DIRT TRACK HEROES CAR SHOW

SHOWS CONTINUES THROUGH SATURDAY, MARCH 10 AT PHILLIPSBURG MALL

HAMLIN SPEEDWAY STARS IGNITE 5TH ANNUAL NAPA AUTO PARTS DIRT TRACK HEROES EVENT

The 5th Annual NAPA Auto Parts sponsored Dirt Track Heroes Show in Phillipsburg, New Jersey moved into night number five on Thursday evening of events highlighted the driving stars from the Hamlin Speedway. After an opening introduction to begin the evening show with NAPA Representative Jim Slifer, who continued to parlay the presence of the five stores in the local group and the tremendous amount of exposure the stores have gained with their sponsorship at the show.

The interviews began with Orange County Modified Rookie of the Year Billy Lowden Jr talking about his initial season at speedway and how his plans have changed a bit as he looks toward the new year by moving around on the circuit to test other facilities while still maintaining a presence at OCFS. The "Cadillac Man" Kurt Bettler issued his new plans for the season as he sets his sights on the Hamlin Speedway track championship after just missing in his bid in 2011. Former Borgers track champion Chris Orashin will move his racing action to the Hamlin Speedway in 2012 and his daugther Amber will be making the change along with him and both having high hopes for a great start at their new stomping grounds. Jess Horvath (Coons) will be sitting on the sidelines this season as she is expecting a baby but will follow her husband Lou to the Hamlin Speedway for the new season that may include some stops to the Kutztown Speedway as well.

"The Rockaway Rocket" Danny Buccafusca stated he will making a return to the speedway in 2012 for more Slingshot racing but will also be in action at the Accord Speedway for the Slingshots and will be making his maiden voyage aboard a recently purchased Troyer race car that is being readied at Bruce's Speed Shop. Sheldon Iudicello talked about his limited plans for racing in 2012 while Larry Hoagland talked about his good season in 2011 and his hopes to find a win at Hamlin in both the 270 and the 600 Micro racing action. Hamlin Speedway Promoter Randy Smith chatted about his plans for the big season ahead for the Hamlin Speedway that will include a July 7th date with the All Star Slingshots going for a $2,000.00 to win payday in the St Judes Childrens Hospital sponsored Hamlin 100 event. Smith also explained he as sold out of all 138 parking passes at the speedway and will be adding additional parking spots as soon as the weather clears to make room for the expected onslaught of drivers for the new season ahead. New chassis fabrication whiz Mark Manieri chatted about his new chassis concept and his plans for continued growth of his company as more and more owners come on board for his great looking race cars.

Hamlin Speedway 600 wingless champion Brett Michalski made the trip up from Penndel, Pennsylvania to chat about his winning of the title in 2011, his plans for defending the title and a step up sometime towards the end of the season into some 358 Sprint Car racing. Thomas "Sonny" Strupp chatted about his new plans for the season as he goes after the Junior Slingshot title at the speedway in 2012. Accord Speedway Promoter Gary Palmer made the trip from New York State to talk about he aggressive plans at his speedway that have included the removal of the sail panels off of the Modified division and the fact that all drivers will now draw for starting positions in lieu of the handicapping procedures done in the past. Palmer felt confident of agreat season at Accord as some of the new divisions develop into maturity. "The Rapid One" Richie Smith closed out the interviews as he outlined the plans for his Stage One Modifieds to be in action on a weekly basis at the Hamlin Speedway and feels the stability of racing at Hamlin will spwan additional growth for his state of the art race cars.

