Not from just out West, Like these SRL Supers running at Madera
Jan 29 2010
Dino Oberto
Pennsylvania
Contributor to OWR3
No Waiting for Spring: Barry Callavini Modified Heading to Florida Speed Weeks
By Dino Oberto …. “Keeping Track”
Although the Northeast racing season is still a few months away, one local driver is not waiting that long and will be getting a jumpstart by heading down to Florida to compete in the annual Speed Weeks.
Barry Callavini of Harwood, a headline driver at Sundance Vacations Speedway in St. Johns, where he has won 30 features and owns a track title during a 15-year span, will be hauling his Modified racecar to New Smyrna Speedway as he is entered in the 44th Annual World Series of Stock Car Racing.
As the name implies this event has been an ongoing season kickoff for pavement racers. Likewise a host of dirt tracks in the same area run similar events that are centered around the action at Daytona.
“We went there back in 2008 and ran with the SK (Sport) Modifieds. We feel that our program now is to the point that we can make a return and maybe have a good run down there,” said 41-year old Callavini who runs both Sport and Tour type Mods back home.
“We have a newer car and did a complete rebuild on it and we’ve done been working at getting more organized to be prepared to compete on their level down there.”
Callavini will be engrossed in eight straight nights of racing beginning Friday, February 5 and concluding on February 12th with the prestigious Richie Evans Memorial 100.
Running eight consecutive nights is a grind for most of those racers which in some cases it’s the equivalent of a half season crammed into one week.
“You have to be equipped with a lot of extra parts. You try to think of anything you may need and be prepared to make sure everything is right. On a trip like this you can’t take any chances. You have to go everything and make sure it’s right. You have to avoid any foreseeable gremlins that could pop up,” explained Callavini.
Callavini will have area sponsors Sundance Vacations and D & B Towing embossed in his #41 Modified car and will have the aide of Jason James, Mark Strenchak, Mike Odwazny and his father, Joe Callavini as the crew.
For the World Series points are tallied after every race and an overall champion crowned. For Callavini he has a twofold plan. Try and maintain consistency and look for a respectable point finish. If that doesn’t pan out then simply aim for wins.
“Our plan is to be fairly conservative early on in the week and kind of see how the chips fall. If we have a couple of bad nights that will change our outlook on it and we’ll then not be looking for points for the whole week we’ll just look to win races instead.”
In the Modified class which he will be in most of the drivers are regulars on the NASCAR Whelan Modified Tour and in the world of pavement short track racing they are the best in the business.
“It’s a level of competition that we’re not use to competing against. If we can go down there and run top-10 to top-5 we’ll be thrilled. Not that we’re going to go there and not try for a win but just to be able to compete amongst the talent that’s going to be there we’d be thriller to be able to stay competitive with them,” said Callavini.
Every week at his home track at Sundance Callavini runs against a tough group of racers. However, by taking his talents on the road and squaring off against drivers from the NASCAR Modified Tour it will enable him to enhance his ability when the weekly action starts here in April.
“It puts a little more strain on our program as far as being prepared because we have to start a little earlier than normal. I feel though that the more tracks you run the more seat time you have and the more that helps,” he added.
“In that regard I see that as an advantage for when we’re running local. I feel any racing we do elsewhere is going to help me back home. We want to prove to ourselves that we can go out and compete with other drivers at other tracks and be successful.”
When the 2010 season at Sundance Vacations Speedway gets under way in mid April, Callavini plans to do double duty, running in both the Tour Type Mods and Sport Mods. Last year he was a top four point finisher in both classes.
“I’m looking right now at trying to run the full season at Sundance Vacations Speedway with both the tour Mod and the Sport Mod. We’re also planning to hit a few of the Race of Champions Tour races that fit into our schedule and any other races that don’t conflict with our weekly shows.
Jan 9 2010
Ready To Get your autographs ?
at the Motorsports 2010 presented by StreetBlaze 100
Ready To Get your autographs ? at the
The seven drivers, who topped their respective divisions in the
Northeast, will be appearing at Motorsports 2010 presented by
StreetBlaze 100 at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, Pa.,
which is scheduled from January 22-24, 2010.
Ted Christopher, who had the most asphalt Modified wins and most
overall in the Northeast, will headline a list of top-division winners
on Saturday, Jan. 23.
Christopher will be joined by Tommy Cloce (asphalt Late Model), Tim
Shaffer (open cockpit), Matt Sheppard (dirt big-block Modified), Ryan
Smith (Micro Sprint Car) and Kenny Tremont (dirt 358-Modified)
They will be signing autographs at the AARN booth from 2:30-4 p.m.
World of Outlaws Late Model Series champion Josh Richards of
Shinnston, W. Va., will meet with racing fans and sign autographs on
Friday, Jan. 22, from 4-5:30 p.m. at the Area Auto Racing News booth.
A specially-designed poster highlighting each division winner will be
unveiled to race fans during Richards’ 90-minute visit and then be
available during Saturday's session as well.
Due to other commitments, Richards, who is planning to compete in the
ARCA Series race at Daytona International Speedway in February, is
scheduled to visit on Friday only.
The top divisional winners will receive $200, plaque and overnight
stay in King of Prussia, Pa., if they attend the event. The six
drivers taking part in the Jan. 23 autograph signing will be honored
on stage during the evening Ms. Motorsports competition.
In addition, Christopher will receive an additional $500 for winning
the most feature events.
A brief look at the top feature winners who will be honored at
Motorsports 2010:
Ted Christopher – The Plainville, Conn., captured 24
feature victories this season in six different states. Christopher won
racing events indoors and outdoors, aboard Modified stock cars and
Three-Quarter Midgets. In a span of five days in Modified action at
New Smyrna Speedway, Christopher won four feature races.
Tommy Cloce - The Canton, N.Y., won 12 countable
asphalt Late Model features including the track title at
Adirondack (N.Y.) International Raceway. He was named the Joe Gibbs
Driven Racing Oil ASA Member track champion.
Josh Richards – The Shinnston, W.Va., captured 15 dirt
Late Model features in 2009, which was highlighted with his
first career WoO LM Series title. Richards opened the season by
claiming five feature races with three different series in Florida.
Tim Shaffer - The All Star Circuit of Champions titlist
from Aliquippa, Pa., captured 13 Sprint Car feature events. In
addition to the nine series wins, he won major events at Knoxville
Raceway and a World of Outlaws-sanctioned main at Rolling Wheels
Raceway.
Matt Sheppard - The Waterloo, N.Y., resident hounded
Super DIRTcar Series champion Brett Hearn all season as he claimed 20
(big-block Modified) main events. His highlight came during Super DIRT
Week at the New York State Fairgrounds where he won the Rite Aid 200.
Ryan Smith – The Kunkletown, Pa., native most recently
won an indoor Modiifed Midget main at the Ft. Wayne (Ind.) Expo
Center, which added to his already 25-win total in Micro Sprint Car
action. Smith won main events at nine different venues in 2010.
Kenny Tremont – The West Sand Lake, N.Y., resident scored
11 of his 14 victories this past season in 358-Modified action. He won
358-Modified events at Albany-Saratoga Speedway and Devil’s Bowl
Speedway.
NASCAR Sprint Cup stars Kasey Kahne and Marcos Ambrose will be
signing autographs during the weekend as will NASCAR legend Bobby Allison,
NASCAR crew chief Frankie Kerr, NHRA drag racing star Morgan Lucas, Fox
and Speed television racing broadcaster Jeff Hammond plus a host of other
national, regional and local racing stars and personalities.
Fans and exhibitors looking for lodging should be in touch with the
Radisson Valley Forge Hotel for special show room rates.
The hotel offers free parking. Telephone 610-337-2000 or 800-333-3333.
Mention the reservation code “Motorsports” to get the special reduced
rate while they last. The hotel is located less than 5 miles from the
Expo Center.
Details on exhibiting can be had by contacting Danny Sammons or Tim
Hogue at 609-888-3618.
Information on the show along with latest news can be found at www.aarn.com
. Exhibitor and ticket information can be had at 609-888-3618.
2010 Starts here
Nov 8 2009
CONCORD, N.C. - In 2008 Burt Myers proved that Southern Modified drivers had what it took to beat out their Northern brethren.
By Shawn Courchesne on November 7, 2009
Last year Myers became the first Southern driver in the six years of the North-South Shootout at Concord Speedway to win the Tour Type Modified feature.
Saturday Myers showed that his 2008 Southern rising was no fluke. Myers, of Walnut Cove, N.C., held off Whelen Modified Tour regulars Rowan Pennink and Doug Coby over the late stages to win the North-South Shootout 125 at Concord Speedway.
"We are in the South, this is Concord, this is our place," Myers said. "I love racing against those Northern guys. I was so proud to be the first Southern guy to win it and I'm even prouder to be the first Southern guy to win it twice."
Pennink, of Huntingdon Valley, Pa., was second and Coby, of Milford, third.
Myers, who started fourth, had the dominant car all race, leading from the eighth lap on.
"We really thought about changing this car when we unloaded Thursday," Myers said. "We contemplated and we put it on the truck. We thought it about changing it on Friday and then we put it on the truck. It was a struggle with these guys to convince them to leave it alone. We got it just right like we did last year."
Myers was leading the race when the seventh caution of the day flew on lap 71 after Coby spun from second place. The yellow sent all the lead lap cars down pit road. Pennink came to the pits in sixth but a quick stop had him rolling before anybody.
But it was some strategy and a quick pedal foot that allowed Myers to stave of Pennink's attempt at a pit road overtaking.
When Myers came into the pits he realized if he came in the box straight he would get pinned into the stall when Ryan Preece, pitting in front of him, came in at angle. So Myers got proactive, setting his front end at an angle pointing out in the box to avoid getting blockaded.
"I really felt [my crew was] going to have to back me up to get out so I dumped the clutch and whipped that thing around there like I did," Myers said. "It worked."
Pennink look ready to roll by Myers' pit stall, but at the last moment Myers gunned it out of the box and just in front of Pennink to lead the race off of pit road.
"I thought I had him beat there," Pennink said. "I didn't want to go too fast down pit lane and get yelled at. I was thinking 'Just keep it on the outside of him' but then he just did a burnout and pulled right in front of me. I figured I'd back off and not wreck the racecar on pit lane."
Said Myers: "That was very pivotal. Our car was probably better than his but you know track position was very critical. If he had beat me out of the pits I don't know if we'd be in victory lane right now. Hats off to my guys, they got me out front and made my job a lot easier."
Coby rallied quickly from his spin, working his way back to third by lap 87.
"Something was going on with the front of the car," Coby said. "It started vibrating the more I ran. Everything got so bound up. Something happened [when I spun], I was paying more attention to the front, I think when I tried to correct it the car just slid around. It was weird. Coming back through, it was good for 25-30 laps and then the same thing came back."
From lap 90 to 110 Pennink and Coby each looked like they might have something for Myers, but over the final 15 laps the defending champion was able to pull away.
"When I first got out behind him I was just letting him go to see if he would burn out his tires and I was saving," Pennink said. "Then with about 30 to go I went for it and I just didn't quite have enough."
The early stages of the race proved tedious with six cautions and two red flag periods over the first 20 laps. Pole-sitter Chuck Hossfeld wrecked while battling for the lead with Matt Hirschman on lap five, collecting a number of the event's top contenders, including Ted Christopher and Preece.
Pennink sustained front end damage in the lap five wreck.
"For the car in that condition I thought we gave him a pretty good run for his money there in the end," Pennink said.
Hirschman then wrecked on lap eight just after Myers passed him for the lead.
125-lap North-South Shootout Tour Type Modified finish
1. Burt Myers, Walnut Cove, N.C.
2. Rowan Pennink, Huntingdon Valley, Pa.
3. Doug Coby, Milford
4. Matt Hirschman, Northampton, Pa.
5. Jamie Tomaino, Howell, N.J.
6. George Brunnhoelzl III, Mooresville, N.C.
7. Eric Goodale, Riverhead, N.Y.
8. Jimmy Zacharias, Candor, N.Y.
9. Pete Brittain, Oakhurst, N.J.
10. Anthony Sesely, Matawan, N.J.
11. Zane Zeiner, Bath, Pa.
12. Keith Rocco, Wallingford
13. Woody Pitkat, Stafford
14. Daren Scherer, Binghamton, N.Y.
15. Danny Bohn, Huntersville, N.C.
16. Dave Pecko, Vandling, Pa.
17. Gene Pack, North Myrtle Beach, S.C.
18. George Kent, Elmira, N.Y.
19. Rick Kluth, Brockport, N.Y.
20. Ryan Preece, Berlin
21. Eric Beers, Northampton, Pa.
22. Jeff Malave, Manchester
23. Jason Myers, Walnut Cove, N.C.
24. Josh Nichols, Cleveland, N.C.
25. Ted Christopher, Plainville
26. Andy Seuss, Hampstead, N.H.
27. J.R. Bertuccio, Statesville, N.C.
28. Frank Fleming, Mount Airy, N.C.
29. Earl Paules, Palmerton, Pa.
30. Chuck Hossfeld, Lockport, N.Y.
31. Les Hinckley III, Windsor Locks
32. Bobby Grigas III, Marshfield, Mass.
33. James Civali, Meriden
Nov 1
Oct 31 2009
Qualifications.
1. 85 Jeff Russell 12.803
2. 98 Troy Regier
3. 91 Brian Warf
4. 32 Jim Birges
5. 7 AJ Russell
6. 32 KirkWartman
7. 2 RickCameron
8. 89 Tim Skoland
9. 8x George Greenway
10. 15 Willie Northammer
11. 34 Justin Mack
12. 28 Ray Stebbins
Heat #1
1. AJ Russell
2. J Russell
3. Bryan Warf
4. Rick Cameron
5. George Greenway
6. Justin Mack DNS
Heat #2
1. Jim Birges
2. Troy Regier
3. Tim Skoglund
4. Kirk Wartman
5. Willie Northammer
6. Ray Stebbins
Main Event
1. Troy Regier 
Jack Rhyne image
2. Bryan Warf
3. J Russell
4. Tim Skoglund
5. Rick Cameron
6. Kirk Wartman
7. Willie Northammer
8. Jim Birges
9. George Greenway
10. AJ Russell
11. Ray Stebbins
12. Justin Mack DNS
Oct 26 2009
XtraMart World Series of Speedway Racing on Sunday, October 25, 2009
Thompson, CT: What a difference a day makes. After a rain soaked Saturday, the skies were crystal clear making the way for eleven feature events for the culmination of the XtraMart World Series of Speedway Racing on Sunday, October 25, 2009. Drivers from all over the northeast competed with winning drivers coming from five different states in New England.
Whelen Modified Tour.
Ted Christopher of Plainville, CT, book-ended the season with Thompson Speedway victories. The veteran racer opened the season with a victory in the Icebreaker and capped off the 2009 season with a World Series win.
NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour
Donny Lia secured the championship with his fourth-place finish.
International Supermodified Association
A last lap pass found Chris Perley of Rowley, MA, in (ISMA) victory lane.
Northeastern Midget Association
Nokie Fornoro of Stroudsburg, PA, scored the 30-lap main event to send his retiring car owner out in grand style.
Sunoco Modified
Ronnie Silk of Norwalk, CT, came out on top of a fierce battle to score the World Series win. In racing of the Late Model variety it was Mike O’Sullivan of Springfield, MA, scoring the Super Late Models victory; his brother Tommy made it a family affair winning the Late Models. Rick Gentes of Woonsocket, RI, continued his domination of the Outlaw Late Models with a dominating performance.
Other winners included
Larry Barnett of Moosup, CT, in the Limited Sportsman
Sean Foster of Middletown, CT, in the Outlaw Strictly Stocks
Beth Adams of Winchendon, CT, in Outlaw Mini Stocks
Rob Richardi, Jr. of North Easton, MA, was tops in the Pro-Four Modifieds
Whelen Modified Tour 150
Ted Christopher jumped out to the early lead relinquishing the lead only when he headed to pit road for tires after a caution lap 82. He restarted the event inside the top ten and began to meticulously pick his way toward the front. He took the lead on a number of occasions only to have the caution come out to negate the passes. He took over the top spot for the final time from Lia on lap 131.
Ryan Preece recovered from an incident with Todd Szedegy on lap eight to run in the top three for the final half of the event. Doug Coby came on strong late to become a contender. In the end, Christopher sailed to the victory. Preece settled for the second position followed by Coby. Lia wrapped up his championship with a fourth place finish. Rowan Pennink rounded out the top five.
ISMA Supermodifieds
Chris Perley of Rowley, MA, came on strong late in the 50-lap main event making a last lap pass to score the victory. The victory sealed the 2009 championship for Perley. While World Series Sunday meant jubilation for Perley, it spelled heartbreak for Mark Sammut.
Sammut had led the lion’s share of the main event holding off the likes of Mike Litchey, Dave Shullick, Jr. and Russ Wood before a right front wheel sheered off his #78 in turn two on lap 42; only eight laps shy of the finish. Following the incident, Shullick inherited the lead with Wood in second. Perley laid in wait until the late stages of the event pouring it on with less than 10 laps to go. The “Rowley Rocket” had moved into the third position and was hunting Wood for second. He took over second position on lap 47. Perley had caught the back bumper of Shullick with two laps to go. On the final lap, Perley made the pass for the lead in turn two to score the victory.
Nokie Fornoro of Stroudsburg, PA, knew that today’s event was the final one for his car owner Mike Jarret. He sent him out in style with a World Series victory. Jarret and his MJ Motorsports team would end up losing the owner’s championship by a scant four points to Tim Bertrand, whose driver Randy Cabral had already secured the driver title.
Russ Stoehr had enjoyed a comfortable advantage in the early stages before a high flying Jeff Horn was able to take over the top spot. Jim Miller was having a great run in the third spot. Fornoro began picking off cars after the race hit the halfway maker. Fornoro passed Miller; Stoehr headed to pit road. Cole Carter had worked his way into the fourth position before giving way to his teammate Cabral.
The first and only caution of the event flew when the mount of Erica Santos came to rest in turn two. The yellow erased the sizeable lead Horn had enjoyed. The lightning fast Fornoro lined up to the outside of Horn. Fornoro bolted out to the lead on the restart leaving Horn in second followed by Cabral. The top five positions would not change over the final dash to the checkers with Fornoro taking the win over Horn, Cabral, Carter, and Miller.
Sunoco Modifieds
Ronnie Silk of Norwalk, CT, bested a 29-car field to score the World Series victory. Silk came out on top after a heated battle with Ted Christopher. Rowan Pennink was the early leader; however, under a caution necessitated when Tyler Chadwick went up in smoke, the leader had to be pushed to pit road with mechanical failure. Silk inherited the lead and set sail. Tim Sullivan and Bert Marvin battled for the second spot a distance behind Silk.
Christopher, who had been involved in an incident earlier in the event, was on the march and back into the top-ten with 10 laps in the books. During the long green flag run the second position was being hotly contested between Sullivan and Marvin. The battle for fourth spot was heating up between Danny Cates, Kerry Malone and Timmy Solomito. The battle hit a boiling point when Malone went spinning into the infield to bring out the caution. Cates ducked down pit road under the caution as well.
Once back to green at halfway, Silk was able to maintain his lead. But the man on the move was Christopher; who ran in third. On a lap 15 restart Teddy bolted by Sullivan to take over the second spot. A single lap later, Christopher was the new leader. Silk drifted up into Christopher in turn one. The contact sent both cars sliding. Christopher gathered it up to retain his lead. Silk lost a position to Sullivan.
A hard wreck involving Eric LeClair brought out the caution on lap 17. On the ensuing restart, Silk was able to get back around Sullivan to take over second. Silk then did the cross-over move on Christopher to take the lead back once again. The two swapped grooves and the top spot several times before Silk settled into the lead on lap 20. The battle allowed Marvin to join the battle for the top spot. Woody Pitkat recovered from an earlier incident to run fifth.
The front duo was able to pull a few car lengths ahead of Marvin making it a two-car race for the win. Christopher was stuck to the back bumper of Silk as the laps wound down. Over the final two laps, Silk; however, was able to get away from Christopher. Silk ran under the checkers for the victory a car-length ahead of Christopher. Marvin settled for the third over Sullivan and Pitkat.
Super Late Model victory
Mike O’Sullivan of Springfield, MA, used a bold three-wide move with five laps remaining to score the victory. Newly crowned divisional champion Derek Ramstrom jumped out to the early lead in the main event that went 23-cars strong. It was anything but smooth sailing as the teenager had to contend with cagey veteran Rick Fuller. Ramstrom led from his pole position through a caution at lap seven before relinquishing the top spot to Fuller. Ramstrom immediately fell into the clutches of O’Sullivan.
By halfway, Ramstrom was beginning to look racy again, diving to the inside of Fuller. The battle for third was heating up as well with Wrenn pressuring O’Sullivan. The top five ran nose-to-tail looking for running room. Ramstrom could get alongside Fuller while Wrenn could get a fender below O’Sullivan. Neither could make the pass.
Despite a trio of cautions, the running order in the top four remained unchanged. The battling allowed Larry Gelinas to join the mix. Contact between the lead duo of Fuller and Ramstrom opened the door for O’Sullivan, who went three wide in the outside groove to take over the lead on lap 25. The contact between Fuller and Ramstrom continued in turn four. Ultimately, Fuller went spinning. He did not continue in the event. Ramstrom was able to keep going in third.
O’Sullivan was in command with Norm Wrenn in tow. The battle for the third position was fierce between Ramstrom and Gelinas. Coming off turn four, Gelinas' #48 appeared to scrape the wall resulting in a flat tire. Gelinas limped around the speedway as O’Sullivan was taking the victory. Wrenn came home second. Ramstrom survived the fireworks to finish third. Jim Banfield and Rob Murphy completed the top five.
Late Model feature event
Tommy O’Sullivan of Springfield, MA, scored his fifth win of the season. O’Sullivan and John Materas had checked out from the rest of the field during the early going while the battle from second on back was intense between Corey Hutchings, Dave Trudeau, and Mark Oliveira.
A restart picked up the battle for the second spot between Materas and Hutchings. Contact that involved Trudeau ended Materas’ 2009 championship season with his #73 in the outside wall in turn four. Hutchings sustained damage but was able to continue. Trudeau was also able to continue.
