PPB Racing To Sit Out 2010 Season; "Business As Usual" For Pioneer Pole Buildings Inc.
SCHUYLKILL HAVEN, PA - The Pioneer Pole Buildings Inc. dirt Modified race team will sit idle in 2010.
PPB Racing owner Bob Greene has opted to take the 2010 season off to concentrate on his business interests. The team was slated to field 358-Modifieds for Billy Pauch Jr. and Craig Von Dohren on a weekly basis at Big Diamond Raceway (Forestville, Pa.) and Grandview Speedway (Bechtelsville, Pa.) in addition to select big-block specials in the area.
Pauch Jr. and Von Dohren are now free to explore other options for 2010.
Schuylkill Haven, Pa.-based Pioneer Pole Buildings Inc. will be open for "business as usual" along with Greene's other ventures.
"I am stepping away (from racing) for a year to concentrate on my business," Greene explained. "I'd like to emphasize that Pioneer Pole Buildings will continue to operate for our customers in normal fashion."
Greene broke the news to his drivers last week.
"I made some commitments to both Craig and Billy (earlier this year)," he said. "I sat down with both of them, told them what I needed to do and they were both fine with it. I wish them both the best of luck."
Pauch Jr., of Frenchtown, N.J., completed his second full season driving for PPB Racing. He was a feature winner at both Big Diamond and Grandview, placing sixth in the 358-Modified standings at both facilities.
Boyertown, Pa.'s Von Dohren had signed on to race for PPB Racing in late September.
Previous drivers for the team included Keith Hoffman and Doug Hendricks.
Greene has been a longtime sponsor of Billy Pauch Sr.'s big-block racing efforts along with backing several support-division competitors. He has also been active in the support of other racing-related events.
Greene is leaving the door open to return to the sport.
"I've met some great people, generated plenty of exposure for Pioneer and had a lot of fun," Greene said. "It's tough to walk away, but business comes first right now."
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RANSOMVILLE SPEEDWAY ANNUAL AWARDS AND DINNER BANQUET THIS FRIDAY
Ransomville, NY - Tuesday, October 27th, 2009 - The annual awards and dinner banquet for Ransomville Speedway takes place this Friday, October 30th at the Lewiston #2 Firehall on Route 31 in Niagara Falls, NY. This is the third year in a row that the event will be hosted at this location which is centrally located. The banquet includes a catered buffet by Johnston's Restaurant, OPEN Bar, Music by DJ the DJ, and Awards by A Cut Above Engraving.
The event will showcase the accomplishments of many competitors including the 2009 Track Champions - Todd Burley (Mighty Taco Modifieds), Ryan Susice (Original Pizza Logs Sportsman), Derrick Borkenhagen (Ki-Po Chevrolet Streetstocks), Jamie O'Donnell and the Wilson Firehall (Bobcat of Buffalo Firehall Enduro Series), and Daryl Haag (Flexcare 4 Bangers).
Todd Burley edged out Pete Bicknell for the 2009 Mighty Taco Modified title. A year ago - that outcome was reversed as Bicknell topped Burley by one marker for the crown. Burley used his six wins to aid him in his quest to regain the title - last won in 2007 at Ransomville. Chad Brachmann had a great final half of the season resulting in a third place points finish. Todd Burley will receive a bonus of $500 compliments of Mighty Taco while 2nd thru 11th in points will receive a $100 check. These monies are in addition to the Ransomville Speedway Points Fund.
Ryan Susice shocked many as he dominated the Original Pizza Logs Sportsman ranks in just his second year in the division. Susice tied Burley for most feature wins having collected six as well. Susice's season was capped off with a championship at Canandaigua Speedway and a second place finish in the Mr. DIRTcar Sportsman title. Don Spatorico has a successful season as well with multiple feature wins resulting in a second place points finish followed by Justin Wright. Ryan Susice will receive a $500 bonus compliments of Original Pizza Logs while 2nd thru 11th will receive $135 each. These monies are in addition to the Ransomville Speedway Points Fund.
Derrick Borkenhagen won his first ever Ki-Po Chevrolet Streetstock title. The points race in the Streetstocks ranks was the tightest amongst the classes as any one of the top four could have mathmatically claimed the title on the final night. Borkenhagen took the title over Ricky Washburn and Scott Krull. Derrick Borkenhagen will receive a $300 bonus compliments of Ki-Po Chevrolet while 2nd thru 11th will each receive $50. These monies are in addition to the Ransomville Speedway Points Fund.
