Hearn Beats Rain To Win Advance Auto Parts SDS National 200 At Rolling Wheels
Elbridge, NY – September 23, 2006 – By Tom Skibinski, DIRT NorthEast PR Director
Rain that soaked the area overnight and was predicted to continue over Central New York finally hit again on Saturday, then again and again and again. And when Rolling Wheels Raceway officials finally through in the towel nearly two hours after the Advance Auto Parts Super DIRT Series Paine Motorsports National 200 began, it was veteran Brett Hearn pulling into victory lane to collect the $10,000 top prize in the rain-shortened 155-lap Modifed main. Following Hearn across the stripe in the yellow/checkered flag finish were 2006 Rolling Wheels season points champion Billy Decker, second year tour follower Jimmy Phelps, defending race winner Gary Tomkins and current overall Hoosier Tire-Sunoco Race Fuels Mr. DIRT Championship points leader Alan Johnson. Vic Coffey was scored eighth which was good enough to earn the Sweetners Plus squad an automatic starting spot in the Eckerd 200 at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse during Super DIRT Week XXXV, Oct. 4-8.
Changing both rear tires and topping off his fuel tan, Hearn was among the first in the 30-car starting field to make a pit stop during the initial caution period on lap 45 and after his mandatory stop down pit row just a handful of laps later he returned trackside in the top-five. One-by-one the Sussex, N.J. superstar disposed of his opposition, first Decker, then Danny Johnson before overtaking second-generation driver Ryan Phelps for the final exchange up front on lap 68.
“It was just so nerve-racking out there with the rain, on again, off again and finally the track got too slippery after that last shower,” said Hearn, 48, on the heels of his third Advance Auto Parts SDS victory of the season which pushed his career-high total to 90. “The crew has been working really hard, especially on adjusting to slick track conditions. We knew we had a real good car right from the start and our guys did another great job getting us out of the pits near the front. The car was right on after that and the rain was the only thing that slowed us down at all.”
Pat Ward opened the 20th Annual World Series of DIRT Track Racing Weekend program for the big-blocks by stopping the clocks at 20.272 seconds for an average speed of 108.554 mph around the fast and smooth 5/8-miler clay oval to earn the $100 Integra Shocks Fast Time Award. Hearn was ninth quickest aboard the potent Madsen Motorsports no. 20 Wentworth Custom Homes-BPG Racing-Kruger-WLR/TEO entry, while brothers Danny and Alan Johnson were right on the rear bumper of Ward in the opening round qualifying sessions. Come feature time it was the last driver to sign in ---Dave Rauscher--- that grabbed the pole-position in the customary pre-race draw to sort out the running order for the start. However, when the green flag finally dropped around 9:30 pm it was Rauscher’s front row partner Chuck Bower that sprinted out to assume the early lead.
It took only 10 laps for Bower to reach traffic and five circuits later Danny Johnson blasted from third to first and put the no. 27J Quality Concrete-King Enterprises-Chiefs Tobacco & Gas/Troyer machine in the lead for the first time followed immediately by Coffey. And with a quarter of the race complete Matt Sheppard dropped Bower back to fourth-place while Tim Fuller filled the front-five with Rauscher, Hearn, Pat Ward, Alan Johnson, Justin Haers, Decker and Jimmy Phelps rounding out the first dozen drivers in the non-stop affair. The younger Johnson proceeded to pass cars at will and only 18 cars remained on the lead lap with 35 complete and the ‘Doctor’ opening up a 2.7-second advantage over former teammate Coffey.
The yellow lights finally flashed for the first time when Roger Chrysler slid off the back straightaway to give both the fans and drivers a breather after 44 laps of continuous action. At the same time, fifth-place charger Ward suffered a broken rear-end on John Wight’s no. 42P Gypsum Express to force the short-track veteran pitside for the remainder of the race. The initial caution period prompted Hearn and Decker, along with Chris Shultz and Tomkins to visit the infield pits while Coffey took control of the point when Johnson pitted on lap 49. When the scoreboard clicked 50 laps complete most of the field darted down pit lane and Rauscher led for the first time the following circuit with Ryan Phelps and Danny Johnson in his rear-view mirror. In the mad dash to return to the track, Decker was the first in line exiting ahead of Hearn, Jimmy Phelps, Coffey, Sheppard, Fuller and 10th-place runner Frank Cozze while pre-race favorite barely cracked the top-12.
Back under green flag conditions, Hearn blasted by Decker for fourth on lap 56 and Ryan Phelps grabbed the lead from Rauscher just one more time around the fast 5/8-miler. Rauscher faded out of the front-five soonafter and Hearn swept past Johnson on lap 65 before forging what resulted in the final lead change on lap 68. The second yellow flag unfurled on lap 75 when Rauscher slid across the wet frontstretch infield grass and when the green reappeared just 14 cars were scored on the lead lap as Hearn, Danny Johnson, Jimmy Phelps, Decker and Fuller comprised the latest top-five.
Phelps dove under Johnson for the runner-up spot on lap 91 and the remainder of the order stayed intact at the halfway mark, the same time Dale Planck slowed on the back chute to cause the third caution period. Rain drops which had teased the field early on returned at a steadier rate but subsided just as quickly as they came before the lap 105 restart.
