Weedsport, NY — October 3, 2009 — By Tom Skibinski, Super DIRTcar Series PR Director
WHAT
The Super DIRTcar Series returns to action for its 2009 Big-Block Modified finale as part of the 38th edition of Super DIRT Week at the New York State Fairgrounds. Five straight days of trackside activity —including DIRTcar 358-Modified, Sportsman and Pro Stock racing— on the Syracuse Mile culminate Sunday, October 11, with the Rite Aid 200 Presented By Ferris & Snapper Mowers boasting a first-place cash prize of $50,000 to the winner. A rain date of Monday, Oct. 12 has been established.
WHERE
The historic one-mile oval is located on the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse at I-690, just five miles off Exit 39 of the NYS Thruway. Gate #7 on State Fair Boulevard, then Gate #10 once on the grounds are the primary entrances used throughout Super DIRT Week XXXVIII.
WHEN
SUPER DIRT WEEK XXXVIII: October 7-11, 2009
*All times and events subject to change.
DAY-DATE TIME EVENT
Tue-10/6
12noon Ticket, Camping, and Pit Pass sales begin at entrance gate
12noon “Early Bird” Tech Inspection for all classes opens at gate 10 area
Wed-10/7
8am Gates open for Campers and Haulers
9am Inspection for all classes (under main grandstand)
3pm Rite Aid 200 Presented By Ferris & Snapper Mowers Modified ‘Happy Hour’
10pm Pit Area Closed
7:30pm Mr. DIRTcar 358-Modified & Mr. DIRTcar Sportsman Series at Can-Am Motorsports Park.
Thr-10/8
8am Pit Gates Open
8am-10am Inspection for all classes (under main grandstand)
10am Grandstands Open, Rite Aid 200 by Ferris and Snapper Mowers Modified practice
11am Syracuse 150 358-Modified Practice
12noon ‘Media Day’ Press Conference – Infield Conference Bldg.
1 pm DIRTcar Futures Practice/Qualifying (358-Modified, Sportsman)
1:30pm 358-Modified Time Trials (2-laps, Top-6 Qualify for Front-3 Rows)
2:45pm Rite Aid 200 by Ferris & Snapper Mowers Modified Time Trials (2-laps, Top-6 Qualify for Front-3 Rows)
4:00pm DIRTcar ‘Futures’ Feature Events. (358-Modified, Sportsman)
10pm Pit Area Closed
7:30pm Mr. DIRTcar 358-Modified Series at Brewerton Speedway.
Fri-10/9
8am Pit Gates Open, Sportsman Inspection Open
10am Grandstands Open, 358-Modified Practice
10:45am Rite Aid 200 by Ferris & Snapper Mowers Modified Practice
11:30am Sportsman Practice
12noon DIRTcar Futures Practice/Qualifying (Modified, Pro Stock)
12:45pm 358-Modified Twin 20s (10 non-qualified cars advance from each)
1:30pm Rite Aid 200 by Ferris & Snapper Mowers Modified Triple 20s
(10 non-qualified cars advance from each)
2:30pm WoO King of the Mile Heat Engines and Hot laps
3:00pm Sportsman Time Trials (2-laps, Top-24 Qualify)
3:30pm WoO King of the Mile Dash
4pm DIRTcar ‘Futures’ Feature Events (Modified, Pro Stock)
5pm Pro Stock Practice
10pm Pit Area Closed
7:30pm Mr. DIRTcar 358-Modified & Sportsman Series at Rolling Wheels Raceway.
7:30pm 360 Sprint Car Challenge and Parts Plus Big Six Street Stock Series at Cayuga County Fair Speedway
Sat-10/10
8am Pit Gates Open, Pro Stock Inspection Open
9:00am Syracuse 150 358-Modified Championship Driver and Crew Chief Meeting (in pit building)
9:20am Sportsman Drivers Meeting (in pit building)
9:30am Grandstands Open, Track open for Syracuse 150 358-Modified Final Practice
10am Pro Stock First Practice
10:30am Sportsman Final Practice
11:15am Pro Stock Second Practice
11:45am Dig Safely NY Sportsman Last Chance Qualifier
12:15pm Pro Stock Time Trials (2-laps, Top-24 Qualify)
1:30pm Syracuse 150 358-Modified Championship Pre-Race ceremonies
2pm Syracuse 150 358-Modified Championship (150 laps)
4pm Sportsman Championship (30 laps)
7:30pm Twin 25’s – World of Outlaw Sprint Cars plus “Win and You’re In” Modifieds
At Rolling Wheels Raceway (Mod Winner Earns 45th starting spot in the Rite Aid 200)
Sun-10/11
8am Pit Gates Open
9:15am Pro Stock Driver’s Meeting (in pit building)
9:30am Rite Aid 200 by Ferris & Snapper Mowers Modified Driver and Crew Chief Meeting (in pit building)
10am Grandstands Open, Track Open for Pro Stock Final Practice
10:20am Rite Aid 200 by Ferris & Snapper Mowers Modified Final practice
10:45am Dig Safely NY Pro Stock Last Chance Qualifier
11:15am Dig Safely NY Modified Last Chance Qualifier
11:45am Modified Top-30 Autograph Signing under grandstand (Top 30 in Thursday Time Trials)
12noon SDW XXXVIII Pro Stock Championship (25 laps)
12:45-1:45pm Cold Pit Tour of Pit Row
1:30pm Rite Aid 200 by Ferris & Snapper Mowers Modified Championship Pre-Race ceremonies
2:15pm Rite Aid 200 by Ferris & Snapper Mowers Modified Championship (200 laps)
Mon-10/12
-TBA- Rain Date for Saturday or Sunday events.
TICKETS/PARKING & CAMPING
*Ticket packages available for single days and multiple days:
$25 G.A. ticket daily Tuesday thru Friday, no Reserved;
Saturday
– $35 Reserved 1st Elevation, Rows S-W / $40 Reserved 2nd & 3rd Elevations, $30 G.A. Ticket;
Sunday
– $45 Reserved 1st Elevation, Rows S-W / $50 Reserved 2nd & 3rd Elevations; $40 G.A. Ticket;
Combination Packages (all week)
$70 General Admission Combo 1st Elevation, Rows B-M;
$80 Reserved Combo 1st Elevation, Rows S-W;
$90 Reserved Combo 2nd & 3rd Elevations;
$15 General Fairgrounds Parking Permit (all week);
$10 General Fairgrounds Parking Pass (daily);
$30 Speedway Infield Parking Permit (all week);
$80 General Fairgrounds Camping Permit;
$100 Reserved Camping Permit;
$50 Motorized Vehicle Permit;
$80 Motorized Vehicle Permit w/Pit Access.
*$185 SUPER PASS (minus $20 if opting not to order a Brewerton ticket).
Team Pit Passes:
*General Public $130 all week.
Entire Week – $100 DIRTcar Member, $130 non-Member;
Thursday ‘Futures’ ONLY – $30 DIRTcar Member, $40 non-Member;
Sunday only – $60 DIRTcar Member, $80 non-Member.
*A 2009 ‘Super Pass’ provides a SDW Reserved Seat Combo Ticket, NYS Fairgrounds Infield Parking Pass, General Admission Ticket to the Hoosier Tire-VP Racing Fuels Mr. DIRTcar 358-Modified Championship at Brewerton Speedway on Thursday, Oct. 8, choice of a VIP Ticket to either Rolling Wheels Raceway Park (358-Mod/Sportsman) or Cayuga County Fair Speedway (360 Sprint/Street Stock) doubleheader on Friday, Oct. 9, and a reserved seat for the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series/‘Win and You’re In’ Big-Block Modified twin-bill at Rolling Wheels on Saturday, Oct. 10.
WEB SITES
Super DIRTcar Series is at www.superdirtcarseries.com.
Super DIRT Week is at www.superdirtweekonline.com.
Dirtvision.com™ Cybercast is at www.dirtvision.com.
All remain accessible 24-hours daily.
