Big-Blocks Ready To Invade Big Diammond For Advance Series Shootout

Weedsport, NY — April 20, 2009 — By Tom Skibinski, Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series PR Director

WHAT
Continuing to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Series partnership with Advance Auto Parts based in Roanoke, Virginia, the Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series opens April 26 at Big Diamond Raceway with the $6,000-to-win Spring Fever 75-lap Big-Block Modified main headlining the Sunday card. The 2009 edition of the Advance Series features point events in three states and two Canadian provinces with 23 extra-distance races spread across the Northeast region running from March through October.

WHERE
Easiest access to Big Diamond Raceway is off Route 81 which runs North/South.
Driving South on Route 81, Take Exit 116 (Minersville), follow Route 901 East to Minersville, 4 miles to Primrose, turn right, continue through Forestville for two miles and the raceway is on the left; Driving North on Route 81, take Exit 104 (Ravine), turn right at the end of ramp, then go left at the next stop sign. Follow Route 125 to Tremont, turn right at the stop sign, take Route 209 North to Branchdale. Bear left entering town, then left at the stop sign. Go 3 miles, the track is on the right.

WHEN
Big Diamond pit gates and grandstands will open at 2 p.m. Big-Block Modified Integra Shocks Time Trials follow 5:15 p.m. practice with qualifying heats scheduled to go green at 6:30 p.m. The event will carry a rain date of Monday April 27 if needed.

TICKETS
General Admission grandstand tickets at Big Diamond are $20 (kids 10 yrs. and under are Free) and pit passes cost $30 each. For more information, contact the Big Diamond Raceway office at 570/385-0744 or 570/544-1410 on race day. All tickets and pit passes will be available at the gate the day of the race.

WEB SITES
Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series at http://www.superdirtcarseries.com.
Big Diamond Raceway at http://www.bigdiamondraceway.com
Dirtvision at http://www.dirtvision.com.
DIRTcar Racing at http://www.dirtcar.com.
All remain accessible 24-hours daily.

ABOUT THE TRACK
Featuring 358-Modified, Sportsman and Roadrunner classes every Friday throughout the summer, Big Diamond Raceway is listed as a .384-mile, semi-banked clay oval. Figured using a 4/10-mile distance in the first-ever Advance Series show staged in 2003, Jimmy Horton established the single lap tour mark when he circled the track in 17.571 seconds (81.953 mph) on June 18. The Following season Tim McCreadie posted a quick time of 17.598 sec.

PREVIOUS WINNERS
Just two dates have made it on to the Advance Auto Parts Series schedule since the current tour format took hold in 1980. DIRTcar Racing Big-Block career win leader Alan Johnson captured the inaugural event in 2003 en route to the overall Hoosier Tire-VP Racing Fuels Mr. DIRTcar Championship and all-time Advance Series winner Brett Hearn following up with a 100-lap win in ’04. An average car count of 44 Modifieds has been enjoyed, with Hearn the lone driver to notch a top-five finish in both events.

ADVANCE AUTO PARTS SUPER DIRTcar SERIES
Big Diamond Raceway (2 Evts)
DATE LAPS FIRST – SECOND – THIRD – FOURTH – FIFTH
6/16/04 100 Brett Hearn – Tim McCreadie – Billy Decker – Frank Cozze – Tim Fuller
6/18/03 100 Alan Johnson – Gary Tomkins – Doug Hoffman – Billy Pauch – Brett Hearn

TRACK HISTORY
Opening for the first time as a quarter-miler in August of 1972, Big Diamond Raceway has featured the current 358-Modified division as it’s primary class ever since. This headline group has taken on a number of different names, including Sportsman, Small-Block Modifieds and Sportsman-Modifieds, and today the 358s are part of a three-division program every Friday night. 2009 is the 38th year of competition for the 358-Modified class in coal country, with Roy Wiest claiming the inaugural track crown in ‘72. Names like Billy Schinkel, Fred Rahmer and Jack Follweiler were among the weekly heroes to lay the foundation for the current cast of drivers led by six-time and defending points champion Jeff Strunk, Keith Hoffman and Duane Howard, while Doug Hoffman has helped bridge generations from the 1980s into the new millennium. Today, Craig VonDohren (63) stands as the winningest Small-Block driver, with Howard (61), ’09 season-opening victor Strunk (38), Doug (35) and Keith (34) Hoffman comprising the all-time top-five. Big-Blocks made their maiden voyage in 1981-82 under MODCAR sanction, with Bob Toreky (2 wins), Garry Gollub, Roger Laureno and Dave Schoffstall sharing center stage before DIRTcar revived the ground-pounders after a 20-year layoff. A half-dozen more drivers have since added their name to the Big Diamond Big-Block record book, with the Advance Series showdown on April 26 marking the 16th event chronicled in track history.

