By TOM AVENENGO
This week’s photo:
Jud Larson is pictured in this Walt Imlay photo, in the John Pfrommer sprinter.
Back in the day:
I was so fortunate to have been able to see some real good racing, back in the 40’s, 50′, & 60’s. Midgets, sprint cars and Indy cars. Back then, Indy car racing was the top shelf of racing. What was so special about those times, was that in many instances, when there was an Indy car race close bye, the drivers would also run midgets or sprints in the area. And, yes, after the races, one could go into the pits and meet and talk with them – like if you went to a modified race up in the northeast, today. Also, back then, an owner didn’t need a special car for dirt and one for pavement.
Some personal/family stuff:
We’re expecting son Tom, his wife, Penny & daughter Marisa this weekend. They’ll visit us for a couple of days, then off on a cruise. It should be nice to see all of them. Tom was down here a short time ago, with Eric. We sure wish they could have stayed longer! Daughter Judy has been having some health issues. New medications might help her. She’s looking for a chiropractor to see if he can help her with some facial problems.
Racin’ stuff:
Quite a bit being said about the last Cup race out in California. Quite a few are thinking NASCAR did not want Kurt Busch to win. Quite a bit being said via the Internet – not too favorable towards NASCAR, either.
Contact: Chris Dolack
DIRTcar Racing PR
704-795-7223 | cdolack@dirtcar.com
Super DIRTcar Series Completes 2015 Tour Schedule with Addition of July 2 Event at Canandaigua Motorsports Park
Volusia tire test shows competitors clean; NAPA Super DIRT Week tickets on sale
WEEDSPORT, N.Y. – March 25, 2015 – The 2015 Super DIRTcar Series schedule was completed today with the addition of a second event at Canandaigua Motorsports Park on Thursday, July 2.
The Super DIRTcar Big-Block Modified event will be a doubleheader with the Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprint Series’ annual speedweek stop at the half-mile fairgrounds oval.
“This will be a huge holiday week kick off event, combining the best in Big-Block Modifieds and 360 Sprint cars,” CMS promoter Jeremie Corcoran said. “The combination event will be one of the highlights of the summer.”
Originally scheduled for Rolling Wheels Raceway Park, the event was moved to accommodate facility improvements planned by new track owners Pay Dirt Racing.
Click this link for the complete 2015 Super DIRTcar Series schedule.
TIRES CLEAN: Tires from cars raced by Stewart Friesen, Matt Sheppard and Danny Johnson during the DIRTcar Nationals in February at Volusia Speedway Park were tested and all came back clean. Testing of tires will continue throughout the season.
NAPA SUPER DIRT WEEK: It might be spring but NAPA Super DIRT Week will be here before you know it. The 44th annual running of this huge week of DIRTcar action at the New York State Fairgrounds begins Oct. 7 and runs through Oct. 11 in Syracuse. Stay up to date on the event atwww.SuperDIRTWeekOnline.com and call 877-395-8606 for all of your ticket and camping needs.
MOODY MILE: Make sure to check out www.SaveTheMoodyMile.com for several ways to reach elected officials to voice opinions about the proposed changes to the New York State Fairgrounds beginning in 2016.
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, Chevy Performance Parts, NAPA Auto Parts, and Safety-Kleen. Contingency partners include the University of Northwestern Ohio, Contingency sponsors are ASI, Bicknell Racing Products, Bilstein Shocks, Brodix, ButlerBuilt, Cometic Gasket, Comp Cams, Edelbrock, Integra Shocks, Intercomp, JE Pistons, JRI Shocks, Klotz Synthetic Lubricants, KSE Racing Products, Motorsports Safety Systems, MSD Performance, Penske Shocks, Racing Electronics, Superflow and Wrisco Industries.
