Upcoming Events | Karnac Racing News

Series Announces DART Winternationals, Presented by Magnaflow Performance Exhaust Will Again Pay a Points Fund and Two Extra Starting Spots each night

WAYCROSS, GA -February 3, 2011– The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series is excited to announce the DART Winternationals, presented by Magnaflow Performance Exhaust will again pay out a DART Winternationals point’s fund that will pay racers cash and for the special speedweeks points fund put together by the series for drivers that participate in the events at East Bay Raceway Park February 7^th through the 12th.

The top 10 racers that accumulate the most points during the six nights of racing will receive a portion of the points fund on the final night at East Bay Raceway Park with the DART Winternationals Champion receiving $5,000 in cash. In addition DART has stepped up and added an additional starting spot in each feature throughout the week, bringing the total number of starting spots each nights feature to twenty-six. The DART Fast Pass provisional will be given each night to the fastest qualifier that did not earn a starting position in the feature.

Magnaflow Performance Exhaust, “The Official Exhaust” of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, has come on board as the presenting sponsor of the 35^th Annual DART Winternationals Presented by Magnaflow Performance Exhaust. Along with becoming the presenting sponsor of the weeklong event, Magnaflow will also be the title sponsor of the Magnaflow Performance Exhaust Strawberry Dash. The Magnaflow Performance Exhaust Strawberry Dash will consist of a last-chance dash to earn a coveted starting spot in the A-Main, thanks to Magnaflow. The winner of the Magnaflow Strawberry Dash will transfer into the feature event each night adding an additional starting position to the feature field to give racers two additional starting for a total of 26 drivers in each feature instead of the traditional 24 starting spots.

“Were excited to have DART and Magnaflow step up and be a big part of the Winternationals. By adding two additional starting positions to each nights feature event will give more racers an opportunity to earn more money and a chance to compete for a coveted winternationals feature win”, stated Ritchie Lewis.

To learn more about the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series visit the official website at www.lucasdirt.com or contact the series office and Ritchie Lewis at (951) 532-2503 or email Ritchie at rlewis@lucasdirt.com.

By Scott|2011-02-03T13:07:48-05:00February 3rd, 2011|East Bay Raceway Park, Featured, Front Page News, Series, Upcoming Events|Comments Off

Position Bonuses Added to Citrus County Modified Mini Payoff for February 5th Race

By John Berti, Karnac Media

Inverness, FL -February 2, 2011- Citrus County Speedway proudly announced that they were able to secure position bonus money for this weekend’s 50 lap Modified Mini Stock Main Event.

Racecar Engineering of Lakeland has donated $25 bonus gift certificates for the fifth, eight and thirteenth place feature finishers.

Race Engineering of Lake Worth has donated a $100 bonus gift certificate for feature winner and $50 bonus gift certificate for fifth and tenth place finishers

CCS thanks both companies for their generosity and support.

By Scott|2011-02-02T22:17:54-05:00February 2nd, 2011|Citrus County Speedway, Featured, Upcoming Events|Comments Off

New Smyrna Lists 45th Annual World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing Pre-Entries As Of February 2nd

Here are the rosters of drivers who will be competing in the various divisions of competition that make up the World Series of Stock Car Racing at New Smyrna Speedway as of Feburary 2, 2011.

Super Late Models (19)

No.	Name	Age	Hometown	Sponsor(s)
#5	Jared Marks	16	Napoleon, Ohio	VR-12 / Victory H2O / TMT Inc.
#11	David Rogers		Orlando, Florida	TM Ranch / CRE Racing Engines
#12	Steven Weaver		Plantation, Florida	Ray Sapp Electric / TotalTravelNeeds.net
#13	Frank Alberson	59	Lakeland, Florida	—
#18	Bruce Gowland	69	Grand Valley, Ont.	Gowland Sand & Gravel Ltd.
#18	Bubba Pollard		Senoia, Georgia	PitBoxes.com / McGunegill Engine Perf.
#18	Jared Allison	35	Cocoa, Florida	A.J.’s Unfinished Furniture Direct
#20	Anthony Sergi	15	Geneva, Florida	MJS Concrete, Inc. / Gary Yeoman’s Ford
#28	Sean Bass	24	Polk City, Florida	RWH Corp. / Best Line Superior Lubricants
#29	Mallory Harvey	22	Baxley, Georgia	Rentz Farms / James Carter Attorney
#29	Ronnie Rihn	20	Bloomer, Wisconsin	DRT Transport / Pathfinder Chassis
#36	Tim Russell	27	Longwood, Florida	T/B/A
#38	Joe Jacalone		St. Augustine, FL	Jacalone & Sons Auto Repair
#55	Todd Allen		DeBary, Florida	Discount Propane / Skip’s Western Outfitters
#74	Ryan Moore	27	Mooresville, NC	R.C. Moore, Inc.
#80	Brian Finney	33	Meritt Island, FL	Bob Steele Chevrolet / Finney Racing Ent.
#89	Matt Tifft	14	Hinckley, Ohio	Presta Products / RapidMarketplace.com
#93	David Russell	41	Clarence Center, NY	RPM Howe Dealer / Race101.net
—	Rebecca Kasten	20	Huntersville, NC	—

NASCAR Tour-Type Modifieds (13)
(NASCAR Tour-Type Modified Entries are sent directly to the Modified Director and are updated less frequently)

