Sudden Downpour Cancels Advance Auto Parts Series Show At Rolling Wheels

Elbridge, NY – July 3, 2006 – By Tom Skibinski, DIRT NorthEast PR Director
 
With more than 30 DIRT big-block Modified teams already signed in pitside, a sudden afternoon downpour forced track officials to cancel the Advance Auto Parts Super DIRT Series ‘Firecracker 100’ at Rolling Wheels Raceway on Monday. The 37th Annual Independence Day show at the ‘Fast Track’ will not be rescheduled, setting up the traditional Robert N. Petrocci Memorial on Sept. 4 as the next major event at Rolling Wheels.
 
“Its been hit or miss the last week around here and today Rolling Wheels ended up being right on target for a pounding like some of the surrounding areas have experienced,” said DIRT MotorSports NorthEast General Manager Tonya Moschell, who reluctantly made the decision to cancel the holiday program at 4:30 p.m. Any tickets purchased for the July 3 event are valid for the Sept. 4 Labor Day special at RWR. “The forecast looked good early on and the radar showed rain missing us on the north side. Some sprinkles began to fall around 4 o’clock then the wind suddenly shifted toward the south and within 15 minutes the rain was coming at us sideways.”
 
When the official announcement was made to cancel the day’s activity, the infield pit access road was blocked by a pool of water between turns three and four while water filling the man-made pond situated inside turns one and two was nearly even with the lowest lane of the racetrack. By this time the speedway surface itself was under water and the hours required to complete proper drainage would have delayed the start of the program well beyond sunset.
 
Among the 32 DIRT Modifieds drawing for time trial order were current Advance Auto Parts SDS points leader Billy Decker, his Gypsum Wholesalers teammate Pat Ward, contracted drivers Brett Hearn, Matt Sheppard, Alan Johnson, Stewart Friesen, Jimmy Phelps, Gary Tomkins, Vic Coffey and two-time defending race winner Tim Fuller, tour regulars Frank Cozze, Danny Johnson, Dale Planck, Kyle Jacobs and Butch Tittle, ’06 rookies Kenny Stafford, Kevin Bates and Joe Isabell, plus Tim McCreadie, who for the second straight AAP event registered to drive his father ‘Barefoot’ Bob McCreadie’s legendary no. 9 Kinney Drug Stores entry.
 
Word of the cancellation spread quickly through the pits allowing many of the teams to load up and begin the haul northward to Brockville Ontario Speedway in their attempt to qualify for the Coca-Cola 100. The first-ever AAP Super DIRT Series race in track history awards the winner a $6,000 top prize aong with valuable points towards the overall Hoosier Tire-Sunoco Race Fuels Mr. DIRT Championship.
 
Located in Brockville, Ontario, Canada, the BOS is easily accessible from all directions: From Watertown N.Y. and south take 1-81 to Thousand Islands Bridge, exit onto Highway 401 East, follow Highway 401 East to Highway 29 at Brockville, then turn left at lights following exit follow Highway 29 to track on left; From Ottawa and north take Highway 417 to Highway 7, take Highway 7 west to Highway 15 at Carleton Place, follow Highway 15 South to Smith's Falls, pick up Highway 29 at light just after bridge in Smith's Falls, then follow (appox 30kms) to track on right hand side; From Kingston ONT and west take Highway 401 East to Highway 29 exit at Brockville, turn left at lights, take Highway 29 13 kms North to find track on left; From Cornwall ONT and east, take Highway 401 West to Highway 29 exit at Brockville, turn right at lights, take Highway 29 13 kms North and track is on the left.
 
On Tuesday at Brockville, pits open at 4 o’clock and spectators will be allowed through the main gates at 4:30 p.m. Integra Shocks time trials will take place at 6:30 p.m. following 6 o’clock warm-ups with the first heats of the night getting underway at 7 p.m. 
 
