Final Night of Open Wheel Modifieds At East Bay Cancelled

Tampa, FL – February 5, 2011 – East Bay Raceway Park Officials have been forced to cancel tonight’s event due to rain showers in the area. The weather has lasted longer then expected and more will be moving in later tonight and will not allow the continuation of the 12th Annual Open Wheel Modified Winternationals.

Starting tomorrow will be the Lucas Oil Dirt Late Model Series practice session from 6:00 – 9:00 pm. The Pit Stop Restaurant/Bar will open at 8:00 am and will be serving breakfast and will be showing the Super Bowl on 5 televisions later that night. So if you have nothing to do tomorrow night, come out and watch the Lucas Oil Dirt Model Series Stars, Grandstands are FREE and then come in and watch the Super Bowl.

By |2011-02-06T12:02:47-05:00February 6th, 2011|East Bay Raceway Park, Featured, Front Page News, Race Results, Upcoming Events|Comments Off on Final Night of Open Wheel Modifieds At East Bay Cancelled

MIKEY HAY THREE-PEATS IN EAST BAY MOD LITES

By Charlie Brown

Hay 3peats at East Bay Winternationals

Gibsonton, FL -February 4, 2011– Mikey Hay says that he is going to enjoy it as long as it lasts. On Friday night Hay took control of the 20 lap TUSA Mod Lite feature on lap one and led wire to wire for his third straight win in the Winternationals series at East Bay Raceway Park.

Brian Woodhall of Apollo, Pa. started on the pole by virtue of being the first heat winner with second heat winner, Mikey Hay on the outside. Woodhall had a great start but Hay pulled even and took the lead going down the back straight.

Iowa’s Josh May had captured the fourth heat and quickly worked into second with fifth heat winner Mark Marcucci out of western Pa. running in fourth and Delaware’s Brandon Dennis in fifth.

The first yellow flew on lap nine when Shane Pfeuffer got around. On the restart Marcucci got by Woodhall for third but the yellow was quickly out again when Jimmy Wills got around in turn one.

After two more laps under the green the yellow was out for a third time when third heat winner, C.J. Faison got out of shape and collected Ryan Charland and Woodhall. On each restart May would pressure Hay for the lead but once he got up to speed, Hay would open an advantage.

The field was tightened up for a final time on lap 16 when Jason Musser, Tim White and Pheuffer tangled. Hay showed no sign of weekness as he pulled away for his third consecutive win in the series. May had his best finish of the week in second with Marcucci third. Fourth went to Chris Steele and Kevin McKinney, who started in 20th, finished in fifth.

“Man oh man, I can’t ask for anything better,” said Hay. I don’t want to boast or anything but we are just making some minute changes and testing a little bit and we hit on something tonight again.”

RESULTS:

Heat 1 – Brian Woodhall; Brandon Dennis; Justin Forsberg; George Eglert; Josh Sliter; Aaron Pendleton; Andrew Bruce.

Heat 2 – Mikey Hay; Tim White; Adam Murphy; Paul Klager; Jason Musser, Jason Corless; Tyler Bradshaw

Heat 3 – C.J. Faison; James Hill; Jimmy Wills; Donnie Ackenbrach; Shane Pfeuffer; James May; Dallas Caldwell.

Heat 4 – Josh May; Rick Ament; Chris Steele; Ryan Charland; Tracy Fritter; Kevin McKinney; Eric Hay.

Heat 5 – Mark Marcucci; Landis Musser; Shawn Sliter; Erik McKinney; Rick Risinger; Joe Anselmo; Rebecca George; Dean Provonost (DNS)

B-Main – Tracy Fritter, Josh Sliter; Landis Musser, Shane Pfeuffer; Jason Corless; James May; Joe Anselmo; Kevin McKinney; Eric Hay; Aaron Pendleton; Dallas Caldwell; Andrew Bruce; Rebecca George; Tyler Bradshaw; Rick Risinger.