From Jayski:
http://www.jayski.com/
http://www.jayski.com/news/pages/story/_/page/NASCAR-Television-Listings
Kurt Busch will not run “The Double”:
One thing #41-Kurt Busch doesn’t want to risk in the early goings of his return, is the momentum he has built with the #41 team. Although there had been talk of Busch returning to the Brickyard in May for another run at the Indianapolis 500, Busch, who finished sixth in his debut, says his focus is strictly on NASCAR for now. “It’s all about the 41 car, this group of guys and (team owner) for Gene Haas,” Busch said. “He’s believed in me and supported me through all of this and it wouldn’t make much sense at this time to venture off into any other type of motorsport other than get this 41 car back up into the points, challenge for wins and make ourselves Chase eligible. We’ll see. We’ll see how it pans out. I really enjoyed it. I accomplished a lot. And it would be a shame if I didn’t cash in on the experience that I have and knowing what I know now versus what I didn’t know going into the event last year. If it pans out, it would be next year for the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500.”(Motorsport)(3-22-2015)
Allmendinger interested in Indy, Charlotte double:
#47-AJ Allmendinger wants to do the double. Oh, yes, he does. In an exclusive interview with FOXSports.com Friday afternoon at Auto Club Speedway, Allmendinger’s eyes grew wide when he talked about the possibility of racing in the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day. And with good reason. Two years ago, Allmendinger drove one of Roger Penske’s IndyCar entries at the Indy 500, leading 23 of 200 laps en route to a seventh-place finish. Asked by FOXSports.com if he’d like to race Indy again, Allmendinger allowed as how he would. “You never know. You never say never,” said Allmendinger, who comes into Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race fifth in points. “The only problem is I was definitely spoiled by doing it with Roger Penske for the first time ever,” said Allmendinger. “And I would only do it if it was an opportunity to go win that race, because leading at Indy is a feeling I’ve never had before in my life. My heart was beating, shaking in the car. I want to experience that again, so if it’s the right opportunity, I’d love to do it.” Adding the Coca-Cola 600 in his #47 JTG Daugherty Racing Chevy would be icing on the cake. “To do the double, the cool thing is Tad (Geschickter, team co-owner) has already said he would be completely open to it, the sponsors would love to jump in on it. So, the right opportunity, yes. But at this point in my life, I’m just so focused on this #47 team. That’s where I want to be.” (FoxSports)(3-22-2015)
Sprint Cup purses down as NASCAR shifts money to XFINITY, Trucks:
Sprint Cup Series teams appear to be racing for just a little bit less money in 2015 as NASCAR has quietly increased the purses for its two national developmental series while Sprint Cup purses have dropped by a tick this year. NASCAR Chairman Brian France said last year that NASCAR would consider giving Xfinity (formerly Nationwide) Series and Camping World Truck Series teams a bigger portion of the new television deal that went into effect this year. That is what NASCAR has done, although it won’t say by how much. It never announced the change, but it did confirm to ESPN.com that that was the case when asked about the change in the purses after the first four races.
In comparing the purses for the first four tracks to what the purses for those tracks’ races were last year, the only Sprint Cup race to have an increase in purse was the Daytona 500. It certainly wasn’t much of an increase at $24,408, virtually nothing (up 0.1 percent) when considering the purse was $19.8 million. The rest have gone down, none by more than $98,000 — the purses for the three races since Daytona have been between $5 million and $6.5 million — for an overall season drop of 0.2 percent for the first four races. Xfinity races, though, are up 9.1 percent with increases of $60,000 to $155,000 per race; Xfinity purses this year generally are $1.1 million-$1.5 million (the opener was $2.66 million). The truck race at Daytona was up 16.4 percent to $806,373, and that was for a 32-truck field instead of a 36-truck field. There was no Atlanta truck race last year with which to compare the earlier purse.(ESPN.com)(3-21-2015)
NASCAR increases time of first round qualifying at most tracks:
NASCAR issued a bulletin to teams on Tuesday that will extend the time of first round qualifying at short and intermediate tracks from 15 to 20 minutes. The change applies to Sprint Cup, XFINITY, and the Truck Series.(3-24-2015)
NASCAR could return to single-car qualifying at Talladega:
After a mostly disastrous run of group qualifying for restrictor-plate races, NASCAR is considering a hybrid version more similar to the traditional format. As first reported Tuesday morning by Jim Utter of the Charlotte Observer, there is a strong possibility that single-car qualifying will be used for the May 3 race at Talladega Superspeedway. A NASCAR official confirmed Tuesday to NASCAR Talk that it still could feature a knockout format with multiple attempts and rounds. There also could be multiple cars on track but likely not in the formation of packs that have caused problems at Talladega and Daytona International Speedway. NASCAR still is reviewing the policy change with drivers, teams and tracks.(NBC Sports)(3-24-2015)
Furniture Row Racing looking for sponsorship, ability to expand:
Ever since its formation in 2005, Furniture Row Racing has been a self-sponsored team, with the name of owner Barney Visser’s business on the fenders of the team’s black #78 Chevy. But that could be about to change. In an exclusive interview with FOXSports.com, team General Manager Joe Garone said the team is actively looking for a primary sponsor for next year, with the eventual goal of becoming a multi-car team. “I think there’s a misconception that we’re sponsored and we’re really not,” Garone told FOXSports.com. “Our owner owns a company that sponsors the car, but we really would like to find a partner to come on board with us to be a part of the program. I think it will enhance our team and make it more competitive.” Asked if Furniture Row wants to become a multi-car team, Garone said, “Ultimately, absolutely. We’d like to bring some sponsorship on the 78 car and then, obviously, full sponsorship on a second program.” Garone said the Denver-based team would benefit from having a second car.(FoxSports)(3-23-2015)
Sad News – Earl Baltes:
Earl Baltes, the founder and longtime promoter of Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio, passed away this morning at Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, Ohio. He was 93. He is survived by Berneice, his wife of 67 years; daughter, Starr, and her husband, Joe Schmitmeyer; son, Terry, and his wife, Dee; beloved sister, Susie Barga, and six grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Baltes built Eldora in 1954, first as a quarter-mile before shaping the track into its popular high-banked, half-mile oval configuration in 1958. Since then, it has become the premier dirt track in the United States. Under Baltes, the facility began hosting the highly successful Famous World 100 for Dirt Late Models, now the largest dirt race in the world, and the Dirt Late Model Dream, the richest dirt late model race in the world. A fan of sprint car racing, Baltes took great pride in his fabled Kings Royal Weekend for World of Outlaws Sprint Cars and many United States Auto Club (USAC) events, including the Four Crown Nationals. Races at Eldora were shown on ABC’s “Wide World of Sports” with Keith Jackson and Al Michaels as broadcasters. ESPN, CBS and TNN also televised events that helped put Eldora on the map. Despite the track’s growing popularity, Baltes kept ticket prices affordable and concessions costs low, which continued to attract fans from around the world. In 2001, Baltes posted a remarkable $1 million payout to the winner of the “Eldora Million” Dirt Late Model race and followed that with the “Mopar Million” in 2003, which had a purse of $1 million and paid $200,000 to the winner of a non-winged sprint car race. He was inducted into many Halls of Fame, including National Sprint Car, National Dirt Late Model, USAC, Dayton Auto Racing Fans and Hoosier Auto Racing Fans, and was named USAC Race Organizer of the Year in 1984 and 1997. He was named Auto Racing Promoter of the Year in 1993, and fellow iconic promoter H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler recognized him with the Charlotte Motor Speedway Promoter of the Year Award in 2001. The state of Ohio named Route 118 “Earl Baltes Highway” from Ansonia to the south to St. Henry to the north. In 2004, Baltes began to think about selling Eldora. Despite several suitors, he reached out to a driver whose style he had always admired, three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion and former Eldora driver Tony Stewart. The sale was completed in the fall of 2004.(Eldora Speedway)(3-23-2015)
NASCAR reducing number of tires for teams at some tracks:
NASCAR issued a bulletin Tuesday containing various updates to the Rule Book. The changes include a reduction in how many sets of tires a team can have for Sprint Cup races at Martinsville, Dover, Pocono, Michigan, Sonoma, Kentucky, New Hampshire Indianapolis and Watkins Glen. NASCAR cut the number of sets by one at each track for those races. Teams will be allowed 10 sets of tires for Sunday’s race at Martinsville. They’ll have nine sets of race tires available at Dover, Michigan, Kentucky and Indianapolis. Teams will have eight sets of tires for both Pocono races with seven sets available at New Hampshire’s July race and five race sets at Sonoma and Watkins Glen. With a set of tires costing about $1,900, having to buy one less set will save teams teams about $20,000. NASCAR also reduced how many sets of tires teams are allowed for practice and qualifying by one set at Talladega (now allowed three sets), Daytona (three), Sonoma (four), Watkins Glen (four) and the August Bristol event (four). This reduction will save teams about $10,000. NASCAR has not set the limits for tires for the races starting with Richmond in September through the end of the season. Those races could provide teams more savings.(NBC Sports)(3-25-2015)
Elliott ready for Cup debut:
Martinsville Speedway is one of the most exciting tracks on the Sprint Cup Series circuit. It also just so happens to be the one where Hendrick Motorsports has seen the most success – Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s 2014 win was the organization’s 22nd at the track. And it’s where Chase Elliott will make his Sprint Cup Series debut, driving the #25 NAPA AUTO PARTS Chevy SS. It’s the first of five Cup races for Elliott in 2015. “When we first came up with these five races it didn’t really occur to me how quickly Martinsville came up on the schedule,” Elliott said. “I don’t know why I didn’t think it was so soon in the year. I thought it was later on and thought, ‘We’ve got a while.’ Then I get to looking at the schedule at Daytona and I’m like, ‘This race is coming up quick.'” Now that it’s here, the first priority will be a strong qualifying effort. That will be the same story for all five of Elliott’s 2015 Cup races – at Martinsville, Richmond, Charlotte, Indianapolis and Darlington. “The biggest goal, first, is to try to get into all of them,” Elliott said. “That is the first thing – you don’t want to get ahead of yourself. Just try to have good qualifying efforts at all of them but not forget about the race. We definitely want to focus on that and try to be good there.”(Hendrick Motorsports)(3-25-2015)
JD Gibbs being treated for symptoms impacting areas of brain function:
Joe Gibbs Racing announces today that J.D. Gibbs, president of Joe Gibbs Racing, is starting treatment for symptoms impacting areas of brain function. Gibbs has undergone a series of tests after experiencing a gradual onset of symptoms that includes speech and processing issues. Gibbs’ doctors believe the complications he has experienced were triggered by head injuries likely suffered earlier in life, but no specific injury was referenced or identified. Gibbs has always enjoyed an active life participating in several sports including mountain biking, snowboarding, football, racing, and other extreme-type sports. Gibbs will be undergoing more testing and receiving treatments to help manage the symptoms. During that time, it is expected that his presence at the race track will be limited; however, he will continue many of his day-to-day responsibilities at JGR’s headquarters in Huntersville, NC as well as involvement with his various ministry endeavors.(Joe Gibbs Racing)
Statement from Brian France: “All members of the NASCAR and France family extend our thoughts and prayers to J.D. Gibbs and his loved ones. We’ve all watched J.D. grow up within our community, and he always has represented himself, his family, the entire Joe Gibbs Racing organization and NASCAR with the utmost professionalism, enthusiasm and energy. We wish him the best during this time and eagerly anticipate his recovery.”(NASCAR)(3-25-2015)
From Track Forum:
http://www.trackforum.com/forums/forum.php
Manufactured entertainment
http://www.trackforum.com/forums/showthread.php/192856-Manufactured-entertainment
From the Dirt Track Digest Forum:
http://www.dirttrackdigest.com/DTD/
PREPARATIONS CONTINUE FOR SECOND ANNUAL ‘HARD CLAY OPEN’ AT ORANGE COUNTY FAIR SPEEDWAY TUESDAY, APRIL 7 AS SHORT TRACK SUPER SERIES KICKS OFF 2015 SEASON
http://www.dirttrackdigest.com/NewPress/?p=2024
From the AARN:
This week in the AARN
Corey LaJoie Hired By Fuller Motorsports To Drive On NASCAR Mod Tour
Winter Of Uncertainty Over; Speedbowl Sets Schedule
Gobrecht Takes Over Central PA Dirt Trackin’ Car Show From Todd Fisher
New Handicapping System To Be Used At Grandview
Thompson Hosts Track Crew Safety Seminar
Schatz. Abreu Win Back To Back On WoO West Coast Swing
Jason Miller’s Career First Comes In Winchester LM Opener
Earl Baltes, Eldora Creator, Dies At Age 94
New Egypt, Brett Deyo Team Up To Run Late Season Modified Race
Racing Notable Andy Fusco Passes Suddenly
And this, too:
Jimmy Horton and Dieter Schmidt have split.
Brett Deyo and Fred Vahlsing have joined together to put on a race at New Egypt on October 30th & 31st.
Port Royal to open this Saturday.
Joey Bruning has replaced Brian Krummel in the # 44 at OCFS.
Williams Grove Speedway is scheduled to open this coming Friday.
Bridgeport has its 3rd annual Doug Hoffman opener this coming Saturday.
Shippensburg Speedway will not open in 2015.
Press Releases:
BIG NEWS BIG MONEY COMING OUT OF XCEL CHASSIS 600 MODIFIED FOR 2015
If Mother Nature would start playing nice the Xcel Chassis 600 Modifieds will have a banner year. Doug Borger, series founder and promoter, is pleased to announce 15 events that will have a total purse of $60,000.
Over the weekend, the plans were finalized with the tracks and the dates have been confirmed. New Egypt Speedway has been added to the schedule for October 31st. It will be one of the tracks hosting a big money show. Bridgeport Speedway will host the first big money show April 19th and will be the first time the mighty Modifieds hit the track . Big Diamond will have a May 5th date along with the September 6th Coal Cracker Weekend. Thunder Mountain will have three double weekends May 2nd and 3rd, June 27th and 28th, with the month of September 12th and 13th . Historic Lincoln Speedway will host a big money show on July 4th. I- 88 Speedway will host three shows on July 22nd, October 9th and 10th. Lindas Speedway will also host a big money event on September 19th.
The winners of the races will bring home a $1000 or more payday and an increased purse will be paid to the field. Doug Borger explained” I appreciate every car in crew that comes to race so I wanted to not only recognize the winner but also the 25 car field. What is new for 2015 is that when the tour runs at Thunder Mountain, I-88 or Lindas Speedways, the drivers that run there weekly, will also be given home track points if they run the tour race.
The winter months were busy at the Xcel Chassis shop with the announcement of an Xcel Chassis/Brett Deyo mini series.”Brett and I started talking about doing a mini series to correspond with his Short Track Super Series and it came together along with two new weekly tracks in upstate New York. Fifteen cars were ordered, with the majority coming from upstate New York, I realized we needed to move to bigger and better venues for 2015.” stated Borger.
One of the first calls Xcel Chassis founder, Doug Borger, made was to Karl Spoonhower ,who returned to Thunder Mountain Speedway last year, after their conversation it was confirmed to add Thunder Mountain Speedway as a Saturday night home track . The next phone call was then made was to Jamie Paige of I-88 Speedway, which is located about half hour from Thunder Mountain, and runs on Friday nights .The Paige family runs one of the best tracks on Friday nights . The Spoonhowers and their crew have brought back Thunder Mountain Speedway to all its glory. Both venues offer racing at it’s best not only for the drivers but the fans as well.
History and racing go hand in hand every week and every year. The return of the Xcel Chassis 600 modifieds to Lincoln Speedway, located in Abbottstown Pennsylvania, has the drivers and owners already thinking of putting together a new body since aerodynamics plays a big part . Lincoln Speedway, with all its history, is on a driver’s bucket list to run at in and more important to wave the checkered flag.
