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Decker Back In Form With $17,500 Tour Triumph Thursday At Lebanon Valley

Decker_LV_winner_82027_WEB

West Lebanon, NYAugust 27, 2009 – By Tom Skibinski, Super DIRTcar Series PR Director
*Mark Brown Photo

After a month and a half of misfortune, reigning Mr. DIRTcar points king Billy Decker was finally on the receiving end as he cashed in on the $17,500 top prize following his second career win in the ‘Mr. DIRT Track, USA’ title event presented by Budweiser and Hoosier on Thursday night at Lebanon Valley Speedway.

Integra Shocks Fast Timer Decker shadowed the leaders throughout the race before taking advantage of a blown rear-end on the car of front-runner Jimmy Phelps with just four laps to go before cruising on to half-track victory on the high-banked half-miler.

“We were fortunate to pick up the pieces there,” said Decker, 44, following his third Super DIRTcar Series triumph of the season and fifth all-time at the storied West Lebanon oval. The Unadilla, N.Y. open-wheel veteran last won the Mr. DIRT Track race in 1991, and has since set fast time at The Valley on four occasions.

“Brett (Hearn) had trouble and the #98 (Phelps), every time I tried shoving it in a little bit harder, a little bit harder I’d overdrive a lap and he’d get back away from me. We were just lucky. Tonight we just happened to be in the right position at the right time,” figured Decker, who started third on the 32-car grid and actually lost a spot in the early going before working his way to the front.

Rounding out the top-five behind Marshall were June series winner at Lebanon Matt Sheppard, second-generation favorite Donnie Corellis and Sheppard’s teammate Jeff Brownell Jr., the final driver scored on the lead lap in the 40-minute main.

Hearn entered the mid-week special with a commanding lead of more than 100 points over Sheppard in the Super DIRTcar Series and after drawing the pole for the 100-lap finale seemed destined for his own third tour win of the ’09 campaign. The ‘Jersey Jet’ opened up 10 car-length lead after just one circuit and remained on course more than half the race before mechanical failure sidelined his best effort.

Valley regular Ryan Larkin slowed exiting turn on lap 11 to force out the first of just two yellow flags in the nightcap, once more closing the gap on runner-up Marshall, Brownell, Decker and Phelps. Yet back under green, Hearn’s Madsen Motorsports no. 20 Wentworth Custom Homes-Kruger-WLR-BPG/TEO machine wasted little time re-establishing his supremacy over his nearest challengers.

After just one more time around after the ensuing lap restart, the yellow lights flashed on for the final time as Hearn protégé Michael Storms came to stop in Vinny Salerno’s no 4-Star Keizer Aluminum Wheels-Mike Sparta Truckng-Four Star Transmissions/TEO. With Phelps charging into fourth, Marshall was scored fourth behind Decker and ahead of both Corellis and Brownell and Sheppard with 20-lap complete.

Back under green, the lead trio of Hearn, Phelps and Decker separated themselves from the pack, making their way into traffic on lap 38 as Hearn crept up to the back bumper of Alan Johnson in the borrowed no. 34 Steve Hough/PMC mount. Starting 13th on the grid, Dale Planck was the mover on the day as he cracked the top-10 a third of he way through and still hungry for more as the laps continued to click off.

The front-three remained intact with 50 laps in the books, while Marshall and Corellis diced for fourth ahead Sheppard and Planck. Flying high around the smooth speedway, Planck pulled into fifth on lap 53 and was ready for more before the complexion of the race changed just as fast, shaking up the running order in the process.

With all eyes on the leaders, Hearn suddenly slowed off the pace on lap 56 due to a faulty wheel bearing and he was followed pitside immediately after by Planck, who lost oil pressure in the RezX Racing no. 77x Grow It Hydroseeding-Action Race Parts/TEO entry. Phelps and Decker retained their sizeable advantage over Marshall while Sheppard moved in to lock horns with Corellis as just 14 cars were scored on the lead lap.

Traffic became a deterring factor as the leaders were forced to weave their mighty Modified machines both high and low to keep their positions in the latter stages. 1994 Mr. DIRT Track titlist Rich Ricci Jr. gave Phelps fits before succumbing on lap 70 while contact with 10th-place runner Haers forced Phelps wide out of turn two and put Decker on the binders directly behind to avoid another impact.

Phelps proceeded to put ninth-running Kory Sandstedt down a lap with 20 to go, then blasted high around Jerry Higbie in eighth a half-dozen circuits later. When the scoreboard read ‘90’ Phelps and Decker remained way out front with equidistance evident between Marshall, Sheppard, Corellis, Brownell and Mark Flach Jr.