20-lap TUSA Feature Finish: 1. Mikey Hay; 2. Josh May; 3. Mark Marcucci; 4. Chris Steele; 5. Kevin McKinney; 6. Rick Ament; 7 Donald Ackenbrach; 8. Shawn Sliter; 9. Josh Sliter; 10. George Eglert; 11. Landis Musser; 12. Dustin Forsburg; 13. Tracy Fritter; 14. Kevin McKinney; 15. Adam Murphy; 16. Jason Musser; 17. Shane Pfeuffer; 18. Jason Corless; 19. Paul Klager; 20. C.J. Faison; 21. Tim White; 22. Jimmy Wills; 23. James Hill; 24. Brain Woodhall; 25. Ryan Charland; 26. Brandon Dennis.

By |2011-02-05T21:43:16-05:00February 5th, 2011|East Bay Raceway Park, Featured, Front Page News, Race Results, Series|Comments Off on MIKEY HAY THREE-PEATS IN EAST BAY MOD LITES

Shaffer and O’Donnell Are Victorious at Ocala

by BJ Cavin- Ocala Speedway Media

Photos by R.E. Wing Photo

OCALA, FL -February 4, 2011-  Race fans crowded into Ocala Speedway on Friday night to see the O’Reilly All Star Circuit of Champions break in the clay to begin their 2011 racing season, and those fans were not only treated to a fantastic show, but also were graced with a warm and rainless night that was near perfect for dynamic racing action.  Joining the All Stars on the night were the always competitive Florida Mini Sprint Association, who provided quite the battle up front in their feature event.

From the start of the night it appeared that the man to beat might be Tony Stewart Racing’s Donny Schatz.  Schatz qualified next to last and turned a blistering 13.039 on his second lap to take the Kistler Engines Fast Qualifier Award, then gave last year’s Rookie of the Year, Aaron Ott, major fits in the Dash race for starting positions.  But Donny Schatz’s night would end early with a spectacular front stretch flip in the feature race as he became entangled in some lapped traffic.  After racing ended Tony Stewart himself was spotted assessing the damage to Schatz’s machine in the pit area, as the team attempted to regroup.

Tim Shaffer may not have set the fastest qualifying time, but in the Dash for starting positions he rose to the top and remained there to nab the pole position for the feature race.  Traffic is always a problem in the tight and odd shaped confines of Ocala Speedway, but between cautions that gave Shaffer clear track ahead, and Shaffer’s own skill at dealing with slower machines, he managed to avoid obstacles and maintain his lead.  Early chasers like Aaron Ott and Donny Schatz slipped back and were replaced by Daryn Pittman and Tyler Walker late in the race, but Shaffer held on to claim victory in the 25 lap event.

Tim Shaffer got to enjoy a huge victory celebration on Ocala’s front stretch, while Daryn Pittman claimed the second place finish.  Pittman was followed by Tyler Walker in third place, with Aaron Ott and Dale Blaney filling out the top five finishers.

The Florida Mini Sprints may well be the most exciting and competitive traveling series in the state, and they certainly did not disappoint at Ocala on Friday night.  Almost from the start of their feature event an all out back and forth brawl developed between 2010 FMSA Champion Brett O’Donnell, and returning veteran Harold Matthews, and those two competitors provided plenty of action and had the crowd cheering them on.  In fact. O’Donnell and Matthews managed to pull away from the pack late in the race and set themselves apart, as Gavin Thomas battled it out behind them with Andy Arnold and David Hall.

On lap 15 Matthews finally succumbed to O’Donnell’s aggressive chasing as O’Donnell made a daring pass to grab the lead for good.  Paul Lanza’s late flip on lap 17 would provide a green-white-checker restart with the field again bunched together, but Matthews could not get himself back in front of the race leader.

Brett O’Donnell claimed the victory in his last weekend running with the Florida Mini Sprints before moving up to a full sized 360 sprint car for 2011, with Harold Matthews following for second place.  Gavin Thomas was tough all night and wound up in the third spot, while Andy Arnold and David Hall rounded out the top five.