Advance Auto Parts Super Series Point Standings (through June 21, 2006)
            No.            Driver                       Points Diff            Money       Wins  Top-5  Top-10 Starts
1          91            Billy Decker                              540             0             $17,300        2            5            6            7
2          42p            Pat Ward               471             (69)            $8,800          0            3            6            7
3          1            Gary Tomkins            456             (84)            $10,350        0            4            5            7
4          19            Tim Fuller               453             (87)            $11,600        1            4            4            7
5          14J            Alan Johnson            449             (91)            $12,525        1            3            3            7
6          32c            Vic Coffey             426             (114)            $5,775          0            2            5            7
7          7x            Steve Paine              423             (117)            $5,600          0            0            5            7
8          20            Brett Hearn              420             (120)            $10,850        1            2            3            7
9          44s            Matt Sheppard            404             (136)            $6,000          0            1            4            7
10        27J            Danny Johnson            403             (137)            $9,300          1            1            3            7
11        44c            Frank Cozze             388             (152)            $4,350          0            1            3            7
12        98h            Jimmy Phelps            388             (152)            $5,200          0            1            5            7
13        10            Stewart Friesen            376             (164)            $2,813          0            0            2            7
14        3            Justin Haers              368             (172)            $3,100          0            0            2            7
15        8J            Tom Sears Jr.            356             (184)            $4,025          0            1            2            7
16        77x            Dale Planck                        340             (200)            $5,875          0            1            3            6
17        39            Tim McCreadie            308             (232)            $6,950          0            3            4            5
18        11            Kyle Jacobs                       239             (301)            $1,525          0            0            0            6
19        Z            Butch Tittle                222             (318)            $1,500          0            0            0            6
20        60            Kenny Stafford            189             (351)            $1,200          0            0            0            4
21        3b            Chad Brachmann            188             (352)            $2,600          0            1            1            4
22        42            Jimmy Horton 168             (372)            $6,500          1            1            1            2
23        99            Ryan Phelps                        133             (407)            $900               0            0            0            4
24        62            Todd Burley             131             (409)            $1,500          0            0            1            2
25        6J            Joe Isabell             131             (409)            $600               0            0            0            2
26        99b            Chuck Bower             109             (431)            $600               0            0            0            2
27        30            Jamie Mills                105             (435)            $900               0            0            1            2
28        22g            Mitch Gibbs              105             (435)            $663               0            0            0            3
29        42B            Kevin Bates              102             (438)            $600               0            0            0            2
30        2            Ronnie Johnson            96             (444)            $600               0            0            0            2
31        18            Sean Beardsley            95             (445)            $600               0            0            0            3
32        9            Bob McCreadie            90             (450)            $600               0            0            0            3
33        88            Steve Hulsizer            89             (451)            $600               0            0            0            3
34        115            Kenny Tremont Jr.            88             (452)            $2,000          0            1            1            1
35        14            Rick Laubach            86             (454)            $300               0            0            0            2
36        00            Doug Manmiller            83             (457)            $600               0            0            0            2
37        777            Kevin Bolland            58             (482)            $300               0            0            0            1
38        49            Billy Dunn               58             (482)            $300               0            0            0            1
39        42            Pete Bicknell                       57             (483)            $350               0            0            0            1
40        88            Jeff Strunk             56             (484)            $350               0            0            0            1
41        33.3            Tommy Meier            55             (485)            $0                    0            0            0            1
42        12J      Danny Williams            54             (486)            $300               0            0            0            1
43        8            Rich Scagliotta            53             (487)            $300               0            0            0            1
44        R2            Rusty Smith              52             (488)            $300               0            0            0            1
45        71            David VanHorn Jr.            52             (488)            $300               0            0            0            1
46        73            Ryan Jacobs                       50             (490)            $0                    0            0            0            0
47        19B            Kenny Brightbill            50             (490)            $300               0            0            0            1
48        20D            Del Rougeux Jr.            50             (490)            $300               0            0            0            1
49        21k            Randy Chrysler            43             (497)            $300               0            0            0            1
50        32            Jim Rasey             43             (497)            $300               0            0            0            1
51        15            Brett Tonkin             43             (497)            $300               0            0            0            2
52        26            Ryan Godown            41             (499)            $300               0            0            0            1
53        X            Chad Phelps                        41             (499)            $300               0            0            0            2
54        44w            Shannon Whaley            40             (500)            $300               0            0            0            1
55        19k            Joe Kubiniec                     40             (500)            $300               0            0            0            1
56        12            Brian Sage               40             (500)            $300               0            0            0            1
57        7NY            Bill Torissi                        40             (500)            $300               0            0            0            1
58        XXX            Todd Gordon                       40             (500)            $300               0            0            0            1
59        357            Billy Pauch             40             (500)            $300               0            0            0            1
60        86            Billy Pauch Jr.            40             (500)            $300               0            0            0            1
61        12a            Jack Johnson            40             (500)            $300               0            0            0            1
62        37md            Jer. Shingledecker           40             (500)            $300               0            0            0            1
63        31            Jim Weller Jr.            40             (500)            $300               0            0            0            1
64        2            Mark Flick                40             (500)            $300               0            0            0            1
65        83            Brian Swartzlander            40             (500)            $300               0            0            0            1
66        23            Jim Weller III                      40             (500)            $300               0            0            0            1
67        56            Vince Vitale              40             (500)            $300               0            0            0            1
68        91d            Kevin Hirthler            40             (500)            $300               0            0            0            1
69        FX1            Frankie Caprara Jr.            40             (500)            $300               0            0            0            2
70        66            Jeff Heotzler                      40             (500)            $300               0            0            0            2
 
