Hearn Relishes Florida Big-Block Racing to Kick Start 2012 Season
Super DIRTcar star eager for UNOH DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit at Volusia
BARBERVILLE, Fla. - Jan. 31, 2012 - There's no place Brett Hearn would rather be during the month of February than the Sunshine State.
"Oh, yeah, I always look forward to Florida in February," said Sussex, N.J.'s Hearn, who will migrate south for the 15th consecutive year to compete in the Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modified portion of the 41st UNOH DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit Racing Equipment on Feb. 22-25 at Volusia Speedway Park. "I don't know what I would do if we didn't make the trip. I enjoy it and everybody on my team enjoys it."
Much of Hearn's affinity for his annual working vacation, of course, derives from the sparkling performance record he's put together in Florida Big-Block Modified action over his legendary career. He's the Northeast open-wheel division's resident Mr. Florida, a winner of a record seven Super DIRTcar Series Florida Tour points championships and 20 features. No other driver has won more than three titles since Big-Block Modifieds began contesting a mid-winter Florida series in 1978, and Hearn's career victory total nearly doubles that of Danny Johnson's second-best figure of 11.
Hearn, 53, celebrating triumphs in Florida has become a constant, especially at Volusia, where the vast majority of his checkered flags have come. Since 1998, he has won more races during Volusia's UNOH DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit than any other driver - Sprint Car, DIRTcar Late Model and DIRTcar UMP Modified racers included.
Is there a secret to Hearn's amazing success at the sprawling half-mile oval located less than a half-hour outside Daytona Beach? He said there's nothing in particular, but he does note that escaping the winter freeze at home for the sunny and warm Southeast serves as a great "motivational tool" for him and his team.
"We all like going down there," said Hearn, a seven-time winner of the overall Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modified championship. "Not only do we get away from the cold, but we're all Late Model and Sprint Car fans so we get to see those divisions racing when we're not running. That helps motivate my guys to work harder in the winter time to go down and strut our stuff."
This year Hearn will once again battle a star-studded roster of DIRTcar Big-Block Modified standouts in four programs during the UNOH DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit. The division's schedule boasts 30-lap features paying $2,000 to win on Wed., Feb. 22, Thurs., Feb. 23, and Fri., Feb. 24, and a 50-lap grand finale offering a $5,000 top prize on Sat., Feb. 25.
Hearn will be one of at least a half-dozen former Florida Tour winners in the Big-Block field, joining defending UNOH DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit champion Stewart Friesen of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont.; three-time titlist Danny Johnson of Rochester, N.Y.; two-time champion Alan Johnson of Phelps, N.Y.; 2010 DCN champ and defending overall DIRTcar Big-Block Modified titleholder Matt Sheppard of Waterloo, N.Y.; and 2003 titlist Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y., a World of Outlaws Late Model Series regular who will pull double-duty during the week.
Last year Hearn fell short of the UNOH DIRTcar Nationals points crown, finishing second to Friesen by 10 points. But he won once - putting him back in Volusia's Victory Lane after an uncharacteristic winless visit in 2010 - and finished second (a rare last-lap loss in the series opener at the hands of Friesen), third and fifth in the other headliners.
It was a typically solid week for Hearn, who ranks the Volusia speedplant as one of his favorites.
"I really like it," said Hearn, who won the 800th feature of his distinguished three-decade-long career in 2011. "It's always been a really fun, racy, kind of cool place to race. It's wide, it's pretty fast, and it has a little bit of an unusual shape, which really mixes things up.
"It's also deceiving how much engine you can use there. You're on the gas at that place."
Hearn will wheel around Volusia in his familiar Madsen Motorsports Teo-Pro No. 20 machine, albeit this year without the Wentworth Construction logo gracing its bodywork for the first time in five years. ("We're sponsor hunting right now," said Hearn.) New to his operation will be car chief Matt Hearn, the 23-year-old son of Brett's younger brother and chassis builder Bobby.
Hearn's hauler will arrive in the Daytona area several days before the scheduled start of DIRTcar Big-Block Modified action at Volusia, giving him and his crew some "fun time" - probably a stop at Daytona International Speedway, a night spent watching World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series competition at Volusia, a little nightlife in Daytona. Then they'll unload their car and get down to business running nightly doubleheaders with the dirt Late Model class and soaking up the week's unique atmosphere.
"There's two things I really like about (the UNOH DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit)," said Hearn, who is eyeing a 2012 schedule focused on the Super DIRTcar Series and weekly DIRTcar-sanctioned racing at Albany-Saratoga Speedway in Malta, N.Y., and Lebanon Valley Speedway in West Lebanon, N.Y. "First, we always have fun when we get to race with the Late Models. As much as anything, we all just enjoy watching those guys race when we're not, but I think that when we run a combo race with the Late Models it's a big event. They draw a lot of fans and we draw a lot of fans as well, and when you put all that in one place it becomes pretty electric.
"And second, the fact that people who buy a ticket for the stands can come through the pits (the 'Free Fan Pit Pass With Every Ticket' offer) makes the week a lot more interesting. We get to see a lot of more people that might not otherwise come in the pits. Every year I see people I haven't seen in years who are down in Florida either for the 500 or live down there now."
The UNOH DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit is a 12-night short-track blockbuster that features nightly doubleheaders. In addition to four evenings of competition for the Super DIRTcar Series (Feb. 22-25) there will be six nights of Late Model action (DIRTcar UMP-sanctioned on Feb. 20, 21, 22 and 24 and WoO Late Model Series 50-lap A-Mains on Feb. 23 and 25); the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series on Feb. 17-19; the UNOH All-Star Sprint Car Series on Feb. 15-16; and the DIRTcar UMP Modifieds on Feb. 14-21.
For more information on the UNOH DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit - including special pricing on advance-sale tickets and details of the 'Free Fan Pit Pass With Every Ticket' offer that allows fans to get up-close-and-personal with the race teams every night - visit www.DIRTcarNationals.com or call 877-395-8606.
For more information on the Super DIRTcar Series, click http://www.SuperDIRTCarSeries.com.
DIRTcar Big-Block Modified Tentative Entry List for UNOH DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit Racing Equipment
Driver (Car #)
1. Rich Scagliotta (8s)
2. Peter Britten (21A)
3. Brett Hearn (20)
4. Matt Sheppard (9s)
5. Stewart Friesen (1F)
6. Danny Johnson (27J)
7. Alan Johnson (14)
8. Rick Laubach (7)
9. Andy Bachetti (34)
10. Tyler Siri/Steve Paine (5*)
11. Brian Berger (60)
12. Larry Wight (99L)
13. Tim Fuller (74)
14. Tim McCreadie (4*)
15. Tim Currier (10c)
16. Matt DeLorenzo (3d)
17. Roger Chrysler (21T)
18. Michel Chicoine (97)
19. Billy Pauch (1T)
20. Bobby Varin
21. Randy Chrysler (21K)
22. Chris Higgins (19h)
23. Darwin Greene (1G)
24. Jimmy Horton (5)
25. Dave Rauscher (48too)
26. Dexter Stacey (3d)
27. Wallace Stacey (66d)
28. Tommy Flannigan (72f)
29. Kevin Bates (42b)
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Kenny Tremont will spend Friday Nights at Albany Saratoga Speedway for 2012
Malta, NY – January 30, 2012 - Modified sensation Kenny Tremont recently announced that he will return to the Malta-based Albany Saratoga Speedway on Friday nights for the 2012 race season. Tremont, a long-time supporter of the 4/10 mile dirt stock car track, vacated the speedway at the end of the 2010 for a different venture.
But after hearing that promoter Howard Commander and right-hand man, Lyle DeVore, were taking over [leasing] the speedway from owner C.J. Richards it peaked Tremont’s interest.
