51's Modified Madness
News From The Ground Pounders - Dirt, Asphalt, North and South
Compiled from Series, Team and Track PR Reports
Speedweeks: Wing Takes Night Three at East Bay's Winternationals
Instead of coming from 19th starting position up to second as he did the night before, Rodney Wing started on pole and dominated the field of 24 cars to win $1,500 in night three of East Bay Raceway Park’s 11th Annual Open Wheel Modified Winternationals Thursday night at Tampa, Florida.
“I guess you could say, it’s been a great year for me,” the Meridian, Mississippi driver and track owner of Whynot Motorsports Park said. “The RPM Workshop nominated me as one of the country’s eight Regional Promoters of the Year, Red Clay magazine named Whynot the Track-of-the-Year and the NeSmith series named me Promoter of the Year.”
Tonight, Wing piloted the No. 33x back-up car of Jeff Mathews to a convincing 25-lap win, leading all laps. The Larry Shaw chassis powered by an R.D. Racing Engine, was tuned to perfection, but as Wing pointed out “track position meant a lot.” Sponsors on the car included Jamie Slaton, Buddy’s Home Furnishings, Night Hawk Towing & Recovery and Superior Plumbing. The jubilant winner told the crowd he wanted to thank his crew through the season and his cheering section at home including his wife Cassie, their two-year old daughter Shelby and his mother Peggy.
Starting outside Wing was local driver Roger Crouse from Plant City who used the same Harris chassis he ran here all season to improve this week with finishes of eighth, fifth and second tonight. The unique thing about his car owned by Stuart Lycett is that anyone can go on line to www.competition.net and rent the car for track time or for competition in racing.
Crouse had his Ziegler Racing Engine tuned perfectly, but according to the driver, “We probably ran harder tires than anyone else and the yellow flags were killing us.”
Coming in third was seventh place starter Rick Aukland from Zanesville, Ohio who had chalked up his highest finish of the week in his Jerry Snyder owned Lightning chassis powered by a “Big” Rick Twarg engine. Carrying sponsorship from Quick Time Performance Parts, Sweeney Services, and Brandon Rental, Aukland explained two things that helped him get his podium finish was that “luck was with us tonight on the invert for my heat and we put one shock on the dyno for a better set-up.”
Stanley Donahoo from White Pine,TN ran strong to start fifth and finish fourth, while Brady Short from Bedford IN, last night’s winner, started 15th and landed fifth spot. Rounding out the top ten it was Jeff Mathews, Kevin Weaver, Steven Pfeifer, Jason Schill and Stormy Scott.
Advancing to the A-Main from the first B-Main it was Kevin Weaver, Schill, Devin Dixon and Curt Gelling. From the second B-Main Jared Landers, Vic Vena and Alan Farley advanced. Don O’Neal finally qualified for his first A-Main of the week, but was a scratch for the feature because his trailing arm pulled out of the frame.
DIRT: Super Matt & Corporate Jet Set To Clash At Florida DIRTcar Nationals
In a classic paradox played out in the World of Warcraft, two of the most recognized factions are identified as the ‘Immovable Object’ and ‘Unstoppable Force’ by thousands of online gamers across the land.
On the DIRTcar Northeast circuit, the Big-Block Modified battles are just as fierce between reigning Hoosier Tire-VP Racing Fuels Mr. DIRTcar points king Brett Hearn and rising heir to the throne Matt Sheppard, two of the most familiar combatants taking up sides trackside in their quest to conquer the competition.
When the 39th Florida DIRTcar Nationals By University of Northwestern Ohio gets underway, the often ‘immovable’ Corporate Jet and seemingly ‘unstoppable’ Super Matt will be ready to pick up where they left off last season, each looking to establish themselves as the man to beat when the Big-Blocks take center stage February 10-13 at Volusia Speedway Park.
“At this rate, Matt may someday be in a league all by himself,” figured Hearn, 51, responding to the question of retirement and who will succeed the Sussex, N.J. speedster atop the Modified world. “Right now nobody at his age has as much knowledge and experience, what’s needed to get the job done.”
