Young & Old Savor Syracuse Advance Auto Parts Modified Triple 20s Victories
Syracuse, NY – October 10, 2008 – By Tom Skibinski, DIRTcar Racing NorthEast PR Director
The Advance Auto Parts DIRTcar Big-Block Modified Triple 20 qualifying heats held at the New York State Fairgrounds on Friday offered a glimpse of the new and the old --- for race fans attending the 37th edition of Super DIRT Week on the Syracuse Mile it was a chance to reminisce about what once was, what is now, and what may become in the seasons ahead.
Spanning two-generations of success at the historic Syracuse Mile, veteran Jack Johnson earned a popular victory in the 20-mile opener while rising star Matt Sheppard copped the second leg and all-time Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series Champion Brett Hearn topped the field in round three. Johnson had not won a qualifier at the fairgrounds since 1997 while Hearn’s most recent heat win was his 14th in the Salt City. Sheppard’s riple 20 triumph worth $4,000 was only his second since joining the Big-Block ranks in the new millennium.
“I love this place, especially when you’re fast,” remarked Johnson, who turned 64 in September and competed in the inaugural Syracuse show in 1972 (finished 8th) then went on to capture Rite Aid crowns in 1979 and 1984. Prior to not starting last year’s 200-lapper, the Duanesburg, New York veteran only missed out on the 1983 race. “If you’re not fast it’s a tough place. Right now I feel pretty good.”
“I’ve got a heckuva team behind me, these guys worked really hard just to get the car here. Its actually Ronnie’s (Jack’s son) car from last year so its a good piece. I feel bad for Timmy (Fuller) on that restart, it was a tough break, but that’s the way it goes I guess,” added Johnson, who will start ninth in Sunday’s Rite Aid 200 with his son Ronnie filling alongside in 10th spot on the 45-car grid.
The elder Johnson started fifth in the opening heat and watched as runner-up Jimmy Phelps shredded a right rear tire to end his day and leader Fuller was docked two positions for jumping for the second time on a lap nine restart. Johnson had overtaken Kenny Tremont and Dale Planck in the early stages and found himself at the head of class after Fuller was dismissed early prior to the halfway point. From there, Jumpin’ Jack held off Tremont, Fuller, Moody Mile master Billy Decker and third-generation Canadian chauffeur Stewart Friesen to park the familiar orange Witz Roofing no. 12A Palmer's Service-Krug Builders/TEO mount in victory lane.
Ronnie Johnson out-dragged pole-sitter Sheppard down the front stretch to begin the second qualifier before Ron Smoker, Jason Herrington and Casey Swamp made contact in the first turn to force out the first yellow flag. Johnson chose the inside lane on the restart and once Sheppard beat his front row partner to the first corner only second-place was up grabs the remainder of the way.
“Wow, those restarts were something else … a little scary and a little slick getting into turn one,” said Sheppard, 26, a past winner of both the Sportsman Modified and 358-Modified mains during Super DIRT Week with only the Rite Aid 200 missing from his portfolio. The Waterloo, New Yorker starts outside the front row on Sunday to begin his latest quest at Syracuse. “I thought I had Ronnie the first time, he just snuck around me and I don’t know how. He got it sideways and I was sideways but he got it to stick. Then I was up top and was able to sneak back around him. From there on out the car was perfect,” Sheppard said.
Once ahead of the pack, Sheppard and Johnson pulled away at will, leaving Mitch Gibbs, J.R. Heffner and Jason Barney to battle for front-five positions almost a straightaway behind.
Hearn took advantage of his pole-position start to lead the distance in the third and final Advance Auto Parts Triple 20, surviving no less than four caution periods in the longest qualifier of the afternoon on the Syracuse Mile.
“That’s a pretty good day,” summed up Hearn, 50, after ending the day with his second checkered flag that resulted in a $5,000 payday for the 1978 Rite Aid 200 rookie of the race and the winningest driver in the history of the storied State Fairgrounds oval. “I’ve got great people behind me paying attention to all the details and this right here is why.”
“But I’ve been down this road before when everything is clicking until Sunday arrives. Anything can happen here and usually does. This car has been so smooth I really enjoy driving it. Right now my guys are going to go back and work their butts off and get ready for Sunday, that’s when we find out how good things really are this week,” added Hearn, after sweeping both Big-Block and Small-Block qualifying heats on the same day for the sixth time in his career. The five-time Rite Aid 200 winner will file into third on Sunday’s starting grid looking for his 101st Advance Series victory, this being the biggest as a $50,000 grand-prize goes to the 200-mile winner.
Hearn never trailed in his heat and following in his shadow across the stripe were young wheelmen Vince Vitale, Justin Haers and Bobby Varin, with each earning a coveted starting berth in the richest DIRTcar Modified event in the Northeast.
Time trials (6), Lebanon Valley 200 winner (1), Rolling Wheels 200 winner(1), qualifying races (30), BRP Tour winner and two guaranteed starters from the Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series bring the total to 41 cars before the 'Dig Safely New York Shootout' last-chance consolation round on Sunday morning and Saturday night shootout at Cayuga County Fair Speedway complete the 45-car starting grid for Sunday's headline Rite Aid 200 finale scheduled for 2:15 p.m.
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SUPER DIRT WEEK XXXVII
MODIFIED TRIPLE 20s @ NYS Fairgrounds, Oct. 10
RACE RESULTS
Advance Auto Parts Heat #1
FIN CAR# DRIVER
1 12A Jack Johnson/Duanesburg,NY
2 115 Kenny Tremont/West Sand Lake,NY
3 19F Tim Fuller/Edwards,NY
4 91 Billy Decker/Unadilla,NY
5 44 Stewart Friesen/Niagara-o-t-Lake,ONT
6 77X Dale Planck/Cortland,NY
7 26 Ryan Godown/Ringoes,NJ
8 98 Eddie Marshall/Ridgefield,CT
9 35 Mike Perrotte/Elizabethtown,NY
10 44C Frank Cozze/Wind Gap,PA
11 1H David Hebert/St.Damase,QUE
12 42P Pat Ward/Genoa,NY
13 28P Eldon Payne,Jr./Hopewell,NY
14 16 Mike Bowman/Baldwinsville,NY
15 87x Paul Gilardi/Pittsfield,MA
16 347 George 'Skippy' Fox/Springfield,MA
17 M40 Mark Forte Jr./Blue Anchor,NJ
18 22 Larry Lampman Jr./Port Colborne,ONT
19 21M Bob McGannon/Garnerville,NY
20 98H Jimmy Phelps/Baldwinsville,NY
21 96 Todd Milton/Auburn,NY
22 42 Pete Bicknell/St.Catharines,ONT
Advance Auto Parts Heat #2
FIN CAR# DRIVER
1 9S Matt Sheppard/Waterloo,NY
2 2 Ronnie Johnson/Duanesburg,NY
3 55 Mitch Gibbs/North Norwich,NY
4 88 J.R. Heffner/Pittsfield,MA
5 35X Jason Barney/Constantia,NY
6 4 Duane Howard/Oley,PA
7 99 Ryan Phelps/Fulton,NY
8 57 Donnie Corellis/Averill Park,NY
9 14 Rick Laubach/Hellertown,PA
10 32C Vic Coffey/Leicester,NY
11 7 Jimmy Horton/Neshanic Station,NJ
12 48too Dave Rauscher/Waterloo,NY
13 88H Steve Hulsizer/Bridgeport,NY
14 29 Jeff Brownell Jr./Geneva,NY
15 37 Jason Herrington/Troy,NY
16 24 Chris Shultz/Pawling,NY
17 3B Chad Brachmann/Sanborn,NY
18 44S Casey Swamp/Akwesasne,NY
19 1NY Greg Atkins/Clintonville,NY
20 220 John Ferrier/Middletown,NY
21 14J Alan Johnson/Middlesex,NY
22 7X Steve Paine/Waterloo,NY
23 62R Ron Smoker/Hamburg,NY
Advance Auto Parts Heat #3
FIN CAR# DRIVER
1 20 Brett Hearn/Sussex,NJ
2 49 Billy Dunn/Watertown,NY
3 56 Vince Vitale/Phoenix,NY
4 3 Justin Haers/Phelps,NY
5 1 Bobby Varin/Sharon Springs,NY
6 84 Gary Tomkins/Clifton Springs,NY
7 J66 Danny Johnson/Rochester,NY
8 99L Larry Wight/Phoenix,NY
9 53 Ric Hill/Lafayette,NJ
10 41 Shawn Reimert / Oley,PA
11 19H Chris Higgins/Syracuse,NY
12 FX1 Frankie Caprara/Watertown,NY
13 83 Brian Swartzlander/Leechburg,PA
14 37X Tom Scheetz Jr./Boyertown,PA
15 87 Hector Stratton/Bennington,VT
16 02 Roy Bresnahan/Fulton,NY
17 66 Vince Gagliardo Jr./Reading,PA
18 43 Keith Flach/Ravena,NY
DNS 34 Andy Bachetti/Great Barrington,MA
DNS 21 Yan Bussiere/Drummondville,QUE
DNS 4S Brad Shova/North Bangor,NY
DNS 66X Carey Terrance/Hogansburg,NY
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Rauscher, Lampman, Bowman & Middleton Back To Futures In Syracuse
Syracuse, NY – October 9, 2008 – By Tom Skibinski, DIRTcar Racing NorthEast PR Director
The third day of activity at the New York State Fairgrounds during Super DIRT Week XXXVII closed out under the lights and for the second straight year ‘Futures’ events for Big-Block Modified, 358-Modified, Sportsman Modified and UMP Pro Stock classes were part of the Thursday program. Every competitor was in search of valuable track time on the storied Syracuse Mile and when the final checkered flag dropped at dusk, 75 future stars had taken advantage of this rare opportunity.
Mirroring last year’s format, the DIRTcar 358-Modifieds were the first to hit the track, with a baker’s dozen taking the initial green flag. Regular Sportsman campaigner Jeremy Wilder, fresh off his Mr. DIRTcar Series win at Fulton Speedway last Saturday, jumped out to the early lead before Canadian invader Larry Lampman Jr. took control for good on a lap 10 restart.
“The 22 got a good jump on me on the very start and they gave me that caution flag so I had to give it back to him,” said Lampman, from Port Colborne, Ontario, who cruised out to nearly a 3/4-straightaway lead over Wilder at the end of 15 laps. Autodrome Drummond racing promoter Yan Bussiere crossed the line third ahead of 2007 Mr. DIRTcar Sportsman Champion Joe Williams and Small-Block Series follower Tommy Flannigan.
