Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints Quick Results
Can-Am Motorsports Park
7/5/08 – 31 Entries
A-Main – Justin Barger ($2,000 to win), Jeff Cook, Doug Emery, Jason Barney, Steve Poirier, Alain Bergeron, Rick Wilson, Tommy Wickham, Russ Bennett, Tim Kelly, Michael Parent, Brian McDonald, Tim Devendorf, Anthony Cain, Bubby Kerrick, Chuck Hebing, Lee Ladouceur, Robbie Shuttleworth, Jeff VanDusen, Gordy Button, Lance Yonge, Chris Jones, Normand Beaudreault.
Lap Leaders – Emery 1-9, Cook 10-23, Barger 24-25.
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RAIN STOPS URC RUN FRIDAY NIGHT AT BRIDGEPORT
A much anticipated event, the July 4th Rislone URC Sprint Series was to invade Bridgeport Speedway for this holiday special event. Last year, this same event was presented and delivered a strong turnout of fans to see the URC sprints compete with the 358 Modifieds on the big tack as the micro-sprints competed on the quarter mile. Unfortunately, morning rain with a forecast of late day thunderstorms forced the cancellation of this program. At this time, a rain date has not be set however, track management and URC Managing Members are looking at all options.
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Styres Soars to SOS Victory at Humberstone
by Tommy Goudge (June 29, 2008) - After breaking a two year winless drought in Southern Ontario Sprints competition two weeks ago at Brighton Speedway, Glenn Styres began a new streak on Sunday night at Humberstone Speedway by winning his second SOS feature in a row. Styres, one of three drivers with a chance to become the first ever three-time champion in SOS history this season, also vaulted unofficially from fifth in the points standings into the lead.
Dick Mahoney and Bob Crawford brought the field to the green flag to start the twenty lap feature, with Crawford winning the drag race into turn one and emerging with the early lead. Crawford's lead would be short-lived, however, as he spun in turns three and four during lap two to bring out the first caution of the evening. The rest of the field was able to slip by Crawford's #10, with the exception of Keith Dempster, who made slight contact with the inside wall in turn four and stopped. Dempster, who had entered the evening as championship leader with a slim four point lead over Rick Wilson, and five point lead over Chris Jones in third, appeared to suffer slight damage to the steering linkage on his #5 in the process. Both drivers were able to return to the action, but with a lot of ground to make up, as there were not yet any lapped machines.
The race restarted with one lap in the books and Dick Mahoney now the leader of the race, but with failing brakes, Mahoney was not able to hold off the advances of Adam West and Glenn Styres for long. Mahoney led the second lap before West slipped by for the lead, but Styres was hot on the heels of West's #30 and got by the Batman after West had led the third lap. Using the low groove, West attempted to retake the lead as he and Styres raced side by side in the corners, but Styres' momentum on the high side carried him back into the lead on the straights. With 25 cars starting the feature race, lapped traffic quickly became a factor as drivers back in the pack were running both low and high around the Speedway, causing Styres and West to turn their attention to getting by the slower traffic. Styres was able to use the traffic to his advantage, opening a gap on West and the rest of the field. Meanwhile the #69 of Rob Pietz and #36 of Mike Stelter were marching through the field after starting ninth and tenth, respectively. Pietz had West in his sights, but as the two raced through the traffic, Pietz was not able to get by.
A caution flag slowed the field with sixteen laps in the books as Jeff Daniels came to a stop in turn four. The race restarted only briefly before it was slowed again, this time for a red flag as Daniels' car appeared to suffer a mechanical problem, making contact with the frontstretch wall and flipping. Daniels emerged from the crash unscathed, but the #20 suffered extensive front end damage. When the race restarted for a four lap dash to the finish, Styres had four lapped machines between himself and second place West, including Dempster, who was not able to maintain the same pace he had shown earlier in the evening when he won the second heat race. When the green flag came out, Styres again opened up his lead over West, who was trying to find a way around the lapped cars, and Stelter worked his way by Pietz for third, while ninteenth starting Dave Dykstra made his way into the top six.
With the end of the race in sight, Jason Pietz spun to a stop to bring out a caution flag, creating a two-lap dash to the finish. With lapped machines still between he and West, Styres was not seriously challenged on the restart and took the victory, followed by West, Stelter, Pietz, and Chris Jones. Dykstra, Jim Porter, Warren Mahoney, eighteenth starter Ryan Hunsinger, and twentieth starter Tim Zack rounded out the top ten.
NOTES:
- A season high twenty-seven cars turned out for the Humberstone event, despite threatening skies. Rain in the afternoon and again during heat race action caused a brief delay, but Humberstone officials kept the track in great shape and got the action restarted quickly.
- Regular Humberstone sprint car drivers Jim Price, Jim Porter, Tim Zack, Rob Pietz, Stan Zanchin, John Burbridge, Jr., Dave Dykstra, and Nick Cupolo all joined the fray for their first SOS action of the season, while the #29 normally driven by Daryl Turford was piloted by local driver Jason Pietz for the evening. Tom Huppunen, Rob Ledingham, Joel Lehman, and Justin Martin also made their first SOS starts of the season. The night marked the first career SOS races for Ledingham, Cupolo, Burbridge, Jr., and Dykstra, as all are rookies to sprint car competition this year after success in the DIRTcar Sportsman ranks.
- John Burbridge, Sr. returned to SOS competition on Sunday night for the first time after scoring a career-best second place finish in the season-opening event at Brighton, but scratched for the evening due to engine problems. Bill Baldwin's #14 was also scratched for the night as Bill was feeling ill and couldn't get behind the wheel. With two scratches reducing the field to twenty-five, and the night already delayed by weather, SOS officials decided to cancel the B-Main, and add an additional starter to the A-Main lineup.
- With second place point man Rick Wilson not in attendance, and Keith Dempster finishing sixteenth, the points standings were shaken up substantially. Unofficially, Glenn Styres moved from fifth to first, while Chris Jones is now second, just one point behind Styres. Meanwhile, Adam West and Warren Mahoney have moved into a tie for third, while Dempster is now 5th, but just thirty-three points back of the lead. Official points will be available later this week.
- Saturday night's scheduled event at the South Buxton Raceway was cancelled due to weather. Possible dates for rescheduling are being discussed, but nothing is yet finalized.
'A' FEATURE (20 laps)
Finish. Number Name (Starting Position)
1. Glenn Styres (4)
2. Adam West (3)
3. Mike Stelter (10)
4. Rob Pietz (9)
5. Chris Jones (6)
6. Dave Dykstra (19)
7. Jim Porter (8)
8. Warren Mahoney (5)
9. Ryan Hunsinger (18)
10. Tim Zack (20)
11. Rob Ledingham (12)
12. Bob Crawford (2)
13. Nick Cupolo (17)
14. Dick Mahoney (1)
15. Stan Zanchin (11)
16. Keith Dempster (7)
17. Justin Martin (22)
18. Joel Lehman (23)
19. Derek Jonathon (14)
20. Jim Price (21)
21. Jason Pietz (24)
22. Mike Ferrell (25)
23. Jeff Daniels (13) DNF
24. John Burbridge, Jr. (15) DNF
25. Tom Huppunen (16) DNF
Lap Leaders: Crawford (1), D. Mahoney (2), West (3), Styres (4-20)
Hard Charger: Dykstra (gained 13 positions)
Caution Flags: 3 (lap 2, lap 17, lap 19)
Red Flags: 1 (lap 17)
UNOFFICIAL TOP 10 IN POINTS AFTER ROUND #4
Rank. Number Name Total (Positions Gained/Lost)
1. 0 Glenn Styres 599 (+4)
2. 11j Chris Jones 598 (+1)
t3. 25 Warren Mahoney 577 (+1)
t3. 30 Adam West 577 (+3)
5. 5 Keith Dempster 566 (-4)
6. 10 Bob Crawford 516 (+1)
7. 79 Dick Mahoney 504 (+1)
8. 81 Derek Jonathon 480 (+1)
9. 42w Rick Wilson 450 (-7)
10. 15 Mike Ferrell 423 (+1)
NEXT SOS RACE:
Saturday, July 12 @ Brighton Speedway - Brighton, Ontario
www.BrightonSpeedway.com
www.SouthernOntarioSprints.com
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BECCA ANDERSON TAKES BAR'S LEAKS SPRINTER TO URC VICTORY LANE SATURDAY NIGHT AT DELAWARE INTERNATIONAL
DELMAR, DE Becca Anderson of Houston, DE scored a popular victory winning the 25 lap Rislone URC Sprint Car Series feature event on Saturday night at the Delaware International Speedway. Becca is no stranger to the URC victory lane as this win bumps her career total to nine.
After touring with the nationally known World of Outlaws sprint series, Anderson returned to URC in 2007 to drive the Jimmy Martin owned #17. This is their first career win as a team the first career URC victory for the Bar's Leaks sponsored sprint car. Anderson took the lead on lap five and for most of the race, was clearly in control. In the closing ten laps, Chris Coyle and point leader Curt Michael were close in the chase. A late race caution brought the powerful Valley Forge Inc 5G to the rear bumper of Anderson. A fast break at the drop of the green flag and Anderson was off and running with Curt Michael in the hunt for the final five laps. Anderson took the win with a comfortable margin and the crowd went wild as Anderson took the checker flag in her home state.
This event was also part of the Taylor & Messick Delaware State Sprint Series with twenty-eight cars turning out for the show. Heat race victories went to rookie driver Chuck Palmucci, Mares Stellfox and Becca Anderson as Rory Janne won the Don Ott sponsored "B" Main.
A field of twenty-four cars started the Rislone URC sprint feature with rookie driver Chuck Palmucci setting the pace for the first four laps. On lap five, Becca Anderson launched the Bar's Leaks sprinter to the front of the pack and ran to hide from the rest of the field. The first caution was displayed on lap six when Rory Janne spun in turn four. On the restart, Anderson set the pace with Chris Coyle in the BPG sponsored sprinter in second and point leader Curt Michael now racing in third after starting tenth. Palmucci and Ed Aikin made up the top five.
The top five remained unchanged until lap sixteen when Davey Sammons powered the Palladino sprinter into the fifth spot. The leaders were now in lapped traffic and Chris Coyle reduced the big lead once held by Anderson. Curt Michael was also on a charge and on lap nineteen he passed Coyle for second. As the field passed on lap twenty, Anderson and Michael were at the front with Coyle third, Davey Sammons now fourth and Palmucci fifth. Just outside the top five was the "Jersey Jet" JJ Grasso, now racing in sixth. Grasso was the URC feature winner the prior week at New Egypt.
With just four laps remaining. The green flag fell and Anderson powered away from the rest of the field. Michael continued to look for the fast groove but in the meantime, Anderson was building a comfortable lead. As the checker flag fell, Anderson took the win with Curt Michael second, Chris Coyle third, Davey Sammons fourth and JJ Grasso fifth. Chuck Palmucci delivered an outstanding sixth place finish with Dave Ely, Ed Aikin, Kramer Williamson (driving the Elmer Stoltzfus #00) and Kyle Purks made up the top ten.
LikeWise Construction Fast Time Award- - Becca Anderson
Fred's Trailer Parts Hard Charger Award- - Dave Ely- - Advanced 14 spots in the feature
Don Ott " B" Main Winner- - -Rory Janne
CnB Mushroom Awarded $50 to each of the top four finishers in the "B" Main
RISLONE URC SPRINT FEATURE FINISH: Becca Anderson, Curt Michael, Chris Coyle, Davey Sammons, JJ Grasso, Chuck Palmucci, Dave Ely, Ed Aikin,
Kramer Williamson, Kyle Purks, Justin Collett, Mark Bitner, Dave Gravel, Joey Biasi, Mares Stellfox, Brett Schoenly, Scott Pursell, Rory Janne,
Dennis Garl, Jimmy Reppert, Jim Walters, Mike Kostic, Jason Clauss, Gary Gollub. DNS- - Ken Carberry, DNQ- - Robbie Stillwaggon, Fred
Kennedy, Jeff Fithian.
RISLONE URC SPRINT SERIES EVENTS FOR JULY
Friday, July 4 Bridgeport Speedway
Saturday, July 12 New Egypt Speedway
Friday, July 18 Big Diamond Raceway
Saturday, July 19 Selinsgrove $3,500 to win Jack Gunn Memorial
Saturday, July 26 Grandview Speedway
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SWARTHOUT RECYCLING AND BULLY HILL VINEYARDS TEAM UP TO PRESENT THE EMPIRE SUPER SPRINTS AT THE WOODHULL RACEWAY.