“He’s proven his commitment to racing over the years, and there aren’t too many around that can work on the car everyday throughout the season. A lot of drivers have other jobs and can only show up at the races. Matt’s probably more like me when it comes to preparation, he’s a hands-on guy who has been successful working his way up,” added Hearn, prominent pilot of the Madsen Motorsports no. 20 Wentworth Custom Homes-Benjaimin Moore Paints-Kruger-WLR/TEO entry and a 7-time Florida DCN points champion with a winter tour best total of 19 feature wins.
Second-generation standout Sheppard is still in search of his first visit to victory lane in gator country, albeit this February will mark just his fifth race weeks while Hearn has journeyed south annually since 1998.
“I’d like to think we have as good a shot as anybody winning Mr. DIRT, but so do a lot of others,” remarked Sheppard, 27, who won the final three Super DIRTcar Series shows last season ---including the Super DIRT Week Rite Aid 200 finale at Syracuse--- to finish just four points behind Mr. DIRTcar titlist Hearn. The Waterloo, N.Y. warrior also led the Northeast with 20 Big-Block triumphs in ‘09.
“Brett had a good year, not phenomenal, yet he started out so strong that everybody had to play catch-up. We’ll just have to out-perform him like we did at the end of last year. But starting out this early its really hard to tell much until the season unfolds. A lot depends on who gets hot, has their program in order and can keep finishing up front,” noted Sheppard, who will be back aboard the potent JB Motorsports no. 9s XTreme Lubricants/Bicknell machine for a third season.
Among the 40 Northeastern Modified teams signed up for Florida, Hearn and Sheppard will contend together for the first time in 2010 when the Big-Blocks square off in a 30-lap feature Feb. 10 at Volusia. Activity continues with 30-lap main events on Thursday and Friday before a big $5,000-to-win 50-lapper brings the curtain down Sat., Feb. 13. An optional practice day is set for Tue., Feb. 9.
Tickets are on sale now for the 39th Annual DIRTcar Nationals, February 2-13, available for any individual night and also in blocks for each headline division at Volusia. Along with the Big-Block Modifieds, competition also features Sprint Car racing (Feb. 3-7), Late Model action (Feb. 8-13) and UMP/DIRTcar Modified activity (Feb. 2-9).
A FREE Fan Pit Pass has been made available to every ticket buyer who comes through the main gates each night of the DIRTcar Nationals at VSP beginning on Feb. 2. All fans have to do once they arrive at the track is take their grandstand ticket and head toward the pits, where a table will be set up to sign-in for an up-close look at the cars and stars who will be racing that night. To purchase tickets call Volusia Speedway Park at 386/985-4402, and for more information visit www.DIRTcarNationals.com.
Sundance: New Saturday Night Start Time at Sundance This Season
As always, the 1/3-mile asphalt oval will begin the season with Sunday afternoon racing before making the switch to Saturday evenings a few weeks into the season. However, the entire Saturday night program this season will be moved up by one hour.
“Almost half of our racers come from out of our area”, said speedway promoter, Joe Callavini. “The earlier start time will allow the drivers to return home at an earlier hour, plus the fans in the grandstands should benefit from it as well. On top of that, it will help parents that bring their children to the speedway and they should get home at a decent hour to get the kids to bed”.
The new Saturday night start time for the speedway will be 5 PM.
The 2010 season schedule is near completion and will be released in the upcoming weeks. The schedule will boast five open wheel Modified events and each will be at least $5000 to win. Other divisions on the card through out the season are the Sport Modifieds, Late Models, Street Stocks, Factory Stocks, Four Cylinder FWDs, ATQMRA Midgets, Pennsylvania Outlaw Legends and 270/600cc Micro Sprints.
Another mid winter enduro is slated for the drivers at Sundance Vacations Speedway on Saturday, February 27. General admission is only $5 and children 10 years of age and younger will be admitted for free.
Sundance Vacations Speedway is just minutes from Hazleton, Pa, located on St. John’s Road, between Routes 93 and 309. Grandstand admission for all regular season events is just $10 for ages 11 and older. Children 10 years of age and younger are admitted for free.
