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Saldana, McWilliams earn victories in star-studded DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia

Barberville, FL — Feb. 4, 2010 — The dirt was calling Thursday night and the big names answered. Joey Saldana drove his Kasey Kahne Racing Sprint Car to victory lane on the second night of the 39th Annual DIRTcar Nationals By University of Northwestern Ohio at Volusia Speedway Park. It was the second year in a row that Kasey Kahne was able to celebrate a win with his team just down the road from Daytona Beach.

David McWilliams earned his first DIRTcar Nationals win but had his hands full all night in his DIRTcar UMP Modified as Clint Bowyer, Ken Schrader and David Reutimann gave chase along with Richard Childress’ grandkids Austin and Ty Dillon. (more…)

By |2010-02-06T03:56:58-05:00February 5th, 2010|Front Page News, Race Results, Volusia Speedway Park|Comments Off on Saldana, McWilliams earn victories in star-studded DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia
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Earl Pearson, Jr. passes Scott Bloomquist to Win DART Winternationals Event at East Bay on Thursday Night

TAMPA, FL (February 4, 2010) – Taking the lead as he headed to the white flag, Earl Pearson Jr. of Jacksonville, FL passed race-long leader Scott Bloomquist.The duo battled side-by side, but it was Pearson who went to win a heart-pounding 40 lap main event. The event marked night four of the 34th Annual DART Winternationals on Thursday Night at East Bay Raceway Park.  The four-time Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series National Champion earned $10,000 for the win for car owner Bobby Labonte.  Bloomquist finished second followed by Pearson’s teammate, Brad Neat of Dunnville, KY; Don O’Neal of Martinsville, IN; and Shannon Babb of Moweaqua, IL.C (more…)

By |2010-02-05T15:30:54-05:00February 5th, 2010|East Bay Raceway Park, Front Page News, Race Results|Comments Off on Earl Pearson, Jr. passes Scott Bloomquist to Win DART Winternationals Event at East Bay on Thursday Night
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Saldana Sizzles at Volusia Speedway Park

Camargo, IL (2-4-10) – By Kelly Brown Public Relations Director –Tonight Saldana won his first race of the season in a convincing fashion after running second on the previous night at Volusia.

Starting on the front row of tonight’s feature event was Craig Dollansky and Greg Hodnett. When the green banner waved over the A-main, Hodnett quickly took the lead. Drag racing down the back stretch on the first lap Saldana was able to move up to second, after beginning his night in the fifth position, while Dollansky settled into third. It only took until the second revolution of the track for Saldana to take the lead in Turn 4. Hodnett would fight back in the low line, while Saldana stayed high. For about three laps the two traded the lead in about every corner, but Saldana was able to establish himself in the lead. (more…)

By |2010-02-05T15:20:23-05:00February 5th, 2010|Front Page News, Race Results, Volusia Speedway Park|Comments Off on Saldana Sizzles at Volusia Speedway Park
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Big Crowd, Fast Track Leads to Thrilling DIRTcar Winternationals Opening

A new track surface that was smooth and fast allowed O’Reilly Circuit of Champions Sprint Car Series and DIRTcar Racing UMP Modified drivers to showcase all of their talents on Wednesday night’s opener to the 39th Annual Florida DIRTcar Nationals By University of Northwestern Ohio at Volusia Speedway Park.

Craig Dollansky powered his way to a victory in the Sprint Car portion of the night, while Dave Hess Jr. broke the stranglehold on Volusia that UMP Modified racers Jared Landers and the Dillon brothers (Austin and Ty) had on the half-mile oval just west of Ormond Beach on S.R. 40. (more…)
By |2010-02-04T16:09:13-05:00February 4th, 2010|Front Page News, Race Results, Volusia Speedway Park|Comments Off on Big Crowd, Fast Track Leads to Thrilling DIRTcar Winternationals Opening
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Night 1 of Volusia Speedway Park’s DIRTcar Winternationals Is In the Books

VSP MEDIA

Barberville, FL (February 3, 2010)  The first night of Volusia Speedway Park’s DIRTcar Winternationals was a success.  With 44 O’Reilly All Star Circuit of Champions Sprint Cars in the upper pits and 74 DIRTcar UMP Open Wheel Modifieds throughout the pits, there were plenty of cars for all the fans.
 
