Smith Brothers and Other Tidbits; Ryan Godown Announces Plans

Dirt Track Digest is reporting that Tim Fuller will take over behind the wheel of the Smith Brothers owned #74 big block modified. Fuller drove for the team in the small block portion of Eastern States Weekend this past year, and drove for John Lazore in big and small block competition. Jessica Zemken will take over as Lazore's driver while John Lazore will continue to run small blocks weekly at Mohawk and the Super Dirt Series. The Smith Brothers ran weekly with Brett Hearn last year, and Jeff Heotzler also ran the car in the Eastern States 200. No word on whether or not the story is true.

Ryan Godown has announced that he'll stay behind the wheel of the Johnny Rea #R1 small block modified in 2009, despite rumors that swirled around, including on this board. He'll run weekly at Grandview Speedway, and will also run his own #26 big block in select shows.

Jeremy Wilder will move up to the modified division in 2009. Wilder's been one of the top sportsman drivers the past 2 seasons, and even ran a few modified and 358 shows this season, including the Salute to the Troops 150 during Super Dirt Week.

Merry Christmas To All; Handful of Tidbits

We'd like to wish everyone and their families a very Merry Christmas.

Lebanon Valley sportsman star Kyle Hoffman will be moving up to the 358 modified division in 2009 to run at Lebanon Valley Speedway.

Mahoning Valley to run Dirt Modifieds

Area Auto Racing News reports that Mahoning Valley Speedway will feature dirt modifieds weekly in 2009. Mahoning ran dirt modifieds for one race in 2006, which saw Doug Hoffman take the feature win.

USMOD, Super Dirt Series Updates; Tidbits

Looks as if the USMOD Series could have a race at The Rock or Winchester Speedway during Hagerstown Speedway's season opening events. It's possible, that both tracks could be used on alternate weekends. The USMOD race will run either the night before, or the afternoon after the Hagerstown modified races. Recently, Keizer Wheels and Dart Heads have announced that they will sponsor the USMOD Series.

As for the Super Dirt Series, Virginia Motor Speedway will not return to the schedule in 2009.

Casey Williams will be moving up to the modified division in 2009 at Utica Rome Speedway. Also, Roger Heroux, who's owned winning cars for Stewart Friesen, Mitch Gibbs, Danny Johnson, and Bobby Varin, looks as if he may be coming out of retirement in 2009 with Ronnie Johnson at Utica Rome. Stay tuned for updates.

Handful of Tidbits

Looks as if Saracino Racing will return to running full-time with Club Wago driver and up and comer Dom Buffalino. A Buffalino crew member reported the news to us. The report stated that Buffalino will drive at Big Diamond with the team.

A few more drivers will be making the move up from sportsman this year. Justin Sharpe will be moving up from the sportsman class to run 358 modified weekly at Ransomville Speedway, and Earl Paules will move up from sportsman to 358 modifieds weekly as well at Big Diamond. Also, Kyle Weiss will return to running a full-season in the 358 modified division, after running a part time schedule in small blocks and a full season in sportsman 2008. Current plans for Weiss are a full-season at Big Diamond with some possible stops at Grandview and some RoC races.

A Look Back at 2008

Here's a look back on 2008's modified racing season. Please note that big and small block modified stats are combined here.

First up, here's a list of series champions from 2008
Super Dirt Series champion- Billy Decker
358 Super Dirt Series champion- Pete Bicknell
RoC Dirt Tour champion- Pat Ward
BRP Modified Tour champion- Brian Swartzlander
Lucas Oil Northern Dirt Series champion- David Hebert
Lucas Oil Western Dirt Series champion- Pete Bicknell
T3 All-Star Series champion- Billy Van Pelt
Florida Dirt Tour Champion- Brett Hearn/Billy Pauch
Garden State Dual Track Series Champion- Rick Laubach
STAR Series champion- Jeff Rudalavage
NMX Fonda Mini-Series champion- Brett Hearn
King of the Valley Mini-Series champion- Kenny Tremont

2008 Track Champions
Accord Speedway champion- Andy Bachetti
Airborne Speedway champion- Patrick Dupree
Albany-Saratoga Speedway champion- Kenny Tremont
Big Diamond Raceway champion- Jeff Strunk
Black Rock Speedway champion- Brian Swarthout
Brewerton Speedway champion- Billy Decker
Bridgeport Speedway (Friday night) champion- Richie Pratt
Bridgeport Speedway (Saturday night) champion- Mike Iles
Brockville Ontairio Speedway champion- Danny O'Brien
Can Am Speedway (Big Block) champion- Frankie Caprara
Can Am Speedway (Small Block) champion- Larry Wight
Canandaigua Speedway champion- Steve Paine
Cayuga County Fair Speedway champion- Alan Johnson
Cornwall Speedway champion- Carey Terrance
Delaware International Speedway champion- Jamie Mills
Devils Bowl Speedway champion- Todd Stone
Autodrome Dummondville champion- David Hebert
Autodrome Edelweiss champion- Laurent Ladouceur
Five Mile Point Speedway champion- Brian Weaver
Fonda Speedway champion- Bobby Varin
Fulton Speedway champion- Tommy Sears
Glen Ridge Motorsports Park champion- Jeff Brownell
Autodrome Granby champion- Kayle Robidoux
Grandview Speedway champion- Jeff Strunk
Lebanon Valley Speedway (Big Block) champion- J.R. Heffner/Mark Flach
Lebanon Valley Speedway (Small Block) champion- J.R. Heffner
Lernerville Speedway champion- Brian Swartzlander
Mercer Speedway champion- Frank Guidance
Merrittville Speedway champion- Chad Brachmann
Mohawk International Speedway champion- John Lazore
New Egypt Speedway champion- Billy Pauch
Orange County Fair Speedway (Big Block) champion- David Van Horn
Orange County Fair Speedway (Small Block) champion- Jerry Higbie
Penn Can Speedway champion- Jeff Rudalavage
Ransomville Speedway champion- Pete Bicknell
Redline Raceway champion- Brent Boyer
Sharon Speedway champion- Dave Murdick
Tri-City Speedway champion- Kevin Bolland
Utica Rome Speedway champion- Pat Ward
Woodhull Raceway champion- Billy Van Pelt

High Paying Event Winners
Rite-Aid 200 $50,000- Frank Cozze
Schneider Brothers 200 $25,000- Danny Johnson
Freedom 76er $20,000- Craig Von Dohren
Eastern States 200 $20,000- Danny Johnson
Salute to the Troops 150 $20,000- Billy Decker
Drummondville 150 $15,000- Danny O'Brien
New Yorker 200 $10,000- Bobby Varin
Victoria 200 $10,000- Danny Johnson
Octoberfest (Big Block) $10,000- Brett Hearn
Octoberfest (Small Block) $10,000- Rick Laubach
Coalcracker 100 $10,000- Duane Howard
Paul Sawyer Memorial $10,000- Matt Sheppard
Forrest Rogers Memorial $10,000- Craig Von Dohren
World Series Weekend 200 $10,000- Alan Johnson
Lebanon Valley 200 $10,000- Andy Bachetti

Doug Hoffman In with Hansell; Tidbits...

One of the greatest modified drivers of all-time will be back racing full time in 2009. Chris Budihas broke the news in a press release located on South Jersey Dirt Racing that Doug Hoffman will race for Norm Hansell in 2009. Hoffman will run weekly at Big Diamond and Grandview, and will also run big block specials. Hoffman ran just one race in 2008, the Freedom 76er at Grandview Speedway where he drove for Chad Sinon and finished an amazing second place. The team will debut at Selinsgrove Speedway in March.

In other Big Diamond news, Sean Merkel has been hired to drive the Eastern Rigging Motorsports #11 small block at Big Diamond weekly. The team ran races with Jason Hamilton, John Willman, and Ben Hatt last season.

Richie Pratt and Keith Brightbill News

The 2008 Bridgeport Friday night 358-modified champion, Richie Pratt, will have a new Friday night home in 2009. Pratt will run weekly at the Big Diamond Raceway driving the DiNatale Motorsports #11D. Pratt will continue to drive for Sal DeBruno at Bridgeport Spedway on Saturdays in the big block division and in select specials, and Pratt will also do some extra traveling with his own small block. For more information on Pratt's new ride for 2009, listen to his interview on Doug's Dirt Diary. Also, for Big Diamond in 2009, Keith Brightbill will return to the driver's seat full-time. Brightbill will drive for Rich Stankiwicz in the small block division. Keith has ran specials for Rich over the past few specials.

Dave Axton Returns in 2009: Tidbits

Just a few months after fan favorite Todd Milton returned to the seat of a big block modified, another fan favorite makes his return to the big block ranks for the 2009 season. Club Wago driver and a former feature winner at the Cayuga County Fair Speedway Dave Axton has announced in an interview on Doug's Dirt Diary that he'll be returning to the seat of a big block modified. Current plans for Axton are to race weekly at Cayuga County, with a small bit of traveling to local DIRT Series races.

Bob Lineman Jr is the latest sportsman driver to announce his intentions to move up, at least on a part-time basis. Lineman, who ran in the 358 modified portion of Hagerstown's Octoberfest show in October, will run a part-time schedule in 2009 with his small block modified.

Look for Rocco Infante to move up to the modified division, probably at Bridgeport Speedway.

Pauch Sr. and Jr. News

Well, the hunt for the driver for the Glenn Hyneman #126 car is over. Billy Pauch Sr., the 2008 New Egypt Speedway track champion and Florida Dirt Tour champion, will run a specials-only schedule in 2009 with the Glenn Hyneman team. The schedule that Pauch and Hyneman will run together will be very similar to the one that Pauch and Will Brown ran this past season. Pauch will continue to run for Kevin Bilfulco on a full-time basis weekly at New Egypt Speedway.

Billy Pauch Jr. will jump over to the Will Brown owned #1w big block modified, that his father ran part-time this past season. Pauch Jr. will run the car in specials only all throughout the east coast. Friday night plans include a full season for the first time in a few years at Big Diamond in the Bob Greene #8. Pauch Jr. also will run on the ARDC tour, and when time allows will drive his family-owned #15 at New Egpyt Speedway. No word on whether or not he'll return to the Nick Noll #6n or not.

J.R. Heffner Heading to Asphalt

J.R. Heffner will only be racing one dirt race in 2009, the Rite-Aid 200 in October. Heffner, the 2007 and 2008 big and small block champions at Lebanon Valley Speedway, will be running full-time in the Arca Series. Stay tuned for updates on the Dwyer Motorsports #88 big block team, and the Goodermote Racing #5 small block team.

AJ to team with Thompson?

According to Alan Johnson's interview on Doug's Dirt Diary, he has a verbal agreement with Dave Thompson to run the 2009 Super Dirt Series Tour.

Thompson, who's only been in the sport for a few years, has already been through his share of drivers, none of which drove for Thompson for more than 15 months. Stewart Friesen, Dale Planck, Kyle Jacobs, Danny Johnson, and most recently Frankie Caprara have all driven his cars.

Johnson won the Cayuga County Fair Speedway track championship in 2008, and drove for Wallace Stacey and Randy Sherlock throughout the summer, before ultimately teaming with Jake Spraker and Eric Kingsley for the end of the year.

No word on what will happen with Frankie Caprara, stay tuned.

Afton Speedway Returns

Afton Speedway will return to weekly action for the first time since 2006 in 2009. Afton Speedway will reopen for weekly Friday night action with 358 modifieds highlighting the card. In 2007 Afton ran one race for the sportsman division, and sat idle in 2008. Stay tuned for updates. Dave and JoAnne Rocket will promote the track. This story came from last week's Area Auto Racing News.

