Weedsport, NY — July 6, 2008 — By Tom Skibinski, Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series PR Director
WHAT
The Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series makes its annual trek across the northern border with the 2008 edition bigger and better than ever as a return trip to Autodrome Granby has been added to further punctuate the ‘Great Canadian Tour.’ Brockville Ontario Speedway leads off the four-race stint with its third Coca-Cola/BOB FM 100 on Thursday, July 10 followed by stops in Quebec at Granby on July 11 and Autodrome Drummond for the 31st Annual Hyundai 100 on July 12, with Cornwall Motor Speedway in the province of Ontario staging the 14th Annual Akwesasne Mohawk Casino International 100 to complete the mid-season test for both man and machine. Valuable points are also on the line towards the overall Hoosier Tire Mr. DIRTcar Championship and each of the winners collecting a $6,000 top prize as well as receiving an automatic starting berth in the prestigious Rite Aid 200 Championship race on Oct. 12 of Super DIRT Week XXXVII at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse.
WHERE
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 6 o’clock warm-ups with the first heats of the night getting underway at 7 p.m. At Granby, pit gates are unlocked at 4 p.m., grandstand seating begins at 4:30 p.m., practice starts at 6 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 Canadian currency— is $30 at Brockville, $35 at both Granby and Drummond, and $30 at Cornwall. Children under 12 yrs. are admitted Free at Brockville with pit prices 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 are Free, while DIRTcar members can enter the pits for $33, none-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
Advance Auto Parts 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 recently lengthened to a 3/8-miler with its two previous Advance Auto Parts 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 DIRT track history). All-time DIRTcar NorthEast Big-Block feature winner Alan Johnson captured the inaugural Advance Series race at the BOS in 2006 and last summer local favorite Pat O’Brien upset the top invaders to propel him to full-time tour status this season. Frenchman Pierre Berthiaume set fast time (14.475 sec.) at Brockville in Integra Shocks qualifying in ‘06 before Tim Fuller established a new one-lap standard of 13.994 sec. (64.313 mph) last July. Jessica Zemken has three Small-Block wins at Brockville in ’08 looking to become the first female 358-Modified track points champion in DIRTcar NorthEast history. 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. Second-generation standout Tim McCreadie established the single lap record in an Advance Auto Parts Series event when he circled the track in 20.367 seconds (88.378 mph) on July 11, 2000. Alain Boisvert is the two-time defending Granby season points champion in the DIRTcar 358-Mod class while still in search of his first win David Hebert tops the track standings in 2008. The record-holder at the revamped 4/10-mile Drummondville oval is Tim Fuller, who surpassed the old mark set just last year by Dale Planck, establishing a new track record with a one-lap clocking of 16.713 seconds (86.160 mph). 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. Reigning overall Mr. DIRTcar 358-Modified points king Mario Clair also the defending Small-Block champion at Drummond. 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. Kyle Dingwall and Carey Terrance pace the top track 358-Mod point-getters in ’08.
PREVIOUS WINNERS
Brockville has hosted just two Advance Series shows, with two of the best Modified drivers on both sides of the border capturing checkered flags. After starting 17th on the 30-car grid, Alan Johnson disposed of runner-up Billy Decker on lap 72 using his trademark move on the low side of the speedway. A caution flag on lap 77 erased any advantage for leader Pat O’Brien and ‘A.J. Slideways’ ducked under on lap 89 to forge the final lead change. O’Brien reversed the outcome last summer with a late-race pass of Tim Fuller to score the popular victory.
Despite not hosting an Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series event since the start of the new millennium Granby holds a special place when it comes to Big-Block competition with some of the greatest names in DIRTcar Big-Block Modified racing garnering the first-place trophy. In the 19 extra-distance main events held since 1989, all-time Advance Series winner Brett Hearn (6) heads the all-star cast of just six drivers returning to the states triumphant including multiple victors 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 —winner of Granby’s last tour show— all doubling up.
Autodrome Granby (19 Evts)
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 19 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 and defending race winner Brett Hearn, Steve Paine (2) and Doug Hoffman (2) are the only drivers to repeat from the list of 13 all-stars that have graced victory lane in Drummondville.
Autodrome Drummond (19 Evts)
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 13 tour events held at Cornwall include Brett Hearn and defending winner Billy Decker, the only three-peaters, plus Bob McCreadie with two, along with son Tim McCreadie, Danny Johnson, Jimmy Horton and Gary Tomkins. Second-generation standout Dale Planck scored his first career Advance Auto Parts 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 (13 Evts)
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 two 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 has 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. 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, Alain Boisvert 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 DIRT MotorSports 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 winning the 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.
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 (DIRT 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 Miller Electric DIRTcar 358-Modified Rookie of the Year recognition. At the 16th annual DIRT MotorSports NorthEast Hall of Fame induction ceremonies on the Cayuga County Fairgrounds this past May, Morin was honored as a co-recipient of the 2007 Leonard J. Sammons Jr. Memorial Award which recognizes outstanding contributions to auto racing.
