By Ken Pelkie
OHSWEKEN, ON – Sprints On Dirt has signed a third heat race sponsor for the 2005 season as Ohsweken Speedway inked a deal recently. They join XYZ Machining along with Engler Machine and Tool as major sponsors of heat races at all SOD-sanctioned events throughout the season.
“Glenn and Tina Styres of Ohsweken Speedway have been very supportive to the Sprints On Dirt series over the past couple of seasons” stated SOD Media/Public Relations Director, Ken Pelkie while announcing the deal. “Besides hosting a SOD Points Event at Ohsweken, Glenn has taken every opportunity to compete in our series that his schedule will allow. We are very pleased to have Ohsweken Speedway on board with our program on a weekly basis throughout the 2005 season and will carry their name proudly”.
The Sprints On Dirt schedule finds a visit to Ohsweken scheduled for Friday night, August 26th. The program on that evening will hold multiple benefits to the traveling Michigan based series. First of all, it will be the final race of the two race CAN/AM Challenge mini-series with the Southern Ontario Sprints. It will also mark race number two of the four race, 2nd Annual “Canadian Wilderness Tour” which Glenn and Tina Styres also support. And finally, it will qualify the final three positions for the “Ohsweken Shootout” that will be run the night before the “Canadian Sprint Car Nationals”. The three highest finishing SOD members who can attend the shootout will be locked into the September 16th event.
“Having run with Sprints On Dirt in the past, we appreciate the exposure that their program can give us by running at so many different tracks throughout Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio” exclaimed Glenn. “Tina and I wish all of the SOD Teams success during the 2005 Season and look forward to being a part of Sprints On Dirt.”
Be sure to visit the official website of Ohsweken Speedway at www.ohswekenspeedway.com and while on the web, log on to the official SOD Website at www.sprintsondirt.com. Check back often for all of the latest news as we move closer to opening day Saturday, April 30th at Crystal Motor Speedway.
Friday, April 08, 2005
CASCAR: MARK DILLEY AND POWER WATER ANNOUNCE SPONSORSHIP AGREEMENT
MARKHAM, ON – Power Water and Mark Dilley jointly announced a new sponsorship agreement today that will see Power Water become a major part of Dilley’s 2005 Championship campaign.
Power Water will be a Major Associate Sponsor on Dilley’s number 64 Dodge for the ten oval events on the 2005 CASCAR Super Series schedule, and will be primary sponsor for the two road course events at the Molson Indy Toronto and Mosport International Raceway.
Fans will have to get used to seeing Dilley in different colours this year with NTN Bearings and Mark parting ways after a highly successful fifteen-year relationship. Dilley indicates that further sponsorship negotiations are in the final stages and more announcements are soon to come.
“I am very excited to welcome Power Water as a new Major Associate Sponsor on my CASCAR team,” stated Dilley. “They have an incredible motorsports program for 2005, and I am very proud to be a part of it. I will be announcing some additional new Major Sponsors very shortly, and would like to welcome back Leland Industries, Avenue Motor Works, National Waste Services, Concepts on Wheels, Dodge, Mopar, and CRS Trucking as sponsorship partners for my 2005 CASCAR Super Series Championship campaign”.
In addition to this Major Associate Sponsorship agreement with Mark Dilley, Power Water is the primary sponsor of the number 02 Ford Taurus of Kerry Micks, and title sponsor of the Ontario-based CASCAR Power Water Sportsman Series. This makes Power Water one of the largest supporters of Canadian motorsports, and the company indicates that additional driver partnerships have been completed and will be announced shortly.
TWO WAYS TO “DRIVE” BUSINESS
With the 02 Power Water Ford of Kerry Micks already on the track at each Super Series event this season it may seem a little strange for Power Water to add a second car, but there is a lot more to this deal than meets the eye, the company tells us.
“Our new partnership with Mark goes well beyond the race track,” stated Power Water CEO Duncan Cleworth. “Mark is a ‘scratch’ golfer and experienced golf tournament organizer, and he will be operating the first-ever Power Water Golf Tournament at National Pines Golf & Country Club this year. So when Mark isn’t driving for Power Water on the racetrack, he’ll be driving for us at the golf course. Also, many of our business partners will be treated to the thrill of their life this summer when they get to take part in the ‘Mark Dilley Driving Experience’ at Barrie Speedway.”
“In addition to these non-racing initiatives, Mark will act as a spokesperson for Power Water,” continued Cleworth, “and attend many of our special events and corporate functions throughout the year. Our passion for racing made it a natural fit to tie the program into Mark’s CASCAR team, but this is a sponsorship agreement that goes well beyond the race track.”
Cleworth revealed that another reason for the partnership was a desire to support a Dodge team in the Super Series.
“Power Water has become a major supporter of CASCAR Racing in 2005,” Cleworth reflected, “and we recognize the huge role that Mopar and Dodge have played in supporting the series for many years now. We wanted to support a Dodge driver to show our appreciation for their contribution to the sport.”
KEEP YOUR FRIENDS CLOSE…
Mark and Kerry Micks had a chance to talk about their new status as teammates in a recent meeting at Micks’ Mount Albert-based race shop. Although long-time competitors on the track it’s obvious that the two have a close friendship off the track.
“It shouldn’t be as scary seeing Kerry in my mirror now that we’re on the same team,” joked Dilley when asked about the new relationship. “Kerry is an aggressive driver so I think it’s a case of ‘keep your friends close and your enemies closer’” Dilley continued with a chuckle.
“Dilley is way off base with the comment about the mirror,” Micks shot back. “I’m always ahead of him on the track so he’s got nothing to worry about. But in all seriousness I’m really excited to have Mark as a teammate for the upcoming season. We have been racing together for years and I think that together we can make a tremendous impact for Power Water.”
There’s no doubt that it is a dynamic team. Both drivers are past CASCAR Champions and have a long list of racing accomplishments. Both drivers won Super Series races in 2004, and both are considered top threats for the 2005 Super Series Championship. Dilley finished the 2004 Championship battle in sixth position, with Micks one spot ahead in fifth. Both drivers are determined to take the title from current and four-time defending Super Series Champion Don Thomson Jr.
Power Water will also have identification on the number 39 Dodge of Dilley’s current and long-standing teammate Dave Whitlock. Whitlock was in the Championship chase right into the final event of 2004 and ended the season in third place. Whitlock Motorsports will continue to prepare Dilley’s cars.
With an All-Star driver lineup like this, it’s clear to see that Power Water is serious about taking the Super Series Championship in 2005.
READY TO RACE
With the start of the season only six weeks away, Dilley has a lot of work to get done before he takes his new car to the track. The final sponsor announcements and car design will be announced shortly, but the concept shown below gives a glimpse of what to expect.
Power Water is distilled, oxygenated water and is the purest drinking water available. More information is available at www.powerwater.com
Power Water will be a Major Associate Sponsor on Dilley’s number 64 Dodge for the ten oval events on the 2005 CASCAR Super Series schedule, and will be primary sponsor for the two road course events at the Molson Indy Toronto and Mosport International Raceway.
Fans will have to get used to seeing Dilley in different colours this year with NTN Bearings and Mark parting ways after a highly successful fifteen-year relationship. Dilley indicates that further sponsorship negotiations are in the final stages and more announcements are soon to come.
“I am very excited to welcome Power Water as a new Major Associate Sponsor on my CASCAR team,” stated Dilley. “They have an incredible motorsports program for 2005, and I am very proud to be a part of it. I will be announcing some additional new Major Sponsors very shortly, and would like to welcome back Leland Industries, Avenue Motor Works, National Waste Services, Concepts on Wheels, Dodge, Mopar, and CRS Trucking as sponsorship partners for my 2005 CASCAR Super Series Championship campaign”.
In addition to this Major Associate Sponsorship agreement with Mark Dilley, Power Water is the primary sponsor of the number 02 Ford Taurus of Kerry Micks, and title sponsor of the Ontario-based CASCAR Power Water Sportsman Series. This makes Power Water one of the largest supporters of Canadian motorsports, and the company indicates that additional driver partnerships have been completed and will be announced shortly.
TWO WAYS TO “DRIVE” BUSINESS
With the 02 Power Water Ford of Kerry Micks already on the track at each Super Series event this season it may seem a little strange for Power Water to add a second car, but there is a lot more to this deal than meets the eye, the company tells us.
“Our new partnership with Mark goes well beyond the race track,” stated Power Water CEO Duncan Cleworth. “Mark is a ‘scratch’ golfer and experienced golf tournament organizer, and he will be operating the first-ever Power Water Golf Tournament at National Pines Golf & Country Club this year. So when Mark isn’t driving for Power Water on the racetrack, he’ll be driving for us at the golf course. Also, many of our business partners will be treated to the thrill of their life this summer when they get to take part in the ‘Mark Dilley Driving Experience’ at Barrie Speedway.”
“In addition to these non-racing initiatives, Mark will act as a spokesperson for Power Water,” continued Cleworth, “and attend many of our special events and corporate functions throughout the year. Our passion for racing made it a natural fit to tie the program into Mark’s CASCAR team, but this is a sponsorship agreement that goes well beyond the race track.”
Cleworth revealed that another reason for the partnership was a desire to support a Dodge team in the Super Series.
“Power Water has become a major supporter of CASCAR Racing in 2005,” Cleworth reflected, “and we recognize the huge role that Mopar and Dodge have played in supporting the series for many years now. We wanted to support a Dodge driver to show our appreciation for their contribution to the sport.”
KEEP YOUR FRIENDS CLOSE…
Mark and Kerry Micks had a chance to talk about their new status as teammates in a recent meeting at Micks’ Mount Albert-based race shop. Although long-time competitors on the track it’s obvious that the two have a close friendship off the track.
“It shouldn’t be as scary seeing Kerry in my mirror now that we’re on the same team,” joked Dilley when asked about the new relationship. “Kerry is an aggressive driver so I think it’s a case of ‘keep your friends close and your enemies closer’” Dilley continued with a chuckle.
“Dilley is way off base with the comment about the mirror,” Micks shot back. “I’m always ahead of him on the track so he’s got nothing to worry about. But in all seriousness I’m really excited to have Mark as a teammate for the upcoming season. We have been racing together for years and I think that together we can make a tremendous impact for Power Water.”
There’s no doubt that it is a dynamic team. Both drivers are past CASCAR Champions and have a long list of racing accomplishments. Both drivers won Super Series races in 2004, and both are considered top threats for the 2005 Super Series Championship. Dilley finished the 2004 Championship battle in sixth position, with Micks one spot ahead in fifth. Both drivers are determined to take the title from current and four-time defending Super Series Champion Don Thomson Jr.
Power Water will also have identification on the number 39 Dodge of Dilley’s current and long-standing teammate Dave Whitlock. Whitlock was in the Championship chase right into the final event of 2004 and ended the season in third place. Whitlock Motorsports will continue to prepare Dilley’s cars.
With an All-Star driver lineup like this, it’s clear to see that Power Water is serious about taking the Super Series Championship in 2005.
READY TO RACE
With the start of the season only six weeks away, Dilley has a lot of work to get done before he takes his new car to the track. The final sponsor announcements and car design will be announced shortly, but the concept shown below gives a glimpse of what to expect.
Power Water is distilled, oxygenated water and is the purest drinking water available. More information is available at www.powerwater.com
AIM Announces 2005 Formula BMW USA Drivers
AIM Autosport, long recognized for its success in developing young open-wheel drivers and engineers, announced today its driver line up for the 2005 Formula BMW USA Championship Series. Signing with AIM Autosport are Rob Bunker, of Bridgewater, N.J. and Kevin Lacroix, of Saint-Eustache, Quebec both 16 years old and entering their first year of professional racing.
