Fox Crew to Wander: This Friday [May 10th] afternoon, the FOX cameras and commentators are headed north from New Hampshire International Speedway on route 106 and west on US 4 to the twin quarter-mile ovals in Canaan, NH. Its opening night at the Canaan dirt track, and promoter Chuck Elms expects full fields of 358 modifieds, late models, and fast four cylinders. But the FOX cameras are drawn to Canaan by the fan favorite coupe-bodied modifieds that race weekly there and at Canaan’s sister Saturday-night track, Vermont’s Bear Ridge Speedway. “The Bear Ridge and Canaan coupes are the last link to racing’s golden rra in New England,” enthused NASCAR on FOX lead announcer Mike Joy. “When those coupes are running on dirt, beneath the glow of the 300 watt bulbs suspended over the track, the viewer is transported back in time 30, maybe 40 years. Its a great sight to behold.” “Chuck Elms has put his heart and soul into these two tracks, and where lesser promoters have had little success, he has done a great job,” Fox’s Dick Berggren said. “We’re all really excited about going up there, helmet in hand, this Friday.” Elms has arranged a match race among the FOX commentators, including Larry McReynolds, Jeff Hammond and Matt Yocum. Joy’s business, New England Racing Fuel and Berggren’s magazine, Speedway Illustrated, will sponsor the event. Berggren has a mantel full of trophies from his dirt track victories, while none of the others have ever raced on dirt. So you might see a Busch series driver or two in the pit area to add some needed coaching. The “highlights” or otherwise, will be shown on the FX telecast of the New England 200 Busch Series race on Saturday.(5-6-2002)
