New DIRTcar Spec Big Block Modified engine on display at the National Parts Peddler Trade Show in Syracuse, NY. Photo copyright Jay Fish
2009 SEASON HAS CONCLUDED AT GEORGETOWN SPEEDWAY
GEORGETOWN, DE (November 20, 2009) - After some discussion, the Georgetown Speedway management team has decided not to reschedule the race program slated for Saturday, November 14th. This program was cancelled following the Nor’easter which soaked the speedway grounds prior to the event. With the 2009 season concluded, management will soon begin to assemble a schedule of events for the upcoming year.
Georgetown Speedway is a 1/2 mile dirt oval located on the northbound side of U.S. Route 113, just 35 miles south of Dover, Delaware, a 45-minute drive from Ocean City, Maryland, and easily accessible from Washington DC, Baltimore, and Philadelphia.
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Hagerstown Speedway Signed Up To Kick Off 2010 Super DIRTcar Point Series
Weedsport, NY — November 20, 2009 — By Tom Skibinski, Super DIRTcar Series PR Director
Hagerstown Speedway is scheduled to lead off the Super DIRTcar Series for the 10th successive season next spring, with Saturday, March 27 already secured on the 2010 agenda for DIRTcar Northeast’s premier traveling tour featuring Big-Block Modifieds.
Confirmation of a return visit to the popular Maryland oval elevates the count to nearly 20 point shows, with additional high-paying extra-distance events being finalized in the coming weeks.
“Dates are filling up fast for the 2010 Super DIRTcar Series, making it easier for fans and racers to get a head start on their own plans for next year,” commented Joe Skotnicki, DIRTcar Racing Northeast Director of Competition & Track Sanctioning. “We’ve got a few more holes to fill in the coming weeks, after that it will be full speed ahead preparing for our 35th straight season of Modified racing in the Northeast.”
After falling victim to wet weather last spring for the fourth time in a decade, the headline ‘North-South Shootout’ at Hagerstown looks to get back on track during the final weekend before Easter. Competition has been fierce in six past events held across the Mason-Dixon line as five different winners have been crowned and only a handful of drivers have repeated their finish among the front-five. Tim Fuller took the last checkered flag in 2007 following initial wins by Brett Hearn (‘06), Alan Johnson (‘05), Gary Tomkins (‘04, ‘02) and Steve Paine (‘01).
Super DIRTcar Series action for Big-Block Modifieds kicks off next season down south with four non-point events as part of the 39th Annual DIRTcar Nationals By UNOH at Volusia Speedway Park. Five straight days of trackside activity ---including practice on Feb. 9--- culminate February 13 with a 50-lap finale boasting a first-place prize of $5,000. In between, Feb. 10-12, each 30-lap DIRTcar BB Modified feature winner stands to collect $2,000.
For more information, please contact Series Competition Director Joe Skotnicki at 704/796-4566 while Big-Block Modified tour news continues to be posted on
www.superdirtcarseries.com. Specific track information can be found on the internet at www.hagerstownspeedway.com with the track office reached by phoning 301/582-0640.
2010 SUPER DIRTcar SERIES SCHEDULE (confirmed dates)
NP=Non-Point event; SP=Show-Up point event.
DAY-DATE LAPS TRACK LOCATION
Wed-Feb 10 30-NP Volusia Speedway Park Barberville,FL
Thr-Feb 11 30-NP Volusia Speedway Park Barberville,FL
Fri-Feb 12 30-NP Volusia Speedway Park Barberville,FL
Sat-Feb 13 50-NP Volusia Speedway Park Barberville,FL
Sat-Mar 27 100 Hagerstown Speedway Hagerstown,MD
Sat-Apr 10 100 Fulton Speedway Fulton,NY
Sun-May 30 100 Cayuga Co Fair SpeedwayWeedsport,NY
Tue-Jun 15 100 Airborne Speedway Plattsburgh,NY
Thr-Jun 17 100 Orange Co Fair Speedway Middletown,NY
Wed-Jun 23 100 Mohawk Int’l Raceway Akwesasne,NY
Sun-Jul 100 Rolling Wheels Raceway Elbridge,NY
Fri-Jul 16 50 Cayuga Co Fair Speedway Weedsport,NY
Sat-Jul 17 100 Cayuga Co Fair Speedway Weedsport,NY ($20,000-to-win)
Mon-Aug 2 100 Merrittville Speedway Thorold,ONT
Thr-Aug 26 100 Lebanon Valley Speedway W.Lebanon,NY ($17,500-to-win)
Sun-Sep 5 100 Cayuga Co Fair SpeedwayWeedsport,NY
Sat-Oct 2 200-SP Fulton Speedway Fulton,NY ($20,000-to-win)
Sun-Oct 10 200 N.Y.S Fairgrounds Syracuse,NY ($50,000-to-win)
Sun-Oct 17 100 Brockville Ont. Speedway Brockville,ONT
Thr-Nov 4 Qual. The Dirt Track @ Lowe’s Concord,NC
Fri-Nov 5 50 The Dirt Track @ Lowe’s Concord,NC
Sat-Nov 6 50 The Dirt Track @ Lowe’s Concord,NC
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TRI-CITY SPEEDWAY 2009 SEASON REVIEW
by Brian Spaid
November 18, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FRANKLIN, PA .. Tri-City Speedway ended its 14th consecutive season of dirt track action under the new promotional regime of H&H Motorsports, and the 2009 track champions will be honored on Friday March 5th during a special awards ceremony to be held during the Cranberry Mall Show to kickoff the 2010 racing season.
Top drivers at the legendary half-mile Venango County oval in 2009 included Jeremiah Shingledecker (Engles Trucking DIRTcar Big Block Modifieds), Max Blair (4 Your Car Connection FASTRAK Late Models), Shawn Shingledecker (RPM Auto Sales/Shawgo Real Estate E Mods), Jason Johns (E.F. Rogers Plumbing & Heating Pro Stocks) and Greg Myers (Klapec Auto Body Thundercars).
