ROLEX 24: Pruett Continues Dominant run capturing the Rolex 24 at Daytona Pole

Compiled by James Neilson

DAYTONA BEACH, FL – The top 20 qualifiers for this weekend’s Daytona 24 hours reads like a who’s who of international racing stars. Despite the deeply talented field of former Formula 1, current and ex Indycar and Nascar drivers the No.1 COMPUSA Ganassi Racing Lexus Riley of Scott Pruett, Luis Diaz and Ryan Briscoe continued to dominate the Grand-Am Prototype class.

Pruett set a best time of 1:46.928 (119.856mph), besting the Suntrust Pontiac Riley of Max Angelelli, Wayne Taylor and Emmanual Collard by a mere 17 hundredths of a second. The top 8 cars were separated by less than a second hinting that this years Daytona could be one of the closest races in history.

The pole gives Ganassi racing an incredible 12 poles from 13 races dating back to the 2004 Rolex 24 at Daytona.

“Everything went right out there for us today,” Pruett told the press corps at Daytona. “The preparation from the team is simply second to none. You just can’t beat that kind of effort. The pole is definitely beneficial to get the weekend started on the right foot. They say a good start lets you avoid the mess at the back,” he added.

The NASCAR contingent acquitted themsleves well, considering for some it was their first visit to the Daytona International Speedway. Tony Stewart qualified the highest among the ‘good ole boys’ putting the Howard Boss Motorsports Pontiac Crawford he shares with Andy Wallace and Jan Lammers on the outside of row three in sixth position.

The Labonte brothers, Terry and Bobby, were right behind Stewart in their Doran Racing Pontiac they’ll be sharing with Jan Magnussen qualifying in the seventh spot. Multimatic Teammates, and NASCAR rivals, Kurt Busch Matt Kenseth struggled to get to grips with their Multimatic Ford finishing in the middle of the Daytona Prototype pack in 16th place.

"I wish we were a little faster overall, but we're all running about the same speed and we're comfortable in the car," said Kenseth on NASCAR.com. "We're a little down on straightaway speed, but we seem to be faster than the other cars in the infield."

The open wheel stars also fared well in qualifying. Ganassi IRL teammates Scott Dixon and Darren Manning and fellow IRL driver Casey Mears will line their Target Chip Ganassi Racing Lexus Riley just ahead of Tony Stewart on the inside of row three in fifth position.

Sebastian Bourdais, partnered with Newman/Haas Champcar Team owner (and Eighty year old!) Paul Newman in their Ford Crawford qualified two places ahead of fellow Champcar competitor Paul Tracy in 13th and 15th places respectively. AGR IRL teammates Dario Franchitti and Dan Wheldon piloted their Howard Boss Motorsports Pontiac Crawford to the 18th position.

Tracy is co-driving with sportscar stalwart Terry Borcheller in last year’s Rolex 24 at Daytona- winning Bell Motorsports Pontiac Doran.

"The DORAN JE4 is a lot different than what I currently drive," said Tracy, speaking of his Daytona experience on his website. "My first time in the car was really the first time I've driven a full-bodied race car with a roof and fenders," adding. “"I hadn't met Terry (Borcheller) before the Homestead test, but I know he has a lot of experience in the car and is very quick. My position on the team is a secondary role to help Terry win the 24-Hours again."

The 43rd annual Rolex 24 at Daytona begins on Saturday February 5, 2005 and can be seen on Speedvision Television. For complete qualifying results go to Grand-Am\s official website at www.grand-am.com

GRAND AM CUP: Lapcevich / Schreiner qualify 17th at Daytona

By JAJ Entertainment

DAYTONA BEACH, FL - Team Fastline driver Jeff Lapcevich from Caistor Centre, Ontario, and John Shreiner from Coolidge, Arizona, qualified 17th today for Friday's Grand-Am Cup 200 at Daytona International Speedway.

The Shreiner Racing Mustang Cobra, sponsored by DRPT/ Steeda, will compete in the Grand Sport class which includes such popular foreign and domestic sports cars such as the BMW M3, Ford Mustang, Pontiac Firebird and GTO, Porsche 996 and Nissan 350Z.

"We were tenth after the first qualifying session and had some steering problems in the second session," explained Jeff Lapcevich. "I guess qualifying 17th out of 74 entries isn't bad and we'll be OK for the race tomorrow."

Daytona International Speedway's 3.56-mile road course incorporates the superspeedway trioval, and the non-banked infield section of the enormous 480-acre motorsports complex which is the home of "The Great American Race" - the Daytona 500.

The Grand-Am Cup Series is the premier proving ground for many of today’s automotive manufacturers. The series features some of the best production car drivers from around the world.

The series typically complements the Rolex Sports Car Series by using race cars that are actual production cars. Grand-Am Cup cars are straight off the showroom floor with only minimal racing modifications to enhance safety and performance.

Two classes of race cars compete on the track at the same time during Grand-Am Cup events, with drivers competing for top honors in their specified class, as well as the overall win. Grand-Am Cup cars are classified by weight, engine size and model.

