|
Sheppard, Hoffman Hit High Notes In New Egypt Guitar Jammin’ Twin 50s
New Egypt , NJ – October 13, 2007 – By Tom Skibinski, Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series PR Director
Recently crowned track champion Matt Sheppard and weekly rival Keith Hoffman made the best of home turf Saturday night at New Egypt Speedway, making a triumphant return to the Garden State as they split Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series Guitar Jammin’ Twin 50s presented by Thunder in the Pines during Rocktober Weekend on the shore.
New York traveler Sheppard and Hoffman from Pennsylvania took advantage of pole position starts to lead all 50 laps in their respective main event, with ‘Super Matt’ capturing his first Advance Auto Parts Series win of the season and ‘K-Dog’ scoring the first tour triumph of his career.
“Between the lapped traffic and the track being so rough I almost had a heart attack out there,” said Sheppard, 25, following his fourth career Series win in round one, the second registered at New Egypt. “I was really on the edge of my seat trying to get through traffic while trying to avoid the holes. We were just fortunate the car held together, we got a good starting spot and were able to hold on,” Sheppard noted.
While Sheppard jumped out early and never looked back aboard the Ross Motorsports no. 44s Currier Plastics-Magee Transport-Adam Ross-B&F General Machine/Bicknell entry, the battle for second carried on for the entire 50-lap distance. The only yellow flag flew on lap three when Rich Rutski looped his mount between turns three and four and collected Chuck Bower to put an early end to Bower’s rare appearance at NES.
Back under green, Sheppard had little trouble stretching his lead over the trailing pack, reaching traffic with only 14 laps complete. Sheppard’s front row partner Sam Martz held down the runner-up position most of the way, finally giving it up to a charging Billy Decker with just seven laps remaining.
Starting fourth on the original 30-car grid, Gary Tomkins dropped from third to fifth on lap 40 giving Martz the show position. Tomkins regained third with six laps to go but became a late-race victim to a rim-riding Billy Pauch, who secured a top-three spot on lap 48. Under the checkers, Sheppard won by nearly half a track over Decker in the 20-minute shootout.
“Home track (knowledge) definitely helped out,” added Sheppard, on the heels of his eighth Big-Block Modified win of the year at New Egypt. “You learn the layout of the track, where to turn and where every little bump is. We hadn’t won a Series race all year long and I was beginning to wonder if we were gonna. I knew this was going to be our best shot. We’re going to have to adjust the car a little bit (for the second race), just hope the thing will stay together for 50 more laps. It was pretty brutal out there.”
Sheppard closed out his victory lane appearance by drawing to invert the top seven finishers to start the nightcap. Lucky number seven was just that for Hoffman as he started first after crossing the line seventh in the opener.
“We started on the front row but we put ourselves in position to start there after the first race,” said Hoffman, after becoming the 66th different driver to claim an Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series win since the NorthEast’s premier Big-Block Modified tour originated in 1980. “We weren’t real good finishing seventh in the first one yet we stayed in contention.”
Hoffman mirrored Sheppard’s success found in the lid-lifter, opening up a comfortable advantage from the outset steering the Michaels Bros. Racing no. 51m Land Image Landscaping/Bicknell machine around the heavy half-miler. While only one caution period slowed the opener, a rare red flag situation and three more yellows punctuated the second 50-lapper.
Former New Egypt points champion Frank Cozze got turned upside down in the first corner to force out a red flag on lap eight and when the dust finally cleared an early exit was also made by Syracuse winner Vic Coffey, Kenny Stafford and Tad Cox with John Keller able to rejoin the field after the near 10-minute delay.
Second-place starter Rick Laubach resumed his chase of Hoffman when the green lights reappeared, with Martz, Sheppard and Decker in close pursuit as they swapped positions for the next 20 laps. The trio jockeyed back and forth, weaving through traffic until Martz careened into the frontstretch wall to end his night wit 28 laps scored. Pauch moved into a top-five slot until retiring pitside for good 15 laps from the finish after suffering a flat left rear tire in the K&A Excavating Contractors-Pioneer Pole Buildings-Greenfield Dodge/Bicknell entry.
The third and final yellow flag unfurled when Keller lost a left front wheel in turn four, giving runner-up Laubach a last chance to overtake Hoffman on the lap 43 restart. Laubach failed in his final attempt to catch the leader and two laps later Sheppard ducked under to secure second–place. Sheppard closed to within three car-lengths of Hoffman at the stripe with Laubach hanging on for third ahead of Tomkins and a hard-charging Tim Fuller, the current Advance Auto Parts Series points leader.
“This win is really special, to beat these (tour) guys is an awesome deal,” added Hoffman, who scored his only other New Egypt win this season in July en route to a top-five tally on the final 2007 NES points chart. “We’ve been switching rides every year, its hard to get comfortable. Hopefully, we can get together again next year, we’ll be a real tough team. New Egypt is a super place to race, I’m just glad to be a part of it.”
