Weedsport, NY — June 3, 2008 — By Tom Skibinski, Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series PR Director
WHAT
The Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series arrives in Central New York for round number four on Saturday, June 7 with a stand-alone Big-Block Modified event slated for Fulton Speedway. The winner of the ‘Showdown At Sundown 100’ presented by Bradco Supply and Ferris Mowers collects a $6,000 top prize and receives an automatic starting berth in the prestigious Rite Aid 200 Championship race on Oct. 12 of Super DIRT Week XXXVII at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse.
WHERE
FROM THE NORTH: Take Route 3 South into the city of Fulton. Pick up Route 481 South through the city and follow it to County Route 57. Take a right on County Route 57 and follow it to the speedway, which will be on the right.
FROM THE SOUTH: Take Interstate 81 to Exit 29N (Route 481 North). Follow Route 481 North until the traffic light on the outskirts of the city of Fulton. Take a left on to Route 57 and follow it to the speedway, which will be on the right.
FROM THE EAST: Take the New York State Thruway (Interstate 90) to Exit 34a (Route 481). Follow Route 481 North until the traffic light on the outskirts of the city of Fulton. Take a left on to Route 57 and follow it to the speedway, which will be on the right.
FROM THE WEST: Take the New York State Thruway (Interstate 90) to Exit 39. Follow signs for Route 690 to Baldwinsville. Stay on Route 690 as it turns into Route 48. Follow Route 48 a few miles till County Route 46 (the turn for Longley Brothers Dodge, marked by a sign). Turn right on County Route 46, then turn left at the stop sign on to Route 57. Follow Route 57 to the speedway, which will be on the left.
WHEN
Fulton Speedway pit gates are scheduled to unlock at 3 p.m. with hot laps slated for 6 o’clock. Heat race qualifiers take the first green flag at 7 p.m. following Integra Shocks Modified Time Trials that begin at 6:30. The main grandstands open for seating at 5 p.m.
TICKETS
General Admission grandstand tickets at Fulton are available on Saturday for $20 with children ages 10-14 admitted for $10. All those nine years of age and under will be admitted free of charge with a paid adult. The Pit Pass fee is $25 for DIRTcar members and $30 for non-members. For more information, please contact the Fulton Speedway office at 315/593-6531 or the race line at 668-RACE. General Admission tickets and pit passes will be available at the gate on race day.
WEB SITES
Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series is at www.superdirtcarseries.com.
Fulton Speedway is at www.fultonspeedway.com.
Dirtvision.com™ Cybercast is at www.dirtvision.com.
All remain accessible 24-hours daily.
ABOUT THE TRACK
Boasting a high-banked clay surface with wide sweeping turns, Fulton Speedway operates every Saturday night with DIRTcar Big-Block Modified, Sportsman Modified, Street Stock and 4-Cylinder Enduro classes filling out the standard weekly card throughout the summer. The 2008 campaign concludes in October with the 23rd Annual WHF Racing Fulton Speedway 200. Just two Advance Auto Parts Series events have been held at Fulton using the AMB i.t. scoring and timing system and last June Matt Sheppard set a new modern-day DIRTcar Modified record touring the 3/8-miler in a time of 16.574 sec. (81.453 mph). Jimmy Phelps is the defending Fulton season points champion while Alan Johnson, Billy Decker and Steve Hulsizer have already captured feature wins. Tom Sears Jr. tops the ’08 track standings in search of his first Big-Block crown.
PREVIOUS WINNERS
With the 2006 event cancelled due to weather-related issues, the ‘08 edition of the ‘Showdown At Sundown’ on June 7 marks the fourth Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series event staged at Fulton. Danny Johnson (1999) and Bobby Varin (2000) scored the initial Big-Block wins while Alan Johnson dominated last year’s Modified main. The Johnson brothers are the only repeat winners in ‘Showdown at Sundown’ history with Danny’s second victory coming in 2001, the first season it was designated as a small-block event. The Sundown Specials were part of the Mr. DIRTcar 358-Modified Championship trail four straight years with Stewart Friesen (2004), Frank Cozze (2003) and Alan Johnson (2002) joining the ‘Doctor’ on the winner’s list. Pat Ward captured the Showdown when the Big-Block race kicked off the 2005 season while Billy Decker won the inaugural Modified/358-Modified title event held in 1998.
‘Showdown At Sundown’ Race Results
DATE FIRST – SECOND – THIRD – FOURTH – FIFTH
6/9/07 Alan Johnson – Pat Ward – Brett Hearn – Jimmy Phelps – Tim Fuller
6/28/06 Rain-Cancelled
4/16/05 Pat Ward – Danny Johnson – Tim McCreadie – Matt Sheppard – Justin Haers
6/8/04 Stewart Friesen – Dale Planck – Pat Ward – Tim Fuller – Pete Bicknell
6/10/03 Frank Cozze – Dale Planck – Alan Johnson – Tim McCreadie – John Barker,Jr.
