Brian Pack Memorial [Archive]

rtmfan

08-10-2009, 08:51 AM

4 weeks until Brian Pack Memorial asa modified race, should be a good one!!

rtmfan

08-24-2009, 10:15 AM

2 weeks until Brian Pack memorial race, hope it still happens as the ASA southern modified tour has cancelled several races lately though. But I think this race will be successful and I had my doubts when they were going to run at Motor Mile on Friday night of Bristol.

BigO

08-27-2009, 09:31 PM

I am truly hoping that they have a successful race on Labor Day as well. There's nothing for it to conflict with I can find, and with those that run at Bowman Gray available, we can hope it has a good car count.

Actually, has anyone seen an entry list yet?

NCMudcat

08-28-2009, 08:48 PM

Is the race a go? Two races have been cancelled this summer.

BigO

08-30-2009, 03:03 PM

Both the Ace Speedway and ASA Southern Modified Race Tour websites still have them listed, but there is only a blank on the ASA website under "Entry List". Ace Speedway has also added kid's bike races to that night.

AlkyMadness

08-30-2009, 10:24 PM

I'm not going to stay home for this one. ASA's Southern Mod Tour isn't doing too well (and after the March race at Orange County, I thought they'd have a great year).

I hope this race happens and it's a good one. Brian Pack deserves to have a great memorial event. If I owned Ace and the ASA bailed on me, I'd run the race without a sanction (if that would be possible).

BigO

08-30-2009, 11:23 PM

I hope this race happens and it's a good one. Brian Pack deserves to have a great memorial event. If I owned Ace and the ASA bailed on me, I'd run the race without a sanction (if that would be possible).

I agree fully with Brian Pack deserving a great memorial event, along with the memorial ride that the BGS Women's Auxillery puts on.

You brought up a point that I was afraid to mention, though. The ASA looks to be having issues right now, or at least with cancellations on by the ASA Southeast Asphalt Tour and Southern Mod Race Tour, which has drug down ISCARS Dash as well. As for Ace running it outlaw, well, I don't know if they can back it like it should.

Is there anybody in the know who can fill us in?

AlkyMadness

08-31-2009, 12:21 AM

BigO

08-31-2009, 12:36 AM

I don't know if the ASA Southeast Asphalt Tour is the same ASA that the Southern Mods are hooked up with.

I went to Concord Saturday night and watched the ASA late model tour and they put on a great show (only had 16 cars, but it was a good race; also, it only cost $10 with a website coupon). This is the division run by Bob Varney.

There are so many ASA branded items out there that it gets confusing.

You're right, AlkyMadness, after the breakup, things got really confused on who had what. The way I understand it, the late model series you saw is not connected with the main ASA sanctioning body. He just got to use the name, as he had been under their sanction before things went wrong the first time. The ASA SAT, SMRT, and Member Track Program are all under the same banner. They sanction ISCARS Dash as well, but that series pretty much runs itself like when the Rolling Thunder Mods were under ASA sanction. Like I said, that's how I understand it. How many details are exact, I can't tell you.

So, who's in the know on this?

NC_Announcer

08-31-2009, 02:03 AM

I am the series announcer for the ASA Southern modified Race tour and ACE Speedway and i promise all of you fans and drivers it will happen..The ASA Southern Modified race tour have cut other races cause we want this one to be a big sucess as well as the one at Lowe's Motor Speedway on Thursday night Oct.15 after the NASCAR Sprint cup Series Qualifys for the NASCAR Banking 500 on Bojangle's Pole Night.. TOO answer your question the ASA Late Model Series is not affialiated with ASA Racing ..There was a big lawsuit in court over it early on in the year before racing started and the courts let Ron Varney keep the ASA name but had to change the logo cause they could not use the ASA Racing logo anymore because again they are not affiliated with ASA Racing. go to www.asalatemodels.com (http://www.asalatemodels.com) and see that their logo is different then the one on www.southermodtour.net (http://www.southermodtour.net) which is sanctioned by ASA Racing. Also it is extremely very hard to have modified races with Bowman Gray opened during the year!! Come out it will happen and it will be an awesome event promise!! Labor day Monday september 7th and also Bike races for the KIDS and a HUGE FIREWORKS display!!! Hope that helps clear things up on that!!:check_flag:

rtmfan

08-31-2009, 07:03 AM

Hope everybody comes out on labor day and supports this awesome race! Last year was great and yes the ASA southern modified tour has had some hiccups this year with schedule etc. but look at many of the tours struggling now in this economy. Randy Myers is giving it his all and it was hard during the summer to run against the stadium. I will be there supporting the tour and also on pole night at Lowes, should be awesome!!