Phelps disposed of Flach on lap 94 yet exiting turn four just two laps later his H&H Motorsports no. 98H Mohawk N.E.-New England Race Fuels-Joe Gibbs Racing Oil/Troyer ride hesitated and slowed for good, forcing Decker to swerve as they crossed the stripe together allowing the ‘Franklin Flyer’ to inherit the lead just two miles from the finish.

“Fortunately, we only had a couple restarts because I was terribly tight,” noted Decker, following his 12th Big-Block Modified feature win of the year, second only to Sheppard (16) on the DIRTcar Northeast list. “Then I would become neutral or about 10 laps and get a little bit loose after that. We weren’t quite as balanced as good as we needed to be.”

“That lapped traffic was making it a little bit dicey there and a guy came right across Jimmy that one time. It was tough sledding, I’d like to return to daytime racing here, slow it down a little bit and maybe we can dice it out a little more.”

“Have to thank Howard Commander (promoter) and Lebanon Valley for having this race back again, certainly appreciate all the support here. I’m very sincere, I’ve always had a great following of fans here and they’ve always been great. I feel fortunate, its like a home away from home, when you come back here you’re welcomed with open arms and you have a good time,” added Decker, after capturing his 34th Big-Block checkered flag at the Capital District dirt track aboard the red LJL Racing no. 91 Gypsum Wholesalers-Stadium Int’l-Quality Hardwoods/Bicknell ride.

Despite crossing the finish line more than 14-seconds behind Decker, runner-up Marshall still pocketed a $4,000 check after 50 miles worth of fast-paced work.

“Certainly had a good run, Billy was really strong so my congratulations go out to him,” said Marshall, 51, who finished fifth in the previous Mr. DIRT Tracks showdown in 2005, and was coming off a victory at Lebanon Valley on Aug. 15. “I saw Brett break but I didn’t realize the no. 98 broke too so I thought we were really running third at the end.”

“We were pretty good for a bit, this Teo chassis handled real good and Kevin Enders gave us an exceptional motor here. Probably halfway I was kind of tight up on the right front then it wasn’t too bad for awhile and I still went forward. Then I kinda came unglued with the back end the second half of the race and I was just trying to pedal it the best I could.”

“Has a lot of fun early with Donnie Corellis, we were along side each other a lot and had some good racing there so it was a good, clean run. Didn’t see too many cars getting tore up so I guess everybody had a little luck in that department,” figured Marshall, himself a 21-time feature winner at the Valley over the past quarter-century, on this night steering the Marshall Oil Co. no. 98 Advance Water Technologies-R&M Heating & AC/TEO entry.

In quest of his second tour triumph of the season at Lebanon Valley, ‘Super Matt’ Sheppard settled for the show position yet still cut into Hearn’s series points lead through the first 15 extra-distance events.

“We had a good car tonight,” said Sheppard, 27, the hottest commodity on the DIRTcar Northeast Modified circuit this season, already posting a career-best 16 wins for owner Jeff Brownell in his JB Motorsports no. 9s Xtreme Lubricants/Bicknell machine. “This car was great both times we came here this year so we can’t ask for much more.”

“This car was not very good early but it seemed like the longer the race went the better it got. The last 20-30 laps it felt real, real good. I didn’t really want to see it end, I thought I was catching Eddie a little bit there.”

“This car has been good everywhere we’ve brought it. I can’t thank enough the guys that work on it, everybody’s been working their butts off. And Mike (Burdick) has come along this week so things are really coming together,” added four-race winner Sheppard, who now stands second in series points only 60 behind Hearn after once trailing the all-time Super DIRTcar Series champion by 169 markers in early July.

The final mid-week Super DIRTcar Series show arrives in just our more days as the revival of the ‘Mr. DIRT Track U.S.A.’ title event takes place on the high banks of Lebanon Valley Speedway with a whopping $17,500 saved for the 100-lap winner on Thursday, Aug. 27.

