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Ricky Miller To Be Remembered:
Claremont, NH (Mar 14,2008) --- In a joint announcement,
track owner Dennis Fleury and series president Jack
Bateman, the principals responsible for the inaugural
event, advise the 1st annual “Ricky Miller Memorial 100,”
presented by New England Outdoor Furnaces,” will be held
on Sunday afternoon Sept.28th as part of the Twin State
Speedway Fall Challenge, a two day event.
Miller, a Twin State (Claremont Speedway) standout for
many years before moving on to the Whelen Modified Tour
and the NASCAR Busch Series died at the age of 34. The
popular competitor, a one time Florida racer and crew
chief for noted car owner/builder Mario Fiore, would also
win the last Whelen Modified Tour race at the famed
Riverside Park Speedway, Agawam, MA., and claim that
tracks final championship for the modified division prior
to it’s 1999 closing.
The addition of the September race to the TVMRS schedule
has generated a tremendous amount of interest from fans
and racers. The opportunity to honor and remember one of
the speedways greatest names make’s the event that more
special.
Marketing director John Hoyt opined, “The TVMRS and TSS
worked very hard to get the series back to where many of
the original series drivers called home. We all knew that
this event was going to be big, now with the addition of
the Miller family as part of this event, it is going to be
special. For me this event is now very personal, not only
is it being held at my home track but I also get to honor
the person that got me involved in racing. The very first
race car I ever worked on was Ricky’s. He and the Miller
family provided me with opportunities in this sport that
few people ever get. In racing there is no higher honor
than to be called a Racer. Ricky Miller was a Racer.”
TSS race director Mike Parks noted that the late racer was
a big part of the tracks long history. “We wanted to make
this event as special as we can, so with the help of the
TVMRS and Donnie and Barbara Miller, what a way to bring
the Mods back. Ricky cut his teeth racing at the Thrasher
Road oval from the start of his racing career, racing in
the street stocks with his AMC Javelin. From that point he
made the jump to the pro stock class again with many
feature wins to his credit. The Miller family has a long
history at TSS as Ricky’s dad Donnie “The Golden Jet
“Miller was a multi time track champion at the speedway.
TSS is proud to be able to honor Ricky with this event.”
Series founder Bateman fondly remembered Miller who passed
away in 2004. “I am really happy that the TVMRS and Twin
State Speedway have been able to put this together. Donnie
Miller is a longtime friend who I raced with for many
years. Donnie was one of Claremont’s modified hero’s,
known as” The Golden Jet”. His son Ricky followed in his
footsteps racing on the local short tracks. He was a
strong competitor and became a good friend to me and many
in the local racing fraternity. I know that we are all
going work really hard to make the series’ inaugural visit
to Twin State a huge success. I want to thank track owner
Dennis Fleury and everyone involved for making this
happen.”
The legendary “Golden Jet” Donnie Miller was emotionally
overwhelmed to learn that his late son was going to be
remembered in front of many of the drivers he raced with
and is hoping for a big turnout from modified fans from
all over New England. “Ricky’s mother, sister, brother,
and I are so honored to have a racing tribute in Ricky’s
memory. He would be very proud and so humbled to have a
modified racing event to include his name and memory.
Ricky was a true racer and the now Twin State Speedway
(formerly Claremont Speedway) was where he cut his teeth
in racing at a very young age. It is also where he raced
his last race. He raced from Maine to Florida in many
different divisions and was moving up racings ladder of
success when he was taken from us in the prime of his
life.”
The New England racing great added that this race has an
additional meaning for him and his family. “I want this
event to mean something special and that is why I have
decided to make it a fund raiser for Kyle and Patty
Petty’s Victory Junction Gang Camp located in North
Carolina. Kyle and Patty Petty also lost their son Adam
Petty at a very young age. They founded this camp to help
chronic and terminally ill children in Adam’s memory. Out
of all tragedy comes some good and if we can raise some
money to help give some chronic and terminally ill
children a little happiness in their lives it will sure
help us. I hope we can get support from all of the
businesses in and around the Claremont area and the race
fans to make this a great success. It would be great to be
able to make a nice sized donation to the Victory Junction
Gang Camp.”
Miller closed saying, “I would like to say thank you very
much from the bottom of my heart to all those involved in
making this happen. You know who you are and it is greatly
appreciated.”
For additional information contact the TVMRS at
800-924-2594. |
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