RICCI HOLDS OFF HEARN TO WIN EXCITING BIG BLOCK SMALL BLOCK RoC KING OF THE CATSKILLS SHOOTOUT AT ACCORD…. WARD CLINCHES RoC DART DIRT MODIFIED TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP FOR SECOND YEAR IN A ROW

BY JR KENENRUP

Accord, NY … A classic racing battle took place on Friday night at the Accord Speedway during the Race of Champions Dart Dirt Modified Tour sanctioned “ King of the Catskills “ 100 lap feature. Local favorite, ten time track champion Rich Ricci, Jr. of New Paltz, NY who has raced thousands of laps on the tight Ulster County bull ring. Used all of his track experience and expertise running a three year old Precision built big block motor on this night to win his third consecutive “ King of the Catskills “ title.

Ricci held off the relentless challenges of Sussex, NJ dirt driving superstar Brett Hearn over the final 75 laps to win the $5,000 first place prize. Ricci and Hearn were side by side racing for the lead without contact nearly every lap during the final 20 laps of the exciting crowd pleasing event.

Third generation racer Danny Tyler of Cottekill, NY scored his best ever RoC finish with a solid third place finish. Passing honors in the race belonged to the “ Middletown, NY  Missile “ Chuck McKee who started 18th and finished fourth. Billy Van Pelt of Westfield, Pa. a long time short track racing standout finally had some luck go his way on the RoC Tour as he ended up fifth.

With a sixth place finish Pat Ward of Genoa, NY earned enough points to claim the 2008 Race of Champions Dart Dirt Modified Tour, his second in a row. Ward will be collecting the $7,000 first place point fund award for only nine races of work at the RoC Banquet in January.

“That was a tough race “ said the happy and smiling race winner. “ I mean there were 27 of the best cars out there and they’re all fast. The track was super tonight, incredibly fast tonight; it’s an accomplishment to lead all 100 laps tonight with the talent that was in the field. “

Danny Tyler and Rich Ricci, Jr. brought the 27 car field down to Kenny Marshalls’ green flag to start the highly anticipated event. Ricci would jump out to the lead over Tyler, Alan Rudalavage, Billy Van Pelt, and Jeff Heotzler. Van Pelt and Heotzler would team up to pass Rudalavage on the next circuit placing them in third and fourth.

Brett Hearn would start making his presence felt driving the Vinnie Salerno Four Star Racing small block entry as he moved into fifth on lap eight. Meanwhile up front Van Pelt impressively drove by Tyler for second and starting to place pressure on Ricci for the lead.

On  a lap 15 restart Van Pelt and Ricci were side by side for the lead until Van Pelt ran out of room on the outside of turn two, making contact with the outside boiler plate wall. Hearn rocketed from fifth to third on the restart and started to put pressure on Van Pelt for second.

Afterwards Ricci had this to say about the challenge of Van Pelt. “ I said to myself who is that 2 guy? Holy shit he’s on the outside of me, we did rub a little bit in two that time and then after that I never saw him. “

Van Pelt nearly spun in turn one following a lap 24 restart as he lost three spots. The mistake by him moved Hearn into second with Tyler in third, Pat Ward in fourth, and Van Pelt settling back into fifth.

Chuck McKee driving the Chick Sloat owned car now made his presence felt at the front of the field as he moved into fifth from 18th starting spot on lap 31 and one lap later disposed of Ward to take fourth. Ward would slip back to sixth following the next restart on lap 39 after being passed by Van Pelt.

Plenty of yellow flag fever would hamper the century long feature during the middle portions of the race. The longer the race wore on it seemed that Hearn was starting to measure Ricci to set up an attempt at a pass for the lead.

The first such challenge by Hearn for the lead came on lap 76 as he was under Ricci in turns one and two. Hearn would repeat the same move the next dozen laps consecutively but each time the big block powered Ricci entry would be able to hold off Hearn’s potent small block powered ride.