Towing in the last car to go through inspection on Tuesday night, Dave Rauscher was first in line to take the green flag as he led the entire 18-lap distance in the Big-Block Modified main for Futures entries. The Waterloo, New York chauffeur held nothing back in traffic, opening up a 15 car-length margin of victory to enter his name in the Super DIRT Week record book.
“We’ve looked a lot worse going backwards down that front stretch, it was a pleasure to go by and not have any trouble,” noted Rauscher, who scored a comfortable win ahead of Orange County Fair Speedway stalwart Ric Hill, 15 year-old driver Larry Wight, 49 year-old Super DIRT Week rookie Brian Swartzlander and ’08 Big-Block Modified rookie Chris Higgins.
Following the Big-Block Modified Time Trials, a healthy field of 34 Sportsman Modified drivers turned trackside for a 20-lap main event that evolved into one of the most entertaining events of the new millennium on the Moody Mile. Eventual winner Mike Bowman from St. Catharines, Ontario, Jean Boissonneault arriving from Granby, Quebec and local driver Earl Rudy from nearby Phoenix were the main characters in the nip-and-tuck affair that featured three lead changes and one final two lap dash for cash after a late race caution.
Bowman grabbed the early lead before Rudy charged past followed immediately by Boissoneault as Bowman got out of shape on lap eight. Rudy matched Bowman’s misfortune on lap 10 and dropped to third at the halfway point as Boissoneault took command. Bowman shadowed the Frenchman in traffic until forging ahead for good on lap 17. Just as Rudy regained second and was about to make another bid for the lead, he slammed into the outside retaining wall in turns three and four to force out the final yellow flag on lap 19. Bowman was up to the challenge and out-distanced Boissonneault for the thrilling victory as Anthony Rizzardo, Cody McPherson and Mike Ruggiero filed in among the front-five.
“It was pretty intense out there banging bars at over 100 mph down the straightaway, its something else,” Bowman commented afterwards. “Its my first win since May and now I can finally say I won in the states.”
As the sun started to set beyond the turn three end of the speedway, 12 Pro Stockers reached the track for the day’s Futures finale and front-runners Mike Middleton and Steve Hankle didn’t let their fans down in the 10-lap affair. Fast timer on the day Hankle started just as quick before Middleton made the first pass for the lead on lap three. Hankle snatched it back just past the midway point yet it was Middleton sticking his nose low in turn three and coming out clean with two to go to take top honors.
“Your car is always better in certain spots than others so we went back and forth there pretty good for a while,” acknowledged Middleton, after edging ahead of Hankle for a three car-length victory with second-generation driver Sheldon Martin, another Frenchman Bruno Cyr and Capital District runner Mark Shadic rounding out the top-five. “We didn’t race much this year due to finances, so we saved up all summer and it was definitely worth it today coming home first.”
Super DIRT Week XXXVII action continues on Friday afternoon with the Advance Auto Parts Big-Block Modified Triple 20s and Pullen’s Truck Center 358-Modified Twin 20s taking center stage on the NYS Fairgrounds oval followed immediately by P & M Fabrication/Motorsports Safety Systems Sportsman Time Trials. But that’s not all as the action then moves over to Rolling Wheels Raceway Park for a 358-Modified/Sportsman Mr. DIRTcar Series doubleheader while Cayuga County hosts round no. 4 of the Mr. DIRTcar Street Stock Championship Series.
*Determined feature race starting positions.
MODIFIED
FAST AVE
TIME MPH CAR# DRIVER
1 31.832 113.094 48too Dave Rauscher/Waterloo,NY-f
2 31.998 112.507 53 Ric Hill/Lafayette,NJ-f
3 32.073 112.244 99L Larry Wight/Phoenix,NY
4 32.088 112.191 83 Brian Swartzlander/Leechburg,PA-f
5 32.207 111.777 87 Hector Stratton/Bennington,VT
6 32.225 111.715 19H Chris Higgins/Syracuse,NY-f
7 32.408 111.084 37 Jason Herrington/Troy,NY-f
8 32.440 110.974 M40 Mark Forte Jr./Blue Anchor,NJ-f
9 32.511 110.732 02 Roy Bresnahan/Fulton,NY-f
10 32.643 110.284 87x Paul Gilardi/Pittsfield,MA-f
11 32.774 109.843 21 Yan Bussiere/Drummondville,QUE
12 33.017 109.035 28P Eldon Payne,Jr./Hopewell,NY-f
13 33.191 108.463 44 Casey Swamp/Akwesasne,NY-f
14 33.356 107.927 37X Tom Scheetz Jr./Boyertown,PA-f
15 33.565 107.255 51 Jim VanAnden/Stormville,NY-f
16 33.762 106.629 66 Vince Gagliardo Jr./Reading,PA-f
17 33.958 106.013 3 Kim LaVoy/Nassau,NY
18 34.371 104.739 347 George 'Skippy' Fox/Springfield,MA-f
19 34.507 104.327 1NY Greg Atkins/Clintonville,NY-f
20 -NT- ----- 19 Joe Williams/Scotia,NY-f
21 -NT- ----- 22J Jeremy Wilder/Fort Plain,NY-f
22 -NT- ----- 22L Larry Lampman Jr./Port Colborne,ONT-f
358-MODIFIED
1 31.906 112.831 22L Larry Lampman Jr./Port Colborne,ONT-f
2 32.553 110.589 22J Jeremy Wilder/Fort Plain,NY-f
3 32.677 110.169 72 Tommy Flannigan/St.Catharines,ONT
4 32.726 110.004 21 Yan Bussiere/Drummondville,QUE
5 33.160 108.565 28P Eldon Payne,Jr./Hopewell,NY-f
6 33.169 108.535 19 Joe Williams/Scotia,NY-f
7 33.487 107.504 3 Kim LaVoy/Nassau,NY
8 33.572 107.232 5R Rob Hile/Syracuse,NY-f
9 33.634 107.035 99L Larry Wight/Phoenix,NY
10 33.720 106.762 44 Casey Swamp/Akwesasne,NY-f
11 33.722 106.755 4B Dan Burl/East Nassau,NY-f
12 33.798 106.515 41B Brian Gagliardo/Bethel,PA-f
13 33.939 106.073 51 Jim VanAnden/Stormville,NY-f
14 33.974 105.963 1NY Greg Atkins/Clintonville,NY-f
15 33.987 105.923 7A Al Blanchard/Fenwick,ONT
SPORTSMAN MODIFIED
1 34.893 103.173 16 Earl Rudy/Phoenix,NY-f
2 35.014 102.816 71 Mike Bowman/St.Catharines,ONT-f
3 35.034 102.757 61X Jean Boissonneault/Granby,QUE-f
4 35.158 102.395 51 Cody McPherson/St.Catharines,ONT-f
5 35.251 102.125 88 Phil LaVare/Clifton Springs,NY-f
6 35.291 102.009 52 James Friesen/St.Catharines,ONT-f
7 35.521 101.348 4R Mike Ruggiero/Newburgh,NY
8 35.558 101.243 99$ Anthony Rizzardo/Jordan,ONT
9 35.622 101.061 17 Marcus Dinkins/Watkins Glen,NY-f
10 35.638 101.016 22Z Zach Amo/Ogdensburg,NY-f
11 35.661 100.951 6 Mat Williamson/St.Catharines,ONT-f
12 35.671 100.922 55 Matt Hulsizer/Bridgeport,NY-f
13 35.710 100.812 B40 Ryan Forte/Blue Anchor,NJ
14 35.723 100.775 33 Matt Hitchcock/Stony Point,NY-f
15 35.763 100.663 16A Aaron Jacobs/Frankfort,NY-f
16 35.772 100.637 MR18 Brad Rouse/St.Catharines,ONT-f
17 35.972 100.078 17M Mark Olmstead Jr./Elbridge,NY-f
18 36.059 99.836 01 Chris Raabe/Napanee,ONT-f
19 36.089 99.753 18H Justin Henderson/Canandaigua,NY-f
20 36.091 99.748 96 Corey Andersen/Mullica Hill,NJ-f
21 36.383 98.947 M1 David Marcuccilli/Cayuga,NY-f
22 36.582 98.409 67g Eric Giguere/Waterloo,NY
23 36.794 97.842 44V John Venuto/Elba,NY-f
24 36.837 97.728 05 Anthony Marro/Saratoga Springs,NY-f
25 36.838 97.725 81 Shawn Cassidy/Bethel,VT-f
26 37.232 96.691 19w Justin Wright/Piffard,NY
27 37.745 95.377 28W Sandy Pembleton/Lewiston,NY-f
28 37.747 95.372 17k Sammy Reakes III/Palermo,NY
29 37.832 95.158 2 Matt Smith/Canandaigua,NY-f
30 37.856 95.097 14 Scott Duell/Ballston Spa,NY
31 37.875 95.050 11m Christine Martin/Wellesley Island,NY
32 37.982 94.782 7 Gino Postrivo/Mantua,NJ-f
33 38.068 94.568 4 Daryl Hilkert/Middlesex,NY-f
34 38.360 93.848 20 Jack Gentile/Ballston Lake,NY-f
35 -NT- ----- 10B Gary Nickerson/Memphis,NY-f
36 -NT- ----- 93J Randy Davis/Voorheesville,NY-f
Big Block Modified Series Feature (18-laps): DAVE RAUSCHER, Ric Hill, Larry Wight, Brian Swartzlander, Chris Higgins, Jason Herrington, Paul Gilardi, Eldon Payne Jr., Tom Scheetz Jr., Yan Bussiere, Roy Bresnahan, Casey Swamp, Skip Fox, Hector Stratton, Vince Gagliardo Jr., Mark Forte Jr.
358 Modified Series Feature (10-laps): LARRY LAMPMAN JR., Jeremy Wilder, Yan Bussiere, Joe Williams Jr., Tommy Flannigan, Kim LaVoy, Jim VanAnden, Casey Swamp, Al Blanchard, Greg Atkins, Dan Burl, Larry Wight, Brian Gagliardo.
Sportsman Modified Series Feature (20-laps): MIKE BOWMAN, Jean Boissoneault, Anthony Rizzardo, Cody McPherson, Mike Ruggiero, Matt Hitchcock, Matt Hulsizer, Phil LaVare, Brad Rouse, Gino Pastrivo, Mat Williamson, Zach Amo, Chris Raabe, Mark Olmstead Jr., Anthony Marro, Corey Anderson, Justin Henderson, Scott Duell, Justin Wright, Dave Marcuccilli, Sandy Pembleton, Matt Smith, Eric Giguere, Jack Gentile, Shawn Cassidy, Christine Martin, Earl Rudy, John Venuto, Dean Patterson, James Friesen, Ryan Forte, Marcus Dinkins, Daryl Hilkert, Aaron Jacobs.
