This only happens once a year so save the dates and plan to take in the 18th Annual AMSOIL USAC Eastern Storm presented by Levan Machine & Truck Equipment opening on Tuesday night, June 17 at the Grandview Speedway and ending the action-packed Series on Sunday night, June 22 at Action Track USA.
The two states of Pennsylvania and New Jersey will host the USAC National Tour of Non-Wing Sprints, offering some of the most exciting sprint car racing you will ever see. Be sure to experience all six nights of racing with a unique mix of multiple divisions that not only offers the USAC Non-Wing Sprints, but adds variety to include the 358 Modifieds, URC 360 Winged Sprints, 410 Sprints, 600 non-wing Sprints and not to mention, the USAC Champ Cars. The Levan Machine & Truck Equipment Eastern Storm is a week of racing you don’t want to miss visiting Grandview, Bridgeport, Big Diamond, Williams Grove, Port Royal and Action Track USA. This series is especially interesting as the mix of tracks offer much variety and diversity from the Short Track Bull Rings, to the High-Speed big tracks to the always wild and crazy High Banks. No two tracks are the same which make this Series the most demanding and challenging of the USAC National Tour.
The six race Eastern Storm will offer a $10,000 point fund courtesy of Levan Machine & Truck Equipment, a Berks County business. Brian Levan, President and CEO for Levan Machine &Truck Equipment is no stranger on the local racing scene and along with running a very successful business, Brian is known as someone who can get things done.
Some drivers expected to take part in the AMSOIL Eastern Storm is current point leader Kyle Cummins joined by Justin Grant, Daison Pursley, Logan Seavey, Jake Swanson, CJ Leary, Briggs Danner, Mitchel Moles, Robert Ballou and Chase Stockon just to name a few.
Mitchel Moles of Raisin City, CA is the defending Eastern Storm Champion and headlines a list of star studded National Non-Wing Sprint car drivers who were past Eastern Storm Champions. Emerson Axsom of Franklin, Indiana was the 2023 Eastern Storm Champ along with Logan Seavey of Sutter, CA in 2022. The “Mad Man” Robert Ballou of Rocklin, CA was the 2021 Champ. Due to the pandemic, the Eastern Storm did not take place in 2020 but in 2019 It was C.J. Leary of Greenfield, IN who won the Eastern Storm Title. The past champions list back to 2007 includes, 2017-2018 Chris Windon, Canton, IL, Bryan Clauson in 2016, Ballou won his first Eastern Storm Title in 2015 with Brady Bacon of Broken Arrow, OK sweeping the championship in 2014. It was Bryan Clauson again in 2012 and 2013, Levi Jones in 2010 and 2011, Cole Whitt in 2008 and 2009 and finally, Levi Jones won the inaugural Eastern Storm in 2007.
The 2025 Eastern Storm champion will earn $5,000 of the total $10,000 Levan Machine and Truck Equipment sponsored point fund. Watch for some race night activities to be announced to include USAC driver Meet & Greets at various tracks.
Since 1936, Levan Machine and Truck Equipment has been your one-stop-shop for custom repair and production machining, and driveline services, and they are known throughout the East Coast for servicing commercial and fleet customers with custom work truck builds. They are also your go-to for all your CTech needs! Additionally, Levan Machine and Truck Equipment offers general truck repair and maintenance to help you keep your commercial fleet in top condition throughout your busy work schedule. For more information on Levan Machine and Truck Equipment of Fleetwood, PA please visit their website at: www.levanmachine.com
Ryan Blaney, the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series champion, has joined his father Dave as one of the three ownership partners of Ohio’s Sharon Speedway.
As the three-eighths-mile dirt track gears up for its May 10 season opener, Dave Blaney remains as an owner partner, but will now be joined by his son, Ryan, and area businessman and racer Will Thomas III. Dave Willoughby will remain as general manager for what will be his 16th year in that role.
In 2002, Dave Blaney along with area businessmen Jim Weller, Sr. of Liberty Steel Industries and Bill and Ron Kirila of Kirila Contractors, purchased Sharon Speedway.