Big Diamond Raceway – Big-Block Modified Feature Winners (1981-2008)
WINS DRIVER FIRST LAST
2 Bob Toreky 8/5/81 9/25/81
2 Billy Pauch 8/9/05 6/6/06
2 Alan Johnson 6/18/03 7/25/06
2 Keith Hoffman 10/1/06 9/30/07
1 Roger Laureno 4/23/82
1 Garry Gollub 7/23/82
1 Dave Schoffstall 9/10/82
1 Frank Cozze 3/29/04
1 Brett Hearn 6/16/04
1 Jeff Strunk 6/7/05
1 Duane Howard 3/29/08

NEWS & NOTES
2009 Mr. DIRTcar Championship On The Line: The overall Hoosier Tire-VP Racing Fuels Mr. DIRTcar Modified Champion in 2009 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 360 additional points (60 per event) from participation in six feature races at their hometrack when Mr. DIRTcar Championship points are officially tallied after Labor.

Billy Decker was crowned Mr. DIRTcar Champion in 2008, with his initial title taken exactly 10 years earlier in 1998. Chalking up a record-tying Advance Auto Parts Series 10 feature wins in ‘08, the ‘Franklin Flyer’ grabbed the points lead early in June and never wavered the rest of the way as he secured DIRTcar Racing Northeast’s highest Big-Block Modified honor for owners John & Laura Wight and the Gypsum Wholesalers Team. Jimmy Phelps overtook Dale Planck for second in the season-finale, with ’04 champion Gary Tomkins also moving past all-time Advance Series champion Brett Hearn in the last race to fill out the front-five. 2008 Big-Block Modified Rookie of the Year Larry Wight finished 14th on the final points chart.

