Hey, everyone!

It’s been suggested to me (multiple times!) that I should make a video diary and/or podcast series for Chasing the Checkered. I started creating these videos a couple of weeks ago and posting them to the Chasing the Checkered Facebook page. 

In the first episode, I talked about how I first fell back in love with NASCAR years ago, my experience on the road with Fanatics and my thoughts on Joey Logano’s first MENCS championship.

In the second episode, I discussed why I returned to Beech Ridge Motor Speedway when I moved back to Maine in 2014, how I became friends with Charlie and what it’s like working so closely with the Sanborn Racing Enterprises crew as the team’s primary sponsor.

In the latest episode of my video diaries, I talk about the other drivers (Zach Nicholson, Nick Calvert, Curt Gerry, etc.) that are on the Chasing the Checkered roster, how those driver/sponsor relationships developed and what’s in store for 2019!

I have now created a YouTube page for Chasing the Checkered, and this is where you can find all future video diaries that I create. In addition, these videos will still be posted here and on the Chasing the Checkered Facebook page.

Feel free to give the video diaries a like, subscribe to our new YouTube page and leave a comment about what you’d like to see in my videos in the feature.

Happy viewing!

– Amy

The post Chasing the Checkered: Episode 3 appeared first on Chasing The Checkered.

 The fans were out in full force on Saturday as Beech Ridge Motor Speedway kicked off their 70th Annual Season Opener at the track. It was a beautiful day for racing, with warm temperatures and clear skies on the sunny Spring day. The track kicked off the season with many new faces, some old faces with drivers returning and a handful of brand-new race cars hitting the track for the first time. 

Following tradition, the Wildcats division took to the track first. Lewis “Dirty Lew” Anderson took home the first heat victory in his ‘Bad Santa’ #81. Nate Leavitt came away with the second Wildcats heat victory in his #36 machine.

Chasing the Checkered’s Charlie Sanborn started on the pole for the first Sport Series Heat, but was ultimately plagued by an early-race spin on the frontstretch that sent him to the back of the pack. This left second-year driver Alex Lacognata and a returning racer, Joe Pastore, battling it out for the win. The two drivers came to the finish-line nose-to-nose, with Lacognata taking the heat victory by a hair. Terry Merrill won the second heat in his blue and white #12.

Beech Ridge veteran Corey Bubar sailed away with the first Pro Series Heat victory of the night. Former track champion and returning driver, Dave Farrington, Jr., started on the pole for the second heat. Dan “Naughty 40” McKeage had a fast car and ultimately stole the lead away from Farrington on lap 3. He was checked out by lap 8, starting the season on a high note as he ran away with the heat victory.

Lewis Anderson and Nate Leavitt started on the front row for the 30-lap Wildcat feature. Returning competitor Travis Lovejoy had a tough time in the season opener, facing troubles with his Wildcat on lap 2 as his car began to smoke. He was black flagged the following lap and retired to the pits on lap 4.

The troubles continued from there as Dylan Varney and Ed Connolly collided on lap 6 in turn 1, bringing out the first caution of the feature. Josh Childs’ machine began smoking on lap 10, forcing him into the dirt in turn 1. This brought out the second caution of the feature.

After battling side-by-side for the lead the entire race with Nate Leavitt, Lewis Anderson finally managed to pull away by a car length on lap 11, setting some distance between he and Leavitt.

Lap 17 brought more troubles as returning competitor Cody Webster and Travis Burrows battled it out on lap 17, which wound up with Burrows taking a spin in turn 3. 

Wildcats newcomer Wade Kennedy was making significant strides, fighting his way from the rear up to third place by lap 18. 

There was trouble brewing behind the leaders as Dave Cameron and Joe Morse got into each other in turn 3, sending Morse into the infield dirt pile. Cameron later retired to the pits after struggling with a car component dragging from the undercarriage of the #28 machine. 

By lap 26, Nate Leavitt had found his way back to Lew’s door, challenging him for the top spot from the outside line. The two continued to battle it out as they came to the finish line side-by-side. Leavitt ultimately stole the victory, followed by Lewis Anderson, Wade Kennedy, Dylan Varney and Travis Burrows.

For Nate Leavitt, the victory was a good way to start out the 2018 season. Although he won’t be competing full-time at Beech Ridge in 2018, he can use the win to carry momentum with him as he competes at other tracks in New England. 

Alex Lacognata and Terry Merrill started on the front row for the 35-lap Sport Series feature. Merrill stole the lead away from Lacognata early, pulling away from the rest of the field. 

Taylor Pierce took a spin in front of the leaders on lap 22, bringing out the first caution of the feature. Frank Wear lost a handful of positions on the restart, falling off the pace on lap 25. This brought out the second caution of the day, with Wear returning to the track before the green flag dropped once more.

After one failed attempt at the restart, the field went back to green on the second try. Kyle Kramlich and Dave Charest got into each other in turn 2 following the restart, leading to Kramlich making heavy impact with the dirt pile next to the pit entrance. Although he took quite the hit, Kramlich was back in the lineup before the caution ended.

This caution brought the big shocker and game-changer, with race leader and heavy favorite, Terry Merrill, pulling into the pits. This left Joe Pastore and Alex Lacognata on the front row for the restart.

After another botched restart, Joe Pastore got a big jump on Alex Lacognata and began pulling away from the field. Little did the leaders know, there was big trouble brewing behind them.

After the restart, the #89 of Ryan Phillips blew up into flames on the backstretch. In a fiery explosion that left tires flying, a number of drivers caught a piece of the demolition. Clyde Hennesey, Nick Campbell, Kyle Kramlich, Dave Charest and Charlie Sanborn were all left with damage after the freak accident.

Thankfully, Ryan Phillips was able to walk away from the carnage. After months of hard work, the #89 car was deemed a total loss. This was a devastating blow to Ryan Phillips and the entire team. Having their 2018 season go up in smoke on opening night is a tough pill to swallow. But, thankfully, no drivers or spectators were injured in the fiery accident.

After an extended red flag, the field took the green once again. The #18 of Parker Varney took a wild spin in turn 3 following the restart, bringing out yet another caution. After a long race full of carnage, this left just 9 cars left on the track with 9 laps remaining.

Joe Pastore continued to fight his competitors off, holding onto his lead as he crossed the finish line. Bubba Pelton, Alex Lacognata, Adam Lovejoy and Frank Wear followed, rounding out the top five.

2017 Wildcats champion Adam Lovejoy showed promise throughout the night, battling his way through the field and avoiding carnage as he took home a top-5 finish. 

This win was bittersweet for Joe Pastore, who lost his father last season. He was emotional in Victory Lane, dedicating the win to his father and celebrating with his closest family and friends.

After a grueling Sport Series feature, the Pro Series drivers took to the track for their 40-lap feature, the final race of the night. Corey Bubar and Dan McKeage started on the front row, followed by 2016 track champion and 2017 Oxford 250 champion, Curt Gerry.

Corey Bubar took off like a rocket from the get-go, pulling away from the rest of the field. Dan McKeage began to slowly reel him in little-by-little as the laps passed.

