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Coons Wheels up at Gas City Clauson Schurmberg at Lincoln T-Mez at Lincoln
Photos From 2011 USAC Midget Week by aXe
May 31 2013
Friday’s Hut Hundred POWRi/USAC Midgets postponed by rain
from Tim Tuttle POWRi Racing
PONTOON BEACH, Ill. (May 31, 2013)—Friday’s Hut Hundred POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget Series and USAC Honda National Dirt Midget co-sanctioned event at Tri-City Speedway has been postponed by heavy rain Thursday night and an unfavorable forecast for the event. The 61st Hut Hundred is expected to be rescheduled for its first running at the three-eights mile track.
The POWRi Speedway Motors 600cc Outlaw Micro Series was also scheduled to run at Tri-City.
POWRi will conduct its inaugural Illinois SpeedWeek for Midgets and Micros starting Thursday (June 6) at Jacksonville Speedway, followed by Lincoln Speedway on Friday, Macon on Saturday and Vermillion County Speedway in Danville on Sunday. The Midget events will be co-sanctioned by POWRi and Badger.
For further information, go to www.powri.com.
-30—
Whatever Happened to Danny Drinan?
by aXe
Having not been by His shop in the last few years in Indianapolis, I was Stuck in the area for an extra week So I decided to go by there and see if He still has a shop.
Well He is still there.
If You have ever seen any of His work, especially some of His pavement midget work You will know why I go by there, And I can tell you He is a master Craftsman!
by aXe
Having not been by His shop in the last few years in Indianapolis, I was Stuck in the area for an extra week So I decided to go by there and see if He still has a shop.
Well He is still there.
If You have ever seen any of His work, especially some of His pavement midget work You will know why I go by there, And I can tell you He is a master Craftsman!
But what is this 1/4, ops .25 USAC Midget doing in there? Thats Danny Standing Behind it
Here are a few photos of His new Design with some new saftey features not seen In .25 midgets before.
Danny Whos son is at 1/4 midget driving age and He Has Got Him racing in one.
Danny Whos son is at 1/4 midget driving age and He Has Got Him racing in one.
Now in the developmentel stages is this New F1 SHARK .25 Midget.
Other than some small differences with the national governing body of QMA (Quarter Midgets of America)
He is on schedule to build a Production car for sale of this one.
He is on schedule to build a Production car for sale of this one.
Offset is very prominent in this car Danny wanted to get the driver inside of the car
and not hanging out of it.
and not hanging out of it.
He has also developed a Semi reclining seat into it.
If You want to get in on the ground floor of these newly designed cars give Danny a call or send Him and e-mail.ph#
317 486 9710
or e-mail to
drinanracing@sbcglobal.net
Or Heck go by the shop and see for yourself what a neat car this really is!
The shop is at
100 GASOLINE ALLEY Suite F
Indianapolis
In. 46222
May 29 2013
POWRi, USAC National Midgets bring fabled Hut Hundred to Tri-City Speedway
from Tim Tuttle POWRi Racing
PONTOON BEACH, Ill. (May 28, 2013)—Co-sanctioned by the POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget Series and the Honda USAC National Dirt Midget championship, the fabled Hut Hundred will be held at Tri-City Speedway for the first time Friday (May 31).
The 61st running of the 100-lap feature that will have 33 starters is expected to attract one of the outstanding fields in Midget racing this year.
“It’s a classic, one of the best Midget races going,” Zach Daum, the 2011 Hut Hundred winner, said. “It has a great history. There will be a bunch of good cars there. I’m looking forward to it.”
Daum of Pocahontas, Ill., won the Hut Hundred at Tri-State Speedway in Haubstadt, Ind., where it was held the last three years. Brady Bacon of Broken Arrow, Okla., won in 2012 and Bryan Clauson of Noblesville, Ind., won in 2010.
“I’ve always been a fan of the Hut Hundred and wish it was still at Terre Haute because of the history there,” Daum said. “But I love Tri-City and always have. I loved it when it was the old quarter-mile and half-mile and now it’s three-eighths and it’s a great race track. It’s not so big that big motors drive away. It still races like a short track.
“Tri-City is more of a home track for me and I’d love to get a second Hut Hundred there.”
Andrew Felker of Carl Junction, Mo., is the POWRi National Midget points leader four events into the season over Daum, 610-510. Tyler Thomas of Collinsville, Okla., is third with 490.
Felker, the 2012 POWRi National Midget champion, finished 11th in the Hut Hundred a year ago.
“I’ve run at Tri-City six or seven times,” Felker said. “It’s real fast. It usually gets pretty slick and you can run the top and the bottom. It’s going to be real interesting with 33 cars on it. I think the change of venues to Tri-City will be huge.
“It’s definitely a pretty hard track and will be pretty tough on tires. You need to make sure the stuff (equipment) is where it needs to be before getting there and you don’t want to use your stuff up too early. You need to save your equipment for the second half. You need to have something to race with at the end.”
Felker has four top-10s this season: Second at Jacksonville (Ill.) Speedway, fourth at Belle-Clair Speedway in Belleville, Ill., seventh at Macon (Ill.) Speedway and 10th at Angell Park Speedway in Sun Prairie, Ill.
Felker was forced to take a provisional at Belle-Clair and went from 23rd to fourth. He started 21st at Macon and finished seventh.
“When you can salvage finishes like those, it makes a big difference in the championship,” Felker said. “I’m extremely happy with where we are.”
Daum is running for the POWRi title for the first time in several seasons. He was 16th at Jacksonville and rebounded to take third at Belle-Clair, fifth at Macon and eighth at Angell Park.
“We’re running well,” Daum said. “I sure hope we can win the Hut Hundred again. It brings a different type of Midget racing, a lot of strategy and finesse. You need to be smart with the car and save tires. It’s a great race.”
The POWRi Speedway Motors 600cc Outlaw Micro Series will run its fourth event of the season at Tri-City. Jeremy Camp of Blue Mound, Ill., leads Dereck King of Vienna, Ill., 490-410, and Max Pozsgai of Lincoln, Ill., is third with 400.
King has won two of the three features this season, but was 22nd at Belle-Clair. Camp has been fifth at Jacksonville and Belle-Clair and sixth at Macon.
POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget Series top-10 points standings (after four of 32 events:
1. A Felker 610, 2. Zach Daum 510,
3. T Thomas 490, 4. J Blackhurst 460,
5. Brad Kuhn 310, 6. Shane Cockrum 300, 7. (tie) Tyler Robbins, Austin Brown 280, 9. Justin Peck 270, 10. Terry Babb 260.
POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget Series feature winners:
—Shane Cockrum; Belleville, Ill.
—Chris Bell; Macon, Ill.
—Brady Bacon; Sun Prairie, Wis.
—Michael Pickens.
POWRi Speedway Motors 600cc Outlaw Micro Series top-10 points standings (after three of 22 events:
1. Jeremy Camp 490, 2. Dereck King 410, 3. Max Pozsgai 400, 4. Joe B. Miller 390, 5. Aaron Andruskevitch 380,
6. (tie) Cale Thomas, Jacob Patton 330, 8. (tie) Nathan Benson, Jason Harms 320,
10. Jeremy Zumwalt 300.
POWRi Speedway Motors 600cc Outlaw Micro Series feature winners: Jacksonville, Ill.—Dereck King; Belleville, Ill.—Joe B. Miller; Macon, Ill.—Dereck King.
For more information, go to www.POWRi.com ---30—
May 28 2013
Sunday’s POWRi/Badger Midgets Sue Thiel Memorial canceled by rain
from Tim Tuttle POWRi Racing
SUN PRAIRIE, Wis. (May 26, 2013)—Sunday’s second round of the POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget Series and Stark Automotive Group/Mid-State Equipment Badger Midget Series co-sanctioned 11th annual Sue Thiel Memorial at Angell Park Speedway was canceled by rain.
The next event for the POWRi National Midgets is the 61st annual Hut Hundred, co-sanctioned by USAC, on Friday (May 31) at Tri-City Speedway in Granite City, Ill. The POWRi Speedway Motors 600cc Outlaw Micro Series will also be racing at the event.
Michael Pickens of New Zealand won Saturday’s opening round of the Sue Thiel Memorial. He’s also entered in the Hut Hundred.
--30—
May 26 2013
Michael Pickens wins record 5th straight start in POWRi Midgets at Angell Park
from Tim Tuttle POWRi Racing
SUN PRAIRIE, Wis. (May 25, 2013)—New Zealand’s Michael Pickens won his fifth consecutive start in the POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget Series on Saturday, leading the final 29 laps in the opening round of 11th annual Sue Thiel Memorial co-sanctioned by the Badger Midget Auto Racing Association at Angell Park Speedway.
“Five in a row, pretty cool,” Pickens said.
Pickens set a POWRi record for feature wins in straight starts. The multi-time champion in the POWRi Lucas Oil Australian Speedcar Super Series and POWRi Lucas Oil New Zealand Super Series won twice in 2011 and twice in 2012. He’ll try to stretch it to six tonight in the closing round of the Thiel Memorial at the one-third mile speedway.
The 30-year-old Pickens started on the outside of the front row in his Esslinger-powered Breka and passed Austin Brown for the lead on the second of 30 laps.
“The track was pretty slick and I got right up on the fence,” Pickens said.
Brad Kuhn of Avon, Ind., finished second and Brown of Millstadt, Ill., was third.
POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget Series feature results (30 laps):
1. Michael Pickens, 2. Brad Kuhn,
3. Austin Brown, 4. Brad Mosen,
5. Mike Hess, 6. Daniel Robinson,
7. Tyler Thomas, 8. Zach Daum,
9. Brandon Waelti, 10. Andrew Felker,
11. Billy Balog 12. Jake Blackhurst,
13. Alex Bright, 14. Cody Weisensel,
15. Garrett Aitken, 16. Terry Babb,
17. Kurt Mayhew, 18. Todd Lehr,
19. Colten Cottle, 20. Parker P Miller,
21. Chett Gehrke, 22. Jake Neuman.
For more information, go to www.POWRi.com.
---30—
May 23 2013
Championship-committed Zach Daum heads to Angell Park
for POWRi Midgets
Saturday, Sundayby Tim Tuttle POWRi Racing
SUN PRAIRIE, Wis. (May 22, 2013)—Zach Daum believes a steady flow of top-five finishes can carry him to the championship this season in the POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget Series.
The 22-year-old from Pocahontas, Ill., will be gunning for a pair of them Saturday (May 25) and Sunday (May 26) in the 11th annual Sue Thiel Memorial at Angell Park Speedway, two events co-sanctioned by the Badger Midget Auto Racing Association.
Daum has started solidly in the pursuit of his first title in POWRi Midgets, finishing third at Belle-Clair Speedway in Belleville, Ill., last Friday and fifth at Macon (Ill.) Speedway on Saturday. He was 16th in the season opener at Jacksonville (Ill.) Speedway and is second in the points to Andrew Felker of Carl Junction, Mo., 500-390.
“Of course, I’d like to win 10 or 15 races, but that’s not going to happen,” Daum said. “I want to win races, but if I could finish in the top five in every race, I’d be happy. I’m racing with support from Toyota this season and it wants a POWRi championship and that’s my goal.
“At Macon, I could have started doing slide jobs and could have finished second or 22nd. We’re here to win the war, not the battle. Toyota believes in me that I can do it and that’s what I’m going to do for them.”
Daum is racing with an engine built by Stanton Racing Engines with parts supplied by Toyota Racing Development and also has sponsorship support. It’s his first season with the manufacturer.
“Gary Stanton kind of slid my name in there and Tracy Hines, who is like a second father to me, recommended me and we accepted a deal from them in early December,” Daum said. “(Toyota’s) Gary Reed showed faith in me and it makes me feel good.”
Daum built a new Eagle chassis over the winter and it made its debut at Belle-Clair and Macon.
“I think we’ll be OK,” Daum said. “I needed a couple of races just to get going. We’re got the first nights out of the way and we have a better idea of what the car wants, what the driver wants. We’vum e got to get everybody on the same page.”
Daum has one POWRi National Midget victory, last season at Macon. He ran 13 POWRi events in 2012 with seven top fives. Daum drove in his first POWRi event in 2007 and had a total of 80 starts heading into 2013.
“POWRi grows every year, look at the numbers of cars,” Daum said. “There are a bunch of young kids moving up out of the Micros and that’s great. POWRi has expanded every year and it has the best schedule this year it’s had in a long, long time. There are a lot of good race tracks.
“The best thing POWRi has done is to co-sanction with Badger and USAC. There aren’t enough cars to stand alone at some tracks and you can’t draw all the big names. The co-sanctions accomplish that and bring in the people.”
POWRi is co-sanctioning 16 events with Badger and eight with USAC this season.
Daum finished fourth in a Badger event at Angell Park Speedway last Sunday. With so many co-sanctions, he’s decided to run for the Badger title, too.
“I went up to Angell Park last week to prepare for the POWRi events,” Daum said. “I missed the setup and the gearing a little bit. It gives us a good idea of what we need for this weekend. We’re going to go for the Badger title, too, because we didn’t have to add many events.”
The Thiel Memorial pays $2,000 to win Saturday and $4,000 to win Sunday.
POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget Series top-10 points standings after three of 33 events:
1. Andrew Felker 500, 2. Zach Daum 390
3. J Blackhurst 370, 4. Tyler Thomas 350 5. Shane Cockrum 300, 6. T Robbins 280
7. Justin Peck 270, 8. C Cottle 235
9. Terry Babb 210,10. Nick Knepper 200
POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget Series 2013 race winners
Jacksonville, Ill.—Shane Cockrum Belleville, Ill.—Chris Bell
Macon Ill.—Brady Bacon.
For more information on POWRi Racing, go to www.POWRi.com
--30—
May 19 2013
Brady Bacon takes runaway victory in POWRi Midgets,
Dereck King wins in POWRi Micros at Macon
from Tim Tuttle POWRi Racing
MACON, Ill. (May 18, 2013)—Brady Bacon drove to a runaway victory in the POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget Series and Dereck King won his second feature of the season in the POWRi Speedway Motors 600cc Outlaw Micro Series on Saturday at Macon Speedway.
Bacon led the final 29 of the 30-lap feature on the one-fifth mile track and finished a quarter-lap ahead of Tyler Thomas. It was the sixth career victory in POWRi Midgets for the 22-year-old from Broken Arrow, Okla.
“I need that money in my pocket,” Bacon said. “It’s been a long winter. We’ve had a lot of rain outs and the money just hasn’t been coming in like it needs to be.”
Bacon, driving a Spike-Esslinger for car owner Scott Ronk, earned $2,000.
Thomas seriously challenged Bacon twice, but cautions stopped his charges.
“We had a fast car and I got past Bacon twice with slide jobs, but the cautions came out and put me in back of him,” the 17-year-old from Collinsville, Okla., said. “I didn’t have much for Brady after that.”
Thomas and Thomas Meseraull of San Jose, Calif., spent the second half of the race dueling with slide jobs at both ends of the track. Meseraull finished third.
“It was a blast,” Thomas said. “I have to thank T-Mez for racing me as clean as he did. We were both racing extremely hard.”
Meseraull was a couple of car lengths short of Thomas at the checkered flag.
“I just couldn’t get it done,” he said. “It was a fun race.”
Bryan Clauson finished fourth, followed by Zach Daum in a strong field with 43 entries.
King of Vienna, Ill., finished three car lengths in front of 15-year-old Cale Thomas of Fairland, Ind., for his 22nd career victory in POWRi Micros. The three-time POWRi Micro champion started on the outside of the front row and led all 20 laps.
Aaron Andruskevitch of Riverton, Ill., finished third.
POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget Series feature results (30 laps):
1. Brady Bacon, 2. Tyler Thomas,
3. Thomas Meseraull, 4. Bryan Clauson,
5. Zach Daum, 6. Jake Blackhurst,
7. Andrew Felker, 8. Colten Cottle,
9. Tyler Robbins, 10. Justin Peck,
11. Tanner Thorson, 12. Justin Grant,
13. Park Miller, 14. Shane Cockrum, 15. John Campbell, 16. Austin Brown,
17. Terry Babb, 18. Jerry Coons Jr.,
19. Chris Bell, 20. Matt Ponder,
21. Matt Sherrell, 22. Nick Knepper.
POWRi Speedway Motors 600cc Outlaw Micro Series feature results (20 laps):
1. Dereck King, 2. Cale Thomas,
3. A Andruskevitch, 4. Nic Harris,
5. Max Pozsgai, 6. Jeremy Camp,
7. Nathan Benson, 8. Jake Neuman,
9 Devin Feger, 10. Jason Harms,
11. Jimmy 12. Kyle Schuett,
13. Jeremy Zumwalt,14. Corey Nelson,
15. Shelby Bosie, 16. Dylan Benscoter, 17. Derek Schuett, 18. Joe Faloon,
19. Greg Northrop, 20. Jeremy Middleton, 21. J.B. Gilbert, 22. Chris Bell.
For more information, go to POWRi.com.
--30—
Chris Bell wins 1st in POWRi Midgets, Miller takes Micros at Belle-Clair
from Tim Tuttle POWRi Racing
BELLEVILLE, Ill. (May 17, 2013)—Chris Bell finished less than a car length over Nick Knepper to win his first feature in the POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget Series and Joe B. Miller drove to victory in the POWRi Speedway Motors 600cc Outlaw Micro Series on Friday at Belle-Clair Speedway.
Knepper of Belleville, Ill., drove deep on the inside into turn three to briefly put the nose on his Essingler-powered Spike ahead, but Bell turned his Toyota-powered Bullet underneath in turn four and beat him to the checkered flag on the one-fifth mile track.
“He surprised me,” Bell said. “I didn’t know he was that close. I was lucky to see him early enough and take the cushion and drive across him.”
Bell’s victory for Keith Kunz Motorsports came in his 20th POWRi start. It was his first in a Midget in any series.
“It was a long time coming,” the 18-year-old from Norman, Okla., said. “Keith and the team gave me an awesome car and I’m definitely really fortunate to be driving for him. When you drive for Keith, you have the best of the best.”
Bell was hired in January for the Toyota-backed No. 71 car, one of the best seats in Midget racing. He had driven in 11 races in the POWRi series a year ago before accepting an offer to race winged Sprint cars in the second half of the season.
“We watched him run in the POWRi stuff and there something about him we liked,” Kumz said.
Bell, on the inside, and Knepper started on the front row for the 30-lap feature. Knepper jumped into the lead and held it through three restarts. On the 14th lap, Bell passed him for the lead in turn four, sliding around him and then getting the power down to narrowly go ahead.
“He was running the top and I was on the bottom for a couple of laps after the (third) restart,” Bell said. “I had my best lap on the bottom in turns one and two and I think he made a mistake and I got around him.”
“I did make a mistake on top,” the 26-year-old Knepper said. “Our cars were pretty even and it came down to who was in front. I made a last ditch effort to pass him on the final lap and came close. I thought it would catch him off guard and I guess it did, but he countered it pretty well and it came down to the (finish) line.”
Zach Daum of Pocahontas, Ill., finished third in his Toyota-powered Eagle driving for his family team. Andrew Felker of Carl Junction, Mo., the 2012 POWRi National Midget champion, climbed to fourth after starting 23rd and last, taking a provisional to get into the feature. Tyler Robbins of Collinsville, Ill., was fifth.
Miller of Millersville, Mo. passed Nathan Benson of Concordia, Mo., for the lead with three laps to go in the 20-lap Micro feature. It was the seventh win of his POWRi career for the 2012 series champion.
“I started eighth and kept running the top and passed Nathan with a few laps to go,” Miller said. “We finished second in the (season opener) at Jacksonville (Ill.) and it’s good to get a win early in the season.”
Aaron Andruskevitch of Riverton, Ill., finished second, Jeremy Camp of Blue Mound, Ill, was third, Benson fourth and Felker fifth.
POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget Series results (30 laps):
1. Chris Bell, 2. Nick Knepper,
3. Zach Daum, 4. Andrew Felker,
5. Tyler Robbins, 6. Dereck King,
7. Chett Gehrke, 8. Dillon Welch,
9. Travis Berryhill, 10. Jeff Flesher,
11. Terry Babb, 12. Jake Blackhurst,
13. Devon Huff, 14. John Campbell,
15. Darren Kingston, 16. Justin Peck,
17. Austin Brown, 18. Shane Cockrum,
19. Michael Koontz, 20. Tanner Thorson,
21. Tyler Thomas, 22. Parker Price Miller,
23. Daniel Adler.
POWRi Speedway Motors 600cc Outlaw Micro Series results (20 laps):
1. Joe B. Miller, 2. Aaron Andruskevitch,
3. Jeremy Camp, 4. Nathan Benson,
5. Andrew Felker, 6. Jacob Patton,
7. Jake Neuman, 8. Cale Thomas,
9. Jeremy Zumwalt, 10. Max Pozsgai,
11. Brett Anderson, 12. Derek /Schuett,
13. Kyle Schuett, 14. Jason Harms,
15. Kurt Westerfield, 16. Cole Campbell,
17. Corey Nelson, 18. Ryan Mueller,
19. Bubba Altig, 20. Michael Bustamante,
21. Steven Kemp, 22. Dereck King.
For more information, please visit www.POWRi.com.
--30—
May 17 2013
SPEED to broadcast POWRi Midgets’ Charlene Meents Memorial Saturday
from Tim Tuttle POWRi Racing
SPEED Channel’s “Lucas Oil…On the Edge!” will broadcast the POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget Series’ Charlene Meents Memorial, run Oct. 6, 2012 at Belle-Clair Speedway in Belleville, Ill., on Saturday (May 18) at 10 a.m.
--30—
May 15 2013
Austin Brown seeking to bounce back from rough start in
POWRi Midgets at Belle-Clair, Macon
from Tim Tuttle POWRi Racing
Austin Brown will try to rebound from an unfortunate start to the season when the POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget Series races at Belle-Clair Speedway in Belleville, Ill., on Friday (May 17) and Macon (Ill.) Speedway on Saturday (May 18).
Brown won his heat at Jacksonville, Ill., in the sole event of 2013 on April 26, but was caught up in an early accident and crash damage took him out. He finished 22nd.
The 23-year-old from Millstadt, Ill., won his first feature in POWRi National Midgets at Belle-Clair last Oct. 6 and also had sixth- and 10th-place finishes at the one-fifth mile track last season. Brown’s prospects at Macon for a solid result are also good. He finished third and sixth in features there a year ago.
Brown finished third in 2012 and fourth in 2011 in the POWRi Midget championship. He has raced in 43 straight features, no easy feat in a series where 10 or more cars regularly go home early. His goals for 2013 are to win more races and win his first championship.
“I think the first win is always the hardest one to get,” Brown said. “Even in my Micro career, it took me a while to get the first and the next two definitely came easier. I’m hopeful it’s the same in Midgets. And the championship is what we’re running for.”
The POWRi Speedway Motors 600cc Outlaw Micro Series also are racing at Belle-Clair and Macon. Brown won’t be driving, but he’ll also have a keen interest in the events. It will be the debut of BOSS chassis, car built and produced by a partnership between Brown’s KBR Performance and renowned Spike Midget and Sprint Car builder John Godfrey. Kyle and Derek Schuett of Philo, Ill., have taken delivery of the BOSS and will drive them at Belle-Clair and Macon.
“John and I have worked together for two years designing them,” Brown said. “He welds up the frames and a lot of the parts and I put them together. We’ve sold seven and I’m putting them together with the front axle, rear axle, plumbing, motor, wiring for the first few cars. I’m trying to finish Jacob Patton’s car for this weekend.
“I graduated from college (Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville) in December with a business degree and I always liked working on race cars. John always wanted to build a Micro and thought we could build a successful Micro.”
Brown, who has three wins in POWRi Micros, will be driving a BOSS in some events this season.
“I haven’t had time to put mine together,” Brown said. “Once I get a break and get it built, I want to try to race it as much as I can when we run with the Midgets.”
POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget Series top-10 points standings (after one of 33 events; 1. Shane Cockrum 200, 2. Andrew Felker 190, 3. Tyler Thomas 150, 4. Jake Blackhurst 130, 5. Brad Kuhn 120, 6. Justin Peck 110, 7. Colten Cottle 100, 8. Garrett Aitken 90, 9. Terry Babb 70, 10. Levi Jones 60.
POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget Series 2013 race winners: Jacksonville, Ill.—Shane Cockrum.
POWRi Speedway Motors 600cc Outlaw Micro Series top-10 points standings (after one of 22 events: 1. Dereck King 200, 2. Joe B. Miller 190, 3. Jacob Patton 180, 4. Travis Senter 170, 5. Jeremy Camp 160, 6. Jason Harms 140, 7. Max Pozsgai 130, 8. JB Gilbert 120, 9. Kyle Schuett 110, 10. Jeremy Zumwalt 100.
POWRi Speedway Motors 600cc Outlaw Micro Series 2013 race winners: Jacksonville, Ill.—Dereck King.
For more information on POWRi Racing, go to www.POWRi.com
--30—
May 6 2013
USAC DMA MIDGET RACE RESULTS: May 4,
– Bradford, Vermont – Bear Ridge Speedway
FIRST HEAT: (10
1. Ray Miller (#1 Miller),
2. Adam Whitney (#12 Whitney),
3. Kevin Chaffee (#5 Matczak),
4. Joe Krawiec (#4 Matczak),
5. Dean Christensen (#69 Miller),
6. Scott Holcomb (#47 Myers/Miller),
7. Denny Zimmerman (#3 Matczak),
8. Jeff Champagne (#77 Champagne). NT
SECOND HEAT: (10 laps)
1. Timothy Gallant (#33 Gallant),
2. Scott Veits (#2 Miller),
3. Jim Mossman (#1R Mossman),
4. Dylan Duhaime (#57 Duhaime),
5. David Rose Jr, (#11 Rose),
6. Dylan Rock (#49 Rock),
7. Jamie Spaulding (#93 Tefft),
8. Mike Chaffee (#18c Chaffee).
ALSO AT THE TRACK: 1. Josh Sunn (#76 Manafort) and Anthony Nocella ® (#76M
Manafort).
FEATURE: (25 laps)
1. Ray Miller, 2. Scott Veits,
3. Kevin Chaffee, 4. Joe Krawiec,
5. Dean Christenson, 6.Josh Sunn,
7. Jamie Spalding, 8. Adam Whitney,
9. Mike Chaffee, 10.Dylan Duhaime,
11. Denny Zimmerman, 12. Anthony Nocella 13. Timothy Gallant, 14. Dylan Rock,
15. Jeff Champagne, 16. Scott Holcolm, 17. Jim Mossman, 18. David Rose Jr. NT
FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-25 Miller.
NEW USAC DMA MIDGET POINTS:
1-Miller -136,
2-Veits -128,
3-K.Chaffee -120,
4-Krawiec -112,
May 3 2013
POWRi National/West Midgets at Lucas Oil Speedway canceled
from Tim Tuttle POWRi Racing
WHEATLAND, Mo. (May 3, 2013)—Saturday’s POWRi Lucas Oil National/West Midget Series event at Lucas Oil Speedway has been canceled by snow, rain and cold temperatures.from Tim Tuttle POWRi Racing
from Tim Tuttle POWRi Racing
The next events on the schedule for the POWRi National Midgets are at Belle-Clair Speedway in Belleville, Ill., on May 17 and Macon (Ill.) Speedway on May 18.
For more information on POWRi Racing, go to www.POWRi.com.
--30--
POWRi National/West Midgets at Grain Valley canceled by bad weather
by Tim Tuttle from POWRi Racing
POWRi National/West Midgets for Valley Speedway canceled by unfavorable weather forecastby Tim Tuttle from POWRi Racing
The POWRi Lucas Oil National/West Midget Series event at Valley Speedway in Grain Valley, Mo., on Friday has been canceled because of an unfavorable weather forecast.
The National Weather Service has forecast 100 percent chance of rain and snow for Thursday and 70 percent chance of rain and snow for Friday for Grain Valley. Temperatures Friday are predicted to be a high of 40 and low of 34.
Saturday’s POWRi National/West Midget event at Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Mo., remains scheduled to run.
For more information on POWRi Racing, go to www.POWRi.com.
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May 1 2013
Tyler Thomas heads to Valley Speedway, Lucas Oil Speedway
with unfinished business in POWRi Midgets
from Tim Tuttle at POWRi Racing
Tyler Thomas led a combined 24 laps in three POWRi Lucas Oil National/West Series features at Valley Speedway in Grain Valley, Mo., and Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Mo., in 2012, but he wasn’t able to capitalize on his show of speed to take home a victory. The 17-year-old from Collinsville, Okla., will be trying to complete unfinished business when the series returns to one-third mile Valley on Friday (May 3) and three-eighths mile Lucas Oil on Saturday (May 4).
Thomas led the opening seven laps at Valley in both features and the initial 10 at Lucas Oil. He finished third at Valley on May 4, but brake failure late in the June 8 feature sent him tumbling from a top-three finish to ninth. At POWRi’s lone stop at Lucas Oil, Thomas was leading when the drive line failed.
“I enjoy running Grain Valley,” Thomas said. “It’s super fast and racy and I think we’ll have a good shot at it (winning) as long as we keep everything together on the car. I like going to Wheatland, too, as long as the track is right. It seems to be pretty racy and it’s wide with opportunities to pass.
“The competition in POWRi is really tough and you’ve got to be really up on the wheel in the heat races and hope you get some passing points to start up front.”
Thomas has three POWRi National Midget wins in one-and-a-half seasons. He won in his debut race at age 15--the youngest in the history of the series—at West Plains (Mo.) Motor Speedway in 2011. Thomas was fifth in the championship last season, winning at Du Quoin, Ill., and Macon, Ill., and made the feature in all 26 events entered. He had five top-fives and 11 top-10s.
Thomas finished sixth in the season opener at Jacksonvillle, Ill., last Friday (April 26) night
“The track was really tricky and I was trying to run on the smooth part and dodge the holes,” Thomas said. “I kind of had my own line and we got up there for a little while (laps 5 through 7) after starting 14th and we still got a really good finish. As long as we keep those finishes up there, we’ll be a contender for the championship.
“Last year if we didn’t’ have a top three, it was a DNF. Our goal is to eliminate DNFs and replace them with top –fives and top-10s. If we finish races, we’ll win some races and get some top-fives.”
POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget Series top-10 points standings
(after 1 of 35 events);
1. Shane Cockrum 200,
2. Andrew Felker 190,
3. Darren Hagen 180,
4. Dalton Armstrong 170,
5. Danny Stratton 160,
6. Tyler Thomas 150,
7. Caleb Armstrong 140,
8. Jake Blackhurst 130,
9. Brad Kuhn 120,
10. Justin Peck 110.
POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget Series 2013 race winners: Jacksonville, Ill.—Shane Cokcrum.
For more information on POWRi Racing, go to www.POWRi.com.
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Apr 29 2013
Shane Cockrum takes breakthrough victory in Midgets,
King wins 21st in Micros to open POWRi season
from Tim Tuttle POWRi Racing
JACKSONVILLE, Ill. (April 26, 2013)—Shane Cockrum drove to his first victory in the POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget Series and Dereck King extended his all-time lead in the POWRi Speedway Motors 600cc Outlaw Micro Series to 21 wins Friday night at Jacksonville Speedway.
It was a career breakthrough for Cockrum--his first triumph in a Midget--and it came against an outstanding field with 49 entries including 2012 POWRi Midget champion Andrew Felker, who finished second, and 2012 USAC Mopar National Midget champion Darren Hagen, who finished third.
Cockrum, a 31-year-old from Benton, Ill., was the UMP DIRTCar Pro Late Model Missouri champion in 2008 and decided to chase a lifelong dream of driving open-wheel cars the next season. Cliff Cockrum, his late father, was a top Midwestern Midget and Sprint Car driver in the 1960s and ‘70s.
“Unfortunately, my dad retired before I could see him race, but he took me to open wheel races at Du Quoin (Ill.) and other tracks,” Cockrum said. “I grew up idolizing Jack Hewitt, Parnelli Jones and A.J. Foyt. We had won quite a few races in modifieds and late models, but my heart was in open wheel. I didn’t want to be 31 and never had a chance to race in open wheel.
“We’d won 16 races in 2008 and we turned around and dumped everything to buy the Midget. We were fans, but we didn’t know anything about open wheel racing. It’s been an uphill battle. It’s awesome to finally win in the Midget.”
Cockrum’s victory came in his 28th POWRi feature and 36th event. His best previous finish was fifth at Fayette County Speedway in Brownstown, Ill., in 2010.
“We’re such a low budget team, we run a low number of races,” Cockrum said. “This was definitely a win for the little guy.”
Cockrum started 10th, on the outside of the fifth row, in his Esslinger-powered Triple-X. He passed Hagen and Felker in traffic to take the lead on the 25th of 30 laps and won by three car lengths.
“I knew we had a pretty good car and knew I could say with Felker and Hagan in lapped traffic,” he said. “You could say the waters parted. I got around Hagen in Turns One and Two and Andrew got caught up in traffic and I was able to slide him in Turn Four and complete the pass. I never had to switch lanes coming through the traffic. The lapped cars kept moving over to the inside. It was a technical track and you had to search out the right line.”
Felker of Carl Junction, Mo., started on the outside of the front row alongside Zach Daum of Pocahontas, Ill., and jumped into the lead at the start.
Hagen of Riverside, Calif., took advantage of three red flags in the opening 12 laps to move up to second. He passed Felker for the lead on the outside in Turn Four on the 18th lap.
Cockrum passed Felker and Hagen on the 25th lap and Felker bolted past Hagen for second on the front straight starting the 26th.
Cockrum had to deal with a restart with four to go and he didn’t have any problems leading to the checkered flag.
“I’m pretty happy with second in a real tough field to start the season,” Felker said.
Hagen said he made a mistake in traffic.
“I think I got a little cautious in lapped traffic,” Hagen said. “We made a little shock adjustment during a red and we probably went the wrong way.”
King of Vienna, Ill., started on pole with Travis Senter of Osceola, Ark., on the outside of the front row in the Micros feature.
Senter took the lead at the start, but on the seventh lap, King’s Stallard-FTZ Honda drove past him into the lead on the outside on the backstretch.
King won the 20-lap feature by six car lengths over runner-up Joe B. Miller of Millersville, Mo. Jacob Patton of Bethalto, Ill., was third.
“I had a feeling the track would be good on top,” King said. “I let Travis go at the start and wasn’t shaken up by it. I was able to get going on the outside and passed him.”
It was King’s first win for first-year owner Josh Kilgore. King, the POWRi Micro champion from 2007-09, had at least one victory in POWRi from the series inception in 2005 through 2011, but entered only five events a year ago. He’d gone 15 events without a victory.
“I didn’t put the effort in last year to run, but we’re going to run the entire season this year.”
POWRi’s Midgets and Micros race at Macon (Ill.) Speedway tonight (April 27) in the second event of the season.
POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget Series feature results (30 laps):
1. Shane Cockrum, 2. Andrew Felker,
3. Darren Hagen, 4. Dalton Armstrong
5. Danny Stratton, 6. Tyler Thomas,
7. Caleb Armstrong, 8. Jake Blackhurst,
9. Brad Kuhn, 10. Justin Peck,
11. Colten Cottle, 12. Garrett Aitken,
13. Christopher Bell, 14. Terry Babb,
15. Levi Jones, 16. Zach Daum,
17. Mike Hess, 18. Daniel Adler,
19. Bubba Altig, 20. Bobby East,
21. Derrick Myers, 22. Austin Brown.
POWRi Speedway Motors 600cc Outlaw Micro Series (20 laps):
1. Dereck King, 2. Joe B. Miller,
3. Jacob Patton, 4. Travis Senter,
5. Jeremy Camp, 6. Bubba Altig,
7. Jason Harms, 8. Max Pozsgai,
9. J.B. Gilbert, 10 Kyle Schuett,
11. Jeremy Zumwalt, 12, Dylan Benscoter, 13, Chad Elliott, 14. Cole Campbell,
15. Trent Mulligan, 16. Carlee Gress,
17. Michael Bustamante, 18. Corey Nelson, 19. Evan Turner, 20. Nathan Benson,
21. Cale Thomas, 22. Derek Schuett,
23. Aaron Andruskevv --30—
Rain cancels POWRi Midgets, Micros at Macon
from Tim Tuttle POWRi Racing
MACON, Ill. (April 27, 2013)—Rain has forced POWRi’s Lucas Oil National Midget Series and Speedway Motors 600cc Outlaw Micro Series on Saturday (April 27) at Macon Speedway to be cancelled.
POWRi’s next National Midget event is scheduled for May 3 at Valley Speedway in Grain Valley, Mo., followed by the Missouri Mid-State Midget Nationals at Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Mo., on May 4.
The next POWRi 600cc Outlaw Micro event is scheduled for May 17 at Belle-Clair Speedway in Belleville, Ill., followed by an event at Macon on May 18.
For more information, go to www.POWRi.com --30—
Apr 24 2013
Young Gun Colten Cottle heads to Jacksonville, Macon for POWRi Midgets
from Tim Tuttle
Colten Cottle entered his first event in the POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget Series at Jacksonville (Ill.) Speedway late in the 2011 season and drove in his fourth early in 2012. He failed to advance to the feature in both events.
Sixteen events later, the 17-year-old from Kansas, Ill., returned to Jacksonville late last season and finished third. It was substantive evidence of his rapid improvement and the promise of his talent.
Cottle will build on the 24 POWRi National Midget events he’s run in the season-opening events at Jacksonville (Ill.) Speedway on Friday (April 26) and Macon ((lll.) Speedway on Saturday (April 27).
“Jacksonville is one of my favorite tracks,” Cottle said. “I like to run on top and gas it up. That first race I ran there was my first in a Midget and it was a big difference from where we used to go racing in mini-sprints. It’s a big jump in horsepower and lot different driving. It was a whole new ball game that I had to learn how to do.
“I think having a lot more experience helped me (finish third) at Jacksonville. It helped we had a pretty good heat race and started up front in the feature. We learned a lot through the year, running the top and doing the slide jobs and all that.”
Cottle made his first feature at Macon late in 2011 and finished 12th. He raced at the one-fifth mile track four times last season and made the feature in all four with best finishes of 11th and 12th.
“Macon has not really been one of our strongest tracks, but I enjoy it,” Cottle said. “It’s a lot of close racing. You’ve got to be on your game. There’s a lot of good drivers in POWRi and it takes a lot of experience to run up front.”
Cottle is a second-generation driver. Father Rick, his current crew chief, drove Modifieds. Uncle Shane Cottle of Kokomo, Ind., has had an outstanding career in Midgets and Sprints. He was the USAC Indiana Midget Week champion in 2005 and 2006 and won the prestigious Little 500 Sprint Car race at Anderson (Ind.) Speedway in 2008.
“Uncle Shane goes to the (POWRi) races when he’s not running and helps me quite a bit driving wise,” Cottle said. “He helps me understand what I’m doing wrong and how to correct it. My dad does all the setups on the car (Spike-Esslinger) and he’s a big help, too.”
Cottle was the mini-sprint champion at one-eighth mile Coles County Speedway in Mattoon, Ill., in 2009 and continued to race there through the 2011 season.
Cottle finished second in the feature at Lincoln (Ill.) Speedway, like Jacksonville a quarter-mile, in his 10th POWRi Midget event last season and 13th overall. He finished 14th in the national championship and had two top-fives and six top-10s in 21 events. Cottle made the feature 18 times including in 17 of the last 18 events.
“I was pretty happy with it (season),” Cottle said. “It was our first year, just getting started. It was a pretty good year for us.”
Cottle finished fourth and fifth in features against strong Midget fields at Montpieler (Ind.) Motor Speedway on April 5-6.
“I started ninth and ended up fourth the first night and started 14th and ended up fifth on the second,” Cottle said. “It was a good start to the year.
“I’m hoping to do decent in POWRi again this season. We need to have a little bit of luck and have things go our way. POWRi is tough.”
The POWRi Speedway Motors 600cc Outlaw Micro Series also begins its season at Jacksonville and Macon.
Notes: NASCAR drivers Justin Allgaier and Ken Schrader will be competing at Macon. Allgaier of Riverton, Ill., will be in POWRi Midgets and Ken Schrader will be in the Billingsley Towing UMP Modified event. Allgaier of Riverton, Ill., is fourth in the Nationwide Series this season. He has two POWRi Midget victories, at Macon and Du Quoin, Ill., in 2008. Schrader has driven in Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Trucks in a 30-year NASCAR career. He’s also a co-owner of Macon.
For more information, go to www.POWRi.com.
--30—
Apr 23 2013
Jacob Patton returns to Jacksonville, Macon looking
To continue strong runs in POWRi 600cc Outlaw Micros
from Tim Tuttle POWRi Racing
The POWRi Speedway Motors Outlaw Micro Series begins the season at Jacksonville (Ill.) Speedway on Friday (April 26) and Macon (Ill.) Speedway on Saturday (April 27). They’re tracks with different lengths—Jacksonville is a quarter-mile, Macon a one-fifth mile—but share a characteristic that Jacob Patton finds appealing and it has helped him have considerable success on both.
“We always feel good going back to those tracks,” the 21-year-old driver from Bethalto, Ill. , said. “We’ve always had success. They’re wide tracks and we always feel we can pass on those tracks pretty well. Even if we have a rough heat race, you still have a chance of moving forward in the main.”
Patton has one win and finished second, third twice, sixth and seventh in eight features at Macon and a pair of thirds and a sixth at Jacksonville over the past two seasons. He closed out the 2012 campaign with four third places in the last five events including thirds at Jacksonville and Macon.
Patton didn’t have the season he was expecting a year ago. He had three victories—raising his POWRi career total to five--and was third in the championship in 2011, but went through a midseason slump last season where he failed to advance to the main in five of six events. Patton rebounded by advancing to the feature in the last seven events and climbed to fifth in the championship.
“Our end of the season run did rebuild our confidence,” Patton said. “We couldn’t exactly figure out why we had those problems in the middle of the year. We had some terrible luck. But we picked the momentum back up with some better finishes and by the end of the season, everything was working just right when we needed it.”
Patton will drive at Jacksonville and Macon with the same Suzuki-powered Brodrix from a year ago, but expects to switch to the first-year Boss chassis for the third event at Belle-Clair Speedway in Belleville, Ill., on May 17. Bill Patton, his father, will continue to be the team’s crew chief, but Jacob will have a new car owner in Tom Via and a new sponsor in Roof Bolt Express.
“We were looking for another sponsor and were talking with Tom and he offered to be our sponsor and buy us the new car,” Jacob Patton said.
The Boss was co-designed by Austin Brown, a feature winner in POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget Series and the POWRi Outlaw Micros, and famed Spike chassis builder John Godfrey. Spike will fabricate and build the Boss and it will be distributed by Brown’s KBR Performance.
Patton doesn’t believe changing chassis two events into the season will disrupt his chances at the championship.
“We’re as confident just as if we’d never changed cars,” Patton said. “Austin Brown and John Godfrey know what they’re doing. Sure, there will be a little bit of a learning curve for the few weeks and hopefully we’ll learn the car quick. We still expect to be in the points title chase.”
The POWRi Midgets will also open their season at Jacksonville and Macon. The opening three events of both the POWRi Midgets and Micros have been rained out. The Micros have 23 events remaining, the Midgets 36.
For more information,visit www.powri.com.
--30—
Apr 12 2013
KOKOMO GRAND PRIX CHANGES TO SATURDAY, SUNDAY!
from Tim Tuttle
KOKOMO, Ind. (April 10, 2013)--The “Kokomo Grand Prix” has been switched to Saturday and Sunday at the Kokomo (Ind.) Speedway.
Track, USAC and POWRi officials have agreed to move the two-night USAC/POWRi National Midget event back one day to create a more acceptable weather scenario, based on expected heavy rains and cold temperatures on Thursday and Friday nights. Rain is forecast for 100 percent Thursday and the night-time temperatures Thursday and Friday are projected near freezing, while Saturday and Sunday temperatures are expected to rise.
“We want to create the most enjoyable experience for our participants and race fans,” say the O’Connor Family, Kokomo’s race organizers, who felt announcing this at the earliest possible moment would provide the ample time for all to adjust their calendars.
The USAC Mopar Dirt Midgets and POWRi Lucas Oil National Midgets, USAC Midwest Dirt Ignite Midgets and POWRi Speedway Motors 600cc Outlaw Micros will share the two-night “tripleheader” at the one-third mile dirt oval.
Times for Saturday remain as originally announced, with pit gates open at 2 p.m., spectator gates at 4 and practice at 6, while Sunday’s timetable will be announced soon.
Saturday’s Midget feature will be a 30-lapper, while a 40-lapper caps Sunday’s Midget action. --30—
Apr 11 2013
Jake Blackhurst begins POWRi Midget championship pursuit
at season-opening Kokomo Grand Prix
from Tim Tuttle
KOKOMO, Ind. (April 9, 2013)—Jake Blackhurst embarks what he believes can be a championship campaign in the POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget Series with the season-opening Kokomo Grand Prix on Friday (April 12) and Saturday (April 13), two events with full programs co-sanctioned by the USAC Mopar National Dirt Midget Series.
It will be Blackhurst’s third season in POWRi Midgets and he’s achieved notably in his initial two. The 17-year-old from Mapleton, Ill., was POWRi’s Rookie of the Year in 2011 and finished fourth in the championship in 2012, a season that included his breakthrough victory at Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Mo.
“Our No. 1 goal is going for the championship this season,” Blackhurst said. “We’ve got two cars and my dad (crew chief Paul Blackhurst) has been working his butt off getting them perfect. We’re taking both of them to the track.”
Both cars are Esslinger-powered Spikes, but the engines are slightly different and will give the Blackhurst team the ability to adjust for track sizes. The standard Esslinger will continue to be used on the larger tracks like Kokomo, but a version with a new electronic engine management system will provide an option for shorter tracks like one-fifth Macon (Ill.) Speedway and Belle-Clair Speedway in Belleville, Ill. And having two cars ready to race will eliminate the problem of engine failures sending the Blackhurst team home early.
Blackhurst also has had success at Kokomo Speedway. He finished fourth at the three-eighths mile track last October in the Kokomo Klash behind veterans Tracy Hines, Shane Hollingsworth and Bobby East. He was sixth in the Klash in his first event at Kokomo in 2010 and was running well when a mechanical failure took him out in 2011.
“I love Kokomo,” Blackhurst said. “It is probably my favorite track. It is so racy. It’s not real banked, but it’s wide and they prepare the track so well. You’re on the gas hard, kind of wide open.”
Blackhurst had five top-10s in 14 features and was 11th in the points in 2011. He drove in 24 features and had five top-fives and 11 top-10s in 2012.
“Overall, it was a great year,” Blackhurst said. “I didn’t imagine getting fourth in the points with all the motor problems we had. I thought we could have done better.”
The Kokomo Grand Prix will also be the season opener for the USAC National Dirt Midgets and with $4,000 to win for the 30-lap feature Friday and $6,000 to win for the 40-lap feature Saturday , it is expected to attract an outstanding field.
The POWRi Speedway Motors 600cc Outlaw Micro Series also opens its season at Kokomo and USAC’s Ignite Midgets are also part of the program both nights.
For more information on POWRi Racing, go to www.powri.com.
--30—
Shane Cockrum takes breakthrough victory in Midgets,
King wins 21st in Micros to open POWRi season
from Tim Tuttle POWRi Racing
JACKSONVILLE, Ill. (April 26, 2013)—Shane Cockrum drove to his first victory in the POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget Series and Dereck King extended his all-time lead in the POWRi Speedway Motors 600cc Outlaw Micro Series to 21 wins Friday night at Jacksonville Speedway.
It was a career breakthrough for Cockrum--his first triumph in a Midget--and it came against an outstanding field with 49 entries including 2012 POWRi Midget champion Andrew Felker, who finished second, and 2012 USAC Mopar National Midget champion Darren Hagen, who finished third.
Cockrum, a 31-year-old from Benton, Ill., was the UMP DIRTCar Pro Late Model Missouri champion in 2008 and decided to chase a lifelong dream of driving open-wheel cars the next season. Cliff Cockrum, his late father, was a top Midwestern Midget and Sprint Car driver in the 1960s and ‘70s.
“Unfortunately, my dad retired before I could see him race, but he took me to open wheel races at Du Quoin (Ill.) and other tracks,” Cockrum said. “I grew up idolizing Jack Hewitt, Parnelli Jones and A.J. Foyt. We had won quite a few races in modifieds and late models, but my heart was in open wheel. I didn’t want to be 31 and never had a chance to race in open wheel.
“We’d won 16 races in 2008 and we turned around and dumped everything to buy the Midget. We were fans, but we didn’t know anything about open wheel racing. It’s been an uphill battle. It’s awesome to finally win in the Midget.”
Cockrum’s victory came in his 28th POWRi feature and 36th event. His best previous finish was fifth at Fayette County Speedway in Brownstown, Ill., in 2010.
“We’re such a low budget team, we run a low number of races,” Cockrum said. “This was definitely a win for the little guy.”
Cockrum started 10th, on the outside of the fifth row, in his Esslinger-powered Triple-X. He passed Hagen and Felker in traffic to take the lead on the 25th of 30 laps and won by three car lengths.
“I knew we had a pretty good car and knew I could say with Felker and Hagan in lapped traffic,” he said. “You could say the waters parted. I got around Hagen in Turns One and Two and Andrew got caught up in traffic and I was able to slide him in Turn Four and complete the pass. I never had to switch lanes coming through the traffic. The lapped cars kept moving over to the inside. It was a technical track and you had to search out the right line.”
Felker of Carl Junction, Mo., started on the outside of the front row alongside Zach Daum of Pocahontas, Ill., and jumped into the lead at the start.
Hagen of Riverside, Calif., took advantage of three red flags in the opening 12 laps to move up to second. He passed Felker for the lead on the outside in Turn Four on the 18th lap.
Cockrum passed Felker and Hagen on the 25th lap and Felker bolted past Hagen for second on the front straight starting the 26th.
Cockrum had to deal with a restart with four to go and he didn’t have any problems leading to the checkered flag.
“I’m pretty happy with second in a real tough field to start the season,” Felker said.
Hagen said he made a mistake in traffic.
“I think I got a little cautious in lapped traffic,” Hagen said. “We made a little shock adjustment during a red and we probably went the wrong way.”
King of Vienna, Ill., started on pole with Travis Senter of Osceola, Ark., on the outside of the front row in the Micros feature.
Senter took the lead at the start, but on the seventh lap, King’s Stallard-FTZ Honda drove past him into the lead on the outside on the backstretch.
King won the 20-lap feature by six car lengths over runner-up Joe B. Miller of Millersville, Mo. Jacob Patton of Bethalto, Ill., was third.
“I had a feeling the track would be good on top,” King said. “I let Travis go at the start and wasn’t shaken up by it. I was able to get going on the outside and passed him.”
It was King’s first win for first-year owner Josh Kilgore. King, the POWRi Micro champion from 2007-09, had at least one victory in POWRi from the series inception in 2005 through 2011, but entered only five events a year ago. He’d gone 15 events without a victory.
“I didn’t put the effort in last year to run, but we’re going to run the entire season this year.”
POWRi’s Midgets and Micros race at Macon (Ill.) Speedway tonight (April 27) in the second event of the season.
POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget Series feature results (30 laps):
1. Shane Cockrum, 2. Andrew Felker,
3. Darren Hagen, 4. Dalton Armstrong
5. Danny Stratton, 6. Tyler Thomas,
7. Caleb Armstrong, 8. Jake Blackhurst,
9. Brad Kuhn, 10. Justin Peck,
11. Colten Cottle, 12. Garrett Aitken,
13. Christopher Bell, 14. Terry Babb,
15. Levi Jones, 16. Zach Daum,
17. Mike Hess, 18. Daniel Adler,
19. Bubba Altig, 20. Bobby East,
21. Derrick Myers, 22. Austin Brown.
POWRi Speedway Motors 600cc Outlaw Micro Series (20 laps):
1. Dereck King, 2. Joe B. Miller,
3. Jacob Patton, 4. Travis Senter,
5. Jeremy Camp, 6. Bubba Altig,
7. Jason Harms, 8. Max Pozsgai,
9. J.B. Gilbert, 10 Kyle Schuett,
11. Jeremy Zumwalt, 12, Dylan Benscoter, 13, Chad Elliott, 14. Cole Campbell,
15. Trent Mulligan, 16. Carlee Gress,
17. Michael Bustamante, 18. Corey Nelson, 19. Evan Turner, 20. Nathan Benson,
21. Cale Thomas, 22. Derek Schuett,
23. Aaron Andruskevv --30—
Rain cancels POWRi Midgets, Micros at Macon
from Tim Tuttle POWRi Racing
MACON, Ill. (April 27, 2013)—Rain has forced POWRi’s Lucas Oil National Midget Series and Speedway Motors 600cc Outlaw Micro Series on Saturday (April 27) at Macon Speedway to be cancelled.
POWRi’s next National Midget event is scheduled for May 3 at Valley Speedway in Grain Valley, Mo., followed by the Missouri Mid-State Midget Nationals at Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Mo., on May 4.
The next POWRi 600cc Outlaw Micro event is scheduled for May 17 at Belle-Clair Speedway in Belleville, Ill., followed by an event at Macon on May 18.
For more information, go to www.POWRi.com --30—
Apr 24 2013
Young Gun Colten Cottle heads to Jacksonville, Macon for POWRi Midgets
from Tim Tuttle
Colten Cottle entered his first event in the POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget Series at Jacksonville (Ill.) Speedway late in the 2011 season and drove in his fourth early in 2012. He failed to advance to the feature in both events.
Sixteen events later, the 17-year-old from Kansas, Ill., returned to Jacksonville late last season and finished third. It was substantive evidence of his rapid improvement and the promise of his talent.
Cottle will build on the 24 POWRi National Midget events he’s run in the season-opening events at Jacksonville (Ill.) Speedway on Friday (April 26) and Macon ((lll.) Speedway on Saturday (April 27).
