Northeast Motorsports Expo kicks off Maine racing season
Staff Report
AUGUSTA — The 26th annual Northeast Motorsports Expo gets under way at the Augusta Civic Center Jan. 10-12, where hundreds of auto racing fans can meet some of favorite drivers and get a preview of the upcoming season.
Speedway 95 drivers who are scheduled to attend include Ted Ryder of Carmel, the defending Sport Four division champion; Late Model driver John Curtis of Hermon, who finished sixth in last year’s point standings; Sportsman division driver Emma Libby of Glenburn, Street Stock competitor Chuck Hall of Milbridge and Alexis Roach of Brewer, who returns to the entry-level Stars of Tomorrow class.
The Hermon track will also have a display at Bangor Mall March 28-30 and opens for the season on Saturday, April 19.
In addition to Speedway 95, Spud Speedway in Caribou, Beech Ridge Motor Speedway in Caribou, Oxford Plains Speedway and Wiscasset Raceway will have displays at the expo along with Winterport Dragway and two kart racing ovals: Richmond Raceway and Thundering Valley Raceway in St. Albans.
Fantasy Speedway, a members-only dirt track in Unity Plantation featuring vintage auto racing, will also be at the show.
Unity Raceway’s status for 2014 is still up in the air as promoter Jere Humphrey of Washburn announced that he won’t return this year. Humphrey originally planned to lease the track for two years, but decided to step down after the last race of the 2013 season. Track owners Ralph and Nancy Nason are reportedly still looking for someone to run the facility this year.
New Hampshire International Speedway, Lee USA and Star Speedway from the Granite State will return to the expo this season along with the regional Pro All-Star Series (PASS), Northeast Mini-Stock Tour, the NELCAR Legends, Wicked Good Vintage Racing Association and Maine Vintage Race Car Association. The Owl’s Head Transportation Museum is also participating in the expo this year.
There will also be a pit crew challenge with a $500 first-place award, a sponsorship seminar, driver of the year awards in several categories and spotters’ seminar.
Hours, schedule of events and admission prices are posted at http://northeastmotorsportsexpo.net.