Tri-Track Open Modifieds Gain Support for 2017
Story By: TRI-TRACK MODIFIED SERIES MEDIA
Photos By: DICK AYERS / RACERSGUIDE.COM
Seekonk, Ma. —November 23, 2016- The Tri-Track Open Modified Series formally announced this week the expansion of its operation. Founding partners Dick Williams and Jim Schaefer have joined forces with Wayne Darling of Seekonk, Ma. and Mark Pennink of Huntingdon Valley, Pa. The operational group is already well into plans for the 2017 season with a number of additional announcements expected in the coming weeks.
“The series just got too big for us to handle on our own,” said Schaefer, who joined Williams in creating the series.
As long-time team car owners, Darling and Pennink bring not only a ‘racer’s perspective’ to the series but also much-needed resources to the already successful NorthEast Race Cars Tri-Track Open Modified series.
Back in 2014, the uncertainty of some of Modified racing’s more prolific open (non-sanctioned) events sparked the duo to take action. Williams and Schaefer stepped in with passion and determination to build the NorthEast Race Cars Tri-Track Open Modified Series. Now, some three years later, that same resolve has prompted the two to seek additional help.
“Dick and Jim built this thing from the ground up,” said Darling. “It’s our time now to step up alongside them to build on the solid foundation – to make the series stronger. To turn it into the professional series we know it can be.”
The caliber of the teams that have supported the series since its inception along with the backing of the foundational race tracks will go a long way toward helping the Tri-Track Open Modified Series achieve those goals.
“We really want to do what is right for the competitors,” added Schaefer. “We really think this is it.”
Championship racers have anchored the, on average, 40-car rosters dating back to 2014 with the likes of Doug Coby, Matt Hirschman, John McKennedy, Keith Rocco, Chris Pasteryak, Woody Pitkat and others. Series champions have include McKennedy (‘14) and Hirschman (’15 & ‘16).
The inaugural season of NorthEast Race Cars Tri-Track Open Modified Series saw the races at Lee USA and Star Speedways in Lee and Epping, N.H., respectively as well as Seekonk Speedway in Ma. In 2015, the series traveled back to Lee and Seekonk adding Monadnock Speedway in Winchester, N.H. and New London-Waterford Speedbowl; where they held two events. In 2016, the schedule once again included Star, Seekonk and two dates at Waterford. An event scheduled at Monadnock was cancelled due to rain.
While the name of the series is more representative of the point system than the scheduling, the Tri-Track Open Modified Series 2017 event schedule is shaping up to be a great one for both racers and fans alike.
