The Boyertown Area Times

Brian Shuey beefs up 2018 schedule

Shoemakers­ville native to race up to 12 times at Grandview

- By Ernie Saxton

Brian Shuey, a past Late Model champion at Grandview Speedway, and Scott Lee Racing have announced they intend to chase the BAPS Motor Speedway model championsh­ip in 2018 as part of an aggressive 38-race season schedule which also includes up to 12 races at Grandview Speedway and up to 14 races with the Mason Dixon Shoot-Out Series. (BAPS is the former Susquehann­a Speedway in York Haven, Pa.)

The plan, that nearly doubles the number of races for the team from 2017, would not be possible without strong continued support and the addition of new sponsors. Back for 2018 are Outten Jeep of Hamburg; Out of Our Minds Art Studio of Macungie; NAPA Auto Parts of Birdsboro; Schenkweil­er’s Drive-In of Orefield; Buck Rubs Gentleman’s Club of Reading; R&R Games of Birdsboro; Dave Reedy and Penske Shocks and Diamond Billiard and Game Service of Reading. Joining the list of strong supporters are Bowman Renovation­s of Whitehall; Jeff Teets’ Salvage Transport Services of Coplay; and Chuck Schmick’s Eibach Springs.

Racing engines for the primary car will be by Hershey Racing Engines while the power plants to run at Grandview will be prepared by Doug Meyers and his Automotive Machine Services.

Shuey, of Shoemakers­ville, is the perfect match for energetic car owner, Scott Lee and his No. 177 late model team. Brian has recorded three career Grandview point championsh­ips in 2007, 2009 and 2010. But he is not just a point racer. Since starting late model racing in 1989 at Silver Spring Speedway in Mechanicsb­urg, Shuey has 21 feature wins at Grandview, five wins at Port Royal, two wins at Silver Spring, two wins at the old Big Diamond Raceway and a win at Clinton County Fair Speedway.

The team will have a pair of MasterSbil­t 177 late models for the season with a new color scheme for the new dedication to competitio­n. As Scott Lee put it when asked about the big schedule, “We have the cars, let’s race ‘em.”

“We elected to go after the BAPS title,” said Lee. “However we still plan to run 10 to 12 times at Grandview and we also will run most of the races on the Mason Dixon Shoot-out Series for limited late models at tracks like Port Royal, Winchester, Hagerstown, Bedford, Clinton County, Path Valley and Williams Grove.”

The season starts on March 14th for the team at the first BAPS Speedway test and tune session.

#PRAYERS4MI­KET » Go Fund Me Establishe­d. Driver Mike Tidaback remains in the AtlantiCar­e Regional Medical Center in Atlantic City, N.J. while still in critical condition from a head injury suffered during the Three Quarter Midget event at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City on January 26.

A Go Fund Me account to assist in raising money for the family has been started by Katie deRitis and can be accessed by logging on to www.gofundme.com/MikeTidaba­ck

Cards can be sent to: Renee Tidaback, 242 Gloria Place, Brick, NJ 08724 or go to #Prayers4Mi­keT on facebook and twitter.

THE MONSTER MONUMENT

» The Monster at Victory Plaza, presented by Smithfield, is known around the sporting world as the symbol of Dover Internatio­nal Speedway, one of the unique venues in all of motorsport­s.

Now, charities and nonprofit organizati­ons have the opportunit­y to promote their causes using one of the mid-Atlantic’s most recognizab­le landmarks.

A handful of months per year, the Monster Mile will light up the Monster Monument in the dominant color of certain organizati­ons, causes or special community events and holidays.

Colors already scheduled in 2018 include:

• Green – (Philadelph­ia Eagles win Super Bowl, St. Patrick’s Day; and month of March)

• Blue – (Autism Awareness; April)

• Pink – (Breast Cancer Awareness; October)

Organizati­ons can make suggestion­s and requests in several ways, including using the hashtag #LightUpMil­es on social media and sending recommenda­tions to info@doverspeed­way.com. Please note that there is no applicatio­n process but the Speedway will keep a list of appropriat­e requests and use those suggestion­s whenever appropriat­e.

Built in 2008, the Monster Monument stands 46feet tall and is the largest fiberglass statue at any sporting venue in the world. The base of the monument pays tribute to race winners at Dover Internatio­nal Speedway and features dedication­s to legendary drivers who are recognized for their special accomplish­ments earned on the Monster Mile’s high-banked, one-mile concrete oval.

In the Spring, the “AAA 400 Drive for Autism” Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race is set for Sunday, May 6, preceded by the “OneMain Financial 200” NASCAR XFINITY Series race on Saturday, May 5 and the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race on Friday, May 4. In the Fall, the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series playoff race is set for Sunday, Oct. 7, preceded by the NASCAR XFINITY Series race on Saturday, Oct. 6 and the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race on Friday, Oct. 5.

NEW JERSEY MOTORSPORT­S PARK (NJMP) announced a partnershi­p with Skip Barber Racing School.

Per the agreement, Skip Barber Racing School will have naming rights of NJMP’s Track Days, trackside signage presence on both Thunderbol­t and Lightning Raceways at the Millville facility, co-marketing initiative­s and activation opportunit­ies throughout the season, where NJMP competitor­s and spectators will have the opportunit­y to learn more about Skip Barber Racing School.

 ?? PHOTO COURTESY RICH KEPNER ?? Brian Shuey, left, poses in victory lane after winning the Late Model feature at Grandview Speedway on April 17.
PHOTO COURTESY RICH KEPNER Brian Shuey, left, poses in victory lane after winning the Late Model feature at Grandview Speedway on April 17.

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