7/2/02 Alan Johnson – Danny Johnson – Steve Paine – Pete Bicknell – Matt Sheppard
7/25/01 Danny Johnson – Todd Burley – Vic Coffey – Matt Sheppard – Brett Hearn
7/26/00 Bobby Varin – Danny Johnson – Alan Johnson – Billy Decker – Tim McCreadie
7/28/99 Danny Johnson – Alan Johnson – Kenny Brightbill – Bob McCreadie – Jimmy Horton
8/5/98 Billy Decker – Dale Planck – Tim Fuller – Scott Prentice – Chuck Bower
TRACK HISTORY
Fulton Speedway began life in the late 1950’s as the dream of Victoria and Millard “Bub” Benway. Using modern construction techniques, several train carloads of lumber and a beautifully landscaped river front property, a speedway for the future —originally named Mil-Ray Raceway— was carved out by the Benway brothers into the hills along the Oswego River in 1960. The track itself was originally a high-banked asphalt oval that was built literally into a natural bowl. On the other side of the backstretch is a 1/8-mile dragstrip that runs from the river to the top of the hill. The dragstrip is now part of the current pit area while the concrete starting pad, poles and tower remain intact. In addition, there was also a ‘figure eight’ track built in the infield along with a motocross track. In the pits towards the tech garage loom some big pine trees which made up the original line between the pit area and the forest. In the 1970s, Bub decided to clean this area up and enlarge the pits to its current configuration. In the mid-1980s he covered the concession area and built the current VIP Tower. The grandstands are original and most fans agree every seat in the house is good.
During the asphalt era, the speedway was home for NASCAR Modified stars such as Richie Evans, George Kent, Sonny Seamon, Maynard Troyer, Bernie Miller, Geoff Bodine and Jerry Cook. Also racing at Fulton were ISMA Supermodifieds with stars like Jimmy Shampine, Nolan Swift, Warren Coniam, Eddie Bellinger, Jr. and Norm Mackereth making the rounds. During the late 1970’s, there was a gas crunch and asphalt racing in Central New York felt the immediate effects. Benway briefly shut down the speedway and made a decision that would forever change the history of Fulton Speedway. In late 1978 he surprisingly covered the speedway with clay to begin a new chapter. Fulton gradually began its climb back up the ladder of success and today ranks as one of the most competitive dirt speedways in the entire Northeast, becoming a member of the DIRTcar Racing organization in 1999 with the Fink family in charge. Don and Benedetta Watros, and Rick and Tina Wolff officially became the new owners of Fulton Speedway on April 28, 2006 with Art Halliday serving as track promoter for the second straight year in 2008. The old asphalt is still underneath and is in excellent condition; in fact, the old start/finish line is still visible under the clay located directly below the starter’s stand.
2007 RACE REVIEW
Home turf was at stake in the Saturday night special at Fulton Speedway and when it counted most ’06 Mr. DIRTcar Big-Modified Champion Alan Johnson rose to the occasion in defense to capture the Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series ‘Showdown At Sundown 100’ presented by Ferris Industries. It was the 46th career Advance Auto Parts Series triumph for DIRTcar Racing NorthEast’s winningest Big-Block Modified driver yet the first-ever for ‘A.J. Slideways’ at Fulton where he has taken over a dozen checkered flags in Big-Block competition. DIRTcar veterans Pat Ward and Brett Hearn chased Johnson most of the way while tour regular Jimmy Phelps and Tim Fuller closed out the top-five. Local runner Chad Phelps finished 13th and was the last to complete the entire distance with the race slowed six times for 20 laps. Johnson was clocked 15th fastest in the field of 42 open-wheel entries yet after the customary pre-race draw, pole-winner Fuller and Johnson shared the front row on the 32-car grid to start the century grind. Fuller out-dragged Johnson to the initial green flag and with just five laps scored, the cream had already risen to the top as Fuller, Ward, Johnson, Steve Paine, Phelps and Hearn were locked down in a torrid battle. Steering Wallace Stacey’s no. 14J Bully’s Truck Stop-CFF,Inc./Bicknell entry most of last season, Johnson moved high around Fuller exiting turn four to take his first lead on lap 20 and Hearn went even higher two laps later to slingshot into first place. With three and four-wide racing the norm all around the track, A.J. forged what would result in the final change on lap 32 as he ducked under Hearn across the line, ending up just a car-length ahead of Ward after a late race caution forced a green-white-checkered flag finish
