Sarver, PA — April 16, 2008 – By Eric Westendorf, Lernerville PR with Brian Spaid, Tri-City PR
In an attempt to encourage more 358-Modified drivers to join the DIRTcar Modified fields at Lernerville Speedway and Tri-City Speedway this season, DIRTcar Northeast Director of Competition & Track Sanctioning Cory Reed announced a weight break for the 358-Modified competitors.
“The 358-Modifieds have always been able to enter the Big-Block Modified fields at Lernerville and Tri-City, but with less horsepower they had very little possibility to actually being competitive,” Reed said. “The weight break should give them a more level playing field.”
Per DIRTcar Rule 5.26.3: “During any Big-Block event, all 358s racing with the Big-Block Modifieds must weigh a minimum of 2500 lbs. (tsp) and also abide by all rules as written for the 358s in the 2007 rule book.” Rule 5.26.3 goes on to state: “For the sake of fair competition, some tracks may establish a variation to this procedure with permission from DIRT MotorSports.”
That permission has been granted by Reed. As such, the new weight minimum for 358-Modifieds at both Lernerville and Tri-City speedways will heretofore be 2400 lbs. (tsp) and those teams must continue to abide by all DIRTcar rules and procedures.
Lernerville Speedway General Manager Gary Risch Jr. believes this will be a win-win-win situation.
“From the track’s perspective, this rule amendment should increase the car counts [at both tracks],” said Risch. “That in turn will give the fans a better show for their money. Most importantly, for the drivers it gives them a better chance to be competitive against the big guns in the division like Brian Swartzlander, Del Rougeux Jr., Dave Murdick, Jeremiah Shingledecker and Kevin Bolland.”
At Tri-City Speedway, Co-Promoter Mike Graham noted that the decision will expand opportunities for area 358-Modified teams to compete with their Big-Block Modified cousins and race more often.
“This is excellent news for these race teams,” Graham said. “Most of them compete at Mercer (Raceway Park) on Saturday nights. Now they have three tracks where they can race and be competitive. We also hope to see some teams outside the area travel a little farther to compete at Lernerville and Tri-City.”
The Ferrante Motor Cars and Engles Trucking DIRTcar Big-Block Modifieds will be on the track at Lernerville on April 18 and Tri-City on April 27 for the start of the new racing season at each track.
As previously announced, the Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series will make its return, after a two-year hiatus, to Lernerville for “Modified Madness” on Friday September 12 as part of the two-day Advance Auto Parts Autumn-Motive Fest. Currently, the series is not scheduled to compete this season at Tri-City.
For more information, please contact the DIRTcar NorthEast office (315/834-6606), Tri-City office (814/473-4038) or Lernerville office (724/353-1511).
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.
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.