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Jun 1, 2022
No one likes a rain out, even when it’s a postponement. But, there are those rare instances when a postponement can provide an opportunity to certain competitors who had prior commitments on the originally scheduled date. That is just what has happened for Haydt Yannone Racing and their driver Ron Silk, who are now heading to Claremont Motorsports Park this Friday for a major Open Modified event.
The No. 16 HYR camp is competing full-time on the 2022 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, with Silk’s consistency putting him in the points lead after five races. With the Tour competing at Jennerstown Speedway in western Pennsylvania last Saturday, it was impossible for the team to enter races in New England over the past weekend.
However, with the rain out and postponement of the Racers Honoring Racers 100 in Claremont, New Hampshire from last Friday night to this Friday, June 3, Silk and HYR are throwing in their names last minute. The $15,000-to-win Open Modified event is being staged by The Racing Guys headed by Jim Schaeffer and Dick Williams, as well as Claremont promoter Mike Parks.
“It worked our way. There’s a Tour race there later this year and we thought this would be a good opportunity to get up there and race before that happens. It’s also going to pay well, anytime Dick Williams and Jim Schaeffer do these things they do a really good job raising a lot of money for the racers. So, it’s good to support guys like that, who go out of their way to support the racers,” Silk told Racing America.
The past three weeks have been a busy one for Silk and all the full-time Whelen Modified Tour teams. Adding Claremont this week will make it four-straight races for HYR. But with the opportunity to prepare for July 29 Tour event, big money on the line, and the chance to join an already big name field; it was too good for No. 16 team to pass up.
“We’ve been pretty busy the last three weeks with Riverhead, Lee, and then going all the way out to Jennerstown; I think we could use a break. But, there’s only so many chances to go race; you got to go race when you can.”
Claremont Motorsports Park is a track that Silk has run at more times during his career than most people would think. Chalking up multiple Open Modified wins over the years, the 1/3-mile oval on the New Hampshire – Vermont state line has become a favorite for the Norwalk, Connecticut native.
“I really like it, I’ve actually raced there quite a few times. I’ve won a couple of open races there. I won my first pole on the NASCAR Tour in 2007. It’s a great little racetrack; got a decent amount of grip that you can race on. I always look forward to going there.”
Familiar touring Modified drivers on the entry list include Silk, Matt Hirschman, Doug Coby, and Woody Pitkat to name a few. But, Claremont has often favored local favorites from time to time. With drivers such as Matt Kimball and Brian Robie, who are two of Claremont’s most recent weekly champions in Modifieds, the touring roster will have quite the battle ahead.
“It’s tricky with the two ends of the track being different from each other. It’s certainly a place where if you have a lot of laps and you race there every week, it can be an advantage for you,” Silk explained.
Being such a late entry, HYR’s prep time will be limited before Friday night, but Silk is confident that it could result in the team’s second win in 2022, and a $15,000 payday.
“Yeah, I’m confident we’ll be able to come out, run well, and compete for the win. But, you never know until you get on track. We’re working hard to get our Open car ready and finished up. Obviously with it being a last-minute thing for us, we didn’t make the call until we got back from Jennerstown. Again, it’s a good opportunity for us to get after it.”
Racing America will be on hand at Claremont Motorsports Park to bring you the live broadcast of the Racers Honoring Racers 100 starting at 8pm ET with Open Modified heat races.
