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Pauch Bags Alltel DIRTcar Nationals Big-Block Gold

Pauch_Modwinner_feb13

Barberville, FLFebruary 13, 2008 – By Tom Skibinski, Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series PR Director
*Chris Dolack Photo

The last time Billy Pauch buckled in behind the wheel of a DIRTcar Big-Block Modified in Florida was 1989. His last Modified victory in the Sunshine State was registered one year before that and until tonight the Frenchtown, New Jersey standout could only recount his more recent victories down south in a sprint car ride. (Click here to listen to Billy Pauch in Victory Lane)

Steering the no. 1W Will Brown Truck Repair-K&A Excavating/Bicknell machine on Wednesday at Volusia Speedway Park, it was just like old times as Pauch led all but the initial circuit to open the 37th Annual Alltel DIRTcar Nationals in victory lane for the first time in 20 years. His dominating performance to kick off the 10th season for Advance Auto Parts was rewarded with the $2,000 top prize.

“The car really carried me tonight, I was pushing as hard as I could at the end,” said two-time tour titlist Pauch, now 50, following his fifth career Florida Tour triumph, all coming at the same Barberville half-miler. “I’ve been sick in bed with a 103-degree fever so I went to the hospital to get a shot. Took some pills and slept for two days. I was falling out of the seat at the end so I was glad (Hearn) was no closer than he got.”

Reigning overall Hoosier Tire-Sunoco Race Fuels Mr. DIRTcar 358-Modified points king Mario Clair ventured south from Quebec with a Big-Block powerplant packed under the hood and after copping the second of four qualifying heats out-dragged front row partner Steve Downs to take command early. Pauch wasted no time blasting from third to first on the second lap and never flinched the rest of the way despite seven yellow flags delaying the inevitable in the 30-lap main event.

“We put a deal together, its Will’s (Brown) car and Kevin’s (Bifulco) motor. I have to thank Will and his whole crew and K&A Excavating, that’s my other car. Tony Feil builds some good motors and this is one of them,” said Pauch, following his 75th career DIRTcar feature win in the Big-Block division, his last at Volusia in 1988 posted for owner Glenn Hyneman in the no. 126 Keystone Racing Special. The DeBlasio no. 5 car carried him to three wins and the championship in ’85 and he placed 10th in points aboard the no. 76 Barker Bus in 1989 — his final time steering a Modified at VSP heading into this week.

All-time Alltel DIRtcar Nationals Big-Block race winner Brett Hearn from Sussex, New Jersey charged from ninth to second a third of the way through yet was unable to threaten his Garden State rival and eventually fell a straightaway behind under the checkered flag flew. The New York state trio of Pat Ward, Alan Johnson and Matt Sheppard forged front-five finishes at the stripe while Florida Tour mainstay Rick Laubach, consi winner Jimmy Phelps, 15 year-old pilot Larry Wight, Canadian Clair and
Pennsylvania traveler Kevin Hirthler completed the top-10.

With overnight rain inundating the Barberville oval and a brief afternoon shower hitting the speedway at 4 o’clock Wednesday afternoon, the track crew did all it could to get the surface race ready for the eighth day of Alltel DIRTcar Nationals competition. The heavy cushion didn’t seem to bother heat winners Steve Downs, Jeremy Markle, Pauch and Clair, yet by feature time unusually rough conditions kept the outcome uncertain until the final checkered flag waved.

Just as Clair grabbed the early lead, Central New York invader Dave Rauscher hopped the turn three berm and was towed pitside for the remainder with front end damage. Back under green Pauch moved to the point the next time around and his biggest challenge was keeping a steady line the rest of the way. On lap 11 he even grazed the front stretch cement wall but saved it in time to settle into a groove for the duration.

Defending Hoosier-Sunoco Mr. DIRTcar Big-Block Champion Hearn ran eighth when Andy Bachetti got up caught high in turn three to incur a second caution period on lap five. Just three more times around the ‘Corporate Jet’ had worked the Madsen Motorsports no. 20 Wentworth Custom Homes/TEO mount into third, although Pauch still owned a decisive straightaway lead that he had built up with an open track ahead.

