Great payout and perks has made RoC Modified Icebreaker a big hit
	Date: 3/7/2013 10:50:55 PM
	Great payout and perks has made RoC Modified Icebreaker a big hit By Dino Oberto …. “Keeping Track” The Race of Champions (RoC) Dirt Modified Tour is set to begin its 2013 season March 15-16 with the Icebreaker VI at Selinsgrove Speedway. This will mark the sixth straight year that the RoC Tour has opened at the Snyder County ½-mile oval and it has been a smash hit from day one. With the exception of those who may have raced last month in Florida during Speedweeks, the Icebreaker is the first opportunity for the majority of Modified stalwarts to get on track. Without question Selinsgrove is at the forefront when it comes to Sprint and Late Model action, however, this once a year affair for big and small block Modifieds continues to bring out the best in the business. It offers a very good winners share and plenty of additional extras. Much of the credit goes to event promoter Joe Kaminski who has succeeded in having the pits jammed and grandstands brimming thanks to his enthusiastic hands on approach. “I’m just as excited as I was for the first one. Every year we’ve had great turnouts, fan and car count-wise. You could say I’m the proverbial kid in the candy store,” said Kaminski who is also serves at the Selinsgrove Race Director. “It’s a big home run of the year as far as getting the cars (to the track) because everyone wants to get out with there for the first time of the season.” The Icebreaker will again kickoff with a 25-lap Friday night feature for the small block Mods and pay $2500 to win, up $300 from last year. Saturday’s action will be for the big block cars which will cover a 40-lap distance. The race winner will earn $1000 more than a year ago as $5000 awaits the lucky victor. “We are getting guys that will be coming in from Delaware, (New) Jersey, New York and of course the eastern Pa. gang. It’s just a great melting pot,” said Kaminski. “Over the years you hear whisperings that Modifieds are stuck in the same time zone basically with the body styles and this and that. What people forget is that they have a great following especially around this region.” While the first place take is quite attractive, there are numerous incentives throughout the field in both races as Kaminski does impeccable work to garner as many sponsors as possible to make this show worthwhile for all entrants. “That’s why I try to dig to get more sponsorship for as many of the drivers as I can and not just the winner. We spread it back in all different ways. It’s all little symbolisms along the line. I want the guys in maybe 10th place or 14th place or the last guy to qualify to get something,” he explained. “Even days leading up to the race I don’t quit, whatever little bit is good. It could be $50 right up to and over $1000. It’s what I strive to do to try and get anything I can. I’m lucky too that I’ve had sponsors with me from day one and they keep coming back,” he continued. “It all works hand-in-hand and that’s what I’m about. I want to do good for our speedway and for the sport.” This year the Alexander Family Dealerships have signed on to become the title sponsor and will take on the name of “Blaise Alexander Family Dealerships RoC Icebreaker Weekend.” For the loyalists of big block dirt Modified racing, they know that the biggest race of the season takes place each October in Syracuse on the one mile oval during Super Dirt Week. To win there carries a lifetime of prestige and at the Selinsgrove RoC event most all of the current day stars, including a number of past Syracuse winners, will be on hand. “Two years ago on the parade lap someone came up to me and said, ‘Do you realize looking out at that field you have 25-plus cars and over half of them are Syracuse winners?’ recalled Kaminski. “That’s a gauge which is pretty amazing because Syracuse is so prestigious and it always has been when it comes to Modifieds. When you have so many of those winners from there in our field, that’s pretty cool.” The Friday small block show was added four years ago and brings together most of the regulars from Grandview and Big Diamond Speedways with an added blend of New York hot-shoes. It is a great opportunity for them to flex some muscle too as Selinsgrove is one of the bigger tracks that drivers from that class will race on. “Right now I would say it’s been balanced. We’ve had four races so far and Pat Ward from New York won twice and then we had our Grandview/Big Diamond guys Jeff Struck and Duane Howard take wins so it’s even between the New York and Pennsylvania guys. When you look at the roster you have such a solid mix from both those areas where the Modifieds are a hotbed,” said Kaminski. Friday’s racing begins at 7:30 and on Saturday at 4:30. In the event of rain the makeup will be held on Sunday, March 17.