PRESS RELEASE
HOSSFELD HOMETOWN FAVORITE FOR NWMT DEBUT AT LANCASTER
Nu-Way Auto Parts 150 Set for July 31 at NYIRP
Lancaster, NY (July 7, 2021): While it’s been over two years since Chuck Hossfeld of Ransomville, NY, has competed at Lancaster Speedway at New York International Raceway Park (NYIRP), his chances of finding victory lane in the Nu-Way Auto Parts 150 for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour are pretty good. Hossfeld has amassed 42 wins at the half-mile asphalt oval at Lancaster. On Saturday, July 31, Hossfeld looks to add to that tally.
“I’m not really sure where we will stack up with guys like [Justin] Bonsignore and [Doug] Coby coming to my home track,” said Hossfeld. “I’m used to competing with these guys on their own turf when we go to places like Riverhead, Stafford and Thompson. Now they have to come to my home track. I like our chances.”
Hossfeld will also have to beat other hometown heroes like Series point leader Patrick Emerling of Orchard Park, NY, Tyler Rypkema of Oswego, NY – who’s having a career year – and other feature winners like Mike Leaty of Williamson, NY, and Matt Hirschman of Northampton, PA. Hirschman has 11 wins at Lancaster.
When the Series returns to Hossfeld’s home track, he will do so for car owner Joe Bertuccio. If he can score the win in the Bertuccio #2, he would be the sixth different owner for which Hossfeld has secured a Lancaster triumph.
After running a family-owned street stock, Billy Colton, Sr. was the first to give the young hot shoe a Modified ride. Other car owners include Tom Snyder, Don Ryerse, Jerry Gradl and ultimately a family- owned car once again.
With wins spanning from 1996 to 2018, Hossfeld sits fourth on the all-time win list behind Sege Fidanza, Roger Treichler and Maynard Troyer. The magnitude of the honor is not lost on Hossfeld.
“I’m really proud of that,” said Hossfeld, “especially as we accomplished that feat in a regularly short time. It was only a handful of years that we raced at Lancaster weekly. We had a pretty good win ratio.”
“It’s just cool to see my name up there with the likes of these competitors,” said Hossfeld. “To be recognized against those heroes of our sport is pretty amazing”.
Hossfeld is equally as proud of his notable accomplishments at Oswego Speedway, where he sits third on the all-time Modified win list behind legends like Richie Evans and Geoff Bodine.
But, Hossfeld’s excitement for the upcoming race is not simply about his chances of adding to the win ratio; it’s also about the big stage that the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour offer this special speedway.
“I am really excited for fans of the Modified Tour to join the locals for what is going to be a great weekend of racing,” said Hossfeld. ”The D-shape of the half-mile track and the quality of the racing surface makes for great side-by-side racing. When you put that together with tailgating, camping and bonfires – it’s a party atmosphere.”
He was quick to note the beautiful location – so close to Niagara Falls- and the home of the Buffalo chicken wing, a trip to Upstate New York for a weekend of Modified racing is the recipe for success.
While Hossfeld admittedly has a lot of great memories of Lancaster Speedway, even those watching as a kid, with his accolades, the expectation would be that the most memorable experience from the speedway would be a great pass for the lead, a come-from-behind win or an epic battle with a rival. And, while Hossfeld’s most memorable moment does involve a win, that’s not the highlight of the story. The tale of this most memorable moment is as original as the driver himself.
Ray MacIver, who ran a dirt Sportsman at Ransomville Speedway and sold tires at Lancaster, was an old friend of Hossfeld and many others in the local short track racing.
“It was Ray’s dying wish to have his ashes spread at the track,” said Hossfeld. ”After he passed away, his wife Debbi gave me a small pouch of his ashes. It was a very small pouch, probably only an arm or something,” added Hossfeld with a deep laugh in reverence, saying, “It’s okay to say that, Debbie would appreciate that and Ray would have loved it.”
On the pace lap, Hossfeld delivered on the racer’s last wish; opening the pouch to let his ashes fly. Hossfeld did go on to win the feature that night; likely with some help from above.
Although the only thing flying on Saturday, July 31 will be Modifieds and checkered flags, the Nu-Way Auto Parts 150 will be a memorable event.
“It’s going to be a good time,” concluded Hossfeld. And if anyone knows about a good time, it’s Chuck Hossfeld.
General admission tickets are now on sale for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour event at New York International Raceway Park (NYIRP) in Lancaster, NY. Grandstand tickets for the Nu-Way Auto Parts 150, scheduled for Saturday, July 31, are available at SeetheEvents.com for $35 for adults and $15 for children ages 12 and under.
Grandstands will open at Noon with practice beginning at 2pm. Racing begins at 5pm. In addition to the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, the race card also includes Sportsman, 4-Cylinders and Street Stocks.
The event website is hosted by event promoter and Lancaster Speedway/NYIRP partner, Speed Enterprises Entertainment.
Media Contact: Dale Wolbrink, 508.847.0565, racinprvet@gmail.com