Weedsport, NY — August 1, 2008 — By Tom Skibinski, Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series PR Director
WHAT
The Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series resumes action in August with a return visit to Canada for the Civic Holiday celebration at Merrittville Speedway on Monday, Aug. 4. The 16th Annual Trevor Wilkens Memorial presented by Toolneeds headlines Merrittville’s 57th Anniversary show with a $6,000 top prize at stake in the 100-lap Modified main plus a guaranteed 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
Centrally located in the heart of the Niagara Region, Merrittville Speedway is easily accessible from all sides [A reminder to all US residents to carry a valid photo ID to pass through US & Canadian Customs]. From Buffalo/Peace Bridge and South Niagara areas – after crossing at Peace Bridge take Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW) north to Niagara Falls – take Thorold Stone Road WEST exit – come to the lights and turn left onto Thorold Stone Road – proceed through stoplights and under Welland Canal via tunnel – proceed taking Hwy. 406 south exit to Welland – continue until you reach The Beaverdams exit –Right at the stop sign off the ramp, and left at the next stop sign (Merrittville Highway) and follow to the Speedway on the right. From Queenston-Lewiston Bridge-Niagara Falls USA – Follow Highway 405 to the QEW Niagara and exit in St.Catharines at THE 406 EXIT to Welland (this is a sharp ramp, caution is advised) Follow highway 406 to the Beaverdams exit.( approximately 20 kms south on Hwy. 406) At the ramp make a right and next intersection (Merrittville Highway) turn left and follow to the Speedway on the right. From Niagara Falls – Lundy’s Lane turns into Highway 20 – travel west on Hwy. 20 – go over canal – proceed to stoplight intersection of Hwy. 20 & Merrittville Highway (Tim Horton’s on left), turn right, speedway and free parking on left hand side one km. down the road. From the Hamilton or Toronto Area – Follow the Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW) south to Niagara – just before St. Catharines exit at Hwy. 406 south (exit #49) to Welland/Port Colborne – after approximately 20 kms south on Hwy. 406 – Beaverdams exit –make a right at the stop sign and follow to next intersection (Merrittville Highway) left on Merrittville Highway – travel 1 km.
WHEN
Merrittville is scheduled to unlock its gates Monday at 4 p.m. Integra Shocks Modified Time Trials will get underway following 6:30 hot laps with the first qualifying heat set for 7 o’clock. A special pre-race Italian Dinner served from 4-6:30 pm and hosted by Club Castropignano includes salad, dinner roll, fresh pasta and homemade meatballs and choice of a Pepsi Product is available for just $10.00. Call the speedway office to reserve your pre-race dinner tickets or email Merrittville GM Erica Bicknell at ebicknell@cogeco.net.
TICKETS
Both U.S. and Canadian currency are accepted at equal value with Adult general admission tickets $25 each, Seniors (65+) & Students (13-18 yrs) $20, Juniors (8-12) $6 and Children (under 8 yrs.) Free. A Family Pass is also available for $65 while the Pit Pass fee is $25 for DIRTcar members and $40 for non-members. For additional information, contact the track at 905/892-8266 or visit www.merrrittvillespeedway.com on the net. General Admission tickets and pit passes will be available at the gate on raceday.
WEB SITES
Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series is at http://www.superdirtcarseries.com.
Merrittville Speedway is at http://www.merrittvillespeedway.com.
Dirtvision.com™ Cybercast is at http://www.dirtvision.com.
All remain accessible 24-hours daily.
ABOUT THE TRACK THE TRACK
Merrittville Speedway is a 3/8-mile banked clay track located in Thorold, Ontario; only 12 miles from the US border at Niagara Falls. Merrittville remains a family operated facility and it’s been a Saturday Night Racing Tradition for 56 years; 2008 marks the sixth season owned by the Bicknell and Williamson families. Every Saturday from May to September, five classes of cars hit the popular d-shaped oval that include DIRTcar 358-Modified, DIRTcar Sportsman Modified, 4-Cylinder Mini-Stock, Hoosier Stock and Open Wheel Lites. The Merrittville facility includes full concessions serving a great variety of fresh food and plenty of beverages at reasonable prices, as well as clean and modern restroom facilities. A VIP deck for sponsors, souvenirs, and plenty of racing action make Merrittville Speedway the place to be every Saturday night. The “pits” are located directly across from the main grandstand and when the racing on track is completed race fans are encouraged to visit the pit area to get up close and personal with their favorite race teams.. Easy to find, the speedway is located in the Heart of Niagara on the famous Merrittville Highway in Thorold. Situated in Ontario, Canada, it remains ‘Yours To Discover.’
