Weedsport, NY — September 19, 2008 – By Tom Skibinski, DIRTcar Racing NorthEast PR Director
The tradition continues as Sharon and Charlie Loder return to Super DIRT Week to set up their familiar infield compound recognized today more fondly by those who patronize it as Sharon’s Toy.
Carrying forth years of tradition passed on by Cedar Ridge Trailer and President of Sales Joe Barbagallo, Jr., the Loders will once again host the weekly long gathering for race teams when the 37th edition of Super DIRT Week arrives on October 7-12.
“When Joe decided not to return last year, Charlie and I still wanted to be there and support all the drivers and owners that have become part of our family the past 25 years,” remarked Sharon, who has joined Charlie over the past dozen years manning the Cedar Ridge compound within the Moody Mile confines. “We love the sport of dirt racing and have sponsored several race car drivers during that time so it was a necessity to carry on with our family tradition.”
Not only do Sharon and Charlie cherish their annual visit to the New York State Fairgrounds, the die-hard race supporters from Middletown, N.Y. have posted $5,000 in Big-Block bonuses for three of the front runners in the Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series Rite Aid 200 scheduled for Sunday, October 12. This year the race winner will collect a lucrative cash bonus award of $3,000 from Sharon’s Toy, the fifth-place finisher stands to collect a $1,000 prize, and the highest finishing Orange County Fair Speedway regular will pocket a cool grand.
“We host a hospitality tent for our drivers and crews all for the love of racing and those friendships that have gone on for years, we’re delighted that they all come back every season,” Sharon added. “We’re even more proud to be able to have this opportunity to provide sponsorship for Super DIRT Week and reward some of the best performers. So please, stop by and say hello whenever there’s a chance, we’re all here to have a good time.”
Over the years, Sharon’s Toy has backed such drivers as past Rite Aid 200 champions Brett Hearn and Jack Johnson and local drivers from the Middletown area including Jerry Higbie, Ray Jashembowski, Randy Sherlock and Donnie Till. Also joining that group in the compound during Super DIRT Week have been more recent Rite Aid race winners Billy Decker and Tim Fuller, along with 1988 Syracuse Big-Block titlist Kenny Brightbill, Orange County regulars Chris Shultz, Ric Hill and Michael Storms, Lebanon Valley Speedway mainstay Eddie Marshall, and frequent Advance Series traveler Frank Cozze.
The compound is also a popular hangout for company clientele throughout Super DIRT Week, including many representatives from such notable businesses as TEO Pro Car Fabrication, Hig Fabrications, Precision Engine , JPM Engine, M2 Racing and Kings Crankshaft.
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 www.advanceautoparts.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, Hoosier Racing Tire and Sunoco Race Fuels. Promotional partners include AMB i.t., Rite Aid Corporation and the University of Northwestern Ohio and the contingency sponsors are Bert Transmission, Bicknell Racing Products, Bilstein Shocks, Brodix Cylinder Heads, Crane Cams, Integra Shocks, MSD Ignitions, Motorsports Safety Systems, Penske Shocks and Wrisco Industries.