Advance Auto Parts Series Point Standings (Through May 25, 2008)
Rank No. Driver Total Series Diff Wins Top-5 Top-10 Starts
1 20 Brett Hearn 271 271 0 0 3 4 4
2 77x Dale Planck 268 268 -3 2 2 3 4
3 98h Jimmy Phelps 264 264 -7 0 3 4 4
4 91 Billy Decker 260 260 -11 1 2 4 4
5 27J Danny Johnson 253 253 -18 0 2 3 4
6 84 Gary Tomkins 240 240 -31 0 1 4 4
7 9s Matt Sheppard 240 240 -31 1 1 2 4
8 7x Steve Paine 221 221 -50 0 2 2 4
9 3 Justin Haers 218 218 -53 0 1 3 4
10 FX1 Frankie Caprara 206 206 -65 0 0 3 4
11 14J Alan Johnson 203 203 -68 0 0 2 4
12 99 Ryan Phelps 185 185 -86 0 0 1 4
13 99L Larry Wight 171 171 -100 0 0 1 4
14 49 Billy Dunn 150 150 -121 0 0 0 4
15 29 Jeff Brownell Jr. 149 149 -122 0 0 0 4
16 6 Pat O’Brien 138 138 -133 0 0 0 4
17 42B Kevin Bates 133 133 -138 0 0 0 4
18 19 Tim Fuller 130 130 -141 0 1 1 2
19 4 Duane Howard 105 105 -166 0 1 1 1
20 79 Mike Storms 102 102 -169 0 0 0 3
21 99b Chuck Bower 100 100 -171 0 0 0 3
22 11j Sean Beardsley 96 96 -175 0 0 0 3
23 8 Rob Bellinger 86 86 -185 0 0 0 3
24 16 Mike Bowman 85 85 -186 0 0 0 3
25 21 Derrick Podsiadlo 84 84 -187 0 0 0 3
26 5 Jason Potter 83 83 -188 0 0 0 3
27 44 Shannon Whaley 80 80 -191 0 0 0 3
28 48T Dave Rauscher 79 79 -192 0 0 0 2
29 56 Vince Vitale 77 77 -194 0 0 0 2
30 32c Vic Coffey 70 70 -201 0 0 0 1
31 1w Billy Pauch 66 66 -205 0 0 1 1
32 15x Billy Pauch Jr. 63 63 -208 0 0 0 1
33 85 Wade Hedrickson 62 62 -209 0 0 1 1
34 71 David VanHorn Jr. 59 59 -212 0 0 0 1
35 14 Rick Laubach 54 54 -217 0 0 0 1
36 91h Chad Homan 53 53 -218 0 0 0 1
37 20R Josh Richards 48 48 -223 0 0 0 1
38 85 Dan Vauter 43 43 -228 0 0 0 1
39 43 Keith Flach 43 43 -228 0 0 0 2
40 39w Steven Downs 42 42 -229 0 0 0 1
41 357 Stewart Friesen 41 41 -230 0 0 0 1
42 93 Ryan Bartlett 40 40 -231 0 0 0 1
43 62s Tom Sears Jr. 40 40 -231 0 0 0 2
44 43 Jimmy Horton IV 40 40 -231 0 0 0 1
45 777 Kevin Bolland 40 40 -231 0 0 0 1
46 88 Steve Hulsizer 25 25 -246 0 0 0 1
47 13 Tony Steiner 20 20 -251 0 0 0 0
48 11J Alan Fink 20 20 -251 0 0 0 0
49 7J Joe Isabell 20 20 -251 0 0 0 0
50 1 Darwin Greene 20 20 -251 0 0 0 0
51 66w Wallace Stacey 10 10 -261 0 0 0 0
52 33 Mike Mahaney 10 10 -261 0 0 0 0
53 22 Rick Wegner Jr. 10 10 -261 0 0 0 0
54 19h Chris Higgins 10 10 -261 0 0 0 0
55 37c Eric Fisher 10 10 -261 0 0 0 0
56 09 Kyle Lewis 10 10 -261 0 0 0 0
57 14R Ryan Odasz 10 10 -261 0 0 0 0
58 7 Paul Guererri 10 10 -261 0 0 0 0
59 7J Joe Isabell 10 10 -261 0 0 0 0
60 29H Kenny Wallace 10 10 -261 0 0 0 0
61 HR2 Jimmy Horton 10 10 -261 0 0 0 0
62 37X Tommy Scheetz Jr. 10 10 -261 0 0 0 0
63 M40 Mark Forte Jr. 10 10 -261 0 0 0 0
64 40 Mark Forte 10 10 -261 0 0 0 0
65 8 Rich Scagliotta 10 10 -261 0 0 0 0
66 10 Kyle Strickler 10 10 -261 0 0 0 0
67 15 Brett Tonkin 10 10 -261 0 0 0 0
68 13 Greg Monica 10 10 -261 0 0 0 0
69 7a Chic Cossaboone 10 10 -261 0 0 0 0
70 30 Jamie Mills 10 10 -261 0 0 0 0
71 R2 Rusty Smith 10 10 -261 0 0 0 0
2008 Gater Racing News Big-Block Modified Lap Leaders
DATE TRACK LAPS LAP LEADERS
May 1 Virginia 60 30-D.Howard, 22-M.Sheppard, 8-J.Richards
May 4 Rolling Wheels 50 50-B.Decker
May 4 Rolling Wheels 50 31-Paine, 19-Planck
May 25 Cayuga County 76 56-Planck, 20-Haers
2008 Integra Shocks Big-Block Modified Time Trials *New Record
TRACK SIZE QUICK QUALIFIER TIME AVE.SPEED
Virginia 1/2-mile Duane Howard *18.056 sec. 99.690 mph
Rolling Wheels 5/8-mile Dale Planck 20.094 sec. 111.974 mph
Cayuga County 3/8-mile Vic Coffey 17.492 sec. 77.178 mph
TRACK HEAT WINNERS
Virginia D.Howard, F.Caprara, D.Planck, B.Hearn, B.Pauch Jr.
