Scott | Karnac Racing News

Competition is Stout at UNOH DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit

The five-day sprint car event begins on Wednesday, Feb. 13, at Volusia Speedway Park

BARBERVILLE, Fla. – Feb. 6, 2013 – The Florida freeways are littered with a variety of multicolored rigs headed for the sun to kick off the 2013 season.

Approximately 40 sprint cars are expected at Volusia Speedway Park for the 42^nd annual UNOH DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit Racing Equipment, which starts with a practice session on Tuesday, Feb. 12, before two nights of UNOH All Star Circuit of Champions competition and three nights of World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series action on the world’s fastest half mile.

While the usual Outlaws are set to begin another chase at the championship, a group of top-notch talent from across the country isn’t racing for points. They’re after the loot and the unique gator trophy.

Former World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series champion Danny Lasoski heads the drivers who will compete on the tour sparingly. Lasoski, who claimed two of the five features and the series’ season opener last year, has earned a record 19 feature victories at Volusia Speedway Park.

“I don’t know if its pep in our step, but it’s definitely confidence,” he said. “You’ve been cooped up all winter and you’re just excited to be here. As luck would have it we run pretty well there, too.

“Mostly, the race track fits my driving. I love the big, fast half miles.”

Lasoski isn’t the only former winner headed to Volusia Speedway Park.

Dale Blaney won twice last season – the Commonwealth Clash at Lernerville Speedway and the Sixth annual PEAK Motor Oil World of Outlaws World Finals Presented by NAPA Auto Parts at The Dirt Track at Charlotte – to give the 1998 Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year eight career victories. (more…)

By Scott|2013-02-07T00:36:29-05:00February 7th, 2013|Featured, Front Page News, Sprint Cars, Upcoming Events, Volusia Speedway Park|Comments Off

Whitener Makes History on Final Night of 37th Annual East Bay Winternationals

(Tampa, Florida) – The term “hat-trick” is normally a hockey terminology used to describe scoring 3 goals in a game. Can that description be used ever in racing? In the 37th edition of the East Bay Winternationals that was the word talked about by everyone Saturday in regards to driver in #58 Mark Whitener from Middleburg, Florida. No one has been able to totally “sweep” the entire event ever. Mark Whitener picked up his first career FASTRAK Touring Series victory Thursday night. Then was able to seal the deal again holding off #2 Dennis Franklin battling through lap traffic Friday night. Whitener was on the path to making history for not only East Bay Raceway Park but also winning 3 events consecutively for the FASTRAK Racing Series.

Heat Race Winners – Night #3 at East Bay Raceway Park – Tampa, Florida

Genesis Race Shocks Heat #1 – #8s Steve Miller
Short Way Real Estate Heat #2 – #58 Mark Whitener
Hoosier Racing Tires Heat #3 – #44w Brandon Umberger
VP Race Fuels Heat #4 – #02 Keith Nosbisch

At the drop of the green flag another driver wanted to spoil Whitener’s chance at three wins in a row. #8 Steve Miller from Tampa, Florida was on the pole and Whitener to his outside. As the field cycled through turn 1 they would battle “door to door” all the way around to complete lap # 1. The top three rows we’re all in the mix swapping for positions on the track. Miller would jump out in front but a “hornet’s nest” awaiting him if one wrong slip was made. A much cleaner competitive race then what we witnessed the other 2 nights. Racing was “fast and furious” getting around the 1/3rd mile “Clay by the Bay”. (more…)

By Scott|2013-02-04T15:04:06-05:00February 4th, 2013|East Bay Raceway Park, Featured, Front Page News|Comments Off

Volusia Speedway Park Is Ready For 12 Nights Of Action During UNOH DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit Racing Equipment

Stage Will Be Set For Sunshine State’s Festival Of Speed Feb. 12-23 After Saturday’s Open Practice Session

BARBERVILLE, FL – Feb. 1, 2013 – The time has come for engines to fire, wheels to turn and clay to fly at Volusia Speedway Park.

