Big-Blocks Take Great Tour Of Canada

Weedsport, NY — July 7, 2009 — By Tom Skibinski, Super DIRTcar Series PR Director

WHAT
The Super DIRTcar Series makes its annual trek across the northern border with the mighty Big-Block Modifieds ready to battle in the ‘Great Canadian Tour’ for a second straight season. Brockville Ontario Speedway leads off the four-race stint with its fourth Coca-Cola/BOB FM 100 on Thursday, July 9 followed by stops in Quebec at Autodrome Granby on July 11 and Autodrome Drummond on July 12, with Cornwall Motor Speedway in the province of Ontario staging the 15th Annual Akwesasne Mohawk Casino International 100 to complete the mid-season test for both man and machine. The winner of each Modified main earns the $6,000 top prize, plus valuable points towards the overall Hoosier Tire-VP Racing Fuels Mr. DIRTcar Championship and receives automatic starting berths in the prestigious Rite Aid 200 on October 11 of Super DIRT Week XXXVIII at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse and All-Star Weekend Exemption Dash at Cayuga County Fair Speedway on July 18.

WHERE
Brockville: is easily accessible from all directions: From Watertown N.Y. and south take 1-81 to Thousand Islands Bridge, exit onto Highway 401 East, follow Highway 401 East to Highway 29 at Brockville, then turn left at lights following exit follow Highway 29 to track on left; From Ottawa ON and north take Highway 417 to Highway 7, take Highway 7 west to Highway 15 at Carleton Place, follow Highway 15 South to Smith’s Falls, pick up Highway 29 at light just after bridge in Smith’s Falls, then follow (appox 30kms) to track on right hand side; From Kingston ON and west take Highway 401 East to Highway 29 exit at Brockville, turn left at lights, take Highway 29 13 kms North to find track on left; From Cornwall ON and east, take Highway 401 West to Highway 29 exit at Brockville, turn right at lights, take Highway 29 13 kms North and track is on the left.
Granby: can be reached by traveling Auto Route 10 to exit 68, following Route 139 north, taking a left on Cowie Street (Rue Cowie) before arriving at the track located 1.0-mile west on the left.
Drummond: can be reached by traveling Auto Route 20 to exit 177, then going 1.2-miles west on Route 143.
Cornwall: is located off Highway 401, Eastbound using exit 786 to Power Dam Drive and West bound taking exit 789 to Brookdale Avenue, then following the posted signs from both directions.

WHEN
At Brockville, pits open at 3 o’clock and spectators will be allowed through the main gates at 4 p.m. Integra Shocks time trials will take place at 6:30 p.m. following 5:45 warm-ups with the first heats of the night getting underway at 7 p.m. At Granby, pit gates are unlocked at 4:30 p.m., grandstand seating begins at 5 o’clock, time trials go off the line at 6:30 p.m. and qualifying heats take the first green flag at 7 o’clock. The Drummond pit gates swing open at 4 p.m and grandstands open at 5 o’clock with hot laps kicking off the program at 6 p.m. followed by Big-Block Modified time trials at 6:30 and heat race action at 7:00 p.m. At Cornwall, Integra Shocks Time Trials are scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. following warm-ups, with qualifying heats starting at 7 o’clock. Pit gates will unlock at 3 p.m. and the main grandstands open at 4 o’clock.

TICKETS
The cost of an Adult General Admission ticket in U.S. and Canadian currency is $28 at Brockville, $35 at both Granby and Drummond, and $30 at Cornwall. Student tickets (12-17 yrs) are $17 at Granby while children under 12 yrs. are admitted Free at both Granby and Brockville, where the pit prices are set at $35 for DIRTcar members and $40 for non-members. An additional fee of $5 is required for pit access at both Drummond and Granby. At Cornwall, tickets for seniors (65 yrs.+) and students (13-17 yrs.) are $20 with children 12 yrs. + under Free, while DIRTcar members can enter the pits for $33, non-members for $37. For more information, contact the Brockville (613/348-3998), Granby (450/375-3055), Drummond (819/474-2222) and Cornwall (613/938-3945) offices throughout the week. General Admission tickets and pit passes will be available at the gate on race day.

WEB SITES
Big-Block Modified Super DIRTcar Series is at www.superdirtcarseries.com.
Brockville is at http://www.brockvillespeedway.com.
Autodrome Granby is at http://www.autodrome-granby.qc.ca.
Autodrome Drummond is at http://www.autodrome-drummond.com.
Cornwall Motor Speedway is at http://www.cornwallspeedway.com.
Dirtvision.com™ Cybercast is at www.dirtvision.com.
All remain accessible 24-hours daily.