Sheppard was even happier to be a part of the New Egypt race scene in ’07, notching his first-ever Big Block Modified track title despite the Waterloo, N.Y. native making a four-hour trek every week from the Albany area.
“We had a real good car in the second race, the blacker it got on the bottom the better we were,” Sheppard said. “We just ran out of laps and ran out of time and there was just a little too much top left. But congratulations to Keith and Rick, they ran a good race and it was fun racing with them.”
Added third-place finisher Laubach, “I really enjoy coming here, good racing and a lot of moving around. Hats off to Matt Sheppard, he’s a driver coming from the back. And Keith starting up front was gonna be hard to beat. I’m just happy to finish third. I like the way I’m treated here, maybe I can come to New Egypt more regularly next year.”
Tim Fuller kicked off the show by recording his sixth Integra Shocks Fast Time of the year, matching friend and foe Billy Decker for top honors in the season-long speed category. More importantly, Fuller finished ahead of Brett Hearn in both 50-lappers to extend his lead in the overall Hoosier Tire-Sunoco Race Fuels Mr. DIRTcar Championship to 68 points with just the final ‘Triple Crown’ event remaining.
The Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series closes out next week when Orange County Fair Speedway hosts the 46th Eastern States Championship on Sunday, Oct. 21, at which time the overall 2007 Hoosier Tire-Sunoco Race Fuels Mr. DIRTcar Champion will be crowned.
Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series Races #30 & #31 – New Egypt Speedway, October 13, 2007 Thunder In The Pines Presents ‘Guitar Jammin’ Twin 50s’ Big-Block Modified Event Summary
Feature #1
FIN STR CAR# DRIVER
1 1 44s Matt Sheppard/Waterloo,NY($3,000)
2 8 91 Billy Decker/ Unadilla , NY
3 5 1 Billy Pauch/ Frenchtown , NJ
4 4 84 Gary Tomkins/ Clifton Springs , NY
5 2 3 Sam Martz/ Whitehouse Station , NJ
6 3 20 Rick Laubach/ Quakertown , PA
7 7 51m Keith Hoffman/Whitehall,NY
8 9 747 Ryan Godown/Ringoes,NJ
9 13 19 Tim Fuller/Edwards, NY
10 6 77x Dale Planck/Cortland,NY
11 15 20h Brett Hearn/Sussex,NJ
12 22 98h Jimmy Phelps/Baldwinsville,NY
13 12 44 Frank Cozze/Wind Gap,PA
14 10 09 Bob Drayton/Southampton,NJ
15 16 7x Steve Paine/Waterloo,NY
16 11 rjs7 Ron John Koczon/New Egypt,NJ
17 21 59 Tad Cox/Perkesie,PA
18 24 32c Vic Coffey/ Leicester , NY
19 25 99 Ryan Phelps/Fulton,NY
20 23 10g Brian Godown/Frenchtown,NJ
21 29 49 Billy Dunn /Watertown,NY
22 18 8 Rich Scagliotta/ Bound Brook , NJ
23 17 41 Rich Rutski/ Somerville , NJ
24 30 60 Kenny Stafford /Homer,NY
25 26 7a Gene Stravinsky/New Egypt ,NJ
26 28 54x John Keller/Long Valley,NJ
27 20 m40 Mark Forte,Jr./Blue Anchor,NJ
28 19 4 Jimmy Horton/Neshanic Station,NJ
29 27 14r Ryan Odasz/ Ballston Spa , NY
30 14 99b Chuck Bower/Lansing,NY
GATER NEWS LAP LEADER: Sheppard (1-50).
CAUTION: 18 (lap 3).
BERT HARD CHARGER: Jimmy Phelps.
DID NOT QUALIFY(6)
20w-Pat Wall/New Egypt ,NJ
22-Rick Wegner/Monmouth Junction,NJ
23-Tom Carberry Jr./ Hopewell , NJ
43-Jim Horton IV/Neshanic Station,NJ
44x-Bud Schweibinz/ Dorothy , NJ
85-Jim Robertson/ Levittown , PA
Feature #2
FIN STR CAR# DRIVER
1 1 51m Keith Hoffman/Whitehall,NY($3,000)
2 7 44s Matt Sheppard/Waterloo,NY
3 2 20 Rick Laubach/ Quakertown , PA
4 4 84 Gary Tomkins/ Clifton Springs , NY
5 9 19 Tim Fuller/Edwards, NY
6 6 91 Billy Decker/ Unadilla , NY
7 12 98h Jimmy Phelps/Baldwinsville,NY
8 11 20h Brett Hearn/Sussex,NJ
9 14 09 Bob Drayton/Southampton,NJ
10 20 10g Brian Godown/Frenchtown,NJ
11 16 rjs7 Ron John Koczon/New Egypt,NJ
12 15 7x Steve Paine/Waterloo,NY
13 19 99 Ryan Phelps/Fulton,NY
14 22 8 Rich Scagliotta/ Bound Brook , NJ
15 21 49 Billy Dunn /Watertown,NY
16 27 m40 Mark Forte,Jr./Blue Anchor,NJ
17 30 99b Chuck Bower/Lansing,NY
18 26 54x John Keller/Long Valley,NJ
19 28 4 Jimmy Horton/Neshanic Station,NJ
20 23 41 Rich Rutski/ Somerville , NJ
21 5 1 Billy Pauch/ Frenchtown , NJ
22 3 3 Sam Martz/ Whitehouse Station , NJ
23 25 7a Gene Stravinsky/New Egypt ,NJ
24 29 14r Ryan Odasz/ Ballston Spa , NY
25 10 77x Dale Planck/Cortland,NY
26 8 747 Ryan Godown/Ringoes,NJ
27 13 44 Frank Cozze/Wind Gap,PA
28 18 32c Vic Coffey/ Leicester , NY
29 17 59 Tad Cox/Perkesie,PA
30 24 60 Kenny Stafford /Homer,NY
GATER NEWS LAP LEADER: Hoffman (1-50).