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Big Blocks Open Super DIRT Week XXXVII With Wednesday ‘Happy Hour’
Syracuse, NY – October 8, 2008 – By Tom Skibinski, DIRTcar Racing NorthEast PR Director
Billy Decker's big block modified in inspection line on Wednesday at Syracuse. Photo © Jay Fish.
The New York State Fairgrounds got back on track Wednesday afternoon as the Big Block Modifieds were in town to open trackside activity and kick off Super DIRT Week for the 37th straight year. Customary technical inspections led off activities in the morning under the main grandstands and when the first green flag flew after 2:30 p.m., more than 80 cars were ready to make their mark on the Moody Mile during the two-hour hot lap session.
Just as opening day ‘Happy Hour’ festivities came to halt at 4:45 p.m., the overcast skies began to empty as light rain fell over the fairgrounds and sent teams home for another day. “We started early because all the teams were ready and it turned out to be a good move,” said Assistant Pit Steward Denis Moquin. “We wanted to get in a couple hours and that was just what we got today, nothing more.”
Posting the fastest time during the afternoon was four-time Rite Aid 200 Champion Billy Decker in the no. 91 Gypsum Wholesalers/Bicknell entry. The Unadilla, New York veteran circled the historic fairgrounds oval in a time of 31.751 sec. for an average speed of 113.382 mph. Decker was one of just four drivers to crack the 32-second barrier followed closest by 2007 Rite Aid pole winner Jimmy Phelps, defending SDW 358-Modified Champion Brett Hearn and second-generation standout Ronnie Johnson in the since revamped no. 2 Wm.Larned-Palmer's Service-Morris Auto Group/TEO ride.
“The track is still 2-3 seconds off where it normally is for time trials,” said Decker, himself a three-time pole-winner (2003-05), who currently tops the Advance Series point standings with a record-tying 10 tour wins registered this season. “It always starts out slow and gains speed as the week goes on. We were looking for any kind of vibration today and really just messing around. Syracuse is tough and we’ve been on both ends of the spectrum. Tell you right now, I really like the good weeks we have here much better,” added Decker, who remains the Big-Block track record-holder, touring the Syracuse Mile in a time of 28.348 sec. on Oct. 6, 2004 to establish the current world mark of 126.993 mph in a Modified.
In search of his second quick time at the fairgrounds, Phelps waited for the track to get run in a bit before taking the H&H Motorsports no. 98H Joe Gibbs Oil-Mohawk Northeast-New England Race Fuels/Troyer machine out for its maiden voyage. “The car was as good as it needed to be and we did what we had to do out there today,” said Phelps, who has time trialed among the six fastest the past three autumns in Syracuse. “The track still needs to get a lot more laps on it and a little more sun.”
“The biggest thing today was being able to scuff up some tires and get some heat in them. Now I can go home and sleep in my own bed, that’s one advantage of living close by. Being the Super Bowl for us makes this whole week even better with a lot of family and friends around. I’ve been coming here so long, but some guys here were probably putting in laps before I ever saw the place. We’re looking forward to the rest of the week, we’re just where we want to be at this stage,” Phelps noted.
Following the front-four on the speed chart were top Frenchman David Hebert (32.025 sec.), two-time Syracuse titlist Jack Johnson (32.026), Southern Tier invader Mitch Gibbs (32.036), Central New York standout and two-time race winner Danny Johnson (32.048), recently crowned Lebanon Valley Speedway points co-champion J.R. Heffner (32.163) and Orange County Fair Speedway favorite Chris Shultz (32.204).
2008 DIRTcar Big-Block rookie contender Chris Higgins from Syracuse was the first car to reach the track at 2:38 p.m. before the afternoon session was stopped under caution at 5:43 when Wayne Jelley suffered a broken axle in his K&F Modular Homes no. 45 Freedom Plains-Advance Auto/TEO mount. The top 29 cars were timed within a second of each other with 27 of those surpassing the 110 mph barrier.
Super DIRT Week XXXVII activity continues Thursday, Oct. 9 with Big-Block Modified and 358-Modified inspection, then Big-block and Small-Block teams will draw for their time trial order at the infield tote board in the morning. Big-Block practice is scheduled for 10am and practice for 358-Modifieds take place immediately after. The customary Advance Auto Parts 'Media Day' press conference is slated to go off at 12noon in the infield media center.
Combination practice/qualifying sessions for the Sportsman Modiifed and UMP Pro Stock Futures classes begin at 1pm with Troyer Time Trials for the 358-Modified beginning at 1:30. Futures practice and qualifying continue with the Big-Blocks and Small-Blocks at 2:15pm while American Traditions Motorsports/TEO Pro Car Modified Time Trials are scheduled to start at 2:45. Consecutive Futures finales for Big-Blocks, 358-Modifieds, Sportsman Mods and Pro Stocks start at 4 o’clock. In the evening trackside action moves over to Brewerton (NY) Speedway for a Mr. DIRTcar 358-Modified Series Championship event. Race time is 7:30pm.
SYRACUSE SCRAP BOOK
Jimmy Phelps hasn’t been run his car since last October’s Rite Aid 200, with Kurt Weigel in charge of maintenance. Other than displaying in car shows or participating in training seminars, the car has not been on any track since as Weigel completed general maintenance over the summer with every detail covered during the past three weeks.
“Last year’s pole wasn’t unexpected, the car was certainly capable and we definitely had a clean lap. Before that we were 3rd fastest in 2006 and 6th best in ’05 so we knew we pretty close. We’ve got the same exact deal going this year with the Troyer car and a good Bruneau engine. Just have to get out of the pits better and put ourselves in a position to win at the end. Don’t want to play catch up again (finished 7th after leading opening 54 laps). Weather was big factor last year making it two lanes for guys to make a choice. You have to keep cars on the track all week to hold rubber and make it that way…..Just the event itself is enough motivation, not really the track but the tradition that surrounds the whole week. I’ve been coming here since I was a kid and I know the Syracuse Mile is a place you’ll be on the edge of your toes all week because you’re never sure what will happen next. To win here would be something I’ve dreamt about my whole life, it puts you in a whole other class,” said Phelps, who grew up rooting for legendary drivers like ‘Jumpin’ Jack Johnson, ‘Barefoot’ Bob McCreadie and the ‘Shillington Slingshot’ Kenny Brightbill --- all past winners of the Super DIRT Week Modified main.
Billy Decker was using same car that carried him to his 4th Rite Aid 200 victory in 2005 when he led 160 of the 200 laps in one of the most dominant performances ever witnessed during SDW. “We were hoping to be lucky and have the Mr. DIRT title sewn up before Syracuse. When we come here its all about winning, its difficult to make a run of it worrying about points. The track is demanding enough even before you consider the competition. Any time you can win here, even go home in one piece, it’s never a bad idea to go home and count your blessings,” Decker figured.
Danny Johnson was back aboard the no. j66 Atlas Paving-Behrent's Performance Warehouse/TEO ride that he drove during the summer in Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series events at Merrittville (Ont.) Speedway and Cayuga County Fair Speedway, placing a season-best second at Merrittville. A two-time Rite Aid 200 Champion, Johnson is fresh off a dramatic $25,000 victory at Fulton Speedway and the last time (2006) he won Fulton’s season-ending Schneider Bros. 200, the Rochester, New York native also captured the Rite Aid title on the Syracuse Mile. “We’re excited to have Danny back with us, he’s definitely got a unique laid back style but he knows what’s going when he gets behind the wheel,” said owner Mike Petruska, who also owns the red no. 66 car that Jeff Heotzler captured the ’07 season points title in at Orange County Fair Speedway as well as last autumn’s Eastern State 200 finale on the Hard Clay. “I’m a crash and burn type of guy, all I want to do is win. And I know winning is what Danny is all about so we work together well. If things go well and Danny gets a deal together next year, I’d be happy to have a car ready as his back-up. To follow a series like this you need a top driver, there’s a lot of finances to cover so you have to have somebody that can go out and knows how to win. We’re coming to Syracuse expecting only one thing ---to win—and Danny’s our man right now.”
SALT CITY SKIDMARKS
Second in Advance Series points only to Billy Decker, just finishing a race on the Syracuse Mile has been a priority for Dale Planck. “I’ve only finished one race around here and that was the 358-Modified event in 1996 (6th). Until last year (ran out of gas with 4 to go) I’ve never even made it past lap 100. Now we’ve got the right fuel system on board but its still our regular Saturday night car just with a new body” ….. Larry Wight was sporting the same sheet metal that adorned his Gypsum Express no. 99 DIRTcar Sportsman ride on his 358-Modified this year with one nine on top of the other ….. After competing in his first DIRTcar-sanctioned 358-Modified show in September at Canandaigua Speedway, Mitch Gibbs is back in Gary Mann’s New York Truck Parts no. 55 TEO entry, this time housing a Big-Block JPM powerplant ….. Matt Sheppard is the one driver registered in the field that has a chance for the Syracuse Triple --- already winning the 358-Modified and Sportsman title races at Super DIRT Week with only the Rite Aid 200 missing from his resume. Brand new “everything” was evidenced from bumper-to-bumper with the JB Motorsports no. 9S Seneca Auto Sales Bicknell/CC Perf.-Finger Lakes ride ….. Regular DIRTcar Sportsman Modified campaigner Loren Lincoln will be serving as crew chief for Jeff Brownell, teammate to Sheppard, during the week. Past experience on the two-way at the Moody Mile goes back to his days with the Thum Racing #12T when Cup competitor and former USAC star J.J. Yeley was buckled in. “I like to be around money, since I don’t have any of my own I’m on the radio here” ….. Bobby Varin was back on the Syracuse Mile in the Gable Motorsports no. 1 TEO car, one that hasn’t been driven since Varin finished 11th in the 2006 Rite Aid 200. With owner Jody Gable regrouping his finances, Billy Pauch even called last year inquiring about the possibility of filling the vacant ride …. DIRTcar track promoters Mike Perrotte (Airborne) and Yan Bussiere (Drummond) took time on Wednesday afternoon with Perrotte clocked 28th quickest and Bussiere 45th fastest in his Small-Block entry. 2008 marks Bussiere’s first-ever visit to the Salt City speedplant with Volusia Speedway Park in Florida his only other racing done in the United States …. Joining Bussiere on the Super DIRT Week rookie list was 49 year-old Pennsylvania pilot Brian Swartzlander, a Western Pa. star touring the fairgrounds oval before only during the summer months.