For the first time in his career, Jeremiah Shingledecker of Polk, Pa., was crowned champion at Tri-City in the DIRTcar Big Block Modifieds earning the title aboard his Morton Buildings/Hards Welding Bicknell No. 37MD. Shingledecker scored four feature wins and eight top five finishes in 11 events, and only secured the championship with a fourth place finish in the final race of the year. Shingledecker, who also captured the 2009 Lernerville Speedway championship, defeated his main nemesis, four-time track champion Kevin Bolland, who beat Shingledecker for the title in 2008. Bolland fell 28 points shy of Shingledecker with two feature wins and eight top five finishes. Both drivers also won four heat races. In the end, Shingledecker's performance was just a tad better on nights when either driver was off his game. Joe Crawford, Dave Murdick and Brad Rapp rounded out the top five in the point standings. Crawford, Murdick, Andy Priest, Brian Swartzlander and Rex King each earned lone feature wins in 2009. Bolland, Murdick and King won BRP Modified Tour events with Murdick capturing the prestigious Kodiak Memorial.
Third generation superstar Max Blair concluded his sophomore season at Tri-City with his second consecutive FASTRAK Late Model championship. Racing in the footsteps of his well-known father, Robbie, the Centerville, Pa., driver scored four feature wins and 13 top five finishes in 15 feature events. He also won nine heat races in his TP Excavating/Specialty Products Rocket No. 111. That was enough to defeat Bobby Powell for the second season in a row. Powell also scored four feature wins, including the FASTRAK Northeast Late Model Touring Series race on July 19th. Mike Pegher Jr., Bryan Salisbury, and Carl McKinney rounded out the top five in points. Pegher and David Scott each won three feature events. Jim Frank won the only other feature winner, which he earned in the series event held on Labor Day Weekend.
Shawn Shingledecker of Franklin, Pa., finally got the monkey off his back by winning the 2009 Tri-City E Mod championship. In the previous five seasons, Shingledecker ended the year either second or third in the final point rundown. This time, he finished far enough ahead of two-time defending track champion Carl McKinney to win that elusive first title by 10 points. In the end, Shingledecker captured four feature wins and 11 top five finishes in 17 feature events along with four heat race wins aboard his Northwest Savings Bank/Five Star Equipment Pierce No. 54S. McKinney scored three feature wins and finished second in points ahead of Tim Engles, Mike Potosky and Jeff Deeter. Potosky, Brent Rhebergen and Dave Hess Jr. each earned two feature wins. Todd Roncaglione, Evan Taylor and Russ Dunn ended the season by winning the last three feature races. Roncaglione and Taylor won the United E Mod Series races over Labor Day Weekend. Rhebergen, a three-time division champion and 47-time feature winner, captured his first-ever Welding Technologies/Shaw Industries E Series championship in the five-race track-based series.
Like the Shingledecker cousins, Jason Johns of Oil City, Pa., earned his first-ever Pro Stock track championship at Tri-City. Piloting his Changing Times Telephone Service/4 Your Car Connection Chevrolet No. 31, Johns earned two feature wins and 16 top five finishes in 20 feature events. Johns also won 12 heat races, which was more than any driver in any division. Johns topped the point chase over Randy Wyant, Matt Thomas, Jason Reagle and Chris Haines. Johns used consistency to capture the title, however, because his win record was topped by several drivers. Three-time track champion Bobby Whitling won four feature races, returning to action in the class after an early season wreck in his FASTRAK Late Model. Reagle, Thomas and Wyant all won three features. Rusty Martz matched Johns with two wins while Haines, Jackson Humanic and Doug Iorio II each captured one victory. Thomas won the 13th Annual CSTechnologies Plus Applefest 100 on September 13th.
In the final season of weekly Thundercar action, Greg Myers of Franklin, Pa., joined his brother and two-time defending champion Bill Myers as the winner of a point title at Tri-City. Driving his R.K. Virgile Scrap Metals Chevrolet No. 44M, Myers captured five feature wins, which was matched by Jeff Manners. However, Myers earned 12 top five finishes in 16 feature events and eight heat race wins. Jon Huff, Dave Baker, Joe Sloss and Manners followed Myers in the point chase. Patrick Fielding scored two feature wins while Huff, Baker, Curtis J. Bish and Charlie McMillen each won one feature race. Among Myers' wins was the 2009 Apple Core 20.
In other competition, Rod Jones of West Middlesex, Pa., won all four Mod Lite features held in 2009 and easily captured the Changing Times Telephone Service Mod Lite Mini Series title.
The Super Sprints also returned to Tri-City in 2009, and Andy Priest captured two victories, which were his first-ever feature wins in the class. Ed Lynch Jr. and Daryn Pittman won the other events with Pittman's win coming in the All Star Circuit of Champion Sprint Series race on July 19th.
Robbie Blair led the Late Model teams with two feature wins at Tri-City. Other Late Model feature winners included Rick Briggs, Steve Francis and Tim Fuller. Blair won the All Star Late Model Series race on June 14th, and Francis and Fuller captured the World of Outlaws Late Model Series events over Labor Day Weekend.
Other special event feature winners in 2009 included Guy Griffin (Limited Sprints), John Shannon (Mini Stocks), and Tim Gillette (Enduro).
Thundercar track champion Greg Myers also won the 2009 Joe Taylor Ford Hard Charger Award. It was Myers' first Hard Charger point title. With points accumulated from all divisions based on the number of positions a driver advances in the feature finish from his official starting spot, Carl McKinney accomplished an unprecedented feat by finishing second and third in the Hard Charger points with his E Mod and FASTRAK Late Model respectively. DIRTcar Big Block Modified star Kevin Bolland tied McKinney for third. FASTRAK Late Model track champion Max Blair rounded out the top five.
This season, only two drivers are eligible for the 2009 Goss Gas/Lincoln Electric Ironman Mechanic's Award at the season banquet. Awarded to one race team that completes 100% of all heat and feature race laps in each division throughout the point season, FASTRAK Late Model driver Bobby Powell and Thundercar racer Joe Sloss are the two competitors. The winning driver will be selected by random draw and receive a new Lincoln Welder.
TRI-CITY SPEEDWAY FINAL POINT STANDINGS 2009
DIRTcar BIG BLOCK MODIFIEDS: 1. Jeremiah Shingledecker (Polk), 1,122; 2. Kevin Bolland (New Brighton), 1,094; 3. Joe Crawford (Polk), 1,052; 4. Dave Murdick (Slippery Rock), 1,037; 5. Brad Rapp (Clarion), 994; 6. Andy Priest (New Castle), 987; 7. Kevin Hoffman (Franklin), 970; 8. Mike Turner (Butler), 899; 9. Dean Pearson (Harrisville), 898; 10. Carl Murdick (Butler), 830.