Friday is a two show day at the Mall as the Legends Showcase presented by Corey Mechanical rolls into the stage area at 4 PM headline by book signings and sales by Bill Winble and Freddy Adam. Wimble's Book, "I'll Never Be Last Again" tells Bill's story of a dairy farmer who desired to race and after finishing last in his very first event vowed to never be last again and he never was. The book is great reading as it captures the fact there is more to life than just racing and Wimble describes it his way in the very popular book along with Lew Boyd. Freddy Adam is an integral part of the Reading Fairgrounds Racing Historical Society and attends as many events as possible and his book, "The Life And Times Of The Kutztown Komet" is another great read as Freddy tell his story to Paul Weisel. Additional racing greats joining the pair include Carl "Fuzzy" Van Horn, Richard Marinelli, "The Everett Express" Gerald Chamberlain, NASCAR Legend Bill DeCoster, Tommy Hager, Sammy Beavers, Red Coffin, Kenny and Freddy Brighbill, Nate Strunk, Wyatt Jacobus, Earl Derr, Bobby Eppiheimer, Charlie Gilmore, Billy Tanzosh and many many more. The second show of the day will take place at 6:30 as the many open wheel divisions of racing are highlighted with the ARDC, URC, TSRS, CRSA, racing groups along with the stars of the Bridgeport Speedway and trhe Legends of Reading and Dorney Park Speedways.

The NAPA Auto Parts Stores of the Delaware Valley has five stores conveniently located within the immediate area and the locations are: Easton, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey locations Stewartsville, Hackettstown, Clinton and Flemington. The stores are owned by Quaker City Motors Parts with their headquarters located in Middletown, Delaware. NAPA was founded in 1925 to meet America's growing need for an auto parts distribution system. To date, NAPA has 69 Distribution Centers, more than 6,000 stores and 13,000 affiliated NAPA AutoCare repair facilities, over 320,000 parts in inventory every day and ASE-Certified Parts Professionals. To learn more about NAPA Know How, go to their extensive website at: www.napaonline.com or contact by phone at: 800-LET-NAPA (800-538-6272. All of the stores will have representation at the show throughout the week offering specials and discounts to the racers and fans.

IRCO remains a big part of the show as they will sponsor the stage area where the nightly shows will be presented. Vice President of IRCO, Greg Collins, will become part of the announcing team lined up for the shows that include the longtime broadcasting team of Ed and Steve Pados from Gasoline Alley fame, veteran announcer Bobby Stull, Bridgeport and Thunder announcer Jeff Ahlum and former Lake Mocatek co-announcer Justin Beltrame. Collins, who serves as the noted historian of the Harmony Speedway, is expected to have much of his memorabilia from the Harmony Speedway for the event and Beltrame will once again spearhead and show the vast collection of Lake Mocatek material he has collected over the years.

2012 Fifth Annual NAPA Auto Parts Dirt Track Heroes Car Show Schedule of Events

Friday - March 9 - (4 PM) Corey Mechanical presents the Legends Showcase: Bill Wimble and Freddy Adam with a book signing and showcase discussion with Carl "Fuzzy" Van Horn, Gerald Chamberlain, Ronnie Dunstan, Sammy Beavers, Tom Hager, Kenny Wismer, Richard Marinelli, Bill DeCoster, Red Coffin, Randy Smith, Richie Smith, Leroy Amey, Earl Derr and many more of the legendary stars who are our "Dirt Track Heroes"

(7 PM) - Presented by Martocci's Automotive Salute to Thunder on the Hill Series, Grandview Speedway, Bridgeport Speedway, ARDC Midgets, URC, TSRS Sprints, CRSA Sprints, plus the Legends of the Reading Fairgrounds and Dorney Park Speedways

Saturday - March 10 - (Noon until complete) Corey Mechanical welcomes the stars from Flemington Speedway, all divisions, Flemington Speedway Racing Historical Society and Harmony Speedway Group. All drivers invited to return for fan-fest and Autograph Session. Special Appearance by David Polenz

Caffe Europa serves as the Official Restaurant of the NAPA Auto Parts Dirt Track Heroes Show

IRCO Community Federal Credit Union is the Official stage sponsor

Mall Hours: Sunday 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-9 p.m. -

*Schedule subject to change