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Category: Featured Other Series

Featured Other Series

  • OSCAAR Super Late Models and Modifieds to visit Sunset Speedway five times in 2013

    OSCAAR Super Late Models and Modifieds to visit Sunset Speedway five times in 2013

    Rob Poole OSCAARWhile we haven’t even entered the new year yet, drivers and fans are already planning what events they’ll be attending in 2013. On the heels of announcements about the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series coming to Canada and the 2013 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series, Sunset Speedway has made their first announcement of the new schedule.

    Part of the announcement revealed that the OSCAAR Super Late Models & Modifieds will have five races at Sunset Speedway, including a double header in June. The speed that they have and caliber of drivers always means a good show for the fans. Who could forget last year’s Velocity 250? Jeff Hanley and George Wilson made contact while battling for the lead with Wilson in the inside wall, with Hanley driving his way through the field to take the win.

    Sunset will play host to the OSCAAR season opener on May 19th, and will be joined by the Midgets.

    The next OSCAAR date is a double header at the end of June (29/30), known as Canada Day Weekend OSCAAR Thunder.  With Kawartha Speedway cutting back on their number of events in 2013, the series was in need of a new home for their annual Don Biederman Memorial race. Sunset will play host to the event, except under new rules.

    Instead of a one-night 75-lapper for the Super Lates, they will run a 50 lapper on Saturday and then a 50 lapper on Sunday, each having their own qualifying heats and counting for points seperately. They will combine the two days to crown a Don Biederman Memorial Champion.

    Pro Challenge will join the OSCAAR ranks on Saturday, with Lucas Oil Canadian Vintage Modifieds joining them on the Sunday.

    OSCAAR will return to Sunset on July 27th with both divisions, and be joined by CANADA-USA Pro 4 Modified Shootout.

    The final event for OSCAAR will be September 29th, as part of Sunset’s final event of the year – Velocity weekend. This event last year hosted six different divisions across two days, putting the best of the best against each other.

    Sunset Speedway track promotor Mark Dilley said that the weekend would be expanded out to three days – September 27th to 29th – with seven classes running this year, on top of both the OSCAAR Super Late Models and Modifieds.

    While 2012 was a successful season for Sunset, 2013 looks even more promising based on these announcements alone.

  • Bobby Gerhart goes for ninth win at Daytona come February

    Bobby Gerhart goes for ninth win at Daytona come February

    [media-credit name=”ARCARacing.com” align=”alignright” width=”345″]gerhartbobbycandiddaytona20[/media-credit]When the ARCA Racing Series hits Daytona International Speedway in February for its season opener, Bobby Gerhart will be after his ninth Daytona victory.

    The 54-year-old took part of the test last weekend, ending up 23rd on the final speed chart. It may seem that Gerhart is out of the picture, however, that is where he typically tests. For his team, it’s not about speed; it’s about how well the car drafts.

    “Testing for Daytona, in my opinion, is paramount to winning the race,” the Pennsylvania native said. “It’s very difficult to win there without testing, so if you want to win, you’ve got to get serious about testing.

    “We do not utilize the test to promote ourselves. I’m not suggesting that it would be wrong to do so; I’m just saying we don’t concern ourselves with topping the charts at the test. All we do is all we’ve ever done – to try and make gains on a legitimate basis. We don’t feel the need or desire to get on top of the charts for promotional purposes.”

    Gerhart says that they typically bring three cars to the test, testing different things and finding what works the best to run on the car that they’ve chosen. It’s all about research and development.

    “We were fairly pleased at what we had at the test, but we never leave completely happy,” he said. “We used every inch of the test to learn. We got on the track as early as we could Friday morning and ran right up to late Sunday afternoon.”

    Throughout the years, it’s become widely known that Gerhart places Daytona as the most important part of his racing program and that’s becuase Daytona is special to him.

    “I was very vocal at a very young age that I would one day race here,” he said of when he was a kid. “In the back of my head, I kept telling myself I would win here too. It is such a privilege to race here, and I’ve never lost sight of that fact.

    “We build cars exclusively for Daytona; they don’t go anywhere else. Everything else is off the plate. Even though Talladega is very similar to Daytona, we don’t mix the cars between the tracks. For me, there is Daytona, and then there is everywhere else.”

    It’s no secret that it’s proven to be successful with his track record at Daytona while those teams that have just simply top the charts find themselves finishing behind the No. 5 Lucas Oil Chevrolet on race day.

    Experience also plays a key role as the series’ 50th ARCA 200 presents Gerhart’s 26th consecutive start at Daytona.

    “I came to this series at this track in 1988 to learn how to race,” he said. I keep coming back for the same thing, to learn how to race. You either keep learning, or lose. It’s always a step by step process for us. We do what makes me comfortable in the car; then we try and get the speed. From there, I drive by the seat of my pants. We never stop working on our car. You point the car in the right direction and let the car do most of the work. If it means coming up a lane, then you go where the car wants to go. You’ve got to get creative behind the wheel.”

