2008 News Stories
(Most Recent Appearing First)


Vernon McLaughlin Jr. Passes

Sad news has reached us on the passing of Vernon McLaughlin Jr. Vernon, shown above in this September 2008 photo, is the father of New Egypt Speedway Outlaw Stock driver Vern McLaughlin III.  Our condolences go out to the McLaughlin Family. 12/31/08


Webmaster, Photographer John LeVan Passes

From Vault Visitor Naysayer:  I just received word that John LeVan lost his fight with lung cancer and passed on this morning (12/18/08). My thoughts and prayers are with the entire LeVan Family. Many of you may know John from his photographic and media work throughout PA and his most recent endeavor, www.openwheelracers.com  . John will be sorely missed by all in the racing community.  

Letters and cards of condolences can be sent to the LeVan Family at: 1202 N. Front St. Reading, Pa 19601

Our condolences go out to the family and friends of John LeVan - 3Wide


Dick Ivins Passes


Richard A. (Dick) Ivins, 80, of Hamilton passed away Wednesday (12/17/08) at Compassionate Care Hospice in Trenton. Born in Trenton, he was a lifelong area resident. Dick was a graduate of Fairleigh Dickinson University and retired from the State of New Jersey Department of Health, where he was a public health representative. He was an Army veteran of the Korean War and served as a surgical technician and combat medic and trainer. He was a member of the St. Raphael's Church, and was an avid car racing fan and race film producer who had numerous racing film benefits through Area Auto Racing News.

Son of the late Andrew K. and Theresa Tuckage Ivins, Dick is survived by his wife, Dianne Guadagno Ivins of Hamilton; his brother, Nelson J. and wife, Mary Ivins, of Trenton, and Diane T. Ivins Cardenas and husband, William Cardenas, of Miami, FL, and his sister-in-law, Marie Guadagno of Hamilton.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sunshine Foundation of Mercer County Chapter, 19 Lexington Ave., Ewing, N.J. 08618 in memory of Dick.


We'll always remember Dick for the great off season "Racing Movie" parties that he ran back in the 70's.  I attended a few with my father at The Villa Capri in Trenton.  Dick brought the movie nights back a few years ago with some shows at the Hamilton Fire House. 

Dick was always a familiar site at the speedways back in the 60's and 70's with his trademark white pants and white shoes, usually with a film camera in hand.  He did a lot for this sport.

Our condolences go out to the family of Dick Ivins


Mechanic/Crew Chief Barry Cray Passes

Barry Cray (father and Crew Chief of racer Todd Cray from his 1/4 Midget days, to his asphalt days at Flemington and in the Darlington Dash Series, and beyond)  passed away on 10/26.  The crew of the winning #33 is pictured in victory lane in the early 90's at Flemington Speedway.  Barry was a well respected mechanic and fabricator in many forms of racing.
Our condolences go out to the Cray Family on the recent passing of Barry Cray.


The 16-J Returns to Vineland


Garden State Vintage Stock Car Club member Tom Holding’s unloads the "just completed" Elton Hildreth #16-J Coupe at the site of the original Vineland Speedway.  As you can see, the #16J is a real beauty and Elton himself was on hand to check it out.
Great job Tom on getting this one ready in time for the huge event being held at the Thunderbolt Raceway on 9/27 & 9/28 in Millville, NJ.  Click below for all the details!  http://www.gsvscc.org/


Tom Carberry Sr. Passes

Tom Carberry Sr. pictured leaning over the hood of the powerful #47 Modified driven by Mike Grbac in the mid 70's.  Tom has owned and worked on many #47 racecars (and others) for over 50 years and could always be found at New Egypt Speedway each Saturday Night working with the cars driven by sons Ken and Tom, and grandson Tommy and by Art Lentini.  We'll miss seeing Tom.  Our condolences go out to this fine racing family.
Photos of Some of the "Carberry Cars" We've All Enjoyed Through the Years


William "Uncle Billy" Buffalino Passes

William "Uncle Billy" Buffalino on August 16th, 2008 in victory lane giving his nephew Dom a congratulatory hug on winning the modified feature.

Aug 25th, 2008:  We are saddened by the recent passing of William "Uncle Billy" Buffalino.  Uncle Billy has been involved with the #2B Racing Team since the mid 70's, and most recently could be found supporting his nephew, Dom Buffalino, who drive's the #2B Modified each week at New Egypt Speedway.    We're glad he got to experience this moment above, and I'm glad to have been able to call "Uncle Billy" a friend.