It took six heats of Modifieds and four heats of Sprints to set the field for the 30 lap All Star Circuit of Champions feature race and the 20 lap DIRTcar UMP Modified race.  And yes, there were some very scary moments last night when one Sprint Car almost climbed the fence in turn 2 taking out an RV and a modified driver had one heck of a end-over-end barrel roll in turns 3 and 4.  Luckily, none of the drivers were hurt which was truly a blessing.
 
As the night air got cooler, you could see couples snuggle in their blankets as the gentleman gently wrapped his arm around his lady.  As the air got cooler and cooler, I doubt a pin would have fit between the two as they snuggled for the warmth of their bodies.
 
More and more beanies were put on as the sprints took to the track bringing with their fast speed even more cool air.  Only eight laps were needed for the heat race but it was eight laps of some pretty cool breeze racing for the fans.
 
As you watched the small pieces of mud fly into the track lights as if it were 10,000 little moths surrounding the lights, the night went fast.
 
Only a few local drivers came out on Night 1 to try their driving skills against drivers from all over the country.  Rob Underwood, the 2009 DIRTcar Open Wheel Modified Champion for Volusia Speedway Park; Garrett Stewart who recently just switched to the Modifieds after wheeling a Sportsman most all of 2009; Buzzie Reutimann, who just finished racing at East Bay Raceway Park and is probably the best known Modified driver in Florida and Kyle Bronson, the most recent winner at Volusia Speedway Park in the Open Wheel Modifieds winning the Janaury Jump-Start feature.
 
Kyle Bronson came closest to racing his way into the A-Main for the All Stars but missed it by one spot finishing fourth in his B-Main race.  Buzzie Reutimann finished sixth in the same race as Bronson and did not make the race.  Buzzie’s son David will take the wheel of the #00 Modified tonight at Volusia Speedway Park.
 
Rob Underwood was looking really good to make the A-Main after setting fast time in his hot laps qualifying over Kenny Schrader but had problems in his heat race, the drive shaft broke, and was unable to make the B-Main which meant that there was no way he could make the A-Main. 
 
Garrett Stewart was unable to qualify and found himself wrecked before lap 1 was down in his heat race giving him a pretty hard hit for his very first DIRTcar UMP Modified Winternationals event.  But all racers know, you never say never and hopefully all will return tonight for another shot at the gold.
 
Racing returns Thursday, February 4, at Volusia Speedway Park at 7:30 pm.  Tonight will feature the O’Reilly All Star Circuit of Champions Sprint Cars and the DIRTcar UMP Open Wheel Modifieds.   General Admission is $29 and with each ticket, fans get a Fan Pit Pass which lets you get up close and personal with the great drivers in the upper pits.
Camping is allowed at Volusia Speedway Park with Track Side Preferred Motor Home Parking at $300 per week and campground parking at $25.00 per night. And if you can’t make it to Volusia, you can watch the racing live each night at DIRTVISION. com.
 
Volusia Speedway Park is located 15 miles west of Ormond Beach, FL on State Road 40. Additional information and updates will be available on the website – www.volusiaspeedwaypark.com, or call 386-985-4402.
 
