Series | Karnac Racing News

Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modifieds Gear up for Rolling Wheels

Get Higher at “The Fast Track” with Season’s First 150-Point Race

ELBRIDGE, N. Y. – August 20, 2012 – The Super DIRTcar Big-Block Modified Series battle for points heats up for the 100-lap, 150-point ninth round Sunday, September 2, at Rolling Wheels Raceway Park. With only a few races left before NAPA Auto Parts Super DIRT Week XLI and the Sixth Annual Lowes Foods World Finals, and with the winner’s share of points increasing from 100 to 150, anything can happen between now and the championship.

Jimmy Phelps, second in points, trails leader and defending series champion Matt Sheppard by just 50 points and hopes resurrecting some old tactics can bring him success at the Stars & Stripes 100. The Baldwinsville, N. Y., native began his career racing regularly at Rolling Wheels, but his 2011 season saw uncharacteristic results with seventh- and eighth-place finishes. However, some retrospective strategizing helped him to an improved fourth-place finish at “The Fast Track’s” 66-lapper during All-Star Weekend in May. (more…)

By Scott|2012-08-20T15:41:41-04:00August 20th, 2012|Featured, Front Page News, Super DirtCar Series, Upcoming Events|Comments Off

Billy Ogle Jr. from Start to Finish in Southern All Stars Action at Cleveland Speedway

CLEVELAND, TN (August 19, 2012)—Billy Ogle Jr. is back on track with his second-straight Super Late Model victory.

Fresh off a win last Saturday at Smoky Mountain Speedway during Southern Regional Racing Series action, the Knoxville, TN driver returned to victory lane this time for a $3,500 payday during the Southern All Stars Dirt Racing Series-sanctioned 22^nd Annual Jean Johnson Memorial at Cleveland Speedway in Cleveland, TN on Saturday Night August 18^th.

Ogle led start to finish for his sixth career SAS victory and first this season. Ogle also became the sixth different winner in ten races thus far this season. Ogle drove the Blount Motorsports, Explosive Specialists, Bearden Oil Company, Cherokee Millwright & Mechanical and Massey Electric sponsored Custom powered Rocket Chassis to the event win. (more…)

By Scott|2012-08-20T01:00:37-04:00August 20th, 2012|Featured, Front Page News, Race Results, Southern All Stars|Comments Off

Frank Kimmel Drives to Eighth Career Win on Springfield Dirt

(SPRINGFIELD, Ill.) – In recent weeks, Frank Kimmel has shown flashes of his old dominance in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards – notably returning to Victory Lane after 75 races away and leading over half of another race in the midst of five consecutive top-five finishes.

Today, the ThorSport Racing driver made another step in his ongoing quest for a 10th ARCA championship, leading 51 laps in the Allen Crowe 100 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds to earn his sixth consecutive top-five, but more importantly, his 76th career win and eighth on the Springfield dirt.

Kimmel (No. 44 Ansell/Menards Toyota) started just 10th but took the lead for the first time on Lap 40 when Kevin Swindell (No. 55 Curb Records Toyota) drove to pit road and surrendered the lead. Kimmel gave the lead back after pitting to close Lap 76, but passed Alex Bowman (No. 22 St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Dodge) on Lap 87 and led the final 14 laps to take his second win in 24 days. (more…)

By Scott|2012-08-20T00:47:40-04:00August 20th, 2012|ARCA, Featured, Front Page News, Race Results|Comments Off

Richards Returns To World of Outlaws Late Model Series Glory With Victory In Rough-And-Tumble NAPA Auto Parts Merritt 50

Former Tour Champ Leads Rocket Chassis House Car Teammate Brandon Sheppard To Finish Line At Michigan’s Merritt Raceway

LAKE CITY, MI – Aug. 18, 2012 – Welcome back, Josh Richards.

In just his second World of Outlaws Late Model Series start following a four-month absence to pursue his NASCAR Nationwide Series aspirations, Richards flashed his vintage hard-charging form with a triumphant run to victory in Saturday night’s NAPA Auto Parts Merritt 50 at Merritt Raceway.

