Short Track Supernationals Return

Brett Deyo, Club Wago's favorite dirt track reporter, is bringing back the successful Short Track Supernationals after a 2 year absence. The show will be run Saturday night of Super Dirt Week at Five Mile Point Speedway, and will pay $3,500 to win for the small block/big block modified feature. The show was last run at Afton Speedway with Mike Ricci picking up the win.

Big Diamond Rained Out

Big Diamond's big block modified race scheduled for March 29th has been cancelled, and will not be made up. Let's hope this isn't a preview of a lot of rain coming this year.

Rex "King" at BRP Mod Tour Opener

Rex King Sr. kept the King family's big block modified winning streak alive at Mercer Raceway Park by picking up the 30 lap modified feature Saturday night. The win opened up the 2009 BRP Modified Tour. The series has off until May 24th, when they run at Tri-City Speedway.

Swartzlander Takes Lernerville Opener; Hagerstown Cancelled

Brian Swartzlander started his defense of his 2008 Lernerville Speedway track champiosnhip with a win in Lernerville's season opener. The win also tied him atop the all-time modified feature event winner with Blackie Watt, who both have 61 career wins.

Hagerstown Speedway has cancelled there Super Dirt Series opener for Saturday, the race will not be rescheduled.

Racing This Weekend!

Well, the weather doesn't look good, but there's a full weekend of racing scheduled. Friday night Lernerville Speedway opens up weekly action with their season opener, which will be a points race for the big block modifieds (along with all the weekly divisions on the car.) Saturday night, the Super Dirt Series kicks off it's season with a 100 lap, $6,000 to win race at Hagerstown Speedway. The BRP Tour kicks off it's season on Saturday at Mercer Raceway Park. Finally, Sunday night Big Diamond Raceway opens it's season with the big block modifieds racing a 40 lap feature for $4,000 to win. Keep the rain away!

Big Diamond racers @ Selinsgrove...Thoughts

This past weekend we took in the action for the ROC weekend at the Selinsgrove Speedway on Friday and Saturday....A TREMENDOUS field of race cars were in the pits both days....Since I'm a BDR fan "by nature", was just thinking about the '09 BDR racers that were there this weekend and I have some observations....Craig Von Dohren was there Friday night in the BPG Troyer 1c, although CVD won't be racing this car on Friday nights, he'll return to the seat of the Mike Harvey 1c for BDR action, and the All Time Feature Winner at BDR is loking like he'll continue adding to that total, I'm looking for a BIG year out of CVD and the Harvey team on Friday nights this year, even predicting that first BDR sbm title for them....Duane Howard, had the BPG sbm and bb on hand for both days, and Howard looks like he's going to be a major contender again this year for his 7th BDR title....Ryan Godown had the JR Motorsports R1 on hand Friday night for sb action, and from what I've been told it was their BDR TEO car they had there and Godown looked FAST, taking a heat win and a top 10 run in the feature, watch for this guy toi get his first career BDR win this year, and maybe more....Ray Swinehart had his #33 in the pits Friday night, and after a run to qualify in the consi, Swinehart put on a heck of a show coming from the back to a solid, crowd thrilling, top 10 finish, I'd look for Swinehart to find his way back to BDR's VL this year....Rick Laubach debuted his new Friday night #542 sbm ride owned by Guy Germano, "Scooby" struggled a bit Friday, but put that sbm in the bb feature field on Sat, there were big ???'s around Laubach and this effort for Diamond this year, but after this weekend, I'd say Laubach is gonna be just fine for BDR action this year, the car looked that good on Sat....Troy Wink had his #44 sbm on Friday and his #27 bb on Sat, a questionable "rough riding" call on Friday kept Wink out of the feature, but Sat Wink put his #27 in the feature field by taking a solid 3rd in his heat, I'd look for even a bigger and better from Wink this year at Diamond, as last year he got better since his return, and I think this year will be even better yet for this team, a first career win IS WITHIN REACH....Jeff Strunk, pulled into the pits late on Friday, ran a consi and dnq, but Sat Strunky had his new Gagliardo ride puuuurrring along, as Strunky finished 3rd in the BB feature event, Strunk will be just fine this year, and I look for him to do just what he always does, WIN....Former champ Keith "K-Dog" Hoffman made his debut in the Moose Eisenhard #77, as Keith looked good out there, but motor issues kept this team from having a great night, but I'd look for "K-Dog" to return to his old championship for at BDR this year with him hooking up with Eisenhard, keep an eye on this team....Two newcomers to the BDR sbm field, and teammates this year, Earl Paules and Joey Grammes were both at Selinsgrove with their sbm's, and BOTH LOOKED VERY GOOD, as Paules is a fromer BDR spts winner, and Grammes has been a feature winner at Penn Can over the years, bith will be at BDR on Fridays in the sbm's, and BOTH are going to be contenders to win EVERY Friday night....Billy Pauch Sr was in the #126 sbm Friday night, but the night wasn't a good one for this combo, as a dnq Friday night was the result I'm sure this team wasn't expecting, talk has it this combo will start the seaosn off Friday nights at BDR in the sbm, and I'm willing to bet the results will be MUCH BETTER than they were Friday night, as both sides of the deal are just TOO GOOD for the reults not to follow....Newcomer to BDR this year will be Richie Pratt in the MAD 11D, Pratt ran the Overhead Door car on Sunday, was leading the feature until motor problems sent the team pitside, but Pratt is a SUPER TALENT and he's going to be an AWESOME addition to the BDR field this year....Part time Diamond racers Tom Umbenhauer was in the pits Friday night in his #19, and Tom came out and ripped off some of the fastest laps of anyone there Friday night, Tom is always a welcomed addition to BDR when he runs, but on Fridays he's usually crew chiefing for his sons Jarrod and Jordan who tackle the track....Second generation racer Kyle Follweiler made his debut in the his B & F #42 sbm, he the son of Pa sbm legend Jack Follweiler, he's been rumored to return to racing for years, but this year it IS happening, it's going to be great to see Kyle out there getting back in the racing groove....Craig Whitmoyer had the #99 there Friday night, and Craig looked pretty good, look for Whitmoyer to be a part time sbm racer at Diamond, mostly as funds allow....Shawn and Tim Fitzpatrick had the beautiful T-102's on hand, one a sbm, the other a spts, both seemed to have motor issues, but look for both to have good years at the Diamond in both divisions....Doug Manmiller was pitside in the Alpha Mills Biever #14, "The Handler" put his new sbm ride into the feature through the consi, but Manmiller is as smooth as anyone at the Diamond, and I'm looking for a BIG year from this new combo....Doug Hoffman, former 5 time BDR champ had his new Norm Hansell #357 ride at Selinsgrove on Sat for the bb race only, but this combo will be at Diamond weekly this year in a potent #357 sbm, look for "The Diamond Dominator" to return to his old Diamond form and be a major contender all year long for the the wins and the championship....Other Diamond racers at Selinsgrove over the weeknd but didn't have their BDR rides, Sean Merkel, Ryan Watt, Colt Harris, Billy Pauch Jr all of which should should do very well in 2009 at the track in "God's Country" on Friday nights....All of these drivers were "shaking off the rust" is you will, but all of them, and many more, will be the one's putting on the show that's been most talked about this offseason, it all will go down at the Big Diamond Raceway in 2009 starting this coming weekend, HOPE TO SEE YA THERE!!!

