Chris Economaki honored at New Jersey Motorsports Park

Chris Economaki Honored in his Home State as Huge Turnout Witnessed Inaugural RoadMods at NJMP
Historic Dirt Modified Race a Rousing Success

Millville NJ (June 20, 2010) No sooner than New Jersey's very own Chris Economaki gave the command to start engines for the RoadMods Battle of the Dirt Cars, NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Champion Ted Christopher challenged the Big-block Dirt modified hot shoes Sunday in the inaugural RoadMods Fast 50 on New Jersey Motorsports Park's lightning fast 2.25 Thunderbolt Raceway and brought his Team Bartemy, Bobby Hearn built TEO speedster home first to claim $5000 plus the $2000 small-block-to-win bonus. Starting in 2nd place, Christopher soon wrested the lead from pole sitter Mike Iles to gradually build up to a nine second lead at the checkered flag. On the victory podium, the jubilant winner proclaimed, "Bringing this brand new Bobby Hearn TEO car home to victory in this historic race is really fantastic."

Just before giving the command to start engines, Chris Economaki addressed the huge crowd as he spoke from his NJMP golf kart parked right next to the 3-story "Chris Economaki Timing Tower and Media Center," dedicated in his honor in August, 2008. "Ye Ed" of National Speed Sport News proclaimed "I am most honored and proud to be here at this world class motorsports facility in my home state of New Jersey. This park has put New Jersey back on the international motorsports map and the folks here have done quite a job in building and running this operation."

New Egypt Speedway's David Vanhorn brought his beautiful yellow and red #71 Big-block into a well deserved 2nd place. Young Tommy Beamer of Williamstown in his blue and white liveried #31 Small-block dogged legendary racer Billy "The Kid" Pauch for most of the race and finally got past him with a bold move going into the first corner on the last lap. According to Beamer, "We are delighted to run so well in this inaugural event and look forward to coming back on ARCA Weekend, August 14-15. I really think we had an edge on the big-blocks with our lighter weight getting us through the tighter corners faster and giving us better wear on the tires."

The race went "clean and green" with minimal local cautions according to track official Donald Fauerbach. "A quality field of racers put on quite a show. New Jersey Motorsports Park has broken ground on a brand new chapter in motor racing history. We are delighted at the huge turnout of fans for this event. It serves to confirm our belief that we could significantly broaden our guest base by providing for the needs of our many dyed-in-the-wool circle track race fans throughout the region."

Race organizer Wayne Weaver, largely credited as the man behind the effort to run dirt modifieds on the road course at NJMP, gave huge credit to Title Race Sponsors Sal DeBruno of Burlington County - South Jersey Overhead Door; Jim Potts of MidState Communications; and Vince Archetto of Thunderbolt & Archetto Construction. Weaver stated that "we could not have made this historic event happen without the support and generosity of Sal, Jimmy, and Vince as our major sponsors, plus the 12 presenting sponsor companies, and on top of that, we owe tremendous thanks to the many volunteers from the modifieds community from our region, Area Auto Racing News and their entire team, race director Ray McCabe, his staff, and of course the many members of the NJMP Green Flag Committee under the leadership of Co-Chairperson Dan Rieck."

A Two Hour Enduro for StreetMods closed out the day with an eclectic field of close to thirty racers-dirt and asphalt oval-track street stocks thrashing it out with a diverse assemblage of production street cars, sports cars and road racers. Vinnie Green and his Co-Driver Will Buff completed 49 laps for the win in their Chevy Caprice, as Spider Ensinger came home second in his Chevy Monte Carlo. According to Enduro organizing committee member Bill Buff, "We had a good field of cars and a competitive race with lots of passing. Certainly we will be back; we had a great time!"

The Garden State Vintage Stock Car Club fielded a large display of beautifully restored and crafted racers of the 1940-1980s with many of the members taking their speedsters on track for a very exciting demonstration race. GSVSCC member Tom Holding, driving a spot on replica of legendary driver Elton Hildreth's black and orange 16J, commented, "To be part of this event today is really terrific! It is truly a validation of dirt track racing as an evolving form of motor sports that will continue to build its fan base by adapting to such a magnificent venue as New Jersey Motorsports Park."

To purchase tickets for NJMP events, please visit www.njmp.com or call 856-327-7217. Children 12 and under are admitted free to every spectator event at New Jersey Motorsports Park.

-source: njmp