Ricci spoke about the difference of running a big block against a small block at Accord. “ Everyone says you need a small block here, but I love a big block “ said Rich. “ The big block is a little bit harder to get slowed down going into the corners. A small block you can brake it and get into the corner quicker. A big block gets into the corner and rolls through the corner faster. It’s a little tricky to get use to but once you get use to it you’ll love having a big block at Accord. “

The final yellow of the race with ten laps to go set up a much anticipated ten lap battle to the finish that had the standing room only crowd on their feet. Just as lap 91 was scored Hearn once again got under Ricci in turns one and two, but this time Hearn appeared to be ahead as they exited turn two. Ricci fighting a tire wear condition found enough bite to keep the lead and with all of his experience made a slight adjustment to where he would run the final laps on the track.

The half a lane move up the track made the difference for Ricci as he held off Hearn over the final few laps to claim the exciting win in front of his hometown fans.

“It is a good payday, you can’t knock it “ said Rich. “ The last ten laps I got a little loose in the middle and I had to keep the car straight. The minute I got the car sideways and broke traction Brett was right there. I gambled on tire selection as I went softer than I should have because we were starting up front, which is why I went with the softer tire. I saved a little in the beginning so I had something at the end and almost didn’t have enough left at the end. “

Rich spoke about his slight lane change at the end of the race. “ I saw Brett duck under me in one and two a couple of times and every time I got sideways is when he got there. So I said to myself keep it straight, keep the momentum up, and stay in the center of the track. At the end I moved up a little bit and I didn’t see Brett again. “ 

Finally Rich spoke about his Accord driving experience. “ Yea I have a million laps around this place as I’ve run basically anything they ever raced here. I love it here as it’s only 20 minutes from my home, you can’t beat it. “

“He was just sitting in the middle of the track and I couldn’t roll the outside all the way and I couldn’t cross him back down again “ said second place finisher Brett Hearn. “ I could get good runs on him but I had no place to go once I got to the point of where I had to pass him. That guy ( Ricci ) there has so many laps on this track, he is not going to make a mistake. I could have moved him up on that last lap a little more than I did, what’s the purpose of trying to do that. “

Qualifying for the 49 car field saw heats wins go to Jeff Heotzler, Ricci, Mike Colsten, Van Pelt, Scott Ferrier, and Ward. The three B Mains were captured by Brian Weaver, Andy Bachetti, and Danny Johnson.

ULSTER COUNTY BULLRING NOTES; The tight confines of the Accord Speedway led to some very good racing all evening long. The standing room only crowd showed their appreciation of the excellent racing with their applause and vocal reactions. Lap Money for the race was collected by Accord Speedway representatives with Ricci claiming $1,320. Mike Colsten earned a $100 bonus being the 15th place car on lap 46 of the feature. K – Dog otherwise known as Keith Hoffman made his first appearance at Accord in a second Jerry Higbie, Jr. owned car. Hoffman came from last in his heat to transfer and in the feature ended up seventh after restarting at the rear on three different occasions. Passing was plentiful all night long with Joey Grammes and Stewart Friesen joining Hoffman by starting last in the heat race and transferring. Danny Johnson as usual put on a very entertaining display of driving in the Mike Petruska owned Atlas Paving sponsored ride. Johnny McGill, Jerry Higbie, Jr., and Jackie Brown, Jr. top five in track points all received an Accord provisional to gain entrance into the feature. Jeff Heotzler had everyone turning back the clock as he was running a black J17. That car number and color combination was a regular scene in victory lane at Accord in the past.

RACE REPORT – RACE OF CHAMPIONS DART DIRT MODIFIED TOUR – CHAMPIONSHIP RACE # 2 – KING OF THE CATSKILLS

FINISH; Rich Ricci, Jr., Brett Hearn, Danny Tyler, Chuck McKee, Billy Van Pelt, Pat Ward, Keith Hoffman, Jimmy Johnson, Andy Bachetti, Jackie Brown, Jr., Mike Ricci, Richie Eurich, Stewart Friesen, Jerry Higbie, Jr., Joey Grammes, Jeff Heotzler, Kevin Duryea, Johnny McGill, Scott Ferrier, Tom Hindley, Ricky Yetter, Mike Colsten, Danny Johnson, Bobby Trapper, Jeff Rudalavage, Alan Rudalavage, Brian Weaver.