CAUTIONS: 3 (lap 29, lap 34, lap 43); 1 RED FLAG (lap 8).
BERT HARD CHARGER: Chuck Bower.
QUALIFYING
FAST AVE
TIME MPH CAR# DRIVER
1 17.349 103.752 19 Tim Fuller/Edwards, NY
*$100 Integra Shocks Fast Qualifier Award
2 17.538 102.634 98h Jimmy Phelps/Baldwinsville,NY
3 17.548 102.576 20h Brett Hearn/Sussex,NJ
4 17.684 101.787 44 Frank Cozze/Wind Gap,PA
5 17.706 101.660 09 Bob Drayton/Southampton,NJ
6 17.713 101.620 20 Rick Laubach/ Quakertown , PA
7 17.724 101.557 91 Billy Decker/ Unadilla , NY
8 17.736 101.488 m40 Mark Forte,Jr./Blue Anchor,NJ
9 17.741 101.460 1 Billy Pauch/ Frenchtown , NJ
10 17.756 101.374 44s Matt Sheppard/Waterloo,NY
11 17.759 101.357 3 Sam Martz/ Whitehouse Station , NJ
12 17.765 101.323 51m Keith Hoffman/Whitehall,NY
13 17.818 101.021 41 Rich Rutski/ Somerville , NJ
14 17.820 101.010 747 Ryan Godown/Ringoes,NJ
15 17.856 100.806 84 Gary Tomkins/ Clifton Springs , NY
16 17.890 100.615 rjs7 Ron John Koczon/New Egypt,NJ
17 17.943 100.318 10g Brian Godown/Frenchtown,NJ
18 17.984 100.089 32c Vic Coffey/ Leicester , NY
19 18.007 99.961 4 Jimmy Horton/Neshanic Station,NJ
20 18.059 99.673 7x Steve Paine/Waterloo,NY
21 18.067 99.629 77x Dale Planck/Cortland,NY
22 18.141 99.223 99b Chuck Bower/Lansing,NY
23 18.158 99.130 14r Ryan Odasz/ Ballston Spa , NY
24 18.226 98.760 7a Gene Stravinsky/New Egypt ,NJ
25 18.237 98.700 59 Tad Cox/Perkesie,PA
26 18.239 98.690 8 Rich Scagliotta/ Bound Brook , NJ
27 18.324 98.232 20w Pat Wall/New Egypt ,NJ
28 18.370 97.986 60 Kenny Stafford /Homer,NY
29 18.375 97.959 49 Billy Dunn /Watertown,NY
30 18.378 97.943 54x John Keller/Long Valley,NJ
31 18.416 97.741 99 Ryan Phelps/Fulton,NY
32 18.681 96.355 43 Jimmy Horton IV/Neshanic Station,NJ
33 18.682 96.349 85 Jim Robertson/Levittown,PA
34 18.835 95.567 22 Rick Wegner/Monmouth Junction,NJ
35 18.891 95.283 23 Tom Carberry/ Hopewell , NJ
36 19.640 91.650 44x Bud Schweibinz/ Dorothy , NJ
Heat Races (10 laps, top 5 finishers transferred to feature, top 3 went to re-draw)
#1: Pauch, Drayton, Planck, Fuller, Rutski, Cox, B.Godown, Robertson, Dunn (DNS).
#2: Sheppard, R.Godown, Laubach, Bower, Scagliotta, J.Phelps, Coffey, Keller, Wegner.
#3: Martz, Tomkins, Decker, Hearn, Horton, R.Phelps, Odasz, Wall, Carberry.
#4: Hoffman, Koczon, Cozze, Paine, Forte, Stravinsky, Stafford , Horton IV, Schweibinz (DNS).
Consolation Round (10 laps, top 5 finishers transferred to feature)
#1: Cox, B.Godown, R.Phelps, Odasz, Dunn, Wall, Wegner, Robertson (DNS).
#2: J.Phelps, Coffey, Stravinsky, Keller, Stafford , Horton IV, Carberry, Schweibinz (DNS).