Extensive renovations and upgrades were made to the facility and the track was shortened to its current y configuration. The track was successfully operated by the trio for the next 23 years. Bill Kirila passed away in 2006. This year on January 17, Weller, Sr. passed away at the age of 94, and most recently, Ron Kirila died on April 24 at the age of 86.
Dave Blaney will be beginning his 24th year of ownership at Sharon – a track that he grew up racing at and with which he shares his hometown of Hartford, Ohio.
The 62-year-old is a former champion of the World of Outlaws and USAC and was inducted into the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in 2014. Blaney owns 95 WoO wins and 48 with the All Star Circuit of Champions. He’s won the Knoxville Nationals, Kings Royal, and the Chili Bowl Nationals.
At Sharon alone, Blaney has 40 career wins including 38 in a “410” Sprint Car and two in a Big-Block Modified. Blaney has also competed in nearly 600 NASCAR events between Cup, Xfinity, and Trucks with 62 top 10 finishes and nine pole positions.
Ryan Blaney, the grandson of the late Lou Blaney, who has at least 121 Modified wins and another 11 documented in a sprint car at Sharon alone, will join his father as a partner in his foray into promoting and track ownership.
The 31-year-old, who is the youngest of the storied Blaney family of racers, was the 2023 NASCAR Cup Champion and runner-up in the championship in 2024. After a successful late model career on asphalt, Blaney took his talents to ARCA in 2011 and eventually into NASCAR’s top three Series. Blaney owns 13 career Cup wins, seven in the Xfinity Series, and another three in the Truck Series.
Rounding out the new ownership team at Sharon is Will Thomas III of nearby Sharpsville, Pa. The 49-year-old is the owner of Colonial Metal Products and Colonial Slitting Industries.
Thomas is the son of the late Bill Thomas, who successfully owned both sprint cars and modifieds driven by Lou Blaney. Thomas has been a well accomplished racer throughout his career beginning on asphalt and then transitioning to dirt in 2011.
MillerTech Energy, an Ohio-based company at the forefront of premium lithium battery technology, has become the entitlement sponsor for the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS) race on Friday, June 20, at Pocono Raceway.
The race will be branded the MillerTech Battery 200 as the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series event will be lengthened by 25 miles and 10 laps on the 2.5-mile “Tricky Triangle.” The 200-mile, 80-lap race will become the longest NCTS race ever contested at Pocono Raceway, with last season’s event previously holding that distinction among the 15 hosted at the venue.
The MillerTech Battery 200, the 14th of 25 races on the NCTS schedule, will be broadcast live on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM Radio beginning at 5 p.m. ET.
"We’re excited to team up with Pocono Raceway for the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race and help power one of the most thrilling weekends in motorsports,” said Lester Miller, founder and owner of MillerTech Energy. “As a faith-driven, American-owned company, this partnership is a great fit — not just because of the racing, but because of the passionate fans and campers who bring this place to life. We’re looking forward to connecting with them and sharing the reliable power MillerTech is known for."
This partnership marks MillerTech’s first NASCAR race entitlement, but the company is currently involved in the sport. MillerTech is sponsoring the Front Row Motorsports’ No. 4 Ford entry of NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) driver Noah Gragson at three races. One of those will be The Great American Getaway 400 presented by VISITPA.COM at Pocono Raceway on Sunday, June 22.
The company also is planning on fan engagement activations throughout the Pocono Raceway weekend. In celebration of the partnership in advance of the race weekend, both Pocono Raceway and MillerTech are offering fans limited discounts. Pocono Raceway is offering $10 off any NCTS race ticket by clicking here. MillerTech is offering a 10% off site-wide offer with the code POCONO10 when visiting www.millertechenergy.com.
“We are overjoyed to welcome MillerTech to our Pocono Family of Partners,” Pocono Raceway President Ben May said. “It’s great to add a partner like MillerTech that shares our values, including treating everyone like family and delivering quality products at a great value that are backed by warranties or guarantees. We’re looking forward to what Lester Miller and the team at MillerTech will bring to our fans during the race weekend.”