No.	Name	Age	Hometown	Sponsor(s)
#00	Ted Christopher		Plainville, CT	Shoe City / Sherm’s
#2x	Ryan Preece	20	Berlin, Conn.	Uptick Vineyards / Amer. Lamp Recycling
#03	Patrick Emerling	18	Orchard Park, NY	—
#03	T/B/A
#x6	Eric LeClair	56	E. Hampton, Mass	Start Finish Productions
#6	Ron Silk	28	Norwalk, CT	T.S. Haulers, Inc.
#09	George Brunnhoelzl	29	W. Babylon, NY	Phoenix Pre-Owned Motors / Triad Auto
#12	Dave Roys		Calverton, NY	T.S. Haulers, Inc.
#22	Chuck Hossfeld	29	Lockport, New York	—
#33	Andy Petree	52	Hendersonville, NC	—
#40	Frank Fleming	51	Mount Airy, NC	Jerry Hunt Auto Truck Sales
#77	Gary Putnam	44	Concord, NC	Stock Car Steel
#79	James Civali	27	S. Hadley, Mass	Hill Enterprises / Coors Light

SK Modifieds (7)
(SK Modified Entries are sent directly to the Modified Director and are updated less frequently)

No.	Name	Age	Hometown	Sponsor(s)
#03	Patrick Emerling	18	Orchard Park, NY	—
#03	T/B/A
#5	Ron Silk	28	Norwalk, CT	T.S. Haulers, Inc.
#12	Jason Mignogna	35	Shirley, NY	T.S. Haulers, Inc.
#33	Gary Fountain	60	Minneola, Florida	Fountain Motorsports
#71	Jimmy Zacharias		Candor, New York	—
#—	TJ Zacharias		Candor, New York	—

Crate / Pro Late Models (27)

No.	Name	Age	Hometown	Sponsor(s)
#1	Cody Coughlin	15	Delaware, Ohio	Jegs.com
#4	Erik Jones		Byron, Michigan	—
#05	Marie Eve Dufault	28	Redondo Bch, CA	VR-12 / Victory H20 / TMT Inc.
#5	Jared Marks	16	Napoleon, Ohio	VR-12 / Victory H2O / TMT Inc.
#5	Zach Germain	26	Mooresville, NC	Germain Toyota of Sarasota
#9	Brandon Watson	17	Stayner, Ontario	Shear Metal Products / Logel’s Auto Parts
#11	Austin Kirkpatrick	18	Ocala, Florida	Sonny’s BBQ
#11	Austin Brehio	13	Hopkinton, NH	—
#16	Kevin Roberge	22	Levis, Quebec	Habitations / Danny Lagace
#17	Gary Passer	44	Alcona Beach, Ont.	Pocket Book
#25	Cole Powell	18	Mt Brydges, Ontario	—
#25	Brian Short		Brook Park, Ohio	Maximum Elevator / Direct Detail
#26	Nathan Russell	19	Curwensville, PA	Russell Stone Products
#26	Jessica Murphy	19	Groveland, Florida	Pawn USA
#30	Foster Mackey	43	Akron, Ohio	Gordon-Flury Memorial Home
#31	Shawn McWhirter	30	Fergus, Ontario	SPIRA Fire Protection / Allstar
#40	Eric Chase	47	Milton, Vermont	Mansfield Helliflight / Gary Clay Builders
#43	Cody Humphreys	16	Olathe, Kansas	Racersites.com
#48	Dwayne Baker	42	Stayner, Ontario	GD Coates / Zancor Homes
#55	Dakotah Stephens	19	Brandon, Florida	Better Leather & Auto Trim
#56	Gus Dean	16	Bluffton, SC	Cornerstone Grill / Whirpool Cooling
#76	Jerick Johnson	30	Mooresville, NC	American Legion / The David Law Firm
#81	Andrew Gresel	26	Sauble Falls, Ontario	Sauble Falls Tent & Trailer Park
#84	Martin Latulippe	25	Vallee Jonction, Que	Frameco Manufacturing Ltd.
#88	Kyle DeSouza	18	Fairhaven, MA	Maverick Investment Technologies
#94	Donnie Varco	52	Sault St Marie, Ont	Laird Raceway
#96	John Nutley	48	Midlothian, Illinois	Auto Coz Body Shop

Limited Late Models (9)

No.	Name	Age	Hometown	Sponsor(s)
#11	David Weaver	43	Plantation, Florida	Ray Sapp Electric / TotalTravelNeeds.net
#15	Jason Boyd	29	Edgewater, Florida	Eagle Steel / LCM Racing Engines
#17x	Ryan Lisak	17	Lakeland, Florida	JPL Auto
#19	Rick Maguire	38	Williston, Florida	Relay For Life / Tri County Oil
#20	Anthony Sergi	15	Geneva, Florida	MJS Concrete, Inc. / Gary Yeoman’s Ford
#26	Jessica Murphy	19	Groveland, Florida	Pawn USA
#38	Kirk Hooker	46	Chatham, Ontario	Spira Fire Protection / Bedell’s Food Distr.
#57	Joe Winchell	54	Dade City, Florida	Associates Roofing
#119	J.R. McMickle	32	Davie, Florida	Dade-Broward Auto Recycling

FL / IMCA Type Modifieds (12)

No.	Name	Age	Hometown	Sponsor(s)
#4B	Alan Bruns	56	Clermont, Florida	Bruns Inc-Contractors / Lakeside Dev.
#13	Kevyn Terry	47	Citra, Florida	Heat Treating Inc. / Pro Shocks
#15	Robert Deal	46	Titusville, Florida	—
#15	Tank Tucker	45	Samsula, Florida	Graham Custom Fabricating
#40	Tigh Shaffer	22	Medina, Ohio	P+T Racing & Repair
#57	Tim Moore	36	St Petersburg, FL	Q Auto & Injury Attorneys / Moore’s Maint.
#73	Aaron Williamson		Mulberry, FL
#89	Josh Todd	16	Polk City, Florida	John & Marys Kart Bodies / RC Mobile Fleet
#96	Keith King	19	Sault St Marie, ONT	Wheel-A-Way Trailer Sales
#97	Matthew Wheeler	35	Edgewater, Florida	Wheel-A-Way Trailer Sales
#99	A.J. Winstead	46	Richmond, Virginia	—
#112	Jarrett Korpi	18	Deltona, Florida	Joe Harris