O’Sullivan was able to pick-up where he left off with the race back under green. Woody Pitkat ran in second followed by Mark Oliveira and Ryan Posocco. O’Sullivan was able to withstand a number of restarts to retain his place at the head of the pack.
In the closing laps, O’Sullivan was able to gain some distance over Pitkat. The man on the move was Hutchings. Despite some damage to his #36 he passed cars one-by-one. At the end, O’Sullivan earned another victory for his family. Pitkat ended his triple duty with a second place finish in the Late Models. Hutchings stormed to a third place finish ahead of Mark Oliveira and Ryan Posocco.
Limited Sportsman
Larry Barnett of Moosup, CT, capped off his championship season with a Limited Sportsman victory in the World Series. It was no surprise that Sean Monahan and Barnett would race for supremacy in the Thompson regular division. Monahan took the lead from his pole starting position but had his hands full with a charging Barnett.
Joe Arena and Chris “Moose” Douton ran side-by-side only feet behind the side-by-side battle for the lead. Barnett used a lapped car as a pick exiting turn four on lap nine to gain the lead. Only a few laps later, Monahan dropped off the pace. Barnett enjoyed a sizeable advantage over now second Douton and Josh Galvin. Barnett cruised to the victory over Douton, Josh Galvin, Joe Arena, and Paul Coutu, Jr.
Outlaw Strictly Stocks
Sean Foster of Middletown, CT, bested a strong and varied mix of competitors from tracks around New England to score the victory. Outlaw Strictly Stocks who were the first to take to the race track for feature action on World Series Sunday. The event, which went 25 cars strong, saw Sean Foster and Andy Brooks, Jr. battle side-by-side in the opening laps before Foster gained the advantage.
Foster had his hands full with Thompson regular Mike O’Sullivan before mechanical woes sidelined the Springfield, MA, driver with only two laps remaining; leaving Foster to run unchallenged to the checkers. Sean Thibeault, Ryan Lineman, Anthony Crimaldi III, and Chris smith rounded out the top five.
Outlaw Mini Stocks.
Beth Adams of Winchendon, NH, wired the field to score the victory.
Adams took advantage of her pole starting position to move out to a sizeable advantage almost immediately over the 26-car field. The fierce battle for second between Bill Leonard, Mark Panaroni, Chris McTaggart, and Joseph Kendall helped Adams stretch her advantage.
Leonard was able to assert himself into the second spot with McTaggart in tow. McTaggart was all over the back bumper of Leonard over the final stages of the event. Thompson regular Scott Michalski had moved up from his 20th starting position to run inside the top five but watched his good run come to an end with a spin in turn three as the field approached the final lap. Adams was the class of the field taking the victory over Leonard, McTaggart, Ian Brew, and Kendall.
Rick Gentes of Woonsocket, RI, turned in a commanding performance to score the Outlaw Late Model victory. He had built up a straight away advantage over a budding battle for second between George Rego and Dennis Botticello. The battle cooled when Botticello fell off the pace losing several positions. Gentes was in a groove as he went on to take a dominating win by nearly a half a lap advantage over Rego, Jimmy Rosenfield and Nick Gravel and Daryl Stampfl.
Pro-Four Modifieds, Rob Richardi, Jr. of North Easton, MA, held off a ferocious assault from Norm Wrenn to score the victory for the Pro-Four Modifieds.
Whelen Modified Tour 150 Finishing Order (Top Ten): 1. Ted Christopher, Plainville, CT; 2. Ryan Preece, Berlin, CT; 3. Doug Coby, Milford, CT; 4. Donny Lia, Jericho, NY; 5. Rowan Pennink, Huntingdon Station, PA; 6. Chris Pasteryak, Lisbon, CT; 7. Erick Rudolph, Ramsomville, NY; 8. Kevin Goodale, Riverhead, NY; 9. Ronnie Silk, Norwalk, CT; 10. Woody Pitkat, Stafford Springs, CT.
ISMA Super Modifieds Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. Chris Perley, Rowley, MA; 2. Dave Shullick, Jr., N. Ridgeville, OH; 3. Russ Wood, Pelham, NH; 4. Mike Lichtey, Innerkip, Ontario; 5. Justin Belfiore, Ipswich, MA; 6. Bobby Magnor, Oswego, NY; 7. Jeff Holbrook, Oswego, NY; 8. Dan Lane, Essex, MA; 9. Ben Seitz, Bourne, MA; 10. Ray Graham, Jr., Ankeny, IA.
NEMA Midgets Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. Nokie Fornoro, Stroudsburg, PA; 2. Jeff Horn, Ashland, MA; 3. Randy Cabral, Plymouth, MA; 4. Cole Carter, Brownsburg, IN; 5. Jim Miller, Weymouth, MA; 6. Paul Scally, Raynham, MA; 7. Chris DeRitis, Philadelphia, PA; 8. Rich Gerbe, Elmont, NY; 9. Abby Martino, Norfolk, MA; 10. John Zych, Jr., Mendon, MA.
Sunoco Modifieds Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. Ronnie Silk, Norwalk, CT; 2. Ted Christopher, Plainville, CT; 3. Bert Marvin, Waterford, CT; 4. Tim Sullivan, S. Windsor, CT; 5. Woody Pitkat, Stafford Springs, CT; 6. Eric Goodale, Riverhead, NY; 7. Danny Cates, Chaplin, CT; 8. Rick Shawn, Bradford, RI; 9. Dave LaCroix, Fitchburg, MA; 10. Frank Hirt, III, Danbury, CT.
Super Late Models Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. Mike O’Sullivan, Sprinfield, MA; 2. Norm Wrenn, Nashua, NH; 3. Derek Ramstrom, Worcester, MA; 4. Jim Banfield, S. Glastonbury, CT; 5. Rob Murphy, Rochester, CT; 6. Steve Desmarais, Westport, MA; 7. Dennis Maxfield, Fitchburg, MA; 8. Greg Kleila, Lindenhurst, NY; 9. Larry Gelinas, Buxton, ME; 10. Mike Cavallaro, Seekonk, MA.
Late Models Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. Tommy O’Sullivan, Springfield, MA; 2. Woody Pitkat, Stafford Springs, CT; 3. Corey Hutchings, Salem; 4. Mark Oliveira, Blackstone, MA; 5. Ryan Posocco, Stafford Springs, CT; 6. Dillon Moltz, Waterford, CT; 7. Damon Tinio, Mendon, MA; 8. Robert O’Connell, Wrentham, MA; 9. Mike Scorzelli, Malta, NY; 10. Joe Oliver, Commack, NY.
Limited Sportsman Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. Larry Barnett, Moosup, CT; 2. Chris Douton, Waterford, CT; 3. Josh Galvin, Franklin, CT; 4. Joe Arena, Bristol, CT; 5. Paul Coutu, Jr., Thompson, CT; 6. Brandon Plemons, Uncasville, CT; 7. Phil Evans, Uncasville, CT; 8. Joe Coates, Eastford, CT; 9. Jay Sundeen, Douglas, MA; 10. Jesse Gleason, Lisbon, CT.
Outlaw Late Models Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. Rick Gentes, Woonsocket, RI; 2. George Rego, Dartmouth, MA; 3. Jimmy Rosenfield, Middleboro, MA; 4. Nick Gravel, Pepperell, MA; 5. Daryl Stampfl, Norwood, MA; 6. Randy Burr, Middleboro, MA; 7. Billy Schulz, Norton, MA; 8. Mark Hudson, Norton, MA; 9. Dennis Botticello, Suffield, CT; 10. Mark Curtis, Worcester, MA.
Outlaw Strictly Stocks Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. Sean Foster, Middletown, CT; 2. Shawn Thibeault, Plainville, CT; 3. Ryan Lineham, Coventry, RI; 4. Anthony Crimaldi, III, Port Monmouth, NJ; 5. Chris Smith Scarborough, ME; 6. Andy Brooks, Jr., Winchendon, MA; 7. Leslie Keyser, Northfield, NH; 8. Andy Durand, Chicopee, MA; 9. Danny Gamache, Jr., Seekonk, MA; 10. Mike O’Sullivan, Springfield, MA.
Outlaw Mini Stocks Feature Finish (Top Ten): 1. Beth Adams, Winchendon, MA; 2. Bill Leonard, Wood River Junction, RI; 3. Chris McTaggart, N. Swanzey, NH; 4. Ian Brew, Wood River Junction, RI; 5. Joseph Kendall, Winchendon, CT; 6. Mark Panaroni, Ivoryton, CT; 7. Nick Maniatis, Hooksett, NH; 8. Tony Kumiega, Palmer, MA; 9. Derek Bergquist, Warwick, MA; 10. Jeff Moffat, Warwick, RI.
Pro-Four Modifieds Feature Finish (Top Five): 1. Rob Richardi, Jr., North Easton, MA; 2. Norm Wrenn, Nashua, NH; 3. Frank Perry, Holbrook, MA; 4. Brian Vincent, Coventry, RI; 5. George Sherman, Framingham, MA.
The track will be silent for a while, but there will still be action on the grounds of the Thompson International Speedway with Don Hoenig’s Original Automotive Swap Meet and Flea Market on November 7&8, 2009. For more details visit www.thompsonspeedway.com. Look to the track’s official website for news about the 2010 season.
Oct 4 2009
Eric Beers & Matt Hirschman take all the Mahoning Cash Back to Mud Lane
For Beers, who drives for DeLange Racing, it was his second 100 lap win this season and the sixth such time that he has scored a Mahoning century mark run as well as the 26th Modified win at the Lehighton ¼-mile which he still calls his ‘home track.’
Hirschman meanwhile has been trying for years to get a win at the close-to-home speedway. Victory here has always eluded the talented Modified star which is one of the very few tracks that he had yet to conquer.
Hand Three of the Poker Series was a continuation from July 25 when after 37 laps the event was postponed due to rain. When the remaining 63 circuits got back underway track point leader John Bennett was the leader over Chip Santee, Beers, Rick Reichenbach and Earl Paulus.
Beers moved right behind Bennett and immediately went to work on trying to pass him. Bennett, however, was proving why he is the current Kingpin of Mahoning as would not give Beers any chance to overtake him.
The two waged a classic battle as lap after lap Beers would try every type of maneuver to get by but Bennett continued to hold his ground.
With 20 laps to go Beers started to look to the inside of Bennett and three laps later he finally had enough power to drive by for the lead. Once in front he stayed smooth and steady.
“I’ll tell you what, he (Bennett) was fast. I was just riding him from the get-go and had a tough time getting him. We put on a heck of a show running side-by-side. He kind of slipped up a little bit in (turn) two and I saw my opening there. I got down in the corner and we never touched. It was just a fun race,” said Beers.
“I never want to settle for second in any race I’m in. I was just trying to set him up so I could get a good groove to pass him, try to find his weaknesses, pick a spot and get by quick.”
Over the final laps Bennett began to slip back as Lonnie Behler, Hirschman and Santee finished ahead of him at the checkered flag.
Time trials were held in setting the grid for the second 100-lapper with Hirschman setting fast time at 9.786 seconds. A redraw of the top 12 was then held and Hirschman had some luck go his way when he pulled the pole.
Getting the pole was one thing but leading was a whole other issue as Hirschman had a race long bumper full of cars in pursuant of him.
While he defended his line there was the likes of Beers and John Markovic on his tail. The two past Mahoning champs went back and forth with one another while making repeated tries at the leader.
That was the tone for most of the race too. Hirschman leading while intense side-by-side action was going on behind him.
When Beers and Markovic weren’t on his trail it was Zane Zeiner and Bennett who were putting the pressure on. Zeiner looked as though he was about to make a pass several times but somehow Hirschman found the needed muscle to stay ahead.
With ten laps to go Markovic and Beers returned to their runner-up battle but could not make the needed effort to advance any further as Hirschman piloted his J & J Motorsports #59 to the long awaited Mahoning win.
“It’s about time. It feels great to get that monkey off my back here. It shouldn’t have taken this long and I don’t know why it did. When I had a great car something always seem to happen and there where nights I didn’t have such a good car and left here disappointed,” said Hirschman.
“We had some of the best to deal with. Eric (Beers) has been really dominant here and Johnny (Markovic) has won here so many times and Zane (Zeiner) was coming on real strong at the end and I knew we just had to pick it up to keep them behind me.
“I really have to thank my niece Amelia. She drew the pole for me and tomorrow is her second birthday.”
This marked the first time that a Hirschman was back in Victory Lane at Mahoning in a regular division race since Matt’s dad, multiple NASCAR Modified champion Tony, won in a Late Model back in 1976.
“I’ve definitely taken my ribbing from lack of success here from everybody so I’m glad to finally get a win here. It’s a relief to get one so close to home,” said Hirschman.
“Finally. I bust on him all the time that he can’t win here at Mahoning but can everywhere else and he finally got one here,” added dad Tony Hirschman.
Markovic was second after an outstanding run. Beers came home a close third with Zeiner and Santee rounding out the top five.
In the 40-lap Late Model main Lehighton’s Frankie Althouse may have won the race but it was seasoned veteran Todd Stehle, of Jim Thorpe that won the coveted title.
Althouse passed Stehle for the lead with nine laps to go and then held off Joe Mooney for his fourth win of the season. Late into the race Joe Mooney worked his way around Stehle and scored second.
This has been a breakout year for Althouse, having won and more times in any one season he has raced a stock car in and keeping pace most of the year with Stehle for the title.
Stehle came into the night needing only to take the green in claiming the crown but he had his sights set on feature victory. He snagged the top spot from early leader Austin Kochenash on lap eight and then had his work cut out for him in dealing with Althouse and then Mooney before settling for third. This was his third straight championship and fourth overall at Mahoning.
Kristy Morone Arthofer of Bath raced to her overdue first win of the season with the Street Stocks. Arthofer was able to work into the lead after going to the high side and pass Jamie Smith at the start of lap nine.
Once in front she made it a race for second as no one was able to make an attempt on her. Brian Labar garnered second with Randy Ahner, Jr. third.
With just one point race to go Ahner and Shawn Sitarchyk are deadlocked at the top of the standings.
In the make-up Dirt Mod feature Chad Jones of Perkasie used late race lapped traffic to steal the lead away from Bret Ballard with three laps to go and went on to score his fifth win of the season.
The event was very exciting as a season high 16 cars took the green with Steve Folk grabbing the early lead and holding it until lap 15 when Ballard took over. All the while an intense four car battle was being waged between Folk, Randy Thomas, Ballard and Jones.
In the regular feature, which was the season finale for the class, Bill Briggs of Pine Hill, NJ, in just his fourth Mahoning start, led every lap and picked up his career first asphalt win.
With his fourth place tally, Thomas, of Palmerton, enters the history books as the first ever champion of the Dirt Modifieds.
In the Pro4 Late Models, Kevin Graver, Jr., of Lehighton closed out his remarkable season on a high note as he not only won for an unparalleled 11th time, but he also secured the championship as well.
Graver started seventh and moved past early leader Mike Stringer on lap eight and then held off rival Jeremy Miller the rest of the way. This marked Graver’s second class title and fourth overall at the track.
Roger Snyder of Kempton won a wild Micro Stock feature by inches over Bob and DJ Wagner.
Modified Feature Finish, 100 Laps: 1.Matt Hirschman 2.John Markovic 3.Eric Beers 4.Zane Zeiner 5.Chip Santee 6.John Bennett 7.James Pritchard 8.Brian DeFebo 9.Lou Strohl 10.Matt Wentz 11.Anthony Sesely 12.Earl Paulus 13.Jarred Nace 14.Mike Sweeney 15.Lonnie Behler 16.Andy Szapacs 17.Stacey Brown 18.Matt Higgins 19.Rick Reichenbach 20.Don Wagner 21.Austin Kochenash 22.Ryan Russo Did not qualify: Todd Baer, Billy Swartz, Bill Teel
Modified Feature Finish, (7/25) 100 Laps: 1.Beers 2.Behler 3.Hirschman 4.Santee 5.Bennett 6.DeFebo 7.Reichenbach 8.Baer 9.Pritchard 10.Wagner 11.Szapacs 12.Paulus 13.Higgins 14.Strohl 15.Russo 16.Tom Flanagan
Late Model Feature Finish, 40 Laps: 1.Frankie Althouse 2.Joe Mooney 3.Todd Stehle 4.Austin Kochenash 5.Jason Zatsko 6.Kristian Kalch 7.Geno Steigerwalt 8.Chub Steigerwalt 9.Todd Geist 10.Troy Bollinger 11.Pat Hargan Did not start: Doug Bell
Street Stock Feature Finish, 25 Laps: 1.Kristy Arthofer 2.Brain Labar 3.Randy Ahner, Jr. 4.Jillian Long 5.Shawn Sitarchyk 6.TJ Gursky 7.Matt May 8.Jamie Smith 9.Chris May 10.Jason Frey 11.Todd Ahner 12.Justin Mooney 13.Steve Hoffman 14.Adam Santee 15.Josh Mooney 16.Devin Gibson 17.Eric Danyluk 18.Denis Buss 19.Chip Wanamaker 20.Kevin Smith
Pro4 Late Model Feature Finish, 20 Laps: 1.Kevin Graver, Jr. 2.Jeremy Miller 3.Dave Chapman 4.Jake Kibler 5.Dennis Silfies 6.Bill Rooney 7.Kris Gruber 8.Mike Stofflet 9.Robert Miller 10.Mike Stringer 11.Gene Bowers
Dirt Modified Feature Finish, 20 Laps: 1.Bill Briggs 2.Chad Jones 3.Brett Ballard 4.Randy Thomas 5.Dave Thomas 6.Ryan Beltz 7.Tom Cremer 8.Mike Cogeil 9.Alex Mayer 10.Tim Pitts 11.Jeff Parker 12.Steve Folk 13.Bill Sitler 14.Joe Stangle 15.DJ Wagner Did not start: Don Hildebrandt
Make-up Dirt Modified Feature Finish (7/25), 20 Laps: 1.Jones 2.Folk 3.Randy Thomas 4.Cogeill 5.Mayer 6.Ballard 7.Beltz 8.Parker 9.Pitts 10.Dave Thomas 11.Stangle 12.Sittler 13.Briggs 14.Wagner 15.Hildebrant 16.Cremer
=======================================================
Sheppard Nabs 7th Rite Aid 200 Spot With Rain-Shortened Rolling Wheels Win
Elbridge, NY – September 26, 2009 – By Tom Skibinski , Super DIRTcar Series PR Director
Three weeks earlier Matt Sheppard had paced the field for 87 laps at Rolling Wheels Raceway Park and came away empty. Saturday night Sheppard led the final 57 circuits and this time it was good enough to give ‘Super Matt’ his Super DIRTcar Series-high sixth win of the season as rain shortened the ‘World Series 100’ to 68 laps.
And maybe more valuable than the $6,000 winner’s share and 100-points towards the overall Hoosier Tire-VP Racing Fuels Mr. DIRTcar Championship, Sheppard was rewarded with a guaranteed seventh starting position in the 38th running of the Rite Aid 200 Presented By Ferris & Snapper Mowers that brings the curtain down on Super DIRT Week Oct. 11 at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse.
“Man, I wanted it to pour (after lap 50) out there,” remarked Sheppard, 27, who nosed ahead of front row starter Jimmy Phelps on a lap 12 restart, then was the first under the checkered flag when forecasted showers finally hit the Elbridge oval to make the racing surface unsafe for both man and machine. “Thought this place owed me one after the last time here.”
“Never won a Big-block race here before, but I’ve been close so many times it seems. Feels real good to finally get that first one done,” beamed Sheppard, following his DIRTcar Northeast-leading 19th open-wheel feature win of the season.
Fellow Waterloo , New York driver Steve Paine took advantage of an ignition problem from near race-long runner-up Phelps that forced out the sixth and final caution to cross the line in second, followed by current Mr. DIRTcar points leader Brett Hearn, May winner at Rolling Wheels Tim Fuller, and 18th-place starter Justin Haers.
Himself a three-time series winner during the 2009 campaign, Hearn’s third-place finish proved to be as significant as a win after Sheppard drew his number allowing the Sussex, N.J. speedster to join him on row four to kick off the richest Big-Block Modified race in the country in October.
“It’s a huge luxury to be starting 7th or 8th in that race and not have to worry about how you time trial,” said Hearn, 51, a five-time winner of DIRTcar NE’s prized jewel, although the ‘Corporate Jet’ has not pulled into victory lane on Sunday at the Syracuse Mile since 1995. “That really takes a lot of pressure off us.”
Sheppard’s second straight tour triumph coupled with Hearn’s third-place tally cuts the deficit to 83 points going into the Rite Aid finale over Columbus Day Weekend. With the 150-point schedule intact for the only 200-lap event of the year, Hearn needs to finish in 21st-place or better to lock up an unprecedented seventh overall Mr. DIRTcar title and close out DIRTcar’s 34th consecutive season of operation all alone at the top.
Teamed this year with JB Motorsports in the no. 9s Xtreme Lubricants/Bicknell entry, Sheppard has done almost everything in his power to close the gap on Hearn. Just one more dose of good fortune could be the difference as the 2000 Mr. DIRTcar Sportsman champion awaits a final chance to take top honors in the highest Modified class.
“This car was just awesome tonight,” said Sheppard, who leads all title contenders with 689 laps led, nearly double that of Hearn, while posting series-high totals of eight qualifying heat race wins and six Integra Shocks Fast Times. “We hemmed and hawed about which car we were gonna run tonight, whether the car we used the last time we were here or this one. I think we made the right choice.”
Heat four winner Phelps out-gunned pole-sitter Alan Johnson to open the scheduled 100-lap feature while sixth-place starter Sheppard shared the third row, two spots behind Hearn on the 30-car grid. At the end of the opening circuit Sheppard was already on the move, and the second-generation pilot cruised into second just as a slowing Mike Ward machine was enough to bring out the first caution on lap three.
Sheppard’s teammate Jeff Brown ell Jr. suffered a blown right-rear tire to require a second yellow flag with 10 in the books and with threatening skies overhead the ensuing lap 12 restart was the perfect time for ‘Super Matt’ to forge the final lead change. Three more caution periods slowed the action during the first half of the race, with Tom Sears Jr., Lance Willix II and top-five running Billy Decker ---lost his breaks on lap 37 and flew off the track in turn three--- the primary culprits.