The leaders remained single-file until Gary Smith broke free on lap 18, challenging Maine racing legend Mike Rowe on the inside for the fourth spot. Rowe managed to hold off Smith, although the two drivers put on a good show battling back and forth for position. 

By lap 27, the top 3 drivers were bumper-to-bumper, battling it out for the top spot. After racing side by side for a dozen laps, Curt Gerry cleared Dan McKeage for the runner-up spot on lap 38. 

This left Curt Gerry and Corey Bubar battling it out for the top spot in the closing laps, resulting in the second nose-to-nose finish of the night.

It was a tough one to call, but Bubar merely edged out Curt Gerry for the victory. Dan McKeage, Mike Rowe and Gary Smith rounded out the top five.

It was an exciting night for Corey Bubar, who dominated all night. As an expectant father with a baby on the way any day now, Bubar joked that he “hopes” he will be at the race track next Saturday instead of in the delivery room.

It was a wild season opener at Beech Ridge that left the fans excited for the thrilling 70th season coming up. 

With three exciting racing divisions, there’s plenty of racing action for the entire family to enjoy.

The Beech Ridge season rolls on next Saturday, May 12th. Racing begins at 7:00 pm. See you there!

Chasing the Checkered would like to send their thoughts to Ryan Phillips and the #89 team and Randy Pimpare and the Night Flight Racing crew.

Randy was involved in an excruciating wreck on Saturday at Wiscasset Speedway. He was transported to the hospital following the vicious wreck and suffered a broken ankle and leg and fractured a vertebrae in his lower back. With a long and painful recovery ahead of him, we are wishing Randy the best.

Following last night’s events at both tracks, we are reminded of the dangers of racing. Although injured, both drivers were able able to be pulled from the wreckage and tended to. Safety measures in racing have become better and better over the years. It’s good to see that safety equipment is doing its job, keeping drivers safe so they can safely compete in the sport we all love.

We look forward to enjoying all of the racing that’s yet to come and we give our best wishes to all drivers and competitors as they continue on their racing pursuits throughout the course of the 2018 season.

The post Sparks Fly in Beech Ridge Motor Speedway's 70th Annual Season Opener appeared first on Chasing The Checkered.

In a world where racing has become such a costly sport, Wiscasset Speedway is a breath of fresh air for both competitors and fans. 

The 3/8 mile oval is located just north of Brunswick, nestled in the heart of Wiscasset, Maine. The high-banked speedway is widely known among competitors as a high-speed speedway, which adds to the excitement of the racing action.

Track Promoter Ken Minott is a jack-of-all-trades when it comes to the track, assisting with track advertising sales, social media posts, website management and more. He’s also been announcing at the speedway since the final race of the 1992 season; making him a permanent staple at the speedway each and every race weekend. 

Track owners Richard and Vanessa Jordan joined the Wiscasset family in 2012, hosting their first full year of operation the following year in 2013. The couple are very present throughout the race season, assuring that track operations are constantly running smoothly and fans are enjoying a safe and fun environment. They vow to make Wiscasset Speedway a place, “Where friends and families traditionally gather to have fun and enjoy exciting, affordable entertainment”. When it comes to the Jordan’s, Ken Minott has nothing but wonderful things to say about the pair.

Ken says that Richard is very hands-on when it comes to his involvement with the track. He’ll frequently give race fans rides down to the race track so they won’t miss a single second of the racing action. He’s also a figure in the pits, checking in with drivers and teams to see if any of them need any help. Ken says that Richard is frequently reminding staff members and race teams that, “This isn’t my track, it’s OUR track”. Richard and Vanessa are not close-minded and willing to hear input from fans, teams, drivers and staff on how to make the track better. “They go out of their way to make every race team feel welcome – whether they’re regular weekly competitors or it’s their first time ever at the track,” Ken says. Drivers are not just the entertainment at Wiscasset, they’re a part of the Wiscasset family. They are also the voice of change at the speedway.

In recent years, Wiscasset has made a lot of renovations to the track. The laundry list of enhancements includes new walls and safety fencing, track surface repairs, new Whelen safety lighting and more. With the dangers of racing becoming more prevalent, it was important for the Jordan’s to assure that driver and staff safety was one of the top priorities. They also wanted to enhance the fan experience, which involved installing a new sound system, scoreboard and updating the concession stands.

One of the biggest track changes is the new Victory Lane, which is located directly in front of the Main Grandstands. No other track in Maine has a Victory Lane quite like Wiscasset, so they set themselves apart from the rest in bringing Victory Lane to the fans. “It gives the drivers the chance to get up close with the fans in a way they won’t find at any other track. Kids love to line the fence to high-five the drivers as they celebrate,” Ken says. Kids are treated like royalty at Wiscasset, which adds to the family-friendly atmosphere.

The C&D Laundry Kids Club has been a huge hit at Wiscasset. Penny Shorette and her daughter Stephanie head the club, which brings fun, kid-friendly activities to the track. There are bike giveaways, prize giveaways, junior official experiences and more that happen over the course of the season. They also allow children to do the command of firing up the engines before feature races. Children under the age of 18 are also allowed in the pit area at Wiscasset, which is another factor that sets Wiscasset apart from the rest. “For some racers, this is a key reason why they have chosen to race at our track. They can have their family with them right there in the pits and their children can see first hand the work that Mom or Dad does on race day,” Ken says.

Although children’s admittance into the pit area is a benefit to the track, Ken also stresses the dangers of the pit area. There are risks associated with allowing children into the pit area, especially with cars on the move and wrenches flying. Track staff members are frequently reminding drivers and teams about pit area safety, assuring drivers that if they abide by the rules, the benefit will still be in tact. The involvement of children at the speedway is just one of the many ways that Wiscasset Speedway stands out among other local tracks.

The speedway is known for their low admission prices: Admission is only $5 for children and adults over the age of 7 and children 7 years of age and younger get in for free. Pit passes are only $20 for children and adults, but all children in the pit area must be accompanied by an adult. The speedway is also very active on both their website and social media pages, where new events and track news is consistently being shared with fans. The speedway also accepts cards as a form of payment at the gate and recently introduced the “My Wiscasset Speedway Card”, where fans can add money to a card that can be used for admissions, concessions and more.

“While the basics of racing remain the same as always, the race itself – while always the primary focus – just isn’t enough anymore. What the fans expect from their time at the track and how you can reach these people HAS changed,” Ken explains. In a day and age where change is prevalent, Wiscasset Speedway is keeping up with tending to the fan culture. Keeping up with the fan culture involves branching out and bringing different forms of entertainment to the speedway besides the typical short-track racing that people see in the weekly program.

On Friday, May 25th and Saturday, May 26th, Wiscasset Speedway will be hosting the Monster Truck Throwdown. The weekend-long event provides families with the opportunity to see these larger-than-life trucks on a local stage. Keeping their idea of affordable fun in mind, the cost of the event is $10 for children and $15 for adults. There are family ticket packages available for the event and there will be a free preshow pit party as well. The Maine State Truck & Tractor Pullers Association will be hosting truck pull events on both Friday, July 20th and Friday, September 14th. Plus, the Rusty Wallace Racing Experience will be making a stop at the track on Thursday, August 16th. This will allow fans to hop into an actual stock car and experience the thrill of a high-banked, fast track like Wiscasset.

