From the PASS website.

CONCORD, NC (July 25, 2006) – He may not have yet filled out his entry paperwork for November 24-25’s “Mason-Dixon Meltdown” at South Boston Speedway in Virginia, but 24-year-old Bobby Grigas III is already locked into the Thanksgiving weekend 250-lap, $12,500-to-win Tour-Type Modified feature.

Grigas recently won the Modified Open 100 (based on True Value Modified Series rules) at Canaan Fair Speedway (NH). Along with the $5,000 paycheck that went to the winner, Grigas also earned the first of at least four guaranteed starting spots for the Modified-portion of the “Mason-Dixon Meltdown.”

“We’re going to South Boston now and I’m going to give it a shot,” said Grigas. “I’m psyched to make it. I’m not sure how well we are going to do though because there are some big names in the sport that will be there for a $12,500-to-win, 250-lap race. I’m intimidated a little bit, but I think that it should be an awesome race. I’ll try to give them hell.”

Grigas earned the win at Canaan by beating one of his mentors, Modified and all-around short track legend Ted Christopher.

“I saw in the press release that Teddy thinks that this is going to be the biggest Modified race of the season and when I saw that, I really felt privileged to make it in. Being a rookie among all of those great drivers and teams is going to be a hone. Now, I’ve got a chance to run with all of the giant names and probably some of the True Value guys. That is going to be cool.

“It wasn’t an easy spot to earn. I had Teddy behind me at Canaan and he wanted both the money and the guaranteed spot. I know the car that Teddy was driving at Canaan; it’s Brady’s short track car. It’s the car that he goes down South with and spanks everybody at all those short tracks. To have him and that car behind me is big. That combination is a lethal one.”

Even though Grigas is subdued in his chances at the “Mason-Dixon Meltdown,” beating someone like TC at Canaan proves the fact that he can run with the big boys.

“Beating Teddy in that race was huge. I don’t even have words to say what it was like to do that. It was one of those moments where you’ve done something you know you shouldn’t have been able to do. He’s my hero. And even though I beat him, he’s still my hero no matter what.

“I’m looking forward to giving him and the rest of the drivers’ hell at the ‘Mason-Dixon Meltdown.’ I don’t really have much to say right now because it still hasn’t sunk in for me yet that I’m in it.”

Several other announcements regarding the Mason Dixon Meltdown, including another qualifying race will be forthcoming. The promoters of the event in November at South Boston Speedway are also offering provisionals to the highest, non-qualifying driver, in both the Northern and Southern Whelen Modified Tours and the Race of Champions trail. That spot will non-transferable and the driver must attempt to qualify for the 250-lap race.