SKIDMARKS
2006 Tour 12: For the second straight year DIRT MotorSports™ has signed up the best big-block Modified teams in the Northeast to compete in every Advance Auto Parts Super DIRT Series show. The list of a dozen contracted drivers (in alphabetical order) includes past Eckerd 200 champion Vic Coffey, four-time and defending Eckerd 200 titlist Billy Decker, third-generation big-block upstart Stewart Friesen, reigning overall Hoosier Tire-Sunoco Race Fuels Mr. DIRT champion Tim Fuller, '04 Rookie of the Year Justin Hears, all-time Advance Auto Parts SDS race winner Brett Hearn, DIRT's winningest big-block Modified driver Alan Johnson, Canandaigua (NY) Speedway record-setter Steve Paine, second-year tour mainstay Jimmy Phelps, rising star Matt Sheppard, former Mr. DIRT champion Gary Tomkins and 30-year open-wheel veteran Pat Ward.
 
Fulton SDS Showdown Being Reviewed: The inclement weather at Rolling Wheels marked the second straight rain-out on the 2006 Advance Auto Parts Super DIRT Series. Severe conditions last Tuesday forced Fulton Speedway Promoter T.J. Fitzgibbons to postpone the Advance Auto Parts special on Wednesday, June 28. DIRT MotorSports and Fulton officials hope to meet this week and review possible make-up dates for the 9th Annual ‘Showdown At Sundown 100’ presented by Budweiser. Further information regarding the event will be released as soon as a decision is reached.
 
Homepage Highlights: The Official DIRT MotorSports NorthEast Web site at http://www.dirtmotorsports.com/DirtNE/SDS includes Advance Auto Parts Series driver biographies with individual statistics and pictures, race-by-race statistics, detailed track information and race coverage, series news and team press releases. There are also specific links to the 2006 DIRT MotorSports Media Guide, the Official Rulebook and the 2006 DIRT MotorSports Membership form.
 
Get Out The Word First: With RACEceiver now recognized as the Official Driver Communicator of DIRT MotorSports™ in 2006, fans, as well as the competing drivers, are able to hear first hand everything that is happening throughout the entire show. A compact radio receiver that conveniently fits into a driver’s pocket, a RACEceiver allows each driver to hear directions from series officials, which greatly enhances the safety and timeliness of events. A similar version available to fans allows RACEceiver users to hear what information series officials are relaying to the drivers. For more information about RACEceiver, visit www.raceceiver.com, call 866/301-7223, or look for their sales trailers at various events.
 
Tracks Know The Score: In DIRT MotorSports™ ongoing effort to assist every sanctioned track with presenting the best possible race programs, DMS has teamed with AMB i.t. which continues to be recognized as the Official Timing System of DIRT MotorSports. AMB i.t. is the world’s leader in automatic race timing and scoring systems and the DIRT organization is proud to retain the company as a valued partner in the timing and scoring of all DIRT MotorSports events.
 
Eckerd Store Specials: Eckerd Pharmacies in New York and Pennsylvania will give away close to 1,000 free tickets for Advance Auto Parts Super DIRT Series/Eckerd 200 Qualifier Races held throughout the 2006 season. The popular Eckerd program is part of the promotion for the Oct. 8 Eckerd 200 Championship race at Super DIRT Week in Syracuse, N.Y. Each Eckerd Pharmacy promotion will feature DIRT driver appearances, race cars, the Eckerd “cut-away” Modified, free autograph cards and free tickets to Advance Auto Parts Super DIRT Series/Eckerd 200 Qualifier Races. Fans can find more information on the Eckerd promotion by visiting Eckerd Pharmacy online at www.eckerd.com. For race information, please visit www.dirtmotorsports.com.
 