PREVIOUS WINNERS
The 2006 stop at Merrittville ended a 14-year absence by DIRTcar Racing’s best Big-Block Modified touring teams and last summer Danny Johnson mirrored his older brother by dominating the 100-lap finale. DIRTcar NorthEast’s all-time Big-Block winner Alan Johnson led all but the initial circuit in ’06 and Danny matched the feat by overtaking Canadian Hall of Famer Pete Bicknell on lap two in his own march to victory lane one year ago.
ADVANCE AUTO PARTS SUPER DIRTcar SERIES
Merrittville Speedway (8 Evts)
DATE FIRST – SECOND – THIRD – FOURTH – FIFTH
8/6/07 Danny Johnson – Billy Decker – Brett Hearn – Tim Fuller – Alan Johnson
8/7/06 Alan Johnson – Pete Bicknell – Kenny Cosgrove – Gary Tomkins – Brett Hearn
8/5/92 Ron Smoker – Brett Hearn – Frank Cozze – Alan Johnson – Billy Decker
8/5/91 Brett Hearn – Pete Bicknell – Danny Johnson – Kenny Tremont – Alan Johnson
8/8/90 Danny Johnson – Frank Cozze – Davey Moore – Kenny Tremont – Alan Johnson
8/7/89 Pete Bicknell – Danny Johnson – Jimmy Begolo – Doug Hoffman – Brian Stevens
9/11/83 Don McGinnis – Harry Sittler – Danny Rizzardo – Joe Plazek – Charlie Rudolph
8/3/81 Will Cagle – Alan Johnson – Charlie Rudolph – Harvey Hainer – Dave Lape
TRACK HISTORY
The idea for a track came to mind after a few trips to Civic Stadium in Buffalo, N.Y. where original owner John Marino would meet many of his friends from St. Catharines, Ontario. The thought of building a speedway in southern Ontario came to mind and Marino figured, “Why the hell drive to Buffalo when we can drive to St. Catharines.” Merrittville Speedway was nearly built on a tract of land in Louth Township. John along with his partner and friend George Cullen had even bought the material for bleachers. However, there were problems as St. Catharines was primarily a “stick & ball” town and stock car racing was a “fad” being opposed by several city councilors. The search went on and John and George, both in the trucking business, heard of a 20-acre parcel of land in Thorold Township, south of St. Catharines, where a farmer, Bill Gullett, owed the township for nine years of back taxes. A deal was struck on the price of the property ($250 per acre) and the present location was secured. During 1951 the 1/4 mile clay oval was carved out of the farmer’s field, wooden bleachers were erected and racing was officially started on July 1, 1952 during the daytime. After many trips to Ancaster during 1952 with close friend Orville Kelley, Merrittville’s first points champion, they moved their racing to the coolness of the evening and treated the racing surface with many tons of calcium to diminish the dusty conditions that prevailed early on. The city of St. Catharines was heavily involved in baseball, hockey and lacrosse and hardly gave a wink to the new sport of stock car racing. Friday nights were traditionally lacrosse nights at Haig Bowl so John and George picked Saturday nights to run, and established a tradition which continues today. While the Marino and Cullen families worked hard at getting Merrittville Speedway started, they sold their “baby” to partners Ken Kavanagh and Bill Russell in time to start the 1956 race season.