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Bats In The Belfrey As Inspection Opens Super DIRT Week XXXVII In Syracuse
Ronnie Johnson's big blcok modified goes through inspection for Super Dirt Week in 2007. Photo © Bob Armbruster Jr.
Syracuse, NY – October 7, 2008 – By Tom Skibinski, DIRTcar Racing NorthEast PR Director
The scene was reminiscent of the one that took place nearly 30 years ago on Inspection Day to open Super DIRT Week at the New York State Fairgrounds. Another black car was the center of attention on this occasion but a pair of “1s” was missing leaving the no. 2 Modified machine to make its own mark in Moody Mile folklore.
“They’re trying to go back to the Balough days,” remarked Bob Dini, Director of Technical Operations for DIRTcar Racing NorthEast, after scrutinizing the newest creation by TEO Pro Car fabricator Bobby Hearn on Tuesday afternoon. Dini’s reference was to the revolutionary no. 112 Continental Mark X/I Lincoln-bodied Big-Block that led the infiltration of ground-effect cars during the 1980 fall classic which forever changed the Syracuse landscape. “It’s a beautiful car with some good thought behind it and certainly a good design, just not done by the rule book.”
Ironically, Dini was hired by DIRTcar founder Glenn Donnelly immediately following that drubbing of the DIRTcar stars by Floridian Gary Balough in the notorious ‘Batmobile’ machine. “Glenn gave me the rule book and asked why the 112 car was legal. Back then the rules only accounted for minimums so over the winter the whole book was rewritten to include maximum measurements. I even went to the (owner) Ferraiuolo garage in New Jersey and looked at the whole car from front to back. A lot of things were changed after that and we put it in writing to be sure,” Dini added.
After today’s tech team dissected the ultra-aerodynamic Wm. Larned-Palmer's Service-Morris Auto Group entry, Hearn only smiled then came back two hours later with an updated ride that was more conforming to the 2008 Modified guidelines.
“I like to step out of the box once in awhile and the things we changed were not in the rule, we just took advantage of a gray area,” figured Hearn, who began implementing his newest ideas in June making sure the frame and body would work together. His father Gordon Hearn was instrumental in the construction stage as the car came full-circle in its completion just prior to Super DIRT Week. “I’ll be even happier now if we can make it go fast.”
“The car looks a little different so I knew there would be more attention our way. The funny part is, all the things I thought could cause a problem turned out okay. And the those things I never even worried about became big issues. We made all the changes that they told us so hopefully we can come back to be just as strong,” Hearn said.
While the alleged ‘Batmobile 2’ was grabbing all the attention, 79 other cars were checked over by the Dini-led tech team that included experienced assistants Tom Curtis, Rich Lemieux, Jim Malloy, Scott Fremouw George Johnson, Red Muir, Tom Newell and Ken Parsels. Filing away the vital paperwork throughout the seven-hour shift was Joyce Parsels, now serving as Chief Registrar for the 11th season at Super DIRT Week.
“Most cars were only off a little bit in a few areas, from bolts to bumpers and some sheet metal changes, a lot had to do with safety,” noted Curtis, who was a staple pitside throughout the summer at Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series events for the Big-Blocks. “The biggest thing was a lot of cars had used longer fuel lines, something significant around here as every team knows that mileage is the name of the game in any pit stop race.”
For the second straight year, perfect autumn weather conditions greeted race teams on arrival Tuesday afternoon for ‘early bird’ inspection which offered a sneak preview of the many cars and stars signed up for the 37th edition of Super DIRT Week at the Syracuse Mile. Inspection under the main grandstand began at 2:10 p.m. with the last car pushed back into its hauler just after 9 o’clock.
Among the first-day entrants for the headline Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series Rite Aid 200 were a number of past champions, including five-time winner Brett Hearn (1985, 1990-91, 1993, 1995), current Advance Series points leader and pre-race favorite Billy Decker (1998, 2000-01, 2005) and veteran Jack Johnson (1979, 1984), father of day one headliner Ronnie Johnson. Hearn is also the defending champion of the ‘Salute to the Troops’ 150 Mr. DIRTcar 358-Modified Series title race and is back aboard Vinny Salerno’s Four Star Motorsports no. 4 Kruger-Kosakowski Plumbing/TEO mount looking to repeat.
“At Syracuse everything just has to be so right to win on Sunday,” commented Hearn, who remains an early race favorite despite last capturing DIRTcar NorthEast’s crown jewel in 1995. Earlier in the ’08 season the Sussex, New Jersey standout posted his 100th career victory in Advance Series competition on home soil at Orange County Fair Speedway. “In ’95 it was kinda scary how perfect that car was, I haven’t had one quite like it since.”
“Last year the track was probably the best its been in a long time. I think the dust was swept off the outside every night and that really helped widen the groove. We finally had a couple lanes to choose from and a lot of guys found they were able to pass both high and low. I’m hoping the track crew does the same type of job this year, the weather is supposed to be just as good,” Hearn added.
What has becomes standard fare in recent years, teams were afforded the opportunity to fill out registration forms themselves to help speed up the tech process. The honor system has proved successful and the familiarity among the teams passing through the inspection line has made the practice just as efficient. A new trend began yesterday with motors being sealed on the Big-Blocks and roll cages being sealed on all entries with intent of making teams unable to switch cars once qualifying begins.
Super DIRT Week XXXVII activity continues Wednesday, October 8 with more inspection for Big-Block Modified and 358-Modified cars. The first action trackside is slated that afternoon with an extended ‘Happy Hour’ practice session for Advance Auto Parts Modifieds staged from 3-5 p.m. Tomorrow evening open-wheel teams head to the north country as Can-Am Motorsports Park hosts a Mr. DIRTcar Series doubleheader for 358-Modified and Sportsman divisions. Race time is 7:00pm.
The customary Advance Auto Parts 'Media Day' press conference on Thursday, October 9 officially kicks off Super DIRT Week XXXVII with the infield media center staging the popular event beginning at 12 noon followed immediately by Futures practice & qualifying and time trials for both Big-Blocks and 358-Modifieds.
SALT CITY SHORTS
Traditionally reserved only for Big-Block Modified cars and those 358s attempting to either qualifying to gain valuable track time on the Moody Mile, the 2008 edition of Inspection Day marked the first time both Sportsman Modified and UMP Pro Stock entries were allowed to participate. While 55 Mods and 18 Small-Blocks registered, so did a half-dozen Sportsman and one Pro Stock to account for 80 vehicles on day one.
“I just couldn’t wait, I’ve been looking forward to racing on the mile for a long time,” divulged 20-year Pro Stock veteran Dean Charbonneau, 48, who boasted the lone full-fender entry to cross the tech line on Tuesday evening. Also signed up for the ‘Futures’ event, the Clifton Park, New York racer has contended in a handful of Mr. DIRTcar Pro Stock Series shows over the years and called Fonda Speedway his home track in ’08. “I just wanted to come early and get everything checked over, make sure everything is alright. Don’t want any problems, just can’t wait to get out there and race,” added Charbonneau, who suffered a broken fuel pump on his pick-up truck while heading west toward Syracuse in the morning hours.
A pair of 44s unexpectedly showed up on Tuesday, with third-generation Canadian chauffeur Stewart Friesen registered aboard the M.R.Burdick Enterprises/Jeff Daley and Sons Oil/TEO entry while veteran Frank Cozze’s Waite’s General Contractors/PMC car was one of the last Big-Block cars through the line. “This deal just kind of came together quick, Jeff had a car and Burdick had a Morrison motor so I told them I could drive it,” said Friesen, who finished 2nd at Syracuse last year subbing for Chad Brachmann in the 358-Modified Championship while placing 7th aboard the no. 20 Madsen Overhead Doors machine in the 2005 Big-Block title event. “The car was just put together at the same shop that the Buzz Chew Chevrolet Busch team runs out of north of Old Forge. We’re not really sure how things will turn out yet, but the sun is out and we’re here so that’s a good start.”
While Cozze was expected to arrive at the NYS Fairgrounds on Wednesday, former crew chief Brent Tittle and Dave Hoffman, brother of 1996 Rite Aid 200 winner Doug Hoffman, were waiting in the wings to get Super DIRT Week underway for the Pennsylvania team. “Everything on this car is the way it should be coming to Syracuse,” said Tittle, son of veteran Modified campaigner Butch Tittle. “Nothing is brand new but the chassis is a good and the motor is fresh. All Frank needs here is a little luck here and we’ll be alright.”
The entire DIRTcar Racing community joins in the mourning of respected car owner George Smith Sr, who passed away the evening of Saturday, October 4. Northeast Modified Hall of Famer Billy Osmun steered Smith’s familiar red Statewide #3 Modified to victory in the third-ever Syracuse Championship in 1974 --- back then known as the Schaefer 100 which was shortened to 95 laps that year due to rain. Long-time son-in-law Jimmy Horton and Kenny Brightbill, both Super DIRT Week winners, were among some of the other legendary drivers to strap into the Smith ride and enjoy considerable success up and down the Atlantic Coast.
SUPER DIRT WEEK XXXVII EVENTS SCHEDULE: Oct. 8 - Oct. 12, 2008
*All tmes and events subject to change.
DAY-DATE TIME EVENT
Wed-10/8 8am Advance Auto Parts Mod, 358-Mod , DIRTcar Futures Inspection (under main grandstand);
3-5:00pm Advance Auto Parts Modified ‘Happy Hour’
10pm Pit Area Closed.
7:30pm Mr. DIRTcar 358-Modified & Mr. DIRTcar Sportsman Series at Can-Am Motorsports Park.
Thr-10/9 8am Pit Gates Open;
8am-10am Inspection Area Open (under main grandstand, AAP Mod, 358 Mod, DIRTcar Futures allowed);
10am Grandstands Open, Advance Auto Parts Modified practice;
11am Syracuse 150 358-Modified Practice;
12:00noon Advance Auto Parts 'Media Day' Press Conference - Infield Conference Bldg;
1 pm DIRTcar Futures Practice/Qualifying (Sportsman, Pro Stock);
1:30pm Troyer, Inc. 358-Modified Time Trials (2-laps, Top-6 Qualify for Front-3 Rows);
2:15pm DIRTcar Futures Practice/Qualifying (358-Modified/Modified);
2:45pm American Traditions Motorsports/Teo Pro Modified Time Trials (2-laps, Top-6 Qualify for Front-3 Rows);
4:00pm DIRTcar ‘Futures’ Feature Events (Modified, 358-Modified, Sportsman, Pro Stock)
10pm Pit Area Closed.
