Big-Block Super DIRTcar Series ’10 Previewed In 39th Florida DIRTcar Nationals
Barberville, FL – February 8, 2010 – By Tom Skibinski, Super DIRTcar Series PR Director
The 39th Annual Florida DIRTcar Nationals By University of Northwestern Ohio is finally here for the Big-Block Modifieds. The 2010 edition marks the 13th straight year the premier Modified Series in the Northeast has traveled to the Sunshine State, marking the 22nd sanctioned by DIRTcar under the World Racing Group umbrella.
Top DIRTcar Big-Block teams recently waved good-bye to the snow banks at home and set course for Florida and Volusia’s ultra-fast clay half-miler for their traditional week of speed. The season-opening Modified events, Feb. 10-13, highlight the 26th trip for Northeastern racers to gator country since taking the maiden voyage in 1978. Pat Ward collected his second DIRTcar Nationals Big-Block Modified points title in ‘09.
Ward will have his hands full with another loaded field of over 40 cars signed up to open the newest decade of speed down south, including reigning overall Hoosier Tire-VP Racing Fuels Mr. DIRTcar Champion Brett Hearn. Super DIRTcar Series followers registered to contend at VSP are ’09 runner-up Matt Sheppard, Jimmy Phelps (3rd), Billy Decker (4th), brothers Danny (8th) & Alan Johnson (9th), Dale Planck (11th), Larry Wight (12th), Jeff Brownell Jr. (13th) and rookie of the year Rich Scagliotta (17th).
Already a seven-time DCN Big-Block points champ and 19 race winner, Hearn is perfect with 48 starts since DIRTcar’s return to Florida in 1998, while Jamie Mills (43), Danny Johnson (40), Ward (37), Jimmy Horton (32), Ray Swinehart (30), Alan Johnson (28), Rick Laubach (26) and Andy Bachetti (25) are among an elite list (out of 148 drivers) qualifying for more than half those 48 features run in the past dozen years.
The current contingent of drivers making their maiden voyage to the Sunshine State includes Central New Yorker Chris Higgins, downstate upstart Billy VanInwegen, Big-Block rookie Brett Ballard and fellow New Jersey wheelmen John Stangle, plus Ryan Forte, Delaware veteran H.J. Bunting III, and second-generation pilot Dexter Stacey from Kahnawake, Que.
Already arriving over the weekend were Frenchmen Mario Clair and Wallace Stacey also from the Canadian province of Quebec, some 24 hours away from Volusia County. Visible on the speedway grounds were the transporters of Billy Decker, teammate Larry Wight, brothers Alan and Danny Johnson and Roger and Randy Chrysler, the father/son tandem of Rex and Rex King Jr., Jeff Brownell Jr., Dan Vauter, Rob Bellinger and Wallace Stacey, along with Hearn, Sheppard and Stangle.
Big-Block notables competing Monday on opening night in the UMP Late Model class were Tim McCreadie (7th in feature), Tim Fuller (10th) and Vic Coffey (14th), with 2008 World of Outlaws Late Model Series champion Darrell Lanigan copping the 30-lap A-Main.
Accessible 24-hours a day, the official Super DIRTcar Series website found at www.superdirtcarseries.com during the 2010 DIRTcar Nationals will be providing daily race coverage including driver/team entries, feature results, point standings and a victory lane photo. Be sure to check out www.dirtcarnationals.com for complete race results for all divisions contesting in the DIRTcar Nationals and visit www.volusiaspeedwaypark.com for the most updated track information.
In the meantime, don’t forget to sign up as a Super DIRTcar Series follower on Twitter by visiting http://www.twitter.com/SuperDIRTcar and receive updates anywhere at anytime as the 34th successive season of DIRTcar of Big-Block Modified racing gets underway.
Activity for Big-Block Modifieds begins Tuesday, Feb. 9 with evening practice. Open-wheel action concludes on Saturday, Feb. 13 with the final leg of the four-race tour covering 50 laps. Contact DIRTcar Racing Northeast Series Director Joe Skotnicki (704/796-4566, jskotnicki@dirtcar.com) or PR Director Tom Skibinski (585/350-8997, tskibinski@dirtcar.com) if you require specific track information during the upcoming week.
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TEO FABRICATIONS “GET SMART: GET QUICK” ADVANCED CHASSIS SEMINAR SET FOR FEBRUARY
VERNON, NJ (Feb. 08)……..Are you ready for the 2010 racing season? If you’re a racer looking to win, then you’ll want to register for the 2010 Teo Fabrications “Get Smart: Get Quick” Advance Chassis Seminar to be held Saturday, February 20 at the Mineral Spa and Resort in Vernon, New Jersey. This all-day seminar for drivers and teams to increase their racing knowledge will be preceded on Friday, February 19 by a 4-9:00 pm open house at the nearby Teo Fabrications race car construction complex.
“We‘ve had outstanding attendance at each of our previous seminars,” said Teo Fabrications proprietor Bobby Hearn. “We also learned a great deal about what the racers really want to know. This has helped us put together an even more informative and productive day.”
The all-day Saturday seminar will include presentations on race car chassis setups, tire management, shock absorber technology, brakes, safety issues, and racing sponsorships and public relations. Key representatives from leading racing components manufacturers will be among the several presenters. This is your opportunity to get answers to your questions from top racing pros.
The highlight of the Friday Open House at Teo Fabrications will be a free two-hour, from 6-8:00 pm, shock absorber program presented by Bilstein Racing Shocks. Other manufacturers reps will be on hand as well. This is a great chance to meet the professionals at Teo Fabrications and tour the facility. In addition, product specials will be available and refreshments will be served.
The cost for the full day’s program is $179.00, and includes an in-depth seminar notebook as well as lunch and door prizes. Teams with several members wishing to attend should ask for the Teo Group Rate. And to cap off the day, one lucky registered racer will win a 2010 Teo powder coated frame!
But space is limited. “We’ve had a full house at each of our previous seminars,” said Hearn. “That’s why I strongly suggest folks reserve their seats as quickly as possible.”
Racers are reminded to check out the website, www.teopro.com, for all the news and products available from Teo Fabrications, the leading innovator in dirt track Modified chassis construction.
For additional information or to register for the Teo Fabrications “Get Smart: Get Quick” Advanced Chassis Seminar, telephone 973-764-5500 during regular business hours.
Teo Fabrications
95 Maple Grove Road
P.O. Box 232
Vernon, NJ 07462
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Cayuga County Fair Speedway Unveils its Plans for 2010
Weedsport, NY - As year twenty-ten quickly gets underway, Cayuga County Fair Speedway along with its dedicated staff headed up by General Manager, Cory Reed, looks to pick up where we left off in 2009, by adding new and exciting attractions to the racing schedule in addition to raising the stakes to already established events like the All-Star Weekend!
Cayuga County Fair Speedway will open its gates for the 56th edition of racing on Sunday April 18th at 5pm as the headquarters for the Super DIRTcar Series provides more heart-pounding, full-throttle action than one season of racing can handle! The Big Block Modifieds will headline the weekly action every Sunday night as the DIRTcar Sportsman Modifieds, DIRTcar Stock Cars and BattleKarz divisions will be along for the ride as well.
"Cayuga County is really the backbone of DIRTcar racing in the Northeast so we have built a schedule that provides a solid schedule for our Big Block, Sportsman and full-fender fans, plus a great variety of other classes featured often throughout the season," said Reed. "For the Big Blocks, we certainly are Super DIRTcar central with four tour shows on the schedule."
It's a new name and a new schedule for the DIRTcar Stock Cars in 2010 as the division previously known as Street Stocks take on a more consistent diet of racing in the new year as fans will have a chance to watch the boys of dirt battle it out on a weekly basis at Weedsport. In addition to the weekly schedule, Parts Plus has partnered up with Cayuga County Fair Speedway, Canandaigua Speedway, and Rolling Wheels Speedway for a Tri-Track Championship in twenty-ten where the stars of full-fender racing vie for coveted championship of the all-new series.
Familiar faces return to the famed 3/8-miler in 2010 as the Mod Lites, 600 Micro Sprints, Midstate Vintage Stock Car Club, and the ESS Sprint Series will accompany our weekly divisions on the racing card to give fans a 360 degree view of dirt track racing with appearances throughout the season.
This year's Hall of Fame Weekend will welcome some the biggest names in dirt track racing both past and present as the Super DIRTcar Series Big Block Modifieds will take to the 3/8 mile track as a bevy of elite drivers including 2009 track champion Alan Johnson and 2009 Rite Aid 200 presented by Ferris and Snapper Mowers champion Matt Sheppard aim to take home the checkered flag on May 30ths 100-lap spectacular!
As the temperatures begin to heat up in the summer months of 2010, so will the racing! Cayuga County Fair Speedway has teamed up with Cayugas Fair Board to bring fans a SPECIAL four day racing event in conjunction with this years county fair Thursday, July 8th thru Sunday, July 11th. The Thirsty Thursday Special will give spectators a triple dose of racing as the DIRTcar Sportsman, Parts Plus DIRTcar Stock Cars Tri-Track Series, and Mod Lites will be on tap for a night of exhilarating racing! Speaking of taps, quench your thirst with an ice cold beer as Budweiser and Bud Lights will be on special for $1 along with $1 Hofman Hots all night long!
Friday, July 9th will host Weedsport's 12th Annual Pick-N-Pull Auto Parts Enduro 200 followed by Cayuga County Fairs Night of Destruction, Saturday July 10th featuring Figure 8s, Trailer Race, Jet Car Meltdown, the Human Bomb and much more! The four day extravaganza will conclude on Sunday as the 360 Sprint Cars headline Cayuga Countys first annual Wing Night.
Cayuga County Fair Speedway will unveil a brand new format for the 2nd installment of the DIRTcar All-Star Weekend July 15-17th. The three day event will kick off at Brewerton Speedway for a $3,000-to-win Super DIRTcar Big Block Series show and will reconvene to Weedsports One Speedway Drive for two days of hard-nose, gut-wrenching racing! Fans will be privy to new divisions and new formats throughout the weekend as Friday night will feature a $3,000-to-win preliminary Big Block Modified show accompanied by Rich Tobias Speedstrs.
Fans will be greeted with a brand new racing format for Saturday's finale event as last years 100-lap feature has been remixed into three features, two 25-lap features and one 50-lap for the All-Star checkered flag! Drivers will have to endure three segments of racing as the first features start will be determined by qualifying; however, the second 25-lapper will invert the drivers based on their first feature results. Before the green flag drops on the final 50 laps of All-Star racing, starting positions will be established from both of the 25-lap features! Will 2009 All-Star Champion Ryan Phelps school the field for the second year in a row or will a new All-Star be born? All your questions will be answered the third weekend of July, reserve your tickets today!
Super DIRT Week revisit Weedsport Friday, October 8th for its 39th installment as the 360 Sprints will headline Cayugas racing card along with the DIRTcar Stock Car division and Mod Lites.
Dont forget! The 2010 Kickoff Party for Cayuga County Fair Speedway and Canandaigua Speedway is March 6th at Club 86 in Geneva, NY. 2009 Awards Presentation will take place in addition to dinner and entertainment galore! Reserve your tickets today by calling the DIRTcar NorthEast office at 315.834.6606.
Cayuga County Fair Speedway Season Passes are now available. For more information, please visit www.cayugacountyfairspeedway.com or call the DIRTcar NorthEast office at 315.834.6606.