During the late 1950’s Kavanagh and Russell continued to develop stock car racing and in 1957 introduced the entry level jalopy division with Bill Binning being its first points champion. Along with Merrittville founders Marino and Cullen, in 1961 they purchased land in Stoney Creek at Mud Street and Highway #20 and constructed Speedway Park, a 1/3-mile clay oval with the most modem facilities and grandstands available. Opening day was June 19, 1962 and Speedway Park would establish a Friday night tradition while sister track Merrittville continued to race Saturdays and holiday Mondays. Drivers such as Billy Rafter, Cam Gagliardi, Alex Gunn, Jeno Begolo and Fred Hurst would all compete strongly in the Sportsman Modifieds, while drivers such as Frank Fields, Don Turner, Jack Hollis, Mike Zajac and Don Deagle broke into racing in the new Late Model division —- all of which later would move on to Modified careers. During the mid 1960’s the Mini Stocks were also introduced and the Mini-Coopers and Volkswagen “bugs” would battle it out with drivers such as Denny and Larry Deagle, Bob O’Hara and Bill Dominey the star attractions. As the decade came to an end the pressure and time of running two speedways began to take their toll and both Russell (rowing, music) and Kavanagh (horse racing) had developed other interests. As a result, Merrittville Speedway and Speedway Park were both sold in 1971 to new owners, Stan Friesen and Kurt Uhl at Merrittville and a group of Hamilton investors at Speedway Park.
Friesen and Uhl had ideas for change and there were three major ones. The traditional 1/4 mile perfect oval was ripped apart and replaced by a larger D-shaped pattern with its now notorious turn four. Secondly, the old wooden bleachers were replaced with metal ones from the now defunct Niagara Drag Strip. However, the third change was probably the most memorable one and that was bringing the fledgling DIRT of New York sanction and its Schaeffer Beer sponsorship for a qualifying race from Syracuse — with Advance Auto Parts now headlining the Super DIRT Series, that event still among the biggest Modified events on Merrittville’s calendar more than three decades later. While getting their feet wet as race track operators, Stan was still pursuing his desire to race Modifieds, while occasionally racing at Merrittville, trying to balance the racing against the administration of a race track. Stan and Kurt, along with their wives Diane and Deanna took a very active roll along with the kids, Jamie, Joel and Alex Friesen and Janice Uhl, in the running of not only Merrittville Speedway but also Ransomville (NY) Speedway, which they purchased in 1973.
Although joining the DIRTcar organization in 1980, before the start of the ‘83 season the operation of two tracks —one in the U.S., the other in Canada— forced Uhl and Friesen to sell Merrittville to a group of five St. Catharines businessmen which was quickly reduced to Alan Ley, Randy Pickles and Jim Shields. Joel Friesen emerged as the first full-time track manager for the new owners in 1984 while Bryant Irvine joined Ley in promotional activity later in the decade. Doug Kerr anchored the public relations department and later served as track general manager in the early 1990s. The Irvines become sole owners during that same time period with Bobby St. Amand Jr. being named Race Director as Merrittville entered the new millennium. In a surprise announcement during his March acceptance speech at the 2003 Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame Inductions Ceremony in Toronto, Pete Bicknell announced that he had just become part owner of Merrittville Speedway. DIRTcar Racing NorthEast’s winningest 358-Modified driver also noted his newest association at Merrittville with co-owner Randy Williamson, Fabrication Shop manager at the St. Catharines, Ontario-based Bicknell Racing Products, and formerly Jamie Friesen. Today, the families of both Jamie and Joel Friesen continue to carry on the success established by father Stan at Ransomville while Pete’s daughter Erica Bicknell fills the role of track General Manager as Merrittville Speedway celebrates its 57th consecutive season of racing in the Niagara Frontier.
