Sarver, PA — March 29, 2008 – By Eric J. Westendorf, Lernerville Speedway PR Director
After a two-year layoff, the Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series will rumble back into Sarver on Friday, September 12 for the Modified Madness portion of the Advance Auto Parts Autumn-Motive Fest at Lernerville Speedway.
Lernerville General Manager Gary Risch Jr., a former DIRTcar Big-Block Modified driver himself, is excited to bring the Advance Auto Parts Series back to the 4/10-mile Sarver Speedplant. “2007 was an awesome season at Lernerville Speedway, but not having the Super DIRTcar Series on the schedule was a void we wanted to fill in 2008. Having the Big-Blocks as part of the Advance Auto Parts Autumn-Motive Fest is a great addition to the ‘08 schedule and they’ll put on a great show for the fans and the folks from Advance Auto Parts.”
Added DIRTcar Racing NorthEast Director of Competition & Track Sanctioning Cory Reed, “With a handful of Big-Block drivers already making plans to be in Quebec the next day (Sept. 13) for the Mr. DIRTcar 358-Modified race, we have to thank Drummond officials for working with us to make this whole deal possible. Right now I’m encouraging any driver that wants to compete at both Lernerville and Drummond to get in touch with me and we can make the proper travel arrangements. Both events are certainly significant and participation is important to help keep these special high-dollar shows on next year’s schedule.”
The Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series is the premier touring series for Big-Block Modifieds and runs predominantly in the Northeast. Despite its roots in upstate New York, the series kicked off its 2008 season with non-point events at Volusia Speedway Park in Florida as part of the 37th Annual Alltel DIRTcar Nationals. The $10,000-to-win Paul Sawyer Memorial at Virginia Motor Speedway on May 1 begins the Advance Auto Parts Series points chase before the series returns “home” to New York for two more May dates and another in June.
The series kicks into high gear in July with races throughout New York State, a four-race, four-night swing through Canada, and a trip to Grandview (Pa.) Speedway. August starts with another stop in Canada before the meat of the schedule kicks in as the series rolls back through the Empire State in August and September.
The Series will travel to Lernerville during that time on September 12, before returning to New York to close out the season. The famed Syracuse Mile hosts the 37th Rite Aid 200 to open October before the curtain drops on the 47th Eastern States 200 Championship at Orange County Fair Speedway in Middletown, N.Y.
2007 Mr. DIRTcar Big-Block Modified Champion Brett Hearn headlines the cast of superstars on the Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series which includes Alan Johnson, Gary Tomkins, Steve Paine, Danny Johnson, Billy Decker, Jimmy Phelps, Dale Planck, Matt Sheppard, Justin Haers and top Canadian traveler Pat O’Brien, plus rising stars Ryan Phelps, Billy Dunn, Kevin Bates, Sean Beardsley, Larry Wight, Joe Isabell and 2007 DIRTcar Big-Block Rookie of the Year Mike Bowman.
Despite his legendary status in the Advance Series, recently crowned Florida tour co-champion Hearn has not had the same success at Lernerville Speedway. His best finish in the last four series races at the Action Track was runner-up to feature winner Tim Fuller in 2005. Billy Decker won the most recent race in 2006, while Danny Johnson won back-to-back Modified mains in 1997 & 1998.
Racing against the Super DIRTcar Series elite drivers has long been a measuring stick for area Big-Block Modified drivers. Reigning Track Champion Brian Swartzlander will lead the home team against the invading superstars from the north. Local stars like Kevin Bolland, Del Rougeux Jr., Dave Murdick, Tom Winkle, Jim Weller Jr. and Jeremiah Shingledecker will go wheel-to-wheel with the Super DIRTcar Series big guns in hopes of defending their home turf with honor and in the hopes of pulling into Victory Lane in triumph!
In addition to the Super DIRTcar Series, the Modified Madness portion of Advance Auto Parts Autumn-Motive Fest at Lernerville will also feature Small-Block Modifieds and Mod Lites on Friday, September 12. Saturday Night’s portion of Autumn-Motive Fest will feature UMP Street Stock Pandemonium, UMP Pro Late Models and a 100 lap, $1000-to-win Enduro. For more details log on to Lernerville.com. Further information regarding the Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series can be found by surfing Superdirtcarseries.com.
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.