Super DIRTcar Series Race #15 – Lebanon Valley Speedway, August 27, 2009 ‘31st Mr. DIRT Track, USA 100 presented by Budweiser & Hoosier Big-Block Modified Event Summary
FIN STR CAR# DRIVER
1 3 91 Billy Decker/Unadilla,NY($17,500)
2 5 98 Eddie Marshall/Ridgefield,CT
3 6 9s Matt Sheppard/Waterloo,NY
4 7 57 Donnie Corellis/Averill Park,NY
5 4 29 Jeff Brownell Jr./Waterloo,NY
6 14 77f Mark Flach Jr./Selkirk,NY
7 9 66 Jerry Higbie/Newburgh,NY
8 25 34 Andy Bachetti/Sheffield,MA
9 11 3 Justin Haers/Phelps,NY
10 8 88 Kory Sandstedt/Canaan,NY
11 12 43 Keith Flach/Ravena,NY
12 21 77j J.C. Flach/Ravena,NY
13 23 1 J.R. Heffner/Pittsfield,MA
14 26 99L Larry Wight/Phoenix,NY
15 15 87x Paul Gilardi/Pittsfield,MA
16 2 98h Jimmy Phelps/Baldwinsville,NY
17 22 406r Rich Ricci Jr./New Paltz,NY
18 17 60 Brian Berger/Castleton,NY
19 1 20h Brett Hearn/Sussex,NJ
20 24 5 Rich Laubach/Quakertown,PA
21 13 77x Dale Planck/Cortland,NY
22 19 21j Jeff Trombley/Altamont,NY
23 32 34j Alan Johnson/Middlesex,NY
24 16 518 Kyle Sheldon/Schodack,NY
25 27 99 Ryan Phelps/Fulton,NY
26 28 84 Gary Tomkins/Clifton Springs,NY
27 29 27j Danny Johnson/Rochester,NY
28 30 115 Kenny Tremont/West Sand Lake,NY
29 10 39 Ryan Larkin/Alford,MA
30 20 4* Michael Storms/Wantage,NJ
31 18 42 Guy Sheldon/Nassau,NY
32 31 84b Billy Dunn/Watertown,NY
GATER RACING NEWS LAP LEADERS: Hearn (1-55), J.Phelps (56-96), Decker (97-100).
CAUTIONS: 2 for 9 laps.
HEAT WINNERS: K.Flach, Hearn, Higbie, Marshall.
DIG SAFELY NEW YORK LAST CHANCE RACE WINNERS: JC Flach, Ricci.
BICKNELL RACING PRODUCTS WINNER AWARD: Billy Decker.
RISLONE OIL STABILIZER & TREATMENT WINNER AWARD: Billy Decker.
BARS LEAKS RUNNER-UP AWARD: Eddie Marshall.
SYRACUSE SDW 200 QUALIFIER: Eddie Marshall.
HALFWAY LEADER: Brett Hearn.
BERT/KSE RACING PRODUCTS HARD CHARGER AWARD: Andy Bachetti.
XTREME LUBRICANTS SLICK MOVE OF THE RACE AWARD: Billy Decker.
PENSKE POWER POSITION AWARD (15th): Paul Gilardi.
INTEGRA SHOCKS FAST TIME AWARD: Billy Decker (19.873sec/90.575mph).
TOTAL PURSE: $39,850.
CARS ENTERED: 43.
NEXT EVENT: Cayuga County Fair Speedway “Night of Champions 100” – September 6, 2009.
DID NOT QUALIFY(11)
2-Kale Groff/Wynantskill,NY
8-Rich Scagliotta/Bound Brook,NJ
14-Lorne Browe/East Greenbush,NY
14h-Jimmy Horton/Neshanic Station,NJ
20-Matt Quinn/New Ashford,MA
49er-Chuck McKee/Middletown,NY
55-Mike King/Nassau,NY
64-Donnie Ackner/West Sand Lake,NY
87-Hector Stratton/Bennington,VT
97-Michel Chicoine/Ste-Cecile de Milton,QUE
347-Skippy Fox/Springfield,MA

