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SPRINT CAR PRESS RELEASES
Hot off the Press
If you have any announcements about your team, track, or organization type it up & send it to me. Well post it in here for everyone to browse through. Thanks
After a weekend of rain, racing finally started for Donovan Peterson Motorsports. As the team went to race at the Jackson Speedway Spring Nationals. Racing in the IMCA class, Donovan stated, “I always love racing with the IMCA guys, everyone has to run the same gear at the tracks and it’s just a fun series to race with.”
After started in the 3rd row inside in the heat race Donovan quickly made his charge on the leader Curt Lund. “ Curt is one of the toughest racers I have raced with, if it’s a modified or his Sprint Car Curt is always up front and fast.” We managed to get second but during the cool down laps a keeper in the valve spring broke and bent a push rod. Lucky with the help of fellow racers we got it fixed. Feature time rolled around and we were looking pretty good, starting 5th we thought we could only go forward from there. However lady luck had a different idea, “Our seal on our power steering pump went out and I lost power steering about 5 laps into the race. I just got up to second then the car had a really bad push and I had to fight it the rest of the night” stated Donovan. It was a huge let down for the team but we got 12th and that’s good.
We have to thank Willey Wilson motorsports for letting him use his car for the IMCA race. “Tom has outstanding cars and motors and I am very thankful I get to race for a car owner like Tom.” Said Donovan. Plans this weekend are to race at Hartford unless they get rained out, then you may see the car at Husets or the Huron NOSA Show.
Willey Wilson Motorsports and DPR would like to thank MetalworX Environmental Systems, PrimoGreen, West Sioux Exhaust and Brake, Thronson Motors, Ziebarth Trucking, Key Auto Sales, Simpson Race Products and Driver Websites. Without any of these we would not be able to race.
Wean and ARDC Hope to Repeat History at Grandview
By Mark Kielblock
Felton, DE - Phillipsburg NJ's Nick Wean is off to a strong start to his sophomore season with ARDC. After a hiccup on opening night, Wean caught fire in the Club's second race at Susquehanna Speedway Park, charging from 11th starting spot to take a second place to race winner Steve Buckwalter. That charge included an outside pass of current ARDC point leader Frank Polimeda after the pair split around a lapped car. After two races, Wean sits fourth in points behind Polimeda and fellow sophomores Monroe and Brett Arndt.
Needless to say, Wean is happy with his new ride for the '08 season -- a Spike Chassis no. 77. "We're doing well with the new car," Wean said in a telephone interview. "We're real happy with it. So far it seems to hook up a little bit better than last year's car," Wean emphasized.
Wean now looks forward to ARDC's next stop at Grandview Speedway on Wednesday night, May 21 -- a Thunder on the Hill show with the 410 Sprints Keystone Cup Speedweek Series. "I like Grandview, it's fun track," Wean enthused. "We didn't have much success there last year, but it's a racy track like Big Diamond where you can move around from top to bottom."
Wean is one of the ARDC drivers who is looking to run the full 24 race schedule and compete for a championship. "We're going to run the full schedule and just try to be competitive," Wean shared. "We're going to try to win races and have no mechanical failures."
Wean goes to the post at each ARDC race with a family-based crew. "My dad is the Crew Chief, he does all the preparation and set ups," Wean explained. "I don't call him Crew Chief, though," he joked. "I just call him dad. My grandfather goes with us and I also have Scott and Aaron on the crew. My cousin Travis is a big guy who's there for us as our enforcer if we get into trouble. He's also a jokester and keeps us relaxed by telling some jokes before we go out to race."
Wean has a pretty good deal with his crew, one that other drivers would envy. "They do the work and let me relax and just be the driver," Wean explained. Wean Heating, Hilltop Petroleum and Warren Pallet make up the sponsorship package on the sharp looking white, purple and orange no. 77
A mention of ARDC and Grandview Speedway in the same sentence brings back some fond memories from veteran racers. Last year's Thunder on the Hill show run in conjunction with the USAC National Sprint Cars Eastern Swing saw 39 ARDC racers go to the post.
That robust car count stirred memories of a series of Sunday night shows that ARDC ran at Grandview back in the 70's for Club President Ron Lauer. "Back then ARDC would consistently pull 35-40 cars for those shows and you would see upwards of 60 for some of the special shows," Lauer remembered.
"The drivers would have to run a heat race, that put them into a semi and if they made it through that they made the feature. When you qualified for a main in one of those shows, you had really done something," Lauer summed. Then Lauer pointed something out that would make modern day race fans drool. "It was a one division, straight midget show so they had time to do all that qualifying." Fans used to sitting through five or six division shows today can only imagine what that must be like.
Lauer then began to tick off the names that made those shows so special. "This was toward the tail end of the Dutch Schaeffer, Len Duncan era. They were a little past their prime, but they were still good, hard racers," Lauer said. "We had Johnny Coy, Jan Opperman ran for Ed Darrell and George Ferguson. Kenny Weld ran for Dorsey Truitt. We usually had a Saturday show somewhere so guys like Pancho Carter, Jim Hettinger and Mark Aldersen would come out, stay over and run with us," Lauer recalled. "Car owners like Ken Brenn and Ferguson would bring extra cars, sometimes as many as four."
Former ARDC PR man and announcer Ernie Saxton picks up the memories from there. "For many years Ed Darrell, my wife's step father, promoted the Sunday night shows with me handling the PR, advertising and announcing." Saxton said.
"What was neat about back then was that there were a lot of fan clubs for different drivers. The racers raced, battled and then laughed about it after the races. It just does not seem to be that way these days. I still remember the night that villain, Wayne Woodward, dumped a bucket of water on my head while I was doing some announcing down on the track." Saxton remembered.
"There were some wonderful racers such as John Hubbard, Jimmy Kirk, Pancho Carter, even Jan Opperman a few times, along with Jimmy Maguire, Van May and others." Saxton shared.
Saxton closed out the trip down memory lane with remembrances of a classic interview. "Embarrassing was the night I asked Len Duncan, how he found the track (meaning the conditions of the track) and he responded with "I just look out over the front of the car and the track is right there." He had a great but dry sense of humor," Saxton said. "I have a lot of great memories of the midgets, they were my first love when I got involved in auto racing about 50 years or so back."
-end-
TSR Hits the Pavement For USAC Midget Maynia Tour Hines, Jones and Chevy Head to Wisconsin, Illinois
For USAC National Midget Series Action
INDIANAPOLIS (May 14, 2008) – In racing circles, the words “Month of May” are loaded with tradition, especially to those fans who patronize the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) the fifth month of each year. For Tony Stewart Racing’s (TSR) Tracy Hines, Levi Jones and their fellow USAC National Midget Car Series competitors, this week in racing’s most historic month has taken on new meaning.
TSR’s Hines and Jones head to Wisconsin Friday and Saturday and to Illinois Sunday to compete in the first three events of the Midget Maynia Tour. Kicking off the weekend’s racing action with be Friday’s 30-lap event at LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway in West Salem, Wis. The USAC Midgets will compete on the 5/8-mile oval for the first time in series history.
Saturday’s second leg of the Midget Maynia Tour takes the USAC Midgets to Slinger (Wis.) Superspeedway for the series’ first appearance at the facility since 1984. The 50-lap Stan Fox Memorial will be the first career start at the quarter-mile paved facility for both TSR drivers.
Sunday’s third and final leg of the Midget Maynia Tour takes the USAC Midgets to Rockford (Ill.) Speedway, a quarter-mile paved oval that Jones and Hines will be tackling for the first time in USAC Racing Series competition. It will be the first time since 1979 that USAC has sanctioned an event at the facility. The weekend will be capped off by a 50-lap feature event.
Hines and the No. 21 TSR/Chevy/Spike team enter this weekend’s tripleheader tied for first place in the USAC Midget Series standings. He has earned three top-five finishes in USAC Midget Series competition this year. Jones and the No. 20 TSR/Chevy/Spike team have earned one top-10 finish thus far this season.
Adding to this month’s festivities for TSR, the team also took part in the historic announcement of the new Chevy Midget engine on May 7 at IMS. The brand unveiled its new four-cylinder Midget powerplant with the help of Hines, Jones and team owner Tony Stewart. TSR will debut the new engine in the near future and already has been testing it with Chevy Racing engineers.
Competitors taking part in this month’s four-event Midget Maynia Tour have a unique incentive in the way of a $5,000 point fund to be distributed after the fourth and final race of the mini-series May 30 at Dodge County Fairgrounds Speedway in Beaver Dam, Wis. The event will be the only race of the mini-series to be held on a dirt track. The Midget car owner earning the most points in the four events will receive a $1,000 bonus. The remainder of the point fund will be distributed among those teams that compete in all four Midget Maynia Tour events.
Friday at LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway, racing will begin at 7:30 p.m. CDT. For more information regarding the track, call 608-786-1525 or visit www.lacrossespeedway.com. Saturday at Slinger Superspeedway, racing is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. CDT. More information can be found at www.slingersuperspeedway.com or by calling the track at 262-644-5921. Sunday’s event at Rockford Speedway will see qualifying begin at 2 p.m. CDT. Race fans can call the track at 815-633-1500 for more information. The official Web site of the track is www.rockfordspeedway.com.
Levi Jones, driver of the No. 20 TSR/Chevy/Spike – USAC National Midget Car Series
Was it exciting to be a part of the Chevy Midget Engine announcement last week at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway?
“Being part of the whole Chevy engine program, from the development and testing to the actual announcement last week has been really exciting. Everyone at TSR is really looking forward to competing with this new piece. Chevy has put a lot of time and development into making it really good right out of the box. Even our competitors are excited about the engine. It’s really cool to see Chevy become an option in terms of engines in the Midget Series ranks. Everyone is talking about the new product and we’ve had a lot of questions about when they may be able to purchase the engines for their race teams to use, as well”
You’re going to compete at three new race tracks this week in USAC Midget Series competition. What do you expect heading into these events?
“I’m really looking forward to running with the USAC Midget Series for three nights in a row. Any time you run the same type of car on the same surface, it helps you get into some kind of a flow. I’ve not seen any of these three tracks before, but I think that we’ve really stepped up our pavement racing program and that we’ll be good on both the quarter-mile and the 5/8-mile track. Working with Tracy (Hines, teammate) has been very helpful and I think TSR has a good chance of putting Chevy and Bass Pro Shops in the winner’s circle one, if not more than one, time this weekend.”
Tracy Hines, driver of the No. 21/TSR/Chevy/Spike – USAC National Midget Car Series
Are you looking forward to bringing USAC Midget Series racing action to three relatively new facilities for the series this weekend?
“I have competed at Rockford Speedway. It’s been a long time ago, but I have raced there, so I do remember a little about the track. The other two tracks, LaCrosse and Slinger, I talked to some friends who have competed there and I was able to get some information from them about those facilities. I’m pretty excited about running three pavement races in a row this weekend. We’ve learned a lot in our first three Midget races this season and I know we’ll be ready for these tracks this weekend. Hopefully, things will go well and it will be another good weekend for TSR, Chevy and Bass Pro Shops.
Having worked with the Chevy engineering team on the development of the new engine, are you looking forward to competing with the new powerplant in the near future?
“I’ve been excited about the whole development process, in general. In working with the engineering team from a junior engineer standpoint, without any formal education, it’s been really good to learn about the different components and development that have gone into these engines. This group has a lot of really intelligent guys working on the program and it’s been great to have every question I’ve ever had about a motor be answered and explained during this process. This team doesn’t just work on the racing engines. It also works on the Corvette program and on the production side, as well. They’ve taken what they’ve learned in those areas and applied it to their racing engines and really made some great powerplants. It’s very cool to have been part of this process. I love driving my Chevy truck, and now I have had an opportunity to meet the great brains behind making it and the other great Chevy products on the road today.”
For complete results from this weekend’s USAC Racing Series events, log on to www.usacracing.com. For information regarding TSR, Chevy or Bass Pro Shops, please visit www.tonystewartracing.com, www.chevy.com or www.basspro.com.
ESS EXTRA!!
Cornwall Motor Speedway, Cornwall, Ontario
Arguably one of the most successful Sunday night tracks not only in Canada but all of North America comes the Cornwall Motor Speedway. Sunday night is usually “taboo” in local motorsports but Cornwall has bucked the norm and flourished through the guiding eyes of one Ron Morin.
A little quarter-mile no less, is located north of Ontario’s well known city of Cornwall and on an average Sunday you will see some 3, 000 folks in the stands if not more. On special nights such as the annual two visits by the Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints that number will raise above 4,000 with standing room only usually the end result.
For 2008, the already successful facility will hit new heights on Sunday night, June 22nd where Morin is doing something special for the fans of Ontario and Quebec. It’s billed as the Triple Crown of Racing, the three most well known forms of dirt track classes all on one night. Late Models, courtesy of the World of Outlaws, winged sprint cars, from ESS itself and modifieds with Cornwall’s own DIRTcar 358 modifieds on the card. Three classes, one night, one incredible memory!
Also on the Cornwall ’08 sked., is a second appearance by ESS, the Advanced Auto Parts Series for both big and small block modifieds as well as the Lucas Oil Series for small blocks. This will be definitely a year to remember.
