GRIGAS HOPES TO END STRONG ROOKIE SEASON WITH GREAT MELTDOWN FINISH

Two Victories (So Far) Highlight Grigas’ First Year in Modified Racing

Bobby Grigas, III has one more race left to run before he can pull the rookie stripe off the back off his #09 Modified.  Grigas will compete in this weekend’s Mason-Dixon Meltdown at South Boston Speedway to put a close to his successful maiden season of Modified competition.

The running tally on 2006 thus far is two victories, one Rookie of the Year title (in the True Value Modified Racing Series) and one broken wrist – which occurred in a practice incident at Canaan and kept Grigas sidelined for four events.

All in all, it has been a very good year.

“Other than breaking my wrist, it has been a great year,” said Grigas.  “I did a lot more this year than I ever thought that I would.  Our first goal was just to finish in the top 10 of the True Value Modified Racing Series points.  Then we started to run really well and our goal changed to finishing in the top five.  We would have probably done that if I didn’t miss those races.”

One of Grigas’ victories came in July’s $5,000-to-win open show at Canaan Fair Speedway, which also gave him an automatic starting spot for the Mason-Dixon Meltdown.  In addition to running for TVMRS points, Grigas has run a NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour race and several special events like the Meltdown this year and he feels that doing so helps his development as a driver.

“To run these different types of shows gives you more confidence,” said Grigas.  “This year, I’ve raced with Ted Christopher, Eddie Flemke, Mike Stefanik and John Blewett, III.  After I’ve done it, I’m not as intimidated and it is a big confidence booster.  I know that I can race right with those guys and they are the best of the best.  That has helped me as a driver “

For the Meltdown, Grigas has both reasonable expectations and lofty goals.

“I say that I would just like to finish and gain experience, but I’d really love to win this race, and I might.  Who knows what will happen in 250 laps?  A lot can happen either way.  The biggest thing is to have patience and make it through the 250 laps.  But it won’t really be that different if you think about it.  With the halftime break, I’m looking at the Meltdown as two 125-lap races.  That’s just like running two races back-to-back and I’ve done that before.”

The Mason-Dixon Meltdown weekend will get underway on Friday, November 24th, with heats and starting positions determined, and last through Saturday, November 25th, with the feature events.