“Jacksonville is one of my favorite tracks,” Cottle said. “I like to run on top and gas it up. That first race I ran there was my first in a Midget and it was a big difference from where we used to go racing in mini-sprints. It’s a big jump in horsepower and lot different driving. It was a whole new ball game that I had to learn how to do.
“I think having a lot more experience helped me (finish third) at Jacksonville. It helped we had a pretty good heat race and started up front in the feature. We learned a lot through the year, running the top and doing the slide jobs and all that.”
Cottle made his first feature at Macon late in 2011 and finished 12th. He raced at the one-fifth mile track four times last season and made the feature in all four with best finishes of 11th and 12th.
“Macon has not really been one of our strongest tracks, but I enjoy it,” Cottle said. “It’s a lot of close racing. You’ve got to be on your game. There’s a lot of good drivers in POWRi and it takes a lot of experience to run up front.”
Cottle is a second-generation driver. Father Rick, his current crew chief, drove Modifieds. Uncle Shane Cottle of Kokomo, Ind., has had an outstanding career in Midgets and Sprints. He was the USAC Indiana Midget Week champion in 2005 and 2006 and won the prestigious Little 500 Sprint Car race at Anderson (Ind.) Speedway in 2008.
“Uncle Shane goes to the (POWRi) races when he’s not running and helps me quite a bit driving wise,” Cottle said. “He helps me understand what I’m doing wrong and how to correct it. My dad does all the setups on the car (Spike-Esslinger) and he’s a big help, too.”
Cottle was the mini-sprint champion at one-eighth mile Coles County Speedway in Mattoon, Ill., in 2009 and continued to race there through the 2011 season.
Cottle finished second in the feature at Lincoln (Ill.) Speedway, like Jacksonville a quarter-mile, in his 10th POWRi Midget event last season and 13th overall. He finished 14th in the national championship and had two top-fives and six top-10s in 21 events. Cottle made the feature 18 times including in 17 of the last 18 events.
“I was pretty happy with it (season),” Cottle said. “It was our first year, just getting started. It was a pretty good year for us.”
Cottle finished fourth and fifth in features against strong Midget fields at Montpieler (Ind.) Motor Speedway on April 5-6.
“I started ninth and ended up fourth the first night and started 14th and ended up fifth on the second,” Cottle said. “It was a good start to the year.
“I’m hoping to do decent in POWRi again this season. We need to have a little bit of luck and have things go our way. POWRi is tough.”
The POWRi Speedway Motors 600cc Outlaw Micro Series also begins its season at Jacksonville and Macon.
Notes: NASCAR drivers Justin Allgaier and Ken Schrader will be competing at Macon. Allgaier of Riverton, Ill., will be in POWRi Midgets and Ken Schrader will be in the Billingsley Towing UMP Modified event. Allgaier of Riverton, Ill., is fourth in the Nationwide Series this season. He has two POWRi Midget victories, at Macon and Du Quoin, Ill., in 2008. Schrader has driven in Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Trucks in a 30-year NASCAR career. He’s also a co-owner of Macon.
For more information, go to www.POWRi.com.
--30—
Apr 23 2013
Jacob Patton returns to Jacksonville, Macon looking
To continue strong runs in POWRi 600cc Outlaw Micros
from Tim Tuttle POWRi Racing
The POWRi Speedway Motors Outlaw Micro Series begins the season at Jacksonville (Ill.) Speedway on Friday (April 26) and Macon (Ill.) Speedway on Saturday (April 27). They’re tracks with different lengths—Jacksonville is a quarter-mile, Macon a one-fifth mile—but share a characteristic that Jacob Patton finds appealing and it has helped him have considerable success on both.
“We always feel good going back to those tracks,” the 21-year-old driver from Bethalto, Ill. , said. “We’ve always had success. They’re wide tracks and we always feel we can pass on those tracks pretty well. Even if we have a rough heat race, you still have a chance of moving forward in the main.”
Patton has one win and finished second, third twice, sixth and seventh in eight features at Macon and a pair of thirds and a sixth at Jacksonville over the past two seasons. He closed out the 2012 campaign with four third places in the last five events including thirds at Jacksonville and Macon.
Patton didn’t have the season he was expecting a year ago. He had three victories—raising his POWRi career total to five--and was third in the championship in 2011, but went through a midseason slump last season where he failed to advance to the main in five of six events. Patton rebounded by advancing to the feature in the last seven events and climbed to fifth in the championship.
“Our end of the season run did rebuild our confidence,” Patton said. “We couldn’t exactly figure out why we had those problems in the middle of the year. We had some terrible luck. But we picked the momentum back up with some better finishes and by the end of the season, everything was working just right when we needed it.”
Patton will drive at Jacksonville and Macon with the same Suzuki-powered Brodrix from a year ago, but expects to switch to the first-year Boss chassis for the third event at Belle-Clair Speedway in Belleville, Ill., on May 17. Bill Patton, his father, will continue to be the team’s crew chief, but Jacob will have a new car owner in Tom Via and a new sponsor in Roof Bolt Express.
“We were looking for another sponsor and were talking with Tom and he offered to be our sponsor and buy us the new car,” Jacob Patton said.
The Boss was co-designed by Austin Brown, a feature winner in POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget Series and the POWRi Outlaw Micros, and famed Spike chassis builder John Godfrey. Spike will fabricate and build the Boss and it will be distributed by Brown’s KBR Performance.
Patton doesn’t believe changing chassis two events into the season will disrupt his chances at the championship.
“We’re as confident just as if we’d never changed cars,” Patton said. “Austin Brown and John Godfrey know what they’re doing. Sure, there will be a little bit of a learning curve for the few weeks and hopefully we’ll learn the car quick. We still expect to be in the points title chase.”
The POWRi Midgets will also open their season at Jacksonville and Macon. The opening three events of both the POWRi Midgets and Micros have been rained out. The Micros have 23 events remaining, the Midgets 36.
For more information,visit www.powri.com.
--30—
Apr 12 2013
KOKOMO GRAND PRIX CHANGES TO SATURDAY, SUNDAY!
from Tim Tuttle
KOKOMO, Ind. (April 10, 2013)--The “Kokomo Grand Prix” has been switched to Saturday and Sunday at the Kokomo (Ind.) Speedway.
Track, USAC and POWRi officials have agreed to move the two-night USAC/POWRi National Midget event back one day to create a more acceptable weather scenario, based on expected heavy rains and cold temperatures on Thursday and Friday nights. Rain is forecast for 100 percent Thursday and the night-time temperatures Thursday and Friday are projected near freezing, while Saturday and Sunday temperatures are expected to rise.
“We want to create the most enjoyable experience for our participants and race fans,” say the O’Connor Family, Kokomo’s race organizers, who felt announcing this at the earliest possible moment would provide the ample time for all to adjust their calendars.
The USAC Mopar Dirt Midgets and POWRi Lucas Oil National Midgets, USAC Midwest Dirt Ignite Midgets and POWRi Speedway Motors 600cc Outlaw Micros will share the two-night “tripleheader” at the one-third mile dirt oval.
Times for Saturday remain as originally announced, with pit gates open at 2 p.m., spectator gates at 4 and practice at 6, while Sunday’s timetable will be announced soon.
Saturday’s Midget feature will be a 30-lapper, while a 40-lapper caps Sunday’s Midget action. --30—
Apr 11 2013
Jake Blackhurst begins POWRi Midget championship pursuit
at season-opening Kokomo Grand Prix
from Tim Tuttle
KOKOMO, Ind. (April 9, 2013)—Jake Blackhurst embarks what he believes can be a championship campaign in the POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget Series with the season-opening Kokomo Grand Prix on Friday (April 12) and Saturday (April 13), two events with full programs co-sanctioned by the USAC Mopar National Dirt Midget Series.
It will be Blackhurst’s third season in POWRi Midgets and he’s achieved notably in his initial two. The 17-year-old from Mapleton, Ill., was POWRi’s Rookie of the Year in 2011 and finished fourth in the championship in 2012, a season that included his breakthrough victory at Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Mo.
“Our No. 1 goal is going for the championship this season,” Blackhurst said. “We’ve got two cars and my dad (crew chief Paul Blackhurst) has been working his butt off getting them perfect. We’re taking both of them to the track.”
Both cars are Esslinger-powered Spikes, but the engines are slightly different and will give the Blackhurst team the ability to adjust for track sizes. The standard Esslinger will continue to be used on the larger tracks like Kokomo, but a version with a new electronic engine management system will provide an option for shorter tracks like one-fifth Macon (Ill.) Speedway and Belle-Clair Speedway in Belleville, Ill. And having two cars ready to race will eliminate the problem of engine failures sending the Blackhurst team home early.
Blackhurst also has had success at Kokomo Speedway. He finished fourth at the three-eighths mile track last October in the Kokomo Klash behind veterans Tracy Hines, Shane Hollingsworth and Bobby East. He was sixth in the Klash in his first event at Kokomo in 2010 and was running well when a mechanical failure took him out in 2011.
“I love Kokomo,” Blackhurst said. “It is probably my favorite track. It is so racy. It’s not real banked, but it’s wide and they prepare the track so well. You’re on the gas hard, kind of wide open.”
Blackhurst had five top-10s in 14 features and was 11th in the points in 2011. He drove in 24 features and had five top-fives and 11 top-10s in 2012.
“Overall, it was a great year,” Blackhurst said. “I didn’t imagine getting fourth in the points with all the motor problems we had. I thought we could have done better.”
The Kokomo Grand Prix will also be the season opener for the USAC National Dirt Midgets and with $4,000 to win for the 30-lap feature Friday and $6,000 to win for the 40-lap feature Saturday , it is expected to attract an outstanding field.
The POWRi Speedway Motors 600cc Outlaw Micro Series also opens its season at Kokomo and USAC’s Ignite Midgets are also part of the program both nights.
For more information on POWRi Racing, go to www.powri.com.
--30—
Mar 10 2013
“Berryhill tops Badger Indoor field at Cedar Lake”
By Bryan Gapinski
New Richmond, Wis. March 9---California’s Travis Berryhill won the opening night of the "Sasquatch Indoor Nationals presented by Jack Link's Beef Jerky”, Saturday Night at the Cedar Lake Speedway Arena. The 30-lap feature was the season opener for the the Stark Automotive Group/Mid-State Equipment Badger Midget Series. It also marked the start of the 77th season for Badger, the oldest active sanctioning organization in midget auto racing.
Berryhill jumped into the lead at the start followed by Dave Darland and Berryhill’s teammate David Budres. Berryhill increased his lead to three-car lengths over Darland by lap 5. Berryhill began lapping the tail of the field on Lap 11 and increased his lead to 1.8 seconds at the midway point. Darland, running second tangled with the lapped car of Zach Daum on Lap 17, bringing out the caution.
Three additional laps were completed before track officials stopped the event to improve air conditions in the 165,000 square foot building.
On the restart Berryhill with four lapped car between himself and second place Budres,again pulled away from the field. Thomas Meseraull passed Budres for second place with four laps remaining. Berryhill driving the Manic Racing owned Stealth/Fontana No. 11, finished 3.30 seconds ahead of Meseruall, Budres, David Gough and Daniel Robinson.“ Its great to finally get a victory in Badger, we worked really hard to achieve this win, the staff track did a great job putting this event together” commented Berryhill.
Ryan Schuur passed Bradan Fickas, with seven laps remaining to the 25-lap Badger 600 Micro feature, which saw numerous cautions, and five drivers flip in three different accidents during the event. Shane Fick, Fickas, Tim Ottenbacher and Wade Huisman completed the top five.
Tim Brockhaus won the 20-lap Legends Cars feature finishing ahead of: Pat Zanastra, and Shon Jacobsen. All three divisions will run another complete program Sunday, with practice at 11:30 am, followed by racing at 1:00 pm.
SUMMARY Badger Midgets
30-lap Feature: 1. Travis Berryhill; 2. Thomas Meseraull; 3. David Budres; 4. David Gough; 5. Daniel Robinson; 6. Danny Stratton; 7. Tracy Hines; 8. Brad Kuhn; 9. Jon Stanbrough; 10. Dylan Peterson; 11. Brandon Waelti; 12. Andrew Fleker; 13. Dave Darland; 14. Colten Cottle; 15. Ryan Wilson; 16. Jake Neuman; 17. Jake Blackhurst; 18. Cody Ledger; 19. Zach Daum; 20. Billy Balog; 21. Buddy Luebke; 22. Robbie Ray.
15-lap Semi Feature: 1. Colten Cottle; 2. Andrew Felker; 3. Billy Balog; 4. Jake Blackhurst; 5. Robbie Ray; 6. Zach Daum; 7. Kurt Mayhew; 8. Kaley Engstrom; 9. Andee Beirele; 10. Payton Pierce; 11. Frank Deiny Jr.; 12. Donovan Peterson.
10-lap Heat Race#1: 1. David Gough (DSR#6); 2. Travis Berryhill (Manic#11); 3. Dave Darland (Lein#2); 4. Buddy Luebke (Bull Dog#43); 5. Billy Balog (DSR#6a); 6. Kurt Mayhew (Mayhew#21); 7. Payton Pierce (McCreery#57P).
10-lap Heat Race#2: 1. Jon Stanbrough (Lein#4); 2. Danny Stratton (Lein#2L); 3. Brad Kuhn (RAB#57x); 4. Colten Cottle (Cottle#5); 5. Brandon Waelti (Huston#51); 6. Jake Blackhurst (Blackhurst#25); 7. Donovan Peterson (Metalworx#11P).
10-lap Heat Race#3: 1 Daniel Robinson (McCreery#57M); 2. Thomas Meseruall (RAB#57); 3. Cody Ledger (Ledger#35); 4. Dylan Peterson ( Peterson#25x); 5. Kaley Engstrom (McCreery#57K); 6. Andee Beierle (Felker#11a); 7. Frank Deiny Jr. (Daum#5dd). .
10-lap Heat Race#4: 1. David Budres (Manic#31); 2. Tracy Hines (SpeedQuip#75); 3. Ryan Wilson (Metalworx#11B); 4. Jake Neuman (Neuman#3); 5. Andrew Felker (Felker#11F); 6. Robbie Ray (Ray#3); 7. Zach Daum (Daum#5d).
Feature Lap Leaders: Berryhill 1-30
* Deiny flipped in Heat Race Three.
Badger 600 Micros
25-lap Feature: 1. Ryan Schuur; 2. Shane Fick; 3. Bradan Fickas; 4. Tim Ottenbacher; 5. Wade Huisman; 6. Jake Neuman; 7. Gunner Cummings; 8. Jason Dull; 9. Tony Duran; 10. Ray Seach; 11. Alley Berger; 12. Chad Bogar; 13. Ed Wagoner; 14. Derrik Lusk; 15. Norm Ehrke; 16. Jamey Ogston; 17. Matt Paderta; 18. Brandon Buysse; 19. Jake Reif; 20. Rick Kobs; 21. Ben Paderta; 22. Sandy Traaseth.
10-lap Heat Race Winners: Newman, Bogar, Fickaus.
Legends Cars
20-lap Feature: 1. Tim Brockhaus; 2. Pat Zanastra; 3. Shon Jacobsen; 4, Gerret Dolansky; 5. Bryan Peterson.
10-lap heat Race Winners: Brockhaus, Peterson.
Mar 6 2013
"Eight Indoor winners ready for Badger Midget Opener”
"Over Seventy-Five cars entered"
By Bryan Gapinski
New Richmond, Wis., March 4---Eight former indoor midget feature winners head up the list of thirty-two entries for this weekends "Sasquatch Indoor Nationals presented by Jack Link's Beef Jerky” at the Cedar Lake Speedway Arena on March 9-10. The two-day event at the indoor quarter-mile dirt oval will be the season opener for the the Stark Automotive Group/Mid-State Equipment Badger Midget Series. Also competing in the event will be Badger 600 Micros and Legends Cars.
The latest two entries come from Daum Motorsports for drivers Zach Daum and late model standout Frank Deiny Jr. Daum joins Tracy Hines, Dave Darland, Jon Stanbrough, David Gough, Davey Ray, Brandon Waelti, and Brad Kuhn as former midget indoor feature winning drivers.
Entries for the Badger 600 Micros Series are twenty-five cars led by Series Champion Chad Bogar. The Legends Cars entry list is comprised of drivers from four states totaling nineteen cars currently. An optional practice night is scheduled for Friday night, March 8. Saturday Night March 9 racing will kickoff at 5 p.m., with Sunday afternoon’s racing events starting at 1 p.m. Saturday’s event will pay $2,000 to win, with Sunday’s winning capturing $2,500, with a $1,000 bonus to any driver winning both features.
For ticket information, visit www. cedarlakespeedway.com or call (612) 363-0479. Jack Link’s is the No. 1 U.S. meat snack brand and the fastest-growing meat snack manufacturer worldwide. Jack Link’s offers more than 100 premium meat snack products at retail outlets in more than 40 countries. In addition to its premium products, Jack Link’s is known for its iconic and award-winning ‘Messin’ With Sasquatch’ advertising campaign.
# # #
- Top 10 finishers
Pos Start Driver Home State Car
1 2 Kevin Swindell Germantown, TN 39
2 1 Sammy Swindell Germantown, TN 1
3 5 Brad Sweet Grass Valley, CA 67X
4 9 Tim McCreadie 47X
5 11 Dave Darland Lincoln, IN 3DD
6 14 Jerry Coons Jr Tucson, AZ 63
7 16 Shane Golobic Fremont, CA 11
8 20 Bryan Clauson Noblesville, IN 39B
9 22 Billy Wease Noblesville, IN 38
10 8 Cory Kruseman Ventura, CA 21K
Chili Bowl TV Air Dates
According to Lucas Oil Productions, the 27th annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire will be televised on Sunday February 10, 2013 on NBC Sports. The show is scheduled to begin at 4pm ET.
Jan 26 2013
Rocky Mountain Midget Racing Association 2013 race schedule
by Don Holbrook
Denver, CO. (January 25, 2013) - The Rocky Mountain Midget Racing Association (RMMRA) released their 2013 race schedule. "We have an exciting 2013 race schedule with special events such as the Harry Conklin Memorial at I-76 Speedway on June 1st. Other fun events include shows during county fairs at El Paso and Phillips counties, an Open Wheel Extravaganza in Byers, a Back Row Challenge at Calhan, Fan Appreciation Nights at several tracks, and more fun “in the works”, said Bill Harper, President of the RMMRA.
The RMMRA Board has been busy working to improve midget racing in the Rocky Mountain region over the winter. New efforts to control costs associated with racing midgets include reduced membership fees, an event schedule that reduces travel costs for racers, new cost reducing tire rules, an updated rule book that clearly defines expectations for members and improves our ability to reduce on-track incidents (and associated damage costs).
2013
Rocky Mountain Midget Racing Association Schedule
May
25 - Phillips County Raceway, Holyoke, CO (3/8 Mile Dirt)
31 - (Friday) Colorado Motor Sports Park, Byers, CO (3/8 Mile Dirt)
June
1 - I-76 Speedway, Ft. Morgan, CO (1/4 Mile Dirt) “Harry Conklin Memorial”
15 - El Paso County Fairgrounds, Calhan, CO (1/3 Mile Dirt) “Back Row Challenge”
29 - Colorado Motor Sports Park, Byers, CO (3/8 Mile Dirt)
July
19 - (Friday) Colorado Motor Sports Park, Byers, CO (3/8 Mile Dirt)
20 - El Paso County Fairgrounds, Calhan, CO (1/3 Mile Dirt) “El Paso County Fair”
27 - Phillips County Raceway, Holyoke, CO (3/8 Mile Dirt) “Phillips County Fair”
August
17 - I-76 Speedway, Ft. Morgan, CO (1/4 Mile Dirt) “Fan Appreciation Night”
24 - Phillips County Raceway, Holyoke, CO (3/8 Mile Dirt)
31 - Colorado Motor Sports Park, Byers, CO (3/8 Mile Dirt)
September
Tentative - 14/15 - Decatur County Speedway, Oberlin, KS (3/8 Mile Dirt) “Bob Salem Memorial”
For updates and information, log on to www.rmmra.com
Jan 13 2013
Chili Bowl A Feature 55 laps Presented by Lucas Oil
Schedule is subject to change. Any changes we are given will be poseted to www.chilibowl.com as well as our Social Media outlets.
Jan 12 2013
Friday night US Fleet Tracking A-Feature - Finish
Top 3 Lock into Saturday’s Lucas Oil Championship A-Feature
A Feature (25 Laps): started
1. 15X-Chad Boat [1];
2. 21K-Cory Kruseman [8];
3. 3DD-Dave Darland [4];
4. 38-Billy Wease [2];
5. 49-Trevor Kobylarz [6];
6. 71K-Jason Meyers [9];
7. 21-Daryn Pittman [11];
8. 31-Justin Allgaier [15];
9. 7B-Austin Brown [14];
10.73-Ryan Bernal [21];
A Feature: Line-up For Saturday nights 55 laps Presented by Lucas Oil
So far Qualified are
Start Driver Hometown state Car#
1 Sammy Swindell Germantown, TN 1
2 Kevin Swindell Germantown, TN 39
3 Kyle Larson Elk Grove, CA 71
4 Chad Boat Phoenix, AZ 15X
5 Brad Sweet Grass Valley Ca 67X
6 Damion Gardner Concord Ca 47
7 Brady Bacon Broken Arrow OK 99
8 Cory Kruseman Ventura Ca 21K
9 Tim McCreadie 47X
10 Jac Haudenschild Wooster, OH 71X
11 Dave Darland Lincoln, IN 3DD
12 Tony Stewart Columbus IN 14
Check out all the results here, http://www.chilibowl.com/
Jan 11 2013
Short Youtube Chili Bowl main event night 3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2C4vM3jYuAc
Chili Bowl night 3 Main event Finish
A Feature (25 Laps):
Finish Car Driver Started
1. 39- Kevin Swindell [1]
2. 67X- Brad Sweet [4]
3. 47X- Tim McCreadie [15]
4. 63- Jerry Coons Jr [2]
5. 24- Tracy Hines [13]
6. 5- Cole Whitt [3]
7. 1ST- J.J. Yeley [6]
8. 7N- D.J. Netto [7]
9. 21D- A.J. Hopkins [5]
10. 11A- Andrew Felker [11]
11. 19S- Richard VanderWeerd [21]
12. 05K- Bud Kaeding [8]
13. 71S- Sheldon Haudenschild [9]
14. 11R- Troy Rutherford [17]
15. 67- Rico Abreu [14]
16. 35- Billy Pauch Jr [19]
17. 35S- Matt Sherrell [24]
18. 69- A.J. Fike [20]
19. 14W- Matt Westfall [22]
20. 87- Tim Crawley [18]
21. 11BA-Brett Anderson [12]
22. 8L- Matt Ward [23]
DNF 25B- Steve Buckwalter [10]
DNF 15D- Andrew Deal [16]
Jan 10 2013
Chili Bowl night 2 main event
US Fleet Tracking A-Feature -
Top 3 Lock into Saturday’s Lucas Oil Championship A-Feature
A Feature (25 Laps): 1. 1-Sammy Swindell[1]; 2. 47-Damion Gardner[3]; 3. 71X-Jac Haudenschild[4]; 4. 05T-Gary Taylor[2]; 5. 11-Shane Golobic[6]; 6. 3-Darren Hagen[7]; 7. 39B-Bryan Clauson[13]; 8. 51S-Mike Spencer[5]; 9. 93-Dustin Morgan[8]; 10. 10-Brad Kuhn[14]; 11. 4E-Bobby East[17]; 12. 67W-Christopher Bell[12]; 13. 7C-Caleb Armstrong[11]; 14. 75H-Johnny Herrera[19]; 15. 57-Thomas Meseraull[16]; 16. 77B-Alex Bright[10]; 17. 72-Tyler Edwards[22]; 18. 8V-Jace VanderWeerd[18]; 19. 91K-Dereck King[15]; 20. 015-David Prickett[24]; 21. 83-Kurt Blackaby[23]; 22. 51W-Brandon Waelti[21]; DNF 14JR-Matt Streeter[9]; DNF 2S-Danny Stratton[20]
Last nights Chili Bowl main event youtube movie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xsz5-VQUgOY
Youtube short movie Chili Bowl intro
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BRmZ-aentA&feature=player_embedded
Jan 9 2013
Top 10 in Last nights Chili Bowl main event
Pos Start Driver Hometown Car
1 1 Kyle Larson Elk Grove, CA 71
2 4 Brady Bacon Broken Arrow, OK 99
3 3 Tony Stewart Columbus, IN 14
4 2 Casey Shuman Rattlesnake AZ 2H
5 5 Chris Windom Canton, IL 7W
6 8 Jonathan BeasonBroken Arrow, OK 8J
7 6R. J. Johnson Phoenix, AZ 51J
8 10 Markus Niemela Santa Barbara,CA 81
9 13 Shane Cottle Kokomo, IN 05C
10 7 Kevin Ramey Ft Worth, TX 7MR
Jan 6 2013
Inaugural Western Midget Driver of the Year for 2013 season
National Midget Driver of the Year Championship Awards
January 4...Officials of the National Midget Driver of the Year Championship announced the expansion of their program to now include the inaugural Western Midget Driver of the Year for the 2013 season and beyond. The program will allow several hundred drivers to compete for a major regional open wheel championship and involves all midget race events sanctioned by West Coast Associations: USAC Western States, BCRA, VRA, and WMRA.
”David Prickett of the USAC West office laid down a lot of the “ground work” for this, I believe it will help consolidate and improve the working relationships between the four associations on the West Coast, along with increasing car counts” commented Bryan Gapinski founder and director of the NMDOTY. The Race Associations and many tracks hosting midget events are excepted to make a point contribution, along with participation in the promotion of this program.
The recently completed 2012 racing season marked the fourteenth season of the NMDOTY. Jerry Coons Jr. captured his second NMDOTY title in five years, with 517 drivers scoring points at 189 events, nationwide. The NMDOTY staff will administrate the program, with point fund and awards distribution handled by Western Performance Parts. The current website: www.nmdoty.com will carry updated points, schedule and all news for the Western Champion.
“Twenty-three West Coast midget car owners, with 38 entries will be competing at the upcoming Lucas Oil Chili Bowl next week, I plan to meet personally with each team owner and discuss this program and answer all questions regarding it” commented Gapinski. Further information will be announced and posted on the website following the completion of the Chili Bowl.
The top ten drivers, car owner champion along with Manufacturers Champions and Rookie of the Year will receive their point fund checks and trophies in the annual ceremony held during the final night of the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals on Jan. 12
Fri Jan 4 2013
“Midget Auto Racing returns to Cedar Lake Speedway Arena”
“Two day event to open Badger season March 8-10”
By Bryan Gapinski
New Richmond, Wis., Jan. 2---“The Indoor Nationals” marks the return of midget auto racing to the Cedar Lake Speedway Arena for the first time in nearly five years! Officials of the facility announced that the Stark Automotive Group/Mid-State Equipment Badger Midget Series will run a two-day event at the indoor quarter-mile dirt oval on March 9-10. Also competing in the event will be Legends Cars, and Slingshots.
In mid-February, track officials will replace the motocross track with a quarter-mile clay oval, same size as when Badger ran in March 2008, with Brandon Waelti, and Dave Darland winning the feature events. Drivers will be looking to break David Gough’s one-lap record of 11.818 seconds.
The event will be the season opener for the Badger, the country's oldest midget auto racing organization, and will feature two complete shows. An optional practice night is scheduled for Friday night, March 8. Saturday Night March 9 racing will kickoff at 6 p.m., with Sunday afternoon’s racing events starting at 1 p.m. Saturday’s event will pay $2,000 to win, with Sunday’s winning capturing $2,500, with a $1,000 bonus to any driver winning both features.
The first twenty midget entries will be guaranteed an indoor heated pit stall. For more entry or tickets information, visit www.cedarlakespeedway.com or call (612) 363-0479.
# #
Mon Dec 31 2012
15th annual Rumble in Fort Wayne Sat, Dec.29 RESULTS
● Memorial Coliseum Expo Center ● Fort Wayne, Ind.
By Tony Barhorst
SATURDAY RESULTS
The unlikely duo of Chris deRitis and Billy Hulbert will make up the front row for the 50-lap midget feature Saturday in the 15th annual Rumble in Fort Wayne.
The top two finishers in each of four heat races make up the first four rows of the feature, with an eight-car inversion.
That put deRitis -- who qualified 19th among 28 cars -- on the pole. He is driving the same Munchkin-Volkswagen that Lou Cicconi Jr. put in victory lane here in 2008. Hulbert will join him on the front row. They will be followed by Russ Gamester, Bobby East, Derek Bischak, Justin Peck, Brandon Knupp and nine-time Fort Wayne winner Tony Stewart.
Rounding out the lineup will be Mike Fedorcak, Friday winner Billy Wease, Geoff Kaiser, Aaron Pierce, Grant Galloway and Cooper Clouse.
Teammates Fedorcak and Stewart led the way in qualifying. Fedorcak bested Stewart by more than 1/10th of a second, recording a lap of 8.160 seconds on the 1/6-mile track at the Memorial Coliseum Expo Center. Stewart, forced to change engines from Friday, was next at 8.289 seconds. Completing the top five were Knupp (8.316), Peck (8.367) and Wease (8.390).
Tim Neal led all the way in winning the winged outlaw modified midget feature.
MIDGETS
Qualifications – 1. Mike Fedorcak, 97, Stewart, 8.160 seconds; 2. Tony Stewart, 2, Stewart, 8.289; 3. Brandon Knupp, 78k, Chambers, 8.316; 4. Justin Peck, 5x, Clay, 8.367; 5. Billy Wease, 99, Burrow, 8.390; 6. Derek Bischak, 31, Bischak, 8.394; 7. Geoff Kaiser, 10, Moore, 8.397; 8. David Gough, 6, Gough, 8.456; 9. Cory Setser, 24, Setser, 8.478; 10. Cooper Clouse, 14c, Clouse, 8.512; 11. Jimmy Anderson, 99g, Guess, 8.533; 12. Aaron Pierce, 26, Gaines, 8.585; 13. Bobby East, 61, Kenyon, 8.604; 14. Grant Galloway, 84, Galloway, 8.616; 15. Stratton Briggs, 2r, Briggs, 8.658; 16. Russ Gamester, 46, Gamester, 8.664; 17. Billy Hulbert, 88x, Hulbert, 8.678; 18. Rex Norris III, 63, Norris, 8.692; 19. Chris deRitis, 66, deRitis, 8.749; 20. Joe Swanson, 3, Barnett, 8.772; 21. Chris Jagger, 27, Jagger, 8.807; 22. Bryan Nuckles, 59, Nuckles, 8.825; 23. Rich Corson, 15, Corson, 8.835; 24. Mike Osite, 20, Fedorcak, 8.955; 25. Joey Burrow, 49, Burrow, 9.007; 26. Terry Ahern, 6t6, Ahern, 9.163; 27. Vince Kuelbs Jr., 10x, Kuelbs, 9.368; 28. Mike Wallace, 10w, Wallace, 9.578; 29. Basil Hicks, 88, Hicks, NT; 30. Nick Hamilton, 3h, Hamilton, NT; 31. Mike Ousley, 14, Ousley, NT; 32. Matt Westfall, 19, Ryder, NT.
First heat (10 laps) – East, Hulbert, Wease, Fedorcak, Jagger, Burrow, Hicks, Setser.
Second heat (10 laps) – Stewart, Bischak, Nuckles, Norris, Ahern, Galloway, Hamilton, Clouse.
Third heat (10 laps) – Knupp, deRitis, Anderson, Kaiser, Kuelbs, Briggs, Corson.
Fourth heat (10 laps) – Gamester, Peck, Pierce, Wallace, Swanson, Osite, Gough.
First semi-feature (12 laps) – Fedorcak, Pierce, Norris, Burrow, Nuckles, Wallace.
Second semi-feature (12 laps) – Wease, Galloway, Anderson, Swanson, Corson, Ahern, Hicks.
Third semi-feature (12 laps) – Kaiser, Clouse, Briggs, Hamilton, Osite, Jagger, Kuelbs.
MIDGETS - FEATURE - TOP 5 RESULTS: 1) 31-Derek Bischak, 2) 61-Bobby East, 3) 5x-Justin Peck, 4) 97-Mike Fedorcak, 5) 10-Geoff Kaiser
WINGED OUTLAW MODIFIED MIDGETS (600cc)
Qualifications – 1. John Ivy, 94, HMS, 8.260 seconds; 2. Amanda Quinones, 007, Advanced Products, 8.300; 3. Erick Rudolph, 22r, Lafler, 8.300; 4. Chase Ridenour, 11r, Ridenour, 8.355; 5. Cap Henry, 04, HMS, 8.389; 6. Tyler Ross, 3t, Holmquist, 8.402; 7. Ryan Smith, 22s, VanDoren, 8.418; 8. Ginny Quinones, 20, Quinones, 8.431; 9. Larry Joe Sroufe, 21, Sroufe, 8.484; 10. Tim Neal, 19, Dunigan, 8.707; 11. Kyle Henry, 5t1h, Ormsby, 8.558; 12. Clay Sanders, 21x, Sanders, 8.645; 13. Drew Dorsett, 11b, Sager-Bickel, 8.676; 14. Nick Landon, 82, Landon, 8.698; 15. Kyle Lick, 8L, Lick, 8.707; 16. Mark Zumbrun, 35z, Zumbrun, 8.786; 17. Braiden Black, 8b, Black, 8.802; 18. Jason Ormsby, 51, Ormsby, 8.804; 19. Jim Sipe, 26s, Sipe, 8.957; 20. Steve Shockney Jr., 28s, Shockney, 8.960; 21. Russ Gamester, 49, Gamester, 8.965; 22. Chris Miller, 15, Miller, 9.007; 23. Tyler Ransbottom, 29, Allen, 9.049; 24. Howard McCormick, 2, Strausbaugh, 9.079; 25. Roger Ritchey, 25r, Ritchey, 9.156; 26. Tyler Fitzpatrick, 57, Fitzpatrick, 9.180; 27. Chris Hettinger, 7, Hettinger, 9.200; 28. Brad Lamberson, 27, Lamberson, 9.212; 29. R.J. Wiggam, 52w, Fastrax, 9.265; 30. Bill Dunham, 84, Dunham, 9.303; 31. Gary Klein, 68, Klein, 9.318; 32. A.J. Lesiecki, 14, Lesiecki, 9.541; 33. Mike Brooks, 84, Brooks, 9.635; 34. Steve Myers, 88, Myers, 9.837; 35. Bob Baker, 22, Baker, 10.254.
First heat (10 laps) – Ross, Ivy, K. Henry, Zumbrun, Gamester, Fitzpatrick, Klein.
Second heat (10 laps) – Smith, Black, A. Quinones, Sanders, Miller, Hettinger, Lesiecki.
Third heat (10 laps) – Rudolph, G. Quinones, Ormsby, Dorsett, Lamberson, Ransbottom, Brooks.
Fourth heat (10 laps) – Sroufe, Ridenour, Landon, Sipe, Wiggam, McCormick, Myers.
Fifth heat (10 laps) – Lick, Neal, Shockney, Ritchey, Dunham, Baker, C. Henry.
First semi-feature (12 laps) – A. Quinones, Sanders, Zumbrun, Wiggam, Shockney, Fitzpatrick, Lesiecki, Baker, Ransbottom.
Second semi-feature (12 laps) – C. Henry, Ormsby, Hettinger, Gamester, Dunham, McCormick, Brooks.
Third semi-feature (12 laps) – K. Henry, Miller, Landon, Ritchey, Lamberson, Sipe.
Feature (30 laps) – Tim Neal, John Ivy, Cap Henry, Ryan Smith, Erick Rudolph, Larry Joe Sroufe, Tyler Ross, Braiden Black, Jason Ormsby, Chase Ridenour, Clay Sanders, Amanda Quinones, Chris Miller, Kyle Henry, Ginny Quinones, Kyle Lick. Lap leaders: Neal 1-30.
MIDGETS
Qualifications – 1. Mike Fedorcak, 97, Stewart, 8.160 seconds; 2. Tony Stewart, 2, Stewart, 8.289; 3. Brandon Knupp, 78k, Chambers, 8.316; 4. Justin Peck, 5x, Clay, 8.367; 5. Billy Wease, 99, Burrow, 8.390; 6. Derek Bischak, 31, Bischak, 8.394; 7. Geoff Kaiser, 10, Moore, 8.397; 8. David Gough, 6, Gough, 8.456; 9. Cory Setser, 24, Setser, 8.478; 10. Cooper Clouse, 14c, Clouse, 8.512; 11. Jimmy Anderson, 99g, Guess, 8.533; 12. Aaron Pierce, 26, Gaines, 8.585; 13. Bobby East, 61, Kenyon, 8.604; 14. Grant Galloway, 84, Galloway, 8.616; 15. Stratton Briggs, 2r, Briggs, 8.658; 16. Russ Gamester, 46, Gamester, 8.664; 17. Billy Hulbert, 88x, Hulbert, 8.678; 18. Rex Norris III, 63, Norris, 8.692; 19. Chris deRitis, 66, deRitis, 8.749; 20. Joe Swanson, 3, Barnett, 8.772; 21. Chris Jagger, 27, Jagger, 8.807; 22. Bryan Nuckles, 59, Nuckles, 8.825; 23. Rich Corson, 15, Corson, 8.835; 24. Mike Osite, 20, Fedorcak, 8.955; 25. Joey Burrow, 49, Burrow, 9.007; 26. Terry Ahern, 6t6, Ahern, 9.163; 27. Vince Kuelbs Jr., 10x, Kuelbs, 9.368; 28. Mike Wallace, 10w, Wallace, 9.578; 29. Basil Hicks, 88, Hicks, NT; 30. Nick Hamilton, 3h, Hamilton, NT; 31. Mike Ousley, 14, Ousley, NT; 32. Matt Westfall, 19, Ryder, NT.
WINGED OUTLAW MODIFIED MIDGETS (600cc)
Qualifications – 1. John Ivy, 94, HMS, 8.260 seconds; 2. Amanda Quinones, 007, Advanced Products, 8.300; 3. Erick Rudolph, 22r, Lafler, 8.300; 4. Chase Ridenour, 11r, Ridenour, 8.355; 5. Cap Henry, 04, HMS, 8.389; 6. Tyler Ross, 3t, Holmquist, 8.402; 7. Ryan Smith, 22s, VanDoren, 8.418; 8. Ginny Quinones, 20, Quinones, 8.431; 9. Larry Joe Sroufe, 21, Sroufe, 8.484; 10. Tim Neal, 19, Dunigan, 8.707; 11. Kyle Henry, 5t1h, Ormsby, 8.558; 12. Clay Sanders, 21x, Sanders, 8.645; 13. Drew Dorsett, 11b, Sager-Bickel, 8.676; 14. Nick Landon, 82, Landon, 8.698; 15. Kyle Lick, 8L, Lick, 8.707; 16. Mark Zumbrun, 35z, Zumbrun, 8.786; 17. Braiden Black, 8b, Black, 8.802; 18. Jason Ormsby, 51, Ormsby, 8.804; 19. Jim Sipe, 26s, Sipe, 8.957; 20. Steve Shockney Jr., 28s, Shockney, 8.960; 21. Russ Gamester, 49, Gamester, 8.965; 22. Chris Miller, 15, Miller, 9.007; 23. Tyler Ransbottom, 29, Allen, 9.049; 24. Howard McCormick, 2, Strausbaugh, 9.079; 25. Roger Ritchey, 25r, Ritchey, 9.156; 26. Tyler Fitzpatrick, 57, Fitzpatrick, 9.180; 27. Chris Hettinger, 7, Hettinger, 9.200; 28. Brad Lamberson, 27, Lamberson, 9.212; 29. R.J. Wiggam, 52w, Fastrax, 9.265; 30. Bill Dunham, 84, Dunham, 9.303; 31. Gary Klein, 68, Klein, 9.318; 32. A.J. Lesiecki, 14, Lesiecki, 9.541; 33. Mike Brooks, 84, Brooks, 9.635; 34. Steve Myers, 88, Myers, 9.837; 35. Bob Baker, 22, Baker, 10.254.
15th annual Rumble in Fort Wayne
Friday, Dec. 28 Memorial Coliseum Expo Center Fort Wayne, Ind.
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Billy Wease nudged his way past 14-year-old Cooper Clouse with two laps to go, climaxing his charge from the last starting position, to win Friday night's 50-lap midget feature on the opening night of the 15th annual Rumble in Fort Wayne.
Wease, 26, notched his fourth career win on the 1/6-mile track at the Memorial Coliseum Expo Center and his fifth overall indoor midget victory. He started 14th in the 14-car lineup.
Justin Peck, another 14-year-old, finished second, with Jimmy Anderson, Bobby East and early leader Mike Fedorcak completing the top five. Clouse spun after contact with Wease in turn one on lap 49 and wound up seventh.
Three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Tony Stewart was running second just before the halfway point when his engine expired, relegating him to a 12th-place finish. Stewart has won a record nine times at the Rumble.
Stewart said he would have a "tired" engine fitted in his car for Saturday night's finale of the Rumble in Fort Wayne. Doors open at 11 a.m., with the main portion of the program after 7 p.m. Tickets will be available at the door.
Erick Rudolph won the accompanying winged outlaw modified midget feature, inheriting the victory when Cap Henry's throttle stuck and he spun with just over a lap to go.
FRIDAY RESULTS
MIDGETS (National/Focus/Kenyon Car)
Qualifications – 1. Derek Bischak, 31, Bischak, 8.155 seconds; 2. Joe Liguori, 67, Liguori, 8.200; 3. David Gough, 6, Gough, 8.247; 4. Tony Stewart, 2, Stewart, 8.259; 5. Geoff Kaiser, 10, Moore, 8.278; 6. Brandon Knupp, 78k, Chambers, 8.318; 7. Jimmy Anderson, 99g, Guess, 8.382; 8. Justin Peck, 5x, Clay, 8.444; 9. Billy Wease, 99, Burrow, 8.445; 10. Cory Setser, 24, Setser, 8.457; 11. Russ Gamester, 46, Gamester, 8.486; 12. Bobby East, 61, Kenyon, 8.513; 13. Mike Fedorcak, 97, Stewart, 8.524; 14. Cooper Clouse, 14c, Clouse, 8.625; 15. Rex Norris III, 63, Norris, 8.667; 16. Rich Corson, 15, Corson, 8.672; 17. Jim “Timex” Morgan, 2m, Morgan, 8.685; 18. Joey Burrow, 49, Burrow, 8.740; 19. Matt Westfall, 19, Ryder, 8.778; 20. Chris Jagger, 27, Jagger, 8.806;
First heat (10 laps) – Bischak, Corson, Gamester, deRitis, Ousley, Knupp, Kuelbs.
Second heat (10 laps) – East, Liguori, Santos, Anderson, Briggs, Morgan, Osite.
Third heat (10 laps) – Fedorcak, Gough, Peck, Nuckles, N. Hamilton, Swanson, Burrow.
Fourth heat (10 laps) – Stewart, Clouse, Pierce, Galloway, Westfall, Ahern, Wease.
Fifth heat (10 laps) – Kaiser, Setser, Hulbert, Jagger, Wallace, Norris, Hicks.
First semi-feature (12 laps) – Knupp, Hurlbert, Nuckles, Santos, Ousley, Gamester.
Second semi-feature (12 laps) – Anderson, Pierce, Jagger, Osite, Norris, Swanson.
Third semi-feature (12 laps) – Peck, deRitis, N. Hamilton, Hicks, Ahern.
Fourth semi-feature (12 laps) – Wease, Galloway, Briggs, Wallace, Burrow, Kuelbs.
Feature (50 laps) – Billy Wease, Justin Peck, Jimmy Anderson, Bobby East, Mike Fedorcak, Geoff Kaiser, Cooper Clouse, Rich Corson, Cory Setser, Brandon Knupp, David Gough, Tony Stewart, Joe Liguori, Derek Bischak. Lap leaders: Fedorcak 1-26, Clouse 27-48, Wease 49-50.
WINGED OUTLAW MODIFIED MIDGETS (600cc)
Qualifications – 1. Ryan Smith, 22s, VanDoren, 8.105 seconds; 2. Erick Rudolph, 22r, Lafler, 8.144; 3. Tim Neal, 19, Dunigan, 8.278; 4. Ben Quinones, 20, Advanced Products, 8.292; 5. John Ivy, 94, HMS, 8.323; 6. Cap Henry, 04, HMS, 8.324; 7. Chase Ridenour, 11r, Ridenour, 8.448; 8. Amanda Quinones, 007, Advanced Products, 8.474; 9. Tyler Ross, 3t, Holmquist, 8.519; 10. Mark Zumbrun, 35z, Zumbrun, 8.618; 11. Drew Dorsett, 11b, Sager-Bickel, 8.621; 12. Larry Joe Sroufe, 21, Sroufe, 8.638; 13. Clay Sanders, 21x, Sanders, 8.650; 14. Kyle Henry, 51h, Ormsby, 8.698; 15. Russ Gamester, 49, Gamester, 8.706; 16. Bill Dunham, 84, Dunham, 8.717; 17. Chris Hettinger, 7, Hettinger, 8.767; 18. Jason Ormsby, 51, Ormsby, 8.795; 19. Braiden Black, 8b, Black, 8.814; 20. Kyle Lick, 8L, Lick, 8.859;
First heat (10 laps) – Smith, C. Henry, Dunham, Bretzman, Sipe, Brooks, Miller, Dorsett.
Second heat (10 laps) – Sroufe, Rudolph, Ridenour, Landon, Fitzpatrick, Ritchey, Baker, Hettinger.
Third heat (10 laps) – Ormsby, Neal, A. Quinones, Sanders, Wiggam, Ransbottom, Hamilton, Hephner.
Fourth heat (10 laps) – Ross, Black, K. Henry, Lamberson, Klein, B. Quinones.
Fifth heat (10 laps) – Ivy, Gamester, Zumbrun, McCormick, Shockney, Lesiecki, Lick.
First semi-feature (12 laps) – B. Quinones, K. Henry, Zumbrun, Lick, Ritchey, Sipe, Brooks, Myers, Klein.
Second semi-feature (12 laps) – Ridenour, Miller, Landon, Dorsett, Dunham, Baker, Lamberson, McCormick, Hamilton, Richards.
Third semi-feature (12 laps) – A. Quinones, Sanders, Wiggam, Shockney, Fitzpatrick, Bretzman, Ransbottom, Lesiecki.
Feature (30 laps) – Erick Rudolph, Tyler Ross, Chris Miller, Tim Neal, Chase Ridenour, Ben Quinones, Cap Henry, Clay Sanders, Amanda Quinones, Russ Gamester, Jason Ormsby, Larry Joe Sroufe, John Ivy, Ryan Smith, Braiden Black, Kyle Henry. Lap leaders: Gamester 1-2, Ross 3-13, C. Henry 14-28, Rudolph 29-30.
Mon Dec 24 2012
Rumble Series Announces Fort Wayne pre entry list
Fort Wayne, Indiana - Dec 22, 2012 Defending champion Tony Stewart is among a record-tying six former winners entered in the 15th annual "Rumble in Fort Wayne" indoor midget races on Friday, Dec. 28 and Saturday, Dec. 29. Click on the Rumble In Fort Wayne logo at right to link to all entries and more information.
.Jim Anderson, Rich Corson, Bobby East, Mike Fedorcak and Billy Wease also are among the 34 entries in the midget division. Led by Stewart's nine victories, the six have combined to win 17 of the 25 features held at the Memorial Coliseum Expo Center since the event originated in 1998.
Entries will be taken at the door
The entry list, announced Friday, also includes David Gough, Kyle Hamilton, Tim Jedrzejek, Brandon Knupp and Bryan Nuckles, all of whom have a second-place finish on the 1/6-mile track.
In all, nearly 300 drivers are pre-entered in midgets, winged outlaw modified midgets, nine kart classes and seven quarter midget classes (entries continue to be accepted). Spectator gates open at 11 a.m. both days, with the main portion of the program, including midget and winged midget heat races, semi-features and features, after 7 p.m. Tickets and pit passes will be available at the door.More information about the event, including ticket prices and special motel rates, is available at www.rumbleseries.com, by e-mailing tbracefest@aol.com or by calling (317) 418-3216.
Learn more about ticket prices...
Click on the Stewart/ East Photo For A Layout, Map, and Schedule
Please review the attached map of the Memorial Coliseum Expo Center layout and schedule of events (map also is available at http://www.rumbleseries.com/Files/finallayout12.pdf). As noted, the pit area will open at 2 p.m. on Thursday, with an optional practice period for all classes starting at 5:30. The pits will open at 7 a.m. on Friday and at 9 a.m. on Saturday.
Rumble Series
Tony Barhorst
President
email: tbracefest@aol.com
phone: 937-369-3693
Dec 12 2012
Silver Crown champ Bobby East enters 'Rumble in Fort Wayne'
Rumble Series by Tony Barhorst
Fort Wayne, Indiana Dec 11, 2012 - Just before one of the biggest races of his career, Bobby East got a text message of support from none other than three-time NASCAR champion Tony Stewart.
Sufficiently motivated, East went out that October night in Terre Haute, Ind., and led all 100 laps, clinching the 2012 USAC Silver Crown championship for himself and Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing.
East has won vs. Stewart before in Fort Wayne
But East shouldn't count on that same level of encouragement the next time he and his boss cross paths.
The 27-year-old from Brownsburg, Ind., has joined the previously announced Stewart on the entry list for the 15th annual "Rumble in Fort Wayne" indoor midget races Dec. 28-29 at the Memorial Coliseum Expo Center. The holiday event also includes winged outlaw modified midgets, karts and quarter midgets, with complete programs both Friday and Saturday.
East, whose 48 career victories make him one of USAC's top names, picked up the ride in Don and Mel Kenyon's No. 61 midget when Tony Elliott, citing doctor's orders, bowed out because of recent rotator cuff surgery.
"It's something every year we try to figure out, how to get back up there while also getting ready for (January's) Chili Bowl," East said. "I'm really glad to get back there and go run. Shoot, I used to really enjoy the indoor races."
While Stewart has won a record nine times on the 1/6-mile indoor track, East found victory lane sooner. In December 2001, as a high school junior less than two weeks past his 16th birthday, East captured the opening night feature in stunning fashion. The second night, he was running second, trying to hold off Stewart, when his race unraveled.
"He hit me so hard in turn one," East recalled, "it knocked my foot off the brake." With East sidelined by a subsequent crash, Stewart went on to claim his first victory in the Rumble. He's now an amazing 9-for-14 at Fort Wayne. "Tony's pretty special," said East, who as a youngster watched Stewart race for his father, famed car builder Bob East. "He's a really good driver. That's an understatement
Not too long ago, it appeared East might follow Stewart on the road to NASCAR stardom. His 2004 USAC midget title helped land him a development deal with Ford and Jack Roush Racing, and he made 42 starts in the Nationwide and Truck series from 2005-08. "I'd definitely give it another shot if it was anything worth doing," he said. "I get one or two calls a year (from owners), usually before the Truck race at IRP (Lucas Oil Raceway near Indianapolis). I think it's something I could win. "But at the end of the conversation, they want to know how much money (he can offer). And I don't have any money."
If East spends the rest of his career in midgets, sprints and Silver Crown cars, that's fine with him, though. He won features in all three USAC national divisions in 2012, a distinction he shared with Bryan Clauson, and figures to collect his milestone 50th victory next season. Married for nearly three years to the former Courtney Kirts - herself a former midget driver who raced at Fort Wayne - East says life has never been better. "Don (Kenyon) will have the car going around pretty good," he said, looking ahead to the Rumble. "That's all I want right now - a happy life with my wife and trophies."
Spectator gates open at 11 a.m. both days of the Rumble, with the main portion of the program after 7 p.m. Information about tickets, race entries and special hotel rates is available at www.rumbleseries.com or by calling (317) 418-3216. Requests for information also may be e-mailed to tbracefest@aol.com
Dec 10 2012
Paules, Gursky, Graver, Miller, Freundt in spotlight
at Mahoning Valley Speedway awards banquet
By DINO OBERTO
(JIM THORPE, PA 12-8-12) Mahoning Valley Speedway first year promoter Floyd Santee did it again. After drawing increased car counts and crowds all season long at the paved Lehighton quarter mile oval, the same scenario played out at the 2012 Awards Banquet as one of the largest gatherings in years came out to celebrate the past racing season.
350 guests assembled at Memorial Hall in Jim Thorpe for an evening fit for a champion and with close to $25,000 in point fund money, all divisional finishers in the top ten in points saw a raise in their payoff envelopes.
It was no surprise that Earl Paules of Palmerton picked up the lion’s share of the night’s hardware after his undisputed twin title runs in the Modifieds and Late Models. He also walked off with the Rookie of the Year and Fast Time Award with the later.
For Paules, it was a record setting season, becoming the first driver to win dual titles in the same season. His 50 overall starts were the most ever and his 10 Late Model wins tied the record for victories in a year.
In what is always one of the toughest classes at Mahoning, TJ Gursky was a return champion with the Street Stocks. The Palmerton star scored three wins including the season ending 100-lapper during the Octoberfast 2012. He eked his way to the title by a mere two points over Josh Mooney.
Just as he did in 2011, Lehighton’s Kris Graver had another superb season in the Dirt Modifieds. Graver won features in eight of 20 starts and only twice finished out of the top five. In two years’ time he has reeled off 15 victories and this was his third straight overall title as he won the 4-Cylinder Stock crown in 2010. He also set the new Dirt Modified fast time with a10.300. Not yet 20-years old, Graver has close to 30 career wins and continues to embark on a great future.
There may be no better deserving driver to win a championship than Northampton’s Jeremy Miller. After 15 years of racing with the 4-Cylinder Stocks, Miller finally earned a championship. And he did so with a solid performance throughout the year with a class leading seven feature and 11 heat wins.
