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1/5/2009
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LIQUID LOU ADDS
BOBBY SANTOS III
TO HIS ATLANTIC CITY TEAM |
Lou Cicconi Jr. has a few reasons to be excited about the seventh annual
Gambler’s Classic for TQ Midgets/600 cc Micro Sprints at the Atlantic City
Boardwalk Hall on Jan. 15-17.
In addition to fielding his own car for the prestigious indoor
race, Cicconi of Aston, Pa., will field a car for Bobby Santos III, a
third-generation driver from Franklin, Mass.
“His family is a friend of mind and I found out he was looking for
a ride for the Atlantic City race, so I asked him if he wanted to drive one
of my cars,” Cicconi said.
Santos has competed in events sanctioned by NASCAR, ARCA, USAC,
NEMA, PRA, RoC and QMA.
He most recently won a USAC-sanctioned race at Toyota Speedway in
Irwindale, Calif. This past season, Santos won several NEMA-sanctioned
events throughout the northeast.
Cicconi needs little introduction. His accomplishments read a mile
long with championships in various sanctioning bodies. He captured the 2006
edition of the Gambler’s Classic after a spirited duel with ISMA standout
Joey Payne.
“I enjoy the Atlantic City race,” Cicconi said. “As far as I am
concerned, the competition is second only to the Rumble Series race in Ft.
Wayne, Ind.”
Speaking of the indoor Rumble Series race in Ft. Wayne, Cicconi won
the main event on December 28, beating out NASCAR Sprint Car Series driver
and car owner Tony Stewart.
“My car was excellent in that race,” Cicconi said about his
uniquely-designed Midget car, which was requested to be purchased by
Stewart.
In the Atlantic City race, Cicconi will pilot a potent,
brightly-colored No. 75 car, while Santos will drive a similarly-designed
No. 57.
“Ideally, it would be good if we could finish one-two, but there is
so much competition at Atlantic City,” Cicconi said. “Plus, you never know
what will happen in the race.”
Cicconi knows all about bad luck when it comes to the indoor race.
In 2003, after a thrilling charge from the rear of the field in the
feature, his efforts ended by an unfortunate tangle. He set a track record,
won a preliminary feature but engine problems sidelined him for the main
event in 2004.
Joining the TQ Midgets are the Briggs and Stratton Slingshots
and Senior Champ Carts.
Time trials will be held on January 15 for all divisions. While the
grandstand will not be open to the public, fans with tickets for Friday
and/or Saturday (Jan. 16-17) can obtain a restricted Thursday-only pit pass,
which will allow them access to catch all of the pole-night activities.
Friday's nights event will include qualifying races for all three divisions
and a 25 lap feature event for the TQ Midgets. Saturday night's program is
highlighted by feature events for all three divisions including the 40 lap
Gambler's Classic main event for the TQ Midgets.
Also, lap sponsorship is now being taken for the feature
events. Those wishing to purchase lap sponsorship can do so by contacting
the Area Auto Racing News offices at 609-888-3618.
Tickets for Friday and Saturday night programs are on sale through
Ticketmaster by calling: 1-800-736-1420 or online at:
www.ticketmaster.com.
They'll also be available the day of the event at the Boardwalk Hall box
office.
Gambler’s Classic information is available online at:
www.aarn.com. The Gambler’s Classic is run in conjunction with the huge
Motorsports 2009 Race Car & Trade Show taking place at the Atlantic City
Convention Center on January 16-17. The show offers close to 300,000 square
feet of just about everything imaginable in motorsports along with many
famous racers and personalities signing autographs.
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Source: Ernie
Saxton Communications / Gambler's Classic 2009
Posted: January
5, 2009 |
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