Alltel DIRTcar Nationals By UNOH: Wednesday Night Notebook
FLORIDA TOUR 2009 PIT NOTES
Wednesday - February 11
*Ward Shines As Newest Alltel All-Star…Through show number nine of the Alltel DIRTcar Nationals By UNOH at Volusia, opening night Advance Series DIRTcar Big-Block winner Pat Ward added his name to the growing list of contenders for the lucrative $10,000 top prize as selected by fans in the month-long tally. “I’m a good clean racer and I’ve got an old motorhome that keeps breaking down every time I come down to Florida,” said Ward about why fans should choose him as the Alltel All-Star. “The money would help pay for that, and me and my girlfriend wouldn’t have to worry about that every time we get in it and drive it.” The Alltel All-Star candidates and their text message Letter Codes include: Big-Block Modifieds – Pat Ward (i); Sprint Cars – Donny Schatz (b); Stevie Smith (d); Joey Saldana (f); UMP DIRTcar Modifieds – Jared Landers (a), Austin Dillon (c), Randy Hall (e); UMP DIRTcar Super Late Models – Darren Miller (g), Earl Pearson Jr. (h), Dan Schlieper (j). Fans can vote by visiting www.AlltelAllStar.com or texting their drivers code to 247253.
*DIRTcar Big-Block Stars Ride Radio waves…Serving to preview the return of the mighty Big-Block Modifieds to Volusia County, perennial Alltel DIRTcar Nationals Champion Brett Hearn and overall 2008 Mr. DIRTcar titlist Billy Decker participated in “live” interviews on Wednesday prior to the first green flag. Hearn began the day at 8:10am as part of a daily ‘Wake Up’ show while Decker went on air at 3:30pm with local WNDB Radio Sports Director Mark Williams, who posed numerous questions geared towards highlight the Northeast’s premier traveling division while providing background of the reigning overall Hoosier Tire Mr. DIRTcar Big-Block Modified points king to the Sunshine State listeners.
*A.J. Slides Into Borrowed Ride…Harboring initial intentions of steering Dave Thompson’s no. 14J Chiefs Tobacco & Gas/Troyer ride for the ’09 edition of the Alltel DIRTcar Nationals, all-time DIRTcar Northeast Big-Block winner Alan Johnson arrived at VSP on Wednesday ready to roll aboard owner Bob Schneider’s formerly numbered 88 Thompson Road Tavern Circle S Stables/Troyer ride. “Dave’s car is all ready to go, but I found out at the end of January that he decided to keep it home so I got in touch with Bob,” noted Johnson, a two-time Florida Tour champion who last won at VSP in 1986. “Awhile back I had discussed the possibility of following the Advance Series with Bob but he couldn’t make a commitment for the whole thing with all the equipment he would need to get the job done right. I wasn’t expecting much because the car was all apart in the shop but Steve (Hulsizer, regular driver who is employed by Schneider on weekdays as a steel fabricator/welder) did a lot of work getting it together. We took it to Troyer’s last Wednesday to get a new body and they even put 14J on it for the trip. Right now I’m still hoping to run with Dave on tour when the season starts up north but that was the plan for Florida, too.” Johnson settled for 10th in the opener after finishing fifth in the second of three qualifying heats.
*Team Work, Take Two…JB Motorsports continues for a second successive season with owner Jeff Brownell fielding potent rides for Advance Series star Matt Sheppard and son Jeff Jr., the ’08 Glen Ridge Motorsports Park points champion. The Xtreme Lubricants/Bicknell specials of Sheppard (9s) and Brownell (29) qualified for the Wednesday lid-lifter and both drivers are primed to challenge for the $1,000 prize package posted for the 2009 Florida Tour points champion --- a bonus put up by Jeff Sr. that will reward the top points earner with a check for $500 plus $500 in Xtreme Lubricants Gear Lube and/or Hi-Performance Race Oil. “This will be a nice way to help out the racers while introducing a brand new line of racing oil,” said Brownell, who boasts 40 years of experience in the oil business with 25 of those recognized nationally as a company owner. Sheppard (finished 16th) was vying for the lead with eventual winner Pat Ward when contact resulted in shredded right rear tire while Brownell (7th) posted a top-10 in his debut down south.
