Minor Tidbits

Slow news weekend, but a few minor tidbits for you guys. Rob Bellinger and Andy Bachetti are the latest drivers to confirm their intent to run Volusia in just a few weeks.

It was previously posted on here that Steve Paine would be going to Volusia and driving the Tyler Siri car a few nights and helping the modified rookie get used to the car. However, plans for Paine attending Volusia with the team have fallen through, and the Siri team has called in the help of another veteran to accompany the team and help with set-up. Bobby Varin be the one splitting driving duties with Siri and will also be helping the youngster with his transition into the big-block modified.

After Volusia is Selinsgrove, and Johnny Guarino, Gary Tomkins, Mark Forte Jr, and Ryan Forte are the latest drivers to announce their intentions on being apart of the popular Ice Breaker Weekend. All 4 drivers will just compete Saturday night with their big-blocks.

Brad Grim's 2012 Modified

Here's the 2012 paint scheme of the Jim Reid Racing #611 small block modified. Brad Grim will return to the seat of the car and run the car weekly at Grandview Speedway.

Hagerstown "Fall Brawl" Update

With Hagerstown Speedway's struggles in 2011, and with the Octoberfest weekend being rebranded as the "Fall Brawl," a lot of race fans believed there would be a significant purse reduction in the end-of-year special in 2012.

However, the track has stated via e-mail that the race will pay $10,000 for the big-blocks, sprints, and late models as long as 35 cars enter the event per division. If a division has less than 35 cars enter, the race will pay $5,000 to win. The small block modifieds have been replaced by the 358 sprints for the weekend, which will run for a smaller purse.

DJ and Friesen Added to Volusia entry list

Thanks for the help guys, Danny Johnson and Stewart Friesen have confirmed their intentions for Volusia.

OB's Mike Kolka
1 Darwin Greene
3D Matt DeLorenzo
5 Tyler Siri/Bobby Varin
7 Rick Laubach
8 Rich Scagliotta
8R Rob Bellinger
9s Matt Sheppard
10 Michael Storms
14 Alan Johnson
20 Brett Hearn
21A Peter Britten
23 Billy VanInwegen
27J Danny Johnson
33 Ray Swinehart
60 Brian Berger
61s Johnny Scarborough
74 Tim Fuller
79 Jeremy Markle
99L Larry Wight

Lernerville Schedule Updated, Minor Volusia Update; DIRTcar

First of all, in news that everyone already knows, Kenny Tremont has announced he'll return to run weekly at Albany this year. He'll also continue to run weekly at Lebanon Valley and Utica Rome and will follow the DIRTcar Asphalt schedule and run Super DIRT Week.

Darwin Greene is the latest to confirm he'll be at Volusia per his interview on Doug's Dirt Diary.

The Lernerville Speedway 2012 schedule has been released and is available on their website. The master schedule has been updated as well.

Missing from Lernerville's schedule is a Super DIRTcar Series race. Early in the off-season it appeared a lock that Lernerville would see the Super DIRTcar Series return to the Western PA oval this year, however, DIRTcar has confirmed that Lernerville and recently announced DIRTcar-sanctioned Sharon Speedway will not be on the 2012 Super DIRTcar Series schedule. Look for both tracks to be on the Series schedule in 2013.

Look for the Super DIRTcar Series schedule to be released right before the DIRTcar Nationals. Expect a similar schedule to 2011, with the addition of Albany-Saratoga Speedway and potentially a track that will host modifieds for the first time, in a state that has never hosted a Super DIRTcar Series race.

Volusia Entry List Update

Peter Britten, Matt Sheppard, and Rich Scagliotta are the latest to confirm their intentions for Volusia. Here's the updated early entry list (note: when we officially hit February I'll start getting in contact with guys and doing more research on who will be going to Volusia, so don't be discouraged by the lack of cars currently)

OB's Mike Kolka
3D Matt DeLorenzo
5 Tyler Siri/Steve Paine
7 Rick Laubach
8 Rich Scagliotta
9s Matt Sheppard
10 Michael Storms
14 Alan Johnson
20 Brett Hearn
21A Peter Britten
23 Billy VanInwegen
33 Ray Swinehart
61s Johnny Scarborough
74 Tim Fuller
79 Jeremy Markle
99L Larry Wight

John Lieto 2012 Paint Scheme...

Here's the Hermance Motorsports #33 2012 paint scheme that will be run weekly at Orange County Fair Speedway by John Lieto. There are a ton of pictures on SouthJerseyDirtRacing.com from Motorsports 2012 and all the great looking cars from that show over the weekend.

Ton of Schedule Updates; Other News

Check out the schedule link to the left for a ton of schedule releases.

Big Diamond and Can Am have both announced purse increases for 2012. Big Diamond will pay $2,750 to win weekly and Can Am will pay $1,500 to win weekly in 2012.

Bridgeport Speedway has announced the Poker Series this year. It will be run just the Poker Series Doug Hoffman put together the last couple years at Mahoning Valley Speedway. Each race will pay at least $4,000 to win and the overall best hand at the end of the 5 race deal will pocket an extra $2,500.

