Saturday, September 6, 2008
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.
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.
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.
Friday, September 5, 2008
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!
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!
Thursday, September 4, 2008
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.
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.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
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
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
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!
Monday, September 1, 2008
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.
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.
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.
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