FASTRAK LATE MODELS: 1. Max Blair (Titusville), 1,525; 2. Bobby Powell (Waterford), 1,435; 3. Mike Pegher Jr. (Wexford), 1,362; 4. Bryan Salisbury (Erie), 1,340; 5. Carl McKinney (Cranberry Twp.), 1,276; 6. Steve Hollabaugh (Guys Mills), 1,219; 7. Kyle Zimmerman (Pleasantville), 1,172; 8. Butch Lambert (Mars), 1,162; 9. Jamie Brown (Jamestown, N.Y.), 1,038; 10. David Scott (Garland), 903.
E MODS: 1. Shawn Shingledecker (Franklin), 1,549; 2. Carl McKinney (Cranberry Twp.), 1,539; 3. Tim Engles (Franklin), 1,383; 4. Mike Potosky (Guys Mills), 1,287; 5. Jeff Deeter (Titusville), 1,276; 6. Ron Roncaglione (Linesville), 1,266; 7. Al Cressley (Pittsfield), 1,160; 8. Rick Pratschler (Saegertown), 1,132; 9. Tyler Powell (Cochranton), 1,096; 10. Gary Sullivan (Saegertown), 929.
E SERIES: 1. Brent Rhebergen (Clymer, N.Y.), 432; 2. Carl McKinney (Cranberry Twp.), 417; 3. Tim Engles (Franklin), 402; 4. Shawn Shingledecker (Franklin), 391; 5. Todd Roncaglione (Linesville), 367; 6. Mike Potosky (Guys Mills), 365; 7. Evan Taylor (Saltsburg), 343; 8. Tim Peterson (Wilcox), 334; 9. Rick Pratschler (Saegertown), 333; 10. Ron Roncaglione (Linesville), 318.
PRO STOCKS: 1. Jason Johns (Oil City), 1,700; 2. Randy Wyant (Cranberry), 1,638; 3. Matt Thomas (Grand Valley), 1,628; 4. Jason Reagle (Oil City), 1,598; 5. Chris Haines (Sandy Lake), 1,527; 6. Les Myers (Reno), 1,408; 7. Dave Ferringer (Cochranton), 1,316; 8. Jackson Humanic (Titusville), 1,173; 9. Bob Sloss (Franklin), 1,047; 10. Bobby Whitling (Seneca), 1,037.
THUNDERCARS: 1. Greg Myers (Seneca), 1,496; 2. Jon Huff (Oil City), 1,386; 3. Dave Baker (Titusville), 1,355; 4. Joe Sloss (Franklin), 1,314; 5. Jeff Manners (Cherrytree), 1,312; 6. Bill Winters (Cooperstown), 1,273; 7. Curt Bish Sr. (Dempseytown), 1,244; 8. Mike Dobrick (Utica), 1,118; 9. Jace Ferringer (Cochranton), 974; 10. Charlie McMillen (Oil City), 965.
MOD LITE MINI SERIES: 1. Rod Jones (West Middlesex), 500; 2. Rick Ament (Apollo), 438; 3. Mark Marcucci (West Middlesex), 415; 4. Kotie Kirkbride (Mercer), 346; 5. Terry Young (Mercer), 342; 6. Kenny Meadows (Warren, OH), 316; 7. Alan Knepper (Somerset), 312; 8. George Englert (Greenville), 308; 9. Cody Bova (Struthers, OH), 259; 10. David Innes (Rootstown, OH), 194.
HARD CHARGER: 1. Greg Myers (Franklin)(T), 57; 2. Carl McKinney (Cranberry Twp.)(E), 36; 3. Carl McKinney (Cranberry Twp.)(LM) and Kevin Bolland (New Brighton)(M), 34 (tie); 5. Max Blair (Centerville)(LM), 32; 6. Dave Baker (Titusville)(T), 29; 7. Bobby Powell (Waterford)(LM) and Jeff Manners (Cherrytree)(T), 28 (tie); 9. Jason Johns (Oil City)(PS) and Chris Haines (Sandy Lake)(PS), 25 (tie). Key: DIRTcar Big Block Modified (M), FASTRAK Late Models (LM), E Mods (E); Pro Stocks (PS), Thundercars (T).
Tri-City Speedway is owned and operated by H&H Motorsports. They have promoted Sunday night racing at the popular facility starting in 2009. The DIRTcar Big Block Modifieds, FASTRAK Late Models, E Mods and Pro Stocks race each week at the Venango County half-mile dirt oval. Tri-City is located seven miles north of Franklin, Pa., off State Route 417.
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DIRTcar Modified ‘Spec’ Engine At National Parts Peddler Trade Show
Weedsport, NY – November 16, 2009 – By Tom Skibinski, DIRTcar Racing Northeast PR Director
The 30th annual edition of the National Parts Peddler Trade Show & Auction will be another landmark occasion as it marks the first public unveiling of a new optional ‘Spec’ Big-Block engine for use on the DIRTcar Racing Northeast Modified circuit.
Closing out its third decade in Central New York, the unique three-day high-performance vehicle and equipment exhibition will be held Nov. 20-22 at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse and DIRTcar NE will once again be part of the popular Salt City production staged in the Center of Progress Building.
Among the company officials in attendance to answer questions during the show will be DIRTcar Racing Northeast Director of Competition & Track Sanctioning Joe Skotnicki and DIRTcar NE Director of Technical Operations Bob Dini, with series schedules, rules and the spec engine heading their list. DIRTcar reps will be stationed beside the familiar red Super DIRTcar Series Support Trailer, also ready to distribute DIRTcar Member License Applications and take advance sale reserved ticket orders for Super DIRT Week XXXIX, Oct. 5-10, 2010.
“DIRTcar always has a strong presence around here this time of year,” remarked Parts Peddler promoter Corky Stockham, who has built an American tradition for auto racers to attend from all over the nation and several foreign countries. “Syracuse remains a vital area for the performance parts market and its right in the backyard of DIRT, one of the leaders in the racing industry. And our show remains the oldest of its kind found anywhere for hard-core automotive exhibits.”