“I was a little surprised and glad because I think it will stabilize the place,” said Tremont who holds the record for the most modified track titles while under the Richards family’s stat books.
“Basically I had a meeting with all of my guys and I asked them where they wanted to go because without their help I can’t do it. We took a general consensus of what everybody wanted to do and it was Malta.”
Tremont, who has spent many years hauling up the Northway to race at the Malta facility and many decades at Commander’s Lebanon Valley Speedway, expects Commander and DeVore’s latest project will be another success story.
“I think they will have a really good field, I think it will turn right back around and they will get a lot of people back racing again,” said Tremont who holds third place on the all-time Albany Saratoga Speedway win list [Brett Hearn leads and Jack Johnson sits in second place]. “That place has a lot of good going for it, it has a good location, it’s easy to get to, the track size is just about right and I’ve seen a lot of good racing up there.”
Tremont is currently preparing a brand new chassis for his Friday night assaults. His back-up car being the automobile he drove during the 2010 season on the pavement at Albany Saratoga Speedway.
“This will rejuvenate us and despite our success up there we still have to be prepared because there will be a lot of great cars there and we have to try and outrun them so we can’t get too complacent,” said Tremont.
“We had a year off from there and now it’s going to be dirt where it was pavement so there is a lot to learn,” said the 50 year old Tremont. “As far as the track goes I won’t know how that is going to be until I actually look at it because they paved over the top of the old pavement so now the height of the track is coming up so I don’t know what it is going to look like ? is it going to have less banking or more banking?”
The anticipation continues to build.
“We’re excited and if we were ready in the race shop then we would be anxious to get this started,” laughed Tremont, “but we’ve still got some work to do.”
DeVore, who will oversee the racing promotions, will host his season opener on Thursday, April 19th and Friday, April 20th.
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DRIVERS, OWNERS AND EMPLOYEES PLEASED AFTER MEETING BRIDGEPORT SPEEDWAY’S NEW PROMOTER
Swedesboro, NJ (January 29, 2012) – Smiles were seen at the Holiday Inn in Logan Township, NJ on Saturday, January 28 after several meetings were completed by Bridgeport Speedway’s new promoter Doug Hoffman.
Following a session with track employees, Hoffman met with Friday and Saturday night teams separately. During his conversations throughout the day, Hoffman focused in on providing a quality racing surface for competitors and running an efficient show for fans. In addition, Hoffman and his family are committed to providing a concession stand with superior food and value. The running order of the Saturday night features this year will be the same with the Big Block Modified main being the final race of the evening. Some rule changes were discussed including the possibility of adding sail panels to the Big Block Modifieds. For the Micro-Sprints, an open tire rule will be in place for the 2012 season.
After releasing a tentative 2012 schedule recently, Hoffman is planning to finalize the event listing within the upcoming week. The first event of the season on Saturday, March 31 will be the initial race of the Poker Series for the Big Block Modifieds. Also, this will be a Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour event and a plethora of talent is expected to attend. For each Poker Series race, the winner receives an Ace (A), second a King (K), third a Queen (Q) and so on down to the 13th-place finisher receiving a Deuce (2). After the completion of the five-race series, the driver with the best poker hand receives $2,500, second $1,500 and third $1,000.The driver with the worst hand receives $1,000. To be eligible for the Poker Series point fund, a driver must participate in all five events. Brett Deyo of BD Motorsports Media will manage the publicity for the five Poker Series races at Bridgeport by coordinating press releases, race-day promotions, contingency awards for racers, and apparel sales.
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Firecracker 100 and Silver Cup headline 2012 Lernerville Speedway schedule
Later starting date, but Fab Four Racing still the bread & butter!
Sarver, PA (January 23, 2012) The 2012 schedule at Lernerville Speedway will once again feature Crown Jewel events in the 6th Annual Firecracker 100 and the 21st annual installment of the Don Martin Memorial Silver Cup, both featuring and sanctioned by the World of Outlaws.
But our bread and butter continues to be the best weekly show in America; Fab Four Racing. All four division sponsors are back for 2012, so Fab Four Racing will once again feature the Ti22 Performance DIRTcar Sprints, Precise Racing Products DIRTcar Late Models, Diehl Auto Group DIRTcar Northeast Big Block Modifieds and Millerstown Pic-A-Part DIRTcar Sportsman.
The biggest change for 2012 is a later starting date. For years, Lernerville Speedway has scheduled one of the earliest “Opening Nights” in the region; traditionally the last Friday in March. But with Mother Nature carrying a winning percentage of greater than 75% over the past five seasons, Lernerville Speedway management has decided to move Opening Night 2012 to Friday, April 20 and Budweiser Points will start right off the bat!
Even with the later starting date, 17 Fast Fridays of Fab Four Racing are scheduled between Opening Night on April 20 and Championship Night on August 24.
Before the green flag flies, however, Lernerville’s preseason begins with the Annual Awards Banquet on Saturday, March 3 at the Days Inn on Route 8 in Butler, followed by cars shows at the Clearview Mall in Butler (March 8-10) and the Galleria at Pittsburgh Mills (March 15-17). After a month to bear down and get ready for the 2012 season, the action will move to the track on Saturday, April 14 for the Test & Tune practice session.
As mentioned above, the Crown Jewel events will be the highlight of the 2012 season as the World of Outlaws Late Model Series roll into Sarvertown for a three-night mega event in late June for the 6th Annual Firecracker 100 presented by GottaRace.com and the World of Outlaws Sprint Cars invade the Action Track in mid-July for the Don Martin Memorial Silver Cup XXI Twin 30s.
The Firecracker 100 is scheduled for Thursday-Friday-Saturday, June 28-29-30 and the Don Martin Memorial Silver Cup is scheduled for Tuesday, July 17. The World of Outlaws Sprints will also visit the Sarver Speedplant on Saturday, September 22 for the Commonwealth Clash. Tickets for all three events are on sale at www.Lernerville.com by clicking the “Buy Tickets” icon or by calling the speedway office Monday-Thursday 9:00AM-4:00PM at (724) 353-1511.
2012 Fab Four Racing promotional events include Silver Jacket Night on April 27, Cinco de Mayo Night on May 4, Breast Cancer Awareness Night on May 11, Armed Forces Night on May 18, Ladies Night/80s Night on May 25, Nostalgia Night on June 1, Fire/EMS/Police Night on June 8 and the Mid-Season Championships on June 15. Holiday Races with Fireworks on #1 Cochran Fan Appreciation Night on June 22 will lead us into the 6th Annual Firecracker 100.
The promotions continue to roll after the Firecracker with Youth Sports Night on July 6 and Friday the 13th Night featuring $13 admission on July 13.
After the Silver Cup, Fab Four Racing will take a mid-summer vacation as the ULMS Late Models will make their Action Track debut on the Friday, July 20 along with the UEMS E-Mods (which debuted at the 2011 DIRTcar Round Up Steel City Stampede) and the Millerstown Pic-A-Part DIRTcar Sportsman/Stock. The ULMS Lates will be racing for $2,500-to-win, while the UEMS Mods will race for $1,000-to-win.
Fab Four Racing resumes on July 27 with the Joe Pitkavish Memorial for the Diehl Mods, followed by ARCH Fan Club Night on August 3, Pittsburgh Circle Track Club Night on August 10, Scout Night on August 17 and the 2012 Fab Four Racing season will conclude with Championship Night on Friday, August 24. A more detailed explanation of the different features of each promotion will be announced closer to the start of the 2012 season.
Lernerville’s postseason will begin with the with the traditional Labor Day weekend lid lifter featuring the All Star Circuit of Champions Sprints on Friday, August 31. The 305 Sprints return to the card in 2012 along with the Pic-A-Part DIRTcar Sportsman.
