ARDC 2012 schedule
Saturday April 7th Big Diamond
Friday April 27th Williams Grove w/Allstars
Saturday April 28th Big Diamond
Saturday May 5th Port Royal
Saturday May 12th Big Diamond
Friday May 18th Potomac
Saturday May 19th Winchester
Saturday May 26th Big Diamond
Saturday June 2nd Mercer
Tuesday June 5th Grandview w/USAC
Friday June 8th Williams Grove w/All stars
Saturday June 9th Port Royal w/USAC
Friday June 29th Dixieland
Saturday June 30th County Line
Friday July 6th Big Diamond
Saturday July 14th Big Diamond
Saturday July 21st Mercer
Saturday July 28th Big Diamond
August 11th Big Diamond
August 17th Potomac
August 18th Winchester
Saturday August 25th Big Diamond
Saturday September 1st Big Diamond
Monday September 3rd Labor Day Classic Port Royal
Friday September 14th Williams Grove
Saturday September 22nd New Egypt
Saturday October 13th Grandview TOTH 5 25s
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BANQUET CONCLUDES ARDC 72ND SEASON
The American Racing Drivers Club held their annual banquet celebrating their 72nd season Saturday November 26th at The Lobitz Cater Hall in Hazleton, PA.
Drew Heistand of Wrightsville was officially crowned the club champion. Heistand who had wins at Susquehanna, Port Royal and Williams Grove in his DonCin Transport number 12 Midget also had 5 top 5 and 11 top 10 finishes to score 2202 points.
Heistand, whose name is now listed with the likes of “Wild Bill” Schindler, Ed “Dutch” Schaefer and Len Duncan as well as more recent champions like Steve Buckwalter, Frank Polimeda and Andy Martin, remarked, “When I came to my first banquet I had to sit all the way in the back on the dance floor and watch Andy Martin receive his award as champion and I thought to myself, I want to be up there.” “Earlier this week I was looking at the list of past champions and realized that I didn’t know even half of the guys on the list but I knew who they were and to have my name on that list is an incredible honor.”
To complete the sweep of top awards, Heistand’s Crew Chief / Owner / Father, Don Heistand was named as the Ken Hickey Mechanic of the Year. Heistand, who also fields a car for son Dusty Heistand said, ”This award should be cut up in pieces and given to all the guys on the crew and to my wife.” Don Heistand was also given the owners championship plaque.
In all, the top 15 in both driver and owners points where awarded plaques, honoring their accomplishments.
Winning the Rookie of the Year Award was Brenden Bright of Collegeville, PA. Bright, one of five rookies scoring points this season had 7 top 10 finishes, 4 top 5’s including a win at Dixieland Speedway in Elizabeth City, NC. Bright also finished in 10th position in the point standings.
Steve Drevicki of Reading PA was given the Most Improved Driver Award. Drevicki, in his second season of Wingless Midget racing scored 7 top 10’s and 5 top 5’s that included wins at Penn Can and Big Diamond Speedways. Drevicki finished seventh in points.
The Best Appearing Car Award was given to Shawn Jackson of Bear DE. Jackson’s number 2 was lettered by Bruce Bowen and was a combination of vinyl and “Old School Paint”.
The Galen Halteman Memorial Presidents Award was given to Tammy and Tim Sassaman of Milford, NJ. The Sassaman’s joined ARDC this season after formerly traveling with the Focus Midget Series. Tim is one of the infield officials while Tammy serves as a scorer. In addition, the Sassaman’s have provided a trailer that serves as the traveling ARDC office.
Other awards were given to ARDC’s speedway partners including, Susquehanna Speedway Park, Williams Grove Speedway, Port Royal Speedway, Bridgeport Speedway, Penn Can Speedway, Big Diamond Speedway, Pittsburgh PA Motor Speedway, Mercer Raceway Park, Dixieland Speedway, County Line Raceway, Winchester Speedway and New Egypt Speedway.
