Big Weekend In Dirt Racing

Well, it's Fourth of July weekend coming up, and what better way to celebrate this great country then to have some huge races coming up.

On Thursday, the first of a 2-race weekend for the BRP big block modified tour takes place as the big blocks make their annual appearance at the Expo Motor Speedway.

On Friday night, the Super Dirt Series return to life with a return to Ransomville Speedway in a 100 lap, $6,000 to win show for the big blocks. Also on Friday night, the American Revolution Mohawk Mini-Series has their second race of the season at Mohawk International Raceway for the small block modifieds. Much farther south on Friday, the small block modifieds battle for 40 laps and $4,000 to win in the Georgie Stevenson Memorial at Big Diamond Raceway.

On Saturday night, the Super Dirt Series has their second stop of the weekend, as they travel to Fulton Speedway for another $6,000 to win show for 100 laps. Also on Saturday night, the Tri-Track Series returns to New Egypt Speedway for a 40 lap, $3,000 to win race for the big block modifieds.

On Sunday, the BRP Big Block Tour ends the huge weekend with the Kodiak Memorial at Tri-City Speedway, which will pay $2,000 to win the 50 lap feature.
No matter where you go, have a great Fourth of July weekend, and enjoy the racing!

Howard Wins Thunder on the Hill Race at Grandview

Duane Howard finally returned to victory lane with a strong win in the small block modified portion of the Tuesday, June 30th, Thunder on the Hill show at Grandview Speedway. Jeff Strunk ended up in second, and rounding out the top 5 was Rick Laubach, Mike Gular, and Keith Hoffman.

Weekend Round-up; Varin Thunders Ahead; Higbie Invades Heath Memorial; Shingledecker Wins Debut

Well, Mother Nature was a big winner again this week, this past weekend Friday was the day that got hurt the worst. Here's the recap from this past weekend, Friday, June 26th, Saturday, June 27th, and Sunday June 28th.

On Friday night, big block modifieds debuted and made their only appearance of 2009 at Raceway 7 Speedway and Jeremiah Shingledecker picked up the big feature win. In other big block from Friday night, Billy Decker continued to get hot with a win at Brewerton Speedway, Danny Tyler picked up his first career modified victory with a win at Glen Ridge Motorsports Park, youngster Rob Bellinger picked up the surprising victory at CanAm Motorsports Park. In Friday night small block action, up-and-comer Bobby Herrington picked up the popular win at Autodrome Edelweiss, and Stewart Friesen added yet another win to his '09 win total with his second win of the year at Ransomville Speedway.

On Saturday night, the Heath Memorial took place at Five Mile Point Speedway, and invader Jerry Higbie went on to pick up the prestigious race win. In other big block racing from Saturday night, Billy Decker went on to collect his second win of the weekend with a win at Fulton Speedway, Andy Bachetti and Mark Flach split Lebanon Valley twin features, Wade Hendrickson finally broke his streak of bad luck and won at Bridgeport Speedway, defending big block modified champion H.J. Bunting snapped his losing streak at Delaware International Speedway, Bob Drayton entered victory lane for the first time since 2000 with a win at New Egypt Speedway, Matt Sheppard continued his dominance in 2009 with another win at Canandaigua Speedway, and Chad Jones picked up career big block win #1 with a win at Mahoning Valley Speedway. In Saturday night small block modified action, Eric Gabany continued his strong run at a track championship with another win at Mercer Raceway Park, Jeff Strunk finally entered Grandview Speedway victory lane for the first time in 2009, who else but Danny O'Brien won at Brockville-Ontario Speedway, Ray Hoard picked up his first win of 2009 with a win at Lebanon Valley Speedway, Scott Wood also won his first race of 2009 with a win at Merrittville Speedway, and Curt Van Pelt finally snapped his bad luck and beat his brother to win at Woodhull Raceway.

On Sunday night, the Thunder Series for big block modifieds opened their season at Utica Rome Speedway, with Bobby Varin picking up the $5,000 feature win. In small blocks on Sunday night, Don Mattison ended his losing streak with a big win at Devils Bowl Speedway, and at Cornwall Motor Speedway it was Laurent Ladouceur who went on to win the feature event.