The O’Reilly Auto Parts Circuit of Champions and the Florida Mini Sprint Association are set to go at it again on Saturday night on Ocala’s tricky 3/8ths mile, and certainly it will be another night of thrills and tough competition.  Fans needing schedule information or directions to the track are urged to visit www.OcalaSpeedway.com, where they will also find a link to sign up for alerts to weather related delays and/or changes from RainedOut.com.  As was the case on Friday, the grandstand gates will open at 5PM on Saturday with racing beginning at 8PM with heats, B-mains, and Dash events.  Feature races will follow later in the evening.

By |2011-02-05T14:11:56-05:00February 5th, 2011|Bubba Raceway Park, Featured, Front Page News, Race Results, Upcoming Events|Comments Off on Shaffer and O’Donnell Are Victorious at Ocala

Shawn Sharkey Signs With with Lee Faulk Racing Development Program

Looking to make the move up the motorsports ladder, Middletown, New Jersey resident Shawn
Sharkey recently signed with Lee Faulk Racing and their driver development program in NASCAR s Late Model program.
After completing a test in Hickory, North Carolina, Sharkey committed to a two-year program that will see the up and coming pilot begin his march towards a career in closed wheel racing.

“We were very pleased with the level of car control Shawn displayed despite the lack of experience he has in stock cars,  explained Michael Faulk of Lee Faulk Racing.  We are excited for the upcoming season and look forward to working with Shawn and his family.”

After the very first on track session, I knew that this was something that I wanted to do, expressed Sharkey after his first career laps in a Late Model.  The team is truly a first class operation and they helped me get up to speed pretty quickly. Once I was comfortable in the car, they made necessary setup changes to see if I could provide the proper feedback. At the end of the test, I was turning laps comparable to the top drivers in the series.

The front running karting driver will compete in two more karting events before making his jump to the circle track action as he will compete in the Palm Beach International Raceway round of the Florida Winter Tour and the Kershaw, South Carolina round of the World Karting Association Manufacturer s Cup program. The Middletown High School North student will make his Late Model debut on Saturday, March 19, 2011 at the Hickory Speedway in Hickory, North Carolina.

Turned on to the Lee Faulk Racing program by family friend and NASCAR superstar David Reutimann, Sharkey and his family knew that they were headed down the right path and would get the professional program that they were looking for.

I ve known David for nine years and know the hard work and effort it took him to get where he is. When he recommended Lee Faulk Racing, I knew Lee s team would be the best career move for Shawn,  stated Jim Sharkey, Shawn s father.

The younger Sharkey continued,  I can t thank Lee Faulk Racing and David Reutimann enough for their support and advice in my advancing career. This is a something that I have worked hard towards and can t wait to get started.

Shawn would like to thank his current supporters: Lee Faulk Racing, Oncology Services International and On Track Promotions as well as his karting supporters Franklin Motorsports, Merlin Chassis, Team FMS, SCS Racing, P1 Engines, Grand Products and his tuners Wesley Boswell and Lynn Haddock.

For sponsorship opportunities, photos, results and more information on Shawn Sharkey and SCS Racing, please visit www.ShawnSharkey.com.

By |2011-02-05T13:43:25-05:00February 5th, 2011|Featured, Front Page News, Upcoming Events|Comments Off on Shawn Sharkey Signs With with Lee Faulk Racing Development Program

New Smyrna Announces 9th Annual Pete Orr Memorial Orange Blossom 100 Tentative Schedule

