STARS TURN OUT FOR OPEN WHEEL MONDAY AT RACING LEGENDS REUNION

News from the 28th annual Berks-Schuylkill Oil Heat Association Racing Legends Reunion & Car Show

Media Contact: Brett Deyo - Deyo99H@aol.com or 845.728.2781

For Immediate Release/Feb. 26, 2013

Brightbill, Weller, Pauch Jr., Smith, Kobylarz & More Headline Active Open Wheel Night at 28^th annual Berks-Schuylkill Oil Heat Association Racing Legends Reunion & Car Show; Action Track USA Promoters Rose & Tobias Outline Plans

READING, PA - The stars turned out in full force during Open Wheel Night Monday at the 28th annual Berks-Schuylkill Oil Heat Association Racing Legends Reunion & Car Show at the Fairgrounds Square Mall.

The evening recognized driving talent and representatives from the Rislone United Racing Company (URC) Series, American Racing Drivers Club (ARDC), Speedway Entertainment-built SpeedSTRs and showcased the efforts of Rich Tobias and Doug Rose, the new promoters of the JeffreyHogueRealtor.com Action Track USA located on the Kutztown (Pa.) Fairgrounds. Jeff Ahlum worked the microphone on stage in Center Court as a crowd gathered to listen in on the interviews.

Leading the list of drivers on hand was Sinking Spring, Pa., legend Kenny Brightbill, who will return to weekly racing this season in a No. 19 SpeedSTR at Action Track USA.

"They (Action Track) are paying good money," Brightbill said. "When you are paying good money, the good guys come out. They will have an all-star field with a lot of top drivers."

Both Rose and Tobias discussed the huge Wednesday programs at Action Track USA and their plans to make the facility a site for first-class auto racing and entertainment.

"You aren't going to see competition like this on the East Coast," Rose surmised. "With the reconfiguration and widening of the track and the variety of talent we have lined up, you won't want to miss a night. Where else can you see Kenny Brightbill, Rick Eckert, Craig Von Dohren, Brian Montieth, Rick Eckert and a whole list of others in the same race?"

Tobias said family entertainment is a priority for Action Track USA.

"We're going to have a four-division show with great racing," Tobias said. "But we're going to have entertainment during the night like you see at ball games and other events."

Versatile talent Ryan Smith of Kunkletown, Pa., talked about his active 2013 season, which already kicked off indoors at Atlantic City (N.J.) and outdoors at Lincoln (Pa.) Speedway. Smith has been selected to drive the John Pinter-owned No. 410 Sprint Car at Lincoln Speedway, while returning to drive the famed Kreitz family No. 69 on Fridays at Williams Grove (Pa.) Speedway, among other ventures.

Billy Pauch Jr. outlined his busy plans for '13 which includes his first full assault on the Rislone URC Sprint Series driving for Brian Thomas and Bruce Engler in their No. 36 360 Sprint Car. He will enter 410 Sprint Car events at Lincoln Speedway and other venues aboard the Wilson Racing No. 56. The Frenchtown, N.J., driver won't leave Modified racing behind. He will drive a Mike Nicholas-owned car in Pennsylvania 358-Modified specials and a self-owned Bicknell in a handful of other high-paying events.

Mertztown, Pa., driver Josh Weller highlighted his plans to race for his first URC championship with a new ride. Weller will drive for Chris and Sandy Weiss for the '13 campaign.

From the ARDC ranks, young guns Trevor Kobylarz (who came oh-so-close to making the Chili Bowl A-Main in Tulsa, Okla.), Brenden Bright, Austin Burke and Ryan Greth talked Midget racing, while the club's Public Relations representative Deb Smith outlined a healthy '13 schedule for the Midget touring series founded in 1939.

From the Action Track USA, SpeedSTR driver Brittany Wixon, Micro-Sprint racer Jeremy Raifsnyder and Junior Slingshot racer Amber Britto looked ahead toward '13.

Upon the show's conclusion, Pauch, Smith, Bright and Weller served as guest bartenders at the Applebee's location adjacent to the mall.

The show continues today (Tuesday) when Barry Angstadt hosts 'Small Car Night' at the show, showcasing Micro-Sprints, Slingshots, Stage One Modifieds, XCel 600 Modifieds and more. Angstadt has lined up more than 25 small car personalities to participate. Activities begin in Center Court at 7 p.m. Guest bartending at Applebee's will follow.

A wide cross-section of race cars, nearly 100 strong, have filled the aisles of the Fairgrounds Square Mall for the event, which honors the past, present and future of auto racing. The show, with primary backing from Berks-Schuylkill Oil Heat Association with Pioneer Pole Buildings Inc. and VP Racing Fuels offering associate support, runs through next Saturday (March 2) with a busy schedule of events. The Racing Legends Reunion is free-to-the-public during mall hours.