2007 RACE REVIEWS
Local favorite Pat O’Brien is no stranger to victory lane on Canadian soil nor taking on the best competition in the Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series. On July 10 he was among the most familiar before, hungriest during and easily the most popular after he chased down ‘07 tour points leader Tim Fuller in traffic with a dozen laps to go on his way to winning the headline Coca-Cola/BOB FM 100 at Brockville Ontario Speedway. Fuller was fast from the time he turned trackside, circling the fast quarter-mile clay oval in a new race record clocking of 13.994 secs. (64.313 mph) to collect the $100 Integra Shocks Fast Time Award. He continued to force the hand, drawing pole-position to begin first in the 100-lap finale as O’Brien filled in outside row two on the 30-car starting grid after being clocked 11th quickest out of the 37 cars entered settling for third in the third qualifier. O’Brien moved in to challenge the leader with five circuits complete and by lap 50, the powerful pair had once again pulled away at will leaving the remainder of the field to jockey among the top-10. As the race continued non-stop under green flag conditions from lap 46 on, lapped car traffic ultimately emerged as the deciding factor. The leaders scrambled for position behind Frank Cozze —last on the lead lap— until Fuller finally followed him high out of turn four on lap 89. And that was all O’Brien needed as he shot down low in his red 730 Truck Stop-Gypsum Logistics-Newells Garage mount to forge the only lead change when it counted most. At the checkers, race-long leader Fuller was forced to settle for runner-up laurels six car-lengths back while contracted drivers Billy Decker, Jimmy Phelps and Brett Hearn filled out the front-five at the finish.
For the second straight day, rain forced cancellation of all racing activity in the Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series, forcing officials to reschedule the headline July 9 Hyundai 100 at Autodrome Drummond to July 23. All-time Advance Series winner Brett Hearn made the return trip worthwhile as he continued to add to the recordbook in dominating fashion. Hearn’s tour best third victory of the season gave him his first points lead of the summer, one that Tim Fuller (7th) had held since the beginning of June. Hearn led 84 of the 100 laps en route to successfully defending his race title at Drummond where he also won back-to-back Series stops in 1992-93 and again in 1990. More impressive was his eighth straight top-five finish in the DIRTcar Racing NorthEast’s premier traveling tour for Big-Block Modifieds. Tim Fuller opened the show that was rained out two weeks earlier by establishing a new track record on the 4/10-mile with a one-lap clocking of 16.713 seconds (86.160 mph) but after drawing 11th to start the feature, the 2005 Mr. DIRTcar Champion dropped back early and was never a factor as he was mired in lapped traffic much of the race. Hearn had better fortune, qualifying third in his heat before selecting the pole to start inside row one aboard the potent Madsen Motorsports no. 20 Wentworth Custom Homes-Kruger-WLR/TEO machine and when the green flag dropped the Sussex, N.J. speedster out-dragged front row partner Frank Cozze to take command. Despite relinquishing the point to the Pennsylvanian on lap 30, Hearn used Eric Landry as a pick to swing past as the leaders navigated through turn three traffic on lap 46. The ‘Jet’ never wavered the rest of the way, finishing ahead of Super DIRT Week Rite Aid 200 Championship preferred starter Steve Paine, who slipped under Danny Johnson on the final lap to secure second-place, while Cozze and Gary Tomkins rounded out the front-five.
Overnight rain and a two-hour deluge on Sunday morning forced track promoter Ron Morin to postpone the 13th Annual Akwesasne Mohawk Casino International 100 to July 22 after originally being slated for July 8 at Cornwall Motor Speedway. The two-week delay did little to affect Billy Decker, who had emerged as one of the fastest out of the blocks all season long on the Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series. Sunday night at Cornwall Decker won his fourth Integra Shocks Fast Time Award to once again open the show as a top contender. And this time he stuck around long enough to pass Brett Hearn for the lead with three laps left and go on to capture his first tour win of 2007 in the 100-lap event. Decker started seventh in the 30-car field and watched as early leaders and Cornwall regulars Alain Boisvert and Clement Therrien, then Pat O’Brien and Hearn swap the point throughout the 25-mile affair. Heartbreak hit O’Brien on lap 70 when he tangled in turn three traffic to relinquish a straightaway advantage and end any chance of scoring his second Advance Auto Parts Series victory in the previous three outings. Hearn regained the lead following the race-changing mishap yet fell a car-length short of his second straight tour win after Decker ducked under in his LJL Racing no. 91 Gypsum Wholesalers-Stadium Int’l-Quality Hardwoods/Bicknell entry to forge the final lead change on lap 98. Steve Paine held off Bert Hard Charger Danny Johnson for third while veteran Therrien from Victoriaville, Que. secured fifth-place to earn a guaranteed starting spot in the 358-Modified Championship during Super DIRT Week in October.
