DIRTcar 358-Modified Series Kicks Off Season with Ontario Swing

-Cornwall Motor Speedway to host Series Opener –

– Merrittville Hosts Traditional DIRTcar 358 Modified Series Victoria Day Special –

WEEDSPORT, N.Y. — May 16, 2012 — The 2012 DIRTcar 358 Modified Series gets the green light this weekend with two events at two long-time DIRTcar-sanctioned facilities as part of the Victoria Day celebration in Canada.

Cornwall (Ontario) Motor Speedway will host the Series opener on Sunday, May 20th. Merrittville Speedway in Thorold, Ontario, will host their traditional Victoria Day event on Monday, May 21st.

Last season Dale Planck of Cortland, N.Y., Stephan LaFrance of Brockville, Ontario-Canada captured the two series events at Cornwall, while Brett Hearn of Sussex, N.J., drove to victory lane at Merrittville Speedway.

“Each track offers a unique challenge, but they are both premier facilities that afford us an opportunity to race in front of big crowds and enthusiastic fans,” said Planck, pilot of the Rez-X Racing machines. “You have to bring your best game to compete in the DIRTcar 358 Modified Series these days. Danny (Johnson) has won the championship back-to-back now, so we’re all going to be aiming to knock him off his perch.”

Johnson, driving for Mike Payne Motorsports, is the defending champion of the series and is expected to be in competition for a third consecutive crown in 2012.

Each event is 100-laps in distance and Planck says that provides a challenge all in itself.

“Our typical weekly races aren’t very long so setup is critical because those tracks change a great deal from the start to the finish of those 100-lap races. It isn’t very often that you see someone dominate from start to finish at these extra distance races with the changes that take place during them. It will be exciting I know that.”

Gates open at Cornwall on Sunday, May 20 for the Minute Auto Wash presents the Gaetan’s Chip Stand Canadian Nationals 100 at 3:30 p.m. with Group Time Trials on deck for 6:15 p.m. and the first qualifying race at 7:00 p.m.

At Merrittville Speedway on Monday, May 21, it is the Zavitz Financial Strategies & Employee Benefits 100 with gates open at 3:00 p.m. with Group Time Trials slated for 6:30 p.m. and the first qualifying race at 7:05 p.m.

For more information visit www.dirtcar.com or specific event information www.cornwallspeedway.com or www.merrittvillespeedway.com

Final 2011 DIRTcar 358-Modified Series Championship Point Standings;

DIRTcar 358 Modified Series Schedule

Sunday, May 20^th                    Cornwall Speedway                                               Cornwall, Ontario                    100          100

Monday, May 21^st                    Merrittville Speedway                             Merrittville, Ontario                  100          100

Thursday, June 21^st                                Mohawk International Speedway           Akwesasne, New York          75            100

Tuesday, July 3^rd                     Ransomville Speedway                          Ransomville, New York           75            100

Sunday, September 2^nd           Cornwall Speedway                                               Cornwall, Ontario                    100          150

Friday, September 7^th              Autodrome Granby                                 Granby, Quebec                     75            150

Friday, September 14^th            Mohawk International Raceway             Akwesasne, NY                     75            150

Friday, September 21^st            Canandaigua Motorsports Park               Canandaigua, NY                    75            150

Saturday, September 22^nd      Brighton Speedway                                                Brighton, Ontario                     100          100

Wednesday, October 3^th         Cayuga County Fair Speedway              Weedsport, NY                       75            150

Thursday, October 4^th             Rolling Wheels Raceway                        Elbridge, NY                            75            150

Saturday, October 6^th             New York State Fairgrounds                  Syracuse, NY                         150          150

Saturday, October 13^th           Brockville Speedway                              Brockville, Ontario                   100          150

* Note: To be eligible for the Series Championship in either the Super DIRTcar Big Block Modified and/or Mr. DIRTcar 358 Modified Series, a competitor must compete in 75% (percent) of the scheduled DIRTcar events at their selected DIRTcar Weekly sanctioned home track to earn the minimum portion (900) of their ‘Bonus’ points.

The Super DIRTcar Series and DIRTcar Racing in the Northeast Region is brought to fans by several sponsors and partners including Hoosier Racing Tire, VP Racing Fuels, GM Performance Parts, Nationwide Insurance and Safety-Kleen. Promotional partners include the University of Northwestern Ohio and Chizmark Larson Insurance. Contingency sponsors are ASI, Bert Transmissions, Bicknell Racing Products, Bilstein Shocks, Brodix, ButlerBuilt, Comp Cams, Intercomp, JE Pistons, KSE Racing Products, Motorsports Safety Systems, MSD Ignition, Penske Shocks, Racing Electronics, R2C, Super Flow, Vicci Racing Apparel, WIX Filters, Wrisco Industries, Xtreme Lubricants and Extreme Mufflers.