AIM Autosport identifies the Formula BMW USA series as the first level of its driver development process. The competitive nature of the series with equal equipment places an emphasis on the drivers' ability to communicate efficiently with the team, developing skills required to advance to the next level. This championship offers a competitive package with many excellent incentives including a great deal of exposure through high profile events on its schedule, aggressive marketing, unique hosting and potential for future scholarships.
“We are excited to be mentoring two more series rookies this year. Last year we had great success with James Hinchcliffe winning the Rookie Cup and this year we have two drivers very capable of winning rookie and overall titles.” said AIM team manager Keith Willis.
Rob Bunker #18 (AIM Autosport /Team RennSport)
Quotes from Rob: "I'm excited to be joining AIM's Formula BMW USA program in 2005. We had our eye on the Formula BMW USA series all last year and were impressed with AIM and their results. When we got the chance to test with them this past November we jumped at the opportunity. Since then, we've completed eleven days of pre-season testing with AIM. Throughout all of the tests, we really clicked as a team. Keith Willis and Scott Styler from AIM, along with my driver coaches Ross Bentley and Bob Perona from Speed Secrets, have all been very helpful in getting me up to speed in the Formula BMW FB2. Now that the season has officially started, we're anxious to get to our first race at Laguna. I'm highly confident that we will be a dominate force in the Series in 2005."
Kevin Lacroix #22 (AIM Autosport /Auto Parts Plus-Uni-Select/Pennzoil/
CR/SKF Motor sports/Raybestos/Tenneco Automotive/Les Pièces d'auto Lacroix)
Quotes from Kevin: “It’s my first year in open-wheel racing and I think that Formula BMW USA is a very good series to start in, it’s a very competitive championship including the World Final which gives a very high goal to aim for. BMW is providing large support with it’s entire scholarship program and it helps a lot. My goal in my racing career is to become a Formula 1 driver and if I want to achieve this I have to start in the right series.
But even more important is to be on the right team- one to help me get to the top and deliver results. And I know AIM Autosport is the right team. We’ve started testing and I am very confident in them, I’ve already learned a lot and I know they can teach me plenty more. They are always going in correct direction in terms of car set-up and it proves they have knowledge of the car and that makes me very confident. I also like their personality; they are relaxed and cool under pressure, that’s very important for me. AIM can win championships, their past results prove it, so I think I have everything I need for me to win the championship this season.”
AIM Autosport identifies the Formula BMW USA series as the first level of its driver development process. The competitive nature of the series with equal equipment places an emphasis on the drivers' ability to communicate efficiently with the team, developing skills required to advance to the next level. This championship offers a competitive package with many excellent incentives including a great deal of exposure through high profile events on its schedule, aggressive marketing, unique hosting and potential for future scholarships.
“We are excited to be mentoring two more series rookies this year. Last year we had great success with James Hinchcliffe winning the Rookie Cup and this year we have two drivers very capable of winning rookie and overall titles.” said AIM team manager Keith Willis.
Rob Bunker #18 (AIM Autosport /Team RennSport)
Quotes from Rob: "I'm excited to be joining AIM's Formula BMW USA program in 2005. We had our eye on the Formula BMW USA series all last year and were impressed with AIM and their results. When we got the chance to test with them this past November we jumped at the opportunity. Since then, we've completed eleven days of pre-season testing with AIM. Throughout all of the tests, we really clicked as a team. Keith Willis and Scott Styler from AIM, along with my driver coaches Ross Bentley and Bob Perona from Speed Secrets, have all been very helpful in getting me up to speed in the Formula BMW FB2. Now that the season has officially started, we're anxious to get to our first race at Laguna. I'm highly confident that we will be a dominate force in the Series in 2005."
Kevin Lacroix #22 (AIM Autosport /Auto Parts Plus-Uni-Select/Pennzoil/
CR/SKF Motor sports/Raybestos/Tenneco Automotive/Les Pièces d'auto Lacroix)
Quotes from Kevin: “It’s my first year in open-wheel racing and I think that Formula BMW USA is a very good series to start in, it’s a very competitive championship including the World Final which gives a very high goal to aim for. BMW is providing large support with it’s entire scholarship program and it helps a lot. My goal in my racing career is to become a Formula 1 driver and if I want to achieve this I have to start in the right series.
But even more important is to be on the right team- one to help me get to the top and deliver results. And I know AIM Autosport is the right team. We’ve started testing and I am very confident in them, I’ve already learned a lot and I know they can teach me plenty more. They are always going in correct direction in terms of car set-up and it proves they have knowledge of the car and that makes me very confident. I also like their personality; they are relaxed and cool under pressure, that’s very important for me. AIM can win championships, their past results prove it, so I think I have everything I need for me to win the championship this season.”
MERRITTVILLE: NEW MERRITTVILLE SUPPORT INCREASING INTEREST IN NIAGARA’S LARGEST SPECTATOR EVENT
THOROLD, ON – “Just as our DIRT Weekly Racing Series Divisions have attracted many new teams for 2005,” relates Merrittville Speedway GM Erica Bicknell, “ we have added many new sponsors … there has been tremendous interest in our advertising and hospitality programs since last season.”
The upcoming season, which takes the first green flag Saturday April 30th, is the third season for Pete Bicknell and Randy Williamson and their families.
Leading the pack with what’s new at Merrittville Speedway is longtime pace car supplier David Chevrolet Corvette returning with a brand new Chevy Colorado Truck. David invites all race fans to test drive a new or used GM Vehicle. Visit the dealership at 915 Niagara Street in Welland.
One of the newest sponsors to join the 54th consecutive season for the Thorold Track is one that will become involved in the final event of the season. As well as becoming the Official Wine Supplier of Merrittville Speedway, Konzelmann Estate Winery of Niagara-On-The-Lake will present the 2nd Annual Wine Country Run Enduro Sunday September 11th.
Entry forms are now available form either Bicknell Racing Products or the Speedway Office. Enduro enthusiasts are reminded that a Wine Country Run Preview Event has been added to Saturday June 18th’s Boltworks DWRS Event. A 20 lap event will close that show that will pay $250.00 to win.
Two companies that will be presenting June events have expanded their involvement in 2005 to include event sponsorships.
Niagara’s Ball Hockey International locations – the Welland Canals Parkway location at Lock 3 in St. Catharines and the Niagara College location in Welland will join with the Niagara Lions Clubs and Glen Rolston to present June 11th’s Dirt Weekly Racing Series event that will feature the 2nd Ladies Race of the new season.
Ball Hockey International’s both locations are taking individual or team registrations for the next session. For further information call 905-682-2835 or 905-734-1040 or visit ballhockeyinternational.com.
Brady-Zavitz Financial Services and Employee Benefits will proudly present the Canada Day Kick-off with a DIRT Weekly Racing Series Event Thursday June 30th that will also feature the season’s only FIREWORKS Extravaganza.
Brady-Zavitz provides employee benefits – helping your team win! Call Paul Scott at 905-704-0070 or visit their offices at 3250 Schmon Parkway, Unit 2 in Thorold – right next door to Dom’s Pasta & Grill
The 2005 Season will also see an old friend return to present one of the biggest nights of the season for the Original Pizza Logs Sportsmen Division.
Merrittville Speedway is proud to welcome back Avondale Food Stores Saturday July 23rd as they will be presenting a Sunoco Sportsmen Combined Super DIRT Series Event. For the overall Sportsmen Mr. DIRT Title there is an Eastern and Western Series and a Combined Series that all combine to crown a Champion at the end of the year. For the first time Merrittville will present a combined event in addition to all the other classes that make up the DIRT Weekly Racing Series – L. St. Amand 358 Modifieds, Hoosier Stocks, Seneca Niagara Casino Dwarf Cars and 4 Cylinders.
With all the regular divisions in attendance, the pit area will be overflowing as all DIRT Northeast Member Tracks will be allowing their Sportsmen teams to visit Merrittville for the event.
Avondale Food Stores are celebrating their 40th Anniversary as the ‘neighborhood store’ in Niagara. Locally owned and operated by the Stewart Family, Avondale now boasts 120 stores throughout Niagara and from Ancaster to Fort Erie – they are pleased to serve the Niagara Peninsula.
Not to be undone, Merrittville Speedway’s Tuesday Night Kart Club is proud to announce that KC Auto Parts has become a divisional sponsor of the Original Pizza Logs Junior Restricted Light Division this season.
KC Auto Parts is your automotive “Super” Market for domestic and import, performance and custom alike. Retail and wholesale customers can visit www.kcautoparts.com or visit their new location on Seapark Drive in St. Catharines.
In addition to new event sponsors, race fans at Merrittville will also see many new ‘ faces’ throughout the Speedway grounds as many new signage advertisers have also been contracted since last season.
Dom’s Pasta & Grill is the largest family restaurant in the area. Dom’s features huge Sunday Brunch and lunch and dinner specials every day. Stop by their 3250 Schmon Parkway location across from CAA Niagara and bring your appetites. For reservations call 905-688-4202.
Live well with Pharmasave at Henderson’s Pharmacy … it’s our commitment. Located at 15 Front Street South in downtown Thorold and have been serving Niagara for over 60 years. Open 7 days a week, Henderson’s provides free delivery for your prescriptions. Call us at 905-227-2511.
Archer’s Truck Service with two locations in Niagara provides 24 hour mobile service and parts for all makes and models. Visit our sales and leasing representatives at 260 Dunkirk Road in St. Catharines or 475 Prince Charles Drive in Welland for your next International Truck or Cummins and Cat Engines.
Take to the track with Dean Stokes at Merrittville Speedway. Merrittville Fans can look forward to free pre-release promotion CD entitled The Race Groove recorded by local artists The Dean Stokes Band street kid groove.
Giant FM our unique giant music format will have a core of hits from the 80’s spiced with giant hits from the 70’s, 90’s and freshened with hits from today. Everything we do comes from contests to concerts will be bigger than big, they’ll be giant. Tune in to 91.7 FM today or visit us on line at giantfm.com.
For all your truck and van accessories including Rhino Linings sprayed on bedliners and Leer Caps and Lids see Niagara Truck ‘N Stuff. Conveniently located in St. Catharines at 12 Dunlop Drive between Lake and Geneva Streets. Call us at 905-984-5629 or toll free at 1-888-446-9344.
Merrittville Speedway is proud of its many new sponsors as well the many friends that are currently involved with the Speedway and its race teams.
For further information on Merrittville Speedway’s advertising, hospitality programs and the 2005 Schedule call 905-892-8266 or visit merrittvillespeedway.com.
The upcoming season, which takes the first green flag Saturday April 30th, is the third season for Pete Bicknell and Randy Williamson and their families.
Leading the pack with what’s new at Merrittville Speedway is longtime pace car supplier David Chevrolet Corvette returning with a brand new Chevy Colorado Truck. David invites all race fans to test drive a new or used GM Vehicle. Visit the dealership at 915 Niagara Street in Welland.
One of the newest sponsors to join the 54th consecutive season for the Thorold Track is one that will become involved in the final event of the season. As well as becoming the Official Wine Supplier of Merrittville Speedway, Konzelmann Estate Winery of Niagara-On-The-Lake will present the 2nd Annual Wine Country Run Enduro Sunday September 11th.
Entry forms are now available form either Bicknell Racing Products or the Speedway Office. Enduro enthusiasts are reminded that a Wine Country Run Preview Event has been added to Saturday June 18th’s Boltworks DWRS Event. A 20 lap event will close that show that will pay $250.00 to win.
Two companies that will be presenting June events have expanded their involvement in 2005 to include event sponsorships.
