(Press Release from New England Racers’ Auction & Trade Show)
The first annual Dunleavy Truck and Trailer Repair Young Gun Modified Driver Autograph Session has been added to the Sunoco Race Fuels/Hoosier Racing Tire New England Auto Racers Auction and Trade Show Presented by CARQUEST Genden Auto Parts, which is set for Saturday Dec. 2, 2017. The event will take place at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, Mass.
Some of the upcoming talent of the modified community in New England will come together to give fans the opportunity to have a meet and great and collect autographs from 1-2 p.m. The session is for drivers between the ages of 15 and 22 and will include drivers of multiple New England modified touring divisions, including some of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour young guns.
“The future of asphalt modified racing as we know it will be assembled at the show to meet the fans and hopefully help grow the sport,” said Joe Lewandoski, the promoter of the show, who is also a former NASCAR Executive. “The graying of our sport is no joke and we need a youth movement to attract those race fans from 16 to 32.”
The list of drivers is quickly filling up, with more than 10 already committed. Names like Troy Talman, Ronnie Williams and Stafford Motor Speedway SK Modified points leader Chase Dowling are among some of the drivers that will sign on December 2.
“It’s good for us to get out there and do this for the fans,” Dowling said. “We don’t really have time when we are at the race track to interact with the fans, other than the small autograph sessions we have. This gives more time for the fans to hold a conversation with us as the drivers. It’s a good deal. Since we are young, the people that are going to be there will see us now and then hopefully see us grow through the ranks.”
Other names for the autograph session include Blake Barney, Andrew Molleur, Matt Swanson, Tyler Rypkema and Dillon Steuer — who was the winner of the Islip 300 at Riverhead Raceway back in May of 2017. Many of these drivers have had the opportunity to compete in the likes of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, Modified Touring Series, Valenti Modified Racing Series and SK Modifieds across New England.
Doug Dunleavy, the owner of Dunleavy Truck and Trailer Repair, which is based in Brookfield, Conn., has jumped on board to help sponsor the autograph session for the fans.
“It’s really important for the future of modified racing,” Dunleavy said. “The interest this past year has been enormous. We have been getting younger people involved. The door is open now and it’s hot for these young drivers. These guys in the SK Light Modifieds and modifieds in general definitely help the youth movement. The younger kids dream is to drive a modified.”
Lewandoski is hoping that the show becomes a success with plenty of fans and vendors set to pack the MassMutual Center come December.
“Our show is missing the word fan in the title, but the fans are certainly welcome and that is one of the reasons for the Ryan Preece bobblehead promo,” Lewandoski said. “The first 350 people will get a free bobblehead, and they will also be able to be a part of this autograph session.”
This autograph session is just one of many events that will be held at the MassMutual Center in Springfield when December comes around. There will be free parking for those attending and admission is just $10.00 for adults. Children under the age of 12 will be admitted to the event for free. It is scheduled to run from 9 a.m. to approximately 7:00 p.m. More detailed information can be found on the web by visiting neracersauction.com
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