ABOUT THE TRACK
The historic New York State Fairgrounds oval is one-mile in distance and has played host to Super DIRT Week since 1972. With numbers remaining consistent in every category last October, 75 entries signed in for Integra Shocks Big-Block Modified time trials, with 56 more in the 358-Modified ranks, 56 in Sportsman Modified competition and 52 in the full-fender Pro Stock division. A year ago, former overall Hoosier Tire-VP Racing Fuels Mr. DIRTcar Modified Series champion Tim Fuller was the fastest time trialer to earn the prestigious Dick “Toby” Tobias Memorial Pole Award while veteran Frank Cozze finally mastered the Moody Mile to claim his first Rite Aid 200 trophy. Four-time Rite Aid 200 champion Billy Decker stopped the clocks at 28.348 seconds (126.993 mph) in 2004 aboard owner John Wight’s red hot no. 91 Gypsum Wholesalers-Stadium International-Quality Hardwoods/Bicknell entry to establish the current high-speed mark during Big-Block qualifying.
SYRACUSE “RITE AID 200” MODIFIED POLE WINNERS / FAST TIMERS
*Race Winner
Year Pole Winner Pole Time/Ave.Speed Fast Trialer Fast Time/Ave.Speed
2008 Tim Fuller 30.160sec / 119.363mph —– —–
2007 Jimmy Phelps 28.365sec/126.917mph —– —–
2006 Tim Fuller 30.622sec/117.563mph —– —–
2005 *Billy Decker 28.588sec/125.927mph —– —–
2004 Billy Decker 28.348sec/126.993mph —– —–
2003 Billy Decker 28.808sec/124.965mph Billy Decker 28.763sec/125.161mph
2002 Brett Hearn 29.072sec/123.830mph —– —–
2001 Tim McCreadie 29.222sec/123.195mph —– —–
2000 Brett Hearn 31.700sec/113.565mph *Billy Decker 30.542sec/117.870mph
1999 Dave Blaney 30.825sec/116.788mph Brett Hearn 29.213sec/123.233mph
1998 Bobby Varin 30.061sec/119.756mph —– —–
1997 Brett Hearn 30.246sec/119.024mph Joe Plazek 30.001sec/119.996mph
1996 Kenny Brightbill 31.232sec/115.266mph —– —–
1995 *Brett Hearn 32.168sec/111.912mph Billy Decker 32.011sec/112.461mph
1994 Dave Blaney 31.356sec/114.811mph Joe Plazek 30.315sec/118.753mph
1993 Joe Plazek 31.174sec/115.481mph Joe Plazek 30.851sec/116.690mph
1992 Jimmy Horton 29.641sec/121.453mph Billy Pauch 29.628sec/121.507mph
1991 *Brett Hearn 31.100sec/115.756mph —– —–
1990 Bob McCreadie 33.658sec/106.958mph —– —–
1989 Doug Hoffman 34.079sec/105.637mph Brett Hearn 30.655sec/117.436mph
1988 Billy Pauch 31.714sec/113.515mph Ray Bateman,Jr. 31.551sec/114.101mph
1987 Doug Hoffman 32.267sec/111.569mph Bob McCreadie 31.120sec/114.270mph
1986 Billy Pauch 32.021sec/112.426mph —– —–
1985 Sammy Swindell 31.723sec/113.482mph Glenn Fitzcharles 31.070sec/115.867mph
1984 *Jack Johnson 32.694sec/110.112mph Alan Johnson 31.864sec/112.980mph
1983 Merv Treichler 33.319sec/108.046mph Brett Hearn 32.804sec/109.482mph
1982 Jimmy Horton 33.070sec/108.860mph —– —–
1981 Brett Hearn 35.011sec/102.825mph —– —–
1980 *Gary Balough 31.957sec/112.651mph —– —–
1979 Ken Brenn,Jr. 34.524sec/104.275mph —– —–
1978 Will Cagle 34.257sec/105.088mph Kenny Brightbill 34.142sec/105.442mph
1977 Dick Tobias 35.488sec/101.443mph —– —–
1976 Dick Tobias 34.233sec/105.162mph —– —–
1975 *Dick Tobias 35.872sec/100.357mph —– —–
1974 *Billy Osmun 36.131sec/99.637mph Kenny Weld 35.262sec/102.093mph
1973 Tommy Corellis 37.078sec/97.093mph Dick Tobias 36.739sec/97.989mph
1972 Kenny Brightbill 38.359sec/93.850mph —– —–
PREVIOUS WINNERS
No matter how successful a driver may claim to be, victory in the Salt City showdown on the storied Syracuse Mile still stands to separate the best from the rest. And a triumph in the lucrative Rite Aid 200 Presented By Ferris & Snapper Mowers on Sunday remains one of the most prized jewels anywhere in motorsports racing today. The list of past winners is the only evidence needed.
SYRACUSE “RITE AID 200” MODIFIED CHAMPIONSHIP
DATE LAPS FIRST SECOND THIRD
10/12/08 200 Frank Cozze Matt Sheppard Duane Howard
10/7/07 200 Vic Coffey Tim Fuller Richie Tobias,Jr.
10/8/06 200 Danny Johnson Jimmy Horton Alan Johnson
11/5/05 200 Billy Decker Todd Burley Ronnie Johnson
10/10/04 200 Tim Fuller Gary Tomkins Pat Ward
10/12/03 200 Alan Johnson Kenny Tremont Frank Cozze
10/13/02 203 Vic Coffey Gary Tomkins Jimmy Horton
10/7/01 202 Billy Decker Kenny Tremont Ron Smoker
10/8/00 200 Billy Decker Steve Paine Kenny Brightbill
10/10/99 188 Kenny Tremont Kenny Brightbill Tim Fuller
10/11/98 191 Billy Decker Bud Christmann Dick Larkin
10/12/97 188 Danny Johnson Jeff Heotzler Brett Hearn
10/13/96 188 Doug Hoffman Danny Johnson Kenny Tremont
10/8/95 188 Brett Hearn Dave Blaney Steve Paine
10/9/94 188 Jimmy Horton Dave Blaney Danny Johnson
10/10/93 188 Brett Hearn Kenny Tremont Bob McCreadie
10/11/92 135 Rich Tobias,Jr. Randy Glenski Frank Cozze
10/13/91 188 Brett Hearn Steve Paine Jack Johnson
10/7/90 188 Brett Hearn Alan Johnson Jeff Trombley
10/8/89 188 Alan Johnson Dave Blaney C.D. Coville
10/9/88 188 Kenny Brightbill Jimmy Horton Alan Johnson
10/11/87 188 Jimmy Horton Charlie Rudolph Doug Hoffman
10/12/86 125 Bob McCreadie Billy Pauch Jack Johnson
10/13/85 125 Brett Hearn Jack Johnson Bob McCreadie
10/7/84 125 Jack Johnson Carl Collis Merv Treichler
10/9/83 125 Alan Johnson Merv Treichler Dave Lape
10/10/82 125 Merv Treichler Alan Johnson Brett Hearn
10/11/81 125 Merv Treichler Lou Blaney Brett Hearn
10/12/80 125 Gary Balough Buzzie Reutimann Frank Cozze
10/7/79 125 Jack Johnson Will Cagle Ken Brenn,Jr.
10/1/78 100 Gary Balough Frank Cozze Stan Ploski
4/15/78 100 Gary Balough Dick Tobias Elvin Felty
10/3/76 100 Gary Balough Bobby Gerhart Will Cagle
9/28/75 100 Dick Tobias Billy Osmun Wayne Reutimann
9/29/74 95 Billy Osmun Merv Treichler Gary Balough
9/30/73 100 Buz.Reutimann Tommy Corellis Will Cagle
10/1/72 100 Buz.Reutimann Jerry Cook Stan Ploski
HEAT RACE HISTORY
Fast and furious open-wheel qualifying heat races highlight the Friday, Oct. 9 program during Super DIRT Week with the DIRTcar Big-Block Modified Triple 20s going off the line at 1:30 pm. Directly behind the top-six time trialers and guaranteed row four starters Matt Sheppard (7th) and Brett Hearn (8th), the top-10 non-qualified cars from each of the Modified Triple 20s will add 30 more to the Rite Aid 200 starting grid along with guaranteed and provisional starters from the overall Hoosier Tire-VP Racing Fuels Mr. DIRTcar point standings, BRP Modified Tour, Sunday’s Dig Safely New York Non-Qualifiers and the “Win And You’re In” Big-Block/Small-Block Super Shootout winner at Rolling Wheels on Saturday to fill out the 45-car field. Time trial results will be used to determine the starting line-up for each 20-lapper with the top 90 drivers qualifying for a heat race position. The current heat race format originated at Super DIRT Week in 1989 to mirror the weekly qualifying procedure normally used at short-tracks throughout the summer months.