When the schedule was released in early January, phone calls were made to put drivers in cars for the Xcel Chassis/Brett Deyo mini series. Tim Van Horn, a long time driver with Xcel Chassis gave his cousin Dave Van Horn Jr. a call. Dave has agreed to run the 08v for the miniseries . He looks forward to running a 600 modified, for the first time, starting at Bridgeport on April 19th. This will be the first time the cousins, Tim and David, run against each other for a win. Could it be the big block modified veteran or the Xcel Chassis 600 modified veteran.
Chris Maby, owner of the 56k of Kam Maby, set into motion to bring awareness to the MDA foundation. A phone call has Mike Mahaney, who is also a big block modified driver, and runs both Thunder Mountain and I 88 Speedway running the #33 to add to the team. Chris talked of the 2015 plans. “I wanted to give back to the MDA foundation and also have someone mentor my son on and off the field. Mike brings it all to the table and even agreed to spend the day in jail with myself and Kim to raise money for MDA . We will be running for points at I-88 and Thunder Mountain, along with the mini series, with a car sporting the MDA logo for 2015.”
Doug Borger would also like to welcome aboard Bob Fisher Chevrolet, located in Reading Pennsylvania, as the title sponsor for the 600 sportsman modified running at Shellhammers Speedway on Saturday nights. The sportsman modified have the same specs as a modified. The difference between the cars will be a Xcel Chassis issued restrictor plate.
Shellhammers Speedway gives a young racer or someone, who’s looking to get into racing, by being a driver or owner . The transition is effortless when they decide to move up to the modified program . All that needs to be done is to remove the restrictor plate out and you now have a competitive if not winning modified in the garage . There are two teams that will be racing on Friday nights at Linda’s and then racing Shellhammers on Saturday night with the same car in two different divisions.
New weekly tracks, new division, and a total of over 130 races being scheduled has Doug Borger expecting a breakout year for the 600 modifieds. You can keep up with all the latest information and announcements at their website which is www.xcelchassis.com
XCEL CHASSIS PRESS RELEASE MARCH 21
For Immediate Release
Re: Northeast Modified Opener
Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour Championship To Reach a Possible $30,000 in 2015.
BINGHAMTON, NY…The Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour will officially get the 2015 season underway this Saturday at the Bridgeport Speedway with the running of the “60 Over Special” honoring the memory of the legendary Doug Hoffman. The 60 lap northeast Modified lid lifter will pay a minimum of $4,000 to win with that number climbing to $6,060.60 for teams that take part in the gamblers option. Racing is set to get underway at 4 p.m. on Saturday with a rain date of Sunday and/or April 5th if needed.
The Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour will begin it’s eleventh season and again will be closely aligned with the $150,000 American Racer Cup for northeast Modified teams. The American Racer Cup overall championship will pay $10,000 along with a regional bonus of another $1,000. Should the champion of the cup go on to win the Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour as well, the proceeds will be nearly $30,000 for one driver. Stewart Friesen has come very close on two occasions to sweeping both and collecting the huge pay day.
This Saturday’s event at Bridgeport Speedway will officially kick of the 2015 northeast dirt Modified race season. Fans and teams alike are looking to exchange the winter blues for the road of the mighty Big Block/Small Block Modifieds. The long winter certainly has everyone extremely excited about the opening event.
Last year Ryan Watt dominated in the “60 Over Special” as he netted over $6,000 for the victory. Stewart Friesen put on a furious late race rally but it would ultimately fall short at the end. Bobby Varin was the race winner in 2013.
Bridgeport Speedway track crews have been working overtime to have the popular New Jersey speed plant ready for action. All systems are a go for racing this Saturday at 4 p.m. Pit gates will swing open at 11 a.m. with grandstand gates opening at 1 p.m.
For more information on the American Racer Cup presented by Sunoco Race Fuels please contact the Race of Champions offices at 607-775-5555 or by emailing the office at rocdirt@aol.com. The official American Racer Cup website can be found atwww.dirtmodcup.com. You can contact Lias Tire directly by phoning (724) 463-0214.
RACE OF CHAMPIONS DIRT MODIFIED TOUR DOUG HOFFMAN MEMORIAL “60 OVER SPECIAL” SATURDAY, MARCH 28th – BRIDGEPORT SPEEDWAY – Bridgeport, NJ
Location: 83 Floodgate Road Swedesboro, NJ 08085
Located off I-295 Exit 14 (rain date – Sunday, March 29th or Sunday, April 5th).
Speedway Phone: 845-467-4407
Speedway Website: www.bpspeedway.com
Pit Fees: $35
Pit Gates Open: 11 a.m.
Grandstand Prices: Adults: $25 – Students (10 -15): $10 – Children 9 and younger free!
Grandstand Gates: 1 p.m. Practice: 3 p.m.
Race Time: 4 p.m.
Please note there will be an open practice on Friday evening beginning at 6 p.m.
Mod Early Entry: $15 (if received prior to March 26th) – add $5 after that date.
“60 Over Challenge” – $60 Gambler’s Option paying an extra $2,060.60 if winner enters challenge bringing total to $6,060.60.
Qualifying Heats: Draw for position upon entry into speedway.