Local drivers of interest will be Brian McDonald, who lives in the shadows of the speedway and is attacking the ESS tour fulltime, former small block standout Lee Ladouceur and north country legend Rick Wilson along with his son Kyle and daughter April.
The fast oval will produce the quickest times on the Lucas Oil tour with the sprinters getting into the 11 second range. The circular, high banked track makes for wild side by side action for the sprints. The grandstand will reach from turn four and wrap around parts of turn one. Several buildings are used as VIP sponsor suites and official’s tower with several concession stands located right underneath these buildings. The pits are located off turns three and four along with the very successful go-cart track. The infield is clear and is accented by beautiful green grass.
ESS Facts – Cornwall Motor Speedway:
ESS Events Run: 21
Different Winners: 18
Most Wins: Jeff Thomas, Jeff VanDusen and Jeff Cook (2) Each.
Last Event Run: 8/19/07
Most Recent Winner: Jeff VanDusen
Cornwall Motor Speedway Facts:
Location: Right off Route 401, Exit 789 on Cornwall Centre Rd.
ESS Date(s): June 22nd and August 17th
Dash Sponsor: June 22 – Rte. 730 Truck Stop ($600), Aug. 17 – SMAC Magazine
A-Main Sponsor: WestFront Construction
Promoter(s): Ron Morin
Track Phone: (613) 938-3945
Website: www.cornwallspeedway.com
Sites of Interest:
St. Lawrence Seaway sites.
Akwesasne Mohawk Casino just across the border in Hogansburg, N.Y.
Quebec is less than 30 minutes East.
Brian Brown – Jackson Action!
(Bill W) May 14, 2008 – With Mother Nature still a major factor in the Midwest, sprint car driver, Brian Brown, did find a race to run last weekend, and it was a big one. The First Annual Jackson Spring Nationals was run on Friday at the Jackson Speedway in Jackson, Minnesota. Despite limited experience at the track, Brian overcame a late format change to run third in a field of 50+ 360 sprint cars.
Fortune is needed with a field that large, and Brian got a little when he signed in. “The draw went well for us and we started outside the front row of the heat,” he says. “We trailed Lee Grosz most of the way, but we were able to get by him on the last lap to win it.”
After registering the second most passing points in the heat races, Brian was set to start the SuperClean #21 outside row one of the dash. That plan changed dramatically. “The way I understood it in the driver’s meeting, we were lining up the dash by passing points, that would have had us on the front row, and that’s the way they had it on the board…but they called us back right beforehand and had us redraw, and as luck would have it, I drew a 10 out of 10,” says the Grain Valley, Missouri native. “So we went from starting outside the front row to starting tenth.”
Starting on the tail of a dash including the ten best drivers in the heat could be daunting, but Brian forged on. “Track position is everything at Jackson, especially that night, so that was big for us,” he says of his starting spot. “The track had water on the bottom that was getting thrown up, but there were also dry spots and rough spots, so really it was a tricky track to master. We actually got up to fifth there in the dash, and I went to the bottom in turns one and two and hit the water. I went across the track and about spun out, so two cars got by me and we finished seventh.”
Brian’s starting spot in row four became less important, as the main event turned into a marathon. With several cautions and two long red flag stoppages, the feature lasted close to 90 minutes. The 2007 Knoxville track champion survived the carnage and came home in the show position at the end of the night, despite not being comfortable with the car. “We just weren’t that great to be honest,” he says. “It was an average performance at best. We had some guys fall out and end up on the hook, so when you’re complaining about a third place finish after that, I guess you’re doing alright.”
This weekend, the focus will be on Knoxville Raceway. On Friday night, Brian will join a handful of drivers for some practice laps at the facility, before taking to the track for Slideways Karting Center/Pella Printing Night on Saturday!
Great Finish on High Vista Video!
If you would like to see a tremendous feature finish, no matter whom you are a fan of, check out Jeff Converse’s footage of the Bob Ramey Memorial at Sedalia. Go to www.HighVistaVideo.com and click on the link for the WOW Bob Ramey Memorial feature!
Brian is Adopted…
…by a radio station. Brian will be joining Lou, the Round Guy and Heather on KGGO “Classic Rock that Rocks” at 94.9 on the FM dial. He will be calling in on Monday mornings during the race season to keep them apprised of their adopted driver (him). Be sure to listen in!
Website
For up to date information on Brian Brown, visit the revamped www.BrianBrownRacing.com!
T-shirts
New t-shirts are available and can be ordered at Brian’s website (www.BrianBrownRacing.com), www.Racingthreads.com, or catch us at the races!
Brian's Q&A
Dave in Worthington, MN asks: When you race at a track that you haven’t been to before, or aren’t at very often, like Jackson, what do you do differently?
Brian answers: The biggest thing is probably comparing it to someplace else and deciding on what gear to run. Everything else is pretty much using your general setup and adjusting after hot laps. There’s really no magic or special wand…experience of the driver comes into play the most, because you’ve got four hot laps to figure out what’s going on before you have your heat race or qualifying. Probably the most important thing is getting the gear right, and maybe asking some fast guys what they are running, but that’s another crapshoot in itself to figure out if they’re telling you the truth!
Got a question for Brian? Send it to us at sprntcar@iowatelecom.net, and we may answer it in this section! Put "? for Brian" in your subject line.
Brown's Bits
This date is historic for Brian. On May 14, 2004 he drove for Tim and Gina Doogs for the first time. Even though he was still employed in the Casey’s #6 on the World of Outlaws tour, he found time to come back and win in Sedalia for the Doogs. He topped Steve Gennetten, Bobby Hawks, Tommy Mikels and Randy Martin and the rest of the WOW field that night.
It’s a night Brian remembers fondly. “We were getting rained out in Terre Haute, Indiana with the Outlaws and the Casey’s car. I’d been sitting there all week and had had enough. I told everyone I was going home, either to race, or just to go home. It was 1:00 in the afternoon, and Sedalia is about a seven hour drive. On the way home, I called my grandpa and he didn’t want to bring his car out. Then I called Gina Doogs, because I knew Jeff Mitrisin had driven it before. She told me if I could make it, she’d love to have me race. I drove about 90 m.p.h. the whole way and actually put my driving uniform on while going down I-70. Try that sometime! I got there too late for hot laps, but we did get out there and win the heat and feature. Fortunately, I was fired from the Casey’s ride about a month later, and the rest is history. They are great people and it’s fun to race with them. Hopefully, we will be for a long time.”
SuperClean
SuperClean is the “super product” for your home, auto, outdoor and marine cleaning jobs. Whether it is grease, oil, wax, tar or dirt that you need to clean from concrete, wheels or just about anything else, SuperClean is the product for you! To learn more about SuperClean, visit www.SuperClean.com!
SuperClean Products include:
Tough Task Cleaner-Degreaser
If you have tough, caked-on grease, then SuperClean Tough Task Cleaner-Degreaser is the multipurpose cleaner you need. This concentrated, industrial strength formula quickly removes grease, oil, wax, tar, and dirt on contact leaving your surface as clean as new.
All Wheel Cleaner
If you love your car more than you love your…well you know, then SuperClean All Wheel Cleaner is for you. This custom-blend formula instantly releases road grime and brake dust, leaving wheels clean to the original finish.
Concrete Cleaner
Great house…dirty driveway? Then you need SuperClean Concrete Cleaner. This concentrated, professional strength formula cuts away grease, grime, dirt, and organic stains leaving your concrete surface as clean as the original finish.
See Heather at a grandstand entrance near you or visit the team’s trailer to get your free sample! Superclean is available at Wal-Mart, Autozone, O'Reilly Auto Parts, or to find a retailer near you visit www.superclean.com.
Marketing Partner of the Week – Champion Brands
An industry leader for over 50 years, Champion Brands, LLC produces and blends more than 300 products including fuel, oil and engine additives and lubricants for the automotive, heavy truck, agricultural and specialty markets. Champion Brands, LLC understands the complexities of doing business in today’s market and is always looking for new and better ways to make your company more efficient and increase your bottom line. Quality products are more than a commitment at Champion; our high standards define the way we do business.
Champion is headquartered in Clinton, Missouri and is in its third year supporting Brian Brown. Brian used 75/90 synthetic gear oil and 25/90 synthetic racing oil from Champion to win the 2007 Knoxville Raceway track championship!
Brian's Updates
Brian's Releases are an up close look at the past, present and future of 2007 Knoxville Raceway track champion, Brian Brown. To receive Brian's weekly updates, send an e-mail to sprntcar@iowatelecom.net with "Brian" in the subject line.
Brian would like to thank SuperClean, Big Ox, Ditzfeld Transfer, Boss Hogg Food Products, Maxim Racing, American Compressed Steel, Michael Ross Memorial Foundation, Champion Brands, Legend Suzuki, Housby Trucks, K&N Filters, Hostiowa.net, Yeager's Harley Davidson, Saldana Radiators, Fuel-Safe Tanks, Blue Springs Extreme Powersports, Awesome Racewear, Wolfe Eye Clinic, Shock Doctor, Weld Wheels, Fire-Down Graphics, Bell Helmets, CP Pistons, Paul's Auto Body Supply, Butler Built Seats, Rod End Supply, Winters Performance Products, ISC Racers Tape, Simpson, Racing Optics, Pro Shocks, Dake Law Office, Wes. Mo. Auto, Don's Truck Wash, Sunshack Tan, McCroskey Chevrolet, Gardner Farms and Hoosier Tires for all their help!
“Double-T” Shows Speed In 360 & 410 Sprint car Action!
By Gary Costa
Fresno, Ca - May 9th & 10th… Tommy Tarlton had another strong weekend in the Tarlton & Son, Inc. winged Sprint car. Tommy’s busy weekend started Friday at Ocean Speedway for the Wright One 360 Sprint car series. Saturday would then conclude the racing weekend at Tulare, with the Golden State Challenge series, featuring the 410 Sprint cars.
Ocean Speedway - In Ocean Speedway qualifying, Tommy pushed Shark power to 2nd quick on the field. Then after starting 6th in heat #2, the Paul Baines and Blaine Steele wrenched Maxim crossed the line in the 3rd spot, which threw the Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino, Kaeding Performance, Ridgeline Framing, Sharp Insurance, VMAC, BR Motorsports, Fresno First Bank, Pro Signs, #21 into the main event.
In the main event, Tommy would slide into his 8th place starting spot. The hard charger from Fresno would eventually finish in the 5th position at the conclusion of the main event.
Tulare Raceway – After catching a few Z’s, it was time for the team to head to Tulare Raceway for the Chris & Brian Faria Memorial. This race would be Round #11 for the Golden State Challenge Sprint cars.
After making the proper adjustments in his driving style from a smaller track, to a larger one, and also adjusting to more Shark power in hot laps, Tommy was ready to “get after it!”
Tommy qualified in the 7th spot. He then proceeded to do his “job” and get the car out of heat race #1, via his 4th place transfer. The heat race transfer would then get us in the 8-car dash, where we crossed the line in the 4th spot in the stacked event.
We eventually finished in the 6th place in the ultra-exciting main event.
-Up Next For Tommy Tarlton!
It will again be a busy weekend for Tommy and the team, as they will be racing at Ocean Speedway again this Friday. Tommy currently sits 2nd in the point’s standings. Saturday, the team will then head to Kings Speedway in Hanford, to race with the National Winged 360 Series. The Tarlton Racing team picked up the inaugural race earlier this year.
A Different Kind Of 'Thunder' forecast Saturday night at Cowtown Speedway
5/14/08. Kennedale, TX, by DarinShort.com.
The roar of the thunder from this week’s storms will quickly be replaced by sunny skies for the weekend – but the roar will remain – as the ASCS Sprint Cars take to the high banks of Cowtown Speedway on Saturday night, May 17.
With much of the country experiencing dismal racing conditions for much of 2008, the area around Cowtown Speedway has fared very well at this point; as the storms have been hitting during the week and generally sparing the weekends.
The last ASCS event at Cowtown provided fans with wild action and a huge field of cars from throughout the region. Sprint car ace Travis Rilat picked up the victory, with Oklahoma standout Brian McClelland finishing in second.
And with both the ASCS Gulf Coast and National Tour schedules being dark this weekend; it is quite possible that some of their tour ‘invaders’ may show up to steal the victory from Series drivers such as George White, Rodney Henderson, Michael Lang, Kolt Walker, Kevin Ramey and a host of many others.
One thing is certain: when the ASCS Sprint Cars come to Cowtown Speedway, you are guaranteed to get your money’s worth. Adult tickets are still just $15, and advance tickets can be purchased on the track website, www.CowtownSpeedway.com – and there is no convenience charge to use your credit card for online purchase.
Joining the ASCS division will be the Limited Modifieds, Street Stocks, Bombers, Jr. Bombers plus a non-wing special pitting the EMSA VS Cowtown 600's.
With hot laps around 6:30pm and the first green flag scheduled to drop at 7pm; make your plans now to be a part of the action at the Fastest Lil’ Dirt Track In Texas – Cowtown Speedway, in Kennedale.
New Era at Ohsweken Speedway Begins This Friday
by Tommy Goudge (May 12, 2008) – When the gates swing open at the Styres Family Ohsweken Speedway this Friday night, much will be different: There are new announcers, new grandstands, exciting new events, and even new tow trucks, but most notably two new racing divisions will be brought to life. Joining Ohsweken’s established Esso Mini-Stock and Esso Thunder Stock divisions this season’s weekly Friday Night Thunder events are the new entry level Fun Stocks, and the Winged Sprints presented by Corr/Pak Merchandising.