“This partnership with Pocono Raceway is a big step in taking MillerTech to the next level in motorsports,” added Dustin DelSignore, NASCAR Marketing Representative for MillerTech. “We’re building something special here — a brand that not only performs on the track but connects with fans in a real way. This weekend is just the beginning of what’s to come.”
An extensive expansion project at Brookfield Speedway is underway in advance of the 2025 season opener at the Madison County Fairgrounds venue.
During the last two weeks, both sets of corners and the backstretch have been expanded by 12 feet, providing a significantly wider racing surface for competitors.
Loads of new clay have been hauled in to fill the newly widened racing groove.
“The amount of progress at Brookfield over the last three seasons has been remarkable,” offered Brett Deyo, who promotes the speedway with the Madison County Fair Board.
“Racers and fans are going to love the newly widened layout.”
The 2025 Brookfield Speedway season gets the green flag on Sunday, May 25 with the third annual ‘Fast Cars & Freedom’ special.
On the agenda: Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By Sunoco Sportsman in Round No. 1 of the Madsen Overhead Doors North Region, plus the Hustle the Highway Series 600 Modifieds (first-ever appearance), Pro Stocks, Slingshots, Four Cylinders and a 50-lap Enduro.
Enduro rules for this event have been posted: https://www.shorttracksuperseries.com/downloads/get.aspx?i=1078612
Gates will open at 4 p.m., with hot laps at 6 p.m. and racing at 7 p.m.
Grandstand admission is $15. Kids 8 and under are FREE.
Pit admission is $40. Kids 11 and under pay $10.
The event carries a rain date of Monday, May 26.
Speedway management plans to host an Open Practice prior to the May 25 Season Opener. Further details will be released once a date is selected.
Brent Marks and Rico Abreu, the two previous winners of the NAPA Auto Parts Thunder on the Hill Racing Series Rich Mar Florist Kubota High Limit 410 sprint events presented by Levan Machine & Truck Equipment will be chasing that checker flag again at Grandview Speedway Tuesday night, May 20. A hefty $20,000 first place prize is on the line for the winner of the 35 lap High Limit event that is also part of the Roto-Rooter MIDWEEK Series. In addition, if the race winner is a Pennsylvania driver, they will pocket an additional $2,000 bonus courtesy of Alpine Building Supply. In last year’s event local favorite Brent Marks collected the $2,000 PA driver bonus. It was the first Thunder on the Hill victory for Marks after nineteen starts at the Bechtelsville, PA speedway.
The Rich Mar Florist Kubota Hight Limit 410 Sprints presented by Levan Machine & Truck Equipment will open with Time Trials, a series of qualifying events all leading up to the Rich Mar Florist Kubota High Limit 35 lap feature event. In addition to the $20,000 first prize the twenty-four car starting field will earn a minimum of $1,500 to start the main event. Also on the program will be the Alpine Building Supply Vintage Cars competing in two 12 lap events. This high banked, tight and racy one-third mile oval is a favorite stop on the High Limit Tour and always thrills the fans.
Advance tickets for this event are now available at TicketHoss.com. As an Advance Ticket Holder, you may enter the first turn grandstand gate at 4:30 PM allowing you choice seating. General admission tickets will go on sale at 5:00 PM and the main gate will open at that time. Warm-ups and time trials will begin at 7PM with the show opening set for 7:30 PM. The opening ceremonies will include local professional Trumpet player Eric Haney as he performs the National Anthem. Also on the program will be the Alpine Building Supply Vintage Cars competing in two 12 lap feature events. In the event of rain, Wednesday night, May 21 will be the rain date with a starting time of 7:30 PM.
General admission tickets on race night are $40 for adults, children 6-11 are $20, children 5 and under will be admitted for free. The Pit Fee is $45 and a license is not required. (Pit tickets are not available at Ticket Hoss).
