Souza Media: A large field of Modifieds is expected when the Tri Track Open Modified Series presented by All Phases Renovations rolls to Star Speedway this Saturday, May 22. Race two of six in the Tri Track season brings competitors to one of New Hampshire’s most difficult ovals — a place that has seen a mix of veterans and rising stars go to Victory Lane in Tri Track competition.
Saturday’s Prelude To SBM X 100-lap contest is the first of two Tri Track races at the oval in 2021. The second event will be the prestigious SBM X on Saturday, July 24.
The entry list is stacked with drivers who plan on chasing the $6,000 winning prize, as part of a purse that rises over $40,000. Matt Hirschman, who is a multiple-time Star winner, leads the list in his quest for a sixth Tri Track championship this year. He’s joined by Monadnock winner Sam Rameau — who leads the early standings — Ron Silk, Justin Bonsignore, Jon McKennedy, Les Hinckley, Ronnie Williams, Woody Pitkat, Chase Dowling, Chris Pasteryak, Anthony Nocella and more. As of Thursday, May 20, more than 30 cars have already pre-ordered their Hoosier Racing tires.
Off a strong run at Monadnock, Rameau looks to open the season with back-to-back wins driving the family-owned No. 06.
“Star is a fun track but we need some work there,” Rameau said. “We need to improve. The last time we went there we went in blindfolded… but my crew chief Russ Hersey has plenty of experience there, so we’re looking forward to going back. I want to win the Tri Track championship this year. Even if it doesn’t go our way on Saturday, we need every position and every point possible.”
Hirschman looks to notch his first win of the year at a track where he is comfortable, while Hinckley and Bonsignore look for their first career Tri Track checkered flags. The list of talent continues to rise in the competitive series.
The Star 100 will also mark the third race of the season for the Call 811 Before You Dig Modified Challenge — a separate championship that is a combination between the six Tri Track events and the four Stafford Motor Speedway Open Modified shows. Drivers earn points to finish inside the top-10, with 10 to the winner, 9 for second, etc. The driver with the highest total between the 10 events is the winner. Currently, NASCAR Cup Series star Ryan Preece leads the standings by one point over Sam Rameau, MIke Christopher Jr., and Anthony Nocella, who are all tied for second.
Four different contingency awards are on the line for competitors to chase during the day. As part of the Pepsi Challenge, drivers that win a heat or consi race will receive a $300 bonus. Courtesy of Jerico Performance Products, the driver who posts the fastest lap in each feature race will receive a $300 bonus. Green Construction Management LLC has also posted a Hard Charger award, worth $500 to the driver that advances the most positions during the race. And finally, for the Star event only, Rameau Family Motorsports has posted a $500 award to the sixth-place finisher in the feature event.
The schedule for race day includes just one practice session from 11:50-12:50 p.m. for teams to dial in their rides. Heat races are expected to begin at 2:30 p.m., with the feature to follow. The Star Speedway Late Models, Street Stocks, Six Shooters and Slingshots are also scheduled to compete.
Tickets are $25 for adults in general admission, with seniors and juniors (11-16) set at $20. Kids 10 and under are free into the grandstands. For those who can’t make it to the track, the race will air live on Speed51.TV.