2000 GRANBY RACE RECAPS
The last time Autodrome Granby was part of the Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series was in 2000 when Americans Steve Paine and Danny Johnson emerged victorious on Quebec soil as the newest millennium was just underway. Ironically, that same year Paine garnered his only overall Mr. DIRTcar crown in the Big-Block Modified division and Johnson topped the Mr. DIRTcar 358-Modified points chart by season’s end. Paine’s 24th career Big-Block win at Granby was his biggest and maybe the most dramatic as he swept past ‘Barefoot’ Bob McCreadie exiting turn two with less than three laps left in the CarQuest 200 to earn the $10,000 top prize. Johnson’s fifth triumph at Granby was more methodical as the ‘Doctor’ dove under tour rival Brett Hearn between turns one-two on lap 40 of the summer segment and opened up a two-second margin when the century grind was checkered. Following Paine and DIRT Hall of Famer McCreadie across the stripe were Tim Fuller, Hearn and Kenny Tremont in the September 17 showdown, while Danny and the ‘Jet’ were chased to the line on July 11 by Johnson’s Sweeteners Plus teammate Vic Coffey, Fuller and Alan Johnson .
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 Series Point Standings (Through July 3, 2008)
Rank No. Driver Total SeriesDiff Money Wins Top-5 Top-10 Sts
1 91 Billy Decker 473 473 0 $18,900 3 4 6 6
2 27J Danny Johnson 413 413 -60 $11,125 0 3 4 6
3 20 Brett Hearn 410 410 -63 $9,500 0 4 5 6
4 77x Dale Planck 408 408 -65 $13,025 2 3 4 6
5 98H Jimmy Phelps 388 388 -85 $7,900 0 2 5 6
6 14J Alan Johnson 370 370 -103 $6,525 0 1 4 6
7 9s Matt Sheppard 369 369 -104 $13,200 1 2 3 6
8 84 Gary Tomkins 367 367 -106 $5,675 0 1 6 6
9 3 Justin Haers 353 353 -120 $5,000 0 1 5 6
10 7x Steve Paine 321 321 -152 $5,675 0 2 2 6
11 99 Ryan Phelps 314 314 -159 $3,500 0 0 2 6
12 FX1 Frankie Caprara 299 299 -174 $3,100 0 0 3 6
13 6 Pat O’Brien 256 256 -217 $2,660 0 0 1 6
99L Larry Wight 256 256 -217 $2,800 0 0 1 6
15 49 Billy Dunn 250 250 -223 $2,250 0 0 0 6
16 29 Jeff Brownell Jr.248 248 -225 $2,000 0 0 0 6
17 42B Kevin Bates 220 220 -253 $1,950 0 0 0 6
18 99b Chuck Bower 140 140 -333 $900 0 0 0 4
19 11j Sean Beardsley139 139 -334 $900 0 0 0 4
20 16 Mike Bowman 135 135 -338 $900 0 0 0 4
21 357 Stewart Friesen 131 131 -342 $2,750 0 1 1 2
22 19 Tim Fuller 130 130 -343 $2,750 0 1 1 2
23 56 Vince Vitale 125 125 -348 $610 0 0 0 3
24 48T Dave Rauscher 119 119 -354 $750 0 0 0 3
25 4 Duane Howard 105 105 -368 $6,000 0 1 1 1
26 79 Mike Storms 102 102 -371 $1,050 0 0 0 3
27 44 Shannon Whaley100 100 -373 $450 0 0 0 3
28 62s Tom Sears Jr. 99 99 -374 $700 0 0 0 3
29 123 Robbie Krull 96 96 -377 $4,000 0 1 1 1
30 85 Dan Vauter 89 89 -384 $600 0 0 0 2
31 8 Rob Bellinger 86 86 -387 $600 0 0 0 3
32 21 Derrick Podsiadlo 84 84 -389 $600 0 0 0 3
33 5 Jason Potter 83 83 -390 $600 0 0 0 3
34 89b Todd Burley 80 80 -393 $1,700 0 1 1 1
35 28 Scott Kerwin 76 76 -397 $1,400 0 0 1 1
36 13 Tony Steiner 73 73 -400 $300 0 0 0 1
37 32c Vic Coffey 70 70 -403 $500 0 0 0 1
38 1w Billy Pauch 66 66 -407 $1,400 0 0 1 1
39 20m Jeff McGinnis 65 65 -408 $800 0 0 1 1
88 Steve Hulsizer 65 65 -408 $450 0 0 0 2
41 15x Billy Pauch Jr. 63 63 -410 $1,040 0 0 0 1
42 85 Wade Hendrickson 62 62 -411 $1,200 0 0 1 1
43 71 David VanHorn 59 59 -414 $1,020 0 0 0 1
44 26 Rick Richner 58 58 -415 $400 0 0 0 1
45 93 Rich Vinson 56 56 -417 $350 0 0 0 1
46 14 Rick Laubach 54 54 -419 $1,000 0 0 0 1
47 91h Chad Homan 53 53 -420 $300 0 0 0 1
48 44v Phil Vigneri 52 52 -421 $300 0 0 0 1
49 111 Kevin Wills 50 50 -423 $300 0 0 0 1
50 20R Josh Richards 48 48 -425 $750 0 0 0 1
51 41 Boyd MacTavish 44 44 -429 $300 0 0 0 1
52 43 Keith Flach 43 43 -430 $300 0 0 0 2
53 X Chad Phelps 42 42 -431 $300 0 0 0 1
54 39w Steven Downs 42 42 -431 $750 0 0 0 1
55 42 Pete Bicknell 40 40 -433 $300 0 0 0 1
56 80 Chris Steele 40 40 -433 $300 0 0 0 1
57 83 Tim Sears 40 40 -433 $300 0 0 0 1
58 87 Shawn Donath 40 40 -433 $300 0 0 0 1
59 6 Pete Taylor 40 40 -433 $300 0 0 0 1
60 24 Jim Witko Jr. 40 40 -433 $300 0 0 0 1
61 93 Ryan Bartlett 40 40 -433 $300 0 0 0 1
62 43 Jimmy Horton IV 40 40 -433 $750 0 0 0 1
63 777 Kevin Bolland 40 40 -433 $750 0 0 0 1