The Grand American Road Racing Association, which sanctions the Grand-Am Cup Series, is one of the fastest growing motorsports organizations in the United States. The 11-race Grand-Am Cup calendar will deliver professional sports car racing to many key markets throughout North America. The series showcases emerging and legendary drivers from around the globe and thoroughbred racing machines from the industry's leading constructors and the world's top automobile manufacturers.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Bruce F. Mehlenbacher JAJ Entertainment Office: 905.772.1800 Ext. #22 Cellular: 905.517.5345Fax: (905) 772-1799E-mail: mehlenbacher@nas.net

HELP A FRIEND OF RACING...

This was passed along by John Bisci, of the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. John was a former resident of Western New York and was a longtime promoter of the winter indoor races at the Niagara Convention Center.
- Greg.

Just came to my attention that Mark Southcott is pretty sick. He's lost his job and, of course, his health insurance.

Mark has helped a lot of people, most recently provided stats for Bones Bourcier's "Richie!" book -- not to mention my in-progress, long-delayed book on Lancaster Speedway.

Many of us know Mark and enjoy his dedication to racing in N.Y. (operates the www.nyracezone.com website). He is in a position where he needs medicine that he cannot buy, and he is getting worse because of this.

Dan Kollander is willing to help us help Mark to get the medicine he needs, Mark does not know this has been set up and would be very humbled to know. If you would like to help Mark through this trouble, please feel free to send a check to:

Mark Southcott
c/o Dan Kollander // 1262 Indian Church Rd. // West Seneca, NY 14224

Please make checks payable to Mark. Dan will make sure all the money goes to Mark. I've always known racing people to help each other, and here's a very worthy recipient. I am going to do what I can – I hope you will too.

Thanks: John Bisci // www.turn5photo.com // PO Box 620233 // Las Vegas NV 89162-0233 // (702) 210-3049

ADVERTISER OF THE DAY: SH KARTING

Click here to visit SH Karting on the web. They offer new products and monthly specials on a regular basis, so check in with them frequently. The site also carries news on recent and upcoming events pertaining to SH Karting and its racers.

SAUBLE: Daytona 500 Party

SAUBLE BEACH, ON - Sauble Speedway, Country 93 and Steelback Brewery are getting together to host a Daytona 500 Party.

The only way to be able to attend is to win a ticket. The contest runs from Feb. 4 to 18. For details, listen to Country 93.

Want to see news about your team / series or track here?

TORONTO, ON - If you've been wondering why you regularly see press releases from some of the same sources appearing on the Inside Track Breaking News Blog, there is a simple reason.

It's because the people associated with those teams, tracks and series take the time to send me press releases. Simple as that.

If you would like to see your team / track / series get some more exposure online... and maybe in the pages of Inside Track Motorsport News, all you have to do is send us your news (to greg 'at' insidetracknews.com) and join the happy people who are able to point their sponsors toward this page, thereby demonstrating that they are working hard for their sponsorship support.

DRAGS: PMRA heads to New York

CAYUGA, ON - It’s off to Western New York for the recently-established Pro Modified Racing Association (PMRA) as the series will run one of its five events at Lancaster Motorsports Park Friday, August 19.

The PMRA is excited to announce this new race at one of New York State’s most popular racing facilities. Lancaster Motorsports Park, situated in Clarence, New York, is a one-eighth mile drag strip under International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) sanctioning. Many of the New York-based PMRA competitors consider Lancaster their home track, and have raced there many times.

“This will be a terrific event for our fans,” said Lancaster Motorsports Park’s Jim Reid. “We are always trying to bring in the best of shows, and believe the PMRA will offer top-notch racing. The PMRA, coupled with the Can-Am Stock/Super Stock Series, will give our fans a chance to see local home track stars Mike Stawicki, Mike Janis, and Jim Oddy, along with others such as F.J. Smith, Pete Fedun, Wally Clark, The Vanni Brothers, and Chuck Nagy. We expect to see fans a Lancaster that we haven’t seen there for years.”

The Lancaster date is the fourth of five confirmed appearances for the PMRA for 2005. Two races will be held at Toronto Motorsports Park May 20 - 22 and September 2 - 4. Luskville Dragway, just outside of Ottawa in Aylmer, Quebec, will be the scene of the July 1 - 3 PMRA race. Talks are continuing with several tracks to establish the fifth venue for this year.

Joining the PMRA Pro Modified at their events will be the Can-Am Stock/Super Stock Series. This popular grass-roots drag series which features competitors from Ontario and Michigan, was formed in 1996, and continues to grow each season. The participants, known for their awesome wheelies, are fan favorites wherever they appear.

In its first year of operation, the PMRA will provide fans in Ontario, Quebec, and New York the opportunity to see and hear popular Pro Modified racing in the class known as “the world’s fastest doorslammers.”

The PMRA is a self-governing organization with its own set of technical and safety rules based on the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) Pro Modified division. Cars in the PMRA capture the true spirit of hot rodding, and the class offers a widely-diverse group of race cars with different types of 2000-horsepower engines propelling the cars down the quarter-mile in the 6.20-second range at 230 mph.

For more information contact:

Bruce F. Mehlenbacher // Director of Operations
Telephone: 905.772.1800 Ext. #22 // Cellular: 905.517.5345
Email: mehlenbacher@promodifiedracing.com

Tim Miller // Media Director
Telephone: 905.870.1456 // Email: tmiller@promodifiedracing.com

MERRITTVILLE: Kart teams await new track...

THOROLD, ON - Merrittville Speedway kicked off the 2005 Kart Season with recent Driver Meetings where the 2005 Rules and tentative Schedule were announced to an overflow crowd of new and rookie teams at the St. Catharines Holiday Inn.