By |2010-02-04T15:54:41-05:00February 4th, 2010|Upcoming Events|Comments Off on Night 1 of Volusia Speedway Park’s DIRTcar Winternationals Is In the Books
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Billy Moyer takes 20th Career Win at East Bay Raceway Park on Wednesday Night

Tampa, Fl.        (February 3, 2010) –  Hall of Famer Billy Moyer of Batesville, AR claimed his 20th career win at East Bay Raceway Park on Wednesday Night  during the 34th Annual DART Winternationals. Moyer and Josh Richards of Shinnston, WV exchanged the lead four times in the final six laps in a stirring race that had the fans on their feet.  Moyer’s win was the 718th of his illustrious career. Moyer managed to hold off Richards with some of the smoothest driving of his career for the $5,000 win.  Shannon Babb of Moweaqua, IL finished third, followed by Don O’Neal of Martinsville, IN and Jimmy Owens of Newport, TN. (more…)

By |2010-02-04T15:12:41-05:00February 4th, 2010|East Bay Raceway Park, Front Page News, Race Results|Comments Off on Billy Moyer takes 20th Career Win at East Bay Raceway Park on Wednesday Night
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Dollansky Victorious at Volusia

Camargo, IL (2-3-10) – By Kelly Brown –Public Relations Director – Entering tonight’s event there were a lot of unknowns for Craig Dollansky. He was beginning the 2010 season with a new team, car, and even the Goodyear Tires on his car were new to him. Some drivers may be daunted by a scenario like this, but Dollansky adapted very quickly as he picked up the victory in O’Reilly All Star Circuit of Champions action at Volusia Speedway Park.

After setting quick time, Dollansky would begin the night on the pole position with Jason Sides to his right. On the drop of the Green Flag Dollansky would take the lead on Lap 1 coming out of the second turn. Behind him Joey Saldana was on the move as he picked up four positions, moving from his eighth place starting position to fourth in just one circuit of the track. When the dust settled after the first lap the top-five were Dollansky, Sides, Lucas Wolfe, Saldana and Donny Schatz. (more…)

By |2010-02-04T14:59:29-05:00February 4th, 2010|Front Page News, Race Results, Volusia Speedway Park|Comments Off on Dollansky Victorious at Volusia
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Bobby Labonte Racing Ready to Start Lucas Oil Series Championship Run

Archdale, N.C. (February 1, 2010) – The revamped Bobby Labonte Racing team is warmed up and looking for their first win of 2010 as it rolls into Tampa, Fla., this week for the first official events of the 2010 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series season.  Earl Pearson Jr. and Brad Neat will race four nights of the East Bay Raceway’s DART Winternationals, Feb. 3 to 6, culminating with a $12,000-to-win event on Saturday.

Pearson Jr., driver of the No. 44 Lucas Oil Dodge, and Neat, driver of the No. 41 Red Buck Filtered Cigars Chevrolet and new addition to the BLR team, are coming off strong performances at last week’s Super Bowl of Racing at Golden Isles Speedway in Brunswick, Ga.  In three nights of competition, Pearson Jr. earned three top-10 finishes, and Neat earned two top-five finishes and one start from the pole.

The team looks forward to this week’s action at the “Clay by the Bay,” known for record-setting races and electrifying finishes, and where Pearson Jr. is a former winner.

Team Manager Jason Fitzgerald Comments on Opening Week and the events upcoming at East Bay Raceway:

“Well, we just came off three nights of racing in Georgia and I think we’re pretty happy so far.  Both cars were fast last week at Golden Isles, and that’s what you’re hoping for when unloading off the hauler for a new season.  Earl and Brad both had shots to win and both ended up with some top-five and top-10 finishes.  Brad has earned us our first pole for the team and for Red Buck this season.  That was a nice accomplishment for Brad and his guys to open the season.  We need to build from that this week at East Bay.

“This will be our second outing of the season as an expanded team.  We are still coming together and learning to mesh.  Saying that, we proved last week our equipment is good, so it will all come together.  That was our first weekend of a long season.  Any time you expand and bring additional guys to a team there will be learning process for everyone. It will just take some time for everyone to create that winning chemistry.

“Yeah, we’re looking forward to East Bay and kicking off the Lucas Oil Series.  It is an extremely racy facility.  There is always good racing no matter what and the series puts on a good show for the fans.  Earl has had good luck there every year and Brad has had decent finishes, too.

“We need to start strong in the Series with both teams.  The goal is to bring back the championship trophy to Bobby Labonte Racing.  That starts this week.  We want to win every series race, but know that’s not probable.  If we can’t win, we want to finish and collect top-five and top-10 finishes. I know both Earl and Brad are ready to do just that.”