Saturday February 5, 2011

9:00am Pit Gates Opens
REGISTRATION FOR SUPER LATE MODELS OPENS
10:00am Tech Line Opens
REGISTRATION FOR SUPER LATE MODELS CLOSES
10:15-11:15am Super Late Model Tire Selection (in order of pill draw)
12:30pm Super Late Model Drivers / Spotters Meeting – MANDATORY
1:00pm Super Late Model Practice
1:30pm Support Division Practice
2:00pm Super Late Model Final Practice
2:30pm Support Division Practice
3:00pm Super Late Model Pre-Race Tech
(in qualifying order – 10 at a time)
5:00pm Super Late Model Qualifying
5:45pm Support Division Final Practice
6:15pm Super Late Model Autograph Session – Front Stretch
Support Division Drivers Meeting – MANDATORY
7:00pm Pre-Race Ceremonies
7:30pm Racing Begins
Super Late Models
9th Annual Pete Orr Memorial
Orange Blossom – 100 laps
Sportsman – 25 laps
E-Modifieds – 25 laps
Mini-Stocks – 25 laps
Strictly Stocks – 20 laps

* – Support Division Practice will run in order of Feature Races.

** – Registration for Support Divisions will close at 6:00pm. ANY Driver not registered at that time WILL START IN REAR.

By |2011-02-05T13:18:47-05:00February 5th, 2011|Featured, Front Page News, New Smyrna Speedway, Upcoming Events|Comments Off on New Smyrna Announces 9th Annual Pete Orr Memorial Orange Blossom 100 Tentative Schedule

KENNY WALLACE CELEBRATES HIS FIRST OPEN WHEEL MODIFIED WIN AT EAST BAY RACEWAY PARK FRIDAY NIGHT

TAMPA, FL-February 4, 2011-The excitement level in victory lane was off the charts as NASCAR driver Kenny Wallace celebrated a long-awaited win on a dirt track in his Open Wheel Modified Friday night at East Bay Raceway Park.
“When I was a kid growing up in St. Louis, I used to read about the guys that run here and I always wanted to accomplish a convincing win on dirt. This is just my sixth year of dirt track racing and I have been watching all the fun Kenny Schrader has doing this. I decided to get this Impressive Race Car chassis and have some of that fun, too,” Kenny told the crowd as he struck every possible victory pose with his trophy as the photographers captured every moment.
Track announcer, Chris Stepan reminded Wallace how his day had started at the qualifying pill draw when Kenny had pulled his own car number “36” out of the can of 100 pills and the driver immediately said, “That means I’m going to win the feature tonight!”
Equally lucky was the draw Wallace had after he won the third heat and drew pole position out of a possible one to eight starting spots in the feature.
Despite five yellow flags in the 25 lap distance and loosing the lead for five laps, Wallace had the perfect set-up on his UNOH (University of Northwestern Ohio) and Federated Auto Parts sponsored brand new Impressive chassis. Following each yellow flag, he managed to pull away from the field even though it was Rodney Wing and Jeff Mathews on his tail and Vic Vena and Dale Mathison not far behind.
Wallace was quick to credit chief mechanic Billy Smith with the success of his car on its maiden run. The crew had trouble in Wednesday night practice because of a miss and by process of elimination, they ran out of time after three sessions and parked that car and ran last year’s car on Thursday night.
Smith, who is a nine-time feature winner himself at Farmington MO, found the problem by replacing the battery this morning and the new car was “good to go” for tonight’s race using a fresh Mullins engine and equipped with PRO-shocks.
When fourth starting Dale Mathison passed Wallace for the lead on the second lap and held the lead through lap six, Wallace admitted, “I just couldn’t run the cushion like he could, but when I got back by him on the lap seven restart, I could run my groove.”
Second place finisher Wing confessed, “I tried everything to pressure him, but he never made a mistake.” Jeff Mathews was a solid third, but never was a challenge to Wallace.
Vic Vena had his best showing of the 12th Annual Open Wheel Modified Winternationals with his fourth place finish in his Malcuit powered BMS No. 01, while Mathison held on for fifth.
Rounding out the top ten it was Dave Hess, Jr., Roger Crouse, Devin Dixon, Jeff Bland and Stanley Donahoo.
Rick Hensley was fast timer over the 58 cars on hand with a time of 17.370 and the eight heat winners were Wing, Crouse, Wallace, Mathison, Vena, Dale Kelley, Mathews and 17-year old Adam Williams.
The B-Mains sent Austin Sanders, Rick Aukland, Todd Neiheiser and Dave McWilliams from the first one to the A-Main, while Dixon, Buzzie Reutimann, Donahoo and Perry Brown from the second B-Main.