Cayuga County Fair Speedway
2010 Event Schedule
(Tentative as of 1/29 and subject to change)
Day-Date Time Events
Sat., March 6 TBD 2010 CCFS/Canandaigua Season Kick-Off Dinner and Party plus 2009 Awards Presentation
Sun, April 11 2pm Open Practice - all classes
Sun, April 18 4pm 56th Season Opener
35-lap Modified, DIRTcar Sportsman, DIRTcar Stock Cars and Battlekarz
Sun., April 25 4pm 35-lap Modified, DIRTcar Sportsman, DIRTcar Stock Cars and Battlekarz plus Figure 8's
Sun., May 2 DIRTcar Challenge Cup at Rolling Wheels
Sun., May 9 Mother's Day - No Racing
Sun., May 16 7pm Student Night - All area students admitted free
35-lap Modified, DIRTcar Sportsman, DIRTcar Stock cars and Battlekarz plus Mod Lites
Sun., May 23 7pm Scout Recognition Night - All Boy and Girl Scouts in uniform admitted free
35-lap Modified, DIRTcar Sportsman, DIRTcar Stock cars and Battlekarz plus 600 Micro Sprints
Sun., May 30 7pm DIRTcar Hall of Fame 100 and 2010 Inductions
Super DIRTcar Modified Series 100 plus DIRTcar Sportsman, DIRTcar Stock Cars, Midstate Vintage Stock Car Club plus Battlekarz
Sun., June 6 Closed for Spring Fling at Rolling Wheels
Sun., June 13 7pm Dave Farney's Jr. Flagger Show
35-lap Modified, DIRTcar Sportsman, DIRTcar Stock cars,Battlekarz and Figure 8's plus Mod Lites
Sun., June 20 7pm A Father's Day Topless Treat
Topless Modifieds 35-laps plus DIRTcar Sportsman, DIRTcar Stock Cars and Battlekarz plus 600 Micro Sprints
Sun., June 27 7pm New Graduate Recognition Night - 2010 College and High School Grads admitted free
35-lap Modified, DIRTcar Sportsman, DIRTcar Stock Cars, Battlekarz and Figure 8's plus World Famous Trailer Race
Sun., July 4 Racing at Rolling Wheels Raceway Stars and Stripes 100
Cayuga County Fair Fun Four the Family Series
(Special Four-Day Entertainment Packages Available)
Thu., July 8 7pm Thirsty Thursday Special
DIRTcar Sportsman, Parts Plus DIRTcar Stock Car Tri-Track Series 50 and Mod Lites plus Figure 8's - $1 Bud and Bud Lights and $1 Hofmann Hots all night
Fri., July 9 7pm 12th Annual Pick-N-Pull Auto Parts Enduro 200
Sat., July 10 7pm Cayuga County Fair Night of Destruction
Chris Morena's Fabulous Stunt Show plus Trailer Race, Figure 8's and Total Destruction Team Demolition Derby Challenge
Sun., July 11 7pm Wing Night - ESS 360 Sprint Cars, DIRTcar Sportsman, Battlekarz plus 600 Micro Sprints
2nd Annual DIRTcar All-Star Weekend
Fri., July 16 7pm DIRTcar All-Star Prelim Night
50-Laps Super DIRTcar Series Modifieds, DIRTcar Stock Cars plus Tobias SpdSTRS
Sat., July 17 6pm $20,000 Super DIRTcar Series All-Star Championship
plus Mr. DIRTcar Sportsman Series and Tobias SpdSTRS
Sun., Aug 1 7pm Fire and Rescue Recognition Night
Area Firefighters and Rescue Personnel Admitted Free with ID
35-lap Modified, DIRTcar Sportsman, DIRTcar Stock cars, Battlekarz plus Mod Lites
Sun., Aug 8 7pm Fan Appreciation Night - $20 Carload
35-lap Modified, DIRTcar Sportsman, DIRTcar Stock cars and Battlekarz plus Figure 8's
Sun., Aug 15 7pm Law Enforcement Recognition Night
Area Police and Prison Guards admitted free with proper ID
35-lap Modified, DIRTcar Sportsman, DIRTcar Stock Cars and Battlekarz plus 600 Micro Sprints
Sun., Aug 22 7pm Syracuse 'Orange Pride' Night
35-lap Modified, DIRTcar Sportsman, DIRTcar Stock cars and Battlekarz plus Figure 8's fans in Orange $2 off adult admission
Sun., Aug 29 7pm High School Fall Sports Spirit Night
35-lap Modified, Topless DIRTcar Sportsman, DIRTcar Stock cars and Battlekarz plus 600 Micro
Sun., Sep 5 7pm Championship Night - Double Points all Classes
Super DIRTcar Modified Series Labor Day 100 plus DIRTcar Sportsman, DIRTcar Stock Cars and Battlekarz
Fri., Oct. 8 7pm Super DIRT Week 360 Sprint Car Challenge, Parts Plus DIRTcar Stock Car Tri-Track Series Finale - 30L, Plus Mod Lites
Sat., Oct 30 2pm Halloween Havoc Enduro 100 - $1,000-to-win
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Northeast Big-Block Modifieds Set To Join 39th Florida DIRTcar Nationals Field
Weedsport, NY — February 7, 2010 — By Tom Skibinski, Super DIRTcar Series PR Director
For many of the top traveling teams, the countdown to a new season began as soon as the final checkered flew to close out the 2009 campaign. The wait is almost over as in just two more days the DIRTcar season officially kicks off a new decade of speed, with racers already vacating their Northeast garages for the chance to shine down south during the coming week.
The Super DIRTcar Series for the mighty Big-Block Modifieds kicks off the 2010 season with four non-point events as part of the 39th Annual Florida DIRTcar Nationals By University of Northwestern Ohio at Volusia Speedway Park. Five straight days of trackside activity ---including practice on February 9--- at the popular Sunshine State facility culminate Feb. 13 with a 50-lap finale offering a first-place prize of $5,000. In between, Feb. 10-12, each 30-lap DIRTcar Modified feature winner stands to collect $2,000.
Throughout the week race fans are encouraged to stroll the pits, even engage in conversation, as the chance to meet up with many of the mighty Big-Block Modified racers is no longer out of reach. A FREE Fan Pit Pass has been made available to every ticket buyer who comes through the main gates each night of the DIRTcar Nationals at VSP during race weeks. All fans have to do once they arrive at the track is take their grandstand ticket and head toward the pits, where a table will be set up to sign in for an up-close look at the cars and drivers who will be racing that night.
There will be plenty of opportunities to meet and greet the brightest stars from the Northeast, as racers representing New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Ohio and Delaware, along with the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec, are already signed up for competition. The stellar list of pre-race entries includes seven past DCN champions led by Brett Hearn (7), Danny Johnson (3), Billy Pauch (3), Alan Johnson (2), Jimmy Horton (2), Pat Ward (2) and Andy Bachetti, with 45 Florida feature wins shared along the way.
Feb. 10 grandstand general admission is $35.00 and Pit admission is $40.00; Feb. 11 grandstand GA-$39.00/pits $40.00; Feb. 12 grandstand GA-$39.00/pits $40.00; Feb. 13 grandstand GA-$39.00/pits $40.00. A ‘Super Ticket’ deal including four nights of Big-Block Racing and a pit pass for each show can be purchased for $125.00. Preferred trackside reserved motorhome parking is available at Volusia for $300 per week and $25 is the daily fee for general campground parking.
Volusia Speedway Park opens daily for Pit Pass sales beginning at 1 p.m. and gates are officially unlocked for team and spectator entry at 3 p.m. Access to the main grandstands is allowed at 5 p.m., practice and qualifying rounds are set to hit the track at 6 o’clock, and races follow at 7:30 p.m.
For additional Big-Block Modified information, log into www.superdirtcarseries.com or www.dirtcarnationals.com, where you can find complete race results for all divisions contesting in the DIRTcar Nationals. Be sure to sign up as a Super DIRTcar Series follower on Twitter by visiting http://www.twitter.com/SuperDIRTcar and receive updates anywhere at anytime as the 2010 season of Big-Block Modified racing gets underway.
39th Florida DIRTcar Nationals By UNOH Big-Block Modified Schedule
*All times and events subject to change.
General Daily Schedule:
10:00 am -- Pit Gates Open, Transporter Parking, Team Entry
1:00 pm Pit Pass Sales Open
3:00 pm Pits Cleared, Pit Passes/Credentials required
4:40pm Grandstand, Midway areas cleared.
5:00pm Grandstand Gate opens
5:00pm Drivers meetings (All draws for starting position conclude at the end of the driver’s meeting)
6:00pm Hot Laps/ Qualifying
7:20 pm Opening Ceremonies
7:30 pm First Race
Opening Night (Wed.-Feb. 10.)
26 Car Field Maximum
4 heats (8-laps) with 5 cars from each qualifying for 30-lap ‘A’ Feature
2 ‘B’-Features (10-laps) with 3 cars transferring
‘Heads Up’ Start for Feature from Qualifying events (No draw)
2nd & 3rd Nights (Thr.-Fri.)
26 Car Field Maximum
4 heats (8-laps) with 5 cars from each qualifying for ‘A’ Feature
2 ‘B’-Features (10-laps) with 2 cars transferring
2 Provisional Positions to highest finishing point earners not to qualify through the ‘B’-Features
(Top 8 – 1st and 2nd – from each heat Redraw)
Final Night (Sat.-Feb. 13)
28 Car Field Maximum
4 heats (8-laps) with 5 cars from each qualifying for ‘A’ Feature
2 ‘B’-Features (10-laps) with 3 cars transferring
2 Provisional Positions to highest finishing point earners not to qualify through the ‘B’-Features
(Top 8 – 1st and 2nd – from each heat Redraw)
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NES Geared Up For 2010 Season
New Egypt, NJ - Feb. 1, 2010 - Fresh off a successful Motorsports weekend and awards banquet, NES is prepped and ready for the 2010 season to officially begin. A full schedule of events was released this past week with plenty of dates for fans to mark their calendars in 2010.
The Plumsted, NJ four-tenths mile clay oval will host 31 racing events throughout the 2010 season. "Our schedule is solid, but there is a possibility of adding a few more special shows if everything comes together correctly," track manager Danny Serrano confirmed. "We're pretty much mirroring last year's schedule as far as having the Modifieds run every week and our support divisions (Sportsman, FASTRAK Late Models, Crate-1 Sportsman and Outlaw Stocks) race on an every other week basis."
The 13th season opener will be preceded by two open practice sessions on Wednesday, April 7 and 14. Practice is slated to start at 5p.m. and run to 9p.m.
The Tri-Track Series between the New Egypt, Bridgeport, and Georgetown Speedways will once again take place at all three tracks in 2010. NES will officially open their doors on April 17 with a 40-lap Tri-Track Cabin Fever 40 for the Modifieds, along with the Sportsman and Outlaw Stocks.
New to the scene in 2010 of course are the FASTRAK Late Models. The Late Models have replaced the Super Stocks for 2010. "FASTRAK is growing by the day. Literally," Serrano pointed out. "Tracks are signing up left and right. I guarantee you will see some other tracks closer to New Egypt sign up in the near future. We can't stress it enough. This is a building process. We know that car counts and purses will be low in the beginning but, in time you will see this division take off like it has around the rest of the country."
The Tri-State RaceSaver 305 Sprint Series will make 7 appearances at the track in 2010. "Joe Grandinetti and his guys have done a great job in organizing this group, and NES is really looking forward to seeing open wheel sprints on a semi-regular basis," Serrano added.
The Toby Tobias Jr.-designed SpeedSTR midgets are scheduled on four occasions throughout the season.
The ARDC midgets will invade NES on Tuesday, August 24 in conjunction with the Summer Sizzler Tri-Track Modified 40-lapper.
The powerful URC 360 Sprint cars will race into New Egypt on Saturday, July 3 in conjunction with a 40-lap Tri-Track Modified race and of course a great fireworks display during the holiday weekend.
Highlighting this year's schedule will be the 5th annual Friends of Mike Race, now a staple on the New Egypt schedule paying $10,000 to the Modified winner. This year's race will be held on Saturday, July 31. With the great cooperation from Bridgeport, Grandview and Orange County, these tracks have not scheduled Modifieds that night so that their drivers can compete for the $10,000 first place prize.
Another event that stands out on New Egypt's schedule is the 1st Annual John Romano Memorial. The 84-lap event will take place on Labor Day Monday, September 6 (*it should be noted that there is a misprint on the printed schedule. It is September 6th not September 5th). "John was a great competitor and an even better person," commented Serrano. "This race has the potential to be the biggest Sportsman event ever. There is going to be some great money on the line for this race and I don't see why there shouldn't be 100 cars entered. It's been a while since NJ had a Labor Day Race that the fans could attend. I don't think that this one will disappoint anyone."
Other popular race nights will return to the schedule in 2010 such as the always fan-favorite Christmas in July presented by Advantage Financial which will be held on July 17. Twin 20s return for the Modifieds on both Military Night and on Championship Night. Powder Puff races, Legends Night, Banner Night plus many other theme nights once again will take place at NES.
One thing that Serrano is pretty excited about is the Guaranteed Spot Qualifiers between all the neighboring race tracks.
"I'll tell you what. I think it's a great thing for New Egypt to work with all these tracks and offer something to all the drivers that support these tracks. It's a step in the right direction and I'm just proud to be part of it." Look for a press release coming soon regarding the qualifiers and there will be plenty of information on New Egypt's website. I have to commend Bridgeport, Grandview, Big Diamond, Orange County, Penn Can, Accord and Five Mile Point for working with NES.
Lias Tire and American Racer will once again be the official track tire at the New Egypt Speedway for the 2010 racing campaign. Also returning to the scene will be Pit Stop Tire Service which is owned and operated by four-time Modified track champion Billy Pauch. Pauch will sell the American Racing tires at the track as well as from his shop in Frenchtown, New Jersey. Insinger Performance (fuel) and Metal Fab (parts supplier) will once again provide their services for the 2010 season at New Egypt.
As in years past NES will still honor Bridgeport, Grandview and Orange County stamped American Racers (48/44 compound) when a rainout occurs at any of these three speedways. Track licenses will be honored as well for drivers and fans that want to enter the pits.
For Sunday events (Demo/Enduro Series), there will be no licenses required for entry to the pit area. $30 will be the back gate entry fee for those events for everyone. The Enduro Series grew in 2009, and 2010 looks even better for the NJ Enduro fans. There are four Enduro and demolition Derbys that are scheduled throughout the year (May 2, June 27, Aug 29 and Oct 30).
To round it all out, there are six 'Mud Hops' on Sunday afternoons (1 Friday night) which offer yet another different flavor of racing at New Egypt Speedway.
New Egypt Speedway will also be participating in the 3rd Annual Dirt Track Heroes and Car Show at the Phillipsburg Mall Show which is being held from March 7 to March 13. Wednesday, March 10 at 6pm some of the NES drivers will be on hand for interviews and autographs. There will be a table with 2010 schedules and other handy information set up at the mall show.
This year's "Winter Jam" will be held at the Cream Ridge Golf Course on Friday, February 26. Cream Ridge is located seven miles north of the track on Route 539. Pit license, pit stall spot, preferred spectator parking, and season pass applications can all be filled out and purchased when the doors open at 5pm on Friday. Schedules will be available and the NES staff will be on hand to answer any questions about the upcoming season. Food and drinks will be
available for everyone on hand.