Rolling Wheels D.Planck, B.Decker, B.Hearn, G.Tomkins
Cayuga County V.Coffey, T.Fuller, D.Planck, L.Wight
NEWS & NOTES
Revamped Mr. DIRTcar Championship Format Underway: The overall Hoosier Tire-Sunoco Race Fuels Mr. DIRTcar Modified Champion in 2008 will be determined by adding actual points earned in the Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series along with bonus points collected at a designated hometrack throughout the racing season. Along with gaining valuable Advance Series points during the year, each driver can now earn a maximum of 300 additional points from their best five hometrack feature race finishes. Using the standard DIRTcar NE weekly points format, a driver winning five features could carry up to 300 extra points (60 per win) into the Mr. DIRTcar Championship when track points are officially tallied after Labor Day.
’07 Saturday Night Series Show A First At Fulton: When all the cars and stars from the Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series arrived at Fulton Speedway last June, it began a trend that continues today with a small number of Saturday night shows now an integral part of the Big-Block tour agenda. Before last year’s experiment, a Saturday slot prior to Labor Day was something that had only been tried out-of-state when Eldora Speedway in Ohio staged a tour event in August of 2006. In lieu of the Advance Auto Parts Series special at Fulton this year, area track officials at Canandaigua (NY) Speedway and Can-Am Motorsports Park in LaFargeville, N.Y. have adjusted their schedules to encourage maximum participation on Saturday with Canandaigua staging a sprint car special and Can-Am offering show-up points only. Can-Am will again award only show-up points when Canandaigua hosts the Advance Series on August 9 with Fulton presenting a modified midget program that same night. And when Can-Am holds its own Advance Series stop on August 16, the cooperation continues as a late model special headlines Canandaigua’s card while the Fulton schedule highlights a rare appearance by the Midstate Vintage Stock Car Club. The trial run on tour paid off at Fulton exactly one year ago as the biggest crowd up to that point in the season witnessed the fullest pit area, with an action-packed main event on a super surface keeping the conversation going long after the checkered flag flew.
Points Battle Providing Fresh Faces: The current Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series point standings list six-time and defending overall Mr. DIRTcar Champion Brett Hearn at the top while four-time Syracuse Rite Aid 200 winner Billy Decker has already posted one tour triumph. Although veterans continue to prove their worth on a consistent basis in the championship trail, 2008 may be looked back upon in future years as the changing of the guard. Both engaged in their third full year following the premier Big-Block Modified tour, points runner-up Dale Planck has racked up two of the wins in four Advance Series shows held to date and Jimmy Phelps is holding down third on the points chart with all his feature finishes among the top-10. Also making their presence known in the early going are a talented core of rising stars Frankie Caprara, Ryan Phelps, Larry Wight, Billy Dunn, Jeff Brownell Jr. and Kevin Bates. Owner Dave Thompson’s new first-string driver Caprara has already logged three top-10 tallies with Ryan Phelps and 15 year-old phenom Wight owning one apiece. Dunn (12th), Brownell (13th) and Bates (15th) added their best series finishes of the season at Rolling Wheels Raceway Park in early May.
Early Season Winners: With unseasonably cool and rainy weather conditions continuing to hamper the DIRTcar Racing NorthEast circuit in ‘08, a dozen tracks have hosted Big-Block Modified races with 21 drivers scoring victories in the 43 features run. 1998 Mr. DIRTcar Big-Block titleholder Billy Decker has claimed eight checkered flags to double the count of defending Mr. DIRTcar Modified Champion Brett Hearn (4) while Advance Series stars Alan Johnson, Dale Planck and Matt Sheppard along with popular Pennsylvania pilots Kevin Bolland and Brian Swartzlander own three apiece. Tour mainstay Gary Tomkins and Jeremiah Shingledecker are the only other repeat winners with Advance Series travelers Justin Haers and Frankie Caprara, Alltel DIRTcar Nationals Florida Tour winners Billy Pauch and Jimmy Horton, Lebanon Valley standouts Kenny Tremont, Andy Bachetti, Paul Gilardi and first-time winner Ryan Larkin, Orange County regulars Chuck McKee and Bruce Kline, Central New Yorker Steve Hulsizer and Tri-City BRP Tour winner Gary Smoker each having reached victory lane once as the month of June begins to build up steam.
