Friesen’s Big-Block Modified Roots Helped Create NASCAR Ride

friesen-nascar-storyBy Clayton Johns (CONCORD, N.C.) — Jan. 11, 2017 —One of the biggest stars of the Super DIRTcar Series will race full-time in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series come 2017. Sprakers, NY driver Stewart Friesen has partnered with Chris Larsen to create Halmar Friesen Racing for his first full-time foray into NASCAR Racing, he announced Monday. Tommy Baldwin Jr. will be the team’s crew chief.

“We got our feet wet in it last year and the opportunity came to team up with Tommy Baldwin and his operation so it was a no-brainer for us. We combined forces and I’m really looking forward to it,” Friesen said.

Friesen made his NASCAR Truck Series debut last July at Eldora Speedway, NASCAR’s only race on dirt. The ride was supposed to be a one-time deal, but quickly blossomed into five more races for Friesen before the end of 2016. It led to the formation of his new team, which will be based in Mooresville, NC.

“We had just planned to do Eldora and have some fun with it, but it kind of lit a fire under everyone and the decision was made to try and do more,” Friesen explained. “We really learned a lot and met some great people along the way. Now we’ve kind of upped our game to the next level.” (more…)

By |2017-06-05T21:14:14-04:00January 11th, 2017|Front Page News, National, Super DirtCar Series|Comments Off on Friesen’s Big-Block Modified Roots Helped Create NASCAR Ride

Saldana to Park It in 2017

Will drive the No. 17 for Matt Wood and Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

111716_scs_saldanaCONCORD, N.C. – Nov. 28, 2016 – Joey Saldana is not only carrying on his family legacy into the 2017 racing season, but also living out the legacy left by the late Bryan Clauson. Saldana teamed up with Matt Wood and NASCAR star Ricky Stenhouse Jr. to pilot the Elk Grove Ford/ Roth Investments No. 17 racecar in the World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series tour next season – an aspiration of Clauson’s since he first hopped into a 410 Sprint Car.

Saldana finished the 2016 season with Dennis Roth and Roth Motorsports amassing five wins, 31 top-five and 62 top-ten performances with 10 quick times in 81 points races. Saldana is nearing the 100-win milestone heading into his 18th consecutive season with the series; he stands at 99 wins, a mark that has taken the 1996 Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year 19 seasons to build.

Saldana has finished within the top five in series championship point standings three of his last four seasons full-time. Roth Motorsports, which began its first World of Outlaw season in 1995, expected to carry its team’s momentum into the following season. However, a series of unfortunate events prompted Roth to take a step back and not field the No. 83 car in 2017. Saldana, 43, said he still has plenty of gas left in the tank but worried that this may have been “it.” (more…)

By |2017-06-05T21:14:14-04:00November 29th, 2016|Front Page News, National, Racing News, Sprint Cars|Comments Off on Saldana to Park It in 2017

LAVONIA FASTRAK ACTION SEES IVEY AS GA STATE CHAMP AND KNIGHT AS NATIONAL CHAMP

Cla Knight of North Augusta, SC celebrates winning the 2016 Fastrak Pro Late Model Series Southeast National Championship after driving the Augusta Aquatics Longhorn to a second-place finish behind winner Trent Ivey of Union, SC on Sunday afternoon in the Georgia State Championship Race at Lavonia Speedway in Lavonia, GA.  Knight also won the Fastrak Pro Dirt Late Model Series Mid-Ohio Valley Championship earlier this year.  Knight made history by becoming the first driver to win two championship in the same year in the 14-year history of Fastrak.  (Photo Courtesy of Cla Knight Racing

Cla Knight of North Augusta, SC celebrates winning the 2016 Fastrak Pro Late Model Series Southeast National Championship after driving the Augusta Aquatics Longhorn to a second-place finish behind winner Trent Ivey of Union, SC on Sunday afternoon in the Georgia State Championship Race at Lavonia Speedway in Lavonia, GA. Knight also won the Fastrak Pro Dirt Late Model Series Mid-Ohio Valley Championship earlier this year. Knight made history by becoming the first driver to win two championship in the same year in the 14-year history of Fastrak. (Photo Courtesy of Cla Knight Racing

LAVONIA, GA – Trent Ivey of Union, SC took the lead with four laps to go and captured the $3,000 top prize by winning the Georgia State Championship Race for the Fastrak Pro Late Model Series driving the Ivey Construction MastersBilt on Sunday afternoon at Lavonia Speedway. Not only did Ivey celebrate after the race, but the second-place driver did as well.

Ivey was able to dive underneath the early race leader Jensen Ford of Piney Flats, TN, who pushed up the banking in turn four on lap 37 opening the door for Ivey. With the handling used up on Ford’s Tim Byrd Motorsports TNT, Cla Knight of North Augusta, SC in the Augusta Aquatics Longhorn dove under Ford for the second spot in turn one on lap 38.