DJ and Ward RoC at Selinsgrove

Pat Ward picked up the $2,200 to win 25 lap small block feature on Friday night at Selinsgrove Speedway. Ward started on the pole and went unchallenged for most of the event. Craig Von Dohren, Duane Howard, Matt Sheppard, and Brett Hearn rounded out the top 5. Pat Ward will now be guarenteed for the New Yorker 200 at Utica Rome Speedway in September.

On Saturday night, Ryan Godown was the first to cross the checkered flag, however, he came up 14 pounds light on the scales, and the win was handed to Danny Johnson. Billy Decker, Jeff Strunk, Stewart Friesen, and Jimmy Horton rounded out the top 5 in Saturdays 50 lap big block feature. Danny Johnson picked up $4,000 and a guarenteed starting spot in Utica Rome Speedway's Victoria 200 in May.

Stewart Friesen ran the Will Brown #1w in Saturday's big block feature. Friesen will run the car in special shows in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. Billy Pauch drove the car in most of 2008, and won the Florida Dirt Tour with the team. Billy Pauch Jr. ended the 2008 season in the car.

Racing This Weekend

Tomorrow night kicks off the RoC Dirt Tour season, as they open up their season with 2 straight nights of racing at the fast Selinsgrove Speedway. The driver's better finish between the 2 nights counts towards RoC Dirt Tour points. Friday night will feature the small block modifieds racing for $2,200 to win, and Saturday night will feature the big block modifieds racing for $4,000 to win. There are a ton of incentives for both nights of racing.

Also, Hagerstown Speedway will have an open practice session tomorrow, expect to see some modifieds down there testing for next weekend's Super Dirt Series opener. Series regular Billy Dunn has already stated he'll be heading down to shake down the car.

Danny Erb Lands Ride

Grandview Speedway fan favorite Danny Erb has found a ride for 2009. The top-10 points man from 2008 lost his ride with Terry Faschnacht late in 2008 to Mike Gular. Brett Thayer from http://www.cowpattynation.blogspot.com/ broke the news earlier today that Erb will team up with Jeremy Banos in 2009, and will run the team's second car. For more information on Danny's 2009 ride, jump over to Brett's site!

Matt Sheppard Wins Small Block Hagerstown Feature

Matt Sheppard picked up the win in the small block Octoberfest qualifier at the Hagerstown Speedway, which gave him $2,000 along with the guarenteed starting spot in the small block portion of Octoberfest. Brett Hearn broke while going from 4th to 1st on the first lap. Sean Merkel, Jimmy Horton, Doug Manmiller, and Ray Swinehart rounded out the top 5.