Volusia: Bronson Gets a Jump Start on His Season
To say the "January Jump-Start" at Volusia Speedway Park was a success would be actually an understatement. The "January Jump-Start" was AWESOME from Friday night's open practice to Sunday afternoon's features. Even the few dark clouds overhead could not, did not, spoil such an AWESOME weekend.
A sudden but brief rain shower interrupted the program but the track equipment was out as soon as the rain was over and it only took a short period of time to get the track back into running shape. Plus it gave the fans some time to eat since once racing started, no one wanted to leave their seat.
The DIRTcar Modifieds were the first feature up with 30 laps of hot racing action. Kyle Bronson had the pole and won from the pole leading every single lap. As the green flag waved, it was Bronson on the point followed by Wayne Hammond, Rob Underwood, Jeff Matthews, and Jr Hotovy. However it did not take Kyle Owen any time to work his way into the fourth place spot putting Matthews fifth and Hotovy sixth.
Obviously Hotovy did not like Owen's move and came back to retake fourth followed by Owen putting Matthews sixth followed by Larry Burkins in seventh, Hollywood Owen in eighth, Kent Corbin in ninth and Jared Allison tenth. Lap 3 saw Don Rollison, Jr. have problems ending his day very early. P.J. Wiggins brought out the first caution on lap 5 as he spun at the bottom of turn 4's pit entrance.
With Bronson on the inside and Hotovy on the outside, the race went back green as Bronson once again takes the point over Hotovy, Matthews, Underwood, and Wayne Hammond. By lap 10, Bronson is a good ten car length ahead of the field and sailing away. Underwood takes over second followed by Matthews in third, Kyle Owen in fourth and Larry Burkins in fifth. Lap 11 sees Wayne Hammond end his day as the caution comes out for a second time for Jr Hotovy. Hotovy and Matthews were racing hard for second as they touch on the backstretch sending Hotovy into a spin.
Bronson takes the inside with Matthews on the outside for the restart as Bronson once again shows his muscle and takes the point over Matthews, Underwood, Burkins, and Kyle Owen. Just as the racing gets going hard and heavy again, the caution comes out on lap 14 for Jared Allison who has lost a motor. Allison, who is new to dirt racing and the 2009 Orlando SpeedWorld Super Late Model Champion, sees his new engine with only four races on it go up in smoke.
Double file restart is in order since the halfway point is not quite there as Bronson takes the inside and Matthews the outside. Bronson quickly takes the point over Matthews, Underwood, Rodney Wing (in Jeff Matthews's back-up car), and Kyle Owen. Suddenly P.J. Wiggins takes his machine to the pits also down for the afternoon. Bronson continues to lead the way over Matthews, Underwood, Wing, and Kyle Owen.
By lap 18, Bronson has a fifteen car lead over the field and is sailing away. Lap 19 sees Rodney Wing, from Mississippi, exit th e field after working his way from the rear to the front in Jeff Matthews's back-up car thus changing the top five to Bronson, Matthews, Underwood, Kyle Owen and Larry Burkins. Right behind Burkins is Mikle Spatola who is working his way up front fast.
Lap 21 sees Jerry Morgan retire his machine to the pits as Spatola passes Burkins and takes over fifth. But Spatola is not finished moving up yet as he sets his aim on Kyle Owen in second. Owen tries to defend his spot but Spatola proves he is the better man as he takes over fourth leaving Kyle Owen in fifth.
Bronson takes the checkered for his first win of 2010 at Volusia Speedway Park followed by Jeff Matthews, Rob Underwood, Mike Spatola, and Kyle Owen. Bronson takes home a cool $1500 for his afternoon's work.
Thompson: Rocco and Sullivan Honored for Championships
Thompson International Speedway celebrated one of its most competitive seasons in recent history on Friday, January 22 and Saturday January 23, 2010, by hosting the 2009 Season Awards Banquet. The traditional two-night affair paid tribute to champions of the Thursday Night Thunder Series and all the competitors of NASCAR Whelen All-American Series ‘Super 6’.
