McDonald Wins In New Zealand
McKENZIE, Tenn. (Nov. 23, 2016) – J&J Auto Racing drivers Morgan Turpen and Derek Hagar laid claim to two of three 2016 United Sprint Car Series (USCS) dirt championships to close out the season. Turpen, driving for owner Terry Gray, won six feature events en route to her second consecutive USCS National Series title. Turpen, who hails from Cordova, Tenn., made history to become the only women in sprint car and USCS Series history to win back-to-back national championships. Owner and fellow driver, Gray, also posted solid season stats as he finished second in both the USCS National division and the USCS Mid-South Thunder Series.
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SELINSGROVE, Pa. – Selinsgrove Speedway & Raceway Park closed out the 2016 season Saturday evening with the awards banquet at the historic Genetti Hotel in Williamsport for about 230 guests representing the 360 sprint car, super late model, pro stock, roadrunner, and go kart divisions.
This year’s top performing drivers received trophies, jackets, commemorative championship rings sponsored by Foss Jewelers, and shared a $25,000 point fund.
Mark Smith, of Sunbury, who was racing in the Short Track Nationals in Arkansas over the weekend, clinched his second career Newville Family of Companies 360 sprint car track championship with nine top five and nine top 10 finishes, including four feature wins. Smith previously won a track title in 2014.
In the Jeff’s Auto Body & Recycling Center super late models, Jeff Rine of Danville wrapped up his 12th career track title, tenth consecutively, at Selinsgrove. Rine’s 10 top five finishes included six feature wins. Earlier this season he reached his milestone 100th career victory at the Snyder County oval.
Rine also took the title in this year’s inaugural Moon Shine Camo Route 35 Late Model Challenge Series. Rine won two of the five races in the special series between the Selinsgrove and Port Royal weekly late model competitors.
For the second time in his career, Brad Mitch of McClure scored the track title in the A&A Auto Stores pro stock division. Mitch, whose previous title was in 2014, drove to 10 top five finishes that included three feature wins.
Keith Bissinger of Orangeville was recognized for his fourth career track title in the A&A Auto Stores roadrunner class. Bissinger won six out of the nine races for the division this year.
Eric Parker of Lewistown clinched the Newville Family of Companies 358 sprint car challenge series title.
Rookie of the Year awards were presented to Michael Thomas (sprint cars), Austin Berry (late models), Lori Croop (pro stocks), and Cope Smith (roadrunners). Most Improved Driver awards went to Michael Walter II (sprints), Danny Snyder (late models), Brandon Moser (pro stocks), and Dustin Snook (roadrunners). Jim Bernheisel of Lebanon received the Joe Whitcomb Memorial Sportsman of the Year award.
On hand to accept special recognition awards in appreciation for their dedication to the future of auto racing at Selinsgrove Speedway were Dawayne Betzer, President of the Selinsgrove Fair Association, and Scott Harro, Race Director.
The 2016 Selinsgrove Raceway Park go kart champions were Steve Kerstetter (mediums), Charley Paige (rookies I cage), Ashton Gonder (rookies II cage), Kyle Stahl (flat 350s), Aiden Mitch (kid karts), Pat Romig (adult cage animal), Drew Miller (jr. cage), Steve Majestic (clone 375s), Kruz Kepner (jr. restricted), Roger Radle (adult cage flat), Mike Trevitz (extra heavies), and Levi Vial (125 micro sprint cars).
Members of the speedway management team announced all the divisions would be returning for weekly Friday night go kart racing at Selinsgrove Raceway Park and weekly Saturday night sprint car and stock car competition at Selinsgrove Speedway.
The 2017 edition of the motorsports show at the Susquehanna Valley Mall in Selinsgrove is tentatively scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 26 through Friday, March 3.
For a complete schedule, the latest news, results, and race status, visit selinsgrovespeedway.com or follow us on Twitter and Facebook. The speedway office can be reached at 570.374.2266.