64 7J Joe Isabell 30 30 -443 $0 0 0 0 0
65 1 Darwin Greene 30 30 -443 $0 0 0 0 0
66 11J Alan Fink 30 30 -443 $0 0 0 0 0
67 66w Wallace Stacey 20 20 -453 $0 0 0 0 0
68 33 Mike Mahaney 20 20 -453 $0 0 0 0 0
69 09 Kyle Lewis 20 20 -453 $0 0 0 0 0
70 7Jr Jeff Isabell Jr. 20 20 -453 $0 0 0 0 0
2008 Gater Racing News Big-Block Modified Lap Leaders
DATE TRACK LAPS LAP LEADERS
May 1 Virginia 60 30-D.Howard, 22-M.Sheppard, 8-J.Richards
May 4 Rolling Wheels 50 50-B.Decker
May 4 Rolling Wheels 50 31-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
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
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
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.
Record Watch: When the checkered flag falls at Brockville to officially open the ‘Great Canadian Tour’ in Ontario, it will mark the 600th Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series race run since the tour’s inception in 1980. During that same time period, 44 tracks in 10 states and the provinces of Ontario and Quebec gave staged Advance Series shows with Brett Hearn (98 wins) leading the list of 66 drivers to reach victory lane.
Oh, Canada … American Aces: No one may be happier to take in this rare quadrupleheader than veteran Modified campaigner Brett Hearn, who remains winless on tour in ’08 yet still holds down third in the Advance Series standings after a half-dozen point races. The six-time and reigning overall Hoosier Tire Mr. DIRTcar Big-Block Champion has racked up a tour-best total of 15 extra-distance feature victories in Canadian confines since 1990. Hearn captured his fifth career Advance Series win at Drummond in 2007 while finishing second at Cornwall and placing fifth at Brockville last summer. The last time Granby staged Series shows in 2000, the Sussex, New Jersey speedster settled for second behind Danny Johnson in the July race and secured fourth in the September 200-lapper won by Steve Paine. Following in Hearn’s tire tracks on the all-time Advance Series win list in Canada are multi-time winners Danny Johnson, Bob McCreadie, Paine and Alan Johnson.
Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series
DIRTcar Big-Block Modified Race Winners In Canada: 1981-2007 (23 drivers)
WINS DRIVER FIRST WIN LAST WIN
15 Brett Hearn Granby, 7/9/90 Drummond, 7/23/07
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
4 Doug Hoffman Granby, 7/10/89 Drummond, 7/6/98
4 Billy Decker Cornwall, 7/11/99 Cornwall, 7/22/07
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 Gary Tomkins Cornwall, 6/27/04 Drummond, 7/11/05
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 Dale Planck Cornwall, 7/9/06
1 Pat O’Brien Brockville, 7/10/07
DIRTcar Big-Block Modified Host Sites In Canada: 1981-2007 (8 tracks)
EVTS TRACK/LOCATION FIRST RACE LAST RACE
19 Autodrome Granby-Granby,QUE 7/10/89 9/17/00
19 Autodrome Drummond-Drummondville,QUE 7/11/89 7/23/07
13 Cornwall Motor Speedway-Cornwall,ONT 7/10/94 7/22/07
8 Merrittville Speedway-Thorold,ONT 8/3/81 8/6/07
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
2 Brockville Ontario Speedway-Brockville,ONT 7/4/06 7/10/07
Mid-Season Win Chart: The recent Advance Series show at Ransomville made it a baker’s dozen as 13 tracks have now hosted DIRTcar Big-Block Modified races with 34 drivers scoring victories in the 74 features run. LJL Racing first-string pilot Billy Decker has captured a division-high total of 14 checkered flags to nearly triple the current count of all-time DIRTcar Big-Block winner Alan Johnson and Pennsylvania veteran Kevin Bolland, each with five. Defending Mr. DIRTcar Modified Champion Brett Hearn is tied with popular Keystone State chauffeurs Brian Swartzlander and Jeremiah Shingledecker at four apiece while Advance Series stars Dale Planck, Matt Sheppard and Gary Tomkins each own three checkered flags. Tour regulars Jimmy Phelps and Frankie Caprara along with Central New York standout Steve Hulsizer and second-generation Lebanon Valley standout Ryan Larkin are the only other repeat winners, with Advance Series travelers Steve Paine, Justin Haers and Vic Coffey among 21 more drivers having reached victory lane once through the Fourth of July holiday.