Saturday, July 12 event will also feature a Regular Big 6 Show plus the return of the Mid-State Vintage Cars.
Woodhull, NY-- Two very high profile companies will tag team as sponsors one of the biggest nights of the 2008 season at the Woodhull Raceway. The Swarthout Family of Beaver Dams is pleased to announce that through their family owned business, Swarthout Recycling that they will co-sponsor the ESS program along with the Bully Hill Vineyards of Hammondsport. Bully Hill, a long time sponsor of the Bully Hill Vineyards 360 Fall Sprint Nationals is certainly no stranger to winged sprint car action as their involvement in the northeast racing circles runs wide and deep. The name Bully Hill has been attached to numerous events and car sponsorships at the famed Watkins Glen International Raceway and for the past two seasons Bully Hill Vineyards has been the driving force behind the Annual Fall Shoot-out at the Woodhull Raceway. Bully Hill Vineyards is the Official Winery of the Woodhull Raceway as their wine products are proudly served in the weekly VIP lounge areas. Bully Hill Vineyards is located on Greyton H. Taylor Drive just outside of Hammondsport overlooking beautiful Keuka Lake. On site at Bully Hill is a museum, gift shop, tasting room, retail shop and restaurant. Tours and tastings area available 7 days per week.
For Swarthout Recycling it will be their first ever appearance as a nightly event sponsor at the famed Woodhull Raceway. Brian Swarthout is a standout 358 Modified pilot and an occasional Woodhull Raceway competitor. Swarthout Recycling is also a major point fund contributor to the T3 All Star Series for 358 Modifieds presented by Troyer Race Cars as well as helping to sponsor numerous race teams that compete throughout the region including Steve Paine of Waterloo. Swarthout Recycling is one of upstate New York’s largest dealers of scrap metal and the company also handles other recyclables including cardboard and newspaper. Swarthout Recycling recently purchased an all new state of the art shredder truck which is used for the proper shredding of personal, legal and confidential documents. The shredding unit will be displayed at Woodhull on July 12 and for any individuals wishing to see a demonstration then can do so. Also, as part of the promotion, anyone can bring items to the track that they would like shredded and Swarthout Recycling will do it for free from 3:00 until 5:00 pm on the day of the event.
In addition to the Empire Super Sprints it will be a full card of the L.J. Kennedy Trucking 358 Modifieds, the NAPA 360 Late Models, the S&W Awards and Photos Crate Sportsman along with the Morgan’s Auto Repair Street Stocks, the Signs Plus Mini Stocks and the LaBarron Brothers Repair and Parts FWD Division. To fill out the card the Mid-State Vintage Cars will make their annual trek to the high banked one-third of a mile clay oval.
Gates for the July 12, 2008 open at 4:30 with racing at 6:30.
For more information simply log on at www.woodhullraceway.com.
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A.J. “SKIP” JACKSON, TONI LUTAR & JASON JOHNSON ENTER MYRACELIFE.COM WORLD CHALLENGE
KNOXVILLE, IOWA (June 12, 2008) - While “Jackson, Johnson & Lutar” may sound like the name of a well-established law firm, it is actually the names of the three most recent entrants in the $10,000-to-win MyRaceLife.com World Challenge to be held on Friday, August 8, during the SuperClean Knoxville Nationals presented by Lucas Oil at the famed Knoxville Raceway in Iowa. A.J. “Skip” Jackson of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Toni Lutar of Surrey, British Columbia, Canada; and American Jason Johnson of Eunice, Louisiana, are ready and raring to go in the fifteenth annual 16-lap international invitational, which serves as the finale for the Friday night MyRaceLife.com-sponsored Knoxville Nationals program.
Jackson and Johnson are both inversion-eligible as they qualified early this year in the Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic at the Sungold Stadium at the Premier Speedway in Warrnambool, Victoria, Australia, as did previous entrant American Mark Dobmeier of Grand Forks, North Dakota. Lutar is not inversion-eligible as he did not compete in any of the five qualifiers, although he is invited to compete due to his status as an international sprint car driver competing in the 48th annual Knoxville Nationals.
A.J. “Skip” Jackson will pilot the J&S Auto Sports-owned, Shaver-powered J&J chassis sprinter, which is sponsored by Slideways Karting Center, Housby Trucks, Turfwerks, Acheson Auto Sales, Graffiti Graphics, Sundance Realty and National RP Support. Toni Lutar will wheel his Don Ott-powered JEI winged sprint car, which is sponsored by Northwest Auto Parts, Weld Racing, and Red Devil Brakes. Jason Johnson, who now calls Thomasville, Pennsylvania, home, will be piloting the Kasey Kahne/Mike Curb-owned Mopar-powered JEI chassis sprint car, which is sponsored by Remington, Mopar and Team ASE Dodge.
For more information on the Knoxville Raceway and its $10,000-to-win MyRaceLife.com World Challenge during the 48th annual Super Clean Knoxville Nationals, presented by Lucas Oil, fans are urged to visit www.knoxvilleraceway.com. For more information on the race sponsor and its social networking site, fans are encouraged to visit www.myracelife.com.
The past winners of the MyRaceLife.com World Challenge are as follows:
Factory Value Parts World Challenge Dash:
2007, Dean Jacobs, $10,000
2006, Brooke Tatnell, $10,000
Clean-O World Challenge Dash:
2005, Daryn Pittman, $10,000
Kele World Challenge Dash:
2004, Daryn Pittman, $10,000
2003, Travis Rilat, $10,000
2002, Donny Schatz, $10,000
2001, Donny Schatz, $10,000
2000, Danny Lasoski, $10,000
1999, Randy Hannagan, $ 5,000
1998, A.J. “Skip” Jackson, $ 5,000
1997, A.J. “Skip” Jackson, $ 5,000
Australian/American Challenge Cup Points:
1996, Danny Smith, $ 4,000
1995, A.J. “Skip” Jackson, $ 2,000
1994, Max Dumesny, $ 1,000
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ESS EXTRA!!
Can-Am Motorsports Park, LaFargeville, N.Y.
After a very long and successful rein by the Thurston family (since 1975, built in ’74) and three solid years with businessman John Wight, the Caprara Bros. Billy and Charlie have taken over the fast 4/10ths. in the North Country. The Bros. that own several car dealerships have always had a liking with motorsports and moved their love into owning of the dirt oval. With Chip Burdick handling all the day by day duties the track is in good hands.
Can-Am has had a long history of hosting small block modifieds throughout the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s with hall of famers Marcel LaFrance, Doug Carlyle, Dave Heaslip along with many top heroes such as Pat and Danny O’Brien, Rick Wilson, Laurent Ladouceur and others that have called Can-Am home.
Since 2003, the big blocks have roamed these parts with some of the best in Billy Decker, Pat Ward, Gary Tomkins and others that have made the popular oval their home track at one time or another.
This season, the night of July 5th will be a special one as the Lucas Oil backed series for the Empire Super Sprints (ESS) will be side by side with the big blocks and both events will be $2,000 to win making for not only fireworks in the air but on the track. ESS has brought in some of Can-Am’s biggest crowds and on this night it should be no different.
Local favorites in the field will be Jeff Cook as well as Wilson himself and daughter April. Kingston, Ontario’s Justin Harris will have many fans on hand and don’t be surprised if you see a track regular picking up a ride in a winged machine.
Can-Am is very wide and racy, many grooves will be used and don’t be surprised if you see the sprints “flat-foot” it around the entire track. A large bleacher section stretches the entire length of the long front stretch and with the infield clear it offers a good view no matter where you sit. Pits are located off turn four and behind the bleachers. Can-Am also showcases one of the largest VIP towers of any track with every room filled on every night.
ESS Facts – Can-Am Motorsports Park:
ESS Events Run: 24
Different Winners: 15
Most Wins: Dan Kaszubinski (5).
Last Event Run: 7/27/06
Most Recent Winner: Jeff VanDusen
Can-Am Motorsports Park Facts:
Location: Rte. 411 West of Interstate 81.
ESS Date(s): July 5th.
Dash Sponsor: Rt. 37 Building Supply
A-Main Sponsor: SUNY Canton
Promoter: Billy and Charlie Caprara
Track Phone: (315) 778-3407
Website: www.canammotorsports.com
Sites of Interest: Picturesque Alexandria Bay and the St. Lawrence Seaway 10 minutes away. The annual July 4th festival will be held all weekend.
City of Watertown 15 minutes away.
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THE JERSEY JET JJ GRASSO ROCKETS TO HIS SECOND URC WIN OF 2008 SATURDAY NIGHT AT NEW EGYPT SPEEDWAY
A hardy crowd filled the grandstands Saturday night at the New Egypt Speedway as the Rislone URC Sprint Series presented their seventh show of the season and fourth race of the Fred's Trailer Parts New Series of 2008. With a big crowd on hand, the United Racing Company was certainly not short of sprint cars as thirty-four competitors turned out for the night of racing. At the end of the night, JJ Grasso of Pedricktown, NJ once again lived up to his name, "the Jersey Jet" by winning his second URC feature of the season with both wins coming at the New Egypt Speedway. In fact, Grasso has three URC career feature wins and his first career win came in 2007 and yes, you guessed it, that win was at New Egypt as well. For Grasso, he would enjoy even more race dates at the Jackson, NJ racing facility.
Three heat race events were presented with Chris Coyle, Joey Biasi and Becca Anderson taking the victories as Kevin Welsh was the winner of the twelve lap "B" Main. Anderson, who was fast all night and was looking at a third place starting position in the twenty-five lap feature, developed a motor problem with the Bar's Leaks sprint car and was forced to scratch before even taking the green in the feature event.
At the drop of the green flag Chris Coyle of Wilmington, DE and driver of the BPG Motorsports sponsored sprint car gunned to an early lead with Joey Biasi just off the pace. By lap three, the Jersey Jet was racing in second with his sights already on Coyle. After leading the first seven circuits, Coyle gave up the lead to Grasso. The work for Coyle was far from over as Trenton, NJ driver Mark Bitner moved into second on lap ten. One lap later, Coyle was back in second and by lap twelve, Bitner returned to the runner-up spot.
Passing was plentiful and as the field crossed the line for the halfway sign, Grasso was the leader followed by Bitner, Coyle, Brian Seidel and point leader Curt Michael. Coyle returned to the second spot on lap fifteen and quickly went after the leader. On lap eighteen, Coyle took the lead with Grasso back in second. As the fans stayed on the edge of their seat, Grasso again took the lead, this time opening the door for Bitner to move into second with Coyle now third. Not too far off the pace was Curt Michael watching this dog-fight battle for the lead from the best seat in the house.
With a surge of power on lap twenty-four, Coyle challenged both Bitner and Grasso for the top two spots but his awesome ride came to an end after contact with a lapped car that sent the BPG sprinter spinning in turn two, displaying the one and only caution flag of the event. Coyle restarted the race at the rear of the field.
At the front of the pack, with just two laps remaining, Mark Bitner and Curt Michael were looking for a lane to challenge Grasso for the lead. Bitner offered the most serious threat, taking the low groove off four on the final lap, coming up short by just one car length. Grasso took the win followed by Mark Bitner, Curt Michael, Davey Sammons in the Palladino sprint as Joey Biasi finished a strong fifth.
JJ Grasso earned the LikeWise Construction fast time of the night as Kevin Welsh won the Don Ott "B" Main. The Fred's Trailer Parts Hard Charger Award went to rookie driver Brett Schoenly for advancing nine spots in the twenty-five lap feature event.
Seventeen year old David Gravel of Watertown, CT qualified for this first URC main event, finishing a strong sixth in the "B" Main and delivered a twentieth in the feature event. Modified star Billy Pauch was in the field, delivering a tenth place feature finish.
FEATURE FINISH: JJ Grasso, Mark Bitner, Curt Michael, Davey Sammons, Joey Biasi, Josh Weller, Dave Ely, Brian Seidel, Robbie Stillwaggon, Billy Pauch, Scott Pursell, Kevin Welsh, Brett Schoenly, Jamie Bodo, Ed Aikin, Chris Coyle, Rory Janne, Kyle Purks, Chuck Palmucci, David Gravel, Randy West, Jason Clauss, Trevor Lewis, Gary Gollub.
