Auto Racing: Rundown of the best at Motorsports 2007

Motorsports 2007, held Jan. 11 to 13, was a "huge success," said show promoter Ernie Saxton. The event was held for the first time at the Atlantic City Convention Center and coincided with the Atlantic City Indoor Races at Boardwalk Hall Jan. 12 and 13.

Several national racing stars made appearances, including NASCAR Nextel Cup Rookie of the Year Denny Hamlin, 2003 Cup champion Matt Kenseth, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion Todd Bodine, Nextel Cup star Dave Blaney, Craftsman Truck Series standout Erin Crocker, former Daytona 500 champion Derrike Cope and NHRA drag racing star Ron Capps.

More than 250 race cars were on display and more than 600 vendors filled the 300,000 square-foot show area. Several race cars won awards, including:

* Best appearing stock car: Frank Guidace's dirt modified.

* Best appearing open cockpit car: Jason Warfield's micro-sprint.

* Best appearing drag-racing car: "The Beast" truck (Englishtown, N.J. Raceway).

* Best race car display: Jammerson Motorsports' NASCAR Busch Series East car driven by Dion Ciccarelli.

* Best Speedway or club display: Wall Township Speedway, which featured one vehicle from every class that races at the track on a regular basis.

* Best commercial display: Speedway Entertainment/Slingshots by Tobias, which featured a hand-built wooden display and one of their new spec midgets.

* Best quarter-midget club display: Doylestown Quarter Midget Club (Honeybrook, Chester County).

* Best vintage stock car display: The Dick Cozze No. 44 coach that was part of the Diamond State Vintage Motorsports display.

* Best vintage open cockpit display: The Chris Krumeracker No. 6 quarter-midget that was part of the Phoenix Raceway display.

* Best vintage club display: The Garden State Vintage Stock Car Club display featuring a large display on the old Atlantic City Speedway.

Lynn Miller of Langhorne was crowned Ms. Motorsports. She will appear at various events in 2007.

Motorsports 2008 is scheduled for Jan. 11 to 13, also at the Atlantic City Convention Center. Suggestions and comments can be sent to motorsports@aarn.com. Visit www.aarn.com for more information.

URC will open schedule at Bridgeport

The United Racing Company Sprint Series was well represented at Motorsports 2007. URC drivers Junior Martin, Brian Seidel and Prospect Park's Mares Stellfox were on hand throughout the three-day show.

The URC opener is set for Saturday, April 14 at Bridgeport Speedway. Visit www.urcsprints.com for more information.

The URC Sprints are scheduled to appear at Bridgeport Speedway April 14, May 26 (tentative) and July 28; at Grandview Speedway June 16 and Oct. 20 (features only and non-winners' race); Delaware International Speedway April 21, May 12, June 2, June 30, Aug. 4, Aug. 25, Sept. 22 and Nov. 3; and New Egypt (N.J.) Speedway April 28, June 23, July 14, Sept. 1 and Oct. 13.

The URC series also competes at Selinsgrove, Williams Grove, New Diamond, Hagerstown (Md.) and Lincoln.

The annual URC Awards Banquet is scheduled for Dec. 8 in Lancaster.

To contact Matt Hasson, e-mail thehassman@earthlink.net