Just three laps later Ryan Phelps slowed between turns three and four with a flat to force out a yellow flag and Roger Chrysler lost a wheel on his mount in turn one to require another caution immediately after the field refired on lap 112. At this juncture third-place runner Danny Johnson opted to make his mandatory stop pitside as his first tour to the infield came just one circuit prior to the mandatory lap 50 window. Yet back on track, the Rochester chauffeur was a man on a mission, cracking the top-10 by lap 120, overtaking Cozze for seventh on lap 125 and moving past Fuller just one lap later. “At first I stayed out thinking it was gonna rain, then after we pitted the engine started going south,” said Johnson, who won his only RWR National 200 at the turn of the century. “I guess we kinda got screwed up second-guessing ourselves but sixth-place isn’t too bad maybe.”
As Johnson closed in on his older brother Alan the rain began to pick up again and fell hard enough to force out the sixth caution on lap 129. A rare red flag was dropped the next circuit and the field was directed down pit road to wait out the brief downpour. During the next half-hour the rainfall was on again, off again and just as the cars returned trackside at 11 p.m. the skies opened up once more. The remaining 22 cars stayed out and laps 131-140 were counted down until the green lights were turned on with a light sprinkle still evident. Decker got a jump on the lap 141 restart and with 150 laps in the books it was Hearn, Decker, Phelps, Tomkins, Alan and Danny Johnson. The rain strengthened the next time around and with five laps run under caution, Hearn cruised home under the double checkered flags and what remained of the dampened crowd followed soonafter.
“I’m glad to finally get this one over. We started with a hard right rear (tire) and that wasn’t the right ticket out there tonight,” said Hearn, following his 13th Advance Auto Parts SDS win at Rolling Wheels and his third 200-lap triumph during RWR World Series Weekend, with the 2006 edition sponsored by Paine Motorsports, Labatt/Owasco Beverage, DealMaker Auto Group, Big Mike’s Auto and the Tom Ames Group. “We came in and the guys got me out quick and that made the difference. We’ve had our ups and downs all year so now its all about winning races. Tonight’s a real good start and hopefully we can end on a high note and get an early jump on next year.”
Runner-up Decker in John Wight’s no. 91 Gypsum Wholesalers/Bicknell mount was just as satisfied with his 16th top-five tally in 22 tour starts after shadowing Hearn across the line in the first-ever rain-shortened National 200 since its 1979 inception. “I got off to a rough start in qualifying and just struggled the whole night after that so I’m really happy with a second,” said Decker, a five-time Integra Shocks Fast Timer ---including two track records--- this year who stopped the clocks 19th best at RWR on Saturday. “We lost the brakes around lap 80 so the rain actually helped letting the car dig in a little better. We were no match for Brett tonight, he was really strong, so second is something we’ll take and run with for now. We’re still trying to make something so there’s a lot more work to do now before the next race.”
Recent Brewerton Speedway tour winner Phelps posted his third straight top-five finish in the H&H Motorsports no. 98H Mohawk Northeast-New England Race Fuels/Troyer entry and was still hungry for more. “We finally qualified decent tonight and we’re getting better but the rain definitely hurt us,” said Phelps, who joined Dale Planck as first-time Advance Auto Parts SDS winners in ’06. “We gained spots on the pit stop and the crew did everything it was asked. Who knows how far we would’ve got if the race had gone the distance, the car was feeling pretty good. I’m still happy as its great not only being able to race up front but be in contention for a top finish at the end. Hopefully, everything’s starting to come together at the right time for us.”
Advance Auto Parts Super DIRT Series Race #22 – Rolling Wheels Raceway, September 23, 2006 Paine Motorsports National 200 Modified Event Summary
FIN STR CAR# DRIVER
1 10 20 Brett Hearn/Sussex,NJ ($10,000)
2 12 91 Billy Decker/Unadilla,NY
3 9 98h Jimmy Phelps/Baldwinsville,NY
4 19 84 Gary Tomkins/Clifton Springs,NY
5 11 14j Alan Johnson/Phelps,NY
6 6 27j Danny Johnson/Rochester,NY
7 8 19 Tim Fuller/Edwards, NY
8 3 32c Vic Coffey/Leicester,NY
9 5 44s Matt Sheppard/Waterloo,NY
10 18 44 Frank Cozze/Wind Gap,PA
11 4 3 Justin Haers/Phelps,NY
12 2 99b Chuck Bower/Lansing,NY
13 14 77x Dale Planck/Cortland,NY
14 15 7x Steve Paine/Waterloo,NY
15 21 49 Billy Dunn/Watertown,NY
16 23 42b Kevin Bates/Lake Ariel,PA
17 20 9 Pierre Dagenais/Gatineau,QUE
18 30 18 Sean Beardsley/Central Square,NY
19 17 60 Kenny Stafford/Homer,NY
20 22 15 Brett Tonkin/Carbondale,PA
21 1 48too Dave Rauscher/Waterloo,NY
22 28 24 Chris Shultz/Pawling,NY
23 16 99 Ryan Phelps/Fulton,NY
24 29 t21 Roger Chrysler/Lewiston,NY
25 24 27r Rob Bellinger/Dexter,NY
26 25 8j Tom Sears,Jr./Clay,NY
27 7 42p Pat Ward/Genoa,NY
28 26 26 Scott George/Wilson,NY
29 13 21k Randy Chrysler/Lewiston,NY
30 27 28p Eldon Payne Jr./Hopewell,NY
LAP LEADERS: Bower (1-14), D.Johnson (15-48), Coffey (49-50), Rauscher (51-56), R.Phelps (57-67), Hearn (68-155).