He also tied the record for wins with the division at 32 and is ranked among the track’s top ten all-time winners list. Miller has won races in each of the past three decades and is indeed a worthy champion.
Dan Freundt of Lehighton was named the 4-Cylinder Stock Front Wheel Drive champion. The class was intermingled with the regular 4-Cylinder Stocks and paid a $50 bonus for the highest finisher each week. Freundt did well for himself there too, collecting 12 bonus payoffs that did wonders in bolstering his championship effort.
Zane Zeiner of Bath claimed the Mahoning Modified Madness Series title and the $2000 first place prize. The top six in the series’ all took home cash awards.
The Most Improved Driver Awards went to Kevin Rex, Jr., George Ramos III, Jason Kuhn, Jake Kibler and Mark Levy in the Modifieds, Late Models, Street Stocks, 4-Cylinder Stocks and Dirt Mods respectively.
Scott Meckes, Modified, Ricky Yetter, Dirt Mod, Nick Baer, 4-Cylinder Stock and Kyle Strohl, Street Stock and FWD were named Rookies of the Year.
The Checkered Flag Fan Club Service Appreciation Award was rightfully given to Jim Truhe. His countless hours of hard work and dedication were greatly appreciated. Truhe, along with Tim Santee, Linda Pollack and Dino Oberto were presented gratitude awards for their duties at the track each.
On behalf of the entire track staff, promoter Santee was given a distinctive plated plaque, which was to thank him for all he did at the speedway.
Santee addressed the crowd by thanking them for a great year of racing and promised to continue with bigger and better shows in 2013. He noted that a mid-April date has been set for Opening Night.
Nov 25 2012
Tony Stewart To Enter Rumble
In Fort Wayne Allen Country War Memorial Expo Center
photo from Rumble press release
Fort Wayne, In- For Tony Stewart, the sheer joy of wheeling a midget race car around a tight, 1/6-mile indoor track is irresistible. The three-time NASCAR champion will return to the 15th annual "Rumble in Fort Wayne" on Friday, Dec. 28 and Saturday, Dec. 29, trying to add to his record nine victories at the Memorial Coliseum Expo Center. He swept the two-day program last year for the second time in his career. "I just like to race," said the 41-year-old from Columbus, Ind., who got his start in the lightweight open-wheel, open-cockpit cars. "When the weather is bad outside and you can't do anything else and you like racing, to be able to race indoors is really a luxury."
The unique holiday event brings together more than 300 competitors in midgets, winged outlaw modified midgets (600cc), karts and quarter midgets. Spectator gates open at 11 a.m. each day, with midget time trials at 6 p.m. and the main portion of the program after 7:30. "It's just fun," said Stewart, who especially likes to watch the younger drivers, with an eye toward the future of his own race teams. "You get everything from kids racing quarter midgets and go-karts to guys who've been racing 20-25 years." Stewart's record at Fort Wayne is remarkable. His nine victories have come in just 14 starts, and only once has he failed to win when his car was running at the finish. That was on the second night in 2008, when East Coast standout Lou Cicconi Jr. beat him in a race that went green all the way. Stewart also holds the track qualifying record of 7.323 seconds, set in 2005.
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Stewart will return in his black No. 2 Munchkin chassis, which he half-jokingly says is funded by his poker games. He also will field a second Tony Stewart Racing entry for his longtime teammate and car builder, Mike Fedorcak of nearby Roanoke, Ind. Fedorcak won on the opening night in 2002. "It's going to be great fun to have Tony racing at the Rumble against champions from a variety of series," event organizer Tony Barhorst of Classic Motorsports said. "He first arrived in 1999 unannounced. One year, he even competed under the name Mikey Fedorcak Jr. from Gnawbone, Ind. "This year, we know for sure he will be here."
Information about "Rumble in Fort Wayne" entries, racer's rate hotels and tickets are available at www.rumbleseries.com. Tickets may be ordered by mail without a service charge. The event information line is (317) 418-3206. Requests for information may be e-mailed to tbracefest@aol.com.
AMERICAN THREE QUARTER MIDGET RACING ASSOCIATION
Joe Payne, Jr., wins first ATQMRA Turkey Derby TQ-Midget feature at Wall
By EARL KRAUSE
(WALL TWP., NJ 11-24-12) In his great career as an open-cockpit driver, Joe Payne, Jr., has won many races at tracks all over the Northeast in TQ-Midgets, full Midgets and Supermodifieds. That includes N.J.’s Wall Stadium, where he had taken 11 victories in ATQMRA TQ-Midget competition between 1989 and this past October. But one very special TQ race win had eluded him at Wall, the Turkey Derby that is presented on that high-banked, third-mile asphalt oval each Thanksgiving Weekend.
That goal was reached for Payne this past Saturday when the driver known as the “Jersey Jet” won his first TQ-Midget Turkey Derby feature while gaining his 12th overall victory on the famed oval. It was the 39th edition of the Turkey Derby and the 32nd time that the ATQMRA has been part of the big weekend.
Payne’s Derby win came at the wheel of one of the most storied cars in the ATQMRA, the red No. 51 fielded by many-time champion car builder and master mechanic Alan Mollot. In victory lane, after Payne enthusiastically said that he had “at last won the Turkey Derby!” Mollot added that the winning No. 51 is some 32 years old!
The 25-lap feature had Phil DiMario and Buddy Sload on the front row and they immediately had a wheel to wheel race for the lead over the first circuit. But coming down the homestretch as they were finishing that first lap their cars tangled at high speed. DiMario’s No. 23 bounced up on two wheels off the steel rail and was done for the event, while Sload drove to the pit area and returned for the restart.
New England-based NEMA Midget standout Randy Cabral drove the blue & silver No. 77 into the lead on the complete restart and set a fast pace over Mike Tidaback, Robin Johnston, Payne, 2012 ATQMRA champion Ryan Tidman and 2010 titlist Ian Cumens.
On lap four a sudden mechanical problem sent Cumens’ No. 79 to the right in turn two and hard into the fence. Cumens, also the 2012 NEMA Lite Midget champion, was unhurt but his family No. 79 was damaged and unable to restart.
Payne had been moving toward the front and used the restart to power past his top-five competitors to take the lead. At the same time Tidman raced to second.
By the 10th circuit Payne held a several car length lead over still challenging Tidman while Johnston, Cabral and 2009 ATQMRA champion Alison Cumens (Ian’s sister) raced close from third through fifth.
Moments later, Cumens, Sload and Dan Lane Jr., tangled in turn two.
Just prior to the restart, Matt Roselli, who was up to fifth, pulled his No. 98 to the infield.
Payne outraced Tidman on the double-file restart and they again pulled away while Johnston and Cabral ran strong in third and fourth. The top four stayed that way into lap 20, while Alison Cumens and Sload raced back to the front and battled for fifth. At the checkered on lap 25, Payne captured his first Turkey Derby TQ-Midget main with Tidman, Johnston and Cabral the top four; and Cumens winning the battle for fifth over Sload.
Wall TQ Notes: Payne also competed in a totally different type of race car at Wall on Saturday. He drove the Dirt Modified No. 94 in that division’s feature and finished a strong second to Andrew Krause after they had a thrilling duel for the lead... Kreig Heroth, the 2012 Oswego (N.Y.) Speedway small-block Supermodified champion, made his Wall TQ debut at the Derby. Originally scheduled to drive Blu Metz’s
No. F8, he was at the wheel of the No. 26, a car originally to be run by Bill Force Sr., for the feature. Bill’s son, Bill Force Jr., drove the Mike Roselli No. 98x as a teammate to Matt Roselli in the No. 98.
Finish: Joe Payne Jr., Ryan Tidman, Robin Johnston, Randy Cabral, Alison Cumens, Buddy Sload, Bill Force Jr., Mike Occupinti, Matt Roselli, Dan Lane Jr., Kreig Heroth, Mike Tidaback, Ian Cumens and Phil DiMario.
Aug 29 2012
2012 Rocky Mountain Midget Racing Association Champions
by Don Holbrook
Freebird Motorsports Marketing
2012 RMMRA Driver Champion Keith Rauch
Final Driver Point Standings
1. Keith Rauch - 791 11. Mike Heberling - 218
2. Tony Rossi - 693 12. Mike Boesel - 214
3. Bob Harr - 636 13. Mark Chisholm - 212
4. Chris Sheil - 613 14. Scott Fennell - 184
5. Chris DeShon - 601 15. AJ Henson - 176
6. Jay Sant - 597 16. Clint Schubert - 162
7. Dustin Weland - 350 17. Todd Plemons - 146
8. Cory Mallo - 246 18. Greg Schaefer - 109
9. Justin Mallo - 228 19. Kyle Rayburn - 56
10. Luke Icke - 225 20. Steve Newman - Guest
2012 Rocky Mountain Midget Racing Association
Final Owner Point Standings
1. Petauro Racing - 791 11. Luke Icke - 225
2. Tony Rossi - 693 12. Mike Heberling - 218
3. Halaar Racing - 636 13. Mike Boesel - 214
4. Russ DeShon - 601 14. Mark Chisholm - 212
5. Cappy Mason - 557 15. Ken Clark - 184
6. R&K Motorsports - 557 16. George Schubert - 162
7. Erich Weland - 350 17. Todd Plemons - 146
8. Rory Mallo (69m) - 248 18. Todd Henry - 109
9. Rory Mallo (9m) - 246 19. Bryan Jamison - 56
10. Rory Mallo (6m) - 228 20. Wayne Rayburn - 56
2012 “A” Feature Winners
03-16-12 (Cowtown Speedway; Kennedale, TX.) - Brady Bacon
03-17-12 (Cowtown Speedway; Kennedale, TX.) - Dave Darland
05-12-12 (I-76 Speedway, Ft. Morgan, CO.) - Chris DeShon
05-16-12 (El Paso County Fairgrounds; Calhan, CO.) - Chris DeShon
05-26-12 (Aztec Speedway; Aztec, N.M.) - Cancel
05-27-12 (Aztec Speedway; Aztec, N.M.) - Cancel
06-09-12 (I-76 Speedway; Ft. Morgan, CO.) - Luke Icke
06-16-12 (El Paso County Fairgrounds; Calhan, CO.) - Keith Rauch
07-04-12 (Phillips County Raceway; Holyoke, CO.) - Rainout
07-21-12 (El Paso County Fairgrounds; Calhan, CO.) - Keith Rauch
07-27-12 (Phillips County Raceway; Holyoke, CO.) - Keith Rauch
07-28-12 (I-76 Speedway; Ft. Morgan, CO.) - Keith Rauch
08-17-12 (Sweetwater Event Complex; Sweetwater, WY.) - Keith Rauch
08-18-12 (Sweetwater Event Complex; Sweetwater, WY.) - Tony Rossi
08-25-12 (El Paso County Fairgrounds; Calhan, CO.) - Tony Rossi
Aug 20 2012
Rossi End's Rauch Domination
by Don Holbrook
Rocksprings, WY. (August 18, 2012) - 4 - Time RMMRA Driver Champion Tony Rossi, driving the Thunder Custom & Restoration, Doyle Ent. Triple X/Mopar ended Keith Rauch domination Saturday night at the Sweetwater Event Complex in Rocksprings, WY.
August 18 @ Sweetwater Event Complex:
Heat One (8 Laps): 1. Bob Harr, 2. Cory Mallo, 3. Jim Doyle, 4. Justin Mallo, 5. Jay Sant (R).Heat Two (8 Laps): 1. Keith Rauch, 2. Tony Rossi, 3. Chris Sheil, 4. AJ Henson (R).
A Feature (15 Laps): 1. Tony Rossi, 2. Bob Harr, 3. Justin Mallo, 4. Jay Sant (R), 5. AJ Henson (R), 6. Cory Mallo (DNF), 7. Keith Rauch (DNF), 8. Chris Sheil (DNF).
Aug 19 2012Rauch Win's 5th Straight RMMRA Feature
by Don Holbrook
Rocksprings, WY. - (August 18, 2012) - Keith Rauch driving the IMM, Peterson Fluids Systems, Spike/Mopar Petauro Racing won his 5th straight RMMRA Feature Friday night at the Sweetwater Event Complex.
August 17 @ Sweetwater Event Complex:
Heat One (8 Laps): 1. Bob Harr, 2. Tony Rossi, 3. Justin Mallo, 4. Jay Sant (R), 5. Chris DeShon, 6. Steve Newman.
Heat Two (8Laps): 1. Keith Rauch, 2. Chris Sheil, 3. Mark Chisholm, 4. Cory Mallo, 5. AJ Henson (R), 6. Phil Peconti.
A Feature (20 Laps): 1. Keith Rauch, 2. Bob Harr, 3. Chris Sheil, 4. Jay Sant (R), 5. Tony Rossi, 6. Steve Newman, 7. Mark Chisholm, 8. AJ Henson (R), 9. Justin Mallo, 10. Cory Mallo, 11. Phil Peconti, 12. Chris DeShon (DNS).
June 4 2012
BCRA at Placerville. Sean Becker wins
by Robert Butch Haugh
For all wondering about BCRA at Placerville.
Sean Becker wins a thriller over David Prickett and Scott Pierovich. Shane Golobic was running third and spun coming thru 4 on the final lap.
Heat wins to Randi Pankratz, Becker & Golobic.
Prickett was fastest in hot laps with a 12.796 lap.
Streeter led early before getting overtaken by Prickett and Becker.Streeter had fallen To third, then tangled with a slower car. Came back for a Top 5 run. Not one Esslinger in the Top 5!
May 2 2012
Brenden Bright Shines in ARDC Midgets with Williams Grove Win
Brendan Bright, the 2011 ARDC Rookie of the Year, bounced back from a disappointing season opener to win his first of the 2012 season at the prestigious Williams Grove Speedway.
Bright was unable to even take the green flag when ARDC opened their season several weeks ago but he made up for lost time with wins in both his heat and feature at Williams Grove from pole position starts. While the front row starts were certainly an advantage, Bright led every lap he raced, surrounded by some of the biggest names in ARDC racing – Smith, Buckwalter and Arndt.
The last thing that Ted Bright said to his son and driver before the start of the race was, “Don’t overdrive the first turn.” With Ryan Smith and Steve Buckwalter right on his tail from the drop of the green flag, those words of advice were hard to follow! Both Smith and S. Buckwalter are past winners of ARDC events at Williams Grove.
It took several attempts to get lap one on the books but the remaining nineteen laps produced some great wheel to wheel racing.
Steve Craig and Carey Becker were involved in a turn three incident when Becker lost the brakes on his #14. Alex Bright had a problem in turn one on the next go round and required the services of a wrecker. Dave Ely also exited to the pit area on this caution.
Bright remained on the point on the restart as S. Buckwalter challenged Smith for second and Parker Evans and PJ Gargiulo battled for the fourth spot. Brett Arndt lost positions as he struggled with a malfunctioning engine.
When Jimmy Glenn brought out the caution after the completion of five laps, Steve Craig and 2011 ARDC Champion, Drew Heistand headed to the pits.
On the restart, Smith took a look to the inside of Bright’s #88 while Trevor Kobylarz battled Steven Drevicki for fifth. By lap nine, Gargiulo had both Kobylarz and Tim Buckwalter challenging. At the half way mark, Bright held the lead followed by Smith, S. Buckwalter, Evans and T. Buckwalter.
At times, Bright was able to pull away from the field by several car lengths while the second through fifth positions were being hotly contested but his comfort level was short lived as Smith and S. Buckwalter would join be on his tail once again.
Billy Pauch Jr. brought out the caution on lap eleven when he was unable to get his disabled Burke Trucking entry off of the track.
After starting in the fifteenth position, T. Buckwalter joined the charge as he took over fourth from Evans just past the half way mark.
Smith had S. Buckwalter to his outside as the pair not only battled for second but looked for racing room to take the lead. On laps fourteen and fifteen, Smith pulled even with Bright in the corners. The pair raced side by side with Bright showing a slight advantage on the long straigtaways.
As the leaders dueled, T. Buckwalter caught the top three and made it a four way battle to the finish. The top four cars were side by side and nose to tail for the final laps of the race.
Coming to the checkered flag, S. Buckwalter made a move to the outside. Bright took the checkered flag first with S. Buckwalter edging Smith at the finish line for second. Fourth went to opening day winner, T. Buckwalter with Kobylarz finishing fifth.
It was clearly a night to remember for the second year driver from Collegeville, PA. Bright talked about the race from his perspective. “I ran the middle of the track in the beginning,” Bright explained. “Toward the end, I was just about standing up in the car to slow it down. Smith got underneath me a couple of times. After that I tried the bottom and it worked for me to run down there.”
Rick Wean finished sixth followed by Eric Heydenreich, Evans and Gargiulo.
Another young ARDC driver had a good outing at Williams Grove. Starting scratch on the feature field, rookie Brett Wanner came home with a tenth place finish in his second outing with ARDC.
The three qualifying heats were won by B. Bright, Arndt and S. Buckwalter.
RACE NOTES
Rookie Brian Gilmore, the younger brother of second year ARDC driver, Mark Gilmore, made his ARDC debut after celebrating his sixteenth birthday. Also making their first starts of the 2012 season were Bear, DE driver, Shawn Jackson and Billy Pauch Jr. On what was a cold and windy night for racing, Bruce Buckwalter Jr. had more heat than he wanted or needed when the engine in the #83 left go during warm-ups. A fire broke out but extinguished itself quickly as Buckwalter tried to exit the car.
Feature Finish (20 laps)
1. Brenden Bright 2. Steve Buckwalter 3. Ryan Smith 4. Tim Buckwalter 5. Trevor Kobylarz 6. NIck Wean 7. Eric Heydenreich 8. Parker Evans 9. PJ Gargiulo 10. Brett Wanner 11. Brett Arndt 12. Dave Shirk 13. Mark Gilmore 14. Randy Reid 15. Brian Gilmore 16. Steven Drevicki 17. Billy Pauch Jr. 18. Steve Craig 19. Drew Heistand 20. Jimmy Glenn 21. Dusty Heistand 22. Dave Ely 23. Alex Bright 24. Carey Becker 25. Ryan Greth DNS – Shawn Jackson
__________________
ARDC Rocks!!! - The only "REAL" racing in Central Pennsylvania.
Brenden Bright Shines in ARDC Midgets with Williams Grove Win
Brendan Bright, the 2011 ARDC Rookie of the Year, bounced back from a disappointing season opener to win his first of the 2012 season at the prestigious Williams Grove Speedway.
Bright was unable to even take the green flag when ARDC opened their season several weeks ago but he made up for lost time with wins in both his heat and feature at Williams Grove from pole position starts. While the front row starts were certainly an advantage, Bright led every lap he raced, surrounded by some of the biggest names in ARDC racing – Smith, Buckwalter and Arndt.
The last thing that Ted Bright said to his son and driver before the start of the race was, “Don’t overdrive the first turn.” With Ryan Smith and Steve Buckwalter right on his tail from the drop of the green flag, those words of advice were hard to follow! Both Smith and S. Buckwalter are past winners of ARDC events at Williams Grove.
It took several attempts to get lap one on the books but the remaining nineteen laps produced some great wheel to wheel racing.
Steve Craig and Carey Becker were involved in a turn three incident when Becker lost the brakes on his #14. Alex Bright had a problem in turn one on the next go round and required the services of a wrecker. Dave Ely also exited to the pit area on this caution.
Bright remained on the point on the restart as S. Buckwalter challenged Smith for second and Parker Evans and PJ Gargiulo battled for the fourth spot. Brett Arndt lost positions as he struggled with a malfunctioning engine.
When Jimmy Glenn brought out the caution after the completion of five laps, Steve Craig and 2011 ARDC Champion, Drew Heistand headed to the pits.
On the restart, Smith took a look to the inside of Bright’s #88 while Trevor Kobylarz battled Steven Drevicki for fifth. By lap nine, Gargiulo had both Kobylarz and Tim Buckwalter challenging. At the half way mark, Bright held the lead followed by Smith, S. Buckwalter, Evans and T. Buckwalter.
At times, Bright was able to pull away from the field by several car lengths while the second through fifth positions were being hotly contested but his comfort level was short lived as Smith and S. Buckwalter would join be on his tail once again.
Billy Pauch Jr. brought out the caution on lap eleven when he was unable to get his disabled Burke Trucking entry off of the track.
After starting in the fifteenth position, T. Buckwalter joined the charge as he took over fourth from Evans just past the half way mark.
Smith had S. Buckwalter to his outside as the pair not only battled for second but looked for racing room to take the lead. On laps fourteen and fifteen, Smith pulled even with Bright in the corners. The pair raced side by side with Bright showing a slight advantage on the long straigtaways.
As the leaders dueled, T. Buckwalter caught the top three and made it a four way battle to the finish. The top four cars were side by side and nose to tail for the final laps of the race.
Coming to the checkered flag, S. Buckwalter made a move to the outside. Bright took the checkered flag first with S. Buckwalter edging Smith at the finish line for second. Fourth went to opening day winner, T. Buckwalter with Kobylarz finishing fifth.
It was clearly a night to remember for the second year driver from Collegeville, PA. Bright talked about the race from his perspective. “I ran the middle of the track in the beginning,” Bright explained. “Toward the end, I was just about standing up in the car to slow it down. Smith got underneath me a couple of times. After that I tried the bottom and it worked for me to run down there.”
Rick Wean finished sixth followed by Eric Heydenreich, Evans and Gargiulo.
Another young ARDC driver had a good outing at Williams Grove. Starting scratch on the feature field, rookie Brett Wanner came home with a tenth place finish in his second outing with ARDC.
The three qualifying heats were won by B. Bright, Arndt and S. Buckwalter.
RACE NOTES
Rookie Brian Gilmore, the younger brother of second year ARDC driver, Mark Gilmore, made his ARDC debut after celebrating his sixteenth birthday. Also making their first starts of the 2012 season were Bear, DE driver, Shawn Jackson and Billy Pauch Jr. On what was a cold and windy night for racing, Bruce Buckwalter Jr. had more heat than he wanted or needed when the engine in the #83 left go during warm-ups. A fire broke out but extinguished itself quickly as Buckwalter tried to exit the car.
Feature Finish (20 laps)
1. Brenden Bright 2. Steve Buckwalter 3. Ryan Smith 4. Tim Buckwalter 5. Trevor Kobylarz 6. NIck Wean 7. Eric Heydenreich 8. Parker Evans 9. PJ Gargiulo 10. Brett Wanner 11. Brett Arndt 12. Dave Shirk 13. Mark Gilmore 14. Randy Reid 15. Brian Gilmore 16. Steven Drevicki 17. Billy Pauch Jr. 18. Steve Craig 19. Drew Heistand 20. Jimmy Glenn 21. Dusty Heistand 22. Dave Ely 23. Alex Bright 24. Carey Becker 25. Ryan Greth DNS – Shawn Jackson
__________________
ARDC Rocks!!! - The only "REAL" racing in Central Pennsylvania.
Apr 12 2012
BCRA Whitchurch Wins at Marysville
Robbie Whitchurch with the winner's trophy
Rob Lindsey from Wilsonville OR took the lead at the drop of the green flag holding off hard charging Whitchurch and San Carlos own Floyd Alvis. Even with yellow flags on lap 9 and lap 15 Lindsey continued to hold the lead until lap 17 when Whitchurch was able to get under Lindsey on the backstraight and held the lead to the checkered flag. Following Whitchurch across the checkered flag were Lindsey, Alvis, Gary Conterno and rounding the top 5 was Rick Holbrook.
Rob Lindsey (#23) and Robbie Whitchurch (# 82) battle for the lead
Heat 1: (8 Laps) 1. Floyd Alvis, 83 Alvis 2. Greg Bragg, 0, Lamott 3. Rob Lindsey, 23a, Lindsey Motorsports 4. Bill Lindsey, 8, Stu Donaldson 5. Mike Donaldson, 5, Stu Donaldson 6. Lonny Alton, 5a, Lonny Alton 7. Howard Fergerson Jr., 98, Hokanson DNS
Heat 2: (8 Laps) 1. Dan Parker, 21, Bob Roza 2. Robbie Whitchurch, 82, Whitchurch & Sons 3. Gary Conterno, 18a, Floyd Alvis 4. Rick Holbrook, 6, Peggy Holbrook 5. Darin Snider, 2k, Lauren Snider 7. Dillon Silverman, 8x, Dillon Silverman
Main Event: (25 Laps) 1. Whitchurch, 2. Lindsey, 3. Alvis, 4. Conterno, 5. Holbrook, 6. Donaldson, 7. Alton, 8. Parker, 9. Lindsey, 10. Snider, 11. Bragg DNS, 12. Silverman DNS, 13. Fergerson DNS
Lap Leaders 1-16 Lindey, 17-25 Whitchurch
Apr 10 2012
TIM BUCKWALTER WINS 2012 ARDC OPENER
SIDE-BY-SIDE Dual Has Race Decided on Final Lap
The drivers of the American Racing Driver's Club (ARDC) left nothing on the table in their 2012 season opener at the Big Diamond Speedway! With multiple lead changes in the final laps, this one definitely wasn't over until the waving of the checkered flag!
Twenty-six cars participated in the 73rd ARDC season opener.
Dave Shirk and Dave Ely led the field to the green flag. Ely slid wide in turns one and two as second year competitor, Mark Gilmore of Hackettstown, NJ took command to lead lap one.
Gilmore was able to move away from the field about several car lengths as the race continued for the runner-up spot. After a caution flag for Joe Butera, Steven Drevicki moved into second ahead of Shirk as Steve Buckwalter moved into contention after starting twelfth on the grid.
Drevicki and S. Buckwalter battled for second. S. Buckwalter completed the pass and set his sights on the the leader, Gilmore.
When Dusty Heistand's #6 came to a stop, the caution flew again, erasing any advantage that Gilmore held over S. Buckwalter. The anticipated challenge for the lead did not materialize as the Zero car slowed on the restart and once again the field was under caution.
Gilmore maintained the lead on the restart but there was plenty of company gathering as the race returned to green. 2011 ARDC Champion, Drew Heistand moved in to challenge T. Buckwalter first and then he moved in on Drevicki for second.
As the race approached the half way mark, Gilmore was feeling the pressure from Heistand as T. Buckwalter, Drevicki and Parker Evans completed the top five.
Heistand moved into the lead as the field took the five to go sign as Buckwalter moved past Gilmore for second.
Heistand had his hands full of T. Buckwalter as the pair battled side-by-side. The advantage changed between the two drivers at different points on the 3/8 mile speedway. Heistand and T. Buckwalter gave the fans what they have come to expect from ARDC racing - this wheel to wheel competition.
It was still anyone's race to win as the field entered the final turn on the last lap. Giving it his all, Hiestand lost the handle in turn four. The caution flew to set-up another one lap shootout for the win.
Now it was Nick Wean who would challenge T. Buckwalter for the win. Wean took over the lead as the pair raced through the first and second corners but Tim Buckwalter was not to be denied. After being plagued on many race nights in 2011 with mechanical issues, the young racer from Douglassville, PA raced back to take the lead and the checkered flag.
Mark Gilmore followed Buckwalter and Wean across the line for his best ARDC finish to date. Ely raced his way back to finish fourth with second generation driver, Trevor Kobylarz completing the top five at the flag.
Heat wins went to Bruce Buckwalter Jr., Brett Arndt and Steve Buckwalter.
20 Lap Feature 1. Tim Buckwalter #52 2. Rick Wean #78 3. Mark Gilmore #10 4. Dave Ely #56 5. Trevor Kobylarz #49 6. Bruce Buckwalter Jr. #83 7. Steven Drevicki #19 8. Parker Evans #61 9. Andrew Hannula #9 10. PJ Gargiulo #5 11. Alex Bright #77 12. Eric Heydenreich #11 13. Ryan Greth #26 14. Randy Reid #53 15. Carey Becker #14 16. Drew Heistand #1 17. Steve Craig #55 18. Joe Butera #3 19. Dave Shirk #16 20. Ryan Smith #33 21. Steve Buckwalter #0 22. Jimmy Glenn #07 23. Brett Wanner #44 24. Dusty Heistand #6
Season Opener notes - After a win in the second qualifying race, Brett Arndt was forced to scratch from the feature with motor problems. Steven Drevicki had his hands full when a radius rod broke on the Degre Engineering #19 on the final lap. Joe Butera made the five hour driver to compete in the season opener from his Wampum, PA home. Micro sprint driver, Ryan Greth, made his first ARDC appearance behind the Buckwalter rental. 2011 ARDC Champion, Drew Heistand will use the #1 this season. The car #1 is reserved for the prior season's champion.
Mar 18 2012
Darland earns $5,000 in POWRi Midget Stampede finale at Cowtown Spdwy
KENNEDALE, Texas (March 17, 2012)—Dave Darland passed Rico Abreu for the lead on the opening lap and never relinquished it Saturday, earning $5,000 for his victory in the POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget Series’ Midget Stampede at quarter-mile Cowtown Speedway.
It was the third POWRi victory of Darland’s illustrious career, which includes multiple national championships and wins in prestigious open-wheel, short-track events.
Darland started on the outside of the front row next to Abreu. The 45-year-old from Lincoln, Ind., overtook Abreu on the inside exiting Turn 4 with a classic crossover maneuver.
“That kid (Abreu) did a good job on the start,” Darland said. “We had a lot of restarts (three to begin the 30-lap feature) and we finally got a lap completed. He slid (in front) of me in Turn 2 and I was able to cross over underneath him in Turn 4.”
The race’s fourth caution came out on the second lap, leaving the veteran Darland in front for the nine remaining single-file restarts. The 20-year-old Abeu, driving in the third Midget event of his career, ran second until attempting to slide past Darland’s Spike-Esslinger in Turns 1 and 2 on the final lap. The driver of Keith Kunz Motorsports’ Bullet-Toyota didn’t make it and fell back, finishing 14th after contact left him in Turn 4.
Tyler Thomas, a 16-year-old from Colllinsville, Okla., finished second. He started on the inside of the second row in his XXX-Esslinger and ran strongly throughout the race.
“I feel ecstatic about it,” Thomas said. “Our goal was to get a top-five. I couldn’t have asked for a better car.”
Brad Kuhn of Avon, Ind., finished third. He started from the outside of the second row, but was involved in a four-car crash on the second double-file restart to begin the race and fell to the back of the 25-car field.
“Darland hit the holes in the track and started bouncing around and I had to slow down,” Kuhn said. “Somebody hit me in the back and spun me out. I lost a good starting position. It’s third place.”
It was POWRi’s first visit to Texas. There were 66 cars competing in Friday’s opening event won by Brady Bacon of Broken Arrow, Okla., and 64 on Saturday. The Rocky Mountain Midget Racing Association co-sanctioned the event and it was also the initial two events for the POWRi Lucas Oil West Midget Series.
POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget Series feature results (30 laps): 1. Dave Darland, 2. Tyler Thomas, 3. Brad Kuhn, 4. Darren Hagen, 5. Zach Daum, 6. Andrew Felker, 7. Caleb Armstrong, 8. Levi Roberts, 9. Jonathan Beason, 10. Jerry Coons Jr., 11. Jake Blackhurst, 12. Garrett Aitken, 13. George White, 14. Rico Abreu, 15. Casey Shuman, 16. Chett Gehrke, 17. Don Droud Jr., 18. Austin Brown, 19. Billy Lawhead, 20. Kevin Ramey, 21. Brady Bacon Sat winner, 22. Chris Bell, 23. Daniel Robinson, 24. Danny Stratton, 25. Cole Carter.
POWRi National Midgets
Cowtown Speedway
17 March 2012
Car Count: 64
Heat 1
Finish Car # - Driver Name
1 67K - Rico Abreu
2 2 - Luke Icke
3 7A - Dalton Armstrong
4 23C - Tyler Courtney
5 25 - Jake Blackhurst
6 5H - Mike Hess
7 21M - Billy Lawhead
8 15 - Danny Burke
9 11T - Tyson Hall
10 2H - Bob Harr
Heat 2
Finish Car # - Driver Name
1 22X - George White
2 32 - Garrett Aitken
3 29 - Brandon Hahn
4 5D - Zach Daum
5 35 - Cody Ledger
6 15D - Andrew Deal
7 11J - Justin Melton
8 98G - Gavin Galbraith
9 8R - Bobby Ruffin
Heat 3
Finish Car # - Driver Name
1 91T - Tyler Thomas
2 77S - Danny Stratton
3 8K - Blake Hahn
4 51 - Chris DeShon
5 35X - Matt Sherrell
6 17 - Todd Plemons
7 12 - Riley Emmel
8 69M - AJ Henson
9 4J - Gary Taylor
Heat 4
Finish Car # - Driver Name
1 57 - Daniel Robinson
2 3NZ - Jerry Coons Jr
3 10 - Cole Carter
4 11C - Chett Gehrke
5 47 - Jay Sant
6 37 - Cameron Hagin
7 8J - Jonathan Beason
8 77G - Mike Goodman
9 77 - Steven Weber
Heat 5
Finish Car # - Driver Name
1 21 - Chris Bell
2 3 - Darren Hagen
3 39 - Levi Roberts
4 45 - Chris Coker
5 11A - Andrew Felker
6 27 - Andy Shouse
7 85 - Matt Johnson
8 56X - Mark Chishom
9 4B - Ronnie Burke
Heat 6
Finish Car # - Driver Name
1 71X - Brad Kuhn
2 63 - Dave Darland
3 7C - Caleb Armstrong
4 14 - Tony Rossi
5 22 - Andy Malpocker
6 44 - Dan Droud Jr
7 8L - Matt Ward
8 77C - Colton Brewer
9 0 - Johnny Murdock
Heat 7
Finish Car # - Driver Name
1 11 - Brady Bacon
2 7M - Kevin Ramey
3 2X - Casey Shuman
4 7 - Austin Brown
5 9M - Cory Mallo
6 5C - Colten Cottle
7 3H - Bubba Hunt
8 24 - Kyle Jones
9 20X - Jimmy Harris
C-Main
Finish Car # - Driver Name
1 8L - Matt Ward
2 77G - Mike Goodman
3 4J - Gary Taylor
4 98G - Gavin Galbraith
5 15 - Danny Burke
6 8R - Bobby Ruffin
7 11T - Tyson Hall
8 77C - Colton Brewer
9 2H - Bob Harr
10 77 - Steven Weber
11 69M - AJ Henson
12 0 - Johnny Murdock
13 56X - Mark Chishom
14 24 - Kyle Jones
15 4B - Ronnie Burke
16 20X - Jimmy Harris
B-Main 1
Finish Car # - Driver Name
1 77S - Danny Stratton
2 39 - Levi Roberts
3 44 - Dan Droud Jr
4 25 - Jake Blackhurst
5 8K - Blake Hahn
6 8L - Matt Ward
7 2 - Luke Icke
8 4J - Gary Taylor
9 7A - Dalton Armstrong
10 14 - Tony Rossi
11 35 - Cody Ledger
12 27 - Andy Shouse
13 17 - Todd Plemons
14 47 - Jay Sant
15 7 - Austin Brown
16 3H - Bubba Hunt
17 5H - Mike Hess
18 11J - Justin Melton
B-Main 2
Finish Car # - Driver Name
1 7M - Kevin Ramey
2 11A - Andrew Felker
3 8J - Jonathan Beason
4 21M - Billy Lawhead
5 35X - Matt Sherrell
6 29 - Brandon Hahn
7 45 - Chris Coker
8 5C - Colten Cottle
9 98G - Gavin Galbraith
10 12 - Riley Emmel
11 9M - Cory Mallo
12 85 - Matt Johnson
13 77G - Mike Goodman
14 23C - Tyler Courtney
15 15D - Andrew Deal
16 51 - Chris DeShon
17 37 - Cameron Hagin
18 22 - Andy Malpocker
Mar 17 2012
Brady Bacon Wins!
Cars in the pits: 66
Heat 1 8 laps
Finish (st) (laps led)
1)2-Luke Icke (1) (1-8)
2)5c-Colton Cottle (5)
3)7-Austin Brown (9)
4)57-Daniel Robinson (4)
5)63-Dave Darland (10)
6)91t-Tyler Thomas (7)
7)8r-Bobby Ruffin (8)
8)56x-Mark Chisholm (3)
9)47-Jay Sant (6)
10)69m-AJ Hanson (2)
Heat 2 8 laps
Finish (st) (laps led)
1)11a-Andrew Felker (2) (1-8)
2)15d-Andrew Deal(1)
3)5h-Mike Hess (5)
4)9m-Cory Mallo (6)
5)77g-Mike Goodman (3)
6)7a-Dalton Armstrong (8)
7)11j-Justin Melton (7)
8)8k-Blake Hahn (9)
9)98g-Gavin Galbraith (4)
Heat 3 8 laps
Finish (st) (laps led)
1)67k-Rico Abreu (1) (8)
2)7c-Caleb Armstrong (2) (1-7)
3)77s-Danny Stratton (3)
4)4j-Gary Taylor (6)
5)8j-Jonathan Beason (8)
6)21m-Billy Lawhead (7)
7)9u-Doug McCune 8)
8)39-Levi Roberts (4)
9)10-Cole Carter (5)
Heat 4 8 laps
Finish (st) (laps led)
1)2x-Casey Shuman (3) (1-8)
2)35x-Matt Sherrell (4)
3)7m-Kevin Ramey (8)
4)27-Andy Shouse (5)
5)8l-Matt Ward (6)
6)6m-Justin Mallo (7)
7)77-Steve Weber (1)
8)22-Andrew Malpocker (2)
9)21-Christopher Bell (9)
Heat 5 8 laps
Finish (st) (laps led)
1)11-Brady Bacon (8) (8)
2)71x-Brad Kuhn (2) (1-7)
3)3nz-Jerry Coons Jr. (3)
4)15-Danny Burke (4)
5)29-Brandon Hahn (6)
6)2h-Bob Harr (1)
7)45-Chris Coker (5)
8)0-Johnny Murdoch (7)
4b-Ronnie Burke Jr. (dns)
Heat 6 8 laps
Finish (st) (laps led)
1)5d-Zach Daum (3) (1-8)
2)11c-Chett Gehrke (1)
3)23c-Tyler Courtney (9)
4)3-Darren Hagen (8)
5)25-Jake Blackhurst (7)
6)17-Todd Plemoins (2)
7)22u-Ryan Beechler (4)
8)77c-Colton Brewer (6)
9)11t-Tyson Hall (5)
10)3- Hunt (10)
Heat 7 8 laps
Finish (st) (laps led)
1)44-Don Droud Jr. (1) (1-8)
2)37-Cameron Hagin (2)
3)32-Garrett Aitken (3)
4)14-Tony Rossi (4)
5)22x-George White (6)
6)12-Riley Emmel (5)
7)24-Kyle Jones (8)
8)35-Cody Ledger (7)
51-Chris Deshon (dns)
C-Main 10 laps
Finish (st) (laps led)
1)21-Christopher Bell (7) (2-10)
2)77c-Colton Brewer (5) (1)
3)39-Levi Roberts (6)
4)51-Chris Deshon (17)
5)11t-Tyson Hall (12)
6)77-Steve Weber (4)
7)98g-Gavin Galbraith (14)
8)22-Andrew Malpocker (9)
9)47-Jay Sant (10)
10)3h-Bubba Hunt (13)
11)56x-Mark Chisholm (8)
12)69m-AJ Hanson (15)
13)10-Cole Carter (11)
14)0-Johnny Murdoch (1)
15)35-Cody Ledger (2)
16)22u-Ryan Beechler (3)
17)4b-Ronnie Burke Jr. (16)
18)20x-J. Harris (18)
B-main 1
Finish (st) (laps led) Unofficial
1)11c-Chett Gehrke (4) (9-12)
2)8j-Jonathan Beason (3)
3)21-Christopher Bell (17)
4)71x-Brad Kuhn (2) (1-8)
5)12-Riley Emmel (12)
6)21m-Billy Lawhead (11)
7)39-Levi Roberts (18)
8)32-Garrett Aitken (1)
9)7a-Dalton Armstrong (10)
10)45-Chris Coker (16)
11)14-Tony Rossi (8)
12)4j-Gary Taylor (5)
13)57-Daniel Robinson (7)
14)8r-Bobby Ruffin (13)
15)29-Brandon Hahn (9)
16)24-Kyle Jones (14)
17)17-Todd Plemons (15)
18)27-Andy Shouse (6)
B main 2
Finish (st) (laps led)
1)7c-Caleb Armstrong (1) (1-12)
2)15d-Andrew Deal (3)
3)91t-Tyler Thomas (10)
4)77s-Danny Stratton (5)
5)22x-George White (9)
6)37-Cameron Hagin (2)
7)8l-Matt Ward (8)
8)8k-Blake Hahn (16)
9)77g-Mike Goodman (12)
10)77c-Colton Brewer (17)
A main
Finish (st) (laps led)
1)11-Brady Bacon (1) (1-30)
2)2x-Casey Shuman (5)
3)67k-Rico Abreu (12)
4)23c-Tyler Courtney (3)
5)77s-Danny Stratton (24)
6)63-Dave Darland (14)
7)3-Darren Hagen (13)
8)7c-Caleb Armstrong (18)
9)7m-Kevin Ramey (4)
10)21-Christopher Bell (21)
Lap Leader: 11-Brady Bacon (1-30)
Hard Charger: 77s-Danny Stratton (19 spots)
Jan 31 2012
POWRi Lucas Oil West Midget Series schedules
15 events for inaugural season in 2012
by Tim Tuttle
POWRi Racing Media Director
765 721-7599
timetuttle@aol.com
MILLSTADT, Ill. (Jan. 27, 2012)—The inaugural season of the POWRi Lucas Oil West Midget Series will have 15 events in 2012, racing in Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska and Illinois.
POWRi Racing, entering its eighth season of organizing and sanctioning events, made the decision with the support of Lucas Oil to expand into Texas and Oklahoma and establish a championship series for Midget teams and drivers in the region.
“We’ve found on our Western swings there are a lot of cars in Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Texas and Oklahoma that are looking for a group to run with and be recognized in a championship,” POWRi co-founder Kenny Brown said. “We’ve taken that step to fill the void and it will also strengthen our POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget Series by increasing the competition in the races out West. This is a great direction for us to grow with our established strength in the Midwest.”
POWRi West will be in 11 co-sanctioned events with the POWRi National Midgets including the prestigious the RevHoney/Speedway Motors Midget Money Week at Solomon Valley Raceway in Beloit, Kan., on July 27, Junction Motor Speedway in McCool Junction, Neb., on July 28 and US 36 Raceway in Cameron, Mo., on July 29.
POWRi West and National Midgets open the season at Cowtown Speedway in Kennedale, Texas on March 16-17. The Midget Stampede at the ¼-mile track located near Fort Worth has a purse exceeding $40,000 with Friday’s feature paying $3,000 to win and $300 to start and Saturday’s $5,000 to win and $500 to start. $100 in tow money will be paid each night for the entrants not making the feature.
POWRi West’s four stand-alone events are at Will Rogers Raceway in Claremore, Okla., on May 25 and an October TBA and I-44 Speedway in Oklahoma City on May 26 and an October TBA.
POWRi West races twice (May 4, June 8) at Valley Speedway in Grain Valley, Mo., near Kansas City and once (June 9) at Springfield (Mo.) Raceway.
POWRi West is also part of the Missouri Mid-State Midget Nationals at Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Mo., on May 5 and the Charlene Meents Memorial at Belle-Clair Speedway in Belleville, Ill., on Oct. 12-13.
POWRi Lucas Oil West Midget Series 2012 schedule
+#March 16—Cowtown Speedway (1/4-mile), Kennedale, Texas;
+#March 17—Cowtown Speedway (1/4-mile), Kennedale, Texas;
+May 4—Valley Speedway (1/3-mile), Grain Valley, Mo.;
May 5--+Lucas Oil Speedway (3/8-mile), Wheatland, Mo.;
May 25—Will Rogers Raceway (1/5-mile), Claremore, Okla.;
May 26—I-44 Speedway (1/6-mile), Oklahoma City, Okila;
+June 8—Valley Speedway (1/3-mile), Grain Valley, Mo.;
+June 9—Springfield (Mo.) Raceway (1/4-mile);
July 27--+Solomon Valley Raceway (1/5-mile), Beloit, Kan.;
July 28--+Junction Motor Speedway (3/8-mile), McCool Junction, Neb.;
+July 29—US 36 Raceway (3/8-mile), Cameron, Mo.;
+@Oct. 12—Belle-Clair Speedway (1/5-mile), Belleville, Ill.;
+@ Oct. 13—Belle-Clair Speedway (1/5-mile), Belleville, Ill.;
Oct. TBA—Will Rogers Raceway (1/5-mile), Claremore, Okla.;
Oct. TBA—I-44 Speedway (1/6-mile), Oklahoma City, Okla.
+co-sanctioned with POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget Series, @--co-sanctioned with United States Auto Club; #co-sanctioned with Rocky Mountain Midget Racing Association.
Printable schedules can be found under the DOWNLOADS link located at the top of POWRi web site.
--30--
Jan 25 2012
POWRi - National Midget Schedule 30-event Season Released
MILLSTADT, Jan. 24, 2012: The POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget Series will open a 30-event season on March 16-17 with its first visit to Texas, racing at Cowtown Speedway in Kennedale.
The Midget Stampede at the ¼-mile track located near Fort Worth has a purse exceeding $40,000 with Friday’s feature paying $3,000 to win and $300 to start and Saturday’s $5,000 to win and $500 to start. $100 in tow money will be paid each night for the entrants not making the feature.
Cowtown will also be the inaugural event for the POWRi Lucas Oil West Midget Series. Its complete schedule will be released separately. POWRi National and West points will be awarded at Cowtown.
This will be the eighth season for POWRi National Midgets, co-founded by Kenny Brown and Jim Siner.
“We’re pretty excited to take the POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget Series to Cowtown and Texas and debut our West series with it,” Brown said. “We’re spreading out from our Midwestern roots, but we’re equally proud to be returning to our traditional tracks that have been our partners in building POWRi.”
The National schedule has five events at Belle-Clair Speedway in Belleville, Ill., including the Arnie Knepper Memorial on Aug. 12 and the Charlene Meents Memorial on Oct. 12-13, the RevHoney/Speedway Motors Midget Money Week at Solomon Valley Raceway in Beloit, Kan., on July 27, Junction Motor Speedway in McCool Junction, Neb., on July 28 and US 36 Raceway in Cameron, Mo., on July 29, the Dana Godfrey Memorial at Macon (Ill.) Speedway on Aug. 17, the Cornfest Midget Classic at Angell Park Speedway in Sun Prairie, Wis. On Aug. 19, the Dean King Memorial at the Southern Illinois Center in Du Quoin on Sept. 1 and the Tom Knowles Memorial at Spoon River Speedway in Canton, Ill., on Sept. 15.
POWRi returns to Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Mo., on May 5 for the Missouri Mid-State Midget Nationals. The American Sprint Car Series’ Warrior Region is also running in the event.
POWRi will co-sanction the Hut 100 with the United States Auto Club on June 2 at Tri-State Speedway in Haubstadt, Ind.
The schedule also includes three additional events at Macon (April 28, June 23, Sept. 29), two at Valley Speedway in Grain Valley, Mo. (May 4, June 8), two at Jacksonville (Ill.) Speedway (April 27, Sept. 14), two at Lincoln (Ill.) Speedway (June 22, Aug. 18), two at Angell Park Speedway in Sun Prairie, Wis., (July 15, Aug. 19), one at Peoria (Ill.) Speedway (May 19), one at Fayette County Speedway in Brownstown, Ill., (June 1), one at Springfield (Mo.) Raceway (June 9) and one at Wilmot (Wis.) Raceway (July 14).
Belle-Clair’s March 24 event will be run with Modifieds and the May 18 event will be run with Late Models.
The season-ending Charlene Meents Memorial at Belle-Clair on Oct. 12-13 will be broadcast tape-delayed by Lucas Oil on the Edge.
POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget Series 2012 schedule
March 16-17—Cowtown Speedway (1/4-mile), Kennedale, Texas
March 24—Belle-Clair Speedway (1/5-mile), Belleville, Ill.
April 27--Jacksonville (Ill.) Speedway (1/4-mile)
April 28—Macon (Ill.) Speedway (1/5-mile)
May 4—Valley Speedway (1/3-mile), Grain Valley, Mo.
May 5—Lucas Oil Speedway (3/8-mile), Wheatland, Mo.
May 18—Belle-Clair Speedway (1/5-mile), Belleville, Ill.
May 19—Peoria (Ill.) Speedway (1/4-mile)
June 1—Fayette County Speedway (1/4-mile), Fayette, Ill.
June 2--Tri-State Speedway (1/4-mile), Haubstadt, Ind.
June 8--Valley Speedway (1/3-mile), Grain Valley, Mo.
June 9—Springfield (Mo.) Raceway (1/4-mile)
June 22--Lincoln (Ill.) Speedway (1/4-mile)
June 23--Macon (Ill.) Speedway (1/5-mile)
July 14--Wilmot (Wis.) Raceway (1/3-mile)
July 15--Angell Park Speedway (1/3-mile), Sun Prairie, Wis.
July 27--Solomon Valley Raceway (1/5-mile), Beloit, Kan.;
July 28--Junction Motor Speedway (3/8-mile), McCool Junction, Neb.
July 29--+US 36 Raceway (3/8-mile), Cameron, Mo
Aug. 12—Belle-Clair Speedway (1/5-mile), Belleville, Ill.
Aug. 17--Macon (Ill.) Speedway (1/5-mile)
Aug. 18--Lincoln (Ill.) Speedway (1/4-mile)
Aug. 19--Angell Park Speedway (1/3-mile), Sun Prairie, Wis.
Sept. 1—Southern Illinois Center (1/5-mile), Du Quoin
Sept. 14—Jacksonville (Ill.) Raceway (1/4-mile)
Sept. 15—Spoon River Raceway (3/8-mile), Canton, Ill.
Sept. 29—Macon (Ill.) Speedway (1/5-mile)
Oct. 12--Belle-Clair Speedway (1/5-mile), Belleville, Ill
Oct. 13—-Belle-Clair Speedway (1/5-mile), Belleville, Ill.
--30--
Contact: Tim Tuttle POWRi Racing Media Director
765 721-7599 timetuttle@aol.com
Jan 15 20
26th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals
Three-Peat for Kevin Swindell!
Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla. (January 14, 2012) – It took a quarter of a century to crown the first back-to-back winner in Chili Bowl Nationals history.
After crowning that champion last January, it only took one more year for a three-peat champion as 22-year-old Kevin Swindell of Germantown, TN, captured his third Golden Driller in a row by wiring the field in Saturday night’s 26th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals championship finale at the QuikTrip Center’s Tulsa Expo Raceway.
And, for the second year in a row, it was Kevin taking Roger Slack’s checkered flag ahead of his father and five-time Chili Bowl king Sammy Swindell, though this time the younger Swindell needed no last corner heroics to take the top step on the podium in the feature event that was extended from 50 to 55 laps in tribute to popular Broken Arrow, OK, native and Chili Bowl competitor Donnie Ray Crawford, who lost his life in a tragic Saturday morning incident that cast a pall over the capacity crowd that numbered in excess of 17,000.
While Kevin officially led all 55 laps, Sammy kept the pressure on most of the way and challenged on several occasions in the event that was interrupted by caution just once after the initial start was negated. Ultimately, a near run-in with a lapped car for Sammy on the 52nd circuit gave Kevin the breathing room he needed to take the checkered flag with a 1.458-second advantage aboard the Esslinger-powered John Christner Trucking/NOS Energy Drinks No. 39 Spike.
“I was just trying to survive traffic,” Kevin Swindell explained afterward. “I figured if I could keep trying to pick them off and not make a big mistake, I should be alright.”
After the initial start was waved off when Levi Jones took a tumble in turn three, it was Kevin Swindell leading the feature field to the green flag with Elk Grove, California’s Kyle Larson alongside. K. Swindell jumped into the lead on the subsequent start with third-starter Sammy Swindell racing into second on the opening circuit behind his son. The Swindell duo worked the low side in the early rounds with Larson trying the high side in the early going and losing third to Cory Kruseman.
Just as the Swindell duo hit lapped traffic, Bud Kaeding spun to a stop in turn three with 14 laps in the books to bring out the final caution and setting up a 41-lap run to the checkered flag.
The Swindells took off again on the low side, with Larson reclaiming third by the 16th round as he tried to keep the lead pair within striking distance.
Vying for a sixth Chili Bowl triumph, Sammy Swindell began pressuring Kevin Swindell for the lead at the midway point by testing the upper portion of the track in turns one and two. But Kevin was up to the task, fending off the veteran shoe and then opening up an advantage as traffic came into play several laps later.
Sammy closed back in by the 40th lap though and even pulled alongside on the low side of turns one and two with Kevin up top on the 44th circuit. Kevin kept him at bay and then slipped away in the final handful of circuits when traffic played to his advantage.
With Kevin taking the victory, Sammy explained that, “I wasn’t there when he slipped and when I had a good run there wasn’t any place to go. The cars were so evenly matched, traffic was going to make the difference.”
Larson held down the show position from the 16th lap in the Keith Kunz Motorsports Speedway Toyota-powered No. 67 Bullet, keeping the leaders within sight but unable to mount a challenge. “Early in the race, I felt like I could have a shot because they were on the bottom in one and two and I felt like I was quicker up top,” the 19-year-old explained. “But as the race went on I just got tighter and tighter and couldn’t stay out of trouble on the cushion like I wanted to and they got too far ahead and got too many lappers between me and Sammy.”
While Bryan Clauson worked forward from his 11th starting position to fourth by the 20th round, it was Danny Stratton making a late move to snare fourth in Steve and Dianna Hampton’s Esslinger-powered Hampton’s Kustom Works No. 77s Twister.
Clauson rounded out the top five in the Esslinger-powered Indy Car/Indy 500 No. 39c Spike, with Brad Sweet and Kruseman in sixth and seventh, respectively.
Jerry Coons, Jr., turned in the feature’s top passing performance by charging from 23rd to eighth, with NASCAR Nationwide champion Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., and NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Tony Stewart completing the top ten.