2008 Overall Hoosier Tire-VP Racing Fuels Mr. DIRTcar Modified/
Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series Point Standings (FINAL Top-50)
®-Rookie
Rank No. Driver Points Series Bonus Diff. Wins Top-5 Top-10 Starts
1 91 BILLY DECKER 2,495 2,195 300 0 10 18 24 26
2 98h Jimmy Phelps 2,293 2,019 274 -202 1 14 23 26
3 77x Dale Planck 2,251 1,959 292 -244 3 16 21 26
4 84 Gary Tomkins 2,204 1,908 296 -291 2 11 21 26
5 20 Brett Hearn 2,164 1,876 288 -331 2 9 20 26
6 9s Matt Sheppard 2,143 1,859 284 -352 1 9 18 26
7 FX1 Frankie Caprara1,904 1,612 292 -591 0 2 14 26
8 7x Steve Paine 1,852 1,560 292 -643 0 9 11 25
9 99 Ryan Phelps 1,795 1,539 256 -700 0 1 8 26
10 3 Justin Haers 1,738 1,480 258 -757 0 2 14 25
11 14J Alan Johnson 1,689 1,401 288 -806 3 6 12 22
12 49 Billy Dunn 1,599 1,347 252 -896 0 0 3 26
13 27J Danny Johnson 1,588 1,448 140 -907 1 5 7 26
14 99L Larry Wight® 1,242 1,020 222 -1,253 0 0 1 23
15 6 Pat O’Brien 1,049 765 284 -1,446 0 0 2 17
16 29 Jeff Brownell Jr.984 754 230 -1,511 0 0 1 16
17 19 Tim Fuller 694 644 50 -1,801 0 4 4 7
18 42B Kevin Bates 691 439 252 -1,804 0 0 0 12
19 79 Mike Storms® 679 425 254 -1,816 0 1 2 8
20 56 Vince Vitale 659 417 242 -1,836 0 0 1 8
21 99b Chuck Bower 610 364 246 -1,885 0 0 0 11
22 88 Steve Hulsizer 589 347 242 -1,906 0 0 0 7
23 4 Andy Bachetti 587 299 288 -1,908 1 1 1 3
24 32c Vic Coffey 559 393 166 -1,936 0 1 2 7
25 74 J.R. Heffner 535 271 264 -1,960 0 1 2 2
26 98 Eddie Marshall 527 265 262 -1,968 0 1 2 2
27 48T Dave Rauscher 503 277 226 -1,992 0 0 1 7
28 91h Chad Homan 498 280 218 -1,997 0 0 0 8
29 16 Mike Bowman 495 263 232 -2,000 0 0 0 7
30 93 Ryan Bartlett 493 243 250 -2,002 0 0 0 6
31 5 Jason Potter 489 239 250 -2,006 0 0 0 7
32 43 Keith Flach 487 235 252 -2,008 0 0 1 4
33 62s Tom Sears Jr. 482 214 268 -2,013 0 0 0 5
34 71 David VanHorn 481 221 260 -2,014 0 0 0 4
35 24 Chris Shultz 472 216 256 -2,023 0 0 0 3
36 02 Roy Bresnahan 472 270 202 -2,023 0 0 1 4
37 47 Jerry Higbie 467 201 266 -2,028 0 1 2 2
38 53e Ric Hill 454 222 232 -2,041 0 0 1 4
39 77F Mark Flach Jr. 453 185 268 -2,042 0 1 1 2
40 115 Kenny Tremont 452 182 270 -2,043 0 0 0 3
41 14 Rich Laubach 441 441 0 -2,054 0 2 3 6
42 357 Stewart Friesen 439 439 0 -2,056 0 2 3 6
43 44 Shannon Whaley 438 236 202 -2,057 0 0 0 7
44 42p Pat Ward 425 249 176 -2,070 0 0 1 3
45 33.3 Tommy Meier 423 175 248 -2,072 0 0 1 2
46 21 Derrick Podsiadlo 420 184 236 -2,075 0 0 0 7
47 19 Chuck McKee 416 146 270 -2,079 0 1 1 2
48 1x Willy Decker 402 126 276 -2,093 0 0 1 2
49 19h Chris Higgins® 394 188 206 -2,101 0 0 0 5
50 8 Rob Bellinger 388 132 256 -2,107 0 0 0 4

Hoosier Tire-VP Racing Fuels Mr. DIRTcar Big-Block Modified Champs
YEAR CHAMPION (wins) MSS/G-FORCE ROOKIE of the YEAR
2008 Billy Decker (10) Larry Wight
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: 1980-2008 (619 events / 45 tracks / 67 drivers)
WINS DRIVER FIRST WIN LAST WIN
100 Brett Hearn Lebanon Valley, 7/15/81 Orange County, 7/31/08
66 Danny Johnson Fonda, 9/25/82 Orange County, 10/19/08
51 Bob McCreadie Ransomville, 9/10/82 Rolling Wheels, 9/4/00
50 Alan Johnson Ransomville, 6/27/80 Rolling Wheels, 9/27/08
49 Billy Decker Lebanon Valley, 9/18/88 Rolling Wheels, 9/1/08
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
17 Gary Tomkins Hagerstown, 3/30/02 Cornwall, 8/17/08
16 Jimmy Horton Lebanon Valley, 7/8/80 Susquehanna, 6/15/06
13 Kenny Tremont Lebanon Valley, 7/9/92 Lebanon Valley, 7/7/05
9 Kenny Brightbill Fonda, 10/18/87 Bridgeport, 6/19/97
8 Frank Cozze Orange County, 10/22/89 NYS Fairgrounds, 10/12/08
7 Billy Pauch Flemington, 7/27/89 New Egypt, 6/22/05
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
4 Jimmy Phelps Brewerton, 8/30/06 Merrittville, 8/4/08
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 Andy Bachetti Lebanon Valley, 8/5/04 Lebanon Valley, 9/7/08
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 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 Integra Shocks Fast Timers 1983-2008 (242 events / 32 tracks / 48 drivers)
EVTS DRIVER FIRST FAST TIME LAST FAST TIME
40 Brett Hearn Orange County, 10/24/86 Brewerton, 8/15/08
37 Billy Decker NYS Fairgrounds, 7/3/01 Lebanon Valley, 9/7/08
21 Tim McCreadie Rolling Wheels, 7/4/00 Cayuga County, 5/29/05
20 Tim Fuller New Egypt, 6/20/02 NYS Fairgrounds, 10/12/08
17 Steve Paine Canandaigua, 9/1/99 Merrittville, 8/4/08
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
8 Alan Johnson Cayuga County, 5/26/02 Rolling Wheels, 9/27/08
5 Frank Cozze Orange County, 6/10/04 New Egypt, 8/15/07
5 Jimmy Phelps Drummond, 7/11/05 Can-Am, 8/16/08
5 Dale Planck Drummond, 7/10/06 Cornwall, 8/17/08
3 Billy Pauch NYS Fairgronds, 10/12/86 NYS Fairgrounds, 10/9/88
3 Kenny Brightbill NYS Fairgronds, 10/13/96 New Egypt, 8/2/00
3 Doug Hoffman NYS Fairgronds, 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 Fairgronds, 10/11/92 Big Diamond, 6/18/03
2 Bobby Varin NYS Fairgronds, 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
2 Jeff Heotzler Orange County, 10/27/96 Orange County, 10/19/08
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 Tony Ferriauolo IV Orange County, 10/27/85
1 Joe Plazek NYS Fairgrounds, 10/10/93
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