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LOCAL DRIVER WINS 2008 DIRT CUP!
( Alger , WA ) 6/21/08 by Kelly Hart
The last time a local, weekly 410 racer won the Jim Raper Memorial Dirt Cup at Skagit Speedway was 1992. Tonight; Everett , WA driver Jayme Barnes put his name on the trophy with a scintillating 40 lap victory that had some amazing moments.
Tyler Walker from Los Angeles , CA led the first 12 laps with Barnes stuck right to his rear nerf bar. In heavy traffic, Barnes and Walker started swapping the lead, with Barnes narrowly splitting two lapped cars trapping Walker and earning the front spot. Barnes pulled away, time after time through numerous restarts. Barnes led the final 28 laps. Battles behind him ensued, as cars crashed out trying to work their way through the fully loaded field and higher up the standings. The almost capacity crowd came to their feet as Barnes completed the last lap and remained in the stands through his podium interviews.
Barnes earned $25,000.00 for the win, with the final two podium spaces filled by runner up Roger Crockett of Medford , OR in second place and San Jose , CA driver Tim Kaeding in third.
Winning the D Main was Michael Harris of Sedro Woolley , WA . The C Main winner was Josh DeWitt of Snohomish , WA . Capturing B Main event honors was Kyle Hirst of Loomis , CA .
Three 6-lap scrambles set the starting 3 rows for the C, B and A Main events. Winning the C Scramble was Nick Engberg of Burlington , WA , Steve Kilcup of Sedro Woolley , WA won the B Scramble and Tyler Walker won the A Scramble.
UNOFFICIAL RESULTS
Dirt Cup Race of Champions (40 laps): 1. 9 Jayme Barnes, 2. 7N Roger Crockett, 3. 10 Tim Kaeding, 4. 26 Travis Rutz, 5. 4 Brock Lemley, 6. 98m Mitch Olson, 7. 6 Kyle Hirst, 8. 24 Tyler Walker, 9. 88 Jesse Whitney, 10. 69 Brent Kaeding, 11. 26r Tayler Malsam, 12. V8 Jeff Hodgson, 13. 0 Jonathan Allard, 14. 66 Barry Martinez , 15. 73 Danielle Huson, 16. 59 Eric Fisher, 17. 29 Bud Kaeding, 18. 7o Colton Heath, 19. 11 Marc Dupperon, 20. 15 Aaron Fell, 21. 18 Steve Kilcup, 22. 93 Mike Henry, 23. 33e Evan Suggs, 24. 38 Jason Bloodgood.
Lap leaders: 1-12 Tyler Walker, 13-40 Jayme Barnes
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Corey Lutters Prevails to Take First URSS Win at Whiskey Lake
The 2008 United Rebel Sprint Series season has been a Season of change and an amazing streak of sixteen different winners in the first twenty races of the year. Kansas City’s Corey Lutters season so far could have been summed up eloquently with the old adage “if it weren’t for bad luck, I’d have no luck at all.” Being 0 for 6 in his first six feature starts, the Ransom Kansas native needed some luck Friday night as gremlins once again plagued Lutters during Mud Laps, as several crews made a mad thrash in the 07 pits to make repairs in order to get the car ready for his Heat Race. But when the night was over it may have the work of some numerology as the 07 of Corey Lutters hit the jackpot in his seventh start of the 2008 Season.
Corey Lutters brought the field to the green and quickly jumped into the lead with Abilene, Kansas’s Paul Flynn in his tire tracks. St Joseph, Missouri’s Cody Salem took the third spot with Reed Bernbeck and Kasey Beckham rounding out the top five. Lap four saw Beckham take the fourth spot from Bernbeck as Beckham set his sights on third place Salem.
Lap six saw Dennis Fair spin to bring out the yellow, on the following restart several cars were involved in a front stretch mishap in which several cars received some damage. Eastern Region Points Leader Darren Berry received the worst of the damage that ended his night while others hustled to the pits to make repairs. Lutters led the field to green on the restart with Flynn hot on his heels once again, this time joined by Salem. Lutters held his line and started to build a slight lead over Flynn. Kasey Beckham made the pass on Salem for the third spot as the pair battled for several laps for the position.
Flynn continued to dog Lutters back bumper lap after lap, as the battle for the third spot heated up between Beckham and Salem. Salem applied the pressure on the Valley Center, Kansa driver until Salem made the pass stick on lap seventeen. As the white flag flew, Flynn had closed the gap up on Lutters but he couldn’t make up any ground. Lutters crossed the finish line to pick up his first URSS Feature Event win with Flynn, Salem, Beckham and Josh Fairbank rounding out the top five.
The Weld Racing Wheels “Hard Charger Award” went to Ken Lutters who came from his eleventh starting position to grab the sixth spot.
Heat Race winners were Paul Flynn, Kasey Beckham and Cody Salem.
A-Main: 1-Corey Lutters (07), 2-Paul Flynn (92), 3-Cody Salem (23), 4-Kasey Beckham (25), 5-Josh Fairbank (51), 6-Ken Lutters (79), 7-Reed Bernbeck (C3), 8-Dustin Murray (46), 9-Dennis Fair (74), 10-Mike Spear (54), 11-Justin Schwien (76), 12-Darren Berry (12), Randy Bantam DNS
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Poirier Comfortable at Ohsweken, Grabs Third ESS Win of the Season
BY MIKE MALLETT
OHSWEKEN, ONT. – Steve Poirier had two things that helped him feel comfortable on Friday night. First, he was at Ohsweken Speedway, a three-eighths mile dirt track, where he’s won the last two Canadian Sprint Car Nationals. Secondly, he went back to the Eagle Chassis that he used to win the big race last September.
“I don’t know what it is but I feel comfortable here (Ohsweken),” said Poirier after his third win of the season with the 25th Anniversary Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprint tour. “I’ve been running well with my other car (J&J Auto Racing) but I know this car (Eagle) is good here.”
The decision worked out well for Poirier as he pocketed $2,000 for the win courtesy of Arrow Express. It also helped him increase his overall lead in the tour point standings as well as giving him the lead in the SMAC Magazine Canadian Invasion series.
Michael Parent, of Granby, Que., took the lead at the green flag from his starting spot on the outside of the front row.
He paced the field for nine circuits until Jeff Cook was able to secure the race lead by taking his North County Welding sponsored No.10 to his outside in turns one and two.
Cook, of Antwerp, N.Y., used the top lane as he raced through heavy traffic with Poirier closing in from his 14th starting position by utilizing the bottom lane of the speedway.
At the halfway point it was Cook holding the advantage with Poirier moving by Justin Barger into the runner-up position.
The pair continued to race in traffic with Poirier gaining the advantage in turn four on the bottom of the speedway on lap 15.
“After watching the Late Model race I set the car up to run the top of the speedway,” said Poirier. “I never thought that the bottom was going to be as quick as it was. I went down there to get through some traffic and the car stuck.”
In the closing laps Poirier worked flawlessly through traffic while Lance Yonge was busy coming forward on the bottom of the racing surface.
At the checkered flag it was Poirier gaining the win with Yonge coming from the outside of the sixth row to score another second place finish with his Castner Performance powered Maxim.
“He (Poirier) got by me on the outside early in the race,” commented Yonge. “Once I found the bottom I was able to pick cars off pretty quick. I just didn’t have enough time to catch Steve (Poirier).”
Barger, out of Montrose, N.Y., was able to get up as far as second but in the end he was unable to hold of Poirier and Yonge, forcing him to settle for third.
“We were close on the setup in the car,” said Barger about his Ryder powered Maxim. “I didn’t think the bottom was going to be as good as it was and it we missed it a little bit.”
Cook, who led some of the event in his Maxim ride, fell back to finish in fourth while Jared Zimbardi of Little Valley, N.Y. came from the sixth row to finish in fifth.
ESS/Ohsweken Notes: A near record field of cars as 42 jammed the pit area as ESS shared the card with the World of Outlaw Late Models which were rained out the night before…A tremendous amount of support from the Ohsweken weekly Corr-Pak sprint car series and also from the Southern Ontario Sprints….Good to have Dain Naida and Louie Carufel from the Sprints on Dirt circuit as both made the A-Main…The 25 lap A-Main was the second in row that went non-stop, Mike Stelter was the only driver of the 25 starters that didn’t see the checkered flag. Stelter by the way was running Jay Pietz’s #71Jr as he is still awaiting motor parts for his own mount and if it was for the Kris Root team loaning a rear end, he wouldn’t have made the event…Lee Ladouceur took full advantage of his provisional as he started 25th, finished 6th and took home an extra $50 from Lane’s Yamaha…The stars and cars from the Lucas Oil Sponsored Series will be back at Ohsweken on Sept. 12 and 13 as a part of the Arrow Express Canadian Sprint Car Nationalls.
RACE RESULTS (6/20/08)
Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints Arrow Express A-Main (25 laps): Steve Poirier, Lance Yonge, Justin Barger, Jeff Cook, Jared Zimbardi, Lee Ladouceur, Dain Naida, Kevin Job, Michael Parent, Brian McDonald, Dave Dykstra, Louie Carufel, Glenn Styres, Bobby Breen, Tom Huppunen, Blake Breen, Craig Downie, Jim Price, Alain Bergeron, Tim Kelly, Kyle Patrick, Chris Jones, Fred Cade, Ryan Hunsinger, Mike Stelter.
Lap Leaders – Parent 1-9, Cook 10-14, Poirier 15-25.
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25th Anniversary Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints – Quick Results:
June 20, 2008 – Ohsweken Speedway – SMAC Magazine Canadian Invasion Event.
42 Cars.
Arrow Express A-Main – Steve Poirier, Lance Yonge, Justin Barger, Jeff Cook, Jared Zimbardi, Lee Ladouceur, Dain Naida, Kevin Job, Michael Parent, Brian McDonald, Dave Dykstra, Louie Carufel, Glenn Styres, Bobby Breen, Tom Huppunen, Blake Breen, Craig Downie, Jim Price, Alain Bergeron, Tim Kelly, Kyle Patrick, Chris Jones, Fred Cade, Ryan Hunsinger, Mike Stelter.
Lap Leaders – Parent 1-9, Cook 10-14, Poirier 15-25.
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ALLARD WINS FRIDAY NIGHT DIRT CUP PRELIMINARY AT SKAGIT SPEEDWAY
Alger, WA-- 6/20/08 by Kelly Hart
When a two-time former Dirt Cup champion wins as convincingly as Jonathon Allard did Friday night at the 2008 Jim Raper Memorial Dirt Cup presented by Camping World RV at Skagit Speedway, the rest of the field better take notice. When the 30-lap main event was over Jonathon Allard was in winnerʼs circle and the rest of the field was left scratching their head as he dominated the final race of the night. Allard led all 30 laps and was never seriously challenged.
The race for second place was a donnybrook with Barry Martinez and Brock Lemley swapping places for a half lap. On lap 24 Martinez and Lemley along with Steve Kilcup were all involved in an accident, which sent Kilcup to the pits ending his night, Martinez and Lemley on the hook in the work area. Brent Kaeding finished second with Jared Ridge third.
Winning the C Main was Mike Sather with Johnny Gray taking the second and final transfer spot into the B. The B main transferred 7 cars with Tayler Malsam winning, taking Danielle Huson, Brandon Johnson, Bud Kaeding, Jesse Whitney, Kyle Hirst and Steve Kilcup.
Heat race winners were Martinez , Jason Bloodgood, Jeff Hodgson, Lemley, and Brent Kaeding.
The field is set for the Saturday night A main, minus the B main transfers. The top six, Tyler Walker, Jayme Barnes, Roger Crockett, Jonathon Allard, Jesse Whitney and Brock Lemley will run the scramble to set the first 6 positions in the main. Rounding out the feature are Travis Rutz, Jeff Hodgson, Mitch Olson, Brent Kaeding, Aaron Fell, Eric Fisher, Barry Martinez, Colton Heath, Tayler Malsam and Tim Kaeding.
Saturday nights finale for the $25,000.00 top prize gets underway at 7:00 p.m. The spectator gates open at 5:00 p.m.