CAUTIONS: 7 for 46 laps; 1 RED FLAG (lap 130).
ECKERD 200 QUALIFIER: Vic Coffey.
DID NOT QUALIFY(5)
6j-Joe Isabell/Pennellville,NY
7-D.J. Forbes/Syracuse,NY
7j-Jeff Isabell/Pennellville,NY
7r-John Ruchel/Niverville,NY
45m-Mike Ward/Genoa,NY
QUALIFYING
FAST AVE
TIME MPH CAR# DRIVER
*1 20.727 108.554 42p Pat Ward/Genoa,NY
*$100 Integra Shocks Fast Qualifier Award
2 20.807 108.137 27j Danny Johnson/Rochester,NY
3 20.823 108.054 14j Alan Johnson/Phelps,NY
4 20.834 107.997 3 Justin Haers/Phelps,NY
5 20.857 107.877 32c Vic Coffey/Leicester,NY
6 20.962 107.337 44s Matt Sheppard/Waterloo,NY
7 21.004 107.122 99b Chuck Bower/Lansing,NY
8 21.035 106.965 19 Tim Fuller/Edwards, NY
9 21.081 106.731 20 Brett Hearn/Sussex,NJ
10 21.110 106.585 77x Dale Planck/Cortland,NY
11 21.159 106.338 7x Steve Paine/Waterloo,NY
12 21.199 106.137 99 Ryan Phelps/Fulton,NY
13 21.201 106.127 21k Randy Chrysler/Lewiston,NY
14 21.225 106.007 98h Jimmy Phelps/Baldwinsville,NY
15 21.249 105.887 49 Billy Dunn/Watertown,NY
16 21.256 105.852 48too Dave Rauscher/Waterloo,NY
17 21.265 105.808 42b Kevin Bates/Lake Ariel,PA
18 21.277 105.748 44 Frank Cozze/Wind Gap,PA
19 21.279 105.738 91 Billy Decker/Unadilla,NY
20 21.300 105.634 7j Jeff Isabell/Pennellville,NY
21 21.340 105.436 60 Kenny Stafford/Homer,NY
22 21.462 104.836 24 Chris Shultz/Pawling,NY
23 21.465 104.822 84 Gary Tomkins/Clifton Springs,NY
24 21.513 104.588 9 Pierre Dagenais/Gatineau,QUE
25 21.536 104.476 8j Tom Sears,Jr./Clay,NY
26 21.620 104.070 15 Brett Tonkin/Carbondale,PA
27 21.705 103.663 45m Mike Ward/Genoa,NY
28 21.738 103.505 27r Rob Bellinger/Dexter,NY
29 21.788 103.268 6j Joe Isabell/Pennellville,NY
30 21.910 102.693 18 Sean Beardsley/Central Square,NY
31 22.125 101.695 28p Eldon Payne Jr./Hopewell,NY
32 22.162 101.525 26 Scott George/Wilson,NY
33 22.441 100.263 t21 Roger Chrysler/Lewiston,NY
34 22.577 99.659 7 D.J. Forbes/Syracuse,NY
35 23.937 93.997 7r John Ruchel/Niverville,NY
Heat Races (8 laps, top-5 finishers transferred to feature, top-3 went to re-draw)
#1: Coffey, P.Ward, Hearn, Ra.Chrysler, Stafford, Bates, Sears, Jo.Isabell, Ro.Chrysler.
#2: D.Johnson, Sheppard, J.Phelps, Planck, Cozze, Tonkin, Shultz, Beardsley, Forbes.
#3: A.Johnson, Bower, Decker, Paine, Tomkins, Dunn, Payne, M.Ward, Ruchel.
#4: Haers, Fuller, Rauscher, R.Phelps, Dagenais, Bellinger, George, Je.Isabell.
Consolation Round (8 laps, top-5 finishers transferred to feature)
#1: Dunn, Bates, Sears, Payne, Ro.Chrysler, Ruchel, Jo.Isabell.
#2: Tonkin, Bellinger, George, Shultz, Beardsley, Je.Isabell, M.Ward, Forbes (DNS).