“It continues to amaze us,” relates Kart Race Director Dave Sim, adding “ we’re ecstatic to see a continual influx of new drivers each year.”

Rookie drivers that have registered to date include Travis and Jesse Miller – sons of L. St. Amand Enterprises 358 Modified driver Dan Miller.

Two drivers moving into the Senior Division as rookies in 2005 are two long-time junior level competitors Kaitlyn Quigley and Shane Robertson.

The 2005 Kart Racing Season kicks off Tuesday May 3rd with a practice session for all divisions that make up the Kart Weekly Racing Series – Novice, Junior 1, Junior Sportsman 2, Junior Restricted Light, Junior Restricted Heavy and Senior Divisions.

Several of the newer race teams to the sport this season will get a sneak peak at the new track surface when RCM Racing Equipment presents it’s 2nd Annual Kart School. The 2005 edition will be split into a Classroom session on Saturday March 5th and an on track finale Saturday April 16th. Interested individuals should contact Chris Long at 905-383-1480, as space is limited.

Last fall, more than 200 loads of clay were shared between the Kart and Stock Car Tracks that changed the layout of both surfaces. In conjunction with Speedway staff, Ed MacPherson Construction’s Sandy and Dave MacPherson were involved in the project. The MacPhersons have been involved in many excavation projects in the Thorold track’s more than 50 year history. Recent L. St. Amand Enterprises Wall of Fame inductee Sandy MacPherson in recent years also has focused on the karting careers of grandsons Dillon MacPherson and Teagan Andrews.

Merrittville Speedway’s Kart Season is split into a Spring and Summer Series with the two combining to determine overall Season Champions.

The 2005 Spring Series Opener is set for Tuesday May 10th with 9 point events scheduled. The Summer Series – kicking off Tuesday July 12th also features 9 events including a Wednesday date – August 3rd after the Stock Car track’s 13th Annual Trevor Wilkens Memorial Modified Classic Super Dirt Series Event for 358 Modifieds presented by Pete Cosco Haulage.

The season is scheduled to close with a Swap Meet Saturday September 24th that will conclude with the Burris Tire Harvest 50/25 presented by Performance Manufacturing Inc. The final race will feature Senior and Junior Restricted Heavy Divisions.

The Awards Luncheon will honor the 2005 Champions Sunday November 6th at Club Castropignano.

Merrittville Speedway’s Kart Club will once again join the March Break activities and attractions at the Niagara Square from March 14th – 19th and will also be part of Race Car Shows at the Seaway Mall the week of February 28th and the Pen Centre the week of March 29th.

Merrittville Speedway’s Kart Club would like to thank Burris Tire, Performance Manufacturing, Slack Performance, Bicknell Racing Products and it’s divisional sponsors – Original Pizza Logs, RCM Racing Equipment, Ed MacPherson Construction, Auto FX Graphics and Signs, Best Fuels & Lubricants and Philbrick Farm & Garden Equipment for their continued support.

For further information on Kart Racing at Merrittville call 905-892-8266 or visit www.merrittvillespeedway.com

GRAND AM CUP: Lapcevich & Schreiner head to Daytona

By JAJ Entertainment

HAMILTON, ON - Team Fastline driver Jeff Lapcevich from Caistor Centre, Ontario and John Shreiner from Coolidge, Arizona will compete in this weekends Grand-Am Cup 200 at Daytona International Speedway.

The Shreiner Racing Mustang Cobra sponsored by DRPT/ Steeda will compete in the Grand Sport class which includes popular sports and muscle cars, such as the BMW M3, Ford Mustang, Pontiac Firebird and GTO, Porsche 996 and Nissan 350Z.

"John and I won the Grand-Am Cup Series Championship in 2002 and with all the changes and improvements we made to the car we plan on being a competitive force in the series this year," explained Jeff Lapcevich. "The guys did a great job preparing the car for it's debut in Daytona this weekend."

Daytona International Speedway's 3.56 mile road course incorporates the superspeedway trioval, and the non-banked infield section of the enormous 480-acre motorsports complex which is the home of "The Great American Race" - the Daytona 500.

The Grand-Am Cup Series is the premier proving ground for many of today’s automotive manufacturers. The series features some of the best production car drivers from around the world.

The series typically complements the Rolex Sports Car Series by using race cars that are actual production cars. Grand-Am Cup cars are straight off the showroom floor with only minimal racing modifications to enhance safety and performance.

Two classes of race cars compete on the track at the same time during Grand-Am Cup events, with drivers competing for top honors in their specified class, as well as the overall win. Grand-Am Cup cars are classified by weight, engine size and model.

The Grand American Road Racing Association, which sanctions the Grand-Am Cup Series, is one of the fastest growing motorsports organizations in the United States. The 11-race Grand-Am Cup calendar will deliver professional sports car racing to many key markets throughout North America. The series showcases emerging and legendary drivers from around the globe and thoroughbred racing machines from the industry's leading constructors and the world's top automobile manufacturers.


For more information contact Bruce F. Mehlenbacher mehlenbacher@nas.net

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Bruce F. Mehlenbacher // JAJ Entertainment
Office: 905.772.1800 Ext. #22 // Cellular: 905.517.5345 // Fax: (905) 772-1799
E-mail: mehlenbacher@nas.net

RACELINE: Wins another EMPA award!

