358-Modified Track Champion Struts his Stuff at Mohawk International Raceway

HOGANSBURG, N. Y. – September 16, 2012 – Just coming off winning Mohawk’s 358-Modified track championship, Billy Dunn proved his prowess navigating his 23d small block through the turns of Mohawk International Raceway, charging from an 11th starting position to the lead spot by lap 28 at the DIRTcar 358-Modified Series Round 7 Saturday, Sept. 15.

“I had to work hard for that race. It locked down a little toward the end and once I got the lead it was just tire management, trying to keep the car straight,” said Dunn, who also won the first DIRTcar 358-Modified Series event at Mohawk earlier in the year. “We made it to the end, so it’s a good deal.”

Dale Planck, series point leader, jumped to the front from the second spot at the start of the race, looking to improve upon his second-place Super DIRTcar Big-Block Modified Series finish earlier in the day.

However, Dunn’s weekly career at Mohawk this season showed in his performance as he rose seven spots within the first 10 laps, settling in fourth at the race’s first caution in lap 10. Another strong performer, Jimmy Phelps, who won the day’s Super DIRTcar Big-Block Modified Series and started in 23 rd, was soon battling Dunn for fourth, but Dunn would not give in.

Dunn made it to second place and was already challenging Planck for the lead when the second caution slowed the pace, and a red flag two laps later stopped it when Mat Williamson in the 6 spun out in the front stretch.

The restart in lap 28 gave Dunn the chance to get past Planck, and he took advantage of it. Dunn took first, but wasn’t in the clear, facing and overcoming challenges from Matt Billings and Pete Britten, pulling ahead of both to lead at the finish line.

“It’s just been an awesome year. We finished off strong, and it gave us a lot momentum towards DIRT Week, so hopefully we can keep it going,” Dunn said.

Britten, who made his 358-Modified debut at Autodrome Granby last Friday, September 8, was pleased with his second-place finish.

“We had a few problems at Granby with the carburetor and we weren’t really running so well, but we changed a few things for this weekend and the motor’s running good and the car’s running good,” Britten said.

The multiple-time Australian V8 Dirt Modified Champion hopes to continue to run in 358-Modified races occasionally to help accustom him to American soil.

“The good guys, they do a lot of laps, you know, they keep racing lots and lots of lots. Guys like (Matt) Sheppard and Jimmy (Phelps) and that sort of thing go around and do a few 358s here and there,” Britten said. “I’m fortunate enough where Rich Scagliotta put together a small block car. Rich has done a bit of small block racing over the years and he was good enough to put me in the car the first couple of times.”

Britten said he is looking to run his 358-Modified 21a in the Gander Mountain 150 Saturday, Oct. 6, during NAPA Auto Parts Super DIRT Week XLI.

Billings, who put the pressure on early race leader Planck and later Dunn from the second spot, settled for third. Planck took fourth and Danny O’Brien, who started in ninth, took fifth. Jimmy Phelps made his way from 23rd to sixth.

The DIRTcar 358-Modified Series takes on Brighton Speedway for one more round before NAPA Auto Parts Super DIRT Week.

DIRTcar 358-Modified Series Statistical Report – September 15, 2012 – Mohawk International Raceway

A-Main (75 laps): 1. 23d Billy Dunn; 2. 21a Pete Britten; 3. 74 Matt Billings; 4. 77x Dale Planck; 5. 17d Danny O’Brien; 6. 007J Jimmy Phelps; 7. 115 Stephane LaFrance; 8. 88 Tim O’Brien; 9. 54 Steve Bernard; 10. 66 Kyle Dingwall; 11. 37s Tom Flannigan; 12. 22c Mario Clair; 13. M96 Brian McDonald; 14. 99 Brett Hearn; 15. 66x Carey Terrance; 16. 22J Gino Clair; 17. 007 Roy Tarbell; 18. 124 Pierre Dagenais; 19. 5* Tyler Siri; 20. 44 Sebastien Gougeon; 21. 23 Laurent Ladouceur; 22. 188 David Papineau; 23. 03 Zach Aubertine; 24. 01 Chris Raabe; 25. 38 Luke Whitteker; 26. 55x Rob Bellinger; 27. 99L Larry Wight; 28. 6 Pat O’Brien; 29. 6m Mat Williamson; 30. 10c Tim Currier