Richard Vander Weerd was the only Chili Bowl rookie to make the championship feature cut, crossing the stripe in 19th. Two other drivers made first career Chili Bowl finales including Indiana’s Caleb Armstrong in 18th and California’s Rico Abreu in 21st.
With 259 competitors from 32 different states as well as Australia, Canada, Finland and New Zealand taking in the 26th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals, a total of 20 feature events were contested on championship Saturday including the “A” Main event.
Vander Weerd and Abreu topped “B” Main action to reach the finale after Jon Stanbrough and Hunter Schuerenberg won the “C” Mains.
New Zealand’s Brad Mosen and Chili Bowl rookie contender David Gravel of Connecticut won “D” Mains, with Johnny Herrera and Chris Windom topping “E” Mains.
Davey Heskin and Cameron won “F” Mains, Chris Morgan and Michelle Decker were victorious in “G” Mains and Matt Westfall and A.J. Hopkins scored in “H” Mains. Evan Sewell and Ryan Beechler claimed “I” Main wins, Matt Johnson and Mike Spencer were best in “J” Main action and Mike Goodman opened the day with a “K” Main triumph.
K Main (10 Laps -- Positions 1, 3, 5 to back of 1st J Main; Pos. 2, 4, 6 to back of 2nd J Main)
K Main: 1. #77G Mike Goodman, Broken Arrow, OK; 2. #11XS Tony Norem, Dassel, MN; 3. #7RS Cilnt Boyles, Greenwood, MO; 4. #91 Jeff Stasa, Kingman, KS; 5. #05H Jake Swanson, Anaheim, CA; 6. #3H Bubba Hunt, Tulsa, Ok; 7. #2D Doug Day, Winder, GA; 8. #69 Randy Boyer, Belleville, KS; 9. #82 Eric Johnson, Rockford, IL; 10. #71P Tim Pyle, Gresham, OR; #11 2A Donald McIntosh, Dawsonville, GA; 12. #83X Bob Lawlor, San Carlos, CA; DNS -- #21AZ Mike Visser, Cottonwood, AZ; #87F Brian McClelland, Tulsa, OK; #11XC Steve Newman, Steamboat Springs, CO; #50 Ned Fry, West Burlington, IA; #6Y Vinny Villeggiante, Gresham, OR
J Mains (10 Laps -- Top 4 transfer to back of corresponding I Main)
J Main 1: 1. #85J Matt Johnson, Edmond, OK; 2. #17K Tanner Berryhill, Bixby, OK; 3. #33A Stephen Arnold, Seymour, IN; 4. #05H Jake Swanson, Anaheim, CA; 5. #77G Mike Goodman, Broken Arrow, OK; 6. #93R Jake Rosario, Guthrie, OK; 7. #71D Paige Polyak, Tiffin, OH; 8. #29 Brandon Hahn, Tulsa, OK; 9. #55 Kyle Smith, Moorpark, CA; 10. #44X Danny Smith, Argenta, IL; 11. #8 Mike Lapp, Goodyear, AZ; 12. #27 Kody Swanson, Kingsburg, CA; 13. #4X Shawn Peterson, Irving, TX; DNS - #12H Jarrod Hull, Sikeston, MO; #21JR Kevin Michnowicz, Lomita, CA; #7RS Clint Boyles, Greenwood, MO
J Main 2: 1. #51S Mike Spencer, Temecula, CA; 2. #87R Rich Camfield, Decatur, IL; 3. #57K Steve Schaberg, Glenwood, AR; 4. #88D Rusty Dukes, Fair Grove, MO; 5. #2G Terry Goodwin, Laveen, AZ; 6. #88W Dustin Weland, Parker, CO; 7. #77D Dalten Gabbard, Peoria, AZ; 8. #11XS Tony Norem, Dassel, MN; 9. #67X Britton Bock, Angwin, CA; 10. #3H Bubba Hunt, Tulsa, OK; 11. #21X Nick Speidel, Muncie, IN; 12. #W94 Waylon Weaver, Claremore, OK; 13. #35W Rick Wright, Ponca City, OK; 14. #91 Jeff Stasa, Kingman, KS; 15. #83H Jonathon Halford, Tulsa, OK; 16. #91H Mike Hudson, Carterville, IL
I Mains (10 Laps -- Top 4 transfer to back of corresponding H Main)
I Main 1: 1. #31E Evan Sewell, Tulsa, OK: 2. #17 Michael Koontz, Bloomington, IN; 3. #85J Matt Johnson, Edmond, OK; 4. #17K Tanner Berryhill, Bixby, OK; 5. #05H Jake Swanson, Anaheim, CA; 6. #59 Dex Eaton, Owasso, OK; 7. #23 Tim Lynch, Columbus, IN; 8. #83 Kurt Blackaby, Bentonville, AR; 9. #71X Sheldon Haudenschild, Wooster, OH; 10. #11X Dustin Hapka, Grand Forks, ND; 11. #33A Stephen Arnold, Seymour, IN; 12. #2AZ Rick Shuman, Gilbert, AZ; 13. #20X Jimmy Harris, Broken Arrow, OK; 14. #22S Steve Stasa, Kingman, KS; 15. *#7C Pat Schudy, Springfield, MO; DNS - #15K Connor Kassik, Lake Havasu, AZ
*7C scored in 15th because of muffler falling off
I Main 2: 1. #81B Ryan Beechler, McKinney, TX; 2. #86 Josh Most, Red Oak, IA; 3. #41 Brandon Waelti, Sun Prairie, WI; 4. #73F Greg Edenholm, Malibu, CA; 5. #19D Steven Drevicki, Reading, PA; 6. #9H Matt Hummel, San Jose, CA; 7. #9B Harris Brooks, Houston, TX; 8. #87R Rich Camfield, Decatur, IL; 9. #51S Mike Spencer, Temecula, CA; 10. #7T Todd McVay, Lees Summit, MO; 11. #17M Andee Beierle, Bismarck, ND; 12. #12J Joe Walker, Harrisonville, MO; 13. #0X Johnny Murdock, Kaufman, TX; 14. #57K Steve Schaberg, Glenwood, AR; 15. #88D Rusty Dukes, Fair Grove, MO; DNS - #94AU Brad Cox, Gunnedah, Aus
H Main (10 Laps -- Top 4 transfer to back of corresponding G Main)
H Main 1: 1. #14W Matt Westfall, Ludlow Falls, OH; 2. #2X Tyler Millwood, Kingston, CA; 3. #15N T.J. Smith, Fresno, CA; 4. #17K Tanner Berryhill, Bixby, OK; 5. #82W Robbie Whitchurch, Chico, CA; 6. #21V Jimmy Voitel, Covina, CA; 7. #17 Michael Koontz, Bloomington, IN; 8. #85J Matt Johnson, Edmond, OK; 9. #22K Kyle Bellm, Nixa, MO; 10. #31E Evan Sewell, Tulsa, OK; 11. #17W Cole Wood, Auburn, CA; 12. #9D Sean Dodenhoff, Bakersfield, CA; 13. #20 Tadd Holliman, Beaver Lake, NE; 14. #13 Ryan York, Racine, MN; DNS -- #29S Tim Kent, Sapulpa, OK; #51B Ryan Blakeman, Jacksonville, IL
H Main 2: 1. #2R A.J. Hopkins, Brownsburg, IN; 2. #98G Gavin Galbraith, Washington, MO; 3. #28 Alex Schutte, Rohnert Park, CA; 4. #81B Ryan Beechler, McKinney, TX; 5. #7B Joe Boyles, Greenwood, MO; 6. #41 Brandon Waelti, Sun Prairie, WI; 7. #86 Josh Most, Red Oak, IA; 8. #45X C.J. Johnson, Quinter, KS; 9. #73F Greg Edenholm, Malibu, CA; 10. #12 Chris Gurley, Hebron, IN; 11. #19N Nick O'Neal, Wagoner, OK; 12. #7JR J.D. Black, Grain Valley, MO; 13. #25M Derrick Myers, Stonington, IL; 14. #44S Clint Schubert, Calhan, CO; DNS - #8J Blake Hahn, Sapulpa, OK; #77X Joey Moughan, Springfield, IL
G Main (10 Laps -- Top 4 transfer to back of corresponding F Main)
G Main 1: 1. #6X Chris Morgan, Topeka, KS; 2. #94 Darren Kingston, Vandalia, IL; 3. #14W Matt Westfall, Ludlow Falls, OH; 4. #86C David Camfield Jr., Decatur, IL; 5. #8R Bobby Ruffin, Crandall, TX; 6. #38N Kyle Neal, Ewing, IL; 7. #15N T.J. Smith, Fresno, CA; 8. #17K Tanner Berryhill, Bixby, OK; 9. #7W Harli White, Lindsay, OK; 10. #2X Tyler Millwood, Kingston, CA; 11. #23F Jesse Sobbing, Glenwood, IA; 12. #49 Trevor Kobylarz, Birdsboro, PA; 13. #12JR Josh Pelkey, Peoria, AZ; 14. #77B Mike Boesel, Bennett, CO; 15. #25 Dylan Peterson, Sioux Falls, SD; DNS - #96 Cody Brewer, Choctaw, OK
G Main 2: 1. #7D Michelle Decker, Guthrie, OK; 2. #28 Alex Schutte, Rohnert Park, CA; 3. #49JR Bobby Michnowicz, Lomita, CA; 4. #37T Chris Urish, Elkhart, IL; 5. #2R A.J. Hopkins, Brownsburg, IN; 6. #81B Ryan Beechler, McKinney, TX; 7. #6M Justin Mallo, Cheyenne, WY; 8. #0G Greg Bragg, Visalia, CA; 9. #0B Glenn Styres, Ohsweken, Ontario; 10. #12S Bryan Severs, Collison, IL; 11. #27C Kip Hughes, Enid, Ok; 12. #9M Cory Mallo, Cheyenne, WY; 13. #98G Gavin Galbraith, Washington, MO; 14. #8B Bob Ream Jr., Glendale, AZ; 15. #89JR Ron Kuhn, Independence, MO; DNS - #8K Donnie Ray Crawford, Broken Arrow, OK
F Main (10 Laps -- Top 4 transfer to back of corresponding E Main)
F Main 1: 1. #17X Davey Heskin, St. Michael, MN; 2. #93 Dustin Morgan, Broken Arrow, OK; 3. #71KT Kevin Thomas Jr., Cullman, AL; 4. #191 Chase Barber, Brownsburg, IN; 5. #32 Danny Jennings, Norman, OK; 6. #33 Davey Ray, Indianapolis, IN; 7. #7J Shawn Jackson, Bear, DE; 8. #14W Matt Westfall, Ludlow Falls, OH; 9. #40 Andy Huston, Roseville, IL; 10. #86C David Camfield Jr., Decatur, IL; 11. #10 Will Pierce, Lees Summit, MO; 12. #6X Chris Morgan, Topeka, KS; 13. #94 Darren Kingston, Vandalia, IL; 14. #35T Tyler Robbins, Collinsville, IL; 15. #11B Travis Berryhill, American Canyon, CA; DNS - #75 Wes McIntyre, McCordsville, IN
F Main 2: 1. #37X Cameron Hagin, Broken Arrow, OK; 2. #2B Tyler Reddick, Corning, CA; 3. #15D Andrew Deal, Caney, KS; 4. #28 Alex Schutte, Rohnert Park, CA; 5. #51X Matt Lundy, Phoenix, AZ; 6. #11XS Donovan Peterson, Brookings, SD; 7. #37T Chris Urish, Elkhart, IL; 8. #15B Danny Burke, Houston, TX; 9. #14R Troy DeCaire, Tampa, FL; 10. #58 Cole Peard, Quincy, CA; 11. #00 Pete Davis, Pleasanton, CA; 12. #11H Garrett Hood, Concordia, KS; 13. #18 Floyd Alvis, San Carlos, CA; 14. #49JR Bobby Michnowicz, Lomita, CA; 15. #7D Michelle Decker, Guthrie, OK; DNS -- #33X Jason Lair, Del City, OK
E Main (10 Laps -- Top 4 transfer to back of corresponding D Main)
E Main 1: 1. #75H Johnny Herrera, Albuquerque, NM; 2. #87C Daniel Robinson, Wayne City, IL; 3. #1T Tony Roney, Herculaneum, MO; 4. #55F Taylor Ferns, Shelby Township, MI; 5. #11J Justin Melton, Flower Mound, TX; 6. #93 Dustin Morgan, Broken Arrow, OK; 7. #7X Layne Himebaugh, Collinsville, OK; 8. #4J Tim Crawley, Benton, AR; 9. #17X Davey Heskin, St. Michael, MN; 10. #89 Cody Darrah, Red Lion, PA; 11. #191 Chase Barber, Brownsburg, IN; 12. #71KT Kevin Thomas Jr., Cullman, AL; 13. #39B Jake Blackhurst, Mapleton, IL; 14. #7A Austin Brown, Millstadt, IL; 15. #22X Keith Martin, Alvarado, TX; 16. #6 Aaron Pierce, Daleville, IL
E Main 2: 1. #11W Chris Windom, Canton, IL; 2. #7DA Dalton Armstrong, New Castle, IN; 3. #73S Alex Sewell, Broken Arrow, OK; 4. #94X Kevin Olson, Machesney Park, IL: 5. #2B Tyler Reddick, Coming, CA; 6. #3F Tony Elliott, Warsaw, IN; 7. #15D Andrew Deal, Caney, KS; 8. #7 Shannon McQueen, Tehachapi, CA; 9. #51 Brent Camarillo, Camarillo, CA; 10. #88 Brendan Bright, Collegeville, PA; 11. #24E Rick Eckert, York, PA; 12. #37X Cameron Hagin, Broken Arrow, OK; 13. #9U Doug McCune, Colleyville, TX; 14. #21M Billy Lawhead, El Reno, OK; 15. #91X Kyle Steffens, St. Charles, MO; 16. #28 Alex Schutte, Rohnert Park, CA
D Main (15 Laps -- Top 6 transfer to back of corresponding C Main)
D Main 1: 1. #47 Brad Mosen, Auckland, NZ; 2. #98K P.J. Jones, Torrance, CA; 3. #88H Johnathon Henry, Stockton, CA; 4. #11BX Brett Anderson, Belleville, IL; 5. #21b Christopher Bell, Norman, OK; 6. #1J J.J. Yeley, Phoenix, AZ; 7. #17R Mario Clouser, Auburn, IL; 8. #75H Johnny Herrera, Albuquerque, NM; 9. #1T Tony Roney, Herculaneum, MO; 10. #91B Kevin Bayer, Bixby, OK; 11. #4B Ronnie Burke Jr., League City, TX; 12. #87C Daniel Robinson, Wayne City, IL: 13. #57B Bill Balog, Brookfield, WI; 14. #1W Paul White, Waco, TX; 15. #55F Taylor Ferns, Shelby Township, MI; 16. #14JR Matt Streeter, Galt, CA; 17. #31 Steve Budres, Beloit, WI; 18. #98 JC Bland, Springfield, IL
D Main 2: 1. #71K David Gravel, Watertown, CT; 2. #72 Ryan Bernal, Hollister, CA; 3. #43 Brent Beauchamp, Indianapolis, IN; 4. #26 Shane Golobic, Fremont, CA; 5. #85 Shane Hollingsworth, Lafayette, IN; 6. #7DA Dalton Armstrong, New Castle, IN; 7. #19X Billy Wease, Noblesville, IN; 8. #2T Thomas Meseraull, San Jose, CA; 9. #94X Kevin Olson, Machesney Park, IL; 10. #15P David Prickett, Fresno, CA; 11. #14C Shane Cockrum, Benton, IL; 12. #6R Jody Rosenboom, Rock Rapids, IA; 13. #10W George White, Fort Worth, TX; 14. #11W Chris Windom, Canton, IL; 15. #05 Brad Loyet, Sunset Hills, MO; 16. #86E Chris Ennis, San Diego, CA; 17. #73S Alex Sewell, Broken Arrow, OK; 18. #23C Tyler Courtney, Indianapolis, IN
C Mains (15 Laps -- Top 6 to back of corresponding B Main)
C Main 1: 1. #05S Jon Stanbrough, Avon, IN: 2. #5 Dave Darland, Lincoln, IN; 3. #12B Chad Boat, Phoenix, AZ; 4. #4 Bobby East, Brownsburg, IN; 5. #36 Jonathan Beason, Broken Arrow, OK; 6. #4G Coleman Gulick, Binghamton, NY; 7. #35 Justin Grant, Ione, CA; 8. #11BX Brett Anderson, Belleville, IL; 9. #19 Patrick Stasa, Kingman, KS; 10. #1J JJ Yeley, Phoenix, AZ; 11. #98K P.J. Jones, Torrance, CA; 12. #21B Christopher Bell, Norman, OK; 13. #6A David Gough, Machesney Park, IL; 14. #8V Jace VanderWeerd, Visalia, CA; 15. #88H Johnathon Henry, Stockton, CA; 16. #25B Steve Buckwalter, Royersford, PA; 17. #78 Nick Wean, Phillipsburg, NJ; 18. #47 Brad Mosen, Auckland, NZ; 19. #05R Ryan Pace, Brownsburg, IN; 20. #67Z Joey Saldana, Brownsburg, IN
C Main 2: 1. #35S Hunter Schuerenberg, Sikeston, MO; 2. #51J R.J. Johnson, Phoenix, AZ; 3. #05T Gary Taylor Snohomish, WA; 4. #9 Levi Roberts, Broomfield, CO; 5. #91K Dereck King, Goreville, IL; 6. #5H Mike Hess, Springfield, IL; 7. #35M Matt Sherrell, Owasso, OK; 8. #71 Jason Leffler, Long Beach, CA; 9. #27S Andy Shouse, Oklahoma City, OK: 10. #05G Damion Gardner, Concord, CA; 11. #44 Don Droud Jr., Lincoln, NE; 12. #43 Brent Beauchamp, Indianapolis, IN; 13. #85 Shane Hollingsworth, Lafayette, IN; 14. #11C Chet Gehrke, Broken Arrow, OK; 15. #72 Ryan Bernal, Hollister, CA; 16. #7DA Dalton Armstrong, New Castle, IN; 17. #26 Shane Golobic, Fremont, CA; 18. #16 Jimmy Light, Erie, PA; 19. #81 Markus Niemela, Rauma, Finland; 20. #71K David Gravel, Watertown, CT
B Mains (20 Laps -- Top 6 in each advance to A Main)
B Main 1: 1. #19S Richard VanderWeerd, Visalia, CA; 2. #7CA Caleb Armstrong, New Castle, IN; 3. #24 Tracy Hines, New Castle, IN; 4. #63 Nick Knepper, Belleville, IL; 5. #2 Bud Kaeding, Campbell, CA; 6. #3NZ Jerry Coons Jr., Tucson, AZ; 7. #5 Dave Darland, Lincoln, IN; 8. #4 Bobby East, Brownsburg, IN; 9. #8L Matt Ward, Glenpool, OK; 10. #12B Chad Boat, Phoenix, AZ; 11. #77 Alex Bright, Collegeville, PA; 12. #73 Josh Ford, Oxnard, CA; 13. #11T Tyler Edwards, Salina, OK; 14. #36 Jonathon Beason, Broken Arrow, OK; 15. #05S Jon Stanbrough, Avon, IN; 16. #22 Brian Camarillo, Camarillo, CA; 17. #7M Kevin Ramey, Fort Worth, TX; 18. #15 Tim Siner, Dupo, IL; 19. #4G Coleman Gulick, Binghamton, NY; 20. #37 Bubba Altig, Mechanicsburg, IL
B Main 2: 1. #67K Rico Abreu, Rutherford, CA; 2. #2H Casey Shuman, Rattlesnake Bend, AZ; 3. #5D Zach Daum, Pocahontas, IL; 4. #3 Darren Hagen, Riverside, CA; 5. #17B Brad Kuhn, Avon, IN; 6. #3AJ A.J. Fike, Galesburg, IL; 7. #0 Ryan Smith, Kunkletown, PA; 8. #05T Gary Taylor, Snohomish, WA; 9. #9 Levi Roberts, Broomfield, CO; 10. #35S Hunter Schuerenberg, Sikeston, MO; 11. #37B Brady Short, Bedford, IN; 12. #5H Mike Hess, Springfield, IL; 13. #11A Andrew Felker, Carl Junction, MO; 14. #11 Brady Bacon, Broken Arrow, OK; 15. #47X Shaun Insley, Royal Oak, NZ; 16. #51J R.J. Johnson, Phoenix, AZ; 17. #71S Ronnie Gardner, Corona, CA; 18. #91K Dereck King, Goreville, IL; 19. #71B Jack Haudenschild, Wooster, OH; 20. #21 Daryn Pittman, Owasso, OK
A Main (55 laps)
1. #39 Kevin Swindell, Germantown, TN
2. #1 Sammy Swindell, Germantown, TN
3. #67 Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, CA
4. #77s Danny Stratton, Riverside, CA
5. #39c Bryan Clauson, Noblesville IN
6. #49x Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, CA
7. #21k Cory Kruseman, Ventura, CA
8. #3nz Jerry Coons, Jr., Tucson, AZ
9. #39i Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., Olive Branch, MS
10. #14 Tony Stewart, Columbus, IN
11. #24 Tracy Hines, Wilkinson, IN
12. #3 Darren Hagen, Riverside, CA
13. #5d Zach Daum, Pocahontas, IL
14. #17b Brad Kuhn, Avon, IN
15. #05p Michael Pickens, Auckland, NZ
16 #71xx Shane Cottle, Kokomo, IN
17. #2h Casey Shuman, Rattlesnake Bend, AZ
18. #7ca Caleb Armstrong, New Castle, IN
19. #2 Bud Kaeding, Campbell, CA
20. #19s Richard Vander Weerd, Visalia, CA
21. #67k Rico Abreu, Rutherford, CA
22. #63 Nick Knepper, Belleville, IL
23. #3aj A.J. Fike, Galesburg, IL
24. #56 Levi Jones, Olney, IL.
Jan 14 2012
What you have been waiting for the run for the Golden Driller all set for today!
Well here it is time for that big Alphabet soup run down all day saturday at the Quick Trip Center in Tulsa. Yes its the big main event day so I Hope all you out there got a good nights sleep? This will go on most of the day and evening before that Golden Driller Trophy is handed out.
Time now for the last aproximatly 248 not qualified for tonights big main event yet to "shit or get off the pot" so to speak!
We have the last 4 night main event qualifers locked in and that is one tough group that will start up front for the big one. My pick to win is that Rookie California kid starting out side the front row right next to the last 2 big Golden Driller trophy wins, Kevin Swindell in the first row. He is Kyle Larson!
So hold on to Your hats there are only 18 races left today for the last 248 not qualified so far to be one of last 12 to transfer into the big one scheduled for tonight. The first one being B main 1 all the way to the final race the K main event.
aXe
Kruseman Conquers Friday Field!
1/13/2012
Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla. (January 13, 2012) – Two-time Chili Bowl champion Cory Kruseman made his way back to the QuikTrip Center’s Tulsa Expo Raceway victory lane by topping Friday night’s 25-lap Vacuworx International qualifying feature at the 26th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals.
Kruseman battled past Indy 500-bound Bryan Clauson for the lead on the high side en route to a Chili Bowl record seventh career preliminary feature win aboard his Esslinger-powered MavTV/Lucas Oil No. 21k Esslinger, with runner-up Levi Jones and third-place Clauson also locking into Saturday night’s 50-lap Chili Bowl championship finale.
With Kruseman, who has claimed Golden Driller trophies in 2000 and 2004, gridding the feature field inside the second row, Clauson led the way to the green flag with Jac Haudenschild alongside. Clauson gunned into the lead at the drop of Roger Slack’s green flag, with Kruseman working into second in the initial rounds before the race’s only caution flew after six rounds for turn one chaos that sent Kevin Bayer and Brad Loyet pitside for the night.
With Clauson working the bottom of the track Esslinger-powered Indy Car/Indy 500 No. 39c Spike, Kruseman began challenging on the top side and finally surged into the lead exiting the fourth corner on the ninth circuit.
“We got the momentum going around the top and obviously momentum is always faster when the track is gonna get drier and drier,” Kruseman explained afterward.
Clauson wasn’t done yet though, keeping the pressure on and pulling alongside several times until a slight bobble in turns three and four on the 15th round opened the door for fifth-starter Levi Jones to race into second aboard the RW56 Esslinger-powered Three Wide Life No. 56 Esslinger.
Kruseman kept Jones and Clauson at bay over the final ten circuits despite lapped traffic in the final handful of rounds that forced him to the low side for a couple of rounds to maintain command.
Kruseman crossed the stripe with a 0.574-second advantage, locking into his 11th career Chili Bowl championship finale and third in a row after a three-year dry spell from 2007 to 2009.
Jones, who topped Septembers Gold Crown Midget Nationals, secured a starting berth in his third career Chili Bowl finale and first since 2009 by virtue of his runner-up finish while Clauson landed in his third finale as well by taking the show position after claiming fifth in last year’s 50-lapper.
Haudenschild brought Bernie Stuebgen’s Toyota-powered Indy Race Parts No. 71b Triple-X home fourth, with Gary “Bubba” Altig advancing a handful of positions to round out the top five in Esslinger-powered A.J. Felker Racing No. 37 FSC.
Daryn Pittman was sixth, with Nick Knepper, Ryan Smith, Bud Kaeding and 23rd starter Ronnie Gardner completing the top ten.
Finland’s Markus Niemela and Connecticut’s David Gravel were the only Chili Bowl rookie contenders to make Friday’s feature cut, finishing 17th and 18th, respectively.
Bayer, Davey Ray, Brent Beauchamp, Knepper, Derrick Myers, Haudenschild, Levi Roberts and Dave Darland topped heat race action for Friday night’s 60-car field, with Ryan Smith, Kaeding, Jones and Clauson winning the qualifying races.
After getting caught up in an opening lap tangle and flipping, Brad Loyet bounced back to win the first “C “Main and then climbed to third behind Joey Saldana and Brad Mosen in the first “B” Main to transfer to the feature event.
Bill Balog chased Rick Eckert to the line in the second “C” Main and then earned a transfer to the “A” as well behind Beauchamp, Bayer and Shane Hollingsworth in the second “B” Main.
Sixty Friday night competitors brought this year’s Chili Bowl Nationals competitor total to 259, three more than the total of 256 over each of the past two years.
Friday’s Vacuworx International Qualifier Results from the 26th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals:
Heat Races (8 Laps each, Top 40 in passing points to A Qualifiers; Balance to twin C Mains)
Heat 1: 1. #91B Kevin Bayer, Bixby, OK; 2. #49 Trevor Kobylarz, Birdsboro, PA; 3. #56 Levi Jones, Olney, IL; 4. #67Z Joey Saldana, Brownsburg, IN; 5. #15B Danny Burke, Houston;
Heat 2: 1. #33 Davey Ray, Indianapolis, IN; 2. #21K Cory Kruseman, Ventura, CA; 3. #37 Bubba Altig, Mechanicsburg, IL; 4. #20 Tadd Holliman, Beaver Lake, NE; 5. #28 Alex Schutte, Rohnert Park, CA;
Heat 3: 1. #43 Brent Beauchamp, Indianapolis, IN; 2. #71K David Gravel, Watertown, CT; 3. #81 Markus Niemela, Rauma, Finland; 4. #7DA Dalton Armstrong, New Castle, IN; 5. #71S Ronnie Gardner, Corona, CA;
Heat 4: 1. #63 Nick Knepper, Belleville, IL; 2. #35S Hunter Schuerenberg, Sikeston, MO; 3. #0 Ryan Smith, Kunkletown, PA; 4. #21 Daryn Pittman, Owasso, OK; 5. #17W Cole Wood, Auburn, CA;
Heat 5: 1. #25M Derrick Myers, Stonington, IL; 2. #2 Bud Kaeding, Campbell, CA; 3. #22X Keith Martin, Alvarado, TX; 4. #85 Shane Hollingsworth, Lafayette, IN; 5. #51B Ryan Blakeman, Jacksonville, IL
Heat 6: 1. #71B Jac Haudenschild, Wooster, OH; 2. #5H Mike Hess, Springfield, IL; 3. #0G Greg Bragg, Visalia, CA; 4. #32 Danny Jennings, Norman, OK; 5. #47 Brad Mosen, Auckland, NZ;
Heat 7: 1. #9 Levi Roberts, Broomfield, CO; 2. #4 Bobby East, Brownsburg, IN; 3. #77X Joey Moughan, Springfield, IL; 4. #11H Garrett Hood, Concordia, KS; 5. #14R Troy DeCaire, Tampa, FL;
Heat 8: 1. Dave Darland, Lincoln, IN; 2. #39C Bryan Clauson, Noblesville, IN; 3. #11J Justin Melton, Flower Mound, TX; 4. #0B Glenn Styres, Ohsweken, Ontario; 5. #8R Bobby Ruffin, Crandall, TX;
C Mains (10 Laps – Top 4 in each transfer to back of corresponding B Main)
C Main 1: 1. #05 Brad Loyet, Sunset Hills, MO; 2. #191 Chase Barber, Brownsburg, IN; 3. #7 Shannon McQueen, Tehachapi, CA; 4. #77B Mike Boesel, Bennett, CO; 5. #17 Michael Koontz, Bloomington, IN; 6. #0X Johnny Murdock, Kaufman, TX; 7. #29 Brandon Hahn, Tulsa, OK; 8. #11X Dustin Hapka, Grand Forks, ND; 9. #12H Jerrod Hull, Sikeston, MO; DNS - #21AZ Mike Visser, Cottonwood, AZ
C Main 2: 1. #24E Rick Eckert, York, PA; 2. #57B Bill Balog, Brookfield, WI; 3. #14R Troy DeCaire, Tampa, FL; 4. #89JR Ron Kuhn, Independence, MO; 5. #86 Josh Most, Red Oak, IA; 6. #22S Steve Stasa, West Hills, CA; 7. #19D Steven Drevicki, Reading, PA; 8. #87R Rich Camfield, Decatur, IL; DNS - #05H Jake Swanson, Anaheim, CA; #6Y Vinny Villeggiante, Gresham, OR
A Qualifiers (10 Laps – Top 16 in combined passing points to A Main; Balance to twin B Mains)
A Qualifier 1: 1. #0 Ryan Smith, Kunkletown, PA; 2. #21 Daryn Pittman, Owasso, OK; 3. #71B Jac Haudenschild, Wooster, OH; 4. #33 Davey Ray, Indianapolis, IN; 5. #81 Markus Niemela, Rauma, Finland; 6. #49 Trevor Kobylarz, Birdsboro, PA; 7. #28 Alex Schutte, Rohnert Park, CA; 8. #47 Brad Mosen, Auckland, NZ; 9. #22X Keith Martin, Alvarado, TX; 10. #11H Garrett Hood, Concordia, KS
A Qualifier 2: 1. #2 Bud Kaeding, Campbell, CA; 2. #21K Cory Kruseman, Ventura, CA; 3. #67Z Joey Saldana, Brownsburg, IN; 4. #43 Brent Beauchamp, Indianapolis, IN; 5. #11J Justin Melton, Flower Mound, TX; 6. #71K David Gravel, Watertown, CT; 7. #91B Kevin Bayer, Bixby, OK; 8. #71S Ronnie Gardner, Corona, CA; 9. #85 Shane Hollingsworth, Lafayette, IN; 10. #20 Tadd Holliman, Beaver Lake, NE
A Qualifier 3: 1. #56 Levi Jones, Olney, IL; 2. #5H Mike Hess, Springfield, IL; 3. #35S Hunter Schuerenberg, Sikeston, MO; 4. #9 Levi Roberts, Broomfield, CO; 5. #25M Derrick Myers, Stonington, IL; 6. #4 Bobby East, Brownsburg, IN; 7. #7DA Dalton Armstrong, New Castle, IN; 8. #17W Cole Wood, Auburn, CA; 9. #0B Glenn Styres, Oshweken, ONT; 10. #8R Bobby Ruffin, Crandall, TX
A Qualifier 4: 1. #39C Bryan Clauson, Noblesville, IN; 2. #37 Bubba Altig, Mechanicsburg, IL; 3. #5 Dave Darland, Lincoln, IN; 4. #63 Nick Knepper, Belleville, IL; 5. #0G Greg Bragg, Visalia, CA; 6. #51B Ryan Blakeman, Jacksonville, IL; 7. #87C Daniel Robinson, Wayne City, IL; 8. #32 Danny Jennings, Norman, OK; 9. #15B Danny Burke, Houston, TX; 10. #77X Joey Moughan, Springfield, MO
B Mains (15 Laps – Top 4 in each transfer to A Main)
B Main 1: 1. #67Z Joey Saldana, Brownsburg, IN; 2. #47 Brad Mosen, Auckland, NZ; 3. #05 Brad Loyet, Sunset Hills, MO; 4. #71S Ronnie Gardner, Corona, CA; 5. #87C Daniel Robinson, Wayne City, IL; 6. #7 Shannon McQueen, Tehachapi, CA; 7. #22X Keith Martin, Alvarado, TX; 8. #191 Chase Barber, Brownsburg, IN; 9. #11H Garrett Hood, Concordia, KS; 10. #33 Davey Ray, Indianapolis, IN;
B Main 2: 1. #43 Brent Beauchamp, Indianapolis, IN; 2. #91B Kevin Bayer, Bixby, OK; 3. #85 Shane Hollingsworth, Lafayette, IN; 4. #57B Bill Balog, Brookfield, WI; 5. #7DA Dalton Armstrong, New Castle, IN; 6. #11J Justin Melton, Flower Mound, TX; 7. #24E Rick Eckert, York, PA; 8. #15B Danny Burke, Houston, TX; 9. #32 Danny Jennings, Norman, OK; 10. #14R Troy DeCaire, Tampa, FL;
A Main (25 laps – Top 3 advance to Saturday Night's Main Event)
“A” Main: 1. #21k Cory Kruseman, Ventura, CA; 2. #56 Levi Jones, Olney, IL; 3. #39c Bryan Clauson, Noblesville, IN; 4. #71b Jac Haudenschild, Wooster, OH; 5. #37 Bubba Altig, Mechanicsburg, IL; 6. #21 Daryn Pittman, Owasso, OK; 7. #63 Nick Knepper, Belleville, IL; 8. #0 Ryan Smith, Kunkletown, PA; 9. #2 Bud Kaeding, Campbell, CA; 10. #71s Ronnie Gardner, Corona, CA; 11. #35s Hunter Schuerenberg, Sikeston, MO; 12. #5 Dave Darland, Lincoln, IN; 13. #9 Levi Roberts, Broomfield, CO; 14. #4 Bobby East, Brownsburg, IN; 15. #5h Mike Hess, Springfield, IL; 16. #67z Joey Saldana, Brownsburg, IN; 17. #81 Markus Niemela, Rauma, FIN; 18. #71k David Gravel, Watertown, CT; 19. #47 Brad Mosen, Auckland, NZ; 20. #43 Brent Beauchamp, Indianapolis, IN; 21. #57b Bill Balog, Brookfield, WI; 22. #85 Shane Hollingsworth, Lafayette, IN; 23. #91b Kevin Bayer, Bixby, OK; 24. #05 Brad Loyet, Sunset Hills, MO.
Saturday's Chili Bowl Feature's Lineups!
Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla. (January 14, 2012) – Prior to last year, no driver had ever been able to pull off back-to-back Chili Bowl triumphs at the QuikTrip Center’s Tulsa Expo Raceway.
Now, after becoming the first driver in event history to post two wins in a row last January, Kevin Swindell is in prime position for a three-peat as will start Saturday night’s 26th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals 50-lap finale from the pole position.
Swindell, who won Thursday night’s Suburban Chevrolet qualifying main event, drew the pole position after Friday night’s card with Tuesday’s Warren CATwinner Kyle Larson drawing the front row outside position for the Saturday night finale.
Five-time Chili Bowl champion Sammy Swindell will start third after winning Wednesday’s River Spirit Casino qualifier, with Cory Kruseman drawing the fourth starting position after winning Friday’s Vacuworx International qualifying main event.
A total of 259 competitors from 32 different states as well as Australia, Canada, Finland and New Zealand have battled it out atop the ¼-mile clay oval inside the QuikTrip Center over the past four nights to set the lineups for Saturday’s slate of 20 feature events, beginning with a “K” Main at 12:00 noon and climbing through the alphabet with twin “J” Mains, twin “I” Mains, etc., until culminating with Saturday night’s 50-lap championship finale.
A dozen drivers, including each qualifying night winner along with second and third place finishers, have already earned starting berths in the 26th Chili Bowl finale, with another dozen spots to be determined through the day’s racing action.
Each night’s second-place finishers drew to determine rows three and four of the feature, with Danny Stratton and Shane Cottle in row three and Levi Jones and Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., in row four.
Third place finishers drew as well, with Brad Sweet and two-time Chili Bowl champ and reigning NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Tony Stewart in row five with Bryan Clauson and Kiwi Michael Pickens in row six.
Saturday’s Championship Saturday feature's lineups
For the 26th Anniversary Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals are as follows:
The big one, A Main (50 Laps):
39 Kevin Swindell (Germantown, TN) – 67 Kyle Larson (Elk Grove, CA)
1 Sammy Swindell (Germantown, TN) – 21k Cory Kruseman (Ventura, CA)
77s Danny Stratton (Riverside, CA) – 71xx Shane Cottle (Kokomo, IN)
56 Levi Jones (Olney, IL) – 39i Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. (Olive Branch, MS)
49x Brad Sweet (Grass Valley, CA) – 14 Tony Stewart (Columbus, IN)
39c Bryan Clauson (Noblesville, IN) – 05p Michael Pickens (Auckland, NZ)
B Main 1 Transfer 1 – B Main 2 Transfer 1
B Main 1 Transfer 2 – B Main 2 Transfer 2
B Main 1 Transfer 3 – B Main 2 Transfer 3
B Main 1 Transfer 4 – B Main 2 Transfer 4
B Main 1 Transfer 5 – B Main 2 Transfer 5
B Main 1 Transfer 6 – B Main 2 Transfer 6
B Mains (20 Laps – Top 6 Transfer to A Main)
B Main 1:
19s Richard Vander Weerd (Visalia, CA) – 11T Tyler Edwards (Salina, OK)
7m Kevin Ramey (Ft. Worth, TX) – 37 Bubba Altig (Mechanicsburg, IL)
24 Tracy Hines (Wilkinson, IN) – 7ca Caleb Armstrong (New Castle, IN)
8L Matt Ward (Glenpool, OK) – 63 Nick Knepper (Belleville, IL)
15 Tim Siner (Dupo, IL) – 77 Alex Bright (Collegeville, PA)
3nz Jerry Coons, Jr. (Tucson, AZ) – 2 Bud Kaeding (Campbell, CA)
22 Brian Camarillo (Camarillo, CA) – 73 Josh Ford (Oxnard, CA)
C Main 1 Transfer 1 – C Main 1 Transfer 2
C Main 1 Transfer 3 – C Main 1 Transfer 4
C Main 1 Transfer 5 – C Main 1 Transfer 6
B Main 2:
11 Brady Bacon (Broken Arrow, OK) – 71b Jac Haudenschild (Wooster, OH)
37b Brady Short (Bedford, IN) – 5d Zach Daum (Pocahontas, IL)
2h Casey Shuman (Rattlesnake Bend, AZ) – 21 Daryn Pittman (Owasso, OK)
67k Rico Abreu (Rutherford, CA) – 47x Shaun Insley (Royal Oak, NZ)
11a Andrew Felker (Carl Junction, MO) – 0 Ryan Smith Kunkletown, PA)
3aj A.J. Fike (Galesburg, IL) – 17b Brad Kuhn (Avon, IN)
3 Darren Hagen (Riverside, CA) – 71s Ronnie Gardner (Corona, CA)
C Main 2 Transfer 1 – C Main 2 Transfer 2
C Main 2 Transfer 3 – C Main 2 Transfer 4
C Main 2 Transfer 5 – C Main 2 Transfer 6
C Mains (15 Laps – Top 6 Transfer to Corresponding B Main)
C Main 1:
12b Chad Boat (Phoenix, AZ) – 05s Jon Stanbrough (Avon, IN)
36 Jonathan Beason (Broken Arrow, OK) – 5 Dave Darland (Lincoln, IN)
6a David Gough (Machesney Park, IL) – 78 Nick Wean (Phillipsburg, NJ)
35 Justin Grant (Ione, CA) – 4 Bobby East (Brownsburg, IN)
19 Patrick Stasa (Kingman, KS) – 4g Coleman Gulick (Binghamton, NY)
05r Ryan Pace (Brownsburg, IN) – 67z Joey Saldana (Brownsburg, IN)
25b Steve Buckwalter (Royersford, PA) – 8v Jace Vander Weerd (Visalia, CA)
D Main 1 Transfer 1 – D Main 1 Transfer 2
D Main 1 Transfer 3 – D Main 1 Transfer 4
D Main 1 Transfer 5 – D Main 1 Transfer 6
C Main 2:
51J R.J. Johnson (Phoenix, AZ) – 35s Hunter Schuerenberg (Sikeston, MO)
35m Matt Sherrell (Owasso, OK) – 05T Gary Taylor (Snohomish, WA)
27s Andy Shouse (Oklahoma City, OK) – 9 Levi Roberts (Broomfield, CO)
44 Don Droud, Jr. (Lincoln, NE) – 91k Dereck King (Goreville, IL)
11c Chett Gehrke (Broken Arrow, OK) – 5h Mike Hess (Springfield, IL)
05g Damion Gardner (Concord, CA) – 71 Jason Leffler (Long Beach, CA)
16 Jimmy Light (Erie, PA) – 81 Markus Niemela (Rauma, Finland)
D Main 2 Transfer 1 – D Main 2 Transfer 2
D Main 2 Transfer 3 – D Main 2 Transfer 4
D Main 2 Transfer 5 – D Main 2 Transfer 6
D Mains (15 Laps – Top 6 Transfer to Corresponding C Main)
D Main 1:
98k P.J. Jones (Torrance, CA) – 11bx Brett Anderson (Belleville, IL)
88h Johnathon Henry (Stockton, CA) – 47 Brad Mosen (Auckland, NZ)
17r Mario Clouser (Auburn, IL) – 21b Christopher Bell (Norman, OK)
31 David Budres (Beloit, WI) – 57b Bill Balog (Brookfield, WI)
1J J.J. Yeley (Phoenix, AZ) – 14jr Matt Streeter (Galt, CA)
4b Ronnie Burke, Jr. (League City, TX) – 91b Kevin Bayer (Bixby, OK)
98 J.C. Bland (Springfield, IL) – 1w George White (Waco, TX)
E Main 1 Transfer 1 – E Main 1 Transfer 2
E Main 1 Transfer 3 – E Main 1 Transfer 4
D Main 2:
6r Jody Rosenboom (Rock Rapids, IA) – 71k David Gravel (Watertown, CT)
26 Shane Golobic (Fremont, CA) – 15p David Prickett (Fresno, CA)
10w George White (Ft. Worth, TX) – 43 Brent Beauchamp (Indianapolis, IN)
72 Ryan Bernal (Hollister, CA) – 19x Billy Wease (Noblesville, IN)
23c Tyler Courtney (Indianapolis, IN) – 85 Shane Hollingsworth (Lafayette, IN)
14c Shane Cockrum (Benton, IL) – 86e Chris Ennis (San Diego, CA)
2T Thomas Meseraull (San Jose, CA) – 05 Brad Loyet (Sunset Hills, MO)
E Main 2 Transfer 1 – E Main 2 Transfer 2
E Main 2 Transfer 3 – E Main 2 Transfer 4
E Mains (10 Laps – Top 4 Transfer to Corresponding D Main)
E Main 1:
75h Johnny Herrera (Albuquerque, NM) – 55F Taylor Ferns (Shelby Twp, MI)
89 Cody Darrah (Red Lion, PA) – 87c Daniel Robinson (Wayne City, IL)
39b Jake Blackhurst (Mapleton, IL) – 6 Aaron Pierce (Daleville, IN)
1T Tony Roney (Herculaneum, MO) – 11J Justin Melton (Flower Mound, TX)
4J Tim Crawley (Benton, AR) – 7x Layne Himebaugh (Collinsville, OK)
7a Austin Brown (Millstadt, IL) – 22x Keith Martin (Alvarado, TX)
F Main 1 Transfer 1 – F Main 1 Transfer 2
F Main 1 Transfer 3 – F Main 1 Transfer 4
E Main 2:
11w Chris Windom (Canton, IL) – 88 Brenden Bright (Collegeville, PA)
3F Tony Elliott (Warsaw, IN) – 7da Dalton Armstrong (New Castle, IN)
91x Kyle Steffens (St. Charles, MO) – 73s Alex Sewell (Broken Arrow, OK)
94x Kevin Olson (Machesney Park, IL) – 7 Shannon McQueen (Tehachapi, CA)
21m Billy Lawhead (Tulsa, OK) – 9u Doug McCune (Colleyville, TX)
51 Brent Camarillo (Camarillo, CA) – 24e Rick Eckert (York, PA)
F Main 2 Transfer 1 – F Main 2 Transfer 2
F Main 2 Transfer 3 – F Main 2 Transfer 4
F Mains (10 Laps – Top 4 Transfer to Corresponding E Main)
F Main 1:
93 Dustin Morgan (Broken Arrow, OK) – 17x Davey Heskin (St. Michael, MN)
71kt Kevin Thomas, Jr. (Cullman, AL) – 191 Chase Barber (Brownsburg, IN)
11b Travis Berryhill (American Canyon, CA) – 40 Andy Huston (Roseville, IL)
75 Wes McIntyre (McCordsville, IN) – 32 Danny Jennings (Norman, OK)
7J Shawn Jackson (Bear, DE) – 10 Will Pierce (Lees Summit, MO)
35T Tyler Robbins (Collinsville, IL) – 33 Davey Ray (Indianapolis, IN)
G Main 1 Transfer 1 – G Main 1 Transfer 2
G Main 1 Transfer 3 – G Main 1 Transfer 4
F Main 2:
51x Matt Lundy (Phoenix, AZ) – 33x Jason Lair (Del City, OK)
2b Tyler Reddick (Corning, CA) – 15b Danny Burke (Houston, TX)
00 Pete Davis (Pleasanton, CA) – 37x Cameron Hagin (Broken Arrow, OK)
15d Andrew Deal (Caney, KS) – 11h Garrett Hood (Concordia, KS)
1xs Donovan Peterson (Brookings, SD) – 18 Floyd Alvis (San Carlos, CA)
58 Cole Peard (Quincy, CA) – 14r Troy DeCaire (Tampa, FL)
G Main 2 Transfer 1 – G Main 2 Transfer 2
G Main 2 Transfer 3 – G Main 2 Transfer 4
G Mains (10 Laps – Top 4 Transfer to Corresponding F Main)
G Main 1:
6x Chris Morgan (Topeka, KS) – 94 Darren Kingston (Vandalia, IL)
86c David Camfield, Jr. (Decatur, IL) – 49 Trevor Kobylarz (Birdsboro, PA)
38n Kyle Neal (Ewing, IL) – 96 Cody Brewer (Choctaw, OK)
12jr Josh Pelkey (Peoria, AZ) – 8r Bobby Ruffin (Crandall, TX)
25 Dylan Peterson (Sioux Falls, SD) – 23F Jesse Sobbing (Glenwood, IA)
7w Harli White (Lindsay, OK) – 77b Mike Boesel (Bennett, CO)
H Main 1 Transfer 1 – H Main 1 Transfer 2
H Main 1 Transfer 3 – H Main 1 Transfer 4
G Main 2:
7d Michelle Decker (Guthrie, OK) – 8b Bob Ream, Jr. (Glendale, AZ)
8k Donnie Ray Crawford (Broken Arrow, OK) – 89jr Ron Kuhn (Independence, MO)
9m Cory Mallo (Cheyenne, WY) – 49jr Bobby Michnowicz (Lomita, CA)
37T Chris Urish (Elkhart, IL) – 0b Glenn Styres (Ohsweken, ONT)
27c Kip Hughes (Enid, OK) – 6m Justin Mallo (Cheyenne, WY)
12s Bryan Severs (Collison, IL) – 0g Greg Bragg (Visalia, CA)
H Main 2 Transfer 1 – H Main 2 Transfer 2
H Main 2 Transfer 3 – H Main 2 Transfer 4
H Mains (10 Laps – Top 4 Transfer to Corresponding G Main)
H Main 1:
29s Tim Kent (Sapulpa, OK) – 15n T.J. Smith (Fresno, CA)
82w Robbie Whitchurch (Chico, CA) – 51b Ryan Blakeman (Jacksonville, IL)
14w Matt Westfall (Ludlow Falls, OH) – 9d Sean Dodenhoff (Bakersfield, CA)
21v Jimmy Voitel (Covina, CA) – 17w Cole Wood (Auburn, Ca)
22k Kyle Bellm (Nixa, MO) – 13 Ryan York (Racine, MN)
2x Tyler Millwood (Kingston, GA) – 20 Tadd Holliman (Beaver Lake, NE)
I Main 1 Transfer 1 – I Main 1 Transfer 2
I Main 1 Transfer 3 – I Main 1 Transfer 4
H Main 2:
2r A.J. Hopkins (Brownsburg, IN) – 12 Chris Gurley (Hebron, IN)
98g Gavin Galbraith (Washington, MO) – 28 Alex Schutte (Rohnert Park, CA)
8J Blake Hahn (Sapulpa, OK) – 7b Joe Boyles (Greenwood, MO)
19n Nick O’Neal (Wagoner, OK) – 25m Derrick Myers (Stonington, IL)
44s Clint Schubert (Calhan, CO) – 45x C.J. Johnson (Quinter, KS)
7jr J.D. Black (Grain Valley, MO) – 77x Joey Moughan (Springfield, IL)
I Main 2 Transfer 1 – I Main 2 Transfer 2
I Main 2 Transfer 3 – I Main 2 Transfer 4
I Mains (10 Laps – Top 4 Transfer to Corresponding H Main)
I Main 1:
31e Evan Sewell (Tulsa, OK) – 20x Jimmy Harris (Broken Arrow, OK)
83 Kurt Blackaby (Bentonville, AR) – 17 Michael Koontz (Bloomington, IN)
15k Connor Kassik (Lake Havasu, AZ) – 71x Sheldon Haudenschild (Wooster, OH)
7c Pat Schudy (Springfield, MO) – 22s Steve Stasa (Kingman, KS)
2az Rick Shuman (Gilbert, AZ) – 23 Tim Lynch (Columbus, IN)
59 Dex Eaton (Owasso, OK) – 11x Dustin Hapka (Grand Forks, ND)
J Main 1 Transfer 1 – J Main 1 Transfer 2
J Main 1 Transfer 3 – J Main 1 Transfer 4
I Main 2:
81b Ryan Beechler (McKinney, TX) – 9b Harris Brooks (Houston, TX)
41 Brandon Waelti (Sun Prairie, WI) – 86 Josh Most (Red Oak, IA)
12J Joe Walker (Harrisonville, MO) – 73F Greg Edenholm (Malibu, CA)
9h Matt Hummel (San Jose, CA) – 0x Johnny Murdock (Kaufman, TX)
94au Brad Cox (Gunnedah, AUS) – 17m Andee Beierle (Bismarck , ND)
7T Todd McVay (Lees Summit, MO) – 19d Steven Drevicki (Reading, PA)
J Main 2 Transfer 1 – J Main 2 Transfer 2
J Main 2 Transfer 3 – J Main 2 Transfer 4
J Mains (10 Laps – Top 4 Transfer to Corresponding I Main)
J Main 1:
85J Matt Johnson (Edmond, OK) – 33a Stephen Arnold (Seymour, IN)
4x Shawn Peterson (Irving, TX) – 29 Brandon Hahn (Tulsa, OK)
17k Tanner Berryhill (Bixby, OK) – 93r Jake Rosario (Guthrie, OK)
44x Danny Smith (Argenta, IL) – 12h Jerrod Hull (Sikeston, MO)
71d Paige Polyak (Tiffin, OH) – 55 Kyle Smith (Moorpark, CA)
8 Mike Lapp (Goodyear, AZ) – 27 Kody Swanson (Kingsburg, CA)
21jr Kevin Michnowicz (Lomita, CA) - K Main Transfer 1
K Main Transfer 3 – K Main Transfer 5
J Main 2:
91h Mike Hudson (Carterville, IL) – 67x Britton Bock (Angwin, CA)
57k Steve Schaberg (Glenwood, AR) – 87r Rich Camfield (Decatur, IL)
83h Jonathan Halford (Tulsa, OK) – 77d Dalten Gabbard (Peoria, AZ)
51s Mike Spencer (Temecula, CA) – 2g Terry Goodwin (Laveen, AZ)
W94 Waylon Weaver (Claremore, OK) – 88w Dustin Weland (Parker, CO)
88d Rusty Dukes (Fair Grove, MO) – 21x Nick Speidel (Muncie, IN)
35w Rick Wright, Jr. (Ponca City, OK) – K Main Transfer 2
K Main Transfer 4 – K Main Transfer 6
K Main (10 Laps – Finishers 1,3 and 5 Transfer to J Main 1; Finishers 2,4 and 6 Transfer to J Main 2)
K Main:
77g Mike Goodman (Tulsa, OK) – 11xs Tony Norem (Dassel, MN)
82 Eric Johnson (Rockford, IL) – 7rs Clint Boyles (Greenwood, MO)
69 Randy Boyer (Belleville, KS) – 91 Jeff Stasa (Kingman, KS)
05h Jake Swanson (Anaheim, CA) – 21az Mike Visser (Cottonwood, AZ)
2d Doug Day (Winder, GA) – 71p Tim Pyle (Gresham, OR)
87F Brian McClelland (Tulsa, OK) – 11cx Steve Newman (Steamboat Springs, CO)
3h Bubba Hunt (Tulsa, OK) – 50 Ned Fry (W. Burlington, IA)
83x Bob Lawlor (San Carlos, CA) – 6y Vinny Villeggiante (Gresham, OR)
2a Donald McIntosh (Dawsonville, GA)
Jan 13 2012
Kevin Swindell Takes Thursday Chili Bowl Win!