By lap 50 Sheppard continued to drive away at will from his nearest challengers Phelps and Hearn while ninth and tenth-place starters Paine and Fuller could do no better in their attempt to run down the leaders. Just as Sheppard rode under head flagman Matt Burdick’s crossed flags to signal halfway home, the first wave of rainfall arrived and every drop was easily visible in the track-wide lights overhead.
Talented teenager Larry Wight looped his Gypsum mount in turn one after frontstretch contact with Brownell to incur the sixth caution period on lap 54. By this time the rain had grown steadier and gusting winds carried the flags sideways as the lamp posts teetered in the wake. When Phelps slid off the track high in turn two for the final slowdown on lap 63, the green lights would never return as only dangerous conditions prevailed during the closing stages and forced officials to stand by their call.
“Getting the Syracuse spot is huge,” added Sheppard, last year’s Rite Aid 200 runner-up, who recently captured Big-Block point championships at both Brewerton and Canandaigua speedways, and settled for third on the final chart at Cayuga County Fair Speedway. “If you go (SDW) and something stupid happens or you have a bad day in time trials, you know you’re starting 7th no matter what. That takes away a lot of stress right there, which carries through to the weekend and hopefully we can take advantage.”
Quietly finding his way into second in the feature, it was Paine’s best finish by far this season on tour aboard the familiar yellow Tallmadge Tire no. 7x Swarthout Recycling-Instant Heat Wood Pellets/Bicknell Modified machine.
“The longer the green was out the better compared to the guys in front of me,” figured Paine, 51, after registering just his fourth top-five finish in the opening 19 SDS shows, with his third-place showing at Rolling Wheels on Labor Day the best previous outcome. “Think Matt was just too fast all night, 2nd is probably as far as we were gonna go so its okay.”
“I like to run the bottom and hate to go to the top early but if I have to, I have to. If it kept raining I was going to have to because I was slipping really bad on the bottom with the water. But in the end it all worked out, we were able to save 40 laps on the race car and take it home in one piece,” Paine said.
Although owning half as many series wins (3) as Sheppard this season, Hearn was still upbeat about his 13th top-five series finish of the season steering the potent Madsen Motorsports no. 20 Wentworth Custom Homes-Kruger-WLR-BPG/TEO entry.
“Matt’s got a really good hot rod right now, certainly tough to catch it,” said Hearn, who added his all-time series best 103rd victory at Rolling Wheels back on Labor Day. “So the points deal is gonna come down to Syracuse like we expected it would.”
“I guess two of the guys (Phelps & Decker) got eliminated mathematically tonight, so we’ll just keep truckin’ on for the stretch run. Got a lot of preparation to do this week, a lot of work to do to get ready for Syracuse and we’re looking forward to it.”
With Hearn (1,973 pts) doing his best to pull away from his closest challengers, runner-up Sheppard (1,890) remains the only outside threat in his bid for a record seventh career Mr. DIRTcar Championship heading into Super DIRT Week at the State Fairgrounds. The 38th Annual Super DIRTcar Series Rite 200 Presented By Ferris & Snapper Mowers is set for Sunday, October 11 and Hearn is already a five-time race winner in the Salt City showdown.
Super DIRTcar Series Race #19 – Rolling Wheels Raceway Park, September 26, 2009 ‘World Series 100’ Big-Block Modified Event Summary
FIN STR CAR# DRIVER
1 6 9s Matt Sheppard/Waterloo,NY ($6,000)
2 9 7x Steve Paine/Waterloo,NY
3 3 20 Brett Hearn/Sussex,NJ
4 10 74 Tim Fuller/Edwards,NY
5 18 3 Justin Haers/ Phelps , NY
6 1 14j Alan Johnson/Middlesex,NY
7 22 77x Dale Planck/Cortland,NY
8 5 42p Pat Ward/Genoa,NY
9 8 29 Jeff Brown ell Jr./ Waterloo , NY
10 11 27j Danny Johnson/Rochester,NY
11 28 91x Michael Storms/ Wantage , NJ
12 21 49 Billy Dunn/Watertown,NY
13 19 99b Chuck Bower/Lansing,NY
14 12 48too Dave Rauscher /Waterloo,NY
15 25 21 Derrick Podsiadlo /Penn Yan,NY
16 2 98h Jimmy Phelps/Baldwinsville,NY
17 30 8 Rich Scagliotta/ Bound Brook , NJ
18 26 X Chad Phelps/Mexico,NY
19 16 99L Larry Wight/ Phoenix , NY
20 15 91h Chad Homan /Macedon,NY
21 20 5h Chris Hile/Syracuse,NY
22 29 26 Rick Richner/ Niagara Falls , NY
23 7 91 Billy Decker/ Unadilla , NY
24 27 44 Shannon Whaley/Pavilion,NY
25 14 99 Ryan Phelps /Fulton,NY
26 17 16w Lance Willix II/Theresa,NY
27 23 62s Tom Sears Jr./Clay,NY
28 13 45m Mike Ward/Genoa,NY
29 24 18 Sean Beardsley/Central Square, NY
30 4 84 Gary Tomkins/ Clifton Springs , NY
GATER RACING NEWS LAP LEADERS: J.Phelps (1-11), Sheppard (12-68).
CAUTIONS: 7 for 23 laps.
HEAT WINNERS: Fuller, Decker, Brownell, J.Phelps.
DIG SAFELY NEW YORK LAST CHANCE RACE WINNERS: Dunn, Planck.
BICKNELL RACING PRODUCTS WINNER AWARD: Matt Sheppard.
RISLONE OIL STABILIZER & TREATMENT WINNER AWARD: Matt Sheppard.
BARS LEAKS RUNNER-UP AWARD: Steve Paine.
SYRACUSE RITE AID 200 QUALIFIERS: Matt Sheppard (7th), Brett Hearn (8th).
HALFWAY LEADER: Matt Sheppard.
BERT/KSE RACING PRODUCTS HARD CHARGER AWARD: Michael Storms.
XTREME LUBRICANTS SLICK MOVE OF THE RACE AWARD: Jeff Brown ell Jr.
PENSKE POWER POSITION AWARD (11th): Michael Storms.
INTEGRA SHOCKS FAST TIME AWARD: Billy Decker (20.646sec/108.980mph).
TOTAL PURSE: $27,750.
CARS ENTERED: 40.
NEXT EVENT: New York State Fairgrounds "Rite Aid 200 Presented By Ferris & Snapper Mowers" - October 11, 2009.
DID NOT QUALIFY(10)
8r- Rob Bellinger / Dexter , NY
13-Tony Steiner/ Jamesville , NY
15-Brett Tonkin/ Carbondale , PA
t21-Roger Chrysler/ Lewiston , NY
22c-Mario Clair/St-Edmond,QUE
27d-Clayton Benedict/Akwesasne,ONT
37c-Eric Fisher/ Bluff Point , NY
85-Dan Vauter/ Forest City , PA
88k-Randy Chrysler/Lewiston,NY
111-Shane Donath/South Onondaga.NY
QUALIFYING
FAST AVE
TIME MPH CAR# DRIVER
1 20.646 108.980 91 Billy Decker/ Unadilla , NY
*$100 Integra Shocks Fast Qualifier Award
2 20.733 108.523 9s Matt Sheppard/Waterloo,NY
3 20.769 108.335 20 Brett Hearn/Sussex,NJ
4 20.869 107.815 29 Jeff Brown ell Jr./ Waterloo , NY
5 20.914 107.583 99L Larry Wight/ Phoenix , NY
6 20.920 107.553 84 Gary Tomkins/ Clifton Springs , NY
7 20.923 107.537 99 Ryan Phelps /Fulton,NY
8 20.927 107.517 3 Justin Haers/ Phelps , NY
9 21.001 107.138 7x Steve Paine/Waterloo,NY
10 21.015 107.066 42p Pat Ward/Genoa,NY
11 21.027 107.005 98h Jimmy Phelps/Baldwinsville,NY
12 21.038 106.949 74 Tim Fuller/Edwards,NY
13 21.152 106.373 48too Dave Rauscher /Waterloo,NY
14 21.161 106.328 91h Chad Homan /Macedon,NY
15 21.179 106.237 14j Alan Johnson/Middlesex,NY
16 21.373 105.273 5h Chris Hile/Syracuse,NY
17 21.384 105.219 91x Michael Storms/ Wantage , NJ
18 21.406 105.111 49 Billy Dunn/Watertown,NY
19 21.482 104.739 45m Mike Ward/Genoa,NY
20 21.522 104.544 77x Dale Planck/Cortland,NY
21 21.614 104.099 62s Tom Sears Jr./Clay,NY
22 21.627 104.037 16w Lance Willix II/Theresa,NY
23 21.643 103.960 8 Rich Scagliotta/ Bound Brook , NJ
24 21.645 103.950 27j Danny Johnson/Rochester,NY
25 21.659 103.883 X Chad Phelps/Mexico,NY
26 21.691 103.730 22c Mario Clair/St-Edmond,QUE
27 21.713 103.625 18 Sean Beardsley/Central Square, NY
28 21.721 103.586 99b Chuck Bower/Lansing,NY
29 21.745 103.472 44 Shannon Whaley/Pavilion,NY
30 21.753 103.434 13 Tony Steiner/Jamesville,NY
31 21.879 102.838 27d Clayton Benedict/Akwesasne,ONT
32 21.947 102.520 15 Brett Tonkin/ Carbondale , PA
33 21.980 102.366 111 Shane Donath/South Onondaga.NY
34 22.043 102.073 37c Eric Fisher/ Bluff Point , NY
35 22.056 102.013 26 Rick Richner/ Niagara Falls , NY
36 22.075 101.925 88k Randy Chrysler/Lewiston,NY
37 22.271 101.028 85 Dan Vauter/ Forest City , PA
38 22.307 100.865 t21 Roger Chrysler/Lewiston,NY
39 22.422 100.348 8r Rob Bellinger /Dexter,NY
40 - NT- ----- 21 Derrick Podsiadlo /Penn Yan,NY
Heat Races (10 laps, top 5 finishers transferred to feature; top 3 redrew)
#1: Fuller, Rauscher, Tomkins, M.Ward, Willix, Podsiadlo, Ra.Chrysler, Whaley, Benedict, Ro.Chrysler.
#2: Decker, Sheppard, Hearn, R.Phelps, Haers, Dunn, Sears, Donath, Richner, Steiner.
#3: Brownell, Paine, P.Ward, Homan, Bower, Planck, Fisher, Scagliotta, Tonkin , Clair.
#4: J.Phelps, A.Johnson, D.Johnson, Wight, Hile, C.Phelps, Beardsley, Storms, Bellinger, Vauter.
Dig Safely New York Last Chance Races: (10 laps, top 5 finishers transferred to feature)
#1: Dunn, Sears, Podsiadlo, Whaley, Richner, Ro.Chrysler, Benedict, Steiner, Ra.Chrysler, Donath.
#2: Planck, Beardsley, C.Phelps, Storms, Scagliotta, Clair, Bellinger, Fisher, Tonkin , Vauter.
Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modified Point Standings (Thru Sept. 26, 2009)
No. Driver Total Series Bonus Diff Home Track Wins Top 5 Top 10 Starts
20 Brett Hearn 1973 1613 360 0 Lebanon Valley 3 13 17 19
9s Matt Sheppard 1890 1530 360 -83 Canandaigua 6 11 13 19
91 Billy Decker 1807 1447 360 -166 Brewerton 4 10 10 19
98H Jimmy Phelps 1803 1443 360 -170 Brewerton 1 8 14 19
3 Justin Haers 1671 1311 360 -302 Can Am 0 4 13 19
84 Gary Tomkins 1561 1201 360 -412 Canandaigua 0 5 10 19
99 Ryan Phelps 1530 1170 360 -443 Brewerton 2 5 9 19
27J Danny Johnson 1505 1145 360 -468 Cayuga County 0 2 10 19
14J Alan Johnson 1291 931 360 -682 Fulton 1 4 9 14
4 Mike Storms 1268 908 360 -705 Fulton 0 0 2 19
99L Larry Wight 1232 872 360 -741 Fulton 0 0 0 19
29 Jeff Brownell Jr.1228 868 360 -745 Glen Ridge 0 3 7 14
77x Dale Planck 1213 1033 180 -760 Cayuga County 0 2 6 18
7x Steve Paine 1201 841 360 -772 Canandaigua 0 4 9 12
49 Billy Dunn 1188 828 360 -785 Can Am 0 1 3 16
8 Rich Scagliotta 832 532 300 -1141 Canandiagua 0 0 1 9
74 Tim Fuller 768 648 120 -1205 Cayuga County 1 4 5 9
18 Sean Beardsley 689 329 360 -1284 Fulton 0 0 0 7
99B Chuck Bower 672 312 360 -1301 Fulton 0 0 0 7
FX1 Frankie Caprara 643 283 360 -1330 Can Am 0 0 2 5
6 Pat O'Brien 637 337 300 -1336 Brewerton 0 1 2 6
62 Tom Sears Jr. 625 265 360 -1348 Fulton 0 0 0 5
02 Roy Bresnahan 615 255 360 -1358 Fulton 0 0 1 5
21 Derrick Podsiadlo 593 233 360 -1380 Canandaigua 0 0 1 5
44 Shannon Whaley 585 225 360 -1388 Canandaigua 0 0 0 5
8R Rob Bellinger 577 217 360 -1396 Canandaigua 0 0 0 5
33 Mike Mahaney 575 215 360 -1398 Cayuga County 0 0 0 5
34b Andy Bachetti 538 178 360 -1435 Lebanon Valley 0 1 2 2
43 Keith Flach 536 176 360 -1437 Lebanon Valley 0 0 0 3
77F Mark Flach Jr. 527 167 360 -1446 Lebanon Valley 0 1 2 2
98 Eddie Marshall 526 166 360 -1447 Lebanon Valley 0 1 1 2
57 Donnie Corellis 525 165 360 -1448 Lebanon Valley 0 1 2 2
91 Chad Homan 523 163 360 -1450 Canandaigua 0 0 1 3
60 Brian Berger 492 132 360 -1481 Lebanon Valley 0 1 1 2
24v Bobby Varin 488 128 360 -1485 Glen Ridge 0 1 1 2
X Chad Phelps 486 126 360 -1487 Fulton 0 0 0 2
42p Pat Ward 482 122 360 -1491 Brewerton 0 1 5 8
83x Tim Sears 480 120 360 -1493 Fulton 0 0 0 3
88 Kroy Sandstedt 475 115 360 -1498 Lebanon Valley 0 0 1 2
42 Guy Sheldon 471 111 360 -1502 Lebanon Valley 0 0 1 2
19H Chris Higgins 468 108 360 -1505 Can Am 0 0 0 2
07 Tim Kerr 468 108 360 -1505 Can Am 0 0 0 2
10 Tim Currier 461 101 360 -1512 Cayuga County 0 0 0 2
16 Mike Bowman 460 100 360 -1513 Fulton 0 0 0 2
13 Tony Steiner 457 97 360 -1516 Fulton 0 0 0 1
2 Dave Axton 456 96 360 -1517 Cayuga County 0 0 0 2
24 Jim Witko Jr. 456 96 360 -1517 Brewerton 0 0 0 2
37c Eric Fisher 455 95 360 -1518 Cayuga County 0 0 0 2
87x Paul Gilardi 452 92 360 -1521 Lebanon Valley 0 0 0 2
115 Kenny Tremont. 451 91 360 -1522 Lebanon Valley 0 0 0 2
42B Kevin Bates 451 91 360 -1522 Brewerton 0 0 0 2
Super DIRTcar Series Modified Entries – September 26 (40)
Car# Driver/Hometown Team (Sponsor / Chassis / Engine)
X Chad Phelps/Mexico,NY Haun Welding Supply-Ashley Winery-Midstate Tree Service/Troyer/Morrison
3 Justin Haers/Phelps,NY Phelps Cement Products-SMV Motorsports-Jeff Jolly Masonry/Bicknell/Finger Lakes
5h Chris Hile/Syracuse,NY Ernie Kreis & Son-Fastline Performance-P&M Fabrication/Bicknell/Morrison
7x Steve Paine/Waterloo,NY Tallmadge Tire-Swarthout Recycling-Instant Heat Wood Pellets/Bicknell/Finger Lakes
8 Rich Scagliotta/ Bound Brook , NJ Central Jersey Trailer & Hitch Depot-Adamsville Maintenance/Troyer/Feil
8r Rob Bellinger /Dexter,NY U-Store of Watertown-Westward Painting-Coffin Excavation/Troyer/Mastin
9s Matt Sheppard/Waterloo,NY Xtreme Lubricants/Bicknell/C.C. Performance
13 Tony Steiner/Jamesville,NY NY Tech Supply- Tech Tire Repairs/Bicknell/Donath
14j Alan Johnson/Middlesex,NY Bully's Truck Stop-CFF,Inc.-Raymond's Car Care/Bicknell/Jimmy D's Speed
15 Brett Tonkin/Carbondale,PA Grimm Construction-G&G Towing/Bicknell/Wally Fiehl
16w Lance Willix II/Theresa,NY SUNY Canton-Nor-Shir Construction/Bicknell/Morrison
18 Sean Beardsley/Central Square, NY Pipe Pros-Bradco Supply- Blackburn Truck Bodies/Troyer/Moshier
20 Brett Hearn/Sussex,NJ Madsen Motorsports-Wentworth Custom Homes-Kruger-WLR-BPG/TEO/Enders
21 Derrick Podsiadlo /Penn Yan , NY Penn Yan Mini Storage-Keuka Restaurant/TEO/Finger Lakes
t21 Roger Chrysler/Lewiston,NY Frontenac Water-Randy's Smoke Shop-Joey's Sneeks/Bicknell/Jeff Nicholson
22c Mario Clair/St-Edmond,QUE Batiments JDL-Motel Drummond-Freightliner Drummond/Bicknell/Morrison
26 Rick Richner/Niagara Falls,NY National Vacuum-Jetport Lounge-Lazy Lakes Camping Resort/Bicknell/Gor-Den
27d Clayton Benedict/Akwesasne,ONT Thompson Motorsports-SUNY Canton/Troyer/Dan Bedell
27j Danny Johnson/Rochester,NY Thompson Motorsports-SUNY Canton/Troyer/Dan Bedell
29 Jeff Brown ell Jr./Waterloo,NY Xtreme Lubricants/Bicknell/C.C. Performance
37c Eric Fisher/ Bluff Point , NY Bully Hill Vineyards-Fisher Tree Service-Daily Electric/Ozcar/Finger Lakes
42p Pat Ward/Genoa,NY Gypsum Express,Ltd./Bicknell/Kevlar
44 Shannon Whaley/Pavilion,NY Davis Trailer World-D&M Precision/Bicknell/Morrison
45m Mike Ward/Genoa,NY Cal-East Collision & Street Rods/Bicknell/Chet Ward
48too Dave Rauscher /Waterloo,NY Magee Transportation Services-Monadnock Disposal Service/Bicknell/Morrison
49 Billy Dunn/Watertown,NY Number One Speed-American Traditions-Fast Lube Watertown/Bicknell/Finger Lakes
62s Tom Sears Jr./Clay,NY Mullen Industrial-Trackman Equipment/Bicknell/Chevrolet
74 Tim Fuller/Edwards,NY Smith Bros. Concrete Foundations-Hudson Valley Concrete Pumping/TEO/Precision
77x Dale Planck/Cortland,NY RezX Racing-Grow It Hydroseeding-Action Race Parts-Teo Fab./TEO/Kevlar
84 Gary Tomkins/Clifton Springs,NY Honeoye Auto Parts-Rochester Americans-National Guard/Bicknell/Mastin
85 Dan Vauter/Forest City,PA Sportsburg.com-Community Bank & Trust/Bicknell/Enders
88k Randy Chrysler/Lewiston,NY Signal Cigarettes-Randy's Smoke Shop/Bicknell/JanCen
91 Billy Decker/Unadilla,NY Gypsum Wholesalers-Stadium Int'l-Quality Hardwoods/Bicknell/Kevlar
91h Chad Homan /Macedon,NY DigTrack.com-North Eastern Pool & Spa/Bicknell/Campbell
91x Michael Storms/ Wantage , NJ Gypsum Wholesalers-Stadium Int'l-Quality Hardwoods/Bicknell/Kevlar
98h Jimmy Phelps/Baldwinsville,NY Mohawk N.E.-New England Race Fuels-Joe Gibbs Racing Oil/Troyer/Bruneau-F-L
99 Ryan Phelps /Fulton,NY Big Red Towing-Dave Miller Auto Body/Bicknell/Enders
99b Chuck Bower/Lansing,NY Ingles Performance-United Fasteners-Bradco Supply/Bicknell/Finger Lakes
99L Larry Wight/ Phoenix , NY Gypsum Express,Ltd./Bicknell/Kevlar
111 Shane Donath/South Onondaga.NY Prevo Motorsports-Fellows Trucking-Bradco Supply/Bicknell/Enders
SKIDMARKS
Rescheduled ‘Sarvertown 75’ Shelved At Lernerville: The Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modified event at Lernerville Speedway, which was originally scheduled for Friday, September 11 and later rescheduled for Friday, October 23, following the completion of qualifying has been cancelled. The DIRTcar Round Up Steel City Stampede Modified events will now be the season championship for the BRP Modified Series with a 30-lap feature as part of the Western PA/Ohio-based BRP Tour paying $2,000 to win. Tickets and pit passes purchased for the September 11 event may be used at face value for the Steel City Stampede.
Super DIRT Week Website Active: On-line activity continues to grow with the official site for Super DIRT Week providing valuable information about DIRTcar Racing Northeast’s crown jewel event staged at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse . This year’s 38th edition runs October 7-11, 2009 and features Hoosier Tire-VP Racing Fuels Mr. DIRTcar Championship Series events for Big-Block Modified, 358-Modified, Sportsman and Pro Stock divisions. Ticket and schedule information is available by contacting the Weedsport office (315/834-6606) during the day or logging into www.superdirtweekonline.com anytime.