Alpine Building Supply will be selling a special edition of an Alpine Thunder on the Hill Racing Series shirt. The Alpine Thunder on the Hill Series Shirt will showcase a 410 Sprint, a Non-Wing 410 Sprint and a 358 Modified on the back with the Alpine Building Supply and Thunder on the Hill logos placed on the front of the shirt. In addition, all profits from the sale of these shirts will be donated to the Big Impact Group of Schuylkill County. Big Impact Group is a mentoring program helping Schuylkill County youth for over 35 years. Through the dedication of our volunteers and strong community support we are able to make this program successful.
The Alpine Thunder Series shirts will be sold at the Alpine Building Supply display at the Grandview Speedway at all Thunder on the Hill events. Based on availability, shirts will be sold at other locations where Alpine Building Supply will be on display. Shirts will be $20 up to XL and $25 for larger sizes. Be sure to stop by the Alpine Building Supply and purchase your Alpine Thunder on the Hill shirt and support a worthy cause.
Other drivers expected to be in the field include five time World of Outlaw Champion and current High Limit point leader Brad Sweet of Grass Valley, CA, Tanner Thorson of Minden, NV, Kasey Kahne from Enumclaw, WA, Tyler Courtney Indianapolis, IN, Aaron Reutzel of Clute, TX, Daison Pursley of Loctus Grove, OK, Spencer Bayston of Lebanon, IN, Justin Peck from San Diego, CA and two Rookie drivers Danny Sams III of Elkhart, IN and Sye Lynch of Apollo, PA will be making their start with the High Limit Sprints in 2025. Of course, many local drivers will be on hand shooting for $22,000 payday to include Danny Dietrich and Freddie Rahmer.
As Members 1st Federal Credit Union celebrates its 75th anniversary, the credit union is proud to partner with Pocono Raceway—a motorsports venue with a substantial economic impact on Pennsylvania and beyond.
A study by East Stroudsburg University estimated the Raceway’s annual economic impact at $257.5 million. Over time, the Raceway has contributed more than $2 billion to the Commonwealth’s economy. Each NASCAR Cup Series race at Pocono injects an estimated $75–$100 million into Pennsylvania’s economy—on par with the $87 million generated by Penn State Football over an entire home season.
“The numbers speak for themselves—Pocono Raceway is a true economic engine for Pennsylvania,” said Michael Wilson, President & CEO of Members 1st Federal Credit Union. “This partnership reflects our shared commitment to community impact and long-term investment and growth in the regions we serve.”
In addition to the economic value, Members 1st will continue to support Pocono Raceway’s Military Affairs division, including as presenting sponsor of the Gold Star Families Ceremony and Breakfast held during each Cup Series race weekend. Founded at the Mechanicsburg Navy Depot in 1950, Members 1st has deep military roots and a long-standing commitment to those who serve.
“Our team at the Raceway is passionate about our communities, the military and will take real joy in celebrating with our partners and guests in Members 1st Victory Lane”, Pocono Raceway President Ben May said. “Our partnership with Members 1st is built on that foundation and while we will celebrate, we will also take time out of race day to honor those we’ve lost alongside their families and friends.”
The June 20-22 NASCAR weekend at Pocono Raceway includes the NASCAR Cup Series race, The Great American Getaway 400 presented by VISITPA.com, the NASCAR Xfinity Series and CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race as part of the triple-header that annually attracts fans from all 50 states and 13 countries. For tickets and more information, please visit www.poconoraceway.com.
"Formula 2: The Glory Years, 1967-84," which includes photographs by Jutta Fausel, is now available in the U.S.
A feast of nostalgia, this book celebrates the wonderful era of the European Formula 2 Championship, which began in 1967 and concluded in 1984. F2 pitted emerging heroes against the greats of the day and in its earlier years virtually all the top F1 drivers — names like Jackie Stewart, Jack Brabham, Graham Hill, Jochen Rindt and Bruce McLaren — battled with young chargers in races that thrilled huge crowds at the best European circuits.
Nearly 900 photographs, the great majority taken by Jutta Fausel, bring the glory days of F2 back to life in this book, along with expert commentary and detailed statistics, complete with a Foreword by Jacky Ickx and an Afterword by Chris Witty.