RESULTS 6/20/08
Fast time: 7n Roger Crockett 11.481
A Main: 0 Jonathon Allard, 69 Brent Kaeding, 12 Jared Ridge, 7o Colton Heath, 24 Tyler Walker, 9 Jayme Barnes, 7n Roger Crockett, 88 Jesse Whitney, v8 Jeff Hodgson, 4 Brock Lemley, 38 Jason Bloodgood, 98m Mitch Olson, 6 Kyle Hirst, 66 Barry Martinez, 15 Aaron Fell, 26 Travis Rutz, 73 Danielle Huson, 26r Tayler Malsam, 29 Bud Kaeding, 14j Brandon Johnson, 59 Eric Fisher, 18 Steve Kilcup
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RAIN AGAIN STOPS URC FRIDAY NIGHT AT PENN CAN, EVENT RE-SCHEDULED FOR FRIDAY, AUGUST 8TH
The BPG sponsored night of racing at the Penn Can Speedway that included the popular Rislone URC Sprint Series fell victim to rain on Friday night. A heavy down pour drenched the speedway at 5 PM with rain still falling at 6:30 PM, forcing the cancellation of the program. Penn Can Promoter Reed Miller was quick to work out a rain date for the high speed URC sprints as they will return to the "Can" on Friday night, August 8. This will work out well for the URC sprints as they are scheduled to compete at the Selinsgrove Speedway the following night, Saturday, August 9th.
This weekend is certainly not over for URC as they plan to invade the New Egypt Speedway in Jackson, NJ on Saturday night, June 21.
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BARNES WINS NIGHT ONE OF DIRT CUP AT SKAGIT SPEEDWAY
Alger, WA 6/29/08 by Kelly Hart
Jayme Barnes is rapidly gaining a reputation as a big race racer. On the opening night of the 2008 Jim Raper Memorial Dirt Cup presented by Camping World RV at Skagit Speedway Barnes won the 30-lap Feature event passing 6 cars from his inside 4th row starting position for the win. Mitch Olson started outside front row surrounded by the Kaeding clan, Bud Kaeding on the pole and Tim and Brent Kaeding behind in row two. Olson led the first 6 laps when Tim Kaeding took over the lead. Kaeding led the 7th through 10th laps before Barnes slid up in front of him coming out of turn 4 and into the lead on lap 11. From there on it was all Barnes, fending off some serious challenges from Kaeding who would not back off. On the final corner of the last lap Barnes got caught up in slower traffic and bounced off the turn 4 wall, as Kaeding closed Barnes jumped on the gas and took the checkered flag.
The evening got off to a suspect start as rain halted the first attempt at time trials. After the Skagit Speedway crew re-worked the track it was time for a second go at qualifying. Travis Rutz set fast time at 11.432, with Roger Crockett 11.592, Jason Solwold 11.640, Tayler Malsam 11.691 and Brock Lemley 11.707 rounding out the top five.
With the top 20 cars inverted in the front 4 starting at the front of the five heat races, 3 cars transferred from each heat directly to the Feature. Winning the five heat races were Jonathon Allard, Jesse Whitney, Tim Kaeding, Barnes and Mike Henry.
The “alphabet” Mains were won by Mack Brown (D Main), Josh Edson (C Main), and Crocket (B Main).
Fifty four cars graced the Skagit Speedway pit area on night one. The top ten points standings after night one were Tyler Walker 556, Jayme Barnes 550, Brock Lemley 540, Roger Crockett 538, Tim Kaeding 534, Jonathon Allard 534, Travis Rutz 525, Jesse Whitney 522, Mitch Olson 518 and Steve Kilcup 514.
Night two Friday resumes with gates opening at 5pm and racing at 7pm. More info at www.SkagitSpeedway.com .
DIRT CUP NIGHT ONE RESULTS
FAST TIME: 26 Travis Rutz 11.432
Heat 1: 0 Jonathon Allard, 24 Tyler Walker, 26 Rutz, 6 Kyle Hirst, 18L Toni Lutar
Heat 2: 88 Jesse Whitney, v8 Jeff Hodgson, 15 Aaron Fell, 7n Roger Crockett, 4s Dan Simpson
Heat 3: 10 Tim Kaeding, 29 Bud Kaeding, 73 Danielle Huson, 96x Mack Brown, 6k Kyle Oman
Heat 4: 9 Jayme Barnes, 69 Brent Kaeding, 26r Tayler Malsam, 5sp Ricky Fauver, 18 Steve Kilcup
Heat 5: 93 Mike Henry, 4 Brock Lemley, 98m Mitch Olson, 59 Eric Fisher, 38 Jason Bloodgood
D Main: 96x Mack Brown, 44h Michael Harris, 25c Chad Groves , 6k Kyle Oman, 5x Chuck Ashe, 9a Steve Dyer, 14 Kelleigh Johnson (top 4 transferred to C Main)
C Main: 83 Josh Edson, 33e Evan Suggs, 4e Nick Engberg, 5d Josh DeWitt, 5h Christian Stover, 7j JJ Hickle, 20 Robby Vaughn, 23h Brandon Harkness, 77 Mike Sather, 75 Kevin Smith, 33v Henry Van Dam, 77f Kirk Fellers, 6k Oman, 25c Groves, 17 Cameron Smith, 44h Harris, 22 Blake Cook, 96x Brown
B Main: 7n Crockett, 6 Hirst, 59 Fisher, 66 Martinez , 18 Kilcup, 33e Suggs, 7o Colton Heath, 7s Rick Ziehl, 11 Marc Duperron, 38 Jason Bloodgood, 71 Johnny Gray, 33 Derek Holmwood, 4s Simpson, 83 Edson, 18L Lutar, 5sp Fauver, 23b Seth Bergman, 4e Nick Engberg
A Main : 9 Jayme Barnes, 10 T. Kaeding, 24 Walker, 98m Olson, 88 Whitney, 0 Allard, 4 Lemley, 7n Crockett, v8 Hodgson, 18 Kilcup, 26 Rutz, 15 Fell, 59 Fisher, 33e Suggs, 66 Martinez, 26r Malsam, 73 Huson, 69 Brent Kaeding, 7o Heath, 29 Bud Kaeding, 6 Hirst, 93 Henry
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The 25th Anniversary Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints Invade Western and Eastern Ontario This Weekend: $2,000 to win at Ohsweken, $2,500 to win at Cornwall.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Both ends of the province of Ontario will see the winged warriors of the 25th Anniversary Empire Super Sprints (ESS) as two more important stops on the SMAC Magazine Canadian Invasion tour will take place. This Friday night it’s to the Six Nations Reservation and the Ohsweken Speedway and then on Sunday it’s the eastern most part of Ontario to the Cornwall Motor Speedway.
It’s the lone full point stop at Canada’s sprint car capital and it will be a battle of the home turf. For the first time ever, 360 sprint cars are the main weekly attraction at Ohsweken and many of there stars will be in the field looking for the $2,000 top prize in the Arrow Express A-Main.
Track owner Glenn Styres will be behind the wheel of his mount along with teammate Keith Dempster, current point leader Jared Zimbardi, Fred Cade, who’s Best Western Cairn Croft Hotel is sponsoring the dash, Ryan Hunsinger and many others will be on hand. Also, a welcomed support by the Southern Ontario Sprints (SOS) will make for a large car count as Kevin Job, Warren Mahoney, Bob Crawford, Daryl Turford and others will carry the SOS banner in hopes for the checkered flag.
The ESS invasion will be lead by current point leader Steve Poirier, Canadian Invasion point leader Alain Bergeron, two-time champion Lance Yonge, Michael Parent, Justin Barger and others. The event will also be an important tune up as many ESS stars will return to the 3/8ths mile oval in September to run the Canadian Sprint Car Nationals.
On Sunday, it will be a history making event as ESS is proud to be a part of the first ever Triple Crown of Racing the winged machines will be side by side with the World of Outlaw Late Models and Cornwall’s own 358 modifieds. The special WestFront Construction A-Main carries a special purse of $2,500 to win, $1,500 for second and $350 just to take the green. It’s the largest A-Main winner’s purse ever offered for a full point show.
A special 730 Truck Stop Dash will also be part of the night’s events with the winner of the four lap event getting $200 from the $600 purse. Local favorite Brian McDonald will be there as well as teammate Lee Ladouceur, Jeff Cook, Tommy Wickham, Tim Kelly, Normand Beaudreault, Anthony Cain and the father daughter duo of Rick and April Wilson.
It’s the invasion of Ontario! The Lucas Oil Tour, SMAC Magazine Canadian Invasion Series…Ohsweken, Cornwall, as the tradition continues it will be excitement guaranteed!
For more information:
www.ohswekenspeedway.com
www.cornwallspeedway.com
www.empiresupersprints.com
Past Empire Super Sprint Winners at Ohsweken Speedway.
July 25, 2003 Mike Woodring
June 25, 2004 Dan Kaszubinski
June 24, 2005 Dan Kaszubinski
Sept.17, 2005 Kenny Jacobs
June 23, 2006 Jeff VanDusen
Sept. 15,2006 Justin Barger, Kyle Patrick
Sept. 16,2006 Steve Poirier
June 22, 2007 Jeff VanDusen
Sept. 15, 2007 Steve Poirier
Past Empire Super Sprint Winners at Cornwall Motor Speedway
Sept. 16, 1984 Jon King
May 16, 1993 Jeff Thomas
May 22, 1994 Adrian Flath
June 11, 1995 Mike Woodring
June 9, 1996 Gary Drum
June 8, 1997 Jeff Thomas
June 7, 1998 Dan DeCracker
June 6, 1999 Chris Shuttleworth
June 4, 2000 Alain Bergeron
June 8, 2001 George Ely
July 21, 2002 Lance Yonge
Aug. 18, 2002 Mike Lutz
June 8, 2003 Bill Bailey
June 13, 2004 Jeff Cook
Aug. 22, 2004 Dan Kaszubinski
June 19, 2005 Rick Wilson
July 17, 2005 Jeff Cook
June 18, 2006 Steve Poirier
July 16, 2006 Don Sharp Jr.
June 17, 2007 Jeff VanDusen
Aug. 19, 2007 Jeff VanDusen
-end-
Empire Super Sprints Points
1. Steve Poirier 511
2. Lance Yonge 484
3. Justin Barger 461
4. Alain Bergeron 460
5. Michael Parent 391
6. Tim Kelly 389
7. Tommy Wickham 388
8. Jeff Cook 359
9. Lee Ladouceur 291
10. Anthony Cain 250
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Poirier Excites Home Town Crowd Holding Off Barger for Thrilling Victory
By MIKE MALLETT
GRANBY, QUE. – Steve Poirier has turned more laps at Autodrome Granby than any other driver currently racing with the 25th Anniversary Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprint tour. On Friday night Poirier used that experience to help him capture the Fondations 4 Saisons 25-lap A-Main event for the first leg of the SMAC Magazine Canadian Invasion Series.
“It’s fun to win here,” stated the driver from St-Mathieu de Boloeil, Que. “I get to see a lot of people that I haven’t seen in a while. Some of them can’t afford to travel to see me race in the United States so it’s good to get a win in front of them.”
The win was Poirier’s second consecutive victory with the tour as well as he second win in a row at the half-mile oval. The win paid him $2,200 for his efforts and it was his 11th career with the Empire Super Sprints.
Alain Bergeron raced out in front at the drop of the green flag from his pole starting position. He beat Justin Barger into turn one and drove off the bottom of turn two.
Bergeron and Barger remained one and two while Poirier was working his way up through traffic from the inside of the third row.
Bergeron held the lead as the first caution of the event slowed the field on lap 12 when Keven Beaucage slowed and came to a stop on the back straightaway. One lap later, the race was brought under the red flag when Jeff Cook and Jeff VanDusen flipped on the front straightaway.
The restart placed the top three drivers nose to tail with no slower cars between them. As the green flag dropped Bergeron and Barger ducked to the inside of turn one with Poirier racing hard around the top to take the second position away. Then, just four laps later, Poirier again went to the outside of turns one and two to take the lead.
“The key was to drive the car hard and straight into the turn,” said Poirier. “The guys on the bottom had to really slow down to run the bottom and I could get a good run off the turn on the top.
“The track was tricky tonight and I didn’t have the best setup but I think we were just a little better than everyone else.”