*Lebanon Valley Legacy…Andy Bachetti, Keith Flach and Guy Sheldon helped carry on the tradition for Lebanon Valley (NY) Speedway with only Sheldon among the track’s list of weekly runners in competition failing to make the starting grid in his first-ever voyage to Volusia. Bachetti (3rd) and Flach (9th) posted solid runs with Sheldon still looking for the fast way around in owner Alex Thompson’s no. 42 Judd Construction-Heinz Inc/PMC mount. “I was leery of coming down here when you consider all the expenses but Alex wanted to make the trip and I’m his driver,” remarked Sheldon, 46, who skipped practice on Tuesday to get in 36 holes of golf while Bachetti’s car owner and fellow Valley regular Steve Hough logged some laps in his place. “I’m confident we’ve got a good shot at finishing near the top in points at Lebanon this year so I didn’t want to get behind before we even started up north. But Alex wanted to get some track time so we’ll make the most of it,” said Sheldon, who made his only other trip to Florida in 1995, opening his rookie Big-Block season qualifying for three of the four shows staged at St. Augustine Speedway where he scored a 15th-place best in the 50-lap finale. For the record, the Nassau, New York pilot actually qualified in his first-ever Big-Block attempt four months earlier, finishing 32nd at the ’94 Super DIRT Week special on the Syracuse Mile behind the wheel of his former #518 Sheldon Oil Modified.
*King On The Hill…The King Family made the haul to Volusia with a pair of Big-Blocks and a Late Model in tow, with the open-wheel mounts saved for Rex and Rex Jr. as Russell brought along the lone full-fender machine. Still recuperating from hip surgery performed in December, the elder King was still to weary of buckling into his familiar #65 Hunyady Auction Company/Bicknell ride while ‘Cooter’ logged plenty of track time wheeling his blue #165 Jim Brown Seed Sales/Bicknell entry for a second straight night. The youngest King will have to wait one more day to crack the feature race starting grid while Rex Sr. has been pondering the possibility of putting Russ in his own mount to make the trip more worthwhile.
*Jackson & Markle Back From Beach…Colin Jackson has been traveling to Florida annually since 2004 and Jeremy Markle has taken the trip south throughout the new millennium. Both returned to familiar territory on Wednesday after missing practice the day before at Volusia. “The frame on Colin’s truck broke in half on the way down so we had a lot of work to do before we even got here and decided to relax on Tuesday,” said Markle, whose parents have a winter home in Avon Park, south of Orlando, 2-1/2 hours from Volusia Speedway Park. No matter what the race results, Markle plans to stay nearby another week while work requires Jackson to head back home on Sunday. “Our restaurant is being remodelled and we’re close by anyway so we might as well bring the car down and have some fun racing,” figured Markle, who was passed in the final turn on the last lap of the consolation race to miss qualifying for the initial feature by just one spot on Wednesday.
*Swinehart Sidelined…Making his way trackside in the first practice session on Tuesday, the proverbial ‘puff of smoke’ from under the hood of veteran Florida Tour competitor Ray Swinehart’s no. 33 J&L Speed Supplies-Scrap USA/Bicknell entry after just a few laps resulted in the first casualty of the ’09 Alltel DIRTcar Nationals for Big-Block travelers. Swinehart soonafter determined a burned piston was the culprit and immediately sought out a replacement pitside for the duration of the evening. “Can’t understand it, ran the whole second half of last season with no problems and right away we get hit with this,” remarked the frustrated Pennsylvania pilot, who has only missed two trips south since DIRTcar returned to Volusia in 1998; qualifying for 29 feature races in those nine previous winter time retreats.
Headquartered in Roanoke, Va., Advance Auto Parts, a leading automotive aftermarket retailer of parts, accessories, batteries, and maintenance items in the United States, serves both the do-it-yourself and professional installer markets As of April 19, 2008, the Company operated 3,291 stores in 40 states, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. Additional information about the Company, employment opportunities, customer services, and on-line shopping for parts and accessories can be found on the Company's web site at http://www.advanceautoparts.com/.
The Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series for Big-Block Modifieds is brought to fans across the Northeast by several sponsors and partners, including series sponsors Advance Auto Parts, Hoosier Racing Tire and VP Racing Fuels. Promotional partners include Rite Aid Corporation, Dig Safely New York and the University of Northwestern Ohio and the contingency sponsors are Bars Leaks, Bert Transmission, Bicknell Racing Products, Bilstein Shocks, Brodix Cylinder Heads, Crane Cams, Ferris Industries, Holley HP Carburetors, Integra Shocks, Intercomp, KSE Racing Products, Motorsports Safety Systems, Penske Shocks, Racing Electronics, Rislone Oil Stabilizer and Wrisco Industries.