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Hafertepe, Jr., and Wolfe Claim November Victories
McKENZIE, Tenn. (Nov. 8, 2016) – As the days of 2016 continue to wind down, all J&J Auto Racing seems to do is win, win, win. Sam Hafertepe, Jr., and Lucas Wolfe drove to victories with the American Sprint Car Series (ASCS) National Series and United Racing Club (URC) series, respectively over the weekend while Brian Smith claimed both Sprints on Dirt (SOD) series championship and rookie of the year honors for the McKenzie, Tenn., based chassis manufacturer.
Using a late race caution to his advantage, Sam Hafertepe, Jr. bounced his way around the infield berm to pick up his eighth victory of the season with the Lucas Oil ASCS National series at Creek County Speedway in Sapulpa, Okla., on Friday, Nov. 5, in the Fall Fling event preliminary. The victory aided Hafertepe in widening the lead in the ASCS National Sprint Car Series point standings, which he continues to lead heading into the final events of the season. Hafertepe’s Friday night victory was his 10th of 2016 and saw him locked into the Fall Fling finale, in which he drove the No. 15H to a second place finish.
Lucas Wolfe made the most of a rare URC series appearance on Saturday, Nov. 6, in winning the First Annual Big Track Classic feature event at Bridgeport (NJ) Speedway. Standing up against a stout 25 car field, Wolfe won the third heat race and dominated the feature event to gain the victory in the URC co-sanctioned event. The victory marked Wolfe’s third in the No. 5w for J&J Auto Racing this season.
Smith, who was competing in his first full season with the SOD series, not only claimed Rookie of the Year honors, but drove to the top of the championship standings when the final checkered flag of the 2016 fell at Fremont (Ohio) Speedway. The Ohio native scored three victories in 2016 en route to the SOD title. He was honored by the series at its annual banquet on Nov. 6.
-J&J-
About J&J Auto Racing
For more than 40 years, J&J Auto Racing has been a leader in racecar chassis manufacturing. With intricate attention to detail and a willingness to provide chassis to the consumer’s specifications, J&J has taken its place as a leader in Sprint car racing innovation and safety. Founded and headed by Jack and Bonnie Elam, J&J Auto Racing is based in McKenzie, Tenn. For more information regarding J&J Auto Racing, please visit www.jandjautoracing.com or follow the brand on Twitter @JJ_Auto_Racing and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/JJAutoRacing/.
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Brent Marks is a dreamer.
From the moment he strapped into his first go-cart at the age of 9, he set out with the intentions of developing a career and preparing for the future. Whether it was racing carts, micro sprints, or a 410 sprint car, he set out weekly with one thing in mind: b e a World of Outlaw sprint car driver.
In 2017, this dream will become a reality. Marks and his M&M Painting and Construction/BAPS Auto Paints and Supply #19M will hit the road to become a full-time member of the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series.
“I have worked really hard to get to a point where I could make this decision and I couldn’t be more excited about this opportunity,” said Marks. “It’s been a dream of mine since I started this deal many years ago and I can’t wait to get started!” This coming off the 2016 season where the Myerstown, PA native captured four sprint car victories at three different Central Pennsylvania tracks. Marks believes that the team he has assembled is ready to tackle the nearly 100 race schedule that the Outlaws will run.
The season will kick off in February with the DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park in Florida and conclude in North Carolina at the World Finals at The Dirt Track at Charlotte in early November. Always the forward thinker, Marks has been preparing for the rigorous schedule the last few years by expanding his schedule outside of Central PA, running at multiple World of Outlaw and All Star Circuit of Champions sanctioned races.
“Ove the last few years we have tried to broaden our program and expand by getting out and doing some racing at new tracks whenever we could,” said Marks. “Not only was it making me a better driver by getting more seat time at new places, but it was getting us ready to travel and gave us an insight of what it take to do this deal.”