7:30pm Mr. DIRTcar 358-Modified Series at Brewerton Speedway.
Fri-10/10 8am Pit Gates Open, Town Mechanical, Inc. Sportsman Inspection Open;
10am Grandstands Open, Syracuse 150 358-Modified Practice;
10:45am Advance Auto Parts Rite Aid 200 Modified practice;
11:30am Town Mechanical, Inc. Sportsman Practice;
12noon Pullen’s Truck Center 358-Modified Twin 20s (10 non-qualified cars advance from each);
1:30pm Advance Auto Parts Mod Triple 20s (10 non-qualified cars advance from each);
2:45pm P & M Fabrication and MSS Sportsman Time Trials (2-laps, Top-24 Qualify);
3:00pm Optional Early Bird Pro Stock Inspection (East End of Main Grandstand);
3:30pm Modified Pit Stop Competition;
10pm Pit Area Closed.
7pm Mr. DIRTcar 358-Modified & Sportsman Series at Rolling Wheels Raceway.
7:30pm ASCS Patriot Sprints and Mr. DIRTcar Street Stock Series at Cayuga County Fair Speedway.
Sat-10/11 8am Pit Gates Open, BNC Motorsports Pro Stock Inspection Open;
9:00am Syracuse 150 358-Modified Championship Driver and Crew Chief Meeting (in pit building);
9:15am Town Mechanical, Inc. Sportsman Driver's Meeting (in pit building);
9:30am Grandstands Open, Track open for Syracuse 150 358-Modified Final Practice;
10am BNC Motorsports Pro Stock First Practice;
10:30am Town Mechanical, Inc. Sportsman Final Practice;
11:15am BNC Motorsports Pro Stock Practice Second Practice;
11:45am Dig Safely New York Sportsman Last Chance Qualifier;
12:15pm Terrell’s Potato Chips Pro Stock Time Trials (2-laps, Top-24 Qualify);
1:30pm Syracuse 150 358-Modified Championship Pre-Race ceremonies;
2pm Syracuse 358-Modified Championship (150 laps, 40 cars to start);
4pm Town Mechanical, Inc. Sportsman Championship (30 laps, 30 cars to start);
7pm ESS/URC/ASCS PSG Sprint Challenge at Rolling Wheels Raceway.
7:30pm Pullen’s Truck Center presents the SUNY Canton "Win and You're In" Big-Block/Small-Block Twin 25's plus BRP CanAm Late Model Series at Cayuga County Fair Speedway (Mod Overall Winner Earns 45th starting spot in the Rite Aid 200).
Sun-10/12 8am Pit Gates Open;
9:15am BNC Motorsports Pro Stock Driver's Meeting (in pit building);
9:30am AAP Rite Aid 200 Modified Driver and Crew Chief Meeting (in pit building);
10am Grandstands Open, Track Open for Pro Stock Final Practice;
10:20am Advance Auto Parts Series Rite Aid 200 Final practice;
10:45am Dig Safely New York Pro Stock Last Chance Qualifier;
11:15am Dig Safely New York Modified Last Chance Qualifier;
11:45am Mandatory Advance Auto Parts Modified Top-30 Autograph Signing under grandstand (Top 30 in Thursday Time Trials);
12:00pm BNC Motorsports Pro Stock Championship (25 laps, 30 cars to start);
12:45-1:45pm Rite Aid Cold Pit Tour of Pit Row;
1:30pm Rite Aid 200 Modified Championship Pre-Race ceremonies;
2:15pm Rite Aid 200 Modified Championship (200 laps, 44 cars to start)
Mon 10/13 -TBA- Rain Date for Saturday or Sunday events.
1 Day ….. Countdown To Super DIRT Week XXXVII Reaches End!
Weedsport, NY – October 7, 2008 – By Tom Skibinski, Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series PR Director
Culminating with the headline Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series ‘Rite Aid 200’ on Sunday, October 12, the start of Super DIRT Week XXXVII at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse is just 1 day away.
Commemorating the 10th straight season of Series partnership with Advance Auto Parts based in Roanoke, Virginia, 10 of the most famous cars ever to circle the Moody Mile during the Columbus Day speedfest will be highlighted ---in numerical order--- for each of the 10 days leading up to the richest Big-Block Modified event in the nation.
During the past 36 years no less than 407 drivers have qualified for the Rite Aid 200 starting grid, with only 18 able to tame the Moody Mile and capture the crown jewel of DIRTcar Modified Racing in the Northeast. More than half of the winners have gone on to repeat their victorious ride ---often in a different car--- while an elite group of just four were able to celebrate on no less than three occasions. Up to 10 of these same legendary wheelmen that have graced the fairgrounds winner’s circle are expected to compete in the 37th edition when the Salt City comes alive this October.
No better way to end the countdown than with the fourth and final Super DIRT Week triumph for Sunshine State speedster Gary Balough, one that may be the most memorable of all time as it forever changed the NYS Fairgrounds landscape. The 1980 fall classic was infiltrated by ground-effect cars then dominated by the notorious #112 Lincoln-bodied Modified built in Kenny Weld’s Indiana garage. In between, the black “Batmobile” eclipsed the former track time trials standard by more than two seconds and paced the field for a then unheard of 98 of 125 circuits even after making a mandatory pit stop on lap 72. And in the end, the DIRTcar rule book was even rewritten and today the revolutionary Continental Mark X/I sits in the Northeast Modified Hall of Fame adjacent to the Weedsport, New York headquarters for all to see and relive the magic of the Moody Mile.
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Pullen’s ‘Win & You’re In Twins’ Highlight Cayuga County Super DIRT Week Double
Weedsport, NY – October 7, 2008 – By Dan Kapuscinski, Cayuga County Fair Speedway PR Coordinator
Cayuga County Fair Speedway will once again come alive for Super DIRT Week XXXVII on Friday and Saturday October 10-11 with racing starting each night at 7:30pm. The Weedsport oval will host a complete cast of open wheel and full-fender machines across the two-day weekend.
The doubleheader will be kicked off on Friday evening with the Super DIRT Week Open Wheels at the ‘Port Championship for the ASCS Patriot Sprint Series. ASCS Patriot Region Director, Mike Emhof, is expecting between 40-50 winged warriors to come through the gate for the region championship on Friday night of DIRT Week.
Joining the Sprints on the card will be the 6th and final Championship round of the Parts Plus Big 6 Series for DIRTcar Street Stocks, the ESDCA Mod Lites, and the season long Championship for the Cayuga County BattleKarz division.
Saturday will see the Pullen’s Truck Center ‘Win & You’re In Twins’ for the DIRTcar Big-Block Modifieds. The overall winner of the Twin 25 main events will earn the final guaranteed starting spot in the Rite Aid 200 Championship at the New York State Fairgrounds.
New for 2008 will be a $400 bonus provided to the guaranteed starter by SUNY Canton. All the guaranteed pilot has to do is display SUNY Canton logos on his car for the Rite Aid 200, becoming the SUNY Canton Modified for the annual fall classic.
Also on tap Saturday night will be the full-fender aces of the BRP CanAm Late Model Series. The ISKY Cams Chase at Super DIRT Week will be a $2,500 pay day for the eventual winner during race #13 of their 14 race schedule.
Tickets for the Weedsport doubleheader will be made available at the gate at two different rates. Friday night adults will be admitted for $20, seniors $18, kids 10-14 are $5 and children 9 and under are FREE. Saturday will see adult admission set at $25, seniors $20, kids 10-14 are $5 while children 9 and under are FREE.
For more information call DIRTcar NE Headquarters at 315/834-6606 or visit www.cayugacountyfairspeedway.com.
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Rolling Wheels Doubleheader Rolls on Into Super DIRT Week XXXVII; Sprint Car Challenge Highlights Weekend on Saturday
Weedsport, NY – October 7, 2008 – By Dan Kapuscinski, Rolling Wheels Raceway PR Coordinator
As a part of Super DIRT Week XXXVII, Rolling Wheels Raceway is offering a fall doubleheader unlike any other. The ‘Fast Track’ will hold two consecutive nights of racing on Friday and Saturday October 10-11 with some of the hottest open wheel action anywhere on the east coast and it all starts each night at 7pm.
Friday night will be highlighted by the Mr. DIRTcar 358-Modified Series, as they will compete in a 100-lap Championship event presented by SUNY Canton. The Super DIRT Week special for the 358’s will be extra special after losing their event on World Series Weekend due to a rainy two days which saw Friday night’s event cancelled.
Last season Tim Fuller ran to the checkers in the 100-lap event, and Fuller seems to be well in order heading into Super DIRT Week. LaBatt Blue RaceFest Weekend at Canandaigua Speedway saw Fuller pull down a runner-up position in both the 358-Modified event on Friday night, and the Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series for Big-Block Modifieds on Saturday evening.
Joining the 358’s at Rolling Wheels on October 10 will be the Mr. DIRTcar Sportsman Modified Series. The Sportsman have been in action at the Wheels multiple times in 2008, with top series runner Greg Panunte picking up the most recent checkered flag.
The Sportsman Series runners will run a 30-lap Championship, which was won one year ago by eventual 2007 series champion, Joe Williams.
If you are a fan of sprint car racing, then you must come back to the Rolling Wheels Raceway on Saturday, October 11. The Super DIRT Week Sprint Car Challenge will be held that night with the best in the URC/ASCS/ESS/and CRSA Sprint Series going at it.
The CRSA Sprints will be competing in their own sanctioned event, while the drivers of the URC/ASCS/and ESS will do battle in a combined 25-lap winged special. Each feature event will be 25-laps in length. Last season Chuck Hebing reigned supreme in the Sprint Challenge which had to be run on Sunday night after rained plagued the Syracuse area on Saturday of DIRT Week XXXVI.
Tickets for this doubleheader will be made available at the gate, which two different rates. Friday’s show will be priced at $20 for adults, $18 for seniors, $8 for kids 10-14, and children 9 and under are FREE. Saturday’s Sprint Special will admit adults for $25, seniors at $23, kids 10-14 will again be $8, while children 9 and under are FREE.
A two-day combo package for spectator seating will be made available at $40.
For more information call DIRTcar NE Headquarters at 315/834-6606, or visit www.rollingwheelsraceway.com.
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2 Days ….. Countdown To Super DIRT Week XXXVII Continues!
Weedsport, NY – October 6, 2008 – By Tom Skibinski, Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series PR Director
Culminating with the headline Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series ‘Rite Aid 200’ on Sunday, October 12, the start of Super DIRT Week XXXVII at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse is just 2 days away.