2009 Big-Block Season Underway: The Advance Auto Parts Series non-point lid-lifters during the Alltel DIRTcar Nationals By UNOH at Volusia Speedway Park in February already featured many top touring drivers along with a number of those contracted to compete during the 2009 campaign. Brett Hearn scored a win in the tour finale with Pat Ward clinching the title following early round victories and Delaware driver Jamie Mills winning on night three. Dale Planck and Hearn finished tied for third in final Florida tour points, ahead of Advance Series standouts Matt Sheppard (6th), Jeff Brownell Jr. (8th) and Larry Wight (14th). Billy Decker ran just two of the four events to settle into 12th on the points chart while Alan Johnson crashed over the weekend to rank 21st with three of four races run. Up north, the ’09 DIRTcar Racing Northeast circuit is getting into gear with seven tracks hosting seven more Big-Block Modified races with the same number of drivers taking checkered flags. Already claiming season-openers are Decker (Brewerton), Sheppard (Canandaigua), Johnson (Cayuga County), Brownell Jr. (Glen Ridge), Kenny Tremont (Lebanon Valley), Brian Swartzlander (Lernerville) and Rex King (Mercer, BRP Tour), with the final weekend of April coming up.

Wet Weather Hinders Hagerstown Again: The ’09 Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series was once again scheduled to open last month at Hagerstown Speedway, yet for the 2nd straight year and fourth time in a decade the ‘North-South Shootout’ special for Big-Block Modifieds fell victim to inclement weather. Early season misfortune at the Maryland oval means good news on the horizon for Pennsylvania fans as the last time the Advance Series opened in the state was 1998 and a big crowd is expected to greet a stellar field for this true north-south confrontation. While Brett Hearn took first place honors in the last show at Big Diamond in 2004, the ‘Corporate Jet’ was also a winner in the Keystone State when Susquehanna Speedway kicked off the ’98 Advance Series.

Integra Shocks Fast To Support Top Series Qualifiers: For a fourth 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 2009 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 40 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.

Brownell Goes To Xtreme With Race Award: Continuing to play a pivotal supporting role in the Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series, JB Motorsports team owner Jeff Brownell Sr. has developed a unique award that will be handed out at each tour stop during the 2009 race season. An ‘Xtreme Lubricants Slick Move of the Race’ award will be presented after every series show with the winner receiving $100 in product. A $500 cash bonus to the overall ‘Xtreme Lubricants Slick Move of the Year’ winner will be delivered during the DIRTcar Racing Northeast ‘Night of Champions’ Awards Banquet to be held at the Turning Stone Resort on November 14. The ‘Xtreme Lubricants Slick Move of the Race’ will be determined by those Advance Series officials presiding over each event. The criteria does not limit the award winner to making a memorable move on the track, as any noteworthy action —avoiding an accident en route to the track or helping out a fellow competitor in the pits— on race day could sway voters when making their final decision. Veteran Central New York car owner Brownell boasts 40 years of experience in the oil business with 25 of those recognized nationally as a company owner.