Sprint Car racing has always been a staple at Ohsweken, but this season will be the first for weekly sprint car racing at the track, one of many things that make the Speedway a unique racing venue in Ontario. A large and competitive field is expected in the Sprint Car division this Friday night, and many of the drivers who compete this week will also be vying all season long for the right to be crowned the first ever champion of the Corr/Pak Winged Sprint Cars. Track co-owner Glenn Styres (Sprint Car #0) took home the title of sprint car track champion by virtue of good finishes in the 6 sprint car events held at Ohsweken last season, but with many more sprint car events on the schedule this season, and more drivers and teams expected to attend all of the events, the competition for the sprint car crown will be more intense than ever.
The Esso Mini-Stock and Esso Thunder Stock divisions will both feature some new faces this season as well, and both are sure to provide lots of great racing action. Defending track champs Abel Castelein (Mini-Stock #28) and Brad Bacher (Thunder Stock #3) will need to be faster than ever to stay ahead of the pack of hungry drivers intent on taking over their crowns.
Advanced reserved seat ticket sales for the World of Outlaws Late Model series event on June 19, World of Outlaws Sprint Car series events on July 22 & 23, and the Canadian Sprint Car Nationals September 12 & 13 are going fast! Visit HYPERLINK "http://www.OhswekenSpeedway.com" www.OhswekenSpeedway.com or call 1-888-720-RACE (7223) for more information, and make your plans to attend Ohsweken Speedway’s Opening Night 2008 Presented by Corr/Pak Merchandising this Friday night, May 16! Gates open at 6:00p.m., hot laps start at 7:00p.m., and the first race takes the green flag at 7:45p.m.
Double Feature on tap with USAC and NASCAR racing at Altamont
Steven Blakesley / Altamont Motorsports Park
Tracy, Calif. - A huge evening of racing is on tap for Altamont Motorsports Park this Saturday, with both USAC and NASCAR Whelen All-American Series action on the open-wheel and stock car duel card.
Altamont's summer schedule will see qualifying at 1 p.m. and racing starting at a family-friendly 3 p.m. More than 250 laps of competition is slated for Saturday evening.
The increasingly competitive points battle for the USAC Western Sprints will take to the Altamont half-mile. Saturday's 50 lap feature marks round four of the 2008 USAC tour, and the second of seven appearances for 360 cubic inch rockets.
San Francisco's Nick Rescino Jr. leads the standings, over Kingsburg teenager Tanner Swanson, and new sensation Eric Humphries of Chowchilla.
Rescino, the 2004 and 2005 CASA sprint car champion, has earned eight feature wins at Altamont in his career. Rescino brought home a second-place finish in April.
Central Valley favorite Nick Green, who recently relocated to North Carolina, will make his return to Altamont. Green has recorded three career Altamont wins.
The new Toyota power plant sees drivers Chase Scott, Tim Skoglund, and Tony Hunt running seventh, ninth, and tenth in the points. Hunt, a four-time Western Sprints champion, will be hungry to improve his position in the points.
JoJo Helberg of Rohnert Park, who leads the USAC Rocky Mountain points, will also be a contender.
Guy Guibor of Manteca is the surprise leader of the NASCAR Western Late Models. Guibor, with only one previous Altamont start before this season, has put together finishes of fifth, eighth, and first to claim the points lead.
Guibor will hope to make it two wins in-a-row this weekend, with twin-50's on tap. Richmond's Andrew Livengood, Pleasanton's Jason Gilbert, and 2007 rookie of the year Doff Cooksey of Brentwood are all expected to compete.
Two car teams from car owners Rod Qualls and Eric Nascimento have both been fast. Qualls has drivers Tim Spurgeon and Casey Sherer of Danville, while Nascimento's bunch if led by Fresno's Dallas Glenn and Manteca's Greg Potts.
Grand American Modified points leader Todd Lynch of Tracy will look to pad his points lead this weekend over San Francisco's Robert Kennedy.
Gary Koster, winner in the last NCMA Limited Sprints feature at Altamont, will be in action in that class' 30 lap main.
Bob Wilson and Wilson Motorsports have a commanding lead in the Formula-4 points, but 2007 runner-up Richard Hull runs second and is winless thus far. Two ten-lap features on the Altamont 1.1 mile road course are slated for Saturday, and momentum could shift in this class.
Racing action on Saturday gets started with time trials at 1 p.m., USAC heats at 3 p.m., with features to follow. The Spectator Racing Series will also be in action throughout the day Saturday, a group which gives fans the opportunity to race.
Saturday's tickets for this huge "Double Feature" of USAC and NASCAR, are just $20 for general admission, $15 for youth, seniors, and active military, and $55 for a family pass of two general admission tickets and two youth tickets.
Fans can feast on award winning Kinder's BBQ throughout the exciting evening of action.
For detailed event schedule and ticket information, log on to www.altamontracing.com
Another Runner-Up Finish for Nick Mulheim and Crew!
Even with a week off from competition Nick Mulheim and crew were able to keep the momentum of 2008 going forward with another second place finish of the new season. Starting third in his heat race Nick followed the pole sitter into turn one and by the end of the first lap he was sitting comfortably in second place. With three laps to go the 38m grabbed the lead but it was short lived as the leader moved back around him. Keeping pace Nick waited until the last lap when the leader was just a little too loose coming off of two and was able to get beside him through three and four. Coming to the checkered flag the Mulheim Motorsports entry nosed ahead taking the victory. This nights events would see the team compete in a dash where the red, white, and blue 38m would start in third once again. Wanting to try something different the team put an experimental set-up underneath the car to see how it would react. Following the leader at the drop of the green flag just like before the car was good but not as great as the heat race. Nick could keep pace with the leader but wasn’t able to pass him handing him a second place finish in the five lap affair. With the feature ready to push off the Mulheim Motorsports entry would now line up in seventh. Like before as soon as the green flag waived he was able to moved forward holding on to sixth right away. For the next couple of laps Nick settled in as the field settled down. Once this happened first place is where he set his sights. By the tenth circulation he was in third and with help from a few timely cautions he was second around lap 16, four to five lengths back from the leader Jason Dolick. With another couple of laps Nick had caught him and was ready to make the pass but lapped traffic was there so he held back for another charge. This however was not to be as the 12 negotiated traffic perfectly and Nick once again came home in second place. Mulheim Motorsports would like to thank Mulheim Hardwood Frames, Fisher Performance, CAMS, and Rankl and Ries Motorcars
LONG ISLAND RACING REUNION DATE SET
Event organizer Marty Himes has announced that the ninth annual Long Island Racing Reunion will be held on Saturday, October fourth at the Changing Times Pub, 1247 Melville Rd., Farmingdale, N.Y. This is the second year it will be held at this location. It is a "still" date. Himes said that some were disappointed the reunion no longer has a track affiliation, yet over 30 race cars, the best turn-out ever were on display. "This reunion is about people and the many memories and friendships they share," said Himes. Activities will start mid-morning with a police-escorted parade from the college across the street. Fendered cars will be driven, the others towed. Despite a last minute change, last years' event was well supported. In the event of rain, it will be held on Saturday October 25th. Additionally, Himes, who for thirty years has run his own museum at 15 O'Niell Ave. in Bay Shore, has brought over 100 exhibitis to the Freeport Historical Society located at 350 S. Main Street. Freeport is one of the most storied villages on Long Island. Freeport Stadium ran over 1000 races meets for 50 years until in closed in 1983. The museum is open until 5:00 PM.
Wednesdays with Wayne – Cowboy Up!
(Bill W) May 14, 2008 – A southern trip through Oklahoma City and Dallas saw solid results despite mechanical ills and a mistake in setup for sprint car driver Wayne Johnson. The Knoxville, Iowa driver was hoping for a win or two out of the trip to two of the tracks he has the most success at, but he will have some time before the American Sprint Cars on Tour series returns to action. He will focus on getting the 410 ready for this Saturday’s event at the Knoxville Raceway and beyond.
Last Friday’s ASCoT event at the State Fair Speedway in Oklahoma City saw some tough luck before and during the heat for Wayne. Starting on the front row, were Gary Wright and Jason Johnson, the two drivers leading him in the point standings. If that weren’t enough trouble hit after the green fell. “On the first start, Mike Peters got into the back of me and we were hung up,” says Wayne. “That put us on the tail, so we did well to get back to fourth. That wasn’t a heat race I needed to go to the back on!”
Salvaging fourth in the stacked heat put Wayne outside row six for the main event on the heavy 3/8 mile banked oval. From the outset, the car was working well and he shot forward quickly, but mechanical gremlins would surface. “We were good early…we shot up into sixth real quick,” says Wayne. “Then the power steering line broke a fitting on the seventh lap. You could call me ‘cowboy’ from that point on, because we raced without power steering the rest of the way. I actually felt like we had a car that could win from twelfth, so that was disappointing. I was coming on early, the car was working well, but after the power steering thing, I just had to fight to maintain.”
Traveling to Dallas and the Devil’s Bowl Speedway, Wayne’s luck (or lack of) the draw continued with a 44. Despite a tough number, Wayne persevered from row three to win his heat over Gary Taylor and Skip Wilson. “We were able to get up there through the heat race,” says the 2000 ASCS National Champion. “The car was nice there.”
Wayne qualified for the top eight in passing points and a redraw that saw him draw…you guessed it…the eight! The draw would be the least of his problems as he wrestled with the Mike and Tim Hammers/Robbie Forbes #94 all feature long. “We actually started sixth, because Berryhill broke,” says Wayne. “We were really no good at all once the race started. I screwed up by getting the car way too loose. I thought the racetrack would get tighter and tighter, like a normal Devil’s Bowl, but it started to blow off and we were loose. I don’t miss there very often, but I missed it big time on Saturday.”
Missing a setup at the Devil’s Bowl is unlike Wayne, who prior to Saturday, had finished in the top four in his previous eight visits to the ½ mile oval. At the checkers, he would miss fourth by one spot, after a late pass by Gary Wright. “I got to racing with Gary Taylor, and going into three I got jacked up a bit,” says Wayne. “That gave G.W. a run on me.”
The ASCoT will have a long break until June 20, when Wayne looks forward to the series visiting his home track, the Knoxville Raceway. Until then, Wayne will get plenty of laps at the “Sprint Car Capital of the World” as he drives each and every Saturday night in the 410 class. He looks forward to spinning the FattFro #14AJ for awhile. “I’m as excited to race Knoxville as I have been to race anywhere for a long time,” he says. “Mostly, I think it’s because it’s so close to home. We can just drive up the road here and race. That beats all the hours we’ve had on the road this year.”
Up Next
Wayne will settle into racing at the Knoxville Raceway with the 410 for awhile on Saturdays. However, he will mix in USCS action during their speedweek activities at the end of May. He will run the #94 with USCS at Greenville Speedway in Mississippi on Sunday the 25th, Clay Hill Motorsports near Atwood, Tennessee on the 26th, Clarksville Speedway in Tennessee on the 27th and Camden Speedway in Tennessee on the 29th before returning to Knoxville on the 31st.
T-shirts and Hats
Separate shirts for the H&H #94 and FattFro #14AJ are now available at the trailer. Keep an eye on www.RacingThreads.com in the near future or visit the trailer to get your Wayne Johnson merchandise.
Wayne’s Website
To learn more about Wayne and the team, log on to www.WayneJohnsonRacing.com!
Wayne’s World
Ronny in Pryor, OK asks: Wayne, when drivers talk about “dirty air” and “clean air” what are they talking about? Is there a difference between the stock cars and sprint cars in that respect?
Wayne answers: I don’t really know much about stock cars, but “dirty air” comes when you’re following someone, and he takes the down-force away from you, and you don’t get the air across your wing to keep your car loaded. You try to stay out of that “dirty air”, because it will unhook the car on you. If someone gives you a big slidejob and takes the air away, your car will fall on the right rear on exit. That’s why with the speeds these days, you don’t see people following close behind one another. Years ago, you would see a guy run someone down on their bumper on the straightaway, but you don’t see that much anymore. You see more of guys going a half-a-car length wide either way when they’re following. It’s tricky to learn as a driver, especially at places like Knoxville, Devil’s Bowl or Eldora. It makes a big difference at the larger tracks.
Got a question for Wayne? Send it to us at sprntcar@iowatelecom.net, and we may answer it in this section! Put "? for Wayne" in your subject line. He’ll try to keep it clean if you do!
Wayne’s Fast Facts
Wayne had a good 2007 season at Knoxville in the 410 despite a limited number of starts. He only failed to finish in the top ten on two occasions. One was the Knoxville Nationals finale when he finished a respectable 11th, and the other was Knoxville’s Season Championship night when he was a DNF. His finishes chronologically were 7th, 10th, 3rd, 4th, 6th, 3rd (Nationals Prelim), 11th (Nationals finale), 3rd, and 20th. He should get a few more starts this season at Knoxville in the 410.
“Wednesday’s with Wayne”
“Wednesday’s With Wayne” is an up close look at the past, present and future of colorful and talented sprint car driver Wayne Johnson. You’ll never know what to expect next with Wayne, so don’t miss us on Wednesdays!
