Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Ward Wins Again, Richards Captures Third Opener As Alltel All-Star Online Voting Intensifies

2009 DIRTcar NationalsBarberville, FL — It was a night of multiples during the Alltel DIRTcar Nationals By UNOH on Thursday at Volusia Speedway Park. For the second consecutive night, Pat Ward motored his Advance Auto Parts Big Block Modified to victory. Before Ward’s celebration ended, Josh Richards powered his Rocket Chassis Dirt Late Model to victory for the third consecutive year in the season-opening event for the World of Outlaws Late Model Series.

Ward’s victory increases his odds winning at least a $1,000 bonus in the Alltel All-Star competition while Kid Rocket’s victory makes him eligible for the fan voting with two more nights of racing to go. Richards, of Shinnston, W.Va., increases the number of different states represented in this year’s contest to nine: Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

Fans can vote via text message to 247253 and enter their favorite driver’s letter code, or by visiting AlltelAllStar.com and casting a ballot. Votes will be tallied daily until Feb. 28. The overall winner as determined by fan votes will receive the $10,000 grand prize, while the top vote-getter in the other three divisions will earn $1,000. Over 12 consecutive nights from Feb. 3 to Feb. 14, 410 Sprint Cars, UMP DIRTcar Modifieds, Dirt Late Models and Big-Block Modifieds will all compete.

Ward had never won at Volusia before Wednesday night. Now, after his VP Racing Fuels powered Big Block chased down Jeff Brownell on Thursday in the 30-lap feature event, he is 2-for-2 and aiming for the Florida Tour Big Block championship. He’s hoping fans vote for him to be the Alltel All-Star contest so he can get a little more comfortable on the road.

“I still need it for that motorhome,” said Ward, of Genoa, N.Y. “I need to get it paid off so I can get rid of it and get something I can rely on. It was just a great night for the Gypsum car. I’m happier than heck. Brownell was going good. He gave me the top on one turn and that’s all it took.”

Richards has assembled an incredible start to the 2009 season. Entering the Alltel DIRTcar Nationals By UNOH he had already earned three victories in tune-ups for the World of Outlaws Late Model Series season-opener. With everybody wondering if he’d be able to win his third consecutive season-opener for the series, Richards didn’t disappoint. He started third and worked past Wednesday night’s winner Dan Schlieper and then Shannon Babb for the lead on Lap 13 of the 50-lap feature. Once in front, Richards continued to stretch his lead to the checkered flag to become eligible for the Alltel All-Star contest.

“If we win this Alltel contest I’d like to get Tim McCreadie back to the racetrack as soon as possible, I’d give him the money and get him healed up as quick as we can,” said Richards, whose sentiments are the same as those of earlier Alltel All-Star competitor Austin Dillon in hoping the winnings will help cover medical expenses for McCreadie, who was injured during a race in January. “He’s a good friend of mine and I’d like to see him out here soon.”

Through 10 nights of competition at the Alltel DIRTcar Nationals By UNOH, the Alltel All-Star contenders and their text message Letter Codes (in parenthesis) include:

Sprint Cars — Donny Schatz, Fargo, N.D. (b); Stevie Smith, Broken Arrow, Okla. (d); Joey Saldana, Brownsburg, Ind. (f).

UMP DIRTcar Modifieds — Jared Landers, Batesville, Ark. (a); Austin Dillon, Lewisville, N.C. (c); Randy Hall, Olean, N.Y. (e).

Dirt Late Models — Darren Miller, Chadwick, Ill. (g); Earl Pearson Jr., Jacksonville, Fla. (h); Dan Schlieper, Sullivan, Wis. (j), Josh Richards, Shinnston, W.Va. (k).

Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series — Pat Ward, Genoa, N.Y. (i).

For more information about Alltel, please visit www.alltel.com. To cast your vote online visit www.AlltelAllStar.com.