Car Shows and Hagerstown Speedway Racing this weekend!

Hagerstown Speedway will be having their $2,000 to win, Octoberfest qualifier for the small block modifieds on Saturday, March 14th. Super late models will also be on the card.

There are also two big racing car shows this weekend, as the Fonda Speedway mall show is taking place, and the Syracuse Motorsports Expo is also taking place this weekend. Dirt Track Digest and Dougs Dirt Diary already have photos from both show posted on their sites.

Pat Ward Out With Gypsum?

I've recieved word from an incredibly reliable source that Pat Ward is out of the Gypsum Racing #42p, and will team up with Eric Kingsley for 2009. That's all the information I have at this point, no word on if Gypsum would replace Ward, or where Kingsley and Ward would race.

Personally, I find some of this story hard to believe, especially considering Tommy Sears was supposed to be teaming up with Kingsley (to what extent I'm not sure) for the 2009 season. Guess we'll just have to wait and see what happens.

Also, Clinton Geoffrey on Dirt Track Digest reports that 2008 Merrittville Speedway sportsman champion Mike Bowman will be moving up to the small block division in 2009.


UPDATE!
One of the top columnists for Area Auto Racing News, and a great friend to the site, Jeff Withey reports that Eric Kingsley will not field a car for Pat Ward, at least as of now. That came via phone conversation with Kingsley. Keep checking back for more updates.

Frankie Caprara/Alan Johnson News; Paint Schemes

There have been tons of reports circling around about Alan Johnson and Dave Thompson parting ways because of sponsorship issues. On Dirt Track Digest, RWT27J reports that Alan Johnson will be teaming up with Kevin Bates for an assault on the Super Dirt Series tour.

Mike Perry from SUNY Cantun, one of Frankie Caprara's main sponsors, has reported that Caprara and super-crew chief Mike Burdick will be starting a team for the Super Dirt Series tour. However, I've recieved multiple reports from other sources claiming at Caprara will jump back in the Dave Thompson car, because of the sponsorship Caprara could bring with him.

South Jersey Dirt Racing has pictures from all kind of mall shows with modifieds. Steve Durand, Dan Hineline, Al Rudalavage, Kevin Albert, Colt Harris, are some of the big and small block modifieds displayed at these shows. Also, on www.cowpattynation.blogspot.com Brett has pictures of Ryan Watt's and Todd Marburger's modifieds. Dirt Track Digest has a picture of Joel Doiron's #40 small block modified located here, http://www.dirttrackdigest.com/forum/index.php?act=attach&type=post&id=2033

Pratt Wins Hagerstown Opener

Richie Pratt kicked off his 2009 season in victory lane at Hagerstown Speedway, which, along with paying $2,000 to win, gave him a starting spot in the big block portion of Octoberfest at Hagerstown later in the year. The king of the Hagerstown day-time races, Brett Hearn, finished second and made a late race charge while Pratt was being held up by lap traffic. Ryan Godown finished 3rd, Jimmy Phelps was 4th, and rounding out the top 5 was veteran Mike Colsten.

Our friends at Cow Patty Nation have t-shirts for sale, check them out at www.cowpattynation.blogspot.com!

Bobby Wilkins Getting Back in the Drivers Seat; Mohawk Tidbits

Jamie Mills confirmed on his interview on Doug's Dirt Diary that former Delaware International Speedway champion Bobby Wilkins will return to the drivers seat on a part-time basis in 2009. Apparently Wilkins will run special shows with Mills throughout the year. Wilkins will handle the crew chiefing duties for Mills throughout 2009.

Mohawk International Raceway is teaming up with radio station CKON 97.3 from upstate New York. The station will have driver interviews, and run somewhat of a pre-race show the hour before race time on Friday nights. If you're stuck at home on a Friday night, and would like to tune in to listen, you can listen no matter where you are on the station's website at http://www.ckonfm.com/

Driver Links Added

I added a bunch of driver links I missed. Mike Kolka, Hermance Motorsports, Ed Harris, Kirk Horton, Jeff Heotzler Sr, Ryan Larkin, Saracino Racing, Kyle Weiss, Bill Papula, and Steve Dodd's links have all been added. If you know of any big or small block modified driver sites that I missed, shoot me an e-mail at Jman97531@aol.com, I know I'm missing a few sites such as Ryan Phelps, Jack Johnson, and Tony Kawalchuk, but those sites haven't been updates since 2007, so I chose not to add them.

Sharon Speedway Running Mods Bi-Weekly

Sharon Speedway has announced that they'll be running modifieds only bi-weekly this coming year. The sprints and modified will rotate being the headline division, starting with the modifieds on May 2nd. On July 7th, Sharon will run the Lou Blaney Memorial which will have both the modifieds and sprint cars on the card, August 29th will be the next time the modifieds and sprint cars run together.