Always the highlight of the autumn show, the Parts Peddler Auction on Saturday afternoon at 2pm will offer new feature cars and select new equipment. This annual tradition is the only time when racers get a chance to bid on new cars from Modified builders like Bicknell, Teo and Troyer, with most sold well below market value.
Plenty of new exhibitors will make the trip to Syracuse this year offering bargains like never before. Hundreds of Companies will fill the giant facility offering anything a racer may need, from a complete car to a new set of tools. Racers, mechanics and car owners can obtain up-to-date technical information from several seminars that will be offered throughout this unique three-day event.
Show hours are Friday 12:00 noon till 10:00pm, Saturday 10:00am to 8:00pm and Sunday 10:00am to 3:00pm. Auction feature cars are sold on Saturday afternoon while Sunday is a bargain hunters dream as many selling vendors’ inventories are liquidated directly to the public.
Questions and concerns can be directed to both DIRTcar Competition Director Joe Skotnicki at 704/796-4566 or via e-mail at jskotnicki@dirtcar.com, and DIRTcar NE Chief Technical Inspector Bob Dini (845/358-5049, bdini@dirtcar.com). For additional information, please contact the DIRTcar NE Regional Office (315/834-6606) during normal business hours.
Also contact Corky Stockham at the National Parts Peddler Newspaper Headquarters by phone 315/699-7583 or email showinfo@partspeddler.us for additional show information or log into www.partspeddler.us.
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Brett Hearn Closes Out Northeast Season With Record 7th Mr. DIRTcar Title
Verona, NY – November 14, 2009 – By Tom Skibinski, DIRTcar Racing Northeast PR Director
They say records are made to be broken. On the DIRTcar Racing Northeast circuit its been open-wheel ace Brett Hearn that has remained one of the biggest advocates of that proverbial statement.
The Sussex, N.J. speedster took center stage for the seventh time in his career Saturday night, November 14 as nearly 500 drivers, owners, crew members, officials, media members and corporate VIPs filled the Turning Stone Resort & Casino Events Center in Verona, New York to celebrate during the 34th Annual DIRTcar Northeast “Night of Champions” Awards Banquet.
“I have a really high fireplace ledge at home that I’ve been putting the eagles (trophies) on, this one will have to go on the lower shelf,” smiled Hearn, 51, as he accepted the commemorative 65-pound hand-crafted “Tribute Trophy” that World of Outlaws champions Donny Schatz (Sprint) and Josh Richards (Late Model) received just last weekend for their own divisional titles to distinguish them as the best in the land. “That thing is incredibly heavy, seriously.”
“These championships are so hard to come by. It takes such a commitment, so much hard work for such a long period of time. Sometimes I can’t believe we can get up and do this the next morning.”
“Have to begin by thanking the Madsen family. They’ve been so good to me, giving us all the tools we need to go out and do the job the way we need to be a championship contender. I want to give Andrew (Phillips, crew chief) all the credit, this is his 2nd championship in the past three years. As I’ve had less and less interest in changing gears lately, my guys continue to pick up the slack. “
“George from Wentworth Construction, we’ve really become great friends over the last five years. Guys like Don Kruger and Bill Rumsey have been with us for a long time and Dean Pectal from Benjamin Moore Paints has become even more involved this year. Looking around its pretty to cool to see the success of my brother’s (Bobby) business ---Teo Pro Car Fabrication--- with three championship cars up here all at the same time. A big thanks also has to go out to Kevin Enders for his engine work, he’s given us all the power we’ve needed and more. Having everybody here together tonight makes it the most special,” noted Hearn, the all-time Super DIRTcar Series leader with 103 victories, also topping DIRTcar’s Modified list with 523 (350 Big-Block) feature wins.
World Racing Group Chief Executive Officer Brian Carter headed the presentation to Hearn and his car owner Madsen Motorsports, with WRG President and Chief of Operations Tom Deery also addressing the audience alongside newly appointed Director DIRTcar NE Competition & Track Sanctioning Joe Skotnicki. Further acknowledgements went out to the entire DIRTcar NE staff and WRG officials that helped coordinate the annual production at the internationally acclaimed Turning Stone entertainment complex.
Familiar ‘voice’ of the Super DIRTcar Series Shane Andrews emceed the program that featured interviews with every major award winner throughout the night. Always a highlight of this special occasion, customary inclusion of the four Mr. DIRTcar winning cars near center stage on the dining room floor provided a fitting backdrop that offered numerous photo opportunities both before and after the festive stage production. The sleek Madsen Motorsports no. 20 Wentworth Custom Homes-Kruger-WLR-BPG/TEO mount grabbed the most attention with Hearn posing alongside with his top-flight team of sponsors.
“You need the help of a very loyal and dedicated crew to be successful in racing,” remarked Brian Madsen, speaking on behalf of his parents Guy and Patricia Madsen while accepting the coveted owners trophy. “That sums up Andrew and Thomas (Conroy, head fabricator), their work ethic is second to none and the commitment to their job is the reason we are here tonight. Then there’s Kim and Kevin Enders (engine builder), we’ve asked a lot of them and they were always up to the challenge. Thank you for the friendship.”
“Finally, there’s Brett … able to oversee the whole team without missing a single detail. Your dedication, focus and will to win is unmatched, thank you for winning our 2nd championship. Your 7th title puts you up there with the names Petty and Earnhardt. We’re planning to be back with you in 2010. I know you’ll be needing to help Brook (Brett’s daughter) with college expenses so I’m sure having to open up your own wallet will make you even more eager to win. And that should make next year even better,” teased the younger Madsen, as he helped celebrate the family’s 25th season of racing that all began with a Street Stock ride at Lebanon Valley Speedway in 1985.
Following a similar format to the banquet program initiated last autumn, recognition of the 2009 DIRTcar Northeast touring division track champions kicked off the evening agenda with Regional Racing Series top point-getters honored prior to dinner being served at 7:30pm.
Continuing in ‘09 with DIRTcar Northeast sanctioned tracks divided into regions for the Big-Block Modified, 358-Modified and Sportsman classes, Regional Racing Series point funds rewarded the leading drivers in each class with total payouts equaling $39,425 for all nine open-wheel divisions. Recently crowned Regional champions earning $2,000 in the Big-Blocks were Matt Sheppard (central), Andy Bachetti (east) and Kevin Bolland (west), Regional 358-Modified point winners collecting $1,000 were Danny O’Brien (north) and Pete Bicknell (west), while top point-getters in the Sportsman Regions receiving $600 were Chris Raabe (north), Steve Gray (central), Brian Sage (west) and Jeremiah Munson (east).
