05/2/2007

ARE YOU READY FOR THE THUNDER?
WHELEN MODIFIED TOUR RETURNS TO NEW JERSEY.
WALL TOWNSHIP SPEEDWAY PRESENTS "THE THUNDER AT THE SHORE" WEEKEND
SATURDAY MAY 5TH, AND SUNDAY MAY 6TH.

    Wall Township Speedway in Wall Township, N.J. is proud to present the first "Thunder At The Shore" weekend, Saturday May 5th, and Sunday May 6th.
    Saturday night, May 5th, starting at 6PM will be Wall's regular Whelen All American Series divisions, WTS Modifieds, RMP MAD Division in 2 features, the rained out race from April 28th, and the regular scheduled feature. The Value Towing Factory Stocks in a 40 lap feature, and the WTS Sportsman, and INEX Legend division.
    Then, on Sunday, May 6th, Wall Township Speedway proudly welcomes back the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, and will hosting the first ever NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour "Flash Race". The Whelen All American Series Street Stocks and the ATQMRA TQ Midgets will also be competing.
    This will be the first ever "Flash Race" format held, which consists of two 50 lap heat races for the Whelen Modified Tour (WMT) modifieds and a 50 lap feature for the Tour mods. The drivers will draw for their qualifying race starting positions, and then compete for one of the 31 starting spots (26 from heats, 5 provisionals).
    We had the chance to speak with Jamie Tomaino, driver this Sunday of the Woody's Tavern 99, who has competed at every WMT event since the series started in 1985, and started his career at Wall in 1974. Also, the most recent WMT winner, Donny Lia, who won Sunday, April 29th at Stafford's "Spring Sizzler", in Connecticut, driving for the legendary Bob Gabarino in the Mystic River Marina 4. Thanks to Jamie and Donny for taking time from their busy schedules to give us a few comments on this weekend's race..

Jamie Tomaino's comments:

Wall Township Speedway: Jamie, you have 28 wins at Wall in tour type mods, what is your most memorable win at Wall?
Jamie Tomaino: "I would have to say winning Turkey Derby, 1981, in Howard Harvey's 09. It was a wild day. I was in the heat when Vinnie Green had his horrific flip on the backstraight. I made a move to avoid Vinnie's 44 car while it was still flipping in the air, and his engine landed on my car! So then I had to run the Consi and just got past Reggie Ruggiero in Mario Fiore's 44 at the finish line to qualify. Then, I started almost last, and got in a skirmish with Mark Engle and Tony Hirschman, and got a lap down. When we restarted I was second in line, a lap down to leader Richie Evans, and John Blewett Jr was in 2nd, but behind me. Richie got a flat, I got my lap back and was able to come back through the whole field and pass John Jr. for the lead with a few laps to go, and win the Turkey Derby."
WTS: What are your hopes for the May 6th race at Wall?
Jamie: "I just hope for a clean race and a top 5, I would love to do well for all the fans at Wall who have supported me for so many years."
WTS: Who will be your main competition for the win?
Jamie: "Who else, the Blewett Brothers, they are awesome at Wall. There are a few others who will be strong, but the Blewett's will be tough to beat."
WTS: What do you think about the new "Flash Race" format?
Jamie: "I think it could be a good thing for the fans, I just wish NASCAR had spoken to the teams more before letting us know that's the direction they were heading."

Donny Lia's comments:

WTS: You have run Wall a few times in the Turkey Derby, what's your best finish?
Donny Lia: "I finished 2nd to John Blewett III in 2004, I like Wall a lot, it's a cool track."
WTS: What are your hopes for the May 6th race at Wall?
Donny: "I feel we will unload with a competitive car right off the truck. I think I have a good feel for Wall. Hoosier has a new right rear tire we have been running and I think it will help the lap times and make for more side by side racing at Wall."
WTS: Who will be your main competition for the win?
Donny: " Jimmy and John Blewett"
WTS: What do you think about the new "Flash Race" format?
Donny: " I wish there were more laps of racing, but we'll see how it goes."

    Wall Township Speedway's "The Thunder At the Shore" starts Saturday, May 5th. Gates open at 4PM, first race at 6PM.
    Sunday May 6th. Pit gates open at 8AM, first race at 11:30 AM. WMT first heat scheduled to start at 1PM.
    All times are subject to change.

Whelen Modified Tour Entries as of 5-1-07

94  Eric Beers
66  John Blewett III
28  James Civali
33  Wade Cole
90  Renee Dupuis
31  Tony Ferrante Jr.
10  Eddie Flemke Jr.
58  Kevin Goodale
09  Bobby Grigas III
05  Joe Hartman
59  Matt Hirschman
48  Tony Hirschman
79  Chuck Hossfeld
46  Dick Houlihan
 4   Donny Lia
 9   Jake Marosz
00  Jerry Marquis
 5   Chris Pasteryak
06  Billy Pauch, Jr.
93  Rowan Pennick
40  Ryan Preece
14  Reggie Ruggiero
 0   Danny Sammons
 3   Bobby Santos III
21  Richard Savary
19  Ronnie Silk
16  Mike Stefanik
 1   Robert Summers Jr.
77  Zach Sylvester
99  Jamie Tomaino
 8   Glen Tyler
11  Anthony Sesely
12  Jimmy Blewett
 6   Ron Yuhas, Jr.
 2   Todd Szegedy
36  Ted Christopher
45  Ken Woolley Jr.
41  Shannon Mongeau

    We hope you will join us for "The Thunder at The Shore" weekend, May 5th and 6th, and share a moment in history with us!
    Located on Rt 34 in Wall, N.J. Wall Township Speedway hosts The NASCAR® Whelen All American Series every Saturday night from April to October. "Come Feel The Thunder!"
    For more information call the track at 732-681-6400 or check out our website http://www.wallspeedway.com for the latest information.

Source: Mike Clayton/Wall Township Speedway PR
Posted:  May 2, 2007