Overall Hoosier Tire-Sunoco Race Fuels Mr. DIRTcar Championship Point Standings
(through NYS Fairgrounds – October 13, 2007)
®-Rookie
Rank No. Driver Points Track Bonus Diff. Wins Top-5 Top-10 Starts
1 19 Tim Fuller 3,411 2,211 1200 0 3 20 31 31
2 20 Brett Hearn 3,343 2,143 1200 -68 7 16 25 31
3 91 Billy Decker 3,248 2,048 1200 -163 4 16 24 31
4 98H Jimmy Phelps 3,127 1,927 1200 -284 1 16 24 31
5 7x Steve Paine 2,967 1,767 1200 -444 1 7 20 31
6 77x Dale Planck 2,912 1,712 1200 -499 1 4 18 31
7 27J Danny Johnson 2,800 1,600 1200 -611 4 9 14 29
8 44s Matt Sheppard 2,756 1,556 1200 -655 1 5 17 30
9 84 Gary Tomkins 2,676 1,476 1200 -735 3 8 15 30
10 49 Billy Dunn 2,464 1,264 1200 -947 0 1 7 29
11 44c Frank Cozze 2,455 1,255 1200 -956 1 3 8 26
12 3 Justin Haers 2,205 1,105 1200 -1,206 0 1 9 24
13 99 Ryan Phelps 1,888 688 1200 -1,523 0 1 5 18
14 99b Chuck Bower 1,698 498 1200 -1,713 0 0 1 16
15 60 Kenny Stafford 1,676 476 1200 -1,735 0 0 0 14
16 26 Ryan Godown 1,602 402 1200 -1,809 0 1 3 7
17 6 Pat O'Brien 1,588 388 1200 -1,823 1 1 3 8
18 32c Vic Coffey 1,554 354 1200 -1,857 1 5 13 22
19 98 Eddie Marshall 1,547 347 1200 -1,864 0 1 3 3
20 45J Wayne Jelley 1,527 327 1200 -1,884 0 0 1 6
21 115 Kenny Tremont 1,513 313 1200 -1,898 0 1 2 4
22 16 Mike Bowman® 1,510 310 1200 -1,901 0 0 1 12
23 15 Brett Tonkin 1,502 302 1200 -1,909 0 0 0 10
24 18 Sean Beardsley 1,474 274 1200 -1,937 0 0 0 10
25 42 Jimmy Horton 1,465 265 1200 -1,946 0 0 1 6
26 21J Jeff Trombley 1,459 259 1200 -1,952 0 1 2 3
27 4 Andy Bachetti 1,456 256 1200 -1,955 0 1 1 3
28 1a Brian Weaver 1,450 250 1200 -1,961 0 0 1 5
29 74 J.R. Heffner 1,440 240 1200 -1,971 0 1 1 3
30 43 Keith Flach 1,439 239 1200 -1,972 0 0 1 3
31 56 Vince Vitale 1,432 232 1200 -1,979 0 0 0 7
32 42p Pat Ward 1,424 224 1200 -1,987 0 4 10 14
33 02 Roy Bresnahan®1,414 214 1200 -1,997 0 0 0 7
34 X Chad Phelps 1,409 209 1200 -2,002 0 0 0 7
35 51m Keith Hoffman® 1,404 204 1200 -2,007 1 2 3 3
36 121 Joe Beyea 1,402 202 1200 -2,009 0 0 0 9
37 21 Derrick Podsiadlo1,398 198 1200 -2,013 0 0 0 7
38 24 Chris Shultz 1,389 189 1200 -2,022 0 0 0 4
39 88 Steve Hulsizer 1,375 175 1200 -2,036 0 0 0 6
40 14J Alan Johnson 1,367 167 1200 -2,044 2 5 14 28
41 87 Hector Stratton 1,365 165 1200 -2,046 0 0 1 2
42 60 Brian Berger 1,363 163 1200 -2,048 0 0 1 2
43 8 Rob Bellinger® 1,346 146 1200 -2,065 0 0 0 6
44 42B Kevin Bates 1,344 144 1200 -2,067 0 0 2 20
45 91h Chad Homan 1,340 140 1200 -2,071 0 0 0 5
46 Z Butch Tittle 1,337 137 1200 -2,074 0 0 0 5
47 7J Jeff Isabell 1,336 136 1200 -2,075 0 0 0 3
48 7 Ron John Koczon®1,320 120 1200 -2,091 0 0 0 3
49 3 Sam Martz® 1,320 120 1200 -2,091 0 0 1 3
50 20 Matt Quinn 1,320 120 1200 -2,091 0 0 0 2
51 47 Jerry Higbie 1,316 116 1200 -2,095 0 0 0 2
52 5 Jason Potter 1,316 116 1200 -2,095 0 0 0 2
53 45m Mike Ward 1,315 115 1200 -2,096 0 0 0 4
54 62s Tom Sears Jr. 1,314 114 1200 -2,097 0 0 1 2
55 44 Shannon Whaley 1,311 111 1200 -2,100 0 0 0 4
56 42 Guy Sheldon 1,310 110 1200 -2,101 0 0 0 2
57 83 Br.Swartzlander 1,308 108 1200 -2,103 0 0 0 2
58 24 John Hewitt 1,298 98 1200 -2,113 0 0 0 2
59 71 David VanHorn 1,292 92 1200 -2,119 0 0 0 3
60 46 Jeremy Smith 1,292 92 1200 -2,119 0 0 0 2
61 85 Jim Robertson® 1,290 90 1200 -2,121 0 0 0 2
62 33.3 Tommy Meier 1,288 88 1200 -2,123 0 0 0 2
63 41 Rich Rutski® 1,284 84 1200 -2,127 0 0 0 3
