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Weedsport, NY - May 23, 2007 - By Tom Skibinski, Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series PR Director
Cedar Ridge RV Center presents a special appearance of NASCAR Nextel Cup/Busch Series driver Carl Edwards and his car owner Jack Roush at Orange County Fair Speedway on Thursday, May 31. Edwards is scheduled to compete in the Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series Cedar Ridge RV Center-WRWD 107.3/99.3 FM headliner against the top Big-Block Modified drivers in the Northeast before returning to Dover Downs ( Del. ) for an early Friday morning practice session.
Also planning to be in attendance are NASCAR Nextel Cup Rookie of the Year candidate and Busch Series driver David Reutimann and his legendary racing father, Buzzie Reutimann, Orange County’s 1972 Eastern States 200 winner and 1972 & 1974 track points champion.
“The car is being painted up as we speak and I’m ready to give it a test drive Saturday at Middletown ,” confirmed Joey Barbagallo Jr., President of Cedar Ridge RV. Edwards plans to steer the same yellow/blue/magenta-colored Darryl Davis-owned Cedar Ridge-backed Double D Big-Block Modified entry that he did last year, only with a number change from 99 to Barbagallo’s familiar 53. The multi-colored TEO machine will be powered by a JPM motor with car designer Bobby Hearn, Bert Robidoux from Bert Transmissions, ATL Fuel Cell distributor Craig Mitchell, Brian Davis from Premier Powder Coat and DIRT MotorSports NorthEast Hall of Famer Tony Ferraiuolo once again contributing to the effort.
“Carl was really upset about not qualifying last year and said he’s even more excited to come back and make a better run. In his first time here he arrived late, only got a lap or two of practice and went into time trials blind. That kind of set him back for the night as its tough to get around Orange County even when you know the place. He was offered a promoter’s option to start the race but turned it down feeling he didn’t deserve it. Carl knows these drivers are out here trying to earn some money so he didn’t want to steal their thunder, he’s just that kind of guy,” Barbagallo said.
This is the second appearance at Orange County for Edwards and Roush. Edwards, whose background includes racing IMCA-type Modifieds in the Midwest , has driven DIRTcar Big-Block Modifieds on several previous occasions. Roush Racing, the most visible of Jack Roush’s automotive, aviation, and marine companies, has five top Nextel Cup race teams, including the No. 99 driven by Edwards.
As part of the Advance Auto Parts SDS Cedar Ridge RV Center promotion, Edwards and Roush will take part in special pre-race Opening Ceremonies and interviews in front of the main grandsstands during intermission. Added Barbagallo, “Earlier in the year Jack actually asked me about coming back to Middletown , that was pretty impressive considering all the commitments he has at so many tracks across the country.”
Edwards was relatively unknown when he jumped behind the wheel of Brett Hearn’s DIRT Big-Block Modified for the first time in 2004. The Columbia, Missouri native failed to qualify that day yet returned in May of ’05 to finish 26th (flat tire after 13 laps) teamed with Hearn. His customary backflip was put on hold last July at OCFS after he time trialed 50th fastest, finished last (9th) in the second qualifying heat and settlied for seventh in the consolation round. “Local racing is where everything starts, some tracks just happen to be bigger and some cars faster but its all about racing and having fun,” Edwards, 27, said to last year’s Orange County crowd. “Its always good to go back on dirt. I remember the time when I used to sneak into tracks because I didn’t have the money to get in and then begging owners to let me drive. I’m pretty fortunate to be hooked up with Jack, he’s just as crazy as I am and now I can even go to the store and buy whatever I want. Not forgetting your roots is important no matter where you end up. You just never know who may turn out to be the next star in Nextel Cup.”
Fans can expect the Cedar Ridge RV Center 75-lap, $6,000-to-win race to draw the largest field of Modifieds at any track thus far in the 2007 racing season. Invader Billy Decker won the 2006 Series race and “The Doctor” Danny Johnson is out to better his impressive early season record while Tim Fuller is the current points leader. But fans know Orange County ’s own Modified racing stars will be up to the task. They’re led by defending track champion and all-time winner Brett Hearn, plus former track titlists Jeff Heotzler, Chuck McKee and Rich Eurich. A special appearance by the DIRT 358-Modifieds capped off by a 25-lap small-block feature will close out the mid-week card.
Gates open for the stands and drive-in section at 4:00 pm, with Integra Shocks Modified Time Trials set for 6:30 pm. General admission for the Advance Auto Parts Modified Super DIRTcar Series race is $22. Reserved seats in the covered grandstand are $25. Parking on the fairgrounds is free, while there is a $1.00 charge for drive-in section parking. The drive-in parking fee goes towards the drivers’ point funds.
Advance ticket sales and track information is available at the Track Office. Call 845-342-2573 during business hours, or visit the Orange County Fair Speedway website at www.ocfsmotorsports.com. Orange County Fair Speedway is located just 10-minutes from Route 17, following Route 211 (exit 120) west before taking a left onto Carpenter Road .
The DIRTcar Advance Auto Parts Modified Series is brought to fans across the Northeast by several sponsors and partners, including series sponsors Advance Auto Parts, Hoosier Racing Tire and Sunoco Race Fuels. Promotional partners include AMB i.t., F.X. Caprara Car Companies and the University of Northwestern Ohio and the contingency sponsors are Bert Transmission, Bicknell Racing Products, Bilstein Shocks, Brodix Cylinder Heads, Integra Shocks, MSD Ignitions, Miller Electric Manufacturing Company and Wrisco Industries.
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