Richards Sweeps Prairie Dirt Classic Weekend

Dennis Erb Jr. Rekindles a Past Battle Between the Two Late

073016_WOOL_FALS2FAIRBURY, Ill. – July 30, 2016 – Josh Richards completed the “Prairie Dirt Classic” sweep Saturday night in front of a packed house, winning the 100-lap finale at Fairbury American Legion Speedway. The victory was Richards’ 11th of the season and his 69th of his career in the series.

“To win this race at Fairbury, it’s one I’ve always looked forward to,” Richards said. “It’s cool to finally get one.”

Richards, starting 11th in the feature, worked his way to the top gradually. While he was in the pursuit of the podium, race leader Steve Casebolt – who led the field into the green flag – established himself on the top cushion of the 1/4-mile oval.

In the opening laps, Casebolt extended his lead to nearly four seconds, while the trio of drivers behind him spanned three-wide among the width of the track. On lap 15, Casebolt broke into lapped traffic – using the nose of his car to wedge himself through the field. Don O’Neal capitalized on the three-way battle, side-skirting the completion into second position. O’Neal used the bottom of the track for the majority of the race. (more…)

By |2016-08-03T16:27:57-04:00August 3rd, 2016|Front Page News, Late Models|Comments Off on Richards Sweeps Prairie Dirt Classic Weekend

Wilmot Warrior: David Gravel wins O’Reilly Auto Parts Badger 40 at Wilmot Raceway

Scores His Sixth World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Victory of the Season

By Tony Veneziano

GravelWilmotVLWILMOT, Wisc. – July 30, 2016 – David Gravel has been under the weather over the course of the last week, but he didn’t let that slow him down on Saturday night in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Badger 40 at Wilmot Raceway in Wisconsin. The native of Watertown, Connecticut, led all 40 laps to claim his sixth World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series win of the season.

Gravel has now won in both of his starts with the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series at Wilmot Raceway and has 13 career wins with the series.

“It’s been a rough last six or seven days for me and I’m just starting to feel better,” said Gravel, who drives the Big Game Treestands machine for CJB Motorsports. “The car was just awesome. I’ve only had one other car ever that has driven perfect like that. There was a lot of yellows and that gave Donny (Schatz) a lot of shots at me and chances to try to change it up a little bit.” (more…)

By |2016-08-03T15:14:18-04:00August 3rd, 2016|Front Page News, Sprint Cars|Comments Off on Wilmot Warrior: David Gravel wins O’Reilly Auto Parts Badger 40 at Wilmot Raceway

Richards Resilient from 10th Place Start

Runs Away with $5,000 Unsanctioned Victory in 25-lap #FALS Draw Showdown

072916_WOOL_FALSFAIRBURY, Ill. – July 29, 2016 – Josh Richards successfully made a late-dash for the lead Friday night, winning the second annual #FALS Draw Showdown. The preliminary was a part of the “Prairie Dirt Classic” at Fairbury American Legion Speedway, which is wholly a two-day program ending with a World of Outlaws Craftsman® Late Model Series sanctioned 100-lap feature.

“It sure feels good to be in victory lane,” Richards said. “I know tomorrow is really when it counts, but these guys are all extremely tough. This is probably the toughest local crowd you can ever come to. We gambled on tires a little bit, and the car was great. It worked. We have 100 laps tomorrow, and that’s a big difference.”

The 25-lap feature began in a deficit for Richards, who started 10th in an 18-car field. Local favorite Kevin Weaver led the group into the green flag. Weaver, lacking the gusto he needed to ride the top cushion effectively, began to lose his grip on the lead within the first five laps. (more…)

By |2016-08-03T14:00:30-04:00August 3rd, 2016|Front Page News, Late Models|Comments Off on Richards Resilient from 10th Place Start

Smooth Sailing for Super Matt Sheppard at Eldora Speedway

Wins First Ever Big-Block Modified Race at Eldora Speedway

Eldora2_pictureROSSBURG, O.H. – July 20, 2016 – The 25-lap Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modifieds invitational exhibition at Eldora Speedway Wednesday night saw Matt Sheppard lead the field from green to checkered to score his first ever Big-Block modified feature at the ‘Big E.’

“It means a lot to win here. I mean, after last night anything that could go wrong went wrong,” said Sheppard about his sixteenth place finish the night before. “Turning it around tonight just shows how great this team is and how fast this race car is.”