Thanks, Jean Lynch for East Bay Raceway Park

STATS – OPEN WHEEL MODIFIEDS – EAST BAY RACEWAY PARK – FRIDAY, 2/4/11

Qualifying Results:
1. 03 Rick Hensley – 17.370; 2. 22S Chad Kinder – 17.617; 3. 2A Rick Aukland – 17.729; 4. 33X Rodney Wing – 17.756; 5. 40B Kyle Bronson – 17.756; 6. 33 Jeff Mathews – 17.769; 7. 47 Bill Howard – 17.874; 8. 36 Kenny Wallace – 17.878; 9. 38 Jeff Bland, Jr. – 17.907; 10. 22 Dale Kelley – 17.908; 11. 44H Dave Hess, Jr. – 17.923; 12. 777 Jared Landers – 17.927; 13. 64 Austin Sanders – 17.967; 14. D00 Stanley Donahoo – 18.069; 15. 28M Frank Marshall – 18.113; 16. 9M Dale Mathison – 18.152; 17. 2 Devin Dixon – 18.256; 18. 01 Vic Vena – 18.283; 19. 14 Adam William – 18.284; 20. 11 Adam Colley – 18.334; 21. 6 Daryl Herbert – 18.355; 22. 00 Buzzie Reutimann – 18.355; 23. 21 Joey Jenson – 18.398; 24. 72 Todd Neiheiser – 18.441; 25. 14C Corey Conley – 18.479; 26. 8M Matt Miller – 18.490; 27. 129 Rob Penny – 18.572; 28. 144 Anthony Kinkade – 18.576; 29. 3F Rob Fuqua – 18.587; 30. 9C John Carpenter – 18.591; 31. 25W Allen Weisser – 18.625; 32. 155 Jimmy Payne – 18.657; 33. 58 Matt Fetterhoff – 18.697; 34. 96G Curt Gelling – 18.718; 35. 75E Elliott Despain – 18.753; 36. 5L Larry Lambert – 18.775; 37. 9 Roger Crouse – 18.782; 38. 88P David Pollen, Jr. – 18.789; 39. 18 Dave McWilliams – 18.801; 40. 55 David Orr – 18.883; 41. 26 Bobby Gierke – 18.886; 42. 6B Dave Baldwin – 18.901; 43. 100 Reed Storley – 18.904; 44. D4 Dave Jamison – 18.938; 45. 271 Dakotah Stephens – 18.943; 46. 01T Peyton Taylor – 18.985; 47. 83B Perry Brown – 18.989; 48. Z1 Zac Oedewaldt – 18.996; 49. 44P Tim Powers – 19.056; 50. 83 Joe Waba – 19.241; 51. 45 Bob Broking – 19.261; 52. 3K Jeremy Kerzman – 19.294; 53. 6M Terry McClintock – 19.295; 54. 45J Johnny Broking – 19.341; 55. 96H Dennis Haven – 19.361; 56. 44T Joe Turner – 19.616; 57. 23 Terry Haven – 19.943; 58. 05 Greg Johnson – 25.670