Richards, 24, of Shinnston, W.Va., started from the pole position and led all but one circuit of a rough-and-tumble 50-lap A-Main. He repelled a late-race challenge from his Rocket Chassis house car teammate Brandon Sheppard of New Berlin, Ill., who finished second to give Richards’s father, Mark, a memorable sweep of the top-two spots in a dirt Late Model feature for the first time in his career as a car owner. (more…)

By Scott|2012-08-19T16:09:34-04:00August 19th, 2012|Featured, Front Page News, Late Models, Race Results|Comments Off

Steve Francis Dominates COMP Cams Topless 100 at Batesville Motor Speedway

LOCUST GROVE, AR (August 18, 0212) – Leading all 100 laps, Steve Francis of Ashland, KY dominated the 20th Annual COMP Cams Topless 100 on Saturday Night at Batesville Motor Speedway. Francis, piloting the Valvoline, Barry Wright House Car collected $40,000 for his first win in the crown jewel event sanctioned by the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series.

Former Topless 100 winner and hometown driver Jared Landers of Batesville, AR finished second followed by Eric Wells of Hazard, KY; Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, TN; and Jimmy Owens of Newport, TN.

Francis, who started on the pole, took the lead at the start and then had to withstand several caution flags on his way to a convincing win. At least three drivers took a shot at Francis during the race, but only Landers consistently stayed within striking distance of him.

“I have to thank Barry and Lance Wright, this car was fast from the time we unloaded here on Thursday, I was worried about tire wear, but the Hoosiers still look good after the race, so I am happy for that! This is Barry’s first win in this race, and I have only run it a handful of times in the past,” said the 44-year-old driver, who captured his fifth LOLMDS win of 2012. (more…)

By Scott|2012-08-19T15:46:48-04:00August 19th, 2012|Featured, Front Page News, Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, Race Results|Comments Off

Kasey Kahne Racing Teammates Ready for Oil City Cup

Saldana, Darrah have combined for four wins in last six Outlaws events at Castrol

EDMONTON, Alberta – Aug. 18, 2012 – It’s a long trip to Castrol Raceway, but one that Kasey Kahne Racing teammates Joey Saldana and Cody Darrah both look forward to.

The duo has combined to win four of the last six World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series events at the 3/8-mile track, which hosts the Outlaws on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 24-25, for the Oil City Cup to conclude this season’s events in Canada.

“It was definitely a good stop we had there last year,” Darrah said. “We got our first Outlaws win with Kasey there.”

“Working off of Joey’s notes … that was probably our biggest success. To go off his feedback and to be able to pull a win off of it really shows how good Kasey Kahne Racing is there.”

Saldana missed the trip last year because of an injury, but is excited to return to the unique venue. (more…)

By Scott|2012-08-19T05:17:55-04:00August 19th, 2012|Featured, Front Page News, Sprint Cars, Upcoming Events|Comments Off

Ladouceur Beats Odds for 100th Career Pro Stock Win

Number 92 Pro Stock Driver Reaches Milestone

AKWESASNE, N. Y. – August 18, 2012 – Friday night wasn’t looking good for Joey Ladouceur at Mohawk International Raceway. With the pressure on and the stakes high, the defending Bailey Motor Company Pro Stock Series Champion with 99 career DIRTcar Pro Stock wins faced a competitive 15-car field – from the very back.

After problems in the qualifier put him last in his heat, Ladouceur started at the tail for the 35-lap feature Friday, Aug. 17, the final of 3 races in the Bailey Motor Company Pro Stock Series. However, the 2011 DIRTcar Pro Stock Series champion faced the challenge head-on, charging ahead of early race leaders George Renaud and Stephane Lebrun for his landmark 100^th DIRTcar Pro Stock victory.

“It was fun to win one that way,” said Ladouceur, who feels comfortable racing Mohawk’s 4/10-mile semi-banked oval.