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: 1980-7/3/08 (599 events / 44 tracks / 66 drivers)
WINS DRIVER FIRST WIN LAST WIN
98 Brett Hearn Lebanon Valley, 7/15/81 Rolling Wheels, 9/22/07
65 Danny Johnson Fonda, 9/25/82 Cayuga County, 8/19/07
51 Bob McCreadie Ransomville, 9/10/82 Rolling Wheels, 9/4/00
47 Alan Johnson Ransomville, 6/27/80 Cayuga County, 9/2/07
42 Billy Decker Lebanon Valley, 9/18/88 Ransomville, 6/7/08
28 Jack Johnson Cayuga County, 7/16/80 Orange County, 6/14/01
27 Steve Paine Canandaigua, 9/7/85 Can-Am, 8/18/07
26 Doug Hoffman Orange County, 10/25/87 Lowe’s, 4/6/02
18 Tim McCreadie Rolling Wheels, 9/26/99 Drummond, 8/23/04
17 Tim Fuller Rolling Wheels, 9/21/03 Cayuga County, 8/19/07
16 Jimmy Horton Lebanon Valley, 7/8/80 Susquehanna, 6/15/06
15 Gary Tomkins Hagerstown, 3/30/02 Rolling Wheels, 9/22/07
13 Kenny Tremont Lebanon Valley, 7/9/92 Lebanon Valley, 7/7/05
9 Kenny Brightbill Fonda, 10/18/87 Bridgeport, 6/19/97
7 Billy Pauch Flemington, 7/27/89 New Egypt, 6/22/05
7 Frank Cozze Orange County, 10/22/89 Orange County, 5/31/07
7 Jeff Heotzler Orange County, 7/26/89 Orange County, 10/21/07
6 Dave Lape Rolling Wheels, 7/5/82 Fonda, 7/24/91
6 Joe Plazek Brewerton, 6/28/94 Rolling Wheels, 9/1/97
5 Will Cagle Erie County, 9/20/80 Rolling Wheels, 9/27/81
5 Pete Bicknell Humberstone, 8/23/84 NYS Fairgrounds, 7/3/02
5 Matt Sheppard Drummond, 7/12/04 Virginia, 5/1/08
4 Carl Reynolds Five Mile Point, 7/12/80 Five Mile Point, 10/17/81
4 Merv Treichler Cayuga County, 9/20/81 Lebanon Valley, 8/9/84
4 C.D. Coville Fonda, 4/19/80 Devil’s Bowl, 8/29/84
4 Kevin Collins Fonda, 7/25/90 Fonda, 8/16/94
4 Bobby Varin Fonda, 8/16/95 Orange County, 10/26/03
4 Dale Planck Cornwall, 7/9/06 Cayuga County, 5/25/08
3 Charlie Rudolph Fonda, 10/16/83 Ransomville, 9/5/86
3 Chuck McKee Orange County, 8/16/98 Orange County, 8/1/02
3 Pat Ward Can-Am, 7/16/98 Cayuga County, 9/4/05
3 Jimmy Phelps Brewerton, 8/30/06 Rolling Wheels, 9/3/07
2 Mike McLaughlin Canandaigua, 9/6/80 Rolling Wheels, 9/28/80
2 Don McGinnis Merrittville, 9/11/83 Canandaigua, 9/17/83
2 Tommy Corellis Lebanon Valley, 9/14/80 Lebanon Valley, 9/14/86
2 Davey Moore Ransomville, 8/4/81 Humberstone, 9/10/87
2 Rich Ricci Jr. Lebanon Valley, 7/28/94 Lebanon Valley, 9/7/97
2 Andy Bachetti Lebanon Valley, 8/5/04 Lebanon Valley, 9/11/04
2 J.R. Heffner Lebanon Valley, 8/10/00 Lebanon Valley, 9/9/06
2 Pat O’Brien Can-Am, 7/17/90 Brockville, 7/10/07
2 Vic Coffey NYS Fairgrounds, 10/13/02 NYS Fairgrounds, 10/7/07
1 Bernie Griffin Five Mile Point, 7/12/80
1 Lou Lazzaro Canandaigua, 7/23/80
1 Chuck Akulis Five Mile Point, 10/18/80
1 Harvey Hainer Ransomville, 9/11/81
1 Dick Larkin NYS Fairgrounds, 9/6/82
1 Gary Iulg Rolling Wheels, 9/6/82
1 Ken Brenn Jr. NYS Fairgrounds, 7/3/83
1 Larry Brolsma Orange County, 9/10/83
1 Freddy Brightbill New Venture, 9/29/85
1 Rich Eurich Orange County, 10/23/88
1 Kenny Schrader Sanair, 7/9/89
1 Geoff Bodine Thompson, 8/6/89
1 Mike Romano Fonda, 10/15/89
1 Reggie Ruggiero Thompson, 7/29/90
1 Walt Mitchell Woodhull, 7/31/91
1 Doug Worthing Five Mile Point, 8/14/91
1 Ron Smoker Merrittville, 8/5/92
1 Richie Tobias Jr. NYS Fairgrounds, 10/11/92
1 Danny O’Brien Can-Am, 8/30/95
1 Jimmy Hauser NYS Fairgrounds, 7/7/96
1 Eddie Marshall NYS Fairgrounds, 9/6/99
1 Steve Poirier Drummond, 7/8/02
1 Kevin Bolland Lowe’s, 4/5/03