Hoosier Tire Mr. DIRTcar Big-Block Modified Champions
YEAR CHAMPION (wins) ROOKIE of the YEAR
2007 Brett Hearn (7) Mike Bowman
2006 Alan Johnson (6) Kenny Stafford
2005 Tim Fuller (6) Stewart Friesen
2004 Gary Tomkins (4) Justin Hears
2003 Alan Johnson (6) Matt Sheppard
2002 Alan Johnson (5) Joe Beyea
2001 Brett Hearn (7) Frankie Caprara
2000 Steve Paine (4) Jeff Brownell
1999 Danny Johnson (2) Josh Skarzenski
1998 Billy Decker (6) Todd Milton
1997 D.Johnson (7)/B.Hearn (5) Tim McCreadie
1996 Brett Hearn (5) Vic Coffey
1995 Bob McCreadie (6) Tim Fuller
1994 Bob McCreadie (9) Jamie Mills
1993 Brett Hearn (5) Scott Schrader
1992 Danny Johnson (6) Ricky Elliott
1991 Doug Hoffman (5) Lenny Boyd
1990 Brett Hearn (7) Scott Prentice
1989 Danny Johnson (7) John Ventura
1988 Jack Johnson (2) Mike Jeffery
1987 Jack Johnson (2) Steve Behrent
1986 Charlie Rudolph (1) Jim Ruston
1985 Jack Johnson (1) Rich Burgess
1984 Jack Johnson (3) Ray Underwood
1983 Alan Johnson (4) Jimmy Begolo
1982 Jack Johnson (2) Randy Glenski
1981 Alan Johnson (2) Craig Keel
1980 Jack Johnson (5) Roger Phelps
1979 Will Cagle Jim Jarvis
1978 Will Cagle Jerry Knox
1977 Dave Lape Rick Martell
1976 Will Cagle —–
Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modified Winners: 1980-5/25/08 (597 events / 44 tracks / 66 drivers)
WINS DRIVER FIRST WIN LAST WIN
98 Brett Hearn Lebanon Valley, 7/15/81 Rolling Wheels, 9/22/07
65 Danny Johnson Fonda, 9/25/82 Cayuga County, 8/19/07
51 Bob McCreadie Ransomville, 9/10/82 Rolling Wheels, 9/4/00
47 Alan Johnson Ransomville, 6/27/80 Cayuga County, 9/2/07
40 Billy Decker Lebanon Valley, 9/18/88 Rolling Wheels, 5/4/08
28 Jack Johnson Cayuga County, 7/16/80 Orange County, 6/14/01
27 Steve Paine Canandaigua, 9/7/85 Can-Am, 8/18/07
26 Doug Hoffman Orange County, 10/25/87 Lowe’s, 4/6/02
18 Tim McCreadie Rolling Wheels, 9/26/99 Drummond, 8/23/04
17 Tim Fuller Rolling Wheels, 9/21/03 Cayuga County, 8/19/07
16 Jimmy Horton Lebanon Valley, 7/8/80 Susquehanna, 6/15/06
15 Gary Tomkins Hagerstown, 3/30/02 Rolling Wheels, 9/22/07
13 Kenny Tremont Lebanon Valley, 7/9/92 Lebanon Valley, 7/7/05
9 Kenny Brightbill Fonda, 10/18/87 Bridgeport, 6/19/97
7 Billy Pauch Flemington, 7/27/89 New Egypt, 6/22/05
7 Frank Cozze Orange County, 10/22/89 Orange County, 5/31/07
7 Jeff Heotzler Orange County, 7/26/89 Orange County, 10/21/07
6 Dave Lape Rolling Wheels, 7/5/82 Fonda, 7/24/91
6 Joe Plazek Brewerton, 6/28/94 Rolling Wheels, 9/1/97
5 Will Cagle Erie County, 9/20/80 Rolling Wheels, 9/27/81
5 Pete Bicknell Humberstone, 8/23/84 NYS Fairgrounds, 7/3/02
5 Matt Sheppard Drummond, 7/12/04 Virginia, 5/1/08
4 Carl Reynolds Five Mile Point, 7/12/80 Five Mile Point, 10/17/81
4 Merv Treichler Cayuga County, 9/20/81 Lebanon Valley, 8/9/84
4 C.D. Coville Fonda, 4/19/80 Devil’s Bowl, 8/29/84
4 Kevin Collins Fonda, 7/25/90 Fonda, 8/16/94
4 Bobby Varin Fonda, 8/16/95 Orange County, 10/26/03
4 Dale Planck Cornwall, 7/9/06 Cayuga County, 5/25/08
3 Charlie Rudolph Fonda, 10/16/83 Ransomville, 9/5/86
3 Chuck McKee Orange County, 8/16/98 Orange County, 8/1/02
3 Pat Ward Can-Am, 7/16/98 Cayuga County, 9/4/05
3 Jimmy Phelps Brewerton, 8/30/06 Rolling Wheels, 9/3/07
2 Mike McLaughlin Canandaigua, 9/6/80 Rolling Wheels, 9/28/80
2 Don McGinnis Merrittville, 9/11/83 Canandaigua, 9/17/83
2 Tommy Corellis Lebanon Valley, 9/14/80 Lebanon Valley, 9/14/86
2 Davey Moore Ransomville, 8/4/81 Humberstone, 9/10/87
2 Rich Ricci Jr. Lebanon Valley, 7/28/94 Lebanon Valley, 9/7/97
2 Andy Bachetti Lebanon Valley, 8/5/04 Lebanon Valley, 9/11/04
2 J.R. Heffner Lebanon Valley, 8/10/00 Lebanon Valley, 9/9/06
2 Pat O’Brien Can-Am, 7/17/90 Brockville, 7/10/07
2 Vic Coffey NYS Fairgrounds, 10/13/02 NYS Fairgrounds, 10/7/07
1 Bernie Griffin Five Mile Point, 7/12/80
1 Lou Lazzaro Canandaigua, 7/23/80
1 Chuck Akulis Five Mile Point, 10/18/80
1 Harvey Hainer Ransomville, 9/11/81
1 Dick Larkin NYS Fairgrounds, 9/6/82
1 Gary Iulg Rolling Wheels, 9/6/82
1 Ken Brenn Jr. NYS Fairgrounds, 7/3/83