PAST SDW QUALIFYING BIG-BLOCK HEAT RACE WINNERS
*denotes title event champion.
2008: MOD-Jack Johnson, Matt Sheppard, Brett Hearn
2007: MOD-Pat Ward, Billy Decker, Ronnie Johnson
2006: MOD-Tim Fuller, Billy Decker, Jimmy Phelps
2005: MOD-*Billy Decker, Danny Johnson, Brett Hearn
2004: MOD-Billy Decker, Gary Tomkins, Matt Sheppard
2003: MOD-Vic Coffey, Brett Hearn, Danny Johnson
2002: MOD-Brett Hearn, Chuck Bower, Steve Poirier
2001: MOD-Richie Tobias, Brett Hearn, *Billy Decker
2000: MOD-Brett Hearn, Steve Paine, *Billy Decker
1999: MOD-Kenny Brightbill, Brett Hearn, Billy Decker
1998: MOD-Bobby Varin,*Billy Decker,Brett Hearn
1997: MOD-Joe Plazek,Jack Johnson,Brett Hearn
1996: MOD-Brett Hearn, Steve Paine, Brett Hearn
1995: MOD-*Brett Hearn, Bob McCreadie, Jack Johnson
1994: MOD-*Jimmy Horton, Dave Blaney, Danny Johnson
1993: MOD-Bob McCreadie, Billy Pauch, Dave Blaney
1992: MOD-Jimmy Horton, Bob McCreadie, Ricky Elliott
1991: MOD-*Brett Hearn, Joe Plazek, Billy Decker
1990: MOD-Bob McCreadie, Danny Johnson, *Brett Hearn
1989: MOD-Doug Hoffman, Jeff Heotzler, Danny Johnson
2008 RACE REVIEW
Frank Cozze had been coming to the New York State Fairgrounds landmark oval for 40 years. Sunday afternoon proved to be more than a happy ending for the Keystone State Modified veteran as he captured the biggest DIRTcar Modified victory of his career in the Super DIRTcar Series Rite Aid 200 to close out the 37th edition of Super DIRT Week on the storied Syracuse Mile. Cozze was accompanied by his car-owning father on his first-ever visit to the Salt City’s most famous speedway for the annual NYS Fair Labor Day Championship in 1968, and at the age of 53, the seasoned veteran from Wind Gap, Pennsylvania became the oldest driver to win DIRTcar Northeast’s premier event for Big-Block Modifieds worth $50,000. Joining Cozze on center stage over Columbus Day Weekend were second-generation chauffeur Matt Sheppard and fellow Pennsylvania pilot Duane Howard, while a late-race charge afforded Canadian standout Stewart Friesen fourth-place just ahead of pole-winner and 2004 Rite Aid winner Tim Fuller. Lebanon Valley Speedway regulars J.R. Heffner and Eddie Marshall crossed the line next while youthful drivers Billy Dunn from the north country, New York’s Capital District runner Keith Flach and Central New York DIRTcar circuit stalwart Justin Haers tallied top-10 finishes in the 200-lap affair.
Sheppard out-dragged front row partner Fuller to set the early pace, with Brett Hearn, Frenchman David Hebert and halfway leader Haers taking their turn out front after customary rounds of pit stops. Cozze filed in 33rd on the 46-car starting grid and was hardly noticed the first half of the race as an early pit stop strategy kept his Waite’s General Contractors no. 44 Carquest-Bert Transmission/PMC machine mired midway in the pack. Numerous yellow flags throughout the event proved more than beneficial to Cozze as he waited patiently in his march toward the front and quietly cracked the top-10 by lap 90. With his crew flanked by recently rehired Brent Tittle and Dave Hoffman, brother of ’96 Rite Aid champ Doug Hoffman, Cozze made his first pit stop for fuel and a two rear-tire change after a lap 39 caution. During the sixth slowdown on lap 70, Cozze stopped for only a new right rear tread and what amounted to enough fuel to cover the remaining distance. He ultimately circled the Syracuse Mile the last 129 laps on one tank of gas while a handful of his closest challengers ran dry as the final laps clicked off, moving to the point for good when Vinny Vitale elected to make his final stop pitside on lap 124.
Hoosier Tire-VP Racing Fuels Mr. DIRTcar Big-Block Modified Point Standings (thru Sept. 26, 2009)
No. Driver Total Series Bonus Diff Home Track Wins Top 5 Top 10 Sts
20 Brett Hearn 1973 1613 360 0 Lebanon Valley 3 13 17 19
9s Matt Sheppard 1890 1530 360 -83 Canandaigua 6 11 13 19
91 Billy Decker 1807 1447 360 -166 Brewerton 4 10 10 19
98H Jimmy Phelps 1803 1443 360 -170 Brewerton 1 8 14 19
3 Justin Haers 1671 1311 360 -302 Can Am 0 4 13 19
84 Gary Tomkins 1561 1201 360 -412 Canandaigua 0 5 10 19
99 Ryan Phelps 1530 1170 360 -443 Brewerton 2 5 9 19
27J Danny Johnson 1505 1145 360 -468 Cayuga County 0 2 10 19
14J Alan Johnson 1291 931 360 -682 Fulton 1 4 9 14
4 Mike Storms 1268 908 360 -705 Fulton 0 0 2 19
99L Larry Wight 1232 872 360 -741 Fulton 0 0 0 19
29 Jeff Brownell Jr. 1228 868 360 -745 Glen Ridge 0 3 7 14
77x Dale Planck 1213 1033 180 -760 Cayuga County 0 2 6 18
7x Steve Paine 1201 841 360 -772 Canandaigua 0 4 9 12
49 Billy Dunn 1188 828 360 -785 Can Am 0 1 3 16
8 Rich Scagliotta 832 532 300 -1141 Canandiagua 0 0 1 9
74 Tim Fuller 768 648 120 -1205 Cayuga County 1 4 5 9
18 Sean Beardsley 689 329 360 -1284 Fulton 0 0 0 7
99B Chuck Bower 672 312 360 -1301 Fulton 0 0 0 7
FX1 Frankie Caprara 643 283 360 -1330 Can Am 0 0 2 5
6 Pat O’Brien 637 337 300 -1336 Brewerton 0 1 2 6
62 Tom Sears Jr. 625 265 360 -1348 Fulton 0 0 0 5
02 Roy Bresnahan 615 255 360 -1358 Fulton 0 0 1 5
21 Derrick Podsiadlo 593 233 360 -1380 Canandaigua 0 0 1 5
44 Shannon Whaley 585 225 360 -1388 Canandaigua 0 0 0 5
8R Rob Bellinger 577 217 360 -1396 Canandaigua 0 0 0 5
33 Mike Mahaney 575 215 360 -1398 Cayuga County 0 0 0 5
34b Andy Bachetti 538 178 360 -1435 Lebanon Valley 0 1 2 2
43 Keith Flach 536 176 360 -1437 Lebanon Valley 0 0 0 3
77F Mark Flach Jr. 527 167 360 -1446 Lebanon Valley 0 1 2 2
98 Eddie Marshall 526 166 360 -1447 Lebanon Valley 0 1 1 2
57 Donnie Corellis 525 165 360 -1448 Lebanon Valley 0 1 2 2
91 Chad Homan 523 163 360 -1450 Canandaigua 0 0 1 3