Our Pic-A-Part DIRTcar Sportsman will once again take center stage on Saturday, September 8 in Sportsman/Stock Spectacular during Autumn-Motive Fest 2012; switching dates with the “Back to School” School Bus & Kid’s Bike Races which will now be run on the weekend after Autumn-Motive Fest; on Saturday, September 15. School Bus and Kid’s Bike races will also be run on Tuesday, August 7 along with Enduro 100 and Trailer Races on the “Summer Vacation” card.
The BRP Modified Tour will come to a dramatic conclusion during the three-day DIRTcar Round Up Steel City Stampede for a third straight season with the Kodiak Memorial Feature being run on Saturday, October 27.
Speaking of the DIRTcar Round Up, in its third season, the Steel City Stampede continued to grow into the pre-eminent end-of-season event in Western PA in 2011! The 2012 edition will expand to nine fast divisions all three nights, headlined by Fab Four Racing’s Ti22 Sprints, Precise Lates, Diehl Mods and Charapp Sportsman/Stock. Joining the Steel City Stampede lineup for the first time will be the FASTRAK Northeast Late Model Touring Series. The “Crate Lates” have been on the card since the inaugural event, but this will be the first time this race will be FASTRAK sanctioned. The 305 Sprints will also make their Stampede debut in 2012 after debuting at the speedway in 2011 along with the All Star Sprints. The UEMS/UMP Mods, Mod Lites and 4-Cylinders will also return, along with the Saturday Night finale Enduro 100.
Lernerville Speedway management continues to work with DIRTcar Northeast and the Sharon Speedway on the recently announces mini-series between the two tracks for the Big Block Modifeds, dates and details should be released in the near future.
The 2012 Lernerville Speedway schedule can be downloaded for printing at www.Lernerville.com by clicking the “2012 Schedule/Pricing” link or pick one up at the Banquet or either car show
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THE EXCITEMENT ABOUT HOFFMAN AND BRIDGEPORT SPEEDWAY CONTINUES FOLLOWING A SUCCESSFUL SHOWING AT MOTORSPORTS 2012
Swedesboro, NJ (January 22, 2012) – After taking over the reins at Bridgeport Speedway only two weeks ago, new promoter Doug Hoffman completed Motorsports 2012 on Sunday January 22 with a smile on his face. “I really believe we generated some excitement and electricity about Bridgeport. I kinda feel like we hit it out of the park this weekend,” stated Hoffman.
After being on the main stage at Motorsports 2012 on Friday evening, Hoffman spent the rest of the time at the show speaking with racers, sponsors and fans about his plans for the upcoming season. At the Bridgeport Speedway booth, pit licenses and parking spots were selling at a very brisk pace. Tentative schedules for 2012 were distributed to all with opening day slated for March 31 on the 5/8th mile oval.
The 2012 lidlifter will feature a 60-lap Race of Champions race for the Big Block Modifieds along with the Crate Modifieds and Outlaw Stocks. This opening event will also be the first hand of the Poker Series for the Big Block Modifieds. The Poker Series for the Big Block Modifieds will consist of five 60-lap events with the winner of each race receiving an Ace, the runner-up grabbing a King and so on until a deuce is granted to the thirteenth place finisher. At the end of the series, the driver with the best poker hand will win $2500. In addition, a Crate Modified Poker Series is set to be held during the year as well with the first of the five events slated for Saturday, April 28.
To answer further questions, Hoffman has scheduled meetings on Saturday, January 28 for owners and drivers at the Holiday Inn in Swedesboro, NJ. Following a 10:00 a.m. meeting with employees, Saturday night teams will meet at Noon with Friday night drivers and owners convening at 3:00 p.m.
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Plenty of Exciting Events in Store For Chapman’s Can Am Motorsports Park in 2012; A Sneak Peak at Upcoming Season Schedule
Craig Revelle
January 21, 2012
As we inch closer to the start of the 2012 racing season at Chapman’s Can Am Motorsports Park, General Manager Chip Burdick has been busy working on the 2012 schedule, and planning some very exciting events for the new season. Some major changes for 2012 include the move to Saturday nights, the addition of the Big Block Modifieds, and a new starting time of 6:30pm for most weekly racing events.
After a full weekend of practice on Saturday April 14th and Sunday April 15th, Can Am will have their season opener set for Saturday April 21st.
Several exciting events highlight the schedule, including a pair of visits from the Empire Super Sprints. They will open their season at Can Am on Saturday, April 28th, and will return for the Budweiser Shootout Weekend at Can Am on Saturday, July7th.
The SUNY Canton Shootout Open 100 for the Modifieds, Sportsman and Late Models will take place in both May and June as special mid-week events. Both races will pay out at least $2500 for the Modified winner, $1000 for the Sportsman winner and $750 for the Late Model winner. A $500 bonus will also be added for the Modified feature for the top 358 Modified in the feature. For both mid-week events, the Modifieds will have a 45 lap feature, the Sportsman will race for 30 laps and the Late Models will compete in a 25 lap event.
“With the help of some of our great sponsors, we have been able to put together a pretty exciting schedule for 2012”, says Burdick. “We hope to add even more events to the schedule, including Monster Trucks, and a Summer Concert”.
Another major change for 2012 will be an increased purse in all divisions that will be on par with other area tracks. Modifieds will race for at least $1500 to win for all weekly events this season, and the new FASTRAK sanctioned Late Models will compete for a $500 winners share. The STARS Mod Lite Series will have 5 races on the schedule with $300 to win for each event.
“We made some cuts to the purse last year, as we had to do what was best for the track as we evaluated where we stood financially”, says Burdick. “We have increased the purse this year and it is more on par with everyone else”.
At the end of the season, there will be a champion crowned for both the Big Block and Small Blocks, even though they will be competing against each other. The track is working to secure sponsorship so that a weekly bonus can be given out to the first small block across the line. In our weekly Big Block/Small Block events, the Small Block Modifieds will be giving a weight break, and they will have a minimum weight of 2300 pounds with driver in the car.
Other special events on the schedule this year will be four Enduro events, including the return of the King of the North Country Enduro on Sunday, July 29th that will include three 30 lap races with $750 to win each. Other Enduro events will take place at the conclusion of our weekly racing program on Saturday, May 26th, Saturday, July 7th, and Saturday, September 8th. A Street Stock vs. Pro Stock Challenge is also back on the schedule this year on Saturday, April 28th paying $500 to win. The Street Stock rules have changed allowing the Pro Stocks to compete weekly against the Can Am Street Stocks, so please check out the rules on our website for more details. The final race of 2012 for the Modifieds will come on Labor Day Weekend with a special $2000 to win event.
A lot of changes are in store for Can Am in 2012, but one thing that won’t change is are affordable admission prices. General Admission for all of our weekly events will remain at $10. Season passes, Tower Rooms, billboards and sponsor nights are available by calling Chip Burdick at the number below.
A great addition to the Can Am Kids Club in 2012 will be a recently purchased Camping World Truck two-seater. Some adjustments will need to be made to the truck, but it will be part of a ride along for young fans with their favorite driver in the two-seat racing machine. Track owner Tiger Chapman just purchased the truck on a recent trip to the Barrett-Jackson car auction in Arizona.
With the change to Saturday nights for the big track, the Go Kart night has also been changed back to Friday nights. The first race of 2012 for the Karts will take place on Friday, May 4th with a 7:15pm start time. Karts are invited to attend the open practice session on April 14th and 15th get some track time before the season opener.
Our first event of 2012 is just two weeks away with the postponed Can Am Hangover Enduro originally scheduled for January 1st. Can Am will open for the first time in the New Year on Saturday, February 4th with two 40 lap races paying $500 to win each. Second place will receive $100. Pit Gates will open at 11am, General Admission will open at noon. Race time is 1pm. Grandstand Admission is just $5, and pit admission is $20. Registration for the event is open with a cost of $50 per car, which includes pit admission for the driver.