Commemorating the 10th straight season of Series partnership with Advance Auto Parts based in Roanoke, Virginia, 10 of the most famous cars ever to circle the Moody Mile during the Columbus Day speedfest will be highlighted ---in numerical order--- for each of the 10 days leading up to the richest Big-Block Modified event in the nation.
During the past 36 years no less than 407 drivers have qualified for the Rite Aid 200 starting grid, with only 18 able to tame the Moody Mile and capture the crown jewel of DIRTcar Modified Racing in the Northeast. More than half of the winners have gone on to repeat their victorious ride ---often in a different car--- while an elite group of just four were able to celebrate on no less than three occasions. Up to 10 of these same legendary wheelmen that have graced the fairgrounds winner’s circle are expected to compete in the 37th edition when the Salt City comes alive this October.
Continuing to defy the laws of Syracuse, Billy Decker circled the muddied Moody Mile over the final 112 laps on just one tank of gas to claim his third Super DIRT Week Championship in 2001, then captured the 34th Rite Aid 200 Championship in ’05 marking the first time that the same race was run on two separate dates. With his fourth victory a first from the pole, Decker’s most recent triumph at the Fairgrounds oval aboard the LJL Racing no. 91 Gypsum Wholesalers entry was another record-setting performance by the Unadilla, New York pilot as he led the initial 105 circuits then the final 55 for an all-time record 160 laps in the autumn open-wheel extravaganza that was finally checkered in November.
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Danny Does It Again! Johnson Wins 23rd Annual Schneider Brothers 200
By Dave Medler
Fulton, NY - In one of the most competitive and wild finishes of the 23 year history of the Schneider Brothers 200 Danny Johnson out of Phelps, NY wheeled the Byea Headers, Metropolitan Signs, No.121 Troyer to the $25,000 victory. Johnson who started 24th had to hold off late race restarts and challenges from Dave Camara and Brett Hearn to earn his third Schneider Brothers 200 win.
After a $25,000 roof dance in front of a cheering crowd Johnson said, "I never really expected this, to be honest with you. We came here just to try to do the best we could. I sure have to thank this team. I'm just the driver, it takes a lot more behind the scenes to make this happen."
Paul Kinney and Dave Camara brought the forty-car starting field down to the starter's green to open up the 23rd annual Schneider Brothers 200. With the opening lap complete Kinney led Camara by a bumper as they crossed the start-finish line. With multiple grooves all over the track Camara used the extreme outside to blast by Kinney and take early control of the race on the second lap.
By lap 5 Camara opened up a ten-car advantage out front while Kinney and Ronnie Johnson were having a tight battle for the runner-up spot. Jimmy Phelps and Steve Paine also ran together for top five spots.
One lap later the first caution of the race flew as Dale Planck and Gary Hager out of New Jersey made contact sending both cars around in turn four. Planck would lose a lap and Hager made a trip pit-side also going down laps.
Camara would jump back to lead on the restart and would stay there till lap 19 when Camara jumped the cushion in turn four allowing Kinney to slip by and retake the lead of the event. At this point behind the two leaders, Phelps, Paine and Ronnie Johnson ran in tight quarters trying to chase down the front runners.
Lap 25, the quarter-way of the first 100 lap segment Kinney was driving a masterful race in heavy traffic building himself a quarter of a straightaway lead over Camara. Paine, Phelps and now Tim Fuller joined the fray for the top positions.
Five laps later Camara used that same lapped traffic Kinney used to open a lead to close in on the leader as the two battled in and out of traffic. Two laps later, lap 32, Camara used the extreme inside and muscled his way by Kinney coming out of turn four to be scored the leader.
With 40 laps in the books you could have thrown a blanket over the top three of Camara, Fuller and Kinney. Ronnie Johnson and Alan Johnson were within striking distance of the top three. All throughout the pack the racing was hot and heavy with positions changing every lap.
Fuller would put constant pressure on Camara and even inched ahead on more than one occasion, but all that would change on lap 51 for the former winner. As he exited turn four and down the front straight, Fuller's right front would collapse, ending his chance for the $25,000 payday.
On the lap 53 restart Camara once again took command of the race with Ronnie Johnson taking over second from Kinney, with Alan Johnson fourth. Brett Hearn now moved into the top five and would be a threat till the finish.
When the race hit lap 61 Hearn was able to slip by Ronnie Johnson for second and took off after Camara with his Small Block hitting on all cylinders. Four laps later Hearn caught Camara, then used the top side to be scored the leader of the race.
As the laps clicked off the counter towards the 100 lap break Camara would once again be scored the leader on the 71 lap. Behind Camara, Hearn and Ronnie Johnson ran side-by-side for second, with Kinney and Alan Johnson rounding out the top five.
With 25 to go Chris Hile would bring out the yellow to tighten up the field. On the restart there would be no lapped cars between the top five. When the green came back out Camara, Hearn and Ronnie Johnson pulled away for a three-car battle at the front.
With 14 to go Hearn found some bite in the middle groove to get back by Camara for the lead. Ronnie Johnson lost some ground on the top two as Pat Ward showed in the top five in fourth with Kinney fifth.
Another quick yellow would come out 6 laps from the 100 lap break. On the restart Hearn would have lapped cars between himself and second place Camara. When the red flag flew for the 15 minute break Hearn was scored the leader. Pat Ward moved into second with Camara, Ronnie Johnson and 2007 Schnider Brothers 200 winner Billy Decker rounding out the top five. Alan Johnson, Ryan Phelps, Kinney, Paine and Jimmy Phelps would start sixth through tenth in the last 100 lap segment.
After a few laps clicked off in the second segment Hearn built up a full straightaway lead over Ward and Ronnie Johnson. Decker and Camara were having a fierce battle trying to make up ground on the leaders.
On lap 115 Kevin Bates slowed, bringing out another yellow. Bates headed pit-side erasing the lead Hearn had.
After the field was put in order the green came back out on lap 118 with Hearn having to contend with Gypsum Teammates Ward and Decker. Hearn once again was able to open some distance as Decker worked his way around Ward one lap later.
A quick caution period would put two of DIRT's best side-by-side for the restart with Hearn and Decker. Ward, Ronnie Johnson and Camara still held top five spots. Danny Johnson was now starting to make his presence known as he rim-rode his way to sixth.
When lap 135 was put in the record books Hearn still had a comfortable cushion, Ward worked back by Decker a few laps earlier. Decker, Camara and Johnson were still in contention for the win.
On lap 142 Ward, Decker and Camara went three-wide into turn three. When they came across the start-finish line Camara went from fourth to second.
Hearn once again saw his momentum slowed and his lead evaporate as Billy Dunn brought out another yellow flag period.
After hounding Hearn for a few laps Camara found the bite he needed to get under Hearn and retake the lead on lap 158 to a cheering crowd. Ward ran third but was now contending with Danny Johnson. Decker was fifth.
Decker's fate would be sealed on lap 162 as he suddenly slowed with a right rear flat sending him pit-side. Decker got the tire changed but lost a lap ending his bid for two Schneider Brothers 200 wins in a row.
When the green flew again it looked like Hearn was shot out of a cannon as he bolted away from Camara and retook the lead. That lead would be short-lived as two laps later, lap 168, Danny Johnson blasted around Hearn and grabbed the lead for the first time on the day.
With 25 laps to go showing on the lap counter Johnson, high, Hearn low, they were running about the same lap times with neither really gaining an advantage. Camara, Ward and Ryan Phelps ran in the top five.
Hearn running the bottom slowly reeled in Johnson and even showing his nose to Johnson. Seeing this Johnson abandoned the top side that got him to the front and switched to the bottom on lap 178 cutting off Hearn's momentum.
Once on the bottom of the track Johnson found speed he needed to pull out to a full straightaway lead.
Camara showed he wasn't done yet with his bid for the win as he worked his way by Hearn to grab second and set his sights on Johnson. Ward and Ryan Phelps still were scored in the top five.
The yellow Camara was looking for came out on lap 189 for Chuck Bower and Jim Davis.
When Johnson took off, Camara kept pace and when the two entered turn one Camara and Johnson made contact with Johnson holding the lead before another yellow set up a green-white-checker finish.
On the restart it appeared Camara got the jump and the lead but the starter didn't like the restart saying Camara jumped the start.
The finish was a wild one as any of the top four cars showed they could win at the finish. In the end Johnson was first under the checkers in the wild scramble. Hearn moved into the runner-up spot. Ward brought home a close third with Camara right there in fourth and Ryan Phelps fifth.
When asked if he was concerned about bouncing the car off cushion for 100 laps Johnson said, "It really didn't matter, we were coming to the front, I didn't really think about it."
One point of controversy amongst the fans was the two late race restarts between him and Camara. On one restart Johnson looked to hang back and step on the gas before the turn-four barrel. The next restart Johnson appeared to hang back and let Camara fire first. That restart wasn't allowed because the leader is supposed to fire first.
"I just wanted to hang on to the lead. Every restart I seemed to go backwards, I just didn't know what to do," said Johnson. "At the end I just peddled it as hard as I could."
Johnson said it was pretty simple how a month ago he was driving his old Troyer and Saturday he was behind the wheel of the Joe Beya-owned car. "They just called me up and asked me if I wanted to drive it. That was pretty much it." Johnson also related that earlier in the night he thought he had a car that could qualify but had no idea how good and well prepared the Troyer car was.
"It feels great to win this event. Everybody comes to this event loaded for bear. If you don't win you feel like a has-been, like maybe you can't do it anymore."
Pit Notes - Hats off to Jeremie Corcoran. With rain, cold and wind for the weekend he wouldn't let Mother Nature beat him as he had a fast multi-groove track throughout the 200 and other events on the Schneider Brothers 200 weekend.
Eighty-one single car Modified teams signed in the pit area. It took Eight-Heats and Four Consi's to fill the 40 car starting field.
One of the strangest occurrences happened after the Modified consi's, Frank Cozze out of Wind Gap, Pennsylvania loaded up his huge hauler and was headed out the gate. Cozze didn't realize he was in the starting field. One of the officials in the tower saw him leaving and got on the radio for someone to chase him down. One of the safety trucks took off out the gate and down the parking lot to stop him. About five minutes later Cozze returned, unloaded his car and joined the starting field.
Track management wants to thank all drivers, crews and fans who stuck around for the entire weekend despite the cold and rain.