QUALIFYING
FAST AVE
TIME MPH CAR# DRIVER
1 19.873 90.575 91 Billy Decker/Unadilla,NY
*$100 Integra Shocks Fast Qualifier Award
2 20.020 89.910 98h Jimmy Phelps/Baldwinsville,NY
3 20.071 89.682 20h Brett Hearn/Sussex,NJ
4 20.209 89.069 57 Donnie Corellis/Averill Park,NY
5 20.237 88.946 3 Justin Haers/Phelps,NY
6 20.268 88.810 9s Matt Sheppard/Waterloo,NY
7 20.337 88.509 43 Keith Flach/Ravena,NY
8 20.347 88.465 29 Jeff Brownell Jr./Waterloo,NY
9 20.361 88.404 42 Guy Sheldon/Nassau,NY
10 20.403 88.222 66 Jerry Higbie/Newburgh,NY
11 20.424 88.132 98 Eddie Marshall/Ridgefield,CT
12 20.428 88.114 39 Ryan Larkin/Alford,MA
13 20.439 88.067 518 Kyle Sheldon/Schodack,NY
14 20.442 88.054 88 Kory Sandstedt/Canaan,NY
15 20.463 87.964 115 Kenny Tremont/West Sand Lake,NY
16 20.465 87.955 77f Mark Flach Jr./Selkirk,NY
17 20.473 87.921 21j Jeff Trombley/Altamont,NY
18 20.496 87.822 4* Michael Storms/Wantage,NJ
19 20.503 87.792 87 Hector Stratton/Bennington,VT
20 20.506 87.779 34 Andy Bachetti/Sheffield,MA
21 20.507 87.775 77x Dale Planck/Cortland,NY
22 20.512 87.754 14h Jimmy Horton/Neshanic Station,NJ
23 20.539 87.638 87x Paul Gilardi/Pittsfield,MA
24 20.564 87.532 5 Rich Laubach/Quakertown,PA
25 20.570 87.506 99L Larry Wight/Phoenix,NY
26 20.601 87.374 77j J.C. Flach/Ravena,NY
27 20.606 87.353 1 J.R. Heffner/Pittsfield,MA
28 20.616 87.311 20 Matt Quinn/New Ashford,MA
29 20.630 87.252 99 Ryan Phelps/Fulton,NY
30 20.651 87.163 60 Brian Berger/Castleton,NY
31 20.693 86.986 55 Mike King/Nassau,NY
32 20.703 86.944 8 Rich Scagliotta/Bound Brook,NJ
33 20.817 86.468 14 Lorne Browe/East Greenbush,NY
34 20.855 86.310 406r Rich Ricci Jr./New Paltz,NY
35 20.991 85.751 34j Alan Johnson/Middlesex,NY
36 20.993 85.743 84 Gary Tomkins/Clifton Springs,NY
37 21.076 85.405 97 Michel Chicoine/Ste-Cecile de Milton,QUE
38 21.306 84.483 49er Chuck McKee/Middletown,NY
39 21.431 83.990 84b Billy Dunn/Watertown,NY
40 21.653 83.129 347 Skippy Fox/Springfield,MA
41 21.863 82.331 27j Danny Johnson/Rochester,NY
42 22.440 80.214 2 Kale Groff/Wynantskill,NY
43 -NT- —– 64 Donnie Ackner/West Sand Lake,NY
Heat Races (10 laps, top 5 finishers transferred to feature; top 3 redrew)
#1: K.Flach, Corellis, Decker, Planck, Berger, JC Flach, King, R.Phelps, Tomkins, Browe, Stratton.
#2: Hearn, Sheppard, Sandstedt, M.Flach, G.Sheldon, Heffner, Wight, Horton, Bachetti, Dunn.
#3: Higbie, Haers, J.Phelps, Gilardi, Trombley, Ricci, Scagliotta, Chicoine, McKee, A.Johnson, Ackner (DNS).
#4: Marshall, Larkin, Brownell, K.Sheldon, Storms, Tremont, Laubach, Quinn, D.Johnson, Fox, Groff.
Dig Safely New York Last Chance Races: (10 laps, top 2 finishers transferred to feature)
#1: JC Flach, Heffner, King, Bachetti, Wight, R.Phelps, Browe, Tomkins, Horton (DNS), Dunn (DNS).
#2: Ricci, Laubach, McKee, Stratton, Scagliotta, Chicoine, Fox, Quinn, D.Johnson, Tremont, A.Johnson (DNS), Groff (DNS), Ackner (DNS).
Guaranteed: Bachetti, Wight, R.Phelps, Tomkins, D.Johnson, Tremont, Dunn, A.Johnson.

Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modified Point Standings (Thru Aug. 27, 2009)
Rank No. Driver Total Diff Wins Top-5 Top-10 Starts
1 20 Brett Hearn 1,258 0 2 11 13 15
2 9s Matt Sheppard 1,198 -60 4 9 11 15
3 98H Jimmy Phelps 1,125 -133 1 6 11 15
4 91 Billy Decker 1,081 -177 3 7 7 15
5 3 Justin Haers 961 -297 0 1 9 15
6 99 Ryan Phelps 955 -303 2 4 8 15
7 84 Gary Tomkins 949 -309 0 4 9 15
8 77x Dale Planck 876 -382 0 2 5 15
9 27J Danny Johnson 875 -383 0 2 7 15
10 4 Mike Storms 708 -550 0 0 2 15
11 14J Alan Johnson 705 -553 1 3 7 11
12 99L Larry Wight 668 -590 0 0 0 15
13 49 Billy Dunn 658 -600 0 1 2 13
14 29 Jeff Brownell Jr. 626 -632 0 2 4 11
15 7x Steve Paine 530 -728 0 2 6 8
16 74 Tim Fuller 486 -772 1 3 3 7
17 8 Rich Scagliotta 378 -880 0 0 1 6
18 6 Pat O’Brien 337 -921 0 1 2 6
19 42p Pat Ward 306 -952 0 1 4 6
20 FX1 Frankie Caprara 283 -975 0 0 2 5
21 42 Pete Bicknell 203 -1,055 0 1 2 3
22 18 Sean Beardsley 189 -1,069 0 0 0 4
23 34b Andy Bachetti 178 -1,080 0 1 2 2
24 43 Keith Flach 176 -1,082 0 0 0 3
25 62 Tom Sears Jr. 169 -1,089 0 0 0 3
26 99B Chuck Bower 167 -1,091 0 0 0 4
27 98 Eddie Marshall 166 -1,092 0 1 1 2
28 57 Donnie Corellis 165 -1,093 0 1 2 2
29 8R Rob Bellinger 161 -1,097 0 0 0 4
30 33 Mike Mahaney 158 -1,100 0 0 0 4
31 77F Mark Flach Jr. 157 -1,101 0 1 2 2
32 124 Pierre Dagenais 144 -1,114 0 1 1 2
33 88 Tim O’Brien 143 -1,115 0 0 0 3
34 32c Vic Coffey 141 -1,117 0 0 1 3
35 1H David Hebert 140 -1,118 0 1 1 2
36 22 Eric Gauvreau 137 -1,121 0 0 0 3
37 60 Brian Berger 132 -1,126 0 1 1 2
38 02 Roy Bresnahan 132 -1,126 0 0 0 3
39 21 Derrick Podsiadlo 131 -1,127 0 0 1 3
40 22 Mario Clair 127 -1,131 0 0 0 2
41 96 Kyle Dingwall 125 -1,133 0 1 1 2
42 3b Chad Brachmann 125 -1,133 0 0 0 3
43 47 Jerry Higbie 122 -1,136 0 0 1 2
44 44 Frank Cozze 122 -1,136 0 0 0 3
45 88c Rich Laubach 120 -1,138 0 0 0 2
46 83x Tim Sears 120 -1,138 0 0 0 3
47 88 Kroy Sandstedt 115 -1,143 0 0 1 2
48 73 Alain Boisvert 112 -1,146 0 0 1 2
49 42 Guy Sheldon 111 -1,147 0 0 1 2
50 46 Kayle Robidoux 109 -1,149 0 0 1 2
51 19H Chris Higgins 108 -1,150 0 0 0 2
52 07 Tim Kerr 108 -1,150 0 0 0 2
53 97 Michel Chicoine 105 -1,153 0 0 0 2
54 9m Tim McCreadie 105 -1,153 0 0 1 2
55 44 Shannon Whaley 105 -1,153 0 0 0 2
56 21 Yan Bussiere 97 -1,161 0 0 0 2
57 76 Travis Braun 97 -1,161 0 0 0 2
58 24 Jim Witko Jr. 96 -1,162 0 0 0 2
59 26 Rick Richner 94 -1,164 0 0 0 2
60 87x Paul Gilardi 92 -1,166 0 0 0 2
61 115 Kenny Tremont Jr. 91 -1,167 0 0 0 2
62 42B Kevin Bates 91 -1,167 0 0 0 2
63 16 Mike Bowman 90 -1,168 0 0 0 2
64 39 Ryan Larkin 83 -1,175 0 0 0 2
65 22 Larry Lampman Jr 81 -1,177 0 1 1 1
66 33.3 Tommy Meier 81 -1,177 0 1 1 1
67 13 Tony Steiner 77 -1,181 0 0 0 1
68 14 Jimmy Horton 73 -1,185 0 0 0 1
69 160 Johnny Hill 70 -1,188 0 0 0 2
70 64 Donnie Ackner 69 -1,189 0 0 0 1
71 77J J.C. Flach 68 -1,190 0 0 0 1
72 1F Stewart Friesen 68 -1,190 0 2 4 4
73 72 Todd Stewart 65 -1,193 0 0 1 1
74 54 Steve Bernard 65 -1,193 0 0 1 1
75 7* Danny O’Brien 62 -1,196 0 0 1 1
76 5 Jason Potter 61 -1,197 0 0 0 1
77 5H Chris Hile 60 -1,198 0 0 0 1
78 1F Adam Ferri 60 -1,198 0 0 0 1
79 72 Tommy Flannigan 60 -1,198 0 0 0 1
80 123 Robbie Krull 60 -1,198 0 0 0 1
81 55 Perry Francis 58 -1,200 0 0 0 1
82 26 Ryan Godown 57 -1,201 0 0 0 1
83 38 Scott Wood 56 -1,202 0 0 0 1
84 44 Sebastien Gougeon 56 -1,202 0 0 0 1
85 2 Dave Axton 56 -1,202 0 0 0 1
86 55 Mike King 55 -1,203 0 0 0 1
87 48T Dave Rauscher 55 -1,203 0 0 0 2
88 88k Randy Chrysler 55 -1,203 0 0 0 1
89 87 Hector Stratton 54 -1,204 0 0 0 1
90 14 Mitchell Jock 54 -1,204 0 0 0 1
91 3 Claude Brouillard 54 -1,204 0 0 0 1
92 23 Laurent Ladouceur 52 -1,206 0 0 0 1
93 99 Charlie Donk 52 -1,206 0 0 0 1
94 24s Chris Shultz 51 -1,207 0 0 0 1
95 518 Kyle Sheldon 50 -1,208 0 0 0 1
96 M70 Billy Cook 50 -1,208 0 0 0 1
97 66x Carey Terrance 50 -1,208 0 0 0 1
98 16w Lance Willix II 50 -1,208 0 0 0 1
99 M96 Brian McDonald 50 -1,208 0 0 0 1
100 23 Dany Bilodeau 50 -1,208 0 0 0 1
101 56 Vince Vitale 50 -1,208 0 0 0 1
102 52 James M. Friesen 50 -1,208 0 0 0 1
103 xXx Todd Gordon 50 -1,208 0 0 0 1
104 6m Mat Wiliamson 50 -1,208 0 0 0 1
105 3d Dexter Stacey 50 -1,208 0 0 0 1
106 66w Wallace Stacey 50 -1,208 0 0 0 1
107 1H Tim Hindley 50 -1,208 0 0 0 1
108 80x Chris Steele 48 -1,210 0 0 0 1
109 72x Denis Gauvreau 48 -1,210 0 0 0 1
110 17c Bobby Davidson 48 -1,210 0 0 0 1
111 40 Joel Doiron 46 -1,212 0 0 0 1
112 43 Fred Carleton 46 -1,212 0 0 0 1
113 14 Brian Swarthout 45 -1,213 0 0 0 1
114 37s Wayne Conn Jr. 45 -1,213 0 0 0 1
115 22J Gino Clair 45 -1,213 0 0 0 1
116 99 Ron Valade 44 -1,214 0 0 0 1
117 91 Chad Homan 44 -1,214 0 0 0 1
118 08 Mark D’Ilario 44 -1,214 0 0 0 1
119 39 Clement Therrien 44 -1,214 0 0 0 1
120 28 Scott Kerwin 43 -1,215 0 0 0 1

