class.

On Friday, November 24, day one of Turkey Derby, pit area gates will open at 6:30 a.m., practice will begin at 8:30 a.m. and grandstand seating will open at 9:30 a.m. Qualifying is set for 12:15 p.m. with feature racing scheduled to start at 2:00 p.m. The Snap-on Sportsman cars will compete in a 50-lap main event, the Elite Maintenance Limited Late Models will battle in a 50-lapper, the O’Shea’s Auto Repair Factory Stocks and the Surf Side Collision 4 Cylinder Stocks will each battle in 40-lap races.

On Saturday, November 25, the pit area will again open at 6:30 a.m. with practice at 8:30 a.m. and grandstands opening at 9:30 a.m. Qualifying will start at 11:00 a.m. with main events set for 1:00 p.m. The Tour Type Modifieds are set for a 150-lap, $5,000 to win feature race while the speedway’s Freehold Ford Modifieds will compete in a 100-lap feature race that offers $5,000 to the winner. Dirt Modifieds will also be on the Saturday card in a 50-lap feature and the Green Flag Driving Experience Legends cars will compete in a 30-lapper. The TQ Midgets will race on the inner oval in a 30-lap race.

The Turkey Derby weekend will then wrap up on Sunday, November 26, with pit gates opening at 10:00 a.m., practice starting at 11:00 a.m., grandstand opening and qualifying at noon and main events set for 1:00 p.m. The Legend Cars will be competing in a 40-lapper and the Factory Stocks will race in a 50-lapper. The 4 Cylinder Stocks are set for a 75-lapper on Sunday while the Dirt Outlaw Stocks and the Dirt Sportsman cars will each compete in 25-lap main events. A Demolition Derby will cap off Sunday’s action.

Among special awards offered for the weekend will be the Larsen Brothers Memorial Fast Time Award for both the Tour and Wall Modified divisions. The fast qualifier in each division will pocket $200.

A special commemorative Turkey Derby 44 sweatshirt will be available during the weekend and fans are reminded to bring small headset type radios to listen to the live call of the race events over the track’s 90.1 FM frequency. Campers are welcome but they are urged to call the speedway office prior to the event to make mandatory reservations.

Turkey Derby rules, registration forms, ticket purchase forms and more detailed information are all available on the speedway website at wallspeedwayracing.com.

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. The speedway hotline number is 732-681-6400 and email address is CKMotorsports@aol.com.