The action was kept in check during the middle third of the race as four caution periods in a six-lap stretch whittled the original 26-car starting field nearly in half with 10 circuits still to go. ’07 Florida Tour runner-up Dale Planck had his debut aboard the RezX Racing no. 77x Grow it Hydroseeding ride foiled by mechanical failure with a dozen laps on the scoreboard, with Jamie Mills (lap 13, broken steering box) and Dan Vauter (lap 14) also heading pitside for good prior to the halfway mark. David VanHorn suffered a flat right front tire on lap 16 and pole-sitter Downs looped high in turn four to force on the yellow lights two circuits later, with both able to return immediately after..

DIRTcar NorthEast Big-Block career feature win leader Alan Johnson joined the top-three in the Sherlock Motorsports no. 14J Tri-State Roofing/TEO entry with a dozen laps remaining, while Laubach and Ward settled in behind watching Pauch and Hearn pull away from the pack at will. The final caution on lap 23 for Vince Vitale, who sat parked high in turn two with a smoking machine after earlier climbing the turn three cushion, tightened the field although Pauch still was untouchable in the 27-minute Modified main.

“I thought we had a good car last year but I kinda stepped on my own,” recalled Pauch, after copping his third Alltel DIRTcar Nationals opening round win, with his first in 1985 eventually leading to the tour title. He shared high-point honors with the late Jeff Kappesser in 1982 and prior to ‘The Kid’ cracking the winner’s circle on Wednesday night, his last victory was posted in the ’88 Volusia lid-lifter.

“The first night (finished 25th a year ag) I crashed, then got third and felt like we started to get a good combination going. But the last night the motor broke on us so we ended up with a pretty dismal week. At least this week is starting out a lot better,” added Pauch, who settled for 16th on the final 2007 Alltel DIRTcar Nationals points chart.

Pauch leads the ground-pounding Advance Auto Parts Modifieds back to Volusia for two more regular programs on Thursday and Friday before DIRTcar Racing NorthEast’s Big-Block stars battle in the fourth and final round on Saturday, Feb. 16 as a $5,000-to-win 50-lap championship event determines the 2008 Alltel DIRTcar Nationals points champion. ’07 points winner Danny Johnson completed only 14 laps and was scored 20th on Wednesday sporting a new JIR Motorsports no. 27J Troyer machine.

Headquartered in Roanoke, Va., Advance Auto Parts is the second-largest retailer of automotive aftermarket parts, accessories, batteries, and maintenance items in the United States, based on store count and sales. As of October 6, 2007, the company operated 3,228 stores in 40 states, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. The company serves both the do-it-yourself and professional installer markets.

SKIDMARKS
Alltel Victory Lane
: Billy Pauch was recognized as the first Big-Block Modified driver to add his name to the Alltel DIRTcar All-Star sweepstakes. Now it’s up to the Modified fraternity to make Pauch the grand prize winner during the 37th Annual Alltel DIRTcar Nationals. To support Pauch, which could be worth $12,000 to the veteran driver, cast as many votes as possible at AlltelAllStar.com or send a text message with his Letter Code to 52191. Fans are encouraged further to vote throughout the week in the inaugural Alltel DIRTcar All-Star contest after the remaining Big-Block feature winners are found. Alltel Wireless will reward fans’ favorite driver as determined in a text message and online poll. Only drivers who win an A-main during the 12-day speedfest are eligible to collect that $12,000 cash reward. “We could certainly use the money, that’s for sure,” Pauch noted while on the podium. “We’re an underfunded team here and every dollar helps. I’d like to see the little guy get it once in a while.”