Pauch Takes Final Feature of '09, Laubach Garden Champ; Parts Peddler Shots and Tidbits...

Billy Pauch ended his season on a high note by winning the season finale for modifieds in 2008, which was run at the Georgetown Speedway. Pauch picked up $3,000 for his win. Rick Laubach picked up a top 10 finish after having problems with the right front wheel on the car early in the feature, which was more than enough to be crowned the 2008 New Jersey Garden State Dual Track Series champion.

The Parts Peddler is going on in Syracuse this weekend, there are a few 2009 paint schemes. Michael Storms, Jimmy Phelps, Billy Decker, and Pete Bicknell have cars on display. Go to www.dougsdirtdiary.com and click on the photo bin to look through photos from the show.

Jason Rivers, who ran in the Crate Sportsman division at Bridgeport Speedway the past few seasons, is the latest driver to announce his intentions on moving up to the big block division in 2009. Rivers ran a big block show at Bridgeport, and raced at Georgetown earlier today in the big block division as well. He'll run Bridgeport weekly, and do some limited traveling in 2009.

Ransomville and 358 Super Dirt Series regular and up-and-comer Tommy Flannigan has a new ride for 2009. Flannigan will be driving for noted, long time car owner Mike Maroney, who fielded cars most notably for Alan Johnson and Stewart Friesen. Maroney helped Flannigan out with loaning him a motor for Eastern States Weekend, and liked what he saw. Flannigan will run almost the exact same schedule in 2009 as he did in 2008 with his new team.

Southern Modified Update; Modified Finale This Weekend

Georgetown Speedway will host the final race of the 2008 season for modifieds with the Turkey Chase being run tomorrow. This will be Georgetown's third race of the season, Richie Pratt and HJ Bunting won the first two.

The Southern Modified Series (information available at usmod.net) is currently looking for sponsorship. The deal will be run in 2009, but the more sponsors the more money that can be paid out to the drivers, and the more the series can bring to the table while looking for new venues. Currently, The Rock, Elkins Speedway, and Potomac Speedway are the first three tracks to jump on board. It looks as if Winchester could be the next to jump on board. Tentatively, the races will pay $1,500 to win and $100 to start, again, that's coming out of the promotors pockets, the more sponsors that come on board the more that increases.

Tim O'Brien News

Tim O'Brien, who had a solid season this past year at the Brockville Speedway, will be driving for Jim Primrose in 2008. Primrose owned the #95 driven by Mark Hitchcock over the past few years. Hitchcock retired after the season finale at Brockville this past season. 

Check This Out

Found this on the South Jersey Dirt Racing message board, check it out!

http://www.usmod.net/

Strunk with Gagliardo; Other tidbits...

As stated on here, and South Jersey Dirt Racing, it has been rumored that Jeff Strunk would take over the seat of the Gagliardo Racing #41, driven over the past 2 seasons by Shawn Reimert. Now, we've recieved reports that the deal is official, and that the team has bought at least one new Teo already for 2009. Not only will this allow Jeff Strunk to continue to run Big Diamond and Grandview weekly, but it will also allow him to run in big block shows with the same team, and even do more traveling than he has over the past few years.

Shawn Reimert currently is searching for a ride, and now throws his name into the free agent pool with Tim Fuller, Jimmy Horton, Jason Hamilton, Doug Hoffman, Keith Brightbill, and Danny Erb. Stay tuned for updates.

Looks as if 1999 Grandview Speedway modified champion, Terry Meitzler, will have another Meitzler racing against him on Saturday nights. Terry's son, Addison, is planning on running weekly at Grandview in the modified division in 2009.

Georgetown Postponed; Bridgeport Cancelled

Georgetown Speedway has postponed their racing for tonight, and isntead will run next Saturday. That race will now be called the Turkey Chase, because Bridgeport Speedway, which is owned by Jay James who is trying to buy Georgetown Speedway, has cancelled their event because of the Georgetown rain out.

I can understand where Mr. James is coming from by choosing to run Georgetown that weekend instead of Bridgeport. Georgetown's two races have been packed as fans attend the track in an attempt to revive the big 1/2 mile, however, it is very disappointing to the fans and Bridgeport's faithful drivers. We'll have to see how this one turns out. I, for one, was without a doubt going to Bridgeport and was going to be meeting up with quite a few friends from New York that were planning on attending Bridgeport for the first time, now, they will call 2008 a season, and I'm still uncertain if I'll go to Georgetown or not. We'll have to see how this one plays out.

Racing This Weekend; Tidbits

Well, we're coming down to the wire. Just two races left in the entire northeast for dirt modified racing. Georgetown Speedway runs this weekend. Their feature event will be highlighted by the big block modifieds racing for $2,500 to win on Saturday night.

It was recently announced that Tim Fuller won't return to the John Lazore Racing #19 big block modified, we've recently learned that Jessica Zemken will run the big block at Volusia in February. Zemken drove for Lazore in the second half of 2008 after she left the LaSalle Motorsports team.

We've recently recieved news of two drivers moving up to the modified ranks in 2009, from the sportsman division. Jason Rood will be racing big blocks weekly at Utica Rome in 2009, and will more than likely also do some select traveling, and Marc Herman will run weekly in the big block division at New Egypt next season. Herman will make his big block debut next weekend at Bridgeport Speedway. Brad Alger, the 2008 RoC Dirt Tour sportsman champion will also be moving up to the big block modified division at Utica Rome. Finally, teenager Mike Barone will be moving up from the crate sportsman class to the big block modified division full-time in 2009, Barone's cousin Don runs part-time at Bridgeport in the big block division, and Mike made one big block start this past season at Bridgeport.

Doug Flurer, owner of the Jason Hamilton #16 that won the Forrest Rogers Memorial in 2007, and won two features in 2008, has sold out of the sport. Flurer was one of the most underrated owners in the sport over the years, and had successful seasons with Rick Laubach in the past as well. That news was reported to us by Brett Deyo in this week's Area Auto Racing News.

Look for Shawn Reimert to not be back with the Gagliardo race team in 2009. Former driver of the #41, Keith Brightbill and Jeff Strunk are the front runners thus far. Vince Gagliardo will still wheel the #66 in 2009, and expect to see Brian Gagliardo, who ran the 358 race at Syracuse run a few shows as well next season.

Final Club Wago Crown Jewel Fantasy League Standings

Here are the final Fantasy League standings
http://jw4.proboards85.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=248&page=1

Special thanks goes Zach Aubertine, Jeremy Holt, Danny Varin, and Wayne Jelley for donating prizes for the league. Also I'd like to thank the 33 people that participated in the fantasy league, hope to see you guys play again! Thank you! Below is the list of the top 5 finishers and what they won.

Top 5-Prizes
1st Troy Berger- 2009 Season Pass to a track of his choice, Jeremy Holt t-shirt, ClubWago.com t-shirt, Danny Varin t-shirt
2nd Chris Moyer- Wayne Jelley hat & bumper sticker, Danny Varin t-shirt, Jeremy Holt t-shirt, ClubWago.com t-shirt.
3rd Jim Weaknecht- Jeremy Holt t-shirt, ClubWago.com t-shirt
4th Doug Keitsock- ClubWago.com t-shirt
5th Roy Sheeler- ClubWago.com t-shirt

Manmiller and Utica Rome Updates

Area Auto Racing News' Jeff Withey and Randy Kane have both informed me that it's a done deal, Doug Manmiller will be behind the wheel of the Dick Biever owned #14 small block modified at Big Diamond Raceway in 2009. Rick Laubach will continue to drive the car on Saturday nights and in specials throughout the year. Stay tuned for updates.

Also, Utica Rome announced that they will be running big blocks in 2009, with weight breaks for the small block modifieds. Also, they announced that the weekly winner's purse will increase to $2,000 to win.

Laubach and Hearn Have $10,000 Pay Days at Hagerstown

Rick Laubach took advantage of Brett Hearn's misfortune in the small block portion of Octoberfest at Hagerstown Speedway, as Hearn broke while leading late in the 100-lap feature which opened the door for Laubach to pick up the $10,000 win. Matt Sheppard started 20th on the field and finished second with break problems.

In big block action, it was all Brett Hearn, as he dominated the big block 100 lap feature and picked up the $10,000 grand prize.

This was the Club Wago Crown Jewel Fantasy League Finale, we're waiting on official results to post the final standings. Thanks to everyone for playing, and especially to Danny Varin, Jeremy Holt, Wayne Jelley, and Zach Aubertine for donating prizes. Remember, the winner of the Fantasy League will win a Wayne Jelley hat, a Jeremy Holt t-shirt, a Danny Varin t-shirt, and a season pass for 2009 to a track of their choice.

Mike Mahaney Finishes First, but Cartwright wins $3,000; Hagerstown Update

Black Rock's $3,000 to win small block feature looked like it was all Mike Mahaney, as he led the final 20 laps to pick up what looked like his first career win. However, he was DQed post-race, which handed the win and the $3,000 to the underrated Ron Cartwright Jr.

Hagerstown Speedway has had their qualifying. On their website, they have a lineup listed with just numbers (not names.) We do know that David Van Horn will be on the pole in the big block feature driving Rusty Smith's #2 big block. In the small block modifieds, Brett Hearn will be on the pole.

This Weekend In Racing; RIP Fran Purcell

It was recently reported that long-time car owner and fan favorite, Fran Purcell, passed away after a long battle with cancer. Purcell owned small block modifieds at the Big Diamond Raceway for as long as I can remember. This season Ryan Watt drove the famous #6 car, and picked up a win opening night at Big Diamond Raceway. We offer our condolences to the friends of family, he'll surely be missed. 

This weekend Hagerstown Speedway and Black Rock Raceway have their races which were rescheduled from two weeks ago. Black Rock will have small block modifieds highlighting their card with a $3,000 to win show, the special part of this race is that fact that all the divisions in attendance will be time trialing for the first time in track history. Hagerstown Speedway has the final race of the Club Wago Crown Jewel Fantasy League scheduled for this weekend, as big block and small block modifieds each have 100-lap features paying $10,000 to win (both races count for the fantasy league.) Black Rock runs tonight (Saturday), and Hagerstown will run heats and consis this afternoon, with the 100-lap small block modified feature, 100 lap late model feature, 100 lap big block modified feature, and 50 lap 410 sprint feature being run on Sunday, again, each will pay $10,000 to win. 

I'm at the University of Pitt right now visiting a friend for the weekend, which is why I've been behind on updating, look for the next update to be on Sunday night! 

Oley PA Residents Shine in Delaware State Championship Weekend

Two Oley Pennsylvania drivers shared victories at the Delaware International Speedway for the Delaware State Championships. Craig Von Dohren picked up $4,500 for his win in the small block 50 lap feature on Saturday afternoon, and Duane Howard won $6,500 after passing Wade Hendrickson early in the feature to go on and win the 50 lap big block feature.

Few notes on driver's in special rides for the show. Billy Pauch Jr drive the Will Brown owned #1w in the big block division to a strong 6th place finish, and Sammy Wescott drove the Richie Pratt owned #28 big block. In small block action, Shawn Reimert piloted the Chris James owned #ONE modified, and Ryan Godown drove the #19 Tom Umbenhauer car, the same car he'll race next weekend at Hagerstown Speedway due to the fact that Johnny Rea's #R1 lost a motor at New Egypt in early October.

Minor Updates...

Jody Gable will not be returning to action, at least not on a weekly basis, in 2009. Gable made his return to modified racing at Super Dirt Week with Bobby Varin behind the wheel. Rumors were swirling that JR Heffner could possibly take over behind the seat. Expect Gable Motorsports to possibly run a handful of shows with a driver to be named later in 2009.