Key content:
• The first season, 1967, when Jacky Ickx became the first champion, driving a Tyrrell-entered Matra.
• French Matra cars propelled the next two champions, Jean-Pierre Beltoise (1968) and Johnny Servoz-Gavin (1969), both Frenchmen.
• Of all the manufacturers of F2 cars, March achieved the most success, Ronnie Peterson (1971) becoming the first of six champions to win in these British-built cars.
• A fine all-British year, 1972, saw ex-motorcycle ‘great’ Mike Hailwood win the championship in a Surtees car.
• French champions in five consecutive years: Jean-Pierre Jarier (1973), Patrick Depailler (1974), Jacques Laffite (1975), Jean-Pierre Jabouille (1976) and René Arnoux (1977) dominated their era and all but Jarier went on to become Grand Prix winners.
• Toleman and Ralt cars — also made in Britain — emerged in the final years of the championship, which saw three more British champions: Brian Henton (1980), Geoff Lees (1981) and Jonathan Palmer (1983).
• The other champions were Clay Regazzoni (1970), Bruno Giacomelli (1978), Marc Surer (1979), Corrado Fabi (1982) and Mike Thackwell (1984).
About the Author:
Jutta Fausel grew up behind the Iron Curtain in East Germany, near Berlin, but escaped with her parents in 1961 to settle in West Germany near Stuttgart. Very soon after arriving, a visit to her first race, the Solitude Grand Prix, left her spellbound. Before long, she realized that she could combine her passion for photography with motorsport and attempt to make her living. The European F2 Championship was where Jutta established herself, usually traveling to the races in her old VW Beetle, taking her photos, driving home through the night, developing the films and making prints, delivering them to her main magazine client in Stuttgart, and only then getting some sleep. She covered the championship throughout its 18 years, meanwhile broadening out into other areas of racing, above all F1. Nowadays she lives in California with her husband, John Ward, a race engineer, and still supplies publishers with photos from her extensive archive.
Evro Publishing books are distributed in North America by Quarto Publishing Group USA. Books can be ordered from Quarto by email: sales@quarto.com; phone number: 800-328-0590; or website: www.quartoknows.com Please use the relevant ISBN number when ordering.
"Formula 2: The Glory Years, 1967-84," is available in the U.S. from specialist and online booksellers, as well as on evropublishing.com.
NASCAR and Speedway Motorsports today announced details for the 2025 NASCAR All-Star Race to be held on Sunday, May 18, for the third consecutive year at iconic North Wilkesboro Speedway. This season’s format will again feature two heat races to set the All-Star Race starting lineup and a 100-lap All-Star Open, plus an extended 250-lap main event. In addition to a longer All-Star Race, several new aspects will debut including a Manufacturer Showdown, a Promoter’s Caution, modifications to Open qualifying, and Pit Crew Challenge eligibility. All eyes will be on the stars of the sport as they take on these new elements at the historic .625-mile track in the annual exhibition.
The signature new element in this season’s format shines a spotlight on the manufacturers, as drivers take on the Manufacturer Showdown. Manufacturer teams (Chevrolet, Ford, Toyota) will be equally represented. The members per team will be determined by the least represented manufacturer and an equal number of drivers from the other two manufacturers will be selected based on their final All-Star grid starting positions. Teams will be scored against each other and not by their overall All-Star finish. The lowest combined total of finishing positions will be the winning manufacturer. In the event of a tie, the single best overall finishing position will determine the winner.
“The NASCAR All-Star Race continues to evolve as one of the most fun and innovative events on our calendar,” said Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Development Officer, John Probst. “Returning to historic North Wilkesboro Speedway for the third year in a row allows us to honor our sport’s roots while pushing the envelope with fresh competitive elements. The introduction of the Manufacturer Showdown brings a new layer of intensity and pride for our OEM partners, and fans can expect even more strategy, teamwork, and drama on race day.”