Wednesday - February 11
*Ward Shines As Newest Alltel All-Star…Through show number nine of the Alltel DIRTcar Nationals By UNOH at Volusia, opening night Advance Series DIRTcar Big-Block winner Pat Ward added his name to the growing list of contenders for the lucrative $10,000 top prize as selected by fans in the month-long tally. “I’m a good clean racer and I’ve got an old motorhome that keeps breaking down every time I come down to Florida,” said Ward about why fans should choose him as the Alltel All-Star. “The money would help pay for that, and me and my girlfriend wouldn’t have to worry about that every time we get in it and drive it.” The Alltel All-Star candidates and their text message Letter Codes include: Big-Block Modifieds – Pat Ward (i); Sprint Cars – Donny Schatz (b); Stevie Smith (d); Joey Saldana (f); UMP DIRTcar Modifieds – Jared Landers (a), Austin Dillon (c), Randy Hall (e); UMP DIRTcar Super Late Models – Darren Miller (g), Earl Pearson Jr. (h), Dan Schlieper (j). Fans can vote by visiting www.AlltelAllStar.com or texting their drivers code to 247253.
*DIRTcar Big-Block Stars Ride Radio waves…Serving to preview the return of the mighty Big-Block Modifieds to Volusia County, perennial Alltel DIRTcar Nationals Champion Brett Hearn and overall 2008 Mr. DIRTcar titlist Billy Decker participated in “live” interviews on Wednesday prior to the first green flag. Hearn began the day at 8:10am as part of a daily ‘Wake Up’ show while Decker went on air at 3:30pm with local WNDB Radio Sports Director Mark Williams, who posed numerous questions geared towards highlight the Northeast’s premier traveling division while providing background of the reigning overall Hoosier Tire Mr. DIRTcar Big-Block Modified points king to the Sunshine State listeners.
*A.J. Slides Into Borrowed Ride…Harboring initial intentions of steering Dave Thompson’s no. 14J Chiefs Tobacco & Gas/Troyer ride for the ’09 edition of the Alltel DIRTcar Nationals, all-time DIRTcar Northeast Big-Block winner Alan Johnson arrived at VSP on Wednesday ready to roll aboard owner Bob Schneider’s formerly numbered 88 Thompson Road Tavern Circle S Stables/Troyer ride. “Dave’s car is all ready to go, but I found out at the end of January that he decided to keep it home so I got in touch with Bob,” noted Johnson, a two-time Florida Tour champion who last won at VSP in 1986. “Awhile back I had discussed the possibility of following the Advance Series with Bob but he couldn’t make a commitment for the whole thing with all the equipment he would need to get the job done right. I wasn’t expecting much because the car was all apart in the shop but Steve (Hulsizer, regular driver who is employed by Schneider on weekdays as a steel fabricator/welder) did a lot of work getting it together. We took it to Troyer’s last Wednesday to get a new body and they even put 14J on it for the trip. Right now I’m still hoping to run with Dave on tour when the season starts up north but that was the plan for Florida, too.” Johnson settled for 10th in the opener after finishing fifth in the second of three qualifying heats.
*Team Work, Take Two…JB Motorsports continues for a second successive season with owner Jeff Brownell fielding potent rides for Advance Series star Matt Sheppard and son Jeff Jr., the ’08 Glen Ridge Motorsports Park points champion. The Xtreme Lubricants/Bicknell specials of Sheppard (9s) and Brownell (29) qualified for the Wednesday lid-lifter and both drivers are primed to challenge for the $1,000 prize package posted for the 2009 Florida Tour points champion --- a bonus put up by Jeff Sr. that will reward the top points earner with a check for $500 plus $500 in Xtreme Lubricants Gear Lube and/or Hi-Performance Race Oil. “This will be a nice way to help out the racers while introducing a brand new line of racing oil,” said Brownell, who boasts 40 years of experience in the oil business with 25 of those recognized nationally as a company owner. Sheppard (finished 16th) was vying for the lead with eventual winner Pat Ward when contact resulted in shredded right rear tire while Brownell (7th) posted a top-10 in his debut down south.