“These events goes into the need to keep up with the demands of the times and give our fans a wider variety of motorsports entertainment,” Ken says. The speedway is looking forward to bringing a diverse group of motorsports enthusiasts to the track in 2018. Although a handful of new events were added to the 2018 schedule, the weekly racing program will be back and better than ever this upcoming season.

Wiscasset Speedway runs a unique schedule, hosting 2 different “groups” of racing divisions on alternating weekends throughout the race season. Group 1 consists of the Pro Stocks, Super Streets, Thunder 4’s and more. Group 2 consists of the Late Model Sportsman division, Strictly Streets, Modifieds, Outlaw Mini’s and more. The schedule was created with the drivers and fans both in mind. “For the drivers, the benefits include making a race season more affordable, allowing them to stretch their budget, and give them time to make repairs and keep their car on the track every other week,” Ken explains. Some drivers race in both groups in different divisions while other drivers help out their friends or watch from the stands on their off-week.

For fans, the alternating schedule brings more variety to their world every week and cuts down the time of the racing program, which is especially beneficial to families with small children. This season’s weekly program kicks off with Group 1 on Saturday, April 21st. In addition to the weekly program, the track also hosts a handful of “Marquee” events every season.

Wiscasset Speedway is home to the Coastal 200, which is New England’s largest Late Model Sportsman race. The winner takes home $5,000 and drivers up and down the East Coast come to compete in the famed event. This year’s Coastal 200 will take place on Sunday, May 27th. “Over the years, it has established itself as a Memorial Day weekend tradition, and what we hope is that it’s a race that drivers want to add to their resume. Still, to this date, there has only been one repeat winner of the Coastal 200,” Ken says. The event is always exciting and wildly unpredictable, making it hard to miss.

For Super Late Model fans, the track will be hosting their annual Boss Hogg 150 on Sunday, September 2nd. Nick Jenkins took home the win in 2017, but drivers like Garrett Hall, John Peters, Jacob Dore and Jeff Burgess have been fierce competitors in the past. The winner will take home $5,000 in this race as well, leaving a lot on the line for all competitors.

Another staple event for the track is the Amsoil Dominator Strictly Shootout, which takes place toward the conclusion of race season. This season’s race will be on Saturday, September 29th. Dave Brannon, who is the new Technical Director for the track in 2018, hosts the Shootout. Drivers from surrounding tracks show up to compete in the event, which is always a blast to watch. Kyle Hewins is looking to defend his title in 2018 as the Shootout champion.

The event has some changes coming in 2018, with ten laps being added onto the lap count and the feature lineup determination process being reformatted. “The top 18 drivers who qualify via heat races will have a full 18-car redraw on the front stretch at feature time. That will add an entertaining twist for the drivers AND the fans alike,” Ken explains. The total race purse is $4,500 and the winner will receive some unique prizes, which include a custom cowboy hat and belt buckle. This highlight event puts Street Stock/Wildcat drivers in the spotlight, granting them the opportunity to show their fans and competitors just what they’re made of.

In addition to these events, Wiscasset Speedway increased payouts for EVERY division for 2018, adding a bonus incentive for the drivers and teams that dedicate so much effort, time and hard work to putting on a good show for the fans every week.

The track will also be welcoming the 350 SMAC (Super Modified Atlantic Charter) division to the track on Saturday, August 11th. This is a monumental event at Wiscasset, seeing that this will be the first time ever that Super Modified’s will be running a feature event at the speedway. The newest touring series on the East Coast will be sure to bring excitement to the track come August.

After 26 years of involvement with the speedway, Ken still hasn’t grown tired of the track atmosphere at Wiscasset. He calls the track his “second home” and says he loves watching fans and drivers grow up in front of his eyes. He says that he wasn’t even much of a race fan before joining the track in 1992. But, now it’s become a bigger part of his life than he ever imagined. His biggest accolades go to his wife Robin and his kids that have put up with his countless hours of time and effort that he’s put into the speedway. Ken sends thanks to Dave and Sandra St. Clair, who invited him into the Wiscasset family to begin with. He shows the upmost appreciation towards Richard and Vanessa Jordan, who have allowed him to live out his dream of helping Wiscasset Speedway become a great source of excitement for both drivers and fans alike.

“It takes so many dedicated and enthusiastic people to make it happen – a lot of people behind the scenes who don’t normally get the accolades. What makes Wiscasset work is that we try to fill our team with people who are there because they want to have fun doing what they do and have a desire to make the place succeed,” he says.

With wildly passionate staff, owners, fans and competitors, Wiscasset is sure to continue to stand in a league of it’s own in 2018 and for years to come. 

Check out the latest news from Wiscasset Speedway here:

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The post Wiscasset Speedway to Provide Action-Packed Family Fun in 2018 appeared first on Chasing The Checkered.

 21-year-old Alex Lacognata started his 2018 race season on a high note, capturing a feature win in the Medium Division at the tenth (and final) running of the DT100. The annual go-kart race features drivers from all over the country competing against one another while raising money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Alex has nothing but wonderful things to say about the event, stating that the event is one of his favorite events of the year. “It’s fun to be a part of and we’re all there for one purpose, to support the Make-A-Wish Foundation, David Thomas, Jr. and what he does for charity. Winning the last one was just a small part of it,” he says. To Alex, racing isn’t all about winning; it’s about the experience as a whole.

2017 was Alex’s breakthrough year in the Sport Series division at Beech Ridge. Alex shared ‘Rookie of the Year’ honors in the Sport Series division with fellow competitor Kyle Kramlich. He finished 13th in the overall point standings after competing for the better half of the race season racing for Mark and Ali Pennell.  “Overall, the season was a blast. But, a low point of the season was probably my first race, the 100-lapper. We’d gone and tested, and the car was fast. I DNF’d in the race after having high expectations for myself,” he shares. Although his first finish wasn’t the greatest, Alex continued to improve and run at the front of the pack as the season rolled on. The highlight of his 2017 season was scoring a podium finish behind Bubba Pelton and Terry Merrill in the Series Open at the conclusion of the season. Alex is continuing to learn more and gain skills behind the wheel, but his impact in racing doesn’t end there.

When he’s not behind the wheel, Alex wholeheartedly submerges himself into the world of racing, whether that be acting as a crew member of a race team or providing spotting services for another driver. He’s worked with some of the biggest names in short track racing, such as; Mike Rowe, Mike Fowler, Cassius Clark and Garrett Hall. Lacognata has an adventurous spirit, occasionally traveling to different tracks down South as well. “I work with some drivers out West and down South, such as; Travis Braden, Kyle Jones and Kyle Purvis. Being on the other side of things definitely helps me to analyze and try to better identify what the car needs when I’m behind the wheel,” he says.  Alex’s vast knowledge of the racing world stems from both personal experiences and formal education.