Vehicles of all shapes and sizes are on display at show, including big- and small-block Modifieds, Sprint Cars, Micro-Sprints, SpeedSTRs, ARDC Midgets, Late Models, Sportsman, Street Stocks, Slingshots, Quarter Midgets, XCel 600 Modifieds and more.

Fans of racing’s past enjoy an expansive display of vintage and restored cars assembled by the Reading Fairgrounds Speedway Racing Historical Society. A room full of memorabilia allows attendees to take a step back in time to the famed ‘Home of Champions’ which hosted its final event in June 1979.

Vintage Cars from the Penn-Mar group and Blast from the Past Vintage Club are also on display.

Many of the area’s top speedways and sanctioning bodies are on hand to distribute information and meet fans and racers during the weeklong show. For the first time, both New Jersey dirt tracks – New Egypt Speedway and Bridgeport Speedway – have displays at the show. The new JeffreyHogueRealtor.com Action Track USA of Kutztown, Pa., now led by Rich Tobias and Doug Rose, has assembled an expansive setup highlighting each of the speedway's weekly divisions.

Others participating at the show include Grandview (Pa.) Speedway/Thunder on the Hill Racing Series, URC, ARDC, LANCO’s Clyde Martin (Pa.) Memorial Speedway, BD Motorsports Media LLC/Friesen-Deyo Promotions and the Montgomery County Quarter Midget Racing Club (Pa.’s Phoenixville Raceway).

The Checkered Flag Fan Club is at the show actively recruiting new members and publicizing their organization. The Reading Eagle newspaper – an avid supporter of local racing - also has plans to participate in the show. The Eastern Museum of Motor Racing (EMMR) also put together a popular display.

A number of vendors are on hand selling memorabilia, photos and other novelties. Gary Silverman of Gary Silverman Productions has DVDs on sale from the 2012 Pennsylvania 358-Modified Dual-Track circuit and other special events, while events of yesteryear recorded on film are sold by Snyder Video Productions.

Fast Action Motorsports Entertainment has set up their R/C track at the show all week. Up to 10 drivers can participate at one time. All those who race leave with a checkered flag. Big winners take home a trophy.

Mike Feltenberger hosts his popular Alley Racing nightly through the show.

Each night of the show has a theme: Small Car Night hosted by Barry Angstadt Tuesday (Feb. 26), Late Model/Sportsman/Street Stock Night Wednesday (Feb. 27), Modified Madness Night Thursday (Feb. 27) and Legends Night/Reading Fairgrounds Speedway Reunion (March 1). Nightly activities begin in Center Court at 7 p.m.

There will be driver bartending at the Applebee’s adjacent to the mall (in the shopping center parking lot) on Tuesday and Thursday nights beginning at 9 p.m.

The BASH Awards Party is a show highlight. This year's edition is set for Friday, March 1 at 9 p.m. (after the show closes) at the Temple Fire Company of Temple, Pa. (4963 Kutztown Road Temple, PA 19560).

The BASH is a fun night out for fans of auto racing: get out and party with the racing community! Gary Silverman shows highlights from past and present, including memorable moments from the most recent Pennsylvania 358-Modified season.

Show awards are distributed, including the prestigious Don Marks Memorial Contribution to Motorsports Award.

The Don Marks Memorial Contribution to Motorsports Award was first handed out in 2010 to honor the memory of late Grandview Speedway and Area Auto Racing News photographer Marks, who passed away in 2008. Previous award recipients include Bob Greene of Pioneer Pole Buildings (2012), car owner, fabricator and former racer Dennis ‘Chico’ Bailey (2011) and Area Auto Racing News publisher/promoter Len Sammons (2010).

The overall 'Best of Show' recognition for vehicles on display at the mall will be decided by a fan vote for the third consecutive year. The ballot can be found in the official Racing Legends Reunion & Car Show program book on sale at the show.

A number of divisional awards will be distributed as well, including Best Modified, Best Sportsman, Best Open Wheel, Best Late Model, Best Micro-Sprint, Best Restored Car, Best Quarter Midget and Best Go-Kart. Media members visiting the show vote on the divisional awards. The Sportsman classification is new for ’13.

The entertaining T.J. Fitzpatrick, known as 'TJ the DJ' has come on board to provide music for dancing at the BASH.

Snacks are provided, along with soda, at the BASH. There will be a cash bar. BASH tickets are just $10 and can be purchased at the door or at the apparel/program stand each night of the show.