Overall Hoosier Tire-Sunoco Race Fuels Mr. DIRT Championship Point Standings
(through Rolling Wheels – September 23, 2006)
Rank No. Driver Points Home Track Bonus Wins Top-5 Top-10 Starts
1 14J Alan Johnson 2,188 Fulton 300 6 17 18 22
2 91 Billy Decker 2,056 Brewerton 284 3 16 18 22
3 19 Tim Fuller 2,043 Fulton 300 3 14 18 22
4 20 Brett Hearn 1,891 Orange County 300 3 11 15 22
5 1 Gary Tomkins 1,842 Canandaigua 300 1 11 16 22
6 44s Matt Sheppard 1,740 Cayuga County 292 1 4 13 22
7 42p Pat Ward 1,727 Cayuga County 278 0 4 14 22
8 98h Jimmy Phelps 1,719 Fulton 272 1 7 16 22
9 27J Danny Johnson 1,699 Cayuga County 272 1 2 13 22
10 7x Steve Paine 1,574 Canandaigua 296 0 2 9 22
11 77x Dale Planck 1,553 Cayuga County 260 1 2 11 21
12 44c Frank Cozze 1,348 Rolling Wheels 103 0 3 8 22
13 8J Tom Sears Jr. 1,097 Fulton 238 0 1 2 18
14 32c Vic Coffey 1,023 Canandaigua 284 0 2 7 13
15 3 Justin Haers 1,021 Can Am 264 0 1 3 14
16 60 Kenny Stafford[R]849 Can Am 244 0 0 0 12
17 Z Butch Tittle 719 Canandaigua 206 0 0 0 12
18 99 Ryan Phelps 708 Cayuga County 240 0 0 2 10
19 42B Kevin Bates [R] 692 Fulton 240 0 0 0 9
20 11 Kyle Jacobs [R] 675 Can Am 230 0 1 1 9
21 6J Joe Isabell [R] 664 Brewerton 214 0 0 0 8
22 62 Todd Burley 660 Canandaigua 276 0 0 3 6
23 99b Chuck Bower 649 Canandaigua 248 0 0 0 7
24 39 Tim McCreadie 598 Brewerton 203 0 3 4 7
25 3b Chad Brachmann 575 Canandaigua 232 0 1 1 7
26 18 Sean Beardsley 570 Canandaigua 218 0 0 0 8
27 66 Jeff Heotzler 549 Orange County 266 0 1 2 6
28 6 Pat O'Brien 487 Can Am 292 0 2 2 2
29 88 Steve Hulsizer 467 Brewerton 250 0 0 0 6
30 29B Jeff Brownell Jr. 444 Canandaigua 266 0 0 1 3
31 49 Billy Dunn 437 Thunder Alley 276 0 0 0 3
32 115 Kenny Tremont. 417 Lebanon Valley 288 0 1 1 2
33 47 Jerry Higbie 398 Orange County 260 0 0 1 2
34 7J Jeff Isabell 396 Brewerton 169 0 0 0 4
35 FX1 Frankie Caprara395 Thunder Alley 300 0 0 0 3
36 73h J.R. Heffner 384 Lebanon Valley 274 1 1 1 1
37 33.3 Tommy Meier 380 Orange County 260 0 0 0 2
38 56 Vince Vitale 373 Cayuga County 232 0 0 0 3
39 2 Ronnie Johnson 371 Cayuga County 55 0 0 0 7
40 99 Charlie Donk 367 Canandaigua 262 0 0 1 2
41 73 Ryan Jacobs 366 Can Am 159 0 0 0 3
42 777 Kevin Bolland 358 Lernerville 300 0 0 0 1
43 20D Del Rougeux Jr. 348 Lernerville 254 0 0 0 2
44 71 David VanHorn. 344 Orange County 220 0 0 1 2
45 48T Dave Rauscher 336 Canandaigua 204 0 0 0 2
46 4 Andy Bachetti 336 Lebanon Valley 288 0 0 0 1
47 21p Derrick Podsiadlo 335 Canandaigua 210 0 0 0 2
48 14 Rick Laubach 333 Orange County 62 0 0 0 6
49 93x Craig Mitchell 333 Orange County 258 0 0 1 1
50 44w Shannon Whaley 330 Canandaigua 208 0 0 0 2
51 83 Brian Swartzlander 328 Lernerville 288 0 0 0 1
52 10 Richie Eurich 325 Orange County 270 0 0 0 1
53 24 Chris Shultz 318 Orange County 208 0 0 0 2
54 37md Jer.Shingledecker 318 Tri-City 278 0 0 0 1
55 15 Brett Tonkin 317 Fulton 140 0 0 0 5
56 42 Jimmy Horton 316 Orange County 20 1 1 1 5
57 21 Gary Edwards. 315 Orange County 234 0 0 1 1
58 31 Jim Weller 310 Lernerville 270 0 0 0 1
59 45 Wayne Jelley 309 Lebanon Valley 266 0 0 0 1
60 X Chad Phelps 307 Fulton 226 0 0 0 3
61 OBs Ric Hill 304 Orange County 246 0 0 0 1
62 21k Randy Chrysler 298 Canandaigua 195 0 0 0 2
63 8 Tim O'Brien 298 Thunder Alley 288 0 0 0 0
64 47 Scott Prentice 297 Fulton 256 0 0 0 1
65 65 Rex King 296 Tri-City 296 0 0 0 0
66 06 Bob Bennett 292 Can Am 252 0 0 0 1
67 93 Ryan Bartlett 292 Thunder Alley 272 0 0 0 0
68 19 Chuck McKee 288 Orange County 248 0 0 0 1
69 2 Mark Flick 286 Lernerville 246 0 0 0 1
70 73 Rick Mill 283 Orange County 238 0 0 0 1
71 53 Dave Franek 281 Orange County 238 0 0 0 1
72 24 Jim Witko Jr. 280 Fulton 224 0 0 0 1
73 28 Tom Winkle 280 Lernerville 280 0 0 0 0
74 118 Mike DePalma 278 Orange County 234 0 0 0 1
75 25 Mike Kolka 276 Orange County 246 0 0 0 0
76 1J Bobby Varin 273 Canandaigua 38 0 0 2 4
77 43 Keith Flach [R] 270 Lebanon Valley 230 0 0 0 1
78 61 Dave Murdick 270 Lernerville 270 0 0 0 0
79 99 Mike Adderley 269 Can Am 210 0 0 0 1