Alex attended the University of Northwestern Ohio, where he studied High Performance Motorsports. In 2015, he packed up and moved out to Ohio to focus on his studies. While he was attending school, he became a member of the school’s DirtCar motorsports team. “I became a crew chief there and learned a ton about what it takes to run my own team. I made a lot of friends out there and actually found a home working on asphalt super late models for Kyle Jones,” he says. Now that he’s out of school, Alex has big goals for the future.”Eventually, I’d like to move to North Carolina and go on the NASCAR tour,” he shares. But, for right now, Alex is content with dedicating his time to his upcoming season at Beech Ridge.

Alex has one simple goal for the 2018 season, which is to remain competitive and continue to race for wins at Beech Ridge. He’s looking forward to seeing where 2018 takes him professionally, but he’s also looking forward to working with Mike Rowe and Caruso Fowler racing in the coming months. “I plan to make it to Winchester Speedway for the 400, as well as the Snowball Derby once again,” he says. How did Alex develop this passion for racing? It all boils down to the infamous Fowler family.

Although he doesn’t come from a racing family, Lacognata sparked interest in the sport from a young age. He became involved in racing in 2009 at the age of 13, but his passion for the sport came at age 10 when he started working on the Fowler family’s farm. “I’d always beg them to take me to the track and they actually used to sneak me into the pits when I was 13. Since then, I’ve been hooked,” he says. His journey in racing started nearly ten years ago, but Alex never forgets to thank everyone that has supported him over the years.

‘Thankful’ is the best word to describe Alex when it comes to his feelings about his biggest supporters. “Mark and Ali Pennell have presented me with an amazing opportunity to drive their racecar. Also, Robbie Harrison lets me keep the car at his shop, and bug him when I need help. I wouldn’t be able to do any of this without the help from those 3 – I can’t thank them enough,” he shares. He has a wonderful team of people behind him, but also a handful of sponsors that support him every step of the way. Caruso Fowler Racing, Sun Stoppers Window Tinting, Traffic Jam Mobile Electronics, Nadeau’s Variety & Deli, Pierson Heating and Cooling and Cat Haley Cheerleading are among the many sponsors that have helped propel Alex and the #14 team into the 2018 season.

With years of knowledge and experience under his belt, Alex is sure to make a lasting impact both on & off-track in 2018. 

Good luck to Alex Lacognata and Pennell Racing in 2018!

Check them out on Social Media here:

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Alex Lacognata Racing

The post Alex Lacognata Making Strides at Beech Ridge in 2018 appeared first on Chasing The Checkered.

 Bob Guptill, promoter and owner of the North East Mini Stock Tour, is celebrating the series’ tenth anniversary in 2018. A decade strong, the North East Mini Stock Tour continues to grow each and every year. With dozens of competitors from Maine all the way down to New York, the mission of the Tour is, “To provide cheap, fun racing and develop driving skills for moving up”.  In a day and age where racing has become so costly, it’s a breath of fresh air seeing drivers be able to get their foot in the door without having to dive deep into their pockets. The NEMST is also a good experience for young drivers that haven’t competed on a touring level.

There are set age limits for the series, which is a common standard in racing. If a new driver has prior approved racing experience, they are eligible to compete at 14 years old. If they have no prior experience, the age limit is 16 years old. The familiarity of the cars on the track to the fans is something that makes the touring series so unique, says Bob Guptill. “4-Cylinder’s are one of the last production-style divisions remaining. By using cars that fans see on the road, a special bond is built between fans and drivers”, he says. Guptill was a driver himself before he founded the North East Mini Stock Tour.

The inspiration for the NEMST was the 4-Cylinder Nationals event that was held at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway in 2007 and 2008. “I competed in those events and I was a part of a large group of people in the pit area that were looking to be able to compete at different tracks,” he says. The NEMST has a very diverse schedule, with events taking place in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and even Connecticut. The 2018 North East Mini Stock Tour season will begin at PASS 300 weekend on April 28th at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway. The season continues on through early October, concluding with the World Series of Racing in Thompson, Connecticut on October 12th and 13th.  There were some additions made to the schedule this season, with the NEMST making stops at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway and Oxford Plains Speedway, two of the premium short tracks in Southern Maine.

Bob is excited to venture out with the North East Mini Stock Tour in hosting these three events at OPS/BRMS. “The Maine races come together with the help of Tom Mayberry. Tom has been a long-time supporter of the NEMST, hosting events since the 2010 season,” he says.  Being the tenth anniversary season, there are so many big weekends coming up for the series. The series will be competing on PASS 300 weekend, Oxford 250 weekend, the weekend of the Milk Bowl and more. “These are the largest events in the region and no other series visits them all,” he says, eluding to the fact that the NEMST stands out among other traditional touring series’.

Arguably, the series’ most talked about event is the New England Short Track Showdown at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. This year’s event is taking place the weekend of June 23rd. The Valenti Modified Series and the Granite State Pro Stocks will also be competing at the track that weekend. It all started in 2012, where the series was invited to race the road course. In 2014, they were bumped up to racing on the one-mile oval. The series’ involvement with the track has only grown since then. “In 2017, my family and myself decided to rent the facility for a large-scale short track event. From that, that’s where the New England Short Track Showdown was born,” Bob explains.  Although the series has grown substantially over the years, Bob still sees room for growth in future.

As the series owner and promoter, Bob Guptill only has high hopes for the touring series. “I hope to expand on our growth over the past few seasons and push forward to our next decade in competition. I hope that all promoters and track owners can work together and build racing as a whole. If we work together, we can bring new and old fans together and create new bonds across all platforms of Motorsports,” he says. Although racing is one competitor against another, fans, owners and drivers alike must come together and show their support to keep series like the NEMST going strong. With ten years of memories in tow, a few cross Bob’s mind as being his favorites.

Guptill finds the best memories to be seeing drivers succeed doing what they love. His favorite memories include seeing Roger Ducharme getting his first win at Unity in 2010 and Emerson Cayer capturing his third championship this past season. He notes the 2017 season as being one of his favorites, saying, “This was by far the most emotional year of racing we have had. There were a number of cars that could win at every single race.” With the competition being so strong and even keeled, it’s hard not to want to attend a NEMST event. Behind every successful, competitive series comes a team of people working hard to make it all come together. The North East Mini Stock tour is no different.

When forming the series, Bob Guptill looked to another event promoter for wisdom. This promoter was Dave Brannon, who hosts the Strictly Shootout at Wiscasset Speedway every season. “Dave Brannon was my backbone. He helped me and taught me how to be fair, stern, and to push myself and the teams’ brains to the next level,” Bob says. He also lends thanks to the series announcer (and fellow writer!) Mike Twist. “Mike has done countless hours of PR, travel and build-up to make the tour what it is,” he says. He also thanks race director Doug Robbie and tour secretary Moriah Barcomb for their countless hours of hard work.  The tour also runs on volunteers. Bob lists Beth Mctaggert, Jordan Harnish, Mike Harnish, Mike Griggs, Bryon Callen, Bill Callen and Bryan Ande, to name a few.

With a decade of memories and hard work under his belt, Bob Guptill is ready to take things to the next level in the series’ second decade of competition. With a wonderful team of supporters and competitors behind him, the NEMST is only bound for more excellence for years to come. 