To receive "Wednesday’s with Wayne", send an e-mail to sprntcar@iowatelecom.net with "Wayne" in the subject line.
Wayne would like to thank H&H Enterprises, Pearson Farms, R&A Farms, FattFro, Stone Mountain Access, Cerma Technology (www.cermatechnology.com), www.RacingThreads.com, CnB Mushroom Farms, Maxim Chassis, ARP Wings, Hoosier Tire, Simpson, Weld and ButlerBuilt for all their help!
J&J RACERS KEEP UP THE PACE WITH VICTORIES
McKENZIE, TN (May 13) - Barry Martinez, Jerry Hammock, Phil Gressman, Craig Laudermilch and Mark Dobmeier were all victorious last week driving J&J Auto Racing Sprint cars. The wins came in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Washington, Texas and South Dakota.
PATH VALLEY SPEEDWAY
Craig Laudermilch made it a clean sweep at Path Valley Speedway on Friday night. He led every lap of his heat race and in the feature event driving the Randy and Becky Fetter owned No. 9 J&J
FREMONT SPEEDWAY
Phil Gressman raced to victory on Saturday night at Fremont Speedway. Gressman took the lead with six laps remaining and withstood a green, white, checkered flag finish to pick up his 10th career win at the track. Saturday's win came aboard the No. 83 Kistler Racing Engines/South Point Hotel & Casino, Ray Tech Industries sponsored J&J.
Mike Linder came home third in the No. 312 J&J and was joined in the top-five by Mark Keegan in the No. X J&J. David Harrison made it four J&J's in the top-seven by driving the No. 10 J&J to a seventh place finish.
SKAGIT SPEEDWAY
Barry Martinez beat a strong field of cars and Mother Nature on Saturday night at Skagit Speedway. Martinez wheeled his No. 66 J&J past polesitter Nick Engberg on the opening lap and fought off several challengers before picking up the victory.
SPRINT SERIES OF TEXAS
Jerry Hammock drove the No. 4 Outlaw Driving School sponsored J&J from the 12th place starting position to win the first ever SST feature event at Speedarama in Lufkin Texas Saturday night. Hammock was followed by Shane Clement in the No. 2 Polk Construction sponsored J&J.
HUSET'S SPEEDWAY
Mark Dobmeier led all 25 laps of Sunday night's Sprint car feature at Huset's Speedway. Dobmeier raced the No. 13 J&J into the lead at the drop of the green flag and never looked back in only his second start of the 2008 season.
Other strong J&J finishes:
Lance Dewease finished second in the All-Star Circuit of Champions event at Port Royal Speedway driving the Catoctin Motorsports No. 30c J&J and was joined by Keith Kauffman in top five as Kauffman came home fifth driving the Middleswarth No. 7k J&J....Fred Rahmer finished second at Lincoln Speedway driving the Chad and Jen Clemons owned No. 51 J&J.....Terry Gray (No. 10 J&J) came home second at Benton, Missouri on Friday night just ahead of three other J&J racers, Derek Hagar (No. 9jr J&J), John Pate (No. A12 J&J) and Doc Sloan (No. D12 J&J).....Blane Heimbach finished fifth at Selinsgrove Speedway driving the Creasy Signs sponsored No. 12 J&J.
CONTACT: J&J AUTO RACING - 731-352-7151 - e-mail: jjautoracing@bellsouth.net
Train Starts Rolling Again For JR Stewart
This past weekend JR Stewart and the Hammons Motorsports team had a chance at two nights of racing for the first time this year. Once again though it didn’t happen as Mother Nature rained down on the parade Friday but the team got a nice present for the car owner Saturday. While there is not much to say about Friday because of rain the team did make it out for hot laps and the car was very fast against the lighter more powerful 410’s that the 6s was set to compete against. O well, why don’t we just move to Saturday. Going to Waynesfield Motorsports Parks has some he advantages, one, it’s thirty minutes from the house and two, well, it’s a tacky and fast track all night long that allows JR to race hard and have some fun. Lining up fifth in the third heat he looked as if he was shot out of a cannon and had second place firmly in his grasp by turn one of the first lap. For the next ten laps he hounded Dwain Leiber using every portion of the track to find the best line there was. On the final lap he finally found it but could only get beside “Weiner” at the checkered flag. Second place is where he finished. With the A-Main line-up set the Hammons Motorsports entry would slot in seventh. With the guys giving JR the set-up he needed he immediately began his charge towards the front. Using the top to middle portions of the track he was picking off cars at will until he eventually moved into second place catching race leader Darren Long. After having a little trouble negotiating heavy lapped traffic and then battling Luke Hall for the runner-up position JR firmly grabbed a hold of second place until the black and white flag. JR Stewart and the Hammons Motorsports crew would like to congratulate Ben Rutan on his ASCS SOD win the past Saturday at Thunderbird Race Park! Hammons Motorsports and JR Stewart would like to thank Valvoline Instant Oil Change, Advanced Auto, Pampered Pets, Tim Hogan’s Carpet, Sportscasters, Appraisal Specialists, CBS 38, Arby’s, Artic Cat, Henson Power Sports, C&G Distributing, Maxim Chassis, Sander’s Engineering, Hoosier Tire, Radio Hospital, Pro Shocks, Texas Roadhouse, I-30 Speedway, Allan Davis Insurance, Elwer Fence, Parker Farms, National Auto Sales, Fox 25, ESPN Radio, Hampshire Racing Engines, Woody, Steve Austin’s Auto Group, Allen Tire, Jacobs Auto Repair, Lakeridge Resorts, ETO Contracting, Cornerstone Cleaners, Signs of All Kinds, and Car Brite.
Anderson’s Cameo Drive Ends with Podium Result:
In what was a cameo appearance aboard the Dave Horrell owned # 83 QLD Eagle, New South Welshman Grant Anderson managed to come away with a second place finish in the penultimate round of the Comp Cams Sprintcar Series on Saturday night at Brisbane International Speedway. Having only competed at Brisbane International Speedway once before, some three seasons back, Anderson managed to be on the pace all night and was rewarded with a fine second place finish behind Peter Thorley. Not expecting too much heading into the night, Anderson finished fourth in his opening heat race before going on to score a commanding victory, coming very close to Max Dumesny’s 10 lap record in the process, in his second heat race. Anderson’s heat races results were good enough to qualify into the dash and after drawing position five in the field he picked up a few of his rivals to finish in third place, which earned him a position three starting spot for the feature race. The feature race saw Anderson lead the field for nearly 1 / 3 of the race distance before eventual winner Thorley took over the front running on lap 19 and he went on to cross the finish line in second place. “To come away with a podium finish is a great result, not only for me, but to car owner Dave [Horrell] and the rest of the team,” expressed Anderson. “There were no lofty expectations set leading into the night, but once we qualified strongly for the feature race I was confident that we could be a chance at finishing on the podium, and that was exactly how it panned out. “Big thanks must go out to Dave [Horrell] for the opportunity to drive his car and I’m very much looking forward to running again in a fortnight.” For Anderson this was his fourth feature race second place finish of the 2007/08 season. On Saturday night, May 24 at Brisbane International Speedway Anderson and Horrell will team up again to contest the final round of the Comp Cams Series.
Danny Reidy
Expected to be out for the remainder of the 2007/08 season, Danny Reidy made a surprise return last Saturday Night (May 10) driving the Kevin Titman # 59 car at the Brisbane International Speedway during the penultimate round of the Comp Cams Sprintcar Series. Reidy was offered the drive by fellow Sprintcar driver Kevin Titman, who is actually a client of Reidy’s at Queensland Speedway Spares, due to him sustaining injury and being unable to drive. During the night Reidy was on the pace and in his two heat races recorded a pair of fourth place finishers and started the feature race from position 12. Reidy was on a charge during the feature race and had worked his way up to sixth only to retire in the closing stages due to his car jumping out of gear. “Up until the car jumped out of gear we were having a good night, but these things happen from time to time,” Reidy expressed. “I must thank Kevin [Titman] and his team for allowing me to drive, and it was the first time I have raced in nearly a month due to me being sidelined with a wrist injury, so it was good to get back out there.” It is likely that Reidy will get behind the wheel of the # 59 Maxwill Race Engines powered Cool for the final round of the Comp Cams Series on Saturday night, May 24 at Brisbane International Speedway.
FREE CRAWFORD COUNTY NIGHT SATURDAY AT MERCER WITH ANOTHER 5-DIVISION RACING CARD FEATURING SPRINTS, MODS, & LATE MODELS
By Mike Leone
May 13, 2008
Mercer, PA…Mercer Raceway Park will return to action this Saturday night, May 17. The “Saturday Night Live” five-division program of Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Cars, Tire Express Modifieds, McElwain Motors FASTRAK Late Models, Big Daddy’s Speed Center Mod Lites, and M&D Paving Mini Stocks will take to the track with racing at 7 p.m. It’s AutoMart.com Corp Night.
This week’s promotion is Free Crawford County Night presented by the Oncology Wellness Institute of Meadville Medical Center and Armstrong. All residents of Crawford County will be admitted free into the grandstands for general admission by simply presenting ID showing a Crawford County address. All children 15 and under accompanied by a Crawford County adult will also be admitted free. The new Oncology Wellness Institute is located on Route 322 between downtown Meadville and Conneaut Lake.
“This is our third year for Crawford County Night,” stated 10th year owner Vicki Emig. “Last year we doubled 2005’s count and have done lots more promoting and advertising to make people aware this year. It’s a good area for us to promote to and good way for us to expose our facility to a new audience. It’s an easy drive down Route 19 or Interstate 79. We’re thrilled to welcome on the Oncology Wellness Institute as a new marketing partner this year.”
Scott Bonnell became the third different Luxaire Heating & Cooling Sprint Car winner of the year last Saturday. The Girard, Pa. driver has won three of his five career Mercer “410” wins since returning as a Mercer regular last June. Meanwhile, Arnie Kent and Rod George are tied atop the points and both are looking for their first wins of the season. Kent of New Castle, Pa. has still never won a title, but has finished in the top six in points each of the last 11 seasons including five runner-ups. George is hoping for his third championship in four seasons.
After going five years without a Modified win, Garrett Krummert of New Castle, Pa. has caught fire with two straight wins. The defending Tire Express Champion has crept back up the point ladder to fifth after his disqualification for being light on opening night, which was won by Gary Smoker. The Mercer driver won his first ever championship in 2005 and leads the early points over 2006 champion Frank Guidace, also of Mercer.
The debut of the FASTRAK Late Models on weekly basis has provided some very competitive racing with their GM engines and Goodyear Tires. Last week, a season-high 20 cars turned out and it was veteran Stock Car racer Rusty Moore winning his first ever Late Model feature in the 20-lap McElwain Motors-sponsored event to become the third different winner in as many races. Moore is thrilled to be back racing after a three-year layoff, but trails defending three-time Stock Car Champion Brian Booher of Sandy Lake, Pa. by 19 points.
The Mod Lites have also seen three different winners. Last Saturday, defending champion Rod Jones returned to victory lane in the 15-lap Big Daddy’s Speed Center-sponsored feature for the first time of the season. The West Middlesex, Pa. defending champion has now won 11 of 32 races all-time. Warren, Ohio’s Todd Canter, who won his first career Mercer feature last season, is leading the points by 15 over 15-year-old Alan Knepper thanks to two runner ups and a fifth place finish.
Chris Myers’ perfect run of three Mini Stock heat wins and three feature wins came to an end last Saturday when Bill Fuchs beat the 15-year-old Knox, Pa. driver in both his heat and feature. Fuchs, of Greenville, Pa., won his fourth career race in the 12-lap M&D Paving Mini Stock feature. Myers leads the points by 16 over Dan McEwen.
Adult admission is just $11 and the Family Pass, which included mom, dad, and up to four kids 15 and under still remains at $25. Students 6-15 are $5 and children five and under are free. Pit passes are $25. Pit gates open at 3:30 p.m. and the grandstands at 4:30. Hot laps will take to the track at 6:15 with heat races beginning at 7 p.m.
Mercer Raceway Park is located minutes from both Interstate 79 and 80 just off Route 19 on Fairground Road in Mercer, Pa. Dirt track racing and quality family entertainment are presented weekly late March through September. The office in New Bedford, Pa. is open year-round late mornings and after 1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information call the office at 724-964-9300 or the track on race day at 724-662-1310. Check out our website at www.mercerracewaypark.com for the latest.
Blaney Cracks Top Ten, Rewards Sharon Speedway Fans With $9.00 Admission
Hartford, OH May 12, 2008 In celebration of an awesome run and an excellent ninth place finish at the Darlington International Raceway on Saturday, May 10th Sharon Speedway owner Dave Blaney has announced that grandstand admission at the Hartford, OH oval will be reduced to $9.00 for this Saturday's racing action.
"Myself and everyone on the CAT Team are excited about the good run that we had on Saturday," stated Blaney. "The fans in Western PA and Eastern OH have been very supportive of myself and the entire Bill Davis/Caterpillar Team and this is our way of thanking them for sticking by us through some trying time."