Our condolences go out to the Buffalino Family.
Announcement from  My Central Jersey.com below:

http://www.mycentraljersey.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080827/OBITS/808270313/1057/obituaries


60's & 70's Racer Bob Patterson
We
received the following this evening (Monday, Aug 25th) from Mark Yaple:

From: Mark Yaple - It was Bob and Al Whitehouse that got me involved in racing at the age of 14. Bob and his wife Margaret were like a second family to me allowing me work on their racecar and taking me to the races with them before I was old enough to drive. I consider myself very fortunate to have met them and stayed in touch with them for the past 41 years. 

 One of the first cars I remember was Bob's blue coupe at East Windsor Speedway with the big white #390 on the sides. Bob was an accomplished racer on both dirt and asphalt.  Our condolences go out to the Patterson Family.



Joe Pratt Passes
We
received the following earlier today (Monday, Aug 25th) from Wayne Weaver:
I just received the sad news that my good friend Joey has passed away.  You will be sadly missed by so many buddy.  We had some great times!  God Bless!

The viewing for Joe Pratt, who  passed away on Sunday evening, will  be this Thursday (August 28) at Boucher Funeral Home, 1757 Delsea  Dr., Deptford,  NJ 08096 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.  There will also be a memorial service at the viewing, at approx. 8:30 p.m.

Cards of sympathy may be sent to Joe's wife, Cindy Pratt, at 19  Wayne Dr., Woolwich, NJ 08085.


Many knew Joe from his years of involvement in the local short track scene.  Many also knew Joe from his position as Advertising Director with AARN.  He also was the driving force in making each Motorsports event better than the next, year after year.  Joe also was at the helm of restoring the beautiful Sonny Dornberger #99 that was unveiled in January at the 2008 Motorsports.

Our Condolences go out to The Pratt Family.



Robert "Pops" Gibbons Passes


For many, many years, race fans at Flemington, East Windsor and most recently New Egypt Speedway have seen the aqua and white #13 race cars from Robert "Pops" Gibbons.  Many will remember "Pop's cars including the little coupe from the early 70's pictured above driven by Joseph Kelly, or most recently, the Super Stock driven by Steve Davis this year at New Egypt. 

For many of us from the Central NJ area, it will be hard to drive up Arena Drive in Hamilton, NJ and not look for Pop's to be out there working out of the little garage just around the corner from the 7-11. 

Our condolences go out to the Gibbon's Family.


Former Dorney Park Champion Bimpy Marx Passes

Click below for additional information:
http://www.legacy.com/mcall/Obituaries.asp?Page=Lifestory&PersonId=114092007
Our condolences go out to the Marx Family.
07/2008


Bobby Thomas

Racers and Racing lost a great friend earlier this week with the passing of Bobby Thomas.  That's Bobby above during a Garden State Vintage Stock Car Club tour of the IROC facility in Tinton Falls, NJ in June 2005, showing us the body work off of one of the many IROC Racecars that Bob oversaw the construction and maintenance of.  Our condolences go out to the Thomas Family at this very sad time. 07/2008


Parker Bohn Passes

Parker Bohn shown above in the Tom Skinner prepared, GMC powered "65" (659) in victory lane in the late 60's at Wall Stadium.  We will always remember Parker and the #659 cutting though the pack like no other.  Our condolences go out to the family of Parker Bohn.
07/2008


Racing Photographer Don Marks Passes  3/27/08
Click link below for info from "The Morning Call".
http://www.legacy.com/mcall/Obituaries.asp?Page=Lifestory&PersonId=106469577

Our condolences go out the family of Don Marks
Joe Macfarlan/3 Wide's Picture Vault


Racing's Good Guys...3/27/08

Frank and Rick Cozze lent their time to a real good cause. They played in The Shannon Daley Memorial charity basketball game at the Hunterdon Central Fieldhouse on Feb 27th against the Harlem Wizards to help raise money for local families with extreme medical bills.  It is believed that the game raised between $ 70,000.00 and $80,000.00. Great job guys. (Story from Lenny Swider)


Wall Stadium Closing After 57 Years... 3/17/08
b11.14.05_GRP_CSH_WAL_0060_1.jpg (105294 bytes)
www.wallspeedway.com
 
Click on link above for the letter from Managing Member for the Partners Timothy Shinn


80's and 90's Flemington & East Windsor Racer Keith Ludwig Passes 03/15/08

(From Jim Brown)  Keith Ludwig passed away Saturday morning (3/15) after a snowmobile crash in upstate New York.  Keith was a New Brunswick fire fighter for over 20 years.  He was 41 years old.  Keith started racing in the late 80's at Flemington running Enduros and than later running a sportsman car the last year of dirt. he teamed with me for the first year of asphalt at the square and later went back on his own running regularly at East Windsor with occasional trips to Bridgeport and Delaware.  Rest in peace my buddy, rest in peace. 
You will be dearly missed, Jim Brown


Lenny Martin Passes 3/10/08

As Posted On SJDR By Sons Jimmy and Craig:
IT IS WITH THE DEEPEST OF SYMPATHY THAT WE HAVE TO ANNOUNCE THE PASSING OF OUR FATHER, LEONARD M. MARTIN OR BETTER KNOWN IN HIS DAY AS THE "HUSTLER". 