Learn more about the North East Mini Stock Tour here:

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The post North East Mini Stock Tour Celebrating a Decade Strong in 2018 appeared first on Chasing The Checkered.

 If any of my lovely viewers have been staying in the loop with Chasing the Checkered on social media, you will have realized by now that I am now teaming up with Steve Perry from Mainely Motorsports as a TV host.

Steve Perry approached me in early December to discuss the potential of me becoming a part of the show. He had seen my website, realized that I have generated a small following and decided that he would like to bring me on board to bring a new perspective and outlook to the show.

After finally working out a feasible schedule between my 2 jobs, I started working with Mainely Motorsports. I had the opportunity to attend the Northeast Motorsports Expo in Augusta, Maine and get my first taste of being in front of the camera opposed to being behind a notebook.

I was nervous at first because I find that I’m a very awkward person, but it put me at ease realizing how much passion these drivers, teams and track promoters have for the sport. Although I was extremely new to the recording and interviewing process, everyone I interviewed the weekend of the Expo treated me with the utmost respect and were cheering me on the entire weekend.

Steve and I film the show every Sunday at his small studio nearby. The show is very off the cuff, but we always find ourselves running out of time to discuss everything that we want to within the hour time slot that we have available.

I’m growing more comfortable in front of the camera with each and every week that passes and I’m looking forward to creating new, exciting content for the show.

I am taking on this new opportunity with Mainely Motorsports TV, but I am certainly not abandoning Chasing the Checkered by any means. I will be continuing to create stories for all of my amazing readers to enjoy as the race season draws closer. Mainely Motorsports TV has been more than generous by giving CTC a lot of screen time and helping me promote this baby of mine, the baby that I so proudly created.

With that being said, this week’s episode of Mainely Motorsports TV has to be my favorite episode of the show to date. We hit a lot of important topics, like the importance of healthy driver/sponsorship relationships, the rise of local talents in the short track scene and the upcoming Racin’ Preview Show in Portland, Maine, which is hosted by LST Landscaping.

In addition to discussing these topics, the viewers also get to learn a little bit more about me and how I got involved with the sport of racing at an early age. I also discuss my favorite sports teams, my numerous jobs that I have now and the jobs I’ve had in the past, my favorite active NASCAR driver and more.

Most importantly, I get to talk about/talk with some of the drivers that have continuously shown support for my website and my racing opportunities. These drivers include Zach Nicholson of Nicholson Racing, Connor McDougal of Eleveight Design, Charlie Sanborn of Sanborn Racing Enterprises, Alex Dargi and more.

Tune into this week’s show and let me know what you think!

Keep you eye on that finish line…

– Amy

The post Creating New Adventures With Mainely Motorsports TV appeared first on Chasing The Checkered.

 Early last week, I was asked to attend an event at Claremont Speedway, a racetrack that I had (surprisingly) never visited before. Taking a trip to an undiscovered-by-you racetrack is always exciting, so I decided to jump on the opportunity. 

Through my research I did in the days leading up to the event, I realized that Claremont was in Western New Hampshire, nearly three hours from where I’m located in Maine. Although enthusiastic about the opportunity, I was not-so-enthusiastic about the drive to and from. One of my good racing friends, Seth Drown, is a North East Mini Stock Tour competitor in his first year of competition in the series. He invited me to take the voyage with him and his one-man pit crew, giving me the opportunity to see the preparation required to help a driver get onto the track come race day.

Come early afternoon on race day, we were all loaded up and on the road. After almost 3 hours, our GPS told us that we were close; but we were all confused and thought we were lost, seeing that we had just driven through a residential neighborhood and were seemingly traveling down a back road. Out of nowhere, a sign for “Claremont Speedway” had surfaced amongst the trees and we had arrived. The track is located just 20 minutes from Springfield, Vermont and 90 minutes from New England’s home for racing, New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Upon arrival, all members of the track staff were helpful, signing in competitors and team members with ease. I arrived at the makeshift “credentials” window, giving Karen my name at the gate. Much to my surprise, she was aware of my visit and quickly signed me in and gave me a wristband with no trouble at all. Visiting a local short track that you have never visited before as “media” can sometimes be tough, seeing that you are not a familiar face that the track staff sees. But, between Toby Batchelder and Karen, it was easy for me. It surprised me when I realized how easy to contact the track is; their email is available right on their Facebook page and they are on it, quickly responding to inquiries and track questions.

The 1/3 mile asphalt oval has a unique layout and a Bristol-like feel. One thing that sets apart Claremont Speedway from the rest is that you can see everything happening on the track without having to leave your pit pad. The track is a fishbowl, where you can look down into the speedway from every angle. Although the track itself has similar traits to Bristol, the grandstand seating reminded me of that of Sonoma Raceway, where the grandstands are seemingly embedded into the land. Although Claremont has an old-school feel, the track is fully up-to-date on all social media platforms, utilizing Facebook, Twitter and even YouTube to stay in touch with their fans. The track’s weekly series takes place on Friday nights in the summer, with Modifieds, Super Streets, Limited Sportsman and Wildcats. It’s a family-friendly atmosphere with inexpensive food (I got a hot dog AND fries for only $4) and free admission for children under the age of 5. In addition to their weekly events, the track hosts special events from time to time, like the 4-Cylinder Nationals that took place last Friday.

In addition to being unfamiliar with Claremont Speedway, I was unfamiliar with the North East Mini Stock Tour coming into Friday. The tour was started by Bob Guptill, a former Mini Stock competitior. The tour is based out of Gray, Maine and was founded in 2008. The series had their first event in 2009, and it has been growing ever since. The tour has a handful of large sponsors on board, including Twisted Tea and Texas Roadhouse. The tour hosts 12 events throughout the year, running from late April until early October. Tracks included on the schedule include NHMS, Lee, Claremont, Waterford, Seekonk, Fair Haven and others. This year, the season kicked off at Lee Speedway and will conclude at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park in the second week of October.

The division’s mission statement, as it’s posted on their social media, is “To provide cheap, fun racing and develop driving skills for moving up.” With racing being such a costly sport for everyone involved, it’s a breath of fresh air seeing a division of drivers working with cars that aren’t upper-tier cars price-wise, like Super Late Models and Late Sportsman Models that you can easily dump tens of thousands of dollars into every season. Safety is also a key factor: drivers are required to wear head and neck restraints in all NEMST-sanctioned events. Although helmets are required at every track, neck restraints (not just neck rolls) aren’t enforced at every race track. In addition, each driver is required to have an AMB transponder on their car during competition. This allows the event organizers to track lap times used to set provisionals if need be.

The Mini Stock Tour is no joke; seeing the process of qualifying heats reminded me of being at PASS Weekend or the Oxford 250. On event day, 39 cars from all over New England showed up, attempting to be one of the final 27 cars that would make it into the big show. NEMST sold individual laps for $20 a piece; a similiar lap-winnings format to what is used every year for the Oxford 250. Chasing the Checkered got its hands on lap 72, while other people like Mike Twist and Speed51 stepped up to sponsor laps as well. These lap earnings would be added to the winner’s pot, giving them the chance to win over $3,500 in prize money, including the automatic $1,500 that was distributed to the winner.

