2016 PASS SOUTH RACE

BEN ROWE

HERBST - B. ROWE - RAMSTROM




			Photos by Laura LWpictures.com

Ben Rowe Dominates To Claim
Second PASS Easter Bunny 150
Win At Hickory

HICKORY, NC (March 26) - Three-time Pro All Stars Series (PASS) Super Late Model national champion Ben Rowe led 114 laps en route to a dominating win in Saturday night's 11th Annual Easter Bunny 150 at Hickory Motor Speedway. The Turner, ME, native's second win in the Easter Bunny 150 was made even sweeter by the fact that it guarantees Rowe a starting spot in this year's Oxford 250 in August at Oxford Plains Speedway in Maine.

"I just tried to set my own pace, but that kid in the 19 car [Riley Herbst], he was giving me all I wanted, but if I could clear him off turn two I was ok and I can't think of a better way to travel back home 17 hours than with a win," said Rowe after his first win in the prestigious race since 2009. "This win is huge, I mean it's the Easter Bunny and this is Hickory and it's a tough place. To be locked into the Oxford 250 is huge too. I've seen over 100 cars try to qualify for that race and a lot can happen in the heat races, so to have a guaranteed starting spot is great."

Qualifying earlier in the day had its own share drama with several drivers breaking the six-year-old track record set by Andy Loden. Jody Measamer set the new track record with a lap of 82.693 miles per hour and also became the fastest Super Late Model driver in any series to ever tour the legendary speedway. Following the top 10 qualifiers redraw, Measamer would slot into the seventh starting position, while the father-son duo of Ben and Mike Rowe would move to the front row.

When the green flag fell under overcast skies, M. Rowe jumped into the lead over the younger member of the family. The two would trade the lead four times before B. Rowe would take command on lap 41.

Following a caution for an incident between Brandon Setzer and Tracy Gordon on lap 54, B. Rowe continued to lead, but a new player was in the mix. Trey Jarrell took the top spot on lap 56, before relinquishing it to B. Rowe four laps later. While they were exchanging the lead up front, Matt Craig and Joey Doiron had climbed up to 10th and 11th respectively after both started deep in the field.

After spins by Tanner Gray and Trevor Noles in turn four, the action continued to pick up with less than 50 laps to go. DJ Shaw's return to PASS was derailed with 34 laps to go when he spun and collected Craig, Doiron, and Joey Padgett. Things would only get worse for the defending PASS National Champion, Doiron, when he was eliminated in a crash involving Travis Stearns, Josh Williams and Travis Benjamin just 10 laps later.

After struggling with the handle on his car throughout the night, three-time Easter Bunny 150 winner Preston Peltier climbed into the top 10 and into contention late in the race. But, Peltier would be eliminated in a grinding crash in turn three on lap 129 involving AJ Frank and Kodie Conner.

B. Rowe held off a persistent Riley Herbst to take the win over Derek Ramstrom, Measamer, and Jeremy Davis. Rounding out the top 10 were Mike Hopkins, Gray, Jarrell, Tate Fogleman, and John-Michael Shenette.

Next up, will be the PASS North Super Late Model season opener and round three of the PASS National Championship Series as part of the annual Icebreaker at Thompson Speedway in Connecticut on April 9-10.

The PASS South Super Late Models will be in action once again for 150 laps on Saturday, April 16th at Caraway Speedway. Entry forms are available HERE.

Be sure to "Like" the Pro All Stars Series on Facebook or follow us on Twitter at @PASSSLM14.

PASS SUPER LATE MODELS at HICKORY
OFFICIAL RACE RESULTS - 3-26-16

1) 4 - Ben Rowe - 150 Laps
2) 19 - Riley Herbst - 150
3) 35 - Derek Ramstrom - 150
4) 98 - Jody Measamer - 150
5) 09 - Jeremy Davis - 150
6) 15M - Mike Hopkins - 150
7) 40 - Tanner Gray - 150
8) 12J - Trey Jarrell - 150
9) 8F - Tate Fogleman - 150
10) 82 - John-Michael Shenette - 150
11) 16ME - Travis Stearns - 149
12) 45 - Kodie Conner - 149
13) 24J - JP Josiasse - 148
14) 54 - Matt Craig - 148
15) 1 - Josh Williams - 144
16) 88 - Kyle Desouza - 137
17) 33 - Roger Lee Newton - 136