1 Larry Brolsma Orange County, 9/10/83
1 Freddy Brightbill New Venture, 9/29/85
1 Rich Eurich Orange County, 10/23/88
1 Kenny Schrader Sanair, 7/9/89
1 Geoff Bodine Thompson, 8/6/89
1 Mike Romano Fonda, 10/15/89
1 Reggie Ruggiero Thompson, 7/29/90
1 Walt Mitchell Woodhull, 7/31/91
1 Doug Worthing Five Mile Point, 8/14/91
1 Ron Smoker Merrittville, 8/5/92
1 Richie Tobias Jr. NYS Fairgrounds, 10/11/92
1 Danny O’Brien Can-Am, 8/30/95
1 Jimmy Hauser NYS Fairgrounds, 7/7/96
1 Eddie Marshall NYS Fairgrounds, 9/6/99
1 Steve Poirier Drummond, 7/8/02
1 Kevin Bolland Lowe’s, 4/5/03
1 Ricky Elliott Lowe’s, 4/3/04
1 Keith Hoffman New Egypt, 10/13/07
Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modified Fast Timers: 1983-5/25/08 (222 events / 32 tracks / 46 drivers)
EVTS DRIVER FIRST FAST TIME LAST FAST TIME
38 Brett Hearn Orange County, 10/24/86 Orange County, 10/21/07
32 Billy Decker NYS Fairgrounds, 7/3/01 Lebanon Valley, 8/11/07
21 Tim McCreadie Rolling Wheels, 7/4/00 Cayuga County, 5/29/05
17 Tim Fuller New Egypt, 6/20/02 New Egypt, 10/13/07
14 Steve Paine Canandaigua, 9/1/99 Rolling Wheels, 9/22/07
9 Chuck Bower Cayuga County, 5/28/00 Lernerville, 8/3/05
9 Matt Sheppard Drummond, 7/12/04 Ransomville, 7/6/07
8 Bob McCreadie NYS Fairgrounds, 10/7/90 Fonda, 10/20/02
8 Gary Tomkins Drummond, 7/10/00 Rolling Wheels, 5/7/06
7 Alan Johnson Cayuga County, 5/26/02 Rolling Wheels, 9/4/06
5 Frank Cozze Orange County, 6/10/04 New Egypt, 8/15/07
4 Jimmy Phelps Drummond, 7/11/05 NYS Fairgrounds, 10/7/07
3 Billy Pauch NYS Fairgrounds, 10/12/86 NYS Fairgrounds, 10/9/88
3 Kenny Brightbill NYS Fairgrounds, 10/13/96 New Egypt, 8/2/00
3 Doug Hoffman NYS Fairgrounds, 10/11/87 Tri-City, 8/5/01
3 Andy Bachetti Orange County, 10/24/99 Lebanon Valley, 7/7/05
3 Dale Planck Drummond, 7/10/06 Rolling Wheels, 5/4/08
2 Jack Johnson NYS Fairgrounds, 10/7/84 Orange County, 10/28/84
2 Dave Blaney NYS Fairgrounds, 10/9/94 NYS Fairgrounds, 10/10/99
2 Jimmy Horton NYS Fairgrounds, 10/11/92 Big Diamond, 6/18/03
2 Bobby Varin NYS Fairgrounds, 10/11/98 Fonda, 7/17/03
2 Pat Ward Fonda, 7/19/00 Rolling Wheels, 9/23/06
2 Duane Howard Grandview, 7/18/07 Virginia, 5/1/08
1 Merv Treichler NYS Fairgrounds, 10/9/83
1 Rich Eurich Orange County, 10/30/83
1 Sammy Swindell NYS Fairgrounds, 10/13/85
1 Anthony Ferriauolo IV Orange County, 10/27/85
1 Joe Plazek NYS Fairgrounds, 10/10/93
1 Jeff Heotzler Orange County, 10/27/96
1 Chuck McKee Orange County, 10/25/98
1 Scott Prentice Rolling Wheels, 4/30/00
1 Danny Johnson Lebanon Valley, 8/10/00
1 A.J. Romano Rolling Wheels, 8/20/00
1 Ricky Elliott New Egypt, 6/21/01
1 Eddie Marshall Lebanon Valley, 8/2/01
1 Ron Smoker NYS Fairgrounds, 9/3/01
1 Frankie Caprara Lowe’s, 4/6/02
1 Todd Burley Cornwall, 7/7/02
1 Bucky Kell Hagerstown, 3/27/04
1 Justin Hears Rolling Wheels, 5/2/04
1 J.R. Heffner Lebanon Valley, 9/10/05
1 Rick Grosso Jr. New Egypt, 9/24/05
1 Pierre Berthiaume Brockville, 7/4/06
1 Rick Mill Orange County, 10/22/06
1 Ryan Phelps Cayuga County, 9/2/07
1 Vic Coffey Cayuga County, 5/25/08
Shocking Results For Series Fast Qualifiers: For a third straight year, Integra Shocks will play an active role in point fund sponsorship of the Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series during the upcoming race season. The fast driver during 2008 Advance Auto Parts Series qualifying will once again earn the ‘Integra Shocks Fast Time Award’ and the driver winning the most Integra Shocks Fast Time awards during the season will collect a bonus set of four Integra Shocks ($1,400 value) at the DIRTcar Racing NorthEast Banquet in November. The Advance Auto Parts Series has recognized fast time trialers since 1983, with 1999 marking the first year the awards program included every tour event scheduled during the year. All-time Advance Series race winner Brett Hearn is also a leader when it comes to speed, earning a series-best total of 38 Integra Shocks Fast Time awards during the past two decades.