*Lebanon Valley Legacy…Andy Bachetti, Keith Flach and Guy Sheldon helped carry on the tradition for Lebanon Valley (NY) Speedway with only Sheldon among the track’s list of weekly runners in competition failing to make the starting grid in his first-ever voyage to Volusia. Bachetti (3rd) and Flach (9th) posted solid runs with Sheldon still looking for the fast way around in owner Alex Thompson’s no. 42 Judd Construction-Heinz Inc/PMC mount. “I was leery of coming down here when you consider all the expenses but Alex wanted to make the trip and I’m his driver,” remarked Sheldon, 46, who skipped practice on Tuesday to get in 36 holes of golf while Bachetti’s car owner and fellow Valley regular Steve Hough logged some laps in his place. “I’m confident we’ve got a good shot at finishing near the top in points at Lebanon this year so I didn’t want to get behind before we even started up north. But Alex wanted to get some track time so we’ll make the most of it,” said Sheldon, who made his only other trip to Florida in 1995, opening his rookie Big-Block season qualifying for three of the four shows staged at St. Augustine Speedway where he scored a 15th-place best in the 50-lap finale. For the record, the Nassau, New York pilot actually qualified in his first-ever Big-Block attempt four months earlier, finishing 32nd at the ’94 Super DIRT Week special on the Syracuse Mile behind the wheel of his former #518 Sheldon Oil Modified.
*King On The Hill…The King Family made the haul to Volusia with a pair of Big-Blocks and a Late Model in tow, with the open-wheel mounts saved for Rex and Rex Jr. as Russell brought along the lone full-fender machine. Still recuperating from hip surgery performed in December, the elder King was still to weary of buckling into his familiar #65 Hunyady Auction Company/Bicknell ride while ‘Cooter’ logged plenty of track time wheeling his blue #165 Jim Brown Seed Sales/Bicknell entry for a second straight night. The youngest King will have to wait one more day to crack the feature race starting grid while Rex Sr. has been pondering the possibility of putting Russ in his own mount to make the trip more worthwhile.
*Jackson & Markle Back From Beach…Colin Jackson has been traveling to Florida annually since 2004 and Jeremy Markle has taken the trip south throughout the new millennium. Both returned to familiar territory on Wednesday after missing practice the day before at Volusia. “The frame on Colin’s truck broke in half on the way down so we had a lot of work to do before we even got here and decided to relax on Tuesday,” said Markle, whose parents have a winter home in Avon Park, south of Orlando, 2-1/2 hours from Volusia Speedway Park. No matter what the race results, Markle plans to stay nearby another week while work requires Jackson to head back home on Sunday. “Our restaurant is being remodelled and we’re close by anyway so we might as well bring the car down and have some fun racing,” figured Markle, who was passed in the final turn on the last lap of the consolation race to miss qualifying for the initial feature by just one spot on Wednesday.
*Swinehart Sidelined…Making his way trackside in the first practice session on Tuesday, the proverbial ‘puff of smoke’ from under the hood of veteran Florida Tour competitor Ray Swinehart’s no. 33 J&L Speed Supplies-Scrap USA/Bicknell entry after just a few laps resulted in the first casualty of the ’09 Alltel DIRTcar Nationals for Big-Block travelers. Swinehart soonafter determined a burned piston was the culprit and immediately sought out a replacement pitside for the duration of the evening. “Can’t understand it, ran the whole second half of last season with no problems and right away we get hit with this,” remarked the frustrated Pennsylvania pilot, who has only missed two trips south since DIRTcar returned to Volusia in 1998; qualifying for 29 feature races in those nine previous winter time retreats.
Headquartered in Roanoke, Va., Advance Auto Parts, a leading automotive aftermarket retailer of parts, accessories, batteries, and maintenance items in the United States, serves both the do-it-yourself and professional installer markets As of April 19, 2008, the Company operated 3,291 stores in 40 states, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. Additional information about the Company, employment opportunities, customer services, and on-line shopping for parts and accessories can be found on the Company's web site at http://www.advanceautoparts.com/.
The Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series for Big-Block Modifieds is brought to fans across the Northeast by several sponsors and partners, including series sponsors Advance Auto Parts, Hoosier Racing Tire and VP Racing Fuels. Promotional partners include Rite Aid Corporation, Dig Safely New York and the University of Northwestern Ohio and the contingency sponsors are Bars Leaks, Bert Transmission, Bicknell Racing Products, Bilstein Shocks, Brodix Cylinder Heads, Crane Cams, Ferris Industries, Holley HP Carburetors, Integra Shocks, Intercomp, KSE Racing Products, Motorsports Safety Systems, Penske Shocks, Racing Electronics, Rislone Oil Stabilizer and Wrisco Industries.
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