Shane Cottle 2nd Kevin Swindell Winner and Brad Sweet 3rd
On Thursday night, the 22-year-old from Germantown, TN, put himself in a prime position for a three-peat by winning the 25-lap Suburban Chevrolet qualifying feature event atop the ¼-mile clay oval on the third night of action at the 26th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals.
Swindell battled past Brad Sweet on the sixth round and then weathered a pair of late cautions to take his second career Chili Bowl preliminary win aboard the Esslinger-powered John Christner Trucking/NOS Energy Drinks No. 39 Spike. Swindell took the checkered flag with a 1.705-second advantage over Indiana’s Shane Cottle and Sweet, who also locked into Saturday night’s 50-lap Chili Bowl championship finale.
With Swindell starting the feature outside the second row, Sweet led the field to the green flag with J.J. Yeley alongside. Sweet gunned into the lead at the start, with Swindell into second on the opening round ahead of third-starter Shane Golobic and Yeley.
With the leaders all working the low side, Swindell moved to the top of turns three and four and swept past Sweet for the lead upon the completion of the sixth round. Sweet kept Swindell within striking distance, with traffic coming into play just three laps later.
Swindell found open track again after the 12th round when Don Droud, Jr., spun to a stop in turn three after contact from another car. Swindell went the final half of the race virtually unchallenged, though he nearly spun exiting turn four on the 20th circuit.
“It seems like coming off turn four is a little different this year,” Swindell explained. “It’s challenging, you almost have to diamond it to hit it right.”
The only thing that slowed his charge to the checkered flag was a pair of incidents with 21 laps in the books. After Damion Gardner came to a stop in turn four after contact while battling for sixth with Yeley, it was Golobic and Buckwalter tangling in the same corner while dicing for fourth on the ensuing restate with Yeley caught up in the fracas and getting upside down.
Swindell cruised to the stripe over the final four laps, while Cottle raced past Sweet on the 23rd lap to snare runner-up honors in Dr. Kenneth Love’s Mopar-powered RDL Holdings No. 71xx Spike. “We started a little tight, but as the track slicked off we got better and better,” Cottle explained.
Sweet held on for the show position in the Kasey Kahne Racing Speedway Engines-powered Sage Fruit No. 49x Spike, explaining that, “We were a little conservative with our car, we didn’t see it getting quite that slick.”
California’s Richard VanderWeerd turned in the strongest performance thus far by a Chili Bowl rookie contender by climbing from seventh to claim fourth aboard Mike Sala’s No. 19s Spike, with Indiana’s Brady Short rounding out the top five.
Tracy Hines turned in the night’s top passing performance by racing from 22nd to sixth after advancing through both “C” and “B” Main action, with Rico Abreu, Tim Siner, 17th-starter A.J. Fike and 16th-starter Brian Camarillo completing the top ten.
VanderWeerd was one of two event rookies to make Thursday’s feature cut, with fellow California contender Ryan Bernal posting a 21st place finish.
Johnny Herrera, Golobic, Patrick Stasa, Gardner, Siner, Shane Cockrum, Kyle Steffens and Billy Lawhead each posted heat race victories among the 66-car field, with Golobic, J.C. Bland, Bernal and Cottle winning the Qualifying races.
Tim Crawley and Chris Windom won the “C” Mains, with Cockrum and Mario Clouser victorious in the “B” Mains.
Thursday’s Suburban Chevrolet Qualifier Results from the 26th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals:
Heat Races (8 Laps each, Top 40 in passing points to A Qualifiers; Balance to twin C Mains)
Heat 1: 1. #75H Johnny Herrera, Albuquerque, NM; 2. #98 JC Bland, Springfield, IL; 3. #44S Clint Schubert, Calhan, CO; 4. #37B Brady Short, Bedford, IN; 5. #51X Matt Lundy, Phoenix, AZ; 6. #24 Tracy Hines, New Castle, IN; 7. #94AU Brad Cox, Gunnedah, Australia; 8. #2D Doug Day, Winder, GA; 9. #35M Matt Sherrell, Owasso, OK
Heat 2: 1. #26 Shane Golobic, Fremont, CA; 2. #1J J.J. Yeley, Phoenix, AZ; 3. #98K P.J. Jones, Torrance, CA; 4. #19S Richard VanderWeerd, Visalia, CA; 5. #3AJ A.J. Fike, Galesburg, IL; 6. #7J Shawn Jackson, Bear, DE; 7. #2AZ Rick Shuman, Gilbert, AZ; 8. #15K Conner Kassik, Lake Havasu, AZ; 9. #81B Ryan Beechler, McKinney, TX
Heat 3: 1. #19 Patrick Stasa, Kingman, KS; 2. #22 Brian Camarillo, Camarillo, CA; 3. #8J Blake Hahn, Sapulpa, OK; 4. #71XX Shane Cottle, Kokomo, IN; 5. #11B Travis Berryhill, American Canyon, CA; 6. #27C Kip Hughes, Enid, OK; 7. #12J Joe Walker, Harrisonville, MO; 8. #83H Jonathan Halford, Tulsa, OK
Heat 4: 1. #05G Damion Gardner, Concord, CA; 2. #39 Kevin Swindell, Germantown, TN; 3. #93 Dustin Morgan, Broken Arrow, OK; 4. #7D Michelle Decker, Guthrie, OK; 5. #2R A.J. Hopkins, Brownsburg, IN; 6. #88D Rusty Dukes, Fair Grove, MO; 7. #2G Terry Goodwin, Laveen, AZ; 8. #77G Mike Goodman, Broken Arrow, OK
Heat 5: 1. #15 Tim Siner, Dupo, IL; 2. #25B Steve Buckwalter, Royersford, PA; 3. #25 Dylan Peterson, Sioux Falls, SD; 4. #17R Mario Clouser, Auburn, IL; 5. #29S Tim Kent, Sapulpa, OK; 6. #31E Evan Sewell, Tulsa, OK; 7. #85J Matt Johnson, Edmond, OK; 8. #11W Chris Windom, Canton, IL
Heat 6: 1. #14C Shane Cockrum, Benton, IL: 2. #49X Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, CA; 3. #39B Jake Blackhurst, Mapleton, IL: 4. #9M Cory Mallo, Cheyenne, WY; 5. #44 Don Droud Jr., Lincoln, NE; 6. #91H Mike Hudson, Carterville, IL: 7. #71P Tim Pyle, Gresham, OR; 8. #1XS Donovan Peterson, Brookings, SD
Heat 7: 1. #91X Kyle Steffens, St. Charles, MO; 2. #6A David Gough, Machesney Park, IL: 3. #12B Chad Boat, Phoenix, AZ; 4. #38N Kyle Neal, Ewing, IL; 5. #00 Pete Davis, Pleasanton, CA; 6. #71D Paige Polyak, Tiffin, OH; 7. #69 Randy Boyer, Belleville, KS; 8. #22K Kyle Bellm, Nixa, MO
Heat 8: 1. #21M Billy Lawhead, El Reno, OK; 2. #72 Ryan Bernal, Hollister, CA; 3. #67K Rico Abreu, Rutherford, CA; 4. #6X Chris Morgan, Topeka, KS; 5. #14W Matt Westfall, Ludlow Falls, OH; 6. #4J Tim Crawley, Benton, AR; 7. #17K Tanner Berryhill, Bixby, OK; DNS - #2A Donald McIntosh, Dawsonville, GA
C Mains (10 Laps – Top 4 in each transfer to back of corresponding B Main)
C Main 1: 1. #4J Tim Crawley, Benton, AR; 2. #29S Tim Kent, Sapulpa, OK; 3. #35M Matt Sherrell, Owasso, OK; 4. #22K Kyle Bellm, Nixa, MO; 5. #31E Evan Sewell, Tulsa, OK; 6. #12J Joe Walker, Harrisonville, MO; 7. #2AZ Rick Shuman, Gilbert, AZ; 8. #85J Matt Johnson, Edmond, OK; 9. #83H Jonathon Halford, Tulsa, OK; 10. #2G Terry Goodwin, Laveen, AZ; 11. #88D Rusty Dukes, Fair Grove, MO; 12. #77G Mike Goodman, Broken Arrow, OK; 13. #69 Randy Boyer, Belleville, KS
C Main 2: 1. #11W Chris Windom, Canton, IL; 2. #24 Tracy Hines, Wilkinson, IN; 3. #51X Matt Lundy, Phoenix, AZ; 4. #1XS Donovan Peterson, Brookings, SD; 5. #81B Ryan Beechler, McKinney, TX; 6. #15K Conner Kassik, Lake Havasu, AZ; 7. #94AU Brad Cox, Gunnedah, AUS; 8. #91H Mike Hudson, Carterville, IL; 9. #17K Tanner Berryhill, Bixby, OK; 10. #71D Paige Polyak, Tiffin, OH; DNS -- #2D Doug Day, Winder, GA; #71P Tim Pyle, Gresham, OR; #2A Doug McIntosh, Dawsonville, GA
A Qualifiers (10 Laps – Top 16 in combined passing points to A Main; Balance to twin B Mains)
A Qualifier 1: 1. #26 Shane Golobic, Fremont, CA; 2. #37B Brady Short, Bedford, IN; 3. #1J J.J. Yeley, Phoenix, AZ; 4. #15 Tim Siner, Dupo, IL: 5. #93 Dustin Morgan, Broken Arrow, OK; 6. #05G Damion Gardner, Concord, CA; 7. #00 Pete Davis, Pleasanton, CA; 8. #25 Dylan Peterson, Sioux Falls, SD; 9. #9M Cory Mallo, Cheyenne, WY; 10. #44S Clint Schubert, Calhan, CO
A Qualifier 2: 1. #98 JC Bland, Springfield, IL; 2. #67K Rico Abreu, Rutherford, CA; 3. #39 Kevin Swindell, Germantown, TN; 4. #98K P.J. Jones, Torrance, CA; 5. #22 Brian Camarillo, Camarillo, CA; 6. #14C Shane Cockrum, Benton, IL; 7. #14W Matt Westfall, Ludlow Falls, OH; 8. #39B Jake Blackhurst, Mapleton, IL; 9. #38N Kyle Neal, Ewing, IL; 10. #7J Shawn Jackson, Bear, DE
A Qualifier 3: 1. #72 Ryan Bernal, Hollister, CA; 2. #19S Richard VanderWeerd, Visalia, CA; 3. #25B Steve Buckwalter, Royersford, PA; 4. #17R Mario Clouser, Auburn, IL; 5. #75H Johnny Herrera, Albuquerque, NM; 6. #3AJ A.J. Fike, Galesburg, IL; 7. #6A David Gough, Machesney Park, IL; 8. #91X Kyle Steffens, St. Charles, MO; 9. #6X Chris Morgan, Topeka, KS; 10. #27C Kip Hughes, Enid, OK
A Qualifier 4: 1. #71XX Shane Cottle, Kokomo, IN; 2. #49X Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, CA; 3. #44 Don Droud Jr., Lincoln, NE; 4. #12B Chad Boat, Phoenix, AZ; 5. #8J Blake Hahn, Sapulpa, OK; 6. #11B Travis Berryhill, American Canyon, CA; 7. #7D Michelle Decker, Guthrie, OK; 8. #2R A.J. Hopkins, Brownsburg, IN; 9. #21M Billy Lawhead, El Reno, OK; 10. #19 Patrick Stasa, Kingman, KS
B Mains (15 Laps – Top 4 in each transfer to A Main)
B Main 1: 1. #14C Shane Cockrum, Benton, IL; 2. #3AJ A.J. Fike, Galesburg, IL; 3. #19 Patrick Stasa, Kingman, KS; 4. #35M Matt Sherrell, Owasso, OK; 5. #75H Johnny Herrera, Albuquerque, NM; 6. #91X Kyle Steffens, St. Charles, MO; 7. #4J Tim Crawley, Benton, AR; 8. #93 Dustin Morgan, Broken Arrow, OK; 9. #00 Pete Davis, Pleasanton, CA; 10. #7J Shawn Jackson, Bear, DE; 11. #6X Chris Morgan, Topeka, KS; 12. #9M Cory Mallo, Cheyenne, WY; 13. #25 Dylan Peterson, Sioux Falls, SD; 14. #29S Tim Kent, Sapulpa, OK; 15. #8J Blake Hahn, Sapulpa, OK; 16. #22K Kyle Bellm, Nixa, MO
B Main 2: #17R Mario Clouser, Auburn, IL; 2. #6A David Gough, Machesney Park, IL: 3. #24 Tracy Hines, Wilkinson, IN; 4. #44 Don Droud Jr., Lincoln, NE; 5. #11W Chris Windom, Canton, IL; 6. #39B Jake Blackhurst, Mapleton, IL: 7. #21M Billy Lawhead, El Reno, OK; 8. #51X Matt Lundy, Phoenix, AZ; 9. #11B Travis Berryhill, American Canyon, CA; 10. #1XS Donovan Peterson, Brookings, SD; 11. #7D Michelle Decker, Guthrie, OK; 12. #38N Kyle Neal, Ewing, IL; 13. #27C Kim Hughes, Enid, OK; 14. #2R A.J. Hopkins, Brownsburg, IN; 15. #14W Matt Westfall, Ludlow Falls, OH; 16. #44S Clint Schubert, Calhan, CO
A Main (25 laps – Top 3 advance to Saturday Night's Main Event)
“A” Main: 1. #39 Kevin Swindell, Germantown, TN; 2. #71xx Shane Cottle, Kokomo, IN; 3. #49x Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, CA; 4. #19s Richard VanderWeerd (Visalia, CA); 5. #37b Brady Short, Bedford, IN; 6. #24 Tracy Hines, Wilkinson, IN; 7. #67k Rico Abreu, Rutherford, CA; 8. #15 Tim Siner, Dupo, IL; 9. #3aj A.J. Fike, Galesburg, IL; 10. #22 Brian Camarillo, Camarillo, CA; 11. #12b Chad Boat, Phoenix, AZ; 12. #35m Matt Sherrell, Owasso, OK; 13. #6a David Gough, Machesney Park, IL; 14. #44 Don Droud, Jr., Lincoln, NE; 15. #19 Patrick Stasa, Kingman, KS; 16. #05g Damion Gardner, Concord, CA; 17. #25b Steve Buckwalter, Royersford, PA; 18. #98k P.J. Jones, Torrance, CA; 19. #26 Shane Golobic, Fremont, CA; 20. #17r Mario Clouser, Auburn, IL; 21. #72 Ryan Bernal, Hollister, CA; 22. #1J J.J. Yeley, Phoenix, AZ; 23. #14c Shane Cockrum, Benton, IL; 24. #98 J.C. Bland, Springfield, IL (DNS).
Jan 12 2012
Sammy Swindell Cashes in on River Spirit Casino Qualifier at Chili Bowl!
Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla. (January 11, 2012) – Sammy Swindell kept up his winning ways at the QuikTrip Center’s Tulsa Expo Raceway by topping Wednesday night’s 25-lap River Spirit Casino Qualifier “A” Main event at the 26th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals.
The five-time Chili Bowl champion battled ahead of Danny Stratton after a handful of circuits and raced on to his seventh preliminary Chili Bowl main event win in front of Stratton and reigning NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Tony Stewart, who also locked into Saturday night’s 50-lap championship finale by virtue of earning podium finishes.
With the triumph in the Esslinger-powered John Christner Trucking/NOS Energy Drinks No. 1 Spike, Swindell locked into a Chili Bowl record 19th Chili Bowl finale.
“Here, the driver can influence the car a lot,” Swindell explained of his Chili Bowl success. “You’ve got to have a good car, but you can make it a bit different about where you place the car and what you do with the car.”
After winning his third Vacuworx International Race of Champions in four tries on Tuesday night, Swindell made a late run from his sixth starting position to win Wednesday night’s opening heat race and then climbed from sixth to second in his qualifying race to earn the pole position for the main event.
But, Swindell had his hands full with fellow front row starter Stratton over the initial handful of circuits as the pair battled for the lead in wheel-to-wheel fashion with Swindell on the low side and Stratton up top. “We had a pretty good run for a while there side-by-side,” Swindell explained of the opening rounds afterwards.
Swindell surged ahead in turn two on the sixth round and made his way to the upper portion of the track and set sail with Stratton and third-starter Stewart in his wake.
The savvy veteran reached traffic by the midway point and picked off one car after another over the ensuing rounds, with four cars separating himself from Stratton when the race’s only caution flew after 21 laps when Chris Ennis climbed a wheel and flipped in turn four.
With the lapped cars in place, Swindell checked out over the final four circuit to take the checkered flag with a 3.647-second advantage over Stratton in Steve and Dianna Hampton’s Esslinger-powered Hampton’s Kustom Works No. 77s Twister.
“We had a stuck bleeder in the right rear and Sammy kinda ran away with it,” Stratton explained after securing a starting berth for his third career Chili Bowl finale. “I was just trying to hang on there to get a spot in the ‘A’ on Saturday.”
Making his first Chili Bowl start since 2008, two-time event winner Stewart landed in his 11th Chili Bowl final by taking the show position in the Chevrolet Performance Parts No. 14 Spike.
“The big thing is Saturday night that you’re shooting for,” Stewart commented. “The goal for everybody tonight is to try to get in that top three and as long as you make that, that’s a good night.”
Behind the lead trio, Zach Daum held down the fourth position most of the way in front of Tyler Edwards and Jason Leffler. But, when Daum’s mount stumbled after the lap 21 restart, Edwards and Leffler mixed it up for fourth only to have Leffler slide to a stop in turn two after contact on the final lap just as Swindell took the checkered flag.
Edwards claimed the fourth position aboard Danny Felker’s Hatfield Chevy-powered No. 11T Spike, with Daum rounding out the top five in the Fontana-powered Daum Insurance No. 5d Eagle.
Caleb Armstrong raced 18th to claim sixth, with Chili Bowl rookie contender Shaun Insley of New Zealand in seventh. Another rookie contender, Pennsylvania’s Alex Bright, was eighth, with Brad Kuhn salvaging a ninth place run after climbing through both “C” and “B” Main competition just to make the feature cut after a lackluster heat race. Josh Ford completed the top ten from 16th.
In addition to Insley and Bright, California’s Jace VanderWeerd also made Wednesday’s feature cut as a rookie contender and placed 17th.
Like Kuhn, Gary Taylor worked through “C” and “B” Main action as well to finish 12th, just one spot behind Loyet Motorsports teammate Jon Stanbrough, who also advanced from “B” Main action.
Swindell, Billy Wease, Edwards, Robbie Whitchurch, VanderWeerd, Insley, Leffler and Brent Camarillo topped heat race action for Wednesday night’s 67-car field. Austin Brown won the first “C” Main, with Gavin Galbraith beating Taylor and Kuhn to the stripe in the second “C” Main. After Stanbrough won the first “B” Main, Armstrong beat a rallying Kuhn to the line in the second “B” Main. David Prickett, Christopher Bell, Stewart and Daum each claimed qualifying race wins.
Donnie Ray Crawford, last year’s Wednesday night feature winner, endured a tough evening. After a wild flip exiting turn two in his heat race, the third-generation racer advanced from “C” Main action only to get upside down again in a “B” Main scramble that put an early end to his night.
Wednesday’s River Spirit Casino Qualifier Results from the 26th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals:
Heat Races (8 Laps each, Top 40 in passing points to A Qualifiers; Balance to twin C Mains)
Heat 1: 1. #1 Sammy Swindell, Germantown, TN; 2. #58 Cole Peard, Quincy, CA; 3. #14JR Matt Streeter, Galt, CA; 4. #86C David Camfield Jr., Decatur, IL; 5. #2X Tyler Millwood, Kingston, GA;
Heat 2: 1. #19X Billy Wease, Noblesville, IN; 2. #21V Jimmy Voitel, Covina, CA; 3. #77S Danny Stratton, Riverside, CA; 4. #12S Bryan Severs, Collison, IL; 5. #94X Kevin Olson, Machesney Park, IL;
Heat 3: 1. #11T Tyler Edwards, Salina, OK; 2. #89 Cody Darrah, Red Lion, PA; 3. #15P David Prickett, Fresno, CA; 4. #3F Tony Elliott, Warsaw, IN; 5. #05S Jon Stanbrough, Avon, IN;
Heat 4: 1. #82W Robbie Whitchurch, Chico, CA; 2. #91K Dereck King, Goreville, IL; 3. #7JR J.D. Black, Grain Valley, MO; 4. #75 Wes McIntyre, McCordsville, IN; 5. #7CA Caleb Armstrong, New Castle, IN;
Heat 5: 1. #8V Jace VanderWeerd, Visalia, CA; 2. #86E Chris Ennis, San Diego, CA; 3. #35T Tyler Robbins, Collinsville, IL; 4. #21B Christopher Bell, Norman, OK; 5. #4G Coleman Gulick, Binghamton, NY;
Heat 6: 1. #47X Shaun Insley, Royal Oak, NZ; 2. #14 Tony Stewart, Columbus, IN; 3. #78 Nick Wean, Phillipsburg, NJ; 4. #37T Chris Urish, Elkhart, IL; 5. #11BX Brett Anderson, Belleville, IL;
Heat 7: 1. #71 Jason Leffler, Long Beach, CA; 2. #5D Zach Daum, Pocahontas, IL; 3. #7W Harli White, Lindsay, OK; 4. #1T Tony Roney, Herculaneum, MO; 5. #12JR Josh Pelkey, Peoria, AZ;
Heat 8: 1. #51 Brent Camarillo, Camarillo, CA; 2. #77 Alex Bright, Collegeville, PA; 3. #2B Tyler Reddick, Coming, CA; 4. #1W Paul White, Waco, TX; 5. #41 Brandon Waelti, Sun Prairie, WI;
C Mains (10 Laps – Top 4 in each transfer to back of corresponding B Main)
C Main 1: 1. #7A Austin Brown, Millstadt, IL; 2. #15D Andrew Deal, Caney, KS; 3. #2X Tyler Millwood, Kingston, GA; 4. #71KT Kevin Thomas Jr., Cullman, AL; 5. #83 Kurt Blackaby, Bentonville, AR; 6. #9H Matt Hummel, San Jose, CA; 7. #59 Dex Eaton, Owasso, OK; 8. #4X Shawn Petersen, Irving, TX; 9. #51S Mike Spencer, Temecula, CA; 10. #88W Dusty Weland, Parker, CO;
C Main 2: 1. #98G Gavin Galbraith, Washington, MO; 2. #05T Gary Taylor, Snohomish, WA; 3. #17B Brad Kuhn, Avon, IN; 4. #8K Donnie Ray Crawford, Broken Arrow, OK; 5. #41 Brandon Waelti, Sun Prairie, WI; 6. #7C Pat Schudy, Springfield, MO; 7. #7T Todd McVay, Lees Summit, MO; 8. #57K Steve Schaberg, Glenwood, AR; 9. #44X Danny Smith, Argenta, IL; 10. #8 Mike Lapp, Goodyear, AZ;
A Qualifiers (10 Laps – Top 16 in combined passing points to A Main; Balance to twin B Mains)
A Qualifier 1: 1. #15P David Prickett, Fresno, CA; 2. #1 Sammy Swindell, Germantown, TN; 3. #14JR Matt Streeter, Galt, CA; 4. #91K Dereck King, Goreville, IL; 5. #1W Paul White, Waco, TX; 6. #12JR Josh Pelkey, Peoria, AZ; 7. #05S Jon Stanbrough, Avon, IN; 8. #8V Jace VanderWeerd, Visalia, CA; 9. #1T Tony Roney, Herculaneum, MO; 10. #7JR J.D. Black, Grain Valley, MO
A Qualifier 2: 1. #21B Christopher Bell, Norman, OK; 2. #77S Danny Stratton, Riverside, CA; 3. #47X Shaun Insley, Royal Oak, NZ; 4. #86E Chris Ennis, San Diego, CA; 5. #73 Josh Ford, Oxnard, CA; 6. #89 Cody Darrah, Red Lion, PA; 7. #4G Coleman Gulick, Binghamton, NY; 8. #86C David Camfield Jr., Decatur, IL; 9. #58 Cole Peard, Quincy, CA; 10. #35T Tyler Robbins, Collinsville, IL
A Qualifier 3: 1. #14 Tony Stewart, Columbus, IN; 2. #71 Jason Leffler, Long Beach, CA; 3. #11T Tyler Edwards, Salina, OK; 4. #78 Nick Wean, Phillipsburg, NJ; 5. #37T Chris Urish, Elkhart, IL; 6. #2B Tyler Reddick, Corning, CA; 7. #94X Kevin Olson, Machesney Park, IL; 8. #21V Jimmy Voitel, Covina, CA; 9. #19N Nick O'Neal, Wagoner, OK; 10. #12S Bryan Severs, Collison, IL
A Qualifier 4: 1. #5D Zach Daum, Pocahontas, IL; 2. #77 Alex Bright, Collegeville, PA; 3. #11BX Brett Anderson, Belleville, IL; 4. #19x Billy Wease, Noblesville, IN; 5. #7CA Caleb Armstrong, New Castle, IN; 6. #3F Tony Elliott, Warsaw, IN; 7. #75 Wes McIntyre, McCordsville, IN; 8. #51 Brent Camarillo, Camarillo, CA; 9. #82W Robbie Whitchurch, Chico, CA; 10. #7W Harli White, Lindsay, OK
B Mains (15 Laps – Top 4 in each transfer to A Main)
B Main 1: 1. #05S Jon Stanbrough, Avon, IN; 2. #11BX Brett Anderson, Belleville, IL; 3. #8V Jace VanderWeerd, Visalia, CA; 4. #1W Paul White, Waco, TX; 5. #89 Cody Darrah, Red Lion, PA; 6. #94X Kevin Olson, Machesney Park, IL; 7. #7A Austin Brown, Millstadt, IL; 8. #71KT Kevin Thomas Jr., Cullman, AL; 9. #15D Andrew Deal, Caney, KS; 10. #35T Tyler Robbins, Collinsville, IL;
B Main 2: 1. #7CA Caleb Armstrong, New Castle, IN; 2. #17B Brad Kuhn, Avon, IN; 3. #4G Coleman Gulick, Binghamton, NY; 4. #05T Gary Taylor, Snohomish, WA; 5. #3F Tony Elliott, Warsaw, IN; 6. #1T Tony Roney, Herculaneum, MO; 7. #51 Brent Camarillo, Camarillo, CA; 8. #2B Tyler Reddick, Corning, CA*; 9. #75 Wes McIntyre, McCordsville, IN; 10. #58 Cole Peard, Quincy, CA;
*Penalized a spot for hitting the restart cone
A Main (25 laps – Top 3 advance to Saturday Night's Main Event)
“A” Main: 1. #1 Sammy Swindell, Germantown, TN; 2. #77s Danny Stratton, Riverside, CA; 3. #14 Tony Stewart, Columbus, IN; 4. #11T Tyler Edwards, Salina, OK; 5. #5d Zach Daum, Pocahontas, IL; 6. #7ca Caleb Armstrong, New Castle, IN; 7. #47x Shaun Insley, Royal Oak, NZ; 8. #77 Alex Bright, Collegeville, PA; 9. #17b Brad Kuhn, Avon, IN; 10. #73 Josh Ford, Oxnard, CA; 11. #05s Jon Stanbrough, Avon, IN; 12. #05T Gary Taylor, Snohomish, WA; 13. #78 Nick Wean, Phillipsburg, NJ; 14. #91k Derek King, Goreville, IL; 15. #4g Coleman Gulick, Binghamton, NY; 16. #71 Jason Leffler, Long Beach, CA; 17. #8v Jace VanderWeerd, Visalia, CA; 18. #11bx Brett Anderson, Belleville, IL; 19. #15p David Prickett, Fresno, CA; 20. #21b Christopher Bell, Norman, OK; 21. #19x Billy Wease, Noblesville, IN; 22. #14jr Matt Streeter, Galt, CA; 23. #86e Chris Ennis, San Diego, CA; 24. #1w Paul White, Waco, TX.
Jan 11 2012
Larson Wins Chili Bowl Opener!
photo from aXe's collection
Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla. (January 10, 2012) – Coming off a remarkable breakthrough season in 2011, Kyle Larson added yet another notch to the win column by topping Tuesday night’s 25-lap Warren CAT Qualifying feature event to kick off the 26th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals at the QuikTrip Center’s Tulsa Expo Raceway.
The 19-year-old from Elk Grove, CA, raced by Kevin Ramey for the lead on the high side on the fifth round and worked traffic flawlessly over the final ten circuits to post the victory in front of NASCAR Nationwide champion Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., and New Zealand’s Michael Pickens, with each of the podium finishers locked into Saturday’s 50-lap Chili Bowl championship feature event.While youth prevailed in the Qualifying feature event, veteran shoe Sammy Swindell snared his third Vacuworx International Race of Champions victory in four years by leading all 20 circuits of the special feature event. While the five-time Chili Bowl champion was out front all the way, he had to fend off a late bid from his son Kevin Swindell, two-time and reigning Chili Bowl champion, to secure the win.
While Larson, who ranked as the nation’s winningest open wheel driver in 2011 with triumphs across a variety of series, gridded the feature field outside the second row, it was Ramey and Chili Bowl rookie contender Matt Ward leading the Warren CAT feature field to the green flag from the front row.
Ramey gunned into the lead at the drop of the green flag, with Larson sweeping past Ward on the high side to take second on the third lap, moments before George White spun in turn three to bring out the first of three cautions in the initial six circuits.
With Fort Worth, Texas, shoe Ramey working the low side, Larson stuck to the high side and charged into the lead entering turn one on the fifth lap. Upon the completion of the fifth round, Thomas Meseraull caught the berm exiting turn four and went for a wild ride, with the race’s final caution flying a lap later when Ronnie Burke, Jr., spun to a stop in turn four.
With Larson out front in the Keith Kunz Motorsports Speedway Toyota-powered No. 67 Bullet, Ramey tried to mount a charge to regain the lead as action resumed.
“I could see him on the bottom sometimes in one and two, so I dropped back down there for a little bit until I felt like it got to slow,” Larson explained. “I wasn’t sure where Ricky (Stenhouse, Jr.) was, and I figured Ricky’s the type that would be up top so I had to get back up there as quick as I could.”
Indeed, Stenhouse, Jr., was into second by the eighth round, but Larson kept his chasers in the distance. Even when lapped traffic came into play after 15 laps, Larson’s pace was undeterred.
“Lapped traffic was pretty tough,” Larson commented. “They were all running the top so we had to throw some sliders at them and luckily they didn’t race us back too hard.”
Larson on His way for the WIN!
Larson raced on to the checkered flag without challenge, crossing the stripe with a 1.573-second advantage over Stenhouse, Jr., in the CTR-BCI Esslinger-powered No. 39i Spike.
“I kinda wanted a caution to get to his back bumper,” Stenhouse, Jr., commented afterward. “But then I knew Michael (Pickens) would be in third and it would be a battle, so I was kinda glad we just ran it on out.”
After starting seventh, Pickens battled past Brady Bacon for fourth on the 12th round and then took third from Ramey the next time around. Pickens kept the Loyet Motorsports Esslinger-powered Vacuworx International No. 05p Spike in the show position the rest of the way to lock into his fourth Chili Bowl finale in as many tries.
“The main thing is to be locked in,” the accomplished Kiwi shoe explained. “Now we can sit back and relax and don’t have to tear up any equipment.”
Bacon slipped around Ramey on the final circuit to snare fourth in the Wilke-Pak Toyota-powered No. 11 Spike, with Ramey rounding out the top five in the Printplace Motorsports Fontana-powered No. 7m Spike.
Casey Shuman advanced a half-dozen positions to claim sixth, while Ward crossed the stripe seventh after being the only rookie to make Tuesday night’s feature cut.
Andrew Felker was eighth, with 17th-starter Jerry Coons, Jr., and Darren Hagen completing the top ten.
After being unable to start his heat race, Jonathan Beason rallied back with triumphs in both “C” and “B” Main action before climbing to 12th in the feature event. Jimmy Light worked the alphabet as well, advancing from “C” Main competition to claim 17th in the “A” Main.
Meseraull, Johnathon Henry, Burke, Jr., Ryan Pace, R.J. Johnson, Ward, Jody Rosenboom and Justin Grant topped heat race action for Tuesday night’s 66-car field. Cameron Hagin and Beason won the “C” Mains, with Coons, Jr., and again Beason atop the “B” Mains.
With a stellar 14-car field assembled for VIROC IV, the Fourth Annual Vacuworx International Race of Champions, Sammy Swindell was the last one to draw for position. And, the 13 drivers before him left him the pole position.
That was all Swindell needed, as he jumped ahead of fellow front row starter Jason Leffler at the outset and led all the way to take the $2,500 triumph over the field of past Chili Bowl champions and standouts.
Working forward from fifth though, Kevin Swindell made it interesting after taking second from Damion Gardner on the 15th lap. Kevin challenged his father for the point before a caution flew with five laps to go for a tangle involving Brady Bacon and Leffler.
Sammy kept the younger Swindell at bay on the restart until the final lap, when Kevin pulled alongside on the backstretch. Sammy worked the low side of three and four though to retain command and took the checkered flag with a car-length advantage over Kevin.
Tracy Hines claimed the show position in VIROC IV action behind Swindell and Swindell, with Gardner and Joey Saldana rounding out the top five.
Tuesday’s Warren CAT Qualifier Results from the 26th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals:
Heat Races (8 Laps each, Top 40 in passing points to A Qualifiers; Balance to twin C Mains)
Heat 1: 1. #2T Thomas Meseraull, San Jose, CA; 2. #2H Casey Shuman, Rattlesnake Bend, AZ; 3. #7X Layne Himebaugh, Collinsville, OK; 4. #9U Doug McCune, Colleyville, TX; 5. #10W George White, Fort Worth, TX;
Heat 2: 1. #88H Johnathon Henry; 2. #3 Darren Hagen, Riverside, CA; 3. #27S Andy Shouse, Oklahoma City, OK; 4. #39I Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Olive Branch, MS; 5. #55F Taylor Ferns, Shelby Township, MI;
Heat 3: 1. #4B Ronnie Burke, Jr., League City, TX; 2. #9D Sean Dodenhoff, Bakersfield, CA; 3. #88 Brenden Bright, Collegeville, PA; 4. #49JR Bobby Michnowicz, Lomita, CA; 5. #12 Chris Gurley, Hebron, IN;
Heat 4: 1. #05R Ryan Pace, Brownsburg, IN; 2. #05P Michael Pickens, Auckland, NZ; 3. #11A Andrew Felker, Carl Junction, MO; 4. #11 Brady Bacon, Broken Arrow, OK; 5. #10 Will Pierce, Lees Summit, MO;
Heat 5: 1. #51J R.J. Johnson, Phoenix, AZ; 2. #7M Kevin Ramey, Fort Worth, TX; 3. #67 Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, CA; 4. #6 Aaron Pierce, Daleville, IL; 5. #8B Bob Ream Jr., Glendale, AZ;
Heat 6: 1. #8L Matt Ward, Glenpool, OK; 2. #3NZ Jerry Coons Jr., Tucson, AZ; 3. #15N T.J. Smith, Fresno, CA; 4. #23C Tyler Courtney, Indianapolis, IN; 5. #31 David Budres, Beloit, WI;
Heat 7: 1. #6R Jody Rosenboom, Rock Rapids, IA; 2. #7B Joe Boyles, Greenwood, MO; 3. #18A Floyd Alvis, San Carlos, CA; 4. #6M Justin Mallo, Cheyenne, WY; 5. #13 Ryan York, Racine, MN;
Heat 8: 1. #35 Justin Grant, Ione, CA; 2. #45X C.J. Johnson, Quinter, KS; 3. #94 Darren Kingston, Vandalia, IL; 4. #11C Chett Gehrke, Broken Arrow, OK; 5. #96 Cody Brewer, Choctaw, OK;
C Mains (10 Laps – Top 4 in each transfer to back of corresponding B Main)
C Main 1: 1. #37X Cameron Hagin, Broken Arrow, OK; 2. #23F Jesse Sobbing, Glenwood, IA; 3. #10 Will Pierce, Lees Summit, MO; 4. #73S Alex Sewell, Broken Arrow, OK; 5. #20X Jimmy Harris, Broken Arrow, OK;
C Main 2: 1. #36 Jonathan Beason, Broken Arrow, OK; 2. #33X Jason Lair, Del City, OK; 3. #16 Jimmy Light, Erie, PA; 4. #40 Andy Huston, Roseville, IL; 5. #9B Harris Brooks, Houston, TX;
A Qualifiers (10 Laps – Top 16 in combined passing points to A Main; Balance to twin B Mains)
A Qualifier 1: 1. #3 Darren Hagen, Riverside, CA; 2. #8L Matt Ward, Glenpool, OK; 3. #27S Andy Shouse, Oklahoma City, OK; 4. #05R Ryan Pace, Brownsburg, IN; 5. #6M Justin Mallo, Cheyenne, WY;
A Qualifier 2: 1. #11 Brady Bacon, Broken Arrow, OK; 2. #39i Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Olive Branch, MS; 3. #11A Andrew Felker, Carl Junction, MO; 4. #51J R.J. Johnson, Phoenix, AZ; 5. #6R Jody Rosenboom, Rock Rapids, IA;
A Qualifier 3: 1. #7M Kevin Ramey, Fort Worth, TX; 2. #2H Casey Shuman, Rattlesnake Bend, AZ; 3. #2T Thomas Meseraull, San Jose, CA; 4. #35 Justin Grant, Ione, CA; 5. #31 David Budres, Beloit, WI;
A Qualifier 4: 1. #05P Michael Pickens, Auckland, NZ; 2. #67 Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, CA; 3. #23C Tyler Courtney, Indianapolis, IN; 4. #11C Chett Gehrke, Broken Arrow, OK; 5. #88H Johnathon Henry, Stockton, CA;
B Mains (15 Laps – Top 4 in each transfer to A Main)
B Main 1: 1. #3NZ Jerry Coons Jr., Tucson, AZ; 2. #23C Tyler Courtney, Indianapolis, IN; 3. #88H Johnathon Henry, Stockton, CA; 4. #10W George White, Fort Worth, TX; 5. #55F Taylor Ferns, Shelby Township, MI; 6. #73S Alex Sewell, Broken Arrow, OK; 7. #7X Layne Himebaugh, Collinsville, OK; 8. #17X Davey Heskin, St. Michael, MN; 9. #37X Cameron Hagin, Broken Arrow, OK; 10. #10 Will Pierce, Lees Summit, MO;
B Main 2: 1. #36 Jonathan Beason, Broken Arrow, OK; 2. #16 Jimmy Light, Erie, PA; 3. #31 David Budres, Beloit, WI; 4. #4B Ronnie Burke, Jr., League City, TX; 5. #88 Brenden Bright, Collegeville, PA; 6. #6 Aaron Pierce, Daleville, IN; 7. #9U Doug McCune, Colleyville, TX; 8. #33X Jason Lair, Del City, OK; 9. #40 Andy Huston, Roseville, IL; 10. #18 Floyd Alvis, San Carlos, CA;
A Main 25 laps – Top 3 advance to Saturday Night's Main Event
“A” Main: 1. #67 Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, CA; 2. #39i Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., Olive Branch, MS; 3. #05p Michael Pickens, Auckland, NZ; 4. #11 Brady Bacon, Broken Arrow, OK; 5. #7m Kevin Ramey, Ft. Worth, TX; 6. #2h Casey Shuman, Rattlesnake Bend, AZ; 7. #8L Matt Ward, Glenpool, OK; 8. #11a Andrew Felker, Carl Junction, MO; 9. #3nz Jerry Coons, Jr., Tucson, AZ; 10. #3 Darren Hagen, Riverside, CA;
Vacuworx International Race of Champions (20 laps)
VIROC IV event:
1. #1 Sammy Swindell, Germantown, TN; 2. #39 Kevin Swindell, Germantown, TN; 3. #24 Tracy Hines, Greenfield, IN; 4. #05G Damion Gardner, Concord, CA; 5. #67Z Joey Saldana, Brownsburg, IN; 6. #39C Bryan Clauson, Noblesville, IN; 7. #14 Tony Stewart, Columbus, IN; 8. #05 Brad Loyet, Sunset Hills MO; 9. #67 Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, CA; 10. Brad Mosen, Auckland, NZ;
Latest from Tulsa
The first night at the 2012 Chili bowl is over,
Congratulations too Sammy Swindell for His ROC maine event win.
Race of Champions Sammy,Kevin,Hines,Gardner
While Californias Kyle Larson took the first nights preliminary main even putting him first one qualified for Sat nights big feature event.
A main Larson Stenhouse Pickens Bacon Ramey Shuman Ward Felker Coons Hagen
more coming in the morning
aXe
Chili Bowl Kicks Off Tonight!
TULSA, Okla. (January 10, 2012) – The Bowl Season isn’t quite done yet, as the 26th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals kicks off tonight at the QuikTrip Center’s Tulsa Expo Raceway with the first of four qualifying nights as well as the Fourth Annual Vacuworx International Race of Champions.
While 14 drivers square off in VIROC IV, including NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Tony Stewart, 67 drivers are currently slated to battle it out in the Warren CAT Qualifying event with tonight’s top three finishers locked into Saturday night’s 50-lap Chili Bowl championship finale.
Three drivers will be pulling double-duty tonight by competing in both the Warren CAT Qualifier as well as VIROC IV, including NASCAR Nationwide champion Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., California sensation Kyle Larson and Oklahoma ace Brady Bacon.
While those three mix it up with “Smoke”, a pair of Swindell’s and more in VIROC IV, the Warren CAT Qualifier portion also includes the likes of Michael Pickens, Jerry Coons, Jr., Darren Hagen, Thomas Meseraull, Casey Shuman and Jonathan Beason among others.
A complete list of Tuesday’s Warren CAT Qualifiers is available at http://www.chilibowl.com/entries/manual.aspx?c=1032, with Tuesday’s VIROC IV contenders listed at http://www.chilibowl.com/entries/manual.aspx?c=1034.
Tuesday’s hot laps get under way at 5:00 p.m. with racing action going green at 6:00 p.m. Tickets for Tuesday’s action are available at the door for $43. Pit passes only are available for the rest of the week.
For more information, contact the Chili Bowl office at 918-838-3777 or check www.chilibowl.com
Jan 9 2012
Tulsa's Quick Trip Center is Chili Bowl Ready!
With all the teams in place inside the QuikTrip Center, all that remains between Tuesday’s kickoff of the 26th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals is Monday’s practice session atop the ¼-mile Tulsa Expo Raceway clay oval from 9:00 a.m. until approximately 6:00 p.m.
With another couple of entries filed on Sunday, the current count for the prestigious event is at 264 from 32 different states as well as Australia, Canada, Finland and New Zealand.
Among the additions to the entry list on Sunday is past New Zealand Midget champion Shaun Insley, who takes the seat of the second Andy Bondio entry and teams with fellow Kiwi Brad Mosen.
Monday’s practice session will be followed by four full nights of qualifying action on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, which will set the stage for Saturday’s slate of championship feature events.
Tuesday’s Warren CAT Qualifier will also include the Fourth Annual Vacuworx International Race of Champions (VIROC IV), which will include NASCAR champions Tony Stewart and Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., along with a host of other Chili Bowl stars.
Tickets remain for Tuesday’s card of events for just $43 and may be obtained by calling 918-838-3777 or at the gate.
Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals Quick Facts:
What: 26th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals
Where: Tulsa Expo Raceway – ¼-mile clay oval inside the QuikTrip Center at the Tulsa State Fairgrounds
When:
January 10-14, 2011
Tuesday – Warren CAT Qualifying Night plus Vacuworx Chili Bowl Race of Champions
Wednesday – River Spirit Casino Qualifying Night
Thursday – Suburban Chevrolet Qualifying Night
Friday – Vacuworx International Qualifying Night
Saturday – Lucas Oil Championship Feature Events
The five nights of racing action will be preceded by a practice session on Monday, January 9.
Past Winners: Kevin Swindell (2010 and 2011), Sammy Swindell (2009, 1998, 1996, 1992 and 1989), Damion Gardner (2008), Tony Stewart (2007 and 2002), Tim McCreadie (2006), Tracy Hines (2005), Cory Kruseman (2004 and 2000), Dan Boorse (2003 and 1999), Jay Drake (2001), Billy Boat (1997), Donnie Beechler (1995), Andy Hillenburg (1994), Dave Blaney (1993), Lealand McSpadden (1991), Jon Heydenreich (1990), Scott Hatton (1988), Rich Vogler (1987).
Trade Show: Always a popular attraction at the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals is the Trade Show, which is open to the public each day (Tuesday through Saturday) free of charge. All variety of racing products, apparel and more is available with well over 100 different vendors. The Trade Show covers approximately 20,000 square feet.
Tickets: A limited number of reserved seats for Tuesday night's Warren CAT Qualifying Event and the Fourth Annual Vacuworx International Chili Bowl Race of Champions are available for $43 per person and may be obtained by calling 918-838-3777 or at the gate if still available. Pit passes for all five nights are available at the gate as well.
Chili Bowl on the Net: All official news pertaining to the 26th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals, including official entry lists, race results and recaps, is available first at www.chilibowl.com. Also, all five nights of the Chili Bowl Nationals will be broadcast live (audio) on www.racinboys.com.
Additional information regarding the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals is available at http://www.chilibowl.com/ or by calling 918-838-3777.
Jan 7 2012
Chili Bowl Chock-Full of Champions!
Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla. (January 6, 2012) – The Chili Bowl Nationals has long been known as a gathering place of the best of the best from all forms of racing, from the upper echelons of the sport to the grassroots level.
And the 26th edition of the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals set for next Tuesday through Saturday at the QuikTrip Center’s Tulsa Expo Raceway is no exception with NASCAR champions Tony Stewart and Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., headlining an impressive list of 2011 series champions.
While Stewart and Stenhouse took titles under National television spotlights, champions from all variety of Sprint Car and Midget series as well as one the nation’s premier Late Model series will be on hand as well.
Coming off his third NASCAR Sprint Cup title, Stewart returns to the Chili Bowl for the first time since 2008 in search of his third Chili Bowl triumph.
Stenhouse, who made the cut for his second Chili Bowl championship finale last January, went on to capture his first championship at the next level by taking the top spot with the NASCAR Nationwide series.
While the Chili Bowl is teeming with open wheel aces from the Sprint Car and Midget ranks that Stewart and Stenhouse climbed, Rick Eckert represents the popular Late Model racers. Eckert makes his fifth Chili Bowl appearance and first since 2010 after capturing the World of Outlaws Late Model championship in 2011.
Among the open wheelers, at least three drivers captured multiple championships in 2011 including Levi Jones, Brad Loyet and Brady Short.
Jones captured both the USAC Sprint Car and USAC Silver Crown championships in 2011 and takes aim at his first Chili Bowl finale since 2009.
Loyet added his third POWRi Midget championship in 2011 while also capturing the ASCS Warrior Region title in his rookie year of Sprint Car competition. Spearheading the potent six-car Loyet Motorsports stable, Loyet guns for his fourth consecutive Chili Bowl championship main event.
Short, a part of the A.J. Felker stable, tries for his first Chili Bowl finale after earning the MSCS (Non-Wing Sprint Car) and Bloomington Speedway titles in 2011.
One champion actually landed a ride for the Chili Bowl by earning his title, as the Midwest Open Wheel Association fields an entry for Jerrod Hull as part of his championship package with the Illinois-based winged Sprint Car series.
With countless champions from previous years throughout the QuikTrip Center, champions from 2011 include the following:
Bill Balog - IRA (Winged Sprint Cars)
Bryan Clauson – USAC Midgets
Shane Cottle – Kokomo Speedway (Non-Wing Sprint Cars)
Dave Darland – King of Indiana Sprint Series (Non-Wing Sprint Cars)
Rick Eckert – World of Outlaw Late Models
Taylor Lynn Ferns – USAC Mopar D1 Midgets
Blake Hahn – ASCS2 Outlaw Micro Sprints
Jerrod Hull – Midwest Open Wheel Association (MOWA)
C.J. Johnson – NCRA (Winged Sprint Cars)
Levi Jones - USAC Sprint Cars and USAC Silver Crown
Brad Kuhn – BMARA Midgets
Cory Kruseman – USAC Western States Midgets
Brad Loyet – ASCS Warrior Region (winged Sprint Cars) and POWRi Midgets
Brady Short – MSCS and Bloomington Speedway (Non-Wing Sprint Cars)
Mike Spencer – USAC/CRA (Non-Wing Sprint Cars)
Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. – NASCAR Nationwide
Tony Stewart – NASCAR Sprint Cup
Richard VanderWeerd – USAC West Coast 360 Sprint Cars (Non-Wing)
Matt Westfall – Waynesfield Raceway Park (Non-Wing Sprint Cars)
Currently, there are 261 entries for next week’s Chili Bowl Nationals representing 31 states as well as Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Finland.
Following Monday’s practice session, four nights of qualifying action on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday will set Saturday’s feature grids, with the top three finishers from each night locking into Saturday’s 50-lap championship “A” Main.
Tuesday’s card will also include the Fourth Annual Vacuworx International Race of Champions (VIROC IV).
A limited number of tickets are available for the Tuesday night, January 10, Warren CAT Chili Bowl Qualifier and Vacuworx International Race of Champions for just $43 apiece. Tickets may be obtained by calling the ticket office at 918-838-3777.
The five nights of racing action will be preceded by a practice session on Monday, January 9.
Past Winners: Kevin Swindell (2010 and 2011), Sammy Swindell (2009, 1998, 1996, 1992 and 1989), Damion Gardner (2008), Tony Stewart (2007 and 2002), Tim McCreadie (2006), Tracy Hines (2005), Cory Kruseman (2004 and 2000), Dan Boorse (2003 and 1999), Jay Drake (2001), Billy Boat (1997), Donnie Beechler (1995), Andy Hillenburg (1994), Dave Blaney (1993), Lealand McSpadden (1991), Jon Heydenreich (1990), Scott Hatton (1988), Rich Vogler (1987).
Trade Show: Always a popular attraction at the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals is the Trade Show, which is open to the public each day (Tuesday through Saturday) free of charge. All variety of racing products, apparel and more is available with well over 100 different vendors. The Trade Show covers approximately 20,000 square feet.
Tickets: A limited number of reserved seats for Tuesday night's Warren CAT Qualifying Event and the Fourth Annual Vacuworx International Chili Bowl Race of Champions are available for $43 per person and may be obtained by calling 918-838-3777 or at the gate if still available. Pit passes for all five nights are available at the gate as well.
Chili Bowl on the Net: All official news pertaining to the 26th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals, including official entry lists, race results and recaps, is available first at www.chilibowl.com. Also, all five nights of the Chili Bowl Nationals will be broadcast live (audio) on www.racinboys.com.
Additional information regarding the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals is available at http://www.chilibowl.com/ or by calling 918-838-3777.
Denver, CO. - The Rocky Mountain Midget Racing Association (RMMRA)
finalized their 15 race dates for 2012, with races in Colorado, Texas, New Mexico and Wyoming.
The season will start on March 16th - 17th at the fast ¼ mile dirt Cowtown Speedway in Kennedale, TX and will be sanction by POWRI and co-sanction by the RMMRA with a $50,000.00 purse.
After several years, the RMMRA will make their return to Aztec Speedway in Aztec, N.M. Memorial weekend May 26th - 27th, and a first time appearance at Sweetwater Events Complex 3/8 mile dirt in Rocksprings, WY on August 17th - 18th. Other special races will be at Phillips County Raceway in Holyoke, CO on Wednesday July 4th and July 27th (Friday) at Phillips County Raceway (Holyoke) and July 28th (Saturday) at I-76 Speedway in Ft. Morgan, CO., both races on July 27th and 28th will be double points.
The season will end on August 25th at El Paso County Fairgrounds in Calhan, CO.
Other Notes: There will be a general membership meeting on January 21 at USA Performance Engines located at 1001 E. 75th Ave., Denver, CO.
For more information, log on to www.rmmra.com
2012 Rocky Mountain Midget Racing Association Schedule
March
16/17 - (Cowtown Speedway; Kennedale, TX.) 1/4 Mile Dirt (Friday & Saturday)
$50,000.00 Purse
POWRI/RMMRA
May
12 (I-76 Speedway; Ft. Morgan, CO.) 1/4 Mile Dirt
19 - (El Paso County Fairgrounds; Calhan, CO.) 1/3 Mile Dirt
26/27 - (Aztec Speedway; Aztec, N.M.) 3/8th Mile Dirt (Saturday & Sunday)
$9,000.00 Purse
June
9 - (I-76 Speedway; Ft. Morgan, CO.) 1/4 Mile Dirt
16 - (El Paso County Fairgrounds; Calhan, CO.) 1/3 Mile Dirt
July
04 - (Phillips County Raceway; Holyoke, CO.) 3/8 Mile Dirt (Wednesday)
21 - (El Paso County Fairgrounds; Calhan, CO.) 1/3 Mile Dirt
27 - (Phillips County Raceway; Holyoke, CO.) 3/8 Mile Dirt (Friday)
**Double Points**
28 - (I-76 Speedway; Ft. Morgan, CO.) 1/4 Mile Dirt (Saturday)
**Double Points**
August
17/18 - (Sweetwater Events; Rocksprings, WY.) 1/4 Mile Dirt (Friday & Saturday)
$9,000.00 Purse
25 - (El Paso County Fairgrounds; Calhan, CO.) 1/3 Mile Dirt (Saturday)
Jan 6 2012
Berryhill Posts $5,000 Hard Charger Chili Bowl Bonus!
Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla. (January 4, 2012) – Bob Berryhill has been an influence at the Chili Bowl Nationals since its inception in 1987, with his Original Chili Bowl food company sponsoring the fledgling event in its formative years.
Now, with the 26th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals set to fire off next Tuesday night at the QuikTrip Center’s Tulsa Expo Raceway, Berryhill has stepped up by offering a Hard Charger bonus for the championship Saturday, January 14, portion of the prestigious event.