2007 RACE REVIEW
He was the last driver to arrive at the track yet the fastest once the first green flag flew, and when the final checkered flag waved Danny Johnson was the first in line after dominating the Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series Toolneeds 15th Trevor Wilkens Memorial 100 on Monday at Merrittville Speedway. Front row partner Pete Bicknell nosed ahead of pole-sitter Johnson to complete the first circuit but Johnson pulled ahead for good the next time around and 30 minutes later was celebrating for the third time in the 2007 Advance Auto Parts Series. Just one caution period actually slowed the event on lap six when Randy Chrysler sat parked along the back chute. Johnson then proceeded to lap up to fifth-place finisher, older brother Alan Johnson, as the final 95 laps were run straight through under green. Billy Decker improved from fourth to second during the final 10 circuits, finishing ahead of Integra Shocks Fast Timer Brett Hearn and Tim Fuller. Jimmy Phelps crossed the line sixth to earn preferred starter status for the Rite Aid 200 at Syracuse during Super DIRT Week in October. A super tacky track greeted the 29 race teams that signed in with Hearn breaking a year and a half drought by collecting the Intergra Shocks Fast Time Award. Despite not a single lap yet turned aboard the Thompson Motorsports no. 27J Chiefs Tobacco & Gas-C&B Boating Adventures/Troyer, Johnson still posted the sixth quickest lap and then proceeded to cop the third and final qualifying heat in convincing fashion. Johnson selected the pole-position start in the customary pre-race draw, with track owner Bicknell starting outside. Bicknell provided the only blemish on a near perfect night for D.J. as he edged him at the stripe to complete the first circuit. It was all orange the rest of the way, and all that remained uncertain was how many cars would finish on the lead lap when Johnson’s all-out assault was over. Dale Planck, Matt Sheppard, Larry Lampman Jr. and Steve Paine completed the top-10 at the line.
DRIVER WEB SITES
Sean Beardsley – http://www.teamjir.com
Billy Decker – http://www.gypsumracing.com
Tim Fuller – http://www.gypsumracing.com
Justin Haers – http://www.justinhaers.com
Brett Hearn – http://www.bretthearn.com
Danny Johnson – http://www.teamjir.com
Pat O’Brien – http://www.gypsumracing.com
Steve Paine – http://stevepaine.painemotorsports.com
Jimmy Phelps – http://www.jimmyphelps.com
Ryan Phelps – http://www.ryanphelps.com, http://www.gypsumracing.com
Matt Sheppard – http://www.matt-sheppard.com
Larry Wight – http://www.gypsumracing.com
Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series Point Standings (through July 31, 2008)
Rank No. Driver Total SeriesDiff Money Wins Top-5 Top-10 Sts
1 91 Billy Decker 1031 1031 0 $39,400 5 9 12 12
2 20 Brett Hearn 938 938 -93 $26,800 2 8 11 12
3 77x Dale Planck 902 902 -129 $27,975 3 7 9 12
4 98h Jimmy Phelps 854 854 -177 $20,200 0 4 10 12
5 9s Matt Sheppard 810 810 -221 $19,800 1 2 8 12
6 84 Gary Tomkins 775 775 -256 $11,625 0 3 10 12