60 Brian Berger 492 132 360 -1481 Lebanon Valley 0 1 1 2
24v Bobby Varin 488 128 360 -1485 Glen Ridge 0 1 1 2
X Chad Phelps 486 126 360 -1487 Fulton 0 0 0 2
42p Pat Ward 482 122 360 -1491 Brewerton 0 1 5 8
83x Tim Sears 480 120 360 -1493 Fulton 0 0 0 3
88 Kroy Sandstedt 475 115 360 -1498 Lebanon Valley 0 0 1 2
42 Guy Sheldon 471 111 360 -1502 Lebanon Valley 0 0 1 2
19H Chris Higgins 468 108 360 -1505 Can Am 0 0 0 2
07 Tim Kerr 468 108 360 -1505 Can Am 0 0 0 2
10 Tim Currier 461 101 360 -1512 Cayuga County 0 0 0 2
16 Mike Bowman 460 100 360 -1513 Fulton 0 0 0 2
13 Tony Steiner 457 97 360 -1516 Fulton 0 0 0 1
2 Dave Axton 456 96 360 -1517 Cayuga County 0 0 0 2
24 Jim Witko Jr. 456 96 360 -1517 Brewerton 0 0 0 2
37c Eric Fisher 455 95 360 -1518 Cayuga County 0 0 0 2
87x Paul Gilardi 452 92 360 -1521 Lebanon Valley 0 0 0 2
115 Kenny Tremont. 451 91 360 -1522 Lebanon Valley 0 0 0 2
42B Kevin Bates 451 91 360 -1522 Brewerton 0 0 0 2
2009 Gater Racing News Big-Block Modified Lap Leaders
DATE TRACK LAPS LEADERS
April 26 Big Diamond 75 75-Howard
June 6 Lebanon Valley 100 100-Sheppard
June 17 Orange County 59 32-Decker, 27-Edwards
July 3 Ransomville 100 77-Hearn, 23-Friesen
July 4 Fulton 100 86-A.Johnson, 14-Hearn
July 9 Brockville 102 102-Hearn
July 10 Granby 102 74-Hearn, 28-Decker
July 18 Cayuga County 50 50-R.Phelps
July 19 Cayuga County 100 70-Sheppard, 30-R.Phelps
August 3 Merrittville 100 76-Sheppard, 11-Haers, 7-Wight, 6-Planck
August 7 Brewerton 100 59-Sheppard, 25-Planck, 16-Decker
August 8 Canandaigua 100 36-Paine, 29-Fuller, 21-Sheppard, 14-Ward
August 21 Can-Am 80 80-Sheppard
August 23 Cornwall 100 63-Hearn, 35-J.Phelps, 2-Decker
August 27 Lebanon Valley 100 55-Hearn, 41-J.Phelps, 4-Decker
Sept. 6 Cayuga County 100 75-Sheppard, 16-J.Phelps, 9-Decker
Sept. 7 Rolling Wheels 100 87-Sheppard, 7-Varin, 6-Hearn
Sept. 20 Drummond 100 64-Sheppard, 36-Tomkins
Sept. 26 Rolling Wheels 68 57-Sheppard, 11-Haers
2009 Integra Shocks Big-Block Modified Time Trials
*New Record
TRACK SIZE QUICK QUALIFIER TIME AVE.SPEED
Big Diamond 4/10-mile Tim Fuller *17.450 sec. 82.521 mph
Lebanon Valley 1/2-mile Keith Flach 19.765 sec. 91.070 mph
Orange County 5/8-mile Matt Sheppard *20.278 sec. 110.958 mph
Ransomville 3/8-mile Billy Decker 16.677 sec. 80.950 mph
Fulton 3/8-mile Larry Wight *16.408 sec. 82.277 mph
Brockville 3/8-mile Jimmy Phelps 15.585 sec. 86.622 mph
Granby 1/2-mile David Hebert 21.215 sec. 84.846 mph
Cayuga County 3/8-mile Matt Sheppard 16.856 sec. 80.090 mph
Cayuga County 3/8-mile Billy Decker 16.854 sec. 80.100 mph
Merrittville 1/3-mile Justin Haers *15.044 sec. 79.766 mph
Brewerton 1/3-mile Jimmy Phelps 14.694 sec. 81.666 mph
Canandaigua 1/2-mile Matt Sheppard 18.171 sec. 99.059 mph
Can-Am 1/2-mile Matt Sheppard 19.084 sec. 94.320 mph
Cornwall 1/4-mile Matt Sheppard 13.027 sec. 69.087 mph
Lebanon Valley 1/2-mile Billy Decker 19.873 sec. 90.575 mph
Cayuga County 3/8-mile Brett Hearn 16.062 sec. 84.049 mph
Rolling Wheels 5/8-mile Billy Decker 20.343 sec. 110.603 mph
Lernerville 4/10-mile Matt Sheppard *15.858 sec. 90.806 mph
Drummond 4/10-mile Yan Bussiere 17.698 sec. 81.365 mph
Rolling Wheels 5/8-mile Billy Decker 20.646 sec. 108.980 mph
TRACK HEAT WINNERS
Big Diamond B.Hearn, D.Howard, T.Fuller, A.Johnson
Lebanon Valley K.Flach, D.Hough, D.Ackner, A.Bachetti
Orange County D.Johnson, J.Haers, D.Howard, J.Higbie, B.Decker, P.Ward
Ransomville J.Brownell, B.Decker, D.Planck, S.Friesen
Fulton M.Sheppard, B.Decker, J.Phelps, A.Johnson
Brockville J.Phelps, P.Dagenais, K.Dingwall, M.Sheppard
Granby D.Hebert, J.Phelps, R.Phelps, B.Dunn
Cayuga County V.Coffey, B.Dunn, T.McCreadie, B.Hearn, S.Paine.
Cayuga County B.Decker, D.Johnson, S.Paine, R.Phelps, B.Hearn, C.Brachmann
Merrittville D.Planck, J.Phelps, M.Sheppard, B.Decker
Brewerton J.Phelps, B.Decker, M.Sheppard, T.Fuller
Canandaigua P.Ward, T.Fuller, B.Decker, D.Rauscher
Can-Am P.Ward, S.Paine, G.Tomkins, J.Brownell
Cornwall B.Hearn, M.Sheppard, R.Phelps
Lebanon Valley K.Flach, B.Hearn, J.Higbie, E.Marshall
Cayuga County B.Hearn, S.Paine, J.Brownell, M.Sheppard
Rolling Wheels R.Scagliotta, M.Sheppard, G.Tomkins, J.Haers
Lernerville M.Sheppard, B.Hearn, J.Phelps, L.Wight
Drummond D.Planck, D.Johnson, S.Paine, G.Tomkins
Rolling Wheels T.Fuller, B.Decker, J.Brownell, J.Phelps
NEWS & NOTES
2009 Mr. DIRTcar Championship On The Line: The overall Hoosier Tire-VP Racing Fuels Mr. DIRTcar Modified Champion in 2009 will be determined by adding actual points earned in the Super DIRTcar Series along with bonus points collected at a designated hometrack throughout the racing season. Along with gaining valuable Series points during the year, each driver can now earn a maximum of 360 additional points (60 per event) from participation in six feature races at their hometrack when Mr. DIRTcar Championship points are officially tallied after Labor.
Billy Decker was crowned Mr. DIRTcar Champion in 2008, with his initial title taken exactly 10 years earlier in 1998. Chalking up a record-tying 10 Series feature wins in ‘08, the ‘Franklin Flyer’ grabbed the points lead early in June and never wavered the rest of the way as he secured DIRTcar Racing Northeast’s highest Big-Block Modified honor for owners John & Laura Wight and the Gypsum Wholesalers Team. Jimmy Phelps overtook Dale Planck for second in the season-finale, with ’04 champion Gary Tomkins also moving past all-time Series champion Brett Hearn in the last race to fill out the front-five. 2008 Big-Block Modified Rookie of the Year Larry Wight finished 14th on the final points chart.