"Fantastic Five" racing action at the 3/8 mile oval will feature the Warren Harley-Davidson 410 Sprint Cars, the Gibson-Governor Insurance Agency Big Block Modifieds, the Tom's Sewer and Drain Service E-Mods, the Tight-Seal Glass Block Pure Stocks and the Limited Sprints. In addition Mark Thomas Ford will sponsor the trophies for all the feature event winners. Fans who reside in Ashtabula County, OH and Mercer County, PA can take advantage of the new "County Nights" that will be featured at the speedway throughout the 2008 racing season. Grandstand admission for residents of these counties is just $5.00 on Saturday, May 17th.
School Spirit Saturdays will also continue as the Speedway hosts students from the Mathews and Bristol OH School Districts.
"Buckle Up and Hang On" as the Sharon Speedway presents Ohio's finest Saturday night racing action. Pit Gates open at 3:00PM with the Grandstand Gates opening at 4:00PM. The first green flag will wave promptly at 6:00PM.
Come out and enjoy a night of action packed short track racing action at a reduced rate thanks to NASCAR Star Dave Blaney!!
Sharon Speedway is located at the intersection of Routes 7 and 305 in Hartford, OH and is just a short drive from both Pittsburgh and Cleveland. "Buckle Up and Hang On" as Sharon Speedway brings you Saturday Night Racing at its finest!!!
For additional information please visit the Speedway's website at www.sharonspeedway.com or contact Kate at the Speedway office at (330) 772-5481.
Edition 3: Practice Makes Perfect
May 13, 2008- On what might have been the best day so far in 2008, “Rocket” Robbie Shuttleworth logged nearly 100 laps around the Genesee Speedway Tuesday to work the bugs out of his No. 11.
After persistent issues to his J&J Mount prevented the Geneva, NY driver from embarking on his new adventure at Fulton, the team used the break in the ASCS Patriot Schedule to fix everything at one of the stops on the schedule later this year.
The team, which included Curt, Gary, Bill and Matt, worked on the car throughout the afternoon, solving an overheating problem in the engine, fixing a brake issue and dealing with an issue in the hydraulic wing slider. By the end of the session, everything was clicking.
With the track soaking up the sun, Robbie worked primarily on his slick-track setup; getting better each time he hit the 1/3-mile Batavia, NY Oval. While his lap times were the same from beginning to end, it was clear that the track was slicking off, meaning that he was actually improving each time out.
Robbie ran a handful of laps under the quickest time in the time trial session for the sprint race held at Genesee last year. It was an encouraging performance for the 15-year-old rookie.
“I thought it was a good outing,” said Robbie. “I was able to feel the setup, how the car reacted to what we did, it was real good.”
Robbie also showed competence with his throttle control, drawing from his experience of racing his micro sprint wingless on dry-slick tracks in years past. This knowledge is something he will have to exercise on numerous occasions this season.
The overall consensus on the afternoon is that it is “All Systems Go” for Robbie, Crew, and Car for this weekend’s Patriot race at Woodhull. Robbie’s simple statement to round out the successful afternoon was, “I can’t wait for Woodhull!”
Pictures and videos will be posted on Robbie’s website in the days to come to recap this confidence-building day.
Shuttleworth receives support from Shuttleworth Asphalt Sealing, Lane’s Yamaha, The Country Porch, Mike Emhof Motorsports, BR Motorsports, DMI, Keizer Aluminum Wheels and King Motorsports.
More information about this flourishing rookie can be found at his all-new website: www.RobbieShuttleworth.com.
Marysville Raceway Park
By Bob Burbach
FAN APPRECIATION NIGHT SATURDAY ½ price admissions-$1 hot dogs all night
Marysville CA. Paul and Kathy Hawes will host Fan Appreciation Night this Saturday night at Marysville Raceway Park. All admission prices will be ½ off. Adult general admission will be only $5.50. Hot Dogs will be $1 all night long. This is the Hawes’ second annual tribute to the people who make it all happen, the fans. Prizes galore will be handed out all night long with lucky number programs.
The night will see 5 divisions of racecars including the first FIGURE 8 Extreme Bomber race of the year. There will be Wild, Slam Bang action all night long at one of the year’s most popular events. Last time the bombers competed only 4 of the original 16 starters were around at the finish. Everyone else was a casualty of the automotive "destruction derby" make up of these events!! The place will be packed so get there on time!!
The MRP Wingless Sprint Cars, the MRP Street Stocks, the MRP Mini Stocks and the SORA Sprint 100s will be on the card with the Extreme Bombers. With over 100 cars expected to compete it could be the biggest car count of the year!
Pit gates always open at 3 with the grandstands opening at 5. Practice and hot laps start at 6 with qualifying and racing to follow. Put www.marysvilleracewaypark.com on your “favorites” button on you computer. Watch this site for press releases, updates and complete results.
The Week According to Skip – Top Ten at Burlington!
(Bill W) May 12, 2008 – It wasn’t a win, but Skip Jackson’s visit to the 34 Raceway near West Burlington, Iowa last Friday night could be chalked up as a success nonetheless. Skip is always aiming for victory lane in the J&S Auto Sports #2, but held his own against some of the best in the sprint car business.
With the Interstate Racing Association in town, 35 sprint cars were in the pits. Six were World of Outlaws regulars who were washed out in Illinois, and wanted some laps at the 3/8 mile banked oval. Skip registered a disappointing 18th fastest time trial lap to start things off. “We didn’t qualify very well, but we were good in the heat race,” says the Sydney, New South Wales native. After starting second in the heat race, Skip paced the field the entire 10-lap distance in the Slideways Karting Center/Turfwerks #2 and earned a ninth place starting spot for the 30-lap main event in the process.
When Jim Barr’s green flag fell on the feature, Skip was sorted back a bit. “(Sam) Hafertepe had a good start,” says Skip. “He started right behind me, and passed me right away in turn one, and got Lucas Wolfe (who started in front of Skip) in turn three. We moved back a couple of spots right at the start there.”
It was a battle in the middle of the pack, with the racing lending to a lot of side by side action. In the end, the ebb and flow of the race saw Skip finish a respectable ninth. “We were o.k. in the feature,” says Skip. “We were able to hang with everyone; we just weren’t able to move forward like we wanted. That was a bit disappointing; we just need to get a little better this weekend! We were o.k., nothing to whine about, for sure.”
Skip explains the frustration he had in the two-wide racing happening in front of him. “Sometimes the biggest problem in the feature, was a guy on the top and a guy on the bottom in front of me,” he says. “There wasn’t a way to keep my momentum when I caught up to them. I really didn’t have anywhere to go, and everyone was pretty fast. It’s pretty much that way anywhere with two grooves though. That’s just kind of the way it was.”
Skip was impressed with WoO regular Daryn Pittman, who registered a clean sweep of the event on Friday. “I really have to give credit to Daryn Pittman for getting quick time, winning his heat and winning the feature from eighth. That’s not easy to do!”
This week, Knoxville Raceway will try again. After another rainout last Saturday night, the track is scheduled to run their first regular show of the season this week. It is Slideway Kartings Center/Pella Printing Night!
For more information on Skip and his racing season, visit www.SkipJackson.net!
J&S Auto Sports would like to thank the following sponsors: Slideways Karting Center, Housby Trucks, Davis, Equipment, Turfwerks, NPRS National RP Support, Acheson Auto Body, Graffiti Graphics, KLK Construction, Knoxville Lazer Car Wash, Sundance Realty, HDA Inc. Bell Helmets,BDG Pumps, Central Iowa Fasteners, Crane Cams, DMI Racing Components, Donovan Engineering, Goodridge, Hoosier Tires, ISC Racers Tape, J&J Auto Racing, Joe Gibbs Driven, K&N Filters, Mark Burch Motorsports, Pro Shocks, PWR Radiators, Real Racing Wheels, RPM Racegear, Reviwear,Vortex Wings, WRT Web Designs, Wypall Towels
Fremont Speedway
By Brian Liskai
FREMONT, Ohio - Alex Burkett has always been willing to help racers. Whether it was financial aid through his place of business, or simply a pat on the back or words of encouragement, Burkett was there with support. Now, his family is looking for that same support from the racing community for the gentle man with a big heart.
Burkett, who recently retired from Crown Battery, long a supporter of area racing through team, track and series sponsorships, is battling pancreatic cancer. He has been in various hospitals the past several months, unable to attend the races he so loves.
When David Harrison won the 410 sprint feature at Fremont Speedway on April 26, he dedicated the victory to his father-in-law.
"He has been so supportive of me and a lot of other racers...I just hope everyone prays for him and remembers him," said Harrison.
Burkett's grandson, Josh Harrison, also races 410 sprints at Fremont.
Burkett's son, Jim, said his dad wouldn't want people to feel sorry for him.
"He would rather they help others. That gave us the idea for the 'Racers Racing For the Cure.' We are planning a lot of activities to benefit the American Cancer Society and the American Red Cross," said Jim. "Dad has helped so many racers over the years...we know the racing community will show their support of him."
The Alex Burkett Honorary Blood Drive will be held in the Flower Building at the Sandusky County Fairgrounds from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 8.
"Every day, cancer patients just like dad depend on blood donations. We're hoping the racers and fans will step up and donate," said Jim.
To donate blood, you have to be at least 17-years-old, weigh at least 110 pounds, be in general good health and provide a valid state photo ID.
There will also be a 50/50 raffle that day and a barbecue at the fairgrounds sponsored by the Davis Brothers Racing, MSD Racing and East Side Great Scot Supermarket. There will be a silent auction and raffles including items from NASCAR drivers. You may also purchase tickets for the grand prize drawing of four days and three nights in Las Vegas (trip includes air fare and hotel).
The family and friends of Alex Burkett and Harrison Racing will also take part in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life in Fremont's Conner Park on June 20. Sponsors are needed for the team.
The two Burger King restaurant locations in Fremont will also hold an Alex Burkett Day, Tuesday, June 17. Special flyers have been printed, and if you bring one of them into either of the two Fremont restaurants on June 17, Burger King will donate a portion of the purchase price of your meal to the Racers Racing for the Cure.
Racers Racing for the Cure culminates at Fremont Speedway on Burger King Night, Saturday, June 21. Drivers will go through the stands seeking donations. And, the grand prize drawing will be held for the trip to Las Vegas!
"Dad has the 1965 Fremont Speedway pace car. We're trying to get it ready to be at the track that night," added Jim.
To make a donation or get involved with the Racers Racing for the Cure, contact Jim Burkett at 419-463-0402 or email him at sprintcarfan10@yahoo.com
ASCS Sprint Cars Set To Invade Jackson Motor Speedway
Byram, Mississippi (5/13/08) – Jackson Motor Speedway will see the high-powered, winged warriors of the American Sprint Car Series (ASCS) invade the ¼ mile oval this Saturday, May 17th.
This Saturday’s event will mark the first Sprint Car event of 2008 at JMS and a talented field of Sprinters is expected for the $2,000 to win/$300 to start event. Leading the upcoming weekend’s entries is 20 year old, Don Young, from Bartlett, Tennessee, who currently sits atop the ASCS Coastal Region’s point standings. Other entries expected for this weekend include Brandon Berryman (Texas), Marshall Skinner (Arkansas), Channin Tankersley (Texas), Lane Whittington (Louisiana), Michael Herrington (Lousiana), Shane Morgan (Mississippi), Michael Dupuy (Louisiana), Derek Hagar (Arkansas), Klint Angelette (Louisiana), and many more.
Also in action this Saturday, May 17th at JMS will be the Extreme Wireless Super Late Models ($1,500 to win), The Home Improvement Company Limited Late Models, Trick Race & Hawkins Machine Shop Street Stocks, Mini Stocks, and Touch of Class Body Shop Stingers. The Franklin Paving UMP Open Wheel Modifieds will have the night off.
Grandstand general admission for the event is $15 for adults, $8 for children (7-12 years of age), $8 for seniors (65 and older), and children 6 and under are free when accompanied by a paying adult. Pit admission for adults is $30, $15 for children (7-12 years of age), seniors (65 years of age and older) are $15, and children 6 and under are free when accompanied by a paying adult.
Pit gates open at 4 pm with the grandstand area opening at 5 pm and racing action at 7 pm.
Also, please make sure to mark your special events calendar for May 30th – 31st , when the stars and cars of the Mid America Racing Series (M.A.R.S.) Super Late Models invade Jackson Motor Speedway. On Friday night at $2,000 to win event will be held and on Saturday night a $6,000 to win event will be held. Please visit www.JacksonMotorSpeedway.com for more information!
For more information on this event and all of the exciting 2008 events at Jackson Motor Speedway, please visit www.JacksonMotorSpeedway.net .
Classes:
Upcoming events:
May 24th - NO RACING
May 30th & 31st - MARS (2000 to win Friday; 6000 to win Saturday)
Knoxville Raceway is the Place to Be This Saturday Night!
(Bill W) Knoxville Raceway is the place to be this Saturday night! Last weekend’s rainout was tough on everyone, especially with 48 410 sprint cars in the pits ready to do battle. This weekend’s forecast for Slideways Karting Center/Pella Printing Night is much better, and we’re looking forward to some great racing action!
