Northeast Region report 2001-08-28

Vern Bliss Adds Victory To Lead Northeast Region Of Nascar Weekly Racing Series

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (August 28, 2001) - Vern Bliss of Arcade, N.Y., added to his lead in the Competition Performance Index (CPI) standings in the Northeast Region of the NASCAR Weekly Racing Series with another victory this past Saturday. Bliss, who competes in the Late Model Pro Stock division at Holland (N.Y.) International Speedway, scored his eighth trip to victory lane in 16 starts. Bliss has accumulated 14 top-five and 16 top-ten finishes at the high-banked .375-mile oval.

Keith Hoffman of Whitehall, Pa., remains second in the regional standings. Hoffman, who competes in the dirt Modified division at Big Diamond Raceway in Minersville, Pa., collected his third win of the season this past Friday. Hoffman has 13 top-five and 15 top-ten finishes in 16 starts at the .375-mile dirt oval.

J.R. Kent of Horseheads, N.Y., has jumped to third in the region. Kent, who competes in the Modified division at Chemung (N.Y.) Speedrome, scored his seventh victory of the season this past weekend at the .333-mile oval.

Kent has earned 13 top-five and 16 top-ten finishes in 17 starts. Mark Cottone of McKeesport, Pa., Motordrome Speedway in Smithton, Pa.; Todd Patnode of West Swazney, N.H., Monadnock Speedway in Winchester, N.H.; Neil Brown of Acme, Pa., Jennerstown (Pa.) Speedway; Rick Groetsch of North Ridgeville, Ohio, Lorain County Speedway in Amherst, Ohio; John Fortin of Holtsville, N.Y., Riverhead (N.Y.) Raceway and Chris Finocchario of East Rochester, N.Y., Spencer Speedway in Williamson, N.Y., round out the top nine in the first tier of the Competition Performance Index (CPI) standings in the NASCAR Weekly Racing Series Northeast Region.

BIG DIAMOND PREVIEW

Although both Keith Hoffman and Duane Howard are in a very strong position to contend for the regional championship, it appears that the driver that takes the Big Diamond championship will not be able to win the championship as the track currently will only complete 17 of the required 18 point races this year. In fact the Big Diamond champion could fall as deep as fourth or fifth in the region.

The track realizes the problem and is seeking sponsor support to permit a race to be run on September 14. But currently no sponsor has been secured and the drivers in position to loose the most from this do not really seem to be concerned.

Estimates show regional champions are in line to take home as much as $41,900. That compares to estimates of $21,350 for second, $15,400 for third, $9,900 for fourth and $7,900 for fifth. A final decision on a possible September 14th race must be made by this Friday night, August 31. Otherwise, the September 7th date (or it's rain date if needed) is the final race of the season at Big Diamond.)

The regional champions will be decided following the conclusion of the NASCAR Weekly Racing Series season on September 16. The NASCAR Weekly Racing Series national championship will then be determined by a ranking of the regional champions using the Competition Performance Index (CPI). The top-50 drivers as rated by the NASCAR Weekly Racing Series CPI in the Northeast Region for the week of August 27 follow.

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