Niagara’s Ball Hockey International locations – the Welland Canals Parkway location at Lock 3 in St. Catharines and the Niagara College location in Welland will join with the Niagara Lions Clubs and Glen Rolston to present June 11th’s Dirt Weekly Racing Series event that will feature the 2nd Ladies Race of the new season.
Ball Hockey International’s both locations are taking individual or team registrations for the next session. For further information call 905-682-2835 or 905-734-1040 or visit ballhockeyinternational.com.
Brady-Zavitz Financial Services and Employee Benefits will proudly present the Canada Day Kick-off with a DIRT Weekly Racing Series Event Thursday June 30th that will also feature the season’s only FIREWORKS Extravaganza.
Brady-Zavitz provides employee benefits – helping your team win! Call Paul Scott at 905-704-0070 or visit their offices at 3250 Schmon Parkway, Unit 2 in Thorold – right next door to Dom’s Pasta & Grill
The 2005 Season will also see an old friend return to present one of the biggest nights of the season for the Original Pizza Logs Sportsmen Division.
Merrittville Speedway is proud to welcome back Avondale Food Stores Saturday July 23rd as they will be presenting a Sunoco Sportsmen Combined Super DIRT Series Event. For the overall Sportsmen Mr. DIRT Title there is an Eastern and Western Series and a Combined Series that all combine to crown a Champion at the end of the year. For the first time Merrittville will present a combined event in addition to all the other classes that make up the DIRT Weekly Racing Series – L. St. Amand 358 Modifieds, Hoosier Stocks, Seneca Niagara Casino Dwarf Cars and 4 Cylinders.
With all the regular divisions in attendance, the pit area will be overflowing as all DIRT Northeast Member Tracks will be allowing their Sportsmen teams to visit Merrittville for the event.
Avondale Food Stores are celebrating their 40th Anniversary as the ‘neighborhood store’ in Niagara. Locally owned and operated by the Stewart Family, Avondale now boasts 120 stores throughout Niagara and from Ancaster to Fort Erie – they are pleased to serve the Niagara Peninsula.
Not to be undone, Merrittville Speedway’s Tuesday Night Kart Club is proud to announce that KC Auto Parts has become a divisional sponsor of the Original Pizza Logs Junior Restricted Light Division this season.
KC Auto Parts is your automotive “Super” Market for domestic and import, performance and custom alike. Retail and wholesale customers can visit www.kcautoparts.com or visit their new location on Seapark Drive in St. Catharines.
In addition to new event sponsors, race fans at Merrittville will also see many new ‘ faces’ throughout the Speedway grounds as many new signage advertisers have also been contracted since last season.
Dom’s Pasta & Grill is the largest family restaurant in the area. Dom’s features huge Sunday Brunch and lunch and dinner specials every day. Stop by their 3250 Schmon Parkway location across from CAA Niagara and bring your appetites. For reservations call 905-688-4202.
Live well with Pharmasave at Henderson’s Pharmacy … it’s our commitment. Located at 15 Front Street South in downtown Thorold and have been serving Niagara for over 60 years. Open 7 days a week, Henderson’s provides free delivery for your prescriptions. Call us at 905-227-2511.
Archer’s Truck Service with two locations in Niagara provides 24 hour mobile service and parts for all makes and models. Visit our sales and leasing representatives at 260 Dunkirk Road in St. Catharines or 475 Prince Charles Drive in Welland for your next International Truck or Cummins and Cat Engines.
Take to the track with Dean Stokes at Merrittville Speedway. Merrittville Fans can look forward to free pre-release promotion CD entitled The Race Groove recorded by local artists The Dean Stokes Band street kid groove.
Giant FM our unique giant music format will have a core of hits from the 80’s spiced with giant hits from the 70’s, 90’s and freshened with hits from today. Everything we do comes from contests to concerts will be bigger than big, they’ll be giant. Tune in to 91.7 FM today or visit us on line at giantfm.com.
For all your truck and van accessories including Rhino Linings sprayed on bedliners and Leer Caps and Lids see Niagara Truck ‘N Stuff. Conveniently located in St. Catharines at 12 Dunlop Drive between Lake and Geneva Streets. Call us at 905-984-5629 or toll free at 1-888-446-9344.
Merrittville Speedway is proud of its many new sponsors as well the many friends that are currently involved with the Speedway and its race teams.
For further information on Merrittville Speedway’s advertising, hospitality programs and the 2005 Schedule call 905-892-8266 or visit merrittvillespeedway.com.
MERRITTVILLE: Ticket Specials
MERRITTVILLE HAS 2005 TICKET SPECIALS FOR GRANDSTAND AND PIT AREAS: SPEEDWAY OFFICE SET TO OPEN FOR SEASON WITH SPECIAL DAY
THOROLD, ON – New for 2005, all Ticket Offers may be purchased in advance from the Speedway Office when it opens Saturday April 16th from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM before it opens with regular daily business hours for the balance of the racing season.
Race fans that come up to the Speedway for their tickets April 16th can look forward to getting a glimpse at Stock Car and Kart Drivers participating in on track sessions in the Bicknell Racing Products and RCM Racing Equipment/ Philbrick Farm & Garden Equipment Stock Car and Kart Schools.
Merrittville Speedway will be continuing with two very popular ticket offers in 2005 that makes a Saturday Night even more economical that will be available on the 16th.
Saturday Night Live Flexbooks contain 8 General Admission Adult Grandstand Tickets for $88 – a savings of $2 per ticket. Flexbooks can be used all in one night for a group or in any other quantity or for favorite events through-out the season.
A Flexbook Ticket can also be upgraded towards special event tickets with the ticket holder paying the difference in ticket cost.
Family Passes also returning have great value in allowing admission for 2 Adults and 2 Junior (ages 8 - 12) plus 4 Hot Dogs and 4 cans of Pepsi. For a Saturday Night Dirt Weekly Racing Series Show Family Passes are $35. On Special events – the price will differ.
Grandstand Season Passes are also available with either General Admission or Reserved Seating Options. For an Adult a reserved seat of your choice along the top row for all 2005 Stock Car Events is $300.00 while General Admission tickets sell for $280.00. A Student or Senior Reserved Seat is $245.00 while general admission is $225.00. A Reserved Junior Season Ticket is $110.00 while general admission sells for $100.00
2005 Pit Area Memberships and Season Passes will also be available for Stock Car and Kart Teams.
Merrittville Speedway Stock Car Memberships will be available at $75.00 each and all Sportsman and 358 Modified drivers must also hold a 2005 DIRT Membership - which are available for $125.00 US for either division. Crew DIRT Memberships are $75.00. Drivers must have both Memberships to be eligible for points and other awards.
Drivers that do not have a DIRT Membership will be subject to a nightly $25.00 US fee in addition to entrance fees and will not be eligible for points.
Purchase of memberships and season passes in advance will relieve Opening Night delays and aggravation at the Pit Gate. Race Teams that utilize the Easy Pass System are reminded that hauler drivers must be a valid member or have a season pass.
Looking ahead to the April 30th Season Opener presented by Hoosier Tire Canada - Merrittville Speedway is pleased to announce that Hooters of Niagara Falls will rejoin the Thorold track’s family of advertisers for the 2005 season – in a unique program that goes with each Grandstand Ticket sold.
“We’re really honored to have as a partner such a well-known company,” relates (GM) Erica Bicknell, adding, “they’re new in the area and we’re happy to grow with them.”
Hooters of Niagara Falls – located at 6357 Stanley Avenue – is a great place for race fans to watch NASCAR Nextel Cup races in addition to all major sporting events. For further information call 905-357- HOOT.
Hooters of Niagara Falls is located across from the Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort. Visit them soon or log on to www.hooters.to for further information.
Every Merrittville Speedway Grandstand Admission Ticket sold is more than a ticket to the Best Family Entertainment in Niagara – it’s a coupon for 10 Free Wings with the purchase of 10.
For further information on 2005 Merrittville Speedway Ticket Packages or the upcoming season call 905-892-8266 or visit www.merrittvillespeedway.com.
THOROLD, ON – New for 2005, all Ticket Offers may be purchased in advance from the Speedway Office when it opens Saturday April 16th from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM before it opens with regular daily business hours for the balance of the racing season.
Race fans that come up to the Speedway for their tickets April 16th can look forward to getting a glimpse at Stock Car and Kart Drivers participating in on track sessions in the Bicknell Racing Products and RCM Racing Equipment/ Philbrick Farm & Garden Equipment Stock Car and Kart Schools.
Merrittville Speedway will be continuing with two very popular ticket offers in 2005 that makes a Saturday Night even more economical that will be available on the 16th.
Saturday Night Live Flexbooks contain 8 General Admission Adult Grandstand Tickets for $88 – a savings of $2 per ticket. Flexbooks can be used all in one night for a group or in any other quantity or for favorite events through-out the season.
A Flexbook Ticket can also be upgraded towards special event tickets with the ticket holder paying the difference in ticket cost.
Family Passes also returning have great value in allowing admission for 2 Adults and 2 Junior (ages 8 - 12) plus 4 Hot Dogs and 4 cans of Pepsi. For a Saturday Night Dirt Weekly Racing Series Show Family Passes are $35. On Special events – the price will differ.
Grandstand Season Passes are also available with either General Admission or Reserved Seating Options. For an Adult a reserved seat of your choice along the top row for all 2005 Stock Car Events is $300.00 while General Admission tickets sell for $280.00. A Student or Senior Reserved Seat is $245.00 while general admission is $225.00. A Reserved Junior Season Ticket is $110.00 while general admission sells for $100.00
2005 Pit Area Memberships and Season Passes will also be available for Stock Car and Kart Teams.
Merrittville Speedway Stock Car Memberships will be available at $75.00 each and all Sportsman and 358 Modified drivers must also hold a 2005 DIRT Membership - which are available for $125.00 US for either division. Crew DIRT Memberships are $75.00. Drivers must have both Memberships to be eligible for points and other awards.
Drivers that do not have a DIRT Membership will be subject to a nightly $25.00 US fee in addition to entrance fees and will not be eligible for points.
Purchase of memberships and season passes in advance will relieve Opening Night delays and aggravation at the Pit Gate. Race Teams that utilize the Easy Pass System are reminded that hauler drivers must be a valid member or have a season pass.
Looking ahead to the April 30th Season Opener presented by Hoosier Tire Canada - Merrittville Speedway is pleased to announce that Hooters of Niagara Falls will rejoin the Thorold track’s family of advertisers for the 2005 season – in a unique program that goes with each Grandstand Ticket sold.
“We’re really honored to have as a partner such a well-known company,” relates (GM) Erica Bicknell, adding, “they’re new in the area and we’re happy to grow with them.”
Hooters of Niagara Falls – located at 6357 Stanley Avenue – is a great place for race fans to watch NASCAR Nextel Cup races in addition to all major sporting events. For further information call 905-357- HOOT.
Hooters of Niagara Falls is located across from the Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort. Visit them soon or log on to www.hooters.to for further information.
Every Merrittville Speedway Grandstand Admission Ticket sold is more than a ticket to the Best Family Entertainment in Niagara – it’s a coupon for 10 Free Wings with the purchase of 10.
For further information on 2005 Merrittville Speedway Ticket Packages or the upcoming season call 905-892-8266 or visit www.merrittvillespeedway.com.
Thursday, April 07, 2005
INDUSTRY NEWS: New Hercules ‘Avalanche’ winter tire ready to take on Canadian roads …
From Gary Dolson
MISSISSAUGA, ON – During the company’s first-ever media event held March 31, Hercules Tire Canada unveiled its new winter tire called the Avalanche, designed for harsh winter-
driving conditions on Canadian roads.