80 98 Eddie Marshall 264 Lebanon Valley 264 0 0 0 0
81 88 Steve Dodd 262 Orange County 252 0 0 0 0
82 21 Donnie Corellis 262 Lebanon Valley 262 0 0 0 0
83 8g Ke.Swartzlander 260 Lernerville 208 0 0 0 1
84 03 Zach Aubertine 260 Thunder Alley 220 0 0 0 0
85 25 Joe Crawford 258 Tri-City 258 0 0 0 0
86 41 Andy Priest 258 Tri-City 258 0 0 0 0
87 85 Dan Vauter 252 Fulton 194 0 0 0 1
88 77 Jimmy Johnson 252 Orange County 242 0 0 0 0
89 83 Tim Sears 248 Fulton 206 0 0 0 1
90 6n Drew Ricco 248 Orange County 208 0 0 0 0
91 8 F.Jashembowski 247 Orange County 194 0 0 0 1
92 91h Chad Homan 246 Canandaigua 186 0 0 0 0
93 8 Chanda Reitz 246 Tri-City 236 0 0 0 0
94 14 Lorne Browe [R] 246 Lebanon Valley 246 0 0 0 0
95 66 J.R. McGinley 244 Lernerville 234 0 0 0 0
96 87x Paul Gilardi 242 Lebanon Valley 202 0 0 0 1
97 7 Chris Schiffer 240 Tri-City 240 0 0 0 0
98 87 Hector Stratton 240 Lebanon Valley 240 0 0 0 0
99 7k Kirk Horton 238 Orange County 228 0 0 0 0
100 6P Dave Schrader 236 Tri-City 236 0 0 0 0
24 John Hewitt 236 Lebanon Valley 236 0 0 0 0
Advance Auto Parts DIRT Modified Entries – September 23 (35)
CAR# DRIVER / HOMETOWN TEAM (Sponsor / Chassis / Engine)
3 Justin Haers/Phelps,NY Phelps Cement Products-SMV Motorsports-Jeff Jolly Masonry/Bicknell/Finger Lakes
6j Joe Isabell/Pennellville,NY JIR Motorsports-A&D Structures/TEO/Morrison
7 D.J. Forbes/Syracuse,NY JIR Motorsports-A&D Structures/Bicknell/Morrison
7j Jeff Isabell/Pennellville,NY JIR Motorsports/TEO/Morrison
7r John Ruchel/Niverville,NY Jackson's Old Chatham House-Kleeber Agency/PMC/Ken Tremont,Sr.
7x Steve Paine/Waterloo,NY Tallmadge Tire-Terrell's Potato Chips-Geneva Homes-J&M Roofers/TEO/Finger Lakes
8j Tom Sears,Jr./Clay,NY JIR Motorsports-Commercial Roofing & Sheet Metal,Inc./TEO/Morrison
9 Pierre Dagenais/Gatineau,QUE Kinney Drugs-Syracuse Frame Service-F.X. Caprara Car Co./Bicknell/Enders
14j Alan Johnson/Phelps,NY NativePoker.Com-Pine Line Auto Sales-Chiefs Tobacco&Gas/Bicknell/Morrison
15 Brett Tonkin/Carbondale,PA Grimm Construction-G&G Towing/Bicknell/Main
18 Sean Beardsley/Central Square,NY Town Mechanical,Inc-American Aluminum(Fla)/Troyer/Moshier
19 Tim Fuller/Edwards, NY JL Motorsports(Native Poker)-Chiefs Tobacco&Gas-G&R Auto Parts/TEO/Enders
20 Brett Hearn/Sussex,NJ Madsen Mtrsports-Wentworth Custom Homes-BPG Racing-Kruger-WLR/TEO/Enders
21k Randy Chrysler/Lewiston,NY Randy's Smoke Shop-Arrow's Express-Seneca Brand/Bicknell/Pogo
t21 Roger Chrysler/Lewiston,NY Iroquois Water-Randy's Smoke Shop-Joey's Sneaks/Bicknell/Campbell
24 Chris Shultz/Pawling,NY Liberty Rock Crushing-TEO Fabrication/TEO/JPM
26 Scott George/Wilson,NY Original Pizza Logs-EZ Oil/Bicknell/K-S Machine
27j Danny Johnson/Rochester,NY Quality Concrete-King Enterprises-Chiefs Tobacco & Gas/Troyer/Kevlar
27r Rob Bellinger/Dexter,NY Quality Concrete-King Enterprises-Chiefs Tobacco & Gas/Troyer/Kevlar
28p Eldon Payne Jr./Hopewell,NY Original Pizza Logs-Proctor Roofing-Payne's Tiltbed Service/TEO/Mastin
32c Vic Coffey/Leicester,NY Sweeteners Plus-CME,Inc./Bicknell/C.C. Performance
42b Kevin Bates/Lake Ariel,PA Blaise & Son Racing-The Ulster 4-Locklin's Bottled Gas/Bicknell/Bedell & Murray
42p Pat Ward/Genoa,NY Gypsum Express,Ltd.-Stadium International/Bicknell/Enders
44 Frank Cozze/Wind Gap,PA Waite's General Contr-Carquest Auto Parts-Bert Transmission/TEO/Feil-M2 Power
44s Matt Sheppard/Waterloo,NY BKS/G-U Hardware-Currier Pastics-Adam Ross Cut Stone/Bicknell/Enders-FingerLakes
45m Mike Ward/Genoa,NY Cal-East Collision & Streetrods/Bicknell/Bud Ward
48too Dave Rauscher/Waterloo,NY Magee Transportation Services-Monadnock Disposal Service/Bicknell/Morrison
49 Billy Dunn/Watertown,NY Number One Speed-Fast Lube of Watertown/Bicknell/Finger Lakes
60 Kenny Stafford/Homer,NY HS Edinger Trucking-Amsoil-Fast Line Performance/TEO/Chevy
77x Dale Planck/Cortland,NY East End Auto Parts & Construction-Jacob's Excavation/Bicknell/Enders