Pro-Trucks (10)

No.	Name	Age	Hometown	Sponsor(s)
#7	Thomas Warnick	15	Ormond Beach, FL	—
#18	Jason Rosarius	16	Oviedo, Florida	Palm Tree Computers / Platinum Signs
#20	Anthony Sergi	15	Geneva, Florida	MJS Concrete, Inc. / Gary Yeoman’s Ford
#21	Scott Reeves	42	Royal Palm Bch, FL	Powell’s Petroleum
#21x	Derrick Reeves	40	Royal Palm Bch, FL	Powell’s Petroleum
#24	Bruce Bennett	16	Orlando, Florida	Bennett’s Auto Body
#32	Bill Stacy RN	58	Port Orange, Florida	VolusiaCPR.com
#63	Zach Curtis	16	Palm Bay, Florida	Curtis Racing
#87	Keith Lilley	41	Lakeland, Florida	RVing USA / Lilley A/C & Electric
#99	Kevin Henry	22	Deland, Florida	Ford Racing / Gary Yeoman’s Ford

By Scott|2011-02-02T21:41:13-05:00February 2nd, 2011|Featured, New Smyrna Speedway, Upcoming Events|Comments Off

Reigning Mr. DIRTcar Modified Champ Matt Sheppard Leads Big-Block Contingent Into 40th DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH

Contact: Kevin Kovac
DIRTcar Public Relations
704-254-7929 / kkovac@dirtcar.com

Florida’s Volusia Speedway Park Hosts Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modified Action Feb. 16-19

BARBERVILLE, FL – Feb. 1, 2011 – Two feature wins during last year’s DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH proved to be a harbinger of great things to come in 2010 for Matt Sheppard.

The 28-year-old DIRTcar Big-Block Modified sensation from Waterloo, N.Y., is hoping to follow the same template in 2011 when he once again heads south to kick off his campaign with four consecutive nights of non-point Super DIRTcar Series action (Feb. 16-19) as part of the 40^th annual mid-winter racing extravaganza at Volusia Speedway Park.

“I feel great about how we started out last year at Volusia and then carried that momentum into the season back at home,” said Sheppard, who posted a circuit-leading total of 19 DIRTcar-sanctioned feature wins in 2010 en route to capturing his first career overall Hoosier Tire-VP Racing Fuels Mr. DIRTcar Big-Block Modified championship. “We’ll try to do the same thing this year. It’s a new season and anything can happen, but we’re just gonna keep doing what we’ve been doing and see if we can keep it going.”

Sheppard will have four chances to reach Victory Lane at the half-mile Volusia oval during the DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH. The DIRTcar Big-Block Modifieds are scheduled to run 30-lap, $2,000-to-win features on Wed., Feb. 16, Thurs., Feb. 17, and Fri., Feb. 18, before closing the meet with a 50-lap finale paying $5,000 to win on Sat., Feb. 19.

Last year’s Big-Block Modified competition at Volusia saw Sheppard win twice in three starts (one race was rained out), highlighted by his triumph in the extra-distance series closer. He finished sixth in the DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH opener and then scored back-to-back triumphs, propelling him to the event points title for the first time.

Sheppard registered his first-ever victories at Volusia last year, breaking through after coming close to a checkered flag several times in 2009. He set the stage for his ’10 success the previous year with finishes of second, third and fourth as well as a heartbreaking near-win in the week’s Big-Block opener.

“We were really good down there at Volusia (in 2009),” said Sheppard, who has started 18 DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH features during his eight-year Big-Block Modified career. “I think we were fast enough to win every night, but we drew a lot of bad starting positions and some stuff happened when we were actually in good position. I remember that first night I was trying to pass Pat Ward for the lead with a few laps to go, but we bumped together and I got a flat right-rear (relegating him to a 16^th-place finish).

“Last year we went back with the exact same deal (as 2009) and things worked out a little bit better for us.”

Sheppard plans to battle in this year’s DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH behind the wheel of the Jeff Brownell Sr.-owned Xtreme Lubricants Bicknell car he debuted in last November’s Lowes Food World Finals at The Dirt Track at Charlotte. It’s virtually a twin to the machine he drove last year at Volusia, a sweeping, D-shaped track that he likens – in a manner of speaking – to his Sunday-night home, Cayuga County Raceway in Weedsport, N.Y.

“Shape-wise, Volusia’s about the same as Weesdsport, but it’s just like four times the size,” quipped Sheppard, who won the 2010 points championship at Cayuga County. “It’s like Weedsport, where you turn into one, you pick up the gas and then you’re on it a long time down the backstretch all the way until you’re down into turn three. The only thing is, at Volusia you’re going a lot faster.

“Volusia is super-fast,” continued the driver known as ‘Super Matt,’ who owns 73 career DIRTcar Big-Block feature wins, including 18 in Super DIRTcar Series events. “It’s more high-speed than most of the tracks we run at up here (in the Northeast), so we have to run a different setup there because of it. It’s a lot of fun to race there because it’s a big, wide track and you can run all over it, but you still gotta have a good car, a good motor and a good setup.”

A fulltime professional DIRTcar Big-Block Modified driver since graduating in 2006 from New York’s Rochester Institute of Technology with a degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology, Sheppard relishes the opportunity to begin his season in the Sunshine State. The 2011 edition of the DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH marks the 27th trip to Florida for Northeastern Modified teams since 1978 and it will be DIRTcar’s 20th visit to Volusia since staging its inaugural event in 1982.

“It’s nice to get away from New York in the winter,” said Sheppard, whose hometown has received more than two feet of snow so far this winter. “It can get cold in Florida at night, but it’s still not snowing like back home. We’re able to go somewhere warmer, relax a little bit and get back on the racetrack to get the new year started.”

