Thursday, April 30, 2009

Keith Hoffman News; Greatest Show on Dirt Returns; Other Tidbits

According to South Jersey Dirt Racing, former New Egypt Speedway and Big Diamond Raceway track champion Keith Hoffman has parted ways with the Michael Brothers Racing #51m big block modified team. He'd been with the team the last few years, and had picked up wins against the Super Dirt Series, and in the Friends of Mike special, both at New Egypt, along with many other weekly wins at New Egypt, and a win in the big block portion of the Diamond Nationals at Big Diamond Raceway with the team. The Michaels Brothers team will now help out big block rookie John McClelland and Rick Laubach, but nobody will be in the 51m unless it's needed. No word on Keith's Saturday night plans. He'll still be in the Moose Eisenhard owned #77 in th small block modified ranks at Big Diamond.

Chris Noble, one of Club Wago's good friends, got "The Greatest Show on Dirt" website back running. Check it out at www.thegreatestshowondirt.com, it's one of the best sites out there for Grandview Speedway news, notes, info, and stories.

Pat O'Brien will be taking a month off from racing due to his hard crash at Big Diamond in the Super Dirt Series opener. Video of the wreck is posted on Gary Silverman's website.

I added 358 modified rookie Jeremy Wilder's website under the driver's links.

Monday, April 27, 2009

Howard Finally Wins SDS Race; Sunday Winners

Duane Howard, after many top 5 finishes on the Super Dirt Series, finally picked up his first career Super Dirt Series win as he picked up the $6,000 big block series opener at Big Diamond Raceway. At Cayuga County Fair Speedway, Steve Paine picked up the big block feature win. Pat Ward continues his recent dominance at Utica Rome with his first win of the season at the half mile.

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Saturday Night Winners

Well, the 358 Super Dirt Series got qualifying in at Merrittville, but then the skies opened up and caused the post-ponement of the night's feature. The feature has been rescheduled for May 18th.

Racing did get in everywhere else. Mercer Raceway Park saw former track champion Garrett Krummert pick up the small block modified feature either. Matt Jester picked up his first win of the year in the big block division at Delaware International Speedway. Matt Sheppard notched off the feature win in the big block division at Canandaigua Speedway. The Fonda dominator Matt DeLorenzo picked up his first win of the year against he big block at Fonda Speedway. Defending Bridgeport Speedway track champion Mike Iles notched off his first win of the season as he won Saturday night at Bridgeport. Billy Pauch turned around a terrible start to his season by winning at New Egypt Speedway in the big block feature. The all-time winningest driver in the small block division at Grandview Speedway, Craig Von Dohren, added another win to the total at the track. At Orange County Fair Speedway, Tommy Meier picked up the win in the big block division, while Chuck McKee won the small block feature. Veteran Steve Folk won the small block feature at Mahoning Valley Speedway. Finally, 2008 Lebanon Valley Speedway big block co-track champion, Mark Flach, finally picked up his first career big block feature Saturday night on the high banks.

Sunday night's only special will highlight the Super Dirt Series will open their season (after Hagerstown Speedway's cancellation in late March) at Big Diamond Raceway in a 75 lap feature for the big blocks. Be sure to support your local track no matter where you're at!

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Friday Night Winners

It's a beautiful weekend throughout the east coast. Let's get some Friday results posted!

Big Diamond Raceway saw 2008 Orange County Fair Speedway big block champion, David Van Horn, pick up the small block feature. Frankie Caprara started the defense of his Can Am Speedway championship by picking up the speedway's first big block checkered flag of 2009. Kevin Bolland picked up his first big block win of the year at Lernerville Speedway. Pat O'Brien added another track to his impressive list of tracks that he has won at, as he won the big block feature at Brewerton Speedway. John McGill decided not to retire at the end of 2008, and it paid off as he won the big block feature at Accord Speedway. Jeff Brownell is now 2 for 2 in big block competition at the Glen Ridge Motorsports Park. Finally, Jeff Rudalavage started the defense of his Penn Can Speedway championship by winning the big block opener at the track.

Tonight, the 358 Super Dirt Series opens at Merrittville Speedway. Be sure to support your local track, the weather's perfect!

Monday, April 20, 2009

Saturday and Sunday Feature Winners

Welp, another weekend of racing is in the books. I already posted Friday night's big winners, so now here's Saturday winners; rain washed up CanAm Speedway's 358 Super Dirt Series opener on Saturday.

At New Egypt Speedway, race #2 of the Tri-Track Series for big block modifieds was won in shocking fashion by Gary Butler. Mercer Raceway Park's small block division was won by Eric Gabany. Mahoning Valley Speedway kicked off their weekly season, and Brett Ballard picked up the win in the small block dirt modified division. Kevin Hirthler picked up his first win of the year at Grandview Speedway. Brian Weaver proved it doesn't matter who's car he's in at Five Mile Point as he collected their big block modified season opener. The 2008 "King of the Valley", Kenny Tremont, defended his title early by picking up Lebanon Valley's big block opener. Last week Bobby Varin set a new track record at Fonda Speedway, this week he picks up the big block feature. Wago driver Danny Creeden picked up his first ever big block modified feature win by winning the season opener at Orange County Fair Speedway. Canandaigua Speedway's season opener was won by Matt Sheppard. Wago driver Scott Van Gorder picked up the win at Delaware International Speedway. 