Pit Licenses will remain at $75 as in years past if they are purchased prior to opening day (April 17). The cost for a track license will then be $100 after April 17. The pit entry fees will remain the same in 2010 for license ($30) and non-license ($40)holders.
Numerous teams have been inquiring about renting the track before the season officially starts. If you are interested in the valuable extra track time, lease contact the NES office at 609-758-1900 in order to arrange dates, pricing, and groupings. You can also visit the track website at www.newegyptspeedway.net.
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MODIFIED SUPER DIRTcar SERIES: BIG-BLOCK BLAST
Weedsport, NY — February 2, 2010 — By Tom Skibinski, Super DIRTcar Series PR Director
WHAT
The 2010 Super DIRTcar Series for Big-Block Modifieds opens a new decade of speed down south with four non-point events scheduled as part of the 39th Annual Florida DIRTcar Nationals By University of Northwestern Ohio at Volusia Speedway Park. Five straight days of trackside activity ---including practice on Feb. 9--- at the VSP facility 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.
WHERE
The spacious half-mile clay oval is located off I-95 at exit 268, then 15 miles west on State Route 40 (1.5 miles west of State Route 11) in Barberville, Fla.
WHEN
Volusia Speedwat Park opens daily for Pit Pass sales beginning at 1 p.m. and gates are officially unlocked for team and spectator entry at 3 p.m. Access to the main grandstands is allowed at 5 p.m., practice and qualifying rounds are set to hit the track at 6 o’clock, and races follow at 7:30 p.m.
39th FLORIDA DIRTcar NATIONALS - Big-Block Schedule: Feb. 10-13, 2010
*All times and events subject to change.
General Daily Schedule:
10:00 am -- Pit Gates Open, Transporter Parking, Team Entry
1:00 pm Pit Pass Sales Open
3:00 pm Pits Cleared, Pit Passes/Credentials required
4:40pm Grandstand, Midway areas cleared.
5:00pm Grandstand Gate opens
5:00pm Drivers meetings (All draws for starting position conclude at the end of the driver’s meeting)
6:00pm Hot Laps/ Qualifying
7:20 pm Opening Ceremonies
7:30 pm First Race
Opening Night (Wed.)
26 Car Field Maximum
4 heats (8-laps) with 5 cars from each qualifying for 30-lap ‘A’ Feature
2 ‘B’-Features (10-laps) with 3 cars transferring
‘Heads Up’ Start for Feature from Qualifying events (No draw)
2nd & 3rd Nights (Thr.-Fri.)
26 Car Field Maximum
4 heats (8-laps) with 5 cars from each qualifying for ‘A’ Feature
2 ‘B’-Features (10-laps) with 2 cars transferring
2 Provisional Positions to highest finishing point earners not to qualify through the ‘B’-Features
(Top 8 – 1st and 2nd – from each heat Redraw)
Final Night (Sat.)
28 Car Field Maximum
4 heats (8-laps) with 5 cars from each qualifying for ‘A’ Feature
2 ‘B’-Features (10-laps) with 3 cars transferring
2 Provisional Positions to highest finishing point earners not to qualify through the ‘B’-Features
(Top 8 – 1st and 2nd – from each heat Redraw)
TICKETS/CAMPING
Feb. 10 grandstand general admission is $35.00 and Pit admission is $40.00; Feb. 11 grandstand GA-$39.00/pits $40.00; Feb. 12 grandstand GA-$39.00/pits $40.00; Feb. 13 grandstand GA-$39.00/pits $40.00. A ‘Super Ticket’ deal including four nights of Big-Block Racing and a pit pass for each show can be purchased for $125.00. Preferred trackside reserved motorhome parking is available at Volusia for $300 per week and $25 is the daily fee for general campground parking. Reserved seat tickets for each night of the DIRTcar Nationals can be purchased on race day for an additional $2 or by going online to DIRTcarNationals.com. Fans can also call 386/985-4402 ticket information.
WEB SITES
Super DIRTcar Series at http://www.superdirtcarseries.com.
Florida DIRTcar Nationals at http://www.dirtcarnationals.com.
Volusia Speedway Park at http://www.volusiaspeedwaypark.com.
DIRTVision.com™ Cybercast at http://www.dirtvision.com.
All remain accessible 24-hours daily.
ABOUT THE TRACK
Following the purchase in New York State of DIRT Motorsports and DIRTcar Northeast charter members Cayuga County Fair Speedway and Rolling Wheels Raceway Park in the summer of 2004, along with Lernerville (PA) Speedway in March of '05, the now internationally recognized World Racing Group regime made Volusia Speedway Park its fourth track acquisition in June of ‘05. Boasting nine-degree banking and a 75-feet wide racing surface, the track was built in 1968 and the 2010 season-opener marks the 39th edition of the Florida DIRTcar Nationals exhibition. From mid-March through late September ---November is the only month no races are scheduled--- Volusia will run regular Saturday night DIRTcar/UMP sanctioned point programs consisting of Late Models, Modifieds, Sportsman, Street Stocks, V8 Thunder Stocks, 4-Cylinders and Mini Stocks, with a number of specials mixed in between. Go-Karts are slated to run again on the 1/8-mile clay oval located off turn four of the half-miler. Tonya Moschell remains the track General Manager, also heading the marketing department, while Kari Najar serves as VSP Office Manager. Along with a number of WRG corporate personnel also in attendance, DIRTcar Northeast officials assisting during the week include Joe Skotnicki (Series Race Director), Bob Dini (Chief Technical Inspector), Scott Fremouw (Technician), Gary Spaid (Chief Handicapper-Computer Scoring Operations), Jen Brown (Public Relations & PA), Dave Farney (Chief Starter) and John (Flagman) & Ellie Schrader (Pit Stewardess).
PREVIOUS WINNERS
Since hosting the inaugural “Winter Nationals” Big-Block Modified event in 1978, the storied Barberville speedplant has now staged 91 of the 108 Florida Tour feature races run in February with 2009 DCN points champion Pat Ward the 33rd driver to find victory lane. DIRTcar Racing successfully kicked off its 34th consecutive season of operation at VSP last winter with Ward (2), Brett Hearn and Jamie Mills the winners in four main events. Hearn has claimed six DIRTcar Nationals Big-Block openers dating back to 1993 ---Billy Pauch (3), Danny Johnson (2) and Jimmy Horton (2) are the only other multiple round one winners among 16 drivers--- and the Garden State chauffeur also tops the overall win list with all but three of his 19 triumphs registered at Volusia. And since reviving DIRTcar's trip south in 1998, Hearn is the lone driver to qualify for all 48 main events, placing among the front-five an unmatched total of 39 times while taking at least one checkered flag 11 of the past 12 years --- missing out only in his 2007 attempt!
DIRTcar Racing continued it's successful steak of racing down south with the 2009 Florida Tour marking the 12th consecutive trip to the 'Sunshine State' for the Super DIRTcar Series top Big-Block Modified teams. Last February was also the 25th visit to gator country since former VSP promoter Benny Corbin first enticed the northern Modifieds to visit the popular half-mile clay oval in 1978. All but four of those years' events have been sanctioned by DIRTcar.
DIRTcar Nationals By University of Northwestern Ohio
Big-Block Mod Point Champions: 1978-2009
*DIRTcar-sanctioned events.
YEAR CHAMPION (wins) TRACK(S)
*2009 Pat Ward (2) Volusia Speedway Park
*2008 Brett Hearn(1)/Billy Pauch(1) Volusia Speedway Park
*2007 Danny Johnson(2) Volusia Speedway Park
*2006 Brett Hearn(2) Volusia Speedway Park
*2005 Brett Hearn(1)/Andy Bachetti(1) Volusia Speedway Park
*2004 Pat Ward Volusia Speedway Park
*2003 Tim Fuller(1) Volusia Speedway Park
*2002 Brett Hearn(2) Putnam County, Volusia Park
*2001 Brett Hearn(3) East Bay, Volusia Park
*2000 Brett Hearn(3) Volusia Speedway Park
*1999 Jimmy Horton(1) Volusia Speedway Park
*1998 Brett Hearn(2) Volusia Speedway Park
1996-97 -no races-
*1995 Doug Hoffman(1) St. Augustine
1994 -no races-
*1993 -Invitational- Volusia County
1990-92 -no races-
*1989 Alan Johnson Volusia County
1988 Danny Johnson(1) Volusia County
*1987 Danny Johnson(3) Volusia County
*1986 Jimmy Horton(2) Volusia County
1985 Billy Pauch(3) Volusia County
1984 Kenny Brightbill(2)/Jack Johnson Volusia County
*1983 Alan Johnson East Bay, Volusia County
*1982 Jeff Kappesser(2)/Billy Pauch East Bay, Volusia County
*1981 Jack Johnson(1) Florida State Fairgrounds
*1980 Kenny Brightbill(3) Florida State Fairgrounds
1979 -no races-
1978 Walt Breeding(1) Volusia County
DIRTcar Nationals By University of Northwestern Ohio
Big-Block Modified Race Winners: 1978-2009 (108 events / 5 tracks / 33 drivers)
WINS DRIVER FIRST WIN LAST WIN
19 Brett Hearn Volusia County, 2/11/93 Volusia Park, 2/14/09
11 Danny Johnson Volusia County, 2/9/87 Volusia Park, 2/17/07
9 Kenny Brightbill Volusia County, 2/13/78 Volusia County, 2/13/87
8 Doug Hoffman Volusia County, 2/18/84 Volusia Park, 2/14/98
6 Jack Johnson Tampa Fairgrnds, 2/14/81 Volusia County, 2/14/89
6 Jimmy Horton Volusia County, 2/12/86 Volusia Park, 2/16/08
5 Tim Fuller Volusia Park, 2/15/01 Volusia Park, 2/16/07
5 Billy Pauch Volusia County, 2/11/85 Volusia Park, 2/13/08
3 Merv Treichler Volusia County, 2/13/82 Volusia County, 2/17/83
3 Doug Ingalls East Bay, 2/15/83 Volusia County, 2/16/84
3 Jamie Mills Volusia Park, 2/15/00 Volusia Park, 2/13/09
2 Will Cagle Volusia County, 2/17/78 Volusia County, 2/18/78
2 Tommy Hager Volusia County, 2/16/78 Tampa Fairgrnds, 2/8/80
2 Gary Iulg Volusia County, 2/12/78 East Bay, 2/8/82
2 Jeff Kappesser East Bay, 2/7/82 Volusia County, 2/10/82
2 Kenny Tremont Volusia County, 2/13/93 Volusia Park, 2/12/99
2 Bob McCreadie Volusia Park, 2/10/99 Volusia Park, 2/16/01
2 Billy Decker Volusia Park, 2/12/04 Volusia Park, 2/16/05
2 Pat Ward Volusia Park, 2/11/09 Volusia Park, 2/12/09
1 Lou Lazzaro Volusia County, 2/10/78
1 Walt Breeding Volusia County, 2/11/78
1 Kevin Collins Tampa Fairgrounds, 2/13/81
1 Ray Dalmata Volusia County, 2/15/84
1 C.D. Coville Volusia County, 2/16/85
1 Alan Johnson Volusia County, 2/11/86
1 Richie Tobias Jr. Volusia County, 2/13/89
1 Jeff Heotzler St. Augustine, 2/14/95
1 Steve Paine St. Augustine, 2/16/95
1 Tim McCreadie Volusia Park, 2/16/02
1 Craig VonDohren Volusia Park, 2/11/03
1 J.R. Heffner Volusia Park, 2/13/04
1 Andy Bachetti Volusia Park, 2/15/05
1 Dale Planck Volusia Park, 2/15/08
2009 FLORIDA DIRTcar NATIONALS REVIEW
Central New York chauffeur Pat Ward captured the 38th DCN Championship for Big-Blocks, yet unlike his ’04 title that ended with rain and without a victory, the Genoa, N.Y. veteran opened ’09 with back-to-back wins and held off Massachusetts star Andy Bachetti to wear his second crown. Jamie Mills claimed the third 30-lapper before Brett Hearn regrouped to cop the 50-lap finale and tie Dale Planck for third in the finale mini-series point standings.