Based on his strong performance when the World of Outlaws were in town, seven-time track champion Danny Lasoski leads the current point standings at this early juncture. Several drivers will have a lot to say about what the points will look like next week, including 2007 track champ Brian Brown, 2006 track champ Billy Alley, two-time track champion Skip Jackson and many more. Dusty Zomer, Calvin Landis, Mark Dobmeier, Justin Henderson, Kaley Gharst, Travis Cram, Ricky Logan, Lynton Jeffrey, Jeff Mitrisin and Jake Peters are just a few that will be vying for the $3000 top prize on Saturday night!
Newcomers like Dion Hindi, Brandon Wimmer, Josh Schneiderman and more will also be in the mix. Wayne Johnson will be on hand for the first time in the FattFro #14AJ 410 sprint car this weekend as well. Wayne will be taking advantage of a six week break from the American Sprint Cars on Tour 360 series to spend Saturday’s with us! Don’t miss all the action our 410 class will be providing each and every race night!
Gregg Bakker will lead the 360 class back to action. Bakker won the season opener for the 360s, his first career win at Knoxville. The two-time 410 track champion at Huset’s Speedway in South Dakota will be joined by defending track champ Josh Higday, Joe Beaver, Jesse Giannetto, Frankie Heimbaugh, Brett Mather and many more on Saturday, so be there!
Weekend Overview
Saturday, May 17
Event: Slideways Karting Center/Pella Printing Night – Knoxville Championship Cup Series racing
Time: Hot laps at 6:45 p.m.
Admission: $12 adults, $3 children
Other Things You Should Know:
Junior Fan Club Sign Up
This weekend is the best time for youth 5-12 to join the Junior Fan Club! (see Knoxville Raceway Junior Fan Club Information below)
Knoxville Family Pack
Families are encouraged to take advantage of Knoxville’s “Family Pack”. The pack includes four tickets, four hot dogs and four sodas for just $44! Additional family members can be included for $6 each! Our non-alcohol and non-tobacco family sections are sections I and J.
Poster Night
Saturday’s Season Opener is “Poster Night”. Fans will receive a collector’s poster featuring the Knoxville Raceway and this year’s schedule while the last (500 available)!
Gas Money Giveaway
Every race night, two lucky fans will receive $25 to go towards their gas! Both general admission and reserved ticket holders will be included in the random draw.
This Week’s Autographs
Driver’s will be signing autographs every week between 5 and 5:55 p.m. right behind the grandstands. Australia’s Skip “Action” Jackson, Bob Weuve and CJ Houseman are scheduled to appear!
NOS Discount
Any fan bringing an empty NOS Energy Drink container will receive $2 off their general admission ticket!
Knoxville Raceway Junior Fan Club Information
Welcome to the 2008 Knoxville Raceway Jr. Fan Club!!! We will be signing up members for the Jr. Fan Club at 5:00 PM in Dyer Hudson Hall at the Knoxville Raceway. We hope you can all make it, but if not, you can sign up on your first regular race night (dates listed below). The Knoxville Raceway Junior Fan Club is free for kids 5-12 and you receive a t-shirt and other goodies at sign up. Other useful information is listed below.
1. You must sign in every time you come to the race at the Jr. Fan Club Booth to be eligible for that evening’s events and prizes.
2. Each week we will draw one child’s name to be the Jr. Fan of the Week. The winner will be announced after Time Trials.
3. The Jr. Fan of the Week will receive a Trophy, 8 x 10 color photo of them and their favorite Local driver. The winner will visit the press box and watch Tony Bokhoven and Justin Zoch announce a Heat race. There may also be other prizes.
4. After registering for the evening, the coordinators will draw the names of 24 kids for the 410 A and 24 kids for the 360 A. Each name drawn will be paired with one of the cars that are in that A Feature. Following the race there will be a prize for the each member who has the winning number in each feature and the member who has the last place finisher in each feature. Winners of these prizes may pick them up on the next Junior Fan Club night.
5. Knoxville Raceway Jr. Fan Club dates for 2008 are May 17, May 24, May 31, June 14, June 28, July 5, July 12, July 19, July 26, August 23 and August 30 (11 dates).
6. You are encouraged to wear the Jr. Fan Club t-shirt each night you come to the races.
7. At the Annual Pizza Party, a Jr. Fan Club Member of the Year will be drawn from the Club Members who have perfect attendance and had their shirts every time they attended. That member and their immediate family will be invited to attend the Annual Points Banquet.
More Information
For more information on the weekend’s activities, visit www.KnoxvilleRaceway.com or call 641 842-5431
Kody Kinser Has Tough Weekend!
By Gary Costa
Fremont, OH – May 10, 2008…Kody Kinser had a weekend he’d like to forget. The extreme highs and lows of Sprint car racing bit the 19-year-old shoe from Bloomington, Indiana.
With high hopes of running two races last weekend in Grandfather Jerry Kinser’s mount, the high hopes quickly dissipated. The racing weekend started with a Friday rain out at the racy Attica Raceway Park.
The next night brought Kody, Jerry, and Kelly Kinser, who is a former hot shoe and who also serves as crew chief to son Kody, to the Fremont Speedway in Fremont, Ohio.
The evening started out good for the #4K, as Kody ripped around the speedway with a 12.520 and qualified in the 9th spot out of the 27 winged 410 Sprint cars in attendance.
However things would quickly take a turn for the worse. In his heat race, a jamb nut stripped out, and proceeded to take all of the weight off of the front end, sending him into the infield. Not transferring from his heat race would relegate Kody to the “B” main event.
A wild flip in the “B” would await the youngster, and unfortunately sideline him for the rest of the evening, which would also put a period on the tough weekend.
“I’m really bummed out right now.” The second generation driver said. “The car was pretty good early in the night, but that’s racing. “
-On Tap!
Kody will be seeking redemption, as he will be gearing up for 3-days of racing in a 4-day span with the Midwest All Star Series. Stops will include May 23rd at Benton Raceway Park. May 24th at Mt. Vernon Speedway, and Quincy Raceway on May 26th. The Kinser Racing team would like to thank: Crone Lumber, Kinser Timber, Simpson Racing Products, Hoosier Tire, Real Wheels, TP Wings, Afco Shocks, F&K Rod Ends, Butler Built, Kigers Signs, Outerwear’s, Ultra Shield, Kinser Air Filters, Quik Change, Ben Cook Racing Products, NBC Steering, US Brake, Schoenfield Headers, and White River Co-Op.
-April 3, 2004 Father Kelly Kinser at St. Francois County Speedway Please visit us on the web - http://kodykinser.net/
Big Car Racing Association and Hall of Fame
Dear Sirs, The Big Car Racing Association Hall of Fame Induction ceremony will be held at the Smith Museum of American Speed in Lincoln Nebraska beginning at 6 PM on June 20, 2008. The Big Car Racing Association was formed in 1958 after the Pikes Peak Hill Climb. Hill Climb drivers took to the local ovals in Colorado including the Colorado State Fairgrounds at Pueblo. Drivers from all over the country came to run including California’s Al Sherman, Arizona’s Wayne Wieler and Joe Pittman, Bob and Al Unser, Wayne Miller and Rich Blaney of New Mexico. 1960 was the first year the club ran outside of Colorado at Norton Ks. Harold Leep in Chet Wison’s Offy Killer ruled the oval on that day. For the next twenty seasons the club would sanction races in seven Midwest states with a roster of nearly seven hundred members from 33 states. Many remember Don Brown, Jan Opperman, Dale Reed, Pius Selenke, Doug Wolfgang, Jack Hahn, Sammy Swindell, Joe Saldana, Jay Woodside, Grady Wade, Lloyd Beckman, Gordon Woolley and Hector Honore who all competed at BCRA events through the years in the Midwest region. This class of inductees includes some of the best American Sprint car competitors ever in the history of the sport with Nebraskans in Lloyd Beckman, Jan Opperman(69’ and 71’ champ) and Lonnie Jenson(70’ and 72’ champ) of Lincoln. Kansas greats in Harold Leep, Roy Bryant(67’ and 68’ champ)Chet Wilson, Kansas City’s Jon Backlund(71’ champ) and Les and Berl Ward who covered the sport for decades from their home base of Concordia Ks. Colorado is represented by the 58’ champion Roy Walker of Colorado Springs and 63’ BCRA Champ and Midget great Eddie Jackson of Denver. Tours of the Museum will follow the Induction ceremony. On Saturday June 21 the Big Cars will be back at the Beatrice Speedway for an all day on-track event and will be highlighted during the evening race program Host motels for the event are the Red Carpet Inn 2231 W “O” st, phone 402-742-6840. The Days Inn located at 2001 W “O” st, phone 402-477-4488. These Motels are located near the Speedway Motors complex with a great restaurant in the Red Fox also located nearby. Motels in Beatrice include the Holiday Inn(402-228-7000), the Econolodge(402-223-3536) and Victorian Inn(402-228-5955).
For further information call Gary Wolfe at 308-325-5455.
Eldora Speedway On Track for Sell-Out of June 4 Old Spice Prelude to the Dream
Get Your Seats Now or Prepare to Order the LIVE Broadcast of the All-Star Dirt Late Model Race on HBO Pay-Per-View
ROSSBURG, Ohio (May 13, 2008) - Ticket renewals for the fourth annual Old Spice Prelude to the Dream at Eldora Speedway are ahead of schedule, pointing to another sell-out of the all-star dirt late model race featuring 25 world renown drivers.
For those who want to see the Old Spice Prelude to the Dream in person, tickets are available online at www.EldoraSpeedway.com <http://www.eldoraspeedway.com/> or by calling the track office (937) 338-3815. Act fast - the race has sold out in each of its three previous years and only a few thousand general admission tickets remain.
Last year, nearly 20,000 fans sitting in the track's grandstands watched Carl Edwards hold off strong charges from Kyle Busch and Jeff Gordon to take his first win at the half-mile clay oval in Rossburg, Ohio. Those unable to secure a ticket to last year's event watched live on HBO Pay-Per-View, with the collective audience raising $800,000 for the Victory Junction Gang Camp and the Tony Stewart Foundation.
Those three drivers and more will be back for this year's event, as will HBO Pay-Per-View, with the goal to raise $1 million to support construction of Victory Junction Gang Camp II in Kansas City, as well as the Tony Stewart Foundation.
Two-time and reigning NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson is a newcomer who will join Tony Stewart, Kasey Kahne, Kevin Harvick, Matt Kenseth, Mark Martin, Denny Hamlin, Bobby Labonte and others as they pilot 2,300-pound dirt late model stock cars capable of putting out over 800 horsepower.
"The Prelude is a fun, but unbelievably competitive race," said Stewart, a multi-time racing champion and proud owner of Eldora Speedway. "Last year's race was probably the best yet as Carl Edwards held off Kyle Busch and Jeff Gordon for the win.
"Eldora has always tried to go above and beyond for its fans, and last year with the addition of HBO Pay-Per-View, people across the country got to see what racing at Eldora is all about. HBO Pay-Per-View is back this year, and thanks to our partners at Old Spice, we're ready to top the $800,000 we raised last year."
The live, commercial-free broadcast will begin at 7 p.m. ET (4 p.m. PT), with an immediate replay and subsequent replays throughout the week and the following weekend. HBO Pay-Per-View's racing telecast has a suggested retail price of $24.95 and is available to more than 61 million pay-per-view homes. HBO Pay-Per-View is the leading supplier of event programming in the pay-per-view industry. Ordering information and up-to-the minute racing information is available at www.hbo.com.
In addition to the aforementioned drivers, J.J. Yeley, Clint Bowyer, Ryan Newman, Bill Elliott, Dave Blaney, David Reutimann, Robby Gordon, Aric Almirola, Ron Capps, Cruz Pedregon, Ray Evernham, Red Farmer, Ken Schrader and Kenny Wallace have also committed to the Old Spice Prelude to the Dream.
Drivers from all types of disciplines, some with lots of dirt track experience and others with hardly any, will participate in hot laps, qualifying, heat races and the 30-lap feature, all of which will be televised live HBO Pay-Per-View.
With no points and no pressure, the Old Spice Prelude to the Dream is a throwback race, allowing drivers to step back in time and compete for the reasons they all went racing in the first place - pride and a trophy. And they'll do it on the same surface that racing legends A.J. Foyt and Mario Andretti competed on nearly 50 years ago.
"Tony Stewart's support has been huge for Victory Junction," said NASCAR veteran Kyle Petty, who together with wife Pattie founded the Victory Junction Gang Camp in memory of their late son Adam. "Tony was one of the first drivers to get on board with us, and beyond the money he and his foundation has donated to the camp, he's brought notoriety, which has helped fuel interest in the camp. Now, there's so much interest that four years after opening the camp in Randleman, N.C., we need to open a second camp.
"The Victory Junction Gang Camp II in Kansas City will allow us to serve more kids, but also allow more kids from the West Coast and the middle of the country to enjoy camp. If a family is in California or Nevada or Washington, the costs to get them to North Carolina are almost double. By having a second Victory Junction Gang Camp in Kansas City, we'll be able to bring what we've built in North Carolina a little closer to kids in the rest of the country.
"What last year's Prelude did for the camp was unbelievable," continued Petty. "It was an incredibly cool event that raised a lot of money. Tony Stewart has always been a big supporter of the camp, and the event that he's created with the Prelude and its broadcast on HBO Pay-Per-View has become one of the camp's biggest contributors. And as we get ready to break ground on Victory Junction Gang Camp II in Kansas City, the Prelude's impact on our overall goal at Victory Junction - enriching the lives of children with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses - is even greater."