Adding more anticipation to his nearly 1,200-mile trek to Volusia, the DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH will mark the first time Sheppard takes to the track wearing the coveted Mr. DIRTcar Big-Block Modified crown. It’s an honor he doesn’t take lightly.

“(Mr. DIRTcar) is really surreal,” Sheppard said last November after accepting his $50,000 championship prize at the DIRTcar Northeast awards banquet. “Just the history behind it. To be listed in the same category as guys like Alan (Johnson) and Danny (Johnson), Jack Johnson, Will Cagle, Brett Hearn and Billy Decker…there’s no way to put that into words. Probably still hasn’t sunk in, probably take a while before it will.”

The 2011 DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH officially kicks off DIRTcar Northeast’s 36th consecutive season of Big-Block Modified competition. It will be the 14^th straight year that the Big-Block Modifieds will be in action at Volusia during the week leading up to the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway, which sits less than a half-hour drive from the Volusia oval.

A star-studded field of DIRTcar Big-Block Modified drivers will join Sheppard, including seven-time DCN by UNOH champion Brett Hearn of Sussex, N.J., who owns a record 19 career wins in Florida, and Stewart Friesen of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont., the defending champion of the SEF Small Engine Fuels 200 at the Syracuse Mile and the winner of last year’s opening-night event at Volusia.

The tentative DIRTcar Big-Block Modified entry list boasts nearly 40 names, including former DCN by UNOH champions Danny Johnson of Phelps, N.Y., Alan Johnson of Middlesex, N.Y., Billy Pauch of Frenchtown, N.J., and Jimmy Horton of Neshanic Station, N.J. Other standouts on the preliminary roster include Bobby Varin of Sharon Springs, N.Y., Rick Laubach of Hellertown, Pa., Richie Pratt Jr. of Woodbury Heights, N.J., Matt DeLorenzo of Cropseyville, N.Y., Willy Decker of Vernon, N.Y., Rex King of Bristolville, Ohio, and H.J. Bunting of Milford, Del.

The DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH is a 12-night DIRTcar Racing spectacular that also includes dates for the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series (Feb. 11-13) and World of Outlaws Late Model Series (Feb. 17 and 19); the DIRTcar UMP Late Models (Feb. 14, 15, 16 and 18); UMP Modifieds (Feb. 8-15); and the O’Reilly All-Star Circuit of Champions Sprint Cars (Feb. 9 and 10).

A four-night Big-Block Modified ticket package is being offered to fans for $125, while single-day tickets are always available on race day. In addition, the event’s unique ‘Free Pit Pass With Every Ticket’ offer allows all fans meeting the minimum age requirement to visit the pit area for an up-close perspective on the competition.

For more information on the DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH, including special pricing on advance-sale tickets, visit www.DIRTcarNationals.com or call 704-795-7223 or 386-985-4402.

Additional info on the Super DIRTcar Series for Big-Block Modifieds is available by logging on to www.superdirtcarseries.com.

DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH ‘Tentative’ Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modified Entry List:

0-Richie Pratt Jr./Woodbury Heights, NJ

01-Brett Ballard/Pennsville, NJ

1-Darwin Greene/Susquehanna, PA

1F-Stewart Friesen/Niagara-on-the-Lake, ONT

1P-Billy Pauch/Frenchtown, NJ

1x-Willy Decker/Vernon, NY

3d-Matt DeLorenzo/Cropseyville, NY

6-John Stangle/Neshanic Station, NJ

07-Tim Kerr/Picton, ONT

7-Rick Laubach/Hellertown, PA

8r-Rob Bellinger/Dexter, NY

9s-Matt Sheppard/Waterloo, NY

10-Tim Currier/Auburn, NY

10-Bobby Varin/Sharon Springs, NY

10v-Danny Varin/Sharon Springs, NY

11-Danny Hieber/Pendel, PA

14-Jimmy Horton/Neshanic Station, NJ

19-Chris Higgins/Syracuse, NY

20H-Brett Hearn/Sussex, NJ

21k-Randy Chrysler/Lewiston, NY

t21-Roger Chrysler/Lewiston, NY

22c-Mario Clair/St-Edmond, QUE

23-Billy VanInwegen/Sparrowbush, NY

27J-Danny Johnson/Phelps, NY

33-Ray Swinehart/Bechtelsville, PA

42-Kevin Bates/Lake Ariel, PA

48too-Dave Rauscher/Waterloo, NY

56-Vince Vitale/Phoenix, NY

65- Rex King/Bristolville, OH

66-Dexter Stacey/Kahnawake, QUE

66w-Alan Johnson/Middlesex, NY

66w-Wallace Stacey/Kahnawake, QUE

79-Jeremy Markle/Port Jervis, NY

85-Dan Vauter/Forest City, PA

85j-H.J. Bunting III/Milford, DE

97-Michel Chicoine/Ste-Cecile de Milton, QUE

165-Rex King Jr./Bristolville, OH

711-Mike Iles/Medford, NJ

By Scott|2011-02-02T12:13:14-05:00February 2nd, 2011|Featured, Front Page News, Series, Upcoming Events, Volusia Speedway Park|Comments Off

Top Gun Sprint Series releases official 2011 tour schedule

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: February 1, 2011
CONTACT: Curtis Whelan
PHONE: 321-286-6785
EMAIL: CLWhalin@aol.com

Top Gun Sprint Series officials today released their 2011 tour schedule, which marks the most comprehensive schedule for the touring series.

“2010 was a great year for the Top Gun Sprint Series,” said Top Gun Sprint Series President Don Rehm. “The series traveled all over the state of Florida, we had the best dirt drivers in the state competing for a championship that once again went down to the very last race, so we’re looking for great things in 2011. To that end, we’ve added more dates at Hendry County Motorsports Park and also we’ve added a date at the newly re-opened Putnam County Speedway that we are very excited about.”

