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Church Looking To Defend Home Turf
At Hickory In Easter Bunny 150
CHARLOTTE, NC (April 16) – The best short track racers from across North America will once again be descending on Hickory Motor Speedway this weekend as they prepare for the 9th Annual Easter Bunny 150. Racers flock to the legendary speedway nestled in the North Carolina Piedmont as the Easter Bunny 150 has become an Easter weekend tradition for the Pro All Stars Series (PASS) South Super Late Model division. Likewise, fans of short track racing recognize the Easter Bunny 150 as one of the sport’s premier races, thanks in large part to the star studded field of drivers the event attracts year after year.

Names like Rowe, Lawler, Williams, Naase, and Grissom have all visited victory lane in the Easter Bunny 150 at Hickory. And, until last year’s win by Preston Peltier, no driver had achieved victory in racing’s ultimate Easter egg hunt more than once. But, even with the best the sport has to offer coming to duke it out against one another, it is a home grown product of Hickory Motor Speedway that some have circled on their entry lists as the early favorite.

Current PASS South Super Late Model points leader Tyler Church is actually from Hickory, NC. He started out as a fan attending races at Hickory Motor Speedway and, after becoming a race car driver, became a top contender in the track’s Limited Late Model division. Eventually, Church joined forces with Peltier competing on limited basis with PASS South in 2013. But, despite only making sporadic starts with the series, Church became an immediate front runner scoring an emotional win in the Over The Mountain 150 at Hickory. A win made even more special in that it came in front of longtime fans, family, and friends that had supported his journey up the racing ladder. And, by the fact, that his late mother is buried in the cemetery which overlooks the historic speedway.

“It was huge to get that win at Hickory last September,” said Church, who went on to capture his second career win just weeks later in the Mason Dixon Meltdown at Southern National. “I’ve had a lot of help since I began racing with PASS and being at home, it was just huge. I’m just very thankful and then to win the Meltdown was just a bonus.”

Despite not winning so far in 2014, Church and his Church’s Carpet team have been the model of consistency. The young season has seen steady improvement for Church, including two top five finishes, a third at Dillon Motor Speedway in March and a runner-up finish in the most recent PASS South event at Orange County Speedway. Now as one of the biggest races of the season approaches at, of all places, his home track, Church is brimming with confidence. All that despite the stellar field that will try to keep him from reaching victory lane at Hickory Motor Speedway for a second straight time.

“Going to Hickory, it’s gonna be tough for sure, but I think we will be okay,” said Church. “I was hoping to have a win by now, but this year was my first time at Greenville. And, at Dillon and Orange County, I was tickled to get a couple of top fives with the competition we had at those two tracks. But all I want is that Easter Bunny, that’s it.”

Church will certainly have his work cut out for him though this weekend as the strongest group of Super Late Models of the year will assemble at Hickory Motor Speedway. Fellow PASS South points contenders Cole Timm, Jared Irvan, Trevor Noles and Tyler Dippel have filed entries. As is usual for the Easter Bunny 150, a strong contingent of Northern drivers will be making the trip down to Hickory including Ben Rowe, DJ Shaw, Joey Doiron, Austin Theriault, Trevor Sanborn, Ryan Moore and Canadian Steve Laking. Jay Fogleman returns to the driver’s seat at Hickory along with his son, Tate, as they carry the banner for Bull City Race Cars and Speedco Truck Lube & Tire. Daniel Hemric returns to PASS after winning the first two events of the season as well as two-time Easter Bunny 150 winner Preston Peltier. Harrison Burton and Gus Dean will also be back as they make their second attempts in PASS for 2014. Former PASS South winner Clay Rogers returns as well for the first time since South Boston in 2013. Veteran Randy Gentry will be looking to bounce back after a tough run at Orange County along with fellow South Carolina drivers Ted Mickelson and Clete Caywood. Veterans Jody Measamer, Brandon Ward, Joe Heigl, and John Batten hope to get their seasons turned around. Florida’s Patrick Staropoli will be stepping in to the Jimmy Doyle owned #71 and will be joined by fellow Sunshine State driver Joey Padgett in making their first Easter Bunny 150 attempts this weekend. Local favorite Brandon Setzer will also be making his first attempt at qualifying along with fellow rookie Tanner Rumburg.