Feb. 11: Ward has been coming to Volusia Speedway Park every year since 2001. Perseverance paid off on Wednesday in his 34th try at taming the Barberville half-miler as the 51 year-old wheelman captured opening night honors in the 38th DIRTcar Nationals By UNOH. His 68th career DIRTcar Big-Block triumph was the first ever in Florida for the 2004 DIRTcar Nationals points champion, after scoring a pair of second-place finishes five years earlier. Following a lengthy duel with second-generation standout Matt Sheppard, Ward staved off a late-race rally by runner-up Dale Planck with Andy Bachetti, early race leader Dan Vauter from Pennsylvania and all-time Florida DIRTcar Nationals Big-Block race winner Brett Hearn from Sussex, New Jersey rounding out the front-five. Hard-charging Delaware driver Jamie Mills charged from 20th to garner sixth at the checkers, with Sheppard’s teammate Jeff Brownell Jr., fourth year Modified pilot Matt Jester, Eastern New Yorker Keith Flach and DIRTcar Big-Block career feature winner Alan Johnson completing the top-10 in the 14-minute finale. Vauter jumped past pole-sitter Sean Beardsley at the outset with Ward following suit from his fourth-place starting position on the 27-car grid. Planck was on the move from his 11th-place start and so was seventh starting Sheppard, who cracked the top-five with three laps down. Vauter continued to set the early pace yet with five laps scored Sheppard had moved in to challenge runner-up Ward while Planck blasted into fifth behind Bachetti two laps later. Spending only a short time shadowing the leaders, Sheppard suddenly shot down low exiting turn four and overtook both Ward and Vauter on lap nine yet turn one traffic just in front foiled any chance of ‘Super Matt’ maintaining the advantage as he dropped back to third just as fast. Ward waited only two more times around before pouncing on the chance to grab his first lead from Vauter on lap 12. Sheppard was far from surrendering as he surged into second the following circuit in the JB Motorsports no. 9s Xtreme Lubricants/Bicknell car. He pulled right up to Ward’s rear bumper across the line on lap 24 and the following circuit made a second bid for the lead with just a handful of circuits to go. But turn three contact between the front-runners resulted in the difference as Ward kept control on the high side while Sheppard was forced to the infield pits to replace a shredded right-rear tread and join the back of the pack before it was all over. Planck was in prime position on the ensuing restart to challenge for his second Volusia victory in the last two trips south, yet Ward was just as focused on his first win in Florida and turned back a last turn, last lap move by the ‘Natural’ to hold on for a two car-length margin and a $2,000 payday in the 34th DIRTcar opener in the Sunshine State.
Feb. 12: Twenty-four hours earlier, Pat Ward was winless in 33 straight Big-Block Modified feature events run at Volusia Speedway Park. After round two of the 38th Annual DIRTcar Nationals By UNOH at the ultra-fast Barberville, Florida oval, Ward is undefeated in two tries with no signs of slowing down in the potent LJL Racing no. 42P Gypsum Express/Bicknell entry. Mirroring the 30-lap Modified main held the night before, just two caution periods slowed the finale that needed only 16 minutes to complete. Ward did lead 19 laps in the Wednesday opener after starting fourth, yet despite starting on the pole Thursday he grabbed the lead from Jeff Brownell Jr. on lap 22 and ran out front the rest of the way. Following Ward across the line were Matt Sheppard and Brett Hearn, who slipped past Brownell on the final circuit, and Keith Flach to fill out the front-five. Andy Bachetti, Dale Planck, Jim Rasey, Ray Swinehart and Dave Camara rounded out the top-10 while Guy Sheldon (19th) was the last driver to complete the entire distance. Ward crossed the line second in the first of three heats, yet when it was time for the top-two finishers from each qualifier to re-draw, the Genoa, New York veteran pulled the #1 pill to land the pole-position start. But when the first green flag waved, Brownell charged from outside the second row and overtook front row partners Ward and Keith Flach to set the early pace. Continuous green flag action around the spacious half-miler kept all eyes on the leaders as they ducked in and out of traffic lap after lap. Jamie Mills finally slipped high and rapped the turn one outside wall to require the first caution flag on lap 13; Canadian Tim Kerr parked his mount high against the turn one wall to cue the only other yellow flag on lap 24. At the halfway mark, Ward remained closest to leader Brownell with Sheppard, Hearn and Dale Planck filing into front-five slots. The battle out front raged on for a half-dozen more circuits until Ward swept high around Brownell in turns three and four to forge the only lead change on lap 22. Brownell tried relentlessly to regain his lost ground the following lap with contact made on the home stretch, yet Ward remained unrattled and stayed in control for the duration.
Feb. 13: Following two straight days of misfortune, Friday the 13th was a blessing for Jamie Mills as he outlasted a late-race charge by Billy Decker to claim a narrow victory at Volusia Speedway Park. Mills’ third career DCN Big-Block Modified feature win at the popular Barberville, Florida speedplant was worth $2,000 for the Blue Hen Racing team. Over the final five laps Decker cut a half straightaway deficit to just three car-lengths at the stripe to secure runner-up honors in his ’09 DIRTcar Nationals Big-Block debut. Dale Planck settled into third for his second climb up the podium this week while Thursday night runner-up Matt Sheppard and opening night third-place finisher Andy Bachetti rounded out the front-five in the 30-lap finale. Early race leader Jimmy Horton, second-generation upstart Rex King Jr., pole-sitter Randy Chrysler, two-time Florida Tour ’09 winner and points leader Pat Ward, and 2008 DIRTcar Racing Northeast Motorsports Safety Systems/G-FORCE Big-Block Modified Rookie of the Year By ButlerBuilt Larry Wight filled out the final top-10. Luck of the draw among the top-two qualifiers in each heat put Chrysler on the point yet outside pole-sitter Horton carried the momentum high out of turn four to lead the 26-car pack around the fast half-miler. The first caution came with just one lap scored and with the yellow lights still on, Ward made an unexpected trip down pit row to change a left-rear tire. Back under green flag conditions, Horton was only able to hold back Mills for just one more lap as the Delaware driver blasted from sixth aboard the no. 30 I.G. Burton Car Dealership/Bicknell machine and forged the final lead change on lap three in a bold three-wide maneuver down the back stretch that disposed of both Horton and Chrysler. In one of the most dramatic incidents of Race Weeks ’09 ---definitely the most serious in three days of Big-Block racing--- veteran Alan Johnson slammed into the parked vehicle of Jeff Brown between turns three and four to force out a rare red flag. ‘A.J. Slideways’ was uninjured after the spectacular spill yet owner Bob Schneider’s wadded up Troyer mount was scraped off the track and loaded into the hauler to begin an early trip back up north. With a pair of caution periods also slowing the initial two feature races, the second yellow flag flew on lap six in Friday’s main when Keith Flach slowed low exiting the first turn. Ward was once again involved in the early race mishap that turned out to be the last break in the action as the final 25 laps were run off caution-free with an unexpectedly close finish filling the bill.
Feb. 14: Brett Hearn just loves Valentine’s Day. Especially when its spent in victory lane at Volusia Speedway Park with a $5,000 check written in his name. For the fifth time in the past six Big-Block Modified mains held on February 14 at the popular Barberville, Florida oval, Hearn has been the first under the checkered flag. The New Jersey speedster wrestled away the lead from Andy Bachetti with nine laps to go and held on to close out the 38th Annual DIRTcar Nationals By UNOH with a timely triumph in the Sunshine State on Saturday. Two-time feature winner Pat Ward posted his third top-five finish in the four-race mini tour to secure his second Florida DIRTcar Nationals points title and was joined by Jeff Brownell Sr., who participated in the awards ceremonies by presenting $500 in cash and $500 in Xtreme Lubricants Gear Lube and/or Hi-Performance Race Oil to the overall series winner. Bachetti’s second-place run was good enough to also place him second on the final points chart with Matt Sheppard and reigning Mr. DIRTcar Champion Billy Decker leading Ward across the stripe to fill out the front-five. Friday night winner Jamie Mills, Dale Planck, Jimmy Horton, Keith Flach and Frenchman Mario Clair rounded out the top-10, the last to complete the entire 50-lap distance. While a brief shower beginning at the end of heat race qualification moistened the half-mile oval and delayed the program for nearly an hour, the track turned out to be the driest it had been all week for the Modifieds. Pole-sitter Bachetti’s spirits were not dampened a bit as he out-dragged front-row partner Decker after a pre-race draw determined the first three rows in the 26-car Big-Block field. Decker took command on lap three following an early yellow flag yet three more cautions over the next four laps kept the field in check. Bachetti in the Steve Hough Motors/PMC mount remained on Decker’s rear bumper through every slowdown until returning to the point on the lap 12 restart. With the green lights remaining on for good, the leaders reached traffic at the halfway mark as they jockeyed for position lap after lap during the second half of the race. While Decker faded before the midway mark, frontrunners Bachetti and Hearn seemed to pull away at will. Ward improved to third with 15 laps to go before losing his brakes and opening back up the door for Sheppard and Decker to pass through on lap 38. Inching closer and closer with each passing lap, Hearn finally slipped under Bachetti in turn three on lap 42 and when the checkered flag unfurled the ‘Jet’ had authored a resounding victory by a full five car-lengths at the stripe.
2009 Florida DIRTcar Nationals: Volusia Speedway Park/Barberville
Final Big-Block Modified Point Standings
PTS CAR# DRIVER / HOMETOWN
208 42p PAT WARD/Genoa,NY
202 34 Andy Bachetti/Sheffield,MA
196 77x Dale Planck/Cortland,NY
196 20 Brett Hearn/Sussex,NJ
172 30 Jamie Mills/Milford,DE
157 9s Matt Sheppard/Waterloo,NY
151 43 Keith Flach/Ravena,NY
144 29 Jeff Brownell Jr./Waterloo,NY
144 5 Jimmy Horton/Neshanic Station,NJ
143 85 Dan Vauter/Forest City,PA
118 22c Mario Clair/St-Edmond,QUE
116 91 Billy Decker/Unadilla,NY
115 62 Matt Jester/Lincoln,DE
114 26 Dave Camara/Poultney,VT
114 99L Larry Wight/Phoenix,NY
112 165 Rex King Jr./Bristolville,OH
111 32 Jim Rasey/Southington,OH
106 88k Randy Chrysler/Lewiston,NY
103 17 Sean Beardsley/Central Square,NY
93 1 Darwin Greene/Susquehanna,PA
92 14j Alan Johnson/Middlesex,NY
90 8 Rich Scagliotta/Bound Brook,NJ
87 07 Tim Kerr/Picton,ONT
84 33t Brad Trice/Parsonsburg,MD
81 79 Jeremy Markle/Port Jervis,NY
80 48too Dave Rauscher/Waterloo,NY
79 42 Guy Sheldon/Nassau,NY
76 52 James Friesen/St.Catharines,ONT
70 97 Michel Chicoine/Ste-Cecile,QUE
54 t21 Roger Chrysler/Lewiston,NY
52 9 Jeff Brown/Parsonsburg,MD
50 5b Brian Sadler/Erie,PA
40 33 Ray Swinehart/Bechtelsville,PA
10 923 Colin Jackson/Peckville,PA
HEARN HONES IN ON RECORD 7th MR. DIRTcar CHAMPIONSHIP
All-time Super DIRTcar Series winner Brett Hearn continued to reign supreme over the Big-Block Modified world in 2009 by capturing a record 7th overall Hoosier Tire-VP Racing Fuels Mr. DIRTcar Championship. The ‘Corporate Jet’ parked the Madsen Motorsports no. 20 Wentworth Custom Homes-Kruger-WLR/TEO mount in the winner’s circle on 3 occasions to extend his all-time high series count to 103, figuring in tour bests of 13 top-5 and 17 top-10 finishes in the 20-race title run. The Sussex, N.J. speedster finished the ’09 series campaign leading seven main events for 391 laps, posting 7 heat race wins and setting an Integra Shocks Fast Time en route to the $50,000 grand prize. A career year for runner-up Matt Sheppard in the JB Motorsports no. 9s XTreme Lubricants/Bicknell entry culminated with a late-season flurry that put him just four points back of Hearn, although the Super DIRT Week ‘Rite Aid 200’ winner still topped the demanding DIRTcar Northeast circuit with 20 feature victories. Among the most consistent racers in the region, top-three contender Jimmy Phelps followed suit behind the wheel of the H&H Motorsports no. 98H Wave Energy Drink /Troyer machine, finishing in the front-four in points for the third straight year. Defending Mr. DIRTcar champ Billy Decker aboard the LJL Motorsports no. 91 Gypsum Wholesalers-Stadium Int'l-Quality Hardwoods/Bicknell ride placed fourth followed by rising series star Justin Haers, who jump from 10th in points to 5th steering the Haers Bros. Racing no. 3 Phelps Cement Products-SMV Motorsports-Jeff Jolly Masonry/Bicknell machine. 2009 Motorsports Safety Systems/G-Force Big-Block Modified Rookie of the Year Rich Scagliotta finished 17th on the final points chart steering his self-owned no. 8 Central Jersey Trailer & Hitch Depot-Adamsville Maintenance/Troyer
2009 Overall Hoosier Tire-VP Racing Fuels Mr. DIRTcar Modified/Super DIRTcar Series Point Standings (FINAL Top-50)
1. Brett Hearn 2,044
2. Matt Sheppard 2,040
3. Jimmy Phelps 1,887
4. Billy Decker 1,881
5. Justin Haers 1,751
6. Gary Tomkins 1,686
7. Ryan Phelps 1,634
8. Danny Johnson 1,559
9. Alan Johnson 1,341
10. Mike Storms 1,318
2009 Super DIRTcar Series Race Winners
NP=Non-Point event.