Super DIRTcar Series Modified Entries – August 27 (43)
Car# Driver/Hometown Team (Sponsor / Chassis / Engine)
1 J.R. Heffner/Pittsfield,MA Gable Auto Stores-A.Colarusso & Son/TEO/JPM
2 Kale Groff/Wynantskill,NY WantAdDigest.com-Herrington Farms/Bicknell/JPM
3 Justin Haers/Phelps,NY Phelps Cement Products-SMV Motorsports-Jeff Jolly Masonry/Bicknell/Finger Lakes
4* Michael Storms/Wantage,NJ Keizer Aluminum Wheels-Mike Sparta Trckng-Four Star Transmissions/TEO/Morrison
5 Rich Laubach/Quakertown,PA Lincoln Auto Body-Schmidt Racing/Troyer/JPM
8 Rich Scagliotta/Bound Brook,NJ Central Jersey Trailer & Hitch Depot-Adamsville Maintenance/Troyer/Feil
9s Matt Sheppard/Waterloo,NY Xtreme Lubricants/Bicknell/C.C. Performance
14 Lorne Browe/East Greenbush,NY L.Browe Asphalt Services-JP & Sons General Contractors/PMC/JPM
14h Jimmy Horton/Neshanic Station,NJ Alpha Mills-Reiley & Sterner Auto Sales-Josie’s Place-BOSS/TEO/Enders
20 Matt Quinn/New Ashford,MA Earthworm Cat Rental-Graphic Impact/PMC/Dan Bedell
20h Brett Hearn/Sussex,NJ Madsen Motorsports-Wentworth Custom Homes-Kruger-WLR-BPG/TEO/Enders
21j Jeff Trombley/Altamont,NY FAF Racing/TEO/Enders
27j Danny Johnson/Rochester,NY Johnson Motorsports/Troyer/B&M
29 Jeff Brownell Jr./Waterloo,NY Xtreme Lubricants/Bicknell/C.C. Performance
34 Andy Bachetti/Sheffield,MA Albraeda Waste LLC-Steve Hough Motors-Garrity Asphalt/PMC/Morrison
34j Alan Johnson/Middlesex,NY Steve Hough Motors/PMC/JPM
39 Ryan Larkin/Alford,MA Coors Light-Steve’s Auto Repair/PMC/Dan Bedell
42 Guy Sheldon/Nassau,NY Heinz Inc.-Judd Construction-Sheldon Oil Services/PMC/Devine
43 Keith Flach/Ravena,NY Flach Crane & Rigging-Gould Erectors & Riggers/BRP/Enders
49er Chuck McKee/Middletown,NY Quirk-Chevrolet Motorsports/Bicknell/Hi-Performance Chevrolet
55 Mike King/Nassau,NY Thoma Tire-A to Z Landscaping-Otterbeck Builders/PMC/Dan Bedell
57 Donnie Corellis/Averill Park,NY Rifenburg Construction-John Ray & Son/Bicknell/Bedell
60 Brian Berger/Castleton,NY Garrity Asphalt-Pittsfield Lawn & Tractor-Williams & Kingsley Auto/PMC/Dan Bedell
64 Donnie Ackner/West Sand Lake,NY Indian Fields Equipment & Contracting-Gable Auto Stores/Bicknell/JPM
66 Jerry Higbie/Newburgh,NY Atlas Paving-Behrent’s Performance Warehouse/TEO/JPM
77f Mark Flach Jr./Selkirk,NY Gould Erectors & Riggers-F&M Farms/Troyer/Dan Bedell
77j J.C. Flach/Ravena,NY Flach Crane & Rigging-Gould Erectors & Riggers/Bicknell/Enders
77x Dale Planck/Cortland,NY RezX Racing-Grow It Hydroseeding-Action Race Parts-Teo Fab./TEO/Kevlar
84 Gary Tomkins/Clifton Springs,NY Honeoye Auto Parts-Rochester Americans-National Guard/Bicknell/Mastin
84b Billy Dunn/Watertown,NY Honeoye Auto Parts-Rochester Americans-National Guard/Bicknell/Mastin
87 Hector Stratton/Bennington,VT Big Boy’s Toys-Quality Plumbing & Heating/PMC/AC Performance
87x Paul Gilardi/Pittsfield,MA Fast Loans Greylock Fed.Credit Union-Modular Home Connection/Bicknell/Marollo
88 Kory Sandstedt/Canaan,NY Darcy Construction-Bemiss Trucking/PMC/Dan Bedell
91 Billy Decker/Unadilla,NY Gypsum Wholesalers-Stadium Int’l-Quality Hardwoods/Bicknell/Kevlar
97 Michel Chicoine/Ste-Cecile de Milton,QUE GMCI Express-E.Beaudry Enterprises/Bicknell/Enders
98 Eddie Marshall/Ridgefield,CT Marshall Oil Co.-Advance Water Technologies-R&M Heating & AC/TEO/Enders
98h Jimmy Phelps/Baldwinsville,NY Mohawk N.E.-New England Race Fuels-Joe Gibbs Racing Oil/Troyer/Bruneau
99 Ryan Phelps/Fulton,NY Big Red Towing-Dave Miller Auto Body/Bicknell/Enders
99L Larry Wight/Phoenix,NY Gypsum Express,Ltd./Bicknell/Kevlar
115 Kenny Tremont/West Sand Lake,NY S&S Asphalt-Rifenburg Construction-Park East Sales/Bicknell/Tremont
347 Skippy Fox/Springfield,MA Fox Racing/Teo/Fox
406r Rich Ricci Jr./New Paltz,NY Apple Greens Golf Course-Ricci Racing/Troyer/Precision
518 Kyle Sheldon/Schodack,NY Rifenburg Construction-Sheldon Oil Services/Troyer/Bedell