1 Ricky Elliott Lowe’s, 4/3/04
1 Keith Hoffman New Egypt, 10/13/07
Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modified Fast Timers 1983-7/3/08 (224 events / 32 tracks / 47 drivers)
EVTS DRIVER FIRST FAST TIME LAST FAST TIME
38 Brett Hearn Orange County, 10/24/86 Orange County, 10/21/07
33 Billy Decker NYS Fairgrounds, 7/3/01 Ransomville, 7/3/08
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
14 Steve Paine Canandaigua, 9/1/99 Rolling Wheels, 9/22/07
9 Chuck Bower Cayuga County, 5/28/00 Lernerville, 8/3/05
9 Matt Sheppard Drummond, 7/12/04 Ransomville, 7/6/07
8 Bob McCreadie NYS Fairgrounds, 10/7/90 Fonda, 10/20/02
8 Gary Tomkins Drummond, 7/10/00 Rolling Wheels, 5/7/06
7 Alan Johnson Cayuga County, 5/26/02 Rolling Wheels, 9/4/06
5 Frank Cozze Orange County, 6/10/04 New Egypt, 8/15/07
4 Jimmy Phelps Drummond, 7/11/05 NYS Fairgrounds, 10/7/07
3 Billy Pauch NYS Fairgrounds, 10/12/86 NYS Fairgrounds, 10/9/88
3 Kenny Brightbill NYS Fairgrounds, 10/13/96 New Egypt, 8/2/00
3 Doug Hoffman NYS Fairgrounds, 10/11/87 Tri-City, 8/5/01
3 Andy Bachetti Orange County, 10/24/99 Lebanon Valley, 7/7/05
3 Dale Planck Drummond, 7/10/06 Rolling Wheels, 5/4/08
2 Jack Johnson NYS Fairgrounds, 10/7/84 Orange County, 10/28/84
2 Dave Blaney NYS Fairgrounds, 10/9/94 NYS Fairgrounds, 10/10/99
2 Jimmy Horton NYS Fairgrounds, 10/11/92 Big Diamond, 6/18/03
2 Bobby Varin NYS Fairgrounds, 10/11/98 Fonda, 7/17/03
2 Pat Ward Fonda, 7/19/00 Rolling Wheels, 9/23/06
2 Duane Howard Grandview, 7/18/07 Virginia, 5/1/08
1 Merv Treichler NYS Fairgrounds, 10/9/83
1 Rich Eurich Orange County, 10/30/83
1 Sammy Swindell NYS Fairgrounds, 10/13/85
1 Anthony Ferriauolo IV Orange County, 10/27/85
1 Joe Plazek NYS Fairgrounds, 10/10/93
1 Jeff Heotzler Orange County, 10/27/96
1 Chuck McKee Orange County, 10/25/98
1 Scott Prentice Rolling Wheels, 4/30/00
1 Danny Johnson Lebanon Valley, 8/10/00
1 A.J. Romano Rolling Wheels, 8/20/00
1 Ricky Elliott New Egypt, 6/21/01
1 Eddie Marshall Lebanon Valley, 8/2/01
1 Ron Smoker NYS Fairgrounds, 9/3/01
1 Frankie Caprara Lowe’s, 4/6/02
1 Todd Burley Cornwall, 7/7/02
1 Bucky Kell Hagerstown, 3/27/04
1 Justin Hears Rolling Wheels, 5/2/04
1 J.R. Heffner Lebanon Valley, 9/10/05
1 Rick Grosso Jr. New Egypt, 9/24/05
1 Pierre Berthiaume Brockville, 7/4/06
1 Rick Mill Orange County, 10/22/06
1 Ryan Phelps Cayuga County, 9/2/07
1 Vic Coffey Cayuga County, 5/25/08
1 Pat O’Brien Fulton, 6/7/08
Shocking Results For Series Fast Qualifiers: For a third straight year, Integra Shocks will play an active role in point fund sponsorship of the Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series during the upcoming race season. The fast driver during 2008 Advance Auto Parts Series qualifying will once again earn the ‘Integra Shocks Fast Time Award’ and the driver winning the most Integra Shocks Fast Time awards during the season will collect a bonus set of four Integra Shocks ($1,400 value) at the DIRTcar Racing NorthEast Banquet in November. The Advance Auto Parts Series has recognized fast time trialers since 1983, with 1999 marking the first year the awards program included every tour event scheduled during the year. All-time Advance Series race winner Brett Hearn is also a leader when it comes to speed, earning a series-best total of 38 Integra Shocks Fast Time awards during the past two decades.