VP Racing Fuels Official SDW Fuel Supplier: Already recognized as the ‘Official Fuel of DIRTcar Racing’ and the Super DIRTcar Series, VP Racing Fuels is also the ‘Official Fuel Supplier’ of Super DIRT Week XXXVIII, Oct. 7-11, at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse. Throughout the 2009 season in the DIRTcar Racing Northeast Region the only fuels allowed in the Big-Block Modified and 358-Modified divisions at sanctioned events have been VP110 and C12. That will continue during Super DIRT Week with the fast time trialer/qualifier in the Rite Aid 200 presented by Ferris & Snapper Mowers and 358-Modified Championship both receiving a $1,000 fuel certificate.
UPCOMING EVENT
Just one more event remains on the 2009 Super DIRTcar Series schedule and that is the nationally recognized ‘Rite Aid 200 Presented By Ferris & Snapper Mowers’ to close out Super DIRT Week XXXVIII at the New York State Fairgrounds. Syracuse is the lone 200-lapper on the ’09 agenda with 150 points on the line for the winner and 50 points awarded to start.
2009 Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modified Schedule
NP=Non-Point event; SP=Show-Up Point event.
*All events subject to change.
DAY-DATE TRACK WINNER/LOCATION
Wed-Feb 11 Volusia Speedway Park-NP Pat Ward
Thr-Feb 12 Volusia Speedway Park-NP Pat Ward
Fri-Feb 13 Volusia Speedway Park-NP Jamie Mills
Sat-Feb 14 Volusia Speedway Park-NP Brett Hearn
Sat-Mar 28 Hagerstown Speedway rain-cancelled
Sun-Apr 26 Big Diamond Raceway Duane Howard
Sat-Jun 6 Lebanon Valley Speedway Matt Sheppard
Sun-Jun 7 Airborne Speedway rain-cancelled
Wed-Jun 17 Orange Co Fair Speedway Billy Decker
Fri-Jul 3 Ransomville Speedway Brett Hearn
Sat-Jul 4 Fulton Speedway Alan Johnson
Great Canadian Tour
Thr-Jul 9 Brockville Ont Speedway B.Hearn/Pat O’Brien
Fri-Jul 10 Autodrome Granby B.Decker/Jimmy Phelps
Sat-Jul 18 Cayuga Co Fair Speedway Ryan Phelps
Sun-Jul 19 Cayuga Co Fair Speedway R.Phelps ($20,000-to-win)/Tim Fuller
Mon-Aug 3 Merrittville Speedway M.Sheppard/Pat Ward
Fri-Aug 7 Brewerton Speedway M.Sheppard/Danny Johnson
Sat-Aug 8 Canandaigua Speedway T.Fuller/Gary Tomkins
Fri-Aug 21 Can-Am Motorsports Park M.Sheppard/Dale Planck
Sun-Aug 23 Cornwall Motor Speedway J.Phelps/Pierre Dagenais
Thr-Aug 27 Lebanon Valley Speedway B.Decker ($17,500-to-win)/Eddie Marshall
Sun-Sep 6 Cayuga Co Fair Speedway B.Decker/Justin Haers
Mon-Sep 7 Rolling Wheels Raceway B.Hearn/Steve Paine
Sun-Sep 20 Autodrome Drummond M.Sheppard/David Hebert
Sat-Sep 26 Rolling Wheels Raceway M.Sheppard (7th), B.Hearn (8th)
Sun-Oct 11 New York State Fairgrnds Syracuse,NY ($50,000-to-win)
Sept 26 2009
===================================================================
Mathews Mighty in Double Win
By Larry Jewett
9/26/09
Jeff Mathews added to his point leads in the South Shore Auto Sales Late Models and Gagel’s Auto Parts Open Wheel Modifieds by posting feature wins in those divisions Saturday night at East Bay Raceway Park.
The Street Stocks opened the program as point leader Donnie Reed and Thomas Pratt scored heat wins. Steve O’Lone and Matthew Grissom locked into a good early race battle, but Buck Skinner was coming. Skinner grabbed the lead on lap 5 and Reed moved to third at the same time. He was able to get by O’Lone and pursue Skinner. Reed cut a tire and spun, handing second back to O’Lone. Through numerous cautions, Skinner held the point to claim his eighth win. O’Lone secured second and Grissom rallied back to third. Buck Woodhouse rallied from a start deep in the field to get fourth, ahead of Pratt
Jeff Mathews added his ninth win of the season in Gagel’s Open Wheel Modifieds. Mathews grabbed the lead from Buzzie Reutimann, who led the early laps. Mathews kept the car on the bottom to score his victory. Reutimann was second with heat winner John Bradley, Bobby Dixon and Bruce Harvey in the top five. Mathews posted a heat win to start his night.
While doing his Modified Victory Lane photos, Mathews saw the South Shore Auto Sales Late Model field gather in the backstretch. After clearing tech, he jumped into the Late Model, started on the outside of the front row and began the chase for a double feature win. It wasn’t easy as Mathews went past Jimmy Waldrop, only to find himself passed on the outside by Josh Peacock. Mathews would return the favor shortly and Peacock stayed hot on his heels. Peacock pulled off on lap 19, the victim of a flat tire. Meanwhile, Paul Gibbs was charging through the field. By the 20-lap mark, Gibbs was in the top five, but he was not done. He charged into second with two laps to go, but couldn’t catch Mathews. Gibbs started 20th in the 22-car field. The former Street Stock track champion recorded his first top-five of the year with the runner-up finish. Ted Erskine was third with Travis Varnadore and Waldrop trailing. Heats were won by David Schmauss, Peacock and Mathews.
The motorstats.com 4-cylinder Bombers closed the night with a special 25-lap main. Roberto Morfin Jr. grabbed the early race lead and held off charges for several competitors. Point leader Jim Baker exited the track with a tire while running second. He returned to tag the rear of the 21-car field, but Red Vann and Kyle Eash were squaring off as the heir apparent. The matter was decided when Frank Miller came through the field to make a pass on Morfin Jr. Miller, in his first start of the year, prevailed for a stop in Victory Lane. Morfin Jr. added a second place finish to his resume. Jimmy Odell crossed third but the finish was wiped out by a tech violation. That gave third to Vann with Kyle Kruse fourth and Wayne Kissam fifth. Miller, Kruse and Raymond Vann took heat preliminaries.
ASA sanctioned racing resumes at East Bay Raceway Park Saturday, October 3rd, 2009 at 6:30pm. The South Shore Auto Sales Late Models, Q Auto & Injury Attorney Limited Late Models, Gagel’s Open Wheel Modifieds, and motorstats.com 4 Cylinder Bombers will join the Outlaw 4 division, who are contesting a 25-lap main. For more information, call the track office at 813-677-7223 or visit us on the web at www.eastbayracewaypark.com.
===============================================
Sept 20 2009
Supermodified Champs Crowned at Madera Speedway ’s Harvest Classic Weekend.
The SMRA 410/360 Supermodifieds,
USAC Western Sprints,
USAC/BCRA Midgets
Legends of the Pacific returned to the “Fastest 1/3 Mile in the West” Saturday,
September 19th, for the last Super Saturday event of the 2009 season.
When the dust settled two 2009 Madera Speedway champs were crowned – Troy Regier, of Dinuba, took the 410 Supermodified track championship while Madera’s Lance Tatro was crowned the 360 champion.
A large field of 19 Supermodifieds entertained the packed grandstands at Madera Speedway on Saturday night as close points battles meant anything could happen to determine the champions after 50 laps were put in the books.
360 Supermodified drivers Lance Tatro and David Tuey of Bakersfield entered the main event tied in points, meaning whoever crossed the stripe first on lap 50 would earn the championship title.
And the battle went right down to the wire with Tatro finishing in the seventh position and Tuey right behind him in the eighth spot. Tatro won the 360 Supermodified Madera championship by a mere two points.
“Dave was unexpectedly loose tonight or he would have been right up front.” conceded Tatro after the race.
“We lost our brakes with 15 laps to go but held on.” said Tatro.
Troy Regier was the race winner, holding his first place position after passing Fresno ’s Jim Birges in heavy traffic on lap 18.
After a deep starting inversion which put both Birges and Regier near the rear of the field, Birges, driving a new hot pink Supermodified, rocketed to the front of the pack in the early laps of the event, making the statement that he was the guy to beat on Saturday night.
“Jim got out to the front fast and I knew I had my work cut out for me tonight.” said Reiger, “But I got him in a little traffic and made the pass and held on for the win.”
“I knew I may not have had the car to beat Troy tonight.” said second place finisher Jim Birges, “So I tried to get to the front early.”
Finishing in third and fourth position, respectively, were Jeff Russell and Bryan Warf, both of Boise , Idaho . Lonnie Anderson, of Salt Lake City , Utah , rounded out the top five.
The fans on hand at Madera Speedway on Saturday evening were also given a special treat, being able to watch open wheel legend Davey Hamilton pilot a USAC Sprint car and a 410 Supermodified. Hamilton was runner up in the competitive IRL series twice and competed in the Indianapolis 500 this season, finishing 29th.
Finishing 11th in the Supermodified event, Hamilton never got to the front of the pack to show his stuff but Davey was able to lead the early laps of the Sprint race until suspension problems forced the popular racing figure to retire early. Kody Swanson, of Kingsburg, then inherited the lead and did not look back – taking the checkers of the 50 lap Sprint event.
The Sprint win was Kody’s first at Madera this season.
he victory was not as easy as a lap chart might indicate as a late race caution put his brother, Tanner, right behind him on the restart.
“Davey Hamilton is a great driver but there is no one I am more scared of than my brother.” said Kody after the race.
“He was right behind me on that restart and I was just hoping I could hold on for the win.” said Kody.
Tanner, also of Kingsburg, finished in second place followed by JoJo Helberg of Rohnert Park . Both Tanner and JoJo have one USAC Western Sprint win apiece at Madera this season.
Rounding out the top five USAC Sprints were Lincoln’s Tony Hunt and Brian McClish of Santa Rosa .
In Midget racing, Tanner Swanson, pulling double duty, notched his third win of the season at Madera , surviving a deep inversion and eventually outpacing the field by a almost a straight away when the checkers flew.
“That was a great race - we were three wide at times.” said Swanson, “But that what happens when you have a big inversion like that; there is a lot of slicing and dicing.”
The hottest action on the track was for second position as Colma’s Chad Nichols and Jerome Rodela, of El Monte , battled side-by-side for the 15 remaining laps as the enthusiastic crowed cheered them on. Eventually it was Rodela who got the better of the battle, beating Nichols across the stripe by less than a car length.
Nichols, who won the last USAC Midget race at Madera , came in third followed by Alamo’s Scott Pierovich and Nick Chivello of Manteca .
The Midget race began on a frightening note when Kyle Dickerson, also of Manteca , hit the wall straight-on in turn three on the first lap, bringing both field ambulances immediately to his side. After some nail-biting moments Kyle emerged from his hot rod and walked to the infield under his own power – to the relief and to the applause of the large crowd on hand Saturday evening.
Tracy ’s Jeremy Wood took the checkers of the 35 lap Legends of the Pacific race, besting a large field of 18 little hot rods. Wood’s last victory at Madera came on July 17th.
Wood took the lead from Stanislav Osterlund, of Los Gatos , on lap 16 and was able to hold on for the remaining 19 laps. A late caution put Wood’s restart skills to the test with Osterlund and Rockland ’s Robby Czub right behind him.
Czub, winner of the last Legends race at Madera , finished in the second position with Osterlund coming in third. Angelo Queirolo, of Ripon, and Tracy ’s Cody Berger rounded out the top five.
Osterlund dominated the early stages of the race before being passed by Wood on lap 16.
The Harvest Classic Weekend kicked off on Friday night with a full slate of racing action featuring the American Limited Stock Cars, Modified Super Toyotas, Toyota Sedans and Hornets.
In ALSC action, Coulterville’s Matt Erickson took the lead on lap nine from ALSC points leader Jason Aguirre, of Atwater, and held on to win the 50 lap event. With the win, Erickson vaulted into second position in points, 33 points ahead of Dennis Saunders, of Modesto , who did not race on Friday night.
In another exciting points battle, Fresno ’s Jason Kerns took the points lead from Chris Lewis, of Sanger, in the Toyota Sedan class. Kerns dominated the 40 lap event, leading all but one lap. Lewis finished the event in fourth place with Cody Stout, of Clovis , and Madera ’s Del McIntosh finishing in second and third, respectively.
Fresno ’s Donnie Large took the win in the Modified Super Toyota class while Miles Humphreys, of Clovis , won the Hornet division.
Next Saturday night, September 26th, Madera Speedway hosts Round Three of the "HOTWOOD 333 $50,000 Three Race Series" with 111 laps of NASCAR Whelen All American Western Late Models. Also on tap are ALSC, MST, Toyota Sedans, Hornets, Mini Cup & Baby Grands.
The Madera Speedway is conveniently located at the Madera County Fairgrounds just off to the west side of Highway 99 at the Cleveland Avenue exit. For more Madera Speedway information visit the track’s website at www.racemadera.com or call the Info/Race Line phone number at (559) 673-RACE
-------------------------------------------------------------
Raabe In Command With 4th Mr. DIRT car Sportsman Series Win
Genesee Batavia, NY –
September 19, 2009 – By Dave Medler, DIRTcar Racing Northeast Series Correspondent
It doesn’t matter on what side of the border "Teenage Tornado " Chris Raabe shows up on, he can find Victory Lane at just about any track.
Saturday night at the Genesee Speedway Raabe had a hard fought battle with Don Spatorico before finally grabbing the lead at the halfway point of the 30-lap feature. Once out front, the current Mr. DIRTcar points leader had to battle lapped traffic and hold off Spatorico for a five-car length win, his fourth win of the year, two in the United States and two in Canada for the Napanee, Ontario native.
Outside pole-sitter Spatorico outran Raabe to lead the opening circuit in the 30 lap Hoosier Tire-VP Racing Fuels Mr. DIRTcar Sportsman feature before the most serious incident occurred on lap two involving some of the tour’s heavy hitters.
Caught up in the turn one mishap were ’09 series race winners Ryan Susice, Jipp Ortiz and Justin Wright, along with Brandon Aradine. All cars were able to continue except for Ortiz, who captured Friday night ‘s tour finale at nearby Canandaigua Speedway.
On the ensuing restart Spatorico chose the outside lane and was able to bolt away from Raabe and the rest of the field to set the early pace. With five laps in the books, Spatorico held a three-car length advantage over Raabe while track points champion Brian Sage, who had already charged from 7th starting spot into 3rd, and second-generation pilot Rob Richmond Jr. joined the fray at the front of the pack.
A quick yellow flew on lap nine for an implement tire that found it’s way on the speedway in turn two.
When the green lights came back on, Spatorico moved to the top and Raabe used the extreme bottom, running nose-to-tail then side-by-side on the tight confines of the Genesee Speedway. Raabe grabbed the lead for the first time at the halfway point, with runner-up Spatorico followed by Richmond , Sage and Dave Marcuccilli in a distant third through fifth with 15 laps scored.
With 10 laps still to go, Raabe opened up a five-car length margin over Spatorico as Richmond , Sage and Marcuccilli still showed in the top-five. With Raabe quickly approaching lapped traffic and a handful of laps to go, that gave Spatorico a chance to close in for one last shot at the win.
Yet Raabe was able to dispose of lapped cars at will and go on to post the five-car length victory in convincing fashion over Spatorico, Richmond , Sage and Marcuccilli. In the customary post-race inspection, both Sage and Marcuccilli were penalized their points and money after illegalities were determined with their distributors.
"It took us five hours to get here," said a smiling Raabe after getting out of his no. 01 Scott Industrial Services-Kingston RV Centre-Tyroute Communications/TEO Pro entry. "I was looking forward to coming to this place. Everyone was saying how rocky it was but I was excited to come here. It’s a bottom feeder track and that’s what I like. The track was really good."
Teams chasing points towards the overall Hoosier Tire-VP Racing Fuels Mr. DIRTcar 358-Modified Championship Series return to action next week as DIRTcar Racing Northeast charter member Rolling Wheels Raceway Park hosts round #13 of the 2009 tour on Saturday, September 26 as part of the 23rd World Series Weekend.
Mr. DIRTcar Sportsman Championship Series - Genesee Speedway, September 19, 2009 Feature Event Summary (30 Laps): Chris Raabe, Don Spatorico, Rob Richmond Jr., Brian Sage (dsq.), Dave Marcuccilli (dsq.) Ryan Susice, Justin Wright, B.J Willard, Luke Carleton, Steve Schumacher, Rob Pratt, Dan Wiesner, Adam Turner, Ricky Newton, Amos Andrews, Tim Downs, Ross Vleck, Henry Maier, Mark Chiddy, Jipp Ortiz, Brandon Aradine.
QUALIFYING (Heats 8 laps, 6 qualified)
# 1: Don Spatorico, Rob Richmond Jr., Ryan Susice, Dave Marcuccilli, Justin Wright, Rob Pratt, Adam Turner, Amos Andrews.
# 2: Brian Sage, Chris Raabe, Luke Carlton, Dan Wiesner, B.J Willard, Henry Maier, Brandon Aradine.
# 3: Jipp Ortiz, Steve Schumacher, Tim Downs, Ross Vleck, Rick Bellante, Mark Chiddy, Ricky Newton.
2009 Mr. DIRTcar Sportsman Championship Series Schedule
*All events subject to change.
DAY-DATE LAPS TRACK WINNER/LOCATION
Sun-Apr 5 75 Black Rock Speedway Sammy Reakes IV
Fri-Apr 17 30 Can-Am Motorsports Park Chris Raabe
Thr-Jul 2 25 Rolling Wheels Raceway Park rain-cancelled
Fri-Jul 3 30 Brewerton Speedway Tim Sears Jr.
Sun-Jul 5 50 Cornwall Motor Speedway Chris Raabe
Sat-Jul 18 30 Cayuga County Fair Speedway Justin Wright
Mon-Sep 7 25 Rolling Wheels Raceway Park Jipp Ortiz
Fri-Sep 11 50 Ransomville Speedway Don Spatorico
Sat-Sep 12 50 Merrittville Speedway B.J. Willard
Sun-Sep 13 50 Humberstone Speedway Chris Raabe
Fri-Sep 18 33 Canandaigua Speedway Jipp Ortiz
Fri-Sep 18 33 Canandaigua Speedway Ryan Susice
Sat-Sep 19 30 Genesee Speedway Chris Raabe
Sat-Sep 26 30 Rolling Wheels Raceway Park Elbridge , NY
Fri-Oct 2 30 Fulton Speedway Fulton,NY
Wed-Oct 7 30 Can-Am Motorsports Park LaFargeville,NY
Fri-Oct 9 30 Rolling Wheels Raceway Park Elbridge , NY
Sat-Oct 10 30 New York State Fairgrounds Syracuse ,NY
Sat-Oct 17 30 Brockville Ontario Speedway Brockville ,ONT
Sat-Oct 24 50 Black Rock Speedway Dundee ,NY
@Driver's (2) worst finishes dropped through September; last (6) events count.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Phelps Survives To Pocket $10,000 In Drummond ‘Race Mania 5’ Finale
Phelps Survives To Pocket $10,000 In Drummond ‘Race Mania 5’ Finale
Phelps Survives To Pocket $10,000 In Drummond ‘Race Mania 5’ Finale
Phelps Survives To Pocket $10,000 In Drummond ‘Race Mania 5’ Finale
Phelps Survives To Pocket $10,000 In Drummond ‘Race Mania 5’ Finale
Phelps Survives To Pocket $10,000 In Drummond ‘Race Mania 5’ Finale
Phelps Survives To Pocket $10,000 In Drummond ‘Race Mania 5’ Finale
Phelps Survives To Pocket $10,000 In Drummond ‘Race Mania 5’ Finale
Drummondville, QUE – September 19, 2009 – By Tom Skibinski, DIRTcar Racing Northeast PR Director
It took Jimmy Phelps 21 extra laps yet it was well worth the wait as he surged ahead of Brett Hearn by a car-length under the checkered flag Saturday night at Autodrome Drummond to capture the biggest victory of his career, worth a whopping $10,000 in the Hoosier Tire-VP Racing Fuels Mr. DIRTcar 358-Modified Championship Series ‘Dream Weekend Race Mania 5’ title race.
It was also one of the best Small-Block series showings for Team Troyer this season as Phelps and Danny Johnson sandwiched loyal TEO Pro Car supporter and runner-up finisher Hearn among top-three positions in the cautioned-plagued finale that was extended from 150 to 171 laps due to numerous late-race tire problems on the abrasive 4/10-miler.
“This is the biggest win for this team for sure,” confirmed Phelps, 34, after scoring his second career Mr. DIRTcar 358-Modified Series victory, his first coming exactly one year ago on Sept. 19 closer to home at Canandaigua (NY) Speedway . “We’ve been knocking on the door in some big shows, just haven’t been able to seal the deal for whatever reason. Finally got one tonight.”
Filling out the front-five in the feature that was slowed by 17 yellow flags, 11 falling after the mandatory lap 75 intermission, were Carey Terrance and Larry Lampman, Jr. Frenchman David Hebert (21st) was the last driver to complete the extended distance after dropping from the top-five due to a late-race flat tire.
Luck of the draw among the top-12 heat race qualifiers moved teenager Larry Wight to the point to begin the scheduled 150-lap main event. ‘Lightning Larry’ bolted out to an early lead steering the potent Gypsum Express Ltd no. 99L Gypsum Wholesalers-Tracey Road Equipment/Bicknell entry with reigning Mr. DIRTcar points king Pete Bicknell filling up his rear-view mirror.
Track regular Alex Fortier slowed down on the back straightaway and pulled to the infield to bring out the initial yellow flag on lap 10, with Wight remaining ahead of Bicknell, Hearn, Frederic Gamache and Johnson on the ensuing restart. After a authoring a bold three-wide maneuver, lap 13 brought good luck for Hearn as he grabbed his first lead rolling high around Wight exiting the second corner.