More information regarding the 2012 season at Chapman's Can-Am Motorsports Park, including sponsorship and ticket information can be found at www.canammotorsports.comor by contacting Chip Burdick at (315) 778- 3407. For tech inquiries, please contact Lloyd Larmon at (315) 767-7819.
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Billy Dunn; A Look Into His Racing Career, Past Accomplishments and the Future of One of Racing’s Talented Young Stars
Dunn has established himself as a Syracuse contender. In 2011 he won the Safety-Kleen Shootout. (Images By DC Photo)
Craig Revelle – Finish Line Web Design
January 20, 2012
As a young kid, Billy Dunn caught the racing bug early. With legendary DIRTcar Big Block Modified driver “Barefoot” Bob McCreadie working out of the Number One Speed race shop owned by Billy’s father Norm, he learned quickly from the best in the business.
Billy first got his start in racing at Can Am Motorsports Park. At the age of seven, Dunn got into BMX bike racing, and when the track made the decision to close up the bike track and turn it into a kart track, Dunn made the transition as well. Dunn first started in Karts in 1992, and for the next nine years he honed his racing skills by winning over 100 races and multiple championships along the way.
Looking for a new challenge, Dunn moved up to the popular IMCA Modified division at the beginning of the 2001 racing season. He raced IMCA for the next two seasons, Collecting 13 feature wins and multiple top five and top ten finishes before making the jump into the Big Block Modified division.
“I have been very fortunate to have great people behind me year after year”, says Dunn. “Dad (Norm) and Uncle Tim with Number One Speed and other people like Jimmy Peterson from Fast Lube of Watertown have been there since we started racing Karts”.
Dunn has enjoyed a great deal of success the past few seasons winning the track championship at his home track Can Am Motorsports Park for the past three seasons. Dunn has also run with the Big Block Modified Super DIRTcar Series for the past five seasons, finishing inside the top 15 each year.
In DIRTcar’s biggest event, Super DIRT Week, Dunn has established himself as a perennial contender with a solid performance each of the last two years. In 2010, Dunn had a fast car, but fell victim to a mechanical failure. This past year, Dunn won the outside pole awards, won his qualifying heat, won the Safety-Kleen Shootout, and once again had a fast car but was caught up in a mid race accident.
Dunn has worked hard to get to where he is today, whether it be at Number One Speed, or at the other family run business that operates at the same Bradley St. location. Norm and his late wife Debbie established Frosty’s Ice Cream in 1988 and has been a big part of Billy’s life since he was old enough to begin working.
While racing is Dunn’s passion, he now works full time at Number One Speed in Watertown, and has taken the reins of the Number One Speed Shock Service. He has a Shock Dyno on the premises, and provides full shock service from maintenance to complete rebuilds. Knowing the importance of shocks, chassis set up and understanding how both of them relate to each other is one of the reasons he is successful on the track. Dunn specializes in Integra and Bilstein racing shocks, and also carries the new Integra Sportsman shock for 2012.
In 2012, Dunn will be back behind the wheel of his Big Block Modified, racing weekly at Can Am Motorsports Park. He will also run a limited Empire Super Sprints schedule, and hopes to follow the Big Block Modified Super DIRTcar Series Schedule.
For more information on Billy Dunn and the Number One Speed race team, please check out our website, www.billydunn49.com
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Legion Speedway Sale Finalized, Season Opener in Just Four Months
BY MARK McKEON
WENTWORTH, NH – The i’s have been dotted, the t’s have been crossed and Si Allen of West Windsor, VT is now legally and officially the proud owner of Legion Speedway, located on Route 25 at the Rumney/Wentworth town line. The real estate closing took place on January 19 in the Law Offices of Dechman and Cowie in Plymouth.
Allen, the 1975 Late Model Track Champion at Westboro Speedway and the 2005 Sprint Cars of New England Series Champion, expressed his appreciation to the members and officers of Lamont Kennison American Legion Post 76.
“The Post has supported the track for the last half century and my job is to carry on the great tradition they established,” Allen said. Post Commander Dave Learned and Adjutant Wayne Frost represented the Legion at the closing.
Allen has already made a number of improvements to the facility and plans to add several more inches of clay to the surface before the doors open for a practice session on May 20. Twilight racing will be held on Sundays with hot laps at 4:30 pm and racing at 5:00, starting Memorial Day Weekend, May 27. Sportsman Modifieds, Super Streets, Mini Stocks and 600cc Mini Sprints will be the weekly divisions while the Sprint Cars of New England and the Granite State Mini Sprints tours will make periodic visits.
Wally and Janine Brown, proprietors of Brownie’s Automotive in Enfield and third generation racers, will promote and operate the track.
“Janine and I are looking forward to working with Si to provide racers with a safe, fair place to race and giving fans a quick, action packed show that makes them want to come back again next week,” Wally Brown said.
For updates on Legion Speedway and to view our complete schedule, visit our web site at legionspeedway.com.
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SHARON SIGNS ON AS DIRTCAR MEMBER SPEEDWAY FOR BIG-BLOCK MODIFIEDS IN 2012; POINT FUNDS, BONUS $$$, SPECIAL EVENT ANNOUNCEMENTS COMING SOON
By Mike Leone
Hartford, OH January 18, 2012 For the first time in its illustrious history, the Big-Block Modifieds will run under the full DIRTcar sanction for the upcoming 2012 season at Sharon Speedway! The Hartford, Ohio oval will join Lernerville Speedway giving the western Pennsylvania/eastern Ohio region a Friday-Saturday DIRTcar Modified circuit for the first time ever.
Big-Block Modified racers at Sharon will now be able to run for DIRTcar points. In addition, there will be bonuses, point funds and special races between Lernerville and Sharon Speedways. More information on these exciting announcements will be released in the near future.
"I felt the timing was right to join DIRTcar," explained third year GM Dave Willoughby. "We looked at the program last year, but it just didn't come together in time. It wasn't long ago that there were five or six tracks running the Big-Block Modifieds weekly in our area, now we're down to two. We want the Big-Block Modified division to survive just as much as the racers and fans do so we felt this was an important move. I'm excited about what we can do with Lernerville and the extra money and incentives that are out there for our racers to be part of the DIRTcar program. It'll also put us in line with rules with the other DIRTcar speedways throughout the Northeast."
The DIRTcar Big-Block Modifieds will open their season at Sharon on Saturday, April 7 when they will be joined by the FASTRAK Late Models, E-Mods, Stock Cars, Econo Mods, and Mini Stocks 7. An open practice has been scheduled for March 24 along with the "Springduro 150" Enduro.
Modified racers can get an early start to their season by participating in the Super DIRTcar Series events at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Florida February 22-25. For more information on the DIRTcar Modified program including rules, membership forms, tracks, and more check out their website at www.dirtcarump.com/rules/big-block-modified-rules.
The late Lou Blaney leads the all-time Big-Block Modified win list with 121 victories. Four-time and 2011 champion, Rex King, has moved into a tie for second with Bob Kraus at 39 wins. Jim Weller, Jr. sits fourth with 23 wins and leads former standout John Braymer by one. Active racers Jim Rasey and Kevin Bolland are tied for sixth with 18 wins a piece.
Sharon will hold the 2011 Awards Banquet & Dinner on Saturday, February 4 at Yankee Lake Ballroom on State Route 7 just north of Brookfield, Ohio. A reminder that the ticket deadline is January 21. Ticket order forms and registration forms for these events are on our website at www.sharonspeedway.com.
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Fulton Open Practice, Brewerton/Fulton ‘Blast-Off III’ Party and Awards set for April 7
BALDWINSVILLE, NY January 18, 2012 (By Dave Medler) – The first activity of 2012 at the Fulton and Brewerton Speedways is scheduled for Saturday, April 7 with an open practice session at the high banks of Fulton in conjunction with the ‘Blast-Off III” Pre-season Party and Awards program at the Oasis at Thunder Island.