DNQ’S; David Bush, Rick Mill, Brian Malcolm, Mark Pullen, Darrell Ford, Kenny Ferrier, Tom DeMarmels, Tony Kawalchuk, Vinny DeCicco, Rich Wegner, Jr., Steve Meilleur, Mel Schrufer, Gerald Curry, Howard Jarvis, Brett Graham, Chris Whitehead, Greg Hastie, Danny Creeden, Gary Hager, Michael Sabia, Brent Boyer.

LAP LEADERS; Ricci ( 1 – 100 ).

DART MACHINERY SMALL BLOCK BONUS $500; Hearn.

ACCORD PROVISIONALS; McGill, Higbie, Brown.

NEXT RoC DART DIRT MODIFIED TOUR EVENT; Saturday October 25th – National Quarter Mile Dirt Track Championship – 100 laps – Five Mile Point Speedway – Kirkwood, NY – Championship Race # 3 – Last event of season.

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SELINSGROVE TO OPEN 2009 RoC DIRT SCHEDULE WITH A 2 DAY SHOW FEATURING SMALL BLOCKS AND BIG BLOCKS

BY JR KENNERUP

Binghamton, NY … Back on March 15th of this year the Selinsgrove Speedway presented the opening race of the 2008 Race of Champions Dart Dirt Modified Tour. With plenty of pre race hype and anticipation a very successful event was completed that was won by Rick Laubach who pocketed $7,200 in cash and prizes for the 50 lap win.

Immediately following the race, officials from Selinsgrove and Race of Champions were in contact to see whether an additional show could be booked for 2008. However with no suitable open race dates available both sides agreed to work on the 2009 season opening special.

The 2009 season opening special will be some special weekend indeed for the Modified race fan. Selinsgrove Speedway is very proud to present a Race of Champions Dart Dirt Modified Tour weekend of racing which will take place on Friday night March 20th and Saturday night March 21st.

The Friday night March 20th show will feature the Small Block Modifieds in a 40 lap feature paying $2,200 to win. Also on the card will be hot lap sessions for the Big Block Modifieds. Gates will open at 5 p. m. with racing slated to get underway at 7: 30 Friday evening.

The Saturday late afternoon March 21st show will feature the Big Block Modifieds in a 50 lap feature paying $4,000 to win. Joining the card will be the Selinsgrove Pro Stocks with gates opening at 1 p. m. with racing slated to start at 4 p. m.

“We were very happy with RoC, their staff, the racing, and how well the Modified drivers presented themselves earlier this year “ said Selinsgrove Speedway promoter Charlie Paige. “ It was only natural to have them back in 2009 and now with an opportunity to race on two successive nights, I can’t wait. “

“I was excited back in March and I know after the race all of the drivers told me they wanted to come back “ said RoC Administrative Director Andrew Harpell. “ Thus by having a weekend of Modified racing at Selinsgrove it will give everyone two chances to race on a very fast natural clay oval. “

Since two complete shows will be presented officials from the Race of Champions Dart Dirt Modified Tour will be offering points for both shows. However, only the best feature finish will count towards 2009 Race of Champions Dart Dirt Modified Tour points.

“Basically what we’re doing is not forcing drivers to race both nights for points “ said Harpell. “ That is why we are sanctioning both shows and awarding points for both shows. But the best feature finish from either night will count towards the overall points for that particular driver. “

Just like for the 2008 race many additional bonus prizes featuring cash and products will be awarded both nights in 2009. “ I’ve spoken with nearly all of the sponsors from this year and all of them have indicated that they will be back in 2009 “ said Selinsgrove Race Director Joe Kaminski who is heading up the sponsorship search for the race. 

Currently plans for a weekend point fund are being put together by Kaminski.  Along with the weekend point fund there will be heat race sponsorship for both shows along with B Main sponsorship and tow money for both shows. Other awards for both shows will be the Hard Charger, the Hard Luck, the Best Appearing Car, Longest Haul, and many more prizes.