Modified Feature: 60 laps – cautions count from laps 20 – 40 (no more than
five at a time).
Tire Information: American Racer Tires…
Right Rear Compound: 48 or harder…(no 49 compound)
Left Rear Compound: 44 or harder…
May use minimum 33 front tire compounds or harder. Tires will be durometered for softening agents.
For Tire Information please call: Hoffman Speed Supplies– 610.760.6274
General Race Rules: The standard for motor, body, chassis and safety rules are based on current DIRTcar rules.
Weight Info: Big Block Modifieds – min. 2,500 lbs., gas only, no tolerance. (Max 477 c.i.)
Small Block Modifieds – Pennsylvania-legal spec head or DIRTcar spec head engines: 2,350 lbs. alcohol – 2,275 on gas – all other small blocks 2,400 lbs.
(Max. 363 cubic inch). $500 bonus to top finishing small block meeting above rules.
SB2 heads/Roush NASCAR- style small blocks permitted but are not eligible for small block $500 bonus.
NO mixing and matching of rules.
No sail panels!
For more information please contact the Race of Champions offices at (607) 775-5555 or log on to www.rocdirt.com
News from the Short Track Super Series Fueled By Hi-Tek
Media Contact: Brett Deyo – bdmotorsportsmedia@gmail.com or 845.728.2781
For Immediate Release/March 24, 2015
Preparations Continue For Second Annual ‘Hard Clay Open’ At Orange County Fair Speedway Tuesday, April 7 As Short Track Super Series Kicks Off 2015 Season; Open Practice Session Planned For OCFS Saturday, April 4
MIDDLETOWN, NY – “We’re good to go!”
Those were the words of Orange County Fair Speedway promoter Michael Gurda IV when asked the status of the upcoming ‘Hard Clay Open’ at the historic track. The Halmar International ‘Hard Clay Open’ presented by United Pump & Tank and East Coast Speed/ECS Auto Inc. is set for Tuesday, April 7 (rain dates: April 8 and 9), kicking off the 2015 Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By Hi-Tek Bob Hilbert Sportswear North Region $15,000 championship battle.
“We’ve been working around the facility, getting ready for the start of our motocross season (which opens the last week of March). We were fortunate not to have frost deep in the ground like some other places,” Gurda said. “We’ll make sure we host at least one practice day or night before the ‘Hard Clay Open’ to get some laps on the track and identify any trouble spots.
“I’ve been hearing nothing but good about the event.”
A pre-season practice is planned for Orange County on Saturday, April 4 from noon through 5 p.m. Teams looking to get a jump on safety inspection can have it completed on practice day.
American Racer, via the regional distributor Lias Tire of Indiana, Pa., is the official tire of the STSS. American Racer tires will be required for all 30 starters in the ‘Hard Clay Open’ Modified main event. Local teams will be permitted to attempt to qualify on Hoosiers (D400) but will need to start the feature event on the approved American Racer compounds.
East Coast Speed/ECS Auto in Middletown, N.Y., is the area American Racer distributor. The first order of American Racers will be available March 24. To contact East Coast Speed, call 877.327.3535 or 845.343.0688.
East Coast Speed and Lias Tire will be present at the ‘Hard Clay Open’ on race night with tires available.
Crate 602 Sportsman will race under the weekly Orange County Fair Speedway rule structure, including the Hoosier tire rule of D400 on all four corners (engine claimer rule not in effect). The Elmo’s Speed & Supply 25 offers a minimum of $1,250 to the winner and $100 to take the green flag.
Complete ‘Hard Clay Open’ rules have been posted at the following link: http://bdmotorsportsmedia.com/hard-clay-open-rules-general-information/
The ‘Hard Clay Open’ 50-lap STSS event is among the season’s most lucrative events for big-block/small-block Modified racers, offering a non-top-heavy purse structure throughout the field: $5,000 is guaranteed to the event winner, with $1,000 for 10th and $500 to take the green plus lap money, contingency awards and bonuses.
A complete list of ‘Hard Clay Open’ special awards and bonuses can be found at the following link:http://bdmotorsportsmedia.com/hard-clay-open-2015-special-awards-bonuses-2/
The Modified purse structure, from first to last, has also been posted: http://bdmotorsportsmedia.com/hard-clay-open-modified-pay-structure/
For the ‘Hard Clay Open’ pit gates will open at 1 p.m. Grandstand gates open at 4 p.m. with a drivers’ meeting scheduled for 5:45 p.m. at the pit tower. Hot laps will follow and racing is set to begin promptly at 7 p.m.
Grandstand admission is $22 (Adults), $20 (Seniors) and $2 (Kids 6 and under). Pit admission is $35, with no license required. Advance tickets are on sale through the speedway office by calling 845.342.2573.
The Short Track Super Series Fueled By Hi-Tek and BD Motorsports Media LLC can be found on the web atwww.shorttracksuperseries.com or www.bdmotorsportsmedia.com. Brett Deyo can be reached by phone at 845.728.2781 or via e-mail: bdmotorsportsmedia@gmail.com. The series is also on Twitter @ShortTrackSS and Facebook under “Short Track Super Series.”
