Pittsburgh, PA (January 7, 2014) Officials with the National Dirt Racing League are pleased to announce the addition of the NDRL Northeast Late Model Series and the NDRL Modifieds Series to the NDRL family of series’ beginning this upcoming 2014 season. The NDRL Northeast Late Model Series and NDRL Modifieds Series will join the second year NDRL ‘Kings of Dirt’ National Series along with the NDRL’s McKean County Raceway under the National Dirt Racing League banner.
‘We want to build a pair of new regional series’ for both Late Models and Modifieds,’ NDRL’s Jason Shank said. ‘We have high expectations for both of the NDRL Northeast Series and NDRL Modifieds Series. We feel there is room in the northeast and mid-Atlantic region for a solid mid-major late model series, but it’s going to take some time to build a relevant regional series that promoters, drivers, and fans can support.’ ‘We would eventually like to see the NDRL Northeast Series to be comparable to the old ‘STARS’ series or ‘MACS’ (Mid-Atlantic Championship Series),’ NDRL Owner John Kennedy bottom-lined. ‘Our plan is to build into something like that within the next few years.’
The NDRL Northeast Late Models as well as the NDRL Modifieds will kick off their inaugural season on March 29, 2014 at Mercer Raceway Park and the annual ‘Chiller Thriller’. The NDRL team has been hard at work trying to put together a formidable schedule for racers and fans and have been in negotiations with tracks like America’s Raceway Park, Eriez Speedway, Hagerstown Speedway, Little Valley Speedway, McKean County Raceway, Pittsburgh’s PA Motor Speedway, Port Royal Speedway, Roaring Knob Motorsports Complex, Sharon Speedway, Woodhull Speedway and many others. NDRL officials will have a schedule completed in the near future.
The NDRL Northeast and NDRL Modifieds Series’ will follow in the footsteps of the NDRL ‘Kings of Dirt’ National Tour with their very own ‘Royal Rewards’ program. The NDRL’s ‘Royal Rewards’ program will award travel money and other perks to drivers who are in the top-ten in series points. NDRL Northeast Late Model Series drivers within the top-ten will receive a minimum of $300 to show-up to an NDRL Northeast event and will be guaranteed at least $500 to start an event. ‘The way it works is actually pretty simple,’ Shank said. ‘If we have a $3,000 to win event and it’s $300 to start, a NDRL Northeast driver will receive the $300 plus $200 to start the event to get them to their guaranteed $500. We’ll say that the 10th finishing position pays $525, if that driver finishes 10th, he will receive $525, if that driver finishes from 11th to 24th, he will receive $500,’ Shank continued to say. ‘In other words, if the driver races his way into a higher payout than $500, the driver will receive that payout, but regardless of where they finish, they are guaranteed at least $500.’ The same system will be in place for the NDRL Modifieds Series with the driver being guaranteed at least $200 each event.
The NDRL Northeast Late Model Series and NDRL Modified Series will be overseen by the NDRL Management team of John Kennedy and Jason Shank with race day operations being led by John Stivason. Stivason takes the reigns with a wealth of knowledge and experience in the world of dirt late model racing serving as Pit Steward for the NDRL ‘Kings of Dirt’ National series in 2013 as well as the All Star Late Model Series. John also has experience with the Mid-Atlantic Championship Series (MACS) and his weekly duties at facilities like Marion Center Speedway and Blanket Hill Speedway, among others. ‘John has been with me for a long time,’ Jason Shank stated. ‘He has a great reputation with all of the drivers and all of the promoters that we have worked with over the years. With my busy schedule and inability to travel due to personal commitments, I couldn’t think of a better guy to put in the position of race director.’ Curtis Stivason will serve as lead Tech Director while Mike Frisco, Jeff Garder, Chris Zuver, and Christine Stivason will also be a part of the team going forward.
Promoters and drivers looking for more information on the NDRL Northeast Late Model Series or the NDRL Modified Series can contact Jason Shank at jshank@theNDRL.com or call at 412-824-9126 or John Stivason at 724-525-2217 or Chris Zuver at czuver@mckeancountyraceway.com or call at 814-598-2601.
For more information on the NDRL Northeast Late Models Series or the NDRL Modifieds Series please visit www.NDRLNortheast.com or www.NDRLModifieds.com.
Like the National Dirt Racing League, NDRL Northeast Late Models Series, and the NDRL Modifieds Series on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NationalDirtRacingLeague or www.facebook.com/ndrlnortheast and follow the NDRL on Twitter at @The_NDRL.
Official 2014 NDRL Northeast and NDRL Modifieds Sponsors include: VP Race Fuels, Arizona Sport Shirts, and JNJ Motorsports Media.
The list of 2014 partners continues to grow, if you are interested in becoming an NDRL Northeast or NDRL Modifieds sponsor please contact Jason Shank at 412-824-9126 or by email at jshank@theNDRL.com or Chris Zuver at 814-598-2601 or by email at czuver@mckeancountyraceway.com.