Drivers will continue to draw for their order in the ‘Integra Shocks Time Trials’ at nearly every Advance Series stop, with the fast timer once again selecting a second pill to determine how many cars (0, 2, 3 or 4) will be inverted to start each preliminary heat race. The ‘Integra Shocks Fast Time Award’ winner will collect $100 and five (5) bonus points and the top-three heat race finishers will earn additional bonus points as follows: 1st-5 pts, 2nd-3 pts, 3rd-1 pt. With this inversion format in place, a driver can now earn a maximum of 10 more points being the fast timer as well as a heat race winner.
Grand Slam Showcases Series: The customary pre-race re-draw among top heat race qualifiers will continue to be in effect throughout the summer, with season-ending events at the New York State Fairgrounds and Orange County Fair Speedway the only Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series stops awarding fast timers with pole-position starts (heat points will not be awarded at these shows). Lebanon Valley Speedway and Rolling Wheels Raceway Park host the initial “200s” to make up the high-dollar Advance Series ‘Grand Slam’ in 2008.
Continuing to rank among the most prestigious races in the country, the Rite Aid 200 at the N.Y.S. Fairgrounds in Syracuse on Oct. 12, Eastern States 200 at Orange County on Oct. 19, Coors National 200 at Lebanon Valley on Sept. 6 and World Series Weekend 200 at Rolling Wheels on Sept. 27 are the only 200-lap races on the annual tour. In 2008 these four signature events on the Advance Auto Parts Series formulate the prestigious ‘Grand Slam’ in DIRTcar Racing for Big-Block Modifieds. In addition, the Rite Aid 200 winner automatically earns seventh-place on the Eastern States 200 starting grid.
This unique ‘Grand Slam’ features the $50,000-to-win Rite Aid 200 in the Salt City, $20,000-to-win Eastern States 200 in Middletown (NY), $10,000-to-win Coors National 200 at the West Lebanon (NY) oval with another $10-grand on the line for the Rolling Wheels National 200 winner. Syracuse and Orange County are the only Advance Auto Parts Series stops where the fast timers start on the pole and the top-six are locked into front three row starting positions while heats will be aligned in heads-up fashion. A special points system was implemented for these prominent races last season with each winner receiving 150 Series points and 50 points awarded to start.
Syracuse SDW Starters Guaranteed Through Series Success: Guaranteed starting berths in the Rite Aid 200 are once again up for grabs and in 2008 more drivers than ever before will be able to earn preferred starter status throughout the season for the richest DIRTcar Big-Block Modified event in the world. Winners of the Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series races and those among the top-12 in overall Hoosier Tire-Sunoco Race Fuels Mr. DIRTcar Modified Championship points heading into Super DIRT Week comprise the core group of drivers receiving guaranteed starting positions in the Rite Aid 200. Preferred starters are the next eligible drivers finishing behind an Advance Auto Parts Series race winner that is already locked into the Rite Aid 200 starting grid, as well as all three DIRTcar Big-Block Modified Regional point champions and every licensed Big-Block Modified track champion crowned this year.
In order to take advantage of their guaranteed starting positions in the Rite Aid 200, Advance Series race winners and top-12 Mr. DIRTcar point-getters must run time trials. Any guaranteed driver that fails to qualify through time trials or a Triple 20 will be added to the Rite Aid field in order of heat race results. Those drivers holding preferred status are afforded up front starting positions in the Dig Safely New York last-chance qualifier on Sunday, Oct. 12 if unable to qualify while running under the clocks or in heat race competition. The balance of the Rite Aid 200 line-up is filled in from the Dig Safely New York Shootout with the 45th starting spot going to the best overall finisher in Cayuga County Fair Speedway’s ‘Win & You’re In’ Twin 25s on Sat., Oct. 11.
