Standard-Speaker from Hazleton, Pennsylvania • 11

April 1,2007 Standard-Speaker SUNDAY B3 ON RUCK Local Auto Racing Seasock honored as world champion Racing season opens at Mahoning Valley, Mountain speedways fc-L This area's only two asphalt short tracks, Mountain Speedway in St. Johns and Mahoning Valley Speedway in Lehighton, got things officially rolling this weekend. It started yesterday at both tracks with open practice for all classes which took part in test and tune sessions throughout the day. On track activity is happening again this afternoon at Mountain with Pole Qualifying for all divisions which include Modifieds, Late Models, Street Stocks, Thrillers and 4-Cylinder Thrillers. Pit gates open today at 10 a.m.

with i' (TO WW RICHARD PASTULAStandard-Speaker Monster Truck World Champion John Seasock sits on a six foot diamond plated steel chair that commemorates him winning the 2007 Monster Jam World Championship. With Seasock are his sons, left, J.R. and Kyle who presented their dad with the championship trophy at the Monster Jam World finals banquet last Sunday night. f-yl W.lftV 'VEGAS A practice slated for 12:30 p.m. For those running against the clock it will go off at 3 o'clock.

The time trail runs are used to determine the Opening Day races which will take place on Sunday afternoon April 15. Mountain has actually been one of the only regional tracks that have gotten any kind of racing in thus far. This past weekend they pulled off the second enduro race of the year which is part of their Mountain Madness Enduro Series for 2007. The first came back in early January. The track will sit idle during Easter weekend but come the following weekend there will be actiqn on both Saturday and Sunday, April 14-15.

The Spring Fling Thunder on Saturday the 14th will be a twin feature events day with the TQ Midgets having the headline. The TQ race will carry a $10,000 purse with $1,000 going to the winner. Also on the card that day will be a 100-lap feature for the 4 -cylinder enduro cars with $747 awarded to the first place finisher. Two prominent names in TQ racing, Joey "The Jet" Payne and "Liquid" Lou Cicconi will not only race in the TQ show but have been given rides in the enduro as well. A unique twist on the enduro will be that all cars must run some type of wing atop their cars.

The following day, Sunday, April 15, the first points races of the season will take place for all regular track classes. The Legends cars are also scheduled to compete. Down at Mahoning Valley, the l4-miler is set to kick off the first official feature six days from now with an April 7, Saturday night program which should be a dandy as the top class of cars, the Modifeds, will be running for $3,000 to win in a There has been a lot of interest building on this series and many drivers from throughout Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey has already signed up to run it. The race is part of the newly announced Super-7 Series which will entail seven special event features for the mods with no less then $3,000 being paid out to the winner at each race. Next Saturday's venue will include the Late Models, St reet Stocks, Pro4 Late Models, Factory Stocks and 4-Cylinder Stocks.

Mahoning will continue to race every Saturday night until Oct. 6. Meanwhile Mountain will run their shows on Sunday afternoons until Sunday, May 16 and then switch to Saturday nights the following week. On Sept. 2 it's back to Sundays for the remainder of the season which concludes on Oct.

20. Of interest is NEETS, the enduro car organization which was based at Mountain for several years, will be running on select Sunday dates at Mahoning Valley in 2007, the first being on April 29. K) "I 1 BR tll 1M SE150TK; I WORLD CH ANHoa 007 RICHARD. PASTULAStandard-Speaker A group of fans from Frackville who were in attendance in Las Vegas when John Seasock won the 2007 Monster Jam World Championship, display signs prior to a surprise parade and celebration honoring the Frackville resident. Pictured are, front row from left, Michael Boychak Jr.

and Michael A. Boychak. Back row from left, Cheryl Hendricks and Janice Boychak. Frackville pays tribute to native son By SAM MATTA Standard-Speaker Saturday may have had the look of a dreary spring day, but for Frackville's native son John Seasock, it was all bright and sunny. Arriving to honking horns, blaring sounds of fire trucks and cheers reserved for a herd, Seasock had just come full circle in the world of Monster Truck Competition.

Today this Schuylkill County native, who still calls Frackville his hometown, is now wearing a World Championship crown. Seasock was stunned when he was greeted outside the borough shortly before 1 p.m. yesterday with a surprise parade. Led by the Frackville Fire Department, where this noted champion driver still stays active as a volunteer firefighter even after his most recent accomplishment at the Monster Truck World Championship. Seasock has made a reputation in the Monster TruckMonster Jam World Championship, held last weekend in Las Vegas at UNLV's Sam Boyd Stadium before over 45,000 fans and a world-wide television audience.

Driving his truck to victory lane, sponsored by Warner Brothers Batman Special Edition, one of a kind in the world, Seasock set the monster truck world on its ears with his stunning win. Needing to qualify through series races that started on New Year's Day, Seasock made his tour throughput the season that culminated with the world championship races in Vegas a week ago. "I'm stunned," said Seasock as he pulled his huge, massive monster truck off a towing truck bed and maneuvered it in front of Roman's Lounge after the parade, his two sons J.R. (15) and Kyle Seasock (10) stood by proudly watching their father. "I usually have a pretty good idea of what is going on (around me), but I never got an (inkling) of this.