Top point-getters in the Big-Block Modified, 358-Modified, Sportsman and Pro Stock classes were recognized during this popular seasonal celebration and in the end more than $374,000 in cash, fuel certificates and contingency awards were spread over 300 paying positions in DIRTcar NE's four major touring divisions.
Eastern Region Manager Jim Kelly presented awards on behalf of VP Racing Fuels, Bicknell Racing Products Vice-President Randy Williamson rewarded teams in the name of Hoosier Tire while Larry Bishop was in attendance from Dig Safely New York, a long standing supporter of DIRTcar Racing and sponsor of the Modified Non-Qualifiers race at Super DIRT Week. Also recognized as special guests of DIRTcar Racing in this season-ending event were representatives from Camping World, Pullen’s Truck Center and Summit Auto Group.
In a special presentation made near the end of the night by Canandaigua, Cayuga County and Rolling Wheels track General Manager CoryReed, long-time scorer, handicapper and DIRTcar NE Director of Computer Operations Gary Spaid was recognized with a career achievement award. Spaid received the 4th Glenn Donnelly Award of Excellence which was created in 2006 to honor individuals, teams, associates, sponsors and others within the DIRTcar Racing Northeast community who exemplify characteristics that Glenn himself displayed. Pride, professionalism, dedication, loyalty and a genuine desire to excel are some of the attributes that qualified Spaid to receive this year’s prized award.
“I respected what Glenn did and admired all that he accomplishment in Modified racing,” uttered a choked up Spaid as he looked for words to describe a surprise reception of the rare honor. “He made our brand of racing mean a lot to everyone around him and it meant so much more to be a part of something that special. Certainly never expected this but appreciate it greatly … don’t really know what else to say. Just something I never thought of receiving although it means so much. Its nice to have some family here as they’ve been a part of everything I’ve done since day one,” noted Spaid, who was joined by wife Donna and son Brian Spaid, who was also on hand representing Tri-City Speedway during the track awards portion.
A custom trophy was given to Spaid and his name will also be inscribed on a special plaque next to 2006 award winners John Holland and Al Heinke from H&H Motorsports, ’07 recipient Tim Burger from Rite Aid, and last year’s winner Mike Paris from Advance Auto Parts, that will be put on display in the Northeast Modified Hall of Fame & Classic Car Museum located on the Cayuga County Fairgrounds in Weedsport, New York.
Along with the $50,000 Mr. DIRTcar cash jackpot collected by Hearn, the five-time Super DIRT Week Rite Aid 200 winner earned an additional $3,000 in VP Fuel certificates and $1,000 more from VP for his Super DIRT Week 358-Modified Championship fast time. The World Racing Group also fitted the newest Mr. DIRTcar Modified Champion with a commemorative ring to add to his growing collection. Mr. DIRTcar runner-up Matt Sheppard garnered an additional $2,000 in fuel from VP while receiving a unique $1,000 "Gater Leads The Way" prize package from Gater Racing Photo News editor Joe Patrick after ‘Super Matt’ led the most laps during the Super DIRTcar Series which included 20 extra-distance feature races held from April through October.
For the first time in his career, Dale Planck captured the overall Hoosier Tire-VP Racing Fuels Mr. DIRTcar 358-Modified Championship. While going winless the entire season in both Big-Block and Small-Block competition, the second-generation driver from Cortland, N.Y. traveled back to the Southern Tier $13,000 richer in cash and product.
“We’re going to go for that Big-Block title next,” beamed Planck, 39, who was joined at the podium by 358-Modified Series Director Gaston Salvas and Carey Terrance, owner of the RezX Racing no. 77x Grow It Hydroseeding/TEO entry, who settled for sixth-place in the Mr. DIRTcar 358 points chase. “We’ll see what we can do next year with this one under our belt.”
“This makes me feel pretty awesome, the level of competition just keeps getting tougher every year. Just to be consistent and end up on stage is quite an accomplishment. I’m very happy to be standing here. I can’t thank Carey enough and my family for all their support. I’m getting my son going with college right now. Told him to go out there, get a good job and make lots of money then go and race with the right equipment,” added Planck, son of DIRTcar NE pioneer Denny Planck, who was joined by wife Leslie and son Steve on the this landmark occasion.
For a second consecutive season, the ‘Teenage Tornado’ Chris Raabe from Napanee, Ontario collected a $5,000 prize after his rise to the top of the Hoosier Tire Mr. DIRTcar Sportsman point standings. Once more steering owner Garry McColman’s no. 01 Scott’s Industrial Services-TyRoute Communication/TEO machine, Raabe closed out the campaign leading the DIRTcar Sportsman ranks with 19 feature wins while claiming track high-point crowns at Can-Am Motorsports Park and Thunder Alley Speedpark in the north country.
“Its pretty neat to have two eagles now and be back here with all the other champions,” said Raabe, 18, an honor student at Queen's University in Kingston Ontario where he is enrolled in his sophomore year. Owner McColman was back home battling the flu while teammates showed no signs of slowing down posing for plenty of post-season pictures.
“Chasing points around the circuit is certainly something you can’t do without a dedicated crew, and I’ve been fortunate to have such a great group of people behind me. They’ve carried me to the top two years in row, which is a pretty impressive feat considering everything required to be successful nowadays. It’s always the drivers that get to come up here and accept the awards, but its everybody behind the scenes that really make all this happen,” added Raabe, after becoming only the third repeat champion in 20 years of DIRTcar Sportsman racing and just the second to wear back-to-back crowns.
Two straight overall Hoosier-VP Mr. DIRTcar Championships was also a streak put together by Western New York Pro Stock standout Pete Stefanski, only that came in 2007. As the first decade of the new millennium comes to a close, Stefanski now owns an unprecedented fourth consecutive title worth another $2,000 for the Wheatfield, N.Y. chauffeur.