Fulton Heard Around World On The Internet: If fans can’t get out to Fulton Speedway to see the ground-pounding 800-horsepower Big-Block Modifieds in their Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series showdown on Saturday, they can log into www.dirtvision.com on June 7 to hear all the action “LIVE” on the DIRT Radio Network presented by BUTLERbuilt. Listeners can tune into LIVE audio coverage of the on-line show with all the action starting at approximately 6:30 p.m. ET including qualifying, heat races and an action-packed feature event. Cheer for your favorite driver, along with the 20,000 registered members who enjoy LIVE Racing coverage on the DIRT Radio Network presented by BUTLERbuilt professional seat systems, the leader in custom seating. Call 704/784-1027 and let BUTLERbuilt build you an advantage!!!
To tune in visit www.dirtvision.com, click on the LIVE Advance Auto Parts Modified link, and you’re off to the races. If you are unfamiliar with Dirtvision.com, click on the “Help/FAQ” menu for tips and requirements for viewing the Live Events. Make sure that you register well in advance of our next show to help troubleshoot any problems you may encounter. Your basic tools will be a DIRTVision.com account, Internet Explorer 5 or higher, and Windows Media Player 9; both of which are FREE. For technical support or questions, e-mail customerservice@dirtvision.com. The Dirt Radio Network is presented by BUTLERbuilt professional seat systems. BUTLERbuilt is the leader in custom seating. Call 704/784-1027 and let BUTLERbuilt build you an advantage!!!
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 various events.
Tracks Know The Score: In the ongoing effort to assist every sanctioned track with presenting the best possible race programs, DIRT 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.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Following the Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series Saturday night showdown at Fulton, Big-Block Modified teams get nearly a four-week break from tour competition. Yet once the Independence Day holiday arrives, the vacation is over as seven extra-distance events run right up until the end of the month. The third century grind at Ransomville kicks off tour activity in the states before teams cross the border for the ‘Great Canadian Tour’ —- a four-day, four-race test for both man and machine featuring 400 laps of feature race action in the provinces of Ontario and Quebec.
2008 Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series Schedule
NP=Non-Point event.
*All events subject to change.
DAY-DATE TRACK WINNER/RITE AID 200 QUALIFIER
Wed-Feb 13 Volusia Speedway Park-NP Billy Pauch
Thr-Feb 14 Volusia Speedway Park-NP Brett Hearn
Fri-Feb 15 Volusia Speedway Park-NP Dale Planck
Sat-Feb 16 Volusia Speedway Park-NP Jimmy Horton
Sat-Mar 22 Hagerstown Speedway Weather-Cancelled
Thr-May 1 Virginia Motor Speedway Matt Sheppard(G)
Sun-May 4 Rolling Wheels Raceway Billy Decker(G)
Sun-May 4 Rolling Wheels Raceway Dale Planck(G)
Sun-May 25 Cayuga Co Fair Speedway D.Planck/Danny Johnson(P)
Sat-Jun 7 Fulton Speedway Fulton,NY
Thr-Jul 3 Ransomville Speedway Ransomville,NY
Thr-Jul 10 Brockville Ont Speedway Brockville,ONT
Fri-Jul 11 Autodrome Granby Granby,QUE
Sat-Jul 12 Autodrome Drummond Drummondville,QUE
Sun-Jul 13 Cornwall Motor Speedway Cornwall,ONT
Wed-Jul 16 Grandview Speedway Bechtelsville,PA
Thr-Jul 31 Orange Co Fair Speedway Middletown,NY
Mon-Aug 4 Merrittville Speedway Thorold,ONT
Fri-Aug 8 Brewerton Speedway Brewerton,NY
Sat-Aug 9 Canandaigua Speedway Canandaigua,NY
Sat-Aug 16 Can-Am Motorsports Park LaFargeville,NY
Sun-Aug 31 Cayuga Co Fair Speedway Weedsport,NY
Mon-Sep 1 Rolling Wheels Raceway Elbridge,NY
Sat-Sep 6 Lebanon Valley Speedway West Lebanon,NY
Fri-Sep 12 Lernerville Speedway Sarver,PA
Sat-Sep 20 Canandaigua Speedway Canandaigua,NY
Sat-Sep 27 Rolling Wheels Raceway Elbridge,NY
Sun-Oct 12 New York State Fairgrounds Syracuse,NY
Sun-Oct 19 Orange Co Fair Speedway Middletown,NY
Headquartered in Roanoke, Va., Advance Auto Parts, a leading automotive aftermarket retailer of parts, accessories, batteries, and maintenance items in the United States, serves both the do-it-yourself and professional installer markets As of April 19, 2008, the Company operated 3,291 stores in 40 states, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. Additional information about the Company, employment opportunities, customer services, and on-line shopping for parts and accessories can be found on the Company’s web site at http://www.advanceautoparts.com.