Contingency sponsors recognized were, Racebumpers.com, Saldana Racing Products, SBI Fuel Systems, DMI, S&S Speedways, Mason Racing Ignitions, Jereco Racing Engines, DeFebo Graphics, Keizer Aluminum Wheels, Petcock Powder Coating, Fastener Specialties and BDB Graphics.
A 50/50 raffle was held with the proceeds going to Jack Culbertson a nine year old Quarter Midget racer with the Montgomery County Quarter Midget Club who is suffering from cancer. The winning ticket belonged to Randy Smith of S&S Speedways who donated his portion of the winnings to the young driver.
ARDC President Bruce Buckwalter Sr. said that the final touches are being put on the 2012 season including the schedule and firming up the rules and that information will be released soon.
Drew Heistand concluded his champion’s speech with a statement that best sums up not only the 2011 season but also ARDC when he said, “Great Teams, Great Racing, Great People”.
FINAL POINT STANDINGS
1. Drew Heistand 2202
2. Nick Wean 2033
3. Ryan Smith 2022
4. Bruce Buckwalter Jr. 1892
5. Brett Arndt 1851
6. Dusty Heistand 1841
7. Steven Drevicki 1831
8. Alex Bright 1814
9. Tim Buckwalter 1715
10. Brenden Bright 1677
11. Steven Bull 1558
12. Keith McIntyre Jr. 1264
13. P.J. Gargiulo 1203
14. Steve Buckwalter 1187
15. Steve Craig 1126
16. Andrew Hannula 1114
17. Shawn Jackson 936
18. Dave Shirk 936
19. Parker Evans 933
20. Shane Penny 820
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ALEX BRIGHT WINS THE CANDY BOWL AT SUSQUEHANNA SPEEDWAY PARK AS DREW HEISTAND IS CROWNED CHAMPION IN ARDC’s 72nd SEASON
Coming into the Candy Bowl at Susquehanna Speedway Park, Drew Heistand had not wrapped up the ARDC Midget point championship but all he had to do was start his heat race and he would amass enough point to outdistance Nick Wean. Mission accomplished as Heistand won the first heat race.
After a foot of snow delayed the race by a week and a day Heistand came to the track looking to not only qualify but to win but by the time all the candy wrappers were empty it was Alex Bright picking up his second win of the season.
At the drop off the green flag, Dave Shirk jumped from his pole position into the lead and immediately started a dual with Dusty Heistand and Alex Bright. Going into the third turn, Jimmy Glenn spun and collected Nick Wean who did a slow roleover.
Both cars were restarted but Wean was forced to retire when it was discovered that his battery had come out of the car.
On the restart it was Shirk driving back into the lead with Heistand in tow. Behind the front two was a war on wheels for the third spot between Bright, Steve Drevicki and Steve Bull.
On the following circuit, Heistand and Bright got by Shirk and started to open a lead. On lap 4 Bright was able to get a bite and swept around the outside of Heistand coming off the second turn.
Two laps later, Drevicki was able to get by Shirk and brought Bruce Buckawalter Jr. along as the two moved into third and fourth.
The yellow flag was unfurled on the eighth lap for Jimmy Glenn. Glenn’s racer had a broken axle and had to be towed from the track.
On the restart, Drew Heistand got by Shirk for fifth and immediately started pressuring Buckwalter Jr. for fourth while his brother Dusty was trying to get back around Bright into the lead.
With the final 12 laps of the race running non-stop it allowed Bright to slowly pull away to over a straight away lead over Heistand and Drevicki who were entertaining the crowd with some great side by side action.
At the checkered flag it was Bright with Dusty Heistand holding off Steve Drevicki for second while Drew Heistand made a late race pass of Buckwalter Jr. for fourth.
Finishing sixth through tenth were, Tim Buckwalter, PJ Gargiulo, Brenden Bright, Ryan Smith and Andrew Hannula.