“For 15 years, we’ve established a solid base in this country with our Polar Trax and Signet Winter Trax products,” said Rob Keller, Vice-President, Hercules Tire Canada. “Now we’re preparing to move to the next level by offering advanced winter tire technology at affordable prices for consumers – we think it’s going to be powerful combination for our dealers.”
“The Hercules-brand Avalanche winter tire will be available in 16 different passenger and light-truck sizes starting September, additional sizes will be added early next year. This will complete the line of 83 sizes for the 2006 winter season,” Keller said.
“Avalanche targets North American, Asian and European vehicles. This new winter product is designed for optimum winter traction and superior handling,” said Keller. “Our objective here is to continue offering consumers an alternative to major national brands in the Canadian market. Avalanche gives us another opportunity to meet our goals of providing premium products and great value.”
Hercules Tire Canada offers a wide selection of top quality commercial tires, consumer tires and wheels for all applications through its network of 350 dealers located in Ontario, Quebec and
Atlantic Canada.
For more information, visit: www.herculestire.ca
Villeneuve test session cut short...
There's an ominous story on TSN regarding JV's future with Sauber.
TSN.ca - Auto Racing - Canada's Sports Leader: "Jacques Villeneuve's test session in Spain this week has been cut short, prompting further speculation that his future with the team will not be long.
Villeneuve, who was the slowest of 13 drivers on track in Barcelona on Wednesday, was upset with how the C24 performed during the test. The Canadian suffered from brake failure, electronic problems and a handling problem to finish four seconds off the pace set by Pedro de la Rosa.
Compounding the problem is the fact that Sauber have elected to bring Felipe Massa in a day early, replacing Villeneuve - who has had limited testing time in the new car - after just one day. "
TSN.ca - Auto Racing - Canada's Sports Leader: "Jacques Villeneuve's test session in Spain this week has been cut short, prompting further speculation that his future with the team will not be long.
Villeneuve, who was the slowest of 13 drivers on track in Barcelona on Wednesday, was upset with how the C24 performed during the test. The Canadian suffered from brake failure, electronic problems and a handling problem to finish four seconds off the pace set by Pedro de la Rosa.
Compounding the problem is the fact that Sauber have elected to bring Felipe Massa in a day early, replacing Villeneuve - who has had limited testing time in the new car - after just one day. "
CASCAR: MID AMERICA MOTORSPORTS ANNOUNCES RENTAL RIDE PROGRAM
By TL Sports & Ent.
“This could be just the opportunity a young race car driver in Canada needs to get their career off the ground”. Dave Didero, President of Mid America Motorsports.
In keeping with their long term plan to expand motor racing endeavors and to nurture and promote Canadian talent, Mid America Motorsports today announces they would be fielding a rental entry available for each event in the 2005 CASCAR Super Series. This program will include everything that a talented driver needs to go racing in Canada’s premier stock car racing series. Mid America Motorsports will provide a top flight car capable of not only competing but winning, all the necessary tires, fuel and even the pit crew on a per event basis or multi-race agreement.
This exciting news comes at a time when motor sports and stock car racing in particular are on the upswing. “I know there is a need for this type of program in Canada. This arrangement allows capable drivers to plan their debut. They can pick a track where they’re comfortable, line up sponsors and get their program moving” stated Mid America President Dave Didero. “Otherwise, some promising talent may not ever get the opportunity to race”.
“The other important factor is the kind of equipment we have to offer” declared the Mid America President. “So many times a young driver will be forced into a situation where they basically have to take what’s left. That will not be the case here. We have a professionally prepared Fletcher chassis with a very powerful Gibbons motor dedicated to this program, and we’ll have enough pit crew members to look after this car”.
Dave Didero and Mid America Motorsports have utilized this kind of development program in the past for Indy Racing League competition fielding such drivers as Scott Harrington, Doug Didero, Davey Hamilton and Jacques Lazier who came within a handful of laps of winning at Kentucky Speedway.
Looking ahead this could be just the beginning of some major developments in Canadian motor sports. The stories of NASCAR coming to Canada in the very near future are gaining momentum and Mid America Motorsports will continue to pursue all possibilities for growth in the racing field. “Canada has a long history of developing open wheel racers and with the strong possibility of NASCAR expansion into this country we need this type of program to help our young drivers” proclaimed Didero. “We’re planning on working with some NASCAR teams to help find and develop talented drivers. If we’re going to groom the next Stewart, Gordon or Johnson then we have to be able to provide the opportunity for them to gain experience”.
Mid America Motorsports has fielded the #42 Chevrolet driven by Sean Stafford for the past two seasons in a limited schedule. They will be competing in the entire CASCAR Super Series this year with primary sponsorship from LE Walker Transport. Plans are also coming together to race Mark Swain in as many events as possible.
Future plans for Mid America Motorsports include the possibility of running in some NASCAR Craftsman Truck series events or possibly ARCA series events based on sponsorship and planning. Current divers Stafford & Swain will be considered for these races. “We need to look at all scenarios and be ready to take advantage” Didero put it. “We need to be ready with new drivers, sponsors and fans if NASCAR does expand to Canada and even if they don’t. I’ve participated in a lot of different racing series, and CASCAR is among the very best”.
Qualified drivers are invited to contact Dave Didero at Mid America Motorsports to discuss availability and costs of the rental ride program for specific CASCAR Super Series events. You can reach Didero at the Mid America Race Shop just outside Hamilton, ON. (905) 741-9224, or email him at midamericamotorsports@hotmail.com
CASCAR Super Series competition begins on the Victoria Day Weekend at Delaware Speedway just outside London, Ontario. For more information on Mid America Motorsports and the CASCAR Super series log onto http://www.cascar.ca/ and watch all of the races on Rogers Sportsnet.
“This could be just the opportunity a young race car driver in Canada needs to get their career off the ground”. Dave Didero, President of Mid America Motorsports.
In keeping with their long term plan to expand motor racing endeavors and to nurture and promote Canadian talent, Mid America Motorsports today announces they would be fielding a rental entry available for each event in the 2005 CASCAR Super Series. This program will include everything that a talented driver needs to go racing in Canada’s premier stock car racing series. Mid America Motorsports will provide a top flight car capable of not only competing but winning, all the necessary tires, fuel and even the pit crew on a per event basis or multi-race agreement.
This exciting news comes at a time when motor sports and stock car racing in particular are on the upswing. “I know there is a need for this type of program in Canada. This arrangement allows capable drivers to plan their debut. They can pick a track where they’re comfortable, line up sponsors and get their program moving” stated Mid America President Dave Didero. “Otherwise, some promising talent may not ever get the opportunity to race”.
“The other important factor is the kind of equipment we have to offer” declared the Mid America President. “So many times a young driver will be forced into a situation where they basically have to take what’s left. That will not be the case here. We have a professionally prepared Fletcher chassis with a very powerful Gibbons motor dedicated to this program, and we’ll have enough pit crew members to look after this car”.
Dave Didero and Mid America Motorsports have utilized this kind of development program in the past for Indy Racing League competition fielding such drivers as Scott Harrington, Doug Didero, Davey Hamilton and Jacques Lazier who came within a handful of laps of winning at Kentucky Speedway.
Looking ahead this could be just the beginning of some major developments in Canadian motor sports. The stories of NASCAR coming to Canada in the very near future are gaining momentum and Mid America Motorsports will continue to pursue all possibilities for growth in the racing field. “Canada has a long history of developing open wheel racers and with the strong possibility of NASCAR expansion into this country we need this type of program to help our young drivers” proclaimed Didero. “We’re planning on working with some NASCAR teams to help find and develop talented drivers. If we’re going to groom the next Stewart, Gordon or Johnson then we have to be able to provide the opportunity for them to gain experience”.
Mid America Motorsports has fielded the #42 Chevrolet driven by Sean Stafford for the past two seasons in a limited schedule. They will be competing in the entire CASCAR Super Series this year with primary sponsorship from LE Walker Transport. Plans are also coming together to race Mark Swain in as many events as possible.
Future plans for Mid America Motorsports include the possibility of running in some NASCAR Craftsman Truck series events or possibly ARCA series events based on sponsorship and planning. Current divers Stafford & Swain will be considered for these races. “We need to look at all scenarios and be ready to take advantage” Didero put it. “We need to be ready with new drivers, sponsors and fans if NASCAR does expand to Canada and even if they don’t. I’ve participated in a lot of different racing series, and CASCAR is among the very best”.
Qualified drivers are invited to contact Dave Didero at Mid America Motorsports to discuss availability and costs of the rental ride program for specific CASCAR Super Series events. You can reach Didero at the Mid America Race Shop just outside Hamilton, ON. (905) 741-9224, or email him at midamericamotorsports@hotmail.com
CASCAR Super Series competition begins on the Victoria Day Weekend at Delaware Speedway just outside London, Ontario. For more information on Mid America Motorsports and the CASCAR Super series log onto http://www.cascar.ca/ and watch all of the races on Rogers Sportsnet.
Wednesday, April 06, 2005
IRL looking to scoop Long Beach?
The IRL is talking with Long Beach about taking that major event away from Champ Car....
TSN.ca - Auto Racing - Canada's Sports Leader: "Following the Indy Racing League's first foray into street racing, there are plans to expand the format in 2006. And this time, rather than just dipping a toe into Champ Car territory, the IRL is going after an event which has helped shape the history of Champ Car racing.
IRL vice president Ken Ungar tells the Indianapolis Star they are in 'serious discussions' with officials from Long Beach about possibly adding an IRL street race for 2006. Long Beach's contract with Champ Car is scheduled to expire after next weekend's season opener.
Unlike St. Petersburg, which was on the schedule for one year in 2003, Long Beach has a long tradition with Champ Car, dating back to 1984 and has been one of the most successful street races and events on the calendar. "
TSN.ca - Auto Racing - Canada's Sports Leader: "Following the Indy Racing League's first foray into street racing, there are plans to expand the format in 2006. And this time, rather than just dipping a toe into Champ Car territory, the IRL is going after an event which has helped shape the history of Champ Car racing.
IRL vice president Ken Ungar tells the Indianapolis Star they are in 'serious discussions' with officials from Long Beach about possibly adding an IRL street race for 2006. Long Beach's contract with Champ Car is scheduled to expire after next weekend's season opener.
Unlike St. Petersburg, which was on the schedule for one year in 2003, Long Beach has a long tradition with Champ Car, dating back to 1984 and has been one of the most successful street races and events on the calendar. "
F1: Ranier dies... impact on Monaco GP?
Prince Ranier of Monaco died yesterday. Some reports said he died prior to that, but the 81-year-old was officially declared dead with this morning's news.
A few days ago, I heard a story that said Monaco has a strict three-month mourning period for the passing of its monarch... which might mean that the F1 race through its streets might be cancelled if it fell in that three month period.
I heard speculation that Monaco might do a 'Weeeknd at Bernie's' with Ranier, until the race was done, as a way of not dealing with the three-month period.
A few days ago, I heard a story that said Monaco has a strict three-month mourning period for the passing of its monarch... which might mean that the F1 race through its streets might be cancelled if it fell in that three month period.
I heard speculation that Monaco might do a 'Weeeknd at Bernie's' with Ranier, until the race was done, as a way of not dealing with the three-month period.
Tuesday, April 05, 2005
DIRT: 50 Qualifiers Lead Teams To Syracuse Sunoco/Aplus 358-Mod Championship
By Tom Skibinski // DIRT MotorSports PR
WEEDSPORT, NY – The annual qualifying trail leading up to the Sunoco/Aplus 358-Modified Championship on Oct. 8 of Super DIRT Week XXXIV in Syracuse, N.Y. has been set with 19 tracks scheduled to stage 50 events in 2005.