Once he took the lead, Poirier opened up a half straight advantage on the field until he got a big scare on lap 20. As Poirier entered the turn, he attempted to race to the outside of Daniel Lampron when the two came together sending Poirier up near the outside wall.
“I thought he (Lampron) was going to go low but he went high and I got into the back of him,” stated Poirier about the incident. “When it happened I thought I was going to hit the outside wall and wreck the car. I got lucky that it didn’t really do any damage to my car.”
Poirier had one final scare in the closing laps as Barger was able to close in and challenge for the lead. As the duo raced to the line to with two laps remaining, Barger pulled even with Poirier off of the fourth corner. Fortunately for Poirier, Barger got slowed by a slower car running his line and he was unable to get by for the win.
“I got too cautious after the contact,” said Poirier. “It took me a two or three laps to get my momentum back again.”
Barger, driving the same car he rolled last Saturday, made it interesting in the closing laps but he was unable to pull off the shocking late race pass for the victory as he got boxed in behind some slower traffic.
“Sometimes the slower cars help you and other times they hurt you,” commented Barger. “Tonight it hurt us but I’m happy that we came out and ran as well as we did after rolling the car over last weekend.”
The red flag period at the halfway point may have caused Bergeron, of St. Pie, Que, to finish a disappointing third after leading much of the event.
“For some reason the car wasn’t as good after the red,” said Bergeron. “I don’t know if the tires cooled down or what it was but I could run the bottom like I had before.”
Finishing in fourth was the current point leader from Penn Yan, N.Y., Lance Yonge. Tim Kelly, of Rock Stream, N.Y., scored his first top five of the season as he finished in fifth.
ESS/GRANBY NOTES: Even with the cost of fuel for haulers hitting $5.00 a gallon, 21 sprints made the tow on a picture perfect night…Once again the combination of the sprints and the Fondation Mira race for the blind, an absolute SRO crowd of 8,000 plus was on hand…Good to have Russ Bennett back on the tour with current Granby modified point leader Kayle Robidoux out for the first time, fourth place in sportsman points at Granby in Keven Beaucage was in the Bergeron back-up and looked fast out of the box…VanDusen picked up a ride from Brian McDonald for the weekend but unfortunately ended with the flip on lap 13…McDonald himself had a power steering pump explode while pushing off for the A-Main and he didn’t take the green flag…The Lucas Oil backed tour with the SMAC Magazine Canadian Invasion Series will make two more stops to Granby on Friday, Aug. 1 and Aug. 29th
Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints Fondations 4 Saisons A-Main (25 laps): Steve Poirier, Justin Barger, Alain Bergeron, Lance Yonge, Tim Kelly, Tommy Wickham, Doug Norrie, Michael Parent, Gordy Button, Lee Ladouceur, Kayle Robidoux, Anthony Cain, Normand Beaudreault, Russ Bennett, James Hanson, Daniel Lampron, Jeff Cook, Jeff VanDusen, Keven Beaucage, Brandon Warner, DNS – Brian McDonald
Lap Leaders – Bergeron 1-16, Poirier 17-25.
Heat 1 (10 laps): Alain Bergeron, Tim Kelly, Jeff Cook, Anthony Cain, Brandon Warner, Kevin Beaucage, Kayle Robidoux
Heat 2 (10 laps): Justin Barger, Steve Poirier, Gordy Button, Michael Parent, Jeff VanDusen, Normand Beaudreault, Daniel Lampron
Heat 3 (10 laps): Lance Yonge, Tommy Wickham, Doug Norrie, Lee Ladoceur, James Hanson, Russ Bennett, Brian McDonald
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Winters Scores Win Night #1 of the Masters at the Cedar Lake Speedway
6-13-08 New Richmond, WI
by Greg Parent
Under partly cloudy skies and breezy conditions, the second night of the 10th Annual Masters at the Cedar Lake Speedway featured the Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprint Series and the WDRL late models in competition at the popular 3/8 mile high-banked Wisconsin oval. A solid field of 32 IRA 410 sprint cars were on hand. When the final checkers waved, Scott Winters had earned his first 410 sprint car feature victory at CLS in a dominating performance.
Time trials were held for 29 IRA sprint cars, as three teams were delayed in arriving at the track due to road closures in southern Wisconsin. Jerry Richert Jr. turned in quick time with a lap of 11.555 seconds, as Minnesota drivers filled three of the top five time trial positions. Four heat races for the IRA sprints saw John Haeni pass early race leader Donny Goeden on lap 3 enroute to victory in the first 10 lap heat. Brooke Tatnell, driving the Olson #34 sprinter, came from his third starting spot to lead all 10 laps in a nonstop run in heat #2. The only red flag of the evening was displayed on the opening lap of the third heat race when third quick timer Scotty Biertzer hopped the right rear tire of Leigh Thomas' car while entering turn one. Biertzer's sprinter launched skyward in a series of wild endos, exiting the track in turn one and eventually ending in an upright position on the road that goes to the track scales. Biertzer was not injured, but his car was done for the evening. The race restarted and then ran caution-free to the end with Kurt Davis leading all the way. The final heat race saw Steve Meyer bolt into the lead from his outside row one starting spot to lead from start to finish. The top four finishers in each heat transferred to the main event while the remainder of the field would vie for the final starting positions in the B Main.
The final six transfer positions would be determined from the 12 lap B Main. Three time Masters IRA winner Travis Whitney found himself having to run a B Main tonight. Travis wasted no time in driving away from the field for the win. Following Whitney were Dave Uttech, current IRA point leader Bill Balog, Scott Uttech, Jason Johnson and Ryan Irwin to garner the remaining feature race starting spots.
The IRA sprint cars lined up 22 cars strong for their 30 lap main event paced by front row starters Leigh Thomas and Scott Winters. At the drop of the green, Winters blasted into the lead and set a blistering pace up against the cushion on the high side of the track. Brooke Tatnell was quickly on the move forward from his 10th starting spot, passing several cars in just a few short laps. When the only caution of the race waved with ten laps in the books for a John Haeni spin in turn four, Winters had already lapped four cars while Tatnell had raced forward to the third place spot behind sixth starter Jerry Richert Jr. When the race resumed, Winters once again disappeared up front while Tatnell and Richert battled for the runnerup spot. Winters soon encountered lapped traffic and had to move between the top and bottom of the track on several occasions. Once Tatnell got by Richert for second, he set his sights on the leader. Winters had built up a large margin, but Tatnell began carving away at it. With no further cautions to close up the field, Winters was able to ride home with his first CLS IRA sprint car feature victory while Tatnell settled for second with a bent front nose wing on his car. Jerry Richert Jr. continued his strong 2008 IRA finishes with a fine third place run while young Davey Heskin turned in an impressive fourth place finish in front of Bill Balog. Rounding out the top ten finishers was Scotty Neitzel, Steve Meyer, John Sernett, Travis Whitney and Kurt Davis.
IRA Sprint A Main: Winters, Tatnell, Richert, Heskin, Balog, Neitzel, Meyer, J Sernett, Whitney, Davis, Kristan, Reinke, Haeni, Goeden, Dewall, Thomas, Irwin, S Uttech, D Uttech, Hafemann, Johnson, Hunt.
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Winters Sweeps IRA Sprints During the 10th Annual Masters at the Cedar Lake Speedway
6-14-08 New Richmond, WI
by Greg Parent
The third and final night of the 10th Annual Masters at the Cedar Lake Speedway began under bright blue skies on Saturday night June 14. It ended with rain falling and weather warnings issued for the area. In between a full program of Bumper to Bumper IRA Sprint Series racing took place. Scott Winters made it a clean sweep by winning the 30 lap IRA feature race just as it began raining. The WDRL late model portion of the show was not able to complete their scheduled 50 lap feature race, forcing track and series officials to postpone the main event until the USA Nationals. Further details on when the feature race will be made up will be released soon.
For tonight's program, the IRA sprint cars did not run time trials. They lined up their heat races by draw and then used the passing points system to determine the top sixteen cars that would advance to the feature race. Once again there were 32 cars on hand to participate in IRA competition. The first heat was a quick one with Mike Reinke leading all the way in the nonstop run. Joe Symoens led the first seven laps in the second heat before suffering a flat tire which then handed the lead over to Brian Kristan. The race ended with a hard flip on the frontstretch by Mike Sitzmann Jr. coming down to the checkers after contact with Bill Wirth. Sitzmann walked away from the crash, but his car was done for the rest of the night. Kristan ended up winning the heat. Brad Barickman led the first two laps of the third heat before Dave Uttech powered by for the lead and eventual win in the caution-free event. The final heat saw pole sitter Tim Sernett take the lead at the drop of the green and 10 laps later cross the finish line in first. Brian Kristan ended up leading the passing points standings follow heat race action.
The IRA B Main started 15 cars trying to earn one of the top six finishing positions in order to transfer into the feature race. Two time IRA champion Scotty Neitzel blasted into the lead on lap one and went on to record the win. The race was slowed twice under caution for spins and once under red when Jason Johnson tipped his sprinter on its side. The stage was now set for the feature race, but storm clouds were gathering to the west.
With threatening weather approaching, track and series officials moved the program along quickly and soon it was time for the 22 car starting grid to push off for 30 racing laps in the IRA sprint car main event. Jerry Richert Jr. immediately grabbed the early lead, but the race was under caution with two laps completed when Scott Biertzer spun in turn 2. Five laps later, Billy Balog spun his sprinter in turn 4. Under this caution, third place runner Brooke Tatnell had a left rear tire go down. Tatnell and Scott Winters had been battling for the runnerup spot behind Richert. A quick change of the tire by the Olson crew, and Tatnell was back on track at the tail of the field. When the race resumed, Travis Whitney continued his march forward for this 11th starting spot. On lap 13, Winters moved past Richert for the lead while exiting turn two in lapped traffic. Two laps later the yellow waved when Tim Sernett did a complete 360 spin in turn two but kept going. Winters continued to lead with Travis Whitney now up to third. Once Whitney got by Richert, he tracked down Winters in traffic and began looking for a way to get past. The battle for the top spot was interrupted when Billy Hafemann spun in turn 4 with 24 laps in the books. This would give Winters a clean track with Whitney right behind him. The race only ran one green flag lap before the red appeared when Kim Mock tipped his car on its side up in turn 3. Dave Uttech and Scott Biertzer were also involved in the incident, as all three cars were unable to continue. This set the stage for a quick five lap dash to the checkers, as the wind picked up and light sprinkles began falling. Just in time to beat the heavier rain, Scott Winters completed the sweep by winning the feature on the second night of the Masters. Travis Whitney finished second ahead of John Haeni, Mike Reinke, early leader Jerry Richert Jr. and Scotty Neitzel. Billy Balog raced from the back of the field following his spin to narrowly edge past Steve Meyer for seventh at the line. Brooke Tatnell recovered from his flat tire and was able to make his way back up to ninth in the end. Rounding out the top ten was 18th starter Donny Goeden.
Scott Winters became the second driver to sweep both feature events at the Masters, as Travis Whitney pulled off the same feat in 2007. Whitney still leads with three Masters IRA feature wins followed by Winters now with two and one each for Scotty Neitzel and Wayne Johnson. Racing at the Cedar Lake Speedway swings back into action next Saturday night June 21 with the second Double Features & Kids Night of the season featuring racing in five NASCAR weekly divisions.
IRA Sprint A Main: Winters, Whitney, Haeni, Reinke, Richert, Neitzel, Balog, Meyer, Tatnell, Goeden, Kristan, J Sernett, Dewall, S Uttech, Davis, Hunt, Hafemann, Wirth, T Sernett, D Uttech, Biertzer, Mock
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RAIN STOPS URC RUN SATURDAY NIGHT AT GRANDVIEW SPEEDWAY
Hopes were high for a great night of URC sprint car racing as the Rislone Sprint Series invaded the Grandview Speedway for their first of three stops in 2008.
A field of thirty URC sprints turned out on this hot and muggy Saturday night. A fantastic speedway surfaced was offered for the URC sprinters. Mares Stellfox won the first qualifying heat, then during the running of heat race two, the rain began to fall and the cars were sent back to the pits to wait out the rain delay.
Unfortunately, after a one-hour wait, management of Grandview Speedway did cancel the event. Actually, the call was the right one and shortly after the grandstands were empty, a heavy shower of rain joined by lightening and thunder soon rumbled over the track on the hill.