Entry forms and the weekend schedule for the 9th Annual Easter Bunny 150 at Hickory Motor Speedway can be found
HERE.

Action gets under way on Friday, April 18th at Hickory Motor Speedway with rotating practice from 1 – 6 PM for the PASS South Super Late Models, PASS Pro Late Models, Super Cup Stock Car Series, and Legends. On Saturday, April 19th, pit gates will open at 9 AM for the 9th Annual Easter Bunny 150, with rotating practice for all divisions from 11 AM – 2:45 PM. Qualifying will begin at 3:30 PM and racing will start at 6 PM, featuring 150 laps for the PASS South Super Late Models, 50 laps for the PASS Pro Late Models, 75 laps for the Super Cup Stock Cars and action for the Legends cars.

Fans can also purchase Pay-Per-View coverage of the Easter Bunny 150 for $25 from PASS TV Powered By MotorsportsBroadcasting.com and Race22.com.
Please sign up HERE

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 PASS South’s Easter Bunny 150 at the historic Hickory Motor Speedway, the Autobus La Quebecoise Triple Crown at Autodrome Chaudière, and the legendary Oxford 250 at Oxford Plains 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.

Don’t forget to “Like” the Pro All Stars Series on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to keep up with breaking news as it happens.
Brandon Setzer Looks To Continue
Family Tradition At Easter Bunny 150
CHARLOTTE, NC (April 9) – As the Pro All Stars Series (PASS) South Super Late Models prepare for the 9th Annual Hickory Motor Speedway, Newton, NC’s Brandon Setzer looks on with added anticipation. In his first season competing in PASS South and coming off a best career sixth place finish last time out at Orange County Speedway, Setzer prepares to race at the track he has by far and away the most experience at in his young career.

There has never been a time in his life when racing at Hickory Motor Speedway wasn’t front and center for Brandon Setzer. From the time he was born, his family has raced at Hickory, most notably his dad, Dennis. Dennis Setzer won the track championship at Hickory Motor Speedway in 1983 and 1993 before finding success in the Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series. Likewise, Brandon has found victory lane at Hickory in Limited Late Models and Late Model Trucks. Now, Brandon’s focus is on taming a much different beast. A beast in the form of a 650 horespower PASS South Super Late Model. And, with a top short track racing coach like his father guiding him and the home crowd behind him, Setzer likes his chances heading to one of the biggest races of the season.

“We live about five miles away from there and we’re really excited to be going to Hickory,” said Setzer, driver of the Romeo Guest Construction/Jewelry Exchange Ford #6. “We’ve tested there a few times and raced in the Over The Mountain 150 last Fall and were competitive, so we’re really excited to be going to the home track.”

Over the years, the Easter Bunny 150 has established itself as one of the top Super Late Model races in the country. Drivers from across North America come to Hickory Motor Speedway each spring hoping first to qualify amongst the elite group of drivers who make the field and then, hope to be up front at the end of the night to win the unique Easter Bunny trophy. A new sealer added to the speedway’s racing surface during the winter has seen speeds rocket during testing. But, despite that, Setzer believes the great multi-groove racing Hickory has become famous for will once again be prevalent at this year’s Easter Bunny 150.

“I really don’t think it will change the racing,” said Setzer of the track surface. “From everything I’ve heard it’s back to about like it was. I tested there about a week ago and it felt about like it was so I don’t think it will affect the racing a bit. The high grooves still going to be the way to go. I think it will make for some great racing with the low groove worn out. In the short run, the low side will be the quick way around, but I expect to see everybody migrate to the top.”

