News & Notes From The Northeast Racing Products Trade Show

Column By: BOBBY CHALMERS / RPW – SYRACUSE, NY – Usually, Syracuse, NY in November for racers is reserved for racers to head to the New York State Fairgrounds for the Parts Peddler Trade Show & Auction. Well, starting this weekend, a new tradition commenced with the first annual Northeast Racing Products Trade Show.

Several drivers, crew members & fans from many different disciplines made their way to the event, which this year was only a two-day show (Friday & Saturday), getting away from the customary three-day event. This gives exhibitors Sunday to travel home.

One such racer was Capital Region Sportsman racer Tim Hartman Jr. who was surprised by the time he was leaving the show.

“My car owner Mike Parillo bought the Troyer TD4 frame and body and he also bought the Troyer TD3 bare frame,” Hartman said. “I had no idea he was doing that and had no plans on buying anything really. I went to the show with like $26 in my pocket.”

For Fonda Speedway Modified campaigner Josh Hohenforst, after a successful season at the Track of Champions in a Teo Pro Car, a change was in order.

“We were able to sell our Teo we ran this past year and bought a brand new DKM Cyclone Chassis,” Hohenforst said. “They run really well and you can’t beat that they are a local chassis company. That is huge.”

Shaun Pangman is a driver who has made a name for himself at the Glen Ridge Motorsports Park over the last few years, winning on several occasions. During the 2017 season, he had a teammate. First it was Jim Nagle and then Cody Bleau. With that, Pangman’s schedule started to become less and less, but for 2018, that looks like it will change.

“Right now, I believe we will be at Fonda weekly with a Big Block,” Pangman said. I love that track and that is all we have secure right now.”

As for his equipment, it looks as if there will be an addition to the Hoyenga Racing Team’s arsenal.

“I had to check with Laudy (Hoyenga) to see what was going on,” he said with a laugh. “We have four Troyer cars in the shop now and all I know is he told me a new car was ordered. No idea what it is, though.”

Cody Bleau, who spent close to three-quarters of the season behind the wheel of Hoyenga’s #34H machine, 2018 is up in the air right now.

“Not sure what we are doing next year as of yet,” Bleau said. “I can’t thank Laudy and Shaun for the chance they took on me this past season. It was amazing to run a Big Block and get to run places like Eldora and Super DIRT Week. I hope things work out where I can do more in 2018.”

Albany-Saratoga Modified racer Neil Stratton had a decent 2017 season. While he didn’t find his way to victory lane, he did crack the top 10 in points, finishing eighth. Things are looking good so far this off-season for the second-generation driver.

“We’re working to get our Troyer turned around and will run the same car next season,” he said. “I really like the car and just have to get the power situation figured out. Couple years ago we had a Big Block and everyone was fast with the Small Blocks. So we sold our Big Block and built a Small Block. Now, everyone has gotten the Big Blocks working. We’ll get it.”

Stratton was walking around the show with good friend and multi-time Lebanon Valley Sportsman Champion Jeff Watson. Watson tells me that he is working to get the Bicknell that he ran in 2017 ready for the new year, but where he’s going to race is a mystery.

“I really don’t know where we will race next year,” he said. “Some of the tracks we went to running the King of Dirt Series really took their toll on our car. My dad laughed at me about things because he knows how meticulous I am with our equipment and sometimes it was tough. We’ll make a decision soon but I really don’t know what we’re doing right now.”

Lebanon Valley Big Block Modified racer Kyle Armstrong reports that this off-season is dedicated to his team’s engine program. The Connecticut driver will be making the move to Billy the Kid Performance for next season.

Armstrong states that Billy the Kid has a great program put together right now for the Valley high banks and is hoping that you’ll see where the cost of Big Block Modified engines will begin to come down because of him.

Valley Pro Stock runner Joe LaFlamme was walking the show floor Saturday and reports that his team will have a new crate motor in their #60 Pro Stock for the upcoming season. LaFlamme had his best year in racing in 2017, finishing 10th in points at LVS.