NEW ENGLAND MOTORSPORTS NORTH By Lou Modestino(for 2/26-2/28/10)

Lenny’s Shoe and Apparel has announced that their Hot Shoe Award program for Thunder Road competitors will continue for the 2010 season. Lenny’s awards a cash bonus to drivers in Thunder Road’s(Barre, VT top three divisions that earn their first or second feature win of the season.

The Late Models earn $150 for their first win, Bond Auto Tiger Sportsmen receive $100 and the Allen Lumber Street Stocks make $50. For a driver’s second win they receive half the amount of their first win. These checks along with an embroidered hat are given to the “Hot Shoe” drivers during the pre-race ceremonies of the next event.

At the end of the year Lenny’s awards a “Hottest Shoe” check to the driver that earns the most wins in each of the three divisions. The Late Model driver with the most checkered flags during the season gets $500, Bond Auto Tiger Sportsman competitors earns $250 and $100 is given to the Allen Lumber Street Stock driver with the most wins. Between the Hot Shoe and Hottest Shoe Awards, Lenny’s handed out over $5,000 among 14 Late Model, 14 Tiger Sportsman and 13 Street Stock drivers during the 2009 season.

2010 will be Lenny’s eighth season supporting Thunder Road competitors with the Hot Shoe Award. The program began in 2003 and has become popular amongst the competitors. The first Lenny’s “Hot Shoe” will be determined at Thunder Road’s season opener, the Merchants Bank 150 on Sunday, May 2. Lenny’s Shoe and Apparel has three locations in Vermont – St. Albans, Williston and Barre.

You say it’s been a long New England winter and a “racing-fix” is long-overdue to help quell those feelings of cabin-fever? If-so, than the place you want to be this Friday & Saturday Feb 26 & 27 is the 2010 Racers Expo to be held at the Best Western Plaza Hotel at 181 Boston Post Road West in Marlborough, Mass.

The show kicks-off on Friday, running from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Action resumes on Saturday from 10am to 9 p.m.. Sure to be one of the best bargains offered to New England racing enthusiasts in 2010, admission is absolutely-free.

Organizers have assembled an event that’s sure to be enjoyed by everyone from the most casual of motorsports fan to the hardcore enthusiast. Present will be a wide assortment of vendors offering everything from racing equipment to books on the sport. Just some of the companies confirmed to be exhibiting their wares are Seymour Enterprises/The Race Depot, Bell, Hoosier, The Joie of Seating, Nu Tin, and Racing Electronics. Lew Boyd of Coastal 181 Publishing will also be there, offering-up his usual fine selection of racing books and videos.

Patrons can expect to get a sneak-peek at what’s in-store for the 2010 racing season with several tracks including Lee, Seekonk, and Thompson all slated to have exhibits. Not to be left-out is some of the Northeast’s premier racing sanctioning groups. The Northeast Midget Association (NEMA), ISMA, The Modified Racing Series, and the Pro-Four Modified Series are just a sampling confirmed to be present. The event also features a number of free seminars ranging in subject matter from technical topics to racing marketing strategies.

Presented by the Shane Hammond Believe Foundation, a series of raffles will be held offering as prizes everything “Driving Experience” packages to safety equipment from Bell, Oakley, and event organizer Bobby Seymour’s Race Depot. The Northeastern Midget Association (NEMA) takes center-stage on Saturday at 4:15 with a press conference offering an in-depth view of the clubs upcoming season.

The Best Western Plaza Hotel is conveniently located at 181 Boston Post Road West in Marlborough, Massachusetts. For more information on the 2010 Racers Expo, visit www.theracersexpo.com

Here’s what’s going on in northern New England this weekend. There’s three choices of stockcar racing on the ice on Sunday at 1 p.m. in NH. Berry or Lee Ponds in Multonborough, Lake Contoocook in Jeffery and Me-Te-Jo Campground in Milton. Also Jolly Roger Motorsports Park in E. Lempster, NH offers motorcycle, quad and snowmobile racing starting at 9 a.m.