The guys in my (pit) crew were all saying they were headed home to New Orleans, North Carolina, and I never did -expect anything like this." To get to the world championships it is a difficult process. Seasock has done his share of events from Houston, Texas to Jacksonville, Fla. in large arenas where thousands of avid race fans buy tickets and cheer their favorite racers on to victory. There were over 70,000 fans in Jacksonville for one of the events," said longtime cohort Adam Palochko, a New Jersey native now living in Chicago. He hooked up with Seasock and is now a part of Live Nation Motorsports, which owns a fleet of trucks to which Seasock is part of the team.

"John is a well-known in the sport and now he is a world champion. Our events are held in large football stadiums and come June he will be doing the European Tour." According to Palochko, Seasock spoiled a Cinderella story for one of the most popular names in Monster HAZLETON AMERICAN LEGION Hazleton American Legion Post 76 baseball team will hold registration Tuesday. Wednesday and Thursday of next weekat the post home 305 East Diamond Avenue. First Street entrance from 5 m. The program is comprised of three divisions; 13 years of age hl have its own team; 14 and 15 year olds and Senior Division, 16-19 years of age.

The program is also looking for coaches. For further information contact Anthony Be'ano. 929-2321. GHHT TO HOLD FINAL BABE RUTH SIGNUPS Te G-ea'ef HaztetonXaxSe Township Babe Rath Leagues fl hotj th-e final reg straf ons today at the Haze Township Commons Buid.mj from 1-4 m. DlNO Oberto Keeping Track I NGS their regular monthly meeting on Thursday, April 12 at 7 p.m.

at Zola's, Route 940. The vacant secretary position will be filled. Anyone interested should attend this meeting. SUGAR BABES GOLF LEAGUE MEETS APRIL 12 The Sugar Babes Golf League will hold its spring meeting Thursday, April 12 at 6:30 p.m. at Sugarloaf Golf Course.

Anyone interested in joining the league is invited to attend the meeting. For more information, call Fran Corradini at 459-0675. EAGLE ROCK LADIES GOLF MEETING APRIL 18 The Eagle Rock Lady Golfers will meet at 9:30 a.m. on April 18 at the home of Winie Baloga. Interested new golfers are welcome.

The 2007 season is set to begin Wednesday, May 2 at Mountain Valley Golf Course. A shotgun start tee time is set for 9 a.m. For more information contact Winnie at 384-4583 or Bobbie at 384-0589. SPRING SAVINGS! FINANCING" KitiXTGH REVOLUTION Truck racing champion, Dennis Anderson of Grave Digger who is celebrating his 25th anniversary in the sport. In the eighth World Finals, the Super Bowl of Monster Truck Competition, Seasock had to ward off Anderson in what was considered an upset in Palochko's view.

"This is a big win for John," said Palochko, "your talking world championship." Some of Seasock's following comes from his home town. Janice, Mike, and Mike Boychak Jr. and Cheryl Hendricks made the trip to Vegas to see their favorite racer win the title. "Awesome," proclaimed Mike Boychak Jr. Tm 23 years old going on 24 and I've been following (John) since he started to race." The humble Seasock had tears of joy, but more tears for an Iraqi solider who befriended him the night before when over 40,000 spectators were on hand for the "Pit Party." "We give autographs out, and I met a solider and we just (bonded)," explained Seasock, who said it isn't odd that the drivers stay for hours signing autographs sometimes until the early hours in the morning after or the day before a race.

The solider told Seasock of how four of his men never made it back as they were protecting the embassy. "That was so touching," he said. "After I won the race, I pulled my shirt off and we swapped his for my shirt. He didn't care if it was dirty. We promised before the race that we would exchange his for mine." So too was meeting a young boy by the name of Riley, who was experiencing his dream from the "Make A Wish Foundation." "I was given a medal by Riley at the "Pit Party' the night before the race.

Myself and Pablo Huffaker, 2007 freestyle champion, both were given medals from Riley and I had it with me as a good luck charm when I raced (Saturday)." As it turned out the charm was a make-shift of a Monster Truck wheel. After the win, he was most gracious. "I didn't want to get out of the truck, was just in shock," he said of the championship victory. When he did finally get out and did the traditional I 1 A limy getting into the sport began with that very first event. "I knew I wanted to have one," Seasock said recently being interviewed by Monster Truck Driver.

After seeking advice on getting into the sport Seasock immedi- -ately purchased his Devil's Dodge Monster Truck, Now 15 years after turn- ing professional, Seasock is being touted as a world champion in this professional sport. His talents have led him to participate in Las Vegas in the World Finals, II and III. In 2001, Seasock and his team were featured on the Learning Channel the Junkyard Wars as his team the Law Dawgs built a monster truck in 10 hours and capped a victory over the team's top rivals Ghost Mountain Riders to claim the Junkyard Wars crown. Seasock is a regular on the USHRA Monster Jam, which is now broadcast on Speed Channel. The Frackville native has competed in 48 of the 50 states, save for Alaska and Hawaii.