AlkyMadness

08-31-2009, 06:47 PM

Sorry, but I don't buy the line that you can't run against Bowman Gray. If you look at their point standings for 2009, it appears they only had 12-13 drivers that actually ran most of the races. That's out of 32 drivers total. That means there are about 20 drivers who are NOT supporting BGS every week (probably due to the incredibly poor purses).

Now, who else isn't on that list that manages to run NASCAR Whelen Southern Mod shows? That would be Brian Loftin, George Brunnhoezl, Andy Seuss, LW Miller, John Smith, Buddy Emory, Josh Nichols, Rich Kuiken, Jay Mize, Jim Willis, and Frank Fleming (these names are pulled from the last NWSMT show at Caraway, so they are currently racing in this area). Add in people like Brian King, Jay Foley, Danny Bohn, Scott Rigney, Darrell Krentz and Greg Butcher (plus any stray Northern drivers that might want to come down).

Add all of this up and that's about 37 mods that complete in this area that DO NOT support BGS on a regular basis.

So, what is really the problem? I don't think it's purses because the few ASA SMT shows I've checked had purses competitive with other shows in the area (and definitely better than BGS).

My guess is, someone (NASCAR maybe?) doesn't want the ASA SMT to succeed and they are strong arming the teams to not show up or enter ASA SMT events. Much like the old back room wars in super late model when the All Pro series was going and Hooters came on board with their awesome SLM show.

If it isn't that, then it's personalities. Or, the purses are not being paid.

All I know is I'm tired of hearing that you can't compete with BGS. 10-15 years ago, that was probably true, but not anymore, not with the number of teams out there.

As far as tours struggling across the country, let's clarify that. Asphalt tours are struggling. I don't see many dirt tours struggling. I go to dirt tracks and the crowds are strong and the car counts are equally good. I go to paved tracks and things look depressed. Lots of empty seats and there's no danger of not making the show. Perhaps the asphalt series need to look at how their dirt cousins operate. Maybe NASCAR has alienated so many people that even the hint of resemblance turns people off.

Again, I hope this show is a success, but, if plans go accordingly, I'll be at Winchester Speedway in Indiana for the World Stock Car Festival with CRA Super Series and USA Mods.

BigO

08-31-2009, 10:26 PM

First off, thank you to NC_Announcer. It's great to hear from someone with the series that things are a go, especially when two of the first four news articles on the ASA SMRT webpage are about other events being canceled. Thanks for clearing up some of the fog around the ASA as well.

I am all for the Brian Pack Memorial, and hope we have a great turn out of cars and fans for it.

Alkymadness, I agree with your reasoning, but disagree with your conclusions. Bowman Gray Stadium has been and will be the elephant in the room for most any track or series in the Piedmont region. To be honest, it's just going to get worse, since it comes down to sponsors and not purses.

BGS puts upwards of 10,000 (or more, capacity is 17,000) fans in their stands each Saturday night, and that is what sponsors want to see. Add that to the upcoming reality TV series, and the benefits of sponsoring cars at BGS is much greater in comparison to the ASA SMRT, NA$CAR WSMT, or most any other track. I know of one team that runs both Sportsman at BGS and late models on the UARA and other tracks around, and it was BGS that the sponsors were interested in. Actually, that pretty much paid for their other forays. On the mod end of things, one prominant sponsor could only afford to have a limited schedule compared to what they usually do - so they ended up at BGS.

I am not going to say other tracks or series cannot compete against them. 311 Fastrack is coming around nicely with the new track management, and other tracks around us are having great success (Motor Mile Speedway and South Boston come to mind). They are putting oranges up against apples, and people pick the flavor they like that's nearest to them. Put apples against apples in the same area, and the shiniest apple is going to win.

rtmfan

09-01-2009, 07:22 AM

I dont know if I would go by what nc annoucer is saying as the race at lowes has been canceled.

telemike

09-01-2009, 02:04 PM

ASA has announced that, due to internal problems, they will not run Labor Day, September 7th…so, Ace Speedway is going to feature an amazing “Run What You Brung” feature for all classes! We’re inviting cars from all tracks in all classes for what is sure to be rip roaring excitement!
Plus - Fireworks! Kids Bike Racing! Kids ride alongs in our race cars and more!!
All tickets are now only $5 with kids ages 5 and under free. Pit Gates open at 1pm, Grandstand Gates open at 4PM and racing starts at 6PM.

AlkyMadness

09-01-2009, 05:22 PM

Well, didn't take long for that to drop. I figured by Wednesday the race would be called.

There is a story on Speed51. I wish Myers would just come out and say what the problem is. We can all speculate.

Bottom-line: Ace is left holding the bag and it's too late to really pull something together for this weekend. Also, can't help but feel the Pack family has been let down.