DATE          TRACK (PHONE)                                                      DRIVER/APPEARANCE               ECKERD STORE ADDRESS
Thr-Jul 13    Orange Co. Fair Speedway (845/342-2573)  Brett Hearn / 12noon-2:00pm         701 Rte 211 East - Middletown, NY
Wed-Jul 19  Grandview Speedway (610/754-7688)          Brett Hearn / 12noon-2:00pm         1140 Town Square Rd - Pottstown, PA
Thr-Aug 10  Canandaigua Speedway (585/394-0961)      Vic Coffey / 12noon-2:00pm          539 North Main St – Canandaigua, NY
Wed-Aug 30 Brewerton Speedway (315/668-6906)          Pat Ward / 12noon-2:00pm       8379 Thompson Road – Cicero, NY
Sun-Sep 3   Cayuga Co. Fair Speedway              (315/834-6606) Matt Sheppard / 11:00am-1:00pm   113 Downer Street – Baldwsinville, NY
Mon-sep 4   Rolling Wheels Raceway (315/689-7809)      Steve Paine / 11:00am-1:00pm        153 Grant Avenue – Auburn, NY
Sat-sep 9    Lebanon Valley Speedway (518/794-9965)    Kenny Tremont / 10:00am-12noon  463 Albany-Shaker Rd – Loudonville, NY
Sat-Sep 30  Fulton Speedway                (315/593-6531)                  Vic Coffey / 9:00am-11:00am         503 South Second St. - Fulton, NY
Mon-Oct 9   Super DIRT Week XXXV                                WINNER / 10:0am-12noon        Eckerd, TBA                                        
 
2006 Advance Auto Parts Super DIRT Series Schedule
NP=Non-Point event.                           
DAY-DATE            LAPS            TRACK                                 WINNER/LOCATION
Wed-Feb 15            30-NP            Volusia Speedway Park    JIMMY HORTON
Thr-Feb 16            30-NP            Volusia Speedway Park    TIM FULLER
Fri-Feb 17            30-NP            Volusia Speedway Park            BRETT HEARN
Sat-Feb 18            50-NP            Volusia Speedway Park            BRETT HEARN
Sat-Mar 25            100            Hagerstown Speedway            BRETT HEARN
Sun-May 7        50        Rolling Wheels Raceway            BILLY DECKER
Sun-May 7        50        Rolling Wheels Raceway            TIM FULLER
Sun-May 28            100            Cayuga Co Fair Speedway            DANNY JOHNSON
Wed-Jun 14            100            Lernerville Speedway            BILLY DECKER
Thr-Jun 15            100            Susquehanna Speedway            JIMMY HORTON
Wed-Jun 21            100            Ransomville Speedway            ALAN JOHNSON
Wed-Jun 28            100            Fulton Speedway                  Rain, TBA
Mon-Jul 3            100            Rolling Wheels Raceway            Rin-Cancelled
Tue-Jul 4            100            Brockville Ont Speedway            Brockville,ONT
Sun-Jul 9            100            Cornwall Motor Speedway            Cornwall,ONT
Mon-Jul 10            100            Autodrome Drummond            Drummondville,QUE
Thr-Jul 13            100            Orange Co Fair Speedway            Middletown,NY
Wed-Jul 19            100            Grandview Speedway            Bechtelsville,PA
Sat-Aug 5            100            Eldora Speedway                  Rossburg,OH
Mon-Aug 7            100            Merrittville Speedway            Thorold,ONT
Thr-Aug 10            100            Canandaigua Speedway            Canandaigua,NY
Wed-Aug 16            100            New Egypt Speedway            New Egypt,NJ
Wed-Aug 30            100            Brewerton Speedway            Brewerton,NY
Sun-Sep 3            100            Cayuga Co Fair Speedway            Weedsport,NY
Mon-Sep 4            100            Rolling Wheels Raceway            Elbridge,NY
Sat-Sep 9            200            Lebanon Valley Speedway            West Lebanon,NY
Fri-Sep 15            100            Canandaigua Speedway            Canandaigua,NY
Sat-Sep 23            200            Rolling Wheels Raceway            Elbridge,NY
Sat-Sep 30             200            Fulton Speedway                  Fulton,NY
Sun-Oct 8            200            New York State Fairgrnds            Syracuse,NY
Sun-Oct 15            100            Williams Grove Speedway            Mechanicsburg,PA
Sun-Oct 22            200            Orange Co Fair Speedway            Middletown,NY
*All events subject to change.                                 
 
The DIRT MotorSports™ Advance Auto Parts Series is brought to fans across the Northeast by several sponsors and partners, including series sponsors Advance Auto Parts, Hoosier Racing Tire and Sunoco Race Fuels. Promotional partners include AMB i.t. and the University of Northwestern Ohio and the contingency sponsors are Bert Transmission, Bicknell Racing Products, Bilstein Shocks, Brodix Cylinder Heads, DART Machinery, Holley HP Carburetors, Integra Shocks, MSD Ignitions, Miller Electric Manufacturing Company, Penske Shocks and Wrisco Industries.