Mother Nature vs. Racing World of Outlaws Sprint Series, Tony Stewart Racing,
Kinser Stage Eastern Battles in the War Against Weather
INDIANAPOLIS (May 13, 2008) – The Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws (WoO) Sprint Series heads eastward into the rolling hills of the Pennsylvania and New York countryside this week as its competitors hope to be through with a seemingly losing war against Mother Nature. While this part of the country is known for its battlegrounds and other historic landmarks, Tony Stewart Racing’s (TSR) Kraig Kinser is hoping the four races on tap for this week won’t be derailed once again by rain.
As Kinser and the No. 20 Bass Pro Shops/Chevy/Maxim team roll into the 4/10-mile high-banked oval that is Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pa., on Tuesday, they’ll be looking to kick off the season’s first busy stretch of racing. In his last appearance at the track on July 19, 2005, Kinser finished 17th in the A-main. He has five career WoO Sprint Series starts at the track to his credit. Kinser will also participate in an at-track autograph session hosted by the WoO Sprint Series prior to the night’s racing action.
Thursday and Friday’s doubleheader at Williams Grove Speedway in Mechanicsburg, Pa., will see Kinser vie for his first WoO Sprint Series A-main victory. He has made 12 career starts at the track, earning four top-10 finishes. Kinser, the No. 20 Bass Pro Shops team, his teammate Donny Schatz, and the No. 15 TSR/Armor All/ParkerStore/J&J outfit will also make an appearance prior to the Williams Grove event at the Bass Pro Shops store in Harrisburg, Pa., on Wednesday from 6-8 p.m. EDT.
For Kinser, a stop on Sunday at the Orange County Fair Speedway (OCFS) in Middleton, N.Y., will cap off the week’s racing action. In his last appearance at the facility on July 26, 2004, Kinser drove to a seventh-place finish. The wide, 5/8-mile high-banked oval is known for its speed and fast-paced racing action.
Kinser enters the weekend ranked 14th in the WoO Sprint Series Championship standings. He has made seven series starts thus far in 2008, having earned one top-10 finish.
The Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series’ first eastern swing begins at Lernerville Speedway, located near Sarver on State Route 356. Williams Grove Speedway is in Mechanicsburg. OCFS is located just off of CR 96 near Middletown.
On Tuesday at Lernerville, pit gates open at 4 p.m. EDT and grandstand gates open at 5 p.m. Hot laps are tentatively scheduled to begin at 7:15 p.m. At Williams Grove on Thursday and Friday, pit gates open at 4 p.m. EDT and grandstand gates open at 5:15 p.m. for advance ticket holders and 5:30 p.m. for all ticket holders. Hot laps are tentatively scheduled to begin at 7:15 p.m. For Sunday’s event at OCFS, pit gates open at 3 p.m. EDT and grandstand gates open at 4 p.m. Hot laps are tentatively scheduled to begin at 5:15 p.m.
Tickets for the Lernerville event can be purchased by calling (724) 353-1511, or by visiting the track’s Web site, www.lernerville.com.
Williams Grove tickets can be purchased at the speedway, and more information is available at its Web site, www.williamsgrove.com. Tickets for the race at OCFS will be on sale at the track. The official Web site of the track is www.ocfmotorsports.com.
This week’s action from Williams Grove will be broadcast on SPEED on a tape-delayed basis. Thursday’s event will be telecast on May 31 at 4 p.m. EDT, while Friday’s action will be shown on June 8 at 1 p.m. For a complete WoO Sprint Series television schedule, visit www.worldofoutlaws.com.
Race fans unable to attend this weekend’s events can catch all of the action on DIRTVision.com. Fans can listen live as Johnny Gibson, “Voice of the Outlaws,” calls the action as he does at all WoO Sprint Series events on the DIRTVision.com cybercast, as well as on the DIRT Radio Network. Go to www.DIRTVision.com for more information on all the site features, including updated results from each night of racing, as well as a chat room to interact with other race fans.
Quotes from Kraig Kinser, driver of the No. 20 TSR/Bass Pro Shops/Maxim:
It’s been three years since you’ve competed at Lernerville Speedway. Are you looking forward to racing there this week?
“At this point, I’m just excited to be at the track. Getting to race after all of these rainouts is what we’re really looking forward to this week. With that said, I am ready to take another look at Lernerville Speedway. It’s been a lot of fun to return to these race tracks this season. You never really forget a track that you’ve competed at. It won’t take long to get back into the groove and I’m ready to get back into the rhythm of racing again this week.”
Both TSR World of Outlaws Sprint Series teams are scheduled to make an appearance at the Bass Pro Shops in Harrisburg, Pa., on Wednesday. What’s your favorite part of the Bass Pro Shops experience?
“I really just enjoy what the whole store is about. I love to fish, hunt and to be outdoors, so having a sponsor like Bass Pro is a really cool deal. When we head to Harrisburg for the appearance on Wednesday, they’ll have to watch me. I’m liable to spend more time looking around the store than signing autographs. Seriously, we’re really looking forward to having everyone from the Harrisburg store with us at Williams Grove on Thursday and Friday. Having support like this is great. It’s always fun to have our sponsors around at the track. It definitely makes you want to perform well and give them a great experience.”
Heading into Sunday’s event at the Orange County Fair Speedway, you will revisit a track that you’ve not raced on since 2004. What do you expect as you get back into a more normal pattern of racing?
“All of the tracks on this eastern swing are just a lot of fun to race on. They’re all bigger and pretty fast and that makes for great racing for us and the fans, as well. I can’t wait to head back to Orange County on Sunday, especially after having not seen it for a few years. It will be interesting to see what is familiar to me. I know that Jimmy (Carr, crew chief) and the TSR team have been working really hard to get ready for this season and hopefully we’ll be able to get back into a normal pattern this weekend. It will also be a lot of fun to race at some bigger tracks. It will give us a chance to use the Chevy power that we know these Kistler engines have. The goal is to put together a week of consistent results and get Bass Pro Shops, Chevy and J.D. Byrider running up front.”
For complete WoO Sprint Series results from this week’s action, log on to www.worldofoutlaws.com/sprint. For information regarding TSR, Bass Pro Shops, J.D. Byrider, Chevy or Kinser, log on to www.tonystewartracing.com, www.basspro.com, www.byrider.com, www.chevy.com or www.kraigkinser.com.
Mission Accomplished for Ryan Litt at Auto City; Little 500 Next
By Tommy Goudge (May 13, 2008) – The ultimate goal of any racer is to win each and every time he or she hits the track, but for Ryan Litt consistency and top 5 finishes are the main goal this season. The Lyons, Ontario resident got the results he was looking for to start his Auto Value/Bumper to Bumper Super Sprints season on Saturday night at Auto City Speedway with a 4th place finish in the 30 lap Feature.
Practice earlier in the day ended with the #07 BS&B Radiator/OTC Tools Beast/Claxton Sprinter in the top 5 on the speed charts, but the team missed the setup in time trials and Ryan was only able to muster the 10th fastest time of the qualifying session. This meant a 10th starting spot in the feature race, but first there was a heat race to be contested, which Ryan was able to win handily.
From his starting spot on the outside of row 5, Ryan was able to take advantage of a traffic jam ahead of him and was into 5th before the completion of the first lap. A good battle ensued for the first 10 laps of the race among the top 5 cars, but Ryan was also battling with a minor misfire in the engine and spun coming out of turn 2 to bring out a caution flag. Starting on the tail, Ryan drove through the field at a torrid pace over the last 20 laps, passing Troy Underwood in the last corner of the last lap to finish in 4th place.
“The car was hooked and it was getting better the further we went (in the feature),” said Ryan afterwards, “The only problem was the sputter but it wasn’t costing me too much speed - just a bit coming out (of the corners). I’m really proud of my team for all the hard work they did over the off season - it really seemed to pay off. Auto City is usually one of my toughest tracks, but the car was on rails at the end.
“I’m really looking forward to Delaware and Toledo (the next two stops on the AVSS schedule), but first we have to concentrate on the Little 500,” said Ryan, looking ahead to the next events on his schedule, “I want to have a real strong showing there. We’re always good at Anderson and we just always run into bad luck. This year I think with a little luck we’re going to do great. It's one of the big races I look forward to each year. That whole week is just amazing and there is so much happening around Indy…it's incredible. Anyways I’m really happy to start the year off with a top 5. It's definitely something to build off of.”
The next stop for Ryan and the team is Anderson Speedway, where they will compete in the 60th Annual Little 500. Scheduled for Saturday night, May 24, the week leading up to the big 500 lap race is filled with fun and excitement, especially on Thursday when first round qualifying for the race takes place. The #07 team’s best finish thus far in the event – which features the largest purse in pavement sprint car racing – is a 7th place, which they accomplished in their first Little 500 in 2005. With 3 years of experience in the event now, Ryan and the team are looking for good results this time around in the special USAC event.
What: 60th Annual Pay Less Supermarkets Little 500. www.andersonspeedway.com/little_500.htm
Where: Anderson Speedway, 1311 Martin Luther King Boulevard, Anderson Indiana 46016-3964 www.andersonspeedway.com
When: Saturday, May 24th. Pre-race festivities @ 7:00 p.m., command to start engines @ 8:00 p.m.
Ryan and the team would like to thank all their sponsors for their continued support during Ryan and the #07 Beast/Claxton Sprinter’s 2008 season, including OTC Tools, BS&B Radiator, Linton Media, Linde Gases, Leaf Racewear, and Huron Produce Ltd.
For more information on Ryan, the car, and the team, including schedules, photos, merchandise, and contact information, please visit Ryan’s official website at www.RyanLitt.com.
Tuesdays with TMAC – Rahmer Ramblings!
(Bill W) May 13, 2008 – The World of Outlaws has now lost twelve out of nineteen shows to weather, following last weekend’s postponements at Tri-City Speedway in Illinois and Paducah International Raceway in Kentucky. The racing should pick up for sprint car driver, Terry McCarl, starting tonight at Lernerville Speedway near Sarver, Pennsylvania. The racing should pick up simply because of the quantity of shows scheduled, including four this week!
The Altoona, Iowa driver was disappointed that last weekend’s events were cancelled, especially in Paducah, where he won a heat and was qualified for the dash on Saturday night. “It was just a shame, I really like those both of those tracks,” says TMAC. “I was really looking forward to Paducah. Last year, we got spun out, restarted at the back, and finished seventh without brakes. I think Danny Lasoski won from 13th. It’s a really racy track and I hated to get rained out there. The track was slicking off Saturday and I think that would have played into our hands, but then came the rain!”
Friday’s postponement occurred in time for TMAC and some of his WoO friends to compete at the Interstate Racing Association (IRA) show at 34 Raceway near West Burlington, Iowa. After registering the 4th quick time of the night, TMAC sliced his way to a heat race win from outside row three.
He started the 30-lap main event inside row three, and struggled early with his setup. “I got a little overzealous with the car as I’m prone to do sometimes,” he says. “I got it way too tight. The first couple of laps, I about flipped it all by myself…the left rear was coming off the ground. We dropped way back on the start.”
Around lap 12, things bottled up between Lasoski, who was leading, and McCarl, who was sixth. “We got back to sixth, and the track was perfect,” says TMAC of the banked 3/8 mile oval. “The leader was on the same straightaway, as well as two or three lapped cars. It was a great race there. We were able to get back up to third at the finish. I was a little disappointed; we had a car earlier in the night that was fast enough to win. I think I screwed that up, but at the end of the night we were third, and it was a great race for the fans.”
TMAC and many who were present on Friday, can’t wait for the return of the Outlaws on July 30! “If the track is half that good when the World of Outlaws come on July 30, it’s going to be awesome!” he says. “I hope we got some people excited about it! It also showed the Outlaw guys what a great facility this is. I think it’s going to be a win-win for everyone involved!”
This week the WoO heads East, where they won’t be getting much love from the locals. After Lernerville tonight, they will head to the historic Williams Grove Speedway Thursday and Friday, before heading up to the Orange County Fair Speedway in Middletown, New York on Sunday. “The worst thing for us is the lack of racing, as far as getting our programs down pat before we head out there,” says TMAC. “The racetracks seem to be the toughest we go to, and the competition is good there partly because of that. We’ve run well at all of those tracks, so if we have our stuff together, we’ll run well, and if not, we won’t. These are definitely places you want to draw a good number!”
Crazee Combos Continue!
TMAC and Daryn Pittman are continuing their “Crazee Combo” deals at the merchandise trailer! For $25, you can purchase a t-shirt, hat, sticker and coozie from TMAC! Take advantage of the “Crazee Combo” this weekend!
WoO at 34 Raceway!
The World of Outlaws are coming to another of TMAC’s favorite tracks, the 34 Raceway near West Burlington, Iowa on July 30, 2008. The race will be a prelude to the 10-day Southern Iowa Sprintweek. “The deal was finalized last Friday,” says TMAC, who will have a hand in promotion. “What a great place that will be for an Outlaw show!”
Stay tuned for more info on the event!
2008 FRC/UC Tickets!
Order your Front Row Challenge and Ultimate Challenge tickets right now! Call McTwo Promotions Tuesday-Thursday beginning from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 515 957-0020 to secure your seats for these popular events!