ABOUT THE TRACKS
Brockville was lengthened to a 3/8-miler prior to the start of last season with its first two Super Series shows held on the former quarter-mile bullring that has also hosted 32 Mr. DIRTcar 358-Modified Championship Series events (3rd-most in DIRTcar history). All-time DIRTcar Northeast Big-Block feature winner Alan Johnson captured the inaugural tour stop at the BOS in 2006, local favorite Pat O’Brien upset the top invaders in ’07 and last summer Billy Decker dominated en route to claiming his second overall Mr. DIRTcar crown. Dale Planck established a new one-lap standard of 14.422 sec. (93.607 mph) last July with the new track configuration. Four wins in the initial six Small-Block races this year has put Danny O’Brien in the points lead at Brockville, where he finished ninth in last summer’s 100-lap Big-Block finale. Granby is a popular 1/2-mile semi-banked clay oval that operates regularly on Friday nights with a its DIRTcar Racing program headlined by 358-Modifieds. Multi-time track champion Steve Paine set the single lap record in a Series event when he circled the track in 18.410 seconds (97.773 mph) on July 11 last summer. Looking for his first win of the season, Steve Bernard still leads the current Granby point standings in search of his first-ever DIRTcar track title with ’07 Mr. DIRTcar 358-Mod champ Mario Clair in close pursuit. At Drummond, however, Bernard has racked up a pair of victories yet is once again chased by Clair, who earned high point honors in 2007. The record-holder at the revamped 4/10-mile Drummondville oval is Tim Fuller, who plotted a new track record with a one-lap clocking of 16.713 seconds (86.160 mph) during the 2007 trip north. When the track was last measured as a half-miler, Brett Hearn held the mark of 17.275 seconds (104.197 mph) registered on July 7, 2003. Cornwall is a racy 1/4-mile clay oval with Matt Sheppard circling the challenging layout in a one-lap record time of 12.882 sec. (69.865 mph) in 2006, shattering the previous mark set by Tim McCreadie (13.029 sec.) in the same event held in 2001, the first year using the AMB Scoring & Timing System. Shaping up to be one of the most competitive seasons under the Ron Morin regime, six winners have emerged in as many events with Kayle Robidoux (1 win) tied with Mitchell Jock for high point honors in the Small-Block ranks.

PREVIOUS WINNERS
Brockville has hosted a trio of Super DIRTcar Series shows, yet three of the best Modified drivers on both sides of the border have captured checkered flags. After starting 17th on the 30-car grid in 2006, Alan Johnson disposed of runner-up Billy Decker on lap 72 using his trademark move on the low side of the speedway, then took advantage of a lap 77 caution to move in on Pat O’Brien before ducking under on lap 89 to forge the final lead change. O’Brien reversed the outcome in the ’07 stop with a late-race pass of Tim Fuller to score the popular victory while Decker led all but the opening three circuits to win last summer going away.

Despite not hosting a Series event since the start of the new millennium heading into last year, Granby still holds a special place when it comes to Big-Block competition with some of the greatest names in DIRTcar Modified racing garnering the first-place trophy. Before Brett Hearn returned to victory lane for the seventh time last July, in the previous 19 extra-distance main events held since 1989, an all-star cast of just six drivers had scored multiple victories including Danny Johnson (4), Steve Paine (4), Alan Johnson (2) and Doug Hoffman (2). The Granby half-miler is the only track in Quebec to stage 200-lap Advance Series events, with Alan Johnson, Hearn and Paine all doubling up.
Autodrome Granby (20 Evts)
7/11/08-Brett Hearn-100L; 9/17/00-Steve Paine-200L; 7/11/00-Danny Johnson-100L; 9/18/99-Steve Paine-200L; 7/13/99-Danny Johnson-99L; 9/20/98-Alan Johnson-200L; 7/7/98-Steve Paine-98L; 8/17/97-Brett Hearn-200L; 7/9/97-Steve Paine-97L; 8/18/96-Brett Hearn-200L; 7/9/96-Brett Hearn-96L; 8/20/95-Alan Johnson-200L; 7/11/95-Brett Hearn-95L; 8/22/94-Danny Johnson-203L; 7/12/94-Jack Johnson-94L; 7/13/93-Brett Hearn-93L; 7/13/92-Doug Hoffman-92L; 7/15/91-Danny Johnson-91L; 7/9/90-Brett Hearn-92L; 7/10/89-Doug Hoffman-89L.

Tour regulars have also dominated almost every one of the 20 extra-distance staged at Drummond since 1989, with Frenchman Steve Poirier’s thrilling victory in the summer of 2002 over DIRTcar Northeast’s all-time best Alan Johnson and Brett Hearn certainly grabbing the most attention. Five-time race winner Brett Hearn, Steve Paine (2) and Doug Hoffman (2) are the only drivers to repeat from the list of 14 all-stars that have graced victory lane in Drummondville.
Autodrome Drummond (20 Evts)
7/12/08-Dale Planck-100L; 7/23/07-Brett Hearn-100L; 7/10/06-Brett Hearn-105L; 7/11/05-Gary Tomkins-100L; 8/23/04-Tim McCreadie-100L, 7/12/04-Matt Sheppard-105L; 7/7/03-Billy Decker-100L; 7/8/02-Steve Poirier-103L; 7/9/01-Rain; 7/10/00-Steve Paine-108L; 7/12/99-Jimmy Horton-99L; 7/6/98-Doug Hoffman-98L; 7/7/97-Jack Johnson-97L; 7/8/96-Doug Hoffman-96L; 7/10/95-Steve Paine-95L; 7/11/94-Jeff Heotzler-94L; 7/14/93-Brett Hearn-93L; 7/15/92-Brett Hearn-92L; 7/16/91-Danny Johnson-91L; 7/10/90-Brett Hearn-90L; 7/11/89-Bob McCreadie-89L.