SDW Media Day: ‘Media Day’ officially kicks off Super DIRT Week XXXVIII at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse on October 8. Activity begins at 12noon on Thursday with a special shooting contest between former Syracuse University backcourt star Gerry McNamara and DIRTcar standouts Frank Cozze, Justin Haers, Matt Sheppard and Tim McCreadie before moving into the Infield Pit Conference Center located directly across from the start/finish line. Followed by a luncheon catered by Quaker Steak & Lube, the annual press conference will highlight the afternoon festivities with representatives from many of DIRTcar’s premier partners, including Rite Aid Pharmacy, Ferris, Hoosier Tire, VP Racing Fuels, Dig Safely New York and BCN Motorsports, also participating in the opening event that serves to further showcase DIRTcar Racing NorthEast’s 34th successive season of operation. In attendance Thursday will be several DIRTcar Racing corporate officials, including World Racing Group Chief Executive Officer Brian Carter and WRG President Tom Deery. Also on the floor will be DIRTcar Northeast Director of Competition & Track Sanctioning Joe Skotnicki and Super DIRT Week Event Coordinator Cory Reed.
Gerry McNamara To Serve As SDW Grand Marshal: From the hard court at Syracuse University across town to the hard clay of the Syracuse Mile, former all-Big East playmaker Gerry McNamara will lead the fastest break of all during Super DIRT Week serving Grand Marshall for the 38th edition of DIRTcar Northeast’s premier event. The popular 3-point shooting guard for the Orange from 2002-06 will first be introduced on ‘Media Day’ to officially kick off SDW XXXVIII on Thursday, Oct. 8, then be recognized Sunday afternoon, Oct. 11 when he gives the ceremonial command “Gentlemen, start your engines” to send off the mighty Big-Block Modifieds as they contend for the coveted Super DIRTcar Series ‘Rite Aid 200 Presented By Ferris & Snapper Mowers’ Championship crown. McNamara played a pivotal role on the 2003 squad that helped bring the NCAA Division I Basketball Championship to Syracuse for the first time. One of the most beloved players in school history, the Scranton, Pa. native was named in July as an assistant coach for the 2009-10 season at his alma mater, located just minutes from the Moody Mile on the New York State Fairgrounds.
Rite Aid Brings Fans Closer To Pre-Race Pit Action: Super DIRT Week XXXVIII ticket holders will be able to get up close and personal with the racers as part of the Sunday, October 11 pre-race activities for the Rite Aid 200 Presented By Ferris & Snapper Mowers. Any SDW Sunday ticket holder will be able to walk down pit row just by presenting a Rite Aid receipt! Ticket holders at the Rite Aid 200 Modified Championship Race will be invited to present their Rite Aid receipt at the infield tunnel gate from 12:45pm until the start of pre-race ceremonies. Pre-race pit row entry is subject to all DIRTcar regulations, including agreement and signature of the Release and Waiver of Liability Form prior to entering Pit Row. Anyone under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian with agreement and signature of the Minor’s Release Form. Fans can find their nearest Rite Aid store at Rite Aid’s website store locator feature at www.riteaid.com/stores/locator/.
Series Stars Wing It Wednesday At Quaker Steak: Super DIRT Week XXXVIII kicks off at the N.Y.S. Fairgrounds with a Modified ‘Happy Hour’ slated for Wed., Oct.7. Then its off to the Quaker Steak & Lube for two straight hours of photos and autographs with a handful of Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block stars scheduled to appear from 7-9 p.m. The first 500 fans arriving for this Super DIRT Week send-off on Wednesday will receive commemorative posters for the special autograph session, featuring defending Rite Aid 200 Presented By Ferris & Snapper Mowers winner Frank Cozze, two-time Rite Aid 200 champion Vic Coffey, 2007 pole-sitter Jimmy Phelps and his cousin Ryan Phelps, winner of the inaugural DIRTcar All-Star 100 at Cayuga County Fair Speedway in July. Along with swapping stories with some of today’s most dynamic DIRTcar Modified drivers, fans will be able to enjoy a full menu of award-winning wings and finger foods along with “live” music generated by one of the top area bands. Quaker Steak and Lube is located at 3535 Walters Road in Syracuse (315/410-7504, 315/451-9464), just 10 minutes from the nationally renowned Moody Mile.
Sheppard & Hearn Hold Highest Rite Aid 200 Guaranteed Spots: Super DIRTcar Series ‘World Series 100’ winner Matt Sheppard drew 3rd-place finisher Brett Hearn’s number a week ago at Rolling Wheels Raceway Park and the result is both drivers are now automatically locked into the 7th and 8th-place starting positions for the upcoming Rite Aid 200 Presented By Ferris & Snapper Mowers on Sunday, Oct. 11. Coincidentally, Hearn and Sheppard also rank 1-2 in the current overall Hoosier Tire-VP Racing Fuels Mr. DIRTcar Championship, with Sheppard owning a series-high six wins and Hearn taking three checkered flags. Hearn holds an 83-point advantage entering the ’09 tour finale and needs to finish 21st or better to lock up an unprecedented seventh overall Mr. DIRTcar Big-Block title.
Back To The ‘Futures’ At Syracuse: Riding on the wings of two successful autumn attractions in the Salt City, the 2009 edition of Super DIRT Week will include ‘DIRTcar Futures’ on the fairgrounds schedule for a third straight year. In ’09 the Salt City show for the first time will offer two days of special provisions for first-time racers on the Syracuse Mile. Open to all first time racers in any of DIRTcar Racing Northeast’s four traditional touring classes, DIRTcar Futures events will be held on consecutive afternoons at the New York State Fairgrounds. Including preliminary practice and qualifying sessions, DIRTcar 358-Modified and Sportsman futures features will go off on Thursday, Oct. 8 while DIRTcar Big-Block Modified and Pro Stock rookie race entries run their mains on Friday.
Last October, the DIRTcar 358-Modifieds were the first to hit the track, with 13 cars taking the initial green flag. Canadian invader Larry Lampman Jr. overtook regular Sportsman campaigner Jeremy Wilder on lap and cruised on to nearly a 3/4-straightaway victory in the 15 lapper. Towing in the last car to go through inspection on Tuesday night, Dave Rauscher was first in line to take the green flag as he led the entire 18-lap distance in the Big-Block Modified main for Futures entries. A healthy field of 34 Sportsman drivers turned trackside for a 20-lap main event that evolved into one of the most entertaining events of the new millennium on the Moody Mile, with Ontario, Canada invader Mike Bowman out-distancing Frenchman Jean Boissonneault from Quebec to score the thrilling victory. 12 Pro Stockers reached the track for the day’s Futures finale and front-runners Mike Middleton and Steve Hankle battled for the distance, with Middleton edging ahead of fast timer on the day Hankle for a narrow three car-length victory.
‘09 Win Leaders Meet In Salt City: As teams head into Super DIRT Week showdown on the Syracuse Mile, exactly 150 Big-Block features have been run on the DIRTcar Racing Northeast circuit with 48 drivers reaching victory lane at 22 tracks. Super DIRTcar Series standout ‘Super Matt’ Sheppard remains anchored atop the weekly win chart as he has already collected a single-season career-best 19 checkered flags, including five on tour. Defending Mr. DIRTcar points champion Billy Decker (4 series wins) remains the only other driver in double figures with 13, followed by rising tour star Justin Haers (8) and Western Pennsylvania favorites Kevin Bolland (8) and Jeremiah Shingledecker (7). Central New York pilots Alan Johnson, Pat Ward and Jeff Brownell Jr. along with Keystone State veteran Brian Swartzlander are listed next with six. Series stalwart Brett Hearn owns five first-place trophies, Steve Paine and Andy Bachetti have for wins apiece while inaugural All-Star Weekend victor Ryan Phelps, cousin Jimmy Phelps, north country stars Billy Dunn and Frankie Caprara, Glen Ridge regulars Bobby Varin and Paul Kinney, Lebanon Valley career leader Kenny Tremont and popular Pennsylvanian Del Rougeux Jr. have reached victory lane three times. Touring star Gary Tomkins along with Chad Phelps, Mark Flach Jr., JaMike Sowle, Rex King Sr. and Tim Fuller are the only other drivers to double up during the 2009 campaign.