(SCHNEIDER BROTHERS 200) - Danny Johnson, Brett Hearn, Pat Ward, Dave Camara, Ryan Phelps, Alan Johnson, Willy Decker, Paul Kinney, Matt Sheppard, Frankie Caprara, Billy Pauch, Roy Bresnahan, Steve Paine, Pierre Dagenais, Tom Sears Jr., A.j Romano, Elmo Reckner, Jeff Kotary, Gary Hagar, Brian Sage, Chuck Bower, Jim Davis , Ronnie Johnson, Billy Decker, Vic Coffey, Billy Dunn, Kevin Bates, Jimmy Phelps, Shawn Donath, Bob Henry Jr., Mitch Gibbs, Chris Hile, Brian Weaver, Gary Tomkins, Jim Witko Jr., Tim Fuller, Frank Cooze, Dale Planck, Billy Trexler Jr., Tim Sears.
(HEAT WINNERS) - Vic Coffey, Dave Camara, Jimmy Phelps, Brian Weaver, Paul Kinney, Steve Paine, Ronnie Johnson, Ryan Phelps.
(CONSI WINNERS) - Dale Planck, Bob Henry, Jr., Gary Tomkins, Frankie Caprara.
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3 Days ….. Countdown To Super DIRT Week XXXVII Continues!
Weedsport, NY – October 5, 2008 – By Tom Skibinski, Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series PR Director
Culminating with the headline Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series ‘Rite Aid 200’ on Sunday, October 12, the start of Super DIRT Week XXXVII at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse is just 3 days away.
Commemorating the 10th straight season of Series partnership with Advance Auto Parts based in Roanoke, Virginia, 10 of the most famous cars ever to circle the Moody Mile during the Columbus Day speedfest will be highlighted ---in numerical order--- for each of the 10 days leading up to the richest Big-Block Modified event in the nation.
During the past 36 years no less than 407 drivers have qualified for the Rite Aid 200 starting grid, with only 18 able to tame the Moody Mile and capture the crown jewel of DIRTcar Modified Racing in the Northeast. More than half of the winners
have gone on to repeat their victorious ride ---often in a different car--- while an elite group of just four were able to celebrate on no less than three occasions. Up to 10 of these same legendary wheelmen that have graced the fairgrounds winner’s circle are expected to compete in the 37th edition when the Salt City comes alive this October.
Miami native Gary Balough staged the first of three consecutive dominating performances at Super DIRT Week in 1976. Taking full advantage of a concept way ahead of its time, the high-dollar no. 73 Ferraiuolo Bros.-owned Grant King-designed machine was one of the first assembly line cars ---commonly accepted today--- and equipped with Jim Kinsler’s exotic timed fuel injection system in the 496 cubic-inch powerplant. Among the most controversial competitors off the talented line of Florida racers that sought fame and fortune in the Northeast, Balough rang in a new era of DIRTcar Modified racing at the Syracuse Mile during the Bicentennial and injectors were outlawed and a 467ci motor limit was mandated the following year.
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Laubach and Coyle Shine in NES Day #1 Action
New Egypt, NJ (October 4, 2008) - Rick Laubach of Quakertown, PA & Chris Coyle of Wilmington, DE shared the glory on Saturday night at New Egypt Speedway as each posted victories on day #1 of the season finale Rocktoberfest weekend. Laubach captured the $4000 to win 40 lap open competition 358 Modified feature on NJ Allstate Insurance night, his third win of the year and. Coyle finally put it all together as he captured his first ever win at New Egypt Speedway, in the Rislone URC Sprint Car Series 25-lap event.
In the 358 Modified feature, polesitter Keith Hoffman took command of the event early and appeared to be the best car on this evening as he opened up what appeared to be a comfortable lead. Laubach would have something to say about this, as he ran down Hoffman and then passed him for the lead on lap #12. Once in front, it then appeared as if Laubach would run away and ide, until Hoffman got a second life and closed in on Laubach over the final 10 laps. Hoffman actually pulled even on everal occasions as Jeff Strunk raced into the picture as well, but Laubach was up the challenge as he held on for the welldeserved victory. Hoffman settled for second as Strunk faded back as he broke the rear in the car with just two laps emaining, keeping him from being able to make a serious challenge. Jimmy Chester drove home in third, Ryan Watt who started 0th finished 4th and Sportsman champion Willie Osmun rounded out the top five.
Chris Coyle posted his 8th career win with URC Saturday, his first ever win at New Egypt Speedway. After a crowd pleasing ual for the lead for 10 straight laps, Coyle wrestled the lead away from Dave Ely on lap 15 to assume command and then flew to the popular victory. Trevor Lewis came home second over Ely, Kramer Williamson and last years winner of this event Ed Aiken. J.J. Grasso, who had won all four events at NES this season, and 5 of the last 6, was out of the event early as he flipped wildly in turn one on lap 4 after his front wing had broken. Grasso was uninjured in the violent wreck.
In the Crate-1 Sportsman 20 lap feature, Mike Barone made his first appearance of the year count as he cruised home to his first win. Jon Heagele finished a strong second after a late race rally. John Romano, Jr. was third behind the wheel of the arnstead racing #55, Pat Hires crossed the line in fourth while Ray Woodall, Jr. completed the top five.
Tomorrow, Sunday afternoon, October 5, FEDex presents the Big Block Modifieds as they compete in the 7th leg of the 8 race Garden State Dual Track Series. The A1 Racing Products Sportsman will also be in action, along with the SS Sprints (Super Sportsman) & the Outlaw Stocks.. Gates will open at 11:00 a.m. with the first green at 1:00 pm. For more information, call the speedway office at (609) 758-1900 or log on to www.newegyptspeedway.net.
10/4/08 RESULTS
CRATE-1 SPORTSMAN Feature (20 Laps): 1. Mike Barone 2. Jon Haegele 3. John Romano Jr. 4. Pat Hires 5. Ray Woodall Jr. 6. Gabe Fox 7. Richie Cass Sr. 8. Steve Davis 9. Archie Myers 10. Kyle Borrer 11. Jason Treat 12. Eric Engstrom 13. Jason Bittner 14. Chris Allen Sr. 15. Rich Steele 16. John Micek 17. Forrest Peters 18. Tom Gibson 19. George Idell Jr. 20. Rob Stump 21. Eddie Prentice
358 MODIFIED Feature (40 Laps); 1. Rick Laubach 2. Keith Hoffman 3. Jimmy Chester 4. Ryan Watt 5. Willie Osmun 6. Jimmy Horton 7. Rocco Infante 8. Mike Iles 9. Eric Kormann 10. Clay Butler 11. Carmine Infante 12. Jeff Strunk 13. George Quinlan 14. Bryant Brown 15. Mike Lyons 16. Gary Butler 17. Meme Desantis 18. Doug Manmiller 19. Marc Herman 20. Stan Frankenfield Jr. 21. John Stangle 22. Chic Cossaboone 23. Wade Hendrickson 24. Mike McAleer 25. Mike Howardson 26. Rick Wegner 27. Ryan Godown 28. Jason Hamilton 29. Richie Pratt Jr. 30. Troy Wink
URC SPRINT CAR Feature (25 Laps): 1. Chris Coyle 2. Trevor Lewis 3. Dave Ely 4.Kramer Williamson 5. Ed Aikin 6. Jeff VanDusen 7. Michael Carber 8. Curt Michael 9. Kyle Purks 10. Kevin Welsh 11. Robbie Stillwaggon 12. Justin Collett 13. Kevin Nagy 14. Danny Massey 15. Randy West 16. David Gravel 17. Rory Janney 18. Becca Anderson 19. Chuck Palmucci 20. Joey Biasi 21. Jason lauss 22. Davey Sammons 23. Gary Gollub 24. J.J. Grasson 25. Kevin Darling
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Orange County Concludes 2008 Season With 47th Eastern States Weekend
Middletown, NY – October 4, 2008 By Tom Skibinski, DIRTcar Racing NorthEast PR Director
Eastern States Weekend at the Orange County Fairgrounds in Middletown, New York remains the biggest, richest and oldest consecutively run championship race for DIRTcar Modifieds in the country. The 2008 edition, October 17-19, marks the 47th straight year for this nationally recognized event, which includes a full weekend of motorsports excitement encompassing four major touring divisions plus a full-fender satellite feature race. Open-wheel classes also run time trials as part of their program.
Trackside activity begins at 12noon on Friday, Oct. 17 with DIRTcar Modified practice followed by WLR Construction time trials for both the Advance Auto Parts DIRTcar Big-block Modifieds and 358-Modifieds, with the top-6 locked in from each. Small-Block qualifying heats are up next with 24 more drivers advancing to Saturday's Eastern States 100 Mr. DIRTcar 358-Modified Series Championship. Pit gates unlock at 8 a.m. and grandstands open at 10 o’clock.
The Saturday, Oct. 18 program opens with Modified practice scheduled at 9:30am followed by Big-Block heats (24 qualify) and 358-Modified consolation races before the E-S 358-Modified 100 Championship finale for the 40 qualified Small-Block stars. Saturday evening the DIRTcar Sportsman division takes center stage with time trials (top-6 qualify), qualifying heats and consolation rounds leading up to the 50-lap Mr. DIRTcar Sportsman Series Championship. The annual Pure Stock Championship fills the card with pit gates again unlocking at 8 a.m. and grandstands opening at 9 o’clock.
The 47th Eastern States 200 Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series finale for DIRTcar Modifieds is the headline attraction on Sunday, Oct. 19 with 44 of the best Big-Block drivers in the country set to square off at 2:00pm. The popular frontstretch Pit Party (9:30-10:30am) kicks off the Sunday show while Big-Block consis and EMS Race Cars Pro Stock Championship set the stage for the season-ending 125-mile Modified main. Pit gates swing open at 8 a.m. and grandstand seating starts at 9 o’clock.
Ticket prices for the ’08 Orange County Fair Speedway season finale:
Fri., Oct. 17-Adult GA=$10, half-covered grandstand $10 and covered grandstand $12, Senior Citizens (60 yrs + over) and Youth (13-17 yrs) $7 and Children (12 yrs. + under) Free. A special 3-Day Pit Pass is available for $80 (member) and $100 (non-member).
Sat., Oct. 18-Adult GA=$30, half-covered grandstand $30 and covered grandstand $35, Citizens (60 yrs + over) and Youth (13-17 yrs) $25 and Children (12 yrs. + under) Free; Pits=$30 (member) and $40 (non-member).
Sun., Oct. 19-Adult GA=$35, half-covered grandstand $35 and covered grandstand $40, Citizens (60 yrs + over) and Youth (13-17 yrs) $30 and Children (12 yrs. + under) Free; Pits=$40 (member) and $50 (non-member).