Past winners in 14 tour events held at Cornwall include all-time Series winner Brett Hearn and defending Mr. DIRTacr Billy Decker, the only three-peaters, plus Bob McCreadie and defending winner Gary Tomkins with two, along with Tim McCreadie, Danny Johnson and Jimmy Horton. Second-generation standout Dale Planck scored his first career Series victory in 2006 on the same track that he captured consecutive DIRTcar 358-Mod track crowns in 2004-05. Local favorite Stephane LaFrance posted the highest finish among track regulars, securing runner-up laurels in the century grind run off in 2005.
Cornwall Motor Speedway (14 Evts)
8/17/08-Gary Tomkins-100L; 7/22/07-Billy Decker-100L; 7/9/06-Dale Planck-100L; 7/10/05-Brett Hearn-100L; 6/27/04-Gary Tomkins-100L; 6/29/03-Billy Decker-100L; 7/7/02-Tim McCreadie-100L; 7/8/01-Brett Hearn-100L; 7/9/00-Rain; 7/11/99-Billy Decker-99L; 6/21/98-Bob McCreadie-98L; 6/22/97-Danny Johnson-97L; 6/23/96-Brett Hearn-96L; 7/9/95-Jimmy Horton-95L; 7/10/94-Bob McCreadie-94L.

TRACK HISTORY
Although Brockville Ontario Speedway opened for its inaugural season of stock car racing in 1969 —Bob Green won the first-ever 25-lap Sportsman feature on July 1 and Howard Shaw garnered the initial season points champion— the BOS became a DIRTcar affiliate for the first time in 1983 and has remained a loyal member of the organization every year since 1993. During that same time frame, a number of promoters have guided track operations with the current team of Paul & Cheryl Kirkland the most stable taking over the helm following the conclusion of racing in 1994. Ralph and Iris Hurley were the original owners but it wasn’t until 1979 when Helen and Harold Hollister purchased the track that it joined up with an organization as the Canadian-American Racing Society (CARS) sanctioned the Saturday night card at Brockville. The following year John Cameron and Peter Head became the newest owners with Doug Matthews in charge of promotion, yet their failure forced the track to close for the 1981 season. Back again for the 1982-83 campaigns —this time on Friday nights— was Ralph Hurley and former GM Wayne McCaugherte, with Marcel LaFrance wearing the first DIRTcar Small-Block crown in ’83. The saga continued as Street Stock driver and future DIRTcar NorthEast staffer Doug Young leased the track from Hurley in 1984 for $1.00 and Bob McCreadie earned the 320-Modified title. Harold Westondorp took control of Brockville at the end of that same season and demolished the entire facility in ’85, putting in place the new walls and grandstand/tower structures that still exist today. Randy Ritskes (1986) and Pat O’Brien (1987) won DIRTcar season point battles before the track sat vacant for the next four years. John Eckert re-opened for a half-dozen events in 1992 then re-applied for DIRTcar membership and a Thursday night program the following year. Brockville returned to the Friday slot in 1994 in time for the Kirklands to move into their current roles. Danny O’Brien won the BOS points championship the past three seasons as Brockville management switched its weekly race program back to Saturday nights in 2006.

Opening under the name Rebel Speedway when owner Marcel Guillemette presented the first car races in 1959, Autodrome Granby had been promoted by Northeast Modified Hall of Fame driver Bob Gatien since his long-time business partners became landlords in the summer of 1985. Guillemette died in November of 1984 —one year after Gatien won his last feature at nearby Drummond— and when his wife suddenly passed away the following April son Marc sold the track with Granby closing the season with a handful of events. For a second successive year under the ownership of twin brothers Franck and Patrick Houle and Donald Fontaine, fans have enjoyed full seasons of car racing since ’86 with Gatien responsible for making Granby one of the first speedways to have a tunnel under the track, use an authentic “Modified” as a pace car and construct an ultra-modern all-in-one scoreboard on the back stretch. A Friday night staple on the northern DIRTcar circuit, Kayle Robidoux captured high-point honors last season in the 358-Modified division.

Autodrome Drummond celebrated its ‘Golden Anniversary’ of automobile racing in 2001, after officially opening for “organized” stock car racing in 1951 following a history as a half-mile horse track. St-Hyacinthe, Que. chauffeur Gilles Dutilly won the inaugural stock car feature race on July 15, 1951 and was crowned track champion at season’s end. The legendary Jean-Paul Cabana made his debut in 1953 and became the dominant force at Drummond during the 1950s with former racer Armand ‘Doc’ Laplante serving as track promoter. Drummond was sanctioned by NASCAR from 1960 until the beginning of the 1962 season before returning to its independent roots. When part of the main covered grandstands collapsed early in the 1967 season, track officials were forced to close the track for the remainder of the summer. A 1/3-mile oval greeted race fans upon the re-opening in June of ’68 and from 1969 through 1976 the names of Bob Gatien and Bert Beaudoin shared every Modified track points championship eventually racking up more than 100 feature wins between them. More Americans began to venture across the Canadian border in the mid 1970s and 1977 marked the first time a U.S. driver garnered the Drummond season points title with Don VanGuilder from Lake George, N.Y. taking top honors. Gene Tetreault from Manchester, Vt. was the first American to win a feature there on May 16, 1970.