Also, Billy Pauch Jr. will remain in the seat of the Pioneer Pole Buildings #8 small block modified in 2009 at the Big Diamond Raceway. Look for the team to run some big block events together as well throughout the year.

This Weekend in Racing; LaSalle Motorsports News

Happy Halloween weekend everyone. The Delaware International Speedway has their season finale with the annual Delaware State Championships highlights by both the big block and small block modifieds. Saturday will feature the small block modifieds, and Sunday will be the date of the big block modified feature.

LaSalle Motorsports, who started the year off with Jessica Zemken behind the wheel of the car, but ended with Brian McDonald, appear to be going big block racing part time next year. The team was planning on entering this year's Rite-Aid 200 with a borrowed big block from former modified driver Tim Kerr, but a slew of torn up equipment forced the team to scratch their plans. Tentatively, the team is planning on going to Volusia in February to be part of the Florida Dirt Tour. Stay tuned for updates.

Hearn Takes RoC Finale at Five Mile Point; Sunday Winners

Brett Hearn picked up $5,000 for winning the RoC Dirt Tour season finale at Five Mile Point. The race was 100 laps. Pat Ward had already clinched his second RoC Tour Title, and capped off another fine season with a third place finish on Sunday.

Dom Roselli picked up his first win of the year at Bethel Motor Speedway. This was the first time in quite some time that they 358 modifieds were featured on Bethel's asphalt.

Rich Ricci picked up the modified feature win at Glen Ridge Motorsports Park.

Bridgeport Reschedules Turkey Chase

With the rescheduling of Hagerstown's Octoberfest to next weekend, Bridgeport has announced that they will reschedule their Turkey Chase that was originally secheduled for the 8th-9th (originally the date for the Turkey Chase), to November 22nd-23rd. Big block and small block modifieds will highlight the card, and it will be the points finale for the Garden State Dual Track Series. 

Pete Bicknell Crowned 358 Series Champion, Rain Strikes Again

Can-Am Motorsports Park canceled their season finale for the 358 Super Dirt Series championship that was supposed to be scheduled tonight. With the rainout, Pete Bicknell claimed yet another 358 Super Dirt Series championship to his incredible career. Congratulations to Mr. Small Block and the entire #42 crew.

Hagerstown and Black Rock Speedway both canceled their races for this weekend. Black Rock scheduled their race for November 8th, and Hagerstown rescheduled for November 8th-9th. Five Mile Point also postponed their RoC Dirt Tour finale, but that will be run tomorrow starting at 3:00.

Norm Hansell News

Brett Deyo reports in this week's Area Auto Racing News that Jeff Strunk and Doug Hoffman are the two major drivers in the hunt for the Norm Hansell #357 modified for next season. Hoffman is interesting in returning to racing, he only ran one race in 2008, the Freedom 76er, and finished second, for a top tier team. He's also only interested in racing once a week, with very limited travel, mainly including a return to Super Dirt Week. Strunk, the 2007 and 2008 Big Diamond and Grandview champion, ran the Thunder on the Hill finale at Grandview Speedway for Norm Hansell. Stewart Friesen, Jimmy Horton, Strunk, and Rick Schaffer drove the 357 car this year.

Specials This Wekend: Petruska, Gable, Horton, Van Horn tidbits...

We may be approaching the end of the racing year, but there's still plenty of action left, especially this week. On Saturday night, Black Rock Speedway will host it's season finale, as the 358 modifieds highlight the car with a $3,000 to win show. Five Mile Point Speedway will be hosting the RoC Dirt tour for their season finale on Saturday with the Southern Tier 100 for the big blocks that will pay $5,000 to win, Pat Ward has already clinched the RoC title for the second year in a row. Also on Saturday, the 358 Super Dirt Series champion will be crowned at CanAm Motorsports Park as they do battle for $3,000 to win the 75 lap feature, this event was rescheduled from Wednesday night of Super Dirt Week. On Sunday (qualifying will be Saturday) Hagerstown has their annual Octoberfest race weekend, as big block and small block modifieds will be part of the action, each racing in their own 100 laps features that pay $10,000 to the win.

Reports are saying that Mike Petruska will field a car for Danny Johnson on the entire Super Dirt Series in 2009, and will be Bobby Hearn's Teo house car. Petruska started the year with Jeff Heotzler and Jared Petruska driving the cars, but then gave Danny Johnson the ride late in the year. Johnson and Petruska teamed up and won the Eastern States 200 last weekend, worth $20,000

Long time car owner Jody Gable made his return at Super Dirt Week with Bobby Varin behind the wheel of his known #1 big block modified. Gable hopes to make a return to full-time owning next year at Lebanon Valley in 2009. Look for two-time Lebanon Valley champion J.R. Heffner to be the possible driver of that seat next year. If Heffner leaves, that leaves another qualify seat open in the Ronnie Dwyer owned #88.

Jimmy Horton may be done with Dieter Schmidt again at the conclusion of this year. Horton and Schmidt only ran a partial season this year, focusing on traveling, and collected a $5,000 win at Volusia, but the team struggled with motor issues all year long which upset Horton. Horton drove for an astounding 7 teams this year including, the Gene Stravinksy owned #7A used for some specials at New Egypt and Hagerstown, Rich Scagliotta's #8 used at Orange County and small block action at Syracuse, Norm Hansell's #357 used for a few shows at Big Diamond and Grandview, Gino Postarivo's #7 used for weekly competition at Bridgeport, Wescott Racing's #71 used for specials at Bridgeport and Georgetown, and the Randy Ross #7 (team effort with Gino) used for the Rite-Aid 200, and of course Dieter Schmidt's #5 used for specials. No word on any possible replacements if the two split ways.

Also, when listing oddities on the Hagerstown entry list, I missed the fact that David Van Horn is entered in Rusty Smith's second car. Van Horn ran a few specials for Smith a few years ago as well.

Pauch with Hyneman

Billy Pauch is now entered with the Glen Hyneman #126 for Hagerstown Speedway. The Hagerstown entry list is updated on Hagerstown's website.

Tom Hager Update; Other Tidbits

Area Auto Racing News reporter Randy Kane sent me an e-mail clearing up who owns the #55 Tom Hager is entered at Hagerstown with. It's owned by long-time crew member Harvey Gray, and Mike Mammana ran the car most of the time at Bridgeport Speedway, and Hager drove the car a few times too. Randy also said that Patrick Cozze may be making his big block debut this weekend. Thanks Randy!

Also worth noting, while Pete Reynolds' Crackers Motorsports team will no longer exist, Reynolds will continue to play a big role as Rick Mill continues his big block career in 2009 as a major sponsor.

Also, the DiNatale owned MAD Motorsports #11D has been offered to 2008 Big Diamond sportsman champion Brad Brightbill for full-time competition at Big Diamond and maybe
Grandview in 2009. It's a off-long season and things could change. MAD Motorsports had a slew of drivers in the car during the 2008 season that included Keith Hoffman, Dan Hineline, Brad Brightbill, Mark Forte Jr, and Richie Pratt. Bobby Varin, Stewart Friesen, Billy Pauch, Billy Pauch Jr, Brian Weaver, Doug Manmiller, and MeMe DeSantis have driven the car in past years.

Tidbits....

Well, this weekend is the last week of the Wago Fantasy League. Standing are available here...

http://jw4.proboards85.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=247

Octoberfest has their entry lists up on the Hagerstown Speedway website. A few things to note, Ben Hatt will be driving the Eastern Rigging #11 that was driven by Jason Hamilton and John Willman this year. Also, Tom Hager is listed in the big block ranks in a #55, I have no idea what team that is, and Ryan Godown is listed driving the Tom Umbenhauer owned #19.

Jeff Strunk is listed in the entry list as driver of the Glen Hyneman owned #126, but expect to see defending Octoberfest small block winner Kevin Hirthler in that car, however, that's not official. We've also recieved reports that Jimmy Horton is being strongly considered to drive that car in 2009, but again, nothing is official.

Doctor Wins $20,000 at Eastern States 200; Decker Champ

Danny Johnson proved that the Petruska Racing Team made the right decision as he collected $20,000 for winning the Eastern States 200. This was Danny Johnson's 3rd win of the year. His first win of the year came driving the JIR Motorsports #27J at Utica Rome for the Victoria 200 which was worth $10,000, he then won the Schneider Brothers 200 at Fulton Speedway which was worth $25,000 driving the Joe Beyea #121, and now has won the Eastern States 200 with the Mike Petruska #66 which was worth $20,000. Between the three wins he won more than $55,000. What a three-win year.

Billy Decker finished 9th, putting an exclaimation point on his amazing season with the Super Dirt Series championship.

Hearn Wins Eastern States 100 on Saturday

Brett Hearn backed up his 2007 Eastern States 100 win for the 358 Super Dirt Series with another one in 2008. Hearn picked up $7,500 for the win. The 358 Dirt Series will conclude at CanAm Motorsports Park on October 25th.

At Grandview Speedway, Doug Manmiller picked up his second Thunder on the Hill win in the 25 lap small block modified feature.

Eastern States Weekend

Today starts another big weekend in the modified racing world. Eastern States weekend starts today with big block time trials, along with small block time trials and heats. Tomorrow, at Orange County for Eastern States, the 358 Super Dirt Series highlights the card with a 100 lap $7,500 to win feature, and the big block modified have their heats. On Sunday the Super Dirt Series concludes with the Eastern States 200, which will be 200 laps and will pay $20,000 to win.

Also this weekend, Grandview Speedway has their final race of the year, which will include a 25
lap small block modified feature.

A couple of driver switches this weekend, Danny Erb will be driving for Sean Merkel at the Grandview Speedway event, and Jeff Strunk will be in Norm Hansell's #357 as well. At Orange County, it's been announced that Steve Paine will once again team up with Jeff Brownell's racing team as a teammate to Matt Sheppard, but this time it'll be for a full-out attempt at winning.

Also, as previously posted, Jeff Heotzler will be driving the Smith Bros. Racing #74, and Bobby Varin will be driving the Frank Tuit #673.

Chad Sinon and BPG Motorsports Announce '09 Line Up

Ernie Saxton released the news that BPG Motorsports has announced the driver of the teams third car in 2009. Craig Von Dohren will return to the Chad Sinon race team for a weekly assault. Von Dohren, the all-time Grandview Speedway race winner and defending Freedom 76er and Forrest Rogers winner, will continue to run Friday nights and big block specials with Mike Harvey, his current car owner. CVD will not do any traveling with the BPG team. Duane Howard will continue to drive for Sinon at Bridgeport Speedway weekly and run big and small block specials throughout the northeast, the team has yet to decide if they'll return to the Big Diamond Raceway full time. Sinon also will be Ryan Watt's major backer for his big block effort at the Bridgeport Speedway.

Wago Crown Jewel Fantasy League Standings Updated

Late in the year, and the Wago Crown Jewel Fantasy League is tight! The top 9 have a real good shot at winning, and the top 15 aren't out of it by any means. The Schneider Brothers 200, Salute to the Troops 150, and the Rite-Aid 200 are included in this update. Just the Eastern States 200, and Octoberfest remain! Here's the link...

http://jw4.proboards85.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=general&thread=246

Heotzler ESW Plans

The original plans for the defending Eastern States 200 winner, Heff Heotzler, at this year's Eastern States was to pilot his son's #J17 big block. However, Jeff Heotzler Jr informs us on Dirt Track Digest that Heotzler Jr will be behind the wheel of his own #J17, and his father will drive the Smith Bros. #74 this weekend.

Goodbye to Two Long Time Modified Supporters

After the announcement that Canadian star Mark Hitchcock has retired following the 2008 season, two more long-time supporters have announced their retirements.