Big Advance Series Stops Showcase ’09 Big-Block Campaign: The customary pre-race re-draw among top heat race qualifiers will continue to be in effect throughout the summer, with the season-ending show at the New York State Fairgrounds the only Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series stop awarding the fast timer with a pole-position start (heat points will not be awarded at this show). 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. 11 is the only 200-lap race on the annual tour with the winner taking home $50,000. However, Super DIRT Week showdown is not the only prized jewel this season as the first-ever DIRTcar All-Star 100 at Cayuga County Fair Speedway on July 19 boasts a $20,000 winner’s share while another $17,500 sits on top for the winner of the Mr. DIRT Track, USA finale at Lebanon Valley Speedway on August 27. Syracuse remains the only Advance Auto Parts Series stops where the fast timer starts on the pole and the top-six are locked into front three row starting positions while heats will be aligned in heads-up fashion.

Syracuse SDW Starters Guaranteed From Series Success: Guaranteed starting berths in the Rite Aid 200 are once again up for grabs and in 2009 drivers will also 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-VP Racing 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. 11 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. 10.

Andrews Anchors DIRT Radio Network Broadcasts: Nationally recognized SPEED commentator and popular track public address announcer Shane Andrews is back on the road in 2009 serving as the official voice of the Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series for a fourth consecutive year. In addition to traveling the DIRTcar Northeast circuit and carrying out his accustomed weekend announcing duties, Andrews will also be a regular host heard on the DIRT Radio Network. Fans will again be able to listen to nearly every Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series event LIVE on the DIRT Radio Network in 2009. With microphone back in hand, Andrews already helped kick off DIRTcar’s 34th straight season during the Alltel DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia in February.

Big Diamond Broadcast On DIRT Radio Network: If fans can’t make the trip to Pennsylvania, the DIRT Radio Network presented by BUTLERbuilt travels to Big Diamond Raceway for the opening round of the Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series. On April 26 listeners will be able to tune in to LIVE audio coverage from Big Diamond as program host and SPEED personality Shane Andrews brings you all the action generated by the ground-pounding 800-horsepower Big-Block Modifieds. From Integra Shocks Time Trials to victory lane on Saturday, LIVE audio starts at approximately 5:45 p.m. ET with qualifying, heat races and a $6,000-to-win 75-lap feature headlining the show. Cheer for your favorite driver, along with the 20,000 registered members who enjoy LIVE Racing coverage on the DIRT Radio Network.

To tune in, visit www.dirtvision.com, log in, click on the race you want to hear, and you’re off to the races. Listeners will need Windows Media Player 9 or higher, and internet explorer 6 to listen to the DIRT Radio Network. Users with Mac computers need flip4Mac to listen. For help 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 today!!!

VP Now Official Race Fuel Of DIRTcar Northeast: The World Racing Group announced early in the year that VP Racing Fuels signed a multi-year agreement to become the Official Racing Fuel of the Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series, World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series and the World of Outlaws Late Model Series, all 12 divisions of DIRTcar Racing and UMP DIRTcar Racing, along with a number of regional touring series that fall under the DIRTcar banner. In the DIRTcar Racing Northeast Region, the only fuels allowed in the Big-Block Modified and 358-Modified divisions at sanctioned events will be VP110 and C12. The multi-faceted deal began with the season-opening Alltel DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH at Volusia Speedway Park in February, where VP was the sole fuel supplier at the high speed, half-miler. VP Racing Fuels will roll out a program to quickly become a part of the fabric of DIRTcar Racing with aggressive promotional programs for DIRTcar sanctioned tracks, while giving the competitors a variety of incentive programs across all World Racing Group series, divisions and sanctioning bodies.