Jacques Lambert emerged as the new track promoter as the decade came to a close and Drummond became affiliated with DIRTcar by hosting its first qualifying event for Super DIRT Week in 1978. Still active Pennsylvanian Kenny Brightbill captured the 100-lapper ahead of Will Cagle, C.D. Coville, VanGuilder and Kenny Coon. It is reported that in the season-ending Canada-USA Championship in ’78, more than 4,000 race fans were turned away at the gate as the stands were filled to capacity. The 1980s arrived and fan support continued to grow. On Aug. 28, 1982 track management was forced to cancel the show as snow fell over the Drummondville oval. Drummond became a DIRTcar-sanctioned track in 1988 and Marco Potvin earned the big-block Modified season championship. The following year Drummond staged a STARS Late Model event with Larry Moore taking the checkered and NASCAR driver Geoff Bodine competing in a Big-Block Modified —no. 22b Fred Burrows team car with Dave Lape— when the Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series brought its stars to town in July of ’89. Enter the 1990s and American racers became popular fixtures on Saturdays at Drummond with Mike Romano winningthe 1994 season championship before Steve Paine proceeded to claim the next three track point titles. Michel Dechenault became the new promoter in 1989 and was joined by Gillles Boisvert as the new millennium was ushered in. More change in ownership took place in 2002 when Alain Poirier and Jacques Constant assumed control, and prior to the start of the ’05 campaign they agreed to lease the speedway for five years to Modified racer and now promoter Yan Bussiere, and general manager Karl Labonte. 2005 also marked the first time that the DIRTcar 358-Modifieds were the headline division at Drummond, creating a two race night weekend with sister track Autodrome Granby, which has put the spotlight on Small-Blocks since 2001. For the past 30 seasons, Gaston and Rachel Salvas have served as DIRTcar officials at all Drummond tour events and headed the DIRTcar 358-Modified Series in it’s early years.
*NOTE: Jacque Lambert, named Promoter of the Year in Canada in 1995, passed away last week at the age of 66. He promoted in Drummondville from 1978 to 1999 as well as autodromes Sorel and St-Gregoire during that same time period.

A relatively new track when compared to many of the other DIRTcar members, Cornwall Motor Speedway first opened on May 31, 1970 under the ownership of Ralph and Iris Hurley. Known in its infancy as Power Dam Speedway, Pat Hutt took over the deed in 1973 before his sudden passing cut short the following season leaving the track championship undeclared for the first and only time in 1974. The Hurley family regained control for a short time before the decade came to a close with another promotional team at the helm. Facing closure at that time, former Mini Stock and Street Stock driver Ron Morin came to the forefront, leasing the facility for a couple years before securing the track deed in 1982. The following year Morin gained membership within the Weedsport, N.Y.-based DIRTcar Racing organization with Small-Block Modifieds taking center stage ever since. The track commemorated its 25th Anniversary season in 1994 with a specials-only schedule that culminated with Kingston, Ontario’s Danny O’Brien capturing the first-ever Big-Block Modified points title (Northeast Modified Hall of Famer Buzzie Reutimann and Pat O’Brien shared the only other Cornwall Big-Block crown the following season). During the Morin era Cornwall has boasted some of the best Modified pilots on the circuit, including past Mr. DIRTcar 358 champions Pat O’Brien, Laurent Ladouceur, Doug Carlyle and inaugural titlist Tony Corcoran (1983). Cornwall has also been a breeding ground for aspiring open-wheel stars, with track regulars John Lazore, Chris Jones, Ron Valade and Randy Ritskes among those earning DIRTcar 358-Modified Rookie of the Year recognition. At the 16th Northeast Hall of Fame induction ceremonies on the Cayuga County Fairgrounds in May of 2007, Morin was honored as a co-recipient of the Leonard J. Sammons Jr. Memorial Award which annually recognizes outstanding contributions to auto racing.

2008 RACE REVIEWS
Race fans continued to experience the unmistaken symptoms of red eye along the Super DIRTcar Series as Billy Decker put the flashy red LJL Racing no. 91 Gypsum Wholesalers-Stadium Int’l-Quality Hardwoods/Bicknell entry in victory lane at Brockville Ontario Speedway for a third straight show. On this occasion race chasers from north of the border were able to witness Decker’s dominance on Thursday night as the Unadilla, New York wheelman opened the ‘Great Canadian Tour’ with a near flag-to-flag victory in the headline ‘Coca-Cola/BOB FM 100’ for Modifieds at the Thousand Islands track. The rest of the 30-car starting field never really knew what hit them after Decker took the lead from fellow Gypsum driver Pat O’Brien on lap four and cruised on for another $6,000 victory ahead of the best on DIRTcar racing NorthEast’s premier Big-Block Modified tour. Steve Paine followed Phelps to the checkers with Dale Planck and Frankie Caprara filling out the final front-five. Planck put the only blemish on Decker’s brilliant day as he was fastest in Integra Shock Time Trials (14.422sec./93.607mph) on the recently enlarged 3/8-mile Brockville oval. Decker was second-quickest out of 36 drivers running under the clocks and he copped his qualifying heat before drawing fourth to start outside row two for the main event.

2007 Mr. DIRTcar points king Brett Hearn found his way back to the throne Friday night after registering the 99th Super DIRTcar Series triumph of his career in the headline Budweiser 100 at Autodrome Granby. Hearn’s narrow tour triumph on foreign soil was his seventh at Granby, where no other driver has reached the winner’s circle more than the perennial champion since the ‘Great Canadian Tour’ began to spread its roots in 1990. Despite settling for his second straight runner-up finish, Jimmy Phelps was nearly as content after charging from 22nd while two-time ‘08 tour race winner Dale Planck, Series points leader Billy Decker and ’04 Mr. DIRTcar Champion Gary Tomkins filled out the front-five positions under the checkers. With 39 cars signed in for the first trip back to Granby for Big-Block teams since the start of the new millennium, it felt just like old times for two-time track champion Steve Paine as he established a new single lap record around the spacious half-miler turning in a time of 18.410 sec. (97.773 mph) to collect his first Integra Shocks Fast Time Award of the season. Yet after selecting ninth in the pre-race draw, Paine still had to wait 77 laps to take his first lead and that only lasted one circuit as Hearn grabbed it right back and held on for the remaining distance. Late race contact among the leaders resulted in a broken spindle on the Paine Motorsports no. 7x Troyer entry, with the ‘Hurricane’ dropping to 21st on the final scoresheet.