Open practice, contingent upon weather and approval of the Town of Volney, is open for any type of dirt race car and will begin at 2pm. Upon closure of the practice, the scene will shift across the Oswego River to Thunder Island. The banquet hall doors will open at 5pm and will feature a Monte Carlo style buffet including carving station plus hot and cold hors-d’euvres and finger foods. A cash bar will also be available. All division track champions will be recognized and point money distributed. Drivers must be present to receive posted point money. Tickets are $20 and must be purchased in advance. Tickets will not be sold at the door and are available by calling the Fulton and Brewerton Speedway off-season office at (315) 638-4056 or e-mail cory@brewertonspeedway.com.
Thunder Island is located at 21 Wilcox Road right off Route 48 in Fulton.
American Racer Tires will again be the official tire on all Modified, Sportsman and Late Model classes in 2012. Sunoco returns again as the official track fuel. While opening dates and weekly schedules are still being completed, the end-of-year championship events have been scheduled. The Sunoco Fulton Ethanol Facility Outlaw Weekend by SUNY Canton returns to Fulton Speedway on September 28 and 29. Brewerton Speedway will play host to the 20th Hurricane 100 on Thursday, October 4th.
Keep up with track updates throughout the offseason at www.brewertonspeedway.com and www.fultonspeedway.com, on each speedway’s Facebook accounts and on Twitter at twitter.com/Fultonspeedway and twitter.com/BrewertonSpdway.
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UTICA-ROME SPEEDWAY REGULARS PROVE EQUALLY AS TOUGH AT OTHER VENUES AS THEY DO ON SUNDAYS
VERNON, NY- Every week during the 2011 season, Utica-Rome Speedway hosted some of most competitive Modified racing with some of the most talented drivers. While it is easy for a track to boast about how good their competitors are, one of the best ways to tell is when the drivers take their talents on the road and how they fare against others. Below is how the top ten in the Utica-Rome Speedway Modified point standings fared on Sundays and wherever else they raced.
1) In 2011, Stewart Friesen again became a road warrior, chasing high dollar shows across the Northeast while racing weekly at the Brewerton, Five Mile Point, and Utica-Rome Speedways. Taking the titles at both Five Mile Point and Utica-Rome and falling just short at Brewerton, Friesen was a force to be reckoned with every night of the weekend as he grabbed 14 wins, five at Utica-Rome. Friesen also proved he could win away from his weekly haunts by starting of the 2011 season with a pair of wins in Florida at Volusia Speedway Park and continuing throughout the summer by winning on the Race of Champions Dirt Modified Series and scoring another Thunder on the Thruway Modified championship. For the second consecutive year, Friesen scored the big win at the New York State Fairgrounds for the Super DIRT Week festivities. By scoring the controversial win, Friesen moved into elite company by becoming one of the few drivers to win the big event more than once. Friesen ended his season on a high note by winning on the asphalt at Wall Stadium’s Turkey Derby.
2) Former track champion Pat Ward, like Friesen, had a steady diet of three weekly tracks along with chasing some of the higher dollar events in the region plus the Race of Champions Modified Series. While many would consider any season with a win a good year, Ward’s handful of wins is considered a down year for the likable veteran. Going winless at the super competitive Brewerton Speedway while collecting two wins at the Fulton Speedway and another win at Utica-Rome, Ward was in the mix nearly every single night. A former Race of Champions Modified Series champion, Ward came home in fifth in the competitive series while narrowly missing out on the Thunder on the Thruway Series title, coming just 10 points shy of the championship.
3) Bobby Varin started the season off with a bang at Utica-Rome by taking the opening night win then on the next day he came from deep in the field to take the $10,000 Victoria 200 win. Varin wouldn’t win again for the rest of the season until the last event of the season, the prestigious New Yorker 200. In an act of total domination, Varin would lap right up to the third place car when the checkered flag flew. Varin’s three Utica-Rome wins were worth over $22,000. At his other two weekly tracks, Glen Ridge Motorsports Park and Fonda Speedway, Varin would finish in the runner up position in points at both while he would finish third overall in the Thunder on the Thruway final standings. Two wins at Fonda and four at Glen Ridge would round out Varin’s win total for the season. Considered a down year by Varin’s standards, it would still be a considered a great season by most.
4) Popular second generation driver Ronnie Johnson would have his best season yet overall in 2011. Six wins at Fonda en route to his first career Fonda Speedway Modified Championship, the son of legendary driver Jack Johnson would find thing a little tougher on Sunday nights. Johnson’s only win of the season came on the final weekend of the season at the Vernon oval when he took the $5,000 to win Thunder on the Thruway Series event on the Friday night of New Yorker weekend. Johnson would finish in fourth in the Thunder on the Thruway Series.
5) Making the trek eastward down the Thruway each week from his Spencerport home, Todd Burley didn’t have the success he was used to at Utica-Rome. Going winless in 2011, the former track champion still was competitive on most nights, enough so that would be able to get a fifth place in the final point rundown. On Friday nights, Burley competed at the Ransomville Speedway and was right in the thick of the points battle there, scoring two wins on the season. In the end, he would fall just six points shy of the Ransomville track championship.
6) There isn’t much else that can be written about Alan Johnson that hasn’t been written already. Making his first all out assault at Utica-Rome in nearly thirty years, the all-time DIRTcar Big Block Modified feature winner managed to grab one win this season. After suffering motor issues late in the season, Johnson limped into the off season. He also scored one win at Brewerton and two at Fulton plus a late season win at the Black Rock Speedway, but is was far below the double digit win standard he is accustomed to.
7) Bill Trexler, Jr. completed his first full season as a Big Block Modified driver and it can be considered a success as he was competitive despite the talented field he raced against every week. He didn’t score a feature win but he did give veteran Billy Decker everything he could handle in a gritty performance on July 28 in a midweek Thunder on the Thruway Series event, finishing second. Trexler rarely roamed outside Vernon but when he did before the Utica-Rome season began, he scored a top ten finish at Fulton.
8) The 2011 season was an up and down season for former track champion Willy Decker. When he was stricken by mechanical issues, Decker could be found running near the front on most occasions. He was able to score two wins at his Sunday evening home while he was able grab another win at the Brewerton Speedway. He finished eighth in points at both tracks he was a regular at, Brewerton and Utica-Rome.
9) Ted Lamb surely didn’t enjoy the type of season he was hoping for in 2011 as he wasn’t able to grab a feature win at Utica-Rome. He did score three top fives and lead 29 laps en route to his top ten finish in points. Lamb also ran for half a season at Brewerton with top five and 18 laps led there.
10) Soft spoken veteran Paul Jensen ran as a regular at one track weekly and rarely ventured anywhere else in 2011. Unable to grab a win in 2011, he was able to grab a top five and lead circuits.
While the top ten at Utica-Rome Speedway compiled some impressive statistics, some of the drivers outside the top ten also were impressive. Casey Williams, Paul Kinney, and Steve Hulsizer all grabbed feature wins at Utica-Rome Speedway in 2011 with Kinney also scoring two wins at Glen Ridge. 13th place point getter Kenny Tremont struggled mightily on Sunday nights but was track champion at both Lebanon Valley and Glen Ridge.
The 2012 season looks to be just as competitive if not more so as almost all the drivers that competed weekly in 2011 are reportedly returning for the upcoming season with the exception of Paul Kinney. Kinney will be moving into the 360 Sprints as a regular on the Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints Tour.
On April 29, the 2012 season will kick off to begin the 51st season of racing at the Utica-Rome Speedway with a full show of Modifieds, Sportsman, Pro Stocks, and Pure Stocks. A tentative schedule will be released shortly and will be available at www.uticaromespeedway.com when released. For more information, please call the speedway office at (315) 829-4557.