Mirroring his run at the head of the pack the previous Sunday at sister track Autodrome Granby, Hearn increased his advantage to nearly a straightaway with 20 laps complete. Despite three more caution periods slowing the pace in the early stages, Hearn was untouchable during the initial third of the race biding his time aboard the Madsen Motorsports-Wentworth Custom Homes-Benjamin Moore/TEO mount.
Hearn suddenly slowed exiting turn four on lap 56 and a flat right-rear tire was the culprit, returning the lead back to Wight while opening the door for the rest of the field to improve another position without making a pass.
The scripted competition yellow unfurled on lap 75 ---the original halfway point--- just as Phelps slipped under Bicknell for second, while Johnson and Pat O’Brien settled into top-five positions in time for mandatory pit stops among the remaining field. On the lead lap at the halfway mark were 28 cars with 30 of the original 33 starters returning trackside to contend in the second half of the race.
Phelps wasted little time on the lap 76 restart, blasting high around Wight as the two Central New York standouts charged down the back chute dicing for position. Phelps and Wight continued to pace the pack at the century mark, followed closely by Bicknell, Johnson and Pat O’Brien, with a fast moving Hearn lurking just outside the top-10.
Canadian pilots Eric Lefebvre, Laurent Ladouceur and Clement Therrien forced out the caution lights after a three-car pile-up on lap 102, and six laps later it was Lefebvre this time tangling with Jeremy Wilder to require another yellow flag on lap 109. Johnson finally disposed of Wight on lap 116 to take over third with hopes of chasing down Bicknell and Phelps during the closing stages.
While track conditions continued to take their toll as the laps dwindled, Johnson advanced into second when Bicknell had a right rear tire go down lap 134. Pat O’Brien got around Wight for third on lap 139, and that was the beginning of the end for ‘Lightning Larry’ as he slowed into the pits with mechanical issues the next circuit and never returned.
With just three circuits remaining in the scheduled 150-lapper, Pierre Dagenais slowed high off turn two to force out the first of five consecutive yellow flags and ultimately set into motion the same number of green-white-checkered flag attempts to finish before the show could finally end.
Pat O’Brien slowed next with a flat tire on lap 152, Francois Bernier dropped off the pace on lap 156, Fortier had a right-rear tire go down on lap 161 while David Hebert and Kayle Rodidoux suffered flat tire simultaneously to incur the final slow down on lap 167. Even as the checkered flag came down, defending race winner Danny O’Brien relinquished a solid top-five run when another soft shoe put him sixth on the final scorsheet.
Hearn had methodically navigated through the field during the final two restarts yet was unable to overtake the J&B Installations no. 99J Town Mechanical/Troyer machine, falling behind by just .23-seconds at the line to post his first top-five finish of the season in 358-Modified competition.
“I knew we had a good car, but it still made me a little nervous on those last few restarts,” admitted Phelps, who will be recognized behind the wheel of the H&H Motorsports no. 98H Mohawk N.E.-New England Race Fuels-Joe Gibbs Racing Oil/Troyer ride on Sunday at Drummond when the Big-Blocks take center stage in the Super DIRTcar Series.
“Thought we were all by ourselves at the end, although I felt somebody right there at he end. We were a little free after a yellow for a lap or whatever, still kinda figured the tires were worn but we had enough to get it to the end.
“Have a lot of people to thank, especially a bunch of locals that helped us out with tires as we came here a little unprepared. We still had a good car and got up in there. Glad that my mom and dad were able to come tonight, and we finally got one (win) for them,” Phelps added.
While Phelps was happy to hang on with a bald tire showing its wear in the winner’s circle, Hearn remained hungry after the checkered flag fell only laps before he could regain his position up front.
“Its unfortunate that we had to play second fiddle, I think we had the best car by far here,” stated Hearn, 51, DIRTcar Northeast’s all-time 358-Modified Series winner with 68, yet still winless on tour in ’09. “But in a long race like this, sometimes that’s the way it works out.”
“(Jimmy) was restarting a little bit better, he put just that little bit of distance on me on the front straightaway. Couldn’t quite run the top of (turn) one like I wanted to.”
“I saw his tire and said ‘man, if we can keep doing this (restarts) over and over again, sooner or later he’s gonna blow that thing.’ I was worried about my tire as I could see he was out of tires as well, but I was trying not to do anything too crazy and tried to make my moves right after the restarts.”
“Thought I had it planned out to where I knew what I was gonna do, Danny just didn’t let up on me so I couldn’t do exactly what I wanted. On a track like this where it gets so rubbered up, track position is everything and we gave up track position with that blown tire in the first half of the race. It took us the whole time to get back where we started from after that,” Hearn noted.
Already an ’09 series winner in the end of July at Ransomville (NY) Speedway, the most recent trip to the Canadian province of Quebec afforded Johnson just his second front-five tally of the season in Dave Thompson’s no. FX1 Troyer entry. However, the official end result was still pending as the customary post-race technical inspection was inconclusive at press time.
“(Brett) and I were trying to sneak by Jimmy and then all of a sudden he snuck by me,” smiled Johnson, the leading rival of Hearn over the past two decades on both sides of the border. “So then I had two (cars) to sneak by again, just couldn’t do it.”
“Regardless, I really appreciate the team’s effort getting me here in the top-three and not being a lapped car. Its great getting up in a podium finish. Hopefully we can pick up a few more before the season’s out around here,” Johnson added.
Teams chasing points towards the overall Hoosier Tire-VP Racing Fuels Mr. DIRTcar 358-Modified Championship Series return to action next week as DIRTcar Racing Northeast charter member Rolling Wheels Raceway Park hosts round number eight of the 2009 tour on Friday, September 25 as part of the 23rd World Series Weekend.
Mr. DIRTcar 358-Modified Championship Series Race #7 – Autodrome Drummond,
September 19, 2009 ‘Race Mania 5’ Event Summary
Feature
FIN STR CAR# DRIVER
1 7 99j Jimmy Phelps/Baldwinsville, NY($10,000)
2 4 20 Brett Hearn/Sussex,NJ
3 5 fx1 Danny Johnson/Rochester,NY
4 25 66x Carey Terrance/Akwesasne,NY
5 18 22 Larry Lampman,Jr./ Port Colborne ,ONT
6 3 7* Danny O'Brien/Kingston,ONT
7 29 77x Dale Planck/Cortland,NY
8 6 74 Frederic Gamache/ Granby ,QUE
9 13 22c Mario Clair/St-Edmond,QUE
10 11 16w Lance Willix II/Theresa,NY
11 19 22j Gino Clair/St-Edmond,QUE
12 2 42 Pete Bicknell/St.Catharines,ONT
13 27 6m Mat Williamson/St.Catharines,ONT
14 14 61 Jean Boissonneault/ Granby ,QUE
15 21 49 Francois Bernier/St-Hyacinthe,QUE
16 23 6 Pat O'Brien /Kingston,ONT
17 28 22jw Jeremy Wilder/ Fort Plain , NY
18 9 54 Steve Bernard/St Paul Abbotsford,QUE
19 26 23 Laurent Ladouceur/ Alexandria ,ONT
GATER NEWS LAP LEADERS: Wight (1-12), Hearn (13-55), Wight (56-75), Phelps (76-171).
CAUTIONS: 17 for 49 laps.
HEAT WINNERS: Wight, Bernard, Hebert, D.O'Brien, Decker, Bicknell.
CONSI WINNERS: G.Clair, Dagenais, Bernier.
BICKNELL RACING PRODUCTS WINNER AWARD: Jimmy Phelps.
SYRACUSE
SUPER DIRT WEEK QUALIFIER:
Jimmy Phelps.
HALFWAY LEADER: Larry Wight.
BERT HARD CHARGER: Dale Planck.
PENSKE POWER POSITION (17th): Jeremy Wilder.
FAST TIME TRIALER: Brett Hearn (17.582sec/81.902mph).
TOTAL PURSE: $33,250.
CARS ENTERED: 53.
NEXT EVENT: Rolling Wheels Raceway Park 'World Series Weekend' - September 25, 2009.
DID NOT QUALIFY(20)
7-Patrice Demers/ Drummondville ,QUE
9s-Mark Smoke/ Akwesasne , NY
10-Pat McGrail/Candiac,QUE
14-Mitchell Jock/ Akwesasne , NY
17-Eric Bessette/St-Marc-Richelieu,QUE
19-Michel Pelletier/Ste-Anne de Sorel,QUE
22e-Eric Gauvreau/Chelsea,QUE
23b-Dany Bilodeau/Victoriaville,QUE
35-Francois Bellemare/Trois-Rivieres,QUE
37s-Tommy Flannigan/St.Catharines,ONT
39a-Alan Therrien/ Victoriaville ,QUE
44-Sebastien Gougeon/ Drummondville ,QUE
66w-Steve Paine/ Waterloo , NY
72-Denis Gauvreau/Alymer,QUE
75-Sebastien Benoit/St.Eugene,QUE
81-Eric Landry/Trois-Rivieres,QUE
87-Martin Gagne/ Granby ,QUE
97-Michel Chicoine/Ste-Cecile de Milton,QUE
99a-Mike Adderley/ Charlotte , NC
172-Andre Gauthier/ Granby ,QUE
QUALIFYING
FAST AVE
TIME MPH CAR# DRIVER
1 17.582 81.902 20 Brett Hearn/Sussex,NJ
2 17.751 81.122 54 Steve Bernard/St Paul Abbotsford,QUE
3 17.853 80.659 74 Frederic Gamache/ Granby ,QUE
4 17.857 80.641 21 Yan Bussiere/ Drummondville ,QUE
5 17.859 80.632 1 David Hebert/St. Damase,QUE
6 17.871 80.577 91 Billy Decker/ Unadilla , NY
7 17.874 80.564 22jw Jeremy Wilder/ Fort Plain , NY
8 17.903 80.433 99L Larry Wight/ Phoenix , NY
9 17.948 80.232 2x Alex Fortier/Princeville,QUE
10 17.951 80.218 22c Mario Clair/St-Edmond,QUE
Heat Races (10 laps, top 3 finishers transferred to feature, top 2 to re-draw)
#1: Wight, Phelps, M.Clair, Wilder, Robidoux, A.Therrien, Bilodeau, Paine, Chicoine.
#2: Bernard, Hearn, Boissonneault, T.O’Brien, Flannigan, Adderley, G.Clair, Landry, Gauthier.
#3: Hebert, Bussiere, Fortier, P.O’Brien, Sheppard, Gagne, Benoit, Bessette, Jock.
#4: D.O’Brien, Johnson, C.Therrien, Dagenais, Terrance, E.Gauvreau, D.Gauvreau, Pelletier, Smoke.
#5: Decker, Gamache, Scagliotta, Bernier, Gougeon, Williamson, Lefebvre, McGrail, Bellemare.
#6: Bicknell, Willix, Lampman, Brouillard, Ladouceur, Demers, Planck, D’Ilario.
Consolation Round (10 laps, top 2 finishers transferred to feature)
#1: G.Clair, T.O’Brien, Robidoux, A.Therrien, Adderley, Paine, Wilder, Bilodeau, Chicoine, Landry, Gauthier, Flannigan.
#2: Dagenais, P.O’Brien, Sheppard, Terrance, E.Gauvreau, Jock, D.Gauvreau, Bessette, Gagne, Benoit, Pelletier, Smoke.
#3: Bernier, Brouillard, Lefebvre, Ladouceur, Williamson, Demers, McGrail, Gougeon, Bellemare, Planck, D’Ilario (DNS).
Guaranteed: Terrance, Ladouceur, Williamson, Wilder, Planck.
Provisional: D'Ilario.
Added: Robidoux, Sheppard, Lefebvre.
Hoosier-VP Mr. DIRTcar 358-Modified Point Standings (Thru Sept. 19, 2009)
No. Driver Total Series Bonus Diff Home Track Wins Top-5 Top-10 Sts
77x Dale Planck 955 595 360 0 Fulton 0 5 7 7
42 Pete Bicknell 863 503 360 -92 Merrittville 0 3 5 7
7* Danny O'Brien 860 500 360 -95 Brockville 0 2 5 7
22 Larry Lampman 843 483 360 -112 Merrittville 1 3 4 7
66x Carey Terrance 829 469 360 -126 Mohawk 0 2 4 7
3b Chad Brachmann 743 383 360 -212 Merrittville 0 1 4 6
22c Mario Clair 737 377 360 -218 Granby 0 2 3 6
6 Pat O'Brien 728 368 360 -227 Brockville 2 2 3 5
22J Jeremy Wilder 710 350 360 -245 Glen Ridge 0 0 2 6
6m Mat Williamson ® 697 337 360 -258 Humberstone 0 0 0 7
POT HOLES: Upon waking up Saturday morning at his hotel just a mile down the road from Autodrome Drummond, car owner Vinny Salerno was stunned to discover the Four Star Racing hauler missing from the lot. Although the rig was recovered later in the day, both the enclosed Big-Block & Small-Block Four Star Transmissions no. 4 Keizer Aluminum Wheels-Mike Sparta Trucking/TEO cars driven regularly by Michael Storms were yet to be found, prompting Salerno to post a $20,000 reward upon their safe return. Chris Moore, Todd Burley and Todd Stone were among those DIRTcar Modified drivers that also lost equipment in past trips up to the Drummondville area for series events…….Big-Block drivers Brett Hearn, Billy Decker Matt Sheppard, Jimmy Phelps, Danny Johnson, Steve Paine and Larry Wight were in competition not only vying for the $10,000 winner’s share on Saturday, but also logging valuable track time for the Super DIRTcar Series event postponed to Sunday following rain on Friday….For the second straight year Drummond’s Dream Weekend attracted 53 Small-Block entries, 39 of those entered competed the previous Sunday in Autodrome Granby’s sister 150-lapper taken by Billy Decker over young teammate Larry Wight. While Decker was first last week, he was last on Saturday at Drummond….6th and final qualifying heat was easily the most dramatic as Dale Planck slid high out of turn three and rode the wall right in front of Mark D’Ilario who even did one better as his mount climbed the turn three cement barrier before coming to rest on the grass….A gigantic fireworks display prempted the start of the 150-lap feature with the speakers blasting as each driver was introduced under a spotlight in front of the homestretch grandstand crowd….a 4-wide ‘salute to the fans’ pace lap was another unique aspect of promoter Yan Bussiere’s presentation in the track’s biggest 358-Modified race of the year.
2009 Mr. DIRTcar 358-Modified Championship Series Schedule
*All events subject to change.
DAY-DATE LAPS TRACK LOCATION/WINNER
Mon-May 18 Merrittville Speedway Larry Lampman Jr.
Fri-Jul 31 Ransomville Speedway Danny Johnson
Sun-Sep 6 Cornwall Motor Speedway Carey Terrance
Fri-Sep 11 Mohawk International Raceway Pat O’Brien
Sat-Sep 12 Brockville Ontario Speedway Pat O’Brien
Sun-Sep 13 Autodrome Granby Billy Decker ($10,000 to win)
Sat-Sep 19 Autodrome Drummond Jimmy Phelps ($10,000 to win)
Fri-Sep 25 Rolling Wheels Raceway Park Elbridge,NY
Wed-Oct 7 Can-Am Motorsports Park LaFargeville , NY
Thr-Oct 8 Brewerton Speedway Brewerton , NY
Fri-Oct 9 Rolling Wheels Raceway Park Elbridge,NY
Sat-Oct 10 New York State Fairgrounds Syracuse,NY ($20,000 to win)
Sat-Oct 17 Brockville Ontario Speedway Brockville ,ONT
Sun-Oct 18 Brockville Ontario Speedway Brockville ,ONT
2009 358-MODIFIED SYRACUSE CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFIERS
(+)-denotes Mr. DIRTcar 358-Modified Championship Series event.
DAY-DATE TRACK WINNER/QUALIFIER
Sat-Apr 19 Orange County Fair Speedway Brett Hearn
Sun-Apr 26 Big Diamond Raceway Duane Howard/Tom Scheetz Jr.-18th
Sat-May 2 Airborne Speedway Martin Roy
Sun-May 17 Cornwall Motor Speedway Danny O'Brien
Mon-May 18+ Merrittville Speedway Larry Lampman Jr.
Mon-May 18 Merrittville Speedway Pete Bicknell
Fri-May 22 Ransomville Speedway Todd Burley
Wed-Jun 17 Orange County Fair Speedway BillyDecker/ Donnie Wilson &Kirk Horton
Sun-Jun 21 Cornwall Motor Speedway Joel Doiron
Sat-Jun 27 Lebanon Valley Speedway Ray Hoard
Fri-Jul 3 Ransomville Speedway Brett Hearn/Robbie Krull-11th
Sat-Jul 4 Fulton Speedway Alan Johnson/Mike Mahaney-21st
Thr-Jul 9 Brockville Ontario Speedway B.Hearn/Kyle Dingwall-5th
Fri-Jul 10 Autodrome Granby B.Decker/David Hebert-5th
Fri-Jul 17 Autodrome Granby Mario Clair
Sat-Jul 18 Merrittville Speedway L.Lampman/Chad Brachmann-2nd
Sat-Jul 18 Autodrome Drummond D.Hebert/Michel Chicoine-3rd
Sun-Jul 26 Lebanon Valley Speedway Tom Faxon
Thr-Jul 30 Mohawk Int'l Speedway D.Hebert/Todd Stewart-2nd
Fri-Jul 31+ Ransomville Speedway Danny Johnson
Fri-Jul 31 Autodrome Edelweiss D.Hebert/Steve Bernard-3rd
Sat-Aug 1 Brockville Ontario Speedway D.O'Brien/Kayle Robidoux-3rd
Sat-Aug 1 Humberstone Speedway Stewart Friesen
Mon-Aug 3 Merrittville Speedway M.Sheppard/Adam Ferri-11th
Fri-Aug 7 Brewerton Speedway M.Sheppard/Chris Hile-19th
Sat-Aug 8 Lebanon Valley Speedway Andy Bachetti
Sat-Aug 8 Autodrome Drummond S.Bernard/Clement Therrien-2nd
Fri-Aug 21 Can-Am Motorsports Park M.Sheppard/Eric Gauvreau-23rd
Sun-Aug 23 Cornwall Motor Speedway Jimmy Phelps/Pierre Dagenais-2nd
Fri-Aug 28 Autodrome Granby Yan Bussiere
Fri-Aug 28 Autodrome Edelweiss P.Dagenais/Brian McDonald-2nd
Fri-Sep 4 Ransomville Speedway P.Bicknell/Jon Miller-4th
Sat-Sep 5 Airborne Speedway M.Roy/ Patrick Dupree -2nd
Sat-Sep 5 Merrittville Speedway Mike Bowman
Sat-Sep 5 Autodrome Drummond D.Hebert/Eric Lefebvre-6th
Sat-Sep 5 Lebanon Valley Speedway Steve Hough
Sun-Sep 6 Cornwall Motor Speedway Carey Terrance
Sun-Sep 6 Cayuga County Fair Speedway B.Decker/Randy Chrysler-13th
Mon-Sep 7 Northern Region Champion Danny O'Brien
Mon-Sep 7 Western Region Champion Pete Bicknell
Fri-Sep 11+ Mohawk Int'l Raceway Pat O'Brien
Sat-Sep 12+ Brockville Ontario Speedway P.O'Brien/Billy Decker-2nd
Sun-Sep 13+ Autodrome Granby B.Decker/Larry Wight-2nd
Sat-Sep 19 Autodrome Drummond Jimmy Phelps
-------------------------------------------------------------
Another Milestone for Pauch, Wins 80th Career at New Egypt
NES RESULTS 9/19/09
MODIFIED RESULTS
1st Heat: 1. John Salvatore Jr. 2. Bob Drayton 3. John Stangle 4.
Billy Pauch 5. Tom Carberry 6. Mike Hendershot
2nd Heat: 1. Tim Tanner Jr. 2. Steve Haggan 3. Brad Freeman 4. Mike
McAleer 5. Frank Cozze 6. Sam Martz
3rd Heat: 1. Rick Laubach 2. Dominick Buffalino 3. Mark Forte Jr. 4.
Marc Herman 5. Tommy Beamer 6. Tad Cox
B-Main: 1. Ron John Koczon 2. Richie Pratt Jr. 3.Kenny Carberry 4.
John McClelland 5. Rich Rutski 6. Frank Cozze Jr. 7. Willie Osmun 8.
Johnny Guarino 9. Jim Robertson
Fans Provisional: Kevin Vaclavicek
Feature (30 Laps): 1. Billy Pauch 2. Rick Laubach 3.Bobby Drayton 4.
Kenny Carberry 5. Mike McAleer 6. Richie Pratt Jr. 7. John Stangle 8.
Frank Cozze Jr. 9. Tom Carberry 10. Willie Osmun 11. John McClelland
12. Sam Martz 13. Ron John Koczon 14. Jim Robertson 15. John
Salvatore 16. Steve Haggen 17. Johnny Guarino 18. Tommy Beamer 19.
Kevin Vaclavicek 20. Mark Herman 21. Tad Cox 22. Rich Rutski 23.
Dominick Buffalino 24. Mike Hendershot 25. Frank Cozze 26. Mark Forte
Jr. 27. Brad Freeman
DNQ: Kevin Nagy, Pat Wall, Tommy Carberry Jr., Bill Paulmenn, Billy
Lowden Jr., Doug Ostwald, Bruce Gesell, Bobby Sandt, Kenny Huchko
CRATE SPORTSMAN RESULTS
1st Heat: 1. Bryan Kuhl 2. John Micek 3. George Idell Jr. 4. Gabe Fox
5. Pat Wall 6. Ryan Simmons
2nd Heat: 1. Ryan Forte 2. Bobby Dmuchowski 3. Bryan Papiez 4. John
Haegele 5. Rob Stump 6. Harry Marlin
Feature (20 Laps): 1. Gabe Fox 2. Harry Marlin 3. Pat Wall 4. John
Micek 5. Bobby Dmuchowski 6. Ryan Forte 7. Rob Stump 8. George
Ferguson 9. Joe Inglin 10. Doug Urbano 11. George Idell Jr. 12. Tom
Raneri 13. Lee Allen 14. Ryan Simmons 15. Bryan Papiez 16. Jon
Haegele 17. Bryan Kuhl 18. Steve Davis 19. Bobby Sherff 20. Rich
Steele 21. Jimmy Spellman 22. Dan Stoudt
DNS: Matt Vaillancourt
SUPER STOCK RESULTS
1st Heat: 1. Rob Ormsbee 2. Shawn McCaughey 3. Jason Bubeck 4. Al
Burdge 5. Larry Reed 6. Pete Fogarty
2nd Heat: 1. Bill Liedtka 2. George Marrero 3. Tony Giglio 3. 4.