Staging his most dominant performance of the 2008 Super DIRTcar Series, Dale Planck led flag-to-flag and staved off a late race challenge by tour points leader Billy Decker to capture the ‘31st Annual Hyundai 100’ at Autodrome Drummond on Saturday. The third extra-distance Big-Block Modified tour victory for Planck was worth $6,000 and kept the Cortland, New York chauffeur positioned third in the overall Hoosier Tire-VP Racing Fuels Mr. DIRTcar Championship points chase after nine races. Tire selection was almost the difference for runner-up Decker as he crept up to Planck’s rear bumper on the final circuit with hard compounds bolted on, finishing well ahead of Steve Paine, Gary Tomkins and Brett Hearn, who won the previous night at Granby. Planck set the tone early, blasting from third to first on the opening circuit before the 31-car starting field had even reached the back straightaway. The ‘Natural’ made it look easy, diving low out of turn two steering the RezX Racing no. 77x Grow It Hydroseeding/TEO entry under local front row starters Yan Bussiere and Sebastien Gougeon to establish the pace he would never stray from.

For the second straight night Gary Tomkins hit on all cylinders and the end result was a command performance at Cornwall Motor Speedway to give him his second victory of the season in the Super DIRTcar Series. Tomkins 16th career tour triumph was worth $6,000 in the 14th Annual Akwesasne Mohawk Casino International 100 that was delayed until mid-August after rain forced postponement a month earlier. Series points leader Billy Decker settled for a solid runner-up finish, followed by Jimmy Phelps, Bert/KSE Racing Products Hard Charger and Syracuse Rite Aid 200 qualifier Carey Terrance, and his RezX Racing teammate Dale Planck. Fresh off his win the night before at Can-am, Tomkins advanced from his eighth-place starting spot in the Doug Dulen-owned Honeoye Auto Parts no. 84 Red Parker & Son Excavating/Bicknell machine. The Clifton Springs, New York chauffeur grabbed second from Decker on lap 40 and when the first yellow flag unfurled on lap 48, honed in on Planck who once owned a seemingly insurmountable 2/3-track advantage. Tomkins eventually reeled in Planck and forced the only lead change on lap 62, running uncontested the rest of the way to score his second career win at Cornwall.

Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Point Standings (Through July 4, 2009)
Rank No. Driver Total Series Diff Wins Top-5 Top-10 Starts
1 20 Brett Hearn 475 475 0 1 5 5 5
2 98H Jimmy Phelps 377 377 -98 0 2 4 5
3 91 Billy Decker 351 351 -124 1 2 2 5
4 77x Dale Planck 349 349 -126 0 1 3 5
5 9s Matt Sheppard 340 340 -135 1 2 2 5
6 14J Alan Johnson 320 320 -155 1 1 3 5
7 84 Gary Tomkins 304 304 -171 0 0 3 5
8 99 Ryan Phelps 303 303 -172 0 1 3 5
9 66 Danny Johnson 303 303 -172 0 1 2 5
10 3 Justin Haers 302 302 -173 0 0 2 5
11 4s Mike Storms 276 276 -199 0 0 1 5
12 29 Jeff Brownell Jr. 271 271 -204 0 1 1 5
13 1F Stewart Friesen 255 255 -220 0 2 3 3
14 49 Billy Dunn 246 246 -229 0 0 0 5
15 99L Larry Wight 241 241 -234 0 0 0 5
16 74 Tim Fuller 198 198 -277 0 1 1 3
17 FX1 Frankie Caprara 138 138 -337 0 0 2 2
18 42p Pat Ward 131 131 -344 0 0 1 2
19 43 Keith Flach 111 111 -364 0 0 0 2
20 34b Andy Bachetti 110 110 -365 0 1 1 1
21 8 Rich Scagliotta 92 92 -383 0 0 0 1
22 60 Brian Berger 86 86 -389 0 1 1 1
23 33.3 Tommy Meier 81 81 -394 0 1 1 1
24 77F Mark Flach Jr. 81 81 -394 0 1 1 1
25 57 Donnie Corellis 77 77 -398 0 0 1 1
26 42 Pete Bicknell 76 76 -399 0 0 1 1
27 42 Guy Sheldon 71 71 -404 0 0 1 1
28 62 Tom Sears Jr. 68 68 -407 0 0 0 1
29 98 Eddie Marshall 66 66 -409 0 0 0 1
30 123 Robbie Krull 60 60 -415 0 0 0 1
31 64 Donnie Ackner 59 59 -416 0 0 0 1
32 26 Ryan Godown 57 57 -418 0 0 0 1
33 76 Travis Braun 56 56 -419 0 0 0 1
34 14 Jimmy Horton 53 53 -422 0 0 0 1
35 88 Krey Sandstedt 52 52 -423 0 0 0 1
36 115 Kenny Tremont Jr. 51 51 -424 0 0 0 1
37 44 Shannon Whaley 50 50 -425 0 0 0 1
38 1H Tim Hindley 50 50 -425 0 0 0 1
39 02 Roy Bresnahan 48 48 -427 0 0 0 1
40 16 Mike Bowman 45 45 -430 0 0 0 1
41 88k Randy Chrysler 45 45 -430 0 0 0 1
42 17 Sean Beardsley 44 44 -431 0 0 0 1
43 26 Rick Richner 44 44 -431 0 0 0 1
44 48T Dave Rauscher 43 43 -432 0 0 0 1
45 99B Chuck Bower 42 42 -433 0 0 0 1
46 3b Chad Brachmann 42 42 -433 0 0 0 1
47 8R Rob Bellinger 41 41 -434 0 0 0 1
48 20 Jeff McGinnis 41 41 -434 0 0 0 1
49 89b Todd Burley 41 41 -434 0 0 0 1
50 83x Tim Sears 40 40 -435 0 0 0 1
51 198h Erick Rudolph 40 40 -435 0 0 0 1
52 44v Phil Vigneri Jr. 40 40 -435 0 0 0 1
53 93 Richie Vinson 40 40 -435 0 0 0 1
54 72 Tommy Flannigan 40 40 -435 0 0 0 1
55 24v Bobby Varin 40 40 -435 0 0 0 1
56 12a Jack Johnson 40 40 -435 0 0 0 1
57 33 Ray Swinehart 40 40 -435 0 0 0 1
58 39 Ryan Larkin 40 40 -435 0 0 0 1
59 126 Billy Pauch 40 40 -435 0 0 0 1
60 6 Pat O’Brien 20 20 -455 0 0 0 0
61 82S Roy Shields 10 10 -465 0 0 0 0
62 65 Boyd MacTavish 10 10 -465 0 0 0 0
63 18 Rick Hoctor 10 10 -465 0 0 0 0
64 52 James M. Friesen 10 10 -465 0 0 0 0
65 54J Dave Just 10 10 -465 0 0 0 0
66 28p Eldon Payne Jr. 10 10 -465 0 0 0 0
67 xXx Todd Gordon 10 10 -465 0 0 0 0
68 9 Jon Miller 10 10 -465 0 0 0 0
69 6m Mat Wiliamson 10 10 -465 0 0 0 0
70 11 Bob Broomfield 10 10 -465 0 0 0 0
71 71 David VanHorn Jr. 10 10 -465 0 0 0 0
72 2RJ Ronnie Johnson 10 10 -465 0 0 0 0
73 1 Darwin Greene 10 10 -465 0 0 0 0
74 79 Jeremy Markle 10 10 -465 0 0 0 0
75 25 Mike Kolka 10 10 -465 0 0 0 0
76 87J Wayne Jelley 10 10 -465 0 0 0 0
77 347 Skip Fox 10 10 -465 0 0 0 0
78 24s Rich Salisbury 10 10 -465 0 0 0 0
79 518 Kyle Sheldon 10 10 -465 0 0 0 0
80 7 John Ruchel Jr. 10 10 -465 0 0 0 0