Drivers will continue to draw for their order in the ‘Integra Shocks Time Trials’ at nearly every Advance Series stop, with the fast timer once again selecting a second pill to determine how many cars (0, 2, 3 or 4) will be inverted to start each preliminary heat race. The ‘Integra Shocks Fast Time Award’ winner will collect $100 and five (5) bonus points and the top-three heat race finishers will earn additional bonus points as follows: 1st-5 pts, 2nd-3 pts, 3rd-1 pt. With this inversion format in place, a driver can now earn a maximum of 10 more points being the fast timer as well as a heat race winner.
Grand Slam Showcases Series: The customary pre-race re-draw among top heat race qualifiers will continue to be in effect throughout the summer, with season-ending events at the New York State Fairgrounds and Orange County Fair Speedway the only Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series stops awarding fast timers with pole-position starts (heat points will not be awarded at these shows). Lebanon Valley Speedway and Rolling Wheels Raceway Park host the initial “200s” to make up the high-dollar Advance Series ‘Grand Slam’ in 2008.
Continuing to rank among the most prestigious races in the country, the Rite Aid 200 at the N.Y.S. Fairgrounds in Syracuse on Oct. 12, Eastern States 200 at Orange County on Oct. 19, Coors National 200 at Lebanon Valley on Sept. 6 and World Series Weekend 200 at Rolling Wheels on Sept. 27 are the only 200-lap races on the annual tour. In 2008 these four signature events on the Advance Auto Parts Series formulate the prestigious ‘Grand Slam’ in DIRTcar Racing for Big-Block Modifieds. In addition, the Rite Aid 200 winner automatically earns seventh-place on the Eastern States 200 starting grid.
This unique ‘Grand Slam’ features the $50,000-to-win Rite Aid 200 in the Salt City, $20,000-to-win Eastern States 200 in Middletown (NY), $10,000-to-win Coors National 200 at the West Lebanon (NY) oval with another $10-grand on the line for the Rolling Wheels National 200 winner. Syracuse and Orange County are the only Advance Auto Parts Series stops where the fast timers start on the pole and the top-six are locked into front three row starting positions while heats will be aligned in heads-up fashion. A special points system was implemented for these prominent races last season with each winner receiving 150 Series points and 50 points awarded to start.
Syracuse SDW Starters Guaranteed Through Series Success: Guaranteed starting berths in the Rite Aid 200 are once again up for grabs and in 2008 more drivers than ever before will be able to earn preferred starter status throughout the season for the richest DIRTcar Big-Block Modified event in the world. Winners of the Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series races and those among the top-12 in overall Hoosier Tire-Sunoco Race Fuels Mr. DIRTcar Modified Championship points heading into Super DIRT Week comprise the core group of drivers receiving guaranteed starting positions in the Rite Aid 200. Preferred starters are the next eligible drivers finishing behind an Advance Auto Parts Series race winner that is already locked into the Rite Aid 200 starting grid, as well as all three DIRTcar Big-Block Modified Regional point champions and every licensed Big-Block Modified track champion crowned this year.
In order to take advantage of their guaranteed starting positions in the Rite Aid 200, Advance Series race winners and top-12 Mr. DIRTcar point-getters must run time trials. Any guaranteed driver that fails to qualify through time trials or a Triple 20 will be added to the Rite Aid field in order of heat race results. Those drivers holding preferred status are afforded up front starting positions in the Dig Safely New York last-chance qualifier on Sunday, Oct. 12 if unable to qualify while running under the clocks or in heat race competition. The balance of the Rite Aid 200 line-up is filled in from the Dig Safely New York Shootout with the 45th starting spot going to the best overall finisher in Cayuga County Fair Speedway’s ‘Win & You’re In’ Twin 25s on Sat., Oct. 11.