The current format guarantees that automatic starting berths for Syracuse will be earned by drivers at DIRT member tracks along with DIRT associate Devil's Bowl Speedway. The Super DIRT Week small-block special continues to be a member-only "invitational" event and every driver signed up for competition must hold a valid DIRT MotorSports™ License to participate.
All sanctioned tracks at which DIRT MotorSports™ recognizes a 358-Modified points champion is afforded no less than (2) qualifying events, with at least (1) position awarded in a non-Super DIRT Series event. Every 358-Modified Super DIRT Series race held prior to Super DIRT Week is regarded as a qualifier.
Guaranteed starters will be added from Super DIRT Week qualifiers at Can-Am Motorsports Park (Oct. 5), Brewerton Speedway (Oct. 6) and Rolling Wheels Raceway (Oct. 7) with the top-ranked drivers in overall Hoosier Tire-Sunoco Race Fuels 358-Modified Mr. DIRT point standings and any provisionals filling out the field.
The summer-long qualifying trail culminates with national coverage of the 150-lap Sunoco/Aplus 358-Modified Championship on Saturday, October 8 during Super DIRT Week '05.
The DIRT MotorSports™ Advance Auto Parts Modified Series is brought to fans across the Northeast by several sponsors and partners, including series sponsors Dynomax Performance Exhaust, Hoosier Racing Tire, Sunoco Race Fuels and DART Machinery. Promotional Partners include AMB i.t., RACEceiver and Zippo Lighters and the contingency sponsors are Bicknell Racing Products, Bilstein Shocks, MSD Ignitions and Wrisco Industries.
2005 Syracuse Sunoco/Aplus 358-Modified Championship Qualifiers
(+)-denotes 358-Modified Super DIRT Series event.
DAY-DATE
TRACK
LOCATION
Fri-Apr 29
Albany-Saratoga Speedway
Malta,NY
Sat-May 14
Lebanon Valley Speedway
West Lebanon,NY
Sat-May 14
Fulton Speedway
Fulton,NY
Mon-May 23
Merrittville Speedway
Thorold,ONT
Fri-May 27
Ransomville Speedway
Ransomville,NY
Fri-May 27
Bridgeport Speedway
Bridgeport,NJ
Fri-May 27
Autodrome Granby
Granby,QUE
Sat-May 28
Frogtown Int'l Speedway
Hogansburg,NY
Sat-May 28
Autodrome Drummond
Drummondville,PQ
Sun-May 29
Devil's Bowl Speedway
Fair Haven,VT
Fri-Jun 3
Brewerton Speedway
Brewerton,NY
Tue-Jun 21+
Brockville Ontario Speedway
Brockville,ONT
Tue-Jun 28
Autodrome Edelweiss
Hull,QUE
Sat-Jul 9
Can-Am Motorsports Park,Ltd.
LaFargeville,NY
Sun-Jul 10
Cayuga County Fair Speedway
Weedsport,NY
Sat-Jul 16
Lebanon Valley Speedway
West Lebanon,NY
Sat-Jul 16
Merrittville Speedway
Thorold,ONT
Sat-Jul 16
Fulton Speedway
Fulton,NY
Tue-Jul 19
Autodrome Granby
Granby,QUE
Wed-Jul 20
Autodrome Drummond
Drummondville,PQ
Sun-Jul 24
Cornwall Motor Speedway
Cornwall,ONT
Fri-Jul 29
Brockville Ontario Speedway
Brockville,ONT
Sat-Jul 30
Canandaigua Speedway
Canandaigua,NY
Sun-Jul 31
Cayuga County Fair Speedway
Weedsport,NY
Sun-Jul 31
Cornwall Motor Speedway
Cornwall,ONT
Mon-Aug 1+
Merrittville Speedway
Thorold,ONT
Tue-Aug 2+
Ransomville Speedway
Ransomville,NY
Tue-Aug 9+
Autodrome Edelweiss
Hull,QUE
Wed-Aug 10+
Frogtown Int'l Speedway
Hogansburg,NY
Fri-Aug 12
Brewerton Speedway
Brewerton,NY
Sun-Aug 21
Humberstone Speedway
Port Colborne,ONT
Wed-Aug 24+
Canandaigua Speedway
Canandaigua,NY
Sat-Aug 27
Autodrome Drummond
Drummondville,PQ
Fri-Sep 2
Ransomville Speedway
Ransomville,NY
Fri-Sep 2
Bridgeport Speedway
Bridgeport,NJ
Fri-Sep 2
Autodrome Edelweiss
Hull,QUE
Sat-Sep 3
Frogtown Int'l Speedway
Hogansburg,NY
Sun-Sep 4+
Cornwall Motor Speedway
Cornwall,ONT
Sun-Sep 4
Devil's Bowl Speedway
Fair Haven,VT
Fri-Sep 9
Albany-Saratoga Speedway
Malta,NY
Sat-Sep 10+
Lebanon Valley Speedway(3)
West Lebanon,NY
Sat-Sep 10
Autodrome Granby
Granby,QUE
Sun-Sep 11+
Can-Am Motorsports Park,Ltd.
LaFargeville,NY
Fri-Sep 16+
Brockville Ontario Speedway
Brockville,ONT
Sat-Sep 17+
Rolling Wheels Raceway
Elbridge,NY
Sat-Sep 24+
Canandaigua Speedway
Canandaigua,NY
Sat-Oct 1+
Fulton Speedway
Fulton,NY
Wed-Oct 5+
Can-Am Motorsports Park,Ltd.
LaFargeville,NY
Thr-Oct 6+
Brewerton Speedway
Brewerton,NY
Fri-Oct 7+
Rolling Wheels Raceway(2)
Elbridge,NY
WEEDSPORT, NY – The annual qualifying trail leading up to the Sunoco/Aplus 358-Modified Championship on Oct. 8 of Super DIRT Week XXXIV in Syracuse, N.Y. has been set with 19 tracks scheduled to stage 50 events in 2005.
The current format guarantees that automatic starting berths for Syracuse will be earned by drivers at DIRT member tracks along with DIRT associate Devil's Bowl Speedway. The Super DIRT Week small-block special continues to be a member-only "invitational" event and every driver signed up for competition must hold a valid DIRT MotorSports™ License to participate.
All sanctioned tracks at which DIRT MotorSports™ recognizes a 358-Modified points champion is afforded no less than (2) qualifying events, with at least (1) position awarded in a non-Super DIRT Series event. Every 358-Modified Super DIRT Series race held prior to Super DIRT Week is regarded as a qualifier.
Guaranteed starters will be added from Super DIRT Week qualifiers at Can-Am Motorsports Park (Oct. 5), Brewerton Speedway (Oct. 6) and Rolling Wheels Raceway (Oct. 7) with the top-ranked drivers in overall Hoosier Tire-Sunoco Race Fuels 358-Modified Mr. DIRT point standings and any provisionals filling out the field.
The summer-long qualifying trail culminates with national coverage of the 150-lap Sunoco/Aplus 358-Modified Championship on Saturday, October 8 during Super DIRT Week '05.
The DIRT MotorSports™ Advance Auto Parts Modified Series is brought to fans across the Northeast by several sponsors and partners, including series sponsors Dynomax Performance Exhaust, Hoosier Racing Tire, Sunoco Race Fuels and DART Machinery. Promotional Partners include AMB i.t., RACEceiver and Zippo Lighters and the contingency sponsors are Bicknell Racing Products, Bilstein Shocks, MSD Ignitions and Wrisco Industries.
2005 Syracuse Sunoco/Aplus 358-Modified Championship Qualifiers
(+)-denotes 358-Modified Super DIRT Series event.
DAY-DATE
TRACK
LOCATION
Fri-Apr 29
Albany-Saratoga Speedway
Malta,NY
Sat-May 14
Lebanon Valley Speedway
West Lebanon,NY
Sat-May 14
Fulton Speedway
Fulton,NY
Mon-May 23
Merrittville Speedway
Thorold,ONT
Fri-May 27
Ransomville Speedway
Ransomville,NY
Fri-May 27
Bridgeport Speedway
Bridgeport,NJ
Fri-May 27
Autodrome Granby
Granby,QUE
Sat-May 28
Frogtown Int'l Speedway
Hogansburg,NY
Sat-May 28
Autodrome Drummond
Drummondville,PQ
Sun-May 29
Devil's Bowl Speedway
Fair Haven,VT
Fri-Jun 3
Brewerton Speedway
Brewerton,NY
Tue-Jun 21+
Brockville Ontario Speedway
Brockville,ONT
Tue-Jun 28
Autodrome Edelweiss
Hull,QUE
Sat-Jul 9
Can-Am Motorsports Park,Ltd.
LaFargeville,NY
Sun-Jul 10
Cayuga County Fair Speedway
Weedsport,NY
Sat-Jul 16
Lebanon Valley Speedway
West Lebanon,NY
Sat-Jul 16
Merrittville Speedway
Thorold,ONT
Sat-Jul 16
Fulton Speedway
Fulton,NY
Tue-Jul 19
Autodrome Granby
Granby,QUE
Wed-Jul 20
Autodrome Drummond
Drummondville,PQ
Sun-Jul 24
Cornwall Motor Speedway
Cornwall,ONT
Fri-Jul 29
Brockville Ontario Speedway
Brockville,ONT
Sat-Jul 30
Canandaigua Speedway
Canandaigua,NY
Sun-Jul 31
Cayuga County Fair Speedway
Weedsport,NY
Sun-Jul 31
Cornwall Motor Speedway
Cornwall,ONT
Mon-Aug 1+
Merrittville Speedway
Thorold,ONT
Tue-Aug 2+
Ransomville Speedway
Ransomville,NY
Tue-Aug 9+
Autodrome Edelweiss
Hull,QUE
Wed-Aug 10+
Frogtown Int'l Speedway
Hogansburg,NY
Fri-Aug 12
Brewerton Speedway
Brewerton,NY
Sun-Aug 21
Humberstone Speedway
Port Colborne,ONT
Wed-Aug 24+
Canandaigua Speedway
Canandaigua,NY
Sat-Aug 27
Autodrome Drummond
Drummondville,PQ
Fri-Sep 2
Ransomville Speedway
Ransomville,NY
Fri-Sep 2
Bridgeport Speedway
Bridgeport,NJ
Fri-Sep 2
Autodrome Edelweiss
Hull,QUE
Sat-Sep 3
Frogtown Int'l Speedway
Hogansburg,NY
Sun-Sep 4+
Cornwall Motor Speedway
Cornwall,ONT
Sun-Sep 4
Devil's Bowl Speedway
Fair Haven,VT
Fri-Sep 9
Albany-Saratoga Speedway
Malta,NY
Sat-Sep 10+
Lebanon Valley Speedway(3)
West Lebanon,NY
Sat-Sep 10
Autodrome Granby
Granby,QUE
Sun-Sep 11+
Can-Am Motorsports Park,Ltd.
LaFargeville,NY
Fri-Sep 16+
Brockville Ontario Speedway
Brockville,ONT
Sat-Sep 17+
Rolling Wheels Raceway
Elbridge,NY
Sat-Sep 24+
Canandaigua Speedway
Canandaigua,NY
Sat-Oct 1+
Fulton Speedway
Fulton,NY
Wed-Oct 5+
Can-Am Motorsports Park,Ltd.
LaFargeville,NY
Thr-Oct 6+
Brewerton Speedway
Brewerton,NY
Fri-Oct 7+
Rolling Wheels Raceway(2)
Elbridge,NY
NASCAR DWRS: Points fund awards announced
POINT FUND AWARDS FOR NASCAR DODGE WEEKLY SERIES
* Dodge offers bonus bucks for Dodge drivers
* NASCAR Divisional champions each receive $25,000
* Nearly 1,400 more drivers to share in NASCAR awards
DAYTONA BEACH, FL - The NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series, NASCAR s championship program for weekly short track competitors, was founded in 1982 and is getting a radical makeover in 2005. Drivers at participating race tracks will once again compete for NASCAR s national championship and their share of nearly $1.7 million in post-season prize money but with a few new twists.