BURLINGTON, ON - For the 12th time over the 13 year history of the show, Raceline Radio has claimed another major international award recognizing broadcasting journalism excellence in the annual media contest staged by The Eastern Motorsport Press Association, sponsored by Performance Racing Industry Magazine.

Raceline Radio’s 2004 Indianapolis 500 preview special was judged the best radio show from EMPA Media Contest entries from shows, radio stations and networks along the Eastern Seaboard of The United States and Canada.

“This contest has been very good to us!”, stated Raceline Radio Producer, Anchor and W riter Erik Tomas. “ Every year we’ve entered the EMPA contest, we have either won the radio division, or have taken second place! When you consider the number of markets and geography this contest covers, we’re very, very proud to win this! These international awards prove Raceline Radio ranks among the best on the air in North America!”, Tomas added.

“These EMPA awards also serve as a gauge on Raceline Radio’s production and content quality!”, commented Raceline Radio Executive Producer and Co-Anchor John Massingberd. “Erik’s done a fabulous job getting the stars and hitters on the show, but without solid work from Raceline Technical Director John Pollack, and our affiliate stations along the Raceline Radio Network, plus the support of our extremely loyal sponsors, the engine wouldn’t fire at all!”, Massingberd continued.

Raceline Radio is syndicated coast-to-coast in Canada in 15 markets via The Raceline Radio Network. Primary airing is Sunday evenings at 8:05 PM Eastern.

Our Sponsors: Subaru Canada, Havoline Motor Oil, Champion, Krown Rust Inhibitor and Inside Track Motorsport News.

For more information contact: Erik Tomas: 905 – 332 – 7223 Ext. 3 erik@raceline.ca

DRAGS: St. Thomas Dragway released sked

SPARTA, ON - With the Superior Court finally releasing it’s decision on the long running court case, the 2005 St. Thomas Dragway Racing Schedule can now be released.

Highlights of the schedule include the return of the wildly popular Nitrous Nationals on Wednesday, July 13. With $4,000 to win up for grabs in the Pro Mod/Pro Street Shootout the 2005 version promises to be another must-see event.

The St. Thomas Truck Nationals returns for a third year, August 20 and 21, raising money for the St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital Foundation. The new in 2004 Nostalgia Class will return four times, July 13, August 7 at the Hot Rod Reunion, August 21 and October 9 at the IHRA Iron Man Classic. They will be joined by the crowd-pleasing Nostalgia Super Stocks at each event.

Back by popular demand the Can-Am Stock/Super Stocks will bring back their wild wheel-standing machines June 19 and August 7. A total of 12 bracket races will be run with the drivers competing for both track points money and the IHRA Summit Super Series season-end payoffs.

The Friday Night Street Legal Races as well as Saturday night’s ‘Run What Ya Brung’ programs will return running from April 1 until October 29. Many club events are planned as well as other special races. The only effect of the court case is that racing will not begin Sundays until 1 P.M.For further information, contact the track at 519-775-2263 or visit the website at www.stthomasdragway.com.

2005 Schedule (Tentative - subject to change)

April
Sat. 2 - Test & Tune
Sun. 3 - Test & Tune
Sat. 9 - Test & Tune
Sun. 10 - Test & Tune
Sat. 16 - Test & Tune
Sun. 17 - Test & Tune
Sat. 23 - Test & Tune
Sun. 24 - Bracket Race # 1
Sat. 30 - Test & Tune

May
Sun. 1 - Bracket Race # 2
Sat. 7 - Test & Tune + Dakota Club
Sun. 8 - Bracket Race # 3 + Mother’s Day Race
Sat. 14 -Test & Tune + Ont. Shelby & Turbo Day
Sun. 15 -Canadian Neon Nationals
Sat. 21 - Test & Tune
Sun. 22 - Sport Compacts + Test & Tune
Sat. 28 - Test & Tune + LAMC + Toronto F-Body
Sun. 29 - Bracket Race # 4

June
Sat. 4 - Essex County Shootout +Test & Tune
Sun. 5 - Essex County Shootout +Test & Tune
Sat. 11 - Test & Tune + Ontario J-Car Club
Sun.12 -Close - rain date
Sat. 18 - Test & Tune +GTO Day + Ont. Z-Cars
Sun. 19 - Bracket # 5 +Can-Am Stock/Super Stocks
Sat. 25 -Test & Tune + High School Challenge
Sun. 26 - Sport Compacts

July
Sat. 2 - Test & Tune + National Buick Day
Sun. 3 - Bracket #7Sat. 9 - Test & Tune
Sun. 10 - Test & Tune
Weds. 13 - NITROUS NATIONALS + Bracket #7
Sat. 16 - Test & Tune + Niagara Mustang Club
Sun. 19 - Bracket # 8
Sat. 23 - Test & Tune + Ont. Shelby & Turbo Day
Sun 24 - Sport Compacts + Test & Tune
Sat. 30 -Test & Tune + Z24 Challenge
Sun. 31 - Test & Tune + Chatham Fun