Widely recognized as the premier dirt sprint car series in the state of Florida, Tim George and Ryan Partin battled all season, with Tim winning the 2010 championship by only 18 points, and both are expected to return in 2011. The Top Gun Sprint Series had 58 different teams earn points in the 2010 season. The complete schedule will be released very soon.

“We’ve had talks with a lot of drivers that haven’t run with us before that are looking to go with the Top Gun Sprint Series for 2011, so we should definitely see increased car counts across the board,” continued Rehm. “We’re also welcoming some new contingency sponsors like K&N Filters that see the value in working with us, so we’re very excited about 2011.”

2011 Top Gun Sprint Series Schedule
Date	Track	Location
02.26.11	Hendry County Motorsports Park	Clewiston, FL
03.19.11	North Florida Speedway	Lake City, FL
04.30.11	Volusia Speedway Park	Barberville, FL
05.06.11	Ocala Speedway	Ocala, FL
05.21.11	East Bay Raceway Park	Tampa, FL
06.04.11	Hendry County Motorsports Park	Clewiston, FL
06.25.11	North Florida Speedway	Lake City, FL
07.15.11	Ocala Speedway	Ocala, FL
07.16.11	Putnam Speedway (tentative)	Palatka, FL
07.30.11	Volusia Speedway Park	Barberville, FL
08.06.11	Hendry County Motorsports Park	Clewiston, FL
10.08.11	East Bay Raceway Park	Tampa, FL
10.29.11	Volusia Speedway Park	Barberville, FL
11.11.11	Ocala Speedway	Ocala, FL
12.03.11	East Bay Raceway Park	Tampa, FL

By Scott|2011-02-02T11:46:41-05:00February 2nd, 2011|Series, Upcoming Events|Comments Off

Jeff Mathews Tops UMP Modifieds at North Florida Speedway

North Florida Speedway Results 1-28-11

UMP MODIFIEDS
1ST- JEFF MATHEWS #33
2ND- COREY CONLEY #14
3RD- KYLE OWEN #2
4TH- DARYL HERBERT #6H
5TH- JAMIE CARTER #15C
6TH- TODD NEIHEISER #72
7TH- RICK CULPEPPER #7
8TH- DAVE JAMISON #4D
9TH- DAVE BARBER #56
10TH- DAVID MCWILLIAMS #18
11TH- KYLE BRONSON #40B
12TH- PAUL SIZEMORE #1G
13TH- CHIP OWEN #1O
14TH- GREG BROWN #12
15TH- JIMMY CARTER #75
16TH- TANNER RUMBURG #15
17TH- RICK BUCHANAN #28B
18TH- DARRELL GEORGE #88
19TH- ROBO HUTCHINSON #72H
20TH- JOHNNY MULLNER #28
21ST- DUSTIN ELLIOTT #115
22ND- RONNIE CHANCE #7S
23RD- SHAWN PITTS #65
24TH- PJ WIGGINS #720W
25TH- JAMES SMITH #40J
26TH- TERRY JONES #6J

LIMITED MODIFIEDS
1ST- SHANE TAYLOR #82
2ND- SHAWN TAYLOR #83
3RD- DUANE PAUL JR #51
4TH- JOEY BRINSON #1B
5TH- KYLE ARVIN #96
6TH- CHUCK LINTZ #49
7TH- WILLIAM STALNAKER #59
8TH- CHARLES HOWARD JR #8C

BOX STOCKS
1ST- JOHN WINDHAM #65
2ND- KEVIN UNDERWOOD #5
3RD- MIKE MARCELLINO #55
4TH- ROBERT ONEAL #1
5TH- BRYAR ZIMMERMAN #OOZ
6TH- REID CHRISTENSON #30
7TH- BALTIMORE BILL #71
8TH- CHARLES HOWARD SR #4H
9TH- JAMES COOK #7

By Scott|2011-01-31T17:20:27-05:00January 31st, 2011|Featured, Front Page News, North Florida Speedway, Race Results, Upcoming Events|Comments Off

ABBOTT TOPS FINAL PRE-WINTERNATIONALS LEGEND CAR TUNE-UP AT AUBURNDALE SPEEDWAY

By Dave Westerman

Veteran Legend car driver Korry Abbot, the only Florida driver to qualify for last years Legends Million race at Charlotte Motor Speedway, drove to victory in the final Winter Warm-up feature race for the Legend cars Saturday afternoon at Auburndale Speedway.

Apopka’s Abbott out-gunned Lakeland driver Dakota Baggette, who had won the previous two races in January here as the local drivers prepare for an invasion of drivers from all over the U.S., Canada and elsewhere for the running of the Winternationals beginning on February 15^th.

Abbott, a former Pro Division Winternationals champion, declared he and his team ready to take on all comers next month, while Baggette, who will probably run in the Young Lions division, continues to impress as he enters his second full season behind the wheel of a Legends car.

North Florida driver Austin Blankenship, who hails from High Springs, won the first heat and finished third in the feature trailed by Lynn Wiles and Zach Napoleon.

Thirteen cars were entered including Moncton, NB’s Gary Bursey and Torstein Larson out of Narvick, Norway, who competed in all three January events. Rodney Pucak make the long tow from Wasilla, AK to take part this week as well. All three will be competing in the Winternationals that kick off on Tuesday, February 15^th and continue through the following Saturday.

Bandoleros also took part this week with Michael Held of Orlando taking both the heat and feature races.

