Friday, September 09, 2011

Mike Mammana showing off his car in Richmond this weekend

FROM THE EXPRESS TIMES

Dirt track stock car driver Mike Mammana of Nazareth figures to have more than a mere spectator's profile during the NASCAR races this weekend at Richmond International Raceway.

The 30-year-old Mammana will be on the Richmond grounds with his race car for all the action, which is highlighted by the Sprint Cup Wonderful Pistachio's 400.

Of course, Mammana, a dirt oval racer who recently polished off a successful season at Big Diamond Raceway near Pottsville, isn't making some kind of giant leap to NASCAR racing.

It is nuts that bring Mammana to the site of the Sprint Cup race on Saturday night and tonight's NASCAR Nationwide Series Richmond event.

At Richmond, the California-based Wonderful company, known for its humorous Get Crackin' celebrity TV ads, makes its first foray into big-time racing sponsorship.

But it's not a stretch to say that the Mammama team, co-owned by Mike and his father, Easton native Pat Mammana, are ahead of the pistachio racing curve, if you will.

The Mammana stock car has been sponsored by Wonderful Pistachios for the past year. Mike reported recently that the deal was extended.

"They're back with us, so they asked us to bring the new car we have to Richmond and be part of what they're doing there," Mammana said.

He said the sponsor is looking to maximize its presence at Richmond.

"They want us there for the exposure and the exposure is great for us," Mammana said. "We'll be able to show the people that come to the NASCAR race what our racing is all about. It's good to show potential sponsors."

Mammana's new modified is a Bicknell machine. It's been spruced up for its Richmond unveiling with all the lettering, numbering and Wonderful graphics done by former driver Scott Kania of Ferndale.

"This is the car we'll be running next year," Mammana said.

All this begs the question of how did a small Pennsylvania weekend warrior race team attract a sponsor that runs TV commercials featuring the likes of Keyboard Cat, Peanuts characters, comedian Richard Black, Snooki, Chad Ochocinco and drill sergeant R. Lee Erney?

No big finder's fees paid here said Mammama, who with his father operates an auto repair service in Nazareth.

"One of the salespersons for the (Wonderful) company is a customer of our garage," Mike Mammana said. "He's seen our stuff and we've talked about it. One day he said let me talk to them out in California and see what they say. Now, here we are."

The Mammanas plan to expand their racing to other tracks and into some big block modified action in 2012.

Last Friday night, Mammana polished off his sportsman season at Big Diamond on an up-tick. In a feature that was shortened due to time constraints, the Nazareth High alumnus rallied from 14th to earn his eighth-career win at Big D.

The win bookended the season for Mammama, who won the season opener in April. He won the first three of four features.

The 358 modified season at Big Diamond is scheduled to end Sunday with the completion of the $10,000-to-win Coalcracker 100. The race was halted by rain last Sunday with 72 laps to go.

Racing is to resume at 6 p.m., with Ryan Godown of Ringoes, N.J., leading off, followed by 2011 track champion Jeff Strunk. Billy Pauch Jr. of Kingwood Township was running third when the action was halted.

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/sports/index.ssf/2011/09/mike_mammana_of_nazareth_showi.html

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