August
Mon. 1 - Great Canadian Bagel Shootout
Sat. 6 - Test & Tune + Mopar Day
Sun. 7 - Hot Rod Reunion - Bracket 9 +Can-Am Stock/Super Stocks
Sat. 13 - Test & Tune + Grands Ont. + Toronto F-Body
Sun. 14 - Ford Day+T/Tune
Sat. 20 - St. Thomas Truck Nationals
Sun. 21 - St. Thomas Truck Nationals
Sat. 27 - Test & Tune + GM B-body
Sun. 28 - Bracket Race # 10September
Sat. 3 - Lightning Power Sports Bike Nationals
Sun. 4 - Lightning Power Sports Bike Nationals
Sat. 10- Test & Tune + Toronto F-Body
Sun. 11 - Bracket # 11
Sat. 17 - Test & Tune +Buick-Olds-Pontiac Day
Sun. 18 - Sport Compacts
Sat. 24 - Test & Tune + Chevelle Day +Ont. Z-Car
Sun. 25 - Test & Tune + WOSCA

October
Sat. 1 -Test & Tune
Sun. 2 -Test & Tune
Sat. 8 - Test & Tune
Sun. 9 - IRON MAN CLASSIC - Bracket # 12
Sat. 15 - Test & Tune
Sun. 16 - Test & Tune
Sat. 22 - Test & Tune
Sun. 23 - Sport Compacts
Sat. 29 -Test & Tune
Sun. 30 - Test & Tune

STREET LEGAL - every Friday - 6 - 10, April 1 to October 28
RUN WHAT YA BRUNG - every Sat. - 6 - 10, April 2 to October 29

RALLY: Legendary Team Joins Defending Champions

With files from Suzuki Canada
RICHMOND HILL, ON – Suzuki Canada announced that it will once again campaign two P2-class Suzuki Swift+ rally cars in the 2005 Canadian Rally Championship.

The 2004 P2 Driver and Co-Driver Championship team of Bill Bacon and Peter Watt are back in their Suzuki Swift+ to defend their title. Placing fifth overall in the Rally of the Tall Pines, Bacon and Watt showed a number of the “bigger” cars the competitiveness of the Suzuki Swift+.

To further strengthen Suzuki Canada’s Rally Team, the second Suzuki Swift+ will be driven by the multi-time Open, North American and Canadian Championship team of rally legends Frank and Dan Sprongl from Georgetown, ON. With the Sprongl duo joining Bacon and Watt, the Suzuki Rally Team will be a force to be reckoned with in 2005.

The two Suzuki Swift+ rally cars have been recently refreshed by Four Star Motorsports in Georgetown and are ready for the 2005 rally season! Their first event will be the Rallye Perce Neige in Maniwaki, QC on February 2-4, 2005.

NASCAR SOUTHWEST: Canadian Harding in action at PIR

PHOENIX, AZ - Burney Lamar of W. Sacramento, Calif. scored his fourth career win and first for new car owner Kevin Harvick. Lamar led 58 laps en route to a .320 second victory over Ken Schrader in the NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division, Southwest Series portion of the Copper World Classic at Phoenix International Raceway Sunday afternoon.

Canadian racing veteran Pete Harding started 33rd in the field after qualifying was rained out and climbed to 21st in his Chevrolet, finishing on the lead lap.

Three-time PIR winner Eddy McKean finished in the third position for his ninth top three finish in the last 10 PIR races. Eric Holmes, and 2003 series champion Jim Pettit II rounded out the top five finishers in the 75-lap event.

RESULTS: NASCAR AutoZone Elite Division, Southwest Series
Copper World Classic "75" // Phoenix Int'l Raceway, Phoenix, January 30, 2005

FINISH (START) DRIVER, MAKE, LAPS, STATUS, WINNINGS
1. (3) Burney Lamar, Chevrolet, 75, Running, $11,200;
2. (19) Ken Schrader, Chevrolet, 75, Running, $6,500;
3. (2) Eddy McKean, Pontiac, 75, Running, $5,400;
4. (4) Eric Holmes, Chevrolet, 75, Running, $4,100;
5. (1) Jim Pettit II, Ford, 75, Running, $3,900;
6. (37) Jeff Jefferson, Dodge, 75, Running, $4,550;
7. (7) Nick Lynch, Chevrolet, 75, Running, $3,300;
8. (16) M.K. Kanke, Chevrolet, 75, Running, $2,600;
9. (11) Thomas Martin, Pontiac, 75, Running, $2,300;
10. (6) Greg Voigt, Chevrolet, 75, Running, $2,600;
11. (5) Joe Herold, Chevrolet, 75, Running, $2,400;
12. (43) Greg Pursley, Chevrolet, 75, Running, $1,900;
13. (8) Danny Burson, Chevrolet, 75, Running, $1,800;
14. (14) Auggie Vidovich Jr., Chevrolet, 75, Running, $1,750;
15. (29) Brandon Riehl, Chevrolet, 75, Running, $2,225;
16. (41) John Dillon, Pontiac, 75, Running, $1,675;
17. (18) Kevin Clark, Chevrolet, 75, Running, $1,650;
18. (30) Greg Fowler, Chevrolet, 75, Running, $2,875;
19. (10) Darrell LaMoure, Chevrolet, 75, Running, $1,600;
20. (38) Dustin Jones, Chevrolet, 75, Running, $1,575;
21. (33) Pete Harding, Chevrolet, 75, Running, $2,050;
22. (20) Rick Suran, Pontiac, 75, Running, $1,500;
23. (40) Jim Inglebright, Chevrolet, 74, Running, $1,475;
24. (22) Ed Belec, Chevrolet, 74, Running, $1,450;
25. (36) Dexter Bean, Chevrolet, 74, Running, $1,425;
26. (21) Rick Carelli, Chevrolet, 74, Running, $1,400;
27. (12) Bob Lyon, Chevrolet, 73, Running, $1,375;
28. (32) Trevor Morrical, Chevrolet, 73, Running, $1,350;
29. (23) Danny Mientka, Pontiac, 73, Running, $1,325;
30. (25) Mike Gallegos, Chevrolet, 73, Running, $1,300;
31. (28) Randy Hvall, Chevrolet, 73, Running, $1,300;
32. (9) Doug McCoun, Chevrolet, 72, Running, $1,700;
33. (15) Richard Johnson, Chevrolet, 72, Running, $1,300;
34. (27) Don Campbell, Chevrolet, 67, Running, $1,300;
35. (35) Todd Souza, Ford, 61, Running, $1,700;
36. (17) Stan Silva Jr., Chevrolet, 49, Accident, $1,300;
37. (13) Dan Holtz, Ford, 42, Accident, $1,300;
38. (31) Stephan Sadler, Chevrolet, 38, Running, $1,300;
39. (34) Garrett Evans, Chevrolet, 18, Engine, $1,800;
40. (39) Tim Schendel, Chevrolet, 1, Accident, $2,550;
41. (42) Rip Michels, Chevrolet, 1, Accident, $1,700;
42. (26) Travis Bennett, Chevrolet, 0, Ignition, $1,800;
43. (24) Mike Ledbetter, Chevrolet, 0, DNS, $0;
# Autometer Rookie-of-the-Year Contenders
Failed to Qualify: None