I was able to attend my first official drivers meeting, which was interesting to be a part of. Driver meetings are typically restricted to each driver and one team representative, which is typically their crew chief. Since I was an acting member of the #16 crew on Friday, I got to stand back and watch what actually goes down in a drivers meeting, which is more informal than anything. Drivers were thanked by Bob Guptill for making a big show and being a part of the tour. Rules were discussed, such as what will and will not be tolerated on the track. “Dive Bombs” were discussed, a form of dirty racing where drivers ride up on another driver, cutting off their line completely. Other details were discussed, like where qualifying drivers need to park once their heat is finished, how winnings would be distributed, what channel to tune their radios into, essentially all the small details that would help the big show run smoothly.

Soon after the drivers meeting, the qualifying races began. Four 10-lap heat races kicked off the competition, where the top four drivers from each heat would advance to the big 100-lap feature. They were followed by two 15-lap consolation races, where the top 4 from each would advance once again. Finally, a last chance race took places, where the 3 top finishers would advance to the big show.

Unfortunately, this is where the night would come to an end for the #16 team. After being plagued with unexpected electrical issues all afternoon, the #16 just couldn’t get going enough to advance into the big show. With racing comes a lot of triumphs and a lot of heartbreak, but there are always more weeks ahead where a driver can improve and really tune into their car. Seth said that he “knew that it could go 50/50”, but he knew that if he didn’t at least make the trip and attempt to qualify, he would have regretted it and would have been beating himself up. It was inspiring to see how other drivers and teams were there to not only work on their own cars, but to help other drivers and teams when they needed it. The driver who found home on the pit pad next to the #16 helped push Seth back onto his pit pad, attempting to help him resolve electrical issues, offered tools and more. The “racing family” is just that: one big family. As soon as drivers put their helmets on, it’s all business. But, in the pits, drivers and their respective teams do nothing but lean on each other for support and provide both wisdom and resources to anyone that is in need. It’s a wonderful thing to be a part of and to witness week in & week out.

Glen Thomas went on to lead 70 laps and win the 100-lap feature, taking home $3,060 in prize money. 

The NEMST staff was very hands-on and helpful to all drivers and teams. As soon as cars unloaded, a tour representative came over to nearly every competitor’s car to remind them to check certain specifics, like ride height. This really assisted in helping drivers be more prepared coming into the scales, but most importantly, this helped the process flow more smoothly and be more time-efficient for not just the drivers and teams, but the tour staff as well.

In the end, I was very grateful to be able to visit a new track and explore a new racing series that I had never explored before. Not only was the track staff more than friendly and courteous, the entire NEMST team helped shed light on what racing is all about; which is having fun, being respectful toward other competitors and working hard to improve driving skills for future success in the sport.

I’d like to thank Claremont Speedway for allowing me to come out to the event, Seth Drown for allowing me to be a small part of the #16 crew and NEMST for putting on such an exciting show for the fans.

Check out the North East Mini Stock Tour’s final event on Saturday, October 14th — a 20-lap shootout at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park as part of the 55th Annual Sunoco World Series of Speedway Racing.

The post Exploring Claremont Speedway: New Hampshire's Hidden Gem appeared first on Chasing The Checkered.

Coming off of a successful 2016 racing season where he earned “Rookie of the Year” honors at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway in the Wildcats division, Zach Nicholson still had many goals in mind as he entered his sophomore season in 2017. Although 2016 was a good year for the young driver, he still wanted more. What was the top goal on his list? A feature victory in 2017. After an entire season full of ups and downs, Zach Nicholson finally captured his first feature victory in an accident-ridden 30-lap feature on Saturday night at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway in Scarborough, Maine.

Coming into the night, Zach had clearly made his mark at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway, earning himself 9 top-5 finishes in 13 weeks of competition. The orange and blue #21 was a consistent figure at the front of the pack each and every week, fighting for position. Like all drivers do, Zach did have some tough weeks, including being caught up in a frightening wreck in turn 3 on July 22nd, a wreck that led to him being transported to Maine Medical Center with a sprained ankle. No matter what happens to him out on the track, Zach never gives up. After his wreck, he brushed himself off and returned to competition the very next week; only to take home yet another top-5 finish in his division. Due to his many qualifying heat race victories over the course of the season, people started to deem Zach as the “Heat Race Hero”. This motivated him to work harder to finally secure that first career victory he had been longing for for two years.

Zach entered the final night of competition in fourth in the point standings, just ten points behind his competitor and longtime mentor, Lewis Anderson. “My goal going into the night was to finish ahead of the #81 by 6 positions to secure third in points. That was really my plan,” he says. The day started off bright and early, with the entire Nicholson crew making the voyage to Scarborough from their home base in Ossipee, New Hampshire. When they arrived at the race track, everything was going smoothly until the final practice. During the final practice, Zach pulled back into the pits early, leaving his team in a frantic frenzy. He had wound up breaking the lower ball joint on his car, which bent the inner tie rod. “I was a little bit nervous about what happened and if the car would handle the same. But, everyone in the pits was on it immediately and my team went straight to work. I couldn’t have gone out without my Dad, my Uncle Mike, my cousin Ricky, Randy from No Such Chassis and everyone back at my pit pad that was helping out,” he says. Thanks to some last-minute helping hands and hard work, Zach was able to make it back out onto the track in time for his qualifying heat, where he finished in third.

Zach started back out in ninth for his feature, meaning that he would have to fight his way up to the front from mid-pack. After an accident-ridden start of the race, Zach managed to stay out of harm’s way and make his way up to the front of the pack by lap 11, where he joined a 3-way battle for the top spot. By lap 20, he had made his way to the inside of the top car, challenging him for the coveted first place position on the track with just ten laps to go. He succeeded on lap 22, eventually pulling away with the victory. After he received his winning checkered flag and performed his victory lap around the speedway, Zach was met by his family, friends and crew that have worked tirelessly on his car all season in Victory Lane. From his point of view, he says, “As soon as we got out into the clean air, I could really start to relax and get into a groove while the guys behind us battled it out for position.” He was in awe as he exited his car in Victory Lane and waved his checkered flag to the cheering fans in the crowd in front of him behind the flag stand. He immediately hugged all of his family members, relishing in the moment with all of his biggest supporters. In his Victory Lane speech, he was nervous and filled with a million emotions, but he still managed to thank every single sponsor that has helped him along the way. “Most of my thoughts going through my mind were to just keep making sure that I was hitting my marks. When I crossed the finish line, it was a mix of emotions and I was just speechless,” he says. Not only did he take home his first career victory, the win also powered him into a runner-up finish in the point standings.

Zach’s number one goal for the night was to take home a third place trophy in the point standings, but he wound up coming home with so much more to be proud of. “I really had no idea that I’d end up finishing over Dave Cameron and Lewis Anderson to secure the runner-up spot for the championship, especially in only my second year,” he says. Zach says that staying focused and making small adjustments to his driving style helped him excel this year, in addition to trying out new lines on the race track. Although he had a stellar season this year, he still looks to improve on some things next season. “I’d like to be a little more relaxed behind the wheel. Some of my big goals are to win more races and stay consistent throughout the season,” he says. Even when he’s not behind the wheel at Beech Ridge, racing never leaves his mind.