18) 07 - Shane Lee - 132
19) 15X - AJ Frank - 128
20) 74X - Preston Peltier - 128
21) 49 - DJ Shaw - 128
22) 24 - Mike Rowe - 126
23) 7 - Travis Benjamin - 125
24) 73 - Joey Doiron - 125
25) 22 - Trevor Noles - 124
26) 9 - Chris Dilbeck - 116
27) 83 - Joey Padgett - 115
28) 41 - Tracy Gordon - 111
29) 71 - Jimmy Doyle - 100
30) 6 - Brandon Setzer - 85
31) 01 - Derek Scott, Jr - 60
32) 44 - Gus Dean - 38
33) 7K - Jody Lavender - 30
34) 53 - Cale Gale - 27

| Entries Received - Hickory - 3-26-16 |
-

MCKENNEDY

McKennedy Take Checkers In
Inaugural Southern Modified
Racing Series Event At Hickory

HICKORY, NC (March 26) - Jonathan McKennedy grabbed the lead from Brandon Ward on lap 94 and led the race until it was called for rain on lap 108 to win the inaugural Southern Modified Racing Series (SMRS) Presented By PASS event Saturday night at Hickory Motor Speedway. McKennedy's Easter Bunny 125 win came in an action packed race that saw the lead change hands 11 times among six different drivers.

"It's great to be here at Hickory, it's got a lot of history to it and it's pretty awesome to win down here," said McKennedy in victory lane. "I knew we had a real good chance to win at about halfway when the other cars started coming back to me. We had a great pit stop and I was able to get the lead, and the rain obviously helped us a little bit too."

Lisbon, CT's Chris Pasteryak blistered the legendary speedway in qualifying with lap of 85.651 miles per hour, but would start sixth after the top six qualifiers redraw. Former North-South Shootout winners Matt Hirschman and Burt Myers would move up to the front row and lead the field to green for the inaugural SMRS event.

Myers quickly jumped into the lead, but just as quickly Cale Gale took it from him on lap two. Several cars were making their way up through the field, including Bobby Measmer, Jr. and Brandon Ward, who wasted little time moving towards the front.

The lead pack of ten cars changed the lead back-and-forth, lap-after-lap, with several drivers taking turns at the front, such as Gale, Myers, Pasteryak, Ward, and Jeremy Mayfield. Eventually, Ward would take the lead from Mayfield on lap 40 and take command with Gale and Myers following close behind.

After leading more than 30 laps, Ward would lose the lead when Burt Myers moved to the outside to take the position on lap 76. Gale followed Myers around Ward for second and then would bypass Myers for the lead again on lap 83.

The first caution of the night did not wave until lap 92 when Kevin Orlando slowed in turn three, causing the lapped cars of Gary Putnam and Josh Nichols to check up and spin, collecting the third place running Ward in the process. While the leaders took the opportunity to pit for fresh rubber, Ward stayed out, opting for track position and hoping for rain.

But, the rains did not come and once back under green, McKennedy moved by Ward for the lead on lap 94. McKennedy led until the rains came on lap 108 and was awarded the win over John Smith, B. Myers, Measmer, and Hirschman. Rounding out the top ten were Kyle Bonsignore, Pasteryak, Jason Myers, Patrick Emerling, and Gale.

The Southern Modified Racing Series Presented By PASS will be in action once again for 150 laps on Friday, April 22nd at Ace Motor Speedway in Altamahaw, NC. Entry forms will be available at SouthernModifiedRacingSeries,com.

Be sure to "Like" the Pro All Stars Series and Southern Modified Racing Series on Facebook or follow us on Twitter at @PASSSLM14.

SOUTHERN MODIFIED RACING SERIES at HICKORY
UNOFFICIAL RACE RESULTS - 3-26-16
(RACE SHORTENED BY RAIN)

1) 29 - Jonathan McKennedy
2) 25 - John Smith
3) 1m - Burt Myers
4) 14 - Bobby Measamer Jr.
5) 59H - Matt Hirshman
6) 22 - Kyle Bonsignore
7) 15 - Chris Pateyak
8) 4 - Jason Myers
9) 07 - Patrick Emerling
10) 95 - Cale Gale
11) 23 - Brian Loftin
12) 40 - Edward LeCerc