RACE RESULTS – 1/29/11:

LEGEND CARS - HEAT RACE #1:
1. #87 AUSTIN BLANKENSHIP
2. #59x BECCA MONOPOLI
3. #07 DAVE GLEASON
4. #31 LYNN WILES
5. #52 TORSTEIN LARSEN
6. #99 ROD PUCAK
7. #9 CAMERON RAY

LEGENDS HEAT - RACE #2:
1. #5R KORY ABBOTT
2. #7 DAKOTA BAGGETTE
3. #6 ZACH NAPOLEON
4. #00 ANTHONY CATALDI
5. #65x GARY BURSEY
6. #48 ANDY METZ

LEGENDS FEATURE RACE:
1.#5R KORY ABBOTT, APOPKA
2.#7 DAKOTA BAGGETTE, LAKELAND
3.#87 AUSTIN BLANKENSHIP, HIGH SPRINGS
4.#31 LYNN WILES, PLANT CITY
5.#6 ZACH NAPOLEON, WESLEY CHAPEL
6.#07 DAVE GLEASON, ORLANDO
7.#00 ANTHONY CATALDI, UMATILLA
8.#9 CAMERON RAY, LAKELAND
9.#65x GARY BURSEY, MONCTON, NB
10.#52 TORSTEIN LARSEN, NARVICK, NORWAY
11.#59x BECCA MONOPOLI, TAMPA
12.#99 ROD PUCAK, WASILLA, AK
13.#48 ANDY METZ, LAKELAND

BANDOLEROS - HEAT RACE 
1.#55 MICHAEL HELD
2.#11 DANIEL COLIN, JR.
3.#24 TREY LIVELY
DNS #11x DANIEL COLIN, SR. 

BANDOLEROS - FEATURE RACE
1.#55 MICHAEL HELD, ORLANDO
2.#24 TREY LIVELY, RUSKIN
3.#11 DANIEL CONLIN, JR., ST. CLOUD
DNS #11x DANIEL CONLIN, SR., ST. CLOUD

By Scott|2011-01-31T16:58:58-05:00January 31st, 2011|Auburndale Speedway, Featured, Front Page News, Race Results, Upcoming Events|Comments Off

Ocala Speedway Celebrates Another Great Season Of Racing

by BJ Cavin- Ocala Speedway Media

OCALA, FL- Racers, fans, and speedway staff, gathered on a beautiful Sunday afternoon to celebrate the 2010 racing season at the historic Ocala Speedway, plus recognize and honor the top finishers in each racing division. The outdoor banquet featured a home cooked dinner featuring bar-b-que pork and chicken, green beans, macaroni and cheese, plus an assortment of delicious desserts, and was held on the checker board concourse behind the main grandstands at the track.

The top five finishers in each divisional points race were honored with trophies and their share of the driver’s points fund, plus a few special individual awards were given to racers who stood out above the others. Ocala Speedway owner Michael Peters personally handed out the awards, and allowed each recipient a chance to thank those who made their success possible in 2010.

The Most Improved Driver of 2010 was awarded to Kyle Morse of Ocala’s Gladiator Division. Morse began the season struggling to get his car around the track without spinning it out or bouncing off of anything within his range, but by the end of the season was competing with some of the top contenders in the division.

The David Reutimann Award went to another Gladiator competitor, Brandon Haseleu. Haseleu also struggled early in the season, but hung tough and showed great desire to learn and adapt. By the end of 2010 Haseleu was holding his own, and now has announced plans to move up to a V8 Thunder Stock sometime in the 2011 season.

The 2010 Driver of the Year Award went to Wayne Hammond, a top competitor in Ocala Speedway’s Open Wheel Modified Division.

The Sportsman Division at Ocala was short lived in 2010, as a wide disparity in the rules between different tracks helped to keep the car counts low and doom the division at Florida’s oldest speedway. But at the time that the division raced a final race at Ocala, Augie Burttram had taken control of the points lead and was awarded the championship trophy for his hard work.

Ocala’s Gladiator division featured probably the wildest and most hotly contested points race through the final weeks of the season. Kyle Morse began the season struggling to keep up, but gradually adapted and earned the 5th place trophy in the end. Casey Feaster at one time in the season held the points lead at both Ocala and at Volusia Speedway Park, but problems with his tow vehicle cost him a night on the track at Ocala and knocked him out of the top spot. Feaster rallied to finish 4th in the points standings, while one time points leader Steve Johnson slipped from the top and salvaged a 3rd place final standing. Devin Walker had been in contention to win the division going into the final races, but an accident in turn 4 on a wild night of racing left him as the 2nd place finisher. And Matt Shea fought his way up the points ladder throughout the season, finally reaching the top rung when it counted most in the final outings, capturing the Gladiator points championship in the process.

There are few tracks left where Mini Stocks can still run on dirt, and Ocala is the only one where they can still compete as a regular division. Paul Combast had been riding at the top of the points battle but a disqualification and missing races at the end of the season left him in the 5th spot as the season ended. Buddy Pope fought his way to a 4th place finish in the points battle, while Johnny Zackery wound up placing 3rd. The top two spots were all in the family as Nick Kerr held off his father, Dan Kerr, for the Mini Stock points championship.

Consistency was the key for William Edwards to finish in 5th place in the Tee Pee Tire Hobby Stock points battle, as Jody Wells raced hard for his 4th place trophy. Danny Miller Jr found his way to victory more than once, but had to overcome possibly the most spectacular crash of 2010 at Ocala Speedway to claim the 3rd spot in the points. But the battle for the points lead was between both Heath Walker and Dean Jarvis for most of the season, with Jarvis taking and holding onto the lead for the Tee Pee Tire Hobby Stock Championship.