“We were fortunate this year, a lot of things went our way but that’s what you need sometimes to get an edge,” remarked Stefanski, 39, DIRTcar Northeast’s all-time Pro Stock Series winner with 23 extra-distance triumphs, including his inaugural trip to victory lane taken at Syracuse to close out Super DIRT Week in October. 10 wins in 2009 aboard the familiar Sunrise Racing no. 2 San Ter Sewing-PJ NFB Auto Sales/Chevrolet Monte Carlo/EMS ride increased his career count on the DIRTcar circuit to an all-time high total of 88.
“The whole thing probably came down to just a couple races, a few spots higher here or there would’ve made a big difference. Whether you have good luck or bad luck determines the outcome and Joey (Ladouceur, runner-up) and I had our share of both this season. We’re looking forward to getting more series races closer to home next year. We’ll just have to wait and see how the schedule works and if no. 5 (title) is in the cards. 1300 miles is a long way to travel on weekends during the season, how many times will determine our plans,” figured Stefanski, who finished out of the tour top-five just twice in nine events, going a perfect 11 for 11 in 2008 stops.
Four rookie drivers were honored at the banquet and presented special achievement awards for their first-year success by Dennis Botindari from MSS. An additional $8,500 in cash and prizes, including Extreme Mufflers and a ButlerBuilt Seat, were shared by 2009 Motorsports Safety Systems/G-FORCE Racing Gear DIRTcar Northeast Rookies of the Year award winners Rich Scagliotta (Big-Block Modified), Jeremy Wilder (358-Modified), Robert Humphreys (Sportsman) and Harvey Arquette Jr. (Pro Stock). Scagliotta was also presented a ‘Determination Award’ for loyally following both Big-Block and Small-Block Modified series, and his tentative agenda in ’10 includes a similar strategy.
‘Live' entertainment provided by the band Raised On Radio closed out the gala evening in the events center as race teams, sponsors, track operators and guests officially helped draw the curtain on DIRTcar’s 34th season of auto racing promotion.
The start of 2010 is now only 88 days away as Volusia Speedway Park leads off down south with the 39th Annual DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH opening for Big-Block Modifieds on February 10. Check out www.superdirtcarseries.com often as further information for Volusia's popular Winter tour events will be posted right up to race time.
Skidmarks: Michael Storms finished 10th in the final 2009 overall Mr. DIRTcar Big-Block point standings yet it was a combination of broken spindles, engine failures and racing wrecks and having his ride ---Vinny Salerno’s 4-Star Racing-Keizer Aluminum Wheels-Four Star Transmission/TEO--- stolen near season’s end that ultimately landed him the Area Auto Racing News ‘Hard Luck’ award. Helen Bruce made the presentation…. In an award introduced this year by Jeff Brownell, his own driver Matt Sheppard was selected as the ‘Xtreme Slick Move of the Year’ award recipient, yet in a fine gesture, Brownell turned over the $500 prize to Salerno following the late-season theft of his Big-Block Modifieds…Putting an exclamation point on a season filled with prize package giveaways after every Super DIRTcar Series Dig Safely New York ‘Last Chance’ qualifier, DSNY motorsports consultant Larry Bishop held a special draw with consi race winners Rich Ricci Jr., Roy Bresnahan, Tim Fuller, Pete Bicknell and Danny O’Brien collecting $100 awards while Chuck Bower earned the $500 grand-prize…In a full-fender draw among drivers attending all nine series events conducted by Pro Stock Series Director Brian Mulligan, Roch Aubin, Don Carlson, Sean Corr, Joey Ladouceur, Stephane Lebrun, Dion Oakes, P.J. Peters, Pete Stefanski and Rob Yetman, Allstar Performance 100% Club member Lebrun had his name selected to win a Five Star Body valued at $2,000 from distributor EMS proprietor Eric Marin…An informal Saturday afternoon gathering of more than a dozen media members in the Turning Stone Resort Tower Hotel’s 2nd-Floor Meadow Room pre-empted the dinner banquet with WRG officials Carter, Deery and VP Public Relations Chris Dolack offering some brief notes about what transpired during the promoters' meetings held Friday. Mr. DIRTcar Sportsman champ Raabe was among those available to answer questions, with most inquiries centered around the upcoming race season.
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THE 2009 SEASON ENDS WITH TWO BIG EVENTS AT BRIDGEPORT SPEEDWAY
BRIDGEPORT, NJ (November 15, 2009) - With other dirt racing venues in the Northeast area having concluded their annual schedule, the 2009 dirt racing season at Bridgeport Speedway will have two final big events on the weekend of November 21st and 22nd.
On Saturday, November 21st, the quarter mile speedway will feature the Micro-Sprint Nationals. The 270cc and 600cc Micro-Sprints will share the top billing with 30-lap features paying $1000 to the winner for each of these classes. Lap money will be awarded in both the 270cc and 600cc Micro-Sprint features. The 125cc Micro-Sprints and 4-Cylinder Stock Cars will also be in action on the inner dirt oval. All gates will open at noon with warm-ups starting at 2:00 PM. Pit admission for
the Micro–Sprint Nationals will be $30 and general grandstand admission will be $15 with no charge for kids 12 and under. Entry forms for the Micro-Sprint Nationals will be available at the speedway and at www.bpspeedway.com.
On Sunday, November 22nd, the Charlie Bray Memorial will occur on the big and fast 5/8th mile track. This race is named in honor of the late Nazareth Speedway Promoter and Bridgeport Speedway Official, who passed away suddenly on December 8, 2008. Headlining the program on this special day of racing will be the BPG Racing/Hooters Restaurant Tri-Track Big Block Modified Challenge Series with a $4000 check awarded to the winner of the 35-lap feature.
A 25-lap feature for the 358 Sportsman will be on the card as well paying $1500 to win. Lap money will be available for the Big Block Modifieds and 358 Sportsman.
The GM Crate Sportsman will have a 20-lap race with $800 going to the victor. A $500 to win 20-lap event is on the docket for the Proformance Cuts Outlaw Stocks.
The Limited\305 Racesaver Sprints will round out the card. As previously scheduled on the original race date of Halloween, Bridgeport Speedway will still be holding many of the planned festivities including Trick or Treat in the pits for children,
costume contests and Haunted Skyboxes.
On November 22nd, the pits will unlock at 10:00 AM with gates to the grandstand area opening at 11:00 AM. Trick or Treat for the kids in the pit area will commence at noon. Warm-ups hit the track at 1:00 PM. Pit admission will be $40 and general grandstand admission will be $25 with no charge for kids 12 and under.