Hoosier Tire-VP Racing Fuels Mr. DIRTcar Big-Block Modified Champs
YEAR CHAMPION (wins) MSS/G-FORCE ROOKIE of the YEAR
2008 Billy Decker (10) Larry Wight
2007 Brett Hearn (7) Mike Bowman
2006 Alan Johnson (6) Kenny Stafford
2005 Tim Fuller (6) Stewart Friesen
2004 Gary Tomkins (4) Justin Hears
2003 Alan Johnson (6) Matt Sheppard
2002 Alan Johnson (5) Joe Beyea
2001 Brett Hearn (7) Frankie Caprara
2000 Steve Paine (4) Jeff Brownell
1999 Danny Johnson (2) Josh Skarzenski
1998 Billy Decker (6) Todd Milton
1997 D.Johnson (7)/B.Hearn (5) Tim McCreadie
1996 Brett Hearn (5) Vic Coffey
1995 Bob McCreadie (6) Tim Fuller
1994 Bob McCreadie (9) Jamie Mills
1993 Brett Hearn (5) Scott Schrader
1992 Danny Johnson (6) Ricky Elliott
1991 Doug Hoffman (5) Lenny Boyd
1990 Brett Hearn (7) Scott Prentice
1989 Danny Johnson (7) John Ventura
1988 Jack Johnson (2) Mike Jeffery
1987 Jack Johnson (2) Steve Behrent
1986 Charlie Rudolph (1) Jim Ruston
1985 Jack Johnson (1) Rich Burgess
1984 Jack Johnson (3) Ray Underwood
1983 Alan Johnson (4) Jimmy Begolo
1982 Jack Johnson (2) Randy Glenski
1981 Alan Johnson (2) Craig Keel
1980 Jack Johnson (5) Roger Phelps
1979 Will Cagle Jim Jarvis
1978 Will Cagle Jerry Knox
1977 Dave Lape Rick Martell
1976 Will Cagle —–
Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modified Winners: 1980-9/26/09 (638 events / 45 tracks / 69 drivers)
WINS DRIVER FIRST WIN LAST WIN
103 Brett Hearn Lebanon Valley, 7/15/81 Rolling Wheels, 9/7/09
66 Danny Johnson Fonda, 9/25/82 Orange County, 10/19/08
53 Billy Decker Lebanon Valley, 9/18/88 Cayuga County, 9/6/09
51 Bob McCreadie Ransomville, 9/10/82 Rolling Wheels, 9/4/00
51 Alan Johnson Ransomville, 6/27/80 Fulton, 7/4/09
28 Jack Johnson Cayuga County, 7/16/80 Orange County, 6/14/01
27 Steve Paine Canandaigua, 9/7/85 Can-Am, 8/18/07
26 Doug Hoffman Orange County, 10/25/87 Lowe’s, 4/6/02
18 Tim McCreadie Rolling Wheels, 9/26/99 Drummond, 8/23/04
18 Tim Fuller Rolling Wheels, 9/21/03 Canandaigua, 8/8/09
17 Gary Tomkins Hagerstown, 3/30/02 Cornwall, 8/17/08
16 Jimmy Horton Lebanon Valley, 7/8/80 Susquehanna, 6/15/06
13 Kenny Tremont Lebanon Valley, 7/9/92 Lebanon Valley, 7/7/05
11 Matt Sheppard Drummond, 7/12/04 Rolling Wheels, 9/26/09
9 Kenny Brightbill Fonda, 10/18/87 Bridgeport, 6/19/97
8 Frank Cozze Orange County, 10/22/89 NYS Fairgrounds, 10/12/08
7 Billy Pauch Flemington, 7/27/89 New Egypt, 6/22/05
7 Jeff Heotzler Orange County, 7/26/89 Orange County, 10/21/07
6 Dave Lape Rolling Wheels, 7/5/82 Fonda, 7/24/91
6 Joe Plazek Brewerton, 6/28/94 Rolling Wheels, 9/1/97
5 Will Cagle Erie County, 9/20/80 Rolling Wheels, 9/27/81
5 Pete Bicknell Humberstone, 8/23/84 NYS Fairgrounds, 7/3/02
5 Dale Planck Cornwall, 7/9/06 Drummond, 7/12/08
5 Jimmy Phelps Brewerton, 8/30/06 Cornwall, 8/23/09
4 Carl Reynolds Five Mile Point, 7/12/80 Five Mile Point, 10/17/81
4 Merv Treichler Cayuga County, 9/20/81 Lebanon Valley, 8/9/84
4 C.D. Coville Fonda, 4/19/80 Devil’s Bowl, 8/29/84
4 Kevin Collins Fonda, 7/25/90 Fonda, 8/16/94
4 Bobby Varin Fonda, 8/16/95 Orange County, 10/26/03
3 Charlie Rudolph Fonda, 10/16/83 Ransomville, 9/5/86
3 Chuck McKee Orange County, 8/16/98 Orange County, 8/1/02
3 Pat Ward Can-Am, 7/16/98 Cayuga County, 9/4/05
3 Andy Bachetti Lebanon Valley, 8/5/04 Lebanon Valley, 9/7/08
2 Mike McLaughlin Canandaigua, 9/6/80 Rolling Wheels, 9/28/80
2 Don McGinnis Merrittville, 9/11/83 Canandaigua, 9/17/83
2 Tommy Corellis Lebanon Valley, 9/14/80 Lebanon Valley, 9/14/86
2 Davey Moore Ransomville, 8/4/81 Humberstone, 9/10/87
2 Rich Ricci Jr. Lebanon Valley, 7/28/94 Lebanon Valley, 9/7/97
2 J.R. Heffner Lebanon Valley, 8/10/00 Lebanon Valley, 9/9/06
2 Pat O’Brien Can-Am, 7/17/90 Brockville, 7/10/07
2 Vic Coffey NYS Fairgrounds, 10/13/02 NYS Fairgrounds, 10/7/07
2 Ryan Phelps Cayuga County, 7/18/09 Cayuga County, 7/19/09
1 Bernie Griffin Five Mile Point, 7/12/80
1 Lou Lazzaro Canandaigua, 7/23/80
1 Chuck Akulis Five Mile Point, 10/18/80
1 Harvey Hainer Ransomville, 9/11/81
1 Dick Larkin NYS Fairgrounds, 9/6/82
1 Gary Iulg Rolling Wheels, 9/6/82
1 Ken Brenn Jr. NYS Fairgrounds, 7/3/83
1 Larry Brolsma Orange County, 9/10/83
1 Freddy Brightbill New Venture, 9/29/85
1 Rich Eurich Orange County, 10/23/88
1 Kenny Schrader Sanair, 7/9/89
1 Geoff Bodine Thompson, 8/6/89
1 Mike Romano Fonda, 10/15/89
1 Reggie Ruggiero Thompson, 7/29/90
1 Walt Mitchell Woodhull, 7/31/91
1 Doug Worthing Five Mile Point, 8/14/91
1 Ron Smoker Merrittville, 8/5/92
1 Richie Tobias Jr. NYS Fairgrounds, 10/11/92
1 Danny O’Brien Can-Am, 8/30/95
1 Jimmy Hauser NYS Fairgrounds, 7/7/96
1 Eddie Marshall NYS Fairgrounds, 9/6/99
1 Steve Poirier Drummond, 7/8/02
1 Kevin Bolland Lowe’s, 4/5/03
1 Ricky Elliott Lowe’s, 4/3/04
1 Keith Hoffman New Egypt, 10/13/07
1 H.J. Bunting Georgetown, 7/17/08
1 Duane Howard Big Diamond, 4/26/09
Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modified Integra Shocks Fast Timers 1983-9/26/09 (260 events / 32 tracks / 52 drivers)
EVTS DRIVER FIRST FAST TIME LAST FAST TIME
42 Billy Decker NYS Fairgrounds, 7/3/01 Rolling Wheels, 9/26/09
41 Brett Hearn Orange County, 10/24/86 Cayuga County, 9/6/09
21 Tim McCreadie Rolling Wheels, 7/4/00 Cayuga County, 5/29/05
21 Tim Fuller New Egypt, 6/20/02 Big Diamond, 4/26/09
17 Steve Paine Canandaigua, 9/1/99 Merrittville, 8/4/08
15 Matt Sheppard Drummond, 7/12/04 Lernerville, 9/11/09
9 Chuck Bower Cayuga County, 5/28/00 Lernerville, 8/3/05
8 Bob McCreadie NYS Fairgrounds, 10/7/90 Fonda, 10/20/02
8 Gary Tomkins Drummond, 7/10/00 Rolling Wheels, 5/7/06
8 Alan Johnson Cayuga County, 5/26/02 Rolling Wheels, 9/27/08
7 Jimmy Phelps Drummond, 7/11/05 Brewerton, 8/7/09
5 Frank Cozze Orange County, 6/10/04 New Egypt, 8/15/07
5 Dale Planck Drummond, 7/10/06 Cornwall, 8/17/08
3 Billy Pauch NYS Fairgronds, 10/12/86 NYS Fairgrounds, 10/9/88
3 Kenny Brightbill NYS Fairgronds, 10/13/96 New Egypt, 8/2/00
3 Doug Hoffman NYS Fairgronds, 10/11/87 Tri-City, 8/5/01
3 Andy Bachetti Orange County, 10/24/99 Lebanon Valley, 7/7/05
2 Jack Johnson NYS Fairgrounds, 10/7/84 Orange County, 10/28/84