During the off-season, Zach is excited to race vintage snowmobiles during the winter months. He’s also looking to graduate from high school a year early so he can attend school at the University of Northwestern Ohio next year, which is United States’ premier school to study Auto Performance. He will also spend his winter preparing the race car for opening day at Beech Ridge next season, which will take place around Memorial Day.

Although his racing season at Beech Ridge is over, Zach is thinking about racing in the “Strictly Shoot-Out” at Wiscasset Speedway on September 30th. He will be back at Beech Ridge on September 17th for the PASS race weekend and up at Oxford Plains Speedway on October 14th, so there is still plenty of time to cheer on Zach Nicholson and the entire Nicholson Racing Crew before the complete racing season is over!

Check out Zach Nicholson/Nicholson Racing on Social Media here:

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The post From 2016 Rookie of the Year to 2017 Wildcats Victor: Zach Nicholson's Rise to the Top at Beech Ridge appeared first on Chasing The Checkered.

It wasn’t long into the race before the #51 team suffered from a twisted form of fate. From his point of view, John says that he was having a good race, making his way up to third early and trying to track down the leaders. He calls what happened next “a racing deal”, recounting the events that took place. “I came out of turn 2, which is a full throttle spot at Wiscasset. The second place car had just spun going into turn 3. It looked like I had room to avoid him high, so I backed off and committed to the top. Not a split second later, his car rolled up the track, so I hit the brakes and cut the wheels left. I got the car pointed towards the bottom but it started to slide and I just couldn’t get low enough. My right side door caught his left front, which ripped everything out of the right rear, spun me around and launched me into the wall. It happened really fast,” he recounts. Peters’ said that he immediately knew the wreck was major, saying that he saw his rear end tube, wheel, tire and brakes go flying down the track. John’s Dad Greg Peters also knew that it was a vicious wreck, saying, “Our first thoughts were “Is he okay?”. He told us on the radio that he was okay, so then the frustration kicked in.” From just looking at the aftermath of the wreck, he also knew that the car was totalled.

Post-wreck, John was sent to the hospital and checked out due to precautionary reasons. “I didn’t know how bad the damage was until I was in the hospital and I was shown a couple of pictures…when I got home from the hospital I got a really good look, and unfortunately, the car was a total loss,” he says. A lot of drivers are very weary about bringing their race cars to different tracks due to the risks that come along with it, but John says, “We did know it was a risk, but accidents can happen any time you get onto the track. We were just in the wrong place at the wrong time.” Greg wasn’t worried about John bringing his race car to Wiscasset, saying that they were familiar with the track and reiterating the fact that John has won there before. “John’s a racer and I’ve wrecked a few in my day, so I wasn’t worried there. If anything, it makes him more determined. We had a really fast car in that race,” he says. After the frustration kicked in, Greg, John and the Peters family started looking at their options for the remainder of the 2017 season. John was worried that he wouldn’t be able to get back behind the wheel, saying that there were no plans whatsoever to jump back in a car for the rest of the season as of a few days after the wreck. “We took some time to regroup and get the car taken apart and brought to the dump, and then we got together as a family to determine the next step…we identified a move we wanted to make and I began reaching out to people to see if it was a possibility,” he says. From there, things came together rather quickly for the #51 team.

In the days following the wreck, both Greg and John Peters got offers from a handful of different people, offering them rides to borrow, sending them leads on cars for sale, etc. But, the Peters family wanted a new car on a few conditions: they wanted to use their own motor, transmission, shocks and seat. They were able to purchase fellow driver Mike Landry’s old car, which was for sale. “He (Mike Landry) agreed to the deal, so we moved forward on purchasing the car. We were able to salvage some stuff from the old car, so our spare part inventory has increased,” Greg says. John says that he has always had an interest in purchasing Landry’s old car, but it wasn’t the right time. He says the wreck changed that, saying, “Once the funding came together, we picked up the car from Mike on Saturday the 5th, six days after Wiscasset. We really need to thank Mike for working with us on such short notice.” In terms of what they were able to salvage (besides what Greg listed) from the old car, John says that the front end wasn’t in bad shape, so they were able to salvage a few parts.

Greg says that the team was lucky enough to get a car that was “basically” race ready, saying that he’s had to make some minor changes to the body to fit the transmission. He says that he’s spent a “countless” amount of hours in the shop since the wreck, working to get the car to their liking. John agrees with Greg, saying that they’ve both spent “several” hours in the shop since Wiscasset. “I’d say I have about 30 hours into it and my Dad has put in around 60. We did some body​​ work, replaced a couple fenders, put our motor, transmission, seat, shocks, and miscellaneous equipment in. From there, we have finalized the setup and got everything mechanically working,” John says. Just over 3 weeks ago, John got into his wreck in Wiscasset and the team plans to make their return to Beech Ridge Motor Speedway on August 25th, this upcoming Saturday. Although John won “Best Appearing Car” this season with his red, white and blue ride, he plans on sticking to the plain black car featuring his main sponsors’ stickers for the remainder of the 2017 season. Although they’ve made a quick turnaround, Greg was never in a rush to get John back onto the track, always reminding people on social media that they were “taking time” with their comeback. “We know we took a dive in the point standings, so it was better to take our time rather than burn out,” he says.

Now that the season’s coming to a close quickly, John is no longer focusing on points. He plans on finishing out the season at Beech Ridge and running the 2 remaining PASS races and the Granite State Pro Stock Series race at Star Speedway in Epping, New Hampshire. “We’d like to finish out strong with some competitive runs and hopefully make an improvement on how we were running before the crash. We’re really excited to now have a chassis that’s 10 years younger than our old one and is a straight rail car opposed to a perimeter. This is a proven, successful PASS car, so we’d like to keep that momentum going,” John says. Greg’s also excited about having a new car to work with, saying that the car is a proven fast car. Everyone in the family is “pumped” about getting back to the track, which is where they truly belong. “I never worry about John’s abilities on the track. He’s my son, but at the track, he is my driver. I have total trust in him,” Greg says.

Just over 3 weeks ago, the John Peters Motorsports team was left in complete limbo about the remainder of the racing season. Thanks to a team of people and many hours of hard work, they’ve been able to make a quick recovery. “We first and foremost have to thank several of our friends and competitors who offered cars, chassis’, parts, assistance and support immediately after the crash. The support was so encouraging and it really helped us push forward,” John says. He also lends thanks to his father, mother, Troy Davis, Jim Savage, Patty Ryder, Nick Poland and his girlfriend Brooke Shaw for their constant help, encouragement and support. As always, he’s grateful for his handful of sponsors, which includes Runtal Radiators of North America, the Kulwicki Driver Development Program, AML Landscape & Property Service and a handful of others. “When things go bad in racing, the racing family cannot be beat. “Overwhelmed” would be a huge understatement. We were blown away with the amount of people that stepped forward to help our team. We will not forget them,” Greg adds.