I'll have a more in depth update on things tomorrow.

Track News

I-88 Speedway has announced they'll be part of the RoC Dirt Tour in 2012 this June. The race will most likely be part of the Northern Tour. Also, the Wade Decker Memorial will be held in July and will pay $5,000 to win.

Sharon Speedway has announced the big-blocks will be DIRTcar Sanctioned in 2012. With Lernerville Speedway likely returning to the Super DIRTcar Series in 2012, look for Sharon to also potentially host a race.

Merrittville Speedway Schedule Released

We're right about at that time where we can expect to see a bunch of schedules released over the next few days. Merrittville Speedway has released their schedule, check it out here, http://www.merrittvillespeedway.com/schedule.htm

The modified races are updated on the master schedule to the left.

Stankiewicz and Meitzler Split

Former Grandview Speedway Rookie of the Year, Addison Meitzler, has parted ways with Rich Stankiewicz Racing. Meitzler has purchased the team's Teo and will run weekly at Grandview Speedway with his own #21 small block modified.

No word on what Stankiewicz will do in 2012, but it appears as if the team may sit out.

Siri, Volusia, McGinnis, Graham and Accord Tidbits

Tyler Siri is the latest driver to confirm he'll be making the jump up to the big-block modified division in 2012. Siri will run weekly at Canandaigua this season with his #5 car. The youngster will be kicking his season off at Volusia in a few weeks, but will have veteran Steve Paine the car the first 2-nights, and Siri will run the final 2-nights of the DIRTcar Nationals.

Jeff McGinnis has landed a ride driving for Jerry Skurski Racing in 2012. McGinnis, one of the more underrated modified stars, will run for the team weekly at Ranomsville Speedway. As previously noted, Skurski's 2011 driver, Ryan Susice, will be driving his family-funded team in 2012 at Ransomville and the RoC Northern Tour.

Look for Brett Graham to return full-time in the modified ranks this season. The team is currently looking at running Accord weekly and Orange County part-time with select traveling mixed in.

Accord Speedway has announced that this year they not have sail panels on the modifieds. Accord has been running sail panels on their headline division since the mid-2000s.

Second RoC Race Added to Selinsgrove

Selinsgrove Speedway will have a 2nd RoC Dirt Tour modified event this season. Joining their popular RoC Ice Breaker Weekend will be a summer RoC date, scheduled for Tuesday June 19th. There will be a RoC race on Wednesday, June 20th at another PA track as well, announcement will be coming soon.

This may be what is run instead of PA Speed Week in 2012, but there's still no official word on what's going on with PA Modified Speedweek.

Fuller and Berger to Volusia; Kunkle Moving Up

WoO Late Model star Tim Fuller and Lebanon Valley star Brian Berger are the latest two drivers to confirm their intentions of racing at Volusia for the DIRTcar Nationals. Fuller will be there with the late model and the Smith Bros. big-block, while Berger will just be there with his #60 big-block. Here's the updated early entry list...

OB's Mike Kolka
3D Matt DeLorenzo
10 Michael Storms
14 Alan Johnson
20 Brett Hearn
23 Billy VanInwegen
33 Ray Swinehart
60 Brian Berger
61s Johnny Scarborough
74 Tim Fuller
79 Jeremy Markle
99L Larry Wight

Also, I completely forgot to post this a few weeks ago, but Brett Deyo released that Ryan Kunkle, a 600 modified driver, will be making the move up to the modified division for weekly action at Grandview Speedway this season.

Wight to Volusia, Decker Running Late Model

Larry Wight will be taking his big-block to Volusia this year after last year the Gypsum Racing team only attended the DIRTcar Nationals with Wight's #99L late model. This year, Billy Decker will focus on running the late model, while Wight will run the big-blocks.

Wright Moving Up; Bridgeport Back; Other Tidbits

Another top sportsman star will be making the move up to the modified division in 2012. Justin Wright, a DIRTcar Sportsman Series star and weekly runner at Ransomville and Canandaigua will be making the move up to run both big blocks and small blocks in 2012.

Wright will run in the small block division weekly at Ransomville Speedway on Friday nights driving the Sweeting Enterprises Racing #11J that he ran in a bunch of sportsman races last season. Wright also made his 358-modified debut with the team during Super DIRT Week at Weedsport Speedway and Rolling Wheels Raceway and impressed many.

For the big-block ranks, Wright will pilot his family-owned #19w weekly at Canandaigua Motorsports Park. Wright will also do select traveling with both the big and small blocks.

Bridgeport Speedway will bring the big-blocks back in 2012 under the leadership of Doug Hoffman. Check out this week's edition of Area Auto Racing News for more info.

Ryan Susice plans on following the RoC Northern Tour this season, and will also run the combo events. He will kick his season off at Selinsgrove in March, running at least the Friday portion of the weekend. Susice will once again run weekly at Ransomville Speedway in 2012.

In case you missed it in the chat box, Jon Kellner Jr will focus on running Grandview weekly again in 2012. Jon's father, Jon Kellner Sr, is still searching for a ride.

