Successful Test Session for Oval Track Racers at New Jersey Motorsports Park

Millville, N.J. (December 15, 2009) - Under clear blue skies, close to a dozen highly powered asphalt and dirt modified stock cars blazed around the 2.25-mile Thunderbolt Raceway at New Jersey Motorsports Park this past Saturday, under the guise of an open test session to determine the feasibility of conducting a race for these two very popular types of oval track racecars on a road circuit. Normally found blasting around asphalt and dirt ovals such as Wall Stadium or Bridgeport Speedway, these brightly painted speedsters adjusted quickly to the lightning fast straight-aways and the challenging left and right hand turns.

Over the course of four hours, both groups of racers alternated in twenty minute sessions, with considerable adjustments being made to suspension setup, tires and gear ratios. By the end of the day Richie Pratt, Jr., driving one of Vineland-native Sal DeBruno’s No. 0 South Jersey Overhead Door dirt modifieds had turned a lap in just under one minute and thirty seconds.

Legendary stock car great Gil Hearne was present to watch his son Jason test an asphalt “low rider” and expressed enthusiasm that a race could be scheduled for this popular series at New Jersey Motorsports Park in 2010.

“These cars have put on great races at Watkins Glen International Raceway and they would certainly put on quite a spectacular show on this beautiful Thunderbolt Raceway,” Hearne said.

DeBruno, a veteran team owner, was delighted with the performance and adaptability of his trio of eight hundred-horsepower dirt modifieds on hand.

“I am absolutely certain that we would be able to attract a large field of quality racers for an event next year,” DeBruno said. “Based on today’s test, the cars have already proven to be very capable of putting on a great show. Certainly we have a large contingent of oval racing fans throughout this region that would be very responsive to seeing such unique event.”  

“We are most pleased with the enthusiasm and professionalism of these owners, drivers, and their teams coming to New Jersey Motorsports Park for the first time and putting together such a successful test session on Thunderbolt Raceway,” said Don Fauerbach, Corporate and Community Affairs Officer at New Jersey Motorsports Park. “Another open test session in the warmth of spring will certainly receive a large turnout and enable the asphalt and dirt modified teams to establish a baseline for cost effective set ups for possible race events here at New Jersey Motorsports Park. It was truly impressive and exhilarating to see and hear the RoadMods taking on the right and left handers on the asphalt ribbon.”