Gone is the NASCAR Competition Performance Index (CPI), which determined a ranking of drivers based on wins, top-five finishes and other factors. In the past, the driver with the highest rating in the CPI index won one of eight regional championships and had a chance to win the national championship, which was also determined by the index.
Beginning in 2005, drivers in the top NASCAR-sanctioned class at each track will earn NASCAR divisional championship points at each event they participate in. The driver with the highest NASCAR divisional championship point total, based on their 16 best finishes of the season, will win a championship in one of NASCAR s four newly-designated divisions: Division I, Division II, Division III or Division IV. Each division includes a collection of 17 or 18 tracks, assigned at random. The divisional champion with the highest divisional point total overall wins the national title.
Drivers can also win track championships, based on the point standings for each individual race track, as well as special awards from Dodge, POWERade and other sponsors.
The divisional standings are based on events held between Jan. 1 and Sept. 18, 2005.
NASCAR, Dodge and other sponsors combine to post nearly $1.7 million in prize money, which will be distributed to competitors at the end of the season.
Ø Dodge Continues Driver Awards & Drive a Dodge race car? You could collect additional bonus money from the series sponsor. Dodge has continued its awards program for Dodge drivers those whose cars are outfitted with Dodge motors and bodies for the entire season. Any Dodge driver (in the track s top class) who wins a feature race during the 2005 season can collect a $100 bonus for each win. In addition, the top-finishing Dodge driver in each of NASCAR s four divisions can collect $3,000 while the national champion can receive an additional $25,000 if they drive a Dodge car.
In 2003, Mark McFarland, of Winchester, Va., became the first driver to collect this national championship bonus from Dodge and collected a series-record $213,500 in post-season prize money. McFarland collected this record amount after winning the title in a Dodge Intrepid Late Model at Old Dominion Speedway in Manassas, Va.
A driver does not necessarily need to win a Division championship to collect the $3,000 Dodge bonus, as the award goes to the highest-finishing Dodge in the Division standings. However, any Dodge driver who does win a Division championship will get a chance to participate in a test and tune session with one of the Dodge-sponsored NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series teams.
Ø Divisional leaders share top prizes & The top 17 (or 18) drivers in each division will share nearly $144,000 in prize money at the end of the season. Each divisional champion will collect $25,000 while the second place driver wins $15,000. Third-place wins $12,500, fourth-place wins $12,000 and fifth place wins $11,000. The driver with the highest NASCAR point total at each track will be eligible for the top 17 (or 18) divisional awards. Each track will have one representative among the divisional leaders, so the number of drivers that share in this prize money depends on the number of tracks in the division. Combined among the four divisions, the divisional leaders will share nearly $580,000.
Ø National championship bonus & In addition to the divisional prize money and any awards collected at their home race track, the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series national champion (the divisional champion with the highest point total overall) will receive a $50,000 bonus.
Ø POWERade rewards top track finishers & While the driver with the highest NASCAR point total at each track is assured a share of the divisional prize money, the top 10 drivers in the track point standings (in each track s top class), will share $2,500 in prize money from POWERade, the official sports beverage of NASCAR. Each track champion will win a commemorative track champion s helmet. The second-place driver at each track will collect $1,000, the third-place driver wins $500, fourth-place $250 and the fifth place driver at each track wins $150. Drivers who finish 6th-10th in the track point standings will each win $100 from POWERade.
Ø More sponsor prize money up for grabs & In addition to the divisional prize money and POWERade awards, the top 10 drivers (in the top class) at each track can win prize money from the 23 companies participating in NASCAR s contingency awards program those sponsors whose small decals are displayed on the front fenders of the race cars. If a driver displays all the decals including 3M, Accel, Bell, Centrix Financial, Clevite, Comp Cams, Craftsman, Earl s, Edelbrock, Goodyear or Hoosier Tires, Holley, Hurst, JE Pistons, Lincoln Electric, Lunati, Mechanix Wear, Mobil 1, Moroso, Sonic Racing Products, SunTrust, USG and Whelen they are eligible for the following bonus awards: $2,000 to the track champion, $1,500 for second-place, $950 for third place, $500 for fourth place, $400 for fifth-place and additional awards for drivers who finish 6th-10th in the track point standings.
Ø Support for support classes & Drivers in support classes at each track, which include Street Stocks, Trucks, Limited Late Models and other styles of cars, will receive a greater share of the $1.7 million NASCAR awards than ever before. In the track s second-tier class, the top 10 drivers will share $3,000 in post-season prize money with $1,000 going to the track champion in that class. In the third-tier or Charger class, the top 10 drivers will share $2,000 including $500 to the track champion. Combined, the top 10 drivers in the second and third-tier classes at each NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series track will share nearly $350,000.
Under this new format, nearly 1,400 additional drivers who did not receive any NASCAR prize money in the past will share in the NASCAR awards program. Prior to 2005, the second-tier drivers were eligible for NASCAR s ShorTrack Division awards, which have been discontinued. ShorTrack Division awards did not include money to the top 10 in the track point standings, but were distributed to eight regional champions based on the old CPI index. In the third-tier or Charger division, the track champion was the only driver to receive any post-season prize money ($500) from NASCAR.
Ø Special Awards to Crew Chiefs, Car Owners and Mechanics & Drivers aren t the only ones to share in the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series awards. Craftsman, the official tools of NASCAR, sponsors the Craftsman Mechanic of the Year awards, which are distributed annually based on a vote among NASCAR members. Craftsman awards over $10,000 in prize money and products to the winners of this program. Lunati Cams recognizes the championship winning crew chiefs and awards over $15,000. Lincoln Electric provides a $5,000 bonus along with a Lincoln Electric welder to the national champion car owner.
By Jeremy Davidson, NASCAR Public Relations
* Dodge offers bonus bucks for Dodge drivers
* NASCAR Divisional champions each receive $25,000
* Nearly 1,400 more drivers to share in NASCAR awards
DAYTONA BEACH, FL - The NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series, NASCAR s championship program for weekly short track competitors, was founded in 1982 and is getting a radical makeover in 2005. Drivers at participating race tracks will once again compete for NASCAR s national championship and their share of nearly $1.7 million in post-season prize money but with a few new twists.
Gone is the NASCAR Competition Performance Index (CPI), which determined a ranking of drivers based on wins, top-five finishes and other factors. In the past, the driver with the highest rating in the CPI index won one of eight regional championships and had a chance to win the national championship, which was also determined by the index.
Beginning in 2005, drivers in the top NASCAR-sanctioned class at each track will earn NASCAR divisional championship points at each event they participate in. The driver with the highest NASCAR divisional championship point total, based on their 16 best finishes of the season, will win a championship in one of NASCAR s four newly-designated divisions: Division I, Division II, Division III or Division IV. Each division includes a collection of 17 or 18 tracks, assigned at random. The divisional champion with the highest divisional point total overall wins the national title.
Drivers can also win track championships, based on the point standings for each individual race track, as well as special awards from Dodge, POWERade and other sponsors.
The divisional standings are based on events held between Jan. 1 and Sept. 18, 2005.
NASCAR, Dodge and other sponsors combine to post nearly $1.7 million in prize money, which will be distributed to competitors at the end of the season.
Ø Dodge Continues Driver Awards & Drive a Dodge race car? You could collect additional bonus money from the series sponsor. Dodge has continued its awards program for Dodge drivers those whose cars are outfitted with Dodge motors and bodies for the entire season. Any Dodge driver (in the track s top class) who wins a feature race during the 2005 season can collect a $100 bonus for each win. In addition, the top-finishing Dodge driver in each of NASCAR s four divisions can collect $3,000 while the national champion can receive an additional $25,000 if they drive a Dodge car.
In 2003, Mark McFarland, of Winchester, Va., became the first driver to collect this national championship bonus from Dodge and collected a series-record $213,500 in post-season prize money. McFarland collected this record amount after winning the title in a Dodge Intrepid Late Model at Old Dominion Speedway in Manassas, Va.
A driver does not necessarily need to win a Division championship to collect the $3,000 Dodge bonus, as the award goes to the highest-finishing Dodge in the Division standings. However, any Dodge driver who does win a Division championship will get a chance to participate in a test and tune session with one of the Dodge-sponsored NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series teams.
Ø Divisional leaders share top prizes & The top 17 (or 18) drivers in each division will share nearly $144,000 in prize money at the end of the season. Each divisional champion will collect $25,000 while the second place driver wins $15,000. Third-place wins $12,500, fourth-place wins $12,000 and fifth place wins $11,000. The driver with the highest NASCAR point total at each track will be eligible for the top 17 (or 18) divisional awards. Each track will have one representative among the divisional leaders, so the number of drivers that share in this prize money depends on the number of tracks in the division. Combined among the four divisions, the divisional leaders will share nearly $580,000.
Ø National championship bonus & In addition to the divisional prize money and any awards collected at their home race track, the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series national champion (the divisional champion with the highest point total overall) will receive a $50,000 bonus.
Ø POWERade rewards top track finishers & While the driver with the highest NASCAR point total at each track is assured a share of the divisional prize money, the top 10 drivers in the track point standings (in each track s top class), will share $2,500 in prize money from POWERade, the official sports beverage of NASCAR. Each track champion will win a commemorative track champion s helmet. The second-place driver at each track will collect $1,000, the third-place driver wins $500, fourth-place $250 and the fifth place driver at each track wins $150. Drivers who finish 6th-10th in the track point standings will each win $100 from POWERade.
Ø More sponsor prize money up for grabs & In addition to the divisional prize money and POWERade awards, the top 10 drivers (in the top class) at each track can win prize money from the 23 companies participating in NASCAR s contingency awards program those sponsors whose small decals are displayed on the front fenders of the race cars. If a driver displays all the decals including 3M, Accel, Bell, Centrix Financial, Clevite, Comp Cams, Craftsman, Earl s, Edelbrock, Goodyear or Hoosier Tires, Holley, Hurst, JE Pistons, Lincoln Electric, Lunati, Mechanix Wear, Mobil 1, Moroso, Sonic Racing Products, SunTrust, USG and Whelen they are eligible for the following bonus awards: $2,000 to the track champion, $1,500 for second-place, $950 for third place, $500 for fourth place, $400 for fifth-place and additional awards for drivers who finish 6th-10th in the track point standings.
Ø Support for support classes & Drivers in support classes at each track, which include Street Stocks, Trucks, Limited Late Models and other styles of cars, will receive a greater share of the $1.7 million NASCAR awards than ever before. In the track s second-tier class, the top 10 drivers will share $3,000 in post-season prize money with $1,000 going to the track champion in that class. In the third-tier or Charger class, the top 10 drivers will share $2,000 including $500 to the track champion. Combined, the top 10 drivers in the second and third-tier classes at each NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series track will share nearly $350,000.
Under this new format, nearly 1,400 additional drivers who did not receive any NASCAR prize money in the past will share in the NASCAR awards program. Prior to 2005, the second-tier drivers were eligible for NASCAR s ShorTrack Division awards, which have been discontinued. ShorTrack Division awards did not include money to the top 10 in the track point standings, but were distributed to eight regional champions based on the old CPI index. In the third-tier or Charger division, the track champion was the only driver to receive any post-season prize money ($500) from NASCAR.