TIME OF RACE: 49 minutes, 48 seconds (Race Record) // AVERAGE SPEED: 90.361 mph // MARGIN OF VICTORY: .320 seconds // BUD POLE AWARD: Field set per NASCAR Rulebook dut to inclement weather. Jim Pettit II started from Pole. // POWERADE POWER MOVE OF THE RACE AWARD: Jeff Jefferson, LeMay Museum Dodge // FEATHERLITE AWARD: Burney Lamar, Groeniger Chevrolet // ROOKIE-OF-THE-RACE: Dustin Jones, A Atlas Chevrolet // CAUTION FLAGS: Three cautions for 19 laps (3-8, 44-49, 51-57) // LAP LEADERS: Two lead changes among three drivers. Jim Pettit II start, Eddy McKean 1-17, Burney Lamar 18-75.

FOAR SCORE: Bicknell & Wollaber drivers of the year

BOWMANSVILLE, NY - The Friends of Auto Racing (Foar Score) Fan Club held their awards banquet on January 29th at the Classics V Banquet Hall in Amherst, NY. Over 350 people were in attendance for the 57th such annual awards dinner hosted by the Western New York/Niagara Region of Ontario motorsports Fan Club.

Speedway Illustrated columnist and editor-at-large Mark "Bones" Bourcier, author of the recently published book Richie! The Richie Evans Story was the featured guest speaker of the evening.

The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Driver of the Year awards to Pete Bicknell (dirt) and Dave Wollaber (asphalt). The newest inductees into the Foar Score Hall of Fame were also presented, as Don McGinnis, Charlie Rudolph, Bobby Sund, and Pete Tingue were added to the prestigious honor roll.

Wollaber earned his award after his precedent establishing year at Lancaster Raceway Park. The University at Buffalo engineering student became the first driver in Lancaster's history to earn track titles in two divisions in the same season, capturing the championships in the Modified and TQ Midget divisions. He earned three feature victories in each of the two divisions, including two race nights in which he swept both divisions' main events.

Bicknell was honored for his sterling 2004 season in which he captured 7 wins at his own Merrittville Speedway en route to an amazing 17th Modified championship at the Thorold, ON oval, and grabbed two more wins at Ransomville (as part of a consistently strong 14 top fives in 15 starts) on the way to his ninth Modified title at the Niagara County, NY speedplant. In addition, he placed third in the Turning Stone Casino 358 Modified Super Dirt Series, with Series race win in Granby, QC.

Bicknell and partner Randy Williamson were also presented with the Mechanical Achievement Award for their efforts in investigating, testing, and promoting engine cost-cutting possibilities for Dirt 358 Modified and Sportsman racers.

Greg Oakes was presented with the Achievement on Dirt Award for his three-pronged championship season in '04, earning the Modified Sportsman titles at Freedom and McKean County as well as the title in the inaugural Regional Racing Series for the Modified Sportsmen, a limited touring series based in Western New York and Northern Pennsylvania.

Shawn Dunning and Tom McGrath each received Achievement on Asphalt Awards. Dunning was recognized for his trifecta of major Late Model wins -- the Firecracker 100 and the Budweiser 100 at Holland and his second consecutive win in the Late Model Race of Champions at Oswego. McGrath's run of major wins was similarly recognized, as the Lancaster Modified pilot snared victories in 3 of Lancaster's 4 annual major Modified showdowns: the Budweiser 50, Firecracker 75, and US Open 125.