7 7x Steve Paine 728 728 -303 $12,375 0 4 5 12
8 FX1 Frankie Caprara 715 715 -316 $8,600 0 1 7 12
9 27J Danny Johnson 688 688 -343 $12,925 0 3 4 12
10 99 Ryan Phelps 641 641 -390 $5,650 0 0 2 12
11 3 Justin Haers 630 630 -401 $7,250 0 1 6 11
12 14J Alan Johnson 625 625 -406 $8,250 0 1 4 11
13 49 Billy Dunn 599 599 -432 $6,075 0 0 2 12
14 99L Larry Wight 514 514 -517 $4,600 0 0 1 12
15 6 Pat O’Brien 299 299 -732 $2,960 0 0 1 7
16 29 Jeff Brownell Jr 298 298 -733 $2,000 0 0 0 7
17 14 Rich Laubach 256 256 -775 $4,700 0 2 2 4
18 79 Mike Storms 255 255 -776 $2,650 0 0 1 6
19 42B Kevin Bates 220 220 -811 $1,950 0 0 0 6
20 4 Duane Howard 198 198 -833 $8,500 0 2 2 2
21 21 Yan Bussiere 161 161 -870 $1,600 0 0 1 3
22 1w Billy Pauch 152 152 -879 $2,800 0 0 2 2
23 22 Mario Clair 152 152 -879 $1,000 0 0 0 3
24 99b Chuck Bower 140 140 -891 $900 0 0 0 4
25 11j Sean Beardsley 139 139 -892 $900 0 0 0 4
26 16 Mike Bowman 135 135 -896 $900 0 0 0 4
27 357 Stewart Friesen 131 131 -900 $2,750 0 1 1 2
28 19 Tim Fuller 130 130 -901 $2,750 0 1 1 2
29 46 Kayle Robidoux 125 125 -906 $1,200 0 0 2 2
30 56 Vince Vitale 125 125 -906 $610 0 0 0 3
31 5 Jason Potter 125 125 -906 $900 0 0 0 4
32 5 Jimmy Horton 121 121 -910 $700 0 0 0 2
33 48T Dave Rauscher 119 119 -912 $750 0 0 0 3
34 14w Ryan Watt 111 111 -920 $675 0 0 0 2
35 19 Kenny Brightbill 111 111 -920 $1,100 0 0 1 2
36 30 Jamie Mills 110 110 -921 $4,000 0 1 1 1
37 71 David VanHorn Jr.109 109 -922 $1,320 0 0 0 2
38 30 H.J. Bunting III 103 103 -928 $6,000 1 1 1 1
39 15x Billy Pauch Jr. 103 103 -928 $1,340 0 0 0 2
40 85 Wade Hedrickson 103 103 -928 $1,500 0 0 1 2
41 44 Shannon Whaley 100 100 -931 $450 0 0 0 3
42 62s Tom Sears Jr. 99 99 -932 $700 0 0 0 3
43 26 Ryan Godown 98 98 -933 $600 0 0 0 2
44 3 Claude Brouillard 98 98 -933 $650 0 0 0 2
45 19 Chuck McKee 96 96 -935 $4,000 0 1 1 1
46 126 Jeff Strunk 96 96 -935 $4,000 0 1 1 1
47 23 Dany Bilodeau 96 96 -935 $650 0 0 0 2
48 123 Robbie Krull 96 96 -935 $4,000 0 1 1 1
49 43 Jimmy Horton IV 90 90 -941 $1,050 0 0 0 2
50 2 Michel Dussault 90 90 -941 $600 0 0 0 2
51 85 Dan Vauter 89 89 -942 $600 0 0 0 2
52 1 David Hebert 88 88 -943 $600 0 0 0 2
53 8 Rob Bellinger 86 86 -945 $600 0 0 0 3
54 47 Jerry Higbie 85 85 -946 $2,000 0 1 1 1
55 24L Carl Labonte 84 84 -947 $600 0 0 0 2
56 21 Derrick Podsiadlo 84 84 -947 $600 0 0 0 3
57 39w Steven Downs 83 83 -948 $1,050 0 0 0 2
58 54 Steve Bernard 81 81 -950 $600 0 0 0 2
59 6G Martin Gagné 81 81 -950 $600 0 0 0 2
60 84L Eric Landry 80 80 -951 $600 0 0 0 2
61 66w Wallace Stacey 80 80 -951 $300 0 0 0 1
62 89b Todd Burley 80 80 -951 $1,700 0 1 1 1
63 28 Scott Kerwin 76 76 -955 $1,400 0 0 1 1
64 13 Tony Steiner 73 73 -958 $300 0 0 0 1
65 32c Vic Coffey 70 70 -961 $500 0 0 0 1
66 1c Craig VonDohren 68 68 -963 $1,000 0 0 1 1
67 53e Ric Hill 65 65 -966 $800 0 0 1 1
68 88 Steve Hulsizer 65 65 -966 $450 0 0 0 2
69 20m Jeff McGinnis 65 65 -966 $800 0 0 1 1
70 17d Danny O’Brien 65 65 -966 $800 0 0 1 1
71 97 Michel Chicoine 60 60 -971 $300 0 0 0 1
72 63 Dominic Dufault 59 59 -972 $300 0 0 0 1
73 66 Jeff Heotzler 58 58 -973 $400 0 0 0 1