If inclement weather should occur, a rain date of Sunday, November 29th has been established.
All competitors are reminded that one-way radios are required for all events at Bridgeport Speedway.
Bridgeport Speedway provides a safe and secure family atmosphere, free parking, giveaways and fan participation games. Billed ‘The Fastest Dirt Track in the East’, Bridgeport Speedway is a banked 5/8th mile dirt oval, featuring a dirt 1/4 mile oval embedded in the center, and is located in Southern New Jersey -- just minutes from Pennsylvania and Delaware at exit 14 off of I-295.
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A NOR’EASTER STOPS THE RACING AT GEORGETOWN SPEEDWAY
GEORGETOWN, DE (November 14, 2009) - A powerful November Nor’easter battered much of the Mid-Atlantic region and drenched the grounds at Georgetown Speedway. Due to the excessive wet conditions, the program slated for Saturday, November 14th was cancelled along with the Sunday November 15th raindate. Speedway management will make a determination about a possible new raindate following the November 21st and 22nd events at Bridgeport Speedway.
Georgetown Speedway is a 1/2 mile dirt oval located on the northbound side of U.S. Route 113, just 35 miles south of Dover, Delaware, a 45-minute drive from Ocean City, Maryland, and easily accessible from Washington DC, Baltimore, and Philadelphia.
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Promoters Face Clear Agenda At DIRTcar Racing Northeast Region Fall Meeting
Verona, NY – November 13, 2009 – By Tom Skibinski, DIRTcar Racing Northeast PR Director
Member track officials from the DIRTcar Racing Northeast Region assembled on November 13 to set in motion their annual Promoters’ Meetings as part of the year-end awards ceremonies with Friday festivities held at the Shenendoah Golf Club at the Turning Stone Resort and Casino.
The hotel’s Adirondack Room was filled to capacity with nearly every DIRTcar NE-sanctioned track accounted for along with a host of World Racing Group officials and DIRTcar Racing Northeast staff members. Track promoter Mark Rinaldi from newest DIRTcar NE member Brighton (Ont.) Speedway joined the autumn affair while Autodrome Edelweiss was represented by Canadian colleagues Brian Mulligan and Denis Moquin.
World Racing Group President Tom Deery led off the morning agenda by having each track acknowledge its presence before introducing WRG Chief Executive Officer Brian Carter for some opening remarks.
“This is one of the times I look forward to most up in the Northeast,” began Carter, who was also joined from the Concord, N.C. corporate office by fellow directors Chris Dolack-VP Public Relations, Anna Walker-Membership Coordinator and Executive Administrative Assistant Gina Fernez. The DIRTcar Northeast core group was headed by recently named Director of Competition & Track Sanctioning Joe Skotnicki, 358-Modified Series Director Gaston Salvas, Pro Stock Series Director Brian Mulligan, Director of Computer Scoring Operations and Points Coordinator Gary Spaid, PR Coordinator Jen Brown and Public Relations Director Tom Skibinski.
“It’s a great opportunity to take advantage of all the experience and wisdom found in this room by such a respected group of track owners and operators. There are so many resources to share as DIRTcar Northeast remains such a significant piece of the overall puzzle. But the key here with all these benefits is still to generate results. I know I’m always able to take away something from these talks and use it somewhere down the road,” said Carter, as he addressed the room of officials on hand to help celebrate the conclusion of the organization’s 34th consecutive season of sanctioning auto racing events.
Holding a position almost every year since DIRTcar’s inception in 1976, Chief Scorer/Handicapper & Computer Operations Manager Gary Spaid was introduced for a special slide presentation that reviewed 2009 while outlining tentative plans for the upcoming season. Spaid provided ample statistics covering feature race events and new winners in the four major touring divisions along with series car counts, while revealing a new overall Hoosier Tire-VP Racing Fuels Mr. DIRTcar points structure for Big-Block Modifieds that is being considered for 2010.
Deery returned to the podium to highlight a $500,000 Participant Accident Coverage Plan that is being offered to every DIRTcar member facility, supplying answers to a number of frequently asked questions regarding primary costs, benefits, range of coverage, as well as those obligations and responsibilities facing each track promoter. He recognized Jeff Ladd from Rand Sports & Insurance, Inc., who provided additional material about the motorsports policy currently in effect.
“The success of our series depends on the success of our weekly tracks, they’re still the bread and butter here in the Northeast,” voiced Deery, following a year that featured a number of tour shows held for the first time on weekends during the summer months. “We experimented away from some of the more traditional mid-week stops, now its time to return to some of the series events that have more familiar roots in the summer.”
Prior to breaking for lunch, the customary season review for every track in attendance served to further enlighten the listeners and provoked Deery to add, “This type of meeting, with everyone actively participating, remains the envy of race officials around the entire country. Every now and then you get down, but then you have a night with a full pits and packed grandstands, and everything finally comes together…there’s no better feeling. And we all share that same opportunity being part of such a special group. Forget all that doom and gloom, we’re still here and will keep coming back to support the racers and fans that continue to make motorsports a way of life.”
Deery opened the floor to track officials with Rinaldi announcing that the Pro Late Models would be the headline DIRTcar division next year at Brighton Speedway …Gaston Salvas boasted about the young fan base recently filling the stands at Autodrome Drummond, with host track promoter Yan Bussiere already signing World of Outlaws Series events for both Sprint Cars and Late Models in 2010. Race Director Erick Baker, Assistant General Manager Jean-Francois Tessier, Promoter Bob Gatien and Secretary Carmen Duhamel represented an enthusiastic group from Autodrome Granby, which is expected to team with Drummond for back-to-back $10,000-to-win Mr. DIRTcar 358-Modified Championship events, as well as adding DIRTcar Pro Stocks to the Friday night card.
Promoter Paul Kirkland confirmed that the Big-Blocks will be part of the DIRTcar Northeast Fall Nationals next October at Brockville Ontario Speedway, filling the three-day race weekend with Mr. DIRTcar events for 358-Modified, Sportsman and Pro Stock classes…Popular Sunday night hangout north of the border, Cornwall Motor Speedway officials are planning to add seven DIRTcar Sportsman events to their ’10 schedule, with weekly starting times moved up to 6pm…Tri-City Speedway will be back under the DIRTcar banner, with the fledgling track management team envisioning more success with one full season of experience under its belt…Fifth-year promoter Dean Hoag expects to continue with the Sportsman as his headline class every Friday at Black Rock Speedway, looking for more “creativity” on the upcoming schedule of events.
