Dear Shangri-La II Race Fans:

Thank you for your fantastic support of our "ROC'n Concrete Rumble" last Sunday. The Race of Champions really put Shangri-La II on the map as a major track for big-time modified racing. The Pit Party was a great success and I can't say enough about your cooperation in clearing the pit area when requested to do so.

Of course there were some glitches and one of them was with the 50-50 drawing for $1003. We did not have a winner from the first number drawn and when we announced the second number in victory lane most fans were on their way to the parking lot.

Read more: Important Information for Last Sunday's 50-50 Ticket Holders

The truth is as plain as black and white- the concrete surface at Shangri-La II Motor Speedway may be a novelty, but it's also a great place for great stock car racing. That's why the four-division ASA Member Track racing program this Saturday, May 22, is titled "Concrete Kicks Asphalt" in honor of owner and builder George Swansbrough's bold decision to take the hard and fast road to success with his new track.

The Modifieds return to regular competition this Saturday so they should begin to get a grip on their championship battle. Since there has been only one point race so far in 2010, the current standings are the same as the opening day finish. Opening day winner Brian Defebo is expected to be racing in Pennsylvania most of the year, which paves the way for John Markovic, runner-up on May 1, to make a clean run at another title. Rick Zacharias is currently close behind Markovic, as he was most of 2009.

Read more: "Concrete Kicks Asphalt" this Saturday.. It's Not Just for Patios Anymore

• Jim Storace was transported to Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre, Pa. with pain in the shoulder and back following his crash in Sunday's Race of Champions event. He was released that evening after a thorough examination showed no fractures or internal injuries. He is recuperating from the bumps and bruises at home in Kingston, N.H. and hopes to return to racing as soon as possible.

• Wilbur Hebing's second place was special for car owner Ed McGuire of nearby Rome, Pa., who is recovering from multiple bypass surgery. Going back to his late model days of the 1970's, Ed's cars have always looked sharp, but the current machine takes race car graphics to another level. Playing off McGuire's traditional No. 51, the theme is a P-51 Mustang fighter plane in chrome silver with USAF markings and those bullet hole decals that look much more realistic on a modified than on the tailgate of a pickup.
  Hebing said he and Chris Zacharias evolved the design, which Chris executed in vinyl. Wilbur Hebing, by the way, is the brother of sprint car star Chuck "The Cobra" Hebing.

• It wasn't a great day for Jan Leaty or Matt Hirschman, as both saw late-race moves to the front aborted by pit stops. Jan's son Mike Leaty managed a tenth place finish, but he pulled off a great outside pass to take the final redraw spot in his heat race. Then he pulled 10th out of 12 drivers in the redraw and fell behind with an early-race spin. 
  
  

  Read more: ROC'n Concrete Rumble Notebook: Jim Storace Examined and Released