The Woman in Racing Award was presented to Patti Pruitt, for her strength of character in returning to the drivers seat in 2004 after her firey 2003 wreck, and scoring feature race victories at Wyoming County and Tioga. The Perseverance Award was presented to the Jeff Brown race team, in recognition of the re-building tasks they endured after their Late Model was destroyed in a grinding crash at Lancaster in June.

The creators of the SST Sportsman program, Jim Majchrzak and Doug Yeo of Wyoming County International Speedway and Chris Zacharias of Tioga Motorsports Park, received the Promotional Achievement Award. Long-time TQ Midget racer, owner, mechanic, and promoter Harry Macy, who overcame a serious medical problem in the previous off-season, received the Dick Hammond Dedication to Auto Racing Award. The Media Award was presented to Buffalo News sports reporter Keith McShea.

Genesee Super Stock driver Jon Rivers was named Rookie of the Year on Dirt, while Lancaster Super Stock driver Mike Scott was named Rookie of the Year on asphalt. Ransomville/Genesee Sportsman pilot Kyle Inman was awarded the Most Improved Driver on Dirt award, while the Most Improved Driver on Asphalt award was presented to third generation driver Scott Wylie, the 2004 Cup Lites Series champion. Holland Pro Modified racer John Gast, Jr. received the Sportsmanship award. Foar Score Vice-President Roger McCabe received the President's Award for Exceptional Contributions to the Club.

Contribution to Auto Racing awards were presented to Bob Cordova of Original Pizza Logs, a major area motorsports sponsor; Dave DeLange, Lancaster Modified car owner and sponsor; Dave Hawk, a former racer and innovative parts designer and machinist; Father Norb Osoletes, the Holland Speedway Chaplain, and Mark Southcott, racing historian and site editor of NYRaceZone.com.

Special Recognition awards were presented to Erin Crocker, as the first female racer ever to win a World of Outlaws Sprint Car feature race; Paul Graff, owner/director of the Cup Lites Series and driving force behind the high dollar Firecracker weekend at Holland; Jeff McGinnis, for his major race successes in DIRT Sportsman action at Ransomville Speedway; Al Graham, Dave McCready, and Pete Yasses from Genesee Speedway, for their efforts at out-foxing Mother Nature and squeezing in Saturday shows under tough weather conditions; and drag racers Mike Janis for his 2nd career IHRA Pro Modified championship and Fred Hahn, who is cutting back on his racing schedule after 16 very successful seasons.

FOUR INDUCTED TO FOAR SCORE HALL OF FAME

At the Friends of Auto Racing (Foar Score) Fan Club 57th annaul Awards Banquet, held on January 29th at the Classics V Banquet Hall in Amherst, NY, four new members were inducted into the Hall of Fame of the Western New York/Niagara Region of Ontario motorsports fan club.

Dirt Late Model and Modified standout Don McGinnis, versatile Modified ace Charlie Rudoph, 60's Late Model star Pete Tingue, and 50's champion Bobby Sund were added to the honor roll.

Don McGinnis first made his mark in dirt Late Model racing in the 70's, amassing 28 wins in 1973, and 16 wins and the titles at Ransomville, Merrittville, and Humberstone in 1975. He later showed his winning style in a Modified, earning the 1989 Ransomville/Merrittville/Humberstone Tri-Track Driver of the Year Award, scoring the 1994 Ransomville Modified title, and for 19 straight seasons, never finishing out of the top ten in points at any track on which he raced regularly. Overall, he earned 97 career feature wins. Currently, Don is very much involved with the successful Dirt Sportsman racing career of son Jeff.

Charlie Rudolph followed the footsteps of his racing father Jim, and quickly established his own identity as a top-level racer. Jumping right into asphalt Modified racing, he earned his first track championship at age 22, grabbing the Lancaster Modified crown in 1980. Two years later, he shifted his focus to Dirt Modified racing, and took the Ransomville crown that season. In 1986, he notched the track Modified titles at Ransomville, Cayuga County, and Rolling Wheels, as well as the overall Mr. DIRT Modified crown. In 1987, he made a foray into NASCAR Winston Cup racing, with a best finish of 13th in the July Pocono race. He returned to DIRT Modified action in 1988, and made the full circle back to asphalt Modifieds in the early 90's, earning Lancaster titles in 1991 and 1993. Overall, his record shows 49 dirt Modified race wins and 38 asphalt Modified victories in his career. With his induction, Charlie joins his father Jim as only the second father/son tandem in the Foar Score Hall of Fame.

The late Bobby Sund was a star of racing at Buffalo's Civic Stadium throughout the 50's, earning Stadium season championships in 1952, 1953, and 1955. His most successful year was '52, during which he rolled to 17 victories in a 30 race season. After the Stadium was closed for racing following the 1959 season, he shifted his racing efforts to Lancaster Speedway, and won that track's Super Modified title in 1961. In 1964, he moved to the ERCA circuit, competing in the 6-cylinder "Super B's" at Holland and Perry before retiring a couple of years later. Fellow Civic Stadium racer and long-time area race official Butch Ball accepted the Hall of Fame trophy in Sund's memory.