And here my plans had changed and I was going to be in town. Figured I'd go. Guess I can go to the SASEast race at Travelers Rest that night.

NC_Announcer

09-01-2009, 06:43 PM

Fans i have been busy all day preparing my things together for the Chase of the Carolina Clash Cup. I am addressed of the situation now and will have a press relase from Randy Myers to put on here for the many reasons for the tour too cancel the rest of the 2009 season. I will say that Randy stated to me we are not a deadstick premanately we plan to regroup again for 2010 again all coming in the release when I get it also I am sorry for giving you all false hope, I am just the Announcer and when I called him last Friday he said everything was still a go. Thats why I posted what i did. It's not that I don't know what I'm talking about or giving false information. I announce full time and have 100 things going on all the time. I am very sad for all the fans and to the Brian Pack family and fans remember a memorial race is something that can be done elsewhere if you want too but as the ASA Modified Announcer I remember him at every modified event I ever watch or call!! A note to think also the SK Modifieds will be at ACE on Monday night. What if something was done in tribute for the Brian Pack family for thats just an idea or making the whole event the 2nd Annual Brian Pack Memorial Labor Day Night where the whole night is in honor of Brian Pack. I can help make it happen if there is an interest to do it!! Remember again the September 7th Monday Labor Day race and HUGE FIREWORKS DISPLAY is still on with All Classes running and just $5 to get in the gate at ACE Speedway go to www.acespeedway.com (http://www.acespeedway.com) for all the details!!

Wesley Outland
919-262-5660

telemike

09-01-2009, 06:52 PM

http://acespeedway.com/labordaydrivers.png

NC_Announcer

09-01-2009, 07:11 PM

As I posted and guaranteed earlier even though i hate to share this SAD news to all modified racing fans heres the Official Press Release from ASA Southern Modified Race Tour Promoter Randy Myers himself..

Post Office Box 1652 – King, NC 27021 336-972-4362

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

2009 ASA SOUTHERN MODIFIED RACE TOUR TO END EARLY

(King, NC) – Officials with the American Speed Association (ASA) sanctioned Southern Modified Race Tour (SMRT) has announced they have concluded their 2009 season earlier than scheduled. The series which features open wheel Modifieds and competes in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia, had to make the tough decision after a challenging season for all.

“It is with much regret that we end the 2009 season early,” said SMRT director Randy Myers. “When we started putting the 2009 season together, we knew we would be facing an uphill challenge with the current economic situations just like everyone else in the short track racing business. We put our best foot forward and did the most we could this season, just like our teams did as well.”

“We have a dedicated group of racers in our series,” Myers said. “The series and the teams have had a tough time securing the sponsorship dollars they need and that has affected our car count at some events. That in turn affects attendance and it all goes to the bottom line.”

“I want to express my sincere thanks to the teams and sponsors who have supported the series and Modified racing in general over the past few seasons. They are the core who continues to keep our favorite type of racing alive in the South. I also want to thank Dennis Huth and the American Speed Association for their support. Their efforts provide quality programs for the drivers competing under the ASA sanction. Sponsors that have also helped the series include Carolina Carports, Inc., Hoosier Asphalt South and Pro Fabrication. I appreciate their support and hopefully they will be a part of the future of the series”.

Myers is now looking forward to the 2010 season, “We will continue to search for a series sponsor for the 2010 season with an eye on the economy and the future of Modified racing in the south,” Myers promised. “Modified racing has been around for over 60 years and has faced some tough times before but I believe one of the most exciting forms of racing will find the resources needed to grow and return the division to its rightful place as a premier “short track” division that will continue to provide great racing and entertainment for the fans.”

ASA, ASA Racing and American Speed Association are trademarks of Racing Speed Associates, LLC. Racing Speed Associates, LLC is not related to or affiliated with ASA Late Model Series, LLC.

BigO

09-01-2009, 09:53 PM

NC Announcer, I do not hold this against you at all. You were hearing words of encouragement from someone who we all would think would know, and well, he didn't.

BTW, chill a little while announcing - we all thought you were going to pop a blood vessel last Saturday night at 311. :)

My thoughts are now with the Pack family, as this might be a blow to them.

NCMudcat

09-02-2009, 06:53 AM

......A note to think also the SK Modifieds will be at ACE on Monday night.
Wesley Outland
919-262-5660

The SK modifieds have never, that I am aware of, ran at Ace, nor are they scheduled for Monday, according to the flyer or website. What do you know about SKs being there?

NC_Announcer

09-02-2009, 12:11 PM

AlkyMadness

09-02-2009, 05:13 PM

Nice slap down to the Ace fans. I believe we are smart enough to know that the mods that run at Ace are not the same as a tour-type mod.