On Saturday night Keith Rocco of Wallingford, CT, was the guest of honor as the 2009 Sunoco Modified champion. Also feted were Late Model champion John Materas of Voluntown, CT; and TIS Modified titlist Brian Sullivan of S. Windsor, CT. Honored the previous night, were 2009 Super Late Model champion Derek Ramstrom of Worcester, MA; 2009 Limited Sportsman division titlist Larry Barnett of Moosup, CT; and Mini Stock champion Steve Michalski of Brooklyn, CT.
Despite a pared down schedule that was disseminated by rain, Thompson Speedway still enjoyed a highly competitive 2009 season. In the end, two of four division championships were decided by 10 points or less. In five of the Speedway’s six divisions, the fight for the championship came down to the final Thursday night of competition.
For the second time in three years, Keith Rocco of Wallingford, CT, was honored as the Thompson International Speedway Sunoco Modified Champion. The title was a sweet one for Rocco and his championship car owner Don Bannister. Before the start of the 2009 season, Bannister announced that it would be his final; retiring from competition. On a mission, Rocco, led by crew chief Shane Hopkins, turned in a tremendous season to send Bannister out on top. Rocco opened the season with two wins in the first three events. In 17 starts, the team posted 14 top-ten and 14 top-five finishes including three wins.
“When we started this season it was known that this would be the last for car owner Don Bannister and Bannister Motorsports,” said Rocco. “You have to give him a lot of credit. He stood by this team every year. Thank you Don for giving us the best season we ever had.”
The championship chase came down to the final night with Rocco leading Pitkat by a scant four points. After an early race incident that collected Pitkat, Rocco secured the title by 30 points when the checkered flag flew.
“I have to thank the guys who keep us coming back each week,” continued Rocco. “Sometimes we don’t have a good week and we will wreck and it is usually pretty good. It is usually a trip to Northeast…usually it is a front clip. I’ve got to thank Shane Hopkins for keep this team running.”
For his efforts, Rocco received awards from both Thompson International Speedway and NASCAR. He was also presented with a championship jacket from Dave Lind Tire and a beautiful photo montage from Scott and Trevor Nickel.
Former divisional champion Woody Pitkat finished second in the final point standings followed by Rowan Pennink, Ted Christopher, and Kerry Malone. Andy Gasper of Andover, CT was honored as the division’s Rookie-of-the-Year. Tim Sullivan of S. Windsor, CT, was recognized as the division’s “Most Improved Driver”.
TIS Modified Division competitor Brian Sullivan of S. Windsor, CT did not suffer from the proverbial “sophomore jinx”. After a TIS Modified career that began in 2008 with a win his first time out; Sullivan kept the momentum running throughout the 2009 season. In their first full season of competition, Sullivan and his team posted 15 top-ten and 14 top-five finishes (in 16 starts) including a division leading six wins. The champ was also honored with the TIS Modified “Most Improved Driver’ Award. It was a story book season for championship driver, Brian Sullivan and championship owner, his brother, Tim Sullivan.
Rounding out the top five in the season-long point chase was Keith “Cam” McDermott, Brian Tagg, Glenn Boss and R.J. Marcotte. McDermott also received the Chief Starter’s Sportsman Award. Jay Sundeen was lauded as the Thompson Modified Rookie-of-the-Year.
Newly named Director of Competition, Mike Chapman, was honored with the John Hoenig Memorial Award on Saturday night. The award is a dedication award presented each year in the name of the founder of the Thompson Speedway, John Hoenig.
With the 2009 season officially in the record books, the Thompson International Speedway is looking forward to what promises to be a historical 2010 season. For a complete 2010 schedule including the four open-competition Modified events, visit thompsonspeedway.com.
Speedweeks:
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.”
Mahoning Valley: Mahoning Valley Speedway Sets Practice Days, Opening Day
Although still a few months away the wheels are in motion for the 2010 race season at Lehighton’s Mahoning Valley Speedway. The paved ¼-mile oval, run by the husband and wife team of Doug and Gena Hoffman, have put together four preseason practice dates in preparation for the Saturday, April 17 Opening Night.
On Saturday and Sunday, March 27-28 and April 10-11, the track will be open from noon until 4:00 pm for a paid practice session as well as tech inspection for all regular track divisions.