To wind up in the top five of the Amsoil V8 Thunder Stock points battle is a matter of survival at Ocala, as the Thunder Stocks are a rough and tumble bunch, but Brian Shea was up to the task and claimed the 5th spot overall. Vaughn Woodall used consistency to claim the 4th spot, while Chris Shea hung tough for a 3rd place finish. The championship was decided on the final night of the season as Mike Stalnaker’s disqualification landed him the 2nd place points trophy and awarded the Amsoil V8 Thunder Stock Championship to Scott Mooers. That feat meant that Mooers managed to claim the championship at both the tough 3/8ths mile at Ocala Speedway, and also at the 1/2 mile expanse of Volusia Speedway Park.

Ocala Speedway’s Open Wheel Modifieds battled hard all season, with Garret Stewart rising through the ranks to wind up in the 5th place overall. Stewart was followed in 4th place by Wayne Hammond, while consistent performances placed Tim Zackery 3rd in the final points tally. Kyle Bronson was a tough competitor all season, and managed to claim the 2nd place trophy despite some setbacks. But the dominant force in Ocala’s Modified division once again was Jeff Mathews, who managed to win all but two races on the schedule in route to the open Wheel Modified Points Championship.

The Ocala Speedway Late Model Division saw Phillip Cobb prove that he could be a winner, as he won the prestigious Powell Memorial at Ocala Speedway in June of 2010. That feat, along with consistent racing throughout the season, gained Cobb the 5th place in the final points standings for the racing season. Christian Augspurger may have just gotten his learner’s permit back in December, but he used both consistency and excellent driving skills to wheel his late model to claim the 4th place trophy while he was still just 14 years old. Augspurger will,be back in 2011, and possibly even more ambitious now that he is the ripe old age of 15.

Things get a bit confused in the final Late Model points standings as the season ended in a tie between Ocala’s Ivedent Lloyd Jr and defending 2009 Champion J.O. Nobles. So with no true 2nd and 3rd place finishers determined, the winnings for both racers were combined and divided evenly between them, and each was awarded a trophy. But in 2010 the Late Model Points Championship was won by Mark Whitener, who also managed to claim the top spot for the season with the United Dirt Late Model Challenge Series as well.

Ocala Speedway will kick off the 2011 racing season on Friday, March 4th, with outstanding Late Model action from the United Dirt Late Model Challenge Series, plus Ocala Speedway’s tough V8 Thunder Stocks and the highly competitive Gladiators. In the meantime, fans can enjoy Winternationals sprint car action from the O’Reilly All Star Circuit of Champions, and the Florida Mini Sprint Association, on Friday and Saturday, February 4th and 5th. Winternationals competition continues on Sunday, February 13th as the best of the best in national dirt late model action come to Ocala in a one night free for all that pays $8000 to the winner, and that also features a $500 to win feature for Ocala’s fender banging V8 Thunder Stocks. And on February 17th through 19th feature non winged sprint car mayhem from the USAC Bubba Army Sprint Car Nationals, plus the UMP Modifieds. For more information on upcoming events at America’s Dirt Track, please visit www.OcalaSpeedway.com.

By Scott|2011-01-31T04:22:40-05:00January 31st, 2011|Bubba Raceway Park, Featured, Front Page News, Upcoming Events|Comments Off

Sprint Car Racing on at Citrus County February 5th

John Chance, CCS Media

Citrus County Speedway has reached and agreement to run an unsanctioned sprint car race on February 5th. This race will not be run under any series or club affiliation.

We are trying very hard to make this work for ALL involved. With that being said, everyone needs to put their own egos, personal agendas, and politics aside if they want to have asphalt sprint car racing at all this year.

Everyone involved with asphalt sprint car racing needs to do all they can to support this event. If not, this will be the end of sprint car racing at Citrus for a very long time.

Please contact Tony Carreno for any additional details at 813-267-3710.

By Scott|2011-01-30T17:13:18-05:00January 30th, 2011|Citrus County Speedway, Featured, Front Page News, Upcoming Events|Comments Off

Outlaws Know Quick Start at Volusia Key to Championship Race

by Kyle Luetters

CONCORD, N.C. — Points. In motorsports, those numbers are what separate champions from the rest of the field. The past two years on the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series tour, the margin between title contenders has never been closer for a longer period of time.

Those points earned on the first night of the season Feb. 11 at Volusia Speedway Park are just as important as the points that will be earned on Nov. 5 at The Dirt Track at Charlotte in the season finale. Last year at the DIRTcar Nationals by University of Northwestern Ohio, Tony Stewart Racing’s Donny Schatz and Steve Kinser put themselves in the title chase with Jason Meyers, Joey Saldana and Jason Sides by topping the World of Outlaws events during the 12-night kickoff to the 2011 dirt track racing season.

Meyers needs a strong start at Florida to begin his title defense because Schatz and Kinser, with 24 championships between them, know what it takes to win a crown. And nobody will be as motivated as Saldana, who is trying to give car owner Kasey Kahne his first World of Outlaws crown.

All that leads into a breakdown of the Outlaws, by their 2010 finishing order, entering the season opener Feb. 11 at Volusia:

Can Jason Meyers pick up where he left off in Charlotte? Meyers dominated the World Finals in November, capturing both A-mains to become the first Californian to win the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series championship. A single-car operation that prides itself on its teamwork and dedication to winning against bigger multi-car teams, the Elite Racing Team with Meyers behind the wheel won’t rest on its 2010 accomplishments, which led to Meyers being named Driver of the Year by the North American 410 Sprint Car Poll. Determined to repeat like the champions before him, Meyers knows he will need a strong effort at Volusia to continue the momentum he had at the end of last season.

Donny Schatz had a huge surge down the stretch last season to close within striking distance of Meyers at the World Finals and carried it into the winter with big wins in Australia. In the past, that combination has led to a strong start for Schatz at Volusia, where he earned a World of Outlaws victory last season, and could spell trouble for the rest of the field as the North Dakota native aims for his fifth title. A new-look color combination on the #15 machine might be just the spark he needs.