DAY-DATE LAPS TRACK Winner/Rite Aid 200 Qualifier
Wed-Feb 11 Volusia Speedway Park-NP Pat Ward
Thr-Feb 12 Volusia Speedway Park-NP Pat Ward
Fri-Feb 13 Volusia Speedway Park-NP Jamie Mills
Sat-Feb 14 Volusia Speedway Park-NP Brett Hearn
Sat-Mar 28 Hagerstown Speedway rain-cancelled
Sun-Apr 26 Big Diamond Raceway Duane Howard
Sat-Jun 6 Lebanon Valley Speedway Matt Sheppard
Sun-Jun 7 Airborne Speedway rain-cancelled
Wed-Jun 17 Orange Co Fair Speedway Billy Decker
Fri-Jul 3 Ransomville Speedway Brett Hearn
Sat-Jul 4 Fulton Speedway Alan Johnson
Thr-Jul 9 Brockville Ont Speedway B.Hearn/Pat O’Brien
Fri-Jul 10 Autodrome Granby B.Decker/Jimmy Phelps
Sat-Jul 18 Cayuga Co Fair Speedway Ryan Phelps
Sun-Jul 19 Cayuga Co Fair Speedway R.Phelps/Tim Fuller
Mon-Aug 3 Merrittville Speedway M.Sheppard/Pat Ward
Fri-Aug 7 Brewerton Speedway M.Sheppard/Danny Johnson
Sat-Aug 8 Canandaigua Speedway T.Fuller/Gary Tomkins
Fri-Aug 21 Can-Am Motorsports Park M.Sheppard/Dale Planck
Sun-Aug 23 Cornwall Motor Speedway J.Phelps/Pierre Dagenais
Thr-Aug 27 Lebanon Valley Speedway B.Decker/Eddie Marshall
Sun-Sep 6 Cayuga Co Fair Speedway B.Decker/Justin Haers
Mon-Sep 7 Rolling Wheels Raceway B.Hearn/Steve Paine
Sun-Sep 20 Autodrome Drummond M.Sheppard/David Hebert
Sat-Sep 26 Rolling Wheels Raceway M.Sheppard (7th), B.Hearn (8th)
Sun-Oct 11 New York State Fairgrnds Matt Sheppard
Hoosier Tire-VP Racing Fuels Mr. DIRTcar Big-Block Modified Champion
YEAR CHAMPION (wins) ROOKIE of the YEAR
2009 Brett Hearn (3) Rich Scagliotta
2008 Billy Decker (10) Larry Wight
2007 Brett Hearn (7) Mike Bowman
2006 Alan Johnson (6) Kenny Stafford
2005 Tim Fuller (6) Stewart Friesen
2004 Gary Tomkins (4) Justin Hears
2003 Alan Johnson (6) Matt Sheppard
2002 Alan Johnson (5) Joe Beyea
2001 Brett Hearn (7) Frankie Caprara
2000 Steve Paine (4) Jeff Brownell
1999 Danny Johnson (2) Josh Skarzenski
1998 Billy Decker (6) Todd Milton
1997 D.Johnson (7)/B.Hearn (5) Tim McCreadie
1996 Brett Hearn (5) Vic Coffey
1995 Bob McCreadie (6) Tim Fuller
1994 Bob McCreadie (9) Jamie Mills
1993 Brett Hearn (5) Scott Schrader
1992 Danny Johnson (6) Ricky Elliott
1991 Doug Hoffman (5) Lenny Boyd
1990 Brett Hearn (7) Scott Prentice
1989 Danny Johnson (7) John Ventura
1988 Jack Johnson (2) Mike Jeffery
1987 Jack Johnson (2) Steve Behrent
1986 Charlie Rudolph (1) Jim Ruston
1985 Jack Johnson (1) Rich Burgess
1984 Jack Johnson (3) Ray Underwood
1983 Alan Johnson (4) Jimmy Begolo
1982 Jack Johnson (2) Randy Glenski
1981 Alan Johnson (2) Craig Keel
1980 Jack Johnson (5) Roger Phelps
1979 Will Cagle Jim Jarvis
1978 Will Cagle Jerry Knox
1977 Dave Lape Rick Martell
1976 Will Cagle -----
Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modified Winners: 1980-2009 (639 events / 45 tracks / 69 drivers)
WINS DRIVER FIRST WIN LAST WIN
103 Brett Hearn Lebanon Valley, 7/15/81 Rolling Wheels, 9/7/09
66 Danny Johnson Fonda, 9/25/82 Orange County, 10/19/08
53 Billy Decker Lebanon Valley, 9/18/88 Cayuga County, 9/6/09
51 Bob McCreadie Ransomville, 9/10/82 Rolling Wheels, 9/4/00
51 Alan Johnson Ransomville, 6/27/80 Fulton, 7/4/09
28 Jack Johnson Cayuga County, 7/16/80 Orange County, 6/14/01
27 Steve Paine Canandaigua, 9/7/85 Can-Am, 8/18/07
26 Doug Hoffman Orange County, 10/25/87 Lowe's, 4/6/02
18 Tim McCreadie Rolling Wheels, 9/26/99 Drummond, 8/23/04
18 Tim Fuller Rolling Wheels, 9/21/03 Canandaigua, 8/8/09
17 Gary Tomkins Hagerstown, 3/30/02 Cornwall, 8/17/08
16 Jimmy Horton Lebanon Valley, 7/8/80 Susquehanna, 6/15/06
13 Kenny Tremont Lebanon Valley, 7/9/92 Lebanon Valley, 7/7/05
12 Matt Sheppard Drummond, 7/12/04 NYS Fairgrounds, 10/11/09
9 Kenny Brightbill Fonda, 10/18/87 Bridgeport, 6/19/97
8 Frank Cozze Orange County, 10/22/89 NYS Fairgrounds, 10/12/08
7 Billy Pauch Flemington, 7/27/89 New Egypt, 6/22/05
7 Jeff Heotzler Orange County, 7/26/89 Orange County, 10/21/07
6 Dave Lape Rolling Wheels, 7/5/82 Fonda, 7/24/91
6 Joe Plazek Brewerton, 6/28/94 Rolling Wheels, 9/1/97
5 Will Cagle Erie County, 9/20/80 Rolling Wheels, 9/27/81
5 Pete Bicknell Humberstone, 8/23/84 NYS Fairgrounds, 7/3/02
5 Dale Planck Cornwall, 7/9/06 Drummond, 7/12/08
5 Jimmy Phelps Brewerton, 8/30/06 Cornwall, 8/23/09
4 Carl Reynolds Five Mile Point, 7/12/80 Five Mile Point, 10/17/81
4 Merv Treichler Cayuga County, 9/20/81 Lebanon Valley, 8/9/84
4 C.D. Coville Fonda, 4/19/80 Devil's Bowl, 8/29/84
4 Kevin Collins Fonda, 7/25/90 Fonda, 8/16/94
4 Bobby Varin Fonda, 8/16/95 Orange County, 10/26/03
3 Charlie Rudolph Fonda, 10/16/83 Ransomville, 9/5/86
3 Chuck McKee Orange County, 8/16/98 Orange County, 8/1/02
3 Pat Ward Can-Am, 7/16/98 Cayuga County, 9/4/05
3 Andy Bachetti Lebanon Valley, 8/5/04 Lebanon Valley, 9/7/08
2 Mike McLaughlin Canandaigua, 9/6/80 Rolling Wheels, 9/28/80
2 Don McGinnis Merrittville, 9/11/83 Canandaigua, 9/17/83
2 Tommy Corellis Lebanon Valley, 9/14/80 Lebanon Valley, 9/14/86
2 Davey Moore Ransomville, 8/4/81 Humberstone, 9/10/87
2 Rich Ricci Jr. Lebanon Valley, 7/28/94 Lebanon Valley, 9/7/97
2 J.R. Heffner Lebanon Valley, 8/10/00 Lebanon Valley, 9/9/06
2 Pat O'Brien Can-Am, 7/17/90 Brockville, 7/10/07
2 Vic Coffey NYS Fairgrounds, 10/13/02 NYS Fairgrounds, 10/7/07
2 Ryan Phelps Cayuga County, 7/18/09 Cayuga County, 7/19/09
1 Bernie Griffin Five Mile Point, 7/12/80
1 Lou Lazzaro Canandaigua, 7/23/80
1 Chuck Akulis Five Mile Point, 10/18/80
1 Harvey Hainer Ransomville, 9/11/81
1 Dick Larkin NYS Fairgrounds, 9/6/82
1 Gary Iulg Rolling Wheels, 9/6/82
1 Ken Brenn Jr. NYS Fairgrounds, 7/3/83
1 Larry Brolsma Orange County, 9/10/83
1 Freddy Brightbill New Venture, 9/29/85
1 Rich Eurich Orange County, 10/23/88
1 Kenny Schrader Sanair, 7/9/89
1 Geoff Bodine Thompson, 8/6/89
1 Mike Romano Fonda, 10/15/89
1 Reggie Ruggiero Thompson, 7/29/90
1 Walt Mitchell Woodhull, 7/31/91
1 Doug Worthing Five Mile Point, 8/14/91
1 Ron Smoker Merrittville, 8/5/92
1 Richie Tobias Jr. NYS Fairgrounds, 10/11/92
1 Danny O'Brien Can-Am, 8/30/95
1 Jimmy Hauser NYS Fairgrounds, 7/7/96
1 Eddie Marshall NYS Fairgrounds, 9/6/99
1 Steve Poirier Drummond, 7/8/02
1 Kevin Bolland Lowe's, 4/5/03
1 Ricky Elliott Lowe's, 4/3/04
1 Keith Hoffman New Egypt, 10/13/07
1 H.J. Bunting Georgetown, 7/17/08
1 Duane Howard Big Diamond, 4/26/09
NEWS & NOTES
Fans & Racers On Collision Course At DIRTcar Nationals: The 39th Annual DIRTcar Nationals By UNOH at Volusia Speedway Park will be filled with the world’s greatest dirt track racers. Fans will once again be the beneficiaries they’ll be part of the face-to-face confrontations when action turns pitside during the 12-day Florida fling. There may even be time for some Big-Block banter with the mighty Big-Block Modified racers from the Northeast as a FREE Fan Pit Pass has been made available to every ticket buyer who comes through the main gates each night of the DIRTcar Nationals at VSP during race weeks. All fans have to do once they arrive at the track is take their grandstand ticket and head toward the pits, where a table will be set up to sign in for an up-close look at the cars and stars who will be racing that night.
Shannon Dietrich Is Big-Block ‘Fan Of February’ At Volusia: Shannon Dietrich from downstate New York was among four lucky fans that won a free hotel stay and two tickets to the 2010 Florida DIRTcar Nationals By UNOH, Feb. 2-13, at Volusia Speedway Park. Partnering through the internet with 4m.net, Hoseheads.com, STLRacing.com and DirtTrackDigest.com, VSP officials laid down the challenge in December and Dirt track fans from across North America responded, with the other winners coming from New Mexico, Oregon and South Dakota to receive their due rewards in the weeks ahead. Dietrich’s family has been going to Volusia for three years. She got the tickets for her father, a devout Jerry Higbie rooter, as a Christmas gift but is counting on going to the races to cheer for Danny Johnson.
Mightiest Of Big-Block Mods Set Sights On Sunshine State Success: With more than 40 race teams towing south from six states and two Canadian provinces, bragging rights are certainly on the line as some of the most accomplished drivers ever to buckle into a Big-Block have only four nights to settle the score. Including Super DIRTcar Series career leaders Brett Hearn (103 wins) and Danny Johnson (66), the star-studded cast of performers signed up accounts for over 2,450 feature wins on the demanding DIRTcar Racing Northeast circuit. Ten of those 26 winners have reached Volusia’s hallowed victory lane, including Hearn, Ward and Jamie Mills from last year’s visit to the storied Barberville oval. Listed high atop that same chart are a handful of drivers accounting for nearly a dozen Florida Tour point titles spread over the past quarter-century, guaranteeing that the trackside intensity will reach a fever pitch as they all look to retain their stronghold in this heavyweight division.