The NASCAR All-Star Race will be 250 laps with a competition break at or near lap100 and an optional Promoter’s Caution that must be executed prior to lap 220. If the Promoter’s Caution has not yet occurred and a natural caution flag falls after lap 200, the optional caution will no longer be in play. This new twist adds an element of unpredictability and excitement as teams try to prepare for when – or even if – the Promoter’s Caution may occur.
Saturday’s All-Star Open will give drivers who are not guaranteed a spot in the main event a chance to lock into the All-Star Race. The 100-lap Open will have a competition break at or near lap 40 and will not only determine which drivers advance to the main event but could also change the number of drivers eligible from each manufacturer for the Manufacturer Showdown. The three Open drivers who will advance to the All-Star Race are the top two race finishers and the Fan Vote Winner. NASCAR All-Star Race fan voting is now open on NASCAR.com/fanvote.
“In the 40-year history of the All-Star Race there has never been so much on-track action across the entire event week,” said Jessica Fickenscher, executive director of the NASCAR All-Star Race. “And with so much competition--from the pit crews to the manufacturers to the race teams and drivers--the biggest All-Star winners will be the fans with all they get to see at what’s become America’s throwback racetrack, North Wilkesboro Speedway. The entire week is truly the most jam-packed entertainment value in all of motorsports.”
All-Star weekend festivities will begin on All-Star Friday presented by Raymer Oil with a combined All-Star/Open qualifying and Pit Crew Challenge presented by Mechanix Wear. New this season, Open and All-Star qualifying will be combined, and pit crews of all teams entered (All-Star and Open) are eligible for the pit crew challenge. Open cars will go first, and results will determine the lineup for the Open. All-Star cars will follow to set the lineups for the heat races. This format will again bring together traditional qualifying with the Pit Crew Challenge. Drivers will take the green flag, run one full lap at speed, and on the second lap proceed to one of two NASCAR-designated pit stalls for a four-tire stop (no fuel). When the pit stop is complete, the cars will exit pit road and race back to the checkered flag. Qualifying time will be the total elapsed time from green flag to checkered flag, and the pole sitter will start on the pole for Heat Race 1 and the All-Star.
The pit crew with the fastest stop during the All-Star qualifying attempt (no penalties) is the winner of the Pit Crew Challenge. Timing lines are established one box behind and one box ahead of the NASCAR designated pit stop boxes. Pit Crew Challenge results will determine pit-picking order.
Saturday night will feature two 75-lap heat races that will determine the starting lineup for the All-Star Race among drivers already locked into the field. The results of Heat 1 will establish the inside row, and the results of Heat 2 will establish the outside row. The action-packed weekend will conclude Sunday night with the All-Star Open and All-Star Race.
Drivers eligible for the NASCAR All-Star Race include those who’ve won a points event in either 2024 or 2025, drivers who’ve won a NASCAR All-Star Race and compete fulltime, and drivers who’ve won a NASCAR Cup Series championship and compete fulltime.
Drivers already locked in the All-Star Race include: William Byron, Daniel Suárez, Kyle Larson, Christopher Bell, Denny Hamlin, Chase Elliott, Tyler Reddick, Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano, Austin Cindric, Ryan Blaney, Alex Bowman, Austin Dillon, Harrison Burton, Chase Briscoe, Chris Buescher, Ross Chastain, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Josh Berry, and Kyle Busch.
The NASCAR All-Star Race will air live on FS1, MRN Radio and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, with coverage beginning at 5:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, May 18.
In addition to all the NASCAR Cup Series activity, fans can enjoy zMAX CARS Tour feature races both Thursday (The Reverend Whiskey 75) and Friday (Late Model Stock Cars) nights, along with the Window World 250 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race and a Jake Owen concert presented by Raymer Oil on the frontstretch Saturday. Sunday’s on-track action begins with a NASCAR Whelen Modified Series race preceding the All-Star Open and All-Star Race. May 15-18 NASCAR All-Star Race Week ticket packages including eight races, the Pit Crew Challenge, Jake Owen concert and all NASCAR qualifying sessions start at just $130. Race week packages or individual event day tickets and camping can be purchased online at www.northwilkesborospeedway.com.