Berryhill, who will serve as Grand Marshall for this year’s Chili Bowl Nationals, has offered up $5,000 in bonus money for some Hard Chargers on Saturday to be split among three drivers.
The driver that passes the most cars during Saturday’s slate of alphabet feature competition will pocket $2,500, the driver that passes the second most cars will earn a $1,500 bonus and the driver that passes the third most cars will earn an extra $1,000.
With 261 entries from 31 different states as well as Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Finland currently filed for the event, Saturday’s feature action will begin with at least one “K” Main followed up by twin “J” Mains, “I” Mains, etc. leading the way to the 50-lap championship “A” Main event.
Four nights of qualifying action on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday will set Saturday’s feature grids, with the top three finishers from each night locking into Saturday’s “A” Main.
Tuesday’s card will also include the Fourth Annual Vacuworx International Race of Champions (VIROC IV).
A limited number of tickets are available for the Tuesday night, January 10, Warren CAT Chili Bowl Qualifier and Vacuworx International Race of Champions for just $43 apiece. Tickets may be obtained by calling the ticket office at 918-838-3777.
Jan 4 2012
20-lap Vacuworx International Race of Champions IV Field is Set for Chili Bowl
Sammy Swindell Tries for Third Win
Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla. (January 3, 2012) – Over the past quarter of a century, a select group of drivers and car owners have left the QuikTrip Center’s Tulsa Expo Raceway carrying a Golden Driller trophy each January after the Chili Bowl.
And, during next Tuesday’s opening night of the 26th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals, that group along with some other event standouts will square off in the Fourth Annual $2,500-to-win, 20-lap Vacuworx International Race of Champions, dubbed VIROC IV.
The VIROC IV card will be part of Tuesday’s Warren CAT Qualifying event, the first of four qualifying nights that sets the field for the Saturday, January 14, championship slate of feature events.
Fourteen drivers, including reigning NASCAR Sprint Cup champion and two-time Chili Bowl champion Tony Stewart, have been tabbed for a spot in the Fourth Annual Vacuworx International Race of Champions (VIROC IV).
Gunning for a third triumph in four VIROC tries is Sammy Swindell. The five-time Chili Bowl champion topped the inaugural VIROC event in 2009 and then made it two-for-three with a win last January. Brad Loyet topped the second VIROC event in 2010.
The field for VIROC III is as follows:
1 Sammy Swindell (Germantown, TN) - Five Golden Drillers keeps Swindell entrenched in the VIROC field. Swindell has topped two of three previous VIROC events.
05 Brad Loyet (Sunset Hills, MO) – With the VIROC field not yet filled, the 2011 ASCS Warrior Region and POWRi Midget champion lands a spot by way of his 2010 VIROC triumph. Loyet landed in the 2010 event on the strength of 21 Midget feature wins in 2009, the first to reach such a mark since Billy Boat posted 21 Midget wins in 1995.
05g Damion Gardner (Concord, CA) – “The Demon”, who flipped across the finish line in preliminary action last year, snared the Golden Driller in 2008.
11 Brady Bacon (Broken Arrow, OK) – Hailing from nearby Broken Arrow, Bacon is tabbed as the Wilke-Pak rep in VIROC. Wilke-Pak took top Chili Bowl honors in 2003 with Tracy Hines at the wheel.
14 Tony Stewart (Columbus, IN) – The reigning NASCAR Sprint Cup champion returns to the Chili Bowl for the first time since 2008. “Smoke” snared Golden Drillers in both 2002 and 2007.
21k Cory Kruseman (Ventura, OK) – Spearheading a four-car team that includes freestyle motocross star Brian Deegan, Kruseman claimed Chili Bowl glory in 2000 and 2004.
24 Tracy Hines (Wilkinson, IN) – T. Hines drove a Wilke-Pak entry to Chili Bowl victory lane in 2003.
39 Kevin Swindell (Germantown, TN) – Kevin pulled off something that neither his dad nor 1,154 other Chili Bowl competitors have been able to do; pull off back-to-back wins. Swindell tries for a three-peat after wins in the past two editions of the Chili Bowl.
39c Bryan Clauson (Noblesville, IN) – Clauson lands a spot after earning National Midget Driver of the Year honors in 2011. Clauson also claimed USAC’s National Driver’s Championship, which landed him a ride in the 2012 Indianapolis 500.
39i Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. (Olive Branch, MS) – Further evidence that the sticky quarter-mile circle of black gumbo clay in West Memphis known as “The Ditch” breeds good racers (reference Sammy Swindell above), Stenhouse, Jr., lands in VIRCO after capturing the 2011 NASCAR Nationwide championship.
47 Brad Mosen (Auckland, NZ) – The KIWI gives VIROC some true “international” flavor. Mosen is the primary driver for Andy Bondio, who has claimed three Golden Drillers, one with Lealand McSpadden in 1991 and then Kruseman in 2000 and 2004.
67 Kyle Larson (Elk Grove, CA) – The Tebow times Ten of dirt track racing, the 19-year-old seemingly walked on water over portions of 2011 with wins in winged sprint cars (World of Outlaws and ASCS National) along with all three USAC National divisions (Silver Crown, Sprint Cars and Midgets). Driving for past Chili Bowl winning owner Keith Kunz, a Belleville Nationals triumph and a sweep of all three open wheel portions of Eldora’s Four Crown Nationals were among his notable triumphs.
67z Joey Saldana (Brownsburg, IN) – The World of Outlaws ace lands a spot driving a Midget co-owned by Gary Zarounian, who owned the Midget driven to Chili Bowl victory lane in 1995 by Donnie Beechler.
71 Jason Leffler (Long Beach, CA) – The NASCAR Nationwide shoe captured his Golden Driller as the car owner for 2008 Chili Bowl winner Damion Gardner.
Several drivers will pull double-duty on Tuesday night, competing in both the VIROC IV event as well as Warren CAT Qualifying event including Brady Bacon, Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., and Kyle Larson.
A limited number of tickets are available for the Tuesday night, January 10, Warren CAT Chili Bowl Qualifier and Vacuworx International Race of Champions for just $43 apiece. Tickets may be obtained by calling the ticket office at 918-838-3777.
Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals Quick Facts:
What: 26th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals
Where: Tulsa Expo Raceway – ¼-mile clay oval inside the QuikTrip Center at the Tulsa State Fairgrounds
When:
January 10-14, 2011
Tuesday – Warren CAT Qualifying Night plus Vacuworx Chili Bowl Race of Champions
Wednesday – River Spirit Casino Qualifying Night
Thursday – Suburban Chevrolet Qualifying Night
Friday – Vacuworx International Qualifying Night
Saturday – Lucas Oil Championship Feature Events
The five nights of racing action will be preceded by a practice session on Monday, January 9.
Past Winners: Kevin Swindell (2010 and 2011), Sammy Swindell (2009, 1998, 1996, 1992 and 1989), Damion Gardner (2008), Tony Stewart (2007 and 2002), Tim McCreadie (2006), Tracy Hines (2005), Cory Kruseman (2004 and 2000), Dan Boorse (2003 and 1999), Jay Drake (2001), Billy Boat (1997), Donnie Beechler (1995), Andy Hillenburg (1994), Dave Blaney (1993), Lealand McSpadden (1991), Jon Heydenreich (1990), Scott Hatton (1988), Rich Vogler (1987).
Trade Show: Always a popular attraction at the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals is the Trade Show, which is open to the public each day (Tuesday through Saturday) free of charge. All variety of racing products, apparel and more is available with well over 100 different vendors. The Trade Show covers approximately 20,000 square feet.
Tickets: A limited number of reserved seats for Tuesday night's Warren CAT Qualifying Event and the Fourth Annual Vacuworx International Chili Bowl Race of Champions are available for $43 per person and may be obtained by calling 918-838-3777 or at the gate if still available. Pit passes for all five nights are available at the gate as well.
Chili Bowl on the Net: All official news pertaining to the 26th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals, including official entry lists, race results and recaps, is available first at www.chilibowl.com. Also, all five nights of the Chili Bowl Nationals will be broadcast live (audio) on www.racinboys.com.
Additional information regarding the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals is available at http://www.chilibowl.com/ or by calling 918-838-3777.
Jan 3 2011
Rumble in Fort Wayne -- Friday results
by Wendy Atkin
Tony Stewart won the 50-lap midget feature Friday that capped the opening night of the 14th annual Rumble in Fort Wayne for his record-extending eighth career victory at the Memorial Coliseum Expo Center.
Another program of midgets, winged outlaw modified midgets, mini-sprints, karts and quarter midgets is scheduled for Saturday. Spectator gates open at 11 a.m., with the main portion of the program after 6 p.m. Tickets and pit passes will be available at the door.
MIDGETS
Qualifications – 1. Tony Stewart, 2x, Stewart, 7.830 seconds; 2. Jon Stanbrough, 7, Daugherty, 7.972; 3. Dave Darland, 0, Daugherty, 8.169; 4. Billy Wease, 99, Burrow, 8.179; 5. Jacob Wilson, 10, Moore, 8.251; 6. David Gough, 6, A&G, 8.275; 7. Mike Fedorcak, 97, Stewart, 8.278; 8. Bryan Nuckles, 59, Nuckles, 8.282; 9. Nick Hamilton, 8, Hamilton, 8.286; 10. Mike Wallace, 10, Wallace, 8.297; 11. Brandon Knupp, 78, Chambers, 8.315; 12. Tim Jedrzejek, 8up, Williams, 8.320; 13. Cory Setser, 56, Rencurrel, 8.327; 14. Kyle Hamilton, 33, Hamilton, 8.327; 15. Jim “Timex” Morgan, 2, Afterhours, 8.328; 16. Jim Anderson, 99g, Guess, 8.342; 17. Joe Liguori, 67, Sexton, 8.352; 18. Mike Osite, 20, Fedorcak, 8.375; 19. Taylor Ferns, 55, Ferns, 8.380; 20. Rich Corson, 15, Corson-Savage, 8.427; 21. Donnie Adams Jr., 49, Burrow, 8.466; 22. Rex Norris III, 63, Norris, 8.485; 23. Bobby Santos III, 98, Burrow, 8.501; 24. Matt Westfall, 19, Ryder, 8.540; 25. Cooper Clouse, 14, Clouse, 8.543; 26. Chris Jagger, 27, Jagger, 8.554; 27. Steve Irwin, 0s, Flying Zero, 8.708; 28. Amanda Quinones, 15k, Knupp, 8.852; 29. Dan Dunigan Jr., 19d, Dunigan, 8.897; 30. Terry Ahern, 6t6, Ahern, 9.015; 31. Isaac Chapple, 52, Chapple, 9.070; 32. Eric Shirey, 22, Sexton, 9.135; 33. Deano Lennon, 61, Lennon, 9.262; 34. Joey Burrow, 92, Burrow, 9.464; 35. Zach Fuhrman, 32x, Fuhrman, 9.553; 36. Kevin Shirey, 41, Sexton, 9.575; 37. Tyler Cottongim, 28, Cottongim, 9.700; 38. David Fuhrman, 32, Fuhrman, 9.753; 39. Derek Bischak, 31, Bischak, 11.199; 40. Gary Bradley, 4, Bradley, NT; 41. Chris Neuenschwander, 3, Barnett, NT.
First heat (10 laps) – Stewart, Knupp, Gough, Anderson, Chapple, Jagger, Neuenschwander, K. Shirey, Adams.
Second heat (10 laps) – Jedrzejek, Stanbrough, Liguori, Irwin, Cottongim, E. Shirey, Norris, Fedorcak.
Third heat (10 laps) – Darland, Setser, Santos, Quinones, Osite, Nuckles, Lennon, D. Fuhrman.
Fourth heat (10 laps) – K. Hamilton, Wease, Westfall, N. Hamilton, Ferns, Bischak, Burrow, Dunigan.
Fifth heat (10 laps) – Morgan, Wilson, Corson, Clouse, Ahern, Z. Fuhrman, Wallace.
First semi-feature (12 laps) – Gough, Corson, Neuenschwander, Wallace, E. Shirey, Dunigan, N. Hamilton.
Second semi-feature (12 laps) – Liguori, Anderson, Clouse, Nuckles, Norris, Adams, Ferns, K. Shirey.
Third semi-feature (12 laps) – Santos, Irwin, Fedorcak, Chapple, Lennon, Ahern.
Fourth semi-feature (12 laps) – Westfall, D. Fuhrman, Quinones, Z. Fuhrman, Cottongim, Jagger, Burrow.
Feature (50 laps) – 1. Tony Stewart, 2. Kyle Hamilton, 3. Jon Stanbrough, 4. David Gough, 5. Joe Liguori, 6. Brandon Knupp, 7. Tim Jedrzejek, 8. Cory Setser, 9. Billy Wease, 10. Bobby Santos III, 11. Jacob Wilson, 12. Dave Darland, 13. Matt Westfall, 14. Jim “Timex” Morgan. Lap leaders: Darland 1-16, Stewart 17-50.
WINGED OUTLAW MODIFIED MIDGETS
Qualifications – 1. Ben Quinones, 007, Quinones, 8.134 seconds; 2. Ryan Smith, 22, VanDoren, 8.249; 3. Matt Janisch, 14j, Janisch,8.316; 4. John Ivy, 94, Henry, 8.317; 5. Cap Henry, 04, Henry, 8.407; 6. Erick Rudolph, 32, Rudolph, 8.444; 7. Tyler Ross, 3t, Holmquist, 8.575; 8. Bill Dunham, 84, Dunham, 8.577; 9. Chris Stockham, 44, Stockham, 8.594; 10. Larry Joe Sroufe, 21s, Sroufe, 8.628; 11. A.J. Lesiecki, 14, Lesiecki, 8.772; 12. Clay Sanders, 21, Sanders, 8.778; 13. Randy Brown, 55b, Brown, 8.783; 14. Tim Neil, 19n, Dunigan, 8.790; 15. Ben Taylor, 19, Taylor, 8.795; 16. Brandon Knupp, 20, Chambers, 8.800; 17. Chase Ridenour, 11r, Ridenour, 8.806; 18. Nick Landon, 82, Landon, 8.807; 19. Brian Gerster, 7, Underwood, 8.864; 20. Drew Dorsett, 11b, Bickel-Sager, 8.949; 21. Dan Dunigan Jr., 19d, Dunigan, 8.952; 22. Michael Kettnich, 19k, Kettnich, 8.995; 23. Rusty Strausbaugh, 29, Strausbaugh, 9.003; 24. Jason Ormsby, 51, Ormsby, 9.034; 25. Richard Smith, 12, Smith, 9.052; 26. Mark Zumbrun, 35, Zumbrun, 9.068; 27. Jim “Timex” Morgan, 51m, Ormsby, 9.103; 28. Jeremy Glasford, 14, Glasford, 9.132; 29. Howard McCormick, 26m, Sager, 9.217; 30. Butch Hamilton, 1h, Hamilton, 9.226; 31. Larry Fox, 28, Fox, 9.236; 32. Gary Klein, 68, Klein, 9.238; 33. Steve Shockney Jr., 28s, Shockney, 9.428; 34. Kyle Henry, 51h, Ormsby, 9.434; 35. Nick Eastin, 93, Eastin, 9.446; 36. Ryan Nawrocki, 5n, Reed, 9.733; 37. Steve Myers, 88, Myers, 9.934; 38. Ed Wilberg Sr., 5, Wilberg, 10.380.
First heat (10 laps) – C. Henry, Stockham, Dunigan, Ri. Smith, McCormick, Ridenour, Shockney, Myers, Brown, Quinones.
Second heat (10 laps) – Ry. Smith, Neil, Rudolph, Sroufe, K. Henry, Landon, Zumbrun, Wilberg, Hamilton, Kettnich.
Third heat (10 laps) – Janisch, Ross, Lesiecki, Morgan, Eastin, Strausbaugh, Taylor, Fox, Gerster.
Fourth heat (10 laps) – Ivy, Knupp, Dunham, Glasford, Sanders, Nawrocki, Klein, Ormsby, Dorsett.
First semi-feature (12 laps) – Sroufe, Ridenour, Ormsby, Taylor, Strausbaugh, Sanders, K. Henry.
Second semi-feature (12 laps) – McCormick, Gerster, Glasford, Eastin, Zumbrun, Wilberg, Hamilton, Fox, Kettnich, Landon, Ri. Smith, Shockney, Myers.
Feature (30 laps) – 1. Tyler Ross, 2. John Ivy, 3. Erick Rudolph, 4. Cap Henry, 5. Matt Janisch, 6. Brandon Knupp, 7. Ryan Smith, 8. Larry Joe Sroufe, 9. Jason Ormsby, 10. Bill Dunham, 11. Dan Dunigan Jr., 12. Chase Ridenour, 13. Jeremy Glasford, 14. Brian Gerster, 15. Howard McCormick, 16. A.J. Lesiecki, 17. Tim Neil; 18. Chris Stockham. Lap leaders: Ross 1-30.
MINI-SPRINTS
Qualifications – 1. Lynn Ambrose, 1, Ambrose, 9.041 seconds (establishes track record); 2. Doug Jones, 37, Jones, 9.272; 3. Lynsey Tilton, 74, Tilton, 9.402; 4. Collin Parker, 25, Parker, 9.439; 5. Becca Stiefel, 328, Stiefel, 9.652; 6. Collin Ambrose, 36, Ambrose, 9.671; 7. Ron Coleman, 44, Coleman, 10.093; 8. Gary Bradley, 4, Bradley, 12.631; 9. Kyle McIntosh, 17b, Eaglin, 13.082.
Heat (10 laps) – Parker, Tilton, C. Ambrose, McIntosh, L. Ambrose, Stiefel, Jones, Coleman, Bradley.
Feature (15 laps) – 1. Lynn Ambrose, 2. Lynsey Tilton, 3. Kyle McIntosh, 4. Doug Jones, 5. Becca Stiefel, 6. Ron Coleman, 7. Gary Bradley, 8. Collin Parker, 9. Collin Ambrose. Lap leaders: L. Ambrose 1-15.
Stewart gives Rumble rivals another migraine
By RON WARE Classic Motorsports
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Tony Stewart spent Friday nursing a headache – a regular occurrence, he admitted.
“I have a headache every day,” he said.
Imagine how his competition felt.
The three-time NASCAR champion made a triumphant return to the Rumble in Fort Wayne, easily winning the 50-lap midget feature that capped the opening night of the 14th annual indoor event. Racing on the 1/6-mile track for the first time in three years, he passed Dave Darland on lap 17 and rolled to his eighth victory here in 13 starts before a nearly full house at the Memorial Coliseum Expo Center.
Headache or not, there was no hiding his grin.
“It’s exciting to be back,” said Stewart, a 40-year-old native Hoosier who raced in Australia the past two off-seasons. “This isn’t your normal weekly racing. You don’t get many chances to run indoors.
“It’s fun to race (at the Rumble). It’s still a good time. We have lots of things going on in the (Stewart-Haas Racing) shop, so we didn’t get to race sprint cars in Australia this year. If you can’t race sprint cars in Australia, what could be better than to come back here and to do (January’s) Chili Bowl?”
Including a victory earlier in the month in an all-star kart race, Stewart has won seven of his past 12 races overall – including the dramatic 5-for-10 finish to the Sprint Cup season that gave him his third NASCAR championship.
If the likes of Carl Edwards and Jimmie Johnson couldn’t stop him, did his midget rivals have a chance?
Actually, Stewart said, he figured he would need every trick in the book to pass Darland, the pole-sitter.
Starting third in the 14-car field, Stewart quickly dispatched Jon Stanbrough, then hounded Darland, nudging him in turn two on lap 17. He streaked alongside down the backstretch, then darted inside between turns three and four to wrest the lead.
Kyle Hamilton, a 19-year-old rising star, came on to finish second, five car-lengths back, followed by Stanbrough, David Gough and Joe Liguori. Darland placed 12th after being caught up in an accident.
“I was giving him everything I had,” Stewart said of Darland, who has two wins and 10 top-three finishes in 18 races here. “He’s so good, it’s hard to rattle him. You have to give him some love taps to let him know you’re there.”
Darland, the winner on the second night last season, said his car’s handling went away after about 10 laps .“Our car just wasn’t good enough to hold him off,” he said.
Hamilton hoped a slippery track would play into his hands, but Stewart masterfully guided his Mike Fedorcak-built Munchkin-Volkswagen home despite having to weave through traffic.
“We started getting some oil on the track that helped me out,” Hamilton said. “He started to get loose at the end. I was hanging in there.
“You think about what could have been, but I’ll take second to Tony.”
Tyler Ross and Lynn Ambrose led all the way in winning the winged outlaw modified midget and mini-sprint features, respectively.
Jason Dunn notched three victories in karts.
Another full day of midget, winged midget, mini-sprint, kart and quarter midget racing is scheduled for Saturday {Dec. 31}, with spectator gates opening at 11 a.m. and the main portion of the program after 6 p.m. Additionally, stuntman Henry “The Pitbull” Rife will attempt a world record indoor jump of 10 cars on an ATV. He crashed on landing last season while attempting the feat, breaking his collarbone.
14th annual Rumble in Fort Wayne SATURDAY RESULTS
by Wendy Atkin
Tony Stewart swept the two-day Rumble in Fort Wayne for the second time in his career, surviving a race of attrition Saturday night to capture the 50-lap midget feature in convincing fashion.
The three-time NASCAR champion grabbed the lead when David Gough's ignition broke on lap 18 and led the rest of the way despite a series of caution periods and heavy lapped traffic. Jon Stanbrough managed a runner-up finish even though his car caught fire early in the event, producing a red flag. The fire crew doused the fire, which started when the car's "heat insulation laid over on the header," according to team owner Rick Daugherty, and Stanbrough charged from the rear of the field. Rex Norris III, Billy Wease and Dave Darland rounded out the top five.
Stewart's weekend sweep gives him nine Rumble in Fort Wayne feature wins in 14 career starts since 1999. Including the final 10 races of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Chase and a kart victory in Indianapolis earlier in the month, he's won eight of his past 13 races.
Ryan Smith won a crash-filled winged outlaw modified midget feature. Doug Jones captured the mini-sprint main.
MIDGETS
Qualifications – 1. Tony Stewart, 2x, Stewart, 7.830 seconds; 2. Jon Stanbrough, 0, Daugherty, 8.115; 3. Derek Bischak, 31, Bischak, 8.049; 4. David Gough, 6, 8.081; 5. Cory Setser, 56, Rencurrel, 8.115; 6. Mike Fedorcak, 97, Stewart, 8.135; 7. Joe Liguori, 67, Sexton, 8.148; 8. Billy Wease, 99, Burrow, 8.150; 9. Bryan Nuckles, 59, Nuckles, 8.194; 10. Jacob Wilson, 10, Moore, 8.214; 11. Donnie Adams Jr., 49, Burrow, 8.232; 12. Rich Corson, 15, Corson-Savage, 8.241; 13. Rex Norris III, 63, Norris, 8.244; 14. Mike Wallace, 10, Wallace, 8.247; 15. Kyle Hamilton, 33, Hamilton, 8.251; 16. Tim Jedrzejek, 8up, Williams, 8.262; 17. Taylor Ferns, 55, Ferns, 8.273; 18. Chris Neuenschwander, 3, Bradley, 8.292; 19. Brandon Knupp, 78, Chambers, 8.332; 20. Jim Anderson, 99g, Guess, 8.361; 21. Steve Irwin, 0s, Flying Zero, 8.418; 22. Nick Hamilton, 8, Hamilton, 8.418; 23. Dave Darland, 0, Daughery, 8.510; 24. Cooper Clouse, 14, Clouse, 8.541; 25. Bobby Santos III, 98, Burrow, 8.541; 26. Terry Ahern, 6t6, Ahern, 8.778; 27. Tim Neal, 19d, Dunigan, 8.795; 28. David Fuhrman, 32, Fuhrman, 8.803; 29. Isaac Chapple, 52, Chapple, 8.940; 30. Deano Lennon, 61, Lennon, 9.014; 31. Kevin Shirey, 41, Sexton, 9.017; 32. Mike Osite, 20, Fedorcak, 9.144; 33. Eric Shirey, 22, Sexton, 9.229; 34. Joey Burrow, 92, Burrow, 9.451; 35. Zach Fuhrman, 32x, Fuhrman, 9.585; 36. Matt Westfall, 19, Ryder, 9.801; 37. Gary Bradley, 4, Bradley, NT.
First heat (10 laps) – Fedorcak, Stewart, Jedrzejek, Irwin, K. Shirey, Adams, Ahern.
Second heat (10 laps) – Corson, Liguori, Stanbrough, Ferns, N. Hamilton, Neil, Osite.
Third heat (10 laps) – Norris, Bischak, Wease, Neuenschwander, Darland, D. Fuhrman, E. Shirey.
Fourth heat (10 laps) – Wallace, Gough, Knupp, Nuckles, Clouse, Chapple, Burrow.
Fifth heat (10 laps) – K. Hamilton, Anderson, Santos, Lennon, Z. Fuhrman, Wilson, Setser.
First semi-feature (12 laps) – Jedrzejek, Darland, Nuckles, Osite, Clouse, E. Shirey, Santos.
Second semi-feature (12 laps) – Stanbrough, Irwin, Chapple, D. Fuhrman, Z. Fuhrman, Lennon.
Third semi-feature (12 laps) -- Wease, Ferns, Wilson, K. Shirey.
Fouth semi-feature (12 laps) -- Knupp, Setser, Neil, Neuenschwander, N. Hamilton, Ahern.
Feature (50 laps) – 1. Tony Stewart, 2. Jon Stanbrough, 3. Rex Norris III, 4. Billy Wease, 5. Dave Darland, 6. Mike Wallace, 7. Rich Corson, 8. Jim Anderson, 9. Derek Bischak, 10. Brandon Knupp, 11. Mike Fedorcak, 12. Kyle Hamilton, 13. David Gough, 14. Joe Liguori. 15. Tim Jedrzejek. Lap leaders: Gough 1-17, Stewart 18-50.
WINGED OUTLAW MODIFIED MIDGETS
Qualifications – 1. Ben Quinones, 007, Quinones, 8.169; 2. Ryan Smith, 22, VanDoren, 8.171; 3. Cap Henry, 04, Henry, 8.183; 4. Erick Rudolph, 32, Rudolph, 8.223; 5. Tyler Ross, 3t, Holmquist, 8.249; 6. John Ivy, 94, Henry, 8.356; 7. Larry Joe Sroufe, 21s, Sroufe, 8.363; 8. Chris Stockham, 44, Stockham, 8.442; 9. Tim Neil, 19n, Dunigan, 8.535; 10. Chase Ridenour, 11r, Ridenour, 8.599; 11. Matt Janisch, 14j, 8.610; 12. A.J. Lesiecki, 14, Lesiecki, 8.613; 13. Richard Smith, 12, Smith, 8.702; 14. Ben Taylor, 19, Taylor, 8.729; 15. Michael Kettnich, 19k, Kettnich, 8.787; 16. Russ Belt, 28, Fox, 8.847; 17. Nick Landon, 82, Landon, 8.863; 18. Drew Dorsett, 11b, Bickel-Sager, 8.890; 19. Mark Zumbrun, 35, Zumbrun, 8.929; 20. Bill Dunham, 84, Dunham, 8.937; 21. Howard McCormick, 26, Sager, 8.953; 22. Jeremy Glasford, 14g, Glasford, 8.979; 23. Clay Sanders, 21, Sanders, 9.048; 24. Rusty Strausbaugh, 29, Strausbaugh, 9.066; 25. Nick Eastin, 93, Eastin, 9.097; 26. Kyle Henry, 51h, Ormsby, 9.128; 27. Ryan Nawrocki, 5, Reed, 9.215; 28. Steve Shockney Jr., 28s, Shockney, 9.321; 29. Butch Hamilton, 1h, Hamilton, 9.356; 30. Ed Wilberg Sr., 5, Wilberg, 9.710; 31. Gary Klein, 68, Klein, NT; 32. Steve Myers, 88, Myers, NT; 33. Brandon Knupp, 20, Chambers, NT.
First heat (10 laps) – Ross, Neal, Ri. Smith, McCormick, Landon, Eastin, Hamilton, Quinones.
Second heat (10 laps) – Ry. Smith, Taylor, Ridenour, Glasford, K. Henry, Wilberg, Dorsett, Ivy.
Third heat (10 laps) – Janisch, C. Henry, Sroufe, Kettnich, Sanders, Zumbrun, Nawrocki.
Fourth heat (10 laps) – Stockham, Rudolph, Belt, Shockney, Dunham, Strausbaugh, Lesiecki.
First semi-feature (12 laps) – McCormick, Landon, Zumbrun, Sanders, Eastin, Hamilton, Quinones, Kettnich.
Second semi-feature (12 laps) – Ivy, Glasford, Lesiecki, K. Henry, Strausbaugh, Shockney, Dunham, Wilberg.
Feature (30 laps) – 1. Ryan Smith, 2. Cap Henry, 3. John Ivy, 4. Matt Janisch, 5. Larry Joe Sroufe, 6. Tyler Ross, 7. Richard Smith, 8. Chase Ridenour, 9. Howard McCormick, 10. A.J. Lesiecki, 11. Russ Belt, 12. Tim Neil, 13. Ben Taylor, 14. Jeremy Glasford; 15. Nick Landon, 16. Erick Rudolph, 17. Mark Zumbrun, 18. Chris Stockham. Lap leaders: Stockham 1-5, Sroufe 6-11, Rudolph 12-14, Ry. Smith 15-30.
MINI-SPRINTS
Qualifying – 1. Lynsey Tilton, 74, Tilton, 8.885 seconds (breaks track record of 9.041 seconds set on Friday); 2. Collin Ambrose, 36, Ambrose, 9.164 seconds; 3. Lynn Ambrose, 1, Ambrose, 9.174 seconds; 4. Collin Parker, 25, Parker, 9.505; 5. Becca Stiefel, 328, Stiefel, 9.518; 6. Doug Jones, 37, Jones, 9.537; 7. Ron Coleman, 44, Coleman, 9.671; 8. Kyle McIntosh, 17b, Eaglin, 9.759; 9. Gary Bradley, 4, Bradley, 10.524.
Heat (10 laps) – Parker, L. Ambrose, Tilton, Stiefel, McIntosh, C. Ambrose, Coleman, Bradley, Jones.
Feature (12 laps) – 1. Doug Jones, 2. L. Ambrose, 3. C. Ambrose, 4. McIntosh, 5. Stiefel, 6. Parker, 7. Bradley, 8. Tilton, 9. Coleman. Lap leaders: Jones 1-12.
Clock doesn't strike midnight for Stewart on Saturday night
By RON WARE Classic Motorsports
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – With 56 minutes to spare, Tony Stewart squeezed yet another victory into a year that already was reaching mythical proportions.
Taking the checkered flag at 11:04 p.m. on New Year’s Eve, the three-time NASCAR champion completed a weekend sweep of the 14th annual Rumble in Fort Wayne indoor midget races, winning Saturday’s 50-lap feature in dominating fashion.
While he celebrated with a can of Pabst Blue Ribbon, not champagne, Stewart seemed to treasure his latest accomplishment as much as his hard-fought Sprint Cup title.
“This is the first time I’ve ever raced on New Year’s Eve,” the 40-year-old Indiana native said, a smile creasing his face. “It’s been a dream year. I won by first World of Outlaws race and the (NASCAR) championship. Then I won at Conseco (in an all-star kart race in Indianapolis) and won here two times.
“What a great way to finish the year. It’s going to be hard to keep this up, but it’s going to be a lot of fun trying.”
Even Stewart seemed astonished when somebody pointed out that he’s won an amazing eight times in his past 13 races, starting with his 5-for-10 charge to the NASCAR championship. His numbers at the 1/6-mile track at the Memorial Coliseum Expo Center are similar. After sweeping the two-day program for the second time in his career, he’s won nine times in 14 career starts. He’s been the fast qualifier in each of his past 10 appearances.
Stewart’s road to victory lane wasn’t smooth, however. A series of caution periods and constant lapped traffic challenged him all the way, even though he was untested after pole-sitter David Gough dropped out on lap 18 with a broken ignition, handing him the lead.
How tough of a night was it for his rivals? Jon Stanbrough finished second in a car that caught fire early in the race. Rex Norris III, Billy Wease and Dave Darland completed the top five, each taking turns coming from the rear of the field.
During a caution, Stanbrough pulled into the infield as smoke billowed from his car’s engine compartment. Fire crews doused the small fire, which originated when a piece of heat insulation touched the header, and Stanbrough rejoined the fray.
“I was just trying to light a fire under my driver,” team owner Rick Daugherty quipped.
Stewart nudged a sliding Gough in turn three on lap nine, temporarily taking the lead, but the yellow then came out for Rich Corson’s spin, restoring Gough to first place. Nine laps later, though, Gough suddenly slowed with a failed ignition.
“I was trying to protect the bottom (of the track) and make it hard for him to get around me,” said Gough, a veteran whose career includes an indoor win at the old RCA Dome in Indianapolis. “I didn’t think he was going to rough me up.”
Stewart confirmed that he was intent on making a clean pass.
“Gough’s a good race car driver,” he said. “Our car was working so good, it was just a matter of catching him at the right time. I already decided I was going to be nicer tonight.”
Ryan Smith won the accompanying winged outlaw modified midget feature, while Doug Jones topped a short field in mini-sprints. Jason Dunn dominated in karts, winning three features for the second night in a row. Addison and Bennett Lushin made it a family affair in quarter midgets, each winning a feature.
Stewart first raced at Fort Wayne in 1999, after he already had won an IndyCar championship and NASCAR rookie-of-the-year honors. Mike Fedorcak, his indoor teammate and builder of his Volkswagen-powered Munchkin car, figures Fort Wayne hasn’t seen the last of him.
“He’ll still be racing here when he’s as old as I am,” the 57-year-old Fedorcak predicted. “He just loves it.”
Jan 2 2012
14th annual Rumble in Fort Wayne was just about all Tony Stewart
Tony Stewart Won just about everything, But a second place in His heat on sat night spoiled a clean sweep at the two-day Rumble in Fort Wayne, surviving a race of attrition Saturday night to capture the 50-lap midget feature in convincing fashion.
Stewart grabbed the lead when David Gough's ignition gave up on lap 18 and led the rest of the way despite a series of caution periods and heavy lapped traffic. Jon Stanbrough managed a runner-up finish even though his car caught fire early in the event, producing a red flag. The fire crew doused the fire, which started when the car's "heat insulation laid over on the header," according to team owner Rick Daugherty, and Stanbrough charged from the rear of the field. Rex Norris III, Billy Wease and Dave Darland rounded out the top five.
Stewart's weekend gives him nine Rumble in Fort Wayne feature wins in 14 career starts since 1999. Including the final 10 races of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Chase and a kart victory in Indianapolis earlier in the month, he's won eight of his past 13 races.
Nov 29 2011
BANQUET CONCLUDES ARDC's 72ND SEASON
by Steve Williams
The American Racing Drivers Club held their annual banquet celebrating their 72nd season Saturday November 26th at The Lobitz Cater Hall in Hazleton, PA.
Drew Heistand of Wrightsville was officially crowned the club champion. Heistand who had wins at Susquehanna, Port Royal and Williams Grove in his DonCin Transport number 12 Midget also had 5 top 5 and 11 top 10 finishes to score 2202 points.
Heistand, whose name is now listed with the likes of “Wild Bill” Schindler, Ed “Dutch” Schaefer and Len Duncan as well as more recent champions like Steve Buckwalter, Frank Polimeda and Andy Martin, remarked, “When I came to my first banquet I had to sit all the way in the back on the dance floor and watch Andy Martin receive his award as champion and I thought to myself, I want to be up there.” “Earlier this week I was looking at the list of past champions and realized that I didn’t know even half of the guys on the list but I knew who they were and to have my name on that list is an incredible honor.”
To complete the sweep of top awards, Heistand’s Crew Chief / Owner / Father, Don Heistand was named as the Ken Hickey Mechanic of the Year. Heistand, who also fields a car for son Dusty Heistand said, ”This award should be cut up in pieces and given to all the guys on the crew and to my wife.” Don Heistand was also given the owners championship plaque.
In all, the top 15 in both driver and owners points where awarded plaques, honoring their accomplishments.
Winning the Rookie of the Year Award was Brenden Bright of Collegeville, PA. Bright, one of five rookies scoring points this season had 7 top 10 finishes, 4 top 5’s including a win at Dixieland Speedway in Elizabeth City, NC. Bright also finished in 10th position in the point standings.
Steve Drevicki of Reading PA was given the Most Improved Driver Award. Drevicki, in his second season of Wingless Midget racing scored 7 top 10’s and 5 top 5’s that included wins at Penn Can and Big Diamond Speedways. Drevicki finished seventh in points.
The Best Appearing Car Award was given to Shawn Jackson of Bear DE. Jackson’s number 2 was lettered by Bruce Bowen and was a combination of vinyl and “Old School Paint”.
The Galen Halteman Memorial Presidents Award was given to Tammy and Tim Sassaman of Milford, NJ. The Sassaman’s joined ARDC this season after formerly traveling with the Focus Midget Series. Tim is one of the infield officials while Tammy serves as a scorer. In addition, the Sassaman’s have provided a trailer that serves as the traveling ARDC office.
Other awards were given to ARDC’s speedway partners including, Susquehanna Speedway Park, Williams Grove Speedway, Port Royal Speedway, Bridgeport Speedway, Penn Can Speedway, Big Diamond Speedway, Pittsburgh PA Motor Speedway, Mercer Raceway Park, Dixieland Speedway, County Line Raceway, Winchester Speedway and New Egypt Speedway.
Contingency sponsors recognized were, Racebumpers.com, Saldana Racing Products, SBI Fuel Systems, DMI, S&S Speedways, Mason Racing Ignitions, Jereco Racing Engines, DeFebo Graphics, Keizer Aluminum Wheels, Petcock Powder Coating, Fastener Specialties and BDB Graphics.
A 50/50 raffle was held with the proceeds going to Jack Culbertson a nine year old Quarter Midget racer with the Montgomery County Quarter Midget Club who is suffering from cancer. The winning ticket belonged to Randy Smith of S&S Speedways who donated his portion of the winnings to the young driver.
ARDC President Bruce Buckwalter Sr. said that the final touches are being put on the 2012 season including the schedule and firming up the rules and that information will be released soon.
Drew Heistand concluded his champion’s speech with a statement that best sums up not only the 2011 season but also ARDC when he said, “Great Teams, Great Racing, Great People”.
FINAL POINT STANDINGS
Pos Car# Driver Name Points
1 12 Drew Heistand 2202
2 78 Nick Wean 2033
3 33 Ryan Smith 2022
4 83 Bruce Buckwalter, Jr. 1892
5 46 Brett Arndt 1851
6 6 Dusty Heistand 1841
7 19 Steven Drevicki 1831
8 7 Alex Bright 1814
9 52 Tim Buckwalter 1715
10 88 Brenden Bright 1677
11 01 Steven Bull 1558
12 8 Keith McIntyre, Jr. 1264
13 51 PJ Gargiulo 1203
14 0 Steve Buckwalter 1187
15 55 Steve Craig 1126
16 89 Andrew Hannula 1114
17 2 Shawn Jackson 936
18 16 Dave Shirk 936
19 61 Parker Evans 933
20 4 Shane Penny 820
21 17 Ryan Watt 814
22 81 Mark Gilmore 758
23 57 Jason Rice 683
24 28 Greg Fitzpatrick 608
25 3 Joe Butera 502
26 49 Trevor Kobylarz 471
27 11 Eric Heydenreich 464
28 41 Mike Miller 288
29 20 Carey Becker 261
30 9 Steve Lenig 219
31 75 Scott Zipp 216
32 53 Randy Reid 187
33 07 Jimmy Glenn 172
34 25 Chris Zrinski 129
35 99 Justin Grosz 102
36 39 John Heydenreich 58
FINAL OWNER STANDINGS
Car # Owner Name Points
12 DonCin Transport 2202
78 Rick Wean 2033
33 Jerry Steward 2022
83 Bruce Buckwalter, Sr. 1892
46 Essay Racing 1851
6 DonCin Transport 1841
19 Greg Fitzpatrick 1831
77 Alex Bright 1814
88 Ted Bright 1677
52 Rick Buckwalter 1658
1 Steven Bull 1558
8 Keith McIntyre, Sr. 1264
0 Brian Buckwalter 1244
5 Steve Craig 1126
89 Zrinski Racing 1114
51 Gargiulo Racing 1101
2 Shawn Jackson 936
61 Parker Evans 933
4 Shane Penny 820
17 Donnie Hoffman 814
16 Glenn Good 801
81 Dale Gilmore 758
57 Wayne Rice 683
28 Greg Fitzpatrick 608
3 Joe Butera 502
20 Dyke Becker 491
11 Rich Heydenreich 464
75 Fred Schell 351
41 Mike Miller 288
9 Steve Lenig 219
53 Randy Reid 187
7 James Glenn 172
25 Lou Zrinski 129
7 Rich Heydenreich 58
Nov 8 2011
ALEX BRIGHT WINS THE CANDY BOWL AT SUSQUEHANNA SPEEDWAY PARK DREW HEISTAND IS CROWNED CHAMPION IN ARDC’s 72nd SEASON
by Steve Williams
Coming into the Candy Bowl at Susquehanna Speedway Park, Drew Heistand had not wrapped up the ARDC Midget point championship but all he had to do was start his heat race and he would amass enough point to outdistance Nick Wean. Mission accomplished as Heistand won the first heat race.
After a foot of snow delayed the race by a week and a day Heistand came to the track looking to not only qualify but to win but by the time all the candy wrappers were empty it was Alex Bright picking up his second win of the season.
At the drop off the green flag, Dave Shirk jumped from his pole position into the lead and immediately started a dual with Dusty Heistand and Alex Bright. Going into the third turn, Jimmy Glenn spun and collected Nick Wean who did a slow roleover.
Both cars were restarted but Wean was forced to retire when it was discovered that his battery had come out of the car.
On the restart it was Shirk driving back into the lead with Heistand in tow. Behind the front two was a war on wheels for the third spot between Bright, Steve Drevicki and Steve Bull.
On the following circuit, Heistand and Bright got by Shirk and started to open a lead. On lap 4 Bright was able to get a bite and swept around the outside of Heistand coming off the second turn.
Two laps later, Drevicki was able to get by Shirk and brought Bruce Buckawalter Jr. along as the two moved into third and fourth.
The yellow flag was unfurled on the eighth lap for Jimmy Glenn. Glenn’s racer had a broken axle and had to be towed from the track.
On the restart, Drew Heistand got by Shirk for fifth and immediately started pressuring Buckwalter Jr. for fourth while his brother Dusty was trying to get back around Bright into the lead.
With the final 12 laps of the race running non-stop it allowed Bright to slowly pull away to over a straight away lead over Heistand and Drevicki who were entertaining the crowd with some great side by side action.
At the checkered flag it was Bright with Dusty Heistand holding off Steve Drevicki for second while Drew Heistand made a late race pass of Buckwalter Jr. for fourth.
Finishing sixth through tenth were, Tim Buckwalter, PJ Gargiulo, Brenden Bright, Ryan Smith and Andrew Hannula.
Heat races went to Drew Heistand, Steve Bull and Tim Buckwalter
CANDY BOWL NOTES: When Drew Heistand left Susquehanna after the first race of the season he was in next to last place in points. At intermission the drivers pushed their cars onto the front stretch and kids were invited to come out and Trick or Treat. Bruce Buckwalter Jr’s. car was pushed onto the race track by an ATV driven by a big fluffy dog. Alex Bright will compete at the Chili Bowl in January, Dusty Heistand’s second place car has a for sale sign on it. Steve Drevicki made the two hour drive from State College, PA where he is attending classes at Penn State University. PJ Gargiulo had the number 5 on his car instead of his familiar 51. He also had a pumpkin and a scary mouth designed by his daughter on the front. Andrew Hannula recently bought a car and will spend the winter rebuilding it for action next season. Trevor was behind the wheel of teammate Carey Becker’s 20 as hi number 49 has been sold. Bridgeport Modified champion, Ryan Watt was back in action for his second consecutive race. Steve Buckwalter was not on hand as he was on his way to Austrailia to race.
SUSQUEHANNA SPEEDWAY PARK November 6, 2011 ARDC Wingless Midgets (21 Entries)
1) 77 Alex Bright, 2) 6 Dusty Heistand, 3) 19 Steve Drevicki, 4) 12 Drew Heistand, 5) 83 Bruce Buckwalter Jr. 6) 52 Tim Buckwalter, 7) 5 PJ Gargiulo, 8) 88 Brenden Bright, 9) 33 Ryan Smith, 10) 89 Andrew Hannula, 11) 46 Brett Arndt, 12) 20 Trevor Kobylarz, 13) 17 Ryan Watt, 14) 16 Dave Shirk, 15) 01 Steve Bull, 16) 57 Jason Rice, 17) 11 Eric Heydenreich, 18) 53 Randy Reid, 19) 75 Scott Zipp, 20) 07 Jimmy Glenn 21) 78 Nick Wean
Oct 31 2011
PIEROVICH WINS IN BCRA MIDGET FINALE AT CHOWCHILLA SPEEDWAY
Results Courtesy of BCRA
Scott Pierovich of Alamo, Ca picks up his 4th Bay Cities Racing Association win of 2011 at the BCRA season finale at the 3/8 mile clay Chowchilla Speedway. Shane Golobic finished second, followed by Shannon McQueen, Harli White and Rob Lindsey.
Heat 1 (8 laps): 1. David Prickett, 15, NLMS/DPR; 2. Shane Golobic, 26, D. Bock; 3. Michael Faccinto, 51, Evans; 4. Rob Lindsey, 23, Lindsey; 5. Dan Parker, 28, Roza; 6. Pete Davis, 00, Davis; 7. Floyd Alvis, 83, Alvis
Heat 2 (8 laps): 1. Harli White, 7s, McQueen; 2. Nick Foster Jr., 1, Fowler; 3. Chris Ennis, 97x, Martens; 4. Kevin Morris, 17k, Morris; 5. Tom Doherty, 66, Walker; 6. Bill Lindsey, 18a, Alvis; 7. J.R. Williams, 74, Williams;
Heat 3 (8 laps): 1. Shannon McQueen, 7, McQueen; 2. Connor Kassik, 15n, NLMS/DPR; 3. Scott Pierovich, 35, Pierovich; 4. Nick Chivello, 27b, Blackwell; 5. Rick Holbrook, 6, Holbrook; 6. Britton Bock, 67, B. Bock
Feature (15 laps): 1. Pierovich; 2. Golobic; 3. McQueen; 4. White; 5. R. Lindsey; 6. Alvis; 7. Holbrook; 8. Davis; 9. Ennis; 10. B. Lindsey; 11. Williams; 12. Chivello; 13. Kassik; 14. Prickett; 15. Parker; 16. Foster Jr.; 17. Doherty; 18. Morris; 19. Bock; 20. Faccinto
Follow along at www.bcraracing.com for news and results.
Oct 19 2011
BERRYHILL SWEEPS RACING EVENTS
DURING BCRA PAVEMENT FINALE AT LAKEPORT SPEEDWAY
from BCRA
Travis Berryhill of American Canyon, driving the Bob Rosen #4 Beast, won all the racing events at the Bay Cities Racing Association Pavement Midget finale on the ¼ mile paved Lakeport Speedway last Saturday. Shannon McQueen finished 2nd, followed by Scott Pierovich, David Goodwill and Dan Parker. Chad Nichols becomes 2011 BCRA Pavement series Champion.
Qualifying (2 laps): 1. Shannon McQueen, 10c, Eskesen, 11.857; 2. Chad Nichols, 17n, Nichols, 11.939; 3. Darin Snider, 2k, Snider, 12.032; 4. Travis Berryhill, 4, Rosen, 12.034; 5. Michael Snider, 6k, Snider, 12.081; 6. Scott Pierovich, 35, Pierovich, 12.083; 7. Kevin Morris, 17k, Morris, 12.116; 8. Nick Foster Jr., 1, Fowler, 12.224; 9. David Goodwill, 88, Arata, 12.440; 10. Dan Parker, 20, Roza, 12.459; 11. Rick Holbrook, 6, Holbrook, 12.473; 12. Devin LaHorgue, 2, Faeth, 12.532; 13. Floyd Alvis, 83, Alvis, 12.608; 14. Rob Jensen, 2x, Snider, 13.361
Dash (4 laps): 1. Berryhill; 2. D. Snider; 3. McQueen; 4. Nichols
Heat 1 (8 laps): 1. D.Snider; 2. Morris; 3. Goodwill; 4. McQueen; 5. M. Snider; 6. Holbrook; 7. Alvis
Heat 2 (8 laps): 1. Berryhill; 2. Pierovich; 3. Foster Jr.; 4. Nichols; 5. Parker; 6. LaHorgue DNS 7. Jensen DNS
Feature (30 laps): 1. Berryhill; 2. McQueen; 3. Pierovich; 4. Goodwill; 5. Parker; 6. Nichols; 7. Morris; 8. Holbrook; 9. Alvis; 10. Foster Jr.
Oct 17 2011
NICK WEANS VISIT TO THE BEACH GIVES HIM THE WINNING FORMULA
by Steve Williams
On his weekend off Nick Wean went to the beach and found something. No the Phillipsburg, NJ resident didn’t head to Asbury Park to listen to “The Boss’, he went to Pontoon Beach, Illinois home of Tri-City Speedway and the Gold Crown Midget Nationals. He didn’t find any seashells. What he found was a setup that gave him a dominating victory at Grandview Speedway in the Thunder on the Hill, Halloween Party 5-25’s.
Rick Wean, Nick’s dad / crew chief said, “That place was just like here [Grandview]so I set the car up the same way” The same way worked as “Slick Nick” drove his ARDC Wingless Midget to almost a straight away win.
After a second complete restart was needed Alex Bright charged into the lead from his outside pole starting position after battling down the backstretch three wide with Steve Bull and Dusty Heistand. Bright was able to get into the third turn first before Bull and Heistand got together leaving Heistand sitting backward in the turn.
On the restart, Bright continued to lead but a battle behind him was heating up as the high point men who started in the rear were making their moves to the front. On the fourth lap, Steve Buckwalter moved into fourth while Wean slipped into fifth by riding up on the cushion.
Heading into turn three on the fifth lap, Buckwalter tried to duck low but a malfunctioning throttle spring caused the 0 to take a wild series of end over end flips. The crowd came to its feet and roared as Buckwalter, almost immediately, popped out of the cockpit and waved to the crowd that he was alright.
When the field restarted, second place runner, Steve Drevicki stopped on the backstretch to check with a tech official. Buckwalter’s flipping car had gotten into the rear of Drevicki’s racer setting up a vibration. With no visible damage Drevicki restarted on the back of the field and continued despite what was determined later as a badly bent rear axle.
With Drevicki dropping to the rear, Brett Arndt was moved to second with Wean and Ryan Smith now on his rear nerf bar. At the drop of the green flag, Wean immediately went to the cushion but with little success over the next few laps as Arndt was able to ward off the attack.
On lap eight, Wean got a bite off the cushion and got by Arndt for second. One lap later the same cushion gave Wean the lead as he got by Bright for the lead with a slick pass on the high side coming off turn two. “I went up top and at first we were going nowhere, then it came in and we took off” said Wean later.
Wean immediately started to open up a lead that at some points during the race was by the length of a straight. The battle on the track for second between Bright, Arndt and Smith was soon joined by Andrew Hannula, who like Wean was riding the cushion.
On the 10th lap Bright drifted high which allowed both Arndt and Smith to get past him. Four laps later Smith got under Arndt for second but was only able to draw in on the rear of Wean in lapped traffic.
Wean took the checkered flag 1.8 seconds ahead of Smith. Third place was Arndt as Hannula nipped Bright at the line for fourth.
Sixth through tenth spots went to Mike Miller, Drew Heistand, Jason Rice, Steve Drevicki and Eric Heydenreich.
GRANDVIEW NOTES: Nick Wean’s grandfather Dick was on hand Saturday night. After seeing many Micro race wins the elder Wean was on hand to witness Nick’s first ARDC Midget win. Other ARDCer’s besides Nick Wean who competed at the Gold Crown Midget Nationals were, Steve Buckwalter with a sixth in the A-Main, Alex Bright a 10th, Ryan Smith a 16th. Trevor Kobylarz had a 11th place finish in the B Main while Tim Buckwalter finished 13th in the B. After bringing out the initial yellow of the evening, Andrew Hannula and Jason Rice recovered nicely to finish fourth and eighth respectively. Hannula said his driving technique came from watching Sammy Swindell at the Chili Bowl. The bent rear in Steve Drevicki’s car was from his car owner, Greg Fitzpatrick’s Midget. It was installed when a pre race check of his showed a leak. After the season ending race at Susquehanna Speedway Park, Steve Buckwalter will head to Australia to race. Going into the final race of the season at Susquehanna, unofficially only Drew Heistand and Nick Wean have a mathematical chance to win the championship. Heistand has 2077 with Wean 97 points behind with 1980. The maximum points awarded for a race are 25 show points, 15 points for a heat race win and 100 points for a feature win for a total of 140 points. For the official point standings please visit www.ardcmidgets.com
GRANDVIEW SPEEDWAY October 15, 2011
ARDC Midgets (23 Entries)
1) 78 Nick Wean, 2) 33 Ryan Smith, 3) 46 Brett Arndt, 4) 89 Andrew Hannula, 5) 77 Alex Bright, 6) 41 Mike Miller, 7) 12 Drew Heistand, 8) 57 Jason Rice, 9) 19 Steve Drevicki, 10) 11 Eric Heydenreich, 11) 2 Shawn Jackson, 12) 3 Joe Butera, 13) 16 Dave Shirk, DNF 14) 01 Steve Bull, 15) 52 Tim Buckwalter, 16) 83 Bruce Buckwalter Jr., 17) 0 Steve Buckwalter, 18) 53 Randy Reid, 19) 20 Carey Becker, 20) 6 Dusty Heistand, 21) 51 PJ Gargiulo, 22) 07 Jimmy Glenn, 23) 17 Ryan Watt
UPCOMING EVENTS
Saturday, October 29 Susquehanna Speedway Park
Sunday, October 30 Susquehanna Speedway Park (rain date)
For complete point standings, more news and information visit:
www.ardcmidgets.com
Oct 12 2011
ARDC MIDGETS TO BE PART OF THE THUNDER ON THE HILL
5-25’s HALLOWEEN PARTY
by Steve Williams
The Wingless Midgets of the ARDC will be back in action this Saturday Night October 15th at Grandview Speedway in Bechtelsville, PA as part of the Thunder on the Hill 5-25’s Halloween Party. Joining ARDC will be the URC Sprint Cars, 358 Modifieds, Sportsman and Legends in the unique features only program. Also part of the program are the Garden State Vintage Stock Cars and Vince’s Towing Legend Owners Race. The evening will conclude with the Monster Smash Demo Derby.