Heat races went to Drew Heistand, Steve Bull and Tim Buckwalter
CANDY BOWL NOTES: When Drew Heistand left Susquehanna after the first race of the season he was in next to last place in points. At intermission the drivers pushed their cars onto the front stretch and kids were invited to come out and Trick or Treat. Bruce Buckwalter Jr’s. car was pushed onto the race track by an ATV driven by a big fluffy dog. Alex Bright will compete at the Chili Bowl in January, Dusty Heistand’s second place car has a for sale sign on it. Steve Drevicki made the two hour drive from State College, PA where he is attending classes at Penn State University. PJ Gargiulo had the number 5 on his car instead of his familiar 51. He also had a pumpkin and a scary mouth designed by his daughter on the front. Andrew Hannula recently bought a car and will spend the winter rebuilding it for action next season. Trevor was behind the wheel of teammate Carey Becker’s 20 as his number 49 has been sold. Bridgeport Modified champion, Ryan Watt was back in action for his second consecutive race. Steve Buckwalter was not on hand as he was on his way to Austrailia to race.
SUSQUEHANNA SPEEDWAY PARK
November 6, 2011
ARDC Wingless Midgets (21 Entries)
1) 77 Alex Bright, 2) 6 Dusty Heistand, 3) 19 Steve Drevicki, 4) 12 Drew Heistand, 5) 83 Bruce Buckwalter Jr. 6) 52 Tim Buckwalter, 7) 5 PJ Gargiulo, 8) 88 Brenden Bright, 9) 33 Ryan Smith, 10) 89 Andrew Hannula, 11) 46 Brett Arndt, 12) 20 Trevor Kobylarz, 13) 17 Ryan Watt, 14) 16 Dave Shirk, 15) 01 Steve Bull, 16) 57 Jason Rice, 17) 11 Eric Heydenreich, 18) 53 Randy Reid, 19) 75 Scott Zipp, 20) 07 Jimmy Glenn 21) 78 Nick Wean.
Heats: Drew Heistand, Steve Bull, Tim Buckwalter
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ARDC CHAMPIONSHIP TO BE DECIDED AT SUSQUEHANNA SPEEDWAY PARK CANDY BOWL VI
When the ARDC Wingless Midgets compete in their final race of the season this Saturday October 29th in Candy Bowl VI at Susquehanna Speedway Park, two drivers will be racing for more than a win they will be racing to claim their first ARDC crown and a place in racing history.
Drew Heistand from Wrightsville, PA hopes that the short 25 mile drive up Route 83, will result in a championship in the historic 72 year old club. Heistand brings a 127 point lead into the contest.
Hanging around the top of the point standings through most of the season, Heistand took a nasty series of flips in the middle of August at Winchester, VA speedway.
Drew’s number 12 was bent badly and Heistand was sore but he returned with a new determination winning two of the next three races while finishing third in the other race, to solidify his points lead.
Just as it looked like Drew would go into the final race of the season with an insurmountable lead, “Slick” Nick Wean had other plans with a dominating win at Grandview.
Wean comes into the final race of the season with 1855 points just 47 points ahead of last years runner-up Ryan Smith. Smith, along with Steve Buckwalter are tied as this years club leading feature winner with four.
ARDC awards points in both the heats and features so the drivers will need to be up on the wheel if they want to improve or even hold on to their current point ranking.
A heat race win is worth 15 points with the runner-up getting 12 points and third getting 10 points. After that the points drop by one per position.
A feature win is worth 100 points and drop by five per position back through 15th place. If there are 26 cars in the field there is a differential of 92 points from first to last.
Winning the ARDC Championship means your name will be permanently etched along side of other past great champions like Ray Bull, Len Duncan, Ed “Dutch” Schaefer and “Wild” Bill Schindler.
In addition to the ARDC Midgets, 600cc Micro Sprints, Sportsman Modifieds, Legends Cars, Byers Tires Thundercars Championship, Sidewinder Sprints & Mini Vans will be in action.
Gates open at 1:00pm with racing at 3:00pm.
POINTS STANDING
1. Drew Heistand 1982
2. Nick Wean 1855
3. Ryan Smith 1808
4. Bruce Buckwalter Jr. 1722
5. Dusty Heistand 1664
6. Brett Arndt 1653
7. Steven Drevicki 1619
8. Brenden Bright 1577
9. Alex Bright 1576
10. Tim Buckwalter 1545
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