As far as the ASA-SMT, new year, same crap. If I remember correctly, didn't they have to end last year's season early? Wasn't there supposed to be a race at Atlanta's short track after Cup qualifying?

Ace is only paying five spots? That's probably all the cars they'll have in each class.

I suggest Ace get word out to the Times-News that the Brian Pack Memorial has been cancelled. The Labor Day mod show is kind of a tradition and there could be a handful of pissed off people out there Monday when they get there and find no tour type mods. Not everyone reads LRC and Speed51, but a lot of people in this area get their Ace news from the Burlington Times-News.

BigO

09-02-2009, 06:13 PM

It was a very exciting finish between the Carolina Clash guys last Saturday at 311 Fastrack..I thought it was an awesome finish and I put excitment into as well but I just called the action like I figured that way if not I'm sorry.. Also RAMBO hasn't won since April so I really was happy for him too!

I have to agree on the race, man. That was probably the best finish I've seen in any touring series race this year, and you had racing all through the pack all evening.

Keep calling the races as you see them, as well. You did a great job - we were just wondering how you were able to function after running wide open for that long. Earlier, I was just joking with you a little bit . . .

---------- Post added at 07:13 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:54 PM ----------

As far as the ASA-SMT, new year, same crap. If I remember correctly, didn't they have to end last year's season early? Wasn't there supposed to be a race at Atlanta's short track after Cup qualifying?

I suggest Ace get word out to the Times-News that the Brian Pack Memorial has been cancelled. The Labor Day mod show is kind of a tradition and there could be a handful of pissed off people out there Monday when they get there and find no tour type mods. Not everyone reads LRC and Speed51, but a lot of people in this area get their Ace news from the Burlington Times-News.

Well, I cut out what I do believe was way too mean-spirited at this point.

Anyway, as I remember it, the Atlanta race was called because of rain on NSCS pole night they were suppose to run on, and as it was a special event, could not be rescheduled. I won't lay weather at Randy Myers' door, even though the management group with ASA-SMRT deserves all the grief and loss of reputation they will get from this.

Hopefully Ace will get out the word quick to the general public. I am hopeful they can pull together a decent car count, especially with run-whatcha-brung rules. I mean, hey, somebody who's got a U-CAR might have a nitrous system laying around they've been itching to put together. There's no big SLM shows I know of this weekend, so some of them might try their luck. I wouldn't expect a pile of late models, as Hickory and SoBo are still running Saturday night.

I won't pretend that we aren't down to just hope (especially how things have been this year), but we'd better hold onto it a little longer, anyway.

AlkyMadness

09-02-2009, 06:20 PM

No big SLM? Clash is at Gastonia Friday night, then Friendship Saturday night. Sunday has the $10K race at Cherokee and the BoB series is at Tazewell. On Monday, the SASE is at Travelers Rest. And if you really want big, the Hillbilly 100 is this weekend at Tyler County paying $41,000 to win.

I'll probably be at Gastonia Friday, ProCup at Concord on Saturday, Tazewell Sunday and Travelers Rest on Monday. Then off to the World100.

BigO

09-02-2009, 06:55 PM

NCMudcat

09-03-2009, 09:07 AM

Alky, it's a shame we have to go to Ohio to meet, but let's get together up there.

---------- Post added at 10:07 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:02 AM ----------

And for the sake of argument, maybe Ace should go back to calling them Grand American mods like they once did, just for the sake of those that may think they are looking at tour-type cars there one night. Maybe TC will show up for a weekly show. They did lower the cars this year to tour-type height. And Brian King's car could probably run with the tour-type cars. I guess I was just confused.

NC_Announcer

09-03-2009, 04:51 PM

There was a ASA Modified race that was supposed to be at Atlanta Motor Speedway after Cup qualifying but it wasn't last year it was back in 2006-2007 before i started but heard stories about it. It was CANCELLED cause of the rain they got and never was made up..The word is out all over about the ASA Mods not racing at ACE promise..and too also let you know Larry,Joette ,myself and Mackie all at ACE have been getting calls about the race this labor day Monday!! I offered earlire in the week that if the Pack family wanted to still be a part of it it could be done however no one has contacted me yet!! I hope that this race is sucessful for the whole go around and Ally we did it for racefans like you all because we did feel upset that the ASA Modifies race was cancelled so instaed of not doing anything we put this on. All i can say is if you are not happy about the outcome then don't come but I would rather we see you there. It's not easy working for the ASA Southern modifieds Series and also ACE and dealing with this situation. I'm stuck FULL CIRCLE in this problem but hopefully what ACE has come up with will solve the problem!! Thats enough gotta pack my bags and hit the road hop to see you at the Clash race Friday at Carolina and Saturday at Friendship!! and Labor day monday for the big event there too!!