One of the brightest yet most underrated minds in Modified racing belongs to Billy “Bear” Calicchio. Working with some of the best drivers and teams over the years, including Mike Stefanik, Jimmy Spencer, Mike Ewanitsko and Ted Christopher, Bear has learned his trade well. After achieving success as a Modified car owner at weekly racetracks like Riverside Park Speedway as well as the yearly World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing at New Smyrna Speedway in Florida, he and his Bear Motorsports team moved to the NASCAR Featherlite Modified Series on a regular basis in 2000. Working with such drivers as Mike Christopher and three-time FMS champion Tony Hirschman, he quickly proved capable of competing on the highest level in the Modifieds. After several strong runs in his rookie season, he earned his first FMS career victory as a car owner in 2001 at Seekonk Speedway with Chris Kopec in the cockpit.

In 2003 Bear joined forces with Eric Beers, long regarded as one of the top young talents in the division. Partnering with Mopar Motorsports for the first time, they became a consistent frontrunner in each FMS race and competed for the coveted championship. At the end of the season Eric and the Bear finished 11th in the points battle. They won three Bud Poles along the way.

In 2004 the Bear Motorsports team will be running a schedule of selected events. There will be no full-time driver, but instead Bear will put the best available driver in the car at each race. Ted Christopher will drive the famed #14 in the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing at New Smyrna Speedway in February. The team’s trademark will continue to be dedication and perseverance, which Bear knows will translate to success on the racetrack.

The Bear Will Roar In 2004!