2009 Gater Racing News Big-Block Modified Lap Leaders
DATE TRACK LAPS LEADERS
April 26 Big Diamond 75 75-Howard
June 6 Lebanon Valley 100 100-Sheppard
June 17 Orange County 59 32-Decker, 27-Edwards
July 3 Ransomville 100 77-Hearn, 23-Friesen
July 4 Fulton 100 86-A.Johnson, 14-Hearn

2009 Integra Shocks Big-Block Modified Time Trials *New Record
TRACK SIZE QUICK QUALIFIER TIME AVE.SPEED
Big Diamond 4/10-mile Tim Fuller 17.450 sec. 82.521 mph
Lebanon Valley 1/2-mile Keith Flach 19.765 sec. 91.070 mph
Orange County 5/8-mile Matt Sheppard 20.278 sec. 110.958 mph
Ransomville 3/8-mile Billy Decker 16.677 sec. 80.950 mph
Fulton 3/8-mile Larry Wight *16.408 sec. 82.277 mph

TRACK HEAT WINNERS
Big Diamond B.Hearn, D.Howard, T.Fuller, A.Johnson
Lebanon Valley K.Flach, D.Hough, D.Ackner, A.Bachetti
Orange County D.Johnson, J.Haers, D.Howard, J.Higbie, B.Decker, P.Ward
Ransomville J.Brownell, B.Decker, D.Planck, S.Friesen
Fulton M.Sheppard, B.Decker, J.Phelps, A.Johnson

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 Super DIRTcar Series along with bonus points collected at a designated hometrack throughout the racing season. Along with gaining valuable 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 10 Series 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 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.

American Allegiance: All-time Super DIRTcar Series winner Brett Hearn is undoubtedly among the drivers most excited to head back into Canadian territory, especially holding onto a commanding lead in the tour standings after a handful of point races. The six-time overall Hoosier Tire-VP Racing Fuels Mr. DIRTcar Big-Block Champion has racked up a tour-best total of 16 extra-distance feature victories in Canada since 1990. Hearn captured his seventh career Series win at Granby last summer and scored his fifth victory at Drummond in 2007. Following in Hearn’s tire tracks on the all-time Series win list in Canada are multi-time winners Danny Johnson, Bob McCreadie, Steve Paine, Alan Johnson and Billy Decker.