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Albany Saratoga Will Join DIRTcar Family
Malta, NY -- January 09, 2012 -- On Saturday Joe Skotnicki, DIRTcar’s Director of Series & Sanctioning, announced that Albany Saratoga Speedway would be joining the DIRTcar family for the 2012 race season. Skotnicki made the announcement during the Eastern Motorsport Press Association’s (EMPA) annual
Convention held in King of Prussia (PA) on January 6-8, 2012.
“We’re very excited about Albany-Saratoga coming on board,” said Skotnicki. “Albany-Saratoga is a premier Friday track in that Region and to have it under the DIRTcar banner is a real feather in our cap. It is steep in tradition and synonymous”
At the end of the 2011 race season the Richards family put the Malta (NY) based oval up for sale. Pending a sale Lebanon Valley Speedway owner/promoter, Howard Commander, struck a deal with C.J Richards to lease the speedway.
Lyle DeVore, Commander’s general manager at the West Lebanon oval, will oversee the daily operation of the facility and the promotional end of the venture.
“When we first signed the lease (with Richards), our biggest concern was getting the clay on the track before the weather turned,” recalled DeVore. “Once we built our package and listened to what everyone wanted we knew bringing DIRTcar with us was the way to go ?they are a nice fit ? they are the backbone of dirt modifieds in the Northeast.”
Skotnicki and team, who sanction many racetracks through the DIRTcar Northeast and DIRTcar UMP Midwest program, welcomed the duo.
“We are looking forward to continuing our great relationship with Lyle and Howard,” said Skotnicki. “My job is to get, and to keep, as many sanctioning tracks as we can. The history that goes along with Albany Saratoga is unrivaled so we knew it was a priority to have the racing sanctioned under the DIRTcar banner.”
The new management team will continue with a Friday night format. DeVore has set a tentative ‘Opening Nights‘ race program for Thursday, April 19 and Friday, April 20, 2012. The modified class will compete on both dates. DeVore expects to announce the dates for two warm-up sessions in the very near future.
“We are looking forward to getting things rolling with the racing season. The DIRTcar Nationals are right around the corner,” stated Skotnicki.
DeVore sang the same song.
“The enthusiasm from everyone is unbelievable and I wish we could start racing tomorrow,” said DeVore.
For race night sponsorship, signage availabilities or information visit the Albany Saratoga Speedways website at: www.albany-saratogaspeedway.com or call the speedway at: (518) 587-0220.
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2011 Champions Honored at the Penn Can Speedway Banquet…Exciting new season planned for 2012
By Ryan Lepre
The Penn Can Speedway racing family gathered at the Montdale Country Club last Saturday evening to honor the top drivers from the 2011 season and look forward to the 2012 season at the Susquehanna, PA dirt track. Top teams in all divisions were presented beautiful plaques prepared by speedway sponsor S&W Awards. A very generous point fund was also presented to the top drivers.
The man of the night was Kevin Hartnett as he collected the Modified Championship on the strength of his four wins and 11 top five finishes. Hartnett who races his self-owned J&H Electrical No. 88 commented, “Our preparation this year really helped, we try to take care of everything at home first. We thought we had a good car the year before but it comes down to the people that help me Steve, Larry, Tara and my Dad there’s no way I could do it without them. We just had a great year and a great car I just can’t thank everybody enough. I have to thank the crew so much and we will absolutely be back to defend the championship, I also can’t thank Al and Reed enough for what they do at Penn Can.” The consistency of Hartnett allowed him to capture his first career championship by a large margin over a very tight battle for second in the Modified points between Kevin Bates and Dan Pompey. Bates the driver of the My Darkest Days No. 42B bested Pompey and his Wilder Diamond Tools No. 11P by just seven points. Bates had five top five’s and 12 top ten’s while Pompey parked in victory lane twice and finished in the top five on seven nights. Mike Colsten driver of the Don’s Automotive Mall No. 51 placed fourth in points with one win and Brett Tonkin who races the Grim Construction No. 15 won twice to snag fifth in the points. Darwin Greene, Mike Schane and Joey Colsten were also in attendance to collect their awards.
In the Late Model division Tracey Gregory and his No. 78 team collected their fourth championship in a row with one victory and 12 top five’s. Curt Tunillo Jr. and Dan Snyder each took three wins to place second and third while Ben Whitaker and Jim O’Hara completed the top five for the Late Models.
Mike Nagel Jr. won his second straight Crate Sportsman championship in the NEP Wireless No.M7 on the strength of his eight feature wins and 19 top five’s. Alex Stanton was second in Sportsman points, Adam MacGeorge placed third, Dusty Barton and Jeff Crambo finished fourth and fifth respectively.
In the Street Stock division Shane Wolf Jr. was the champion as he picked up seven wins and 16 top five’s. Ryan Stone finished a close second with three wins and 16 top five’s.
The Factory Stock Champ was Rob Warner. The 4 Cylinder Champ Andy Brigham provided the highlight of the evening as he proposed to his girlfriend Sara Case who manages the Concession Stands at the Speedway, she said yes.
Closing comments were made by co-promoters Al Wilcox and Reed Miller. While dispelling all rumors about the demise of Penn Can Speedway, both indicated that the future will be bright. New construction projects are being planned over the winter months to start in the spring. A new and exciting schedule will be released shortly. Special announcements are also scheduled for the 602 Sportsman division and the street stock division for the 2012 season. New purse information for those divisions will be available at the area motorsports shows coming in the next few months. Many new and exciting events have been planned for the new year.
The Car Owners of the Year Award went to Gary and Joanne Bates owners of the Kevin Bates driven No. 42B. The Jane Kennerup Outstanding Performance Awards were won by the Brett, Alex and Garth Tonkin Jr. for all three brothers making the redraw at the Clash at the Can. While Kevin Hartnett won the other Jane Kennerup Award for his season long consistency at the Speedway. Pit Steward Brian Cochardo gave his Brian Awards to Theresa Schane (Mike Schane’s Mother) and Mrs. Tunilo (Curt Tuilo Jr.’s wife).
Rookies of the Year were Bobby Trapper Jr. (Modified), Paul Strohl (Late Model), Dusty Barton (Sportsman), Brenton Miller (Street Stock) and Matt Hynds (4 Cylinder). The S & W Awards Best Appearing Car awards were won by Dan Pompey (Modified), Curt Tunilo Jr. (Late Model), Alex Stanton (Sportsman), Ryan Stone (Street Stock), Nick Griest (4 Cylinder) and Georgie Brown (Factory Stock). The Horizon Awards went Darwin Greene (Modified), Steve Deinhardt (Late Model), Adam MacGeorge (Sportsman), Ryan Stone (Street Stock), Andy Bringham (4 Cylinder) and Rob Warner (Factory Stock).
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DELAWARE INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY CELEBRATES 2011 SEASON
By Charlie Brown, Delmar, DE – A crowd of over 500 converged on the Dower Downs Hotel & Casino on Saturday night to recognize the top drivers of the 2011 season at the Delaware International Speedway. More than $50,000 in cash and awards were distributed to the top ten in the five weekly divisions. Division champions were crowned which included; Matt Jester of Lincoln, Del. in the NAPA Big Block Modifieds; Donald Lingo, Jr. of Millsboro, Del. in the Super Late Models; Joe Warren of Georgetown, Del. in the Crate Models; John Curtis of Harrington, Del. in the AC Delco TSS Modifieds and Brandon Dennis of Harrington in the Mod Lites.