About Bobby Labonte Racing:
BLR is located in Archdale, N.C., and owned by 2000 NASCAR Champion Bobby Labonte.  The team was formed in 2007 and immediately won back-to-back Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series championships.  The team will become a two-car operation in 2010 with the addition of driver Brad Neat.  The organization is sponsored by Red Buck Filtered Cigars, Lucas Oil, Sunoco Race Fuels, Bazel Race Fuels, Hank Thomas Performance,Coca-Cola, ALLSTAR, Tiger Rear Ends, BERT, Butlerbuilt, Hyperco, SHY, Wilwood, Bell, Wiles Drive Shafts, Mason Racin, Racing Optics, T&T Energy, Cornett Racing Engines, Sweet, TWM, Dyers Top Rods, Weld Wheels, Hoosier Tire, PRC, Mechanix Wear, Braswell Carburetors, Larry Wallace Engines, ASI Racewear, Xtreme Graphics and WD Enterprises.

By |2010-02-04T06:11:44-05:00February 3rd, 2010|East Bay Raceway Park, Front Page News|Comments Off on Bobby Labonte Racing Ready to Start Lucas Oil Series Championship Run
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Monroe Motor Speedway Set Up For Sale

Reported by: Nathan Ledford

Tuesday, Feb 2, 2010 @06:34pm

The Monroe Motor Speedway will soon be for sale.

This comes just three months after it was revealed that investors hadn’t been paying on the loan they took out to build the track.

So what does this mean for the future of the speedway and its race car drivers?

The Monroe Motor Speedway was supposed to be the area’s hot new attraction and money maker when it first opened two years ago.

But in a month the track is to be sold by the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office.

And that has area race car drivers asking questions about their future in the business.     

Wendy Merchant says her husband has had racing running through his blood almost his entire life mostly on dirt tracks

“Started out in street stock cars on dirt and worked his way up to dirt late models,” said Merchant

But Merchant says her husband put money into a new car for the hard track when Monroe Motor Speedway moved in two years ago.

You see merchant’s car every time you open the phonebook.

“Drove out there and got it and worked on it and we were in the asphalt racing business,” said Merchant.

But the track built for speed could be slowing down for good.

A sign at the track says it will be up for sale on March 17.

Just one year ago the NASCAR Whelen All American Series announced it was bringing racing to the Monroe Motor Speedway. Now the track sits empty and its flags lay tattered on the ground.

In November BizCapital, the financial institution that put up the loan to build the track said the speedway hadn’t paid its note in six months.

Those notes totaled $30 thousand of the $4.5 million loan.

Now BizCapital wants its money

“I’ve spoken with them a couple of times; I don’t think I’ll be ready to speak to them until we get close,” said Speedway Board Member Gus Campbell.

Gus Campbell is on the board of directors at the Monroe speedway.

“Try not to look back; look forward and we’ve got a new business plan, new projections,” said Campbell.

But Campbell wasn’t clear what that plan actually is.

When BizCapital made their announcement in November, Campbell vowed to raise money to pay off the loan.

He says that plan hasn’t changed.

“We’re doing everything we can to raise the money,”  said  Campbell.

Until then race car families like the Merchants say they’ll leave the hard track race car in park.

“You can’t make yourself dive off there and invest money in a racing side if you don’t know if you have a place to race it,” said Merchant.

Campbell tells me that he plans on meeting with the speedway board of directors Wednesday to discuss what can be done to save the speedway, but he says right now he can’t really make any promises.

By |2010-02-03T17:46:54-05:00February 3rd, 2010|Upcoming Events|Comments Off on Monroe Motor Speedway Set Up For Sale
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Anthony Campi wins the 2009 Racecar Engineering Hoosier Elite Super Late Model Points Championship at ASA Sanctioned Desoto Super Speedway

By Tom Blakeley

Saturday January 23, 2010, (Bradenton, FL.)  Today was the perfect day to have the annual awards banquet at Desoto Super Speedway.  The weather was great, the food was delicious, and there was no drama.  It was like the old days when families used to have huge family reunions, and everybody got along. 