SKIDMARKS
Tremont ‘First Class’ Operation
: Its been a summer full of racing for all-time Lebanon Valley feature winner Kenny Tremont and next week its back to school for the Sand Lake Slingshot. Not as a student but as a teacher in the Automotive Technology Dept. at nearby Hudson Valley Community College. While 2009 marks Tremont’s 30th Anniversary (1979-2009) in racing, the 1999 Super DIRT Week Big-Block Modified Champion joined the staff at HVCC in the fall of ‘04 and soon after secured a full-time position. Now totaling 113 career DIRTcar BB wins at Lebanon, Tremont cracked the Top-10 in his first Mr. DIRT Track event run in 1981. Brake problems come feature time relegated the 12-time Lebanon Valley points king to 28th on the final scoresheet.

Cayuga County Series Stop Increased To 100 Laps: More laps means more excitement and that’s what is in store when the Super DIRTcar Series returns to Cayuga County Fair Speedway in September. The traditional Labor Day Weekend Big-Block Modified ‘Night of Champions’ show on Sunday, Sept. 6 at the hub of DIRTcar Northeast will now end with a 100-lap feature paying out $6,000 to the winner.

Super DIRT Week Website Active: Now available on the internet is the official site for information about Super DIRT Week, DIRTcar Racing Northeast’s crown jewel event staged at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse. This year’s 38th edition runs October 7-11, 2009 and features Hoosier Tire-VP Racing Fuels Mr. DIRTcar Championship Series events for Big-Block Modified, 358-Modified, Sportsman and Pro Stock divisions. Ticket and schedule information is available by contacting the Weedsport office (315/834-6606) during the day or logging into www.superdirtweekonline.com anytime.