With the contest already underway after beginning at 9:00 a.m. (Eastern) on Feb. 6 and going through 11:59 p.m. (Eastern) on March 16, fans can vote up to once a day by texting #52191 plus adding their favorite driver’s letter code (available at alltelallstar.com) or by visiting www.alltelallstar.com. The winning driver will be named in a special ceremony shortly thereafter.

Autograph Alley: With late afternoon rain delaying opening of the spectator gates on Wednesday, Danny Johnson, Jimmy Phelps and Jamie Mills still made it through the mud to participate in the first of two special autograph sessions featuring a number of Advance Series drivers. Autograph sessions are scheduled to run daily at the track from 4:45-5:15 p.m., with Cup driver Ryan Newman meeting and greeting race fans in the turn one Alltel Fan Zone on Friday. TEO Pro Car drivers Brett Hearn, Alan Johnson, Dale Planck and David VanHorn are currently lined up aongside PMC pilot Andy Bachetti for the Friday festivities.

Golden Years: At the age of 52 years, DIRTcar Big-Block Modified pilots Mike Perrotte and Dave Rauscher are at the highest point of the spectrum while 15 year-old sensation ‘Lightning’ Larry Wight is on the opposite side helping to fill out the DIRTcar Nationals Class of 2008 that spans 37 years from beginning to end. Wight showcased his ability with a stellar 8th-place run in the feature after Rauscher suffered a broken mount on the very first lap; Perrotte missed the main by just one spot in the second consolation round qualifier. Chalk one up for the veterans in the lead-off feature as no mentioned anything to top-four finishers Billy Pauch (50), Brett Hearn (49), Pat Ward (50) and Alan Johnson (50) about the proverbial changing of the guard in the Big-Block ranks. Matt Sheppard (25) was the highest finishing upstart with feature race qualifiers Kevin Hirthler (27), Keith Flach (21), David VanHorn (24), Mark Forte Jr. (21), Jeremy Markle (28), Dan Vauter (22) and Rob Bellinger (18) among the new breed looking to forge a career in the fast lane. Colin Jackson (29) and Jordan Watson (19) were also in the field on opening night trying to secure a position on the feature race starting grid.

Here & There: Initially indicating their intentions to compete in the 37th Alltel DIRTcar Nationals this year were Frenchman Martin Gagne, Modified veterans Dave Schrader and Ray Swinehart, along with Chad James and Alan Fink. Job requirements on the homefront curtailed the best laid plans for Schrader and James, while a late arriving motor hindered Gagne’s effort toward making his first appearance in Florida ….. Billy Decker and Joe Isabell were both pitside hoping for better results on the accompanying full-fender card, although Decker is expected to make a qualifying run Saturday with $5,000 on the line in the 50-lap Big-Block finale. French-speaking Pierre Berthiaume brings the driver count to 40 as he hopes to compete Friday and Saturday after Mike Perrotte gets his no. 20 PB Performance/Bicknell ride dialed in during the first two shows ….. First-time Florida Tour performer John Reome arrived at the infield pits an unloaded his no. 71 Truck & Autowares/TEO machine — only problem was that it was equipped with brand new Goodyear tires. The Greenfield Center, N.Y. driver promptly mounted four Hoosier treads prior to taking his maiden voyage around the speedway ….. Although logging a number of years of experience in downstate New York, long-time Orange County Fair Speedway racer Bobby Hentschel made his debut picking up Oscar Boria’s ride carrying the OB’s label on the side panels. “With my son racing quarter midgets I’m still up in the air with plans for this year,” said Hentschel, 37, who ran just a couple year-end races in ’07 after he ripped his bicep in a job-related incident. Last autumn he finished 27th in the Town Mechanical 30 Sportsman Championship during Super DIRT Week on the Syracuse Mile, before failing to qualify or the season-ending Eastern States Sportsman title event at Orange County Fair Speedway in Middletown, NY ….. While teaming up with Mark Forte Jr. late in the 2007 season, Brent Tittle is back full-time with Forte and his no. M40 Wildside Custom Trucks & Trailers/TEO ride for the 21 year-old’s upcoming short track campaign. Also helping out in the Troyer camp at Volusia was the legendary Lee Osborne, who was providing assistance to Rob Bellinger before the no. 8 Mini-Storage of Watertown(NY)/Troyer mount experienced a blown head gasket while the 18 year-old attempted to qualify ….. A pair of prominent drivers suffered terminal motor trouble on the opening day of Big-Block racing. Former Florida Tour points champion Jimmy Horton lost the motor in Dieter Schmidt’s no. 5 Lincoln Auto Body-Schmidt Racing/Troyer entry early in warm-ups while fifth-place finisher Matt Sheppard waited until the final lap of the feature before detonating the engine in the Ross Motorsports no. 44s Adam Ross Cut Stone-Magee Transport-Seneca Auto Sales/Bicknell ride.

Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series – Volusia Speedway Park, February 13, 2008
37th Annual Alltel DIRTcar Nationals Event #1
BIG-BLOCK MODIFIED FEATURE
FIN STR CAR# DRIVER/HOMETOWN
1 3 1w Billy Pauch/Frenchtown,NJ($2,000)
2 9 20 Brett Hearn/Sussex,NJ
3 10 42p Pat Ward/Genoa,NY
4 11 14j Alan Johnson/Middlesex,NY
5 21 44s Matt Sheppard/Waterloo,NY
6 8 14 Rick Laubach/Quakertown,PA
7 22 98h Jimmy Phelps/Baldwinsville,NY
8 23 91w Larry Wight/Phoenix,NY
9 2 22 Mario Clair/St-Edmond,QUE
10 24 117 Kevin Hirthler/Boyertown,PA
11 20 8s Rich Scagliotta/Bound Brook,NJ
12 14 43 Keith Flach/Ravena,NY
13 13 71 David VanHorn/Phillipsburg,NJ
14 15 m40 Mark Forte,Jr./Blue Anchor,NJ
15 1 39w Steve Downs/Georgetown,DE
16 16 56 Vince Vitale/Phoenix,NY
17 5 18 Sean Beardsley/Central Square,NY
18 26 7j Jeff Isabell/Pennellville,NY
19 4 79 Jeremy Markle/Port Jervis,NY
20 12 27j Danny Johnson/Rochester,NY
21 19 85 Dan Vauter/Forest City,PA
22 6 55 Jamie Mills/Milford,DE
23 17 77x Dale Planck/Cortland,NY
24 7 34 Andy Bachetti/Sheffield,MA
25 *25 8 Rob Bellinger/Dexter,NY
26 18 48too Dave Rauscher/Waterloo,NY
*Bellinger started last in borrowed #923 Colin Jackson car.
DID NOT QUALIFY(11)
OB’s-Bob Hentschel/Pine Bush,NY
1-Darwin Greene/Susquehanna,PA
5-Jimmy Horton/Neshanic Station,NJ
20p-Mike Perrotte/Plattsburgh,NY
20s-Steve Haggan/Flemington, NJ
t21-Roger Chrysler/Lewiston,NY
30-Jordan Watson/Milford,DE
32-Jim Rasey/Southington,OH
66w-Wallace Stacey/Kahnawake,QUE
71r-John Reome/Greenfield Center,NY
923-Colin Jackson/Peckville,PA
Lap Leaders: Clair (1), Pauch (2-30).
Cautions: 7 (lap 2, lap 5, lap 13, lap 15, lap 16, lap 18, lap 23).
QUALIFYING
Heat Races (8 laps, top 5 finishers transferred to feature)
#1: Downs, Beardsley, Hearn, VanHorn, Planck, Bellinger, Chrysler, Watson, Reome, Sheppard.
#2: Clair, Mills, Ward, Flach, Rauscher, Hirthler, Phelps, Haggan, Jackson.
#3: Pauch, Bachetti, A.Johnson, Forte, Vauter, Wight, Rasey, Stacey, Horton (DNS).
#4: Markle, Laubach, D.Johnson, Vitale, Scagliotta, Perrotte, Hentschel, Isabell, Greene.
Consolation Round (8 laps, top 3 finishers transferred to feature)
#1: Sheppard, Wight, Bellinger, Rasey, Chrysler, Stacey, Watson, Reome, Horton (DNS).
#2: Phelps, Hirthler, Isabell, Perrotte, Haggan, Greene, Jackson, Hentschel (DNS).