1st Heat – 1)Rodney Wing 2)Chad Kinder 3)Austin Sanders 4)Adam Colley 5)Elliott Despain 6)Reed Storley 7)Bobby Gierke
2nd Heat – 1)Roger Crouse 2)Anthony Kinkade 3)Todd Neiheiser 4)Bob Broking 5)Tim Powers 6)Dave Baldwin 7)Dennis Haven
3rd Heat – 1)Kenny Wallace 2)Joey Jenson 3)Rick Aukland 4)Rob Penny 5)Terry McClintock 6)David Orr 7)Johnny Broking
4th Heat – 1)Dale Mathison 2)Rob Fuqua 3)Dave McWilliams 4)Jared Landers 5)Peyton Taylor 6)Joe Turner 7)Terry Haven
5th Heat – 1)Vic Vena 2)Corey Conley 3)Bill Howard 4)Curt Gelling 5)Frank Marshall 6)Joe Waba 7)Zac Oedewaldt
6th Heat – 1)Dale Kelley 2)Jeff Bland, Jr. 3)Perry Brown 4)Matt Fetterhoff 5)John Carpenter 6)Jeremy Kerzman 7)Jimmy Payne
7th Heat – 1)Jeff Mathews 2)Rick Hensley 3)Stanley Donahoo 4)Daryl Herbert 5)Greg Johnson 6)Matt Miller 7)Larry Lambert 8)Kyle Bronson
8th Heat – 1)Adam William 2)Dave Hess, Jr. 3)Buzzie Reutimann 4)Devin Dixon 5)David Pollen, Jr. 6)Allen Weisser 7)Dakotah Stephens 8)Dave Jamison

1st B – Main (Top 4 go to back of A inside row) – 1)Austin Sanders 2)Rick Aukland 3)Todd Neiheiser 4)Dave McWilliams 5)Adam Colley 6)Jared Landers 7)Peyton Taylor 8)Bob Broking 9)Elliott Despain 10)Dave Baldwin 11)Reed Storley 12)Bobby Gierke 13)Joe Turner 14)Johnny Broking 15)Terry McClintock 16)Rob Penny 17)David Orr 18)Tim Powers 19)Dennis Haven 20)Terry Haven

2nd B – Main (Top 4 go to back of A outside row) – 1)Devin Dixon 2)Buzzie Reutimann 3)Stanley Donahoo 4)Perry Brown 5)Bill Howard 6)Frank Marshall 7)Greg Johnson 8)Matt Fetterhoff 9)Allen Weisser 10)Curt Gelling 11)Jimmy Payne 12)Dakotah Stephens 13)John Carpenter 14)David Pollen, Jr. 15)Jeremy Kerzman 16)Joe Waba 17)Dave Jamison 18)Larry Lambert 19)Daryl Herbert 20)Zac Oedewaldt 21)Matt Miller 22)Kyle Bronson DNS

A – Main (25 Laps) – 1)Kenny Wallace 2)Rodney Wing 3)Jeff Mathews 4)Vic Vena 5)Dale Mathison 6)Dave Hess, Jr. 7)Roger Crouse 8)Devin Dixon 9)Jeff Bland, Jr. 10)Stanley Donahoo 11)Adam William 12)Corey Conley 13)Chad Kinder 14)Rick Aukland 15)Joey Jenson 16)Rick Hensley 17)Anthony Kinkade 18)Dale Kelley 19)Austin Sanders 20)Rob Fuqua 21)Dave McWilliams 22)Perry Brown 23)Buzzie Reutimann 24)Todd Neiheiser

By |2011-02-05T13:07:21-05:00February 5th, 2011|East Bay Raceway Park, Featured, Front Page News, Race Results, Upcoming Events|Comments Off on KENNY WALLACE CELEBRATES HIS FIRST OPEN WHEEL MODIFIED WIN AT EAST BAY RACEWAY PARK FRIDAY NIGHT

MIKEY HAY WINS TUSA MOD LITE OPENER AT EAST BAY

By Charlie Brown

Gibsonton, FL – Former National Champion, Mikey Hay of Somerset, Pa. made it two for two as he captured the 20 lap TUSA Winternationals openerThursday night at East Bay Raceway Park. Hay had served notice on Wednesday night when he won the special All Star race following a night of practice.

