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"Quaker Shaker" Shakes up Weekend Results
It’s hard to top the weekend that was for Rick Laubach, as a matter of fact had he picked up two more positions in his heat he would have been three-for-three on the weekend. Instead, he finished the weekend with a win at Big Diamond in his Dick Biever owned #14 small block modified, a win in his own big block modified at Bridgeport, and a 3rd place finish in an extra feature run at Bridgeport this past Saturday night.
Laubach has made a name for himself and been one of the top runners in the New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware area for years, but after having a spectacular close to 2006 at some of the biggest races in the northeast has transformed him into a household name throughout the entire northeast. He started to turn some heads by leading the Goulds Pumps/Salute to the Troops 150 358 race at Syracuse during Super Dirt Week up until seven laps to go when he ran out of gas. He backed that strong run up the next day during the Super Bowl of modified racing, the Eckerd 200, and picked up $5,000 for leading the half way lap 100 mark. He backed that up with strong runs at two more crowned jewel races, Eastern States at Orange County, and Octoberfest at Hagerstown.
Very few drivers have experienced the highs and lows already felt by Laubach already this young season. Laubach started the season off with 3 tops 5s at Hagerstown which included a win in the small block race at the super-smooth half mile. He then had to settle with disappointing runs at Big Diamond and Bridgeport in the first couple of weeks where he was plagued by mechanical and tire woes. So, what made this weekend different? First off, obviously, he didn’t have and problems with the car and kept all four tires inflated the whole time. But, Laubach drove much smoother races this weekend then he had in the past few weeks at his home track which undoubtedly contributed to minimal damage this weekend. He was able to stay focused on hitting his marks and not overdriving the car when battling for positive as seen in the past by him. Most importantly, he was able to be less aggressive with lap traffic by waiting until opportune moments to get around slower traffic instead of sticking his nose into small holes or running an unfamiliar line. If “The Quaker Shaker” can continue this smoother driving style, he will without a doubt transform from weekly win threat, to serious annual championship threat.
News and Notes
Richie Tobias will be making his first start in a modified this Thursday at Virginia aboard the Bob Lineman #USA1. He’ll be running a few more modified races then he did in 2006 and will also run select USAC races.
Keith Brightbill made his second start in the Jeff Sechrist #318 at Big Diamond and looked strong for the second week in a row but dropped out in the feature event.
Jimmy Reppert finished 2nd at Big Diamond in his first race back from a horrific crash on the front stretch at Big Diamond opening night.
Bridgeport Speedway ran 2 features on Saturday night which led to lots of motor changes and car changes. Billy Pauch had to run Sam Wescott’s #51 in the second feature, Mark Forte had to drive a car out of the Mike Franz stable, Wade Hendrickson, the winner of the first feature, had to jump from his team’s #85 to his #R10 for the second feature. Chick Cassabone also had to jump into a #37 car after his own Tuckahoe Turf Racing Team car got wrecked.
Troy Wink returned to the seat of his #27 modified after breaking a bone in his shoulder opening night at Big Diamond, he failed to qualify but was happy with being able to return to the car and get some laps in without too much pain.
Jimmy Horton may have won at New Egypt, but youngster Dom Buffalino was winning by half a straight away until the battery died between turns 3 and 4.
Watch for Duane Howard to return to Bridgeport within the next few weeks.
Power Rankings
1st #20/14 Rick Laubach- Almost a perfect weekend, a win at Big Diamond and at Bridgeport and a 3rd in the other feature at Bridgeport.
2nd #901 Richie Pratt- Finished 2nd and 3rd in the features at Bridgeport.
3rd #126 Jeff Strunk- Had an off weekend, he only finished 4th at Big Diamond.
4th #85 Wade Hendrickson- Won and finished 3rd in the twin features at Bridgeport.
5th #1/51 Keith Hoffman- Picked up a 4th and a 6th this weekend at Diamond and New Egypt
6th #44s Matt Sheppard- Continued to play the consistency role at New Egypt with another top 3 finish.
7th #44 Frank Cozze- Won at New Egypt 2 weeks ago, finished 2nd this past weekend.
7th #11 MeMe DeSantis- Picked up another top 5 finish at Big Diamond.
8th #114/4 Duane Howard- Picked up another top 3 at Big Diamond this week.
10th #26/747 Ryan Godown- Although he didn’t have the finish to show for it, Godown should have won New Egypt again had it not been for a crash late in the race.
Big Diamond Raceway 358 Modifieds- 31
New Egypt Speedway Big Block Modifieds- 27
Bridgeport Speedway Big Block Modifieds- 23
Georgetown, Grandview, and Delaware rained out
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