2010 Super DIRTcar Series
39th DIRTcar Nationals Big-Block Modified Roster (thru Feb. 2)
Car# Driver/Hometown Team (Sponsor / Chassis / Engine)
0 Richie Pratt Jr./Woodbury Heights,NJ South Jersey Overhead Door/TEO/DDE
01 Brett Ballard/Pennsville,NJ South Jersey Overhead Door/TEO/DDE
07 Tim Kerr/Picton,ONT Hubert Kerr Construction/Bicknell/Enders
1 Darwin Greene/Susquehanna,PA Greene Quality Bluestone-Big Diamond Tools/Bicknell/Jensen Tech
1f Stewart Friesen/Niagara-o-t-Lake,ONT Pizza Logs-Jeff Daley&Sons Oil-Westmoreland Golf Club/TEO/Enders
1p Billy Pauch/Frenchtown,NJ K&A Excavating Contractors-Pioneer Pole Buildings/Bicknell/Morrison
3d Dexter Stacey/Kahnawake,QUE Bully's Truck Stop-CFF,Inc.-Unicast Crusher Parts/Bicknell/Morrison
6 John Stangle/Neshanic Station,NJ Active Disposal-Lightning Delivery-Metro Optics/TEO/VanHorn
7 Rick Laubach/Quakertown,PA Benton Electric & Elevator-Jones Racing Products/TEO/Enders
8 Rich Scagliotta/Bound Brook,NJ Central Jersey Trailer & Hitch Depot-Adamsville Maintenance/Troyer/Feil
8r Rob Bellinger/Dexter,NY Westward Painting-Coffin Excavation-Lake Ontario Realty/Troyer/Finger Lakes
9s Matt Sheppard/Waterloo,NY Xtreme Lubricants/Bicknell/C.C. Performance
10v Bobby Varin/Sharon Springs,NY Commercial Roofing & Sheetmetal-JWJ Container-Gypsum/Bicknell/Morrison
14 Jimmy Horton/Neshanic Station,NJ Alpha Distribution Solutions-McKeansburg Hotel/TEO/Enders
14j Alan Johnson/Middlesex,NY Sue Johnson Racing/Bicknell/Jimmy D's Speed
19h Chris Higgins/Syracuse,NY Transportation Repair Service-JLRB Construction/Bicknell/Higgins Performance
20 Brett Hearn/Sussex,NJ Madsen Mtrspt-Wentworth Custom Homes-Benjamin Moore Paints/TEO/Enders
21k Randy Chrysler/Lewiston,NY TIBchurch.org-Signal Cigarettes-Randy's Smoke Shop/Bicknell/Mr. E
t21 Roger Chrysler/Lewiston,NY Frontenac Water-Randy's Smoke Shop-Joey's Sneaks-NECO/Bicknell/Nickel
22 Mario Clair/St-Edmond,QUE ResistO-Batiments JDL-Motel Drummond-Freightliner/Bicknell/Morrison
23 Billy VanInwegen/Sparrowbush,NY Len & Jo's Restaurant/Bicknell/Precision
29 Jeff Brownell Jr./Waterloo,NY Xtreme Lubricants/Bicknell/C.C. Performance
30 Jamie Mills/Milford,DE I.G.Burton Car Dealership-ReMax Realtor-L&W Ins./Bicknell/H&G Associates
33 Ray Swinehart/Bechtelsville,PA J & L Speed Supplies/Bicknell/Malcuit
34 Andy Bachetti/Sheffield,MA Steve Hough Motors/PMC/JPM
m40 Mark Forte Jr./Blue Anchor,NJ Forte Motorsports/TEO/Finger Lakes
r40 Ryan Forte/Blue Anchor,NJ Forte Motorsports/TEO/Finger Lakes
42p Pat Ward/Genoa,NY Gypsum Express,Ltd./Bicknell/Kevlar
43 Keith Flach/Ravena,NY Flach Crane & Rigging-Gould Erectors & Riggers/Bicknell/Enders
48too Dave Rauscher/Waterloo,NY Magee Transportation Services-Monadnock Disposal Service/Bicknell/Morrison
49er Danny Johnson/Rochester,NY Nick Nero Motorsports/Bicknell/Hi-Performance Chevrolet
56 Vince Vitale/Phoenix,NY Affordable Landscaping-V & V Racing/Troyer/Enders
65 Rex King/Bristolville,OH Midway Garage Doors-RD Bank Chevrolet-GS Engine Poer/Bicknell/Jim Bailey
66w Wallace Stacey/Kahnawake,QUE Bully's Truck Stop-CFF,Inc.-Unicast Crusher Parts/Bicknell/Morrison
77x Dale Planck/Cortland,NY RezX Racing-Twin Leaf/Bicknell/Kevlar
79 Jeremy Markle/Port Jervis,NY Len & Jo's Restaurant-Advance Recovery/Bicknell/Precision
85 Dan Vauter/Forest City,PA Vauter Racing/Bicknell/Enders
85j H.J. Bunting III/Milford,DE J&M Roofing & Builders-Art Collins Trucking/TEO/Medford Speed
91 Billy Decker/Unadilla,NY Gypsum Wholesalers-Stadium Int'l-Quality Hardwoods/Bicknell/Kevlar
97 Michel Chicoine/Ste-Cecile de Milton,QUE GMCI Express-E.Beaudry Enterprises/Bicknell/Enders
98h Jimmy Phelps/Baldwinsville,NY HBR Motorsports-Wave Energy Drink-Mohawk Northeast/Troyer/Bruneau
99L Larry Wight/Phoenix,NY Gypsum Express,Ltd./Bicknell/Kevlar
165 Rex King Jr./Bristolville,OH Jim Brown Seed Sales-Reese Services-Cintas/Bicknell/Jim Bailey
VP Racing Fuels Powers DIRTcar Northeast Circuit: VP Racing Fuels continues in its second full season after signing a multi-year agreement in 2009 to be the Official Racing Fuel of the Super DIRTcar Series, World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series and the World of Outlaws Late Model Series, as well as every division of DIRTcar Racing and UMP DIRTcar Racing, along with a number of regional touring series that fall under the DIRTcar banner. The multi-faceted deal kicks off a second decade in the newest millennium with the season-opening DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH at Volusia Speedway Park, where VP will be the sole fuel supplier at the high speed, half-miler.
Nothing Stands In the Way Of Great Race Action At Volusia: Racers in action during the 39th Annual Florida DIRTcar Nationals By UNOH will use just about every inch of the Volusia Speedway Park monster half-mile oval, and fans filling the grandstands will continue to witness every breathtaking move all 12 nights of racing the first two weeks in February. Race haulers in the infield will once again be limited in height to 9 feet, 6 inches enabling the clearest sightlines for every seat in the house. Fans sitting toward Turn 4 can see a pass for the lead in the second corner and those sitting in Turn 1 will see potential slide jobs in Turn 4 for many of those same drivers destined to win.
39th DIRTcar Nationals Showcased On DIRTVision.com:
Race fans unable to make the annual trek south to Volusia Speedway Park for the 39th Annual Florida DIRTcar Nationals By University of Northwestern Ohio need not worry. All 12 nights (Feb. 2-13) of the Nationals will air LIVE once again on www.dirtvision.com beginning approximately at 7pm each night. Flag-to-Flag video coverage will begin Tue., February 2 with the UMP DIRTcar Modifieds, as well as a 410 Sprint Car test session. Coverage will continue through Sat., Feb. 13, featuring the All-Star 410 Sprints, World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series, UMP DIRTcar Late Models, World of Outlaws Late Models, and the Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modifieds.
DIRTVision.com users can purchase a subscription for only $34.99, which includes all 12 nights of LIVE video. To purchase a subscription simply log into www.dirtvision.com and click on the subscription tab at the top of the screen. If you are not already a user with DIRTvision.com, you will need to log on to the site and set-up a username and password for FREE, and then surf to the subscription page. For more information on the 39th running of the DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH at Volusia Speedway Park, please visit www.dirtcarnationals.com or www.volusiaspeedwaypark.com.
39th Annual DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH Event Schedule (LIVE Video)
Tuesday, Feb. 2nd – UMP Modifieds, 410 Sprint Car Test
Wednesday, Feb. 3rd – All Star 410 Sprints, UMP Modifieds
Thursday, Feb. 4th – All Star 410 Sprints, UMP Modifieds
Friday, Feb. 5th – World of Outlaws Sprints, UMP Modifieds
Saturday, Feb. 6th – World of Outlaws Sprints, UMP Mod Gator Qual. #1
Sunday, Feb. 7th – World of Outlaws Sprints, UMP Mod Gator Qual. #2
Monday, Feb. 8th – UMP Late Models, UMP Mod Gator Championship
Tuesday, Feb. 9th – UMP Late Models, UMP Modified Twin 25’s
Wednesday, Feb. 10th – UMP Late Models, SDS Big-Block Modifieds
Thursday, Feb. 11th – World of Outlaws Late Models, SDS Big-Block Modifieds
Friday, Feb. 12th – UMP Late Models, SDS Big Block-Modifieds
Saturday, Feb. 13th – World of Outlaws Late Models, SDS Big-Block Modifieds
UPCOMING EVENT
The 2010 Super DIRTcar Series point race schedule for Big-Block Modifieds takes the green flag further north in the springtime. Hagerstown (Md.) Speedway is slated to host the Big-Block tour opener on March 27 when all the Series stars compete in the 100-lap North-South Shootout paying the winner $6,000 from the total purse in excess of $27,000.
2010 Super DIRTcar Series Schedule
*All events subject to change.
NP=Non-Point event; SP=Show-Up point event; TBA=To Be Announced.
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 Grandview Speedway Bechtelsville,PA
Wed-Jun 16 100 Orange Co. Fair Speedway Middletown,NY
Wed-Jun 23 100 Mohawk Int’l Raceway Akwesasne,NY
Sun-Jul 4 100 Rolling Wheels Raceway Elbridge,NY
Sun-Jul 11 100 Cornwall Motor Speedway Cornwall,ONT
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-Jul 19 100 Autodrome Granby Granby,QUE
Tue-Jul 20 100 Autodrome Drummond Drummondville,QUE
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-Sep 18 100 Mohawk Int’l Raceway Akwesasne,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
-TBA- Big Diamond Raceway Minersville,PA
DIRTcar Racing Northeast main office is located in Weedsport, New York on the Cayuga County Fairgrounds, home of DIRTcar All-Star Weekend in July. DIRTcar Northeast’s crown jewel event ---Super DIRT Week at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse runs annually in October featuring Hoosier Tire-VP Racing Fuels Mr. DIRTcar Championship Series events for Big-Block Modified, 358-Modified, Sportsman and Pro Stock divisions. Ticket and schedule information is available by contacting the Weedsport office (315/834-6606) during the day or logging into www.superdirtweekonline.com anytime.
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Modified Tour set for MRP action on June 19
Officials of The Modified Tour, Inc. and Mercer Raceway Park are pleased to announce that the touring series will return to the track on Saturday, June 19, 2010.
“There was some confusion and concern when the track’s 2010 opener was switched from a Modified Tour event to a UFo Late Model race,” said Modified Tour President, Lou Long. “However, we continued negotiations with Vicki Emig and reached agreement on terms for a substitute date.”
The Modifieds have had a long tradition at Mercer Raceway Park. Although the track hosts weekly 358 Modified competition, there will be several Big Block Modified specials during 2010 at the Park. Nearby Sharon Speedway has agreed not to run the Big Blocks on June 19, so a banner field is expected.
The Modified Tour presented two programs at Mercer Raceway Park in 2009, with victories going to three-time Tour champion Rex King, Sr. and Jeremiah Shingledecker.
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MODIFIED TOUR DISTRIBUTES RECORD BOUNTY, NEW PRESIDENT ANNOUNCED
The BRP/Hoosier Tires Modified Tour closed out the 2009 season if fine style Saturday, January 30, at Big Daddy’s Speed Center in Grove City, PA. The Modified Tour distributed over $42,000, a record amount in cash and contingency awards, to the top 25 racers participating in the regional series. In addition, Ray Baselj, Modified Tour President, publicly announced a transition in the leadership of the non-profit sanctioning body.
Rex King, Sr., claimed the largest share of the loot for his third Modified Tour point championship. Coming off season-ending surgery, few would have predicted that the veteran from Bristolville, OH would enjoy as much success as he did in 2009. However, King Sr. blasted from ninth to a heat race win on opening night at Mercer Raceway Park and it was Game ON! He cruised to an easy feature win that night, his first of two on the season. However, he had to overcome some gremlins in the engine room midseason and fight back to regain the points lead. Runner-up Del Rougeux, Jr. and third place Dave Murdick each took their turns leading the points chase while King Sr. had his slump. However, King Sr. scored a fifth place finish in the finale at Lernerville Speedway to nail down the title by a mere five points.
Jeremiah Shingledecker and Joe Crawford rounded out the top five in points. Interestingly, the top five in points also made up the top five in two feature races during the 2009 season, albeit in a slightly different finishing order.
Rex King, Jr., Brad Rapp, Gary Smoker, Mike Turner and Mark Frankhouser finished in positions six through ten. Each received a check for at least $1,000, along with their contingencies.
Special awards were also given for performance in the 2009 season. The Pennsylvania Army National Guard Heat Race Challenge award went to Rex King, Sr., who chalked up five heat race wins. The Hard Charger Award was Jeremiah Shingledecker, who passed the most cars in feature event competition. Ryan Hall claimed the Rookie of the Year title. And, the award that no driver wishes to receive, the Hard Luck award, was given to Dean Pearson.
“We were extremely proud to be able to reward the racers who support this series,” Baselj said. “The Board works very hard to raise this money and gather the product sponsors; just as the racers work very hard to put on tremendous programs for the fans,” he added. “I would also be remiss if I did not recognize the promoters who give us the opportunity to present these exciting races at their fine facilities.”
The award ceremonies were a bittersweet moment for Baselj, who acted as the master of ceremonies and host for the big event. Citing personal reasons relating to his health and business, Baselj made the emotional announcement that he was stepping down as the President of the Modified Tour. At a recent Board meeting, Vice President Lou Long was selected to succeed him.
“Ray left a big set of shoes for me to fill,” Long said. “He accomplished so much during his tenure and that is truly remarkable considering the challenges that he faced.” Baselj is a cancer survivor and he operates two businesses. “Fortunately, Ray is not leaving the Tour completely.” Long explained, “Ray agreed to remain as a Board member and he will be the Vice President and Director of Marketing.” “I will draw upon his experience and knowledge of the racing industry as we forge ahead.”
The Modified Tour is still working on the 2010 schedule. Currently, there are confirmed dates at Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Motor Speedway (May 29), Tri-City Speedway (July 4) Sharon Speedway (July 7 and September 18) and Midway Speedway (October 2). The Modified Tour has received commitments from Lernerville Speedway and West Virginia Motor Speedway, but actual race dates have yet to be set. Negotiations are still in progress to secure additional races from several of the traditional venues that have supported the Modified Tour. Announcements will appear on the website, www.modifiedtourinc.com, as details are filled in.
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HENDRICKSON, HILL, KORMANN AND CONAWAY HONORED AS 2009 CHAMPIONS AT BRIDGEPORT SPEEDWAY’S ANNUAL BANQUET
BRIDGEPORT, NJ (January 31, 2010) - The final chapter in the 2009 season at Bridgeport Speedway occurred on Saturday, January 30th with the annual awards banquet at the Dover Downs Hotel and Casino. Despite the snowy weather, a good crowd was on hand to see accolades presented to the top finishers in each class as well as numerous specialty awards during the night’s activities. The points fund of nearly $50,000 was doled out by Bridgeport Speedway management.
