(January 31, 2022):  This year marks the 25th season for New Egypt Speedway on the clay, and one of the most diverse and competitive Modified fields in recent memory will greet fans each Saturday night. Over 30 race teams have already pre-entered to compete in this special anniversary season, ranging from former track champions and seasoned NES veterans to a group of young guns and a strong crop of Modified rookies.

Two-time champion Rick Laubach will return again this season in the Gary Hermann-owned #7, looking to garner his third track championship. Laubach, who won his 17th career feature in 2021, will be challenged by 2018 champ David Van Horn, who has 11 career wins of his own. Van Horn finished third in the final standing last year and is definitely a pre-season favorite in the Vahlco Wheels #323.  

Several second-generation hotshoes will be trying to etch their names into the record book this year, none more prominent than Brandon Grosso. The “Belle Mead Bullet” came up just 30 points shy of the championship last year and will be in the hunt once again in his family-owned #32. This season will mark the first that Brandon will compete directly against his younger brother Justin. Justin Grosso will lead a talented field of Modified rookies which will include former Rookie Sportsman champs Anthony Tramontana, Ryan Heim, and Paul Mancini. 

The depth of NES homegrown talent doesn’t end there, as they will join 2-time career Modified feature winner Cale Ross, and second-year star David Burns, to complete the list of 5 straight former Rookie Sportsman Champs now competing with the Modifieds. Ross, a winner in September, came home fifth in the final Modified point standings last year. 

Louden Reimert is another 2nd-Gen young gun who will look to improve on his rookie Modified performance in 2021. He came to New Egypt halfway thru the season and posted top-ten finishes in 8 of his 9 starts, and he is looking to build on this momentum in his first full season at the speedway. Newcomer Jack Butler is also another future star with a strong family pedigree that will call NES home this season. His dad, the Phillipsburg Phantom Gary Butler, will be turning the wrenches on his potent #5 as the season kicks off. 

The list doesn’t end here, as it is just beginning with challengers like Wade Hendrickson, Mike Butler, John McClelland, Dakota Kessler, Bryan Kuhl, Kevin Vaclavicek, JR Fulper, Jim Housworth, DJ Hunt, Kory Fleming, Jack Swain, Chris Grbac, Blaine Bracelin and more. 

Drivers interested in signing up for the 2022 season, in any division, are urged to call the track office at 609-758-1900.

Keep an eye on our social media pages daily for announcements and “Spot-Light” articles highlighting the talented drivers that will call New Egypt Speedway home in 2022. We can be found on Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram. You can also keep track of all the latest news and see our 2022 schedule on our website at www.newegyptspeedway.net.    

The schedule doesn't list any purses for the bigger mod shows. Is the October 100 lapper going to pay $10,000 again? Will the 60 lapper pay $6,000 again? Or is it still to be announced? 

Looks like Gular will have no trouble repeating as champion this year if this is truly the list of the returning cars and teams.  No disrespect to any of the teams, as I know they work hard, and do the best they can, but it seems to me that they are just not quite up to Gulars level.