“I had to drive my but off this afternoon just to stay in a position to win the race if the opening presented itself, and it did,” Ivey said. “I’ve always wanted to win a Fastrak race, and to win the Georgia State Championship Race in my first visit to Lavonia Speedway is pretty special. (more…)

By |2017-06-05T21:11:01-04:00November 21st, 2016|Fastrak Late Model Series, Front Page News, Regional|Comments Off on LAVONIA FASTRAK ACTION SEES IVEY AS GA STATE CHAMP AND KNIGHT AS NATIONAL CHAMP

2017 ARCA Racing Series Schedule Released

arca-logo-2010TOLEDO, Ohio (Nov. 10, 2016) – The 65th consecutive season for the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards is set in stone, as Series officials released the 2017 schedule Thursday to include 20 race-dates across 13 states.

Another healthy mix of superspeedways, paved short tracks, dirt tracks and a road course will highlight the 2017 tour, including returns trips to Elko Speedway in Minnesota and Road America in Wisconsin. ARCA raced at the Elko short track 2012-2014 and once at the Road America road course in 2013.

“We are pleased to announce our full and complete 20-race, 2017 schedule,” said ARCA President Ron Drager. “From superspeedways recognized as among the most famed tracks in the world, to historic short tracks, to mile dirt tracks and road course venues, the schedule highlights the long standing diversity of the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards. We’re especially pleased to welcome back to the schedule Elko Speedway and Road America.” (more…)

By |2016-11-11T14:03:17-05:00November 11th, 2016|ARCA, Front Page News|Comments Off on 2017 ARCA Racing Series Schedule Released

LUCAS OIL LATE MODEL DIRT SERIES 2017 SCHEDULE REVEALED!

2016news_10-26WAYCROSS, GA (October 26, 2016) – The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series – widely acknowledged as the nation’s premier dirt late model tour – announces a record-breaking 2017 schedule.

The ambitious 2017 schedule, which includes 54 events at 35 different venues across 22 states – begins with the February 10th-11th Super Bowl of Racing at Golden Isles Speedway, and concludes on October 20th-21st at Portsmouth Raceway Park for the 37th Annual Dirt Track World Championship, which is set to offer a $100,000 top prize for the third consecutive year.

The 2017 schedule will feature 15 events that will pay $12,000-to-win, along with 11 crown jewel events that will pay $20,000-to-win (or more). The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series will sanction some of most prestigious dirt late model events of the season, including: Bad Boy 98 ($20,000-to-win); Lucas Oil Show-Me 100 ($30,000-to-win); Clash at the Mag ($20,000-to-win); Silver Dollar Nationals ($53,000-to-win); Sunoco North/South 100 ($50,000-to-win); COMP Cams Topless 100 ($40,000-to-win); Hillbilly Hundred ($25,000-to-win); Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals ($40,000-to-win); Jackson 100 ($20,000-to-win); Pittsburgher 100 ($20,000-to-win); and the season finale – Dirt Track World Championship ($100,000-to-win). (more…)

By |2017-06-05T21:12:30-04:00October 26th, 2016|Front Page News, Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, National|Comments Off on LUCAS OIL LATE MODEL DIRT SERIES 2017 SCHEDULE REVEALED!

Derek Ellis Adds His Name To First Time Southern All Star Winners At Talladega Short Track

derek-ellisEASTABOGA, AL–The Southern All Star Dirt Racing Series concluded the 2016 season with having another first time winner as Derek Ellis of Chatsworth, GA., led all 40 lap to take the $4,000 NASCAR Weekend 40 at the Talladega Short Track Saturday and add his name to the 2016 list of first time winners which include Brandon Overton, Jason Hiett and Mark Fields.

Ellis started on the pole alongside the 2016 Southern All Star Champion Riley Hickman as they were the top two cars in SUNOCO Group Qualifying. Ellis jumped into the lead at the stop of the green flag and then had to work his way in and out of lapped traffic and also to survive several restarts due to caution flags. Midway through the race second place finisher Michael Page looked to have something for Ellis, but could never get around him to take over the top spot and finished second. Third place went to Hickman who tried to find something on the track but could not as he worked high and low but had no luck. Fourth place went to Jonathan Davenport driving Chris Stapleton Tony Stewart tribute car and fifth place went to Todd Morrow who rebounded for a top five finish after a bad couple races at East Alabama. (more…)

By |2016-10-25T15:54:10-04:00October 25th, 2016|Front Page News, Southern All Stars|Comments Off on Derek Ellis Adds His Name To First Time Southern All Star Winners At Talladega Short Track

U.S. District Court Dismisses Case of Suspended Dirt Late Model Dream Drivers

Drivers Can Return to Competition with Payment of Fines and Reinstatement of Suspended DIRTcar Membership

SuperDirtcar Series LogoCONCORD, N.C. – Oct. 18, 2016 – U.S. District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino today issued a stipulation of dismissal in the case of plaintiffs Scott Bloomquist, Gregg Satterlee, Jimmy Owens, and Ricky Thornton vs World Racing Group and subsidiary DIRTcar Racing, Eldora Speedway, and its owner Tony Stewart regarding suspension following tire analysis after Eldora Speedway’s Dirt Late Model Dream.