Congratulations to all this weeks winners, especially Wago drivers Danny Tyler, Stewart Friesen, Mark Flach, Andy Bachetti, Jeff Strunk, Wade Hendrickson, and Matt Sheppard.

I still have to look and see what specials are coming up this weekend, however, small block modifieds will be at Grandview Speedway on Tuesday night for a special Thunder on the Hill Series show.

Jeff Sechrist Lands Ride; Stephane LaFrance Leaves One

Club Wago driver, Jeff Sechrist, who hasn't raced since running a handful of shows for Saracino Racing at the end of last season, will drive for Guistwite Racing in the small block division at Big Diamond Raceway, and some shows possibly at Grandview Speedway. Guistwite Racing return after sitting out a few years. The team has had big name drivers such at Kenny Brightbill and Ray Swinehart drive for the team in the past.

While Sechrist finds a new ride, one of the top Canandian drivers, Stephane LaFrance, has left his small block ride. CMB Racing, who added Steve Paine and LaFrance to the racing stable to run at Autodrome Granby in 2009, has lost LaFrance Racing, who was unhappy with the equipment being run with the team. CMB Racing will not replace LaFrance and will instead focus solely on running Steve Paine. However, according to sources, don't be surprised to see Paine leave the team in the next month.

James and Laubach Split Wingate Class Twin 20s

Chad James and Rick Laubach split feature events in Tuesday nights George Wingate Classic twin 20s for the big block modifieds. The race was the 3rd race of the Tri-Track Series schedule. Chad James passed Craig Von Dohren around the half way point of the first feature, and went on to win. Von Dohren hung onto second, Duane Howard, Scott Van Gorder, and Jimmy Horton rounded out the top 5.

In the second feature, Jimmy Horton and Richie Pratt battled hard for the lead at the half way point of the race, until Pratt spun in the middle of turn 3 and 4. Rick Laubach then made a late race pass on Horton to pick up the win in feature #2. Jimmy Horton finished 2nd, Pratt (who passed 10-cars in the first 2 laps after going to the rear for his spin) rebounded for 3rd, Chad James backed up his win with his second top 5 finish of the night, and Duane Howard rounded out the top 5.

Specials This Week

Let's take a look at what modified specials will be run this weekend. First up, a mid-week show at Bridgeport Speedway as the Tri-Track Series invades the huge 5/8 mile or twin 20s for the big block modifieds on Tuesday, June 23rd.

Scheduled for Friday night, the big block modifieds make their only appearance of the year at Raceway 7 in Ohio for a special non-sanctioned show, which will pay $1,500 to win the 25 lap feature. Saturday night will see the STAR Series start their season with the Heath Memorial for the big block at Five Mile Point Speedway, the race will be 45 laps and pay $2,000 to win. Finally, on Sunday, the BRP Tour invades Eriez Speedway for their 5th race of their 12-race schedule.

Those are the highlights of these week's schedule, no matter where you go, hope everyone has a rain free weekend!

O'Briens Shine; Rain Rain Go Away; Weekend Round-up

Well, once again, Mother Nature had a dominating weekend. Saturday was almost a complete wash, only 2 tracks got modified racing in. The opener to the Fonda/Utica Rome Series was scheduled for Fonda, but was rained out.

Friday night saw the most racing get in. Jeff Rudalavage became the first two-time winner at Penn Can Speedway in the track's 2009 big block division. J.R. Crouse (Big Blocks at Redline Raceway), Pierre DaGenais (Small Blocks at Autodrome Edelweiss), and Roy Tarbell (Small Blocks at Mohawk Raceway) backed up last week's wins at their respective tracks by all winning at the same tracks again this weekend. Vinnie Vitale picked up his first win of the year with his big block at Brewerton Speedway. Billy Dunn extended his points lead in the big block division at CanAm Motorsports Park with another win on Friday night. Paul Kinney picked up the popular win at Glen Ridge Motorsports Park with the big block modified. Kenny Tremont continued his trek towards running down Brett Hearn in big block modified points at Albany-Saratoga Speedway by winning again at the track.