64 48T Dave Rauscher 1,284 84 1200 -2,127 0 0 0 10
65 24 Jim Witko Jr. 1,283 83 1200 -2,128 0 0 0 2
66 93 Ryan Bartlett 1,280 80 1200 -2,131 0 0 0 3
67 09 Bob Drayton® 1,273 73 1200 -2,138 0 0 1 2
68 55 Mike King 1,270 70 1200 -2,141 0 0 0 1
69 224 Chris Whitehead 1,270 70 1200 -2,141 0 0 0 1
70 B2 Bob Henry Jr. 1,269 69 1200 -2,142 0 0 0 4
71 5 Chuck McKee 1,265 65 1200 -2,146 0 0 1 1
72 09 Kyle Lewis 1,264 64 1200 -2,147 0 0 0 2
73 8 Tim O'Brien 1,264 64 1200 -2,147 0 0 1 2
74 0 Russ Hefti® 1,263 63 1200 -2,148 0 0 0 11
75 2b Dom.Buffalino® 1,259 59 1200 -2,152 0 0 0 1
76 5w Pat Wall® 1,255 55 1200 -2,156 0 0 0 1
77 32 Cliff Ehrman 1,255 55 1200 -2,156 0 0 0 1
78 777 Kevin Bolland 1,254 54 1200 -2,157 0 0 0 1
79 22g Mitch Gibbs 1,250 50 1200 -2,161 0 0 1 9
80 56 Russell King 1,250 50 1200 -2,161 0 0 0 1
81 73 Rick Mills 1,250 50 1200 -2,161 0 0 0 1
82 518 Kyle Sheldon 1,248 48 1200 -2,163 0 0 0 1
83 59 Tad Cox® 1,246 46 1200 -2,165 0 0 0 2
84 54x John Keller 1,245 45 1200 -2,166 0 0 0 2
85 66 Jeff Heotzler 1,244 44 1200 -2,167 0 0 0 1
86 10E Richie Eurich 1,242 42 1200 -2,169 0 0 0 1
87 673 Joe Morel® 1,241 41 1200 -2,170 0 0 0 1
88 60x Bill Gill 1,240 40 1200 -2,171 0 0 0 1
89 53 Dave Franek 1,240 40 1200 -2,171 0 0 0 1
90 23 Tom Carberry® 1,240 40 1200 -2,171 0 0 0 1
91 7J Joe Isabell 1,235 35 1200 -2,176 0 0 0 1
92 25 Mike Kolka 1,233 133 1100 -2,178 0 0 0 3
93 99 Charlie Donk 1,231 31 1200 -2,180 0 0 0 1
94 65 Rex King 1,220 20 1200 -2,191 0 0 0 0
95 165 Rex King Jr® 1,220 20 1200 -2,191 0 0 0 0
96 83 Tim Sears 1,220 20 1200 -2,191 0 0 0 0
Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series Modified Entries – October 13 (36)
CAR# DRIVER / HOMETOWN TEAM (Sponsor / Chassis / Engine)
09 Bob Drayton/Southampton,NJ Mr. Bob-Phillips Heat & Fuel/Bicknell/Feil
1 Billy Pauch/Frenchtown,NJ K&A Excavating Contractors-Pioneer Pole Buildings-Greenfield Dodge/Bicknell/Feil
3 Sam Martz/ Whitehouse Station , NJ Perone's Auto Service & Salvage-Cedar Fence/Bicknell/Feil
4 Jimmy Horton/Neshanic Station,NJ Amwell Auto Body-Grosso Trucking/Bicknell/M2 Power
7a Gene Stravinsky/New Egypt ,NJ Advantage Financial-New Egypt Market Place/Bicknell/Burnett
7x Steve Paine/Waterloo,NY Tallmadge Tire-Terrell's Potato Chips-Swarthout Recycling/Troyer/Finger Lakes
rjs7 Ron John Koczon/New Egypt,NJ Reid Sod Farm-GW Tire Service-RJS H&AC/Bicknell/Feil
8 Rich Scagliotta/ Bound Brook , NJ Central Jersey Trailer & Hitch Depot-Adamsville Maintenance/Bicknell/Enders
10g Brian Godown/Frenchtown,NJ Active Heating & Cooling-Champion Tire/Bicknell/Feil
14r Ryan Odasz/ Ballston Spa , NY Chet's Floor Covering/TEO/Dan Bedell
19 Tim Fuller/Edwards, NY JL Motorsports-Chiefs Tobacco & Gas-G&R Auto Parts/TEO/Enders
20 Rick Laubach/Quakertown,PA Supreme Manufacturing-Jerry Simon's Builder-Alpha Mills/TEO/Enders
20h Brett Hearn/Sussex,NJ Madsen Mtrsports-Wentworth Custom Homes-Kruger-WLR/TEO/Enders
20w Pat Wall/New Egypt ,NJ Wall Truck Tire-Esposito Auto Transport/Bicknell/Feil
22 Rick Wegner/Monmouth Junction,NJ Ideal Auto Body/Troyer/Burnett
23 Tom Carberry Jr./Hopewell,NJ Consoli Septic Systems-Bucks County River Country/Bicknell/Ken Carberry
32c Vic Coffey/Leicester,NY Sweeteners Plus-CME,Inc./Bicknell/C.C. Performance
m40 Mark Forte,Jr./Blue Anchor,NJ Stone Grille Restaurant & Bar-BSR Products/TEO/Finger Lakes
