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RACERS READY TO TACKLE THE CHALLENGE OF THE RACE OF
CHAMPIONS
Ferris Mowers Race of Champions Asphalt Modified Series
Preparing for 2016 |
 Competitors
on the Ferris Mowers Race of Champions Asphalt Modified Series
Fueled by Sunoco have been preparing through the winter for their
2016 season opener.
That event, the “Break-the-Ice 75” is only weeks away at Mahoning
Valley Speedway, on Saturday, April 9.
With the event looming on the horizon, race teams have been
preparing for months. Several western New York race teams will be
kicking off the season earlier than normal with the 75-lap special
event at the challenging quarter-mile paved oval.
“We are looking forward to it and looking forward to having a great
season with the Race of Champions Asphalt Series,” said Ransomville,
N.Y. driver Chuck Hossfeld. “We have a great team and we truly enjoy
getting back on track. Going to Mahoning is going to be one of those
events where you aren’t quite sure what’s going to happen. There are
so many good cars and tough competitors, it’s a big step for our
series and it’ll be a show fans won’t want to miss.”
Hossfeld, a three-time Race of Champions series titlist, will lead a
large contingent of drivers to the Pennsylvania oval for the season
opener. It’s a time of optimism for all teams because the event
opens the door to the traveling series’ point race.
“Our goal is to the put entire season together and book end it with
two solid performances at Mahoning,” Hossfeld continued. “We know we
have our work cut out for us, but our team will never give up until
we reach our goal.”
Patrick Emerling of Orchard Park, N.Y., enjoyed a break-through year
in 2015. Solid efforts on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour and three
Race of Champions series victories established Emerling as a top
contender at every track on the schedule.
“Last season was good to us on many fronts, our first win at
Shangri-La then to win at Lancaster and our home track Holland
International Speedway, it really was an unforgettable year for us.
But we are looking forward racing for a series championship this
year,” Emerling said. “We feel have all of the tools necessary to
compete for wins week in and week out. I like this year’s schedule
and I’m looking forward to racing it. Mahoning will present us a
unique challenge but we’ll be ready for it.”
Race-winning drivers from 2015 will be returning to compete at a
majority of the events. Mike Leaty of Williamson, N.Y., is a race
winning and track champion driver who is building on his father
Jan’s legacy. Mike Leaty scored his first Race of Champions victory
at Oswego (N.Y.) Speedway in 2006 with his most recent trip to
victory lane being in the same race last season at the “Steel
Palace”.
“We are looking forward to getting going,” Leaty said. “We love
Modified racing and we feel we have what it takes to get the job
done. Winter is almost over and it’s time to go racing.”
Andy Jankowiak of Tonawanda, N.Y., has established himself as one of
the series regulars to beat and 2016 will be no different for the
second generation racer. He stood tall in victory lane at Oswego
following the Labor Day International Classic weekend race last
September and quickly followed up with another win in a southern
Modified Series at Hickory (N.C.) Motor Speedway on the same
weekend.
“We rode the roller coaster last year and did the best we could,”
began Jankowiak. “Fall was very good to us. Winning at Oswego will
forever be a highlight day of my life and for my family. It was
incredible. My Uncle Jake (Jankowiak) has been going to Oswego for
30 years so it was great to be able have that kind of emotion behind
such a huge accomplishment. We’re dedicated to this program and my
passion is Modified racing. I love it. I have never been to Mahoning
so that will be interesting, but we will be there and ready to go
when April 9 rolls around.”
The 2016 version of the Ferris Mowers Race of Champions Asphalt
Modified Series Fueled by Sunoco will see competitors adventure to
new as well as familiar speedways, pitting them against one another
in new and exciting events, as well as those filled with tradition.
With new corporate sponsorship, increased media exposure from great
partners, anticipation grows for the Mahoning Valley event on April
9.
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Source:
Race Of Champions Modified Tour
Posted:
March 13, 2016 |
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