All classes/types of race cars are welcome to partake in the special test and tune dates. All practices offer free grandstand admission.
The official start of the 2010 season gets the green flag on Saturday evening, April 17 with a 6:00 pm start time.
The evening will actually be headlined by a race that has yet to be run from 2009. The fifth and final event from the Mahoning Valley Speedway Poker Tournament will crown the champion of the special five-race match series for the Modifieds.
Last year five 100-lap $3000 to win shows were scheduled but after several tries due to inclement weather the finale was put on hold until Opening Night 2010. A $5000 jackpot will be divvied between the top three drivers who are able to put together the best poker hand. That lucky trio will get $2500, $1500 and $1000 respectively.
Currently there are ten drivers who have a shot at sharing the payoff led by Eric Beers with a pair of Aces.
A whole new Mahoning Valley Speedway Poker Tournament will take place with another five races but with some new twists that will be announced shortly.
Also on the Opening Night card will be regular features for the Late Models, Street Stocks, Dirt Modifieds and Pro4 Late Models along with a 35-lap Modified feature.
The full 2010 schedule is still in the works and will be ready soon as the Hoffman’s are putting on the final touches.
Mahoning Valley Speedway is conveniently 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.
SK Modifieds: Adam Skowyra Move Up to an SK Modified at Stafford
The Reliable Welding and Speed Rookie of the Year class in Stafford’s SK Modified® division has added another candidate for the 2010 season with Adam Skowyra. Skowyra is a 2-year veteran of Stafford’ s SK Light Modified division, and will look to follow in the footsteps of drivers like Joe Allegro, Jr., Chris Matthews, Richie Pallai, Jr., Mark Bakaj, Raymond Grassetti, Wade Mattesen, Rich Hammann, and Matt Gallo, who
have all made the transition from SK Light Modified up the ladder to the SK Modified® division.
“We’re making the move up this season,” said Skowyra. “When we first bought our car, we were always looking towards the future. We maybe didn’t figure on moving up this quickly, but the SK Modified® spec engine made moving up an affordable option for us and we thought the time was right to make the move for the 2010 season. We’re getting a spec engine from R.A.D. Automachine, Donny [Wood] always makes great power and we’ll get out on the track for that first practice in April and we’ll see how things go.”
Skowyra enters the 2010 SK Modified® season with the same equipment he ran in the SK Light Modified division, with the exception of the engine. He also has help from Mike Stefanik, Stefanik’s Whelen Modified Tour crew chief, Sly Szaban, and Flamingo Motorsports as the primary sponsor on the car. While Skowyra has no prior experience behind the wheel of an SK Modified® car at Stafford, he won’t be short on help this year as he embarks on his maiden season of SK Modified® competition at SMS.
“Our car is an old Mike Stefanik tour car,” says Skowyra. “He’s taken the car out in practice a couple of times, and he’s given me some pointers about getting around Stafford. Mike’s Tour crew chief, Sly Szaban, he helps us out at Stafford when he can, and all my guys on the team are 100% dedicated to working on this car. Most of all I have to thank Eric Sanderson and Flamingo Motorsports. They stepped up and came on board with me when I started my SK Light career at Stafford and they’ve stuck with me through the highs and the lows. They’ve been a big help to my racing at Stafford and I definitely couldn’t be where I am now without them.”
Skowyra was the 2008 SK Light Modified Rookie of the Year winner at Stafford, and he would like to repeat that feat in the SK Modified® division this year.
“Our goals for the season are realistic,” said Skowyra. “The first half of the season, we’re just looking to finish races because we can’t learn anything if we don’t finish races. If we can get some decent finishes in
the first half of the season, hopefully we can be contenders for the Rookie of the Year. We won in 2008, and I’d like to be able to win that award again this year.”
While Skowyra may lack in on-track experience driving an SK Modified® car, he doesn’t lack for excitement about his rookie season at Stafford. “We’re really looking forward to this season at Stafford,” said Skowyra.