41 Rich Rutski/Somerville,NJ BRB Construction-MMI Properties-Total Automotive/Bicknell/Feil
43 Jim Horton IV/ Neshanic Station , NJ Metal Fab Pro Race Shop-Supreme Manufacturing/TEO/Feil
44 Frank Cozze/Wind Gap,PA Waite's General Contractors-Carquest-Bert Transmission/PMC/M2 Power
44s Matt Sheppard/Waterloo,NY Currier Plastics-Magee Transport-Adam Ross/Bicknell/Finger Lakes
44x Bud Schweibinz/ Dorothy , NJ Bud's Landscaping/TEO/R&S Racing Engines
49 Billy Dunn /Watertown,NY Number One Speed-Fast Lube of Watertown/Bicknell/Finger Lakes
51m Keith Hoffman/Whitehall,NY Michaels Bros. Racing-Land Image Landscaping/Bicknell/Feil
54x John Keller/Long Valley,NJ J.S. Keller Construction/Bicknell/Feil
59 Tad Cox/Perkesie,PA CTC Construction-Deon Beverages-A-1 Racing Supply/Bicknell/Doug Meyers
60 Kenny Stafford/Homer,NY HS Edinger Trucking-Upstate Auto Center-Amsoil-Fast Line Performance/TEO/JPM
77x Dale Planck/ Cortland , NY East End Auto Parts & Construction-Jacob's Excavation/Bicknell/Kevlar
84 Gary Tomkins/ Clifton Springs , NY Honeoye Auto Parts-Red Parker & Son Excavating/Bicknell/Mastin
85 Jim Robertson/Levittown,PA B&R Transmissions-X-Cel Landscaping/Bicknell/Bill Robertson
91 Billy Decker/Unadilla,NY Gypsum Wholesalers-Stadium Int'l-Quality Hardwoods/Bicknell/Enders
98h Jimmy Phelps/Baldwinsville,NY Mohawk Northeast-New England Race Fuels/Troyer/Bruneau
99 Ryan Phelps/Fulton,NY Big Red Towing-Dave Miller Auto Body/Bicknell/Enders
99b Chuck Bower/Lansing,NY Beyea Custom Headers-Ingles Perform.-Genoa Sand & Gravel/Bicknell/Finger Lakes
747 Ryan Godown/Ringoes,NJ Stanton Hill Landscaping-Edison Generators-Strober & Sons Roofing/Troyer/Feil
SKIDMARKS
2007 Tour Travelers: For the third straight year tour officials once again signed up the best Big-Block Modified teams in the Northeast to compete in every Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series show. The star-studded group of drivers accepting contract extensions are reigning Mr. DIRTcar points king and winningest Big-Block Modified driver Alan Johnson, current Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series points leader Tim Fuller, all-time DIRTcar Modified win leader Brett Hearn, five-time DIRTcar NorthEast Driver of the Year Danny Johnson, ‘04 Mr. DIRTcar titlist Gary Tomkins, recently crowned Cayuga County & Fulton points king Jimmy Phelps, Canandaigua Speedway record-setter Steve Paine, New Egypt Speedway points champion Matt Sheppard, full-time tour follower Dale Planck, Keystone State open-wheel veteran Frank Cozze, four-time Super DIRT Week Rite Aid 200 champion Billy Decker and Central New York talent Justin Hears.
DIRTcar Series Debuts: The second to last event of the 2007 Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series included a handful of first-time drivers led by New Egypt regulars Brian Godown, Tad Cox, Rick Wegner, John Keller, Gene Stravinsky, Bob Drayton and Sportsman pilot Tom Carberry Jr., plus Bridgeport speedway runner Bud Schweibinz. Both Cox and Modified rookie Wall recently picked up their first Big-Block feature wins of the season at New Egypt. Ryan Odasz, Rick Laubach, Jimmy Horton IV, Kenny Stafford, Ryan Phelps, Chuck Bower and 2007 Rite Aid 200 Syracuse Super DIRT Week Champion Vic Coffey competed on tour during the season yet did not enter the Big Bear 60 held at New Egypt on August 15.