Randy Kane reports that Bill Gensler has announced his retirement after he failed to qualify for the Freedom 76er. Gensler started his career in the 70s at the Reading Fairgrounds, and after it closed supported the Pennsylvania tracks, mostly Grandview Speedway. Gensler hasn't raced full time in a handful of years, but he remained a fan favorite as he ran part-time schedules. His #57 small block modified will be missed.

Also, Pete Reynolds, owner of Cracker Motorsports and the Orange County Fair Speedway Director of Marketing will retire following Eastern States Weekend. Reynolds currently owns the #73 big block modified driven by Rick Mill at Orange County and Accord. Crackers Motorsports has always had good runs since their beginning in the big block division in the 1990s. Their most recent accomplishment was with Rick Mill in 2006 as they sat on the pole for the Eastern States 200. Frank Cozze, Rick Mill, Butch Tittle, Mark Smith, Mike Ricci (who gave the team their first career win), Larry Brolsma, Tim Hindley, Jeff Heotzler, Allen Shiffler, and Allan Kellogg have all driven the #73 big block modified over the years. Check out RaceProWeekly.com in their feature's section for a good article on Pete.

We wish both Pete and Bill best of luck in the future!

It's Finally Cozze! Plenty of Tidbits

Frank Cozze finally won the Rite-Aid 200 in exciting fashion as he stretched his fuel mileage to win th $50,000 grand prize. Congratulations on a well deserved win on the grandest stage in modified racing.

Billy Decker won the $20,000 Salute to the Troops 150. Other winners over the week included $4,000 big block heat wins which went to Brett Hearn, Matt Sheppard, and Jack Johnson. $2,000 small block heat wins went to Brett Hearn and Billy Decker. The Futures races on the mile were won by Dave Rauscher in the big block division, and Larry Lampman in the 358 class. Tim Fuller picked up $2,500 for winning big block time trials, and Vic Coffey won $1,500 for winning small block time trials.

Sattelite shows were won by Gary Tomkins at Brewerton, Brett Hearn at Rolling Wheels, and at Cayuga County the twin 25's were split by Chuck Bower and Chad Phelps.

Craig Von Dohren won the big and small block races at Bridgeport.

Troy Wink will not be running Grandview in 2009, and instead will be running New Egypt Speedway on Saturday nights it looks like. Ryan Godown may be the driver of the team's second car at both Big Diamond and New Egypt.

CanAm Motorsports Park has been sold. Stay tuned for Dirt Track Digest for an interview coming soon with the new owners.

Brett Deyo broke the story in the Reading Eagle that Jeff Strunk has been released from the Glen Hyneman #126 modified team after winning track championships at both Big Diamond and Grandview in both 2007 and 2008. Both left on good terms. Strunk will be ending his season at Five Mile Point Speedway and will drive for Joey Grammes in both of those races.

Also, Bobby Varin will be teaming with Frank Tuit in the Sparta Trucking #673 for Eastern States.

Super Dirt Week is Here!

Super Dirt Week is here! Club Wago will be heading up on for Dirt Week, so the blog won't be updated. So, I'd like to direct you guys to the best Super Dirt Week coverage out there, www.raceproweekly.com

Race Pro Weekly will have up to the minute tidbits throughout the week such as other years, and their Super Dirt Week coverage has already started, check it out! Everyone, enjoy Super Dirt Week! It doesn't get any better than this!

Ricci and Laubach Sunday Winners

Rich Ricci and Rick Laubach completed big weekends with wins on Sunday.

Rich Ricci picked up the win at Glen Ridge Motorsports Park for a post-points finale modified race. Ricci's first win of the weekend came at his home track, Accord Speedway, where he picked up $5,000 for winning the King of the Catskills.

Rick Laubach completed the Rocktoberfest sweep at New Egypt, as he backed up Yesterday's small block $4,000 triumph with a big block $5,000 triumph on Sunday. The race was part of the Garden State Dual Track Series tour, the points finale for the tour will be at Bridgeport Speedway for the Turkey Chase weekend.

Danny Johnson Wins $25,000 Victoria

Danny Johnson made his first ever start in the Joe Beyea #121 a good one. After starting 24th on the grid, "the Doctor" used the extreme outside to take the lead from Brett Hearn late in the race and go on to pick up his 3rd Schneider Brothers 200, which was worth $25,000. This was Johnson's second win of the year, the first coming in the (fake) Victoria 200 at the Utica Rome Speedway in May, which was worth $10,000.

Billy Van Pelt continued his dominating season at Woodhull Raceway by winning the Bully Hills Shootout. Rick Laubach won the 358 modified portion of New Egypt's Rocktoberfest weekend to claim the $4,000 to prize.

Ricci King of the Catskills

Rich Ricci, who just missed out on winning his 11th Accord Speedway championship, added yet another notch to his amazing list of accomplishments with another win in the King of the Catskills 100 at Accord. The win, which was part of the RoC Dirt Tour, was worth $5,000 to Ricci. Brett Hearn, Danny Tyler, Chuck McKee, and Billy Van Pelt rounded out the top 5. Pat Ward stretched his RoC points lead with a 6th place finish.

More SDW News and Tidbits

Here's a picture of Paul Gilardi's big block that he'll enter in the Rite-Aid 200 at Super Dirt Week.

Looks like this will more than likely be Steve Paine's last season running the entire Super Dirt Series, tentative plans right now are to do limited traveling while running Canandaigua and Black Rock weekly.

The Super Dirt Series has posted a press release highlights the Super Dirt Week Rite-Aid 200 entry list, here's the link. http://www.superdirtcarseries.com/News/2008/October/100208_SD_RiteAid200field.aspx

Including the news from the press release, here's my updated Rite-Aid 200 Pre-Entry list, obviously this is just from me talking to drivers, so plans could have changed, and drivers not on the list could end up going.

*= Eligible for Thursday's Futures Race

#02 Roy Bresnahan*

#1 Bobby Varin
#1H David Hebert

#FX1 Frankie Caprara

#1J Alan Johnson

#2 Ronnie Johnson

#3 Justin Haers

#4 Duane Howard

#7x Steve Paine

#9s Matt Sheppard

#12A Jack Johnson

#14 Rick Laubach

#19 Tim Fuller

#20 Brett Hearn
#21 Donnie Corellis

#21m Bob McGannon

#24 Patrick Dupree*
#24 Chris Shultz

#26 Ryan Godown

#29 Jeff Brownell

#32c Vic Coffey

#34 Andy Bachetti
#35 Jason Barney

#35 Mike Perrotte

#37 Jason Herrington*

#37x Tommy Scheetz*

#m40 Mark Forte Jr*

#41 Shawn Reimert

#42p Pat Ward

#43 Keith Flach

#44 Frank Cozze

#44 Stewart Friesen

#44s Matt Sheppard

#45 Wayne Jelley

#48too Dave Rauscher*

#49 Billy Dunn

#53 Ric Hill*

#55 Mitch Gibbs

#56 Vince Vitale

#62R Ron Smoker

#66 Vince Gagliaro*

#J66 Danny Johnson

#77x Dale Planck

#83 Brian Swartzlander*

#84 Gary Tomkins

#87 Hector Stratton*

#87x Paul Gilardi*

#88 Steve Hulsizer

#88 J.R. Heffner

#91 Billy Decker

#98 Eddie Marshall

#98H Jimmy Phelps

#99 Ryan Phelps

#99 Larry Wight*

#115 Kenny Tremont

Duane Howard's SDW Paint Job...

This is a picture of Duane Howard's big block that he'll be running in the Rite-Aid 200. Thanks to Chris Noble for sending it out.

Wago Crown Jewel Fantasy League Standings Updates, Coleates in lead

Here are the updated standings! http://jw4.proboards85.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=general&thread=245&page=1

More SDW Paint; More Tidbits

David Hebert's big block paint scheme for Super Dirt Week is available on his website. The car is very similar to last year's paint scheme that he drove to a 5th place finish in the Rite-Aid 200, with a handful of minor differances. Here's the link to the site, http://www.equipedecourse1.com/accueil.php

Dirt Track Digest is reporting that at the end of the year, John Lazore and Tim Fuller will split up. Lazore currently races his own equipment at Mohawk International Raceway, and won the 2008 points title at the track. He also runs the 358 Tour, and along with owning Fuller's car, owns the car that Jessica Zemken runs on the 358 Tour. Don't be surprised to see Zemken step into the teams big block part-time, should they decide to keep their big block program going. As for Fuller, he's stated in the past he'll always run modifieds, if he decides he wants to run modified again next year, don't be surprised to see him team up with John Wight's Gypsum team. He drivers a late model that is owned by John Wight and John Lazore, and is very good friends with Billy Decker who is John's top driver. It's also been reported that Pat Ward is very unhappy with the team and wants out. Don't be surprised to see Ward out of the car next year, nothing is official though.

Also, Danny Johnson will drive the Joe Beyea owned #121 big block modified at the Scheider Brothers 200 at Fulton Seedway this weekend.

Georgetown Speedway Announces One More Race...

Georgetown Speedway has announced that they will have a $2,500 to win big block modified race on November 15th. Super late models, and crate modifieds and late models will also be on the card.

Rain Wins Again...

Glen Ridge Motorsports Park was also forced to cancel tonight. Scratch what I said last night about Alan Johnson being the hottest driver on the DIRT circuit, Mother Nature has easily been the toughest thing to beat in '08.

Next week the King of the Catskills at Accord Speedway is slated for Friday night and will be a 100 lapper paying at least $5,500 to win, the race is part of the RoC Dirt Tour. Friday will also see the season finale for the T3 All-Star Series at Woodhull Raceway. New Egypt's Rocktoberfest weekend will take place next weekend as well, with 358 modifieds highlighting the card for Saturday (40 laps $4,000 to win), and the Garden State Dual Track Series big block modifieds taking to the track on Sunday (40 laps $5,000 to win). Sunday Glen Ridge Motorsports Park will have a special regular paying show with rules that are opened up to allow invaders to come without having to change anything on the car.

The big one scheduled for next weekend is the Schneiders Brothers 200 (the REAL Victoria 200) which is schedule for Saturday night. The race will have open rules for the second year in a row and will once again be 200 laps, with the winner recieving $25,000.

Hopefully the weather cooperates and everyone can have an enjoyable race weekend October 2-5!

Rain Cancels Diamond Nationals; Guidance Biggest Star at "Little Guy Nationals"

Frank Guidance, the 2008 and 2006 Mercer Raceway Park champion, defended his home turf against the T3 All-Star Series on Saturday night as he won the Little Guy Nationals. Guidance held off a late-charge by NY veteran Ray Bliss to best the 34 car field.

Big Diamond has already cancelled the Sunday portion of the Diamond Nationals, leading the event to be totally cancelled. Glen Ridge Motorsports Park is now the only track racing modifieds of any kind today, as they have a big block show.

AJ Wins $10,000; Bicknell Tastes Victory; Rain the big winner

Alan Johnson won a rainy World Series 200, which actually ended up being the World Series 125 as rains caused an early checkered to be thrown. The win was worth $10,000 to the hottest driver currently on the DIRT circuit, now picking up his 3rd win in 5 races since teaming up with Eric Kingsley and Jake Spraker's Spra-King Motorsports. Along with the win comes a guarenteed 8th place starting spot in the Rite-Aid 200. The team was not planning on attending, hopefully this will change their minds.

Tip of the hat goes to Carey Terrance who led the first 50 laps, and ran inside the top 5 until slipping with less than 5 laps to go on a great run in his first start racing an actual big block. Terrance, the 2008 Cornwall Speedway champion, has run with his 358 modified against the big blocks on a handful of occasions, including this year at Cornwall where he picked up a top 5 finish. Congratulations on an impressive showing, he ended up coming home in 7th place, one position of his teammate, Dale Planck, who finished 8th.

