Fun times As NYSSCA Raises Money In Annual Bowling Tourney
Column By: BRETT HORLACHER / RPW – EAST GREENBUSH, NY – Before throwing cars into corners, Drivers threw bowling balls for a great cause.
On a still chilly night in late March, drivers, crew members, and fans descended on the East Greenbush (NY) Bowling Center is upstate NY for an open bowling tournament, with all proceeds going to the NYSSCA ‘Benefit Fund.’
The New York State Stock Car Association (NYSSCA) is an all-volunteer group of racers dedicated to the betterment of the sport through education and continued support. The most well-known function of their ‘Benefit Fund’ is available for a member who gets injured while at the track.
Patrons arrived at the bowling center and were greeted by two representatives of NYSSCA and a large array of donated items for a blind raffle, ranging from signed pictures, and passes to various racetracks, gift basket items and even a used door panel. Soon after, bowling shoes were strapped on and the pins began to fly.
Drivers of Big-Block Modifieds to Four-Cylinders from each of the New York Capital Region Area Tracks (Albany-Saratoga, Fonda, Glen Ridge and Lebanon Valley) were in attendance. President of NYSSCA, Tom Coughlin, was seen mingling with the crowd and speaking with various patrons.
“We are very thankful for the great turnout for this event,” Coughlin said. “Seeing everyone here, having fun after this seemingly never-ending winter is a great boost. With the turnout for this event and for our previous events this winter, I am definitely excited for this coming race season.”
Coughlin also wanted to remind everyone that membership in NYSSCA is not just for drivers and crew members.
“We definitely want to get it out there that membership is not just for drivers and the crews,” he said. “Fans and officials can also join and get involved with NYSSCA.”
Bowlers from every age and discipline enjoyed the three-hour bowling tournament. With hot pizza and cold beverages, the atmosphere was that of fun, competition and of course, bench racing.
Several current and former drivers were in attendance. The likes of Brian Berger, Ricky Davis, Keith Flach, Mike King, Kim LaVoy, Whitey Slavin and Kenny Tremont were joined by Ivan Joslin, Jeff and Jason Meltz, Kim and Scott Duell, Colin Bokus, and even myself. No doubt a future driver in big cars, four-year old Deegan Nichols was lifting a bowling ball that weighed nearly one-quarter of his weight to bowl with his Dad, Jim. The son of Jim and Jessica Flach Nichols will be starting his first year of kart racing in 2017.
Michael John Pierce, a member of the Kenny Tremont crew and avid bowler himself, bowled a perfect game. Twelve strikes in a row, resulting in a score of three-hundred.
“It was so great to bowl a 300 with my racing family able to watch,” Pierce said.
Ever able to see the big picture, Big-Block Modified Driver Keith Flach took a moment between crushing bowling pins to talk about what the day was all about.
“This is a great event by an outstanding organization,” Flach said. “NYSSCA does a lot for drivers, crew members and fans. It is important to support them because we know they’ll support us if we need them.”
Another testament to the generosity of drivers, the 50/50 raffle was won by Small-Block Modified Driver Kim LaVoy, who in-turn, quietly donated a back to NYSSCA.
The organization would like to thank those who donated items for the raffle:
Phaze 3 Racing – Brian Berger, Keith Flach Racing, Mike King Racing, Kenny Tremont Racing, Kustom Keepsakes, Phaze 3 Designs – Denise Jahn, Lebanon Valley Speedway, Albany-Saratoga Speedway, Bobco Racing Videos, Kaleigh Cavanaugh at Posh Hair Salon, Nails by Stacy at Posh Hair Salon, Therapeutic Massage, Michael John Pierce, Debbie Jahn at Tastefully Simple, Chelsea Flach at High Maintenance Hair Studio, Jessica Flach Nichols – It Works, Andrea and Tony Lancia, Liz Flach and the East Greenbush Bowling Center.
