PMRA Pro Modified teams looking forward to Leicester stop on Tour

“It’s a great place to race”

LEICESTER, NEW YORK (May 30, 2008) – Teams in the Pro Modified Racing Association presented by Torco Racing Fuels Ontario are looking forward to competing in the First Annual PMRA Challenge presented by Vito Antonicelli Race Cars at New York International Raceway Park in Leicester, New York on Saturday, June 7.

This is a new venue for the PMRA, and will be the second stop on the 2008 tour.

“We’ve raced there on and off for 35 years or more,” said Joe Caruso of Rochester, New York, crew chief and part owner of the Midlife Crisis 1994 Corvette Pro Modified. “It’s a good track. It must have the largest shutdown area of any track in the area.”

Caruso added he has been able to get some of the best performance at NYIRP.

“I’ve run all over the country,” he said. “I’ve gotten my best 60-foot times at that track.”

Another PMRA racer who is familiar with the facility is Mike Guenther, owner of the Guenther Racing 1941 Willys from Livonia, New York.

“Leicester is only 10 minutes away for me,” said Guenther. “I’m very familiar with the track. I’ve raced on it since 1970.”

Guenther went on to say the new owners are very accommodating, and have helped out his team for testing purposes.

“Vito and Sylvia (Antonicelli) are great people,” he said. “They really care about the racers.”

Guenther added the track, situated south of Rochester, is “a great place to race. The surface and traction are real good.”

Opened in 1970, New York International Raceway Park is just south of Rochester, and has been known as Motor City Raceway and Dragway 36. It is an IHRA sanctioned facility and was home to the IHRA’s Empire Nationals.

There will be three qualifying sessions on Saturday, June 7 at 3:00 p.m., 4:15 p.m., and 5:30 p.m. followed by Eliminations for the top eight qualifiers starting at 7:30 p.m.

The PMRA will compete at several drag strips in 2008. There are two dates at Toronto Motorsports Park in Cayuga, Ontario, June 28 and a date to be rescheduled. At New York International Raceway Park June 7 in New York State, then Dunn Tire Raceway Park July 26, also in New York State. An event is scheduled at the Sanair facility in Quebec August 16, and the season-closer will be held at the Southwestern Ontario track of the Grand Bend Motorplex August 30 and 31.