Alltel DIRTcar Nationals Point Standings (through Feb. 13, 2008)
POINTS CAR# DRIVER / HOMETOWN
60 1w Billy Pauch/Frenchtown,NJ
56 20 Brett Hearn/Sussex,NJ
52 42p Pat Ward/Genoa,NY
50 14j Alan Johnson/Middlesex,NY
48 44s Matt Sheppard/Waterloo,NY
46 14 Rick Laubach/Quakertown,PA
44 98h Jimmy Phelps/Baldwinsville,NY
42 91w Larry Wight/Phoenix,NY
40 22 Mario Clair/St-Edmond,QUE
38 117 Kevin Hirthler/Boyertown,PA
36 8s Rich Scagliotta/Bound Brook,NJ
34 43 Keith Flach/Ravena,NY
32 71 David VanHorn/Phillipsburg,NJ
30 m40 Mark Forte,Jr./Blue Anchor,NJ
28 39w Steve Downs/Georgetown,DE
27 56 Vince Vitale/Phoenix,NY
26 18 Sean Beardsley/Central Square,NY
25 7j Jeff Isabell/Pennellville,NY
24 79 Jeremy Markle/Port Jervis,NY
23 27j Danny Johnson/Rochester,NY
22 85 Dan Vauter/Forest City,PA
21 55 Jamie Mills/Milford,DE
20 77x Dale Planck/Cortland,NY
20 34 Andy Bachetti/Sheffield,MA
20 8 Rob Bellinger/Dexter,NY
20 48too Dave Rauscher/Waterloo,NY
10 OB’s Bob Hentschel/Pine Bush,NY
10 1 Darwin Greene/Susquehanna,PA
10 5 Jimmy Horton/Neshanic Station,NJ
10 20p Mike Perrotte/Plattsburgh,NY
10 20s Steve Haggan/Flemington, NJ
10 t21 Roger Chrysler/Lewiston,NY
10 30 Jordan Watson/Milford,DE
10 32 Jim Rasey/Southington,OH
10 66w Wallace Stacey/Kahnawake,QUE
10 71r John Reome/Greenfield Center,NY
10 923 Colin Jackson/Peckville,PA
0 6j Joe Isabell/Pennellville,NY
0 20p Pierre Berthiaume/Quebec City,QUE
0 91 Billy Decker/Unadilla,NY