13) 1x - Mike Leaty
14) 59d - Renee Dupuis
15) 5 - Charlie Pasteryak
16) 19 - Brandon Ward
17) 34 - Josh Nichols
18) 13 - Chase Hunt
19) 77 - Gary Putnam
20) 53 - Ryan Russo
21) 00 - Kevin Orlando
22) 12 - Mike Norman
23) J2 - Jeremy Mayfield
DNS - 31 - Zach Brewer

PRESTION PELTIER #74

MIKE ROWE #24

Former Easter Bunny 150 Champions
Looking For Another Trophy at Hickory

CHARLOTTE, NC (March 23) - Since it's inception in 2006, the Easter Bunny 150 has grown to be one of the most sought after checkered flags in all of short track racing. Just a glance at the Pro All Stars Series (PASS) Super Late Model entry list for this Saturday afternoon's event at Hickory Motor Speedway shows the importance of this event for racers from across the continent. And the stakes are even higher this year since the winner gets an automatic starting spot in the 43rd Annual Oxford 250 at Oxford Plains Speedway in August.

Mike Rowe has won nearly every major short track event in New England, including the Oxford 250, during his long and successful career. And, although he was finally able to snare his first career PASS North Super Late Model championship last year, it was not actually his first PASS title. Rowe made the trek down South in 2006 and won the inaugural Easter Bunny 150 at Hickory, before eventually going on to win the first PASS South Super Late Model championship.

"When Tom [Mayberry] said he was coming down, we all said we wanted to be a part of that first deal," said Rowe. "We had no idea that we would win, but we had a caution late in the race and I had a strong motor and I out hauled them on the line and we just came on back with a victory. I always love coming back, it's awesome. I just love racing with the guys down here."

One of the best in the South, particularly at Hickory Motor Speedway, is 2010 PASS National Champion, Preston Peltier. The transplanted California has raced with PASS since 2006 and has won a record six times at Hickory, including three Easter Bunny 150s. Peltier believes this Saturday afternoon's Easter Bunny 150 will again be a hard fought race and is excited to try and lock himself into the Oxford 250.

"It takes patience, a really good car, and mix in some luck to win the Easter Bunny 150," said Peltier, who comes to this weekend's race as the defending winner. "You can't beat a guaranteed starting spot in the Oxford 250, especially with the heat races, it's a crap shoot. You can have a real good car and still not make it, so it's good to know you're locked in."

Both champions will be faced with one of the strongest fields ever for the Easter Bunny 150, including former PASS champions, Tate Fogleman, Joey Doiron, Ben Rowe, and DJ Shaw. 2016 PASS South championship contenders Kodie Conner and Matt Craig, both from nearby Kannapolis, will attempt to qualify, along with Jeff Batten, Kyle Desouza, Jimmy Doyle, Vinnie Miller, Derek Scott, Jr. Former Mason-Dixon Meltdown winners, Trevor Noles and Brandon Setzer, are entered, along with a good group of PASS North championship contenders like Corey Bubar, Jeremy Davis, Mike Hopkins, John-Michael Shenette, and Travis Stearns. JP Josiasse and Matt Matheson, will represent two separate Canadian provinces. Truck Series winner Christopher Bell will make his PASS return this weekend and will be joined by LFR teammates Christian Eckes, Tanner Gray, and Riley Herbst. Cale Gale and Derek Ramstrom will be pulling duty, while Chris Dilbeck, Tracy Gordon, Wayne Helliwell, Jr., Derek Kneeland, Justin Laduke Jody Measamer, and Jake Spillers have also filed entry.

All the action gets under way on Friday, March 25 at Hickory Motor Speedway with open practice for all competing divisions from 2:30 - 6 PM. On Saturday, March 26, practice will begin at 11 AM with qualifying starting at 2:15 PM for the PASS South Super Late Models, Southern Modified Racing Series and South East Mini Stock Tour followed by the Pit Party and main events for the Easter Bunny weekend starting at approximately 5 PM.

PASS South Super Late Model entry forms and complete weekend schedules for the events at Hickory Motor Speedway and Caraway Speedway can be found HERE in the left column.

The Pro All Stars Series is recognized as North America's premier sanctioning body for asphalt Super Late Models and boasts such marquee events as the legendary Oxford 250 at Oxford Plains Speedway and PASS South's Easter Bunny 150 at the historic Hickory Motor Speedway.

For technical information concerning all PASS divisions please send questions to passracing@roadrunner.com.