Infield Party Passes for the August 4 and 5 events will be $20 in advance or $25 the day of the race!
For more information on the Challenges or on TMAC Motorsports, visit www.TerryMcCarl.com.
In"Terry"gation
Mark in York, PA asks: You’ve said you admire Fred Rahmer. Do you get to talk with him often, and what have you been able to learn from him over the years?
TMAC Answers: I don’t know how much I’ve learned, I just like his style and the way he speaks his mind. I don’t know how old he is, but he is still one of the best in the country. He still races as hard as any young kid. The best thing about Fred is he can dish it out, but he can take it too. I’ve seen him crash a few, and get crashed, and he takes it all like a man. I like him…I know he’s been through a lot of stuff at Lincoln, and it was similar to what I went through at Huset’s, with the crowd and all that. I’ve never actually went into the crowd to punch somebody though…but he speaks his mind, believes it, means it and stands behind it. To me, he’s old school, a hard-ass and a bad-ass! He’s what a sprint car racer should be.
Got a question for TMAC? Send it to us at sprntcar@iowatelecom.net, and we may answer it in this section! Put "? for TMAC" in your subject line.
Today in TMAC History!
On this date in 2001, TMAC registered quick time of the night (11.16 seconds) and won the feature event at Huset’s Speedway near Brandon, South Dakota. On that night, he topped Wade Nygaard, Jake Peters, Kenny Hansen and Tim Monson. TMAC won his fifth track championship in six years in 2001 by 20 points over Gary DeWall. He won ten features in 18 tries at Huset’s that season.
Website Updates
New pics are up from the last couple of weeks in the “Terry McCarl” and “At the Races” galleries!
Keep up to date with McCarl Motorsports at www.TerryMcCarl.com. We keep it fresh for TMAC fans!
"Tuesdays with TMAC"!
“Tuesdays with TMAC” is an up close and personal look at colorful sprint car veteran Terry McCarl. To receive "Tuesdays with TMAC", send an e-mail to sprntcar@iowatelecom.net with "TMAC" in the subject line.
TMAC Motorsports would like to thank sponsors Big Game Treestands, Bosma Poultry, Inc., AmeriCashAdvance.com, DeBerg Concrete and Remington Treestands.
Chad Layton and the Pete’s Motorsports Team prepare for the first 2008 WoO Eastern Swing. Keystone Cup to Follow…
The Outlaws are coming, and the Pete Postupak owned YTI Career Institute sponsored team is ready for the showdown. The team has shown tremendous consistency through out the early part of the 2008 season. In the twenty five starts so far, Chad has brought the immaculately prepared Maxim chassis home in the top 10 seventeen times with seven of those being top 5 performances. “Brian has done a great job, he and the crew put a new car together 2 weeks ago and it was fast the minute we unloaded. The whole crew really works their tails off and I would put them up against any crew in the sport today” said Chad from the teams shop. “We beat the Outlaws once last year and I know I have the equipment under me to be able to do it again.”< /P>
The Outlaws will be on Pennsylvania Posse home turf starting this Thursday night at Williams Grove and than again at the Grove on Friday. Weather pending look for the team to head west to Lernerville Speedway on Tuesday May 13th for a 10,000 to win 35 lap feature sanctioned by the World of Outlaws. “I love competing against the best and the Outlaws are the best touring group in sprint car racing. What the rest of the country seems to forget is that we run our weekly shows against the best drivers in the country in front of the best fans in the country, so we are more than ready for them” added Layton. After the outlaws limp out of town the team will be competing at Lincoln Speedway this Saturday before preparing for the second annual Keystone Cup which features 5 races in 6 nights at speedways all over Central Pennsylvania. < /SPAN>
Pete & Chad would like to thank the following sponsors for all of their support. YTI Career Institute, Pete’s Bridge Street Motors, Harrisburg Auto Auction, Wholesale Auto Trailer Sales, Trades Auto Sales, Hanks Performance Parts, Rock-It Pizza, Jakes Custom Golf Carts, H&H Lighting, ABC Klean Cars, Plkulin Chiropractic, Will Get Er Done, Fleet-Wrap.com, Wings Unlimited & K.R.S. Graphics along with associate sponsorship from Maxim Chassis, HTMA & Hoosier Racing Tires, Rider Racing Engines, Weld Wheels, Bulldog Rear Ends, DMI, Promotion Graphics, Rocket Headers, PRO Shocks, Fuel Safe Racing Cells, S&S Enterprises & WRT Web Designs.
New 2008 T-Shirts, Sweatshirts, Can Koozies, Hats & Decals are available at the track and online. Keep up on all of the team’s news and results on www.chadlayton.com
Please also go to www.wholesaleautotrailers.com for all your towing needs
Heading East Donny Schatz and Tony Stewart Racing Seek To Avoid Mother Nature In Action-Packed Week in Pennsylvania and New York
INDIANAPOLIS (May 12, 2008) – The story remains the same for Donny Schatz and the Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) team as they continue to fight Mother Nature in the 2008 Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws (WoO) Sprint series. Following two more rainouts this past weekend, Schatz and his TSR teammate, Kraig Kinser, travel east for a busy week of action that includes four races scheduled over six nights.
The WoO schedule resumes on Tuesday with an event at Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pa., on the western side of the Keystone State. It then moves to Central Pennsylvania for a pair of races at Williams Grove Speedway in Mechanicsburg on Thursday and Friday nights. An event at Orange County Fair Speedway in Middletown, N.Y., on Sunday night concludes the week’s slate of action.
With 12 of the first 19 events falling victim to weather-related problems, gaining a rhythm has been a difficult task for the two-time defending champion who drives the TSR No. 15 Armor All/Chevy/ParkerStore J&J. Schatz is coming off his first WoO win of the season on May 3 at Knoxville (Iowa) Raceway and is looking forward to returning to tracks where he’s had a lot of success in the past.
The Fargo, N.D., resident has six consecutive top-10 finishes at Lernerville, including wins in the past two $30,000-to-win Don Martin Memorial Silver Cup events. He captured his first victory at the track by leading the final 23 laps of the 35-lap feature on May 21, 2003.
Williams Grove Speedway has been a personal stomping ground for Schatz of late. Last year, he won five of seven events, including a two-night sweep last May and his fourth National Open triumph last September. Thursday’s race will be his 68th appearance at the famed semi-banked, half-mile oval. He has 14 career wins as the track, 29 career top-five finishes and 39 top-10s. And he’s led 369 feature event laps.
During his 12-year WoO career, Schatz has competed at Orange County Fair Speedway on six occasions. He has scored top-five finishes in his last four, including second-place finishes in 1999, 2004, 2006 and last September.
Through seven events in 2008, Schatz holds the third position in the WoO standings with 1,012 points, trailing leader Craig Dollansky by 20. He has one victory, four second-place finishes and a pair of eighth-place runs.
The Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series’ first Eastern Swing begins at Lernerville Speedway, located near Sarver on State Route 356. Williams Grove Speedway is in Mechanicsburg. Orange County Fairgrounds Speedway is located just off of CR 96 near Middletown.
On Tuesday at Lernerville, pit gates open at 4 p.m. EDT and grandstand gates open at 5 p.m. Hot laps are tentatively scheduled to begin at 7:15 p.m. At Williams Grove on Thursday and Friday, pit gates open at 4 p.m. EDT and grandstand gates open at 5:15 p.m. for advance ticket holders and 5:30 p.m. for all ticket holders. Hot laps are tentatively scheduled to begin at 7:15 p.m. For Sunday’s event at Orange County Fair Speedway, pit gates open at 3 p.m. EDT and grandstand gates open at 4 p.m. Hot laps are tentatively scheduled to begin at 5:15 p.m.
Tickets for the Lernerville event can be purchased by calling (724) 353-1511, or by visiting the track’s Web site, www.lernerville.com.
Williams Grove tickets can be purchased at the speedway, and more information is available at its Web site, www.williamsgrove.com. Tickets for the race at Orange County Fair Speedway will be on sale at the track.
Race fans can also listen to all the action from the weekend on the DIRTVision.com cybercast, as well as on the DIRT Radio Network. Visit www.DIRTVision.com for more information on all the features, including updated results from each night of racing, as well as a chat room to interact with other fans listening to the action.
Donny Schatz, driver of the No. 15 TSR/Armor All/Chevy/ParkerStore J&J:
Lernerville Speedway is one of the historic tracks on the WoO schedule. What are your thoughts of the track?
“I love coming to Pennsylvania to race. Lernerville always has a great surface for us to race on. There’s not a track out there quite like it. I heard they changed it up a little this year, so we’re looking forward to getting back on the track. The fans always pack the place and we just try to put on the best show we can. It’s a big year for the track and we want to be greedy and win both times we are there.”
There’s no question Williams Grove Speedway has been one of your best tracks. Is there anything specific about the track that suits your driving style?
“Williams Grove is a track where experience prevails. You don’t see too many guys go there and are fast right out of the box. I was like just about every young driver the first few times out there – trying to flat-foot it around there and thinking that always being on the gas was the key. It took me what seemed like forever to get a handle on it. It’s fast. Long straightaways. Tight corners. Car control and making consistent laps are the keys. They have some of the toughest drivers we’ll face and they know that place. I feel like I know the place like the back of my hand. Sometimes I think I could drive around there blindfolded.
“We’ve been fortunate the last few years to have a program that has been really successful there. Our Chevy motor package that is built by Ron Shaver really gives us an advantage there. And with the way it works with the J&J cars we use, we’ve been really good. It’s like any place else where you’ve tasted success. Once you get there, you only think about winning there again. All of that is great, but we have to go there like every other place and be fast right from the start if we want to have a chance to win the race.”
Orange County Fair Speedway is the final leg of the week’s schedule. Why have you been consistently good there in the past?
“Middletown is another one of the big, fast tracks that they have out east. We’ve been fast there in the past, but just came up one spot short the past few years. It’s one of those places where you have to get to the front fast because the cars can really get spread out on the track.
“Mother Nature has been beating all of us, but hopefully we can take over from here on. We’ve been consistent, and the win at Knoxville really gave the entire team a big boost. We had a test session last week and (crew chief) Ricky (Warner) and the guys (Shane Bowers, Kyle Sundby and Evan Funk) did a great job with a number of combinations.”
For complete Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series results, log on to www.worldofoutlaws.com. For information regarding TSR, Schatz, Armor All, Chevy, or ParkerStore, log on to www.tonystewartracing.com, www.donnyschatz.com, www.aa-ownercenter.com, www.chevrolet.com, or www.parkerstore.com.
Thompson’s Gold Cup Result:
James Thompson travelled up the highway to the town of Lismore (Northern NSW) to contest the inaugural running of the Sprintcar Gold Cup on Saturday Night (May 10) for his very first appearance at the Lismore Speedway track. Thompson in his last race meeting for the season 2007/08 was quite content with his result although there was no podium result this time round. “I really enjoyed myself up at Lismore as this was the first time I have competed there and it’s always exciting travelling to new tracks,” Thompson commented. “Lismore promoter David Lander put on a great show, and I was really happy to be a part of it.” Thompson qualified 8th and took out third placing in his first heat and fifth place in his second. For the last feature race for the season Thompson lined his # 22 NSW Hills Motorcycle Centre / Team Suzuki supported Maxim up in seventh place for the Gold Cup feature race after the Top 8 pole shuffle. Throughout the 35 lap feature race there were several stoppages Thompson had to fight hard with the likes of Adrian Maher and Max Dumesny and eventually finished in sixth place. “I was happy to finish in sixth place and for my last race this season I brought the car home straight,” he said. “Had the rain not fallen leading up to the feature race I felt I could have finished closer to the podium, as that little bit of rain kept more moisture in the track, and as I had a harder compound [of tyre], as I was hoping for it [the track] to dry off more, but it didn’t turn out that way.” Thompson in the 2007/08 season is proudly sponsored by the Hills Motorcycle Centre and Team Suzuki.
Loudoun and his Cool Take Gold Cup Victory:
Tyrepower Parramatta City Raceway (TPCR) Sprintcar Track Champion Ian Loudoun took out victory on Saturday night at Lismore Speedway (Northern NSW) in the inaugural running of the Sprintcar Gold Cup. The # 18 Bevelite Glass supported Cool hard charger didn’t have the easiest of nights, after he started the night in the best possible fashion by being fastest in time trials, but then struggled to move forward in both his heat races where he was forced to come from the back of the field. Loudoun qualified for the pole shootout seventh highest point scorer and was only able to make up one position and started the feature race from position six. During the feature race Loudoun worked his way to the pointy end of the field and managed to survive tangling with a lapped car and resist the pressure of Max Dumesny in the latter stages of the 35-lap race to take victory, which was his fifth of the 2007/08 season. “It’s always great visiting new tracks, as it brings new challenges such as learning the track and the setups that go with it, and it’s even better when you come away with victory,” Loudoun said. “In the feature race I tried to run the bottom line of the track during the opening laps and I realised that it wasn’t going to work, and I then moved to the top of the track and that was when I started to move forward. “It was a bit interesting there in the closing laps with the lapped car [where he suffered a bent right front rim in the incident] and the pressure of Max [Dumesny] but the car worked well and in the end we had him [Dumesny] covered and came out on top, so it’s the perfect way t