“ My goal is to have one driver if he can sweep the weekend walk out of here with over $10,000 in his pocket Saturday night “ said Kaminski. “ That would be quite a way to start the year off for some driver if he is able to do that and there are many drivers capable of sweeping the weekend. “

More information regarding rules, ticket prices, and other race information will be released in the future. 

Any business interested in sponsoring either show or both shows are urged to contact Joe Kaminski at 570 – 274 – 0404. “ Like I said in March we can accommodate any advertising budget “ said Kaminski. “For as little as $50 you can become a part of the Race of Champions Dart Dirt Modified Tour season opener at the Selinsgrove Speedway on March 19th and 20th."

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Billy Decker Dominates Richie Evans Remembered Event at Utica-Rome
 
By Don and Jo Ann Davies
 
VERNON, NY - The once postponed “Richie Evans Remembered” 61 laps Race of Champions Dart Dirt Modified Series event was all Billy Decker as he cruised home to victory at Utica-Rome Speedway driving the LJL Racing #91 big block powered Bicknell mount.  

Decker took the lead immediately at the drop of the green and added another win to his impressive string of victories scored to date in 2008.

Richie Evans, who began his racing career at Utica-Rome Speedway in201962 at the track drag strip, made the switch to Modifieds in 1965.  That marked the beginning of his legendary career. 

“Just like Babe Ruth is synonymous with the New York Yankees,” stated track owner Gene Cole, “Richie Evans is synonymous with Utica-Rome.  Retiring his number, the famous black and orange 61, is how we chose to recognize his great career.” 

Evans, who tragically lost his life in a 1985 practice crash at Martinsville (VA) Speedway, was famous locally for his 33 wins and four track titles in a 13 year career at the popular Vernon, NY oval.  Amassing nearly 500 wins at 38 different speedways including 26 track championships at 11 different tracks, Evans was a local hero.  The nine time NASCAR Modified champion and his famous “Big Orange” hauler were known throughout the country and family members and friends gathered to pay him tribute. 

That tribute to Richie Ev ans included running a 61 lap Race of Champions Modified special event paying a whopping $6161.61 and retiring his famous number, 61, from competition.

Decker immediately opened a sizable lead with Billy Van Pelt in hot pursuit from his third starting spot.  Before the first caution flag flew on lap 11 for a flat tire on the Chad Phelps, Haun Welding Supply car, the leader had already begun lapping the rear of the 28 car field.

While Decker was establishing a new track record of 18.5 sec. on the half mile oval, there was plenty of position swapping happening with Pat Ward moving into second on the lap 11 restart.  Ward’s fine run was stalled on lap 17 as the fourth caution came out when Ward suffered a flat right rear tire.  At that same time Ronnie Johnson and Ryan Phelps also headed to the pits to replace flat tires as well.

The caution was out again on lap 37 when multi-time track feature winner and current track champion Stewart Friesen lost a motor in his Teo-Pro car .

With Jimmy Phelps aboard the J & B Installations sponsored Troyer car, the main contender from the midpoint of the event, he very nearly got the break he was looking for when Decker slid over the turn two banking.  Decker managed to execute a great save, coming back on the track and holding the lead.

In a post-race interview Decker joked he was “out picking worms and I’m not even going fishing tomorrow.”

Late in the race Alan Johnson, driving the Andy’s Service sponsored, Jake Spraker owned #1J, made a strong charge to move into the top three.  Early in the race Johnson had been hampered by vision problems as a tear off got stuck on the window screening and his visor had fogged up.  

As the checkered flag waved as the 61 green flag laps were completed it was Billy Decker, Jimmy Phelps, Alan Johnson, Willy Decker and Brett Hearn making the top five.  Rounding out the top ten were Steve Hulsizer, Pat Ward, Steve Paine, Bobby Varin and Brian Weaver.

