NYSSCA Holds Another Successful Fundraising Bowling Tournament
Column By: BRETT HORLACHER / RPW – EAST GREENBUSH, NY – Taking a night off from prepping their instruments of speed, drivers hit the lanes for a great cause.
On what still feels like a mid-winter night in late March, drivers, crew members, and fans piled into the East Greenbush Bowling Center is East Greenbush, NY for another open bowling tournament with all proceeds benefiting 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 NYSSCA, the Benefit Fund, is available for any 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. Raffle items ranged from signed pictures and passes to various racetracks all the way to driver apparel and gift baskets.
Soon after, bowling shoes were strapped on and the pins began to fly.
Drivers of Big-Block Modifieds all the way to Four-Cylinders from each of the Greater NY Capital Region Area Tracks, Albany-Saratoga, Fonda, Glen Ridge, Lebanon Valley and Devils Bowl were in attendance.
“I am so excited,” Dan Wood, NYSSCA Vice President said during the event. “We’ve got 90 bowlers. It’s just an awesome event and a great way for everybody to get together before the start of the racing season when everything gets crazy. This is a way for everyone to have a good time and socialize with one another.”
The lanes were packed with bowlers of every age. With fans bowling next to drivers, the atmosphere was full of fun, healthy competition, and talk of the upcoming race season. The ‘Sold-Out’ Event is quickly becoming a hot ticket in the racing world. Several drivers were in attendance, including Ken Tremont Jr., Brian Berger, Mike King, Keith Flach, Kim Lavoy, Whitey Slavin, Ray Hall Sr. and Jr., Gary O’Brien, Ed Hatch, Ivan Joslin, Jeff Meltz Sr. and Jr., Jason Meltz, Joe Leflamme, David Stickles, Clinton Bonner, Bobby Hackel, Paolo Pascarella, and even myself.
“With the fans normally seeing us on the other side of the fence, this is a really cool and fun opportunity to interact with them.” Lebanon Valley 2017 Sportsman Champion Whitey Slavin said.
A NYSSCA member himself, Whitey was not shy to express his appreciation for the organization.
“NYSSCA has our backs when were in trouble, and I support them 100%,” he said.
NYSSCA would like to thank those who donated items for the raffle: Elmo’s Speed Shop, Kaleigh Cavanaugh at Posh Hair Salon, Keith Flach Racing (Keith Flach), Liz and John Flach, High Maintenance Hair Salon (Chelsea Flach) Boomer’s Performance, Cheryl Catman, Mike King Racing, NYSSCA, Andrea Lancia, Kustom Keepsakes, Albany-Saratoga Speedway, Lebanon Valley Speedway, Phaze 3 Racing (Brian Berger), Kim Lavoy Racing, Gary O’Brien Racing, Ken Tremont Jr., Bobco Video, Meltz Racing, Photos by Michael John Pierce, Therapeutic Massage (Joanna Barzottini), and East Greenbush Bowling Center.