DAD WAS ALWAYS KNOWN FOR HIS SHARP LOOKING CARS AND ONE OF THE BEST LOW BUDGET LOCAL RACERS IN HIS TIME. OUR FAMILY HAS BEEN APART OF LOCAL SHORT TRACK RACING SINCE THE 1960'S AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO IN 2008 IN MEMORY OF OUR FATHER.

FUNERAL AND VIEWING ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE IN ALL TRENTON LOCAL PAPERS AND POSTED WHEN ARRANGEMENTS ARE MADE.


70's & 80's Driver Charlie Voorhees Passes 3/6/08

Information From The Home News Tribune, Saturday, March 8th:

Charles W. Voorhees Jr., 59, of Helmetta died Thursday, March 6, 2008, at home.

Born in New Brunswick, he was raised in Princeton, and resided in Helmetta since 1976.

He was employed by T R Resolutions in Monroe. He was an Marine Corps veteran of the Vietnam War. He enjoyed motorcycles and stock cars, and drove his stock car 705 at Flemington Speedway and East Windsor Speedway when they still were dirt tracks.

Son of the late Charles W. Voorhees; brother of the late John Kochis, he is survived by his mother, Marjorie Kochis Noblie; a brother, Brian Voorhees; a companion, Patricia Denny; two sons, Bryan and Thomas Denny; three grandchildren, Bryan C., Patrick and Robert; a nephew, John Kochis Jr., and two great-nieces, Coral and Sienna Kochis.

Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, at M.J. Murphy Funeral Home, 616 Ridge Road, at New Road, Monmouth Junction. Rev. John Maltby of Miller Memorial Presbyterian Church will officiate. Interment will be at Neshanic Cemetery, Neshanic. Calling hours will be held from 2 p.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, at the funeral home.


GODOWN TO CHALLENGE NASCAR MODIFIED TALENTS AT GRANDVIEW SPEEDWAY

BECHTELSVILLE, PA MARCH 6. 2008 . . . “I would consider it a successful season if we finish in the top three in the final point standings,” said Ryan Godown as he talked about his plans for racing with the NASCAR Modifieds at Grandview Speedway. “Of course I would like to win the title because it offers so much. There is the track point money, the NASCAR money and the Champion’s trip (this year a cruise around the Hawaiian Islands).”Godown is switching his Saturday night “home track” from New Egypt, NJ Speedway where he has been a consistent top performer for the past couple of seasons. He has finished second in the Modified standings the last two years.

During the 2007 season he had 24 top ten finishes and 18 top fives.Godown and car owner Johnny Rea (JR Motorsports) will have their Bicknell modified at Grandview Speedway on Saturday, March 29th when the Bechtelsville oval presents its traditional “free-to-the-public” practice session at noon. The session is open to all types of racing vehicles with a large turnout of Modifieds and Late Models expected.  Abbi Electric will be the primary sponsor on the entry along with Stanton Hills Landscaping and a host of product sponsors. New to the team is sponsorship from Supreme Protein Bars. The team plans to have samples of the product available at the race events. 

The veteran racer will be keeping the race cars at his shop and his crew will be responsible for the preparation and maintenance. The crew chief is Ryan’s brother Stan while the hard working crew is made up of George Cron, Ron and Debbi Benitez, and Judy Woodford.  The Ringoes, NJ (also the hometown of his famous dirt track modified legend uncle Stan Ploski) racer has an impressive resume that includes winning a Sportsman race at Syracuse, NY, the Super Stars competition at New Egypt along with his impressive record of the last two seasons.

“People have been telling me that I am only capable of doing well at New Eygpt Speedway,” said Godown. “I want to prove them wrong. I think we are going to be contenders at Grandview Speedway.”Godown will have strong competition as he goes up against defending champion Jeff Strunk, past champions Craig VonDohren and Terry Meitzler along with Mike Gular, Kevin Hirthler, Kerry Kratz, Doug Manmiller, Danny Erb, newcomer Danny Hieber and a host of others.