“RICHIE EVANS REMEMBERED” QUICK RESULTS
 
RACE OF CHAMPIONS DART DIRT MODIFIED SERIES FEATURE FINISH (61 LAPS)- BILLY DECKER, Jimmy Phelps, Alan Johnson, Willy Decker, Bret Hearn, Steve Hulsizer, Pat Ward, Steve Paine, Bobby Varin, Brian Weaver, Jeff Rudalavage, Alan Barker, Jim Davis, Larry Wight, Paul Kinney, Billy VanPelt, Gus Schmidt, Chad Phelps, Mike Colsten, Paul Jensen, Jackie Brown Jr., Billy Shantel Jr., Mitch Gibbs, Ryan Phelps, Stewart Friesen, Jamie Christian, Ronnie Johnson, and Bob Henry Jr.
 
DNQ- Tony Steiner, Darwin Greene, Jeff Kotary, Mike Ward, Jeremy Vunk, John Ramsey, Mike Ricci, John Ramsey, Brian Murphy, Bill Trexler, Tim Nye, John Lutes Jr., and Ted Lamb.

 
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PAT WARD, JOEY COLSTEN, AND BUTCH GREEN CAPTURE RoC DART TOUR WINS ON TUESDAY AT PENN –CAN

BY JR KENNERUP

Susquehanna, Pa… A triple header of Race of Champions Dart Dirt Tour action took place on Tuesday night at the Penn – Can Speedway as they presented their Hot Summer Nights special. A highly entertaining evening of side by side racing took place and when it was all over with three very popular feature winners were found in victory lane.

Pat Ward took the lead on a lap 19 restart from Stewart Friesen and went on to capture a $4,540 win by winning the 75 lap Race of Champions Dart Dirt Modified Tour feature. Dan Vauter who started 12th ended up third with 16th place starter Jeff Rudalavage finishing fourth and Joey Grammes wound up in fifth.

Joey Colsten, Mike Nagel, Jr., and Justin Holland all exchanged the lead throughout the 40 lap Race of Champions Dart Dirt Sportsman Tour feature event. Ten lead changes took place between the trio of drivers with Colsten taking the lead for good with less than two laps to go in the $1,040 to win feature. Nagel settled for a disappointed second with Nick Rochinski in third, Jeff Crambo in fourth, and Mike Loney in fifth.

Butch Green ended up being the third leader in the 25 lap Race of Champions Dart Dirt Pure Stock Tour event. Early leaders Steven Deinhardt and Rich Green both broke while leading and their misfortune handed the lead and $440 win to Butch Green. Jonathon Carpenter came back from an early race flat tire to finish second with Tommy Garren in third, Harry Marvin, III in fourth, and Charlie Gilbert recovered from a late race pit stop to end up fifth.

The racing program was sponsored by Don’s Automotive Mall and Gater Racing News Online.  Lexmar Homes & Hawley Construction donated an additional $40 to the winner’s share of all three features.

Joey Grammes and Stewart Friesen brought the 24 car Modified field down to green. Friesen surprised many as he blasted the cushion going into turn one to grab the lead over Grammes, Pat Ward, Mike Colsten, and Billy Van Pelt.

In the early going caution flags were brought out by cars racing in the top six positions. Van Pelt and Gary Tomkins spun out while racing Colsten for fourth on lap 13. Jeff Strunk in the second Brad Grammes owned entry spun out while going for fourth on lap 17.

On the restart Ward got past Grammes for second and set his sights on Friesen for the lead. The yellow came out on lap 19 for a multi car turn two wreck and the pivotal point of the race happened just before the race restarted.

All race long Friesen was running the extreme high groove and with him the being the leader he had a choice of where to start, either on the bottom or on the top for the double file restart. Friesen was in the high groove and just before the white flag was displayed he ironically switched to the bottom groove in an attempt to block Ward on the restart.

The plan didn’t work as when the green came out Ward blasted around Friesen to get the lead he would never give back. With the two Utica – Rome Speedway drivers comfortably in front all eyes were being focused on some very good in the pack racing.

Dan Vauter who started 12th was the first driver who started to make a move as he got into fourth on lap 22 and he moved into third on lap 30. Behind Vauter, Grammes, Colsten, 16th place starting Jeff Rudalavage, and Kevin Bates were waging their own personal war for fourth.

The only chance for Friesen to get a shot at getting the lead back would be in lap traffic. With Ward entering heavy lap traffic on lap 61 Friesen was able to reel him in but a yellow coming out on lap 66 slowed his progress.

