|
Thunder Mountain Opens 2007 Season with Sunday Shakedown Session
-Nick Stark
Center Lisle, NY --- On a beautiful Sunday afternoon, the racers and
fans
were treated with a sign of what’s to come for the 2007 season, as
Thunder
Mountain kicked off the year with a Test and Tune Session. Fans were
treated to free grandstand admission, and all the pristine weather they
could ask for, while the racers gave their rides a shakedown on the
super
smooth, racy 3/8-mile dirt oval. A handful of the Don’s Automotive
Mall Big
Block Modifieds made their way to the surface for their practice
session.
Notable appearances included Southern Tier hot shoe Alan Rudalavage,
“Magic
Shoes” Mike McCollum, a new regular at the speedway for the ‘07
season, as
well as the perennial front runner Chad Cook, just to name a few. The
Autoworks Sportsman Modifieds looked as stout as ever, with many new
and
capable faces joining the Sportsman ranks. Gary Card Jr., a former 4
Cylinder Super Stock wheelman, debuted his gorgeous #2x machine, while
“Mr.
Playground” Pat Votra showed off his award winning ride, and Thunder
rookie
“Top Gun” Tim Gullo shook down his Teo-Pro, Autoworks sponsored
#71. Also
making a surprise appearance was the ex-Late Model all star, Gene
Sharpsteen, in his white #7. Mountain regulars Kevin Jordan, PJ
Goodwin,
Ray Taylor, Chance Spoonhower, and Rodney Hart were also in attendance.
The
Billy’s Auto Sales and Service Hurricane Street Stocks may have
introduced a
new name, but the same competitiveness that has become a keystone of
this
division showed through 110 percent. 2006 track champion will be vying
to
repeat for the crown, while Thunder newcomer, Gary Stage, is no
stranger to
winning, and will try to follow up his 2006 Skyline title, with a
coveted
Thunder championship in 2007. 2006 Rookie of the Year, Steven
Deinhardt,
was in attendance, along with Butch and Rich Green, and Jason Weibel of
Mirror Image Racing. Car troubles hindered the anticipated ’07
appearance
of Johnny Cooper Jr., who will be honoring his father, Johnny
“Crash” Cooper
Sr., with his brand new #4 Roses Striker Chassis. There will be a new
track
champion in the Road Warrior division this season, as two-time title
holder,
Tim Gwardyak, decided to hang up the racing gloves, allowing for an
opening
on the the respective title throne. Mike Pratschler introduced his
brand
new #18J Road Warrior ride, while Rick Frisco also debuted his new
ride, the
former Cardiac Kid #23. In the Road Bandit ranks, misfortune struck
for the
’06 track champion, Rich Gardiner, as he blew the motor in his new
ride
during his practice session. The self-proclaimed “Superman” Joel
Austin
looked to be in mid-season form in his #735 machine, while the likes of
Jeremie Hale, and Kati Smith of Cortland, NY both touched the surface
to
shake down their rides. Next Saturday, April 28th, will mark the
season
opener for up and coming promoter Dick Stark, 2007, and Thunder
Mountain
Speedway. Gates will open at 2 pm, with the show getting under way at
4 pm.
Autoworks of Varna, NY has graciously sponsored the season opener,
and
appearing will the 305 powered CRSA Sprint group, the Regional
Internation
Pro Truck division, as well as the Autoworks Sportsman Modifieds,
Billy’s
Auto Sales and Service Hurricane Street Stocks, Warriors, and Bandits.
$1
will be discounted off of the grandstand admission, if spectators bring
in a
canned food good. Thunder Mountain Speedway is the 2007 home of the
Short
Track SuperNationals and hosts racing every Saturday night from April
through October. The Speedway is located off exit 8 of Interstate 81.
From
there follow route 79 west for five miles and turn right in Center
Lisle and
follow the signs. For more information about the upcoming events at
Thunder
Mountain call the speedway office at (607) 849 - 7889 or checkout our
website at http://www.thunderracetrack.com
|
|