Mick Search 5. George Quinlan 6. Larry Bubeck
Feature (20 Laps): 1. Rob Ormsbee 2. Todd Cray 3. Sean McCaughey 4.
Jason Bubeck 5. George Quinlan 6. Larry Bubeck 7. Pete Fogarty 8.
George Marrero 9. Larry Reed 10. Mick Search 11. Al Burge 12. Marty
Derr 13. Jim Hewitt 14. Bill Liedka 15. Kevin Buffalco 16. Tony
Giglio 17. Norm Saxton 18. Mike Faccaro 19. Charlie Gunner 20. Jesse
McLaughlin
-----------------------------------------------------------
BPG RACING FREEDOM 76 AT GRANDVIEW
DESANTIS WINS $20,000
BECHTELSVILLE, PA September 20, 2009 . . .
Meme DeSantis looked like a sure bet for a second place finish on Saturday night at Grandview Speedway. With Duane Howard leading with just eight laps to go in the BPG Racing Freedom 76 Modified Classic a left front flat tire forced him to the pits giving the lead and the $20,000 win to DeSantis.
In victory lane DeSantis told the huge crowd on hand, “I did notice that Howard had a tire going down and I hate to say it but I was hoping that it would go flat.” Apparently his hopes came true and he was able to garner his second career Freedom 76 victory.
DeSantis had high praise for his team, some of the members having been with him for 15 years. “What a car, what a team, I had it all tonight,” said DeSantis. The veteran racer, 53 years old, admitting to being in the twilight of his career still had a lot left for the youngsters he left behind in winning the BPG Racing Freedom 76.
And how did he plan to celebrate the win? DeSantis and family will have their weekly spaghetti dinner and he was headed to his full time job on Sunday night.
Jon Kellner Sr. took the early lead in the 76-lap classic but that was short lived as his Banes Roofing No.8 modified broke on the fourth lap giving the lead to Ryan Godown. For the next 15 laps Godown was in charge but on the 20th circuit Jeff Strunk, Craig VonDohren and Godown went into turn three side by side with VonDohren ending up crashing and Godown getting the blame and being sent to the back of the field. VonDohren was not injured but the BPG Racing No. 1C was heavily damaged.
After a couple failed restarts it was Jeff Strunk in front and holding the top spot until the 26th circuit when Duane Howard, coming from 24th starting spot, got the front running position on a restart after a caution for a spinning Stewart Friesen.
Once in front it looked like Howard was going to have an easy time on his way to his fourth Freedom 76 win. Even when a fuel stop for the entire field on the 44th lap gave everyone another shot at the leader Howard was still able to pull away from the field. However with eight laps to go a left front flat tire sent Howard to the pits giving the lead to DeSantis who went on to win. The Temple, PA racer started in 22nd spot and steadily worked his way through the field to take the lead on the 68th circuit of the one-third-mile, banked clay oval. Second spot went to Doug Manmiller (Shoemakersville) for his strongest effort of the season followed by eight time NASCAR Whelen All American Series Modified track champion Jeff Strunk (Mohnton), Mike Gular (Green Lane) and Billy Pauch Jr. (Frenchtown, NJ).
Duane Howard came back to finish 11th.
The BFP Speciality/Pioneer Pole Buildings Cash Dash was won by Shawn Reimert earning him $1000 while Tommy Scheetz Jr. got the win in the Schaeffer Motorsports Minuteman 20 which got him a starting spot in the BPG Racing Freedom 76 and a set of Penske Racing Shocks.
Qualifying heat races for the more than 60 cars on hand for the Freedom 76 were won by Duane Howard, Danny Erb, Shawn Reimert, Jason Smythe, Kevin Hirthler and Mike Gular. The three consolation races earning the top three finishers starting spots in the Minuteman 20 went to Troy Wink, Keith Hoffman and Jason Hamilton.
The Cornerstone Auto Sales of Fleetwood, PA Hard Charger Award went to John Willman who advanced 23 positions in the 76-lap main event. He started 31st and finished 8th.
Jason Umbenhauer, making his first Freedom 76 start, finished 10th to earn a gift certificate from Cargo Trailer Sales. The Dan’s Deli Halfway Leader Award went to Duane Howard and they also presented a 76 inch hoagie to the winner.
The LineX Freedom Fest, an afternoon of fan activities put together by Pete Knappenberger, raised more than $1,000 for the Camelot House in Allentown, PA.
The next event at Grandview Speedway is set for Sunday, September 27th at 2:30 p.m. and will feature the NEETS Enduro action.
BPG RACING FREEDOM 76 MODIFIED CLASSIC, 76 laps: 1. Meme DeSantis 2. Doug Manmiller 3. Jeff Strunk 4. Mike Gular 5. Billy Pauch Jr. 6. Tommy Scheetz Jr. 7. Stewart Friesen 8. John Willman 9. Jimmy Horton 10. Jordon Umbenhauer 11. Duane Howard 12. Kyle Weiss 13. Ryan Godown 14. Kerry Kratz 15. Kenny Brightbill 16. Ray Swinehart 17. Ryan Grim 18. Danny Hieber 19. Don Norris 20. Bobby Gunther Walsh 21. Kevin Hirthler 22. Keith Brightbill 23. Todd Smith 24. Todd Marburger 25. Jason Smythe 26. Shawn Reimert 27. Chris Esposito 28. Craig VonDohren 29. Addison Meitzler 30. Brad Missimer 31. Mike Nicholas 32. Tom Mayberry 33. Danny Erb 34. Jon Kellner Sr.
-------------------------------------------------------------
LUCAS OIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR SERIES RACE RESULTS
September 19, 2009 – Perris, California – Perris Auto Speedway - “Kindoll Classic”
QUALIFICATIONS: 1. Mike Spencer, 50, Chaffin-16.459; 2. Garrett Hansen, 7, Priestley-16.702; 3. Blake Miller, 93, Gardner-16.708; 4. Danny Sheridan, 18, Kittle-16.716; 5. Tony Jones, 4, Alexander-16.801; 6. Matt Mitchell, 37, Mitchell-16.818; 7. Josh Ford, 73, Ford-16.902; 8. Ronnie Gardner, 96, Gardner-16.940; 9. Greg Bragg, 92, Sertich-17.019; 10. Rip Williams, 3, Jory-17.127; 11. Wes Gutierrez, 07, WG-17.143; 12. Austin Williams, 2, Jory-17.180; 13. Cory Kruseman, 21k, Kruseman-17.184; 14. Rodney Argo, 19, Argo-17.202; 15. Jimmy Crawford, 11, Crawford-17.254; 16. Matt Rossi, 02, Rossi-17.336; 17. Richard VanderWeerd, 10, VanderWeerd-17.342; 18. John Aden, 7a, Aden-17.347; 19. Ludvig Solberg IV, 84, Persall-17.406; 20. Cody Williams, 44, Jory-17.429; 21. R.J. Johnson, 15, Martin-17.464; 22. Jace VanderWeerd, 88, VanderWeerd-17.623; 23. Robert Ellis, 12, Blair-17.947; 24. Andrew Reinbold, 19x, Reinbold-17.955; 25. Mathew Shedarowich, 8z, Shedarowich-18.100; 26. Randy Waitman,
69, Waitman-18.101; 27. Jerry Welton, 62x, Welton-18.194; 28. Tony Everhart, 55, Everhart-18.384; 29. Jonny Bates, 33, Bates-18.404; 30. Tanner Terry, 30, Terry-18.646; 31. Royal Adderson, 40, Adderson-18.908; 32. Greg Alexander, 75, Stansberry-19.015; 33. Steve Conrad, 91, Ferro-19.294; 34. Curt LeDuc, 84m, Persall-19.435; 35. David Cardey, 38x, Crossno-NT; 36. #16, Gardner-NT; 37. #18x, Kittle-NT. (David Cardey, 38, Crossno-16.611-withdrawn).
TROPHY DASH: (3 laps) 1. Miller, 2. Sheridan, 3. Spencer, 4. Hansen, 50.980
FIRST HEAT: (10 laps) 1. Jones, 2. Spencer, 3. R.VanderWeerd, 4. Bragg, 5. Bates, 6. Johnson, 7. Conrad, 8. Shedarowich, 9. Kruseman. 2:54.24
SECOND HEAT: (10 laps) 1. Mitchell, 2. Argo, 3. Hansen, 4. R.Williams, 5. Waitman, 6. J.VanderWeerd, 7. LeDuc, 8. Aden. NT
THIRD HEAT: (10 laps) 1. Ford, 2. Solberg, 3. Cardey (#38x), 4. Miller, 5. Gutierrez, 6. Ellis, 7. Adderson, 8. Crawford, 9. Welton. NT
FOURTH HEAT: (10 laps) 1. Reinbold, 2. A.Williams, 3. Sheridan, 4. Gardner, 5. Rossi, 6. Alexander, 7. Everhart, 8. C.Williams. 3:02.19
SEMI: (12 laps) 1. Kruseman, 2. Gutierrez, 3. Johnson, 4. Rossi, 5. Ellis, 6. J.VanderWeerd, 7. Conrad, 8. Waitman, 9. Bates, 10. Welton, 11. Terry, 12. Adderson, 13. Shedarowich, 14. C.Williams, 15. Everhart, 16. LeDuc, 17. Alexander, 18. Crawford, 19. Aden. NT
FEATURE: (30 laps) 1. Mike Spencer, 2. Tony Jones, 3. Danny Sheridan, 4. David Cardey (#38x), 5. Garrett Hansen, 6. Rip Williams, 7. Wes Gutierrez, 8. Blake Miller, 9. Richard VanderWeerd, 10. R.J. Johnson, 11. Cory Kruseman, 12. Jace VanderWeerd, 13. Andrew Reinbold, 14. Matt Mitchell, 15. Greg Bragg, 16. Matt Rossi, 17. Josh Ford, 18. Austin Williams, 19. Ronnie Gardner, 20. Rodney Argo, 21. Ludvig Solberg IV, 22. Robert Ellis. NT
**Cardey flipped during qualifying. Ellis, Argo & Mitchell flipped during the feature.
FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Lap 1 Gardner, Laps 2-7 Mitchell, Laps 8-30 Spencer.
NEW LUCAS OIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR POINTS: 1-Spencer-676; 2-Cardey-676; 3-Miller-649; 4-Hansen-638; 5-Sheridan-534; 6-Bragg-513; 7-Mitchell-452; 8-R.Williams-433; 9-Kruseman-397; 10-C.Williams-293.
NEXT LUCAS OIL USAC/CRA SPRINT CAR RACE: October 10 – Perris (CA) Auto Speedway
-----------------------------------------------------------
September 19, 2009 Madera, California Madera Speedway
QUALIFICATIONS: 1. Tanner Swanson, 17, TK-13.524; 2. Kody Swanson, 75, TK-13.627; 3. Tony Hunt, 56, Phulps-13.654; 4. JoJo Helberg, 7, Helberg-13.736; 5. Davey Hamilton, 40, Western Speed- 13.853; 6. Scott Pierovich, 14, Pierson-13.863; 7. Brian McClish, 4B, McClish-13.886; 8. Audra Sasselli, 77, Sasselli-13.906; 9. Eric Humphries, 16, Humphries-14.093; 10. Shauna Hogg, 5, Hogg-14.123; 11. Luis Ramos III, 21, Kaplan/Genuso-14.297; 12. Anthony Simone, 10, Simone-14.676; 13. Gordon Rodgers, 93, Rodgers-14.691; 14. Marvin Mitchell, 68, Mitchell-15.119.
FIRST HEAT: (8 laps) 1. Humphries, 2. Hunt, 3. T.Swanson, 4. Ramos, 5. Hamilton, 6. McClish, 7. Rodgers. NT
SECOND HEAT: (8 laps) 1. Sasselli, 2. K.Swanson, 3. Hogg, 4. Helberg, 5. Pierovich, 6. Simone, 7. Mitchell. NT
FEATURE: (50 laps) 1. Kody Swanson, 2. Tanner Swanson, 3. JoJo Helberg, 4. Tony Hunt, 5. Brian McClish, 6. Scott Pierovich, 7. Audra Sasselli, 8. Eric Humphries, 9. Luis Ramos III, 10. Gordon Rodgers, 11. Anthony Simone, 12. Marvin Mitchell, 13. Shauna Hogg, 14. Davey Hamilton. NT
FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-6 Hamilton, Laps 7-50 K.Swanson.
NEW USAC WESTERN SPRINT CAR POINTS: 1-T.Swanson-587; 2-Helberg-503; 3-McClish-489; 4-Hunt-463; 5-K.Swanson-455; 6Humphries-411; 7-Hogg-377; 8-Sasselli-371; 9-Mike Murgoitio-230; 10-Jimmy Riddell-204.
NEXT USAC WESTERN SPRINT CAR RACE: September 26 Roseville, CA All American Speedway
-------------------------------------------------------------
Gregg Garners ASCS Southwest Win at USA Raceway
Lonnie Wheatley, TUCSON, Ariz. (September 19, 2009) – Ben Gregg broke into American Sprint Car Series Southwest victory lane for the first time this year by topping Saturday night's 25-lap main event at USA Raceway.
After bagging eight series wins last year, Gregg extended his current series points lead by taking the checkered flag aboard the Gaerte-powered Mastercraft Boats/Legendary Homes No. 22b Maxim.
He didn't extend that lead by much though, as his closest chaser entering the night, defending series champion Rick Ziehl, took the checkered flag in second to escape the night just ten points off of Gregg's lead pace.
Teen shoe Joshua Hodges claimed the show position, with John Gaston advancing from 12th to finish fourth. John Van Horn rounded out the top five, with Mike Martin, Ronnie Clark, Joshua Williams, Mike Rux, Jr., and 17th-starter Jessica Van Dyke completing the top ten.
Ziehl, Van Horn and Hodges topped Saturday night's heat race action.
Ron Kratz flipped in heat race action and scratched from the main.
ASCS Southwest Region Results from USA Raceway:
Heat One (10 Laps): 1. 20z-Rick Ziehl, 2. 94-Charles Davis, Jr., 3. 44k-Koty McGullam, 4. 32-Steve Cushman, 5. 20-Mike Martin, 6. 00-Davey Johnson, 7. 66-Jessica Van Dyke (Disqualified; failed to report to scales).
Heat Two (10 Laps): 1. 5az-John Van Horn, 2. 11T-Steve Lohn, 3. 20az-Steve Martin, 4. 55-Jeff Slinkard, 5. 22-Mike Rux, Jr., 6. 45-Ron Kratz, 7. 8az-Jordan Stetson.
Heat Three (10 Laps): 1. 74x-Joshua Hodges, 2. 6-Ronnie Clark, 3. 22b-Ben Gregg, 4. 22j-John Gaston, 5. 41-Joshua Williams, 6. 7d-William Riley, 7. 51-Cody Cambensy.
“A” Feature (25 Laps): 1. 22b-Ben Gregg, 2. 20z-Rick Ziehl, 3. 74x-Joshua Hodges, 4. 22j-John Gaston, 5. 5az-John Van Horn, 6. 20-Mike Martin, 7. 6-Ronnie Clark, 8. 41-Joshua Williams, 9. 22-Mike Rux, Jr., 10. 66-Jessica Van Dyke, 11. 44k-Koty McGullam, 12. 32-Steve Cushman, 13. 20az-Steve Martin, 14. 11T-Steve Lohn, 15. 7d-William Riley, 16. 00-Davey Johnson, 17. 94-Charles Davis, Jr., 18. 51-Cody Cambensy. DNS: 8az-Jordan Stetson, 55-Jeff Slinkard, 45-Ron Kratz.
ASCS Southwest Region Points (Top Ten): 1. Ben Gregg 984, 2. Rick Ziehl 974, 3. John Gaston 958, 4. Mike Martin 948, 5. Joshua Hodges 946, 6. Ronnie Clark 920, 7. Charles Davis, Jr. 910, 8. John Van Horn 821, 9. Jessica Van Dyke 813, 10. Ron Kratz 746.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zach Chappell Topples ASCS Sooners at Creek County
Lonnie Wheatley, SAPULPA, Okla. (September 19, 2009) – Zach Chappell picked off his second overall American Sprint Car Series feature win of the year at the exact same place he posted his first triumph by topping Saturday night's 25-lap American Bank of Oklahoma ASCS Sooner Region main event at Creek County Speedway.
Chappell, who also topped the Creek County leg of ASCS Speedweek in June, gunned into the lead at the outset and held off the advances of Sean McClelland atop a heavy ¼-mile clay oval to post his 12th career win in ASCS competition.
"I love this track, absolutely love it!" Chappell exclaimed as he pulled into victory lane. "Turns three and four was tough tonight, I thought I might turn it over every time I got in there. I started running the bottom of one and two just so I could rest a little."
Starting from the front row outside aboard the family-owned Legend's Bar-B-Q and Steak Joint No. 50z Maxim, the former ASCS National champion survived a pair of nullified starts before gunning into the lead.
After J.P. Bailey's turn three flip on the second lap, the next 20 circuits ran off in non-stop fashion. With traffic becoming a factor in short order, McClelland closed in on Chappell on several occasions.
"If traffic would have fallen just right, I think we could have made a move on him," McClelland commented.
Chappell held steady though and after one last caution for debris in turn three with just four laps to go, the Talala, OK, was flawless in his final charge to victory lane.
Lucas Oil Sprint Car contender McClelland settled for runner-up honors, commenting that, "I'm just happy to finish one near the front, now we're ready for Lucas Oil Speedway next week."
Rebounding from an opening-lap heat race skirmish to race into the redraw, Matt Covington avoided a pair of early incidents to move from seventh to third and held the show position throughout.
Donnie Ray Crawford earned the Estes Brothers Racing Hard Charger award by slicing through the field from 18th to claim fourth, while Joe Wood, Jr., escaped the night with a 30-point advantage over Covington in the championship chase by rounding out the top five.
Two-time series champ Brian McClelland was sixth, while Brady Bacon rebounded from an early trip to the work area to snare seventh. Sent tailback after spinning from the pole position, Michael Lang raced back up to eighth, while Kyle Bellm bounced back from a heat race turn over in turn two to race from 21st to ninth. Nick Smith completed the top ten.
The initial attempt to start the main event was waved off when Sherman Davis did all but flip in turn four, ultimately coming to a stop as cars scattered. On the second try, Lang looped it in turn two and Kenneth Walker flipped without injury. Davis rejoined the fray briefly after the Walker tumble with Lang tagging the tail as well.
Bailey, Walker and Forrest Sutherland won Saturday night's heat races. While Bailey and Walker both got upside down in the main, Sutherland retired to the pit area after the Bailey ride with undisclosed woes.
Mechanical issues forced Chris Lloyd to scratch for the night, while an ailing engine forced Dustin Morgan to scratch from the main event.
American Bank of Oklahoma ASCS Sooner Region Results from Creek County Speedway:
Heat One (8 Laps): 1. 45-J.P. Bailey, 2. 14-Michael Lang, 3. 72-Sherman Davis, 4. 25-Brian McClelland, 5. 15s-Nick Smith, 6. 80-Brett Thompson, 7. 52-Frank Sudduth, 8. 14k-Kyle Bellm.
Heat Two (8 Laps): 1. 2-Kenneth Walker, 2. 1-Sean McClelland, 3. 95-Matt Covington, 4. 21s-Michelle Decker, 5. 04-Brad Graham, 6. 93-Dustin Morgan, 7. 94w-Waylon Weaver. DNS: 28-Chris Lloyd.
Heat Three (8 Laps): 1. 85s-Forrest Sutherland, 2. 22-Koby Barksdale, 3. 50z-Zach Chappell, 4. 03-Joe Wood, Jr., 5. 99-Brady Bacon, 6. 55-Donnie Ray Crawford, 7. 010-Brian Roberts.
"A" Feature (25 Laps): 1. 50z-Zach Chappell, 2. 1-Sean McClelland, 3. 95-Matt Covington, 4. 55-Donnie Ray Crawford, 5. 03-Joe Wood, Jr., 6. 25-Brian McClelland, 7. 99-Brady Bacon, 8. 14-Michael Lang, 9. 14k-Kyle Bellm, 10. 15s-Nick Smith, 11. 04-Brad Graham, 12. 52-Frank Sudduth, 13. 80-Brett Thompson, 14. 94w-Waylon Weaver, 15. 21s-Michelle Decker, 16. 22-Koby Barksdale, 17. 72-Sherman Davis, 18. 85s-Forrest Sutherland, 19. 45-J.P. Bailey, 20. 2-Kenneth Walker, 21. 010-Brian Roberts. DNS: 93-Dustin Morgan, 28-Chris Lloyd.
points (Top Ten): 1. Joe Wood, Jr. 1,380, 2. Matt Covington 1,350, 3. Donnie Ray Crawford 1,237, 4. Kyle Bellm 1,142, 5. Brad Graham 1,071, 6. (tie) Brady Bacon and Forrest Sutherland 958, 8. Chris Lloyd 938, 9. Brian McClelland 936, 10. Nick Smith 929.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DESANTIS WINS $20,000 BPG RACING FREEDOM 76 AT GRANDVIEW
BECHTELSVILLE, PA September 20, 2009 . . . Meme DeSantis looked like a sure bet for a second place finish on Saturday night at Grandview Speedway. With Duane Howard leading with just eight laps to go in the BPG Racing Freedom 76 Modified Classic a left front flat tire forced him to the pits giving the lead and the $20,000 win to DeSantis.
In victory lane DeSantis told the huge crowd on hand, “I did notice that Howard had a tire going down and I hate to say it but I was hoping that it would go flat.” Apparently his hopes came true and he was able to garner his second career Freedom 76 victory.