Mod Lite Winner Mikey Hay

Twenty-six cars took the green with Canada’s Chris Steele holding the lead. The yellow was quickly out as Brian Woodhall of Apollo, Pa. got around in traffic but was able to continue. On the restart a car got crossed up at the starting line triggering a multi-car crash that eliminated Jason Corless, Dallas Caldwell, James May, Paul Klager and Adam Murphy. (more…)

By |2011-02-05T03:58:53-05:00February 5th, 2011|East Bay Raceway Park, Featured, Front Page News, Race Results, Series, Upcoming Events|Comments Off on MIKEY HAY WINS TUSA MOD LITE OPENER AT EAST BAY

Daytona Veterans Lay Out Race Expectations

Bobby Gerhart, 2010 ARCA Daytona Winner

TOLEDO, Ohio – February 3, 2011 – Between them, nine-time ARCA Racing Series champion Frank Kimmel and six-time Daytona winner Bobby Gerhart have made 42 ARCA starts at Daytona International Speedway. With the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 – the opener for the 59th season of ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards action – just over one week away, the two drivers and several other Daytona veterans gave their expert thoughts on the 2.5-mile superspeedway’s newly-paved surface and the way racing action will change.

Frank Kimmel, No. 44 Ansell/Menards Ford (19 starts, seven top-fives, 10 top-10s):

“Well, from the grandstands, I think it’s going to be a better race for the fans. You’ll be able to run two- and three-wide all the way around. As for the drivers, the track’s easier to drive; it’s got so much grip and it’s so smooth. You don’t have the issues you had with the track in the past so I think you’ll see bigger groups running together all the way around. It should make the drivers more confident and should be an exciting race.”

Bobby Gerhart, No. 5 Lucas Oil Chevrolet (23 starts, six wins, eight top-fives, 12 top-10s):

“If history repeats itself, and it usually does, I think we’ll see a very good race. I go back to Talladega. When Talladega was newly paved, it was the most passing we had seen there in a long time. The only glitch is that we’ve got the same basic aero package we had then but we’re two notches down on the restrictor plate now. So if I had any reservations for Daytona, it’s that I just don’t know based on the maneuverability of the cars based on the drag power, or the power we don’t have, I should say. When Talladega was paved, it was the most passing we’ve seen, but that was on a 29/32nd (of an inch)-stamped plate. Now we’re on a 27/32nd (of an inch)-laser cut plate. Each one of the moves has moved the power meter down. Every time you do that, it makes the cars a little harder to maneuver. You’ll have to calculate more in how to make a pass. It doesn’t mean you can’t pass, but you’re going to have to plan ahead more. The track itself – they did a beautiful job. Like I’ve always said, it’s going to be a privilege to race there.”

Steve Arpin, No. 25 Mike’s Hard Lemonade Toyota (two starts, one top-10):

“I think you’ll definitely see a better race. You’ll see a lot closer racing with bigger packs, much like you do at Talladega; but Daytona will have its own unique characteristics. The transition (at Daytona) off the banking is a lot more aggressive than it is at Talladega, so it’s a much faster transition at Daytona. I think Daytona’s going to be the best of both worlds – tighter, cleaner racing, and more aggressive. From the fan’s perspective, that means a tighter, better race all the way around – bigger groups, more bumper-to-bumper. And from the driver’s perspective, handling won’t be the issue it used to be on the old track, so the drivers are going to be a lot more comfortable in the cars. One thing’s for sure, being the first stock car race on the track, there’s going to be a lot of eyes on us, which will make it even more exciting. You take the bumps out, smooth like it is, and we’re all going to feel like Superman out there. It’s going to be so cool; I can’t wait.”

(Arpin competed at Daytona in the NASCAR Nationwide Series last season, finishing a career-high 10th).

Tim George Jr., No. 31 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet (two starts, one top-10):

“The new racing surface at Daytona has tons of grip and is great to drive on. I just finished the Rolex 24 weekend there, and the banking feels like it’s a lot smoother. I think this will yield closer and more exciting racing. I know my confidence is up after a great test with RCR in the ARCA Racing Series a few weeks ago. There’s a bump low between (Turns) 3 and 4, but other than that the surface is much smoother than the old track. I think the set-ups will be a lot more like Talladega – which I love. Just set the car to go fast since handling is less important now. Of course, everything will change in a big draft.