Super DIRTcar Series
DIRTcar Big-Block Modified Race Winners In Canada: 1981-2008 (24 drivers)
WINS DRIVER FIRST WIN LAST WIN
16 Brett Hearn Granby, 7/9/90 Granby, 7/11/08
9 Danny Johnson Cayuga, 8/27/89 Merrittville, 8/6/07
7 Bob McCreadie Drummond, 7/11/89 Cornwall, 6/21/98
6 Steve Paine Drummond, 7/10/95 Granby, 9/17/00
5 Alan Johnson Humberstone, 9/4/86 Merrittville, 8/7/06
5 Billy Decker Cornwall, 7/11/99 Brockville, 7/10/08
4 Doug Hoffman Granby, 7/10/89 Drummond, 7/6/98
3 Gary Tomkins Cornwall, 6/27/04 Cornwall, 8/17/08
2 Pete Bicknell Humberstone, 8/23/84 Merrittville, 8/7/89
2 Jack Johnson Granby, 7/12/94 Drummond, 7/7/97
2 Jimmy Horton Cornwall, 7/9/95 Drummond, 7/12/99
2 Tim McCreadie Cornwall, 7/7/02 Drummond, 8/23/04
2 Dale Planck Cornwall, 7/9/06 Drummond, 7/12/08
1 Will Cagle Merrittville, 8/3/81
1 Don McGinnis Merrittville, 9/11/83
1 Davey Moore Humberstone, 9/10/87
1 Kenny Schrader Sanair, 7/9/89
1 Frank Cozze Cayuga, 8/25/91
1 Ron Smoker Merrittville, 8/5/92
1 Jeff Heotzler Drummond, 7/11/94
1 Steve Poirier Drummond, 7/8/02
1 Matt Sheppard Drummond, 7/12/04
1 Pat O’Brien Brockville, 7/10/07
1 Jimmy Phelps Merrittville, 8/4/08

DIRTcar Big-Block Modified Host Sites In Canada: 1981-2008 (8 tracks)
EVTS TRACK/LOCATION FIRST RACE LAST RACE
20 Autodrome Granby-Granby,QUE 7/10/89 7/11/08
20 Autodrome Drummond-Drummondville,QUE 7/11/89 7/12/08
14 Cornwall Motor Speedway-Cornwall,ONT 7/10/94 8/17/08
9 Merrittville Speedway-Thorold,ONT 8/3/81 8/4/08
4 Sanair Super Speedway-St-Pie,QUE 7/9/89 7/12/92
3 Humberstone Int’l Speedway-Pt. Colborne,ONT 8/23/84 9/10/87
3 Cayuga Speedway-Nelles Corners,ONT 8/27/89 8/25/91
3 Brockville Ontario Speedway-Brockville,ONT 7/4/06 7/10/08

History On The Horizon At All-Star Weekend: The inaugural DIRTcar All-Star Weekend www.allstar100weekend.com at Cayuga County Fair Speedway is now just 10 days away with anticipation continuing to heighten as the date approaches. Premium reserved seats and reserved camp sites for All-Star Weekend, July 17-19, are still available with a two-day (Sat/Sun) reserved ticket package activated for only $49, that also includes a special pit pass for Saturday’s show. Good for one day or the entire All-Star Weekend, camping permits are $50 for reserved spots and $30 for general camping.

Other than Section L (turn 4) and the bottom two rows, ALL grandstand seating is reserved, so fans are strongly encouraged to phone the DIRTcar Northeast Region office (315/834-6606) to secure the seat of their choice. On race day, adult general admission tickets will be sold for $12 (Fri.), $20 (Sat.) and $30 (Sun.), with seniors 65 yrs. & older ($10, $18, $28) and students 10-14 ($5, $10, $20) gaining access to the weekend show at a further reduced rate. Kids 9 & under are admitted free all three days. An infield ‘Park & Thrill’ pass that allows access to the infield stage will also be available on race day for $10 with the purchase of a general admission ticket.

All-Star Exemption Dash Update: More than half of the qualifying trail leading up to the first-ever ‘All-Star Exemption Dash’ on Saturday, July 18 at Cayuga County Fair Speedway is now in the books with seven drivers locked into the starting grid for the prelude to the DIRTcar All-Star 100 finale. As part of the inaugural DIRTcar All-Star Weekend, July 17-19, on the Cayuga County Fairgrounds, the 15-lap All-Star Exemption Dash boasts a full purse for the Big-Block Modified qualifiers and more importantly automatically locks into the pre-race draw the top-two finishers for the history-making $20,000-to-win All-Star 100 on Sunday, July 19.
2009 All-Star Exemption Dash Qualifying Series Schedule
*Super DIRTcar Series event; All events subject to change.
DAY-DATE TRACK LOCATION
Sun-May 24 Cayuga County Fair Speedway Billy Decker
Mon-May 25 Canandaigua Speedway Gary Tomkins
Fri-May 29 Lernerville Speedway Kevin Bolland
Fri-Jun 5 Glen Ridge Motorsports Park Jeff Brownell Jr.
*Sat-Jun 6 Lebanon Valley Speedway Matt Sheppard
Fri-Jun 12 Brewerton Speedway Alan Johnson
*Wed-Jun 17 Orange County Fair Speedway Danny Johnson
*Fri-Jul 3 Ransomville Speedway Brett Hearn
*Sat-Jul 4 Fulton Speedway Jimmy Phelps
Sun-Jul 5 Tri-City Speedway Dave Murdick
*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
@BRP Modified Tour Points Leader (thru July 12)

Mid-Season Win Chart: Heading into the second weekend of July on the DIRTcar Northeast circuit, 16 tracks have staged Big-Block Modified races with 39 drivers scoring victories in the 86 features run. Defending Mr. DIRTcar points champion Billy Decker tops the win chart with nine checkered flags followed closest by Super DIRTcar Series standout ‘Super Matt’ Sheppard (8) and Western Pennsylvania favorite Kevin Bolland (6). Decker’s Gypsum Express teammate Pat Ward, Sheppard’s Xtreme Lubricants teammate Jeff Brownell Jr. and Bolland rival Jeremiah Shingledecker own four victories apiece while SDS points leader Brett Hearn, all-time Big-Block feature winner Alan Johnson and Watertown warriors Billy Dunn and Frankie Caprara have collected three first-place trophies. Touring stars Gary Tomkins and Justin Haers, along with Steve Paine, Bobby Varin, Chad Phelps, Andy Bachetti, Del Rougeux Jr., Brian Swartzlander and Paul Kinney are the only other drivers to double up during the 2009 campaign.