At Brighton Speedway's annual Applefest Shootout, it was Pete Bicknell that held off veteran Tim O'Brien for the $2,000 win. The race was shortened due to a rain shower coming on lap 32 of the feature.

Big Diamond and Glen Ridge both had to cancel their events for Saturday.

Friday Night A Wash

Rolling Wheels had now cancelled there 358 Super Dirt Series race schedule for tonight. It will not be made up.

Willy Decker out Sheppard In; Stewart Friesen to team with Daley, Accord Rained Out, Other tidbits

Willy Decker is out of the Tom Cullen owned #1x. While no permanent replacement has been named, Matt Sheppard will take over driving duties for the team at Syracuse for the small block race. Willy Decker timed inside the top 5 at Syracuse last year in the small block race. Willy Decker and Tom Cullen have been one of the most underrated owner/driver teams in the dirt modified racing world, collected two RoC Dirt Tour wins, two Utica Rome track championships and, a Brewerton track championship in the last 4 years, they were a threat to win wherever they ran and collected wins this year at Brewerton, Utica Rome, and Glen Ridge. Cullen stated that Sheppard could run some other late season shows this year for the team. Matt Sheppard will also be in the Jeff Brownell owned #9s for the Rite-Aid 200. Willy Decker will pilot the Kyle Lewis owned #09 in some late season specials. Stay tuned for updates.

Area Auto Racing News broke the news that Stewart Friesen will be making his return to Super Dirt Week for the Rite-Aid 200 this year. Friesen will drive for Jeff Daley, who owned the #44z Jessica Zemken ran in the sportsman division last year. Daley has also sponsored Friesen in the past. Friesen finished 2nd in the Salute to the Troops 150, the small block portion of Super Dirt Week, after stepping in and driving the Pizza Logs #3 for injured Chad Brachmann.

Accord Speedway has rained out their biggest show of the year, the King of the Catskills, and has rescheduled the race for October 3rd.

Ray Swinehart will pilot the Wilson Motorsports #16w small block modified this weekend at Big Diamond. John Willman recently left the team.

Todd Milton will be making his return to racing at the Scheider Brothers 200 (the REAL Victoria 200) in a chassis designed by himself. No word on whether or not Milton will run anymore this year or next year.

Reports have that there could be a new driver in the Dick Biever owned #14 at Big Diamond Raceway in 2009. Nothing is official. If this were to happen Biever would continue to travel and run Saturday nights with Rick Laubach, who's been by far the best driver Biever's had in one of his cars. Again, nothing is official.

Big Race Weekend; Jason Barney's SDW Paint Scheme...

Just 2 weeks until the biggest week in modified racing, Super Dirt Week! That mean's we've got another big weekend of racing coming up this weekend. Friday night the 358 Super Dirt Series invades Rolling Wheels Raceway for a 75-lap $3,000 to win show, it's worth noting that DIRT has announced that they WON'T run time trials on Friday for the small blocks, which shows they're at least attempting to listen to the fans. Also on Friday, the King of the Catskills will be at Accord Speedway for the big block modifieds, which will pay $5,600 to win the 100 lap event. Saturday night the World Series 200 will take place at Rolling Wheels Raceway and will pay $10,000 to win along with the 8th place starting spot for the Rite-Aid 200. Big Diamond has the Diamond Nationals weekend, on Saturday the big block modifieds will highlight the night with a 40 lap $5,000 to win feature. Brighton Speedway will have the Applefest Shootout for the 358 modifieds which will have a Dash for Cash that pays $1,500 to win, while the 30 lap feature will pay $2,000 to win. On Sunday the Diamond Nationals will conclude with a 50 lap $5,000 to win show for the small block modifieds. Jason Barney's Super Dirt Week big block paint scheme is available here, http://www.dirttrackdigest.com/forum/index.php?act=attach&type=post&id=950

Heffner Sweeps Lebanon Valley Championship... Again

Sunday night, the 358 modified had their points finale at Lebanon Valley Speedway as they accompanied the World of Outlaws. Steve Hough won the feature event, but it was J.R. Heffner that won his second 358 championship in 2 years. He also was co-champion in the big block division with Mark Flach.

RJ's Weekend Sweep is too Sweet; Riggs Surprise Russ King Memorial Winner; Swartzlander BRP Champ; Tremont Takes 100 on Asphalt

Ronnie Johnson, after picking up $5,000 for his 50 lap win on Saturday night, won the McDonald's 100 at Fonda Speedway earning him $9,500 after holding off Brett Hearn in a classic battle. Johnson also earned $500 for being a Fonda regular, giving him $15,000 over the past 2 days. Brett Hearn was able to win the innagural Fonda NMX Mini-Series championship with his 2nd place finish.

At Sharon Speedway, Lonny Riggs stunned the BRP big block modified field by winning the Russ King Memorial. Brian Swartzlander could only muster up a 8th place finish, but with Rex King Jr's struggles, that's all he needed to be crowned the 2008 BRP Tour champion.

Kenny Tremont held on to win the 100 lap big block feature at Airborne Speedway.

Saracino Racing/John Willman Update...

I recieved an e-mail John Willman sent me clearing up the air about news I posted about he and Saracino Racing parting ways. Willman WILL be in the car for the Diamond Nationals this coming weekend at Big Diamond and will also be driving the car at the Delaware State Championships in November, a race which he won 2 years ago and finished second in last year. Thanks for the e-mail John! I apologize to everyone for the misleading information.

AJ Wins on Dirt Tour, RJ $5,000 Richer, Van Pelt Unstoppable on T3 TourTidbits and other winners

Alan Johnson kept us his strong end of the year by winning his second Super Dirt Series race of the year since teaming up with Jake Spraker and Eric Kingsley. Johnson won the LaBatt's 100 at Canandaigua Speedway for $6,000. Mike Fusco signed on to drive the Masagarus Motorsports #93 the rest of the year (the fourth driver they've had this year after Jimmy Davis, Danny Varin, and Bob Henry have all ran it) and finished 2nd in an exciting race in the BBL 50 at Fonda Speedway worth $5,000 to win. Ronnie Johnson passed Fusco with just 3 laps to go to grab the win. Billy Van Pelt contiued his quest for winning his 3rd T3 All-Star Series championship in their 3rd year of existance with another win at Little Valley.

Duane Howard swept twin 30s at Bridgeport Speedway giving him 3 wins in 2 days, but it was Mike Iles that won his first career championship in the big block division at Bridgeport. Chris Esposito stunned the Grandview field by winning his first ever race in the small block modified division, it was Grandview's points night and Wago driver Jeff Strunk was officially declared champion after clinching a few weeks ago. Keith Hoffman won the feature event at New Egypt, but Billy Pauch's 3rd place finish was enough to win him yet another track championship. Jamie Mills won the Delaware International Speedway championship

Bobby Varin has signed on to run the remaining races at Grandview Speedway in the DiNatale Motorsports #11D. Also, Big Diamond feature winner this year John Willman has quit the Wilson Motorsports #16w. Willman also quit the Saracino Racing #91 earlier this year, he'll now pilot his own #74w the rest of the year with the exception of the Diamond Nationals, where he'll run the Eastern Rigging Racing #11 small block.

Howard the King of the Can, Bachetti wins Accord championship, Phelps wins 358 SDS at LoL

Duane Howard continued his strong season with a win in his first ever appearance at Penn Can Speedway for their biggest race of the year, the RoC Dirt Tour's King of the Can which paid $5,000 to win. At Accord Speedway's points finale, Andy Bachetti came into the night 2 points behind Rich Ricci in the championship, but Bachetti won the race at his first career Accord championship. Congratulations to Wago driver Bachetti on his 2nd championship of the year. Canandaigua's LaBatt's weekend started off with the 358 Super Dirt Series for a 75 lap $4,000 to win feature which was won by Jimmy Phelps.

Gular to Team with Fastnacht in '09

Mike Gular, the 2007 Penn Can Speedway champion, will drive for Terry Fastnacht in 2009 at Grandview Speedway. Gular lost his ride with the Steve Kratz race team mid-way through the 2008 season in favor of veterain Jon Keller Sr. Fastnacht owned the #44 driven by Danny Erb over the past few seasons and had some good seasons with the team. No work on what Danny will do in 2009.

Mike Gular will also run his self-owned #53 in specials in both the big and small block divisions.

Yet Another big Weekend of Racing!

We've got another big weekend of racing in store this weekend in the modified racing world where we'll see 5 new champions crowned. On Friday night, Accord Speedway will have it's points finale for the modifieds, currently Rich Ricci leads by just 2 points over Andy Bachetti. Also scheduled for Friday is the first night of a weekend event at Canandaigua Speedway which will see the 358 Super Dirt Series invade for a $4,000 to win 75 lap feature. Penn Can Speedway will host the RoC Dirt Tour for their biggest race of the year, the King of the Can 100 which will pay the winner $5,000.

On Saturday, New Egypt Speedway will have their points finale as Billy Pauch looks to hold off Keith Hoffman for yet another track championship. Bridgeport Speedway will also crown their big block champion on Saturday with twin 30s for the modifieds, Mike Iles currently holds the points lead with Wade Hendrickson and Steve Bottcher just behind him. Also scheduled for Saturday, Fonda Speedway starts off their biggest weekend of the year with the BBL 50 for the big block modifieds which will pay $5,000 to the winner. Sharon Speedway will also start off their big race weekend with qualifying for the BRP Tour finale/Russ King Memorial. Canandaigua Speedway will complete their LaBatts Blue Weekend with the LaBatts 100 for the Super Dirt Series which will pay $6,000 to win.

Finally, Fonda Speedway and Sharon Speedway will conclude their weekends on Sunday. Fonda Speedway will crown the NMX Series Champion with a 100 lap $9,500 to win race. Matt DeLorenzo currently leads points, but the top 5 are incredibly close. Dave Camara trails by just 2 points, Brett Hearn and Bobby Varin trail by just 8 points, and Ronnie Johnson trails by just 14 points. The BRP Tour will conclude their season with the Russ King Memorial on Sunday, qualifying for the race will be on Saturday night. Brian Swartzlander currently holds the BRP Tour points lead over Rex King Jr. by just 15 points. Airborne also has a big 100 lapper for the 358 modifieds on Sunday.

Ward takes STAR Series at FMP; Fantasy League Updates

Pat Ward picked up his 11th win of the year by winning the STAR Series race at Five Mile Point Speedway on Sunday night. This race was rescheduled after it was rained out last week. This completes a big racing weekend as Woodhull Raceway rained out, there's talk of a rain date for the T3 Lyle Sherwood Memorial race, but nothing is for sure. Club Wago Fantasy League standings are updated following a big 3 race weekend, we're not past the half way point. We now currenty have stickers from Race Pro Weekly and big block modified driver Brett Graham, a shirt of sportsman race Jeremy Holt, and the main prize, season passes to a track of your choice as prizes. Stay tuned for more prizes to come! http://jw4.proboards85.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=general&thread=241

CVD, Danny O'Brien, Varin collect big Small Block Pay Days

Craig Von Dohren came from 22nd to win the Freedom 76er, Doug Hoffman making his first start of the year got up along side of him on the last lap, but it wasn't enough, and CVD collected the $20,000 win for the 2nd time in his career. He also won the Forrest Rogers Memorial earlier this year at Grandview which paid $10,000 to win.

The innagural Jiffy 150 at Autodrome Drummond was a great success. A strong field and a good strong came out to support the $15,000 to win show. The race came down to a family rivalry. Danny O'Brien was leading on a late race restart when brother Pat O'Brien slipped by, but Danny O'Brien made the last lap pass to win arguable the biggest race of his career.