As the special feature kicked off at the legendary half-mile, Sheppard jumped out to a sizable early lead as Brett Hearn followed in second.

The first caution of the night was brought out on lap four as second place runner, Hearn, slowed to a stop in turns one and two for a shredded tire.

On the restart, the crowd saw Rich Scagliotta, Frank Cozze, and Peter Britten battling for the second spot.

Britten was running up against the outside wall trying to gain some ground on Scagliotta in second place and was able to charge to the outside and chase him down for the second spot. (more…)

By |2016-07-21T16:03:35-04:00July 21st, 2016|Front Page News, Super DirtCar Series|Comments Off on Smooth Sailing for Super Matt Sheppard at Eldora Speedway

Tim Fuller Conquers Return of the Big-Blocks to Eldora Speedway

Fuller fends off big field at The Big E, Captures Aspen Dental Dirt Derby 100

ELDORA(Mandee Pauch) ROSSBURG, Ohio – July 19, 2016 – After a 10-year absence the Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modifieds returned to Eldora Speedway Tuesday night as Tim Fuller battled through the field and claimed his second series victory of the year.

For Fuller, the win was his second big-block modified victory at the historic half-mile oval in Rossburg, Ohio since 2006.

‘I’m real happy,” Fuller said. “We won the last modified race here in 2006 and then Tony Stewart buys it and I get to win it. It’s really good – it’s a very special place.”

“I knew it was going to make the start of the race way better after I drew 12th. It actually opened up the racing and it made it where there was a bottom, middle, and a top. You could float all over this place. It was really a lot of fun.”

The win did not come without a little adversity at the front of the pack as several drivers battled for that top spot. (more…)

By |2016-07-20T17:46:47-04:00July 20th, 2016|Front Page News, Super DirtCar Series|Comments Off on Tim Fuller Conquers Return of the Big-Blocks to Eldora Speedway

David Gravel Battles to Don Martin Memorial Silver Cup Victory

Picks up his Fifth World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series Victory of the Season

071916GravelSilverPostSARVER, Pa. – July 19, 2016 – Donny Schatz did not make it easy, but David Gravel proved up to the task as he battled to his fifth World of Outlaws Craftsman® Sprint Car Series victory of the season in the 25th Annual Don Martin Memorial Silver Cup at Lernerville Speedway on Tuesday night.

Gravel started from the front, but did not have an easy road as Schatz moved forward early and then began challenging the Watertown, Conn.-native for the lead. Through lapped traffic, Schatz closed the distance and then battled by Gravel. Gravel kept up the pressure though and, the next lap by, was in position when Schatz bobbled on the cushion. He took back the top spot and held off challenges through the end of the 40-lap feature.

“Donny is really good – Dale (Blaney) and Donny at this type of race track,” Schatz said. “I tried to keep my pace up as good as I can but it got harder and harder and harder to run. When Donny showed his nose there and passed me, I got the wing back and tried a different line down the back stretch and was able to get underneath him and slide him back and slide a lapped car. That was the winning move there really.” (more…)

By |2016-07-20T17:42:50-04:00July 20th, 2016|Front Page News, Sprint Cars|Comments Off on David Gravel Battles to Don Martin Memorial Silver Cup Victory

Riley Hickman Captures Magnolia Speedway Governors Cup Southern All Star Event

Riley Hickman MagnoliaCOLUMBUS, MS – The Southern All Star Dirt Racing Series returned to the Magnolia Speedway in Columbus, MS., for its annual visit at the 13th Annual Cliburn Truck Lines Governors Cup and three time Southern All Star series champion Riley Hickman of Cleveland, TN., got win #2 on the season and also a $5,000 payday in the 50 lap main.

In SUNOCO Race Fuels qualifying Batesville, AR., driver Wendell Wallace and Hickman were fast qualifiers in their respective groups with Wallace setting overall fast time with a `14.561 lap to Hickman’s 14.669 lap.