And if you want a glimpse of him, tune into the Speed Channel nightly at 6 p.m. On April 15, CBS will televise his championship run, and month later there will be more of the Frackville resident, i "I've been lucky and blessed," he said who is now being called the Best in the World in his sport. 15 (weather permitting). All practices and games will be held at the GHYSA Soccer Complex at Community Park. Season fee is S35 per piayer.

The registration deadline is today. Registration for fall soccer will begin April 15 and end Vay 5. 2007. BUTLER TWP. BABE RUTH ACCEPTING REGISTRATIONS Registrations for Butter Township Babe Ruth 13-15 team, under the management of Ron Zimmerman, are now bemg accepted.

Players born prior to Way 1. 1994 and on or ater Way 1, 1991 are b'e. AH returning players as wed as new p'ave'S must register. No fees wrfl be co at the time of registration. E'ig be players should cal Zimmerman at 783-4571.

LOCAL PIAA UMPIRES SET MEETING DATES The Greater Hazleton Chapters of PIAA Baseball Officials and Softball Officials have announced meeting dates for umpires in preparation for the coming seasons. All meetings will be held on Sundays at the Hazleton City Hall Auditorium, Jim DeMara, secretary of both chapters, announced. The schedule: Today, baseball, noon, soft-ball 1 p.m.; 15, baseball, noon, softball, 1 p.m., and 29, baseball noon, softball, 1 p.m. May 6, baseball, noon, soft-ball, 1 p.m. COUGAR BOYS BASKETBALL BOOST MEET MONDAY The Hazleton Area Cougar Boys Basketball Booster Club will meet Monday at 7 p.m.

at the high school. All members are urged to attend. On the agenda will be the upcoming banquet, awards and changes in the club's bylaws. I LFL MEETING SET FOR APRIL 12 The Hazleton Area Football League will be conducting walk on top of the truck hood, he headed to the stands and jumped into the spectators. "I just thanked all the fans wh.Q came to the event, I was just so pleased and happy" The 41 -year-old began his interest in the monster trucks when he first laid eyes on Bigfoot at the Philadel1 phia Spectrum and by 1990 he became a full-time driver with his first Sudden Impact, a red Ford F-150.

Seasock's credentials are eye-catching. He was picked as "Sportsman of the Year" by Monster Truck Racing Association in 1996, '97, '98, 2000 and by SFX Motor-sports in 2001. And Seasock has been named USHRA Sportsman of the Year in 2001, MTRA Most Improved Team, 1999; MTRA Safety Award 2000; USHRA World Finalist 2000, 2001,2002,2007. The biggest award, however, is the Monster Jam World Racing Champion for 2007. The sport has been a challenge for Seasock and his team, which was accorded honors and voted the MTRA's Most Improved Team in 1999.

He personally has served as MTRA Director for four years and has served in the organization as vice-president for three years. The entire process stared for Seasock after having lifted a pickup and then seeking Monster Trucks in Philadelphia and his yen for AT I League's Challenger Division is under way The Challenger Division is for those children who are' physically or mentally challenged. Anyone interested signing up a child for this division should call Bob Yevak, league presdient, at '459-0959. Openirg day for the Little League season will be Saturday, Way 5. GHYSA SIGNUPS WRAPPING UP The Greater Hazleton Youth Soccer Association is now registering players for recreat'onal sonng soccer.

The league is for U-6. U-8. and U-10 piayers. League age is determined by the players age on July 31, 2006. ESg be p'ayers must be a minimum of 4 yea's old by that date and a maximum of 9 by the same date.

Practices will tentativety begin April EXCLUSIVE OFFER TlTm fTH New 2007 Chevrolet T.TVv IMPALA iJ: NICELY EQUIPPED, STK. 27163X MSRP SMARTBUT RFBATE CONQUEST REBATE RIHALDI DISCOUNT ULE PRICE CASH OR TRACE EQUITY S21.S60 1,375 530 1.049 T5.93S There are separate leagues for the 13-15 and 16-18 age divisions. Beg strahon costs $100 per player. COAL CRACKERS SLATE SIGN-UPS FOR TODAY gn-ups for the Schuylkill County Coalcrackers semi-professional football team wifl be he'd today at The Station Gym. 109 W.

Cottage Tamaqua. from noon to 1 30 p.m. A S35 reg stration fee is due prior to framing camp. There will be a players' meeting imre-j a'e'y following sign-uds at 1 30 m. For mo'e mfo call Ke th at 573-3523 or vist the webs-te at www sccoat-cacers com.

HAZLETON LL CHALLENGER DIVISION SIGNUPS UNDER WAY Reg strat'on for the Hazeton Lrtise I s- At Route S24 Gold Star Shenandoah Phone: 452-1913 1-ES3-45M912.