The top honoree of the night was Wade Hendrickson from Lawrenceville, NJ. The 2009 Big Block Modified champion was handed a check for $10,527 for winning his second career title at Bridgeport Speedway.
Chad James wound up in second place in the final point chase while Ryan Watt finished in third. Jimmy Horton and young Matt Harrell filled out the top five. Scott Irwin, Jimmy Chester, Mike Barone, Mike Franz and Ron Roberts completed the top ten in points.
For the second year in a row, Jesse Hill from Barnsboro, NJ was officially crowned the champion in the 358 Sportsman division. Second spot in the final 2009 point standings was Brett Ballard with Jarrad Miller in third place. 358 Sportsman rookie Travis Hill finished in fourth with Chuck Hopkins taking fifth in the final standings. Rounding out the top ten in points in 2009 were Ron Roberts, Sean Gunther, Frank Dorry, Jr., Jack Swain and Dan Cogdill.
Eric Kormann from Vineland, NJ received his second career championship in the GM Sportsman division. Finishing only nine points behind Kormann in second place was Neal Williams. Bob Burgess wound up in third with Tom Moore Jr. in fourth and Michael Cogdill in fifth. Kyle Borror, Corey Anderson, rookie Billy Martino, Chuck Buchman and David Bell completed the second half of the top ten.
The 2009 Proformance Cuts Outlaw Stock title was given to Pat Conaway from Williamstown, NJ. Jeremy Doerr took the runner up spot with Terry Griffin taking third place honors. Dean Woolford and Bob Hopely filled out the top five finishers.
Collegiate Living.com, Hampton Inn, Hoffman Brothers Speed & Performance, LIAS Tire, MSP Equipment Rental, Proformance Cuts, RMP Powertrain Solutions, Stewart Stainless Supply, and Sunoco received Sponsor Awards for their involvement during the 2009 season. Veteran car owners Billy Chester and Frank Franz were honored for their longtime support of Bridgeport Speedway.
Also, Bridgeport Speedway management announced that 2010 opening night for the 5/8th dirt oval will be on Saturday, April 10th. Practice day for the 5/8th mile speedway will be on Saturday, March 27th.
Micro-Sprints and 4-Cylinder Stock Cars will have practice on the 1/4 mile speedway on Sunday, March 28th with the season opener on the inner oval set to take place on Friday, April 2nd. Georgetown Speedway will host its first show in 2010 on Saturday, April 3rd.
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.
SPECIALTY AWARDS
Hard Charger
GM Sportsman – Neal Williams
358 Sportsman – Brett Ballard
Big Block Modified – Chad James
Hard Luck
Proformance Cuts Outlaw Stocks – Bill Miller
GM Sportsman – Chuck Buchman
358 Sportsman – Dan Cogdill
Big Block Modified – Stephen Durand
Most Improved
Proformance Cuts Outlaw Stocks – Terry Griffin
GM Sportsman – Tom Moore, Jr.
358 Sportsman – Frank Dorry, Jr.
Big Block Modified – Matt Harrell
Mechanic of the Year
Proformance Cuts Outlaw Stocks – Tony Wallace, Jr. (Mechanic for Pat Conaway)
GM Sportsman – Charlie Kormann (Mechanic for Eric Kormann)
358 Sportsman – Bill Hill (Mechanic for Jesse and Travis Hill)
Big Block Modified – Mark Marrotta (Mechanic for Wade Hendrickson)
Rookie of the Year
GM Sportsman – Billy Martino
358 Sportsman – Travis Hill
Big Block Modified – Mike Barone
Sportsmanship Award
Proformance Cuts Outlaw Stocks – Jay Chaikin
GM Sportsman – Doug Urbano
358 Sportsman – Ron Roberts
Big Block Modified – Mike Barone
George Wingate Memorial Award – Hugh Snyderman
Walt Chernokal Memorial Award – Ken Kuhlman
Bridgeport Appreciation Awards – Brett Ballard, Sue & Jake Hebert, Chad James, Joe Ruchlewicz & Jill Epler
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Record Watch In Effect During Big-Block DIRTcar Nationals At Volusia
Weedsport, NY – January 28, 2010 – By Tom Skibinski, DIRTcar Racing Northeast PR Director
The 39th Florida DIRTcar Nationals By University of Northwestern Ohio is shaping up to be one of the most competitive ever at Volusia Speedway Park when the mighty Big-Block Modifieds from the Northeast invade gator country in less than two weeks.
With more than 40 race teams towing south from six states and two Canadian provinces, bragging rights will be on the line as some of the most accomplished drivers ever to buckle into a Big-Block machine have only four nights to settle the score. Trackside intensity is guaranteed to reach a fever pitch in light of the traditional interstate rivalries intact, while most of the top point chasers from last season’s Super DIRTcar Series are already registered looking to retain their stronghold over the division’s all-time heavyweights.
“This year we’ll be a lot more focused at Volusia, not even bringing the late model down,” commented Billy Decker, who placed 2nd and 4th running just two of the four shows last February after dabbling in the World of Outlaws’ top full-fender division. Third all-time up north with 53 series triumphs, the Unadilla, N.Y. invader hasn’t put the LJL Racing no. 91 Gypsum Wholesalers-Stadium Int'l-Quality Hardwoods/Bicknell into Volusia’s victory lane since 2005, although his Gypsum Express teammate Pat Ward cracked the winner’s circle twice last winter to claim his second DCN title. A two-time overall Hoosier Tire-VP Racing Fuels Mr. DIRTcar Champion, Decker is still in search of his first DIRTcar Nationals points crown.
“The (entry) list definitely looks strong this year but that makes no difference to us. We still go out to win every race and if we do our job we’ll always be capable of that. Volusia is certainly a unique place, the things we try there don’t really apply at the tracks up north and we can’t go in using the same combination that worked closer to home. Just wish the shows could pay a little more with such a quality field, it’ll be a challenge even to finish in the top-5 when in reality that’s nothing to be ashamed of. If we can win, that’s what were supposed to do, and if not I’ll still be mad as hell all the way home,” remarked Decker, the sixth winningest Big-Block driver in DIRTcar history with 186.
Decker ranks among the favorites on a preliminary roster that recently ballooned to 43 pilots heading to Florida for a week of high speed short track activity. Including Super DIRTcar Series career leaders Brett Hearn (103 wins) and Danny Johnson (66), the star-studded cast of performers signed up accounts for over 2,450 feature wins on the demanding DIRTcar Racing Northeast circuit. Ten of those 26 winners have reached Volusia’s hallowed victory lane, including Hearn, Ward and Jamie Mills from last year’s visit to the storied Barberville oval.
Many more will be looking to rewrite the record book when the DIRTcar Nationals Big-Block lid-lifter hits the track Wed., February 10 with a 30-lap feature headlining the program. Ground-pounding action continues with 30-lap feature events on Thursday and Friday before a big $5,000-to-win 50-lapper brings the curtain down Sat., Feb. 13. An optional practice day is open for all Modified teams entered on Tue., Feb. 9.
“Every year we go down the field seems to get a little tighter from top to bottom,” noted DIRTcar Northeast’s career Big-Block Modified win leader Alan Johnson from Middlesex, New York. Age certainly translates into more experience as 52 year-old ‘A.J. Slideways’ is the only driver to register at least one feature win every season since the DIRTcar organization was launched in 1976; yet only one came at Volusia in 1986 for the two-time Florida DCN high point man.
“Can’t really pinpoint any particular reason why there haven’t been a few more wins. I like the track, its just not easy to win with a lot of good cars in the line-up every year. There’s not too many slouches that make this trip, everybody going down expects to win. I’ve had plenty of good finishes over the years, obviously just not good enough lately,” added Johnson, who owns a DIRTcar NE high total of 364 Big-Block wins and 114 more in Small-Block competition over the past 34 years.
Since the legendary Lou “Monk” Lazzaro first reached victory lane at Volusia in 1978, 108 BB-Modified features have been chronicled in the Sunshine State with New Jersey veteran Hearn saluted in the winner’s circle for the 19th time following his 50-lap triumph last February. In just two more weeks Decker, Johnson and Hearn will be joined in gator country by past Florida tour winners Danny Johnson (11), Jimmy Horton (6), Billy Pauch (5), Jamie Mills (3), Andy Bachetti, Dale Planck and Ward. Since the return of Big-Block racing to Volusia in 1998, Hearn has won at least one feature every year except for 2007 to remain atop the all-time list.
Tickets remain on sale for the 39th Annual DIRTcar Nationals, February 2-13, available for any individual night and also in blocks for each headline division at Volusia. Along with the Big-Block Modifieds, competition also features Sprint Car racing (Feb. 3-7), Late Model action (Feb. 8-13) and UMP/DIRTcar Modified activity (Feb. 2-9).
A FREE Fan Pit Pass has been made available to every ticket buyer who comes through the main gates each night of the DIRTcar Nationals at VSP beginning on Feb. 2. All fans have to do once they arrive at the track is take their grandstand ticket and head toward the pits, where a table will be set up to sign-in for an up-close look at the cars and stars who will be racing that night. To purchase tickets call Volusia Speedway Park at 386/985-4402, for more information visit www.DIRTcarNationals.com.
Big-Block Modified news is always available on-line at www.superdirtcarseries.com and www.dirtcar.com. Be sure to sign up as a Super DIRTcar Series follower on Twitter by visiting http://www.twitter.com/SuperDIRTcar and receive updates anywhere at anytime as the 2010 season gets underway. A direct connection to all the happenings at Volusia in February can also be made by registering on http://www.twitter.com/DIRTcarNats.
All-Time Florida DIRTcar Nationals Big-Block Modified Winners: 1978-2009
(108 events / 5 tracks / 33 drivers)
WINS DRIVER FIRST WIN LAST WIN
19 Brett Hearn Volusia County, 2/11/93 Volusia Park, 2/14/09
11 Danny Johnson Volusia County, 2/9/87 Volusia Park, 2/17/07
9 Kenny Brightbill Volusia County, 2/13/78 Volusia County, 2/13/87
8 Doug Hoffman Volusia County, 2/18/84 Volusia Park, 2/14/98
6 Jack Johnson Tampa Fairgrnds, 2/14/81 Volusia County, 2/14/89
6 Jimmy Horton Volusia County, 2/12/86 Volusia Park, 2/16/08
5 Tim Fuller Volusia Park, 2/15/01 Volusia Park, 2/16/07
5 Billy Pauch Volusia County, 2/11/85 Volusia Park, 2/13/08
3 Merv Treichler Volusia County, 2/13/82 Volusia County, 2/17/83
3 Doug Ingalls East Bay, 2/15/83 Volusia County, 2/16/84
3 Jamie Mills Volusia Park, 2/15/00 Volusia Park, 2/13/09
2 Will Cagle Volusia County, 2/17/78 Volusia County, 2/18/78
2 Tommy Hager Volusia County, 2/16/78 Tampa Fairgrnds, 2/8/80
2 Gary Iulg Volusia County, 2/12/78 East Bay, 2/8/82
2 Jeff Kappesser East Bay, 2/7/82 Volusia County, 2/10/82
2 Kenny Tremont Volusia County, 2/13/93 Volusia Park, 2/12/99
2 Bob McCreadie Volusia Park, 2/10/99 Volusia Park, 2/16/01
2 Billy Decker Volusia Park, 2/12/04 Volusia Park, 2/16/05
2 Pat Ward Volusia Park, 2/11/09 Volusia Park, 2/12/09
1 Lou Lazzaro Volusia County, 2/10/78
1 Walt Breeding Volusia County, 2/11/78
1 Kevin Collins Tampa Fairgrounds, 2/13/81
1 Ray Dalmata Volusia County, 2/15/84
1 C.D. Coville Volusia County, 2/16/85
1 Alan Johnson Volusia County, 2/11/86
1 Richie Tobias Jr. Volusia County, 2/13/89
1 Jeff Heotzler St. Augustine, 2/14/95
1 Steve Paine St. Augustine, 2/16/95
1 Tim McCreadie Volusia Park, 2/16/02
1 Craig VonDohren Volusia Park, 2/11/03
1 J.R. Heffner Volusia Park, 2/13/04
1 Andy Bachetti Volusia Park, 2/15/05
1 Dale Planck Volusia Park, 2/15/08
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‘Immovable Object’ vs. ‘Unstoppable Force’: Hearn & Sheppard Clash
Weedsport, NY – January 26, 2010 - By Tom Skibinski, Super DIRTcar Series PR Director
In a classic paradox played out in the World of Warcraft, two of the most recognized factions are identified as the ‘Immovable Object’ and ‘Unstoppable Force’ by thousands of online gamers across the land.
On the DIRTcar Northeast circuit, the Big-Block Modified battles are just as fierce between reigning Hoosier Tire-VP Racing Fuels Mr. DIRTcar points king Brett Hearn and rising heir to the throne Matt Sheppard, two of the most familiar combatants taking up sides trackside in their quest to conquer the competition.
When the 39th Florida DIRTcar Nationals By University of Northwestern Ohio gets underway, the often ‘immovable’ Corporate Jet and seemingly ‘unstoppable’ Super Matt will be ready to pick up where they left off last season, each looking to establish themselves as the man to beat when the Big-Blocks take center stage February 10-13 at Volusia Speedway Park.