The URC Rislone Sprint Series will return to Grandview Speedway on Saturday night, July 26 with a 7:30 PM starting time.
For URC, their tour will continue with stops at the Penn Can Speedway on Friday, June 20 followed by a visit to the New Egypt Speedway on Saturday, June 21. The following week, Saturday, June 28 URC will return to the Delaware International Speedway.
For more information, please visit our website at: www.urcsprints.com
COMING URC RACE DATES
JUNE 20 Penn Can
JUNE 21 New Egypt
JUNE 28 Delaware Intl
JULY 4 Bridgeport
JULY 12 New Egypt
JULY 18 Big Diamond
JULY 19 Selinsgrove $3,500 Jack Gunn Memorial
JULY 26 Grandview
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Rain Interrupts Awesome Racewear Night at Ohsweken
by Tommy Goudge (June 13, 2008) – Ohsweken Speedway officials and teams tried their best to race on Awesome Racewear night at the Speedway, but Mother Nature wouldn’t co-operate. 6 heat races were in the books when the skies opened, forcing cancellation of the remainder of the evening. The event will not be rescheduled.
Rain checks from June 13 will be honoured at the next regular Friday Night Thunder event, scheduled for next Friday, June 20 when Gales Auto Aftermarket presents the Empire Super Sprints tour, along with a regular card of ESSO Thunder Stocks, ESSO Mini-Stocks, and Fun Stocks. Fans wishing to redeem their rain checks can bring their June 13 ticket stubs with them to the June 20 event to gain admittance at no charge.
The next scheduled event at Ohsweken is Thursday, June 19 when the World of Outlaws Late Model series makes its first ever trip to Ontario to contest the “Six Nations 50”. The Ohsweken Speedway Corr/Pak Merchandising Sprint Cars will also run a full program Thursday night. Plenty of reserved seat tickets for the event remain. Please visit www.OhswekenSpeedway.com for more information. Fans attending the Six Nations 50 can redeem their Thursday night, June 19 ticket stubs on Friday, June 20 to gain admittance to the Empire Super Sprints event for just $5.
6 heat races were completed before the rain came. Brent Hill and Rick Robinson won ESSO Mini-Stock heats, Mike Thorne and Brad Bacher won ESSO Thunder-Stock heats, and Dain Naida and Ryan Hunsinger won Corr/Pak Sprint Car heats.
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Jeremy Ohl heads off the track at Clinton County Raceway after his maiden voyage in a 410 sprint car. He is the defending champion in the track's late model division. Photo © Shawn T. Wood/The Dirt Track Channel.
“Awesome” Night Coming Up At Ohsweken This Friday
by Tommy Goudge (June 10, 2008) – With 4 competitive rounds of Ohsweken Speedway Friday Night Thunder already in the record books, Round 5 is set for this Friday night, June 13 with more great racing expected. Awesome Racewear presents the 4-division Friday Night Thunder action this week, once again featuring the Corr/Pak Merchandising Winged Sprints, ESSO Thunder Stocks, ESSO Mini-Stocks, and Fun Stocks.
Salamanca, NY resident Jared Zimbardi won his first Corr/Pak Sprint Car feature of the season last Friday, extending his season-long points lead over 3rd place finisher Keith Dempster of Alton, Ontario in the process. Kevin Job of Campbellville finished 2nd to Zimbardi on Friday after leading much of the way, but his disappointment can be tempered with the knowledge that he jumped from 5th to 3rd in the points on Friday. Ryan Hunsinger came home with a solid 6th place last Friday after taking his first career sprint car feature win in round 3. Hunsinger, who recently moved to Brantford, now sits 4th in points ahead of Fred Cade of Niagara Falls, who dropped to 5th in the standings after a 7th place finish on Friday. The Corr/Pak Sprints have provided more than their share of great racing already this season, with 4 different winners in 4 weeks, while the last 3 feature races have seen lead changes during the last 5 laps of the race. With a competitive field of weekly competitors and possible surprise invaders, it’s anybody’s guess who will end up in victory lane every Friday.
Cody McPherson’s name has appeared in the win column in 3 of 4 ESSO Thunder Stock events held so far this season, including a win last Friday, but as Terry Osmond showed in Round 3, McPherson is not unbeatable. Brian Pescetti actually led much of the event on Friday, but was freight-trained at the end and then made contact with the backstretch wall, but was still able to come home 5th. Vince Fargnoli and Glen Leinen followed McPherson through the field and came home 2nd and 3rd respectively after a hard fought battle, however Fargnoli was disqualified after the race, moving Leinen up to 2nd, and also moving Leinen’s #9 into 2nd in the points standings. Osmond followed up his round 3 feature win with a 6th place on Friday night and now sits 3rd in points, while the consistency of Ryan Dinning has him up to 4th in points after a 4th place finish on Friday night. Defending ESSO Thunder Stock champ Brad Bacher is still hanging onto 5th in points despite a lost wheel which prevented him from finishing the feature on Friday night, which saw a season-high 19 cars take the green flag, including the new entries of Colin Court and Mike Ward, who took home an 8th place finish after starting 17th.
A new face visited ESSO Mini-Stock victory lane on Friday night as Chase Hess took his first ever feature win, but it is 5 veterans leading the way in the points standings. Defending track champion Abel Castelein has picked up right where he left off last season with consistent finishes, including a 6th place on Friday night, and continues to lead the Mini-Stock standings. Kevin Hilborn finished 4th for a 3rd time this season on Friday night and is now 2nd in points, followed by Mark Thorne, Jim Swing, and Rick Emberson, who all finished in the top 5 on Friday, with Emberson finishing 2nd after starting 14th.
In Fun Stock action, Chris Hils became the 4th different feature winner in 4 weeks, vaulting from 3rd to 1st in the points standings for the new division in the process.
Awesome Racewear presents the Friday Night Thunder action this week at Ohsweken. Specializing in custom race suits and sublimated crew shirts, Awesome Racewear also has a wide variety of other racing equipment and accessories available for purchase. Visit www.AwesomeRacewear.com for more information.
The first big event of the Ohsweken Speedway season is fast approaching. Thursday, June 19 is the date of the first visit ever by the World of Outlaws Late Models to Ohsweken, and they will be joined for the night by the Ohsweken Speedway Corr/Pak Merchandising Winged Sprint Cars to create one of the must-see racing events in Ontario this season! The Empire Super Sprints tour will visit Ohsweken the following evening and those who present their June 19 ticket stubs at the ESS event on June 20 will be admitted for just $5! There is plenty of free camping area available adjacent to the Speedway for those who wish to attend both events. Lots of advance reserved seat tickets for the Thursday, June 19 event remain available - Call 1-888-720-RACE to get yours today!
Friday Night Thunder at Ohsweken Speedway is affordable family entertainment just a short drive away from most mid-western Ontario locations. Adult General Admission is $10, Seniors & Students 13 - 17 are $8, and Kids 12 and under are FREE! Please visit HYPERLINK http://www.OhswekenSpeedway.com for more information. Gates open at 6:00p.m. with the first race taking the green flag at 7:45p.m. this Friday, June 6!
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SMAC Magazine Canadian Invasion Series Starts this Weekend: Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints Visit Autodromes Granby and Drummond
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – A very important part of the 25th Anniversary Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints is the trips north of the border and this weekend the first two events will take place. Kicking off the SMAC Magazine Canadian Invasion Series will be Autodrome Granby and Drummond, two great tracks located in the French speaking province of Quebec.
The A-Main events will be brought to you by Fondations 4 Saisons which will pay $2,000 to win and $450 to start, the largest A-Main purse on the tour. Both Granby and Drummond will be bringing out the red carpet for the winged warriors in the first of three weekend visits.
On Friday it will be special evening as it’s the annual tribute to Fondation Mira, a special 10 lap race for drivers that are blind with celebrities as the co-pilots. Between the special charity race and the visit by the Lucas Oil tour you can expect a SRO crowd of some 8,000 plus in the grandstands. Fans should note that if weather becomes the victor, a special Sunday rain date has been set up.
On Saturday its Quebec’s oldest running dirt track in Autodrome Drummond that will play host to the ESS traveling road show. It’s the first of two exciting weekends for the fans of Drummond as the World of Outlaw late models will make an appearance the very next week. Normand Beaudreault Construction will be backing the Walt’s Hobby Dash making for an added attraction for the local fans.
Along with Beaudreault, Quebec fans will be cheering on defending champion Steve Poirier, 2006 champ Alain Bergeron, 2006 rookie of the year Michael Parent, Daniel Lampron and Kayle Robidoux. The American contingent will be made up of current ESS point leader Lance Yonge, Justin Barger, Jeff Cook, Tommy Wickham, Bubby Kerrick, Cory Sparks, Anthony Cain and others.
June 13 and 14, the first of 14 SMAC Magazine Canadian Invasion Series events on the 25th Anniversary Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints tour. Granby, Drummond, it will be excitement guaranteed!! French-Canadian style!.
For more information:
www.autodrome-granby.qc.ca
www.autodrome-drummond.com
www.empiresupersprints.com
Past Empire Super Sprint Winners at Autodrome Granby
June 17, 1994
Roger Horvath
June 23, 1995
Mike Woodring
Sept. 1, 1995
Craig Keel
June 21, 1996
Mike Woodring
June 20, 1997
Mike Woodring
Aug. 29, 1997
Bobby Parrow
June 19, 1998
Mike Woodring
Sept. 4, 1998
Lance Yonge
June 25, 1999
Mike Stelter
Sept. 3, 1999
Lance Yonge
June 23, 2000
Mike Wodoring
Sept. 1, 2000
Mike Stelter
June 21, 2002
Mike Woodring
Aug. 30, 2002
Mike Woodring
June 20, 2003
Mike Woodring
June 18, 2004
John Karklin Jr.
Sept. 3, 2004
John Karklin Jr.
July 29, 2005
Lance Yonge
June 16, 2006
Doug Emery
July 28, 2006
Steve Poirier
Sept. 1, 2006
Jeff VanDusen
June 15, 2007
Chuck Hebing
July 27, 2007
Jeff Cook
Aug. 31, 2007
Steve Poirier
Past Empire Super Sprint Winners at Autodrome Drummond
May 19, 1984
Gordy Button and Dave Leckonby
June 19, 1994
Tom Taber
June 24, 1995
Mike Woodring
Sept. 2, 1995
Mike Woodring
Aug. 30, 1997
Mike Woodring
June 20, 1998
Mike Woodring
Sept. 5, 1998
Tim Kelly
June 26, 1999
Mike Woodring
Sept. 4, 1999
Dan Kaszubinski
June 24, 2000
Mike Stelter
Sept. 1, 2001
Alain Bergeron
July 22, 2002
Dan Kaszubinski
Sept. 1, 2002
Bill Coffey
June 21, 2003
Lance Yonge
Aug. 30, 2003
Jeff VanDusen
June 19, 2004
Alain Bergeron
Sept. 4, 2004
June 18, 2005
Jeff Cook
Jeff VanDusen
July 30, 2005
Alain Bergeron
Sept. 3, 2005
Lance Yonge
June 17, 2006
July 29, 2006
Justin Barger
Nick Fratto
Sept. 2, 2006
June 16, 2007
Dan Kaszubinski
Jeff VanDusen
Sept. 1, 2007
Bubby Kerrick
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Jones Leads SOS Points After 2 Rounds
by Tommy Goudge (June 4, 2008) –
The first 2 events of the 2008 Southern Ontario Sprints season are now entered into the record books, and after 2 consistent outings Chris Jones of Demorestville, Ontario finds himself atop the SOS point standings for the first time. Jones made his sprint car debut last season with a 4th place finish at the Brighton Speedway on August 11, and has been a consistent threat to finish in the top 5 ever since.
With a 4th place at Brighton Speedway on May 10 and 5th at Brockville Ontario Speedway on Saturday, Jones is the only driver who has recorded a top 5 finish in both SOS events run so far this season. After a difficult opening night at Brighton, Alton driver Keith Dempster was able to salvage a 7th place finish and followed that up with a 3rd place at Brockville, placing him 2nd in the standings, 7 markers behind Jones. Joyceville’s Rick Wilson went into Brockville as the point leader after winning the Brighton opener, but suffered damage and did not finish the feature at “The BOS”, dropping him to 3rd in the standings. Warren Mahoney of Lefroy struggled with mechanical problems at Brighton, but made up for lost time at Brockville by winning his heat and coming close to a return to victory lane in the feature, before Steve Poirier got by Warren for the lead with 2 laps to go. Mahoney’s strong 2nd place finish at Brockville vaulted him from 14th to 4th in the standings. Ridgetown resident Adam West is quietly sitting 5th in points after feature finishes of 5th and 9th to start the season, and figures to be a threat for wins and top 5’s all season as he looks to repeat his championship season of 2005.