84 Gary Tomkins/Clifton Springs,NY Honeoye Auto Parts-Red Parker & Son Excavating/Bicknell/Mastin
91 Billy Decker/Unadilla,NY Gypsum Wholesalers-Stadium Int'l-Quality Hardwoods/Bicknell/Enders
98h Jimmy Phelps/Baldwinsville,NY Mohawk Northeast-New England Race Fuels/Troyer/Bruneau-JanCen
99 Ryan Phelps/Fulton,NY Big Red Towing-Dave Miller Auto Body/Bicknell/Enders
99b Chuck Bower/Lansing,NY Beyea Custom Headers-Ingles Performance Ski-Doo/Bicknell/Finger Lakes
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 popular Pennsylvania pilot Frank Cozze, four-time and defending Eckerd 200 titlist Billy Decker, reigning overall Hoosier Tire-Sunoco Race Fuels Mr. DIRT champion Tim Fuller, all-time Advance Auto Parts SDS race winner Brett Hearn, DIRT's winningest big-block Modified driver Alan Johnson, five-time DIRT MotorSports NE Driver of the Year Danny Johnson, Canandaigua (NY) Speedway record-setter Steve Paine, second-year tour mainstay Jimmy Phelps, first-year full-time Series follower Dale Planck, rising star Matt Sheppard, former Mr. DIRT champion Gary Tomkins and 30-year open-wheel veteran Pat Ward.
200 Lap Ledger: The 2006 Paine Motorsports Championship at Rolling Wheels on Saturday marked the 29th double-century grind held at the Elbridge oval and the 149th “200-lap” Advance Auto Parts SDS main event run since they counted towards the overall Mr. DIRT title beginning in 1980. Brett Hearn (26 wins) tops the list of 32 finding victory lane at 13 different tracks with half that number of open-wheel drivers making their way back. “200 lap shows have been good to me, I’ve had good teams and been able to use pit stops to our advantage over the years,” said Hearn, who copped his first tour 200-lapper at Lebanon Valley in 1981 and most recent Saturday night at Rolling Wheels. “I look forward to the fall season but it’s so work intensive this time of year with so many big events. You’re always preparing and looking ahead at the same time and sometimes the current race gets overlooked. Throw Super DIRT Week into the mix and a lot of times you seem to get caught up in the middle of everything with your program going in a 100 different directions.”
Billy Decker owns 11 “200s” with four of the past eight Eckerd 300 Championships highlighting the list, however, just one overall Mr. DIRT title has accompanied that success. “200-lappers are all relative, if you’re running good it’s a lot of fun and you want to keep on doing it, but if you’re out to lunch then it’s a long and frustrating day trying to figure things out. So far we’ve been just a little off and we don’t really know why. Alan’s (Johnson, points leader) finding it hard to do anything wrong and we’re just looking for something to click. We’ve been good at Syracuse lately but that’s such a tricky place. Everything has to fall into place all week long just to have a chance on Sunday. There’s probably more precision required there than anywhere else we race and anything small can add up to something really big before its all over.”
Among the true veterans on the DIRT Modified circuit, Pat Ward remains one of the few touring stars that is yet to capture a 200-lap main event. Going into the Rolling Wheels show with a one race-old ’07 Bicknell ride instilled the best feeling yet. “We should be good today,” low-balled Ward, as he prepared for practice early in the evening at the ‘Fast Track.’ The Genoa, N.Y. native then went out and collected his second career Integra Shocks Fast Time award with his first coming at Fonda Speedway in 2000 --- the first year time trials were used in qualifying for AAP Series events. “I think qualifying fast to get a good spot on pit row is important out here nowadays. If you pit closer to turn four you can get in a quick stop and almost catch up with the pace car before it gets back on the track. Wherever you are you’ve got to race hard every lap. Nobody gives you anything anywhere, everything has to be earned and guys will race hard for 200 laps to get the job done.