“I’ve always run well at Mohawk,” he said. “I guess I just go there, kind of relax, and I know the track well, so I make the most of it.” (more…)

By Scott|2012-08-19T02:27:23-04:00August 19th, 2012|Featured, Front Page News, World of Outlaws|Comments Off

Swindell Overcomes Kinser, Schatz to Claim Victory at River Cities

GRAND FORKS, N.D. – Aug. 17, 2012 – It was a tale of two obstacles for Sammy Swindell on a perfect Friday evening at River Cities Speedway.

First, outduel 20-time World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series champion Steve Kinser for the lead on the racy, action-packed track. Second, outlast the hottest driver of late – Donny Schatz – in challenging traffic.

Swindell successfully completed both tasks to record his series-leading ninth victory in Round 2 of The Duel at the Dakotas Presented by Gerdau and Sleep Inn & Suites.

“It seemed like the first part just took forever to get going and then we went on a pretty long run it seemed like,” he said. “We were able to get the win and hold everybody else off there.”

The 40-lap event began with Swindell darting to the lead before a violent crash between Kerry Madsen and Greg Nikitenko forced a red flag on lap two. Kinser, who drove from ninth to fifth place in the dash, charged to second on the restart and quickly challenged Swindell for the top spot. (more…)

By Scott|2012-08-18T16:09:58-04:00August 18th, 2012|Featured, Front Page News, Race Results, Sprint Cars|Comments Off

VANDOORN TAKES MILLER LITE 100 WIN TO AT TOLEDO

CARLSON CROWNED ARCA ALLEGIANT GOLD CUP CHAMPION

Toledo, Ohio-August 17, 2012: Coopersville, MI driver Johnny VanDoorn captured the Miller Lite 100 for the ARCA Allegiant Gold Cup/Main Event Series outlaw Late Models Friday night at Toledo Speedway, while Cedar Springs, MI resident Dakota Carlson iced the 2012 Gold Cup title by virtue of his 4^th place run. This is the first time that the 2 Series have teamed together for an event. Josh Bunting won the companion ARCA R & M Recycling Street Stock feature, while Perry Marlow took top honors in the ARCA 4 Cylinder race. PJ Sullivan of Northwest Ohio Beverage, the Toledo area Miller Lite distributor, presented the Gold Cup to Johnny in the Sun Drop Winner’s Circle.

Carlson, driving for Tony LeClair, was solid throughout the 6 race Allegiant Gold Cup Series as he captured the 2012 title. The top 3 in the final points of the Series-Carlson, Mike Root and Harold Fair Jr., will each receive 2 round trip tickets courtesy of Allegiant Travel. Carlson will get the opportunity to test an ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards Stock Car at the annual December ARCA test at Daytona International Speedway. (more…)

By Scott|2012-08-18T16:04:00-04:00August 18th, 2012|ARCA, Featured, Front Page News, Race Results|Comments Off

Eckert Outduels Richards For Victory In NAPA Auto Parts Winston 50 Presented by Keyser Manufacturing

Lanigan’s Six-Race World of Outlaws Late Model Series Win Streak Ends At Michigan’s Winston Speedway

MONTAGUE, MI – Aug. 17, 2012 – Rick Eckert dashed the hopes of two fellow World of Outlaws Late Model Series stars with a triumphant run in Friday night’s NAPA Auto Parts Winston 50 Presented by Keyser Manufacturing at Winston Speedway.

The national tour’s defending champion outdueled returning two-time titlist Josh Richards to gain control of the A-Main on lap 27. He then dominated the race’s second half to snap the six-race win streak of 2012 circuit dominator Darrell Lanigan, who settled for a fifth-place finish after starting 12 ^th.

Eckert, 46, of York, Pa., earned $10,650 for his third WoO LMS victory of the season, tying him with Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y., for second on the ’12 win list behind Lanigan’s single-season record of 13. He was also proud to be the driver to finally shut Union, Ky.’s Lanigan out of Victory Lane.

“I’m glad I stopped him,” Eckert said of Lanigan. “He’s been on a roll. He’s been for sure the guy to beat all year long, so this is big for our team.” (more…)

By Scott|2012-08-18T15:58:46-04:00August 18th, 2012|Featured, Front Page News, Late Models, Race Results|Comments Off