2008 Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modified Roster (39)
Car# Driver/Hometown Team (Sponsor / Chassis / Engine)
OB’s Bob Hentschel/Pine Bush,NY Boria High-Tech Auto-RW Construction-Advance Concrete/TEO/Precision
1 Darwin Greene/Susquehanna,PA Greene Quality Bluestone-Big Diamond Tools-TJ’s NAPA/Bicknell/Jensen Tech
1w Billy Pauch/Frenchtown,NJ Will Brown’s Truck Repair-K&A Excavating/Bicknell/Chevrolet
5 Jimmy Horton/Neshanic Station,NJ Lincoln Auto Body-Schmidt Racing/Troyer/Tischler
7j Jeff Isabell/Pennellville,NY JIR Motorsports/Troyer/Morrison
8 Rich Scagliotta/Bound Brook,NJ Central Jersey Trailer & Hitch Depot-Adamsville Maintenance/Troyer/Feil
8 Rob Bellinger/Dexter,NY Mini-Storage of Watertown-Westward Paintng-Lake Ontario Rlty/Troyer/Finger Lakes
14 Rick Laubach/Quakertown,PA Jerry Simons Builder-Alpha Mills-Reiley & Sterner Auto Sales/TEO/Enders
14j Alan Johnson/Middlesex,NY Tri-State Roofing-Dirt Works-Cedar Ridge RV/TEO/Terry Vince
18 Sean Beardsley/Central Square,NY Town Mechanical,Inc-Bradco Supply-Pipe Pros/Troyer/Moshier
20 Brett Hearn/Sussex,NJ Madsen Motorsports-Wentworth Custom Homes-Kruger-WLR/TEO/Enders
20p Mike Perrotte/Plattsburgh,NY PB Performance-S.D. Performance/Bicknell/Tony Feil
20s Steve Haggan/Flemington, NJ Skechers Shoes-Haggan Construction-Modified Painting/Bicknell/Feil
t21 Roger Chrysler/Lewiston,NY Iroquois Water-Randy’s Smoke Shop-Joey’s Sneaks/Bicknell/JanCen
22 Mario Clair/St-Edmond,QUE Batiments JDL-Motel Drummond-Freightliner/Bicknell/Morrison
27j Danny Johnson/Rochester,NY JIR Motorsports/Troyer/Morrison
30 Jordan Watson/Milford,DE I.G.Burton Car Dealership-ReMax Realtor-L&W Ins./Bicknell/FingerLakes-DDE
32 Jim Rasey/Southington,OH Twin Oaks Services South-Alcon Mechanical/Dirt Wheels/Minors Performance
34 Andy Bachetti/Sheffield,MA Steve Hough Motors/PMC/JPM
39w Steve Downs/Georgetown,DE Wood’s General Contracting-Christian Bros. Concrete/Bicknell/Precision
m40 Mark Forte,Jr./Blue Anchor,NJ Wildside Custom Trucks and Trailers-BSR Products/TEO/Finger Lakes
42p Pat Ward/Genoa,NY Gypsum Express,Ltd./Bicknell/Enders
43 Keith Flach/Ravena,NY Flach Crane & Rigging-Gould Erectors & Riggers/TEO/Enders
44s Matt Sheppard/Waterloo,NY Adam Ross Cut Stone-Magee Transport-Seneca Auto Sales/Bicknell/Finger Lakes
48too Dave Rauscher/Waterloo,NY Magee Transportation Services-Monadnock Disposal Service/Bicknell/Morrison
55 Jamie Mills/Milford,DE Coulbourne Farms-Mills Market-Covey’s Car Care/Bicknell/DDE(Dan Denny)
56 Vince Vitale/Phoenix,NY V & V Racing/Troyer/Enders
66w Wallace Stacey/Kahnawake,QUE Bully’s Truck Stop-CFF,Inc./Bicknell/RL Performance-Morrison
71 David VanHorn/Phillipsburg,NJ Harmony Sand&Gravel-Diamond Hart Ent.-Art’s Radiator/TEO/D.VanHorn,Sr.
71r John Reome/Greenfield Center,NY Truck & Autowares-CVRA Motorsports/TEO/Tim Groski
77x Dale Planck/Cortland,NY RezX Racing-Grow It Hydroseeding-Action Race Parts-Teo Fab./TEO/Kevlar
79 Jeremy Markle/Port Jervis,NY Len & Jo’s Restaurant-Advance Recovery/Bicknell/Precision
85 Dan Vauter/Forest City,PA Vauter Racing/Bicknell/Enders
91w Larry Wight/Phoenix,NY Gypsum Wholesalers-Stadium Int’l-Gypsum Express,Ltd./Bicknell/Enders
98h Jimmy Phelps/Baldwinsville,NY Mohawk Northeast-New England Race Fuels/Troyer/Bruneau-FingerLakes
117 Kevin Hirthler/Boyertown,PA Green Lane William Penn-4 Star Lettering/Bicknell/Doug Meyers
923 Colin Jackson/Peckville,PA Ashford Cottages Bed & Breakfast-Jackson Excavating/Bicknell/Griffin