Located at 239 Wisner Avenue Middletown, N.Y., 10940 on the Orange County Fairgrounds, Orange County Fair Speedway is the oldest continuously operating dirt track in the United States. The first auto race was held at the speedway in 1919. The five-eighths-mile oval offers fully-covered and half-covered grandstands in addition to open bleacher seating on the frontstretch and turn one areas, with drive-in viewing on the backstretch. To learn more, contact the Orange County Fair Speedway office at 845.342.2573 or visitwww.orangecountyfairspeedway.net.
The Hard Clay Open is presented by Halmar International, United Pump & Tank, ECS Auto Stores Inc./East Coast Speed, American Racer/Lias Tire, Grand Rental Station of Middletown, Rock Fantasy, McGannon Excavating, Elmo’s Speed & Supply, Zubi’s Racing and many other fine marketing partners.
The Short Track Super Series is presented by Hi-Tek Race Fuel, American Racer/Lias Tire, Bob Hilbert Sportswear, Pioneer Pole Buildings Inc., Scotty’s Speed & Diesel, East Coast Speed/ECS Auto, Behrent’s Performance Warehouse, ATL Fuel Cells, Bicknell Racing Products, COMP Performance Group (COMP Cams, Driven Racing Oil & Quarter Master), Crane Ignition, Dirt Track Digest, Fast Axle, Fox Racing Shocks, Henry’s Stainless Steel Exhaust, Hig Fab Chassis, Hyperco, Kirkey Racing Fabrication, Lineman Racing, Pilat Graphic Design, Race Pro Weekly, Racers Guide, S&D Bodyline, S&W Awards, Shiley Fabrication, Simplicity Design, Teo-Pro Car, Vahlco Wheels & VP Racing Fuel.
Short Track Super Series Fueled By Hi-Tek 2015 Schedule
Bob Hilbert Sportswear North Region
Tuesday, April 7 (Rain Dates: April 8 and 9) – Orange County Fair Speedway/Middletown, NY: Hard Clay Open
Tuesday, May 5 (Rain Date: May 6) – Big Diamond Speedway/Minersville, PA (Combo): Anthracite Assault
Tuesday, May 19 (Rain Date: May 20) – Accord Speedway/Accord, NY: Battle of the Bullring 3
Sunday, June 28 (Rain Date: June 29) – Thunder Mountain Speedway/Center Lisle, NY: Lightning on the Mountain
Wednesday, July 22 (Rain Date: July 23) – I-88 Speedway/Afton, NY: Crazy 8s Special
Tuesday, August 11 (Rain Date: Aug. 12) – Woodhull Raceway/Woodhull, NY: Hustlin’ the High Banks 51
Sunday, September 13 (Rain Date: Sept. 20) – Thunder Mountain Speedway/Center Lisle, NY: Wade Decker Memorial
Friday-Saturday October 9-10 (Rain Date: Oct. 11) – I-88 Speedway/Afton, NY: Short Track SuperNationals 8 – Championship Points
Short Track Super Series Fueled By Hi-Tek Bob Hilbert Sportswear North Point Fund (*based on 8 events): Region 1. $15,000; 2. $7,000; 3. $3,500; 4. $2,500; 5. $2,000; 6. $1,650; 7. $1,550; 8. $1,450; 9. $1,350; 10. $1,250; 11. $750; 12. $650.
Drivers with perfect attendance outside the Top-12 receive $250.
Pioneer Pole Buildings Inc. South Region Presented By Scotty’s Speed & Diesel
Sunday, April 19 (Rain Date: April 26) – Bridgeport Speedway/Bridgeport, NJ: South Jersey Shootout
Tuesday, May 5 (Rain Date: May 6) – Big Diamond Speedway/Minersville, PA (Combo): Anthracite Assault
Thursday, June 11 (Rain Date: June 15) – New Egypt Speedway/New Egypt, NJ: Dirty Jersey 3 – $10,000 to win!
Tuesday, Aug. 4 (Rain Date: Aug. 5) – Delaware International Speedway/Delmar, DE – Diamond State 50
Tuesday, Sept. 1 (Rain Date: Sept. 2) – Georgetown Speedway/Georgetown, DE – Beach Blast 2 –Championship Points
Short Track Super Series Fueled By Hi-Tek Pioneer Pole Buildings Inc. South Region Presented By Scotty’s Speed & Diesel Point Fund (*based on 5 events): 1. $7,500; 2. $3,000; 3. $2,250; 4. $1,500; 5. $1,250; 6. $1,000; 7. $900; 8. $850; 9. $800; 10. $750.
Drivers with perfect attendance outside the Top-10 receive $250.
Brett Deyo
BD Motorsports Media LLC
Short Track Super Series Fueled By Hi-Tek
Phone: 845.728.2781
www.bdmotorsportsmedia.com
Facebook: “Short Track Super Series”
Twitter: @ShortTrackSS
Internet stuff:
NASCAR bulletin issues rule changes on tires and testing
NASCAR issued a bulletin Tuesday containing various updates to the Rule Book.