Albany DIRTcar Sanctioned

Its been speculated all off-season, but Albany-Saratoga is officially DIRTcar sanctioned for 2012. DIRTcar officials made the announcement at the EMPA Convention.

Look for Albany-Saratoga Speedway to host the Super DIRTcar Series this season after a long hiatus from the schedule. The track has also announced it will open with a big 2-day weekend April 19-20, with modifieds features both days.

Lincoln RoC Dirt Tour Update

Just got confirmation from Bob Miller that the RoC Dirt Tour event for Lincoln Speedway is still on, but the sides are agreeing on a suitable date. On Lincoln's originally released schedule, the event was listed for Tuesday, July 17th.

Look for this race to be a part of PA Modified Speed Week.

Grandview Speedway Releases Schedule; Forrest Rogers Update

Grandview Speedway has released their schedule for the 2012 season, which will be their 50th consecutive season of racing.

The schedule is posted here, http://www.grandviewspeedway.com/Schedule.asp

I've also added the schedule to the 2012 Big Block/Small Block schedule (link on the left).

Last week I posted that the Forrest Rogers Memorial could pay $20,000 to win to certain drivers this year. Area Auto Racing News got the inside scoop and released that any weekly runner at Grandview will be eligible to win $20,000 at the Forrest Rogers Memorial, if an invader wins that race, they'll get the usual $10,000 for the win.

Johnson with Biever for Volusia

Alan Johnson will be partnering with Dick Biever Racing for an assault on Volusia for the DIRTcar Nationals coming up in February. Special thanks to our friend TWK for breaking the news to us via the chatbox on the right.

Biever, who parted ways with Jimmy Horton earlier this off-season, will be partnering with Johnson's regular ride in 2012, the Kenny Saya Motorsports team for the assault on Volusia.

Biever is still looking at running other select specials this season with a driver to be announced.

Mike Petruska Racing names Pauch Jr 2012 Driver

Billy Pauch Jr will have the best ride of his young career in 2012. Pauch Jr has been named the full-time drive of the Mike Petruska Racing #66 modified for weekly competition at New Egypt Speedway. Pauch Jr and the team will also be running select Friday nights at Accord Speedway, meaning that Pauch Jr will not be returning to the Fitzpatrick Racing T102 in 2012 (Doug Manmiller will return to that team to be the team's lone modified driver at Big Diamond.)

Pauch Jr will hit the road for select specials with the 66 team, and will also have his own #15 car for select events as well. Pauch Jr will continue to run select ARDC and 358 sprint car races.

Godown to Rick Clay Racing

Ryan Godown's busy off-season continues. First, the team he drove for in 2011, JR Motorsports, sold out, he was soon gobbled up by 747 Motorsports to race weekly at New Egypt Speedway. Now, Godown has landed another solid ride for specials in 2012.

Ryan Godown has taken over driving duties of the Rick Clay Racing #88c for 2012. Godown and the team will run specials in Pennsylvania and New Jersey next season. Godown will also have his own #26 for running in other select RoC shows, and even hopes to make select Sunday nights appearances at Utica Rome Speedway.

Clay's driver over the past few seasons, Billy Pauch Jr, has an exciting year planned ahead of him. Check out the blog tomorrow for news on the talented chauffeur.

In other Godown news, Troy and Donna Wink have sold the #27 that Godown drove to victory at Lincoln Speedway in 2011 and will not be fielding a car in 2012.

Minor Tidbits

Lincoln Speedway has announced that the RoC Dirt Tour will return to the popular clay oval in 2012 on July 17th (thanks Nick). According to early reports, Lincoln's RoC date would be part of the PA Modified Speed Week schedule. I haven't heard any updates on that recently, so we'll see what happens.

Orange County will be announcing their new handicapping system soon. Look for heat races to be handicapped, resulting in heads up feature line ups.

According to AARN.com, this year's Forrest Rogers Memorial winner could potentially win $20,000 this year. From what I've been told, the race will still pay at least $10,000 to the winner, and 1 driver will be eligible for the $20,000 pay day. Check out this week's edition of Area Auto Racing News for official word.

Breitenstein Not Done Yet! Chad Brachmann to Drive #14 in '12

A few weeks ago it looked like Breitenstein Motorsports would not be fielding a car in 2012 after a solid season with Kenny Gilmore behind the wheel of the #14 car at Grandview Speedway, however, recent developments have resulted in the team returning in 2012 in part-time action.

The long-time Pennsylvania team has announced that New York star Chad Brachmann will take over driving duties of the #14 car in part-time action. Brachmann and Breitenstein will enter in select weekly and high-payingshows at Grandview, including the Forrest Rogers Memorial and Freedom 76er, along with higher paying events at tracks including Big Diamond, Penn Can, Five Mile Point, among others.

Brachmann will continue to run his own equipment weekly at Ransomville, and will also run at Merrittville part-time on Saturday nights. On top of that, look for Brachmann to hit up select shows in Western PA along with other big-block events throughout the year.

The Breitenstein Motorsports team is currently looking for sponsorship help for 2012, anyone interested shoot me an e-mail at Jman97531@aol.com and I'll get you in touch with the team.