While Marks is looking forward to racing and contending for wins, he is extremely excited about being able to do it with his crew and team that he has assembled. “This is my dream. But how often do people get to achieve their dreams surrounded by the people they love and care about,” said Marks. “These guys have stuck by me through thick and thin and I’m really happy to be able to do this with them and my faithful sponsors on board. It means a lot to know you have family, friends, and sponsors who support your dreams. I’m really proud to bring them all along for this ride.”
The team will continue to utilize Maxim Chassis and Rider Racing Engines.
Marks knows that his inaugural season as an Outlaw driver will have it bumps and bruises, but he is eager to get started and is optimistic about the season. “I know I’m taking a big leap here and I know that we have a lot to prepare for,” said Marks. “The ultimate goal is to one day contend for championships and to do that we have to get out there and see where we stand now. It’s definitely a little scary, but it’s also extremely exciting. Nobody ever achieved their dreams by standing by and waiting for things to happen. So I’m going full steam ahead and I couldn’t be more excited about my future in racing.”
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Category: Driver / Team News
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When the racing action came to a close on Saturday night in Charlotte, NC it brought the end to the 2016 season. Though it was not the year Paul McMahan and Destiny Motorsports was hoping for, McMahan and company showed grit as they took their lumps and forged ahead.
“We saw a little bit of everything in 2016,” Paul McMahan said. “It was a tough season on everyone involved with this organization, but I can say that nobody gave up and quit, and I am very proud of that.”
Getting started on January 1st out in AZ, the 2016 season would come to a close Saturday night with the team’s 90th race of the season.
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MYERSTOWN, PA (November 23, 2016) – In conjunction with the 29th Annual Performance Racing Industry Trade Show in Indianapolis, Indiana, the “Myerstown Missile” Brent Marks hopes to solidify his plans for the upcoming year during the next two to three weeks. The Myerstown, Pennsylvania, native has been taking the necessary steps in narrowing down his campaign trail for the 2017 season, but hopes to release his final plan of attack just after PRI.
“Things have been going well during the last few weeks. I’m excited to get our plan narrowed down and released to our fans,” Brent Marks explained. “PRI will give us an opportunity to see most of our supporters and product sponsors. Most of the tracks and series will have their 2017 schedules finalized by then, so hopefully that will give us the final ‘go’ for next season. I’m excited to see what the future has in store for us. We’ve been working hard.”
Brent Marks will enter the 2017 season with a combined seven victories during his last two seasons, five of which at the Port Royal Speedway “Speed Palace” in Port Royal, Pennsylvania. The pilot of the M&M Painting & Construction, BAPS Auto Paint & Supply, Creekside Auto Sales, Fredericksburg Eagle Hotel, Russell Heller Builders, KC Automotive, No. 19M entry also owns victories at Trail-Way Speedway and Path Valley Speedway Park.
Fans can keep up with Brent Marks during his entire campaign – right here at www.fullyinjected.com. Be sure to also visit the official online home of Brent Marks Racing at www.brentmarksracing.com. Fans are also encouraged to ‘follow’ Brent Marks on all of the available social networks including Twitter: https://twitter.com/brent_marks and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brentmarksracing
Recent Highlights: Earned back-to-back victories at Port Royal Speedway and Path Valley Speedway Park on Saturday/Sunday, August 27-28. Earned Hard Charger award with Arctic Cat All Stars at Atomic Speedway on October 22.
2015 Wins: 3
2016 Wins: 4 (Port Royal Speedway x2, Trail-Way Speedway, Path Valley Speedway Park)
2017 Wins: N/A
Brent Marks and ‘BMR’ would like to thank all of their marketing partners including: M&M Painting & Construction, BAPS Auto Paint & Supply, Creekside Auto Sales, Fredericksburg Eagle Hotel, Russell Heller Builders, KC Automotive, Wolfrun Landscapes, Roadrunner Race Fuels, Maxim Racing, Penske Racing Shocks, DMI Racing Products, Vahlco Racing Wheels, KSE Racing Products, Walker Performance Filtration, Rider Racing Engines, Wings Unlimited, TiLUBE, Smith Precision Products
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