74 8 Rich Scagliotta 58 58 -973 $300 0 0 0 1
75 26 Rick Richner 58 58 -973 $400 0 0 0 1
76 73 Alain Boisvert 58 58 -973 $400 0 0 0 1
77 73 Rick Mill 56 56 -975 $350 0 0 0 1
78 95 Alex Boisvert 56 56 -975 $300 0 0 0 1
79 93 Richie Vinson 56 56 -975 $350 0 0 0 1
80 M96 Jessica Zemken 54 54 -977 $325 0 0 0 1
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-S.Paine, 19-D.Planck
May 25 Cayuga County 76 56-D.Planck, 20-J.Haers
June 7 Fulton 101 101-B.Decker
July 3 Ransomville 100 88-B.Decker, 12-R.Krull
July 10 Brockville 100 97-B.Decker, 3-P.O’Brien
July 11 Granby 100 60-B.Hearn, 39-B.Dunn, 1-S.Paine
July 12 Drummond 100 100-D.Planck
July 16 Grandview 100 63-B.Decker, 33-D.Howard, 4-K.Brightbill
July 17 Georgetown 75 65-H.J. Bunting, 10-J.Mills
July 31 Orange County 75 75-B.Hearn
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
Fulton 3/8-mile Pat O’Brien 16.688 sec. 80.896 mph
Ransomville 3/8-mile Billy Decker *16.351 sec. 82.564 mph
Brockville 3/8-mile Dale Planck *14.422 sec. 93.607 mph
Granby 1/2-mile Steve Paine *18.410 sec. 97.773 mph
Drummond 4/10-mile Steve Paine 17.234 sec. 83.556 mph
Grandview 1/3-mile Billy Decker *14.349 sec. 83.630 mph
Georgetown 1/2-mile Billy Decker *20.290 sec. 88.714 mph
Orange County 5/8-mile David VanHorn Jr. *20.710 sec. 108.643 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
Fulton D.Johnson, D.Planck, J.Haers, M.Sheppard
Ransomville B.Decker, D.Planck, S.Friesen, A.Johnson
Brockville D.Planck, B.Decker, M.Sheppard, B.Dunn
Granby B.Decker, B.Dunn, B.Hearn, G.Tomkins
Drummond S.Paine, M.Sheppard, D.Planck, J.Phelps
Grandview B.Decker, B.Hearn, K.Brightbill, M.Sheppard
Georgetown J.Mills, F.Caprara, J.Phelps, B.Hearn
Orange County D.VanHorn, B.Hearn, B.Decker, A.Johnson
NEWS & NOTES
Mr. DIRTcar Championship Format Fine Tuned In ‘08: The overall Hoosier Tire 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.
Summertime Winners: With the just completed Advance Auto Parts Series Escape RV 75 at Orange County on Thursday, 19 tracks have now hosted DIRTcar Big-Block Modified races in 2008 with 46 drivers scoring victories in the 99 features run. Billy Decker has steered the potent LJL Racing Bicknell machine into victory lane a division-high total of 16 times to double the season output of popular Pennsylvanian Brian Swartzlander (8) with Brett Hearn’s sixth win of the year giving him 100 career Advance Auto Parts Super Series triumphs. Keystone State pilot Kevin Bolland and Advance Series stars Dale Planck and Alan Johnson have scored five victories apiece. Jeremiah Shingledecker owns four wins while Advance Series standouts Matt Sheppard and Gary Tomkins have both taken three checkered flags. Tour regulars Steve Paine, Jimmy Phelps and Frankie Caprara along with Central New York runner Steve Hulsizer and Lebanon Valley regulars Kenny Tremont and Ryan Larkin are the only other repeat winners. Advance Series travelers Justin Haers and Pat O’Brien are among 31 more drivers having reached victory lane once counting through the final weekend of July.