2 Dave Blaney NYS Fairgrounds, 10/9/94 NYS Fairgrounds, 10/10/99
2 Jimmy Horton NYS Fairgronds, 10/11/92 Big Diamond, 6/18/03
2 Bobby Varin NYS Fairgronds, 10/11/98 Fonda, 7/17/03
2 Pat Ward Fonda, 7/19/00 Rolling Wheels, 9/23/06
2 Duane Howard Grandview, 7/18/07 Virginia, 5/1/08
2 Jeff Heotzler Orange County, 10/27/96 Orange County, 10/19/08
2 Justin Hears Rolling Wheels, 5/2/04 Merrittville, 8/3/09
1 Merv Treichler NYS Fairgrounds, 10/9/83
1 Rich Eurich Orange County, 10/30/83
1 Sammy Swindell NYS Fairgrounds, 10/13/85
1 Tony Ferriauolo IV Orange County, 10/27/85
1 Joe Plazek NYS Fairgrounds, 10/10/93
1 Chuck McKee Orange County, 10/25/98
1 Scott Prentice Rolling Wheels, 4/30/00
1 Danny Johnson Lebanon Valley, 8/10/00
1 A.J. Romano Rolling Wheels, 8/20/00
1 Ricky Elliott New Egypt, 6/21/01
1 Eddie Marshall Lebanon Valley, 8/2/01
1 Ron Smoker NYS Fairgrounds, 9/3/01
1 Frankie Caprara Lowe’s, 4/6/02
1 Todd Burley Cornwall, 7/7/02
1 Bucky Kell Hagerstown, 3/27/04
1 J.R. Heffner Lebanon Valley, 9/10/05
1 Rick Grosso Jr. New Egypt, 9/24/05
1 Pierre Berthiaume Brockville, 7/4/06
1 Rick Mill Orange County, 10/22/06
1 Ryan Phelps Cayuga County, 9/2/07
1 Vic Coffey Cayuga County, 5/25/08
1 Pat O’Brien Fulton, 6/7/08
1 David VanHorn Jr. Orange County, 7/31/08
1 Keith Flach Lebanon Valley, 6/6/09
1 Larry Wight Fulton, 7/4/09
1 David Hebert Granby, 7/10/09
1 Yan Bussiere Drummond, 9/20/09
Integra Shocks Fast To Support Top Series Qualifiers: For a fourth straight year Integra Shocks will play an active role in point fund sponsorship of the Super DIRTcar Series during the upcoming race season. The fast driver during 2009 Series qualifying will once again earn the ‘Integra Shocks Fast Time Award’ and the driver winning the most Integra Shocks Fast Time awards during the season will collect a bonus set of four Integra Shocks ($1,400 value) at the DIRTcar Racing Northeast Banquet in November. The Series has recognized fast time trialers since 1983, with 1999 marking the first year the awards program included every tour event scheduled during the year. All-time Series race winner Brett Hearn is also a leader when it comes to speed, earning a series-best total of 40 Integra Shocks Fast Time awards during the past two decades.
Drivers will continue to draw for their order in the ‘Integra Shocks Time Trials’ at nearly every tour stop, with the fast timer once again selecting a second pill to determine how many cars (0, 2, 3 or 4) will be inverted to start each preliminary heat race. The ‘Integra Shocks Fast Time Award’ winner will collect $100 and five (5) bonus points and the top-three heat race finishers will earn additional bonus points as follows: 1st-5 pts, 2nd-3 pts, 3rd-1 pt. With this inversion format in place, a driver can now earn a maximum of 10 more points being the fast timer as well as a heat race winner.
JB Motorsports Goes To Xtreme With Race Award: Continuing to play a pivotal supporting role in the Big-Block Super DIRTcar Series, JB Motorsports team owner Jeff Brownell Sr. has developed a unique award that will be handed out at each tour stop during the 2009 race season. An ‘Xtreme Lubricants Slick Move of the Race’ award will be presented after every series show with the winner receiving $100 in product. A $500 cash bonus to the overall ‘Xtreme Lubricants Slick Move of the Year’ winner will be delivered during the DIRTcar Racing Northeast ‘Night of Champions’ Awards Banquet to be held at the Turning Stone Resort on November 14. The ‘Xtreme Lubricants Slick Move of the Race’ will be determined by those Series officials presiding over each event. The criteria does not limit the award winner to making a memorable move on the track, as any noteworthy action —avoiding an accident en route to the track or helping out a fellow competitor in the pits— on race day could sway voters when making their final decision. Veteran Central New York car owner Brownell boasts 40 years of experience in the oil business with 25 of those recognized nationally as a company owner.
Super-sized Series Stops Showcase ’09 Big-Block Campaign: The customary pre-race re-draw among top heat race qualifiers will continue to be in effect throughout the summer, with the season-ending show at the New York State Fairgrounds the only Super DIRTcar Series stop awarding the fast timer with a pole-position start (heat points will not be awarded at this show). Continuing to rank among the most prestigious races in the country, the Rite Aid 200 Presented By Ferris & Snapper Mowers at the N.Y.S. Fairgrounds in Syracuse on Oct. 11 is the only 200-lap race on the annual tour with the winner taking home $50,000. However, the Super DIRT Week showdown is not the only prized jewel this season as the first-ever DIRTcar All-Star 100 at Cayuga County Fair Speedway on July 19 boasted a $20,000 winner’s share that was collected by Ryan Phelps, while another $17,500 sat on top for Mr. DIRT Track, USA winner Billy Decker at Lebanon Valley Speedway on August 27. Syracuse remains the only Series stop where the fast timer starts on the pole and the top-six are locked into front three row starting positions while heats will be aligned in heads-up fashion.
Syracuse SDW Starters Guaranteed From Series Success: Guaranteed starting berths in the Rite Aid 200 Presented By Ferris & Snapper Mowers are once again up for grabs and in 2009 drivers have also been able to earn preferred starter status throughout the season for the richest DIRTcar Big-Block Modified event in the world. Winners of the Super DIRTcar Series races, those among the top-12 in overall Hoosier Tire-VP Racing Fuels Mr. DIRTcar Modified Championship points and the BRP Modified Tour leader heading into Super DIRT Week comprise the core group of drivers receiving guaranteed starting positions in the SDW Championship 200. Preferred starters are the next eligible drivers finishing behind a Series race winner that is already locked into the starting grid, as well as all three DIRTcar Big-Block Modified Regional point champions and each licensed Big-Block Modified track champion crowned in ’09.