“Being able to race against guys like Ted Christopher, Woody Pitkat, and Keith Rocco, the SK Modified® division at Stafford is the premier division in New England and I think it has the premier drivers in New England. We’ve seen some of the guys I raced against in the SK Lights make the move up to the SK’s and have some success. We were able to run with them in the SK Lights, so we’re looking forward to trying to match some of that same success for ourselves this season.”
The 2010 SK Modified® season kicks off with the 39th Annual CARQUEST Tech-Net Spring Sizzler, scheduled for April 23-25, 2010. Tickets for “The Greatest Race in the History of Spring” are now on sale at the Stafford Motor Speedway box office. Tickets are priced at $35.00 for adult general admission tickets, $5.00 for children ages 6-14, $38.00 for reserved seats, and free for children ages 5 & under. Tickets are good for admission to the Saturday April 24, and Sunday, April 25 portions of the Tech-Net Spring Sizzler, with the Friday, April 23 practice session open to the public free of charge.
For more information, or to order CARQUEST Tech-Net Spring Sizzler tickets, contact the Stafford Motor Speedway track office at 860-684-2783 or visit us on the web at www.staffordspeedway.com.
DIRT: All-Star Weekend Bigger & Better With New Format and Brewerton Joining
All signals are green as DIRTcar All-Star Weekend returns to Cayuga County Fair Speedway for the second straight year, July 16-17, featuring two spectacular days of short-track action at the northeastern hub of DIRTcar Racing in Weedsport, N.Y.
Fans can get an early taste of Big-Block Modified racing Thursday, July 15 when All-Star Weekend kicks off at Brewerton (NY) Speedway with a special Super DIRTcar Series shootout with the 50-lap winner collecting $3,000.
Cayuga County Fair Speedway’s program begins Friday with a Super DIRTcar Series preliminary event paying $3,000 to the winner of the 50-lap affair. Then, all the attention Saturday turns to the 2nd Annual All-Star 100 on the historic 3/8-miler, in 2010 boasting a wild new format that is guaranteed to keep the competition keen for the distance.
“Last season was just the beginning, we’re excited to introduce a new format this year which should provide fans a real treat when July arrives,” remarked Roger Slack, World Racing Group’s Executive Vice-President of Events, after addressing an enthusiastic media gathering Saturday during Lenny Sammons’ Motorsports 2010 at the Phildadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, Pa. “I think the new formula truly embodies all the elements of DIRTcar Racing in the Northeast, and we’ll be showcasing those strengths and traditions throughout the entire weekend.”
“ASW now begins with a midweek special, opening up Thursday at Brewerton and then continuing to the track where it all began, the first DIRTcar track, the place where Glenn Donnelly made 1 Speedway Drive one of the most famous destinations in short-track racing. The 2010 edition puts the spotlight on two storied speedways for a true summer classic, each boasting two distinct racing surfaces that are within close driving distance for campers and fans.”
“Come feature time on Saturday we’re still ready to hand out $20,000, but maybe not to the same Big-Block driver as there will now be three pieces to the 100-lap puzzle. The first $5,000-to-win 25-lap segment represents the famous Modified qualifying format while the second 25-lap segment, which also pays $5,000-to-win, incorporates an inversion representative of the tough handicapping system that drivers face at their weekly tracks and the importance of a driver’s ability to search out new lines, pass and work traffic to get to the front in a short amount of time. The 50-lap finale ultimately pits the top stars side-by-side against one another in a long distance special for the big $10,000 prize,” added Slack, who served as General Manager at The Dirt Track @ Charlotte (NC) when the Super DIRTcar Series debuted there in 2001.
When DIRTcar All-Star Weekend ’10 officially launches at Cayuga County, joining the mighty Big-Block Modifieds on Friday alongside their Super DIRTcar Series showdown and all-out ‘Exemption Dash’ will be the DIRTcar Stock Cars (Street Stock). A Hoosier Tire-VP Racing Fuels Mr. DIRTcar Sportsman Championship Series event has been scheduled on Saturday while details in a rare appearance by the Tobias SpeedSTRs are currently being finalized. Additional ASW events are pending at this time.