Saturday night saw the O'Brien brothers (Tim, Danny, and Pat) finish 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in the small block feature at Brockville-Ontario Speedway, with Pat coming away with the win. The only other track to run at Saturday night was Airborne Speedway which saw Jason Durgen pick up the dirt small block feature.

Finally, on Sunday, Pat Ward won again at Utica Rome Speedway with the big block. Jimmy Phelps snapped his rough-luck streak with a win at Cayuga County Fair Speedway in the big block division. Last, but not least, Joel Doiron finally held on to win his first small block win of the year at Cornwall Motor Speedway.

Congratulations to all this weekend's feature winners. For the first time this year, the Club Wago drivers went winless for the weekend.

Advance Auto Parts Officially Out As SDS Sponsor

A few days ago I posted that Advance Auto Parts may be done sponsoring the Super Dirt Series, that rumor has now been confirmed. A few months ago Advance Auto Parts left as the head sponsor of the World of Outlaw Series, now, they're officially out as the Super Dirt Series sponsor. As of Monday, Advance Auto Parts is no longer the Super Dirt Series main sponsor. No word on any replacements lined up.

Decker Does a Rain Dance at OCFS

The Big Show was a success besides some curve balls (electrical and weather related) along the way. A strong field of over 60 big blocks piled into the pits. In the end, Billy Decker passed Gary Edwards for the lead around lap 25 of the 100 lap feature. Then, the rain came and caused the checkered flags to be thrown before the completion of 100 laps. Billy Decker picked up the $6,000 win, rounding out the top 5 were Danny Johnson, Brett Hearn, Mitch Gibbs, and Tommy Meier.

The only other special scheduled for this weekend will be at Fonda Speedway on Saturday night as they start off the Fonda/Utica Rome NMX Series opener with a $5,000 to win 50 lapper for the big block modifieds.

Entry List for The Big Show

The Big Show is tomorrow night, June 17th. The Super Dirt Series race will pay $6,000 to win the 100 lap race, and is promoted by Club Wago member Brett Hearn. He has posted an entry list on his website, here's a list of who is listed as running

#07 Tim Kerr

#1 Stewart Friesen

#1H Tim Hindley

#FX1 Frankie Caprara (not running the SDS Tour anymore, might be a no-show)

#2 Ronnie Johnson

#R2 Rusty Smith

#3 Justin Haers

#4 Duane Howard

#4 Michael Storms

#4B Donnie Wilson

#7K Kirk Horton

#8 Rich Scagliotta

#9 Johnny Guarino

#9s Matt Sheppard

#10 Richie Eurich

#11 Danny Creeden

#14 Jimmy Horton

#14J Alan Johnson

#15 Brett Tonkin

#17 Elmo Reckner

#J17 Jeff Heotzler

#19 Chuck McKee

#20 Brett Hearn

#20 Rick Laubach

#21 Clinton Mills

#21J Gary Edwards Jr.

#21m Bob McGannon

#24 Chris Shultz

#25 Mike Kolka

#26 Dave Camara (According to DTD, plans have fallen through to run this race)

#26 Ryan Godown

#27 Tom Hindley

#29 Jeff Brownell

#32 Cliff Ehrmann

#33 1/3 Tommy Meier

#34 Steve Hough

#34B Andy Bachetti

#41 Jeff Strunk

#42p Pat Ward

#43 Keith Flach

#44 Frank Cozze

#47 Jerry Higbie

#49 Billy Dunn

#53 Ric Hill

#59 Jesse Kline

#66 Danny Johnson

#70 Eric Acquaro

#71 David Van Horn

#73 Rick Mill

#74 Tim Fuller

#76a Jack Johnson

#77F Mark Flach

#77x Dale Planck

#79 Jeremy Markle

#84 Gary Tomkins

#L85 Ted Lamb

#88 Steve Dodd

#91 Billy Decker

#93x Craig Mitchell

#m96 Brian McDonald (not sure if he'll go, was hurt last weekend racing)

#98 Eddie Marshall

#98H Jimmy Phelps

#99 Ryan Phelps

#99L Larry Wight

#115 Kenny Tremont

#244 Chris Whitehead

#673 Mitch Gibbs

#777 Kevin Bolland