RWR Weekend Wonders: Popular Frenchman Pierre Dagenais and 17 year-old rising star Rob Bellinger were new to the 2006 Advance Auto Parts Super DIRT Series roster after Saturday’s final tour points race of the month at Rolling Wheels. Dagenais was steering the no. 9 Kinney Drugs-Syracuse Frame Service-F.X. Caprara Car Co./Bicknell entry more familiar with owner Bob McCreadie behind the wheel. In past season specials, McCreadie has driven Dagenais’ own no. 124 Quarry Dagenais/Bicknell machine that is visible in many Mr. DIRT 358-Modified Series events. “I just asked Bob since no one was driving his car if could and he said okay, we’ve been good friends for awhile,” said Dagenais, who was the final qualifier in the last heat to fill in 20th on the 30-car grid.
Mr. DIRT Sportsman Series regular Bellinger, who finished 22nd at RWR in Saturday night’s 30-lap companion event, made just his second-ever big-block run. His only previous experience in DIRT NorthEast’s premier division was just a half-dozen laps logged during the summer at Can-Am Motorsports Park in the H&H Motorsports no. 98H Troyer ride normally driven by Jimmy Phelps. “I’ve become friends with Billy (Colton, Troyer Chassis) and he called up car owner Dave (Thompson) to set up the deal. I’m just here to get some laps in and whatever happens is fine with me, its just a fun deal.” Bellinger was scored 25th in the big-block main with 71 laps complete.
Double DIRT Duty: A number of DIRT big-block drivers also competed the day before in the Mr. DIRT 358-Modified Series event at Rolling Wheels with contracted drivers Tim Fuller (2nd), Brett Hearn (4th), Jimmy Phelps (5th), Billy Decker (6th), Dale Planck (12th), Danny Johnson (28th), Pat Ward (29th), Steve Paine (31st) and winner Alan Johnson headlining the all-star field. Joining that elite group both days were Vic Coffey, Kevin Bates, Chris Shultz, Pierre Dagenais, Scott George, and brothers Randy and Roger Chrysler. All 16 qualified for the 200-lap finale on Sunday.
Hearn Rolls At Wheels: With the rain-shortened RWR National 200 in the record books, Hearn is now tied with Alan Johnson for second on the all-time win list with four behind 'Barefoot' Bob McCreadie who leads all open-wheel competitors with six victories. Jack Johnson (3), Will Cagle (2) and Dave Lape (2) are the only other repeat winners. Cagle was the first driver to cop two checkered flags, capturing the inaugural event in 1979 and returning to the podium in 1981. Alan Johnson was the first to score consecutive wins and added a third between 1982-84, only to be matched by Bob McCreadie's string of three in a row from 1990-92). Jack Johnson is the only other driver to claim two successive 200-lappers (1995-96). Wins by Bob McCreadie (1992), Jack Johnson (1996) and Kenny Tremont (1998) were rain-delayed until October, each time run the weekend prior to Super DIRT Week. In the past 28 years, Rolling Wheels' annual big-block Modified finale has never been cancelled due to rain although 2006 marks the first time that it was shortened due to seasonal precipitation.
“National 200” DIRT Modified Winners (1979-2006)
DATE FIRST - SECOND - THIRD - FOURTH - FIFTH
2006 Brett Hearn - Billy Decker - Jimmy Phelps - Gary Tomkins - Alan Johnson
2005 Gary Tomkins - Pat Ward - Tim Fuller - Brett Hearn - Justin Haers
2004 Brett Hearn - Vic Coffey - Jimmy Phelps - Bobby Varin - Alan Johnson
2003 Tim Fuller - Tim McCreadie - Alan Johnson - Danny Johnson - Kenny Tremont
2002 Alan Johnson - Gary Tomkins - Bob McCreadie - Jack Johnson - Tim Fuller
2001 Brett Hearn - Bob McCreadie - Alan Johnson - Danny Johnson - Tim Fuller
2000 Danny Johnson - Steve Paine - Jack Johnson - Bobby Varin - Brett Hearn
1999 Tim McCreadie - A.J. Romano - Billy Decker - Danny Johnson - Doug Hoffman
1998 Kenny Tremont - Brett Hearn - Jack Johnson - Steve Paine - Jimmy Horton
1997 Bob McCreadie - Doug Hoffman - Bobby Varin - Tim McCreadie - Steve Paine
1996 Jack Johnson - Bob McCreadie - Jeff Heotzler - Danny Johnson - Brett Hearn
1995 Jack Johnson - Bob McCreadie - Danny Johnson - A.J. Romano - Billy Decker
1994 Bob McCreadie - Doug Hoffman - Jeff Trombley - Billy Decker - Alan Johnson
1993 Jack Johnson - Brett Hearn - Billy Decker - Alan Johnson - Doug Hoffman
1992 Bob McCreadie - Brett Hearn - Danny Johnson - Jack Johnson - Dave Lape
1991 Bob McCreadie - Jeff Trombley - Kevin Collins - Steve Paine - Joe Plazek