Alltel DIRTcar Nationals By UNOH Statistical Report — Night 10

Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series 30-lap A-main
Pos. Start Car Driver/Hometown
1 1 42p Pat Ward/Genoa,NY($2,000)
2 5 9s Matt Sheppard/Waterloo,NY
3 3 20 Brett Hearn/Sussex,NJ
4 4 29 Jeff Brownell Jr./Waterloo,NY
5 2 43 Keith Flach/Ravena,NY
6 8 34 Andy Bachetti/Sheffield,MA
7 6 77x Dale Planck/Cortland,NY
8 10 32 Jim Rasey/Southington,OH
9 9 33 Ray Swinehart/Bechtelsville,PA
10 18 26 Dave Camara/Poultney,VT
11 21 5 Jimmy Horton/Neshanic Station,NJ
12 12 14j Alan Johnson/Middlesex,NY
13 7 62 Matt Jester/Lincoln,DE
14 14 48too Dave Rauscher/Waterloo,NY
15 17 165 Rex King Jr./Bristolville,OH
16 24 85 Dan Vauter/Forest City,PA
17 20 22c Mario Clair/St-Edmond,QUE
18 13 79 Jeremy Markle/Port Jervis,NY
19 15 42 Guy Sheldon/Nassau,NY
20 16 1 Darwin Greene/Susquehanna,PA
21 23 33t Brad Trice/Parsonsburg,MD
22 19 17 Sean Beardsley/Central Square,NY
23 26 07 Tim Kerr/Picton,ONT
24 27 3g Jimmy Johnson/Bloomingburg,NY
25 11 30 Jamie Mills/Milford,DE
26 22 99L Larry Wight/Phoenix,NY
27 25 8 Rich Scagliotta/Bound Brook,NJ

World of Outlaws Late Model Series 50-lap A-main
Pos. (Start) / Driver/ Laps / Earnings
1. (3) Josh Richards/50 $10,600
2. (7) Darrell Lanigan/50 $5,650
3. (2) Shannon Babb/50 $3,000
4. (9) Steve Francis/50 $3,100
5. (1) Dan Schlieper/50 $2,000
6. (4) Billy Moyer/50 $1,800
7. (6) Shane Clanton/50 $1,950
8. (5) Tim Fuller/50 $1,800
9. (11) Chub Frank/50 $1,700
10. (20) Rick Eckert/50 $1,700
11. (10) Jimmy Owens/50 $1,050
12. (8) Billy Decker/50 $1,500
13. (21) Scott Bloomquist/50 $1,050
14. (23) Chris Madden/49 $900
15. (13) Dale McDowell/49 $850
16. (22) Vic Coffey/49 $1,300
17. (26) John Blankenship/49 $770
18. (18) Justin Rattliff/49 $750
19. (12) Ivedent Lloyd/49 $730
20. (25) Clint Smith/49 $1,200
21. (24) Jordan Bland/49 $700
22. (19) Tyler Ivey/48 $700
23. (16) Tommy Weder/48 $700
24. (17) Tyler Reddick/48 $700
25. (14) Kelly Boen/48 $700
26. (15) Darren Miller/15 $700

Alltel DIRTcar Nationals By UNOH Daily Schedule
Pits open at 3 p.m., grandstands at 5 p.m., racing at 7:30 p.m.

February 3, Tuesday
All Star Circuit of Champions (Donny Schatz)
UMP DIRTcar Modifieds (Jared Landers)

February 4, Wednesday
All Star Circuit of Champions (Donny Schatz)
UMP DIRTcar Modifieds (Jared Landers)

February 5, Thursday
All Star Circuit of Champions (Stevie Smith)
UMP DIRTcar Modifieds (Austin Dillon)

February 6, Friday
World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series (Donny Schatz)
UMP DIRTcar Modifieds “The Gator” qualifying Night 1 (Jared Landers)

February 7, Saturday
World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series (Joey Saldana)
UMP DIRTcar Modifieds “The Gator” qualifying Night 2 (Randy Hall)

February 8, Sunday
World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series (Donny Schatz)
UMP DIRTcar Modifieds “The Gator” Championship (Jared Landers)

February 9, Monday
UMP DIRTcar Late Models (Darren Miller)
UMP DIRTcar Modifieds (Jared Landers)

February 10, Tuesday
UMP DIRTcar Late Models (Earl Pearson Jr.)
UMP DIRTcar Modifieds (Austin Dillon)

February 11, Wednesday
UMP DIRTcar Late Models (Dan Schlieper)
Advance Auto Parts Big Block Modifieds (Pat Ward)

February 12, Thursday
World of Outlaws Late Model Series (Josh Richards)
Advance Auto Parts Big Block Modifieds (Pat Ward)

February 13, Friday
UMP DIRTcar Late Models
Advance Auto Parts Big Block Modifieds

February 14, Saturday
World of Outlaws Late Model Series
Advance Auto Parts Big Block Modifieds

No tags for this post.

You May Also Like

DIRTcar Late Models

DIRTcar Racing officials have issued a suspension and fine to Late Model driver Devin Moran for failing a tire test after competing in the...

News

The milestone 40th year of DIRTcar Racing saw one of the most competitive and lucrative seasons in weekly dirt track racing history. And with...

News

The best drivers from around the northeast and beyond will gather in Oswego, NY for Super DIRT Week 51, Oct. 2-8. So far, nearly...

News

There’s no one path to Super DIRT Week. Some drivers started in go-karts. Some in Micro Sprints. Some straight to Modifieds. In the northeast,...