6 drivers were on hand at Brockville who did not make the trip to Brighton to open the SOS season. Quebec drivers Steve Poirier and Michael Parent normally race with the Empire Super Sprints tour, but made the trip to Brockville after rain cancelled the Earl Halaquist Memorial at Fonda, NY. Poirier made the most of the trip by taking the feature win, while Parent charged from the inside of row 6 to finish 4th when the checkered flag fell. The Eastern Ontario team of Brian McDonald and Lee Ladouceur were also on hand, and both looked to be in contention for good finishes before McDonald went for a wild ride while racing for 2nd with Rick Wilson. Thankfully McDonald was uninjured, while Ladouceur salvaged the night for the team with a 6th place finish. Bill Baldwin’s car #14 was present at both events, but was piloted by Rick Wilson’s son Kyle at Brockville. Unfortunately Kyle was not able to do much as hired gun as the team spent most of the evening trying to fix a mechanical issue. Hamilton, Ontario driver Ryan Hunsinger also made the trip with teammates Keith Dempster and Glenn Styres, but the #77x’s engine did not fire and Hunsinger was relegated to spectator one night after taking his first career sprint car feature win in weekly competition at the Ohsweken Speedway.
The Southern Ontario Sprints tour will be back in action on Saturday, June 14 at Brighton Speedway for Round 3 of the 2008 season. For more information, visit www.SouthernOntarioSprints.com and www.BrightonSpeedway.com.
SOUTHERN ONTARIO SPRINTS 2008 SEASON
POINTS STANDINGS AS OF SATURDAY, MAY 31, 2008
Position. Car# Driver (Hometown) – Total
(* - feature winners)
1. 11j Chris Jones (Demorestville, ON) - 306
2. 5 Keith Dempster (Alton, ON) - 299
3. 42w Rick Wilson (Joyceville, ON) – 286*
4. 25 Warren Mahoney (Lefroy, ON) - 278
5. 30 Adam West (Ridgetown, ON) - 277
6. 79 Dick Mahoney (Newmarket, ON) - 260
7. 81 Derek Jonathon (Lewiston, NY) - 257
8. 71 Craig Downie (Burlington, ON) - 257
9. 0 Glenn Styres (Ohsweken, ON) - 256
10. 10 Bob Crawford (Sutton, ON) - 248
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Taylor Milton Grabs First URSS Feature Win at DCRP
For the second race in a row at DCRP, the “Young Guns of the URSS” have strutted their stuff to claim their first Feature win. Sixteen year old Taylor “Tay Rocket” Milton relied on the high side and rim rode the cushion on his way to his first URSS Feature win Saturday night in Dodge City.
Kinsley Kansas’ Darren Bowman led the field to the green but back in the pack CJ Johnson got together with another car causing him to come back across the track and collected John Colbert and Randy Washburn who unfortunately took tumbles on the front stretch with Washburn landing on top of Johnson’s car. Colbert and Washburn were done for the evening, but Johnson was able to continue.
On the restart Bowman quickly took the lead with Dodge City’s Keefe Hemel and Milton hot on his heels. McCook Nebraska’s Darren Berry passed Milton for the third spot on lap five only to have Milton claim the position back on lap eight. Johnson who had restarted the race at the tail end of the field quickly worked his way through the field to take the fourth position from Berry on lap nine.
With Bowman in the lead, Milton set his sights on second place Hemel and took the runner up spot on lap fourteen. Lap seventeen saw Johnson take over the third spot from Hemel. Milton kept the pressure on Bowman as he used the cushion to his advantage and on lap eighteen Milton took over the lead. Lap nineteen saw Johnson make his way to the runner up spot relegating Bowman to the third position.
Ninth starting Brian Herbert moved his way through traffic to take the fourth spot away from Hemel on lap twenty-three. Johnson put the pressure on Milton for the lead but Milton used lapped traffic to his advantage and held Johnson at bay. As the white flag was shown to the leaders, Herbert got around Bowman for the third spot. As the checkers flew it was Milton picking up his first URSS Feature win with C. J. Johnson, Herbert, Bowman and Hemel rounding out the top five.
The Weld Racing Wheels “Hard Charger Award” went to C. J. Johnson who came from his tenth starting position to grab the runner up spot.
The “B Feature” was won by Jeff Crook.
Heat Race winners were Brian Herbert, Keefe Hemel and C J Johnson.
B-Main: 1-Jeff Crook, 2-John Colbert, 3-Kasey Beckham, 4-Taylor Velasquez, 5-Tyler Knight, 6-Randy Washburn, 7-Ty Williams, 8-Mike Woodruff, 9-Kris Moore, 10-Kevin Smith, 11-Garrett Hood, 12-Craig Jecha, 13-Lance Davis, 14-Willie Wynn, 15-Steve Dalton, 16-Jerry Caldwell, 17-Brandon Fisher, Aaron Chaffin DNS
A-Main: 1-Taylor Milton (91X), 2-C. J. Johnson (45X), 3-Brian Herbert (97), 4-Darren Bowman (9B), 5- Keefe Hemel (11), 6-Darren Berry (12), 7-Ray Seemann (72), 8-Smokey Fairbank (2), 9-Mike Woodruff (83X), 10-Jeff Crook (52), 11-Tyler Knight (11K), 12-Nick King (83), 13-Ty Williams (1X), 14-Kasey Beckham (25), 15-Kris Moore (49), 16-Kevin Smith (62K), 17-Brian May (8), 18-John Colbert (79C), 19-Randy Washburn (0T), Taylor Velasquez (21) DNS
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Poirier Wins Inaugural Brockville SOS Visit
by Tommy Goudge (May 31, 2008) -
Despite threatening skies, a large crowd gathered at the Brockville Ontario Speedway to witness the first ever visit by the Southern Ontario Sprints tour. The event was the first sprint car race at the Eastern Ontario track after offseason renovations, and a smooth and very fast racing surface greeted the 19 teams who made the trip. Rain late in the afternoon delayed the program slightly, but the BOS staff persevered and the reward was great racing all evening, and a completed night entered into the record books for all divisions.
Warren Mahoney and Craig Downie paced the field to start the 20 lap feature, with Mahoney jumping out to the early lead. One lap was recorded before Glenn Styres jumped the cushion in turns 3&4 and spun to a top, bringing out a caution. Mahoney reasserted his lead when the green flag flew again, with fellow 2 time SOS champion Keith Dempster giving chase. Behind them, a torrid battle began as Steve Poirier, Michael Parent, Rick Wilson, and Brian McDonald began to advance towards the front of the pack. Dempster showed Mahoney his front wheels a couple of times, but wasn’t able to get ahead of Mahoney’s #25. Lapped traffic became a factor during the last half of the race as Mahoney closed in on Styres in an attempt to put him a lap down, but was unable to get by the very fast #0 machine, which Glenn had driven to heat race and dash wins earlier in the evening. The traffic also caused Dempster to slide high in turns 3 & 4, which allowed the 42w of Wilson to take over the 2nd position, and the #151kb of McDonald took advantage as well by moving into 3rd.
A frightening incident at the end of the 16th lap brought out the red flag when Brian McDonald and Rick Wilson got together in lapped traffic on the frontstretch. McDonald’s #151kb machine hopped the left rear of Wilson’s mount and flipped wildly, landing very hard on top of the concrete barrier which separates the infield from the track surface entering turn 1. McDonald’s car suffered severe damage, especially to the front end, but fortunately Brian emerged unscathed and in fact competed in the 358 Modified feature held later in the evening. Wilson’s car suffered damage to the left rear and also to the left side of the top wing, forcing him to retire from the event.
When the race resumed for a 4 lap dash to the finish, it was Mahoney leading the #28fm of Poirier, followed by Dempster, Craig Downie’s #71, and Chris Jones’ #11j. Mahoney opened a slight advantage and appeared poised to take his first feature win since August 16, 2003 at Merrittville. Poirier though had other plans, and was able to get by Mahoney exiting turn 2 on lap 18. Poirier then dashed to victory while Mahoney settled for 2nd, followed by Dempster, a hard-charging Michael Parent, and Jones, who took home his 2nd straight top 5 finish in SOS competition.
NOTES:
- After taking home his first ever sprint car feature win at Ohsweken on Friday night, Ryan Hunsinger made his return to SOS competition after 6 years away, but unfortunately experienced mechanical problems and was not able to get his engine fired.
- Kyle Wilson also made his return to sprint car competition on Saturday after some time away from the driver’s seat. Kyle, son of Rick and brother of April, was behind the wheel of Bill Baldwin’s #14 for the evening, but mechanical issues prevented him from starting his heat, or finishing the feature.
- For many of the SOS competitors, Brockville was a place they had yet to visit. After the event, the track drew rave reviews from many drivers and crew members. The tour will return to promoter Paul Kirkland’s fine facility on October 18 for a special non-points challenge event against the teams and drivers of the Empire Super Sprints.
- Jeff Ciglich of North Augusta was the lucky winner of the Frisbee toss, as he caught the one autographed earlier in the evening by eventual feature winner Poirier. Jeff was presented with a Have Bus Will Travel travel package for 2 to the World of Outlaws sprint car series event coming up in July at the Ohsweken Speedway. A 3rd Have Bus package will be given away at the next SOS event, coming up June 14 at Brighton Speedway.
Race Report – Saturday, May 31, 2008
Southern Ontario Sprints 2008 Season Event #2
Brockville Ontario Speedway – Brockville, Ontario
”A” FEATURE
Finish. Number - Name (starting position)
1. 28fm Steve Poirier (9)
2. 25 Warren Mahoney (1)
3. 5 Keith Dempster (3)
4. 25p Michael Parent (11)
5. 11j Chris Jones (5)
6. 51 Lee Ladouceur (8)
7. 71 Craig Downie (2)
8. 79 Dick Mahoney (12)
9. 30 Adam West (10)
10. Bob Crawford (13)
11. 0 Glenn Styres (4)
12. 81 Derek Jonathon (17)
13. 151kb Brian McDonald (7) DNF
14. 42w Rick Wilson (6) DNF
15. 15aw April Wilson (14) DNF
16. 15 Mike Ferrell (16) DNF
17. 29 Daryl Turford (15) DNF
18. 14 Kyle Wilson (18) DNF
DNS. 77x Ryan Hunsinger
Lap Leaders: W. Mahoney (1-18), Steve Poirier (19-20)
Hard Charger: Poirier (gained 8 positions)
Caution Flags: 1 (lap 2)
Red Flags: 1 (lap 16)
NEXT SOS RACE
Saturday, June 14th @ Brighton Speedway – Brighton, Ontario
www.SouthernOntarioSprints.com
www.BrightonSpeedway.com
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SEVERE STORMS STOPS URC RUN AT DELAWARE INTERNATIONAL SATURDAY. . . . .
URC GEARS UP FOR TWO RACE WEEKEND INCLUDING $4,000 TO WIN RISLONE SPRINT NATIONALS AT WILLIAMS GROVE FRIDAY NIGHT, JUNE 6
There is no doubt that Delaware International Speedway Promoter Charlie Cathell was looking out for fans and competitors alike when he made a mid-afternoon call on Saturday to cancel the evenings racing program. The severe weather did arrive, with a series of violent lightening and thunder storms making their first strike around 5 PM and continued late into the night. No promoter likes to cancel a racing program but when weather odds are so great and fuel prices being what they are, you need to use the information at hand to make the right decision.
For URC, this was their third rain out in the last four shows, and point leader Curt Michael is one driver that would like to see the rain go far away. This coming weekend, the competitors of URC will be looking at their first two race weekend and it all kicks off at the Williams Grove Speedway on Friday night, June 6 with the 3rd Annual Rislone Sprint Nationals. On Saturday night, June 7, the URC Rislone Sprint Series will make their first stop of the season at the popular Lincoln Speedway.