“At this rate, Matt may someday be in a league all by himself,” figured Hearn, 51, responding to the question of retirement and who will succeed the Sussex, N.J. speedster atop the Modified world. “Right now nobody at his age has as much knowledge and experience, what’s needed to get the job done.”
“He’s proven his commitment to racing over the years, and there aren’t too many around that can work on the car everyday throughout the season. A lot of drivers have other jobs and can only show up at the races. Matt’s probably more like me when it comes to preparation, he’s a hands-on guy who has been successful working his way up,” added Hearn, prominent pilot of the Madsen Motorsports no. 20 Wentworth Custom Homes-Benjaimin Moore Paints-Kruger-WLR/TEO entry and a 7-time Florida DCN points champion with a winter tour best total of 19 feature wins.
Second-generation standout Sheppard is still in search of his first visit to victory lane in gator country, albeit this February will mark just his fifth race weeks while Hearn has journeyed south annually since 1998.
“I’d like to think we have as good a shot as anybody winning Mr. DIRT, but so do a lot of others,” remarked Sheppard, 27, who won the final three Super DIRTcar Series shows last season ---including the Super DIRT Week Rite Aid 200 finale at Syracuse--- to finish just four points behind Mr. DIRTcar titlist Hearn. The Waterloo, N.Y. warrior also led the Northeast with 20 Big-Block triumphs in ‘09.
“Brett had a good year, not phenomenal, yet he started out so strong that everybody had to play catch-up. We’ll just have to out-perform him like we did at the end of last year. But starting out this early its really hard to tell much until the season unfolds. A lot depends on who gets hot, has their program in order and can keep finishing up front,” noted Sheppard, who will be back aboard the potent JB Motorsports no. 9s XTreme Lubricants/Bicknell machine for a third season.
Among the 40 Northeastern Modified teams signed up for Florida, Hearn and Sheppard will contend together for the first time in 2010 when the Big-Blocks square off in a 30-lap feature Feb. 10 at Volusia. Activity continues with 30-lap main events on Thursday and Friday before a big $5,000-to-win 50-lapper brings the curtain down Sat., Feb. 13. An optional practice day is set for Tue., Feb. 9.
Tickets are on sale now for the 39th Annual DIRTcar Nationals, February 2-13, available for any individual night and also in blocks for each headline division at Volusia. Along with the Big-Block Modifieds, competition also features Sprint Car racing (Feb. 3-7), Late Model action (Feb. 8-13) and UMP/DIRTcar Modified activity (Feb. 2-9).
A FREE Fan Pit Pass has been made available to every ticket buyer who comes through the main gates each night of the DIRTcar Nationals at VSP beginning on Feb. 2. All fans have to do once they arrive at the track is take their grandstand ticket and head toward the pits, where a table will be set up to sign-in for an up-close look at the cars and stars who will be racing that night. To purchase tickets call Volusia Speedway Park at 386/985-4402, and for more information visit www.DIRTcarNationals.com.
Big-Block Modified news is available online at www.superdirtcarseries.com, and by signing up on http://www.twitter.com/SuperDIRTcar fans can receive updates anywhere at anytime as 2010 gets underway. Be the first to find out about all the happenings at Volusia by registering on http://www.twitter.com/DIRTcarNats.
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Bar Raised For 2010 All-Star Weekend: Shaken With A Twist
2nd annual destination event features exciting new format at Cayuga County Fair Speedway plus Brewerton Speedway in July!
Weedsport, NY — January 24, 2010 — By Tom Skibinski, DIRTcar Racing Northeast PR Director
All signals are green as DIRTcar All-Star Weekend returns to Cayuga County Fair Speedway for the second straight year, July 16-17, featuring two spectacular days of short-track action at the northeastern hub of DIRTcar Racing in Weedsport, N.Y.
Fans can get an early taste of Big-Block Modified racing Thursday, July 15 when All-Star Weekend kicks off at Brewerton (NY) Speedway with a special Super DIRTcar Series shootout with the 50-lap winner collecting $3,000.
Cayuga County Fair Speedway’s program begins Friday with a Super DIRTcar Series preliminary event paying $3,000 to the winner of the 50-lap affair. Then, all the attention Saturday turns to the 2nd Annual All-Star 100 on the historic 3/8-miler, in 2010 boasting a wild new format that is guaranteed to keep the competition keen for the distance.
“Last season was just the beginning, we’re excited to introduce a new format this year which should provide fans a real treat when July arrives,” remarked Roger Slack, World Racing Group’s Executive Vice-President of Events, after addressing an enthusiastic media gathering Saturday during Lenny Sammons’ Motorsports 2010 at the Phildadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, Pa. “I think the new formula truly embodies all the elements of DIRTcar Racing in the Northeast, and we’ll be showcasing those strengths and traditions throughout the entire weekend.”
“ASW now begins with a midweek special, opening up Thursday at Brewerton and then continuing to the track where it all began, the first DIRTcar track, the place where Glenn Donnelly made 1 Speedway Drive one of the most famous destinations in short-track racing. The 2010 edition puts the spotlight on two storied speedways for a true summer classic, each boasting two distinct racing surfaces that are within close driving distance for campers and fans.”
“Come feature time on Saturday we’re still ready to hand out $20,000, but maybe not to the same Big-Block driver as there will now be three pieces to the 100-lap puzzle. The first $5,000-to-win 25-lap segment represents the famous Modified qualifying format while the second 25-lap segment, which also pays $5,000-to-win, incorporates an inversion representative of the tough handicapping system that drivers face at their weekly tracks and the importance of a driver’s ability to search out new lines, pass and work traffic to get to the front in a short amount of time. The 50-lap finale ultimately pits the top stars side-by-side against one another in a long distance special for the big $10,000 prize,” added Slack, who served as General Manager at The Dirt Track @ Charlotte (NC) when the Super DIRTcar Series debuted there in 2001.
When DIRTcar All-Star Weekend ’10 officially launches at Cayuga County, joining the mighty Big-Block Modifieds on Friday alongside their Super DIRTcar Series showdown and all-out ‘Exemption Dash’ will be the DIRTcar Stock Cars (Street Stock). A Hoosier Tire-VP Racing Fuels Mr. DIRTcar Sportsman Championship Series event has been scheduled on Saturday while details in a rare appearance by the Tobias SpeedSTRs are currently being finalized. Additional ASW events are pending at this time.
Saturday’s century shootout will be divided into three segments, with each offering separate purses. Integra Shocks Time Trials, heat race and consolation round qualifying will set the line-up for the first 25 laps and an inversion will determine the starting grid for the second 25-lapper, with each winner pocketing $5,000. Combined finishes from both races will then decide the field for the 50-lap finale that rewards the winner with a $10,000 top prize.
“Super DIRT Week is still our biggest attraction in autumn, and now we’re making All-Star Weekend the biggest spectacle of the entire summer to showcase short track stars in our region,” said Cayuga County Fair Speedway General Manager Cory Reed. “Those that attended last year know it’s a destination event like no other, and with $100,000 on the line for racers it’s a can’t miss show on everyone’s calendar.”
To capture an event of this magnitude ranks high on any driver’s list of career accomplishments. Last year’s inaugural winner Ryan Phelps not only scored his first-ever Super DIRTcar Series victory, the 2nd-generation standout from nearby Fulton, N.Y. swept the weekend doubleheader to gain instant notoriety as a star of the future.
“The All-Star wins certainly top the list, hopefully they’re a stepping stone to winning a bunch more this season,” commented Phelps, 25, who eventually placed 7th in the overall Hoosier Tire-VP Racing Fuels Mr. DIRTcar Championship points chase. “I think winning both days showed it wasn’t a fluke, and we did well the rest of the year, too. We proved that we’re capable of running with the best guys consistently.”
“Winning at Weedsport was definitely special. I’ve been going there since I was a kid, it’s where I cut my teeth in both Big-Block and Sportsman. And it was especially nice coming so close to home where it meant just as much for our crew and sponsors. It kind of changed our whole mindset from that day on that we could win a series race wherever we go,” Phelps added.
Reserved seats and reserved camping for DIRTcar All-Star Weekend at Cayuga County go on sale in the coming weeks at the speedway office (315/834-6606) and online at www.allstar100weekend.com. A two-day (Fri-Sat) reserved ticket purchased in advance is only $39 for a limited time and includes a Friday pit pass. Camping permits are $50 for reserved spots and $30 for general camping while the popular Infield Tailgate Party offering trackside parking and access to the infield stage will again be offered.
For additional information, contact Cayuga County GM Cory Reed (315/224-9009) in the DIRTcar Racing Northeast Office (315/834-6606) or Series Director Joe Skotnicki (704/796-4566) during normal business hours. Surf the Web at www.allstar100weekend.com as well as www.cayugacountyfairspeedway.com and www.superdirtcarseries.com anytime to find out more about the ‘10 race season.
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BANQUET PLANS CONFIRMED; SCHEDULE IN PROGRESS
The Board of the Modified Tour, Inc. met Wednesday to finalize plans for the 2009 Banquet and Awards Ceremonies and to discuss the schedule for the 2010 season.
The BRP/Hoosier Tire Modified Tour will close the books on the 2009 season on Jnauary 30. The Banquet and Award Ceremonies will be held at Big Daddy's Speed Center, 139 Gasper Road, Grove City, PA. Once again, the event will be a covered dish social, and guests are asked to bring an entre and a side dish or desert. "It will be a festive affair, as usual," said President Ray Baselj. Guests are encouraged to call ahead to 724-458-6465 to ensure that sufficient tables and seating are in place. The fun will start at 6:00 p.m.
At the Banquet, the Modified Tour will distribute its point fund and contingency prizes to the top 25 drivers. "Desite the turbulent economy and despite losing four races to inclement weather, we finished the year stronger than ever," Baselj reported to the Board. "The tracks, our sponsors and our Board stepped up to make sure that there would be no diminution in the payoff to our loyal competitors," he added. Rex King, Sr. will take home the lion's share, of course, in recognition of his third Modified Tour championship.
Baselj apologized to the Board for getting a bit behind in formulating the 2010 schedule. "By the end of December last year, we had our schedule done; but this year my health slowed me down," he explained. However, while in a wheelchair recovering from off-season hip surgery, Baselj was working the crowd at the annual Parts Peddler show in Syracuse and he has been burning up the phone lines, all on behalf of the Nodified Tour. "I really need to thank Lou Long, Bill Bauer and Rick Hall for jumping in to help me with the 2010 schedule," he said.
The Board was briefed on the status of the 2010 schedule. "We have confirmed race dates for Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Motor Speedway (May 29), Sharon Speedway (September 18) and Tri-City Speedway (July 4), and other dates are still in negotiation with each of those tracks," Baselj said. "Gary Risch, Jr. (Track Manager at Lernerville Speedway) has assured me that there will be at least one Tour stop at the Action Track, and we are working toward another program," he added. Race dates for Lernerville will be confirmed after Risch returns from the DIRTcar Nationals in February. Baselj informed the Board that a return engagement to Expo Speedway is anticipated, but the race date must be approved by the Trumbull County Fair Board and that will not occur until about a month before the race.
Baselj also reported to the Board on the loss of two anticipated race dates. Mercer Raceway Park changed its opening event from the Modified Tour to a UFo Late Model program. However, efforts are still underway to secure a Modified Tour date later in the Park's 2010 season. Eriez Speedway declined to renew its place on the Modified Tour schedule, citing the difficult economy and a plan to cut back on the number of special events the track will hold in 2010. "Eriez remains interested in the Modified Tour and, hopefully, it can return to the fold in 2011," Baselj noted.
"We also expect to make some exciting announcements about new programs at new venues and we hope that the pieces will fall into place by the time the Banquet rolls around so that a formal release can be made."
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Redline Speedway 2010 schedule
April
17 Practice All Division (SATURDAY)
24 Practice All Division (Saturday)
30 Mods, Crate, SS, IMCA, Mini, FWD
May
7 Mod's, Crate, SS, IMCA, Mini, FWD
14 Crate, SS, IMCA, Mini, FWD
21 Mod's, Crate, SS, IMCA, Mini, FWD
28 Mod's, Crate, SS, IMCA, Mini, FWD
June
4 410 Express Sprints , SS, IMCA, Mini, FWD
11 Mod's, Crate, SS, IMCA, Mini, FWD
18 Mod's, Crate, SS, IMCA, Mini, FWD
25 Mod's, Crate, SS, IMCA, Mini, FWD
July
2 Crate, SS, IMCA, Mini, FWD
9 Crate, SS, IMCA, Mini, FWD
16 Mod's, Crate, SS, IMCA, Mini, FWD
23 Mod's, SS, IMCA, Mini, FWD (Crates at CC)
30 Off for Troy Fair
August
6 Mod's, Crate, SS, IMCA, Mini, FWD
13 Mod's, Crate, SS, IMCA, Mini, FWD
20 410 Express Sprints , SS, IMCA, Mini, FWD
27 Crate, SS, IMCA, Mini, FWD
September
3 Mod's, Crate, SS, IMCA, Mini, FWD
10 30 Lap Crate, SS, IMCA, Mini, FWD
17 50 Lap Mod's, SS, IMCA, Mini, FWD
24 40 Lap SS, IMCA, Mini, FWD END POINTS
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