Drivers will be allowed to return to competition with payment of the fine and fees imposed, following a request for reinstatement of their suspended DIRTcar membership.

“We’re happy this is over,” said DIRTcar Racing COO Tom Deery. “It is a waste of resources that should have been invested in the sport rather than damaging it and polarizing fans.” (more…)

By |2017-06-05T21:14:14-04:00October 19th, 2016|Front Page News, National, World of Outlaws|Comments Off on U.S. District Court Dismisses Case of Suspended Dirt Late Model Dream Drivers

SHEPPARD SENSATIONAL IN RHINO AG DIRT TRACK WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

2016news_10-15PORTSMOUTH, OH (October 15, 2016) – Brandon Sheppard charged from the 21st starting position to win his second career Dirt Track World Championship Race at Portsmouth Raceway Park on Saturday night. Sheppard earned a career-best $100,000 as he drove the Eric Brock-owned Best Performance Motorsports Team/Rocket Chassis to the victory.

Sheppard was third different leader of the event – taking over the top spot from Josh Richards on lap 72. Richards forged ahead again on lap 73 before Sheppard cleared Richards for good on lap 77, and never looked back in the final Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series event of the season. Earl Pearson Jr. in the Dunn-Benson Ford/Lucas Oil Racing TV/Longhorn charged to second at the finish ahead of Richards, Gregg Satterlee, and Darrell Lanigan.

The 2016 LOLMDS National Champion, Scott Bloomquist, led the first 45 laps of the race until Richards passed him for the lead. Bloomquist, who came into the event seeking his third straight DTWC win at Portsmouth, fell to second and then six laps later yielded the spot to Sheppard.

Richards appeared to be pulling away from the field as he opened up his lead, but Sheppard slowly started to track down Richards and with 23 laps to go he had taken the lead away from him for the final time. (more…)

By |2017-06-05T21:12:30-04:00October 19th, 2016|Front Page News, Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, National|Comments Off on SHEPPARD SENSATIONAL IN RHINO AG DIRT TRACK WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Braden’s Wild Finish Results in Winchester 400 Win

Coughlin Wins 2016 Series Championship

slm-cra-winchester-400-braden-vl-gun-10-09-16-537x350Salem, IN (October 10, 2016) – The Winchester 400 is a grueling 400 lap event that tests drivers and their equipment but Sunday’s 45th Annual Winchester 400 on the famed High Banks of Winchester Speedway will mainly be remembered for the last five laps that saw a driver that went from looking like he was out of contention to victory lane. Those final laps and the win did not come without a lot of controversy.

The wild finish started when second place running Stephen Nasse got into leader Raphael Lessard, Lessard then got back into Nasse slowing both cars and allowing Dalton Sargeant to dive low underneath both cars. Sargeant and Nasse made contact resulting in Nasse making hard contact into the wall and collecting Lessard, ending both drivers days on lap 395. Sargeant was sent to the tail of the lead lap cars for being involved in the yellow setting up the dramatic five lap finish.

During the red flag while the track crew cleaned up the Nasse and Lessard wreck, two-time ARCA/CRA Super Series Champion Travis Braden’s car was pushed to pit road, unable to start because of a dead battery. The crew frantically went to work and managed to get the battery changed and get Braden back on the track just before the restart. The lap cars at the back of the field all waved Braden by, giving Braden the opportunity to start at the tail of the four remaining cars on the lead lap. (more…)

By |2016-10-11T13:24:25-04:00October 11th, 2016|CRA Racing Series, Front Page News|Comments Off on Braden’s Wild Finish Results in Winchester 400 Win

RICHARDS ROARS TO PITTSBURGHER 100 VICTORY

2016news_10-8IMPERIAL, PA (October 8, 2016) – Josh Richards roared to the lead on lap 25 and never looked back – winning his second career Pittsburgher 100. The victory for his team was worth $20,000 on Saturday night at Pittsburgh’s Pennsylvania Motor Speedway. Richards took over the point from the early pace-setter and new track record holder, Michael Norris.

Richards’ Mark Richards Racing/Valvoline/Seubert Calf Ranches/Durham Race Engines/Rocket Chassis house-car captured his sixth Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series win of the season over Scott Bloomquist, Gregg Satterlee, Don O’Neal, and Jimmy Owens.

Norris was making his first career LOLMDS start and looked strong early on in the race, but Richards went by him on lap 25. O’Neal then got by Norris for second as Bloomquist – who started tenth – began to make his way to the front. (more…)

By |2017-06-05T21:12:31-04:00October 11th, 2016|Front Page News, Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, National|Comments Off on RICHARDS ROARS TO PITTSBURGHER 100 VICTORY