Leading the Midget charge will be Wrightsville, PA’s red hot Drew Heistand. In the last three events, Heistand sandwiched a third place run at New Egypt Speedway between two wins at Port Royal Speedway and Williams Grove Speedway to solidify his points lead. Another win at Susquehanna Speedway was registered earlier in the season. Heistand has amassed 1,982 tallies and leads second place “Slick” Nick Wean out of Phillipsburg, NJ by 127 points with two races remaining on the schedule. Wean grabbed a checkered flag at Mercer Raceway Park.
Creating a log jam at the top of the point standings is Ryan Smith from Kunkletown, PA. Smith is tied with Steve Buckwalter for the most wins with four. Smith was victorious at Big Diamond Speedway, Bridgeport Speedway, Pittsburgh’s PA Motor Speedway and Winchester, VA Speedway.
“Captain America” Bruce Buckwalter Jr. with a pair of wins at Port Royal and County Line Raceway in Elm City, NC sits within striking distance of the championship in fourth spot.
Buckwalter Jr. along with his cousins Tim Buckwalter, who was last years ARDC Rookie of the Year and Steve Buckwalter, who was last years club champion always bring several bus loads of fans from the Royersford area whenever the Wingless Midgets tour the high banks.
Rounding out the top five in points is Manheim PA resident, Dusty Heistand. Dusty has yet to win a race this season after being close at Penn Can Speedway and Williams Grove. Dusty joins brother Drew on the potent two car Don-Cin Transport team headed up by their dad, Don.
Other drivers with wins this season that will be in action are some of the ARDC “Young Guns” including brothers Alex and Brenden Bright out of Collegeville, PA and Reading’s Steve Drevicki. Drevicki, in his second year has a pair of wins at Penn Can and Big Diamond while Alex Bright, also an ARDC sophomore has a win at Bridgeport. Brenden Bright who is vying for Rookie of the Year has a win at Dixieland Speedway in Elizabeth City, NC.
Gates for the event open at 4:00pm with racing starting at 6:00pm.
STARTING LINEUP
Start Pos Car # Driver
1 01 Steve Bull
2 77 Alex Bright
3 88 Brenden Bright
4 6 Dusty Heistand
5 19 Steve Drevicki
6 8 Keith McIntyre Jr.
7 51 PJ Gargiulo
8 83 Bruce Buckwalter Jr.
9 46 Brett Arndt
10 0 Steve Buckwalter
11 78 Nick Wean
12 33 Ryan Smith
13 52 Tim Buckwalter
14 89 Andrew Hannula
15 12 Drew Heistand
16 4 Shane Penny
17 16 Dave Shirk
18 17 Ryan Watt
19 28 Greg Fitzpatrick
20 57 Jason Rice
21 3 Joe Butera
22 11 Eric Heydenreich
23 20 Carey Becker
24 41 Mike Miller
Alt 25 Chris Zrinski
UPCOMING EVENTS
Saturday, October 15 Grandview Speedway (ToTH)
Saturday, October 29 Susquehanna Speedway Park
Sunday, October 30 Susquehanna Speedway Park (rain date)
For complete point standings, more news and information visit:
www.ardcmidgets.com
Oct 5 2011
FOWLER MOTORSPORTS PUTS LOCK ON 4TH STRAIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
From BCRA
With only 2 races left on the schedule for the 2011 Bay Cities Racing Association Midget Championship, Jim Fowler and Fowler Motorsports holds a 306 point lead over Floyd Alvis, giving him his 4th straight BCRA Owners Championship. Only Johnny Baldwin, 1952-1956, has 4 straight BCRA Championships, but this will be the first for an owner.
The Fowler mrtspts Team
This has not been your normal championship run for Jim and his team, some could say. BCRA has had many rule changes over the last 4 years that could have cost Jim any one of his championships. From single car rules, combo rules and back to two car rules, Jim has been on top of the game and never missed a beat. He stayed faithful to his driver as well, starting with Nick Foster Jr. in 2007. Together, they have picked up 4 wins and Nick has won Driver Championships in 2008 and 2010. Nick only has to appear at the next BCRA event in Lakeport, CA October 15, and he will lock up his 3rd Championship.
The blue #1 Beast/Esslinger, Jim’s dirt car, has become the image synonymous with BCRA racing these last few years, just as the green #18 of Floyd Alvis did before. Congratulations to all the Fowler Motorsports team on this great accomplishment.
Sept 28 2011
Nichols Sweeps BCRA Races at Shasta
from BCRA
Chad Nichols sweeps all 3 events at the 3/8 mile paved Shasta Raceway Park this Saturday in Bay Cities Racing Association Midget action, his 5th of 2011. Following Nichols was David Goodwill, in his first career Midget start, Nick Foster Jr., Dan Parker and Floyd Alvis.
Qualifying (2 laps): 1. Travis Berryhill, 10c, Eskesen, 15.289; 2. Chad Nichols, 17n, Nichols, 15.296; 3. Michael Snider, 6k, Snider, 15.677; 4. Dan Parker, 20, Roza, 15.728; 5. Nick Foster Jr., 1, Fowler, 15.814; 6. David Goodwill, 88, Arata, 15.858; 7. Floyd Alvis, 83, Alvis, 16.102; 8. Gary Conterno, 18, Alvis, 16.265; 9. Rick Holbrook, 6, Holbrook, 16.623
B Dash (4 laps): 1. Goodwill
A Dash (4 Laps): 1. Nichols
Heat (4 laps): 1. Nichols; 2. Berryhill; 3. Goodwill; 4. Foster Jr.; 5. Alvis; 6. Holbrook; 7. Parker; 8. Conterno DNS; 9. Snider DNS
Feature (8 laps): 1. Nichols; 2. Goodwill; 3. Foster Jr.; 4. Parker; 5. Alvis; 6. Holbrook; 7. Snider; 8. Berryhill DNS; 9. Conterno DNS
Sept 22 2011
BCRA MIDGETS HEAD TO SHASTA RACEWAY PARK
The mighty Midgets of the Bay Cities Racing Association continue their 71st season with a trip to the 3/8 mile paved Shasta Raceway Park on Sat September 24th in Redding, CA. This will be the 3rd event for the BCRA Midgets at SRP this year with Chad Nichols picking up both wins thus far. Chad also won this past weekends event at Madera Speedway and will be piloting his own #17n Beast/Esslinger this weekend as well.
Challenging Chad for the victory will be 2011 BCRA Championship leader Nick Foster Jr. in the Jim Fowler #1 Beast/Gearte, Nick Chivello in the Blackwell Motorsports #27b Beast/Esslinger, Rick Faeth in his own #3 Stealth/Gaerte, Dan Parker in the Bob Roza #20 Stewart/Esslinger, Travis Berryhill in the Paul Eskesen #10c Beast/Mopar, Kevin Morris in the Del Morris #17k Beast/Esslinger, Dillon Silverman in the RAM Racing #4a Spike/Ecotec, Floyd Alvs in his #83 Stealth/Buick, Devin LaHorgue in the Rick Faeth #2 Stealth/V4, Rick Holbrook in the Peggy Holbrook #6 Stealth/Ecotec, Michael Snider in the Lauren Snider #6k Stewart/Mopar, Grant Koontz in the David Strimling #5 Stewart/Gaerte and Floyd Alvis’s #18 Stealth/Van Dyne with a driver to be named later.
Saturday the 24th
Pit gates open at 1:00pm with practice beginning at 2:00pm and qualifying at 5:30pm.
Follow along at www.bcraracing.com for news and results.
Sept 18 2011
ARDC MIDGET POINT LEADER DREW HEISTAND
GRABS WIN AT WILLIAMS GROVE SPEEDWAY
by Steve Williams
When Drew Heistand was a youngster his dad, Don would take him and his brother Dusty to Williams Grove Speedway on Friday nights. After the races the boys would crawl under the bleachers on beer hill and fill old feed sacks with aluminum cans.
After this weeks races the cans may still be there because Drew was standing next to his ARDC Midget, in the same muddy boot prints of some of the worlds greatest race car drivers in the coveted earth of the Groves victory lane.
“Holy cow, I just won at Williams Grove.” “I can’t believe it this is a dream come true.” Heistand shouted in victory lane where he was standing with his crew chief/dad and his beer can collecting brother who made him work overtime for the win.
At the drop of the green flag, Dusty Heistand blasted into the lead from his outside front row starting position and was followed by pole sitter Keith McIntyre Jr., Steve Drevicki and Brett Arndt.
Quickly on the move, Drew Heistand launched his DonCin Transport 12 from the11th starting spot and by lap 2 was already up to the sixth spot.
With Dusty firmly in control a battle for the runner-up spot developed between McIntyre, Drevicki, Arndt, Alex Bright and Drew Heistand. On the seventh lap Drew Heistand was able to get under McIntyre for second but was put back to third after a red flag restart for a flip in turn four.
Arndt spun between the third and fourth turn and collected Alex Bright causing Bright to barrel roll three times. Both drivers escaped injury but Brights badly damaged racer was towed back to the pits while Arndt was able to continue.
Two laps after the restart, Drew Heistand was able to again get around McIntyre this time with Tim Buckwalter in tow. Ryan Smith and Steve Buckwalter followed suit getting around McIntyre in a battle that at times featured four wide racing through the wide corners that were perfectly prepared for racing on the cool late summer evening.
By lap 13, Steve Buckwalter, who had just crawled out of his Sprint Car and into his Midget, used the high side to get by Smith and made the running order Heistand, Heistand, Buckwalter and Buckwalter.
With just two laps remaining Drew Heistand steered his racer to the low side of turn four and drove by brother Dusty and into the lead. A lap later Tim Buckwalter also got by Dusty and at the stripe Steve Buckwalter inched ahead of the early race leader by the width of a nerf bar to finish third.
Rounding out the top five was Ryan Smith. Sixth through tenth place was, Nick Wean, Steve Drevicki, Andrew Hannula, Bruce Buckwalter Jr. and PJ Gargiulo.
Heats for the 22 Midgets went to Drew Heistand, Steve Buckwalter and Bruce Buckwalter Jr.
GROVE NOTES: Making their first starts of the season were Jim Jackson and Pete Pavlik. Both drivers are from Sweet Valley, PA. After collecting cans at Williams Grove the Heistand clan would do the same on Saturday Nights at the now defunct Silver Spring Speedway. Tim Buckwalter’s crew changed his steering box after his heat race. Steve Drevicki and Alex Bright spent the day pursuing their college studies before coming to the Grove to race. Steve Buckwalter will be traveling to Tri City Speedway in Pontoon Beach, IL to compete in the Gold Cup October 6th through the 8th. Eric Heydenreich and his crew were able to make it to the Grove after spending the week cleaning up damage from the flood ravaged Bloomsburg, PA area.
WILLIAMS GROVE SPEEDWAY September 16, 2011
ARDC Midgets, 20 laps (22 Entries): 1) 12-Drew Heistand, 2) 52-Tim Buckwalter, 3) 0-Steve Buckwalter, 4) 6-Dusty Heistand, 5)33-Ryan Smith, 6)78-Nick Wean, 7) 19-Steve Drevicki, 8) 89-Andrew Hannula, 9) 83-Bruce Buckwalter, 10) 52-PJ Gargiulo, 11) 57-Jason Rice, 12) 46-Brett Arndt, 13) 8-Keith McIntyre, 14) 01-Steve Bull, 15) 61-Pete Pavlik, 16) 96-Jim Jackson, 17) 11-Eric Heydenreich, 18) 2-Shawn Jackson, 19) 77-Alex Bright, 20) 16-Dave Shirk, DNS 88-Brenden Bright, 25-Chris Zrinski
UPCOMING EVENTS
Saturday, October 15 Grandview Speedway (ToTH)
Saturday, October 29 Susquehanna Speedway Park
Sept 16 2011
BCRA MIDGETS AT MADERA SPEEDWAY FOR HARVEST CLASSIC
from BCRA
The Bay Cities Racing Association continues its 71st season at the 3/8 mile paved Madera Speedway this Saturday for the Harvest Classic. Scott Pierovich and Chad Nichols each have wins at Madera this year. Nick Foster Jr. leads the BCRA Championship while Chad leads the pavement series points.
Nick will be piloting the Jim Fowler #1 Beast/Gearte and Chad will be in his #17n Beast/Esslinger. Other contenders will be Floyd Alvis in his #83 Stealth/Gearte, Rick Holbrook in the Peggy Holbrook #6 Stealth/Ecotec, Danny Parker in the Bob Roza #20 Stewart/Esslinger, J.R. Williams in his #74 Stealth/Ecotec and Floyd Alvis’s #18 Stealth/Esslinger with a driver to be named later.
Joining the Midgets will be the USAC Sprints and 410/360 Super Modifieds. Pits open at 12:30pm with practice beginning at 2:00pm.
Follow along at www.bcraracing.com for news and results.
Sept 12 2011
ARDC RETURNS TO WILLIAMS GROVE SPEEDWAY FRIDAY NIGHT
by Steve Williams
The ARDC Wingless Midgets will return to the historic Williams Grove Speedway this Friday night September 16th when they join the 410 Winged Sprint Cars on a two card program.
When ARDC last visited the Grove in April, last years ARDC Champion, Steve Buckwalter recorded two feature wins. One in the All Star Circuit of Champions Sprint Car race and the second in the ARDC Midget feature. It is widely believed that Buckwalter was the first driver to win with and without a wing in the same evening at Williams Grove Speedway. Buckwalter promises to be back on hand to try and duplicate the incredible feat.
With just three pointS paying races left on the schedule the battle to see who will be the ARDC champion in the clubs 72nd season is really heating up.
Drew Heistand, who took the point lead in the middle of the season, looked to be in cruise control until a wicked flip at Winchester VA Speedway. A week later Heistand was back in the saddle, albeit a little bruised and sore, where he picked up his second win of the season on the smooth as glass surface at the Port Royal Speedway. Heistand followed the Port win with a strong third place run at New Egypt Speedway.
Sitting second in points just 97 tally’s behind is Phillipsburg, NJ speedster “Slick” Nick Wean. Wean who picked up a checkered flag at Mercer Raceway Park has a seventh and third place finish in the last two starts.
Fifty one points behind Wean is last years point runner-up, Ryan Smith. The “Kunkletown Kid” has wins at Big Diamond Speedway, Bridgeport Speedway, Pittsburgh’s Pennsylvania Motor Speedway and Winchester VA Speedway.
Sitting fourth in points with a pair of wins is “Captain America” Bruce Buckwalter Jr. Buckwalter was victorious in ARDC’s first trip to Port Royal Speedway and again tasted victory during the Southern Swing at County Line Raceway.
Rounding out the top five is the “Topton Tornado” Brett Arndt. Arndt, wheeling his family owned Essay Racing 46 is hoping to make Williams Grove his first win of the season.
Sixth through tenth in points are, Brenden Bright with a win at Dixieland Speedway, Dusty Heistand, Alex Bright with one win at Bridgeport Speedway, Steve Drevicki with a pair of wins at Penn Can and Big Diamond and last years Rookie of the Year, Tim Buckwalter.
Racing gets underway at 7:30pm.
UPCOMING EVENT
Friday, September 16 Williams Grove Speedway
Saturday, October 15 Grandview Speedway (ToTH)
Saturday, October 29 Susquehanna Speedway Park
Sunday, October 30 Susquehanna Speedway Park (rain date)
CURRENT POINT STANDINGS
POS # DRIVER PTS
1 12 Drew Heistand 1842
2 78 Nick Wean 1745
3 33 Ryan Smith 1694
4 83 Bruce Buckwalter, Jr. 1622
5 46 Brett Arndt 1575
6 88 Brenden Bright 1546
7 6 Dusty Heistand 1542
8 77 Alex Bright 1519
9 19 Steven Drevicki 1512
10 52 Tim Buckwalter 1413
Sept 10 2011
Prickett Picks Up First Career Midget Win
at 58th Annual Gold Cup Race of Champions at Silver Dollar Speedway
By Robert Haugh
Starting from the pole position and never looking back, Fresno’s David Prickett cruised his Neverlift Motorsports/David Prickett Racing Wunderbar/Press Box/Prickett’s Distributing/Manitowoc #15 Spike/Van Dyne to a wire-to-wire 25-lap victory in the Thursday, September 8 BCRA/USAC-Western States Midget feature at the fabled ¼-mile Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico, CA.
“It’s been a long time coming and we've worked real hard for this. I gotta thank my mom and dad for helping me get this whole thing started and my wife for allowing me to travel so much. They say the first one is the hardest and I look forward to getting some more,” stated a jubilant Prickett.
Following Prickett to the checkers were Ventura’s Cory Kruseman in the Kruseman #21k Spike/Esslinger, Fremont’s Shane Golobic in Doug Bock’s #26 Spike/Esslinger, Galt’s Matt Streeter in the T&T Trucking, Delta Demolition #14 JR Spike/Fontana and Oklahoma’s Michelle Decker in the McQueen Racing #7m Spike/Esslinger rounding out the Top five. Fans were on their feet as the checkers flew as Decker narrowly edged out sixth-place Cody Swanson in the Kirk Swanson #71 Edmunds/Van Dyne by just three one hundredths of a second for the fifth place finish.
Bakersfield’s Shannon McQueen in the McQueen Racing #7 Spike/Esslinger, Pleasanton’s Pete Davis aboard his Hothead Engine Heaters/Power Up Concrete/Special Things Sheet Metal #00 Stealth/Esslinger and two-time BCRA champion and current 2011 BCRA championship points leader “Young Lion” Nick Foster, Jr. of San Jose aboard the Jim Fowler Zero-Zero Motorsports Windows Unlimited Beast/Esslinger rounded out the cars crossing the checkers at the completion of the curfew and incident-shortened feature. Quinton Crye of nearby Gridley rounded out the Top 10 in his #15q Spike/Ford after crashing late in the feature.
Previous Silver Dollar BCRA winner and recent victor at Calistoga Speedway Jonathan Henry placed 11th after dropping out on Lap 18 after climbing as high as sixth from his 16th starting position in Ken Graundstat’s #88 Ellis/Fontana.
Multiple incidents in the feature saw flips by Vacaville’s Rick Holbrook in Peggy Holbrook’s #6 Stealth/RRE Chevy EcoTec and Chico’s Dillon Silverman aboard the Ram Racing #4a Spike/RRE Chevy EcoTec, plus a number of multiple-car tangle ups. Davis tipped it over to unfurl the final caution around Lap 19, after which “Conehead” aka “Mr. Excitement” Prickett pulled away to the win over Kruseman by over one second.
Multiple cars had mechanical gremlins prior the green flag unfurling in the feature, with Sacramento’s Tom Doherty in his #66 Walker Racing/Bay Muffler Stealth/Esslinger, Carson City, Nevada’s J.R. Williams in his #74 Stealth/RRE Chevy EcoTec, and Anaheim’s Jake Swanson aboard the his #05 Stealth/Honda all either failing to start or complete a lap. Seven-time BCRA champion, “Ageless Wonder” Floyd Alvis was among those with early mechanical issues, dropping out after one lap in his #18a Stealth/Chevy.
Butte Valley’s Travis Haugh, who won two features at Silver Dollar Speedway in 2010 in a spec Midget series pilot program dropped out after a Lap 2 red flag with electrical gremlins in grandfather Rich’s #5h Maxim/Gaerte.
Hawaiian visitor Larry Peterson struggled all evening in the Dave & Wendy Thurston TNT Racesports #17 TCR/Gaerte after being involved in a multiple-car pile-up in Heat 3 that sidelined fellow Thurston teammate and open-wheel racing legend Jimmy Sill of Elverta in Thurston’s #17t Spike/Esslinger. That same incident sidelined Angwin’s Britton Bock in his #67 Spike/Esslinger, Gary Consano in Floyd Alvis’ #83 Stealth/Brayton Buick mount and Michael Snider in Lauren Snider’s #2k Beast/Mopar.
Heat wins went to Cody Swanson over Kruseman, Decker and Silverman in Heat 1, Jake Swanson over Golobic, Foster and Connor Kassik (from eighth) in the Neverlift Motorsports #15n TCR/Van Dyne in Heat 2 and McQueen over Prickett, Crye and Peterson in Heat 3.
McQueen recorded the fastest lap of the evening, a 14.221 time in her Heat race, over one tenth of a second quicker than her own Silver Dollar Speedway track record set earlier this year.
Qualifications for the Midgets were cancelled due to time parameters causes by rolling blackouts which shunted the track’s lights for over a half hour. Midget Heats were lined up via pill draw with the Top two from each Heat being inverted for the Main event.
SUMMARY
FEATURE (25 laps, start position in parentheses)
1. David Prickett (1), 2. Cory Kruseman (2), 3. Shane Golobic (3), 4. Matt Streeter (20), 5. Michelle Decker (7), 6. Cody Swanson (6), 7. Shannon McQueen (4), 8. Pete Davis (13), 9. Nick Foster, Jr. (8), 10. Quinton Crye (19), 11. Johnathan Henry (16), 12. Connor Kassik (11), 13. Larry Peterson (9), 14. Dillon Silverman (10), 15. Travis Haugh (14), 16. Rick Holbrook (19), 17. Floyd Alvis (17), 18. Jake Swanson (5), 19. J.R. Williams (18), 20. Tom Doherty (16).
FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-25 Prickett.
HEAT 1: (8 laps) 1. Cody Swanson (#71 Swanson), 2. Cory Kruseman (#21k Kruseman), 3. Michelle Decker (#7m McQueen) 4. Dillon Silverman (#4a RAM), 5. Pete Davis (#00 Davis), 6. Johnathon Henry (#88 Graunstadt), 7. Rick Holbrook (#6 Holbrook), 8. Matt Streeter (#14jr Streeter).
HEAT 2: (8 laps) 1. Jake Swanson (#05 Swanson), 2. Shane Golobic (#26 Bock), 3. Nick Foster (#1 Foster), 4. Connor Kassik (#15n Neverlift), 5. Travis Haugh (#5H Haugh), 6. Floyd Alvis (#18a Alvis), 7. Tom Dougherty (#66 Dougherty), 8. J.R. Williams (#74 Williams).
HEAT 3: (8 laps) 1. Shannon McQueen (#7 McQueen), 2. David Prickett (#15 Neverlift), 3. Quinton Crye (#15q Crye), 4. Larry Peterson (#17 Peterson), 5. Britton Bock (#67 Bock), 6. Jimmy Sills (#17T Sills), 7. Gary Consano (#83 Alvis), 7. Michael Snider (#2k Snider).
Sept 8 2011
The Bay Cities Racing Association Midgets continue their 71st season
from BCRA
This Thursday at the 3/8 mile Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico co-sanctioned with USAC Western States. This will be an opening event to the World of Outlaws Gold Cup.
There have been 2 events at Silver Dollar this year, with Kody Swanson and Jonathon Henry taking home wins. Nick Foster Jr. leads the BCRA contingent as Championship leader and Shannon McQueen is the BCRA dirt points leader. Nick will be piloting the Jim Fowler #1 Beast/Esslinger and Shannon will be in her own #7 Spike/Esslinger. Shannon will also have her #7m Spike/Esslinger with a driver to be named later.
Challengers from the BCRA group will include Scott Pierovich in the Lance Pierovich #35 Spike/Mopar, Floyd Alvis in his #83 Stealth/Buick, David Prickett in the Neverlift Motorsports #15 Spike/Van Dyne, Matt Streeter in his #14jr Spike/Fontana, Pete Davis in his “Hothead” #00 Stealth/Esslinger, Shane Golobic in the Doug Bock #26 Spike/Esslinger, Britton Bock in his #67 Spike/Esslinger, Dillon Silverman in the RAM Racing #4a Spike/Ecotec, Danny Parker in the Bob Roza #28 Stealth/Esslinger, Connor Kassik in the Neverlift Motorsports #15n TCR/Van Dyne, Rick Holbrook in the Peggy Holbrook #6 Spike/Ecotec, Michael Snider in the Lauren Snider #2k Beast/Mopar, J.R. Williams in his #74 Stealth/Ecotec, Ryan Shupe in the Walker Motorsports #10 Stealth/Esslinger, Tom Doherty in the Walker Motorsports #66 Stealth/Esslinger and Floyd Alvis’s #18 Stealth/Chevy with a driver to be named later.
USAC drivers expected will be Jonathon Henry in the Ken Graundstat #88 Ellis/Fontana, Cory Kruseman in his #21k Spike/Esslinger, Jake Swanson in his #05 Stealth/Honda, Cody Swanson in the Kirk Swanson #71 Edmunds/Van Dyne, Randi Pankratz in the Wally Pankratz #8 Edmunds/Fontana, Chris Ennis in the Calvin Martens #97 TCR/Esslinger, Josh Ford in his #73 Ellis/Fontana, Alex Schutte in the Jerome Rodella #25 Spike/Toyota and Quintin Crye in his #15x Spike/Ford.
Joining the Midgets will be the USAC Western Classic Series and CRA Sprints. Pit gates open at 2:00pm, with qualifying at 6:30pm and racing at 7:00pm.
Sept 6 2011
WESTERN MIDGETS VISIT CHICO THURSDAY & BAKERSFIELD SATURDAY
PIEROVICH, HENRY TOPS AT CALISTOGA KRUSEMAN PADS LEAD
by DICK JORDAN
Cory Kruseman of Ventura, Calif. takes a 40-point lead over Johnathon Henry into this week’s Mopar USAC Western Midget races at Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico, Calif. (Thursday) and Bakersfield (Calif.) Speedway (Saturday). Kruseman posted a third and fourth in races last Saturday and Sunday at Calistoga, Calif.
Scott Pierovich of Alamo, Calif. scored his first USAC Mopar Western Midget triumph in six years Saturday night, winning the 25-lap “Louie Vermeil Classic” feature at Calistoga Speedway. He led all 25 laps to beat Alex Schutte, Kruseman, Henry and Cody Swanson.
Henry, of Stockton, Calif., paced the final 17 circuits to win Sunday night’s 25-lap “Louie Vermeil Classic” Mopar USAC Western Midget feature at Calistoga. Schutte was second, ahead of Ronnie Gardner, Kruseman and Pierovich. Schutte led the first eight laps of the race.
Thursday nights’ races are part of Chico’s 58th “Gold Cup Race of Champions” which also includes the AMSOIL USAC/CRA and Western Classic Sprint cars. Saturday’s race is the first of 2011 at Bakersfield.
USAC MOPAR WESTERN MIDGET POINT STANDINGS
1-Cory Kruseman-424; 2-Johnathon Henry-384; 3-David Prickett-379; 4-Cody Swanson-345; 5-Jake Swanson-342; 6-Scott Pierovich-300; 7-Chris Ennis-202; 8-Connor Kassik-185; 9-Randi Pankratz-152; 10-Austin Smith-100.
DMA MIDGET FINALE SATURDAY AT BEAR RIDGE
by DICK JORDAN
This Saturday night’s USAC race at Bear Ridge Speedway in Bradford, Vt. concludes the 2011 DMA Midget Series and Joe Krawiec enters the event with a comfortable 32-point lead over runner-up Scott Holcomb. With 74 points available, Ray Miller (41 behind) and Kevin Chaffee (46 behind) still have mathematical hopes for the inaugural series title.
Krawiec’s six Bear Ridge appearances have produced three victories, a second, fourth and an eighth. Holcomb has a win, two seconds and a third, while Miller has two thirds, two fourths, a fifth and a sixth. Chaffee enters the finale on a two-race winning streak after posting a trio of seconds.
USAC DMA MIDGET SERIES POINT STANDINGS
1-Joe Krawiec-372; 2-Scott Holcomb-340; 3-Ray Miller-331; 4-Kevin Chaffee-326; 5-Noah Gallant-283; 6-Jeff Horn-248; 7-Dana Shaw-245; 8-Dean Christenson-239; 9-Jaime Spalding-174; 10-Scott Viets-174.
This Saturday night’s USAC race at Bear Ridge Speedway in Bradford, Vt. concludes the 2011 DMA Midget Series and Joe Krawiec enters the event with a comfortable 32-point lead over runner-up Scott Holcomb. With 74 points available, Ray Miller (41 behind) and Kevin Chaffee (46 behind) still have mathematical hopes for the inaugural series title.
Krawiec’s six Bear Ridge appearances have produced three victories, a second, fourth and an eighth. Holcomb has a win, two seconds and a third, while Miller has two thirds, two fourths, a fifth and a sixth. Chaffee enters the finale on a two-race winning streak after posting a trio of seconds.
USAC DMA MIDGET SERIES POINT STANDINGS
1-Joe Krawiec-372; 2-Scott Holcomb-340; 3-Ray Miller-331; 4-Kevin Chaffee-326; 5-Noah Gallant-283; 6-Jeff Horn-248; 7-Dana Shaw-245; 8-Dean Christenson-239; 9-Jaime Spalding-174; 10-Scott Viets-174.
Aug 30 2011
KRUSEMAN RETURNS TO CALISTOGA AS WESTERN MIDGET LEADER
Cory Kruserman of Ventura, Calif. returns to the site of his 2010 “Louie Vermeil Classic” feature victory as the 2011 USAC Mopar Western Midget point leader. He hopes to continue that lofty position with another top performance in this weekend’s “Louie Vermeil Classic” at the Calistoga (Calif.) Speedway at the Napa County Fairgrounds.
Kruseman has a tenuous seven-point lead over David Prickett in the standings entering the Calisotoga program, which also features the AMSOIL USAC/CRA and Western Classic Sprints. Feature events for both series are planned both Saturday and Sunday nights.
Kruseman fell 37 points short of his initial USAC driving championship last year but Calistoga was not the reason. He finished second in last year’s opening night at the half-mile dirt oval and then won the finale.
Jake Swanson, Johnathon Henry and Cody Swanson are also considered title contenders, trailing Kruseman by 32, 49 and 54 points respectively entering the point-rich weekend, which offers 148 total Midget points.
Robby Josett was the winner of last year’s Calistoga opener.
USAC MOPAR WESTERN MIDGET POINT STANDINGS
1-Cory Kruseman-315; 2-David Prickett-308; 3-Jake Swanson-283; 4-Johnathon Henry-266; 5-Cody Swanson-261; 6-Chris Ennis-202; 7-Scott Pierovich-191; 8-Connor Kassik-118; 9-Austin Smith-100; 10-Tanner Swanson-96.
Aug 29 2011
Nick FOSTER JR. GRABS THE WIN AT MRP
from BCRA
Nick Foster Jr. of San Jose, CA takes the checkers at the ¼ mile clay Marysville Raceway Park Saturday during BCRA Midget action. Danny Parker finished 2nd, followed by Shannon McQueen, Dillon Silverman and Tom Doherty. In an incident-marred, time shortened feature. Heat wins to pete Davis and McQueen. Foster had fastest lap time of evening (no qualifying).
Heat 1(8laps): 1. Pete Davis (00 Davis); 2. Dillon Silverman (4a RAM Racing); 3. Nick Foster Jr. (1 Folwer); 4. Tom Doherty (66 Walker); 5. Connor Kassik (15 Neverlift Motorsports); 6. Kevin Morris (17k Morris); 7. Floyd Alvis (18a Alvis); 8. J.R. Williams (74 Williams)
Heat 2(8 laps): 1. Shannon McQueen (7 McQueen); 2. Travis Haugh (5h Haugh); 3. Danny Parker (28 Roza); 4. Rick Holbrook (6 Holbrook); 5. Britton Bock (67 Bock); 6. Bob Lawler (83 Alvis); 7. Michael Snider (2k Snider)
Feature (21 laps): 1. Foster Jr.; 2. Parker; 3. McQueen; 4. Silverman; 5. Doherty; 6. Alvis; 7. Lawlor; 8. Holbrook; 9. Bock; 10. Davis; 11. Snider; 12. Williams; 13. Haugh; 14. Kassik
Aug 25 2011
STEVE BUCKWALTER SHAKES NEW EGYPT SPEEDWAY
FOR HIS FOURTH WIN OF THE SEASON
by by Steve Williams
On a day when the east coast survived a rare earthquake, the ARDC Wingless Midgets did some earth moving of their own at Midget Madness and Modifieds Tuesday evening at The New Egypt Speedway. Running on his own Richter Scale, Steve Buckwalter showed the boys the fast way around to collect his fourth win of the season.
The original start of the feature was called back but Brett Arndt used what he learned on the restart as he went up to the outside fence and grabbed the early lead. Arndt was followed by Brenden Bright, Keith McIntyre Jr. and Alex Bright.
The man on the move early on was Tim Buckwalter who blasted into second on the seventh lap and two laps later used the low side of the speedway in turn two to take the lead from Arndt. Buckwalter ran with his ears pinned back to open some ground because he could see the number 0 of cousin Steve Buckwalter moving up on the scoreboard.
S. Buckwalter ducked under Arndt off of four for second at the conclusion of the twelfth lap and drew in on the rear of his cousin Tim..
Two laps later the two were dicing for the lead off the fourth turn when S. Buckwalter got crossed up trying to miss a lapped car. T. Buckwalter hit the out of shape car which set S. Buckwalter straight and gave Steve a little turbo boost into the lead. While the near disaster was a boon to Steve it was a bust to Tim who scrubbed off a lot of speed and dropped back to sixth place behind, Arndt, Ryan Smith, Brenden Bright and Drew Heistand.
Bright was able to get back around but as the race wore on both Heistand and Smith kept chipping away and both were able to re-pass rookie Bright.
In the latter stages of the race, Drew Heistand and Brett Arndt battled for the runnerup spot but in the end it was Steve Buckwalter winning his fourth ARDC Midget race of the season by 4.4 seconds over Arndt, Heistand, Smith and T. Buckwalter.
Rounding out the top ten were, Bruce Buckwalter Jr., Nick Wean, Trevor Kobylarz, Brenden Bright and Alex Bright.
Heats for the 21 Midgets went to Steve Buckwalter and Tim Buckwalter.
NEW EGYPT SPEEDWAY AUGUST 23, 2011
ARDC MIDGETS 25 Laps (21 Entries)
1) 0 Steve Buckwalter, 2) 46 Brett Arndt, 3) 12 Drew Heistand,
4) 33 Ryan Smith, 5) 52 Tim Buckwalter, 6) 83 Bruce Buckwalter Jr.,
7) 78 Nick Wean, 8) 49 Trevor Kobylarz, 9) 88 Brenden Bright,
10) 77 Alex Bright, 11) 89 Andrew Hannula, 12) 2 Shawn Jackson,
13) 01 Steve Bull, 14) 11 Eric Heydenreich, 15) 8 Keith McIntyre Jr.,
16) Steve Craig, 17) 57 Jason Rice, 18) 25 Chris Zrinski, 19) 19 Steve Drevicki, 20) 6 Dusty Heistand, 21) 16 Dave Shirk
Aug 24 2011
BCRA MIDGETS HEAD TO MARYSVILLE RACEWAY PARK
The mighty Midgets of the Bay Cities Racing Association travel to the ¼ mile clay Marysville Raceway Park this Saturday. Nick Foster Jr. continues to lead the overall Championship, while Shannon McQueen, who picked up the victory at MRP in April, leads the dirt series. Nick will be piloting the Fowler Motorsports #1 Beast/Esslinger and Shannon will be in her own #7 Spike/Esslinger.
Contenders for the top prize will include Danny Parker in the Bob Roza #28 Stealth/Esslinger, Kevin Morris in the Del Morris #17k Spike/Esslinger, Floyd Alvis in his #83 Stealth/Buick, Dillon Silverman in the RAM Racing #4a Spike/Ecotec, Pete Davis in his “Hothead” #00 Stealth/Esslinger, Britton Bock in his #67 Spike/Esslinger, Connor Kassik in the Neverlift Motorsports #15 TCR/Van Dyne, Rick Holbrook in the Peggy Holbrook #6 Spike/Ecotec, J.R. Williams in his #74 Stealth/Ecotec and Michael Snider in the Lauren Snider #2k Beast/Ford.
Other entries include Sean Dodenhoff in his #9d Spike/Fontana, Travis Haugh in the Rich Haugh #5h Maxim/Gaerte, Tom Doherty in the Bay Muffler #66 Stealth/Esslinger, Rick Young in the RAM Racing #98 Stealth/Ecotec and Floyd Alvis’s #18 Stealth/Gearte will a driver TBA.
Pit gates open at 3:00pm and practice starts at 5:00pm.
Aug 22 2011
DREW HEISTAND PICKS UP HIS SECOND WIN OF THE SEASON AT PORT ROYAL
by Steve Williams
After flipping last weekend Drew Heistand arrived at the Port Royal Speedway still a little sore but all the aches and pains went away as he posed with his family in victory lane. Heistand, who came into the contest as the ARDC Midget point leader extended his lead with an exciting late race pass for the win.
Bruce Buckwalter Jr. made a strong run up against the cushion to grab the early lead in the feature from his fourth place starting position. Buckwalter, who had won ARDC’s last outing at Port Royal in May, was trailed by sixth starting, Brenden Bright and third starting, Brett Arndt.
It looked like Buckwalter would repeat his spring victory as he was easily able to distance himself from the field in the early running. At that point the big battle for position was for third as Drew Heistand had moved up from the seventh starting spot and was putting on a show, in front of the full house, with Arndt.
On the seventh lap Heistand was finally able to annex the position going into the third turn and started to track down the second running Bright. Heistand got by Bright on the following lap with a move on the low side of turn two. Almost immediately after Heistand’s pass the yellow came out for the slowing car of his brother Dusty Heistand, setting Drew’s number 12 back to the third spot for the restart.
“My car got better on longer runs” said Drew Heistand, in victory lane. “I’m going to have to have a talk with Dusty about slowing me down.”
The second turn pass ultimately would not be wasted because Heistand found something he could use later.
On the restart Heistand tried to get back under Bright but Bright was able to hold on to the position and on the following lap tracked down the front running Buckwalter and passed him for the lead in the fourth turn. Two laps later Heistand passed Buckwalter but was not able to gain any ground on Bright.
A final caution flag, on lap 13, bunched the field for one last dash to the finish and added the driver who currently sits in second in points into the mix. Nick Wean had moved up from his eighth starting spot, getting by Arndt for fourth and ready to challenge for the lead.
As Heistand pressured Bright for the lead, Wean moved into the third slot. Heistand, the veteran, kept trying the low side to get by rookie Bright but Bright held his line not giving Heistand a lot of room to work on the perfectly manicured speedway.
Getting a good run down the front stretch, Heistand made one last shot going into turn one on lap 18. Bright had moved up ever so slightly and opened the door for Heistand who slide up and drove off the second turn with the lead.
Asked if he thought the car would stick, Heistand replied, “I don’t know, I had my eyes closed.”
The final two laps saw the top three cars running under a blanket, but it was Heistand who held off Bright and Wean for his second win of the season. Bruce Buckwalter Jr. finished in fourth while Brett Arndt claimed fifth.
Rounding out the top ten were, Ryan Smith, Tim Buckwalter, Steve Drevicki, Jason Rice and Dusty Heistand.
RACE NOTES Before racing action got underway, Port Royal Speedway announcer Shawn Brouse read a touching tribute to Central PA racing legend, Ray Tilley, who had passed away Friday. Tilley had over 200 wins in his career in Stock Cars, Supermodifieds and Sprint Cars. Drew Heistands wife and daughters were in attendance and she noted that he won everytime they were there. Heistand credited his father Don with getting his car back together after his flip last weekend at Winchester. After the racing had concluded, rookie Brenden Bright received a headlock and dutch rub from his chassis builder, Steve Buckwalter, reminding him to hold his line. After several weekends of long roadtrips, Nick Wean and his crew are looking forward to the New Egypt race which is only an hour from home. Bruce Buckwalter Jr. faded late in the race because he picked soft tires and had worn them out. Eric Heydenreich was back in action for the first time since his scary flip at Williams Grove. Dave Shirk was also back in action with his pretty RAACE Foundation 16. Current Bridgeport, NJ Speedway Modified point leader, Ryan Watt was a surprise entrant. With Bridgeport dark on Saturday, Watt was making his first trip to another Port.
PORT ROYAL SPEEDWAY AUGUST 20, 2011 ARDC Wingless Midgets 20 Laps (20 Entries) 1) 12 Drew Heistand, 2) 88 Brenden Bright, 3) 78 Nick Wean,
4) 83 Bruce Buckwalter Jr., 5) 46 Brett Arndt, 6) 33 Ryan Smith, 7) 52 Tim Buckwalter, 8) 19 Steve Drevicki, 9) 57 Jason Rice, 10) 6 Dusty Heistand, 11) 2 Shawn Jackson, 12) 11 Eric Heydenreich, 13) 16 Dave Shirk, 14) 0 Steve Buckwalter, 15) 17 Ryan Watt, 16) 77 Alex Bright, 17) 4 Shane Penny, 18) 55 Steve Craig, 19) 51 PJ Gargiulo, 20) 01 Steve Bull Heats to, Brett Arndt, Ryan Smith
UPCOMING EVENTS
Tuesday, August 23 New Egypt Speedway
Saturday, September 3 Bridgeport Speedway (1/4 Mile)
Friday, September 16 Williams Grove Speedway
Saturday, October 15 Grandview Speedway (ToTH)
Saturday, October 29 Susquehanna Speedway Park
Sunday, October 30 Susquehanna Speedway Park (rain date)
FOR OFFICIAL POINT STANDINGS VISIT WWW.ARDCMIDGETS.COM
Aug 18 2011
LOTS OF ARDC WINGLESS MIDGET RACING ON TAP IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS
by Steve Williams
The ARDC Wingless Midgets have a busy late August schedule starting this Saturday evening August 20th when they return to the Port Royal Fairgrounds. They will then be back in action when they travel to New Jersey’s New Egypt Speedway on Tuesday August 23rd for the rescheduled Midget Madness and Modifieds.
The Port Royal race will be a return trip to the historic fairgrounds in downtown Port Royal. When ARDC was there back on May 7th it was Bruce Buckwalter Jr. driving his Lupus.org Captain America 83 onto the stage for the checkered flag. Bruce who crews for his cousin Steve Buckwalter’s 410 Sprint Car at Port Royal had trouble finding the stage, after his win but now that he knows where it is, it’s going to be tough keeping him from doubling up. Since his Port win, B. Buckwalter, who is currently 5th in points, also picked up a win at County Line Speedway during the North Carolina swing.
Two trips to New Egypt last season produced two different winners. The August race was dominated by Steve Buckwalter who returned to Midget action last Saturday night at The Winchester Speedway. The September race was annexed by current ARDC point leader, Drew Heistand. To say that there will be a knock down drag out challenge between the defending champion and the top point chaser is obvious but guaranteed, Ryan Smith, who was the most recent winner at Winchester, will do his darndest to try to extend his club leading four wins to five wins on the season.
Before defending his home turf at New Egypt, Phillipsburg, NJ’s Nick Wean will travel deep into PA in search of his first win of the season at Port Royal. Sitting just 67 points out of first place in points, Wean has been the picture of consistency but still wants to collect a checkered flag.
Currently sitting fourth in points is another Heistand brother. Dusty Heistand, who like Wean has yet to win this season, is one of the drivers that is always there at the end. Dusty, who was voted the 2010 ARDC Most Improved Driver may just be the 2011 “Most Improved” Most Improved Driver but would certainly give up that accolade to match brother Drew with a win.
Racing both evenings gets underway at 7:30pm.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Saturday, August 20 Port Royal Spdwy
Tuesday, August 23 New Egypt Speedway
Saturday, September 03 Bridgeport Speedway (1/4 Mile)
Friday, September 16 Williams Grove Speedway
Saturday, October 15 Grandview Speedway (ToTH)
Saturday, October 29 Susquehanna Speedway Park
Sunday, October 30 Susquehanna Speedway Park (rain date)
FOR OFFICIAL POINT STANDINGS VISIT WWW.ARDCMIDGETS.COM
Aug 16 2011
PIEROVICH GETS BCRA MIDGET WIN #3 AT PETALUMA
by Robert Haugh
Scott Pierovich of Alamo, CA picks up his 3rd BCRA Midget Feature win of 2011 as well as his 3rd win in the last 3 races at the 3/8 mile clay Petaluma Speedway. Shannon McQueen finishes 2nd followed by Sean Dodenhoff, David Prickett and Britton Bock. Rick Holbrook, Danny Parker, Nick Foster Jr., Connor Kassik and Michael Snider round out the top 10.
Qualifying (2 laps): 1. Scott Pierovich, 35, Pierovich, 14.671; 2. David Prickett, 15, Neverlift, 14.674; 3. Kevin Morris, 17k Morris, 14.686; 4. Shannon McQueen, 7, McQueen, 14.700; 5. Shane Golobic, 26, Bock, 14.751; 6. Nick Foster Jr, 1, Fowler, 14.907; 7. Connor Kassik, 15n, Neverlift, 14.964; 8. Sean Dodenhoff, 9d, Dodenhoff, 15.077; 9. Danny Parker, 28, Roza, 15.180; 10. Pete Davis, 00, Davis, 15.197; 11. Britton Bock, 67, Bock, 15.296; 12. Floyd Alvis, 83, Alvis, 15.679; 13. Rick Holbrook, 6, Holbrook, 15.726; 14. Dillon Silverman, 4a, RAM Racing, 15.983; 15. J.R. Williams, 74, Wiliams, 16.193; 16. Bill Lindsey, 18a, Alvis, 16.196; 17. Michael Snider, 2k, Snider, 16.343; 18. Ryan Shupe, 10, Walker, NT
Heat 1 (8 laps): 1. Golobic; 2. Bock; 3. Pierovich; 4. Parker; 5. Kassik; 6. Morris; 7. Holbrook; 8. Snider; 9. Williams
Heat 2 (8 laps): 1. Foster; 2. McQueen; 3. Prickett; 4. Dodenhoff; 5. Silverman; 6. Alvis; 7. Lindsey; 8. Shupe
Feature (30 laps): 1. Pierovich; 2. McQueen; 3. Dodenhoff; 4. Prickett; 5. Bock; 6. Holbrook; 7. Parker; 8. Foster; 9. Kassik; 10. Snider; 11. Golobic; 12. Morris; 13. Silverman; 14. Davis; 15. Alvis; 16. Williams; 17. Lindsey; 18. Shupe
Follow along at www.bcraracing.com for news and results.
ARDC Midget Madness and Modified's at New Egypt Speedway postponed
by Steve Williams
The ARDC Midget Madness and Modified program at New Egypt Speedway scheduled for Tuesday August 16, 2011 has been postponed until next Tuesday August 23, 2011.
All times will remain the same with pit gates opening at 4:30pm, grandstands at 5:00pm and racing at 7:30pm.
ARDC’s next race will be this Saturday August 20, 2011 at the Port Royal Speedway.
“Lightning” McQueen Claims Another Second Place Finish at Petaluma
Bakersfield, CA – August 13, 2011
Showcasing consistency and patience, Bakersfield’s Shannon McQueen brought home her fifth consecutive second-place finish while further increasing her Bay Cities Racing Association Dirt points lead at the 3/8-mile Petaluma Speedway on Saturday, August 13.
Masterfully chauffeuring the McQueen Racing #7 Spike/Esslinger, McQueen swiftly piloted her way up from her inside second row staring spot, advancing to second by Lap 3 of the feature. McQueen passed Shane Golobic on lap 8 and led laps 8 through 13 before falling back to third. Battling a very heavy, tacky track, McQueen showed veteran poise coming home second behind three-time Petaluma BCRA winner Scott Pierovich.
McQueen darted from fifth to second in Heat 2, finishing just a car length behind pole sitter Nick Foster, Jr., clocking the fastest lap of the Heat in the process.
McQueen was fourth quick in qualifications, just under three one hundredths off of fast time, slowed by running up on a slower car in group qualifying on the rough track. McQueen was second quick in hot laps, just five one hundredths off the fastest time.
After 15 races, including one feature victory, six seconds, ten Top 5s and 14 Top 10s, McQueen continues leading the Bay Cities Racing Association Dirt points, leading two-time BCRA champion Nick Foster, Jr. by 106 points unofficially, with three Dirt races remaining.
Next up for McQueen Racing the BCRA race at the 1/4-mile Marysville Raceway Park in Marysville, CA on Saturday, August 27.
McQueen Racing would like to thank all our wonderful sponsors Lucas Oil Products, K&N Filters, Simpson Race Products, JE Piston Company, Advanced Racing Suspensions, Eibach Springs, Ruth Engineering, American Fabrication and Esslinger Racing Engines by Duane McQueen.
August 13, 2011 – Petaluma, California – Petaluma Speedway
FEATURE: (24 laps) 2. Shannon McQueen
HEAT 2: (8 laps) 2. Shannon McQueen
QUALIFICATIONS: 4. Shannon McQueen, 14.700
Aug 15 2011
RYAN SMITH WINS AS ARDC RETURNS TO WINCHESTER SPEEDWAY
by Steve Williams
A couple of old-timers got together Saturday night in Winchester Virginia for some good old fashion racing and it was a kid from Northeast Pennsylvania picking up a club leading fourth win of the season.
The old timers were Winchester Speedway, built in 1936 and Wild Bill Schindler’s ARDC Midgets, formed in 1939. The youngster from northeastern Pennsylvania, Ryan Smith.
Things were a bit different from those early years. The cars now have roll cages and the race track is now a beautiful modern speedplant but the action was just as hot and heavy as ever.
At the start of the feature one time winner Alex Bright of Collegeville, PA sprinted into the lead over Wampum, PA’s Joe Butera who started on the pole. By the conclusion of the first lap Kunkletown, PA resident Ryan Smith and Birdsboro, PA’s Trevor Kobylarz moved by Butera for second and third.
With just one lap completed the red flag was unfurled for a wild series of flips by Saylorsburg, PA’s Keith McIntyre Jr. McIntyre had gotten together with Steve Bull of Hampstead, MD going onto the first turn and almost flipped out of the ballpark, hitting the outside wall before bouncing back onto the speedway.
McIntyre was helped in to the ambulance where he was checked out and decided to pursue additional treatment on his own. The car was removed from the scene with the left side destroyed and a bend in the top part of the cage where it hit the fence.
Shortly after the restart the red flag again came out for Wrightsville, PA’s Drew Heistand who flipped in the second turn. Heistand pulled a wheel stand coming off the turn and ended lying on his side against the outside wall. Heistand came into the event as the point leader.
Ranking high in the points was not a good position as on lap six the yellow came out for the driver sitting second in points when Phillipsburg, NJ’s Nick Wean lost the handle in the fourth turn.
Following the restart, Bright was able to open up a lead over Smith and Kobylarz but all eyes were on
“The Royersford Rocket” Steve Buckwalter who used the outer rim of the speedway to draw in on the back of Kobylarz and get by the youngster on the ninth lap.
Smith was able to draw in Bright and on lap 11 made a move on the low side of turn two stick and drove down the backstretch into the lead. Two laps later Buckwalter got by Bright, setting up a shootout between ARDC’s top leading winners.
After a late race yellow for debris, Buckwalter had a final shot at Smith but Smith was able to open up some distance over the final five laps to claim his fourth ARDC Midget win of the season.
Finishing in second was S. Buckwalter who just barely held off Kobylarz with A. Bright and Tim Buckwalter rounding out the top five.
Finishing sixth through tenth were, Dusty Heistand, Brenden Bright, Steve Drevicki, Bruce Buckwalter Jr. and Nick Wean.
RACE NIGHT NOTES Ryan Smith’s crew installed a new Esslinger engine in his car last weekend and struggled with overheating problems. Despite his win the engine was still running hot. Steve Buckwalter flipped his Sprint Car at Williams Grove Speedway on Friday decided to race his Midget at Winchester. Buckwalter was a late arrival after having hauler problems en-route to the track. Bryan Kobylarz, who came out of semi-retirement last week to race in North Carolina has gone back into semi-retirement. Bryan’s son Trevor showed a mastery of the tacky highbanks of Winchester with a strong third place run. Looks like Tim Buckwalter has lost the gremlins that kept him from finishing races early in the season. Dusty Heistand had a good run despite losing his brakes late in the race. After his wild flip at County Line Brenden Brights crew had to completely rebuild his car and never had a chance to see if it would start before arriving at the track. After detonating his engine at Pittsburgh Steve Drevicki has been using his teammate, Greg Fitzpatrick’s engine. Fitzpatrick will pick up another power plant and should be back in action shortly. Bruce Buckwalter Jr. was sporting a new sponsor. www.lupus.org was on the side of the 83.
WINCHESTER SPEEDWAY August 13, 2011
ARDC Midgets 25 Laps
1)33 Ryan Smith, 2) 0 Steve Buckwalter, 3) 49 Trevor Kobylarz,
4) 77 Alex Bright, 5) 52 Tim Buckwalter 6) 6 Dusty Heistand,
7) 88 Brenden Bright, 8) 19 Steve Drevicki, 9) 83 Bruce Buckwalter Jr.,
10) 78 Nick Wean, 11) 01 Steve Bull, 12) 3 Joe Butera,
13) 12 Drew Heistand, 14) 57 Jason Rice,
DNS 46 Brett Arndt, 8 Keith McIntyre Jr.