Ø Special Awards to Crew Chiefs, Car Owners and Mechanics & Drivers aren t the only ones to share in the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series awards. Craftsman, the official tools of NASCAR, sponsors the Craftsman Mechanic of the Year awards, which are distributed annually based on a vote among NASCAR members. Craftsman awards over $10,000 in prize money and products to the winners of this program. Lunati Cams recognizes the championship winning crew chiefs and awards over $15,000. Lincoln Electric provides a $5,000 bonus along with a Lincoln Electric welder to the national champion car owner.
By Jeremy Davidson, NASCAR Public Relations
Monday, April 04, 2005
Harvick, Back to back wins at the Bristol Stomp
Harvick wins Busch race in Bristol
The Sports Network
4/4/2005
BRISTOL, Tennessee (Ticker) - It was a repeat performance for Kevin Harvick at Bristol Motor Speedway.
A day after winning an accident-marred NASCAR Nextel Cup series Food City 500, Harvick survived a record 14 cautions, including three red flags, to take the green-white checkered flag in the Busch Series Sharpie Professional 250 on Monday.
In an event originally scheduled for Saturday but pushed back two days due to rain, Harvick led the final 76 laps to edge Richard Childress Racing teammate Jeff Burton by 0.159 seconds. He averaged 59.534 miles per hour in a Chevrolet Monte Carlo.
The 14th caution and third red flag was precipitated by an impatient Shane Hmiel ramming veteran Dale Jarrett, whose Ford Taurus hit the wall before colliding with Denny Hamlin's Chevrolet.
Before a precautionary trip to the infield care center, the 48-year-old Jarrett walked over to Hmiel's Chevy and engaged in a heated discussion with the 24-year-old driver before receiving an obscene hand gesture in return.
"He claimed he'd get me, so he better hurry up because he ain't got much longer," Hmiel said.
After the debris was cleared for the final time, Harvick took the green flag and held Burton on his rear bumper for the final three laps to win his fourth career Busch Series event on this track.
"This place has been good to me especially in the Busch car," Harvick said. "We have four wins here and to win the Cup race (Sunday) it was really cool. Needless to say we enjoy coming to Bristol."
Burton, who was in contention for Sunday's Nextel Cup race before being run into the turn 2 wall by series leader Jimmie Johnson, led three times for a race-high 93 laps in this one.
Harvick, the 2001 series champion who won this race last year, climbed three spots to fourth in the standings on this circuit. He had been the leader after running second in each of the first four races but fell to seventh after skipping the last two events.
Rookie Reed Sorenson, who took his first career checkered flag in last week's Pepsi 300, ran third to climb two spots to second in the standings. The 19-year-old Sorenson has run in the top 10 five times in seven events this season and trails fellow rookie Carl Edwards by 81 points atop the point standings.
Nextel Cup regulars Matt Kenseth and Sterling Marlin rounded out the top five in a Ford and a Dodge Charger, respectively.
Edwards finished sixth for his seventh straight top-10 finish.
______________________________________
Harvick rallies to win Food City 500
Associated Press
4/3/2005
BRISTOL, Tenn. (AP) -- Kevin Harvick's crew chief was sulking at home, forbidden by NASCAR from coming to the track after he was caught cheating.
His car owner was complaining to anyone who would listen that the penalties NASCAR levied against Harvick's team were too severe, and the committee that denied his appeal was unyielding.
Unable to win its case in court, Harvick and his Richard Childress Racing team scored the only victory that mattered on the race track.
Harvick broke a 55-race winless streak Sunday in the Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway, a victory that pulled Childress and the entire team out from the embarrassing March 13 cheating scandal.
"I think both of us have been beat down pretty far at some point in our racing careers and you have to learn how to get out of a hole," Harvick said. "I think that is one thing that RCR has always been really good at - they always come back stronger than they were before.
"So this was a huge statement made by our race team, and you don't have to say anything else."
It's been a long three weeks for the RCR team since crew chief Todd Berrier got caught rigging Harvick's fuel tank to appear full when it actually wasn't during qualifying at Las Vegas.
NASCAR called it blatant cheating and suspended Berrier for four races and fined him $25,000. Harvick was also docked 25 points in the standings and Childress immediately appealed.
Calling Berrier's suspension too long and Harvick's point reduction unjust, he went before an appeals committee earlier this week.
He was denied.
So Childress and the team moved on to Bristol with a chip on their shoulder.
Childress, who used to be a regular atop the late Dale Earnhardt's pit box, decided to climb back on this week to coach Harvick in a show of solidarity for the team. It was the owner's first time on the box since the 2001 season.
Harvick said it showed how angry his boss was, and how determined Childress was to turn things around.
So in a tense, wreck-filled race, Childress coaxed his driver around Bristol's tight 0.533-mile bullring and to Harvick's first victory since he won at Indianapolis in August 2003. "He can't come down until we lose," Harvick said.
But Childress said his stay was only temporary.
"I'd stay up there if I thought it would help us win every week," he said.
Still, the tandem gave RCR its first win at Bristol since Earnhardt bumped Terry Labonte out of the way on the final lap in 1999.
Harvick qualified 13th, but when his crew uncovered the No. 29 Chevrolet hours before the race, they found a puddle of leaking power steering fluid. The team had to fix it, and the unapproved repairs forced them to start last in the 43-car field.
"To start at the back is a lot better than to have no power steering," said Harvick.
And even though no other driver had come from last place on the grid to win at Bristol, Childress called a morning meeting to tell the team it could do it.
"I told all the guys, `It's kind of a negative and we don't have our crew chief here, but we have to turn it into a positive,"' Childress said. "And that's what Kevin did."
He took the lead with 66 laps to go, pulled away from the pack and easily beat pole-sitter Elliott Sadler to the finish line, with seven lapped cars separating the first- and second-place cars.
"Harvick had a great race car, he was able to pass cars, maneuver his around," Sadler said. "He was tough there at end. I didn't have anything for him."
Tony Stewart finished third in a Chevrolet, Dale Earnhardt Jr. was fourth in a Chevrolet and Dale Jarrett finished fifth in a Ford. Jimmie Johnson was sixth, followed by Travis Kvapil, Kyle Petty, Greg Biffle and Scott Riggs.
The race was stopped for almost 14 minutes with 167 laps to go when Bobby Hamilton Jr. slammed into the back of Ken Schrader, starting a 14-car pileup. The crash collected many of the favorites, including Kurt Busch, who was looking for his fourth straight Bristol victory
"I just screwed up and I'm going to tuck my tail between my legs and head back to Nashville," Hamilton said.
Nine-time Bristol winner Rusty Wallace and Jeff Gordon, a five-time winner, both had slight damage to their cars but were able to continue.
Because the accident collected so many contenders, the race restarted with just 12 cars on the lead lap.
Busch was one of them, but his day ended when Johnson and Jeff Burton made contact and Burton's car banged off the inside wall. As it ricocheted back onto the track, it moved directly into Busch's path and Busch couldn't avoid hitting him.
Busch sounded woozy when he slowly radioed his crew to say he was OK, and his steps seemed deliberate as he walked off the track.
"It was a hard hit, it took the wind out of me," Busch said. "I feel horrible, I've never hit that hard before."
Burton, meanwhile, waited for Johnson to come back around the track under caution and angrily pointed at him as he passed.
"Jimmie is a great driver and I know he didn't do it on purpose," Burton said. "He's got to be better than that and I won't put up with it. I know he didn't do it on purpose, but we're responsible for driving these race cars and when something happens behind the wheel, it's his fault."
____________________________________________
The Sports Network
4/4/2005
BRISTOL, Tennessee (Ticker) - It was a repeat performance for Kevin Harvick at Bristol Motor Speedway.
A day after winning an accident-marred NASCAR Nextel Cup series Food City 500, Harvick survived a record 14 cautions, including three red flags, to take the green-white checkered flag in the Busch Series Sharpie Professional 250 on Monday.
In an event originally scheduled for Saturday but pushed back two days due to rain, Harvick led the final 76 laps to edge Richard Childress Racing teammate Jeff Burton by 0.159 seconds. He averaged 59.534 miles per hour in a Chevrolet Monte Carlo.
The 14th caution and third red flag was precipitated by an impatient Shane Hmiel ramming veteran Dale Jarrett, whose Ford Taurus hit the wall before colliding with Denny Hamlin's Chevrolet.
Before a precautionary trip to the infield care center, the 48-year-old Jarrett walked over to Hmiel's Chevy and engaged in a heated discussion with the 24-year-old driver before receiving an obscene hand gesture in return.
"He claimed he'd get me, so he better hurry up because he ain't got much longer," Hmiel said.
After the debris was cleared for the final time, Harvick took the green flag and held Burton on his rear bumper for the final three laps to win his fourth career Busch Series event on this track.
"This place has been good to me especially in the Busch car," Harvick said. "We have four wins here and to win the Cup race (Sunday) it was really cool. Needless to say we enjoy coming to Bristol."
Burton, who was in contention for Sunday's Nextel Cup race before being run into the turn 2 wall by series leader Jimmie Johnson, led three times for a race-high 93 laps in this one.
Harvick, the 2001 series champion who won this race last year, climbed three spots to fourth in the standings on this circuit. He had been the leader after running second in each of the first four races but fell to seventh after skipping the last two events.
Rookie Reed Sorenson, who took his first career checkered flag in last week's Pepsi 300, ran third to climb two spots to second in the standings. The 19-year-old Sorenson has run in the top 10 five times in seven events this season and trails fellow rookie Carl Edwards by 81 points atop the point standings.
Nextel Cup regulars Matt Kenseth and Sterling Marlin rounded out the top five in a Ford and a Dodge Charger, respectively.
Edwards finished sixth for his seventh straight top-10 finish.
______________________________________
Harvick rallies to win Food City 500
Associated Press
4/3/2005
BRISTOL, Tenn. (AP) -- Kevin Harvick's crew chief was sulking at home, forbidden by NASCAR from coming to the track after he was caught cheating.
His car owner was complaining to anyone who would listen that the penalties NASCAR levied against Harvick's team were too severe, and the committee that denied his appeal was unyielding.
Unable to win its case in court, Harvick and his Richard Childress Racing team scored the only victory that mattered on the race track.
Harvick broke a 55-race winless streak Sunday in the Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway, a victory that pulled Childress and the entire team out from the embarrassing March 13 cheating scandal.
"I think both of us have been beat down pretty far at some point in our racing careers and you have to learn how to get out of a hole," Harvick said. "I think that is one thing that RCR has always been really good at - they always come back stronger than they were before.
"So this was a huge statement made by our race team, and you don't have to say anything else."
It's been a long three weeks for the RCR team since crew chief Todd Berrier got caught rigging Harvick's fuel tank to appear full when it actually wasn't during qualifying at Las Vegas.
NASCAR called it blatant cheating and suspended Berrier for four races and fined him $25,000. Harvick was also docked 25 points in the standings and Childress immediately appealed.
Calling Berrier's suspension too long and Harvick's point reduction unjust, he went before an appeals committee earlier this week.
He was denied.
So Childress and the team moved on to Bristol with a chip on their shoulder.
Childress, who used to be a regular atop the late Dale Earnhardt's pit box, decided to climb back on this week to coach Harvick in a show of solidarity for the team. It was the owner's first time on the box since the 2001 season.
Harvick said it showed how angry his boss was, and how determined Childress was to turn things around.
So in a tense, wreck-filled race, Childress coaxed his driver around Bristol's tight 0.533-mile bullring and to Harvick's first victory since he won at Indianapolis in August 2003. "He can't come down until we lose," Harvick said.
But Childress said his stay was only temporary.
"I'd stay up there if I thought it would help us win every week," he said.
Still, the tandem gave RCR its first win at Bristol since Earnhardt bumped Terry Labonte out of the way on the final lap in 1999.