Jamie O'Donnell won a second championship for the Wilson Firehall aboard the Bobcat of Buffalo Firehall Enduro Series. O'Donnell was the inaugural winner in 2007 and backed it up in 2009. Wilson Firehall will recieve a $1000 check from Bobcat of Buffalo while Olcott Firehall will receive a $300 check from Gippsters Collision.
Daryl Haag notched the first title in the Flexcare 4 Bangers. In just its first season - this class enjoyed a season high car count of 26 competitors. Haag will receive $200 compliments of Flexcare while Derek Wagner will receive $100 for 2nd and Jamie Woods will receive $50 for third.
In addition to celebrating the top three points finishers - all competitors who won a feature event will receive a feature winner plaque. Specialty awards include Most Improved in Modifieds, Sportsman, and Streetstocks. Rookie of the Year Honors in Modifieds, Sportsman, and Streetstocks. Best Appearing in Modifieds, Sportsman, Streetstocks, and 4 Cylinders. Jimmy Binks Memorial Mechanic of the Year, Trevor Wilkins Memorial Hard Charger Award, Owner of the Year, Sportsmanship, Performance of the Year, and the highly coveted Driver of the Year.
Tickets remain available until Thursday, October 29th at 5 pm. Tickets are $40.00 each and can be purchased by calling 791-3602.
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UTICA-ROME SPEEDWAY WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL PARTICIPANTS IN ITS FIRST EVER RACER’S FLEA MARKET
VERNON, NY- Despite miserable fall weather that produced a persistent rain and bone chilling wind, Utica-Rome Speedway’s first ever Racer’s Flea Market went on as planned this past Saturday, October 24. A healthy number of vendors, 24 to be exact, showed up to brave the weather conditions for the inaugural event.
Director of Operations Barb Clark would like to personally thank all the vendors and buyers who showed their support. “For our first year doing this and considering the weather, everything went about as well as could be expected,” stated Clark,” and we already have made plans to continue this next year. I would like to thank everyone who participated and look forward to seeing them again next year, hopefully with some better weather.”
The 2009 season will officially come to end on Saturday November 7 with the Annual Awards Banquet. Again being held at the beautiful Turning Stone Casino and Resort, the banquet will feature the Appalachian Buffet which will begin at 7 p.m. Tickets for this exciting event are $30 per person and are available by calling Barb Clark at (315) 725-5709, Connie Plows at (315) 822-6347, or Brenda Belden at (315) 855-7688. Please RSVP by October 31 and all attendees are reminded that this is a formal event and to dress accordingly.
Drivers must be present to receive any point money and tire money due.
To reserve a room at the Turning Stone Casino and Resort, please call 1-800-771-7711.
To keep up to date any late breaking news, 2010 rule and schedule information, please stay tuned to the official Utica-Rome Speedway website at www.uticaromespeedway.com. The speedway office can be contacted by calling (315) 829-4557.
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ANNUAL AWARDS DINNER SET FOR SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5
GILBERTSVILLE, PA October 19, 2009 . . . One of the highlights of the auto racing off season is the annual awards banquet presented by the Grandview Speedway. This year the banquet is set for Saturday, December 5th at the Gilbertsville, PA Fire Hall.
The banquet is “returning home” after being presented in Kutztown, PA for the past few years.
“It is exciting to be able to bring our banquet back to the Gilbertsville location,” said track owner Bruce Rogers. “It is a more convenient location for most of our racers and it allows us to return to a date that we had used for many years. It is going to be a wonderful evening.”
The doors will open at 4 p.m. with a great family style dinner being served at 6 p.m.
Jeff Strunk will be honored for winning a record setting eighth NASCAR Whelen All American Series Modified title while Brian Shuey will reap some awards for winning his second NASCAR Whelen All American Late Model title.
The top 20 drivers and top ten car owners in the Modifieds and Late Models will be honored. In addition there will be awards for Rookie of the Year, Outstanding Newcomer, Most Improved and Sportsmanship in each division.
One of the very special awards will be the Jerry Glase Memorial Award presented to someone who works behind the scenes. Marilyn and Ernie Saxton sponsor the award in memory of their very good friend who passed away several years back.
“The banquet evening is a wonderful opportunity for racers, race teams, fans and others to socialize,” said Rogers. “It gives the award winners the chance to be acknowledged for their accomplishments in front of many of their peers. Many of the racers and their families look forward each year to this special evening.”
Following dinner and the awards there will be music for dancing.
Tickets are available for $35 each and information on tickets can be had by contacting Vicki Gehris at 610.367.2776 or e-mail her at sbnewsads@berksmontnews.com (be sure to include Grandview banquet tickets in the subject line). All tickets must be ordered and paid for by November 5th.
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