HEATS Alex Bright, Brenden Bright
UPCOMING EVENTS
Tuesday, August 16 New Egypt Speedway
Saturday, August 20 Port Royal Speedway
Saturday, September 03 Bridgeport Speedway (1/4 Mile)
Friday, September 16 Williams Grove Speedway
Saturday, October 15 Grandview Speedway (ToTH)
Saturday, October 29 Susquehanna Speedway Park
Sunday, October 30 Susquehanna Speedway Park (rain date)
FOR OFFICIAL POINT STANDINGS VISIT WWW.ARDCMIDGETS.COM
Aug 12 2011
BCRA MIDGETS HEAD TO PETALUMA SPEEDWAY
from BCRA
The mighty Midgets of the Bay Cities Racing Association head the 3/8 mile clay Petaluma Speedway this Saturday. 2-Time Champion Nick Foster Jr. continues to lead the Championship points, while Shannon McQueen leads the Dirt Championship. Nick will be driving the Fowler Motorsports #1 Beast/Esslinger and Shannon will be in her #7 Spike/Esslinger.
Contenders for this event will be last years winner Scott Pierovich in the Lance Pierovich #35 Spike/Wirth Mopar, 7-Time Champion Floyd Alvis in his #83 Stealth/Buick, 3-Time Champion Glenn Carson in the Doug Bock #26 Spike/Esslinger, 2009 Champion David Prickett in the Neverlift Motorsports #15 Spike/Van Dyne, Dillon Silverman in the RAM Racing #4a Spike/Ecotec, Pete Davis in his “Hothead” #00 Stealth/Esslinger, J.R. Williams in his #74 Stealth/Ecotec, Danny Parker in the Bob Roza #28 Stealth/Esslinger, Kevin Morris in the Del Morris #17k Spike/Esslinger and Britton Bock in his #67 Spike/Esslinger.
Also vying for victory will be Rick Holbrook in the Peggy Holbrook #6 Spike/Ecotec, Michael Snider in the Lauren Snider #2k Beast/Mopar, Connor Kassik in the Neverlift Motorsports #15n TCR/Van Dyne, Travis Haugh in the Rich Haugh #5h Maxim/Chevy, Nick Chivello in the Blackwell Motorsports #27b Stealth/Ford and Sean Dodenhoff in his #9d Spike/Fontana.
Joining the Midgets at Petaluma will be the BCRA Midget Lites. Pit gates open at Noon with registration opening at 2pm and practice beginning at 5pm.
Follow along at www.bcraracing.com for news and results.
Aug 9 2011
“Lightning” McQueen Claims Two Second Places Finishes in BCRA Doubleheader
by Robert Haugh
Showcasing her talent and poise, Bakersfield’s Shannon McQueen brought home two second place finishes, a new track record and an increased Bay Cities Racing Association Dirt points lead after two incredible runs at Silver Dollar Speedway and Placerville Speedway on August 5 and 6.
Masterfully chauffeuring the McQueen Racing #7 Spike/Esslinger, McQueen started the weekend in splendor, blistering the fabled ¼-mile Silver Dollar Speedway oval, setting a new track record on Friday, August 5 in the BCRA/USAC-Western States co-sanctioned event, with a new bullet built by Duane McQueen. breaking the previous track record set by National Midget champion Bryan Clauson in March. Her 14.328 will be the mark to beat on Thursday, September 8 when the Midgets return to Chico.
McQueen masterfully maneuvered her way up in the 21-car field, advancing to second at the mid-way point on Lap 14 of the feature. Even with a tire going flat with ten laps remaining, McQueen limped home to finish second, 1.5 seconds ahead of third place Cody Swanson.
McQueen darted from sixth to second in Heat 1, rallying to second by Lap 4, then cutting race winner David Prickett’s lead by half in the final four laps, posting the fastest time of all competitors during Heat race competition.
McQueen now holds four track records: Orange Show Speedway (2005), Petaluma (2009), Calistoga (2009) and Silver Dollar Speedway (2011).
Hoping to score a victory on the second night of the exciting doubleheader weekend, McQueen came out strong once again on Saturday, August 6 at the ¼-mile red clay Placerville Speedway, setting the second fastest qualifying time and dominating her Heat race.
After being shuffled as far back as tenth in the incident-marred feature, McQueen steadily worked her way back to the front of the field, methodically advancing to sixth on Lap 6, fifth on lap 8, fourth on Lap 11, then third on Lap 13, even though losing her brakes by lap 10. For the next 17 laps, McQueen diced for second through fifth with eventual race winner Shane Golobic, Scott Pierovich and Matt Streeter before finally chasing down Golobic to finish second in the action-packed main event.
McQueen dominated Heat 2, coming from sixth to third on Lap 1, then taking over the lead on lap 2, checking out to score the decisive 8-lapper by nearly three seconds over Scott Pierovich, once again clocking the fastest time of all competitors in Heat race action.
The doubleheader race weekend featured some of the best Midget racers from throughout California, including USAC-WS points leader Cory Kruseman, 2009 BCRA champion Prickett, two-time BCRA champion and current overall (dirt/pavement combined) BCRA points leader Nick Foster, Jr., multiple-time race winners Scott Pierovich, 1999 BCRA champion Streeter and a plethora of other top Midget racers.
After 14 races, including one feature victory, five seconds, nine Top 5s and 13 Top 10s, McQueen continues leading the Bay Cities Racing Association Dirt points, leading two-time BCRA champion Nick Foster, Jr. by 85 points unofficially, with four Dirt races remaining.
Next up for McQueen Racing the BCRA race at the 3/8-mile Petaluma Speedway in Petaluma on Saturday, August 13.
McQueen Racing would like to thank all our wonderful sponsors Lucas Oil Products, K&N Filters, Simpson Race Products, JE Piston Company, Advanced Racing Suspensions, Eibach Springs, Ruth Engineering, American Fabrication and Esslinger Racing Engines by Duane McQueen.
August 5, 2011 – Chico, California – Silver Dollar Speedway
FEATURE: (30 laps) 2. Shannon McQueen
HEAT 2: (8 laps) 3. Shannon McQueen
QUALIFICATIONS: 1. Shannon McQueen, 14.328 (NTR)
Aug 8 2011
BRUCE BUCKWALTER JR. GRABS HIS SECOND WIN OF THE SEASON
AT COUNTY LINE SPEEDWAY
AS ARDC WRAPS UP IT’S SUMMER SWING THROUGH NORTH CAROLINA
by Steve Williams
Bruce Buckwalter Jr. picked up his second win of the season as the ARDC Wingless Midgets wrapped up their southern tour at County Line Raceway in Elm City, NC on Saturday evening.
After traveling through heavy showers across northern North Carolina on Saturday, to an area that had tornado warnings the evening before the big question was would there be any racing. What looked like a rainy night in a motel turned into a hot steamy night of racing action.
Bruce Buckwalter Jr. jumped to an early lead from his outside pole position and was followed by Alex Bright. Racing was halted on the first lap by a wild series of flips and pirouettes in the first turn by Brenden Bright. Bright hooked a rut in heavy traffic and sent him flying. Bright was checked out at the scene but was going to pursue additional treatment.
On the restart Buckwalter held the point until a rapid moving Alex Bright got by him for the lead, leaving Buckwalter to duke it out with sixth starting Nick Wean. Buckwalter was able to regain the lead as Bright bobbled coming out of the fourth turn.
While battling Bright for the lead Buckwalter thrilled the near capacity crowd with a huge wheelstand coming off the fourth turn. “I thought I was going over” said Buckwalter. “It came down real hard and bounced again.” The bounce set him sideways but by the start finish line Buckwalter was able to regain control and was able to hold the lead. Bright, who had a birds eye view lifted and allowed Buckwalter the room he needed to continue.
Buckwalter was able to hold on to the lead through a couple more yellow flags but soon started to get pressure from Ryan Smith who had been able to get by Wean and Bright. Smith was able to get to Buckwalter’s nerf bar but soon slowed with a flat tire handing second back to Wean.
Wean was not by himself for long as Brett Arndt and a high flying Drew Heistand joined the fray. Heistand worked his way by both into second but a banzai move by Wean coming off the fourth turn gave him second by a few inches. Finishing in fourth was Arndt while a fast closing Dusty Heistand came home fifth.
Sixth through tenth went to Steve Drevicki, Parker Evans, Steve Bull, Keith McIntyre Jr. and Scott Zipp
Heats for the 20 Midgets went to Nick Wean, Brenden Bright and Drew Heistand.
COUNTY LINE RACEWAY AUGUST 6, 2011 ARDC Midgets Main Event (25 Laps) 20 Entries
1)83 Bruce Buckwalter Jr., 2) 78 Nick Wean, 3) 12 Drew Heistand, 4) 46 Brett Arndt, 5) 6 Dusty Heistand, 6) 19 Steve Drevicki, 7) 61 Parker Evans, 8) 01 Steve Bull, 9) 8 Keith McIntyre Jr., 10) 75 Scott Zipp, 11) 33 Ryan Smith, 12) 52 Tim Buckwalter, 13) 77 Alex Bright, 14) 49 Trevor Kobylarz, 15) 20 Bryan Kobylarz, 16) 3 Joe Butera, 17) 55 Steve Craig, 18) 2 Shawn Jackson, 19) 88 Brenden Bright, DNS 51 PJ Gargiulo Heats Nick Wean, Brenden Bright, Drew Heistand
UPCOMING EVENTS
Saturday, August 13 Winchester Speedway
Tuesday, August 16 New Egypt Speedway
Saturday, August 20 Port Royal Speedway
Saturday, September 03 Bridgeport Speedway (1/4 Mile)
Friday, September 16 Williams Grove Speedway
Saturday, October 15 Grandview Speedway (ToTH)
Saturday, October 29 Susquehanna Speedway Park
Sunday, October 30 Susquehanna Speedway Park (rain date)
FOR OFFICIAL POINT STANDINGS VISIT WWW.ARDCMIDGETS.COM
Aug 4 2011
ARDC HEADS TO NORTH CAROLINA FOR SOME HOT SUMMER RACING ACTION
by Steve Williams
The Wingless ARDC Midgets will make their annual Southern Tour this Friday and Saturday as they head to North Carolina.
On Friday evening at Dixieland Speedway in Elizabeth City NC the Midgets will be part of a six division show that includes, All Stars, Sportsman, Super 4’s, Super Streets, Stock 4’s.
On Saturday evening ARDC will be part of a five division show at County Line Raceway in Elm City, NC that includes, Pure Stock 4-Cylinders, Super Stock 4-Cylinders, Pure Stock V-8s, Late Models.
The southern swing is a highlight of many of the teams as they have developed quite a fan following and gained personal friendships since the inaugural series was started back in 2005.
The driver most looking forward to heading south is Phillipsburg, NJ’s Nick Wean. Wean, who won his first race of the season, last Saturday at Mercer Raceway Park, owns a win at both Dixieland and State Line. Wean currently sits second in points to Drew Heistand who also has one win.
Ryan Smith who got a slow start to the season has heated up as the temperatures have risen, this summer. Smith who claimed his first of three wins this season on Memorial Day currently sits third in points.
Bruce Buckwalter Jr. will have his Captain America 83 on hand to try to pickup his second Carolina checkered flag. Buckwalter was victorious at Dixieland in 2008.
Hot laps at Dixieland get underway at 7:00pm with racing at 8:00pm. Racing at County Line gets underway at 9:00pm.
Aug 3 2011
BCRA MIDGETS GEAR UP FOR 2-DAY HALL OF FAME WEEKEND
from BCRA
The mighty Midgets of the Bay Cities Racing Association are preparing for this weekends 2-day Hall of Fame weekend. Friday night will be round 1 at the 3/8 mile clay Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico, CA. This will be a co-sanctioned event with the USAC Western States Midgets and guests WMRA Midgets. Saturday will be the BCRA Hall of Fame induction picnic in Placerville at the El Dorado Fairgrounds, followed by racing action on the ¼ mile clay Placerville Speedway.
2-time BCRA Champion and 2011 BCRA Championship leader Nick Foster Jr. and 2009 BCRA Champion and 2011 USAC-WS Championship leader David Prickett lead the charge into this weekends events. Foster will driving the Fowler Motorsports #1 Beast/Esslinger, while Prickett will be in the #15 Neverlift/Pierovich Motorsports Spike/Van Dyne.
Top contenders include 2011 BCRA Dirt Championship leader Shannon McQueen aboard her #7 Spike/Esslinger, 7-time BCRA Champion Floyd Alvis aboard his #83 Stealth/Buick, Scott Pierovich in the Lance Pierovich #35 Spike/Mopar, Shane Golobic in the Doug Bock #26 Spike/Esslinger, Pete Davis in his “Hothead” #00 Stealth/Esslinger, Britton Bock in his #67 Spike/Esslinger, Matt Streeter in his #14jr Spike/Fontana, Dillon Silverman in the RAM Racing #4a Spike/Ecotec, Nick Chivello in the Blackwell Motorsports #27b Stealth/Ford and Kevin Morris in the Del Morris #17k Spike/Esslinger.
Also vying for victory will be Matt Mitchell in the Sala Racing #19 Spike/Mopar, Rick Holbrook in the Peggy Holbrook #6 Spike/Ecotec, Connor Kassik in the Neverlift Motorsports #15n TCR/Van Dyne, Danny Parker in the Bob Roza #28 Stealth/Esslinger, J.R. Williams in his #74 Stealth/Ecotec, Tom Doherty in the Walker Motorsports #66 Stealth/esslinger, Sean Dodenhoff in his #9 Spike/Fontana, Michael Snider in the Lauren Snider #2k Beast/Ford, Dan Jones in his #75 Spike/Ecotec, Travis Haugh in the Rich Haugh #5h Maxim/Chevy, Ryan Shupe in the Walker Motosports #10 Stealth/Esslinger and driver TBA in the Floyd Alvis #18 Stealth/Esslinger.
USAC drivers expected will be Cory Kruseman in the Kruseman Motorsports #21k Spike/Esslinger, Jake Swanson in the Swanson Motorsports #05 Stealth/Honda, Cody Swanson in the Kirk Swanson #71 Edmunds/Van Dyne, Randi Pankratz in the Wally Pankratz #8 Edmunds/Fontana, Jonathon Henry in the Ken Graunstadt #88 Ellis/Fontana and Chris Ennis in the Martens #97 TCR/Esslinger.
The BCRA Midget Lites will also be joining the Midgets for Saturday nights race at Placerville Speedway and the Vintage Division will be on display during the picnic. There are still tickets available for the picnic and the order form can be found on the BCRA website. Reserved tickets are $15 for Adults and $5 for Children, with prices going up to $20 an Adult at the picnic.
Follow along at www.bcraracing.com for news and results.
Aug 2 2011
"Lightning” McQueen Heads into BCRA Doubleheader With Dirt Points Lead
by Robert Haugh
Bakersfield’s Shannon McQueen is heading into this weekend’s Bay Cities Racing Association/USAC Western States co-sanctioned doubleheader as one of the frontrunners, setting her sight on victory lane behind the wheel of the McQueen racing #7 Spike/Esslinger.
The double header included races on Friday, August 5 at the ¼-mile Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico, CA and Saturday, August 6 at Placerville Speedway in Placerville, CA.
Shannon is coming off a very impressive second-place run at the paved Lakeport Speedway - her only pavement start of the year in Paul Eskesen’s Beast/Mopar.
After 12 races, including one feature victory, three seconds, seven Top 5s and 11 Top 10s, McQueen continues leading the Bay Cities Racing Association Dirt points, leading two-time BCRA champion Nick Foster, Jr. by 45 points heading into the doubleheader.
McQueen scored a fourth-place run at the John Padjen Classic at Silver Dollar Speedway in March, as well as scoring fourth and fifth place runs in two races at Placerville earlier this year.
The doubleheader race weekend will feature some of the best Midget racers from throughout California, as well as possible entries from Oregon and Washington. Expected competitors include USAC-WS points leader and 2009 BCRA champion David Prickett, BCRA points leader Foster, multiple-time race winners Scott Pierovich and Cory Kruseman, 1999 BCRA champion Matt Streeter plus several young guns such as Jake Swanson, 2008 BCRA rookie-of-the year Nick Chivello, recent race winner Kevin Morris and a plethora of other top Midget racers.
BCRA’s annual Jack London Bash Picnic and Hall of Fame, which celebrates the fabled history of the Bay Cities Racing Association, will precede Saturday’s race at Placerville.
McQueen Racing would like to thank all our wonderful sponsors: Lucas Oil Products, K&N Filters, Simpson Race Products, JE Piston Company, Advanced Racing Suspensions, Eibach Springs, Ruth Engineering, American Fabrication and Esslinger Racing Engines by Duane McQueen.
Dec 31 2011
Tony Stewart made a triumphant return to the Rumble in Fort Wayne
Winning the 50-lap midget feature in the opening night of the 14th annual indoor event. Racing at the 1/6-mile track for the first time in 3 years, Tony passed Dave Darland on lap 17 and rolled on to his eighth victory here in 13 starts before a nearly full house at the Memorial Coliseum Expo Center.
“It’s exciting to be back,” said Stewart. “This isn’t your normal weekly racing. You don’t get many chances to run indoors.
“It’s fun to race (here). It’s still a good time. We have lots of things going on in the (Stewart-Haas Racing) shop, so we didn’t get to race sprint cars in Australia this year. If you can’t race sprint cars in Australia, what could be better than to come back here?”
Dec 28 2011
Tony Stewart Set to Return to Chili Bowl!
Count Climbs to 254
TULSA, Okla. (December 27, 2011) – Three-time and reigning NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Tony Stewart makes his return to Tulsa in January as he is set to vie for a third Golden Driller in the 26th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals at the QuikTrip Center’s Tulsa Expo Raceway.
“Smoke Johnson” in Chili Bowl lore, Stewart ranks as just one of a handful of drivers to post multiple Chili Bowl triumphs after collecting wins in 2002 and 2007. Stewart tries to become just the second driver with more than two wins in the event set for January 10-14 at the QuikTrip Center’s Tulsa Expo Raceway.
Stewart, who has made it to the Chili Bowl championship feature event in ten of 12 previous tries, last competed in the Chili Bowl in 2008 with an eighth-place showing. He returns in a special edition black, carbon-fiber entry that has been dubbed the “Back in Black” car.
Stewart’s TSR Chevrolet Performance Parts No. 14 will be partnered with the CTR-BCI trio that includes NASCAR Nationwide champion Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., USAC Midget champion Bryan Clauson and Chili Bowl rookie contender Jake Blackhurst. Stenhouse, Jr., and Clauson have each started two Chili Bowl championship feature events, including last year’s 50-lap finale.
Returning after a three year absence, Stewart will compete in Tuesday night’s Fourth Annual Vacuworx International Race of Champions (VIROC IV) and then Wednesday night’s River Spirit Casino Qualifying event.
“Having taken a few years off from competing in the Chili Bowl, I’m really looking forward to returning to Tulsa and the event in 2012,” Stewart commented. “It’s one of the biggest Midget races of the year and it’s just a lot of fun to compete in the Chili Bowl. I’m also glad that we’ll be able to give our partners, Chevrolet and Chevrolet Performance Parts, another shot at a Golden Driller.”
Stenhouse, Jr., who climbed the Sprint Car and Midget ranks just as Stewart did, comes off a NASCAR Nationwide championship season with the Roush Fenway Racing team. A Chili Bowl championship main event starter over two of the past three years, Stenhouse, Jr., is slated for Tuesday night’s Warren CAT Qualifier as well as the VIROC IV event.
Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals Quick Facts:
What:
26th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals
Where:
Tulsa Expo Raceway – ¼-mile clay oval inside the QuikTrip Center at the Tulsa State Fairgrounds
When:
January 10-14, 2011
Tuesday – Warren CAT Qualifying Night plus Vacuworx Chili Bowl Race of Champions
Wednesday – River Spirit Casino Qualifying Night
Thursday – Suburban Chevrolet Qualifying Night
Friday – Vacuworx International Qualifying Night
Saturday – Lucas Oil Championship Feature Events
The five nights of racing action will be preceded by a practice session on Monday, January 9.
Past Winners: Kevin Swindell (2010 and 2011), Sammy Swindell (2009, 1998, 1996, 1992 and 1989), Damion Gardner (2008), Tony Stewart (2007 and 2002), Tim McCreadie (2006), Tracy Hines (2005), Cory Kruseman (2004 and 2000), Dan Boorse (2003 and 1999), Jay Drake (2001), Billy Boat (1997), Donnie Beechler (1995), Andy Hillenburg (1994), Dave Blaney (1993), Lealand McSpadden (1991), Jon Heydenreich (1990), Scott Hatton (1988), Rich Vogler (1987).
Trade Show: Always a popular attraction at the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals is the Trade Show, which is open to the public each day (Tuesday through Saturday) free of charge. All variety of racing products, apparel and more is available with well over 100 different vendors. The Trade Show covers approximately 20,000 square feet.
Tickets: A limited number of reserved seats for Tuesday night's Warren CAT Qualifying Event and the Fourth Annual Vacuworx International Chili Bowl Race of Champions are available for $43 per person and may be obtained by calling 918-838-3777 or at the gate if still available. Pit passes for all five nights are available at the gate as well.
Chili Bowl on the Net: All official news pertaining to the 26th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals, including official entry lists, race results and recaps, is available first at www.chilibowl.com. Also, all five nights of the Chili Bowl Nationals will be broadcast live (audio) on www.racinboys.com.
Additional information regarding the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals is available at http://www.chilibowl.com/ or by calling 918-838-3777
Dec 24 2011
Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Qualifying Nights Unveiled!
247 Entries Divvied Up Over Four Qualifying Nights
Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla. (December 23, 2011) – The qualifying night assignments for the 26th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals at the QuikTrip Center’s Tulsa Expo Raceway have been set, as the January 10-14 mega-event caps off the bowl season.
Currently, a total of 247 drivers representing 30 different states as well as Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Finland have registered for the event, with more likely before race time.
The star-studded field has been quartered and distributed among the four Qualifying nights running from Tuesday through Friday. The top three finishers from each night's main event will be locked into the Saturday night, January 14, 50-lap Chili Bowl championship main event with the balance of Saturday's lineups determined by qualifying night finishing positions.
A glance at each night's qualifying lineups, all tentative and subject to change, is as follows:
Tuesday, January 10 – Warren CAT Qualifying Night
Past Feature Starters (13): Jerry Coons, Jr. 12, Joe Boyles 3, Thomas Meseraull 3, Michael Pickens 3, Casey Shuman 3, Bubba Altig 2, Jac Haudenschild 2, Danny Stratton 2, Brady Bacon 1, Jonathan Beason 1, Darren Hagen 1, Kyle Larson 1, Bobby Michnowicz 1.
2011 Chili Bowl Main Event Starters: Michael Pickens (3rd), Jonathan Beason (4th), Jerry Coons, Jr. (11th), Jac Haudenschild (22nd), Thomas Meseraull (24th).
Rookies (14): Andee Beierle, Jake Blackhurst, Brenden Bright, Patrick Clark, Jimmy Harris, Davey Heskin, Bubba Hunt, Jason Lair, Tim Lynch, Kyle Smith, Jesse Sobbing, Matt Ward, Waylon Weaver, Ryan York.
On the Chili Bowl Seniority Charts: Steve Newman 20, Jerry Coons, Jr. 14, Joe Boyles 13, Floyd Alvis 10, Stephen Arnold 10, R.J. Johnson 10, Thomas Meseraull 10.
Tuesday's Entries: http://www.chilibowl.com/entries/manual.aspx?c=1032
Tuesday’s card will also include the Fourth Annual Vacuworx International Race of Champions. The contenders for VIROC IV honors will be announced soon.
Wednesday, January 11 – River Spirit Casino Qualifying Night
Past Feature Starters (12): Sammy Swindell 18, Jason Leffler 11, Brad Kuhn 6, Jon Stanbrough 6, Cole Whitt 4, Donnie Ray Crawford 3, Josh Ford 3, Zach Daum 1, Tony Roney 1, Gary Taylor 1, Brandon Waelti 1, Paul White 1.
2011 Chili Bowl Main Event Starters: Sammy Swindell (2nd), Brad Kuhn (6th), Cole Whitt (8th), Jon Stanbrough (9th), Donnie Ray Crawford (12th), Jason Leffler (20th).
Rookies (15): Clint Boyles, Taylor Lynn Ferns, Mike Lapp, Bob Lawlor, Wes McIntyre, Tyler Millwood, Tyler Reddick, Bryan Severs, Danny Smith, Kevin Thomas, Jr., Richard VanderWeerd, Dustin Weland, Robbie Whitchurch, Harli White, Ricky Wright.
On the Chili Bowl Seniority Charts: Sammy Swindell 21, David Camfield,Jr. 17, Jason Leffler 15, Nick O’Neal 13, Josh Ford 10, Brandon Waelti 10, Paul White 10.
Wednesday's Entries: http://www.chilibowl.com/entries/manual.aspx?c=1030
Thursday, January 12 – Suburban Chevrolet Qualifying Night
Past Feature Starters (14): Tracy Hines 11, Shane Cottle 8, J.J. Yeley 6, Steve Buckwalter 5, Matt Westfall 5, Damion Gardner 4, Kevin Swindell 3, Chris Windom 3, Don Droud, Jr. 2, Shane Golobic 2, Chad Boat 1, A.J. Fike 1, Mike Goodman 1, Brad Sweet 1.
2011 Chili Bowl Main Event Starters: Kevin Swindell (1st), Damion Gardner (14th), Shane Golobic (13th), Shane Cottle (21st), Steve Buckwalter (23rd).
Rookies (11): Ryan Bernal, Randy Boyer, A.J. Hopkins, Mike Hudson, Kip Hughes, Shawn Jackson, Steve Lewis, Donald McIntosh, Paige Polyak, Clint Schubert, Rick Shuman.
On the Chili Bowl Seniority Charts: Tracy Hines 15, J.J. Yeley 15, A.J. Fike 13, Tim Siner 13, Matt Westfall 13, Shane Cottle 12.
Thursday's Entries: http://www.chilibowl.com/entries/manual.aspx?c=1031
Friday, January 13 – Vacuworx International Qualifying Night
Past Feature Starters (13): Dave Darland 12, Cory Kruseman 10, Bobby East 5, Davey Ray 4, Bud Kaeding 3, Brad Loyet 3, Daryn Pittman 3, Rich Camfield 2, Bryan Clauson 2, Levi Jones 2, Brent Beauchamp 1, Shane Hollingsworth 1, Brad Mosen 1.
2011 Chili Bowl Main Event Starters: Bryan Clauson (5th), Bobby East (7th), Daryn Pittman (10th), Brad Loyet (13th), Cory Kruseman (16th), Dave Darland (18th).
Rookies (13): Chase Barber, Ryan Blakeman, Alex Bright, Kyle Edwards, David Gravel, Brandon Hahn, Markus Niemela, Alex Schutte, Jake Swanson, Jace VanderWeerd, Vinny Villeggiante, Mike Visser, Cole Wood
On the Chili Bowl Seniority Charts: Rich Camfield 21, Ron Kuhn 18, Dave Darland 14, Cory Kruseman 14, Johnny Murdock 14, Bud Kaeding 11, Shane Hollingsworth 10, Davey Ray 10.
Friday's Entries: http://www.chilibowl.com/entries/manual.aspx?c=1036
Dec 20 2011
Doing a google search for Powri midgets at the Battle at the Center, I found this complete main event with the California boys taking it to them,
Not very much spectator seating Crowd looked sparse? It
looked to Me like T-Mez had way to much forward bite or He might have won. Clausen on another tear?
aXe
Dec 19 2011
Bryan Clauson holds off T-Mez in
POWRI "2nd Annual Battle at the Center"
Clauson last summer Midget week at Lincoln spdwy photo by aXe
From the powri web site powri.com
Du Quoin, Ill. — The start of the indoor season of midget racing couldn't have had a more exciting finish as the 2nd Annual Battle at the Center took place on Saturday night in DuQuoin, Ill. The POWRI sanctioned event saw 51 cars unload for a stout purse and the action was intense for an excellent crowd at the Southern Illinois Center.
Bryan Clauson and Thomas Meseraull swapped the lead multiple times over the final 10 laps in a wheel-to-wheel battle to the checkered flag as Clauson was able to narrowly capture the victory as Meseraull gave chase across the finish line. Chett Gehrke, Defending champion Casey Shuman and Brad Kuhn rounded out the top-five finishers.
Afterwards, the Noblesville, Ind. driver and 2011 National USAC Driver of the Year, was excited about the the victory and the battle with Meseraull to the finish.
"We were able to race wheel without an incident and that was phenomenal. We fell back to third, but we were able to find a passing lane over there in one and two. . .I can't say enough about these guys behind me," Clauson said regarding his team members. "They did a phenomenal job with the track, I don't think I've seen this place that racy in a long time."
Meseraull, though disappointed in finishing one spot short of his goal, was equally excited about the battle for the top spot.
"Once it built a cushion and you can start hauling it up top. Me and Bryan slide jobbing like that, you'd have thought we were at Little Belleville with some banging you know. What a show. POWRi does a great job," the San Jose, Ca. pilot remarked on the front stretch following the finish.
The outcome was in doubt until the final lap in the event as Clauson led much of the early stages of the race as the 1/6 mile track began to widen out for the competitors. Meseraull, running second ahead of Austin Brown, Gehrke, Cameron Hagen and Tony Roney, had slipped back a bit as the caution flew for Hagen, who had banged the wall in turn two.
A promising run for Hagen was derailed with a flat right rear tire caused by the contact.
On the re-start, Meseraull made his bid for the lead in the AJ Felker-owned machine. He threw a solid slider at Clauson in turn one that nearly stuck and followed with several more over the next couple of laps looking to take over the point. Meseraull got the final one to stick as Clauson nearly spun off of turn one and dropped back to third briefly.
The NOS Energy Drink, Curb Records No. 39 wasn't going to stay there for long as he ratcheted up the attack and slipped back past Brown and on Meseraull's tail tank for second before Brad Loyet brought out a red flag when his Vacuworx Intl., Loyet Landscaping, Butlerbuilt Seats, Esslinger, Spike No. 05 got on its side off turn four.
With 10 laps remaining, Clauson made his final push as he and Brown fought for second, wheel-to-wheel ahead of Gehrke as Shuman and Kuhn tried to make up ground.
The final few laps was another war as Meseraull and Clauson battled for the top spot before Clauson was able to make a pass stick and hold on for the final few laps to record the $5,000 payday.
"It feels really good to fall behind and then rally back," Clauson said. "This place has kind of had my number. This is a place that I haven't really run well at in the last few years. To come here and run as strong as we did is a really great boost heading into the indoor season with the Chili Bowl and I'm actually going to New Zealand too. Kind of a great kick-off to the second part of my season. Those guys gave me a great NOS Energy Drink, Curb Records No. 39. It was just a matter of figuring it out. We kind of gave it away there earlier, we were fighting a little bit of a miss. We kind of cleared it up there towards the end of the race. I was able to figure out some things in turns one and two that I wanted to be able to make some passes."
"We had a great car. (AJ) Felker builds great cars. This car right here actually for the Chili Bowl. This car could win the Chili Bowl. We showed it tonight," Meseraull said. "Felker builds some of the best race cars in the business and he is one of the best for obvious reasons. I'd like to think I put on a good show out there. I was running second and I didn't have nothing, but I wanted to win so I started throwing sliders and putting on a show for you guys," Meseraull said. "This place can be kind of boring, but that couldn't have been boring!"
Meseraull started on the pole alongside Tyler Courtney followed by Olney, Ill. native Levi Jones and Clauson.
Clauson led early on in the main event before a pileup in turn three sent brought out a caution.
On a lap 14 re-start a pileup would collect Jones, Courtney and Loyet along with Brett Anderson to shuffle the top-five for the re-start.
When the feature went green again the dual between Clauson and T-Mez took shape for the remaining 20 laps of the 40-lap feature.
Ryan Blakeman produced one of the best efforts of the feature, making his way up from the 20th starting position to place 14th after he slipped back late. Shuman started ninth and crossed the line in fourth and Tim Siner came forward from a 19th starting spot to place 10th.
2nd Annual Battle at the Center at the Illinois State Fairgrounds
Qualifier one
(Top-7 advance to feature)
1. Brad Loyet, 2. Tyler Courtney, 3. Brett Anderson, 4. Chett Gehrke, 5. Brad Kuhn, 6. Mike Goodman, 7. Tim Siner, 8. Tyler Thomas, 9. Taylor Ferns, 10. Colten Cottle, 11. Jody Rosenboom, 12. John Campbell, 13. Kara King, 14. Dave Camefield Jr., 15. Ryan Pace, 16. Andrew Felker, 17. Derrek King
Qualifier two
1. Bryan Clauson, 2. Levi Jones, 3. Tony Roney, 4. Shane Cockrum, 5. Zach Daum, 6. Danny Stratton, 7. Ryan Blakeman, 8. Tyler Reddick, 9. Glen Styres, 10. Tyler Millwood, 11. Trevor Kobylarz, 12. Hunter Schurenberg, 13. Darren Kingston, 14. Jesse Sobbing, 15. Andee Beirle, 16. Steve Stroud, 17. Daniel Robinson
Qualifier three
1. Thomas Meseraull, 2. David Gough, 3. Casey Shuman, 4. Austin Brown, 5. Kyle Neal, 6. Cameron Hagen, 7. Donald McIntosh, 8. Michael J. Koontz, 9. Isaac Chapple, 10. Andy Huston, 11. Tim Lynch, 12. Joey Moughan, 13. Rick King, 14. Chris Morgan, 15. Danny Frye, 16. Danny Smith, 17. Rich Camfield
40-lap Feature
1. Bryan Clauson, 2. Thomas Meseraull, 3. Chett Gehrke, 4. Casey Shuman, 5. Brad Kuhn, 6. Danny Stratton, 7. Brett Anderson, 8. Shane Cockrum, 9. Mike Goodman, 10. Tim Siner, 11. Tony Roney, 12. Austin Brown, 13. David Gough, 14. Ryan Blakeman, 15. Zach Daum, 16. Kyle Neal, 17. Donald McIntosh, 18. Brad Loyet, 19. Levi Jones, 20. Tyler Courtney, 21. Cameron Hagen
Dec 15 2011
Chili Bowl Entry Count Soars Beyond 200!
Jerry Coons, Jr., (3nz) has started eight consecutive Chili Bowl main events
Brad Kuhn (17) is close behind at six in a row.
Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla. (December 14, 2011) – With the December 15 pre-entry discount deadline just one day away, the official entry count for the upcoming 26th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals at the QuikTrip Center’s Tulsa Expo Raceway broke through the 200 barrier on Wednesday.
With the blockbuster event set for January 10-14 less than four weeks from firing off, the current entry count is at 204 with drivers representing 26 states throughout the nation as well as Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Finland.
Twenty-one of last year’s 24 Chili Bowl championship feature starters, including two-time and defending Chili Bowl champion, are among the current entries as are all four of last year’s preliminary “A” Feature winners.
While preliminary feature winners Bryan Clauson, Donnie Ray Crawford and Sammy Swindell each return to the same team they cracked victory lane with last year, Friday night winner Shane Cottle makes the shift to the No. 71xx of Dr. Kenneth Love for the 2012 Chili Bowl.
Sixteen of last year’s feature starters return to the same team they represented last year, with a handful of drivers finding themselves in a new ride for the 2012 edition. In addition to Cottle, others making changes include Cole Whitt, Jon Stanbrough, Jerry Coons, Jr., and Jason Leffler.
Whitt, the 2010 Chili Bowl runner-up, makes his first Midget start since last year’s Chili Bowl aboard a Dooling Machine-owned No. 63 wrenched by Rusty Kunz, a team with ties to Jerry Coons, Jr., Danny Lendich-owned No. 3nz. Coons, Jr., has started eight consecutive Chili Bowl championship feature events, the longest active Bowl streak. Cottle and Brad Kuhn are next on the list at six in row.
Coming off a ranking of sixth in NASCAR Nationwide points, Leffler is ready for his 16th Chili Bowl try. This time around, Leffler teams with the Keith Kunz Motorsports camp that also includes fellow Cali shoes Kyle Larson, Bud Kaeding and Rico Abreu.
After a practice session on Monday, January 9, the 26th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals kicks off one night later with the first of four qualifying nights. Tuesday's Warren CAT Qualifier will also include the Fourth Annual Vacuworx International Chili Bowl Race of Champions, featuring past event winners and other top Chili Bowl contenders squaring off in a special feature race.
Action continues with Wednesday’s River Spirit Casino Qualifier, Thursday’s Suburban Chevrolet Qualifier and then Friday’s Vacuworx International Qualifier.
The top three finishers from each of the Qualifying Night features will automatically lock into the Saturday night, January 14, Lucas Oil Chili Bowl championship feature, with the balance of Saturday's Lucas Oil championship feature events lined up according to Qualifying Night finishes.
A limited number of reserved seats remain for Tuesday night's Warren CAT Qualifying event and Vacuworx International Chili Bowl Race of Champions for just $43 apiece. Tickets may be obtained by calling the ticket office at 918-838-3777.
Additional information regarding the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals is available at http://www.chilibowl.com/.
Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals Pre-Entry Stats:
Most Chili Bowls Competed In (Among Pre-Entered Drivers): Rich Camfield 21, Sammy Swindell 21, Steve Newman 20, David Camfield, Jr. 17, Tracy Hines 15, Jason Leffler 15, J.J. Yeley 15, Jerry Coons, Jr. 14, Dave Darland 14, Cory Kruseman 14, Joe Boyles 13, A.J. Fike 13, Nick O’Neal 13, Tim Siner 13, Matt Westfall 13, Shane Cottle 12, Bud Kaeding 11, Floyd Alvis 10, Josh Ford 10, Shane Hollingsworth 10, R.J. Johnson 10, Thomas Meseraull 10, Davey Ray 10, Paul White 10, Don Droud, Jr. 9, Damion Gardner 9, Brad Kuhn 9, Gary Taylor 9, Daryn Pittman 9, Travis Berryhill 8, Cody Brewer 8, Steve Buckwalter 8, Brad Loyet 8, Doug McCune 8, Todd McVay 8, Matt Sherrell 8, Jon Stanbrough 8, Danny Stratton 8.
Chili Bowl Championship Feature Starts (Among Pre-Entered Drivers): Sammy Swindell 18, Jerry Coons, Jr. 12, Dave Darland 12, Tracy Hines 11, Jason Leffler 11, Cory Kruseman 10, Shane Cottle 8, Brad Kuhn 6, Jon Stanbrough 6, J.J. Yeley 6, Steve Buckwalter 5, Matt Westfall 5, Damion Gardner 4, Davey Ray 4, Cole Whitt 4, Joe Boyles 3, Donnie Ray Crawford 3, Josh Ford 3, Bud Kaeding 3, Brad Loyet 3, Thomas Meseraull 3, Michael Pickens 3, Daryn Pittman 3, Casey Shuman 3, Kevin Swindell 3, Chris Windom 3, Rich Camfield 2, Bryan Clauson 2, Don Droud, Jr. 2, Shane Golobic 2, Jac Haudenschild 2, Levi Jones 2, Danny Stratton 2, Brady Bacon 1, Jonathan Beason 1, Brent Beauchamp 1, Chad Boat 1, Zach Daum 1, A.J. Fike 1, Mike Goodman 1, Darren Hagen 1, Shane Hollingsworth 1, Kyle Larson 1, Bobby Michnowicz 1, Brad Mosen 1, Tony Roney 1, Gary Taylor 1, Paul White 1.
Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals Quick Facts:
What: 26th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals
Where: Tulsa Expo Raceway – ¼-mile clay oval inside the QuikTrip Center at the Tulsa State Fairgrounds
When: January 10-14, 2011
Tuesday – Warren CAT Qualifying Night plus Vacuworx Chili Bowl Race of Champions
Wednesday – River Spirit Casino Qualifying Night
Thursday – Suburban Chevrolet Qualifying Night
Friday – Vacuworx International Qualifying Night
Saturday – Lucas Oil Championship Feature Events
The five nights of racing action will be preceded by a practice session on Monday, January 9.
Past Winners: Kevin Swindell (2010 and 2011), Sammy Swindell (2009, 1998, 1996, 1992 and 1989), Damion Gardner (2008), Tony Stewart (2007 and 2002), Tim McCreadie (2006), Tracy Hines (2005), Cory Kruseman (2004 and 2000), Dan Boorse (2003 and 1999), Jay Drake (2001), Billy Boat (1997), Donnie Beechler (1995), Andy Hillenburg (1994), Dave Blaney (1993), Lealand McSpadden (1991), Jon Heydenreich (1990), Scott Hatton (1988), Rich Vogler (1987).
Trade Show: Always a popular attraction at the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals is the Trade Show, which is open to the public each day (Tuesday through Saturday) free of charge. All variety of racing products, apparel and more is available with well over 100 different vendors. The Trade Show covers approximately 20,000 square feet.
Tickets: A limited number of reserved seats for Tuesday night's Warren CAT Qualifying Event and the Fourth Annual Vacuworx International Chili Bowl Race of Champions are available for $43 per person and may be obtained by calling 918-838-3777 or at the gate if still available. Pit passes for all five nights are available at the gate as well.
Chili Bowl on the Net: All official news pertaining to the 26th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals, including official entry lists, race results and recaps, is available first at www.chilibowl.com. Also, all five nights of the Chili Bowl Nationals will be broadcast live (audio) on www.racinboys.com.
Additional information regarding the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals is available at http://www.chilibowl.com/ or by calling 918-838-3777
It’s Beginning to Feel a Lot Like… The Chili Bowl!
East, Kruser & Golobic going at it!
Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla. (December 2011) – The first dose of winter has settled upon the city of Tulsa, Oklahoma. The initial round of sub-freezing temperatures has arrived with a few random flurries here and there to serve as further evidence just in case those blustery north winds hadn’t given enough cause to take notice.
And, that can mean just one thing; the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals can’t be far off.
The 26th edition of the prestigious event at the Tulsa State Fairgrounds’ QuikTrip Center is but just a few short weeks away, with top drivers from throughout the world kicking up the clay on the ¼-mile Tulsa Expo Raceway clay oval before a packed house each night from January 10-14 after a Monday practice session on January 9.
True, Chili Bowlers are occasionally greeted to the Sooner State with weather conditions ideal for getting in a round of golf during the day before taking in the most thrilling race action of the year at night. And, there have been enough at the other end of the weather spectrum, that can’t be denied either.
Warm or frigid cold, rain, ice or shine, it matters not. The Midget racing action is always red-hot atop the ¼-mile clay oval at the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals.
After overcoming the odds to become the first back-to-back winner in event history last January, 22-year-old Kevin Swindell will gun for an unprecedented three-peat this time around. Even if the Memphis-area native can prevail over a field of 250-ish entries for a third consecutive time, he’ll still be two Golden Drillers shy of his father Sammy Swindell, who has topped the Chili Bowl an unmatched five times.
Back-to-back had seemed unlikely. His father hadn’t been able to on five previous tries. Nor had Tony Stewart, newly-crowned NASCAR Sprint Cup champion, after Chili Bowl triumphs in 2002 and 2007. Nor had the likes of 14 other past Chili Bowl champions including Damion Gardner, Tim McCreadie, Tracy Hines, Cory Kruseman, Dan Boorse, Jay Drake, Billy Boat, Donnie Beechler, Andy Hillenburg, Dave Blaney, Lealand McSpadden, Johnny Heydenreich, Scott Hatton and Vich Vogler.
Going for three in a row and getting the job done would be borderline Herculean.
After all, the approximately 250 entries for the event are filled with champion upon champion from all varieties of racing. With so much talent packed into one place, teams prepping the best of the best equipment for a run at the coveted Golden Driller and the surplus of tight racing action on the well-manicured track, the slightest of miscues over the course of the week can essentially turn a contender into a pretender in the mere blink of an eye.
But, make no mistake; Kevin Swindell will be there to try for the three-peat. The question is, can anybody stop him in the 26th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals 50-lap championship finale on Saturday night, January 14? And, if so, who will it be?
West Coast Has Strong Chili Bowl Ties
With Over 50 Entries Already Entered as Chili Bowl pre-Entry Deadline Nears
By Robert Haugh
With up to over 250 entries, it’s no wonder that the 26th Annual Chili Bowl Midget Nationals is the Super Bowl of Midget racing.
Attracting the best Midget racers from throughout the U.S. and beyond, as well as a myriad of racing stars from an array of series including NASCAR, NHRA, WOO, it’s no surprise that with the pre-entry deadline looming on December 15, there are already over 50 drivers and teams from the West Coast gunning at winning the 26th Annual Chili Bowl Midget Nationals and capturing the coveted Golden Driller trophy awarded on Saturday, January 14th.
An array of West Coast Midget champions, feature winners, veterans, young guns and car owners, many representing the Bay Cities Racing Association, USAC-Western States, Washington Midget racing Association, Rocky Mountain Midget Racing Association and the Northwest Wingless Tour and NOMA Midgets are already entered in the 26th Annual Chili Bowl.
With so many championships, feature wins and accolades amidst the field, we will start with recent West Coast Midget champions: 2011 USAC-Western States and VRA Midget champion Cory Kruseman (two-time Chili Bowl champion, 2004, 2000) aboard the Kruseman Motorsports #21k Lucas Oil Spike/Esslinger, 2009 BCRA champion and 2011 USAC-Western States Car owner champion David Prickett of Fresno, CA piloting the Neverlift Motorsports #15p Manitowoc-Prickett’s Distributing-Crysalli-Fruitful Juice Spike/Van Dyne Chevy, 2011 BCRA Dirt Midget champion Shannon McQueen of Tehachapi, CA in the McQueen Racing #7 Murf Dogg Racing-R.C. 4 Less-American Waste Control-Simpson Race Products-K&N Filters Spike/Esslinger, 2007 BCRA champion Justin Grant of Ione, CA chauffeuring Larry Gardner’s #35 Stealth/Frampton Gaerte, 7-time BCRA champion “Ageless Wonder” Floyd Alvis manning his Champion Automotive #18 Stealth/Wesmar, 2004 BCRA champion and multi-time feature winner Thomas Meseraull wheeling Mark Bush’s #2T EF-65 Hand Cleaner Spike/Esslinger, former Chili Bowl winner and former USAC/CRA champion Damion Gardner of Concord, CA in the Loyet Motorsports #05g Spike/Esslinger, 1999 BCRA champion Matt Streeter of Galt, CA in his #14jr S&S Automotive-T&T Trucking-ART Enterprises Spike/S&S, multiple-time Silver Crown and Sprint Car champion Bud Kaeding of Campbell, CA aboard the #2 Keith Kunz Motorsports entry and former NWWT and NOMA Midget champion Time Pyle of Gresham, Oregon in his #71p Spike/Brayton.
Joining the all-female McQueen Racing stable will be Guthrie, Oklahoma’s Michelle Decker aboard Shannon McQueen’s #7d Waurika Truck & Tire-Carter Custom Finishes-Starship Trucking-Simpson Race Products-Quantum Consulting Spike/Esslinger and Lindsay, Oklahoma’s Harli White (16-year-old Chili Bowl rookie) aboard McQueen’s #7w American Waste Control-Waurika Truck & Tire-Quantum Consulting-K&N Filters-Eibach Springs Spike/Esslinger.
Joining the Neverlift Motorsports team will be Lake Havasu City, Arizona’s Connor Kassik, the 2011 USAC-Western States Rookie-of-the-Year piloting the Neverlift Motorsports #15k Crysalli-Manitowoc-Fruitful Juice-Prickett’s Distributing TCR/Chevy and Fresno’s T.J. Smith aboard the #15s Neverlift Motorsports Crysalli-Manitowoc-Fruitful Juice-Prickett’s Distributing Spike/Van Dyne Chevy. Smith is coming off of a stellar Chili Bowl run in a McQueen racing mount in 2011, in which he advanced to B-Main 2.
Alvis’ 2012 Chili Bowl foray will see him team with San Carlos’ Bob Lawlor in Alvis’ #83x B.L. Transport-Champion Automotive-Lindsey Enterprises-F&D Welding Stealth/Gaerte. It will be Lawlor’s first Chili Bowl appearance.
Joining the potent Kruseman stable are Las Vegas’ Patrick Clark in the #17k Kruseman Motorsports Spike/Esslinger, Omaha, Nebraska’s Brian Deegan in the #38k Kruseman Motorsports Spike/Esslinger and the #12k Kruseman Motorsports Spike/Esslinger entry with a driver TBA.
Other top West Coast entrants include two-time A-main qualifier Shane Golobic of Fremont, CA aboard Doug Bock’s #26 Get Som Sports-Bicycles Inc. (Ft. Worth, TX)-Country Builders-Piners Welding Supply & Driveline Service Spike/Esslinger, American Canyon’s Travis Berryhill aboard the Manic Racing #11b Vallejo Coin Exchange-Red Line Oil-Racing 2 Cure-Fairfield Inn & Suites-Advance Racing Stealth/Fontana, current NASCAR Truck series driver Cole Whitt (2011 A-Main eighth place finisher) of Alpine, CA aboard the Dooling Machine Inc. #63 Spike/Esslinger, two-time (2008, 2009) A-Main qualifier Josh Ford of Oxnard, CA in the Keith Ford #73 Spike/Bob Wirth, 2010 A-Main qualifier Kyle Larson of Elk Grove, CA aboard the Keith Kunz Motorsports #67, NASCAR veteran Jason Leffler aboard the Keith Kunz Motorsports #71, Stockton’s Johnathon Henry aboard the Graundstadt Enterprises #88 Ellis/Fontana, Angwin’s Britton Bock in his #67x McNamara Electric-Mike Bock-Driveline Service of Santa Rosa-Pete’s Tractor Service Spike/Esslinger, Washington native Gary Taylor aboard the Loyet Motorsports #05g Spike/Esslinger, Arizona’s Chad Boat aboard Robbie & Gaye Allen’s #12b Spike/Esslinger, Bakersfield’s Sean Dodenhoff aboard his #9d Spike/Fontana, Texas’ Harris Brooks in Dodenhoff’s #9b EMC/Fontana, Rutherford, CA’s Rico Abreu in the Keith Kunz Motorsports #67k, Cole Peard of Quincy, CA in Gordon & Alisa Peard’s #58 F5 Twister, Riverside’s Darren Hagen in the #3 RFMS Racing Spike/Esslinger, Corning, CA’s Tyler Reddick in the 2B Racing #2b Spike/Fontana, Arizona’s Josh Pelkey aboard Robbie & Gaye Allen’s #12jr Spike/Esslinger, Brent Camarillo in Brian Camarillo’s #51 Spike/Ed Pink Chevy, Brian Camarillo in the Bill Camarillo #22 Spike/Fontana, Moorpark, CA’s Kyle Smith in his own #55 Spike/Chevy, Ronnie Gardner in the #71s Keith Ford Spike/Essl
inger, Danny Stratton, Arizona’s Terry Goodwin in Misty Goodwin’s #2g Spike/Fontana, Lomita’s Kevin Michonowicz in the #21jr Ron Bach Spike/Gaerte Bobby Michonowicz in the #49jr Ron Bach Spike/Esslinger and Oklahoma’s Ricky Wright aboard the #35w Douglas & Britton Bock Get Som Sports TCR/Esslinger.
It’s Beginning to Feel a Lot Like… The Chili Bowl !
G.T. Miller photo
Bobby East, Cory the "Kruser" and John Golobic going hard at it!
Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla. (December 2011) – The first dose of winter has settled upon the city of Tulsa, Oklahoma. The initial round of sub-freezing temperatures has arrived with a few random flurries here and there to serve as further evidence just in case those blustery north winds hadn’t given enough cause to take notice.
And, that can mean just one thing; the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals can’t be far off.
The 26th edition of the prestigious event at the Tulsa State Fairgrounds’ QuikTrip Center is but just a few short weeks away, with top drivers from throughout the world kicking up the clay on the ¼-mile Tulsa Expo Raceway clay oval before a packed house each night from January 10-14 after a Monday practice session on January 9.
True, Chili Bowlers are occasionally greeted to the Sooner State with weather conditions ideal for getting in a round of golf during the day before taking in the most thrilling race action of the year at night. And, there have been enough at the other end of the weather spectrum, that can’t be denied either.
Warm or frigid cold, rain, ice or shine, it matters not. The Midget racing action is always red-hot atop the ¼-mile clay oval at the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals.
After overcoming the odds to become the first back-to-back winner in event history last January, 22-year-old Kevin Swindell will gun for an unprecedented three-peat this time around. Even if the Memphis-area native can prevail over a field of 250-ish entries for a third consecutive time, he’ll still be two Golden Drillers shy of his father Sammy Swindell, who has topped the Chili Bowl an unmatched five times.
Back-to-back had seemed unlikely. His father hadn’t been able to on five previous tries. Nor had Tony Stewart, newly-crowned NASCAR Sprint Cup champion, after Chili Bowl triumphs in 2002 and 2007. Nor had the likes of 14 other past Chili Bowl champions including Damion Gardner, Tim McCreadie, Tracy Hines, Cory Kruseman, Dan Boorse, Jay Drake, Billy Boat, Donnie Beechler, Andy Hillenburg, Dave Blaney, Lealand McSpadden, Johnny Heydenreich, Scott Hatton and Vich Vogler.
Going for three in a row and getting the job done would be borderline Herculean.
After all, the approximately 250 entries for the event are filled with champion upon champion from all varieties of racing. With so much talent packed into one place, teams prepping the best of the best equipment for a run at the coveted Golden Driller and the surplus of tight racing action on the well-manicured track, the slightest of miscues over the course of the week can essentially turn a contender into a pretender in the mere blink of an eye.
But, make no mistake; Kevin Swindell will be there to try for the three-peat. The question is, can anybody stop him in the 26th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals 50-lap championship finale on Saturday night, January 14? And, if so, who will it be?
Entry
Driver entry is just $150 if filed by today December 15.
Entries filed after the pre-entry deadline are $200.