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 —–

Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modified Winners: 1980-7/4/09 (624 events / 45 tracks / 68 drivers)
WINS DRIVER FIRST WIN LAST WIN
101 Brett Hearn Lebanon Valley, 7/15/81 Ransomville, 7/3/09
66 Danny Johnson Fonda, 9/25/82 Orange County, 10/19/08
51 Bob McCreadie Ransomville, 9/10/82 Rolling Wheels, 9/4/00
51 Alan Johnson Ransomville, 6/27/80 Fulton, 7/4/09
50 Billy Decker Lebanon Valley, 9/18/88 Orange County, 6/17/09
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
6 Matt Sheppard Drummond, 7/12/04 Lebanon Valley, 6/6/09
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 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
1 Duane Howard Big Diamond, 4/26/09

Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modified Integra Shocks Fast Timers 1983-7/4/09 (247 events / 32 tracks / 50 drivers)
EVTS DRIVER FIRST FAST TIME LAST FAST TIME
40 Brett Hearn Orange County, 10/24/86 Brewerton, 8/15/08
38 Billy Decker NYS Fairgrounds, 7/3/01 Ransomville, 7/3/09
21 Tim McCreadie Rolling Wheels, 7/4/00 Cayuga County, 5/29/05
21 Tim Fuller New Egypt, 6/20/02 Big Diamond, 4/26/09
17 Steve Paine Canandaigua, 9/1/99 Merrittville, 8/4/08
10 Matt Sheppard Drummond, 7/12/04 Orange County, 6/17/09
9 Chuck Bower Cayuga County, 5/28/00 Lernerville, 8/3/05
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
1 Keith Flach Lebanon Valley, 6/6/09
1 Larry Wight Fulton, 7/4/09

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 Super DIRTcar Series during the upcoming race season. The fast driver during 2009 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 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 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 tour 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.

JB Motorsports Goes To Xtreme With Race Award: Continuing to play a pivotal supporting role in the Big-Block 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 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.

Super-sized 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 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 Series stop 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 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 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, 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.

‘Twitter’ Takes On Great Canadian Tour: Fans will once again be kept informed through their exclusive ‘Twitter’ connection when the Super DIRTcar Series takes its traveling show across the border for the Great Canadian Tour. Continuing with events at Brockville, Granby, Drummond and Cornwall, race enthusiasts can keep up-to-date with the Super DIRTcar Series for Big-Blocks on-line and through text messages on cell phones via Twitter — the internet’s fast-growing social-networking and micro-blogging website. Offering an early glimpse of what lies ahead with the recent holiday doubleheader at Ransomville and Fulton, brief bulletins are provided to Twitter ‘followers’ of the SDS throughout each race night. Fans can also expect to receive breaking news and interesting notes between tour stops as the season unfolds. To sign-up as a SDS Big-Block ‘follower’ on Twitter and receive updates anywhere at anytime, visit http://www.twitter.com/SuperDIRTcar.

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 Big-Block 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 Super DIRTcar Series event LIVE on the DIRT Radio Network in 2009.

Great Canadian Tour Heard ‘Live’ On DIRT Radio Network: For those fans unable to attend events held during the swing through Canada to see the ground-pounding 800-horsepower Big-Block Modifieds in their Super DIRTcar Series shows Thursday, July 9 through Sunday, July 12, 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 6:30 p.m. ET including qualifying, heat races, Dig Safely consolation round and an action-packed $6,000-to-win 100-lap feature headlining each 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 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 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
The busiest month of the season for Big-Blocks climaxes with the inaugural DIRTcar All-Star Weekend, July 17-19, at Cayuga County Fair Speedway featuring two straight series shows that culminate with the $20,000-to-win All-Star 100 on Sunday. ‘Super DIRT Week of the Summer’ launches Friday, July 17, with Big-Block Modified practice and title events for DIRTcar Street Stocks and CRSA (Capital Region Sprint Agency) 305 Sprints. The Saturday program is highlighted by a $3,000-to-win, 50-lap Super DIRTcar Series preliminary event, with track and series Big-Block qualifiers also contending in a unique Exemption Dash. The 100-lap Modified main on Sunday boasts $1,000 just to start.

2009 Big-Block Modified Super DIRTcar Series Schedule
NP=Non-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 Duane Howard
Sat-Jun 6 Lebanon Valley Speedway Matt Sheppard
Sun-Jun 7 Airborne Speedway rain-cancelled
Wed-Jun 17 Orange Co Fair Speedway Billy Decker
Fri-Jul 3 Ransomville Speedway Brett Hearn
Sat-Jul 4 Fulton Speedway Alan Johnson
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 Super DIRTcar Series “DIRTcar All-Star 100” on Sunday, July 19.