When racing resumed Ward got back in his comfort zone by running the bottom and was never seriously challenged for the remainder of the race.

“I was surprised that he went to the bottom “ said Pat when talking about the lap 19 restart. “ I was actually looking forward to starting on the top because I was so good on the bottom of one and two. I thought I had something for him. “

Pat who won this race last year said, “ The 5 car ( Grammes ) was a little tight and he held me up early. But this shows just how tough that Utica –Rome crowd is by beating Stewart here tonight. The competition is tough up there and when we go on the road it just proves how tough Utica – Rome weekly racing is. “ 

Qualifying for the 27 Modifieds on hand saw heat wins go to Ward, Grammes, and Strunk while Don Hart, Jr. won the B Main.

Mike Loney and Mike Nagel, Jr. brought the Sportsman field down to the green for the start of their 40 lap feature. Nagel, a third generation driver looking for his first career feature win jumped out to the lead over Loney, Joey Colsten, Nick Rochinski, and Rodney Hart.

Loney moving to the outside groove got past Nagel for the lead on lap four but Nagel retook the lead just five laps later by sticking to the bottom groove.

Justin Holland was making his presence felt as he moved into the top five on lap ten. Holland wasted no time getting to the front as he moved into fourth on lap 16.

Meanwhile up front a three car battle was taking place for the lead as Colsten found the extreme high groove to his liking to move into second on lap 18. Colsten continued his charge to the front as he took the lead on a lap 19 restart. Nagel never gave up and kept plugging away at the bottom groove to retake the lead on the next lap. Colsten rim rode into the lead once again on lap 22 while Nagel retook the lead using an inside turn two pass on lap 27.

Holland now in third was looking for a groove to use as the crowd was beginning to stand up watching all of the excellent racing action. Holland rim rode into second on lap 29 and finally got the lead with a crafty turn two outside pass for the lead on lap 32. However just after Holland completed lap 33 disaster struck as the left rear tire went flat causing Holland to stop to bring out the yellow.

Nagel inherited the lead once again and with the five laps to go signal being given Colsten started to challenge for the lead once again. Colsten tried lap after lap but Nagel could hold him off by running a very consistent low line. With two laps to go Colsten found enough bite in the extreme top groove to get around Nagel for the lead and win.

“ I can’t describe that feature as it was hard work out there “ said Joey who won on his sponsor’s night. “ I had to drive the car awful hard and if I didn’t, it would shove up then track. If I didn’t drive it deep enough into the turn Mike would just drive back by me on the bottom.  It was a pretty fine line up top as the last time it took me a few laps to hit it right but when I hit the line right I got a good four laps in a row and that was the only way I was able to get by Mike. “ 

Qualifying for the 23 car field saw heat wins go to Nick Petrilak, Brad Alger, and Colsten.

Modified feature finish; Pat Ward, Stewart Friesen, Dan Vauter, Jeff Rudalavage, Joey Grammes, Kevin Bates, Jeff Strunk, Mike Colsten, Alan Rudalavage, Brian Weaver, Gary Tomkins, Billy Van Pelt, Mike Gular, Don Hart, Jr., Butch Tittle, Dan Pompey, Danny Creeden, Jackie Brown, Jr., Rick Laubach, Darwin R. Greene, Bobby Trapper, Joel Batzel, Wade Decker, Jim Mahaney. DNQ’S; Mike Mahaney, Butch Cerullo, Brett Tonkin.

Sportsman feature finish; Joey Colsten, Mike Nagel, Jr., Nick Rochinski, Jeff Crambo, Mike Loney, Matt Janczuk, Steve Yankowski, Earl Paules, Nick Petrilak, James Morris, Justin Holland, Paul Strohl, Frank Doty, Damien Reynolds, Brad Alger, Jeremy Vunk, Charlie Hendrickson, Jr. , Jamie Batzel, Paul Rooney, Rodney Hart, Christine Martin, Craig Pope, Stanley Wilkins.