Once the traditional practice day is completed on March 29th all attention will turn toward opening night which is set for Saturday, April 5th when the NASCAR Modifieds and Late Models will be in action. The Modifieds will top their night with a 40 lap feature while the Late Models will be running for some extra money as part of a special promotion being put together by track official Mark Garman. Racing will start at 7 p.m.

Grandview Speedway is located on Passmore Road, just off Route 100, 10 miles north of Pottstown in Bechtelsville, PA. For race and season ticket information telephone 610.754.7688. Loads of information about racing at Grandview Speedway can be found at _www.grandviewspeedway.com_


DANNY HIEBER MAKING A COMEBACK IN MODIFIEDS WITH PRO DRAG RACER KENNY KORETSKY AT GRANDVIEW

BECHTELSVILLE, PA February 28, 2008 . . .After being away from the sport since 2003 Danny Hieber is planning to make a comeback this season racing a NASCAR Modified stock car at Grandview Speedway.
“I never lost the desire to race,” said the 41-year-old. “It was just that family and business just took over. There just was not time to devote to racing. However I have always thought about returning to the sport.”Hieber has been devoting much of his time to the family businesses which
include Bucks County International and Scrappy’s Auto Repair located in Penndel. And there was the time needed for the family. Oldest son Andrew is heavily involved in ice hockey and dad got involved with coaching and managing. “Now that my son is into Jr. Hockey and has a driver’s license he can get around more on his own,” said Hieber. “The team provides transportation for the games so all that gives me more free time.”

Over the past few years Danny and his close friend Kenny Koretsky have talked about putting a team together and getting back into the sport. Danny was considered one of the top talents in local dirt track stock car racing for a number of years. He even ran a couple of seasons in NASCAR Craftsman Truck competition.  Koretsky is the very popular “Captain Chaos” and races on the highly competitive National Hot Rod Association Pro Stock tour. He has been a top competitor for years.  “This Captain Chaos team will be going in circles,” said Richboro resident Koretsky. “Danny will be driving our new NASCAR dirt modified with sponsorship from Nitro Fish Wear. He is a good driver and we believe he will be very competitive.”  Koretsky feels that the involvement of his Nitro Fish Wear apparel brand will create great exposure and generate new business. He will also have his Bucks County Kawasaki involved along with Plaza Car Wash, KPK Development, Bucks County International and Scrappy’s.

The plan is for Hieber to race at Grandview Speedway; a one-third-mile, banked clay track located in Bechtelsville, PA on Saturday nights and run a limited schedule of big block modified mid-week events.“We will concentrate on Grandview,” said Hieber. “I think we can be successful there. I will consider it a good season if we can make all the races, be competitive on a regular basis and win a few.”

Hieber will be going up against some tough competition with top talents such as multi-time track champions Jeff Strunk and Craig VonDohren in the field along with Doug Manmiller, newcomer Ryan Godown, Mike Gular, Kerry Kratz and a host of others.The Nitro Fish Wear team will be using the best of equipment with a Bicknell chassis and power plants from HG Associates in Limerick, PA.Hieber and Koretsky hope to have the team set to go for the big traditional free-to-the-public practice day set for Grandview Speedway on March 29th . The practice session starts at noon.

The official season opener is set for Saturday, April 5th at 7 p.m. with the NASCAR Modifieds and Late Models in action. The Modifieds will race in a 40-lapper that offers $3,000 to win. The Late Models will also be racing for an increased purse as part of a promotion being put together by Mark Garman.“I’ve known Kenny almost all my life,” said Hieber. “My dad (his involvement in the sport goes back to the days of Langhorne Speedway) and Kenny were partners in the Truck Series team. We have run dirt cars and asphalt over the years and Kenny (a highly successful entrepreneur with involvement in a variety of businesses) has been drag racing for more than 25 years. We haven’t raced in the last couple of years. I always wanted to get back into driving a dirt car so everything has worked out for us this year.”

Many of the same crew members that helped Danny in the past will be returning including Mike Errico Sr. and Jr., Kenny Bruce, Steve Giberson, Mike Doldberg and Andrew Hieber. In fact even Danny’s nine year old son Shane wants to be part of the team, he plans to help with keeping the car clean.  “This is an exciting time for me. I think we can bring some excitement to the events,” said Hieber. “We will have a good fan following and we will be working to create new fans. And having Kenny involved is just great. He is really enthused about this new effort into dirt track stock car racing. It is going to be a great season.”Koretsky will not be able to see his dirt track team in action very often as he plans to run a full season of NHRA Pro Stock competition in the Nitro Fish/Indicom Electric Chevy Cobalt.

ERNIE SAXTON COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
1448 Hollywood Avenue, Langhorne, PA 19047-7417
215.752.7797


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