(Press Release from OTB Promotions)
The North East Street Stock Tour’s inaugural season is set to begin Sunday, May 17, with the Tri-Track Open Modified Series at Lee USA Speedway (NH). A talented crew of officials is hard at work to ensure that the competition is fair and the events run smoothly.
The North East Street Stock Tour (NESST), partnered with Outside the Box (OTB) Promotions, has appointed Bryon Callen to Race Director. With 15 years of experience, Callen has a diverse background, including Starter at Lee USA Speedway, and Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park, as well as Race Director for the Granite State Pro Stock Series.
“With the history of the Limited Sportsman, Hobby, and Strictly Stock divisions throughout the region, I feel the competition level will be strong,” the race operations head predicted.
On the microphone and handling the Tour’s communications, Shawn Sicard believes that the competition will impress the fans: “This type of car provides fender-to-fender racing, cars sliding in the corners, with drivers that are on the wheel, white-knuckling around the track. It’s a win-win for the competitors, and fans. This is grassroots racing at its finest.”
A former racer, Sicard competed in the Tiger Sportsman division at Thunder Road Speedbowl (VT). He is in his fourth season of announcing, beginning his career at Speedway 51 (NH) (formerly Riverside Speedway), and currently has similar responsibilities with the Granite State Pro Stock Series.
NESST Founder, Scott Fanning, has taken on the role of Technical Director. He heads an enthusiastic team on the tech pad, which includes Keith Normand and Matt Carbone. Fanning is a former racer in a Street Stock and Late Model, but most recently in a Limited Sportsman (similar to the NESST car) at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park.
“I get a lot of self-satisfaction working with teams and drivers,” Fanning said. “I’m a racer, always have been, always will be. I want to be on the front line, and see this work, and for my drivers to have fun.”
For Normand, being involved in racing has been a way of life. He grew up watching the legends, Ted Burns and David Robinson, at Riverside Speedway (now Speedway 51), inspiring him to jump under the hood as soon as he was old enough. Eventually, Normand took his turn behind the wheel, earning his own Street Stock Championship in 2012. Now, Normand takes his knowledge behind the fence.
“It’s a new challenge,” expressed Normand. “I’ve always been on the fan and competitor side of the fence. It’ll be fun to be on the official side of things, see what happens behind the scenes, and meet new people who have the same passion for the sport as I do.”
Carbone is also a product of Speedway 51, where he was a two-time champion in the former Strictly Stock division. Carbone has racing in his blood, as his family has raced at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, and his uncle, Bruce, is part of a very successful Super Late Model team at Auburndale Speedway (FL). Carbone is excited to be a part of the series, stating, “I’m looking to earn the respect from the drivers, crews, and other NESST staff as a fair, but to the point, tech official. I’m excited to work with some new people, and learn more about what this sport has to offer.”
Mike Rainville joins the team as Chief Starter. He carries on the family tradition atop the flagstand, as his grandfather, Pete Marshall, is a long-time flagman, serving Speedway 51. Rainville cut his teeth at the same race track, but also spent time with Oxford Plains Speedway, as well as the American-Canadian Tour’s Serie Castrol in Canada, Regarding the North East Street Stock Tour, Rainville says “Street Stock style cars at local tracks put on great shows at tracks all over New England. It’s great to give the guys the opportunity to take that show on the road.”
Another key component to the team, Jenn Ready will be a familiar and welcoming face
to drivers. Ready is the Senior Team Services & Support Manager at OTB Promotions, which will translate into a customer service position for race teams. She started at Seekonk in 1983, learning scoring and handicapping along the way. Her experience also includes work with the Modified Racing Series, Granite State Pro Stock Series, and currently is the Chief of Timing and Scoring at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park, scorer for the Tri-Track Opem Modified Series, and is working with the new ownership at New London-Waterford Speedbowl.
“Race car people are the best people!!” exclaimed Ready. “I love the OTB team, and want to see the NESST be successful. I hope to bring some experience and knowledge to the team, and help make it successful.”
Watch the true stars of the North East Street Stock Tour being the drivers, this group of experienced and talented officials are set to give them the fairest and enjoyable environment possible. The inaugural NESST season begins with non-points event at the Tri-Track Open Modified Series‘ Bullring Bash at Lee USA Speedway (NH) on Sunday, May 17. The championship points season will begin two weeks later on Saturday, May 30.
For more information on the North East Street Stock Tour, visit www.nestreetstocktour.com, on Facebook (N.E. Street Stock Tour), Twitter @NEStreetStock, or on Instagram at NorthEastStreetStockTour.
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