1990 Bob McCreadie - Kenny Tremont - Brett Hearn - Steve Paine - Frank Cozze
1989 Dave Lape - Kenny Brightbill - Danny Johnson - Jack Johnson - Joe Plazek
1988 Billy Decker - Danny Johnson - Brett Hearn - Alan Johnson - Doug Hoffman
1987 Bob McCreadie - Dave Lape - Kenny Tremont - Charlie Rudolph - Harvey Hainer
1986 Brett Hearn - Alan Johnson - Charlie Rudolph - Steve Paine - Jack Johnson
1985 Dave Lape - Brett Hearn - Fred Cade - Steve Paine - Kenny Tremont
1984 Alan Johnson - Bob McCreadie - Joe Plazek - Johnny Birosh - Chuck Akulis
1983 Alan Johnson - Charlie Rudolph - Dave Lape - Don McGinnis - Jack Johnson
1982 Alan Johnson - Dave Lape - Brett Hearn - Carl Reynolds - Darrell Welty
1981 Will Cagle - Jack Johnson - Darrell Welty - C.D. Coville - Danny Johnson
1980 Mike McLaughlin - Alan Johnson - Chuck Akulis - Carl Reynolds - Dave Lape
1979 Will Cagle - Mike McLaughlin - Merv Treichler - Jeff Kappesser - Gary Iulg
No Deal For A.J.: Rolling Wheels G.M. Jack Deery waved a crisp stack of 10 $100 bills in front of DIRT Modified hotshoe Alan Johnson following his draw of 11th starting position for the double-century grind. The $1,000 cash bonus was Johnson’s for the taking if he agreed to start dead-last and come through to win the feature. In Deery’s “Deal, No Deal” option presented to DIRT NorthEast’s winningest driver, A.J. Slideways said no thanks and proceeded to place fifth in the 200-lap finale.
Fabulous ‘Fast Track’ Conditions: With the same track preparation crew now in place at both Rolling Wheels and Cayuga County, the recently rejuvenated Elbridge oval received rave reviews from drivers in every class during World Series Weekend which included big-block, small-block, Sportsman, Pro Stock and Street Stock racers. Being able to not only share clay, the exchange of ideas between members of the same maintenance team have played significant roles in maximizing the racing experience for both fans and drivers alike at these centrally located facilities.
38th RWR Finale: The final weekend of open-wheel action at Rolling Wheels Raceway is slated for Oct. 6 & 7 during the 35th Annual Super DIRT Week festivities. A 358-Modified / Sportsman Mr. DIRT Series twin-bill leads off on Friday while the 11th Annual $15,000 Sprint Challenge featuring one of the best sprint car fields ever assembled in Central New York takes center stage on Saturday. Both open-wheel programs start at 7 p.m.
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, were able to hear first hand everything that was happening throughout the entire Rolling Wheels 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
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
Next Events: The Victoria 200 at Fulton Speedway on Sept. 30 is a non-point race that offers a guaranteed starting spot in the Eckerd 200 Championship during Super DIRT Week XXXV at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse. Just three Advance Auto Parts SDS events remain at Syracuse, Williams Grove and Orange County to determine the overall Hoosier Tire-Sunoco Race Fuels Mr. DIRT Champion in 2006.
2006 Advance Auto Parts Super DIRT Series Schedule
NP=Non-Point event.
DAY-DATE LAPS TRACK WINNER/ECKERD QUAL. (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 B.DECKER/PAT WARD
Thr-Jun 15 100 Susquehanna Speedway JIMMY HORTON
Wed-Jun 21 100 Ransomville Speedway ALAN JOHNSON
Wed-Jun 28 100 Fulton Speedway Rain-Cancelled
Mon-Jul 3 100 Rolling Wheels Raceway Rain-Cancelled
Tue-Jul 4 100 Brockville Ont Speedway A.JOHNSON/PAT O’BRIEN
Sun-Jul 9 100 Cornwall Motor Speedway DALE PLANCK
Mon-Jul 10 105 Autodrome Drummond B.HEARN/GARY TOMKINS
Thr-Jul 13 100 Orange Co Fair Speedway B.DECKER/JEFF HEOTZLER
Wed-Jul 19 100 Grandview Speedway A.JOHNSON/JIMMY PHELPS
Sat-Aug 5 100 Eldora Speedway T.FULLER/STEVE PAINE
Mon-Aug 7 100 Merrittville Speedway A.JOHNSON/PETE BICKNELL
Thr-Aug 10 100 Canandaigua Speedway G.TOMKINS/JEFF BROWNELL JR.
Wed-Aug 16 100 New Egypt Speedway T.FULLER/FRANK COZZE
Wed-Aug 30 100 Brewerton Speedway J.PHELPS/TODD BURLEY
Sun-Sep 3 100 Cayuga Co Fair Speedway A.JOHNSON/MATT SHEPPARD
Mon-Sep 4 100 Rolling Wheels Raceway A.JOHNSON/JUSTIN HAERS
Sat-Sep 9 200 Lebanon Valley Speedway J.R. HEFFNER
Fri-Sep 15 100 Canandaigua Speedway M.SHEPPARD/CHARLIE DONK
Sat-Sep 23 200 Rolling Wheels Raceway B.HEARN/VIC COFFEY
Sat-Sep 30 200-NP 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.
|