The 19th running of the New Yorker 200 had a rain delay, high attrition, and saw only 3 cars finish on the lead lap. In the end, it was Bobby Varin collecting the huge win, which paid $10,000. All 3 shows had over 45 cars, so all races saw great turnouts. Congratulations to all 3 winners.

In other racing news, Billy Pauch swept twin 35 lap features at New Egypt to give himself a cushion over Keith Hoffman going into the final points night next Saturday. The king of Run Whatcha Brung Stephane LaFrance picked up another RWYB show at Brockvile. Chad James continued his breakout season with his 3rd win of the year at Bridgeport. Matt DeLorenzo won the open competition show at Fonda Speedway as well, Bobby Varin went to Fonda after winning the New Yorker and finished 6th after starting last.

Tomorrow will be another fairly big day in racing, and it'll complete a huge week in racing. The STAR Series will invade the Five Mile Point Speedway, and the T3 All-Star Series will run at Woodhull Raceway (race was rained out from tonight.)

Rain Sucks!

Everything was rained out tonight. Accord has rescheduled their points finale for next Friday. Brockville has cancelled both their 358 Series event and the Lucas Oil Series 100 lapper that was to be made up from July. This means David Hebert is officially the 2008 Lucas Oil North Series champions. Pete Bicknell won the Lucas Oil West title. Hope the weather cooperates for tomorrow at Grandview, Utica Rome, and Drummondville!

God Bless the USA! 76er Ride Swapping...

Never forget 9/11 my friends, God bless the United States of America! For the Freedom 76er there will be some guys in different cars, here's a short list. Doug Hoffman will make his first start of the year driving a Chad Sinon owned #60over, Kenny Gilmore (last year's 3rd place finisher) will be behing the wheel of the 2nd Rod Breitenstein #14, Jimmy Horton will drive the 2nd Norm Hansell #357 entry, Mike Gular will drive the 2nd Glenn Hyneman #126 entry, sportsman stand-out Brad Grim will drive the 2nd Ryan Grim #17, David Van Horn will be driving the Josh Biever #46, and Brad Brightbill will be driving the MAD Motorsports #11D. Stay tuned for more updates.

Gary Tomkins News; Big Race Weekend!

For the 2nd year in a row Gary Tomkins will be heading to Australia along with American driver Jimmy Phelps. For more, read the press release here, http://thedirttrackchannel.com/Australia.html

What a weekend of racing we have this weekend. Friday night, Accord Speedway will crown their track champion, Rich Ricci leads Andy Bachetti by 2 points going into the final night of points. Also, at Lernerville, the Super Dirt Series will have a 100 lap $6,000 to win show, 358 modifieds will also be on the card for an open show. The Series race at Lernerville will also count for the BRP Tour championship. Also on Friday, Brockville has a huge night of racing planned, they'll run the final 96 laps of the points finale for the Lucas Oil Big Block Series which was rained out in July, and then they'll have a 75 lap 358 Super Dirt Series race which will pay $4,000 to win. Saturday night, Woodhull Raceway has the Lyle Sherwood Memorial which will be highlighted by the small block mdifieds of the T3 All-Star Series. Also on Saturday, 3 of the biggest races of the year, the New Yorker 200 at Utica Rome Speedway will pay $10,000 to win for the 200 lap feature for small blocks and will pay an impressive $1,000 to qualify. Also, the 358 Super Dirt Series will run Saturday night at Drummondville with a $15,000 to win 150 lap feature, which will be the biggest race at the tracks history. Finally, on Saturday we'll also see the Freedom 76er for the small blocks which will pay $20,000 to win the 76 lap feature.

Wago Fantasy League Updated!

Original Wagoneer Troy Berger takes the lead! It's tight though! Here are the updated standings...
http://jw4.proboards85.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=general&thread=240

Manmiller/Wink Part Ways

Doug Manmiller, who finished 3rd in Big Diamond points driving for Troy Wink this year, has parted ways with Wink. Troy will focus on running just 1 car in 2009, for himself to run at both Big Diamond and probably Grandview (althought the Saturday night track could change.) Stay tuned for updates on Manmiller for the 2009 season.

Meier to start 7th in Eastern States 200

Also forgot to take note Yesterday that former big block and small block Orange County track champion Tommy Meier finished 6th Yesterday in the Lebanon Valley 200 after leading a handful of laps. By finishing 6th, he was the highest finishing Orange County regular, which now means he'll start no worse than 7th in the Eastern States 200 on October 19th.

Bachetti wins $10,000 with LVS 200 Victory, Pat Ward Utica Champ, Todd Stone Devils Bowl Champ; other Sunday notes; Guidance and Boyer Other Champions

Brett Hearn ran out of gas with just 6 laps to go handing the $10,000 win to Andy Bachetti. Bachetti is now guarenteed to start no worse than 7th place in the Rite-Aid 200 during Super Dirt Week in a month. The Lebanon Valley boys held down their home turf by collecting the top 4 positions (in order, Heffner-Marshall-M. Flach.) Tip of the hat to Rich Ricci who was driving the #64 usually driven by Donnie Ackner (Donnie was attempting to win the points championship at Devils Bowl.) Ricci put the car in the field solidly and came home with a 5th place finish. What makes it so impressive was it was his first time in the car. Small blocks were also part of the card with twin-features, Kory Standstedt and Art Collins shocked the 358 fields by splitting the features.

In the rest of the racing world, Ted Lamb finally picked up his first win of the year by winning the last points race of the year at Utica Rome. Pat Ward's dominating season has earned him the 2008 Utica Rome track championship. Congratulations to Pat Ward on another impressive season. At Devils Bowl, Tim LaDuc did everything in his power to win the track championship by winning the feature event, but he would end up finishing 2nd in the final points standings to Todd Stone. Stone ran asphalt and came back to dirt within the past 5 years. Great job Todd, congratulations!

With the rainout, Redline's season came to a close and Brent Boyer was crowned champion for the second straight year. Congratulations to Brent and the #19 team. Frank Guidance picked up his second career modified championship at Mercer Raceway Park on Friday, Lonny Riggs picked up the feature win. Delaware, Bridgeport (Saturday), New Egypt, Accord, and Lebanon Valley (358) still have to crown champions.

Mike Perrotte has confirmed his plans to run in the big block portion of SDW.

Everything Cancelled; Billy Van Pelt Wins Another Woodhull Title

Well, Five Mile Point and Woodhull have cancelled too. With that, Billy Van Pelt has been crowned Woodhull Raceway champion yet again. He, along with brother Curt, dominated the 2008 Woodhull season. Billy also currently leads T3 All-Star Series points as well. Next week Woodhull will feature the T3 All-Star Series for the Lyle Sherwood Memorial.

Hurricaine Dominates Saturday Races, Brownell Crowned Glen Ridge Champ

Well, rain takes everything so far on Saturday night. As of now, the only tracks running modifieds tonight that hasn't canceled is Woodhull and Five Mile Point, hopefully we can at least get that show in. With the rain outs, most tracks that had points finale tonight either haven't made an announcement, or have announced that they'll be rescheduling the last points race, except for Glen Ridge. Glen Ridge has crowned Jeff Brownell their 2008 modified champion. Brownell returned to racing after taking a year off in 2007 because of personal reasons, and came back with a bang. He's had some solid runs on the Dirt Tour and at Canandaigua, but won a slew of races at Glen Ridge which ultimately won him his first career modified title. Congratulations to Jeff and the #29 modified team! Stay tuned for updates on Woodhull and Five Mile Point, hopefully I'll be posting the winner later tonight.

Also worth noting that the Lebanon Valley 200 will now be run tomorrow, Sunday, September 7th. The winner will collect $10,000 and will be guarenteed to start no worse than 7th in the Rite-Aid 200 during Super Dirt Week in Syracuse New York on October 12th.

Mother Nature Wins Big; Hearn Breaks Record, Tremont wins title, Ricci Takes Accord Points Lead; Vauters Sweep the Can

Well, I fit everything that happened on Friday into that headline. With many Friday night tracks done racing weekly for the year, and mother nature taking out a handful of other tracks, there wasn't a whole lot going on in the racing world. Tonight was supposed to be the finale for the Lucas Oil 358 Series at Merrittville, but that fell to rain. No word yet on whether the race will be made up or not. Pete Bicknell leads the points standings and the only person that can steal the title is Chad Brachmann, however, Bicknell needs to finish 15 positions behind Brachmann to have that happen.

However, there were three modified tracks that did get racing in, Albany and Accord. Albany Saratoga saw Brett Hearn go on to win his 90th career modified victory in the first modified feature, which means that Brett Hearn surpassed Jack Johnson and is now that all-time Albany modified win leader. Hearn then went out and won modified race #2 a few minutes later. While Hearn swept the features, Kenny Tremont did everything he needed to claim yet another Albany track championship. Congratulations to Kenny Tremont and the #115 crew on another great accomplishment. Penn Can saw Al Rudalavage run away with the modified feature and brother Jeff Rudalavage finished 4th, which was good enough for him to win the Penn Can championship. Hard to believe that two years ago Jeff was retired from racing, way to go Jeff. At Accord, Rich Ricci picked up the win from deep in the field. Andy Bachetti finished 4th in the feature which means that Rich Ricci has taken the points lead by just 2 markers going into the final points race next Friday. Should be good!

Tomorrow there will be more champions crowned, but all eyes will be on Lebanon Valley for the Lebanon Valley 200 Super Dirt Series race which will pay $10,000 to the winner.

David Van Horn News; Bunch of Tidbits

David Van Horn will officially be teaming up with Randy Sherlock for the Lebanon Valley 200 Saturday night hoping to win the $10,000 for winning the big block feature. The team will decide from there on other plans. Van Horn will also be at the Freedom 76er using a motor borrowed from Dick Biever's team usually driven by Rick Laubach.

In other news, Keith Hoffman will be running Big Diamond weekly in 2008, I'm not allowed to say who the team is, but if you've been reading the blog you should be able to figure out who the team is. Looks like the Toby Tobias H&H Motorsports deal may have fallen through, Billy Colton and Bob Lineman are still working on finding Tobias a ride for Syracuse though. Last year's Super Dirt Week sportsman winner John Ferrier, all-time great Jack Johnson, and Lebanon Valley regular Roy Bridge are going to Syracuse with small blocks, Johnson will also be going with a brand new Teo for the big block race as well. Danny Johnson and Mike Petruska will also be teaming up for SDW. Stay tuned for some other big name big block/late model drivers finalizing Dirt Week big block plans.

Jeff Heotzler's return with the Mike Sparta Racing team was short lived. Heotzler crashed hard in the points finale last Saturday, which left him wondering about his Eastern States plans, since the Mike Petruska #66 team will be running with Danny Johnson and Jared Petruska. However, Yesterday's on Heotzler's website there is a little blog stating to stay tuned for news on Eastern States. Don't be surprised to see it be the Smith Brother #74 car. Heotzler was very close to driving for them when he originally lost the Petruska ride to Johnson in early July, and with it being a Super Dirt Series race Brett Hearn will be driving the Madsen Motorsports #20. Stay tuned!

Ross/Horton Team Up, Van Horn News, SDW Tidbits

After seeing Jake Spraker retire and return this year, it's now Randy Ross's turn, the news was broken in this week's Area Auto Racing News. Ross retired after the Florida Dirt Tour and sold all his equipment except for his Syracuse car from last year. Now, two time Super Dirt Week big block champion Jimmy Horton will be strapping into that car for the Rite-Aid 200 in less than 5 weeks. As reported on here a few weeks ago, the motor will come from an employee at Budd Olsen Speed Supply who put the entire deal together.