For media or marketing questions, please contact Alan Dietz at 704-231-2039 or alandietzpass@live.com.

And, don't forget to "Like" the Pro All Stars Series on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @PASSSLM14 to keep up with breaking news as it happens.

SouthernModifiedRacingSeries.com

SATURDAY, MARCH 26th
HICKORY MOTOR SPEEDWAY

CHRIS PASTREYAK

ZACH BREWER

Drivers Ready To Kickoff Inaugural
Southern Modified Racing Series Season
At Hickory Motor Speedway

CHARLOTTE, NC (March 21) - Modified racers from all over the East Coast are busy preparing for this weekend's inaugural event for the Southern Modified Racing Series Presented By PASS. The South's newest Tour-type Modified division will compete 10 times in 2016 beginning with Saturday's Easter Bunny 125 at Hickory Motor Speedway. Each Southern Modified Racing Series Presented By PASS event this year will be 125 laps and pay $3,000 to win and $500 to start, with the exception of the inaugural race at Hickory Motor Speedway. The Easter Bunny 125 will pay $5,000 to the winner of the history making first race.

The Pastreyak family of Connecticut is synonymous with Tour-type Modified racing in the Northeast. Both Chris and Charlie Pasteryak are entered for Saturday night's inaugural Easter Bunny 125. Chris Pasteryak is not only excited about the Easter Bunny 125, but also looking forward to competing full-time as he seeks the SMRS championship.

"As a fan, I have always been impressed with PASS and their ability to promote big races for the Super Late Models up and down the East Coast, so to see them apply this to Modified racing could be very good for the division," says Pasteryak. "Hickory Motor Speedway has played a huge role in short track racing so I can't think of a better venue to start at. For our team last year, we went to Hickory in the Spring and were able to use the weekend as a great way to get a jump on the New England racing season. So when PASS announced this event, it immediately went right on our schedule. Everyone is excited to get down there and get back to racing again."

Like Pastreyak, Winston-Salem, NC's Zach Brewer is excited for the opportunities the SMRS will provide Modified racers in the Southeast. Brewer has been a consistent front runner in the division for the last number of years and hopes to start the season with a checkered flag at Hickory on Saturday night.

"It should be a great race because Hickory is a multi-groove track that fits the Modifieds perfectly," said Brewer. "Without having as many rules and uncertainty as some other tours, I think the SMRS will have some of the best in the business in attendance. We're looking to do battle on Saturday and it should shape up to be a great race."

In addition to the Pastreyaks and Brewer, the entry list continues to grow by the day for the Easter Bunny 125. John Smith, Cale Gale, and Brandon Ward lead a group of Southern Modified drivers which includes Darren Shaw, Kevin Orlando, Chase Hunt, Mike Norman, and Brian Loftin. Multi-time North-South Shootout winner Matt Hirschman will lead the Northeast contingent to Hickory including Jon McKennedy, Derek Ramstrom, Edward LeClerc, Mike Leaty, and Ryan Russo.

The inaugural Southern Modified Racing Series Presented By PASS event is scheduled for Saturday, March 26 at Hickory Motor Speedway as part of the 11th Annual Easter Bunny 150 weekend. Along with a PASS National Championship race for the Super Late Models and the first race for the new South East Mini Stock Tour, the prestigious Easter Bunny 150 weekend will only continue to grow in prominence with the addition of the Southern Modified Racing Series.

Other major events planned for the 2016 season include the Charles Kepley Memorial 125 at Concord Speedway on Friday night, May 27 and the Kenny Minter Memorial 125 at Caraway Speedway on Saturday night, October 22.

License forms, rules, and entry forms for Hickory Motor Speedway are now posted at SouthernModifiedRacingSeries.com.

The Pro All Stars Series is recognized as North America's premier sanctioning body for asphalt Super Late Models and Modifieds, boasting such marquee events as the legendary Oxford 250 at Oxford Plains Speedway and the Easter Bunny 150 at the historic Hickory Motor Speedway. For technical information concerning any PASS division, please send questions to passracing@roadrunner.com.

For media or marketing questions, please contact Alan Dietz at 704-231-2039 or alandietzpass@live.com.

And, don't forget to "Like" the Southern Modified Racing Series on Facebook or follow PASS on Twitter @PASSSLM14 to keep up with breaking news as it happens.