Steve Kinser was rejuvenated last season, coming ever so close to an unreal 21st championship and refueling the legend for another title run. Kinser earned a victory last season at Volusia on the series’ second night and that momentum combined with his new Tony Stewart Racing ride helped keep the King of the Outlaws at or near the points lead throughout the season. A resurgent Kinser created a buzz everywhere the Outlaws raced, highlighted by his spectacular Kings Royal last-lap victory. Nobody knows the value of a strong start more than Kinser, and he’ll no doubt be ready to roll Feb. 11.

Ask many experts and Joey Saldana is their pick to win his first World of Outlaws championship in 2011. The Kasey Kahne Racing driver was atop or near the top of the standings for nearly the entire 2010 season, winning a series-high 13 races, before a freak accident in the fall at Eldora cost him a night of racing and made it almost impossible to have a shot at the title. Saldana is one of the best racers at Volusia every February, finishing on the podium seemingly every night. Another strong start by Saldana and it could be trouble for the rest of the Outlaws in ’11.

Jason Sides started coming on strong at the end of the 2009 season and had a breakout year in 2010, winning on tracks requiring many different skills and finishing in the Top Five in points for the first time in his career. That success will no doubt raise Sides’ expectations this year. To contend he knows a fast start is crucial, and he has continued to put the pieces in place to be a threat to win every night. Don’t be surprised to see Sides, one of the most fan friendly drivers in Sprint Car racing, take the next step toward a title this season.

Paul McMahan’s 2010 season will be one he never forgets. He took over the Kasey Kahne Racing #91 Great Clips ride after Cody Darrah was injured in an off-track accident and turned in one of the best seasons of his stellar career. McMahan was tied with Meyers to lead the series with 10 quick times and tied with Schatz to lead the series with 8 pole positions. McMahan moves into the #83 car this year in a partnership between Kasey Kahne and longtime car owner Dennis Roth. A strong showing at Volusia will guarantee an even bigger battle for the World of Outlaws title in 2011 as the series races its way west in March to McMahan’s – and Roth’s -native California.

Every season opener at Volusia, Craig Dollansky is one of the drivers keep an eye on. A quick start in 2009 launched him to the top of the standings and he’ll look to duplicate that performance as he begins his second season in the Big Game Treestands #7 car. One of the most intense drivers in the pits, Dollansky is primed to attack the championship race this season after a strong winter of competition Down Under.

Lucas Wolfe is ever so close to winning his first World of Outlaws race, and Volusia is exactly the type of big, fast track where he can accomplish that feat. A native of Mechanicsburg, Pa., and the 2008 Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year winner, Wolfe set three track records in 2010 as he’s progressed up the standings in each season he’s toured with the Outlaws. Kerry Madsen earned his first World of Outlaws win during the 2008 DIRTcar Nationals, this might be the year Wolfe does the same thing.

The World of Outlaws 2001 champion Danny Lasoski will unveil a new ride at Volusia, and his competitive edge will no doubt make him a force.

He’s had success in the past and if anybody knows the importance of starting fast and finishing strong it’s Lasoski.

Kraig Kinser , the 2005 Knoxville Nationals champion, moves into the #6 Casey’s General Stores car in 2011. A fast start at Volusia will be the spark he needs to climb into the wide-open championship race.

Like Wolfe, Sam Haferetpe Jr. also is on the verge of his first World of Outlaws victory. The Texas native topped time trials six times last year to go with three pole positions and three track records. He’s fast everywhere but seems especially quick on the big, high-speed half-miles like Volusia. A victory at Volusia could launch Hafertepe’s career to the next level.

Always a fan favorite, Jac Haudenschild earned five World of Outlaws victories in 2010. He enters Volusia, where he’s gone wheel-to-wheel for some of the most exciting finishes in recent years, knowing he’s one of the drivers everybody will be watching. His high-side racing style combined with the fast top-side at Volusia makes the Wild Child a threat to win on every night.

Chad Kemenah knows how to get around Volusia, having raced to victory on opening night in 2006. The Ohio native and four-time O’Reilly Auto Parts All Star Circuit of Champions Sprint Car Series champion came one strong in the fall and will look to carry that momentum into the DIRTcar Nationals.

No driver progressed more in 2010 than Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year winner Ben Gregg. Following a year on the road with Outlaws, Gregg will no doubt put that experience to work at Volusia.

Canadian Toni Lutar fulfilled a life-long dream in 2010, touring with the World of Outlaws at every event. Like Gregg, the experience will help Lutar take on the expected huge field of Sprint Cars at the DIRTcar Nationals.

Cody Darrah will be the front-runner for the Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year Award. An injured knee sustained in a car accident on his way to the track for the 2010 opener prevented Darrah from climbing into his Kasey Kahne Racing ride. A year later, Darrah is ready to restart his career with the Outlaws. Only 21 years old, Darrah has already earned a World of Outlaws victory at his home track of Williams Grove in 2009, a season when he turned heads with his on-track performance and caught the eye of Kasey Kahne. Everybody is eager to see how Darrah will compete in 2011, but no one doubts he’ll be one of the fastest racers on the tour right off the trailer at Volusia.

So will Meyers be able to make it two in a row? Can Schatz add a fifth trophy to the display case? Will Kinser get his coveted 21st crown? Or will Saldana, Sides, Dollansky, McMahan or another Outlaw win their first title? The story of the 2011 season begins Feb. 11 at the 40th DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH at Volusia Speedway Park. Tickets are available by calling the event ticket hotline at 386-985-4402 or by clicking the Buy Tickets button at www.DIRTcarNationals.com, the official online home of the DIRTcar Nationals that includes news, directions and lodging information.

By Scott|2011-01-29T15:36:47-05:00January 29th, 2011|Featured, Front Page News, Series, Upcoming Events, Volusia Speedway Park|Comments Off