In other news, look for David Van Horn to possibly jump into the Randy Sherlock owned big block that Alan Johnson drove at the beginning of the year at the Lebanon Valley 200 and the Rite-Aid 200. It's not official yet, but looks like it may be happening.

Last year's Super Dirt Week Sportsman winner John Ferrier had a brand new Bicknell ready for the 358 race on the moody mile. Danny Johnson is also finally confirmed for running the Mike Petruska owned #66 at Syracuse. Also, up and comer Tommy Scheetz confirmed on SJDR that he'll be running his big block on the mile again this year.

Doug Hoffman to Return for Freedom 76er

Former Freedom 76er winner Doug Hoffman will return to a modified for the first time in 2008 aboard a BPG Chad Sinon owned #4H car. Doug's brother Keith drove the same car to a second place finish at the Coalcracker last weekend as teammate Duane Howard won. Hoffman ran Bridgeport Speedway weekly in 2007 and won 4 features falling just short of the championships, but was let go from the Sal DeBruno #0 in favor of Richie Pratt. For more information, read Ernie Saxton's press release located here, http://www.grandviewspeedway.com/GV_Display_Page.asp?ID=276

Western PA Fans Rejoice! Brian Swartzlander Headed to SDW

One of the top Western PA drivers will be heading to Syracuse for the first time in his career for the Rite-Aid 200 with a guarenteed starting spot. Brian Swartzlander, who currently leads BRP Tour points and is the 2008 Lernerville track champion will be headed to Syracuse with his #83 big block modified. Swartzlander also won the Western Region Dirt points title which gave him the starting spot.

Goodbye Mark Hitchcock!

Canadian small block modified star Mark Hitchcock has announced his retirement from modified racing. Mark was a fan favorite anywhere he went in his yellow #95 modifieds, and was always very competitive. He has a Cornwall Speedway track championship, and has collected wins in the modified division at Cornwall, Brockville, Edelweiss, Can-Am, Utica Rome, Mohawk, and Granby. Mark also had a couple of strong runs in the 358 race at the Syracuse mile. Congratulations on a great career, and best of luck in the future Mark!

Decker Wins Rolling Wheels; Gular in with Hyneman; SDW Tidbits

Billy Decker won the 110 lap feature at Rolling Wheels Raceway Monday night, it was his 10th win of the Super Dirt Series tour so far this year. Willy Decker, Steve Paine, and Tim Fuller all ran out of gas late in the race while running in the top 10, which made the finish to the race much more exciting than the first 100 laps.

Mike Gular, who was recently released from the Steve Kratz Racing #8 small block modified which left him without a ride for the end of the year races on the PA small block scene, signed a one race deal with big-time car owned Glen Hyneman for the Freedom 76er at Grandview Speedway on September 13th. This means Gular will team up yet again with good friend Jeff Strunk, who was also his teammate when both drove for Chad Sinon. Strunk won both the Grandview and Big Diamond in 2007 and 2008, and Gular was the 2007 Penn Can champion.

Lance Willix and Brett Graham have scrapped their 358 Super Dirt Week plans, and will no longer be running at the mile this year. In Rite-Aid 200 news, Ryan Godown, Shawn Reimert, Billy Pauch Jr, and Brian McDonald have all confirmed plans to attempt to qualify their big blocks. Godown will be driving his self-owned #26, Reimert will be driving the Gagliardo Racing #41, Pauch Jr will be driving the Nick Noll #6n, and Brian McDonald will be driving the LaSalle Motorsports #m96 and will use an engine from the Tim Kerr stable. Also, don't be surprised to see Toby Tobias behind the wheel of an H&H Motorsports big block at SDW. Check back for updates.

Howard Wins $10,000 Coalcracker, Terrance and AJ Crowned Champions, Sunday Winners

Duane Howard picked up $10,000 in a dominating performance at Big Diamond for their annual Coalcracker 100 on Sunday night. Howard started 12th on the field and took the lead early and led until the checkered flag flew. Jason Hamilton gave him everything he had, and made the finish very exciting, but it was Howard who collected the $10,000 at the end of the night.

It was a big night of racing, 2 track champions were crowned and both the big block Super Dirt Series and the 358 Super Dirt Series was in action. In 358 Super Dirt Series action at Cornwall Speedway Danny O'Brien won the $4,000 feature which completed a huge weekend for the O'Brien family, Danny won the track championship at Brockville last night, won the 358 Series race tonight, and Pat O'Brien won the big block feature at Can-Am last night as well. Carey Terrance was crowned Cornwall Speedway track champion, it was his first career track championship, congratulations to him and the entire 66x crew! In Super Dirt Series action Cayuga County had twice features paying $3,000 to win each. Alan Johnson debuted with his new Jake Spraker team in imressive fashion by winning race #1, but in race #2 it was Billy Decker winning yet again. Alan Johnson did what he had to do to pick up the Cayuga County Fair Speedway track championship. Congratulations to one of the all-time best. Outside of any tour events, Richie Pratt picked up the win at Georgetown Speedway after rookie Chad Clark wrecked while leading late in the race, the win was worth $2,500. Pat Ward continued his dominant season at Utica Rome with another win. Finally, Kenny Tremont picked up the win the CJC 101 at Devil's Bowl Speedway.

I forgot to mention on Saturday night that Patrick Dupree won the Airborne Speedway championship for the 2nd time in 2 years. Congratulations to him and the #24 team, same goes for Brian Weaver who collected the championship at Five Mile Point, and John Lazore who picked up his first career modified championship at Mohawk.

Van Horn, Weaver, Dupree, Lazore, Higbie, Flach/Heffner, Murdick, Caprara, Sears, Brachmann, O'Brien, Paine crowned champions

Getting ready to head out the door, so I've gotta make this one short and sweet. Tommy Sears won his first career big block championship at Fulton, Mark Flach and J.R. Heffner tied for the Lebanon Valley championship, Frankie Caprara won his 2nd career Can-Am championship, Steve Paine continued his dominance at Canandaigua with another track championship, Danny O'Brien held off JZ to win another Brockville title, Chad Brachmann won his first career modified championship at Merrittville, Brian Weaver collected yet another Five Mile Point track championship, Patrick Dupree won his 2nd Airborne championship in the last 2 years, veteran Dave Murdick picked up the Sharon championship, John Lazore picked up his first career modified championship by winning the Mohawk title, David Van Horn backed up last year's small block Orange County championship by being crowned the big block champion, and Jerry Higbie won the Orange County small block championship.

Keith Flach won $4,500 in the Lebanon Valley big block points finale which was his first win of the year, Josh Hohenfrost won his first career modified feature in the Rumble at the Ridge worth $1,700, Billy Van Pelt won again at Woodhull, Craig Von Dohren ended his streak of bad luck with a win at Grandview, Sam Martz won his first race of the year at New Egypt, Steve Bottcher kept his title hopes alive with a win at Bridgeport, Steve Paine ended the Canandaigua year with a win, Larry Lampman won yet in Merrittville's finale, Bill Gill won his first race of the year at Brockville, Pat O'Brien notched off a win at Can-Am, Dale Planck kept his fine year going with another win at Fulton, John Lazore won a 50 lap Syracuse small block qualifier at Mohawk, Tim Votra collected his second career win at Five Mile Point in the 50 lap feature, Jamie Mills stretched his points lead at Delaware with another win, Dave Murdick won at Sharon, and at Orange County Chris Schultz won his 2nd big block race of the year, and Tommy Meier won the 358 feature.

Congratulations to all the track champions crowned last night, especially Wagoneers Chad Brachmann and Frankie Caprara. Also, forgot to send out special shout outs to other Wago champions Jeff Strunk (Big Diamond), and Kevin Bolland (Tri-City.)

Big races tonight include the Coalcracker 100 at Big Diamond Raceway worth $10,000 to the winner, which is also Wago Crowned Jewel Fantasy League race #4, the Super Dirt Series heads to Weedsport for twin 50 lappers, and Devil's Bowl has their annual 101 lapper.

Moose is Loose in 2009

Retired car owner Moose Eisenhard will make his return in 2009 with a driver yet to be named. Moose already purchased a brand new Troyer. Don't be surprised to see a retired driver be named to the car. Another possibility is Keith Hoffman, who he sponsored when he drove for the DiNatale Racing team. Stay tuned.

Decker, Pratt, Swarthout, Bicknell claim championships; day Winners

Here's what happened on Friday night, 2006 Accord Rookie of the Year Kevin Duryea notched off his 2nd win of the year at Accord, Willy Decker picked up the win at Brewerton while Billy Decker continued his amazing year by winning the Brewerton Speedway championship, Richie Pratt picked up yet another Bridgeport win on Friday which also crowned him Bridgeport 358 champion, Mike Maheney used a last lap pass to win at Black Rock Friday and Brian Swarthout picked up another Black Rock championship, Todd Burley did everything he could to win the Ransomville championship as he won the feature event, but he fell just 1 point short of 2008 champion Pete Bicknell.

Congratulations goes out to Billy Decker, Brian Swarthout, Richie Pratt, and Pete Bicknell. Decker now officially picked up his first of a couple of championships he'll win this year at Brewerton. Swarthout continues to be one of the most underrated drivers in the modified racing world, he doesn't have a huge budget, but has quite an impressive list of accomplishments, which now includes the 2008 Black Rock championships. Richie Pratt absolutley dominated the Friday night Bridgeport 358 season, which gave him 7 wins. It was his 2nd championship at Bridgeport in the 358 division, he's right in the running for winning the Bridgeport big block championship as well. And Mr. Small Block stayed true to his name by winning yet another Ransomville championship. Congratulations to these 4 drivers and their teams.

Heotzler with Mike Sparta

2007 Eastern States 200 winners, and Orange County Fair Speedway big block champion Jeff Heotzler is teaming up with former owner Mike Sparta for the rest of the year, including this past weekend. The Mike Petruska team, that Heotzler drove the past fews year including to two wins already this year, will not run the rest of the year weekly at Orange County, and will instead continue to help Danny Johnson. Heotlzer has been upset with Johnson being allowed to travel with the car from the get-go, since the team told Heotzler they couldn't afford to travel at the start of the year. Petruska and Heotzler could team up later in the year. Jared Petruska will run Eastern States, but that'll be it for him. Stay tuned!

Kenny Tremont Crowned "King of the Valley"

Well, the 4 race Lebanon Valley mini series was extended multiple times due to weather, but they've finally crowned a champion. Multiple time big and small block Lebanon Valley champion Kenny Tremont now has another championship to go into his impressive list of accomplishments as he won the "King of the Valley" Mini-Series by just 2 points over last years big and small block champion J.R. Heffner. The championship, which last for 4 races, paid a $4,000 bonus to Tremont. Tremont currently sits 3rd in big block points, 27 points out of the lead, and is 2nd in 358 points just 14 points out of the lead at Lebanon Valley. Congratulations to Kenny and the 115 team.

Sunday Night Winners

Larry Wight picked up his first career big block feature win Sunday night at Cayuga County, while it was the 15-year olds 1st big block wins, he does have 3 358 wins this year at Can-Am, and was crowned a shortened Can-Am 358 track champion. He also claimed the $5,000 win at Black Rock's big sportsman Super Dirt Series opening race.

Stewart Friesen picked up the win at Utica Rome, and Vince Quennville picked up his first win of the year with a win at Devils Bowl.