Virginia Already On Their Minds: The Rite Aid 200 remained the focal point of Super DIRT Week at the Syracuse Mile yet not far behind was a special announcement that centered around another track some nine hours from the mainstream of DIRTcar Big-Block Modified Racing in the Northeast. In attendance to personally deliver the breaking news was Virginia Motor Speedway owner Bill Sawyer, who revealed that the Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series would return to his speedway on May 1, 2008 for a $10,000-to-win event. “This event will continue to grow in stature and importance on the Super DIRTcar Series schedule for many years to come,” said Sawyer, already anticipating the 2nd Annual Paul Sawyer Memorial that boasts 10G to the 60-lap winner and $700 to start. “With a purse paying in excess of $45,000 for the ‘08 event we hope this shows the drivers and fans that follow the DIRTcar Big-Block Modified Series that this is a long term commitment on our part.” With Eastern States Weekend still left to close out the Advance Auto Parts Series at Orange County Fair Speedway, all-time tour win leader Brett Hearn already has plans to return to Sawyer’s showcase speedplant next Spring. “Its great to have a guy of Bill’s stature recognize the Modifieds as a major division,” said Hearn, who finished 31st (accident) with just 10 laps complete in the inaugural 'Thursday Thunder' Paul Sawyer Memorial, and is anxious to get back and redeem himself. He currently owns 98 tour triumphs at 28 different tracks in six states and the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec . “ Virginia is gorgeous, a first-class facility in every way, a place you wish you could race at more often. I think we had the track figured out last May, hopefully we can spend more time on it. With more on the line now a lot of teams will make their plans around it.”
Super DIRT Week Dates Set: For the 37th consecutive year, the New York State Fairgrounds will play host to the richest event on the DIRTcar Racing NorthEast circuit as Super DIRT Week is scheduled for October 7-12, 2008 on the Syracuse Mile. Super DIRT Week events coordinator Jack Deery has worked closely with NYSF Director Dan O’Hara and Assistant Director Matt Morgan to insure future events at the NYS Fairgrounds will continue to run as smoothly as possible. Part of looking toward the future has been the implementation of a new ticket system for 2008, which is expected to be in place toward the middle of this winter. To accommodate the magnitude of Super DIRT Week, DIRTcar is in the process of making the move to internet purchasing for next season. Many fans attending the recently concluded Super DIRT Week were already able to pick up reservation forms for 2008 tickets at the kiosk set up outside turn four on the fairgrounds and those with ’07 tickets maintained the right to renew their seats and camping spaces for another year.
Full-Fender Racing In Fuller’s Future: He’s been a solid fixture on the DIRTcar Racing circuit for more than a decade, with overall Mr. DIRTcar Point Championships garnered in both Big-Block Modified and 358-Modified divisions heading his list of career accomplishments. While on the brink of capturing his second overall Mr. DIRTcar Modified title, Tim Fuller has already been recognized as the World of Outlaws Late Models Series Rookie of the Year and will be a full-time full-fender runner in 2008. “Don’t know why everybody’s saying I’m getting out of Modified racing, I still plan to run about 75% of the Series next year,” affirmed Fuller, who captured his first Mr. DIRT Big-Block title for owners Bob and Michele Faust in 2005 and wore his last Mr. DIRTcar 358 crown for the Pennsylvania pair in 2003. “The only difference is that I’ll be able to pick and choose a little more without having to worry about points. I’ll definitely make all the big races, there’s still a lot of money out there,” added Fuller, who resides in Watertown today and maintains his shop in nearby Edwards.
Pot Holes: Motor trouble forced Danny Johnson to miss the New Egypt trip, although he hopes to have an engine back in time to contend for the Eastern States 200 Championship next Sunday at Orange County…..Second-generation driver Ryan Phelps made his first-ever visit to the Garden State oval, qualifying for both 50-lappers and returning to his Central New York home with 19th and 13th-place finishes…..Jimmy Horton steered a Bicknell ride just purchased by NES Sportsman driver Mike Krachun, shaking down the no. 4 Amwell Auto Body-Grosso Trucking entry as he finished 28th and 19th in the twin-bill…..Billy Decker in a hurry to get home Sunday, not for the football games on TV, but to help his parents Floyd and Carol Decker celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary…..NES Promoter Bill Miscoski grabbed the microphone prior to the start of the show and told the grandstand audience “We’ll be back even bigger and better next year because we’re here to stay.”
Get Out The Word First: RACEceiver is the Official Driver Communicator of DIRTcar Racing. A compact radio receiver that conveniently fits into a driver’s pocket, a RACEceiver allows each driver to hear directions from series officials, which greatly enhances the safety and timeliness of events. A similar version available to fans will allow RACEceiver users to hear what information series officials are relaying to the drivers. For more information about RACEceiver, visit www.raceceiver.com, call 866/301-7223, or look for their sales trailers at select events.
