FOR RELEASE IMMEDIATELY

Norwood , MA. Overcast and showers failed to dampen the good times that Norwood Arena/New England Dragway South race fans have enjoyed every year since it's inception back in 2004. While the wet weather kept the turnout of classic cars, drivers, officials and fans down, there were a still a surprisingly number of race cars that came to the event which started at 10 a.m Sunday, June 5.

The biggest hit of the 12th Annual Norwood Arena/New England Dragway South Reunions, held at Bezema Motors in Norwood, MA, was the display by Carl Silva of Gloucester, MA who converted the auto showroom into a gallery of racing pictures, posters, paintings, motor sports books and magazines of all kinds. Some of them dated back to the first Indy 500 and the board tracks of the early 1900's.

All of that with a backdrop of a 1973 Pontiac Grand Am pace car in the North Wilksboro Speedway livery, a NASCAR Modified driven by Richie Evans' #61 original and authentic race car. The late Evans drove the car to several wins and championships on that NASCAR circuit before his tragic death at the Martinsville Speedway in VA. There was also a mid-west type Sprint Car that raced the paved ovals in America's heartland. That Pontiac pace car was one of about 19 that survived the sands of time. Pontiac Motor Division built those pace cars for all of the tracks that hosted NASCAR Grand National races that year to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of NASCAR in 1973.

Also present was the New England Hall of Fame truck that had framed pictures of every member of the HOF since it's inception some 25 years ago. Also inside the service area was a display by the well known Tom Dunn of Wrentham, MA who raced dragsters and later built and prepared Modified race cars for Leo Cleary of Hanover, MA who raced throughout the northeast during the 60's, 70's and 80's.

Trophies were awarded to the following: Daryl Stampfl of Nowood who placed 2nd for his Pontiac classic car while Daryl Church of Brockton took the 1st place race car trophy for his Sport Truck that he races at Seekonk Speedway. Ralph Carerra got the second place classic car trophy for his Olds rag top Classic. The second place race car trophy went to Lenny Johnson. Trophies were awarded to the three showroom cars that are owned by Steve and Glenn Zimmerman of Shoe City Motors in Brockton, MA. Paul Spender's Slingshot motorcycle got the top award in the class. Bernie Dears of Brockton took one of the race car trophies for his BMW Modified Dragster while John Williams of Plymouth was also awarded a trophy for his racing car.

Plans are on the drawing board to present the Annual Norwood Arena/New England Dragway South Reunions on the first Sunday in June 2017. (end)