In order to take advantage of their guaranteed starting positions in the SDW 200, Series race winners and top-12 Mr. DIRTcar point-getters must run time trials. Any guaranteed driver that fails to qualify through time trials or a Triple 20 will be added to the feature field in order of heat race results. Those drivers holding preferred status are afforded up front starting positions in the Dig Safely New York last-chance qualifier on Sunday, Oct. 11 if unable to qualify while running under the clocks or in heat race competition. The balance of the line-up is filled in from the Dig Safely New York Shootout with the 45th starting spot going to the best overall finisher in Rolling Wheel Raceway Park’s ‘Win & You’re In’ 25-lapper on Sat., Oct. 10.
‘Twitter’ Takes To The Mile For Super Week Of DIRTcar Shows: Tired of waiting until early morning to read about who won the latest Super DIRTcar Series race? Want to know how many drivers made the show or who set fast time but can’t log on the computer after hours? No problem, just register for a ‘Twitter’ account and you’ll have those answers and many more come directly to you as DIRTcar Northeast’s premier Big-Block Modified tour continues in its 30th successive season during Super DIRT Week. Fans can keep up-to-date with the Big-Block Super DIRTcar Series on-line and through text messages on cell phones via Twitter — the internet’s fast-growing social-networking and micro-blogging website. Brief bulletins are provided to Twitter ‘followers’ of the SDS throughout each race night, while breaking news and interesting notes are often received between tour stops. To sign-up as a SDS Big-Block ‘follower’ on Twitter and receive updates anywhere at anytime, visit http://www.twitter.com/SuperDIRTcar. Exclusive to the week ahead, fans can also register to follow http://twitter.com/SuperDIRTWeek and get the latest on DIRTcar NE’s biggest event of the year. The service is free to use over the internet, but “followers” can be subject to standard text-message rates depending on individual cell-phone service plans. Additiional information about the tour is also available on the web 24/7 at www.superdirtcarseries.com.
Andrews Anchors DIRT Radio Network Broadcasts: Nationally recognized SPEED commentator and popular track public address announcer Shane Andrews is back on the road in 2009 serving as the official voice of the Big-Block Super DIRTcar Series for a fourth consecutive year. 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 nearly every Super DIRTcar Series event LIVE on the DIRT Radio Network in 2009.
Super DIRT Week Showcased On DIRT Radio Network: For those fans unable to attend any of the Super DIRT Week events to see the ground-pounding 800-horsepower Big-Block Modifieds in their Super DIRTcar Series season-finale, they can log into www.dirtvision.com throughout the week to hear all the action “LIVE” on the DIRT Radio Network presented by BUTLERbuilt. DIRTVision and the DIRT Radio Network will be offering “Live” coverage Wednesday-Saturday of Super DIRT Week XXXVIII at the New York State Fairgrounds. Action will kick-off Wednesday, October 7 with ‘Happy Hour’ practice for the Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modifieds. The four-day live coverage will culminate with the 358-Modified Championship on Saturday, October 10. Look for coverage to start approximately 15 minutes before each racing event begins. In order to catch all the racing action live be sure to visit www.dirtvision.com and pick up the ‘Super DIRT Week Trackpass’ for just $19.99. This is the only way you can catch all the action and drama from Super DIRT Week XXXVIII without having a seat yourself. Listeners will need Windows Media Player 9 or higher, and internet explorer 6 to listen to the DIRT Radio Network. Users with Mac computers need flip4Mac to listen. For help 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 today!!!
SPEED TV Airs Rite Aid 200 By Ferris & Snapper Mowers On Halloween: SPEED TV will again air the Rite Aid 200 presented by Ferris & Snapper Mowers from the New York State Fairgrounds during its fall schedule on October 31 at 8pm Eastern time. Fans can catch all the action from the 38th running of the great Fall Classic one more time from the comfort of their own home. Long-time DIRTcar announcer and voice of the Super DIRTcar Series for Big-Block Modifieds, Shane Andrews, will be giving the play-by-play call while NASCAR Nationwide Series driver Kenny Wallace will provide color analysis. Super DIRT Week XXXVIII is sure to provide more lasting memories and fans can re-live all of them with SPEED TV’s re-airing of the 200-mile spectacle.
VP Official Race Fuel Of DIRTcar Northeast: The World Racing Group announced early in the year that VP Racing Fuels signed a multi-year agreement to become the Official Racing Fuel of the Super DIRTcar Series, World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series and the World of Outlaws Late Model Series, all 12 divisions of DIRTcar Racing and UMP DIRTcar Racing, along with a number of regional touring series that fall under the DIRTcar banner. In the DIRTcar Racing Northeast Region, the only fuels allowed in the Big-Block Modified and 358-Modified divisions at sanctioned events will be VP110 and C12. The multi-faceted deal began with the season-opening Alltel DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH at Volusia Speedway Park in February, where VP was the sole fuel supplier at the high speed, half-miler. VP Racing Fuels will roll out a program to quickly become a part of the fabric of DIRTcar Racing with aggressive promotional programs for DIRTcar sanctioned tracks, while giving the competitors a variety of incentive programs across all World Racing Group series, divisions and sanctioning bodies.
Super DIRT Week Site Stocked: Fully activated 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, along with driver interviews and past winners chronicled in the ‘History’ section, are available 24/7 by logging into www.superdirtweekonline.com while the Weedsport office (315/834-6606) staff will answer questions throughout the week during normal business hours.
UPCOMING EVENTS
The 34th annual DIRTcar Racing NorthEast ‘Night of Champions’ Banquet is scheduled for Saturday, November 14 at the Turning Stone Resort & Casino in Verona, New York. The banquet will honor the 2009 series champions in the Big-Block Modified, 358-Modified, Sportsman and Pro Stock divisions. Track promoters and operators will convene on Friday, November 13 for the annual DIRTcar track meetings at the Turning Stone entertainment complex, ranked among the top-five largest tourist attractions in New York State and drawing over 4.5 million visitors annually.
2009 Big-Block Modified Super DIRTcar Series Schedule
NP=Non-Point event.
*All events subject to change.
DAY-DATE TRACK WINNER/RITE AID 200 QUAL. (Site)
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 Billy Decker
Fri-Jul 3 Ransomville Speedway Brett Hearn
Sat-Jul 4 Fulton Speedway Alan Johnson
Great Canadian Tour
Thr-Jul 9 Brockville Ont Speedway B.Hearn/Pat O’Brien
Fri-Jul 10 Autodrome Granby B.Decker/Jimmy Phelps
Sat-Jul 18 Cayuga Co Fair Speedway Ryan Phelps
Sun-Jul 19 Cayuga Co Fair Speedway R.Phelps ($20,000-to-win)/Tim Fuller
Mon-Aug 3 Merrittville Speedway M.Sheppard/Pat Ward
Fri-Aug 7 Brewerton Speedway M.Sheppard/Danny Johnson
Sat-Aug 8 Canandaigua Speedway T.Fuller/Gary Tomkins
Fri-Aug 21 Can-Am Motorsports Park M.Sheppard/Dale Planck
Sun-Aug 23 Cornwall Motor Speedway J.Phelps/Pierre Dagenais
Thr-Aug 27 Lebanon Valley Speedway B.Decker ($17,500-to-win)/Eddie Marshall
Sun-Sep 6 Cayuga Co Fair Speedway B.Decker/Justin Haers
Mon-Sep 7 Rolling Wheels Raceway B.Hearn/Steve Paine
Sun-Sep 20 Autodrome Drummond M.Sheppard/David Hebert
Sat-Sep 26 Rolling Wheels Raceway M.Sheppard (7th), B.Hearn (8th)
Sun-Oct 11 New York State Fairgrnds Syracuse,NY ($50,000-to-win)
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 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.