Now firmly entrenched as the General Manager of DIRTcar NE charter members Cayuga County Fair Speedway, Canandaigua Speedway and Rolling Wheels Raceway Park, Cory Reed looks forward to the challenge of raising car counts on a weekly basis while presenting more shows in Rolling Wheels’ continuing specials-only format. The 2nd Annual All-Star Weekend in Weedsport will once again provide two Super DIRTcar Series showcase events, closing out with a $20,000 top prize on the line Saturday, July 17. Working with series director Gary Montgomery, Reed has also penciled in a number of BRP Can-Am Late Model specials next season in Canandaigua.
On the brink of officially being crowned Mr. DIRTcar Champion for a record seventh time, Modified racer Brett Hearn announced he will be back to promote ‘The Big Show’ at Orange County Fair Speedway in June…Legendary Lebanon Valley Speedway proprietor Howard Commander boasted of his $100,000 track fund payoff projected come springtime while Airborne Speedway’s Mike Perrotte looks to beat the rain when the Super DIRTcar Series returns to the Plattsburgh pavement for the “biggest show of the season” in June.
Track manager Chip Burdick arrived in time to discuss the happenings at both Can-Am Motorsports Park and Thunder Alley Speedpark, with a similar Friday/Saturday night package planned for both Caprara-owned speedplants…Gary Risch Jr. from Lernerville Speedway noted the debut of the ‘Steel City Stampede’ autumn extravaganza at the nationally-acclaimed Sarver, Pa. oval, still harboring hopes of securing a Super DIRTcar Series race date in 2010…Genesee Speedway promoter Mike Lauterborn updated the future of the Batavia, N.Y. track, citing his interest in another nearby facility to continue his loyal DIRTcar affiliation with a full-fender class…2009 was the second year of promotion at Glen Ridge Motorsports Park for former Big-Block driver Mike Romano and car owner Jake Spraker, although it marked the track’s first season as a DIRTcar member. With a pair of area tracks going asphalt, expect a great influx of Modified and Sportsman entries to join the Friday show along with more full-fender teams as the addition of the Pro Stock class remains a strong possibility.
In the Niagara Frontier, Joel Friesen relayed the surprising success in car counts enjoyed much of the season at his family’s Ransomville speedway, yet was unable to describe a deviation in grandstand attendance as Labor Day approached…General Manager Bobby Davidson Jr. noted the success of NASCAR Nite at Humberstone Speedway, with Cup pilot Dave Blaney beating out fellow national touring drivers Jimmy Spencer and Kenny Wallace in the DIRTcar 358 feature while Rusty Wallace served as guest announcer…Merrittville GM Eric Bicknell was proud to confirm the date of Thursday, June 17 when the World of Outlaws Late Model Series makes its maiden voyage across the border to contend at the storied Thorold, Ontario oval.
WRG’s Chris Dolack closed out the morning portion disclosing that a number of reserved weekend ticket packages have already been purchased for the 4th Annual World Finals, slated next year at The Dirt Track @ Lowe’s Motor Speedway. The Super DIRTcar Series will be a major part of the 2010 World Finals on Nov. 4-6 in Concord, N.C., where it will join the World of Outlaws Sprint Cars and the World of Outlaws Late Models as all three series wrap up their seasons with championship-deciding point events.
Following an hour break for lunch, VP Racing Fuels Eastern Regional Manager Jim Kelly moved to the front of the room where he thanked the track promoters for their support in VP’s first season supplying DIRTcar Northeast Region race teams. Kelly will be suited up Saturday to help distribute fuel certificates valued at nearly $30,000 to be given away to all 2009 DIRTcar Racing Big-Block Modified, 358-Modified, Sportsman Modified and Pro Stock track point champions. Another $15,000 will be divided among top Mr. DIRTcar Big-Block and 358-Modified point-getters at the ‘Night of Champions’ Awards Banquet, along with special award winners recognized for their achievements at both Super DIRT Week and Cayuga County’s All-Star Weekend.
Membership Director Anna Walker offered an on-screen illustration of DIRTcar’s unique on-line membership tool that allows promoters, officials and competitors to sign up for and view member benefits, a member directory, rules, entries and answers to frequently asked questions. The modern data management system can be easily accessed by logging into www.DIRTcarMembers.com and following the instructions.
Overseeing construction of the 2010 tour schedules with most dates still pending at this time, Skotnicki mentioned the on-going establishment of ‘Destination’ events with more than a half-dozen firmly in place through early November. Joining the return trip to Lowe’s will be an early-season twin-bill at Fulton, the summer spectacular at Cayuga County, Fulton 200 Weekend and the 39th running of Super DIRT Week in October.
DIRTcar NE Chief Technical Inspector Bob Dini closed out the Friday afternoon meetings with a brief report on the minor rule changes discussed and probable amendments to the 2010 Rule Book. The biggest news in the Big-Block ranks came when Dini unveiled the production of a ‘Spec’ engine that will be made optional for use during the upcoming race season. Lowering the minimum car weight from 2,500 to 2,450 pounds was among the only projected changes in the 358-Modified division.
A 6,000 rpm rev chip will be mandated for use in both Sportsman and Pro Stock classes with each division also allowed to run only previously approved shocks manufactured by Pro Shock or Bilstein. Whether purchased new or using inventory from previous seasons, all shocks must be properly identified and color-coded for proper clearance on the DIRTcar Racing circuit in 2010.
“I’m quickly growing fond of the Pro Stock class, yet it continues to get more sophisticated every year,” remarked Dini, who was joined by fellow NE technician Scott Fremouw for the afternoon update. “We’re working to finally develop some rules for minimums and maximums to give teams better guidelines to go by. Areas like roofs, deck heights and ground clearance top the list, and we’ll only allow one-piece spoilers next season. Cars with crate engines will have to weigh at least 3,000 pounds and those with open motors 3,300. Everything we’re putting in place should make inspection easier and more consistent while keeping the playing fairest for everybody.”
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