This Saturday (Feb. 2) the famed D-shaped, half-mile oval outside Daytona Beach springs to life for the first time in 2013, hosting a four-hour practice session (3-7 p.m.) open to racers from all divisions that will set the stage for the 42^nd UNOH DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit Racing Equipment. The track’s blockbuster meet featuring Sprint Cars, dirt Late Models, Big-Block Modifieds and UMP Modifieds runs from Feb. 12-23.

“We can’t wait to get rolling,” said DIRTcar Northeast marketing director Jeff Hachmann, who migrated south to Florida in December to oversee marketing efforts and other details of the UNOH DIRTcar Nationals by Summit. “A lot of people have been working hard for a couple months to get the facility ready for one of the country’s biggest dirt-track events of the season, so it’s going to be exciting for all of us to finally see cars get back out there on the track this Saturday.”

A group of World Racing Group staffers – led by Lernerville Speedway general manager Gary Risch Jr. and also including track-prep specialists Larry Fink and Chad Alchier, World of Outlaws Late Model Series pit steward Tyler Bachman, DIRTcar Northeast electrician Dave Dixon, Lernerville employee Jeremy Timko and Volusia office manager Shelly Minchew – have joined together to spearhead preparation of Volusia’s track surface, grounds and infrastructure for February’s racing spectacular. Among the improvements that visitors to the UNOH DIRTcar Nationals by Summit will notice are improved lighting in the lower ‘Gator Pond’ pit area and newly-erected bleachers in the upper pit area. (more…)

By Scott|2013-02-03T22:31:30-05:00February 3rd, 2013|Featured, Front Page News, World of Outlaws|Comments Off

Southern All Stars opens Money Month of March with opener at Cherokee Speedway March 3rd

HUNTSVILLE, AL (February 1, 2013)—The Southern All Stars Dirt Racing Series will open a four-race stretch in March with four events totaling nearly $100,000 in prize money.

On Sunday March 3^rd the series will roll back into Cherokee Speedway in Gaffney, SC for their 11^th annual March Madness event paying $10,000 to win / $500 to start as the SAS Late Models will co-sanction the event with the Battle of the Eastern All Stars Tour (BEAST). Over $31,000 in prize money will be paid out for this event. The series last visited Cherokee in November 2012 when Mike Marlar of Winfield, TN scored his first-career SAS event win with the annual Blue/Grey 100.

The series will then race on Saturday March 9^th at Cleveland Speedway in Cleveland, TN for the 18^th Annual Shamrock 50 paying $10,000 to win / $500 to start. After the Shamrock, the series races on March 16^th at East Alabama Motor Speedway in Phenix City, AL for the 28^th Annual Jimmy Thomas Memorial paying $4,000 to win. The series then winds down a busy March schedule with a 40-lap $5,000 to win event at Smoky Mountain Speedway in Maryville, TN on Saturday March 23^rd for the annual Rockin’ with the Stars event. (more…)

By Scott|2013-02-03T22:28:29-05:00February 3rd, 2013|Featured, Front Page News, Southern All Stars|Comments Off

Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Drivers Steve Francis and Jimmy Owens Dominate Down Under

WAYCROSS, GA (February 1, 2013) – A pair of Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series drivers have dominated the racing action “down under” in Australia over the past month. Jimmy Owens of Newport, TN and Steve Francis of Ashland, KY are undefeated in feature competition, with Owens wrapping up his trip this weekend.

Francis captured the Australian National Title a year ago, and won every preliminary and feature event he participated in. He began this season’s trip back in December and ended his trip in late January. In commanding fashion, he led every lap in all of his events. Francis, who will be piloting the Georgia Boot-sponsored, Barry Wright Race Cars #15, for Clint Bowyer Racing on the LOLMDS tour in 2013, drove for both Michael Holmes and Bruce McKenzie in Australia.