Taking home the lion’s share of the point fund was “The Joker” Matt Jester in the Clearview Farms NAPA Big Block Modified. Jester recorded a season high eight feature wins in route to his first division title. Jester accumulated 2229 points and earned $6250 from the point fund. Chasing Jester to the very end in the chase was H.J. Bunting of Milford, Del. who finished in second with 2193 points worth $3350. Sophomore driver, Brad Trice of Parsonsburg, Md. got his first career win in 2011 and finished third overall with 2011 points earning $2600. Rounding out the top five were second generation driver, Beau Wilkins of Milford in fourth with 1813 ($2050) and Robert Dutton of Milford fifth with 1761 ($1600).
Rounding out the top ten were: Kenny Brightbill of Sinking Springs, Pa. with 1699 ($1300); Eric Kormann of Vineland, N.J. with 1675 ($1100); Dale Hawkins of Dover, Del. with 1380 ($1000); Joseph Watson of Milford with 1377 ($950) and Michael White of Laurel, Del. with 1284 ($900). Receiving the “Rookie of the Year” award was Eric Kormann who made the three hour tow each way from South Jersey to compete in his first year of racing in the big block modifieds. Trophies were presented by NAPA Auto Parts of Delmarva.
Defending Super Late Model point champion, Donald Lingo, Jr. successfully defended his title in 2011. Lingo got off to a slow start but came on strong in the later part of the season to post four wins and earn his fourth overall championship in the Lingo Marine/Ford. Lingo equaled Jester in his point total with 2229 and earned $4250 from the point fund. Leading the points for most of the season until engine woes dropped him to second was former two time champion, Richard Jarvis, Jr. of Powellville, Md. with four wins and earning 1869 points ($2250). Female sensation, Staci Warrington of Milton continued to climb the standings finishing third overall with 1846 ($1500). Rounding out the top five were Andrew Mullins of Seaford, Del. who drove to his first win during the season and earning 1769 ($1100) and Mark Pettyjohn of Milton with 1692 points (($1000).
Finishing in sixth through tenth in order were: Herb Tunis of Georgetown with 1643 ($800); Kerry King of Delmar with 1543 ($700); David Hill of Trappe, Md. with 1539 ($675); Mark Byram of Georgetown with 1466 ($650) and David Pettyjohn of Millsboro with 1454 ($600). Andrew Mullins received special recognition as he was presented with the Kyle Dixon Youth Achievement Award by Kyle’s father, Joe Dixon, for being the youngest driver to finish highest in points in all five division. Trophies were presented by Sysco of Eastern Maryland.
Earning his fourth point championship in the Crate Model division was Joe Warren. Warren regained his title by winning seven times during the year totaling 1955 points and earning $1700. Michael Wharton of Laurel got a late start but his four wins landed him second in points with 1795 ($775). Third went to Clint Chalabala whose consistency earned him 1656 points ($575). Fourth was a person best for John Imler of Tracys Landing, Md. with 1625 ($475) and fifth went to rookie Dylan Evans of Millsboro with 1384 ($375).
Finishing in sixth through tenth in order were: Chris Hitchens of Milton with 1346 ($300). Sparky White of Delmar with 1240 ($250); John Emory of Milton with 1179 ($225); Robbie Emory of Milton with 1077 ($200) and Roy Hassler of Laurel with 971 ($175). Trophies were presented by Snookie’s Speed Parts of Milton.
The AC Delco TSS Modified division produced a first time winner in 2011. John Curtis led the points for most of the season in 2010 before dropping to third after late season problems. This season Curtis was consistent throughout recording two win in his Taylor & Messick sponsored mount and earning 1800 points and $1700 from the point fund. Defending champion Joseph Tracy of Dagsboro, Del. chased Curtis down to the wire earning six wins and 1775 ($775). Third went to Scott Baker of Seaford whose consistency paid off with 1670 points ($575). Fourth went to Westley Smith of Delmar who posted his first win and totaled 1580 ($475) and Justin Griffith of Georgetown with two wins and 1410 points ($375).
Sixth through tenth in order were Scott Hitchens of Gumboro with 1370 ($300); Danny Smack of Willards, Md. with 1355 ($250); Tyler Reed of Laurel with 1265 ($225); Trent Willey of Milton with 1180 ($200) and Brandon Blades of Dagsboro with 1010 ($175). Trophies were presented by R.C. Holloway of Salisbury, Md.
Special recognition went to Tom Jerman and Calvin Musser for their part in organizing the highly successful “Blast from the Past Reunion.” Thirty years of service awards were present to Norris Bryan and Charlie Brown.
All champions received championship jackets, gold cards for admission in 2011, necklaces and for the first time, championship window boxes designed specifically for each of the champions. In order of points the champions also got to draw for awards such as a night in the VIP suit, season parking spots and season passes.
The sponsors on the 2011 Delaware International Speedway Money Trail were individually recognized for their support and contributions. They included: R.C. Holloway Co., Scott’s Furniture; Snookie’s Speed Parts; Taylor & Messick; Lias Tire; Sysco Eastern Maryland; Clark’s Swimming Pools, Inc.; Sussex Scrap Metal; Bradley Distribution, Inc.; NAPA; Pepsi; Nucar Connection and Pro Race Cars.
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Alan Johnson to Kick Off 2012 at UNOH DIRTcar Nationals in Florida With Dick Biever Motorsports and Commercial Roofing
Craig Revelle
January 6, 2012
After a part-time ride in 2011 with Kenny Saya and the Commercial Roofing team, Alan Johnson was named the team’s primary driver for 2012 soon after the season ended. The team is now pleased to announce that Alan will drive for Dick Biever Motorsports for the upcoming events in Florida.
It was reported in early December that Biever Motorsports was looking to run a limited schedule for the 2012 season, and soon after talks began with Alan Johnson, Kenny Saya and Dick Biever. A partnership was soon formed that will see Alan compete at Volusia County Speedway during the UNOH DIRTcar Nationals in February. The team will travel to Volusia in Saya’s stacker trailer outfit with a car from the Dick Biever Motorsports Stable, as well as a Commercial Roofing car. Depending on how the Florida trip works out, th potential is there for Johnson will run several other races with Dick Biever Motorsports during the year.
Plans are still in place for the 2012 season for Alan to compete weekly in Central New York as well in the Commercial Roofing car. Alan plans to race at Brewerton, Fulton and Utica Rome Speedway and chase as many high profile races as possible, and hopefully a limited schedule with Dick Biever Motorsports team as well.
“This is another great opportunity for Alan and we look forward to getting to work with Dick Biever Motorsports”, says team PR representative Todd Kirkwood who, along with other team PR rep Troy Smith have done a lot of the leg work in getting this deal put together. “Alan will be going to pick up the car and bringing it back up to Kenny’s shop and we will get ready for Volusia”.
Alan is currently involved in a contest with Champion, a leader in the automotive industry for spark plugs. He is competing with several others that have submitted a video in efforts to capture one of five $10000 sponsorships that they are giving away for the 2012 season. They will also have a grand prize winner that will receive a $50000 sponsorship for the coming year. To vote for Alan, simply go to our website and click the vote now tab. Register and vote daily.
For more information on Alan Johnson, including sponsorship information and career highlights, please check out our website, www.alanjohnson14j.com.
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FONDA SPEEDWAY 2011 SEASON IN REVIEW
By: Ron Szczerba
FONDA, NY – 2011 was the 60th championship season of racing at the Track of Champions Fonda Speedway with the point’s championships in all divisions coming right down to the wire with only a few points deciding the track champions in all divisions.
When all was said and done on Saturday, August 13 which was a special racing program known as the Night of Features with double features in all divisions except for the 4-cylinder class, four of the five track champions crowned were first time champions with Cassidy Wilson the only repeat champion in the street stock division.
A total of 21 events were held in the modified division with first time track champion Ronnie Johnson leading the way with six feature victories. Matt DeLorenzo won two of the final four events of the season to end 2011 with a total of three wins while Bobby Varin, Danny Varin who captured his first career wins in the modified division at Fonda in 2011, Jeff Trombley, and Brett Hearn all won two features apiece.