Tracks Know The Score: In the ongoing effort to assist every sanctioned track with presenting the best possible race programs, DIRTcar has teamed with AMB i.t. which continues to be recognized as the Official Timing System of DIRTcar racing. AMB i.t. is the world’s leader in automatic race timing and scoring systems and the DIRT organization is proud to retain the company as a valued partner in the timing and scoring of all DIRTcar Racing events.
FINAL EVENT
The final extra-distance event on the 2007 Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series schedule arrives next weekend with the 46th Eastern States Championship at Orange County Fair Speedway bringing the curtain down on Oct. 21. Activity begins Fri., Oct. 19 with DIRTcar Modified practice followed by Integra Shocks Time Trials. More Modified practice and Big-Block heats run Saturday while the Sunday show kicks off with Big-Block consis to set the stage for the season-ending 125-mile Modified main.
2007 Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series Schedule
NP=Non-Point event.
Day-Date Laps Track Winner/Rite Aid 200 Qualifier (Location)
Wed-Feb 14 30-NP Volusia Speedway Park Danny Johnson
Thr-Feb 15 30-NP Volusia Speedway Park -rain-
Fri-Feb 16 30-NP Volusia Speedway Park Tim Fuller
Sat-Feb 17 50-NP Volusia Speedway Park Danny Johnson
Sat-Mar 31 100 Hagerstown Speedway Tim Fuller(G)
Thr-May 3 60 Virginia Motor Speedway Danny Johnson(G)
Thr-May 31 75 Orange Co Fair SpeedwayFrank Cozze(G)
Sat-Jun 9 100 Fulton Speedway Alan Johnson(G)
Thr-Jun 14 100 Susquehanna Speedway -postponed-
Tue-Jul 3 50 Rolling Wheels Raceway Brett Hearn(G)
Tue-Jul 3 50 Rolling Wheels Raceway Gary Tomkins(G)
Fri-Jul 6 100 Ransomville Speedway D.Johnson/Billy Decker(P)
Tue-Jul 10 100 Brockville Ont Speedway Pat O’Brien(G)
Wed-Jul 18 100 Grandview Speedway B.Hearn/ Ryan Godown(P)
Sun-Jul 22 100 Cornwall Motor Speedway Billy Decker(G)
Mon-Jul 23 100 Autodrome Drummond B.Hearn/Steve Paine(P)
Fri-Aug 3 100 Brewerton Speedway Dale Planck(G)
Mon-Aug 6 100 Merrittville Speedway D.Johnson/Jimmy Phelps(P)
Thr-Aug 9 50 Canandaigua Speedway B.Hearn/Vic Coffey(P)
Thr-Aug 9 50 Canandaigua Speedway Rain-Cancelled
Sat-Aug 11 100 Lebanon Valley SpeedwayB.Hearn/Jeff Trombley(P)
Wed-Aug 15 60 New Egypt Speedway B.Decker/Keith Hoffman(P)
Sat-Aug 18 50 Can-Am Motorsports Park T.Fuller/Pat Ward(P)
Sat-Aug 18 50 Can-Am Motorsports Park Steve Paine(G)
Sun-Aug 19 53 Cayuga Co Fair SpeedwayD.Johnson/ Billy Dunn (P)
Sun-Aug 19 53 Cayuga Co Fair Speedway T.Fuller/Justin Haers(P)
Sun-Sep 2 53 Cayuga Co Fair SpeedwayB.Decker/Matt Sheppard(P)
Sun-Sep 2 53 Cayuga Co Fair SpeedwayA.Johnson/Mike Bowman(P)
Mon-Sep 3 50 Rolling Wheels Raceway Jimmy Phelps(G)
Mon-Sep 3 50 Rolling Wheels Raceway G.Tomkins/Willy Decker(P)
Sat-Sep 15 200 Lebanon Valley SpeedwayB.Hearn/Eddie Marshall(P)
Sat-Sep 22 50 Rolling Wheels Raceway B.Decker/Ryan Phelps(P)
Sat-Sep 22 50 Rolling Wheels Raceway B.Hearn/Chuck Bower(P)
Sat-Sep 22 50 Rolling Wheels Raceway G.Tomkins/Kevin Bates(P)
Sun-Oct 7 200 New York State Fairgrnds Vic Coffey
Sat-Oct 13 50 New Egypt Speedway Matt Sheppard
Sat-Oct 13 50 New Egypt Speedway Keith Hoffman
Sun-Oct 21 200 Orange Co Fair Speedway Middletown,NY
*All events subject to change.
ADVANCE AUTO PARTS MODIFIED SERIES SPONSORS
The Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series for Big-Block Modifieds 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, Rite Aid Corporation 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, Motorsports Safety Systems, Penske Shocks and Wrisco Industries.
|
|