Harvick qualified 13th, but when his crew uncovered the No. 29 Chevrolet hours before the race, they found a puddle of leaking power steering fluid. The team had to fix it, and the unapproved repairs forced them to start last in the 43-car field.
"To start at the back is a lot better than to have no power steering," said Harvick.
And even though no other driver had come from last place on the grid to win at Bristol, Childress called a morning meeting to tell the team it could do it.
"I told all the guys, `It's kind of a negative and we don't have our crew chief here, but we have to turn it into a positive,"' Childress said. "And that's what Kevin did."
He took the lead with 66 laps to go, pulled away from the pack and easily beat pole-sitter Elliott Sadler to the finish line, with seven lapped cars separating the first- and second-place cars.
"Harvick had a great race car, he was able to pass cars, maneuver his around," Sadler said. "He was tough there at end. I didn't have anything for him."
Tony Stewart finished third in a Chevrolet, Dale Earnhardt Jr. was fourth in a Chevrolet and Dale Jarrett finished fifth in a Ford. Jimmie Johnson was sixth, followed by Travis Kvapil, Kyle Petty, Greg Biffle and Scott Riggs.
The race was stopped for almost 14 minutes with 167 laps to go when Bobby Hamilton Jr. slammed into the back of Ken Schrader, starting a 14-car pileup. The crash collected many of the favorites, including Kurt Busch, who was looking for his fourth straight Bristol victory
"I just screwed up and I'm going to tuck my tail between my legs and head back to Nashville," Hamilton said.
Nine-time Bristol winner Rusty Wallace and Jeff Gordon, a five-time winner, both had slight damage to their cars but were able to continue.
Because the accident collected so many contenders, the race restarted with just 12 cars on the lead lap.
Busch was one of them, but his day ended when Johnson and Jeff Burton made contact and Burton's car banged off the inside wall. As it ricocheted back onto the track, it moved directly into Busch's path and Busch couldn't avoid hitting him.
Busch sounded woozy when he slowly radioed his crew to say he was OK, and his steps seemed deliberate as he walked off the track.
"It was a hard hit, it took the wind out of me," Busch said. "I feel horrible, I've never hit that hard before."
Burton, meanwhile, waited for Johnson to come back around the track under caution and angrily pointed at him as he passed.
"Jimmie is a great driver and I know he didn't do it on purpose," Burton said. "He's got to be better than that and I won't put up with it. I know he didn't do it on purpose, but we're responsible for driving these race cars and when something happens behind the wheel, it's his fault."
____________________________________________
BARRIE SPEEDWAY: Unveils new Viper Pace Car
Just saw this on the Barrie Speedway site... wow! I think that wins the contest for the hottest pace car around! There's a picture of the car on the site...
Welcome to Barrie Speedway: "Dodge & Barrie Speedway Unveil Hot New Pace Car
Local media and race fans gathered at Centennial Dodge Chrysler Jeep in Barrie Thursday for the unveiling of Barrie Speedway's new official pace car. The fabulous Dodge Viper SRT/10 pumps out an amazing 500hp and will kick off Barrie's 40th Anniversary season in fine style.
'We're absolutely thrilled with the support that Dodge is giving the track this season', said Barrie Speedway's Brad Moran. 'They've really stepped up for us -- to have a Dodge Viper on our track for for the entire season is simply amazing!' "
Welcome to Barrie Speedway: "Dodge & Barrie Speedway Unveil Hot New Pace Car
Local media and race fans gathered at Centennial Dodge Chrysler Jeep in Barrie Thursday for the unveiling of Barrie Speedway's new official pace car. The fabulous Dodge Viper SRT/10 pumps out an amazing 500hp and will kick off Barrie's 40th Anniversary season in fine style.
'We're absolutely thrilled with the support that Dodge is giving the track this season', said Barrie Speedway's Brad Moran. 'They've really stepped up for us -- to have a Dodge Viper on our track for for the entire season is simply amazing!' "
BROCKVILLE ONT. SPEEDWAY: Preview
By Steve Young
BROCKVILLE, ON - Local racing fans can get their first preview of the 2005 racing season this week in Brockville. Brockville Ontario Speedway will present its annual car show at the Thousand Islands Mall in Brockville.
The show begins on Thursday, April 7 and runs through Sunday, April 10th closing out with a special driver autograph session on Sunday from 1 to 3 pm. Among the cars expected to be on display at the mall are the 358 Modifieds of Defending Track Champion Danny O Brien along with his brother Pat, Stephane LaFrance, Mark Hitchcock, newcomer John Lazore, Billy Cook and fan favourite Adam Moore.
There will be a number of Sportsman cars in the show as well as both classes benefit from the new DIRT mandated crate motors that are available locally through Rockway Pontiac.
The stars of the future will also be on hand with their go-karts that will run at the fast quarter mile every Wednesday night throughout the season. The show will run from 10 to 9 on Thursday and Friday, Saturday from 9 to 5 and 11 to 5 on Sunday. The Speedway will also hold it's 2004 Awards Banquet on Saturday evening at CJ's Banquet Hall.
BROCKVILLE, ON - Local racing fans can get their first preview of the 2005 racing season this week in Brockville. Brockville Ontario Speedway will present its annual car show at the Thousand Islands Mall in Brockville.
The show begins on Thursday, April 7 and runs through Sunday, April 10th closing out with a special driver autograph session on Sunday from 1 to 3 pm. Among the cars expected to be on display at the mall are the 358 Modifieds of Defending Track Champion Danny O Brien along with his brother Pat, Stephane LaFrance, Mark Hitchcock, newcomer John Lazore, Billy Cook and fan favourite Adam Moore.
There will be a number of Sportsman cars in the show as well as both classes benefit from the new DIRT mandated crate motors that are available locally through Rockway Pontiac.
The stars of the future will also be on hand with their go-karts that will run at the fast quarter mile every Wednesday night throughout the season. The show will run from 10 to 9 on Thursday and Friday, Saturday from 9 to 5 and 11 to 5 on Sunday. The Speedway will also hold it's 2004 Awards Banquet on Saturday evening at CJ's Banquet Hall.
MULTIMATIC MOTORSPORTS: Fontana Report Mustang FR500C and Multimatic charge to victory at California Speedway
FONTANA, CA - Multimatic Motorsports took its first victory of 2005 and snared the Grand-Am Cup Championship lead today with a stunning victory by Gunnar Jeannette and James Gue aboard the Ford Racing Technology Mustang FR500C at California Speedway.
After qualifying 9th fastest, Gue worked his way up to 5th position by lap 36, before handing over to Jeannette who rejoined in 21st.
The #05 Mustang FR500C then began a steady climb through the field and moved up to 4th place by lap 51. A series of late race yellow flag periods hit the event and Jeannette eventually moved to 2nd place with only five laps remaining.
He then made a brilliant restart to pass the Porsche of Darren Law on the outside of the California Speedway oval and never looked back to take his and Gue's first ever Grand-Am Cup victory. Gue and Jeannette now lead Law and co-driver Mike McCalmont by 11 points in the championship (89-78).
While the #05 Mustang enjoyed a spectacular result, the Multimatic Motorsports #55 machine suffered a series of troubles en route to finishing 10th overall.
Scott Maxwell qualified 2nd fastest and was running 3rd early until suffering gear shift problems on a lap 22 restart. The Canadian was later judged by race officials to have made contact with the #04 Porsche and received a 15 second penalty on lap 35 when Maxwell pitted and handed over to David Empringham.
That penalty put the #55 car a lap behind the leader which Empringham could not gain back until 15 laps to go. A charging effort however, did bring the car back into the top 10 at the race finish after originally rejoining in 25th place.
"Gunnar and James did an excellent job and we are delighted to have taken the new Mustang to victory for Ford Racing Technology," said Larry Holt, Multimatic Vice President and Technical Director.
"These are two young guys have a lot of talent and they have done an outstanding job to be leading the championship because the competition in Grand-Am Cup is so intense.
"Scotty and David had a tough day today but I know they are keen to bounce back strongly at Laguna. They are both former champions in this class and this is the second race in a row where their luck has run short.
"A lot of work has gone into the Ford Mustang FR500C by everybody at Ford Racing Technology and Multimatic and it was great to have three of these cars in the top ten again today. It is a great credit to Ford to be able to win against BMW, Porsche, Cadillac, Nissan - some of the biggest names in the automotive industry."
Ford Racing Technology embarked on this program to return the Mustang to the race track, and unveiled the new Mustang FR500C racer at the Specialty Equipment Manufacturer's Association Show in Las Vegas in November last year. Ford Racing worked closely with Multimatic on the design, development, and build of the race car to Grand-Am specification.
Ford Racing Performance Parts will offer the Mustang FR500C in Grand-Am Cup specification, as well as all the racing components necessary for race team support and for those enthusiasts interested in enhancing their own Mustangs.
In conjunction with the debut season of the new Mustang FR500C, Multimatic Motorsports has launched a new web site to commemorate the return to the track by the Ford muscle-car. The site is located at www.multimaticmotorsports.com/mustang/ and features driver profiles, race news, photo galleries and Multimatic Motorsports and Mustang history.
After qualifying 9th fastest, Gue worked his way up to 5th position by lap 36, before handing over to Jeannette who rejoined in 21st.
The #05 Mustang FR500C then began a steady climb through the field and moved up to 4th place by lap 51. A series of late race yellow flag periods hit the event and Jeannette eventually moved to 2nd place with only five laps remaining.
He then made a brilliant restart to pass the Porsche of Darren Law on the outside of the California Speedway oval and never looked back to take his and Gue's first ever Grand-Am Cup victory. Gue and Jeannette now lead Law and co-driver Mike McCalmont by 11 points in the championship (89-78).
While the #05 Mustang enjoyed a spectacular result, the Multimatic Motorsports #55 machine suffered a series of troubles en route to finishing 10th overall.
Scott Maxwell qualified 2nd fastest and was running 3rd early until suffering gear shift problems on a lap 22 restart. The Canadian was later judged by race officials to have made contact with the #04 Porsche and received a 15 second penalty on lap 35 when Maxwell pitted and handed over to David Empringham.
That penalty put the #55 car a lap behind the leader which Empringham could not gain back until 15 laps to go. A charging effort however, did bring the car back into the top 10 at the race finish after originally rejoining in 25th place.
"Gunnar and James did an excellent job and we are delighted to have taken the new Mustang to victory for Ford Racing Technology," said Larry Holt, Multimatic Vice President and Technical Director.
"These are two young guys have a lot of talent and they have done an outstanding job to be leading the championship because the competition in Grand-Am Cup is so intense.
"Scotty and David had a tough day today but I know they are keen to bounce back strongly at Laguna. They are both former champions in this class and this is the second race in a row where their luck has run short.
"A lot of work has gone into the Ford Mustang FR500C by everybody at Ford Racing Technology and Multimatic and it was great to have three of these cars in the top ten again today. It is a great credit to Ford to be able to win against BMW, Porsche, Cadillac, Nissan - some of the biggest names in the automotive industry."
Ford Racing Technology embarked on this program to return the Mustang to the race track, and unveiled the new Mustang FR500C racer at the Specialty Equipment Manufacturer's Association Show in Las Vegas in November last year. Ford Racing worked closely with Multimatic on the design, development, and build of the race car to Grand-Am specification.
Ford Racing Performance Parts will offer the Mustang FR500C in Grand-Am Cup specification, as well as all the racing components necessary for race team support and for those enthusiasts interested in enhancing their own Mustangs.
In conjunction with the debut season of the new Mustang FR500C, Multimatic Motorsports has launched a new web site to commemorate the return to the track by the Ford muscle-car. The site is located at www.multimaticmotorsports.com/mustang/ and features driver profiles, race news, photo galleries and Multimatic Motorsports and Mustang history.
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