UPCOMING EVENTS
Race teams following the Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series get the month of May off before returning to action in a unique doubleheader in New York State. Top point chasers head to the high banks of Lebanon Valley Speedway on June 6 before traveling north the next day for ‘The Battle of Plattsbugh’ on the asphalt of Airborne Speedway. Both 100-lap Modified main events pay to $6,000 to win.

2009 Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series Schedule
NP=Non-Point event; SP=Show-Up Point event.
*All events subject to change.
DAY-DATE TRACK WINNER/RITE AID 200 QUAL. (Site)
Wed-Feb 11 Volusia Speedway Park-NP Pat Ward
Thr-Feb 12 Volusia Speedway Park-NP Pat Ward
Fri-Feb 13 Volusia Speedway Park-NP Jamie Mills
Sat-Feb 14 Volusia Speedway Park-NP Brett Hearn
Sat-Mar 28 Hagerstown Speedway rain-cancelled
Sun-Apr 26 Big Diamond Raceway Minersville,PA
Sat-Jun 6 Lebanon Valley Speedway West Lebanon,NY
Sun-Jun 7 Airborne Speedway-SP Plattsburgh,NY
Wed-Jun 17 Orange Co Fair Speedway Middletown,NY
Fri-Jul 3 Ransomville Speedway Ransomville,NY
Sat-Jul 4 Fulton Speedway Fulton,NY
Great Canadian Tour
Thr-Jul 9 Brockville Ont Speedway Brockville,ONT
Fri-Jul 10 Autodrome Granby Granby,QUE
Sat-Jul 11 Autodrome Drummond Drummondville,QUE
Sun-Jul 12 Cornwall Motor Speedway Cornwall,ONT
Sat-Jul 18 Cayuga Co Fair Speedway Weedsport,NY
Sun-Jul 19 Cayuga Co Fair Speedway Weedsport,NY ($20,000-to-win)
Mon-Aug 3 Merrittville Speedway Thorold,ONT
Fri-Aug 7 Brewerton Speedway Brewerton,NY
Sat-Aug 8 Canandaigua Speedway Canandaigua,NY
Fri-Aug 21 Can-Am Motorsports Park LaFargeville,NY
Thr-Aug 27 Lebanon Valley Speedway West Lebanon,NY ($17,500-to-win)
Sun-Sep 6 Cayuga Co Fair Speedway Weedsport,NY
Mon-Sep 7 Rolling Wheels Raceway Elbridge,NY
Fri-Sep 11 Lernerville Speedway Sarver,PA
Sat-Sep 19 -TBA-
Sat-Sep 26 Rolling Wheels Raceway Elbridge,NY
Sun-Oct 11 New York State Fairgrnds Syracuse,NY ($50,000-to-win)
Sun-Oct 18 -TBA-
Sun-Oct 25 -TBA-

DIRTcar Racing Northeast main office is located in Weedsport, New York on the Cayuga County Fairgrounds www.cayugacountyfairspeedway.com, home of the 2009 DIRTcar All-Star Weekend, July 17-19, featuring Hoosier Tire-VP Racing Fuels Mr. DIRTcar Championship Series events for Sportsman and Big-Block Modifieds in the richest short-track show of its kind in the nation — the $20,000-to-win Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series “DIRTcar All-Star 100” on Sunday, July 19.

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 www.hoosiertire.com and VP Racing Fuels www.vpracingfuels.com. Promotional partners include Rite Aid Corporation www.riteaid.com, Dig Safely New York www.digsafelynewyork.com and the University of Northwestern Ohio www.unoh.com and the contingency sponsors are Bars Leaks www.barsproducts.com, Bert Transmission www.berttransmission.com, Bicknell Racing Products www.bicknellracingproducts.com, Bilstein Shocks www.bilstein.com, Brodix Cylinder Heads www.brodix.com, Ferris Industries www.ferrisindustries.com, Integra Shocks www.integrashocksandsprings.com, Intercomp www.intercomp-racing.com, KSE Racing Products www.kse-racing.com, Motorsports Safety Systems www.motorsportssafetysystems.com, Penske Shocks, www.penskeshocks.com, Racing Electronics www.racingelectronics.com, Rislone Oil Stabilizer www.barsproducts.com and Wrisco Industries www.wrisco.com.