This year’s pays tribute to a pair of prominent members of the local racing community lost recently. 2013 Racing Legends Reunion & Car Show apparel, designed by Bob Hilbert Sportswear, is a 'must-have' for fans of the sport. The shirt honors the racing career of dirt and pavement driver Doug Hoffman, who passed away unexpectedly on Christmas Eve 2012. Not only was Hoffman one of the Northeast's greatest drivers of all time, he also proved his meddle as a promoter at Mahoning Valley (Pa.) Speedway and Bridgeport Speedway.

The shirt features 10 of Hoffman's most memorable cars from his career ranging from his very first pavement Late Model for Dorney Park (Pa.) Speedway to the car he drove to his final victory: Sal DeBruno’s South Jersey Overhead Door No. 0.

Shirt pricing is set at $20 (tee shirts), $22 (long-sleeve) and $30 (hoodies/sweatshirts). Sizes 3XL and up add $3 extra for tee shirts, long-sleeve shirts and hoodies/sweatshirts.

Another area hero who passed away, the great 'Kutztown Komet' Freddy Adam, has been remembered with a photo spread in the event program and a tribute car displayed in Center Court at the mall.

To learn more about the Racing Legends Reunion & Car Show, log onto www.bdmotorsportsmedia.com or e-mail Brett Deyo at Deyo99H@aol.com. BD Motorsports Media LLC is on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BDMotorsportsMedia and Twitter @BrettDeyo.

28^th Annual Berks-Schuylkill Oil Heat Association Racing Legends Reunion & Car Show Schedule of Events

Tuesday, February 26 - Small Car Night

7 p.m. - Drivers representing the Micro-Sprint, Slingshot, XCel 600 Modified, Stage One Modified divisions featuring Richie Hartman, Jared Davis, Kevin Steele, Tim Carter, Christi Sweigart, Jessie Mohrer, Kim Enck, Doug Rose (Action Track USA co-promoter), Joe "Geezer" Fanelli, Dylan Hoch, Kassidy Kreitz, Dakota Kohler, Chloe Andreas, Amber Britto, William Mohring, B.J. Antonio, Richie Hitzler, Justin Schraden, Ronald Good and more

9 p.m. - Driver Bartending at Applebee's include Richie Hartman, Jared Davis, Kevin Steele, Tim Carter, Christi Sweigart, Jessie Mohrer, Kim Enck, Doug Rose, Joe "Geezer" Fanelli

Wednesday, February 27 - Late Model, Sportsman & Roadrunner/Street Stock Night

7 p.m. - Meet drivers from the Late Model, Sportsman and Roadrunner/Street Stock divisions featuring Paul Kline, Craig Whitmoyer, Jordan Henn, Chuck Schutz, Sammy Schaeffer, Andy Haus, Kyle and Sean Merkel, Wayne Pfiel Jr., Kevin Heckman and more

Thursday, February 28 - Modified Madness Night

7 p.m. - Drivers representing the area's big- and small-block Modified divisions and recognition of Pennsylvania and New Jersey Modified racing at Grandview, Bridgeport and New Egypt speedways featuring Duane Howard, Jeff Strunk, Neal Williams, Ryan Godown, Doug Manmiller, John Willman, Andy Burkhart, Ryan Watt, Brad Arnold, Nate Christman, Ryan Grim, Jordan Umbenhauer, Kyle Weiss, Barry White and more; Meet the new Bridgeport (Keith Hoffman, Danny Serrano and Dave Adams) and New Egypt (Allyse Wolfinger and Mike Mehedin) management teams

9 p.m. - Driver Bartending at Applebee's 5th Street Highway (adjacent to the mall): Ryan Godown, Kyle Weiss, Neal Williams & Doug Manmiller

Friday, March 1 - Salute to the Reading Fairgrounds Speedway & Past and Current Car Owners

6:30 p.m. - Meet drivers from the Reading Fairgrounds Speedway which hosted its final event in 1979 and celebrate car owners of the past and present who keep our favorite drivers on the track

9 p.m. - BASH Racing Party - Temple Fire Company - Tickets are $10 (purchased at the door or at the show apparel table) - Show awards presented including fan vote Best of Show, divisional awards and Don Marks Memorial Contribution to Motorsports Award. Racing films by Gary Silverman of GSP Video and music provided by 'TJ the DJ' T.J. Fitzpatrick

Saturday, March 2 – Show Finale

All Day - 28th annual Curtain Closer - Let's Go Racing!

Alley Model Racing organized by Mike Feltenberger runs throughout the week

R/C Racing by Fast Action Motorsports Entertainment will run throughout the week

- Mall Hours: Sunday 11 a.m-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-9 p.m. -