The Friday night Rislone Sprint Nationals will be a time trial event with qualifying heat race events as well as a "C" and "B" main event to determine the starting field for the 25 lap $4,000 to win Rislone Sprint Nationals. In the two previous Rislone Nationals, Pat Cannon was the winner in 2006 as Ed Aikin took top honors in 2008. A field of fifty sprint cars (open to all 360 and 358 sprints cars) is expected for this event at the Mechanicsburg, PA half-mile oval. Race time is set for 7 PM. Race teams looking for more information on the Rislone Nationals
are asked to visit the URC website at www.urcsprints.com and go to the home page. Click on 2008 Sprint Nationals for the rules, completepayoff and qualifying procedures.
The payoff for this event is $4,000 TO WIN . . . .2-$2,000, 3-$1,300, 4-$1,200, 5-$1,125, 6-$1,100, 7-$1,075, 8 -$1,050, 9-$1,025, 10-$1,000, 11-$500, 12-$450, 13-$400, 14-$375, 15-$360, 16-$350, 17-$340, 18-$335, 19-$330,
20-24-$300. B Main 1-4 Transfer 5-12-$50, C Main 1-4 Transfer $25, 5-13 $50.
Then on Saturday night, June 7, the URC racers will head to the always exciting Lincoln Speedway for a regular show of heat race qualifying, a "B" Main and a twenty-five lap feature paying $2,000 to the winner.
The URC season will continue with a visit to the Grandview Speedway on Saturday, June 14 followed by a two race weekend that opens on Friday
night, June 20 at the Penn Can Speedway followed by a stop at the New Egypt Speedway on Saturday night, June 21. URC returns to the Delaware International Speedway on Saturday night, June 28.
COMING EVENTS FOR THE URC RISLONE SPRINT SERIES
Friday, June 6 Williams Grove $4,000 to win Rislone Sprint
Nationals
Saturday, June 7 Lincoln
Saturday, June 14 Grandview
Friday, June 20 Penn Can
Saturday, June 21 New Egypt
Saturday, June 28 Delaware International
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Hunsinger captures 360 sprint car Victory at Ohsweken
by Tommy Goudge (May 30, 2008), Ohsweken, Ontario –
Despite cloudy skies and pessimism from the weather man, Trailers By Jim Bray sponsored Round 3 of Friday Night Thunder at Ohsweken Speedway was
completed in its entirety on Friday night. Great racing, first time winners, and winners who lined up on the inside of row 2 were the order of the evening.
In Corr/Pak Merchandising Sprint Car action, Hamilton’s Rookie of the Year candidate Ryan Hunsinger (#77x) took home his first career sprint car feature win after a late race charge saw him pass race-long leader Rob Pietz (#69) with just 2 laps left in the 20 lap feature event. The race began with Dave Dykstra (#5d) and Pietz on the front row, and it was Pietz getting the early lead, which he would hold for the majority of the race. Behind Pietz, the action was fast and furious throughout the pack as Kyle Patrick (#42), Fred Cade (#12c), Kevin Job (#21x), and Jared Zimbardi (#35) all began making moves towards the top 5. “The Gunslinger” Hunsinger started in the 3rd spot and jockeyed for position in the top 5 for the majority of the race before suddenly coming alive with 5 laps to go, first disposing of Cade in turn 2, and completing his charge to the front by passing Pietz coming out of turn 4. Pietz settled for 2nd, matching his career best at Ohsweken, while Patrick, Cade, and Job rounded out the top 5. Zimbardi, who entered Friday as the point’s leader in the sprint car division, took home a solid 6th place finish, just ahead of 2nd place point man Keith Dempster (#5). The race was slowed just once as the #71 of Craig Downie got pointed the wrong way coming out of turn 2, with many skilled evasive maneuvers performed by his fellow competitors enabling Downie to continue and eventually take home a 12th place finish.
Heat race wins went to Glenn Styres (#0), Cade, and Dempster. The B-Main was scratched in order to move the show along under threatening skies. A total of 23 Corr/Pak Sprinters signed in for action on Friday night, with 22 making the call to start the feature. John Burbridge, Jr. (#31) unfortunately suffered mechanical difficulties in hot laps and scratched for the evening. His father John Burbridge, Sr. (#21j) hopes to be back on the track soon after a similar problem on opening night. Jamie Collard (#f37) was seen in the pits helping various crews and hopes to be in action later this season.
Friday Night Thunder resumes June 6 when Lone Wolf Pit Stop presents another action packed 4-division event featuring the Corr/Pak Winged Sprints, ESSO
Thunderstocks, ESSO Mini-Stocks, and Fun Stocks. Friday Night Thunder at Ohsweken is affordable family entertainment just a short drive away from most mid-western Ontario locations. Adult General Admission is once again $10, Seniors & Students (ages 13-17) are $8, with kids 12 and under FREE!
Please visit http://www.OhswekenSpeedway.com for more information. Gates open at 6:00p.m. with the first race taking the green
flag at 7:45p.m. this Friday, June 6!
SPRINT CAR A-FEATURE
Position # Name (Starting Position)
1. 77x Ryan Hunsinger (3)
2. 69 Rob Pietz (2)
3. 42 Kyle Patrick (8)
4. 12c Fred Cade (7)
5. 21x Kevin Job (14)
6. 35 Jared Zimbardi (10)
7. 5 Keith Dempster (5)
8. 19jr Rob Ledingham (4)
9. 5d Dave Dykstra (1)
10. 7 Jim Price (6)
11. 22 Jim Porter (17)
12. 71 Craig Downie (13)
13. 94 Stan Zanchin (12)
14. 10 Bob Crawford (16)
15. 01 Mikey Kruchka (9)
16. 52L Daniel Lampron (15)
17. 81 Derek Jonathon (20)
18. 0 Glenn Styres (11)
19. 38 Brad Knab (18)
20. 99c Nick Cupulo (21)
21. 29 Daryl Turford (19)
22. 1a John Riegling (22)
-end-
$2,000 TO WIN EARL HALAQUIST MEMORIAL TO BE RUN AT FONDA THIS SATURDAY
By Ron Szczerba
FONDA, NY – This Saturday night May 31 at the Track of Champions Fonda Speedway there will be a celebration of a true sprint car Hall of Famer from Sidney, NY named Earl Halaquist.
The 25th Anniversary Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints (ESS) will be showcasing the 5th annual Earl Halaquist Memorial event for the driver that was inducted into the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in 2000.
The event is also the second leg of the GSSI I-90 Challenge where five drivers will be sharing a $1,000 point fund that was set up for the two events at Utica-Rome (which was run on May 25th and won by Jason Barney) and the Halaquist Memorial event at Fonda.
Leading the GSSI points coming into the Halaquist Memorial is Utica winner Jason Barney followed by Lance Yonge, Jeff Cook, Dan Kaszubinski and Justin Barger. All five drivers have a shot at the over all title with Barger looking to make the biggest move as he is the defending Memorial winner.
Along with all those stars, you can expect other top ESS chauffeurs such as defending champion Steve Poirier, the 2006 champ Alain Bergeron, local favorites Jeff VanDusen, Cory Sparks, Jessica Zemken, Jami Russell as well as Michael Parent, Tommy Wickham, Bubby Kerrick, Mike Stelter, Brian McDonald, Blake Breen, Chuck Hebing and many others battling for the $2000 win.
Barger claimed the opening event on the 2008 ESS schedule at Black Rock on April 12 followed up by Barney’s win on Sunday of Memorial Day weekend at Utica Rome. This event marks the second consecutive year that the ESS will visit “Track of Champions” after a 13 year absence and it will be a vital part of the 25th Anniversary ESS Tour.
Former winners of past ESS races at Fonda include John Brutcher (1987), Bobby Parrow (1991), Tom Taber (1992), Craig Lane (1994), and Barger (2008). The Empire Super Sprint event at Fonda on Saturday, May 31 will be the 5th Annual Earl Halaquist Memorial event with previous winners of the prestigious race being Blake Breen in 2004, George Suprick in 2005, and Hebing in 2006 and Barger (2008).
The 360 Sprint Open that was rained out back on April 26 will also be on the racing card this Saturday along with a regular show in all other divisions. Starting time on Saturday will be 6:00 p.m. The Fonda Futures Kid’s Club will also be holding a coloring contest with pictures and crayons available for the kids at the Fonda Futures table at the end of the grandstand going towards turn four.
Be sure to come to the Track of Champions in 2008 to “Feel the Thunder”. Fonda Speedway is located off of exit 28 of the New York State Thruway. For more information you can call (518) 382-3115 Monday through Friday, (518) 853-4235 on race day or you can go to their website at www.fondaspeedway.com. For more information on the Empire Super Sprints you can go to their website at www.empiresupersprints.com
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CURT MICHAEL REMAINS THE MAN TO BEAT IN URC, SCORES THIRTY-SEVENTH CAREER WIN SATURDAY NIGHT AT BRIDGEPORT SPEEDWAY.
Curt Michael of Ocean View, DE was again the dominant force of URC, taking the win in the twenty-five lap URC feature event Saturday night at the Bridgeport Speedway. Sponsored by Fred's Trailer Parts Center the show was a crowd pleaser as Curt Michael enjoyed a flawless night, first winning his heat race which earned him the front row starting position in the feature event. Michael set the pace for the first eight laps before turning the lead over to Chris Coyle driving the BPG sponsored entry. Coyle ran to hide from the field, but several caution
flags brought the field back together. A restart on lap seventeen, opened the door for Michael to retake the lead. In the final laps Coyle closed in on Michael, then on the final lap, he made an attempt to again take the lead. Charging off turn two, Michael had the fastest car and beat Coyle to the checker flag. For Michael, it was his second win of the season and thirty-seventh career URC victory. Michael earned $2,000 for the win plus an additional $50 for the LikeWise Construction fast time of the night.
A strong field of thirty-two URC sprints took part in the program with heat race victories going to Curt Michael, Scott Pursell and Chris Coyle as Mark Bitner won the Don Ott "B" Main.
In the twenty-five lap feature, Curt Michael was the early race leader with Jamie Bodo and Chris Coyle hot in the chase. On lap four, Coyle moved his BPG Racing #4 into second and set his sights on the leader. Coyle caught Michael on lap six, then with the help of some lapped cars, Coyle of Wilmington, DE made the pass for the lead on lap night. Like a bullet, Coyle ran to hide of the rest of the field. At the halfway point, the top five was Coyle, Michael, Robbie Stillwaggon, Jamie Bodo and Justin Collett.
The first caution of the race was displayed on lap fourteen for Joey Biasi , who stopped on the speedway. One lap later, Mares Stellfox stopped in turn four and the yellow was displayed again. A broken wheel on lap sixteen ended the night for Biasi with the yellow waiving again. The rash of caution flag came to an end and on the restart, Michael dove to the inside of Coyle to regain the lead position. Coyle tried to fight back, but this time, the #5g was quickest and ran to hide from the rest of the field.
With just five laps remaining, Coyle was again closing in on Curt Michael with Justin Collett in third, Randy West fourth and JJ Grasso now in fifth. Coyle was even closer as the two laps to go sign was displayed. With the white flag waiving, Coyle had just one chance at the win as he powered to the high groove going into turn on the checker flag lap. Michael and Coyle were side-by-side exiting turn two, Going down the backstretch, Michael powered ahead to easily take the lead and the victory. Collett finished third followed by Randy West and JJ Grasso. During post race teching Jamie Bodo (who finished fourteenth) was found to have illegal heads and was disqualified.
URC RISLONE SPRINT SERIES FEATURE FINISH: Curt Michael; Chris Coyle, Justin Collett, Randy West, JJ Grasso, Dave Ely, Mark Bitner, Robbie Stillwaggon, Davey Sammons, Becca Anderson, Ed Aikin, Kyle Purks, Chuck Palmucci, Jon Eldreth, Dave Betts, Art Liedl, Scott Pursell, Joey Biasi,
Mares Stellfox, Brandon Weibley, Dave Gable, Jason Clauss, Brian Seidel, Rory Janney, DQ Jamie Bodo DNQ- -Brett Schoenly, Gary Gollub, Jimmy Reppert, Jeff Fithian, Mike Kostic, Tim Hogue, Scott McClaren.
COMING EVENTS FOR THE URC RISLONE SPRINT SERIES
Saturday, May 31 Delaware International
Friday, June 6 Williams Grove