The preparation of a comeback hasn’t been easy for the John Peters Motorsports team, but they have worked hard (and worked together) to get it done in such a short period of time, a feat that not everyone can accomplish. It will be exciting seeing what the #51 can do for the remainder of the season!

Join us in welcoming John Peters back to Beech Ridge Motor Speedway this Saturday, August 25th. This is the season’s final Autograph Night as well. Racing action always begins at 7:00 pm. As always, children 12 and under are free!

Catch John Peters Motorsports on Facebook here:

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The post From Crash to Comeback: John Peters' Journey Back to the Top appeared first on Chasing The Checkered.

 20-year-old John Peters of Westbrook, Maine has known nothing but the race track since his early childhood days. Peters, driver of the #51 Runtal Radiators Ford Fusion at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway, was born into a racing family. “My Dad, brother and cousin all raced, and my first memory of the track is watching my Dad race in the Sport Series at Beech Ridge,” he says. Before he even reached his fifth birthday, John was behind the wheel of a go-kart, racing at Richmond Karting Speedway. This was just the beginning for Peters, who is now a full-time driver in the Pro Series.

The red, white and blue #51 is a constant figure at the race track every weekend, running toward the front of the pack. Peters hasn’t captured a win yet on the season, but that isn’t all that’s important to him. The most important thing to John is staying competitive week in & week out. “Like any team, we’ve had some races, particularly the last few, that have been frustrating but we’re much farther ahead of where we were last year at this time,” he says, explaining the highs and lows that come with driving a race car. Although he’s not where he wants to be right now, Peters keeps digging thanks to his own drive and the support of his family, friends and sponsors.

Peters says that his parents are by far his biggest supporters, saying that they have sacrificed a lot so he can have a great race career. He praises his Dad for helping him, saying, “I have a lot of committments which would make it much more difficult to do own my own, so without him I wouldn’t be able to do this.” He says that his Mom is a constant cheerleader, and also gives thanks to Patty Ryder, Jim Savage and his girlfriend Brooke Shaw. In terms of his support, he says, “Lots of people have contributed throughout the years and we’re so grateful for all of the support.” He has a long list of sponsors this season, including Runtal Radiators of North America, KDDP, AML Landscape & Property Services, Detailz, AMSOIL, Superior Speed and more. A lot of people have contributed to Peters’ success over the years, but he has a moment that he’s the most proud of.

Of his proudest racing moment, he says that his Pro Series win at Beech Ridge this past August takes the cake. This has been his home track since his early childhood days, and that’s what made his win that much more special. “I’d been dreaming of winning a premier series race at Beech Ridge since I first sat in the stands. What meant the most to me that night was the line of drivers, teams and fans that formed on pit road when I pulled off to shake my hand and offer congratulations. Getting that kind of support from my peers and competitors was an incredible feeling,” he says, reliving that special moment from just one year ago. Peters hopes to continue his success this year, a season in which he’s driving in the Kulwicki Driver Developement Program (KDDP), a program set forther to honor the late Alan Kulwicki.

Peters interest in the KDDP sparked before the 2016 racing season began. He was chosen as a semi-finalist for the program, but wasn’t selected as one of the 7 finalists. He worked hard in 2016 to get some great finishes in hopes of becoming finalist once again. “Fortunately, we were selected as a finalist in 2017 and have had the honor of representing the Kulwicki name,” he says. All KDDP finalists compete to become the “Kulwicki Cup” champion, a championship that’s based off of on-track performance and off-track performance, with drivers becoming involved with their communities. Peters, with the help of Mainely Awards and Superior Speed, put together the “Kulwicki Kid” program. Peters will be selecting 7 kids per season to become a “Kulwicki Kid”, who will be awarded with free tickets to Beech Ridge and win some other cool prizes, like signed race helmets and free apparel. Peters strives to be a great role model for the kids, saying, “I really felt that we needed to do something to get kids interested in racing and so far, I think it’s worked out well.” In addition to looking up the late Alan Kulwicki, Peters has a list of other drivers that he draws influence from.

In terms of NASCAR drivers, Peters says that one of his biggest influences is Dale Earnhardt, Jr. He likes Junior in particular because he feels that he has overcome a lot in life and has one of the “best personalities” of all of the drivers in the sport. “In my opinion, it’s just as important for drivers to be successful off the track as it is for them to be successful,” he says. He says that Dale Jr. is very relatable, making it easier for people to connect with him on a personal level. He says that Beech Ridge’s David Oliver was his favorite driver growing up. He has been a constant source of support for John throughout the years and even sold him his current race car. Racing has taken over John’s life for the past 16 years, but racing isn’t everything to him.

John currently attends SNHU for Business Administration and is focusing on not only racing, but a professional career. He’s taken a wide range of courses, including human resources, accounting and marketing. He takes school seriously and is an Honor’s student. “I’m also a member of the Honor’s program which has given me the opportunity to explore culture, human nature, the Enlightenment, and various works of art.” he says, adding that he’s already completed working on his minor in History and is working on a second minor in Economics. He says that he’s still unsure of what his future career will be, but he’s genuinely open to anything that life throws at him. “I think I’d be a good fit working in a management position for a race team, but I’m getting all kinds of different experiences and keeping my options as open as possible,” he says. John keeps himself super busy between racing and school, but he enjoys his downtime as well.

In addition to racing, John’s a big fan of golf. He played golf throughout high school and likes to get back on the course whenever he can. He’s a New England fan when it comes to baseball, football and hockey. But, football is where it gets a little bit hairy for the 20-year-old. He says that he “catches a lot of heat” for his preference of the New York Giants over the New England Patriots. “Sometimes it’s tough, but it worked out pretty well for me in 2008 and 2012,” he jokes. 

Looking back on his racing career so far, John’s received a lot of advice from his fellow competitors. But, he has a special place in his heart for David Oliver and all that he’s learned from him over the years. “Aggressive when you have to be, but passive when it’s not worth it,” is the advice that Oliver gave him after a race at Star Speedway. John says that he “always thinks about it” every time he’s behind Oliver on the race track. David Oliver inspired John when he was just an aspiring driver, and John hopes to inspire the children that are in the Whiz Kidz division today.

As for John’s advice for the Whiz Kids that are aspiring to make it in racing one day? He says that it’s all about following your own destiny and making it happen for yourself. He encourages young drivers to be very hands-on and willing to learn, seeing that it will make them that much more prepared for the future. “Don’t rely on anyone else to pave the way for you…build your own path and along the way, surround yourself with the right people,” he says. 

Surrounding himself with the right people has gotten him this far, and John Peters doesn’t feel like stopping anytime soon. He continues to work hard and improve, making a name for himself at Beech Ridge and standing out as a great candidate for the Kulwicki Cup with his on-track improvement and his constant involvement in the “Kulwicki Kid” program.

Join us in cheering on John Peters every Saturday at Beech Ridge (weather permitting!) during the summer months! Racing action always begins at 7:00 pm.

Catch John Peters on Social Media here:

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The post John Peters is "Racing for Alan" in '17 Season at Beech Ridge appeared first on Chasing The Checkered.