On Sunday, Alan Johnson picked up right where he left off in 2008 by winning Cayuga County Fair Speedway's big block opener. Bobby Varin completed his big weekend by picking up the win at Utica Rome Speedway's opener. 

Sunday, April 19, 2009

The Bump and Run...

I witnessed a bump and run victory on Friday night. It's something I'm seeing more and more these days. It aggravates me a little more each time I see it.

Why you ask?

Because somewhere along the line, it became accepted as a viable way to pass somebody. What happened to finding a different line to pass somebody? What happened to being the better (sports)man? What happened to class?

I'll tell you what happened. NASCAR's incredible hype machine put it on blast by allowing it to happen on multiple occasions without any sort of repercussion. Way back when, if you pulled such a stunt, you were likely in for an ass-whooping back at the garage area. Nowadays, people who do such things are called hard chargers and go-getters.

The same mentality has made it to the short track level. It bothers me a great deal.

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Friday Night Winners

Brewerton, Albany, Glen Ridge, and Accord all opened up their points seasons tonight, and Can-Am had a 10-lap exhibition race as the sportsman Dirt Series was the highlight tonight there. Lernerville Speedway gave the modifieds the night off, as a touring late model divison was on the card.

Duane Howard quieted his critics by winning from the back at Big Diamond Raceway, Danny Johnson continued his strong start to the year by barely beating Andy Bachetti at Accord Speedway, Billy Decker backed up his 2008 Brewerton Speedway championship with a win at the track's opener, Jeff Brownell backed up his 2008 Glen Ridge Motorsports Park championship with a win at their season opener, Brett Hearn won Albany-Saratoga Speedway's season opener, and Billy Dunn picked up the 10-lap exhibition feature win at Can Am Speedway.

Tomorrow's racing action will be highlighted by the 358 Super Dirt Series having their season opener at the CanAm Speedway, and the Tri-Track Series having race #2 of their season at New Egypt Speedway's season opener. Racing action continues at tracks like Mercer Raceway Park, Fonda Speedway, and Grandview Speedway, and season openers are also scheduled at Delaware International Raceway, Lebanon Valley Speedway, Canandaigua Speedway, and Orange County Fair Speedway.

Friday, April 17, 2009

Peter Britten To Invade in USA

American superstar drivers Gary Tomkins and Jimmy Phelps invaded Australia the past 2 seasons to run against the best of the best from the land down under. Now, our friends from the other side of the country will be sending one of their own to the U.S. to challenge our drivers. 2009 Australian V8 Modified champion Peter Britten will be coming to the United States in June, and will run 6 races in 9 days. Britten, who runs a Troyer in Australia, will be driving a brand new Troyer house car in those events. It should be exciting to see, and hopefully more Australian drivers follow suit in the future! For what races he's going to be running, and more information, read Ben Graham's article on the Super Dirt Series website at the following link, http://www.superdirtcarseries.com/news/2009/april/040909_sd_aussiebritten.aspx

I also know that Australian driver Mark Robinson is interested in running over here this summer. Robinson, in his low-30s, is already one of the all-time greates in V8 modified racing over in Australia. Mark drives Teo's, so he'd prefer to run a Teo. If anyone knows anyone interested in fielding a car for Mark, e-mail me at Jman97531@aol.com.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Fantasy League Info; My Own Personal Tidbit

Just about 4 week until the deadline for the Club Wago Fantasy League! Remember, the winner recieves a free 2010 season pass to the track of the winner's choice, the winner (or highest non-subsciber to AARN) also recieves a free 6-month subscription to Area Auto Racing News, and also recieves drivers merchandise such as shirts, hats, and bumper stickers. The league is free to enter, it's my way of saying thank you to everyone that supports Club Wago! Here's the link to play, http://jw4.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=251&page=1

Also, these next 2 weeks it's going to be slow with my updates on here, finals start in about a week and a half, so it's been pretty busy in all my classes. Be patient with me, thanks!

Monday, April 13, 2009

Big Diamond SDS Race Info

START TIMES AND ADMISSION ANNOUNCED FOR BIG DIAMOND RACEWAY SUPER DIRT SERIES VISIT ON APRIL 26




Forestville, Pa---April 13, 2009....With Big Diamond Raceway back on the Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series schedule after a five year absence, anticipation is even higher now with the ‘Spring Fever 75’ on Sunday, April 26 kicking off the 2009 Big-Block points tour.