A great group of drivers have already filed pre-entries including PASS South points leader and Hickory native, Tyler Church. PASS South points contenders Cole Timm, Jared Irvan, Trevor Noles and Tyler Dippel have also filed entries. As is usual for the Easter Bunny 150, a strong contingent of Northern drivers will be making the trip down to Hickory including Ben Rowe, Joey Doiron, Austin Theriault, Trevor Sanborn, and Ryan Moore. Jay Fogleman returns to the driver’s seat at Hickory along with his son, Tate, as they carry the banner for Bull City Race Cars and Speedco. Veteran Randy Gentry will be looking to bounce back after a tough run at Orange County along with fellow South Carolina drivers Ted Mickelson and Clete Caywood. Veterans Jody Measamer and John Batten hope to get their seasons turned around and Florida’s Patrick Staropoli will be stepping in to the Jimmy Doyle owned #71.

Entry forms and the weekend schedule for the 9th Annual Easter Bunny 150 at Hickory Motor Speedway can be found HERE

Action gets under way on Friday, April 18th at Hickory Motor Speedway with rotating practice from 1 – 6 PM for the PASS South Super Late Models, PASS Pro Late Models, Super Cup Stock Car Series, and Legends. On Saturday, April 19th, pit gates will open at 9 AM for the 9th Annual Easter Bunny 150, with rotating practice for all divisions from 11 AM – 2:45 PM. Qualifying will begin at 3:30 PM and racing will start at 6 PM, featuring 150 laps for the PASS South Super Late Models, 50 laps for the PASS Pro Late Models, 75 laps for the Super Cup Stock Cars and action for the Legends cars.

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 PASS South’s Easter Bunny 150 at the historic Hickory Motor Speedway, the Autobus La Quebecoise Triple Crown at Autodrome Chaudière, and the legendary Oxford 250 at Oxford Plains 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.

Don’t forget to “Like” the Pro All Stars Series on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to keep up with breaking news as it happens.

SEVERAL PASS NORTH TEAMS HEADED
TO EASTER BUNNY 150
It’s one of the rites of spring for many PASS North race teams and northern race fans that follow the PASS North Series, it’s time for the 9th Annual Easter Bunny 150, PASS National Series event at Hickory Motor Speedway in Hickory, North Carolina scheduled for Saturday, April 19th.

“It’s been a long winter, stated one local race fan. Every year we pack up the camper and head to Hickory for this race. We always seem to hit great weather, and the warmth of spring down south makes it that much better. When we get back, the PASS North Series opens up and the racing season will be under way. The Easter Bunny 150 is one of our favorite races as Hickory has so much heritage and so many fond memories of years gone by.”

This event will feature at least a handful of PASS North Series drivers that will be making the trek south. PASS National Championship point leader, Ben Rowe (#4n, photo above) from Turner, Maine will be headed south as well as 2013 PASS North runner-up, Berwick, Maine’s Joey Doiron (#73, photo below). Also pre-registered are Austin Theriault from Fort Kent, Maine, Trevor Sanborn from Buxton, and Ryan Moore from Scarborough. Numerous other teams have shown interest in making the trip as well.

The Easter Bunny 150 schedule shows an open practice session for the four divisions on Friday, April 18th from 1-6pm. In action will be the PASS Super Late Models, Pro Late Models, Legends and SCSCS Super Cups. Saturday schedule shows time trials beginning at 4pm, followed by an on-track autograph session at 5:15pm. Racing action goes green for the Easter Bunny 150 events at 6pm.

Hickory Motor Speedway is located at Exit 48 off from I40. Then proceed ½ mile west on U.S. Route 70. Adult tickets are just $20 for one of the biggest events on the PASS Tour, and can be purchased on the day of the event. 
 
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Series Contact:  Tommy Mayberry - (207) 693-6497

email: passracing@roadrunner.com

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