Saturday’s century shootout will be divided into three segments, with each offering separate purses. Integra Shocks Time Trials, heat race and consolation round qualifying will set the line-up for the first 25 laps and an inversion will determine the starting grid for the second 25-lapper, with each winner pocketing $5,000. Combined finishes from both races will then decide the field for the 50-lap finale that rewards the winner with a $10,000 top prize.
“Super DIRT Week is still our biggest attraction in autumn, and now we’re making All-Star Weekend the biggest spectacle of the entire summer to showcase short track stars in our region,” said Cayuga County Fair Speedway General Manager Cory Reed. “Those that attended last year know it’s a destination event like no other, and with $100,000 on the line for racers it’s a can’t miss show on everyone’s calendar.”
To capture an event of this magnitude ranks high on any driver’s list of career accomplishments. Last year’s inaugural winner Ryan Phelps not only scored his first-ever Super DIRTcar Series victory, the 2nd-generation standout from nearby Fulton, N.Y. swept the weekend doubleheader to gain instant notoriety as a star of the future.
“The All-Star wins certainly top the list, hopefully they’re a stepping stone to winning a bunch more this season,” commented Phelps, 25, who eventually placed 7th in the overall Hoosier Tire-VP Racing Fuels Mr. DIRTcar Championship points chase. “I think winning both days showed it wasn’t a fluke, and we did well the rest of the year, too. We proved that we’re capable of running with the best guys consistently.”
“Winning at Weedsport was definitely special. I’ve been going there since I was a kid, it’s where I cut my teeth in both Big-Block and Sportsman. And it was especially nice coming so close to home where it meant just as much for our crew and sponsors. It kind of changed our whole mindset from that day on that we could win a series race wherever we go,” Phelps added.
Reserved seats and reserved camping for DIRTcar All-Star Weekend at Cayuga County go on sale in the coming weeks at the speedway office (315/834-6606) and online at www.allstar100weekend.com. A two-day (Fri-Sat) reserved ticket purchased in advance is only $39 for a limited time and includes a Friday pit pass. Camping permits are $50 for reserved spots and $30 for general camping while the popular Infield Tailgate Party offering trackside parking and access to the infield stage will again be offered.
Airborne: Airborne, CVRA Lead Asphalt Modified Racing Expansion
The Champlain Valley Racing Association (CVRA), which owns and operates Albany-Saratoga Speedway in Malta, NY and Devil's Bowl Speedway in West Haven, VT announced at its 2010 rules meeting that it will implement Airborne Speedway's Modified rules and participate in a six-race Modified series with two events at each track.
"The first event of the Series will be at Albany-Saratoga on Sunday, April 25 as a part of a card that will include an American Canadian Tour (ACT) Late Model event," CVRA promoter Bruce Richards said.
The conversion of the CVRA tracks from dirt to asphalt in 2010 has sparked interest throughout the northeast.
"This is a validation of the efforts we've made at Airborne to turn it into a successful family entertainment facility," Airborne promoter Mike Perrotte said. "To have two quality race tracks in our region make the effort to promote asphalt racing with DIRT-style Modifieds as their headline division should be a plus for everybody. We are working on finalizing our 2010 schedule and selecting dates for the two series races."
Airborne and Albany-Saratoga have both scheduled 2010 special events for two well- established open-wheel asphalt tours, the International SuperModified Association (ISMA) and the Modified Racing Series.
Airborne hosts the ISMA Supers Saturday, July 17. The Modified Racing Series, formerly known as the True Value Modified Racing Series, will appear at Airborne Saturday, May 29.
"We've widened the backstretch at Albany-Saratoga by 10 feet and we're going to use the best pavement money can buy," Richards said. "We're entering a new decade and a new era. We will be offering fans in the Capital District more choices than before. We owe a special thanks to Mike Perrotte for his co-operation, interest and effort."
Airborne's 57th season opener is set for Saturday, May 1. Martin Roy of Napierville, QC, will begin defense of his 2009 Ernie's Tools Modified championship.
Kyle Bronson won at Volusia. (Jim Jones Photo)
Rodney Wing had a good night at East Bay last night. (Neil Miller Photos)
Matt Shepherd (Left) and Brett Hearn (Left). (DIRT Photos)