Pot Holes: The ’09 Mr. DIRT Track, USA event filled in the latest date in its 31-year history, with Les Alberti claiming the initial 100-lap ‘Open Competition’ Modified main in 1975 over 2-time event winner Tommy Corellis, 1980 race winner Win Slavin, eventual Cup Series pilot Tighe Scott and Northeast Modified Hall of Famer Kenny Shoemaker … Eight past race winners signed in on Thursday including Brett Hearn (8 wins), Kenny Tremont (4), Andy Bachetti, J.R. Heffner, Danny Johnson, Rich Ricci Jr., Billy Decker and Don Ackner … While it was Heffner’s first race of ’09 at the Valley due to his ARCA schedule, Frenchman Michel Chicoine made his first-ever visit to West Lebanon. Heffner hopes to be back with no. 1 car owner Jody Gable for another shot at winning the Super DIRT Week Championship during Super DIRT Week in October … Middletown’s Chuck McKee made a rare tour stop, steering owner Nick Nero’s Bicknell ride numbered ‘49er’ after his favorite NFL team out west in San Francisco … Series staple Billy Dunn (#49) picked up a ride in owner Doug Dulen’s Honeoye Auto Parts no. 84 Bicknell machine, teaming with first-string driver Gary Tomkins after suffering a broken driveline on the initial lap of the tour race at Can-Am Motorsports Park last Friday night … DIRTcar veteran Alan Johnson was also out of his familiar no. 14J entry, on this night recognized aboard Steve Hough’s no. 34 PMC mount … Wayne Jelley finished 4th in the ’05 Mr. DIRT Track event yet was roaming the pits saving his Modified effort for Super DIRT Week on the Syracuse Mile … a special treat during intermission for fans on the Valley midway behind the main grandstand was a special autograph session that featured series stars Brett Hearn, Matt Sheppard, Jimmy Phelps, Billy Decker and Michael Storms … Decker’s third Integra Shocks Fast Time Award of the season ties him with Brett Hearn for the most with 40 coming since 2001.

UPCOMING EVENTS
On the heels of a well-deserved 10-day break, DIRTcar Racing Northeast charter member tracks Cayuga County Fair Speedway and Rolling Wheels Raceway Park play host to a neighborhood doubleheader over the Labor Day holiday as the traditional ‘fall’ season gets underway on the DIRTcar NE circuit Sept. 6-7.

2009 Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modified Schedule
NP=Non-Point event; SP=Show-Up Point event.
*All events subject to change.
DAY-DATE TRACK WINNER/LOCATION
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 Bily Decker
Fri-Jul 3 Ransomville Speedway Brett Hearn
Sat-Jul 4 Fulton Speedway Alan Johnson
Thr-Jul 9 Brockville Ont Speedway Brett Hearn
Fri-Jul 10 Autodrome Granby Billy Decker
Sat-Jul 18 Cayuga Co Fair Speedway Ryan Phelps
Sun-Jul 19 Cayuga Co Fair Speedway Ryan Phelps ($20,000-to-win)
Mon-Aug 3 Merrittville Speedway Matt Sheppard
Fri-Aug 7 Brewerton Speedway Matt Sheppard
Sat-Aug 8 Canandaigua Speedway Tim Fuller
Fri-Aug 21 Can-Am Motorsports Park Matt Sheppard
Sun-Aug 23 Cornwall Motor Speedway Jimmy Phelps
Thr-Aug 27 Lebanon Valley Speedway Billy Decker ($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
Fri-Sep 18 Autodrome Drummond Drummondville,QUE
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, home of DIRTcar All-Star Weekend in July. DIRTcar Northeast’s crown jewel event —Super DIRT Week at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse— runs October 7-11, 2009 featuring Hoosier Tire-VP Racing Fuels Mr. DIRTcar Championship Series events for Big-Block Modified, 358-Modified, Sportsman and Pro Stock divisions. Ticket and schedule information is available by contacting the Weedsport office (315/834-6606) during the day or logging into www.superdirtweekonline.com anytime.

The Big-Block Modified Super DIRTcar Series is brought to fans across the Northeast by several sponsors and partners, including series sponsors Hoosier Racing Tire www.hoosiertire.com and VP Racing Fuels www.vpracingfuels.com. Promotional partners include Dig Safely New York www.digsafelynewyork.com and the University of Northwestern Ohio www.unoh.com and the contingency sponsors are Bars Leaks www.barsproducts.com, Bert Transmission www.berttransmission.com, Bicknell Racing Products www.bicknellracingproducts.com, Bilstein Shocks www.bilstein.com, Brodix Cylinder Heads www.brodix.com, Ferris Industries www.ferrisindustries.com, Integra Shocks www.integrashocksandsprings.com, Intercomp www.intercomp-racing.com, KSE Racing Products www.kse-racing.com, Motorsports Safety Systems www.motorsportssafetysystems.com, Penske Shocks, www.penskeshocks.com, Racing Electronics www.racingelectronics.com, Rislone Oil Stabilizer www.barsproducts.com and Wrisco Industries www.wrisco.com