Jon Kellner Sr. took the early lead but that was short lived as his Banes Roofing No.8 modified broke on the fourth lap giving the lead to Ryan Godown. For the next 15 laps Godown was in charge but on the 20th circuit Jeff Strunk, Craig VonDohren and Godown went into turn three side by side with VonDohren ending up crashing and Godown getting the blame and being sent to the back of the field. Strunk was the leader on the restart.
After a couple more restarts it was Jeff Strunk in front and holding the top spot until the 26th circuit when Duane Howard got the top spot on a restart after a caution for a spinning Stewart Friesen.
Once in front it looked like Howard was going to have an easy time on his way for his fourth Freedom 76 win. However with eight laps to go the flat tire sent him to the pits giving the lead to DeSantis who went on to win. Second spot went to Doug Manmiller followed by Jeff Strunk, Mike Gular and Billy Pauch Jr.
Duane Howard came back to finish 11th.
The BFP Speciality/Pioneer Pole Buildings Cash Dash was won by Shawn Reimert while Tommy Scheetz Jr. got the win in the Minuteman 20.
The next event at Grandview Speedway is set for Sunday, September 27th at 2:30 p.m. and will feature the NEETS Enduro action.
BPG RACING FREEDOM 76 MODIFIED CLASSIC: 1. Meme DeSantis 2. Doug Manmiller 3. Jeff Strunk 4. Mike Gular 5. Billy Pauch Jr. 6. Tommy Scheetz Jr. 7. Stewart Friesen 8. John Willman 9. Jimmy Horton 10. Jordon Umbenhauer 11. Duane Howard 12. Kyle Weiss 13. Ryan Godown 14. Kerry Kratz 15. Kenny Brightbill 16. Ray Swinehart 17. Ryan Grim 18. Danny Hieber 19. Don Norris 20. Bobby Gunther Walsh 21. Kevin Hirthler 22. Keith Brightbill 23. Todd Smith 24. Todd Marburger 25. Jason Smythe 26. Shawn Reimert 27. Chris Esposito 28. Craig VonDohren 29. Addison Meitzler 30. Brad Missimer 31. Mike Nicholas 32. Tom Mayberry 33. Danny Erb 34. Jon Kellner Sr.
=============================================================
Sept 19 2009
| The New Hampshire 100 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour race will be on SPEED this Saturday, beginning at 1:00 PM with a 15 minute tape delay |
Sept 14 2009
PRESS RELEASE MAHONING VALLEY SPEEDWAY, LEHIGHTON, PA
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
COMING EVENTS:
Saturday Sept. 19, 6:00p.m. All regular tracks classes + Modified make-up from 7/11 + 600cc Mods
Saturday Sept. 26, 6:00p.m. All regular track classes + 7/25 Late Model make-up + 4C Super Mods
Mahoning Valley Speedway Gets Back to Action After Weekend Break
(LEHIGHTON, PA 9-13-09) After a week off from racing Mahoning Valley Speedway returns to action this coming Saturday night, September 19 at 6:00 p.m.
The night will be highlighted with a pair of Modified features. The first will be a make-up 35-lapper that was postponed from July 11. The evening’s regular scheduled event will then be run.
Late Models, Street Stocks, Pro4 Late Models and Dirt Modifieds will also be in action.
Additionally the XCEL 600cc Modifieds will be racing at the track for the final time this season.
On September 26 the Late Models will a run twin 25-lap show which includes the make-up race from July 25 in addition to the regular slated feature.
All regular track classes plus the 4c Super Modifieds and National Old Timers Auto Racing Club will also be competing.
On October 3 and 31 are the final three 100-lap events of the Modified 100 Poker Series. October 3 will consist of Hands Three and Four of the Modified 100 Poker Series. Hand three still has 63 laps to be run after the original show was halted back on July 25 due to rain. Hand Four was initially set for August 22 but that show was also washed out as well.
That same evening the Late Models, Pro4’s and Dirt Mods will run their final point race of the season. All those aforementioned classes along with the Street Stocks will run for double points also.
The final point race for the Street Stocks will be on October 31 which will be the rain delayed July 25 feature. That same day the streeters will face off in a season ending 100-lapper paying $1000 to win.
Mahoning Valley Speedway is located just west of Lehighton on PA Route 443. For additional updates and information log onto www.mahoningspeedway.com or call the track office at 570-386-4900.
Sept 9 2009
Gillette Young Guns Prelude to the Dream Results
Gillette Young Guns Prelude to the Dream Results
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Eldora Speedway
ROSSBURG, Ohio - Results Wednesday of the Gillette Young Guns Prelude to the Dream Dirt Late Model event September 9 at the half-mile Eldora Speedway, with order of finish, starting position in parentheses, driver, laps completed and reason out (if any):
1. (6) Tony Stewart, 30
2. (1) Clint Bowyer, 30
3. (3) Kyle Busch, 30
4. (4) Ryan Newman, 30
5. (11) Matt Kenseth, 30
6. (15) Cruz Pedregon, 30
7. (18) David Reutimann, 30
8. (9) Aric Almirola, 30
9. (8) Kasey Kahne, 30
10. (10) Jimmie Johnson, 30
11. (17) Kevin Harvick, 30
12. (12) Brian Vickers, 30
13. (23) Ron Capps, 30
14. (19) Marcos Ambrose, 30
15. (20) Casey Mears, 29
16. (22) Red Farmer, 27
17. (2) Kenny Wallace, 20, Mechanical
18. (7) Robby Gordon, 12, Accident T3
19. (14) Ken Schrader, 12, Accident T3
20. (13) Joey Logano, 12, Accident T3
21. (21) Ray Evernham, 2, Accident T1
22. (16) A.J. Allmendinger, 0, Accident T3
23. (5) Denny Hamlin, DNS, Mechanical
Race Statistics
Winner's average speed: 38.978 mph
Time of race: 23:05.405
Margin of victory: 3.358 seconds
Cautions: 4 (Lap 1: Allmendinger, Accident T3; Lap 3: Evernham, Accident T1; Lap 13: Schrader, Gordon, Mears, Logano and Ambrose, Accident T3; Lap 20: Mears, Spin T2)
Lead changes: 2 among 2 drivers
Lap leaders: Wallace 1-12, Stewart 13-30
Attendance: More than 23,000
Broadcast: HBO Pay-Per-View
Sept 5 2009
TIMMY J SMOKES THE OSWEGO BUD LIGHT SUPER NATIONALS FIELD
Oswego, NY – Independence, Ohio’s Timmy Jedrzejek won his second Oswego Speedway Bud Light Super Nationals Friday coming up through a tough, tough supermodified field. Jedrzejek, who had the fastest time trial of the 33 cars on hand, was inverted back to twelfth place starting spot for the 50-lapper. He faced 11 of the toughest competitors from the ISMA-MSA organizations ahead of him. Picking his way up through the field, he finally got by a strong-running Lou Cicconi in traffic on lap 35. Two more yellows before race end allowed the field a shot at him, but it never materialized. The win was his first Supernationals with the Craig Reed Racing 8 and his third overall winged Oswego win.
Timmy described his race. “The car was good. Obviously we set it up to be good by qualifying number one. But that puts you back in a tough spot back in twelfth. I think early on in the race I wasn’t quite sure what we had. I was trying to bide my time. The motor was close to overheating there at the end. I was just trying to make it through. It was a great race. I hope the fans enjoyed it. I know I certainly did.
“You are racing against 11 great drivers in front of you and you think, ‘how in hell are you ever going to do this?’ For some reason tonight it all worked out. We had a great car and it handled great to the end. The power was good. What can I say? Brian (Allegresso) and Butch Valley built a heck of a car for us. It was just our job to get it here tonight. This was a special one. The last time I won here I started on the pole. Tonight I thought about that half way through and I knew I’d have to really work for this one. The big luck tonight was Louie hanging onto his car when I hit him coming off of four and he gathered it up. I backed off a little because I didn’t know if I tore my nose wing. If he hadn’t held onto that both cars would have been on the wrecker.
“There were a lot of great MSA and ISMA competitors that came to one place and race together. It couldn’t have been any better. I’d like to thank PPG and the Vibrance Collection for all their support, Enerco and Mr. Heater and all the guys on the crew.”
Lou Cicconi, who started fifth and had to chase Gene Lee Gibson and Dave McKnight for most of the 20 laps, before gaining the lead, finished in the runner-up spot, a career best at Oswego for the talented Aston, PA driver.
“The car was good all night but when it came to traffic the air off the other cars was making my car push on exit. It was really hard to maneuver. I’ll tell you what this is the best we’ve ever done here. It really wanted to win but TJ earned it. He got me in traffic. I got into it a little too hot and got sideways there. It was the first time I went high since I had gotten the lead. I didn’t know what was going to happen, but we figured it out. It was a good race. These guys are all fast.”
A guy who was no stranger to top Oswego finishes but who had been absent from the scene for a while, Russ Wood, ran to a third place.
“It’s good to be back here,” said Russ. “I love coming to Oswego. It’s been since ‘05 maybe since I’ve run here. We were okay today. We struggled a little in the day. The car was good but just not the best. It was a tough race. We finished where we started which is good against these guys. It was a tough battle and we’ll take the third.”
Time trials, heats and a consi, set the 26-car starting field with Gene Lee Gibson and Danny Lane leading the field to green. Gibson immediately took the lead and would hold it through several yellows, one for Matt Palmer, who rejoined the field and one for the Jeff Locke 37, who did not.
Gibson had Dave McKnight, who was celebrating his 50th birthday Friday, and Lou Cicconi bearing down on his 0 almost from the beginning. Sorting out behind the top three were Russ Wood, Mike Lichty, Jedrzejek, Dan Lane, Bob Magner, Bentley Warren, Charlie Schultz and Chris Perley.
On lap 18 Gibson hit some heavy and fast traffic, and the gap he had on McKnight and Cicconi evaporated. As Gibson was about to put the 09 of Jack Smith down a lap, Cicconi seized the opportunity to get under both the 94 and 0 for the lead.
Lap 22 bunched the field when yellow dropped for the Magner 41. One lap later a double incident occurred which saw Rich Reid hit heavily in turn four while 4 cars jumbled in turn one. Reid went off on the hook and the others – Lane, Timmons, Ice and Burch all were restarted and regained their spots in the field because they had secondary spins to the Reid yellow. Burch, however, would pit sending him the rear.
Cicconi took off on the restart but Timmy J utilized the time to get by both McKnight and Gibson to put his 8 in second. Russ Wood also got by McKnight to claim fourth on the next circuit. On lap 25, McKnight’s teammate Mike Lichty exited the race out of sixth.
For the next eight laps all eyes were on the seasoned veteran Cicconi and Timmy J as the two pulled away for their own battle up front. Gibson Wood, McKnight, Perley and Schultz ran behind.
The leaders approached the tail of the field on lap 34 and anticipation mounted. Cicconi made a high move and Timmy J went low, coming out with the lead.
Gene Lee’s masterful run went sour on lap 39 when the third place running 0 came around in the fourth turn with the pack narrowly missing him as he sat. Russ Wood was almost a victim here. “It was a scary moment there when Gene Lee got loose and spun. Luckily he didn’t roll down and I was able to squeeze by. I got lucky there,” said Wood of the mishap.
A lap car provided a cushion for Jedrzejek for the next 11 laps and he was able to pull away from the second place Cicconi. Even a bone-jarring hit by Jamie Timmons, which caused a lap 45 slowdown, couldn’t really deter Jedrzejek, although it put Cicconi right on his tail. Lou and Wood got by the lap car on that restart, but just couldn’t muster the speed to catch the high-flying Ohio man. Cicconi, Wood, Perley and McKnight crossed under the double checkers more than a couple car lengths behind. With points issued by both clubs, Jedrzejek strengthened his point lead for MSA and added another win to maintain his lead on the MSA all-time point list with 21.
Perley, who has been sorting out some minor car problems of late, commented, “We’re obviously still a little bit off. I didn’t feel right after the heat. We could have left it alone and maybe had it or maybe didn’t. But we came here to try and win and so we figured we’d try something else. It didn’t work out. I wasn’t getting better out there; the people were coming to me. I just tried to maintain. We were loose from the drop. I thought about pitting on that early caution but the track wasn’t in good enough shape to come up through. So I said I’ll just stick with what I got because I’m stuck with what I got now. The track was pretty gnarly up top. There was no outside groove where you could kind of pick away here and there on the restarts. We plugged away and ended up with a top five. It’s good, but Timmy J smoked ‘em and that was cool to see. Thanks to Eddie Shea who was here today and all my other sponsors for supporting us.”
McKnight, too, admitted to just not having the car to beat the guys in front of him. “It was a solid run by the Patco team. They did a good job. We were a top ten car tonight. We just didn’t have it. The car was a little pushy, a little loose. All in all it was solid. We’ll take the fifth and go on to All-Star and Thompson and see what happens.”
Tim Ice, Charlie Schultz, Trent Stephens, Bentley Warren and Mark Sammut finished up the top ten.
Notes: Robbie Summers was taken to Oswego Hospital after a hard hit into the wall in the first heat. He was being checked over for neck and back pains. Summers was also involved in a pileup on Thursday night in the Whelen Mod Tour Thompson event… Steve Miller’s 16 and Bobby Haynes Jr. suffered mechanical problems in warm-ups and had to pack up before time trials…Bob Bond, still recuperating from an earlier crash, turned over the driving chores of the 25 after still experiencing some foot pain in warm-ups…Joey Scanlon had a tire come off his 15, which ended his day…Cicconi also competed with the ATQRMA midgets, a group he has raced and won with for many years.
Summary Sept. 4, 2009 Bud Light Super Nationals
Time Trials: Jedrzejek 15.201, Perley 15.229
Top 12 time trialers inverted into 3 heats.
Heat 1 (7 qualify, top 4 inverted to feature by their time trials): Dave McKnight, Bentley Warren, Jeff Locke, Gene Gibson, Tim Ice, Randy Burch, Rich Reid, Larry Lehnert, Rob Summers
Heat 2: Lou Cicconi, Chris Perley, Danny Lane, Mike Lichty, Mark Sammut, Jeff Abold, Jack Smith, Bob Dawson, Denny Fisher, Matt Palmer
Heat 3: Bob Magner, Russ Wood, Timmy Jedrzejek, Charlie Schultz, Joe Gosek, Jamie Timmons, Trent Stephens, Jeff Holbrook, Ben Seitz, Lou LeVea Sr., Dave Duggan
Consi (3q): Bobby Dawson, Denny Fisher, Jeff Holbrook, Ben Seitz, Larry Lehnert, Lou LeVea Sr., Matt Palmer, Dave Duggan
Bud Light Super Nationals 50: 1. Timmy Jedrzejek (8), 2. Lou Cicconi Jr. (10), 3. Russ Wood (29), 4. Chris Perley (11), 5. Dave McKnight (94), 6. Tim Ice (77), 7. Charlie Schultz (7), 8. Trent Stephens (19), 9. Bentley Warren (71), 10. Mark Sammut (78), 11. Ben Seitz (88), 12. Dan Lane (9), 13. Jeff Abold (05), 14. Jeff Holbrook (35), 15. Bobby Dawson (28), 16. Bobby Magner (41), 17 Jack Smith (09), 18. Jamie Timmons (27), 19. Gene Lee Gibson (0), 20. Randy Burch (49), 21. Mike Lichty (84), 22. Rich Reid (55), 23. Matt Palmer (21), 24. Joe Gosek (25), 25. Jeff Locke (37), 26. Denny Fisher (81).
=============================================================
Aug 22 2009
Quick Results
Big Block Modifieds: (1) Matt Sheppard , (2) Gary Tomkins , (3) Chad Homan , (4) Steve Paine , (5) Charlie Donk , (6) Dave Rauscher , (7) Derrick Podsiadlo , (8) Brian Swartout , (9) Rob Bellinger , (10) Shannon Whaley , (11) Paul Habeck , (12) Paul Guerierri , (13) Eldon Payne Jr , (14) Don Slover , (15) Anthony Salerno
Sportsman Modifieds: (1) Eric Gugiere , (2) Marcus Dinkins , (3) Steve Gray , (4) Anthony Rizzardo , (5) Dan Wiesner , (6) AJ Lewis , (7) Greg Birosh , (8) Rob Bussey , (9) Darryl Hilkert , (10) Ryan Susice , (11) Gary Hoteling , (12) Greg Cool , (13) Tom Keyes , (14) Kane Bristol , (15) Fran Hilton , (16) Joe Cook Jr , (17) Tom Jansch , (18) Justin Wright , (19) Randy McCulloch , (20) Justin Henderson , (21) Loren Lincoln , (22) Nick Guerierri
Street Stocks: (1) Mike Rasbeck , (2) Andy Fisk , (3) Mike Welch , (4) Bubba Burnell , (5) Nate Peckham , (6) Chris Fisher , (7) Wayne Ellison , (8) Bryan Faulkner , (9) Leroy Lewis , (10) Chris Jacobs , (11) Mark Loveland
Pure Stox: (1) Mike Minutolo , (2) Alex Morris , (3) Roger Bush , (4) Ross Lurcock , (5) Marc Minutolo , (6) George LaVare Jr , (7) Corey Hunt , (8) Mike Greenawalt , (9) Brian Lyons , (10) Chris Gingerich , (11) Dale Bush
Aug 16 2009
============================================================
Swanson, Regier and Northammer take Madera Victories
by Gerald Laurie
Contributing OWR3 Staff
Madera Speedway hosted the fifth Super Saturday Event of 2009 on August 15th. The featured divisions were USAC Sprints, SMRA Supermodifieds, and Madera;s 360 Supermodifieds. By the time the shouting was done, Tanner Swanson, Troy Regier, and Willie Northammer had collected winner's trophies in the respective classes.
During the afternoon practice session, Kenny White suffered a mechanical failure which put the number 26 Supermodified into the turn one wall with sufficient damage to end his evening of racing.
The first order of competition were qualifications for all divisions. Kody Swanson was fastest in the United States Auto Club Sprint Cars with a time of 13.494 on the 1/3 mile banking. Tony Hunt was second fast at 13.501 seconds followed by Brian McClish at 13.589, Tanner Swanson at 13.611, and Jo Jo Helberg at 13.613.
The next order of business was 360 Supermodified Time Trials. Dan Vanderpool came out of retirement and jumped in the Hayes Bros. Super to set fast time at 13.336 seconds. Second through fifth were David Tuey at 13.357, Lance Tatro at 13.376, Kyle Vanderpool (Dan's son) at 13.387, and Kenny Kinchen at 13.437.
When the Supermodified Racing Association Supermodifieds hit the track, Jeff Russell cracked off a lap at 12.216 seconds to lead the field. Troy Regier was next at 12.287 followed by Bryan Warf at 12.290, A.J. Russell at 12.436, and Jim Birges at 12.523.
Both Supermodified Divisions had fast car trophy dashes. The 360 Trophy Dash lined up with Kyle Vanderpool and Lance Tatro on the front row followed by David Tuey and Dan Vanderpool in row 2. At the drop of the green, the cars entered turn one three wide sending Dan Vanderpool hard into the turn one wall. The race was restarted with the three remaining cars and Tatro took the lead over Kyle Vanderpool and Tuey. And that was race. The fourth lap checkers flew over Tatro, Vanderpool, and Tuey.
The SMRA Supermod Dash featured Troy Regier and A.J. Russell on row one with Jeff Russell and Jim Birges bringing up the rear. Jeff Russell took off from the high side while Regier tried to split the center on the backstretch but backed out when the hole closed. Lap one ended with Jeff leading A.J., Birges, and Regier. And again, that was the race with Jeff Russell taking the trophy and posing for the pictures.
USAC scheduled two heat races as preliminary events to the fifty lap feature. The first eight lap heat lined up with Audra Sasselli on the pole followed by Shawna Hogg, Brian McClish, Jo Jo Helberg, Jim Riddell and Kody Swanson. Sasselli led lap one over McClish, Hogg, Helberg, and Swanson. McClish took the point on lap two and Swanson moved to fourth on lap four. Finishing order was McClish, Sasselli, Helberg, Swanson, and Hogg.
The second Sprint Car Heat Race featured Marvin Mitchell, Anthony Simone, Eric Humphries, Davey Hamilton, Tanner Swanson, and Tony Hunt. On the drop of the green, Mitchell advanced to the rear leaving Humphries to lead over Simone, Hamilton, Swanson, and Hunt. Hamilton passed Simone on lap two while Swanson and Hunt accomplished the fete on lap three. That completed the passing and Humphries was victorious over Hamilton, Swanson, Hunt, and Simone.
The first Supermodified Heat Lined up with Larry Hinz and Lance Jackson in row one, Doug Gould and Ray Stebbins in row 2, and Willie Northammer in the back. Northammer headed to the pits after the warm up session. The green flag saw Hinz and Stebbins step out front with Gould in third and Jackson heading for the pits. Stebbins took the lead on lap five to lead to the end. Stebbins started smoking out the left bank on lap seven and won with major engine problems with Hinz and Gould rounding out the survivors.
The second Supermodified Heat featured the fast six 360 Supers. Scheduled to start were Carl Johnson, Kenny Kinchen, Kyle Vanderpool, Lance Tatro, David Tuey, and Dan Vanderpool. Dan scratched due to the damage incurred in the dash. Kinchen and Tatro blasted around the top to lead lap one over Johnson, Vanderpool, and Tuey. Again, there was no additional passing and the official finishing order was Kinchen, Tatro, Johnson, Vanderpool, and Tuey.
The SMRA fast heat had Lonnie Adamson on the pole flanked by Jim Birges. Rounding out the field were A.J. Russell, Bryan Warf, Troy Regier, and Jeff Russell. Birges took to the high side while A.J. stuck the nose under Adamson in turn two on lap one. Birges led over A.J., Warf, Regier, and Adamson. Warf took second on lap two and Jeff Russell snookered Adamson. The race went nonstop from green to checkers with Birges winning over Warf, Russell the younger, Regier, and Russell the elder.