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: 1980-7/31/08 (605 events / 45 tracks / 67 drivers)
WINS DRIVER FIRST WIN LAST WIN
100 Brett Hearn Lebanon Valley, 7/15/81 Orange County, 7/31/08
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
44 Billy Decker Lebanon Valley, 9/18/88 Grandview, 7/16/08
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
5 Dale Planck Cornwall, 7/9/06 Drummond, 7/12/08
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
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
1 H.J. Bunting Georgetown, 7/17/08
Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modified Fast Timers 1983-7/31/08 (230 events / 33 tracks / 48 drivers)
EVTS DRIVER FIRST FAST TIME LAST FAST TIME
38 Brett Hearn Orange County, 10/24/86 Orange County, 10/21/07
35 Billy Decker NYS Fairgrounds, 7/3/01 Georgetown, 7/17/08
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
16 Steve Paine Canandaigua, 9/1/99 Drummond, 7/12/08
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
4 Dale Planck Drummond, 7/10/06 Brockville, 7/10/08
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
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
1 Pat O’Brien Fulton, 6/7/08
1 David VanHorn Jr. Orange County, 7/31/08
Hoosier Remains DIRTcar Tire Of Choice: In 2008 Hoosier Tire expanded the options for DIRTcar Racing NorthEast Modified divisions with the introduction of the new Hoosier D200. Along with the Hoosier D200, the existing DIRT soft compound will be labeled D300, current DIRT hard compound will be labeled D400 and the DIRT Extra Hard compound will become D500. Below is a list indicating the required Hoosier Tire compound(s) at those tracks hosting the remaining Big-Block Modified events on the Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series schedule.
Date Track Compound(s)
Mon-Aug 4 Merrittville Speedway D200, Soft/D300 or Hard/D400
Fri-Aug 8 Brewerton Speedway D200, Soft/D300 or Hard/D400
Sat-Aug 9 Canandaigua Speedway D200, Soft/D300 or Hard/D400
Sat-Aug 16 Can-Am Motorsports Park D200, Soft/D300 or Hard/D400
Sun-Aug 17 Cornwall Motor Speedway D200, Soft/D300 or Hard/D400
Sun-Aug 31 Cayuga Co. Speedway D200, Soft/D300 or Hard/D400
Mon-Sep 1 Rolling Wheels Raceway Pk D200, Soft/D300 or Hard/D400
Sat-Sep 6 Lebanon Valley Speedway Fronts Optional, Hard/D400 or Extra on rear
Fri-Sep 12 Lernerville Speedway D200, Soft/D300 or Hard/D400
Sat-Sep 20 Canandaigua Speedway D200, Soft/D300 or Hard/D400
Sat-Sep 27 Rolling Wheels Raceway Pk D200, Soft/D300 or Hard/D400
Sun-Oct 12 New York State Fairgrounds Right side Extra, left side Hard/D400
Sun-Oct 19 Orange Co. Fair Speedway Soft/D300, Hard/D400 or Extra
*Tire rules are subject to change.
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.
Merrittville Modifieds Webcast On DIRT Radio Network: For those fans unable to attend Merrittville Speedway to see the ground-pounding 800-horsepower Big-Block Modifieds in their Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series show on Monday, August 4, they can log into www.dirtvision.com the same evening 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 6:45 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
Back-to-back DIRTcar doubleheaders open on U.S. soil as all the Advance Auto Parts Super Series stars contend for bragging rights at Brewerton and Canandaigua speedways, Aug. 8-9. Can-Am Motorsports Park and Cornwall Motor Speedway (rescheduled from July 13) stage consecutive 100-lappers Aug. 16-17 prior to the premier traveling teams arriving at the home of DIRTcar NorthEast on Aug. 31 for Twin 54s at Cayuga County Fair Speedway.
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 B.Decker/Brett Hearn(P)
Thr-Jul 3 Ransomville Speedway B.Decker/Robbie Krull(P)
Thr-Jul 10 Brockville Ont Speedway B.Decker/Jimmy Phelps(P)
Fri-Jul 11 Autodrome Granby Brett Hearn(G)
Sat-Jul 12 Autodrome Drummond D.Planck/Steve Paine(P)
Wed-Jul 16 Grandview Speedway B.Decker/Jeff Strunk(P)
Thr-Jul 17 Georgetown Speedway H.J. Bunting(G)
Thr-Jul 31 Orange Co Fair Speedway B.Hearn/Chuck McKee(P)
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 17 Cornwall Motor Speedway Cornwall,ONT
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.