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RACE OF CHAMPIONS DART DIRT MODIFIED TOUR POINT STANDINGS
After 4 of 9 races
119 different drivers competed in 4 races
1. PAT WARD *           236
2. STEWART FRIESEN      176
3. RICK LAUBACH *       154
4. JEFF RUDALAVAGE      140
5. BRIAN WEAVER *       133
6. MIKE COLSTEN         133
7. BILLY DECKER         120
8. DANNY JOHNSON *      115
9. JOEY GRAMMES         114
10. BRETT HEARN         108
* denotes feature win

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HEAVY RAIN POSTPONES THE RICHIE EVANS MEMORIAL UNTIL WEDNESDAY AUGUST 13TH

Binghamton, NY… Heavy rains which started early Wednesday morning and lasted throughout the day made the decision to cancel the Race of Champions Dart Dirt Modified Tour at the Utica – Rome Speedway an easy one.

The 61 lap $6.161.61 to win feature will now take place on Wednesday night August 13th at 7 p.m.  The Utica – Rome Pro Stock division will join the Modifieds on this night of racing. Many top Modified drivers throughout the northeast were planning on being at Utica – Rome and from all indications they all plan on to be back on Wednesday August 13th. Included is Alan Johnson who had secured a ride in the Jake Spraker owned Modified for this big money race.

This will be the second big money RoC Dart Tour show at Gene Cole’s fine facility. Back on Mother’s Day Danny Johnson scored a $10,000 check by winning the Victoria 200 over local favorite Pat Ward and his team mate Billy Decker.

Also taking place on this evening will be many racing stories and memories of the greatest asphalt Modified driver of all time in Richie Evans who started his racing at Utica – Rome first in drag cars and then switching to racing on the old third mile asphalt oval in 1965. Currently all members of Richie’s immediate family are planning on attending and of course the hard working Utica – Rome management will have a few surprises up their sleeve on this special night of racing.

Gate times on August 13th sees all gates opening at five in the evening, hot laps will take place at 6:25 and the first heat hits the racing surface at 7 p. m.

For more information on the show please call RoC offices at 607 – 775 – 5555 or Utica – Rome at 315 – 829 – 4557 or log on to the World Wide Web at; www.rocdirt.com or www.uticaromespeedway.com.

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RACE OF CHAMPIONS DART DIRT SPORTSMAN SERIES ON TAP THIS SUNDAY AT UTICA-ROME SPEEDWAY

VERNON, NY- After rain wreaking havoc on the last three events at the Utica-Rome Speedway, officials plan on getting action started again this Sunday July 27 when Parks Paving and Luther Excavating present the Race of Champions Dart Dirt Sportsman Series plus 358-Modifieds, Pro Stocks, and Pure Stocks.  Gates open at 3 p.m. with racing set to begin at 5:30 p.m.

The Sportsman division will take center stage this Sunday for the final stop of the Race of Champions Dart Dirt Sportsman Series, with $1,000 on the line for the winner of the 40 lap affair.  In the first event in May, Jim Rothwell and Matt Janczuk dueled it out for the win in the latter stages of the 40 lap affair with Rothwell taking the popular win.  Four Utica-Rome Speedway regulars sit in the top ten of the RoC Sportsman Series standings, including point leader Brad Alger.  UR regulars Janczuk, Jeremy Vunk, and Jeff Leslie join Justin Holland, Mike Loney, Jeff Crambo, Joey Colsten, Mike Nagel Jr., and Brian Puckett in the top ten.

Rain has been the only thing to slow Pat Ward’s recent win streak at the Vernon, with Ward victorious in the last three 358-Modified events.  Willy Decker, Stewart Friesen, Mitch Gibbs, and Bobby Varin all hope to end that streak with a win of their own, especially if they hope to have a shot at the $8,000 358-Modified title.  Paul Kinney, Paul Jensen, Jamie Christian, John Ramsey, Ted Lamb, Gus Schmidt, and Jim Davis are just some of the other drivers looking to break Ward’s stranglehold on victory lane.