Wallace took the lead at the start and was looking to be the man to beat as he stretched out to half a straight lead over Hickman, Jack Sullivan, Eric Cooley and David Breazeale.  Then on lap seven trouble came as the car of Ashton  Winger spun in turn one and right in front of the leaders and Wallace had no place to go as he clipped Winger’s car ending his night, along with Brett White and Cale Finley.  Wallace went to the pits for repairs and returned to the tail end of the field and charged back to a 10th place finish. (more…)

By |2016-07-18T20:36:42-04:00July 18th, 2016|Front Page News, Southern All Stars|Comments Off on Riley Hickman Captures Magnolia Speedway Governors Cup Southern All Star Event

Armstrong Gets Biggest Win of His Career in the 50th Annual Redbud 300

DSC_4844-copy-800x415Salem, IN (July 17, 2016) – Dalton Armstrong put on a commanding performance in scoring his biggest victory to date in winning Saturday nights 50th Annual Redbud 300 Presented by Mitch Smith Auto Service and Perfecto at Anderson Speedway. Armstrong took the lead at the drop of the green flag from his outside front row starting position passing Bubba Pollard to grab an early lead, which he extended at times to almost a straight away until the scheduled Halfway Break at lap 150.

Armstrong then surrendered the lead to former event winner and three time ARCA/CRA Super Series Powered by JEGS Champion Johnny Van Doorn at the start of the second half, Van Doorn only changed two tires at the break, versus Armstrong’s three to get the better starting position, but Armstrong was able to make an outside pass again on a restart to grab the lead for good on lap 185, again building a big lead, but then had to fight off challengers on two late restarts with five laps to go before getting the win.

“This is just a huge win for me and Scott Neal Racing,” commented Armstrong in Victory Lane. “What makes this so special is this is my home track, I got the win in front of a ton of family and friends and now we all get to celebrate! I have to thank my family for their support as well as Scott Neal and the whole team for all their hard work, winning the Redbud is big for me and my whole team!” (more…)

By |2016-07-18T20:04:20-04:00July 18th, 2016|CRA Racing Series, Front Page News|Comments Off on Armstrong Gets Biggest Win of His Career in the 50th Annual Redbud 300

Jon Henry Scores at Oakshade as Bobby Pierce Wins the Championship

Pierce Walks Away with Championship After a Dominating Season

071616SNHenryWAUSEON, Ohio – July 16, 2016 – Jon Henry dominated the DIRTcar Summer Nationals finale at Oakshade Raceway on Saturday night as he scored the 18th Annual Birthday Race. As Henry of Ada, Ohio, celebrated his race win, 19-year-old Bobby Pierce celebrated his second straight series championship.

Henry started the night’s feature on the outside pole and quickly took control of the race. Henry held off Jason Feger, who took the previous night’s win and Pierce who charged into second late in the race.

Through three restarts Henry easily dispatched his competition and even with lapped traffic late in the feature, Henry crossed the finish line nearly two seconds ahead of Pierce, who finished in second.

The $10,000 victory is the biggest of Henry’s career.

“It’s unreal,” Henry said. “It’s something I always dreamed to do… it’s very emotional, to be honest with you. It doesn’t really sink in, but it’s gonna sink in probably here soon – tomorrow and the next week and the next month – that we were able to accomplish something that we’ve always wanted to do and in front of a great crowd.” (more…)

By |2016-07-18T19:55:16-04:00July 18th, 2016|Front Page News, World of Outlaws|Comments Off on Jon Henry Scores at Oakshade as Bobby Pierce Wins the Championship

Nick Hoffman Makes It a Weekend Sweep at Oakshade

Series Returns to Action on July 29 and 30 at the Fairbury American Legion Speedway

071616HoffmanOakshadeWAUSEON, Ohio – July 16, 2016 – Saturday’s DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals feature at Oakshade Speedway was again the Brian Ruhlman and Nick Hoffman show – and again, it was Nick Hoffman who came out on top.

Ruhlman started on the front row and quickly pulled to the lead. It took Hoffman slightly more time to clear for second, but once he did, the two leaders pulled away from the field.

A mid-race restart gave Hoffman the shot he needed – when the green flag flew Hoffman took the highline and battled around Ruhlman. Hoffman maneuvered through traffic late and held off Ruhlman through a restart to sweep the weekend double-header at Oakshade Raceway.

The win is sixth of the season for Hoffman who leads the series points going into the final events. (more…)

By |2016-07-18T19:52:17-04:00July 18th, 2016|Front Page News, Super DirtCar Series|Comments Off on Nick Hoffman Makes It a Weekend Sweep at Oakshade