Oct. 17-19 Special Eastern States Weekend ’08 Passes are Adult GA=$65, Senior Citizens (60 yrs + over) and Youth (13-17 yrs) $55. Half-covered grandstand $65 and covered grandstand $75. Parking prices for Fairgrounds=$10 (3 days) and $30 (overnight 3 days); Drive-In (3 days) $10 and Upper Drive-In camping (3 days) $50. *Purchase (2) adult packages and get a FREE 3-day parking pass.
Advance sale tickets are available at the Orange County Fair Speedway by calling the office at 845/342-2573. Visit www.ocfsmotorsports.com on the internet for further information.
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4 Days ….. Countdown To Super DIRT Week XXXVII Continues!
Weedsport, NY – October 4, 2008 – By Tom Skibinski, Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series PR Director
Culminating with the headline Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series ‘Rite Aid 200’ on Sunday, October 12, the start of Super DIRT Week XXXVII at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse is just 4 days away.
Commemorating the 10th straight season of Series partnership with Advance Auto Parts based in Roanoke, Virginia, 10 of the most famous cars ever to circle the Moody Mile during the Columbus Day speedfest will be highlighted ---in numerical order--- for each of the 10 days leading up to the richest Big-Block Modified event in the nation.
During the past 36 years no less than 407 drivers have qualified for the Rite Aid 200 starting grid, with only 18 able to tame the Moody Mile and capture the crown jewel of DIRTcar Modified Racing in the Northeast. More than half of the winners have gone on to repeat their victorious ride ---often in a different car--- while an elite group of just four were able to celebrate on no less than three occasions. Up to 10 of these same legendary wheelmen that have graced the fairgrounds winner’s circle are expected to compete in the 37th edition when the Salt City comes alive this October.
The Troyer name had been synonymous with success on pavement for years yet the purchase of a new Maynard Troyer-designed chassis by owner John Jackson put the no. 58 Jackson & Johnson Trucking ‘Mud Buss’ in the winner’s circle for the first time to open the 1980s in the biggest DIRTcar race. ‘Marvelous’ Merv Treichler not only captured the prestigious Schaefer 200 in 1981 in his seventh try, the popular Potato farmer from Sanborn, N.Y. claimed the Labor Day Championship on the same Syracuse Mile just one month earlier to resurrect his sliding career with the high-financed team and elevate Troyer to a new level of dominance in the Modified ranks. The team repeated the following year.
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New Egypt Rocktoberfest Weekend Features Racing Action for Everyone
October 2, 2009--New Egypt, NJ - Anticipation is growing by the day as the 2nd Annual Rocktoberfest Weekend at the New Egypt Speedway draws closer and closer. There will be plenty of racing for all to see this coming weekend at NES.
Allstate will be the proud sponsor of Day 1 of Rocktoberfest. Pit gates will open at 2pm while the grandstand gates will swing open at 2:30. Warm ups will take to the track roughly around 4:15 and the first green flag of the evening will wave at 5pm.
Headlining Saturday's action will be the ever-popular Rislone URC Sprints. Newly crowned series champion Curt Michael will lead over 30 plus 360 sprints into the half-mile facility. Becca Anderson, Dave Ely, Kevin Welsh, Chris Coyle, Davey Sammons, and of course JJ Grasso will all be gunning for victory. Grasso has been undefeated at NES in 2008 winning all four of the events held this year. The "Jersey Jet" and his No. 37 will be the man that everyone has their eyes on this coming weekend!
The 358-Open Competition Small Blocks will making their 2008 debut on Saturday as well. Jeff Strunk and Billy Pauch were the two winners in 2007 competition in the 358 ranks at NES. The 358s will do battle in a 40-lap $4,000 to win feature. Early entries that have been received include 2008 Big Diamond/Grandview champ Jeff Strunk, Keith Hoffman, the "Quaker Shaker" Rick Laubach, 2008 Bridgeport track champion Mike "The Mad Dog" Iles, Jimmy Chester, Ryan Godown, Chic Cossaboone, Wade Hendrickson, Jimmy Horton, Jason Hamilton, Troy Wink, Eric Korman, John Stangle, Mike Gular, and Ryan Watt. NES regulars Mike McAleer, Ricky Wegner, Stan Frankenfield, and John Keller are just a few of the NES big block chauffers planning on running with the 358s. Top Pennsy runners Meme Desantis, Doug Manmiller, and Terry Meitzler are all rumored to making the trip east to New Egypt this weekend as well.
The Super Stocks and Crate-1 divisions will round out Saturday's program. There have been numerous entries in the Crates and at least 30 cars expected to be in attendance with extra money on the line. For all the racing historians and fans who love the cars from yesteryear.The Garden State Vintage Stock Car Club will also be at New Egypt on Saturday.
FedEx will take over sponsorship of Day 2 at Rocktoberfest while the Big Block Modifieds reign supreme on Sunday afternoon. Joining the modifieds will be the Sportsman, SS Sprints (Super Sportsman), and Outlaw Stocks. Pit gates will open at 10am while the grandstands will open at 11. Warm ups take to the track at roughly 12:15 with the first heat race scheduled to start at 1pm.
Race No. 7 of the Garden State Dual Track Series will take place on Sunday. Rick Laubach currently leads the point standings between New Egypt and Bridgeport. Other drivers that will be in action on Sunday include Bridgeport champion Mike Iles, NES track champ Billy "The Kid" Pauch, Frank Cozze, Keith Hoffman, Jimmy Chester, Jimmy Horton, Jimmy Horton IV, Tim Tanner, Ron John Koczon, Bobby Drayton, Chic Cossaboone, Wade Hendrickson, Jeff Strunk, Ryan Godown, Sammy Martz, and a host of other hot shoes from the tri-state area. $5,000 will be up for grabs in the modified 40-lap affair
The Sportsman and Outlaw stocks will run for extra money on Sunday as well. Many Bridgeport regulars are expected to invade NES in these two classes. The SS Sprints or Super Sportsman as they are known in Pennsylvania will round out the show on Sunday. Sprint super star Frankie Herr is expected to be in action along with John Stehman, Bobby Hockenberry, Gregg Foster and a plenty more Pennsy hot shoes. 2008 track champ Art Liedl along John Romano, Rick Cozze, Bryan Kuhl, Tom Wyckoff, Ed Hughes and all the rest of the NES regulars will have their work cut out for them as the SS Sprints will do battle with extra cash on the line.
The "Kids in Racing" theme will be strong on Sunday afternoon as all the youngsters who steer quarter-midgets around the tri-state area will be displaying their race cars over in the turn 4 picnic area. For all parents interested in displaying their cars please contact the speedway.
For more information regarding admission prices, directions, or any other general questions regarding this weekend's activities please visit our website- www.newegyptspeedway.net or call the main office at 609-758-1900.
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Second Annual Mod Tour Swap Meet To Be Held November 1st
October 3, 2008
By: Marcie L. Barlow, Modified Tour Media Relations
The BRP/Hoosier Race Tire Modified Tour will hold their annual “High Performance” Swap Meet on the grounds of the Sharon Speedway, located at 3242 Custer-Orangeville Road, Hartford, OH, on Saturday, November 1st. The second annual event will be held rain or shine beginning at 9:00AM with admission at just $3.00 per person.
New and used racing parts, trailers, go kart parts and racing apparel are just a few of the high performance items that will be available. Spots are priced at $20.00 each and include two free admission tickets to the event. Vendors can enter the grounds between 7:00AM and 9:00AM.
In addition local church groups, youth groups and clubs can purchase “Bake Sale” tables for just $10.00 each.
Call Ray Baselj at 724-458-6465 to reserve a spot.
The Modified Tour is offering this great price at an easily accessible facility to make this event a huge success however we cannot do it without your assistance. So gather up this racing parts and collectibles and bring them to the Sharon Speedway on Saturday, November 1st as The Modified Tour presents
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PENN CAN SPEEDWAY FORCED TO RESCHEDULE AGAIN
Susquehanna, PA…The King of the Can finale has been a very tough race to get in the books. Unfortunately the weather has not cooperated again and the race will have to be rescheduled for a third time. Tonight’s racing has been rescheduled for this Sunday October 5th. Gates will open at 1:00with hot laps at 2:15. The first heat will take to the speedway at 3:00.
“The forecast for tonight looked like we might have a shot to get this race in the books,” explains Reed Miller. “Unfortunately when we arrived at the track this morning the rains were still coming down. After checking track conditions, we determined that there was no way we would be able to dry out the racing surface. Sunday’s forecast is much better so the decision was to use another rain date.”
All of the divisions originally scheduled will be racing on Sunday. The late models, super stocks, pure stocks, and 4 cylinders will all race in their King of the Can events. The CRSA Sprints and Xcel 600 modifieds will also be in competition.
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5 Days ….. Countdown To Super DIRT Week XXXVII Continues!
Weedsport, NY – October 3, 2008 – By Tom Skibinski, Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series PR Director
Culminating with the headline Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series ‘Rite Aid 200’ on Sunday, October 12, the start of Super DIRT Week XXXVII at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse is just 5 days away.
Commemorating the 10th straight season of Series partnership with Advance Auto Parts based in Roanoke, Virginia, 10 of the most famous cars ever to circle the Moody Mile during the Columbus Day speedfest will be highlighted ---in numerical order--- for each of the 10 days leading up to the richest Big-Block Modified event in the nation.
During the past 36 years no less than 407 drivers have qualified for the Rite Aid 200 starting grid, with only 18 able to tame the Moody Mile and capture the crown jewel of DIRTcar Modified Racing in the Northeast. More than half of the winners have gone on to repeat their victorious ride ---often in a different car--- while an elite group of just four were able to celebrate on no less than three occasions. Up to 10 of these same legendary wheelmen that have graced the fairgrounds winner’s circle are expected to compete in the 37th edition when the Salt City comes alive this October.
Popular Pennsylvanian Kenny Brightbill spent four weeks building a car for Delaware owner Eugene Mills, then dropped a Jack Tant motor in the no. 30 Blue Hen Racing Special before setting second fast time en route to winning the biggest race of his legendary career. In an era when customer-based manufactured cars have become the norm, victory 20 years ago in the Salt City showdown for the Sinking Spring, Pa. hotshoe was a throw-back to the early years of stock car racing on the Syracuse Mile. Ironically, Brightbill scored his only other Salt City victory in the first-ever race promoted at the New York State Fairgrounds by DIRT MotorSports founder Glenn Donnelly in 1972, then won the inaugural Super DIRT Week pole a month later.