Jim Normoyle is quietly have championship season on the Pro Stocks, rattling of top fives every week along with two wins.  Normoyle leads a talented group of drivers that includes Mark Effner, Bill Knapp, Tom Denton, Shawn Frost, Rob Seavy, Bret Belden, AJ Digsby, Ed Ostrander, and Dave Moyer.

After a slow start, Russ Marsden has turned up the heat as the looks to grab another Pure Stock title.  Chris Carr, Ron Hawker, Phil Norman, Frank Hyatt, Tim Janczuk, Waylan Wilczek, Chris Cunningham, Cale Hoffman, and Bill Mason all are chasing the defending champion in the standings.

Complete point standings, schedule information, and other news are available at www.uticaromespeedway.com.  To contact the speedway office, call (315) 829-4557.

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Race of Champions Dart Dirt Modified, Sportsman & Pure Stock Tours invade the Penn – Can Speedway for the Hot Summer Nights special on Tuesday July 29th.

Binghamton, NY… The Penn – Can Speedway under the direction of Reed Miller and Al Wilcox is hosting their annual Hot Summer Nights special and it takes place on Tuesday night July 29th. This year all three sanctioned RoC Tours will be in action making an exciting triple header of midweek racing action. The headline RoC Modifieds will go 75 laps while the RoC Sportsman and Pure Stocks will run 40 lap features respectively.

In the RoC Modifieds last year Pat Ward and Jeff Rudalavage won the RoC races at the Susquehanna, Pa. clay oval. As always the competition is tough as Penn – Can boast one of the strongest weekly Modified fields in all of racing today.

Pat Ward, Billy Decker, Larry Wight, Stewart Friesen are some of the top RoC drivers who will be on hand to do battle with the Penn – Can drivers. Brian Weaver, Jeff Rudalavage, Mike Colsten are all racing with RoC this year and with Penn – Can being their home track they will be tough on this night. Then you can’t forget about the weekly Penn – Can Modified racers like Alan Rudalavage, Butch Tittle, Steve Babicek, Craig Terrell, and Dan Vauter. All of this good Modified talent makes this show a must see racing event on Tuesday July 29th.

Over in the RoC Sportsman, they will have their hands full too as Penn – Can have a tough Sportsman weekly field to deal with. RoC Tour regulars Justin Holland, Matt Janczuk, Jeremy Vunk, and Brad Alger will be on hand to do battle with the Penn – Can regulars. Joey Colsten and Jeff Crambo have been following the Tour this year and they will be tough on their home turf. Paul Rooney, Mike Nagel, Jr., and Dewayne Robbins are just three of the many strong Penn – Can runners who will be in action on this night in the Sportsman division. Then add into the mix former Penn – Can runner Mike Loney who will be making the show on this night too.

In the Pure Stocks the competition in the RoC Pure Stocks has been tough all year long. Butch and Rich Green who both call Penn – Can home and have followed the Tour this year will be the cars to beat on this night. You can’t count out Tour regular Charlie Gilbert as he is a former Penn – Can track champion. Gene Sharpsteen who won the opener at Skyline will be on hand along with Steven Deinhardt, Jonathon Carpenter, Shane Wolf, and a host of other top running Pure Stocks.

Pit gates open at 5 p.m. with grandstand gates opening a half hour later and the first heat slated to begin at 7:15 p.m. Tuesday July 29th.

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RACE OF CHAMPIONS DART DIRT MODIFIED TOUR POINT STANDINGS
After 3 of 9 races
1. PAT WARD           171
2. RICK LAUBACH *     133
3. STEWART FRIESEN    121
4. BILLY DECKER       120
5. DANNY JOHNSON *    115
6. BRETT HEARN        108
7. BRIAN WEAVER *     97
8. MIKE COLSTEN       93
9. JEFF RUDALAVAGE    92
10.  LARRY WIGHT      86
* denotes feature win

-end-
 

THE DREAM FINALLY GETS SOME RACING LUCK TO GO HIS WAY IN FIVE MILE POINT RoC WIN

BY JR KENNERUP

RACE OF CHAMPIONS DART DIRT MODIFIED TOUR SWINGS BACK INTO ACTION ON TUESDAY JULY 8TH AT THE FIVE MILE POINT SPEEDWAY