“Testing helps at a superspeedway like Daytona, but we did not draft at all at the ARCA open test. We are scrambling to get my backup car together and didn’t want to risk hurting the primary – especially since it’s so good! (Earnhardt Childress Racing) does a great job with their plate motor package and my guys have worked hard to get this car right. We are going back to Daytona to compete for the win.

“ARCA will be the first series to run in a large draft at Daytona on the new pavement. Hoosier builds us a great tire to run on. I’m excited to get back down to Daytona – most of my days in 2011 so far have been at Daytona. With Rolex and ARCA testing, then the Rolex 24, I’m feeling right at home there.”

(George competed in the Grand Touring segment of the Rolex 24 at Daytona last week and was part of a TRG Motorsports team that finished 13th in the class.)

Lane Construction, which also repaved the surface at Talladega Superspeedway, site of the second race on the ARCA calendar, used 50,000 tons of asphalt to repave more than 1.4 million square feet of the 2.5-mile Daytona oval over a period of six months.

The 80-lap, 200-mile Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 airs live on SPEED at 4:30 p.m. Eastern on February 12, with live timing and scoring presented by ARCA Nation at ARCARacing.com. Bobby Gerhart (No. 5 Lucas Oil Chevrolet) is the defending and all-time leading winner at the track, with wins in 1999, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2010. Gerhart also won four consecutive poles between 2003 and 2006.

By |2011-02-07T14:37:42-05:00February 4th, 2011|Featured, Front Page News, Series, Upcoming Events|Comments Off on Daytona Veterans Lay Out Race Expectations

Landers Wins At East Bay 35th Winternationals

TAMPA, FL….2/3/11…. Jared Landers, of Clemmons NC, kicked off the 35th Anniversary Winternationals at East Bay Raceway Park Thursday night in convincing fashion by finally earning his first checkered flag here after coming close several times in the past in Open Wheel Modified competition.

This time he was not to be denied the 25-lap victory by a margin of four seconds on opening night of the 12th Annual Open Wheel Modified series was worth $1,500 and served as the first of two preliminary nights leading up to Saturday’s 75-lap $5,000 to win finale. (more…)

By |2011-02-05T03:59:31-05:00February 4th, 2011|East Bay Raceway Park, Featured, Front Page News, Race Results|Comments Off on Landers Wins At East Bay 35th Winternationals

ACT Veteran Champions will be Challenged at New Smyrna Speedway

WATERBURY, Vt. — Veterans of the American Canadian Tour (ACT) will find plenty of eager young and veteran talent to challenge them at the inaugural Goodyear Speedweeks Cup event to be held at the New Smyrna Speedway during the upcoming World Series of Asphalt Stock Car racing this month.

Past American Canadian Tour Champions, Brian Hoar from Williston, VT, Karl Allard, Ste Felicien, QC, Donald Theetge, Quebec City, QC and Patrick Laperle from Ste-Denis sur Richeleau, west of Montreal, have all won multiple championships during their successful careers.

Hoar is a seven time and defending ACT Champion. He has been winning races at all levels of competition for nearly 20 years. After winning five ACT Late Model championships between 1993 and 2000, he moved over to the former NASCAR Busch East division. He became a top competitor, won Rookie of the Year  in 2001, a Busch East race at Thunder Road Speedbowl in ’03, and the yearly track championship at the New Hampshire International Speedway in 2006.

“The New Smyrna events are going to be great for our team. First we want to have some fun. We also want to try and get some momentum heading into the coming season. I think this will be the ultimate ‘neutral track’ for all our teams. I guess Joey (Polewarczyk), Patrick (Laperle) and Eric Chase are the only guys to have been there. I might have to follow Joey around for a few laps, but we are kind of tired of finishing behind him after his great run last September. Hopefully we can turn that around in a few days,” said Hoar. (more…)

By |2011-02-05T03:59:56-05:00February 4th, 2011|Featured, Front Page News, New Smyrna Speedway, Series, Upcoming Events|Comments Off on ACT Veteran Champions will be Challenged at New Smyrna Speedway