For just the third time in Big Diamond history, the Advance Series will invade the popular Minersville, Pennsylvania oval with the best in the Modified business chasing a $6,000 top prize in 75 laps of feature race action.


Admission for this event will be $20 for grandstand tickets, $30 for the pit admission. Gates will open at 2PM, Warm-Ups at 5:15PM with time trials to follow with a first heat scheduled to go green at 6:30PM. The event will carry a rain date of Monday April 27 if needed.


With the Advance Series Modifieds headlining the single-division show on Sunday, the format will consist of Integra Shocks Time Trials followed by heat race qualifiers and the Dig Safely New York Last Chance Races. No less than 30 cars will fill the starting grid for the 75-lap Spring Fever Championship that guarantees the winner an automatic starting berth in the Rite Aid 200 at the New York State Fairgrounds in October. In addition, the top Small-Block finisher will receive a spot in the 358-Modified Championship during Super DIRT Week XXXVIII on the same Syracuse Mile.


Further information regarding Big Diamond Raceway may be obtained at www.bigdiamondraceway.com and information about the Advance Series Modifieds may be obtained at www.superdirtcarseries.com.

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Pat Ward Breaks the Ice at Fonda

While weather dominated the races at most locations on Saturday night, and Friday night saw the modifieds have off from Big Diamond Raceway, and rain cancel action from Lernerville Speedway, there was one track that got in this weekend. Fonda Speedway opened their doors for the annual "Ice Jam 40" which saw Pat Ward continue his fine season with his fourth win of the season, and picking up the $4,000 top prize. Bobby Varin finished 2nd, followed by Michael Storms, Tim Fuller (in his debut with the Smith Bros. Racing #74), and Ronnie Johnson, who rounded out the top 5.

Also, congratulations to Bobby Varin for setting a new track record in his heat, running a lap at 18.136 seconds. The old track record (which was also held by him, set in 2006) was 18.459 seconds.

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Driver Links Added

I've added Willy Decker and Kyle Follweiler (thanks Brett Thayer!) to the drivers links page on the right. If there are anymore I missed, let me know!

Sunday, April 5, 2009

Strunk Takes Diamond Opener

Jeff Strunk picked up his first win of the season, as he picked up the 35-lap, $3,000 to win 358 modified opener at Big Diamond Raceway on Sunday night. Strunk's win was Gagliardo Motorsports first career win, in many years of action. Billy Pauch finished 2nd, and Duane Howard, Doug Manmiller, and Billy Pauch Jr. rounded out the top 5.

Saturday's Winners; Albany Done Already

Saturday night saw 3 races run, after Friday was a complete wash. All 3 winners picked up their first wins of 2009, Jimmy Horton picked up the win in the big block modified, Tri-Track Series opener at Georgetown Speedway, worth $2,500 for the 35 lap feature. Duane Howard picked up the special $3,000 to win, 40 lap feature at Grandview Speedway for the small block modifieds, and Gary Smoker picked up season opener for the small block modifieds at Mercer Raceway Park.

Albany Saratoga has already cancelled their $5,000 to win CVRA vs. The World which was scheduled for Sunday (after being postponed from Saturday), the amount of water the track took on was the cause. Big Diamond will still have their points opener tomorrow.

A few notes from Georgetown, H.J. Bunting debuted in the Jake Marine #85, I wasn't able to find out if they'd be together for a full season or not. Also, Donny Radd made his return to modified racing in the Saracino Racing #91R big block, Radd and Saracino will run weekly at Delaware and will also run the entire Tri-Track Series, along with other big block specials in the area.

Friday, April 3, 2009

Albany Postponed; Link Added

Albany has postponed their CVRA vs. The World race to Sunday. The race was originally scheduled to be run tomorrow.

Wayne Jelley's link has been added to the driver links page on the right, Bobby Chalmers did another awesome job on the site.

Friday Washed Out

Rain strikes again, rain has already caused Lernerville Speedway to cancel tonight's racing activities, and has also forced Big Diamond Raceway to postpone their points-opener to Sunday evening.

Racing This Weekend

Hopefully the weather cooperates better this weekend, as racing season begins to get into full swing, finally. On Friday night, Big Diamond Raceway has their season opener for the small blocks modifieds, and Lernerville Speedway continues weekly racing with race #2 of their season. On Saturday night, Albany-Saratoga Speedway will host the CVRA vs. The World, which will be 50 laps and will pay $5,000 to win, the show also has an open tire rule. Georgetown Speedway opens up it's part-time season with a $2,500 to win show for the big block modifieds, which will be the season open for the Tri-Track Big Block Series, also scheduled for Saturday is Grandview Speedway's opener, which will also pay $3,000 to win the 40 lap feature for the small block modifieds. Mercer Raceway Parkalso has the season opener for the small block modifieds scheduled for Saturday, as the BRP big block modifieds kicked off the season last weekend. Both Big Diamond, and Albany, will use Sunday as rain dates for their races if needed.