Alltel DIRTcar Nationals Showcased On DIRTVision.com: DIRTVision.com launches its fifth consecutive season and for the third straight year, the Alltel DIRTcar Nationals will be broadcast live on the DIRTVision cybercast. Users will once again be able to view over 60 hours of live video coverage of the Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series as well as Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Series, UMP DIRTcar Super Late Models, All Star Circuit of Champions, UMP DIRTcar Modifieds and World of Outlaws Late Model Series action. (All events are live video starting at 8:00 pm EST) For just $29.99 users can purchase the Alltel DIRTcar Nationals ‘Racepass’ and will be able to watch all 12 days of live video coverage. To order simply log in to DIRTVsion.com, click on Subscription and choose the Alltel DIRTcar Nationals Racepass. Subscribers will still have access to the popular live chat, as well as up to date race notes. Users can sign-up using a Visa or MasterCard on our secure payment server at DIRTVision.com.

If you are unfamiliar with our LIVE Cybercasts, click on the “FAQ” menu for tips and requirements for viewing the DIRTVision Cybercast. 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 6 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!!!

Andrews Anchors DIRT Radio Network Broadcasts: Nationally recognized SPEED commentator and popular track public address announcer Shane Andrews was back on the road as the official voice of the Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series, opening up for a third consecutive year at Volusia. In addition to traveling the DIRTcar NorthEast circuit and carrying out his accustomed weekend announcing duties, Andrews will also be a regular host heard on the DIRT Radio Network. Fans will again be able to listen to each and every Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series event LIVE on the DIRT Radio Network in 2008. With microphone back in hand, Andrews helps kick off DIRTcar’s 33rd straight season on Wednesday, February 13 during opening night of the 37th annual Alltel DIRTcar Nationals for Big-Block Modifieds at Volusia Speedway Park.

Get Out The Word First: RACEceiver is the Official Driver Communicator of DIRTcar Racing NorthEast. 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 DIRTcar Racing’s ongoing effort to assist every member track affiliate with presenting the best possible race programs, World Racing Group has teamed with AMB i.t. which continues to be recognized as the Official Timing System of DIRTcar NorthEast. AMB i.t. is the world’s leader in automatic race timing and scoring systems and WRG is proud to retain the company as a valued partner in the timing and scoring of all sanctioned events.

UPCOMING EVENT
The 2008 Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series point race schedule for Big-Block Modifieds takes the green flag further north in the springtime. Hagerstown (Md.) Speedway is slated to host the tour opener on March 22 when the Advance Auto Parts Series Big-Block teams compete in the 100-lap North-South Shootout paying the winner $6,000 from the total purse in excess of $27,000.

2008 Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series Schedule
NP=Non-Point event.
*All events subject to change.
DAY-DATE LAPS TRACK WINNER/LOCATION
Wed-Feb 13 Volusia Speedway Park-NP Billy Pauch
Thr-Feb 14 Volusia Speedway Park-NP Barberville,FL
Fri-Feb 15 Volusia Speedway Park-NP Barberville,FL
Sat-Feb 16 Volusia Speedway Park-NP Barberville,FL
Sat-Mar 22 Hagerstown Speedway Hagerstown,MD
Thr-May 1 Virginia Motor Speedway Jamaica,VA
Sun-May 4 Rolling Wheels Raceway Elbridge,NY
Sun-May 25 Cayuga Co Fair Speedway Weedsport,NY
Sat-Jun 7 Fulton Speedway Fulton,NY
Thr-Jul 3 Ransomville Speedway Ransomville,NY
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
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
Sat-Sep 20 Canandaigua Speedway Canandaigua,NY
Sat-Sep 27 Rolling Wheels Raceway Elbridge,NY
Sun-Oct 12 New York State Fairgrnds Syracuse,NY
Sun-Oct 19 Orange Co Fair Speedway Middletown,NY
-TBA- Orange Co Fair Speedway Middletown,NY

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, 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.