The “Kentucky Colonel” kicked off the Wild West Tour on December 26th at Perth Motorplex in Kwinana, Western Australia. He quickly captured the opening preliminary feature event and then followed it up the following night by winning the main event. Francis then ventured to Manjimup Speedway in Middlesex, Western Australia on December 29th. He ended up in victory lane once again after winning the feature event. He wrapped up the Wild West Tour title by winning at Collie Speedway in Collie, Western Australia on January 5th, staying undefeated at that point of his trip. (more…)

By Scott|2013-02-03T21:59:32-05:00February 3rd, 2013|Featured, Front Page News, Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series|Comments Off

Whitener Goes Back to Back in Wild Race #2 at East Bay Winternationals

(Tampa, Florida) – The 37th Annual East Bay Winternationals 2nd race for the FASTRAK Racing Series did not disappoint anyone that attended the 1/3rd mile “Clay by the Bay”. This race had it all and more throughout the evening exciting the fans until the checkers fell. The decision was made before the beginning of the feature that all drivers would be able to make the A-main 30 lapper. They drivers ran in 1 of the 4 heat races to set the field for the A-main at East Bay Raceway Park. The heats races we’re very competitive as “FASTRAK’S best” fought to gain whatever they could to have a decent starting position.

Heat Race Races Winners – Night #1 at East Bay Raceway Park – Tampa, Florida
FK Rod Ends Heat #1 – #44w Brandon Umberger
Hoosier Race Tires Heat #2 – #95 Devin Dixon
Chevy Performance Heat #3 – #2 Dennis Franklin
RockAuto.com Heat #4 – #02 Keith Nosbisch

The race got off to a great start side by side with #44w Umberger and #95 Dixon on the front row battling heads up to complete lap #1 with #2 Franklin closing in fast. However the yellows would fly on lap #1 in turn 3 with a 4 car incident involving #300 Bill Tesh getting loose spinning and #32 Phillip Cobb, #95 Devin Dixon and #11 Jamie Slatton getting collected in the process. Tesh would bring out yellow for 2nd time on lap 3 stalling up in the apex of turns 3 and 4. Two circuits later the yellow would fall when #11 David Smith the defending FASTRAK City Chevrolet Touring Division champion looped his car around in turn 3 on lap 5 also collecting #75 Colton Flinner and #07 of Doug Watson. (more…)

By Scott|2013-02-03T21:46:22-05:00February 3rd, 2013|East Bay Raceway Park, Featured, Front Page News|Comments Off

Smith Wins Big at Punta Gorda Speedway

The Legends cars were the first class up at the Punta Gorda Speedway that had a packed house that came to see a full night of great racing action. Tony Steinbuck sat on the pole and led start to finish challenged by second place finisher Mike Verhaagh. David Patterson of Port Charlotte came in third.

Rookie Trucks came out for twenty five laps and from the drop of the green, you could not tell they were young rookie drivers. Travis Miller jumped out front to lead and was chased by James Dellea III until Chad Chastain got into the mix. Miller and Chastain side by side rubbing and racing and giving it all they had. When the checkers came out, Chad Chastain muscled his way to cross the finish line in first place with Randy Anderson coming home second and Travis Miller was third.

Cowboy Cadillacs saw John Pummell Jr lead most of the twenty five lap feature race. John Garrett challenged Pummell racing side by side for several laps being scored for three of the twenty laps but in the end it was Pummell that crossed the line first. John Garrett came in second and Jeff Deeble was third.

Dwarf Cars had their Tommy Bowles Cup Winter-nationals by qualifying first and fast time went to the 14 of Bo Bass with 15.601. Bo Bass took the lead from Andy Pryor on lap five and never looked back, while Pryor challenged him and came in second. John Bailey would bring it home in the third spot.

Super Late Models took to the track for 100 laps with Daryl Shellnut on the pole and Mike Smith outside. Shelnut took the early lead while smith was right there challenging him to take over the lead. Lap ten, Smith was able to get up to Shelnuts door and try to make the pass when Smith was spun right in front of the pack. Shelnut was sent to the rear and all cars were able to continue which gave the lead over to Smith. (more…)

By Scott|2013-02-03T21:26:40-05:00February 3rd, 2013|Featured, Front Page News, Punta Gorda Speedway|Comments Off

PASS North To Be Well Represented By Young New Englanders at Florida Winter Meltdown