It was great to see how excited the Magic 4’s got when they received trophy’s that were taller and bigger than they are.  The school bus figure 8 drivers were so appreciative of the track and staffs support all year long.  Friends having a beer with their racing buddies and race family.  Drivers breaking bread together, and telling stories about how they watched their fathers and grand father’s race at this track.  It was a real heartwarming experience. 

It was great to see the track owner John thanking the crowd for all of the cards, flowers, and well wishes he received when he had open heart surgery just last month. 

While 2009 was filled with challenges and issues we all seemed to have survived and are bravely looking to 2010 to be better for racing and for our families.   The following drivers will forever have the word “Champion” as part of their racing legacy; it can never be taken away.

The 2009 Champion’s List:

Super Late Model Division        Anthony Campi      Car # 81

Street Stock Division                   Dennis Wilson        Car # 42

Desoto Pro Trucks                                    Stephen Darvalics Truck  # 41

Open Wheel Modified                Bobby Baldwin       Car # 4

Rockem Sockem Bombers         Jody Collins             Car # 32C

School Bus Figure 8’s                   Ernest Helfrick       Bus # 4

Flyin 4’s Division                           Alex Patton             Car # 13

Magic 4 Division                            Brittany Barr          Car # 81

Modified Mini Division               Chad Rose                Car # 0X

Pure Stock Division                      Robert Crisp                       Car # 2

 The entire staff of ASA sanctioned Desoto Super Speedway congratulate the 2009 Champions for a great year.  The loyalty and commitment are what really makes for true Champions, and you all are true Champions.

 The 2009 Division Rookies of the year list:

Open Wheel Modified Division                       Kyle Cooper                        #40

Pure Stock Division                                  Andrew Moon        #31

Modified Mini Division                           Dennis Colletti Jr. #4

School Bus Figure 8 Division                 Robert Latinka       #47

Racecar Engineering Late Model         Richard Sapp Jr.     #44

Magic 4 Division                                        Dallas Troyer          #01

Flyin 4 Division                                          Dalton Baldwin      #4

Desoto Pro Truck Division                     Nick Hernandez     #37

Rockem Sockem Bombers                     Tom Blakeley          #96

 Congratulations to the rookies and we all look forward to great things from them in the future.

 The sponsor of the year went to Len McCue of Q Auto and Attorneys who sponsored the Pure Stock Division for 2009.  A big thank you goes out to Len McCue for his generosity and kindness throughout the year.

 The drivers that finished in the top of each division are to be congratulated on taking home a huge trophy for their hard work, commitment, and loyalty.

Racecar Engineering Hoosier Elite Late Model Division:

  1. Anthony Campi  (Champion)                  car # 81
  2. Joe Boyd                                                       Car # 5
  3. Robert “Showtime” Yoho                                    Car # 0
  4. Richard Sapp Jr.                                          Car # 44
  5. Jeff Scofield                                                 Car # 21S
  6. Brandon Anderson                                                Car# 21
  7. Scott Holley                                                 Car # 1
  8. Marty Pierce                                                Car # 75
  9. Scot Walters                                                            Car # 55
  10. Brad Bischoff                                               Car # 53

 Street Stock Division:

  1. Dennis Wilson (Champion)                      Car # 42
  2. Derek Lucas                                                        #88
  3. Duane Best                                                          #3
  4. Jimmie Best                                                        #67
  5. James Nanney                                                   #6
  6. James Brenner                                                  #57
  7. Joey Barnes                                                        #66
  8. Robert Haygood                                               #84
  9. Jonathan Heidenthal                                       #27X
  10. Will Elliott                                                           #9

Desoto Pro truck Division:

  1. Stephen Darvalics (Champion)               #41                                        
  2. Nick Hernandez                                          #37
  3. Brent Huber                                                 #64
  4. Lance Dubach                                             #77
  5. Tyler Lau                                                       #12
  6. Charlie Montgomery                                 #12
  7. Danny Anderson                                        #50
  8. Todd Bontrager                                          #8
  9. Blair Pontious                                              #39
  10. Michael Smith                                             #23

 

Open Wheel Modified Division    

  1. Bobby Baldwin (Champion)                    #4
  2. Ralph Bowman                                           #2
  3. Pat Nanney                                                  #60
  4. Kyle Cooper                                                 #40
  5. David Grogan                                              #101
  6. Edward Ditges                                             #1
  7. L B Skaggs                                                     #71
  8. Ricky Coffin                                                  #8
  9. Bill Davis                                                       #15
  10. John Shields                                                 #37

 

Rockem Sockem Bombers

  1. Jody Collins (Champion)                           #32C
  2. Steve Elder                                                   #42
  3. Michael Crooks                                           #33
  4. John Stewart                                               #2
  5. Randy Spicer                                               #83
  6. Todd Jacobs                                                 #44
  7. Tom Blakeley                                               #96
  8. Lou Russell                                                   #3
  9. Clint Roberts                                                #95
  10. Dean Butrum                                               #32

 

School Bus Figure 8 Division

1.  Ernest Helfrick (Champion)               #4

2. Peter Bohn                                              #11

3. Mark Jackson                                         #25

4. Michael Gamache                                 #0

5. Christopher Dodson                             #21

6. Robert Latinka                                        #47

7. Eugene Helfrick                                      #44

8. Larry Saffold                                           #88

9. James Volk                                              #76

10. Craig Jackson                                       #26

Flyin 4 Division

  1. Alex Patten (Champion)                     #13
  2. Randy Johnson                                     #1
  3. Dalton Baldwin                                     #4
  4. Rob Boos                                                            #21B
  5. Jessica Ostrovskis                                 #91
  6. Arthur Danielson                                  #38
  7. Ken Paul Smith                                      #11X
  8. Billy Carlbert Jr.                                                #11
  9. Michael Gamache                                #85
  10.  Brad Steger                                     #2

 Magic 4 Division

  1. Brittany Barr (Champion)                  #81
  2. Dallas Troyer                                         #1
  3. Zac Campilonga                                                #30
  4. Austin Cavey                                          #20
  5. Joann Danielson                                   #38
  6. Shanna Clark                                         #44
  7. Mark Bartimac                                      #21
  8. Amy Gamache                                      #85
  9. Justine Carlbert                                     #11
  10.  Kyle Best                                          #3

 Modified Mini Division

  1. Chad Rose (Champion)                       #0X
  2. Mike Birk                                                            #10
  3. Dennis Colletti                                       #22
  4. Andy Fischer                                          #22X
  5. Richard Nelson                                      #80
  6. Dennis Colletti Sr.                                 #21
  7. Mitchell Webb                                      #6
  8. Brian Dorer                                            #97
  9. Marty Neikens                                      #70
  10. Chris Zimmerman                          #29

Q Auto and Attorneys Pure Stock Division

  1. Robert Crisp (Champion)                   #2
  2. Troy Thiem                                             #18
  3. Austin Craig                                           #10
  4. Darrin Ellis                                              #71
  5. Billy Carlbert Jr.                                                #47
  6. Chelsea Lau                                            #13
  7. Richard Shepherd Sr.                          #30A
  8. Andrew Moon                                      #31
  9. Mark Picklesimer                                 #17
  10. George Bartimac                            #21X

 

Congratulations and Thank You to all the top 10 drivers and car owners.  The entire staff of Desoto Super Speedway appreciates you for your support, loyalty, and dedication.  The 2010 season is approaching and we wish everybody the best for the coming season.

By |2010-02-03T13:31:48-05:00February 3rd, 2010|Upcoming Events|Comments Off on Anthony Campi wins the 2009 Racecar Engineering Hoosier Elite Super Late Model Points Championship at ASA Sanctioned Desoto Super Speedway
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