Alton Palmer, Elmo Reckner, A.J. Romano, and Ryan Odasz all ended the season with one feature win apiece.
The significance of Hearn’s two wins was that he accomplished them both on the same night (a special mid week racing program on August 10) with one of them being his 800th career victory.
Johnson was the 22nd different driver to win a modified championship at Fonda in a total of 60 championship seasons joining his father on the list with Jack having a total of 11 championships at the Track of Champions.
The very competitive 602 sportsman division saw another first time track champion as 26 year old Mark Mortensen led the way with four feature wins carrying him to his first career title.
A total of 17 events were held in the 602 sportsman division with 12 different winners visiting victory lane. Following right behind Mortensen’s four win season were Adam McAuliffe and John Scarborough with two wins apiece while Rob Langevin, Jeremiah Munson, Jeremy Pitts, Robert Bublak, Dave Constantino, Justin Auspelmyer, Doug Flynn, Rocky Warner, and Ray Zemken all had one win apiece.
For Mortensen, Langevin, Pitts, Constantino, Auspelmyer, Flynn, and Warner the wins were the first of their careers in the 602 sportsman division at Fonda.
Mortensen was the third different winner of the 602 sportsman track championship in the three seasons that the class has been in competition at the Track of Champions.
A total of 16 feature events were held in the pro stock division with first time track champion Rocky Warner (first time in the pro stock division although he was the street stock track champion at Fonda in 2007) leading the way with seven feature wins. Warner was also the winner of two dash for cash events at Fonda in 2011 bringing his win total for the year to nine.
Following close behind Warner with five feature wins was Rob Yetman with single feature victories going to Kenny Gates, Pete Broderson, Ivan Joslin, and Bill Knapp. For Knapp it was his first ever feature win at the Track of Champions Fonda Speedway.
Warner was the 19th different driver to win a pro stock championship at Fonda in a total of 31 seasons the class has been in competition at the Fonda Fairgrounds track.
After winning his first street stock title back in 2009, Wilson achieved the feat again in 2011 winning eight of the 16 features held in the division. There were seven different winners in the street stock class for 2011 including Wilson with Dave Horning Sr. and Rob VanAernam both having two feature wins while Ken Conroy, Randy and Neil Cosselman, and Paul Mulrain all single event winners.
For the Cosselman’s and Mulrain it was their first career wins at Fonda in the division.
Wilson was the 11th different driver to win a street stock championship at Fonda in a total of 15 seasons that the street stock class has been in competition at the track.
The 4-cylinder division was a regular class for the first time at Fonda in 2011 with Ben Righi capturing the title along with four feature event wins in a total of 12 events.
Other winners in the division were Kerrie Hollenback, with four victories, Dan Krajewski with three, and Ken Hollenbeck with one.
Stewart Friesen (modified) and Warner (pro stock) were crowned the 2011 Thunder on the Thruway Series Champions in their respective divisions in a series of events held at three different tracks including Fonda, Utica Rome, and the I-88 Speedway.
The Capital Region Sprint Car Agency (CRSA) held two events at Fonda in 2011 with Danny Varin winning one event while Cory Sparks won the other which was the prestigious Deborah Grisel Memorial event. Ironically on the same night that Danny Varin won the CRSA feature event his father Bobby was the winner of the modified feature event.
The Empire Super Sprints (ESS) also held two events at Fonda in 2011 with Justin Barger and Steve Poirier the winners of those events. Fonda Speedway had the honor of holding the final point’s event of the 2011 season for the ESS with Chuck Hebing crowned the 2011 Empire Super Sprint Champion on the same evening in September that Poirier was the winner of the feature event.
Other special events held at Fonda in 2011 and the winners of those events included the Hondo Pro Stock Classic in memory of Hondo Carpenter which was won by Rob Yetman, the Jack Lockhart Memorial 602 Sportsman Dash for Cash held in honor of a true fan of the Fonda Speedway and the sport of stock car racing in general Jack Lockhart which was won by Justin Auspelmyer, the All Star 410 Sprint event which was won by Tim Shaffer, and the Lucas Oil Late Model event which was won by Jimmy Owens.
For more information about the Track of Champions Fonda Speedway you can go to their website www.fondaspeedway.com
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Big Block Modifieds Make Their Return to Chapman’s Can Am Motorsports Park in 2012; Track to Remain DIRTcar Sanctioned
Craig Revelle – Finish Line Web Design
December 28, 2011
2012 is certainly a season of change at Chapman’s Can Am Motorsports Park. The track has already announced that they have moved to Saturday nights for the coming season, and now the return of the Big Block Modified division on the schedule for the upcoming season is the latest development from the Lafargeville, New York track.
The Big Block Modifieds will be part of the weekly schedule at Can Am, and will once again be under the DIRTcar banner. They will be joined by the DIRTcar 358 Modifieds as the premiere division for the upcoming season. They will race together but will have a separate feature winner each night, and have separate points, similar to 2010. The small blocks will be given a weight break, which will be determined at a later date. The Sportsman division will also be back under the DIRTcar banner in 2012 and all three divisions will offer home track points to go towards the touring Mr. DIRTcar Series Points.
“We are very excited to have the Big Block Modifieds back on the schedule for 2012”, says track General Manager Chip Burdick. “Between Tiger (Chapman) and I, we put a lot of thought into this decision and we felt that it was best for everyone to have the Big Blocks back on the schedule full time”.
The winner of the Modified feature each week will receive $1500 for their efforts, which is an increase from 2011. The addition of the Big Blocks also opens the door for a return of the Big Block Modified Super DIRTcar Series for the coming year. A date has not been announced at this time. A Sportsman Mr. DIRTcar Series event is also in the cards, and Burdick is also working on securing a Mr. DIRTcar 358 Modified Series race as well.
“We have some big plans for 2012. Everyone at Chapman’s Can Am Motorsports Park appreciates the support from our fans, competitors and our dedicated sponsors that support the track”, adds Burdick. “We are really looking forward to all the changes that we have in place”.
In addition to the DIRTcar Series events, Chapman’s Can Am Motorsports Park is also working to secure a date on the schedule that would see the return of the World of Outlaw Late Models. The Late Models made their debut at Can Am in 2009, and returned a year later but were not on the schedule for 2011. They will be a welcome addition for the coming season.
With Can Am going back to their Saturday night routine, the Go Karts will now race on Friday nights this coming season. Their season will get underway during the first week of May.
Practice for all divisions will take place on Saturday April 14th, and Sunday April 15th, while opening night is scheduled for Saturday, April 21st.
The plans for the weekly Late Model division at Can Am are still in the works. We are currently working on the details to possibly become Fastrak sanctioned for the upcoming season.
The first on track action of 2012 is less then a week away as Chapman’s Can Am Motorsports Park is set to host the annual Hangover Enduro (Weather Permitting). 2 40 lap features are on the card, with $500 going to the winner of each race. Second place will receive $100. Pit Gates open at 11am, Grandstands open at noon, and racing starts at 1pm. General Admission is just $5, while pit admission is $20. For more information, including registration, please visit our website.
The 2011 season awards banquet is right around the corner as well, as the Go Kart champions and top finishers will be honored on Friday, January 6th, followed by the banquet for the big track on Saturday, January 7th. Both banquets will be held at Savory Café Downtown located at the Best Western in Watertown at 300 Washington Street.
If you would like to be part of all the action at Can Am in 2012, we do have sponsor nights available, as well as seasonal tower rooms available on a first come first serve basis. Season passes will also be available once we have finalized the schedule for 2012.
More information regarding the 2012 season at Chapman's Can-Am Motorsports Park, including sponsorship and ticket information can be found at www.canammotorsports.com or by contacting Chip Burdick at (315) 778- 3407. For tech inquiries, please contact Lloyd Larmon at (315) 767-7819.
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