NAPLES, ME (January 31) – There’s something about Florida in February that’s been attracting the best drivers in racing for the better part of a century. From the “North Turn” at Daytona’s world famous beach to short tracks stretching from the Panhandle to Miami, racers have flocked to the Sunshine State every winter. And 2013 will be no different. Florida’s “big race” season is set to begin in just over a week as some of the best of the Pro All Stars Series (PASS) make the trek down to Auburndale Speedway for the Winter Meltdown. The first PASS National Series race of the year is attracting Super Late Model drivers from all over North America in the hopes of wrestling the checkered flag away from the top short track hot shoes in Florida.
PASS North will be represented well by a trio of young drivers joining two-time PASS National Series Champion Ben Rowe in making the long trip down South. D.J. Shaw, Kyle Desousza, and Joey Doiron have all found success racing in New England’s top short track series. Shaw is coming off a successful return to the PASS North Series in 2012 that saw him score two wins and finish third in points. Evidence that the Precision JLM/Mulkern Excavating team could be poised for a PASS National Championship this year.
“We’re really looking forward to getting the season started in Florida,” said Shaw. “Auburndale looks like a driver’s track and I’m really anxious to see if we can continue the momentum we ended with last year.”

(more…)

By Scott|2013-02-03T07:12:56-05:00February 3rd, 2013|Auburndale Speedway, Featured, Front Page News, Pro All Stars Series|Comments Off

The Rocketman Ritchie Stephens Wins 3rd Annual World Street Stock Championship At East Bay Raceway Park

February 2, 2013 – Tampa, FL – It was the final night of the 3rd Annual World Street Stock Championship. Drivers from as far as Alabama came to participate in this event. After two nights of racing, the top six were locked into the 40 Lap A-Main $1,500 to win. Top six drivers locked in were Brian Morgan, Scotty Kay, Jr., Thomas Burnside, Eric Moon, Brian Hansford and Buck Woodhouse.

The night would start with three heat races. The first heat was won by Kevin Durden from Archer, FL. The second heat race was won by the defending Champion Tim Powers from Okeechobee, FL and the final heat was won by Ritchie Stephens from Salem, AL.

After the heat races were run for the Fastrak Late Models, the top six came out for their own hot lap session and would park on the front stretch to redraw from positions 1-6. The man on top of the point standings Brian Morgan had the option to go first or go last. He chose first and had a young fan come out and draw for him. The young man drew the fourth position. Next up was Scotty Kay, Jr. as he did the same but had a young lady come draw for him and she drew the sixth position. Thomas Burnside drew the pole position for the A-Main. The defending 2012 East Bay Street Stock Champion Eric Moon drew the second spot while Brian Hansford drew fifth and Buck Woodhouse drew the third spot. (more…)

By Scott|2013-02-03T07:01:53-05:00February 3rd, 2013|East Bay Raceway Park, Featured, Front Page News|Comments Off

First Time Winner In Victory Lane As Brian Morgan Wins Night Number #2 Of 3rd Annual World Street Stock Championship

February 1, 2013, – Tampa, FL – It was night #2 of the 3rd Annual World Street Stock Championship on a beautiful cool night here at East Bay Raceway Park. 25 cars registered for the 25 Lap Feature Event to be held later in the evening.

The first of three heat races was won by Brian Morgan from Okeechobee, FL. Heat race #2 went to Tampa’s own Thomas Burnside and the final heat race went to last night’s Feature Winner from Salem, AL “The Rocketman” Ritchie Stephens.

After the heat races were run for the Fastrak Late Models, it was time for the Feature Event. On the front row from Okeechobee, FL, last year’s Champion Tim Powers, and beside him on the outside was Tampa’s Roy Woodhouse. The green flag waved and Scotty Kay, Jr. spun over in turn two bringing out the caution and a complete restart. On the second attempt of the green flag, Roy Woodhouse spun in turn four collecting Dennis Williams of Zephryhills who finished second last night and Jeff Rodgers of Lithia. Rodgers was able to continue but ended Williams hope. (more…)

By Scott|2013-02-03T00:49:33-05:00February 3rd, 2013|East Bay Raceway Park, Featured, Front Page News|Comments Off

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