The Sprint Car feature lined up with Davey Hamilton pacing the field over Jo Jo Helberg, Tanner Swanson, Brian McClish, Tony Hunt, and Kody Swanson. Audra Sasselli, Eric Humphries, Shawna Hogg, Anthony Simone, Jimmy Riddell, and Marvin Mitchell rounded out the field. At the green, Helberg got the best of Hamilton on the high side with McClish third and the Swanson Brothers, Kody and then Tanner, filling the top five. On lap nine, Tanner got the better of his older sibling to grab fourth. At ten laps, the top five were Helberg, Hamilton, McClish, T. Swanson, and K. Swanson.
On the thirteenth circuit, both of the Swanson boys got around McClish and set off in pursuit of Helberg and Hamilton. Lap seventeen saw a scramble in the top five as the leaders encountered lapped traffic Tanner moved to second and McClish retook fourth from Kody. Swanson returned the favor on lap twenty making the order Helberg, T. Swanson, Hamilton, K. Swanson, and McClish. Kody passed Hamilton on the twenty first go around and McClish repeated the act a lap later. Lap twenty three saw Hunt enter the top five as Hamilton faded further back. Hunt got the best of McClish on lap thirty with top five reading Helberg, Swanson the younger, Swanson the Elder, Hunt, and McClish.
The yellow flag flew on lap thirty three when Helberg spun off the exit of turn four when Swanson stuck the nose underneath him. The restart had Tanner in front of Kody, then Hunt, McClish, and Humphries. The yellow light blinked again on lap thirty seven when Riddell and Simone had a coming together in turn four that resulted in Riddell's Ride receiving a ride on the hook And the order at the forty lap juncture was still Swanson, Swanson, Hunt, McClish, and Humphries. The final ten laps went uninterrupted with no additional passing at the point. Tanner Swanson won over brother Kody with Hunt, McClish, and Humphries completing the top five.
The combined SMRA and 360 Supermodified fifty lap feature inverted the top twelve qualifiers. Lance Jackson and Carl Johnson occupied the front row followed by Kenny Kinchen, Kyle Vanderpool, Lance Tatro, and David Tuey. Next up were the fast six SMRA cars of Lonnie Adamson, Jim Birges, A.J. Russell, Bryan Warf, Troy Regier, and Jeff Russell. Rounding out the starters were Doug Gould, Larry Hinz, and Willie Northammer. Kinchen led the first lap over Jackson, Tatro, Adamson, and Johnson. Adamson moved up two on the second lap and A.J. moved to fifth. By lap three, Lonnie was leading over Kinchen, Russell, and Regier. Lap five saw A.J. and Regier pass Kinchen and Birges move to fifth. Birges was fourth by lap six with Kinchen fifth. A.J. Russell took the lead and Jeff Russell moved into the top five on lap nine. Order after ten laps was A.J. over Adamson, Regier, Birges, and Jeff Russell. Kinchen, Tatro, Tuey, Johnson, and Northammer were the top five 360's.
The yellow flew on lap eleven when Gould spun in turn three. Regier and Birges got the jump on Adamson on the restart and Warf grabbed fifth from Russell. This started two very intense battles with Regier hounding A.J. and Warf trying every line in the book to displace Adamson. These battles were temporarily interrupted on lap thirteen when Johnson spun in turn four. On lap eighteen Warf finally managed a pass on Adamson and set sail after Birges. After twenty laps, Russell led over Regier, Birges, Warf, and Adamson. Kinchen still held sway in the 360's over Tatro, Tuey, Northammer, and Vanderpool.
Lapping of the faster 360 cars began in the next ten lap segment with no significant changes in the SMRA ranks but with Northammer coming on strong during the traffic scrambles. Birges made a hasty exit to the pits when the Quick Change gears ground themselves into small pieces on lap twenty nine. The order after thirty laps had A.J. Russell in the lead over Regier, Warf, Adamson, and Jeff Russell. Kinchen still led the 360's, but Northammer was now second over Tatro, Tuey and Vanderpool.
The next ten laps saw the Russell - Regier battle continuing with Warf a distant third. However, Northammer passed Kinchen for top honors among the 360's on the thirty-sixth circuit. Order after forty laps had A.J. over Regier, Warf, Adamson, and Russell. Northammer in sixth was the top 360 followed by Tatro, Kinchen, Tuey, and Vanderpool.
Troy got the best of A.J, on lap forty-one and began to pull out a small lead. The red flag flew on lap forty-four when the rear brakes on Johnson's car ignited. Prior to the green, Jeff Russell headed for pits without even a hint of brakes. The restart left A.J. in the clutches of Bryan Warf and he spent the rest of the race fending off the challenge. However, the race finished up the last six laps with no additional drama. The checkers flew over Troy Regier followed by A.J. Russell and Brian Warf. Rounding out the top five, were Lonnie Adamson, and Willie Northammer, the top scoring 360. Next up were the 360's of Kenny Kinchen, Lance Tatro, David Tuey, and Kyle Vanderpool. Rookie Doug Gould finished his first feature event after a good steady run that gained him some valuable experience.
Promoter Kenny Sheppard's Super Saturday Program again proved to be a competitive success for not only the two premier divisions presented, but also for the Legends, Ford Focus Midgets and NCMA Spec Sprint cars which are covered elsewhere. The crowds seem to grow a little with each open wheel show, and they grow more enthusiastic as the year progresses. The last Super Saturday will be the annual Harvest Classic and could be a barn burner. Hopefully, those few damaged cars can be repaired in time for the September Show. Looking forward to more Super Saturdays, I am the Racing Widow's Husband.
Madera Speedway Super Saturday 5, August 15, 2009
USAC Sprint Cars
Qualifications: 1. 75 Kody Swanson, 13.494; 2. 56 Tony Hunt, 13.501; 3. 4 Brian McClish, 13.589; 4. 17 Tanner Swanson, 13.611; 5. 7 Jo Jo Helberg, 13.613; 6. 40 Davey Hamilton, 13.634; 7. 77 Audra Sasselli, 13.714; 8. 16 Eric Humphries, 13.748; 9. 5 Shawna Hogg, 13.906; 10. 10 Anthony Simone, 14.402; 11. 19 Jimmy Riddell, 14.613; 12. 68 Marvin Mitchell, 15.145.
Heat 1: 1. McClish; 2. Sasselli; 3. Helberg; 4. K. Swanson; 5. Hogg; 6. Riddell.
Heat 2: 1. Humphries; 2. Hamilton; 3. T. Swanson; 4. Hunt; 5. Simone; 6. Mitchell.
Feature: 1. T Swanson; 2. K Swanson; 3. Hunt; 4. McClish; 5. Humphries; 6. Helberg; 7. Sasselli; 8. Hamilton; 9. Hogg; 10. Simone; 11. Mitchell; 12. Riddell.
360 Supermodifieds
Qualifications:1. 17 Dan Vanderpool, 13.336; 2. 6 David Tuey, 13.357; 3. 72 Lance Tatro, 13.376; 4. 1 Kyle Vanderpool, 13.387; 5. 5 Kenny Kinchen, 13.437; 6. 07 Carl Johnson, 13.573; 7. 15 Willie Northammer, 13.774; 8. 18 Lance Jackson, 13.936; 9. 4 Larry Hinz, 14.039; 10. 60 Doug Gould, 14.589.
Trophy Dash: 1. Tatro,; 2. K. Vanderpool; 3. Tuey; 4. D. Vandrpool.
Heat 1: 1. Stebbins; 2. Hinz; 3. Gould: 4. Jackson; 5. Northammer. (Note:, this was a combined slow heat with both 360 and SMRA Supermods)
Heat 2: 1. Kinchen; 2. Tatro; 3. Johnson; 4. Vanderpool; 5. Tuey.
SMRA Supermodifieds
Qualifications: 1. 85 Jeff Russell, 12.216; 2. 98 Troy Regier, 12.287; 3. 91 Bryan Warf, 12.290; 4. 7 A.J. Russell, 12.436; 5. 89 Jim Birges, 12.523; 6. 14 Lonnie Adamson, 12.689; 7. 28 Ray Stebbins, 14.158; 8. 26 Kenny White, N/T.
Trophy Dash: 1. J. Russell; 2. A. Russell; 3. Birges; 4. Regier.
Heat: 1. Birges; 2. Warf; 3. A. Russell; 4. Regier; 5. J. Russell; 6. Adamson.
Combined Feature: 1. Regier; 2. A. Russell; 3. Warf; 4. Adamson; 5. *Northammer; 6. *Kinchen; 7. *Tatro; 8. *Tuey; 9. *Vanderpool; 10. *Gould; 11. J. Russell; 12. *Johnson; 13. Birges; 14. *Hinz; 15. *Jackson. *designates 360 Supermodified.
BRAD MISSIMER AND CHUCK SCHUTZ WIN NASCAR Modified FEATURES AT GRANDVIEW SPEEDWAY
BECHTELSVILLE, PA August 16, 2009 . . . After coming close to victory twice earlier in the season young Brad Missimer was able to drive the Schaeffer Motorsports/Cheers Tavern No. 327 to his first career win in the 30-lap WNPV-1440 AM Radio Night NASCAR 358 Modified feature race on Saturday night. The win at Grandview Speedway made the Bechtelsville youngster the 12th different modified feature winner this season. In the 20-lapper for late models defending champion Chuck Schutz was able to put the BPG Racing No. 1 in victory lane for the third time this season.
Bobby Gunther Walsh went to the front of the 29-car starting field in the 30-lapper for the NASCAR 358 modifieds. With just two laps in the record book a multi-car tangle brought out the caution with Walsh able to set the pace on the restart. At five laps completed Missimer was able to charge past Walsh for the lead and took Kerry Kratz with him.
At seven laps another multi-car accident sent Meme DeSantis, Kevin Hirthler and point leader Jeff Strunk to the pits. All returned to action. Duane Howard, second in the point standings, was towed to the pits on a wrecker.
Missimer was in charge at 10 laps with Kratz and Shawn Reimert pressuring. At the 17 lap marker six time champion Craig VonDohren, who had been on a hot streak lately, brought out a caution as he slowed with a tire problem.
On the restart Missimer was still the man to beat as Kratz, Reimert, Billy Pauch Jr. and Kyle Follweiler were chasing him.
With six laps to go in the feature Todd Smith and VonDohren got together between turns three and four bringing out the caution and closing the field of challengers behind leader Missimer.
The young racer was able to handle some lapped traffic and survive a caution on the 29th lap for Keith Hoffman who had engine problems while running sixth.
On the restart the top three put on a battle that went right down to the checkered flag with Missimer, grandson to track owner Bruce Rogers, able to pick up the $2,200 victory. Billy Pauch (Frenchtown, NJ) threaded the needle to get second coming off the fourth turn of the final lap with Kerry Kratz (Bechtelsville) earning an impressive third. Shawn Reimert (Oley) came home in fourth followed by Terry Meitzler (Kutztown). Current point leader Jeff Strunk was able to increase his point lead over Duane Howard as he finished ninth compared to Howard’s 27th.
The 20-lap feature for late models had Bill Henning going to the front at the drop of the green. For 10 laps it looked like Henning, with a car sponsored in part by WNPV-AM Radio was going to be able to win the feature on his sponsor’s night.
However on the 11th circuit Chuck Schutz was able to take the top spot and set the pace for just one lap before Henning was able to take back the lead. With 13 circuits completed Schutz charged back in front and was able to hold off the challenge of Mike Kellner (Lansdale) to grab the victory. Third place went to Wayne Pfeil (Mohnton) followed by current point leader Randy Stoudt (Pottstown) and Ron Kline (Salford).
Qualifying heat races for the NASCAR 358 modifieds were won by Kyle Follweiler, Troy Wink, Billy Pauch Jr. and Terry Meitzler. Consolation race victories were earned by Kevin Hirthler and Jeff Strunk. Qualifiers for the late models went to Chuck Schutz, Danny Snyder and Randy Stoudt.
The Dan’s Deli Halfway Leader awards went to Bill Henning in the late models and Brad Missimer in the modifieds. Gift certificates from Cargo Trailer Sales went to the 10th place finisher in each feature with Rick Todorow getting the award in late models while Meme DeSantis won it in the modifieds. Cornerstone Auto Sales Hard Charger Awards were earned by Kyle Merkel in the late models gaining 8 spots in the feature while Jeff Strunk gained 13 spots in the modified feature to get the award.
The leader of each lap in the late model feature race received $14.40 courtesy of Joe and Linda Moskal of WNPV-1440 AM Radio.
A doubleheader show of NASCAR 358 Modifieds and Late Models will be the attraction on Saturday, August 22nd at 7:30 p.m. The night is sponsored by FHG Services.
A new sponsor joins the Grandview Speedway family of marketing partners on Saturday, August 29th when 3 Starz Inc. Landscaping sponsors the tripleheader show of NASCAR 358 modifieds, late models and American Racing Drivers Club wingless midgets.
The month of racing at Grandview closes with the Sunday, August 30th NEETS Enduro competition starting at 2:30 p.m.
Grandview Speedway is a one-third-mile, banked clay oval track located at 43 Passmore Road, just off Route 100, in Bechtelsville, PA, just 10 miles north of Pottstown. For information telephone 610.754.7688 or visit their website at www.grandviewspeedway.com.
WNPV-1440 AM RADIO NIGHT NASCAR ALL AMERICAN SERIES 358 MODIFIED FEATURE FINISH 30 laps: 1. Brad Missimer 2. Billy Pauch Jr. 3. Kerry Kratz 4. Shawn Reimert 5. Terry Meitzler 6. Mike Gular 7. Ryan Godown 8. Jon Kellner Sr. 9. Jeff Strunk 10. Meme DeSantis 11. Jason Hamilton 12. John Willman 13. Jon Kellner Jr. 14. Craig VonDohren 15. Kevin Hirthler 16. Don Norris 17. Bobby Gunther Walsh 18. Todd Smith (Balance of field did not finish) 19. Keith Hoffman 20. Keith Brightbill 21. Kyle Follweiler 22. Sean Merkel 23. Ray Swinehart 24. Troy Wink 25. Mark Kratz 26. Tom Umbenhauer 27. Duane Howard 28. Jason Smythe 29. John Tschudy
WNPV-1440 AM RADIO NIGHT NASCAR LATE MODEL FEATURE 20 laps: 1. Chuck Schutz 2. Mike Kellner 3. Wayne Pfeil 4. Randy Stoudt 5. Ron Kline 6. Dallas Breidenbach 7. Bill Henning 8. Brian Shuey 9. John Giesler 10. Rick Todorow 11. Nate Christman 12. John Favinger 13. Kyle Merkel 14. Doug Walton (Rest of the field did not finish) 15. Dennis Pieper 16. Kurt Spotts 17. Danny Snyder 18. Buddy Wharton 19. Kory Fleming 20. D.D. Keely
UNOFFICIAL POINT STANDINGS FOR NASCAR MODIFIEDS
AS OF COMPLETION OF RACING ON AUGUST 15, 2009
1. Jeff Strunk, Mohnton, PA #41 4640**
2. Duane Howard, Oley, PA #4 4356**
3. Craig VonDohren, Oley, PA #1C 4169***
4. Meme DeSantis, Temple, PA #88D 3958*
5. Billy Pauch Jr., French Town, NJ #8P 3785*
6. Terry Meitzler, Kutztown, PA #81 3597
7. Mike Gular, Harleysville, PA #53 3584
8. Kevin Hirthler, Green Lane, PA #117 3543**
9. Doug Manmiller, Shoemakersville, PA #14 3113
10. Jon Kellner Sr., Lansdale, PA #8 2950
11. Jason Hamilton, Erwinna, PA #15 2894
12. Ryan Godown, Ringoes, NJ #R1 2597**
13. Shawn Reimert, Oley, PA #58 2497
14. John Willman, Birdsboro, PA #74W 2331
15. Kerry Kratz, Bechtelsville, PA #87 2149
16. Danny Heiber, Penndel, PA #107 2003
17. Keith Brightbill, Reading, PA #K2 1930
18. Sean Merkel, Gilbertsville, PA #118 1894
19. Addison Meitzler, Kutztown, PA #21 1859*
20. Ray Swinehart, Bechtelsville, PA #33 1809*
21. Tom Umbenhauer, Richland, PA #19/357 1808
22. Brad Missimer, Bechtelsville, PA #327 1752*
23. Don Norris, Douglassville, PA #976 1715
24. Jason Smythe, Oley, PA #71 1600
25. Jon Kellner Jr., Lansdale, PA #67 1550*
26. Kyle Follweiler, Slatington, PA #42 1518
27. Ryan Grim, Laury’s Station, PA #17 1406
28. Keith Hoffman, Allentown, PA #15J 1387
29. Ryan Beltz, Schwenksville, PA #221 1308
29. Troy Wink, Mohrsville, PA #44/47 1308
Also Feature Winner, Tommy Scheetz
UNOFFICIAL POINT STANDINGS FOR NASCAR LATE MODELS
AS OF COMPLETION OF RACING ON AUGUST 15, 2009
1. Randy Stoudt, Pottstown, PA #118 4549**
2. Brian Shuey, Shoemakersville, PA #5 4490**
3. Ron Kline, Salfordville, PA #3 4304**
4. Kyle Merkel, Gilbertsville, PA #117 4207*
5. Mike Kellner, Lansdale, PA #57 4139***
6. Wayne Pfeil Jr., Mohnton, PA #72 4104*
7. Danny Snyder, Green Lane, PA #4S 4008*
8. Rick Todorow, Quakertown, PA #93 3992
9. Chuck Schutz, Pottstown, PA #ONE 3956***
10. John Giesler, Aston, PA #ZT1 3537
11. Bill Henning, Lansdale, PA #80 3388
12. Nate Christman, Oley, PA #37 3341*
13. Jonathan Favinger, Birdsboro, PA #18 3025
14. Kurt Spotts, Pennsburg, PA #70 2857
15. Doug Walton, Spring City, PA #02 2540
16. Buddy Wharton, Birdsboro, PA #7B 2415
17. Dallas Bridenbach, Spring City, PA #007/2 2116
18. Buddy Mertz, New Berlinville #00 1962
19. Dennis Pieper, Salford, PA #409 1911
20. Andy Ressler, Macungie, PA #28 1659
21. Jamie Undercoffler, Pennsburg, PA #1J 1612
22. Kory Fleming, Milford, NJ #704 1576
23. Chris Wojnar, Boyertown, PA #69/88 1284
24. Bobby Wyatt, Reading, PA #14 1246
25. D.D. Keely, Linfield, PA #707 682
26. John Willman, Birdsboro, PA #7B 417
27. Dirk Rimroh, #007 405
28. Rusty Hassall, Bechtelsville, PA #10 399
29. Randall Paxton, Factoryville, PA #22R 333
30. Greg Hoffmaster, Pottstown, PA #69 253
* denotes feature win
=======================================================
Gerald Laurie
OWR3 Staff
The Year the Music Died
By A Very Concerned Fan
I am a racing fan. I have been a racing fan for fifty seven of my sixty three years on this planet. I have attended races in virtually every year since my sixth birthday. I didn’t inherit this love of racing engines at full song from anyone in my family. I was introduced to the music by the father of a neighborhood playmate. In the early years, I begged family friends and my playmate’s father to take me to anywhere from one to ten races per year. By the age of fifteen, I was attending as many as sixty races a year by driving myself (illegally of course) in the family sedan or my motorcycle to two races a weekend. I would sit high in the grandstand near the start-finish line and stare in awe at the beauty and awesome power of the works of art circling the track and at the skill and bravado of the drivers. I grew up on names like Vukovich, Boyd, Reece, Pombo, Sargent, Hutton, Secrist, Kaeding, Scott, Mims, Ward, and Prickett in places like Fresno, San Jose, Clovis, Merced, Atascadero, Bakersfield, Gardena, Vallejo, and Sacramento.
College and marriage limited my attendance to but a few shows a year in my late teens and early twenties, but jobs and business travel later took me to new venues in places like Hialeah, Orlando, Tampa, Daytona, New Smyrna Beach, Barberville, Atlanta, Daytona, Bristol, Jacksonville, Pensacola, Montgomery, Birmingham, Mobile, Las Vegas, Carson City, San Antonio, Houston, Phoenix, Tucson, Darlington, and Nashville. Over the years the cars first grew wings and then later fenders and full bodies. There were local modifieds, early supermodifieds, sprint cars, midgets, late models, street stocks, mini-stocks, Winston Cup Cars, Grand National cars, Indy cars, and all types of local classes in the reticule of my experience. But there was always the music. Whether it was the high pitched whine of a turbo charged Ford, the growl of an Offy, the angry buzz of a four banger midget, the strange rasp of an inline six, or the full blown howl of an eight hundred horsepower small block Chevy giving its all, it was the most beautiful melody to my ever aging ears.
In my later years, I have become more involved in racing by taking up a press card and covering racing in my home state of California with some forays into neighboring states. I have pretty well restricted myself to open wheel classes including Midgets, Sprints, and Supermodifieds. Oh, can I describe to you the music of the Supermodifieds? Huge methanol gulping V-8’s sans mufflers with so much power that a single car can rattle the grandstands and send a rumble streaming from your feet to the top of your head. Two or more running together can literally make the ground shake. The nomenclatura of Ground Pounder fits the Supermodified superbly. These have been my favorite symphony orchestra since I first heard them come to life between my ears over forty five years ago. Not only do you hear the melody of the Supermodifed, you feel it throughout your being and into the depths of your spirit. For me there is no sound as beautiful.
Now for the sad news. The music is growing dim. The National Economy, nee the World Economy, has, since 2007, been on a rapid decline. Motorsports, being an expensive sport has begun to shrink. Monetary sponsorships, the very lifeblood of the sport have dried up. In 2009, I have attended only five races so far. My own economic situation is but a minute reflection of the overall situation. These have all been open wheel shows with midgets, sprint cars, and my beloved supermodifieds as the main attractions. The most midgets I have seen at any single venue have been fourteen. The most Sprint cars have been twelve, and the most Supermodifieds have numbered but fourteen. I have been to one race with only five Supermodifieds. And although the melody is as sweet as ever, the volume is rapidly diminishing. Race promoters are cutting purses because of poor car counts. Point fund monies have dwindled and indeed, disappeared. What is to become of the fabulous, fantastic ground pounders whose races resemble a ballet of jet fighters performing in a gymnasium? Is the symphony coming to an end? Will the oval shaped stages go silent? Will 2010 be the year that the music died?