The changes include a reduction in how many sets of tires a team can have for Sprint Cup races at Martinsville, Dover, Pocono, Michigan, Sonoma, Kentucky, New Hampshire Indianapolis and Watkins Glen. NASCAR cut the number of sets by one at each track for those races.
Teams will be allowed 10 sets of tires for Sunday’s race at Martinsville. They’ll have nine sets of race tires available at Dover, Michigan, Kentucky and Indianapolis. Teams will have eight sets of tires for both Pocono races with seven sets available at New Hampshire’s July race and five race sets at Sonoma and Watkins Glen.
With a set of tires costing about $1,900, having to buy one less set will save teams teams about $20,000.
NASCAR also reduced how many sets of tires teams are allowed for practice and qualifying by one set at Talladega (now allowed three sets), Daytona (three), Sonoma (four), Watkins Glen (four) and the August Bristol event (four). This reduction will save teams about $10,000.
NASCAR has not set the limits for tires for the races starting with Richmond in September through the end of the season. Those races could provide teams more savings.
NASCAR also clarified to teams that any driver entered in the Xfinity or Camping World Truck Series Rookie of the Year program is eligible for two additional tests at any track during the calendar year.
Each test can be no longer than two days. Multiple drivers can participate but all drivers must meet the definition of a rookie in that series. The tests can take place at a NASCAR-sanctioned track or any other track. Veteran drivers will be allowed to “shake down” each primary vehicle used for testing but must do so in a limited number of laps.
Drivers in the Xfinity Series who are competing for Rookie of the Year program include Darrell Wallace Jr.,Daniel Suarez, Cale Conley, Ross Chastain, Harrison Rhodes and Josh Reaume.
Drivers in the Camping World Truck Rookie of the Year program include Austin Theriault, Ray Black Jr.,Korbin Forrister, Spencer Gallagher, Daniel Hemric, Justin Boston, Cameron Hayley, Cody Ware andWendell Chavous.
http://nascartalk.nbcsports.com/2015/03/24/nascar-bulletin-issues-rule-changes-on-tires-and-testing/
This week’s video:
Ayrton Senna – need I say more?
And how about Robin Miller and a little about Jan Opperman?
Also, some others on the right side of the page, like Pancho Carter, Mel Kenyon, Jim McElreath, Jerry Sneva, Don Branson, Mike Mosely, Jim Hurtubise, Gary Betenhausen, Lee Kunzman, AJ & Joe Leonard and Bobby Marshman. Enjoy!
Facebook stuff:
http://mainerepublicemailalert.com/2015/03/21/all-ducks-in-a-row-be-alarmed/
“When you see the number of high ranking military officials who have been fired or just let go it IS SCARY! When I checked out the internet to see how many current Muslims are in the White House it covered 26 pages. Most people ARE COMPLETELY UNAWARE of what is happening to our country!!!”
Non racin’ stuff:
Some accomplishments of our “President” – Final part:
First President to have personal servants (taxpayer funded) for his wife.
First President to keep a dog trainer on retainer for $102,000 a year at taxpayer expense.
First President to fly in a personal trainer from Chicago at least once a week at taxpayer expense.
First President to repeat the Quran and tell us the early morning call of the Azan (Islamic call to worship) is the most beautiful sound on earth.
First President to side with a foreign nation over one of the American 50 states (Mexico vs Arizona).
First President to tell the military men and women that they should pay for their own private insurance because they “volunteered to go to war and knew the consequences.”
Then he was the First President to tell the members of the military that THEY were UNPATRIOTIC for balking at the last suggestion.
It’s hard to comprehend all this guy has gotten away with. Any other president would have been impeached! What in God’s name is wrong with our government that they allow this guy carte blanch? It absolutely boggles the mind!\
Read more at http://patriotnewswire.com/2015/02/stop-bashing-because-heres-a-list-of-obamas-accomplishments-haters/
This weeks joke:
A fact you won’t soon forget…Researchers for the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority found over 200 dead crows near greater Boston recently, and there was concern that they may have died from Avian Flu.
A Bird Pathologist examined the remains of all the crows, and, to everyone’s relief, confirmed the problem was definitely NOT Avian Flu. The cause of death appeared to be vehicular impacts.
However, during the detailed analysis it was noted that varying colors of paints appeared on the bird’s beaks and claws.
By analyzing these paint residues it was determined that 98% of the crows had been killed by impact with trucks, while only 2% were killed by an impact with a car.
MTA then hired an Ornithological Behaviorist to determine if there was a cause for the disproportionate percentages of truck kills versus car kills. He very quickly concluded the cause: When crows eat road kill, they always have a look-out crow in a nearby tree to warn of impending danger.
They discovered that while all the lookout crows could shout “Cah”, not a single one could shout “Truck.”
Until my next column – next week
Columns are available on the Dirt Track Digest at: http://www.dirttrackdigest.com/ at Contributing Columnists
And: http://newenglandtractor.com/racereport/