Great Canadian Tour Captured By 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 Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series shows Thursday, July 10 through Sunday, July 13, 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 and an action-packed feature event. Cheer for your favorite driver, along with the 20,000 registered members who enjoy LIVE Racing coverage on the DIRT Radio Network presented by BUTLERbuilt professional seat systems, the leader in custom seating. Call 704/784-1027 and let BUTLERbuilt build you an advantage!!!
To tune in visit www.dirtvision.com, click on the LIVE Advance Auto Parts Modified link, and you’re off to the races. If you are unfamiliar with Dirtvision.com, click on the “Help/FAQ” menu for tips and requirements for viewing the Live Events. Make sure that you register well in advance of our next show to help troubleshoot any problems you may encounter. Your basic tools will be a DIRTVision.com account, Internet Explorer 5 or higher, and Windows Media Player 9; both of which are FREE. For technical support or questions, e-mail customerservice@dirtvision.com. The Dirt Radio Network is presented by BUTLERbuilt professional seat systems. BUTLERbuilt is the leader in custom seating. Call 704/784-1027 and let BUTLERbuilt build you an advantage!!!
Get Out The Word First: RACEceiver is the Official Driver Communicator of DIRTcar Racing. A compact radio receiver that conveniently fits into a driver’s pocket, a RACEceiver allows each driver to hear directions from series officials, which greatly enhances the safety and timeliness of events. A similar version available to fans will allow RACEceiver users to hear what information series officials are relaying to the drivers. For more information about RACEceiver, visit www.raceceiver.com, call 866/301-7223, or look for their sales trailers at various events.
Tracks Know The Score: In the ongoing effort to assist every sanctioned track with presenting the best possible race programs, DIRT has teamed with AMB i.t. which continues to be recognized as the Official Timing System of DIRTcar racing. AMB i.t. is the world’s leader in automatic race timing and scoring systems and the DIRT organization is proud to retain the company as a valued partner in the timing and scoring of all DIRTcar Racing events.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Following the rigorous four-day, four-race, 400-lap speedfest that comprises the ‘Great Canadian Tour’ at Brockville, Granby, Drummond and Cornwall, the mighty Mod Squad returns stateside and heads south for a big Advance Auto Parts Super Series doubleheader in this signature summer stretch. A return Advance Series stop at Grandview Speedway in Pennsylvania and the first-ever DIRTcar race run at Georgetown Speedway in Delaware highlight the mid-July jaunt before teams move east for the annual journey to Orange 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 Brockville,ONT
Fri-Jul 11 Autodrome Granby Granby,QUE
Sat-Jul 12 Autodrome Drummond Drummondville,QUE
Sun-Jul 13 Cornwall Motor Speedway Cornwall,ONT
Wed-Jul 16 Grandview Speedway Bechtelsville,PA
Thr-Jul 17 Georgetown Speedway Georgetown,DE
Thr-Jul 31 Orange Co Fair Speedway Middletown,NY
Mon-Aug 4 Merrittville Speedway Thorold,ONT
Fri-Aug 8 Brewerton Speedway Brewerton,NY
Sat-Aug 9 Canandaigua Speedway Canandaigua,NY
Sat-Aug 16 Can-Am Motorsports Park LaFargeville,NY
Sun-Aug 31 Cayuga Co Fair Speedway Weedsport,NY
Mon-Sep 1 Rolling Wheels Raceway Elbridge,NY
Sat-Sep 6 Lebanon Valley Speedway West Lebanon,NY
Fri-Sep 12 Lernerville Speedway Sarver,PA
Sat-Sep 20 Canandaigua Speedway Canandaigua,NY
Sat-Sep 27 Rolling Wheels Raceway Elbridge,NY
Sun-Oct 12 New York State Fairgrounds Syracuse,NY
Sun-Oct 19 Orange Co Fair Speedway Middletown,NY
Headquartered in Roanoke, Va., Advance Auto Parts, a leading automotive aftermarket retailer of parts, accessories, batteries, and maintenance items in the United States, serves both the do-it-yourself and professional installer markets As of April 19, 2008, the Company operated 3,291 stores in 40 states, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. Additional information about the Company, employment opportunities, customer services, and on-line shopping for parts and accessories can be found on the Company’s web site at http://www.advanceautoparts.com.
ADVANCE AUTO PARTS MODIFIED SERIES SPONSORS
The Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series for Big-Block Modifieds is brought to fans across the Northeast by several sponsors and partners, including series sponsors Advance Auto Parts and Hoosier Racing Tire. Rite Aid Corporation is a promotional partner and the contingency sponsors are Bars Leaks, Bert Transmission, Bicknell Racing Products, Bilstein Shocks, Brodix Cylinder Heads, Crane Cams, Dig Safely New York, Holley HP Carburetors, Integra Shocks, Intercomp, KSE Racing Products, Motorsports Safety Systems, Penske Shocks, Rislone Oil Stabilizer and Wrisco Industries.