Fans can connect with North Wilkesboro Speedway and get the latest news regarding NASCAR All-Star week and North Wilkesboro Speedway by following on Twitter and Instagram or becoming a Facebook fan.
The Stevens name is synonymous with racing in Western New York and Southern Ontario. On Friday, May 23, Ransomville Speedway will be honoring and remembering the Stevens family with the running of the Stevens Family Memorial for the Krown Undercoating 358 Modifieds. The race will be a 44-lap, $4,444 to win for the DIRTcar 358 Modifieds, and DIRTcar 358 Modified rules will apply. A qualifying spot for the Outlaw 200 at Fulton Speedway will also be up for grabs.
“We are incredibly honored and grateful to Ransomville Speedway for hosting the Stevens Family Memorial Race,” comments Melissa Stevens. “Both Ray and Brian dedicated several decades to Ransomville Speedway, it was truly their home away from home. Friday nights were never just about racing for them; they were about community, passion, and legacy. This event means the world to our family, and on behalf of our family, we are thankful to see their memory celebrated where they gave so much of themselves.”
“We were honored to get the call from Melissa in regard to hosting the Stevens Family Memorial,” commented General Manager Tana Robinson. “Both Ray and Brian are legends here at the Big R and played significant roles in the track’s history.”
“Flyin” Brian Stevens had wins spanning four decades, with his first Ransomville Modified win coming on June 16, 1978, and his final checkered flag at the Big R took place on July 8, 2005. His 25 Modified wins in Ransomville sits him ninth on the track’s all-time wins list. With a career spanning over 40 years, Stevens scored nearly 150 career checkered flags at tracks across the region, as well as racing against the best in the business in the 80’s and 90’s in Central New York, including making numerous starts on the Syracuse Mile. “Flyin” Brian passed away in February of 2015, after a courageous battle with cancer. Brian was a 2009 Friends of Auto Racing (FOAR SCORE) Fan Club Hall of Fame inductee.
After an accident that cut his driving career short in 1955, Ray Stevens became one of the top car owners in all of DIRT racing. The list of drivers that drove for Ray include Jimmy Jenkins, Tom Cook, Ted Renshaw, Lloyd Holt, Stan Friesen, Hugh Tripp, Mike Granton, and Davey Moore. When son Brian began driving, the father and son duo found success, with Brian winning two Merrittville Speedway track titles in 1982, and 1992. Ray passed away in August of 2011. Ray was the 1993 recipient of the Leonard J Sammons Jr Award for Outstanding Contribution to Auto Racing at the Northeast Dirt Modified Hall of Fame, a 1993 inductee into the Friends of Auto Racing (FOAR SCORE) Hall of Fame and was also inducted into the Canadian Motorsports Hall of Fame.
Longtime family friend and crew member Ray Samuel fondly remembers his time with Ray and Brian. "The Stevens family is responsible for all of my personal racing accomplishments. They took me under their wing in 1983 and I was fortunate to learn from Legends like Ray and Brian. Ray was the Grandpa I never had, and Brian was like my big brother. There isn't a day at the race shop or at a track that I don't think of them. I cherish my wins and championships with them so much. I'm winning championships and races with four amazing teams today. But it would not have been possible for me without Ray or Brian!!! They taught me so much and they were the greatest of times"
Wendt’s Propane and Oil along with S&W Service Centre have joined forces to aid in making the winners take $4,444. We are actively seeking additional sponsors to help increase second on back. Reach out to Melissa Stevens or Tana Robinson to help sponsor this memorial event. Sponsorship contributions of all levels will go directly into the Modified purse. The race will also reward a driver with a qualifying spot for the Outlaw 200 held at the Fulton Speedway October 3 and 4th.
The Friday, May 23 racing program will also feature a full card of Stirling Lubricants DIRTcar Sportsman, KiPo Chevrolet Street Stocks, Sunflowers of Sanborn Mini Stocks, and the Kevin’s Carpet Cleaning Novice Sportsman. Pit gates will open at 5pm, with grandstands opening at 6pm, and racing will get underway at 7:15pm.