Pete Tingue was an early star of the ERCA circuit, competing against the likes of Art Clark, Dick Flaig, and Eddie Anchor, with a great 7 year run from 1961 through 1967. During that period, he finished in the top three in Holland Modern Stock (later re-named as the New Cars) points in six of those years, including track titles in 1961, 1964, and 1967. His high point was the '64 season, when he also took the Perry Modern Stock title as well as the overall ERCA Modern Stock championship. He qualified for a start in the Permatex Sportsman race at Daytona in the mid-60's, and continued racing to a mid-70's retirement. However, he "un-retired" in the early 80's, getting back into Street Stock racing at Freedom, McKean County, Perry, and Genesee, picking up a few more wins through 1990 in this second phase of his career.

This newest class of inductees brings the total honored in the Foar Score Hall of Fame to 82.

- From Rick Mooney (RMooneypr@aol.com) and Paul Faleski (716)-983-8008 )

NASCAR Grand Nat'l, West: Harrs race in Phoenix

PHOENIX, AZ – The Canadian father-and-son team of Carl and Daryl Harr were in action at Phoenix Int’l Raceway on the weekend, racing in the United Rentals 100, the season opener for the NASCAR Grand National Division, West Series.

Daryl Harr started 22nd in the field and worked his way forward to 10th, one lap down to the leaders. Carl Harr started 19th and finished 24th, five laps back.

David Gilliland used lap traffic to slip by Kevin Harvick and pull away to win the United Rentals 100 at Phoenix International Raceway on Sunday.

While Gilliland was cruising to victory, Harvick had to make a quick pit stop for a dash of fuel. The stop led to a 13th-place finish for Harvick, who won the West Series championship in 1998 and is now a regular in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series.

Defending series champion Mike Duncan finished the race in second, with series rookie Jason Jefferson taking third. Mike David finished fourth, followed by Brandon Ash in fifth.

Gilliland hopes to challenge for the series championship this season, after winning the Rookie of the Year title a year ago.

RESULTS: UNITED RENTALS 100
NASCAR Grand National Division, West Series // Phoenix, Ariz. Jan. 30, 2005

FINISH (START) DRIVER, HOMETOWN, MAKE, LAPS, WINNINGS
1. (1) David Gilliland, Riverside, Calif., Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 100, 108.532 mph, $15,225
2. (4) Mike Duncan, Bakersfield, Calif., Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 100, $11,225
3. (7) Jason Jefferson, Naches, Wash., Pontiac Grand Prix, 100, $8,475
4. (8) Mike David, Modesto, Calif., Ford Taurus, 100, $7,925
5. (15) Brandon Ash, Umpqua, Ore., Ford Taurus, 100, $5,600
6. (16) Michel Jourdain Jr, Mexico City, Ford Taurus, 100, $5,000
7. (10) Matt Kobyluck, Uncasville, Conn., Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 100, $9,500
8. (14) Dale Quarterley, Westfield, Mass., Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 100, $9,100
9. (11) Steve Portenga, Sparks, Nev., Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 100, $4,550
10. (31) Scott Lynch, Burley, Idaho, Dodge Intrepid, 100, $5,575
11. (12) Tim Woods III, Chino Hills, Calif., Ford Taurus, 100, $4,375
12. (22) Daryl Harr, St. Albert, AB, Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 99, $4,275
13. (2) Kevin Harvick, Bakersfield, Calif., Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 99, $2,550
14. (5) Spencer Clark, Las Vegas, Nev., Ford Taurus, 99, $2,360
15. (6) Johnny Borneman, Ramona, Calif., Ford Taurus, 99, $2,525
16. (9) Andrew Lewis, Corona, Calif., Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 99, $2,050
17. (33) Andrew Myers, Huntington Beach, Calif., Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 98, $1,950
18. (29) Tim Smith, Roseville, Calif., Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 98, $2,225
19. (26) Ed Watson, Mt. Vernon, Wash., Ford Taurus, 98, $1,750
20. (23) Sarah Fisher, Indianapolis, Ind., Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 98, $2,450
21. (13) Brandon Miller, Bakersfield, Calif., Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 98, $2,025
22. (18) Scott Gaylord, Lakewood, Colo., Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 97, $2,725
23. (20) Brett Thompson, Jerome, Idaho, Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 96, $1,925
24. (19) Carl Harr, Edmonton, AB, Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 95, $2,625
25. (30) Jack Sellers, Sacramento, Calif., Pontiac Grand Prix, 95, $1,825
26. (25) Chris Schmelzle, Victoria, BC, Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 94, $1,350
27. (28) Rick Ruzbarsky, Tracy, Calif., Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 89, Engine, $1,350
28. (17) Jose Luis Ramirez, Mexico City, Ford Taurus, 88, Fuel, $1,725
29. (21) David Cardey, Riverside, Calif., Pontiac Grand Prix, 56, Oil Leak, $1,725
30. (27) Takuma Koga, Nagoya, Japan, Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 43, Too Slow, $1,725
31. (3) Ken Schrader, Fenton, Mo., Pontiac Grand Prix, 34, Vibration, $1,725
32. (24) David Eshleman, Fontana, Calif., Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 23, Accident, $1,725
33. (32) Bobby Hillis, Phoenix, Ariz., Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 1, Handling, $1,725

Did not qualify: (1) Gene Woods. // Time of race: 55 minutes 17 seconds // Margin of victory: 2.823 seconds // Caution flags: 1 for 5 (26-30) // Lead changes: 1 between 2 drivers // Lap leaders: David Gilliland-grid, Kevin Harvick 1-77, Gilliland 78-100.

- From Mike Prusinski // Communications Manager // Phoenix International Raceway