Bachetti's big night, Laubach Keeps Momentum Going, wins Garden State race at Bridgeort; Saturday Night Winners

Andy Bachetti made an exciting last lap pass to claim feature #1 at Lebanon Valley on Saturday night, and Rich Salisbury took advantage of borrowing a Steve Hough owned car and drove it to his first career big block modified victory in feature #2, Bachetti then came back with his small block and dominated the small block feature to pick up his 2nd win of the night. Ryan Godown finally broke through with his first win of the year with a big win at Grandview. Rick Laubach notched off his 2nd Garden State Series win of the week by claiming the $3,000 win at Bridgeport. Gary Tomkins also is riding momentum as he backs up last weeks two SDS wins with a last lap win at Canandaigua. Frankie Caprara padded his points lead with a win at Can-Am. Dale Planck also continues arguably his best season with a weekly win at Fulton on Saturday night. Clinton Mills took the big block feature and Brett Hearn claimed the small block victory at Orange County. Curt Van Pelt claimed his fifth Woodhull win of the year as he and his brother Billy continue to crush the competition at the fast 1/2 mile. Brian Swartzlander won at Sharon in dominating fashion. Danny O'Brien closed in on repeating as the Brockville champion with another win Saturday night. The ageless Brian Stevens notched off his popular first win of the year at Merrittville. Frank Guidance picked up his 2nd win of the year at Mercer. George Foley kept up his strong year with his 3rd win of the year at Airborne.

Strunk Diamond Champion; Friday winners

Jeff Strunk claimed his 5th career Big Diamond small block championship, and his 2nd in two years with a 3rd place finish in tonight's points finale at Big Diamond. Gary Hager won tonight's feature at Diamond, which was his first win of the year. Congratulations to Jeff Strunk on his championship. Strunk also holds a large lead in the modified points standings at Grandview Speedway.

Other Friday night racing action saw; Billy Decker win yet again, this time at Brewerton, Brett Hearn started the new era in the CVRA with a win at Albany with his small block modified, Jon Miller notched off his first win of the year at Ransomville in the 358 division, Rich Ricci made a big push for defending his 2007 Accord championship with a win, Kevin Bolland continued to have another fine season with another win at Lernerville, Jeff Rudalavage won the modified feature at Penn Can, Brett Ballard picked up his first Friday night win of the year at Bridgeport, Eric Gauvereau stretched out his Edelweiss points lead with another win, and Steve Paine claimed yet another win as he continues his dominance on the field at Black Rock.

Clair Proves He's the Man to Beat on the 358 Tour

2007 358 Super Dirt Series champion Mario Clair proved that he's serious about repeating with a $4,000 win in the 358 Tour race at Mohawk International Raceway. Stay tuned for more coming tomorrow, Danny Johnson and Jessica Zemken rounded out the top 3 in the 100 lap feature.

Donnie Corellis News, Other Tidbits

Donnie Corellis has had a year to forget in 2008. He started off the year by losing long-time sponsor Rifenburg Construction, and his struggles continued at Fonda Speedway all season. His new sponsor, Beer Belly Bob's didn't make it all the way through the year, which led to Donnie having to park the car for a few shows toward the end of the year. However, his luck may be changing. Rifenburg Construction announced that they will return to the 1/4 panels of the Donnie Corellis #21 big block block modified starting at the New York State Fairgrounds for Super Dirt Week in October. This means that Corellis will return to Lebanon Valley Speedway, the track he vowed never to return to after the 2006 points controversy between himself and eventual '06 champion Andy Bachetti.

Bobby Varin had his meeting with Jody Gable on Tuesday night, and everything is a go for the make the trek to Syracuse in the big block division.

Orange County big block regular Bob McGannon has purchased a brand new Bicknell car that will debut at Syracuse in an attempt to qualify for his 2nd Rite-Aid 200. He will then use the car the following week in the Eastern States 200.

Laubach and Cozze take New Egypt mains, Decker wins T3 Series race at Thunder Mountain

Rick Laubach went on to collect his 2nd win of the year at New Egypt in the make-up Garden State feature on Wednesday night, and Frank Cozze went on to take home the complete show feature in the Garden State feature #2. It was also Cozze's second win of the year. Special tip of the hat goes to a very underrated driver, Tim Tanner. Tanner collected a 2nd and a 3rd place finish tonight in the 30 lap features. The second generation driver has always been a top 5 car at New Egypt, and has 2 wins this year. He's also had success at East Windsor in the past. Tanner may not travel anymore, but he is still one of New Egypt's top drivers, hopefully soon more people will begin to realize this and stop considering him an underdog. Best of luck to Tanner the rest of the year. Feature #1 saw Tim Tanner picked up a 2nd place finish and rounding out the top 5 for that feature were Billy Pauch, Sam Martz, and Keith Hoffman, and feature #2 had Keith Hoffman finish 2nd, and rounding out the top 5 in order were Tim Tanner, Rick Laubach, and Ryan Godown.

Billy Decker picked up his first RoC Dirt Tourwin of the year last week at Utica Rome to go along with his seven Super Dirt Series wins on the year, and now tonight picked up his first career T3 All-Star Series win as Thunder Mountain had the modifieds return to the speedway. A great crowd was on hand, and a total of 56 small block modifieds filled the pits. 2007 Thunder Mountain champion Paul Jensen was second, followed by Pat Ward, Billy Van Pelt, and Tom McGurrin.

AJ in with Spraker, help from Kingsley

Dirt Track Digest has reported Alan Johnson, who's struggled this year on the Dirt Series tour after having a strong start to the year in Volusia, will be running the rest of the season with Jake Spraker on the Super Dirt Series tour. Spraker and Johnson teamed up and ran the Utica Rome RoC race last week and came home with a 3rd place finish.

No word on what Randy Sherlock's team will do. The team recently purchased a brand new specially designed Teo that AJ ran at the Orange County Dirt Series race a few weeks ago. You could see Sherlock return with Johnson for Super Dirt Week, because right now Spraker doesn't plan on running Syracuse. Sherlock himself has had success at Syracuse, and Johnson stated after last year he guarentees he'll be there this season with a full-out assault.

Specials This Week...

As points championships come to a close, the racing continues to become more and more important. We already have 3 2008 track champions crowned, Kevin Bolland at Tri-City, Bobby Varin at Fonda, and Larry Wight in CanAm's 358 division. Here are this weeks big shows...

Tonight (Wednesday) New Egypt Speedway has a make-up feature paying $3,000 to win, and they have a complete show that'll pay also pay $3,000 to win, both features will be 30 laps and are part of the NJ Garden State Series. Also tonight the modifieds return to the Thunder Mountain Speedway for a 40 lap $2,500 to win race for the small block modifieds, the event will be part of the T3 All-Star Series. On Thursday night, the 358 Super Dirt Series has it's 3rd race of the year with a $4,000 to win 100 lap race at the Mohawk International Speedway. On Friday it'll be the final points night of the year at Big Diamond Raceway, Jeff Strunk appears to be on his way to being crowned the Big Diamond champion yet again, Duane Howard currently sits 2nd in points. Saturday the NJ Garden State Series has their 3rd race of the week with a $3,000 to win show at Bridgeport Speedway.

JZ to team with Lazore?

Fan favorite Jessica Zemken may have a big block ride part-time the rest of the year. Last night, at Cornwall's Super Dirt Series race, Zemken drove the #19 John Lazore owned big block modified. Reports are saying that the two sides and in negotiations to running a few more end of the year shows, including SDW together. Check back for updates.

Zemken has been driving the LaSalle Motorsports #m96 weekly at Brockville Speedway, along with the running the 358 Super Dirt Series and other specials. She's also been running her 360 and 410 sprint part-time.

John Lazore has been running weekly at the Mohawk Speedway, and currently leads points in the 358 modified class. Tim Fuller has also been running his equipment and has a small block win under his belt as well. Of course, Fuller is only running part-time because he's running the World of Outlaw Late Model schedule this year.

Tomkins Wins 2nd SDS Race in 2 days with Cornwall, Bolland Tri-City Champ, Brachmann takes Lucas Oil Race; Sunday Winners

Dale Planck dominated the Super Dirt Series race at Cornwall, but Gary Tomkins stole the win away on a restart. This was Tomkins 2nd Dirt Series win of the year, and his 2nd in two days, he also won at CanAm Speedway last night. Tip of the hat goes to Carey Terrance, who finished 4th on Sunday night, his best career Super Dirt Series finish.

Joe Crawford picked up the season finale at Tri-City Speedway, but Kevin Bolland was the big winner as he collected his 3rd Tri-City track championship in a row, and the 5th of his career. Bolland held on to win the championship after a season long battle with Jeremiah Shingledecker. Congratulations to a good friend of Club Wago, Kevin Bolland, on yet another track championship.

Chad Brachmann continued his fine season with a win in the Lucas Oil 358 Series season race at Humberstone Speedway Sunday night. It was his 2nd win of the season on the Lucas Oil tour. Brachmann and Pete Bicknell dominated the Lucas Oil Series in 2008, but a DNF at the last event led to Brachmann finishing 24th place, which gave Bicknell a large points lead heading into tonight. No word on where Bicknell finished yet, stay tuned. The final points race of the year will be Septmeber 5th at Merrittville Speedway.

Utica Rome had twin 20s for the small block modifieds. In the first feature Willy Decker held off Pat Ward to collect his 2nd Utica win of the year, and in the second feature the roles were reversed, Pat Ward held on to collect yet another Utica Rome win at Willy Decker finished 2nd. Devils Bowl saw Rob Langevin pick up his first modified win of the year. Finally, at Cayuga County, up and comer Mike Bowman picked up his first career big block modified victory.

You have to LOVE a FIRST TIME WINNER

In all my years of going to the dirt track races, about 30 of them, it's ALWAYS just a special night, a "feel good" night if you will, a night that just about everyone in the grandstands gets on their feet at the end of the feature race, and stands there and applauds the winner, it doesn't matter who your "favorit driver" is....It's a night at the races when a racer, who has paid his "dues" over many years, FINALLY gets his first career win.

That's exactly the scenario that went down at the Big Diamond Raceway last Friday night....Long time racer and BDR supporter Dale Hartz SHOCKED the Pa sbm racing scene Friday night, when he drove the Huber #178 to victory lane for the first time EVER in the sbm division....The night started off pretty well for Hartz and the #178 team, as in his heat, he lead the enitre distance, only to have the hottest driver on the scene lately, Craig Von Dohren, go up on the outside on the last lap, in turn 4, and pass the #178 for the heat win, not a bad way to start the night off though, eh....Now it was Feature Race time, and Hartz started the #178 on the pole, on the outside of him was Colt Harris in the C7....The green flag drops and Hartz leads the way....Only 2 caution flags flew during this race, and both were early in the feature race....The race goes back green, and with about the last 20 laps going non stop, Dale Hartz CHECKED OUT, I mean he was GONE, and the Huber #178 was FLYING on Friday night....Towards the final laps of the race, Hartz had to deal with lapped traffic, which he did VERY WELL, but the traffic did allow 2nd place finisher Mike Nicholas to close the gap a bit, but it wasn't close enough.

When the checkered flag flew, it was Dale Hartz taking the win for the first time in the sbm division....Hartz did win at BDR years back when he raced in the Road Runner division, then he moved up to the SPTS class, never won....And a few years back Hartz and his family and team moved up to the sbm's....Hartz did have some success over the years, but nothing to compare what transpired Friday night....As a matter of fact, almost a year ago, during the running of BDR's biggest race, the Coal Cracker 100, Hartz found himself upside down ON FIRE, on the frontstretch in the family owned #15, WOW, talk about paying your dues....Almost a year later from that horrible accident, during this year BDR's Pepsi Challenge Night (which by the way, last year, another first time winner won on this night, Ryan Grim took his first sbm win) it all FINALLY PAID OFF for Dale Hartz and his race team....As Dale Hartz FINALLY got to feel what it's like to be on top of the racing world he's known for many years....With the fans in the grandstands, standing and applauding him, as he was doing that "roof dance" many racers do after that first BIG WIN....OH YEAH, YOU HAVE TO LOVE A FIRST TIME WINNER.