    There have been some rule changes going into this year, but Gerhart adds that it’s still Daytona and some things still apply so they can add that to their book.

    While he’ll race the car on track, he will also drive the transporter to the track and back home.

    “I love driving the rig to and from Daytona,” he said. “It takes me out of the office and puts me in a different environment. I get a lot of time to think. In those moments I put together my mental agenda to help prep for the race. And if you’re fortunate enough to win the race, the ride back is even more enjoyable. It’s too difficult to capture the moment in victory lane. It takes a while to download and process the enormity of that just happened. It usually starts sinking in on the ride home.”

    Most recently, Lucas Oil asked Gerhart to showcase his winning racecar in their display booth at the recent IMIS trade show at the Indiana Convention Center.

    “When you consider all the options that Lucas Oil has for IMIS, or any other show for that matter, this is truly an honor, not only for Bobby Gerhart Racing, but for ARCA as well,” Gerhart said. “This is what Daytona can do for you. It has always been the biggest prize, the biggest exposure, the biggest jewel this series has.”

  • NASCAR Makes Revisions To Its Competition Personnel Structure

    NASCAR Makes Revisions To Its Competition Personnel Structure

    NASCARIn an effort to strengthen and grow its racing series for 2013 and beyond, NASCAR announced Tuesday several revisions to its Competition personnel structure. The following changes will take effect in 2013:

    • Joe Balash, who has served as the NASCAR Nationwide Series director since 2004, will be assuming a new role as International Competition Liaison. This position will be the NASCAR point of contact for competition-related matters relative to the NASCAR Toyota (Mexico) Series, the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series, the Euro Racecar, NASCAR Touring Series and other international competitions and series in which NASCAR may be involved and/or considering involvement. Balash now will report to Richard Buck, who has been promoted to managing director, Competition GRAND-AM and managing director, Touring Series NASCAR.
    • Wayne Auton, who has served as the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series director since 1995, will assume the role of NASCAR Nationwide Series director. Auton will continue to report to John Darby, managing director, competition and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series director.
    • Chad Little, currently NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour series director and director of Racing Development, Mexico, will serve in the role of NASCAR Camping World Truck Series director. Little also will report to Darby.
    • Brad Moran, currently NASCAR Canadian Tire Series director, will serve in the role of director of Touring Series, NASCAR, reporting to Buck.

    With the increasing integration between NASCAR, GRAND-AM, American Le Mans Series (ALMS) and Euro Racecar, NASCAR Touring Series, these moves are designed to strengthen all of the sport’s racing series, both at the national and international levels.

    “We recently completed a thorough, strategic review of all of our racing series and believe the changes we’re announcing today will further strengthen our overall racing and offer us the best opportunity for growth,” said Robin Pemberton, NASCAR vice president of competition. “Joe (Balash) is terrific at building relationships with track operators, sponsors and other key stakeholders, and he will be an excellent fit in his new role. I’m also pleased our system allowed us to promote our talent up the ranks, as is the case with Wayne (Auton), Chad (Little) and Brad (Moran). I think this shows that we have a great deal of depth in our series director leadership roles and these moves reflect that depth and versatility.”

    George Silbermann, NASCAR vice president regional and touring, highlighted the fact that these moves will aid NASCAR as it continues to focus on expanding its reach beyond the United States.

    “Our sport is ever-evolving and we plan to grow in regions of the world where an increasingly strong appetite exists for NASCAR racing,” said Silbermann. “Joe (Balash) certainly will help us achieve our international goals which not only include conducting our existing series at a best-in-class level but also attracting new partners for global exhibitions and/or series.”

    The NASCAR Toyota (Mexico) Series continues to attract top young driver talent and for the first time, the series will race on U.S. soil in 2013, when it kicks off its season March 1 at Phoenix International Raceway. The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1 is growing in popularity and the maiden season of Euro Racecar, NASCAR in 2012 exceeded the sport’s expectations.

  • McColl Racing Enterprises Opens Up Shop, Unveils New Plans for 2013

    McColl Racing Enterprises Opens Up Shop, Unveils New Plans for 2013

    Credit: Ashley McCubbin
    Credit: Ashley McCubbin

    On December 15th, McColl Racing Enterprises opened the doors to it’s 11,450 square foot shop to drivers, teams and fans to come in and check out. Drivers and fans alike were able to enter the shop and tour it from one end to another, while enjoying some food and games. The result was over 300 people showing up for the event.

    M.R.E has been building chassis for over 30 years, winning multiple races in both Late Models and the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series. The move was made in April to the new shop and was meant to be able to expand the operation out more.

    The Open House allowed M.R.E to showcase three new plans for the 2013 race season.

    For starters, they will begin distributing U.S. Legends Cars and Parts, including a rental program. For $500, a helmet and a firesuit, you can get behind the wheel of one of the Legends at Grand Bend Speedway for a night.  The series is a spec series in that all the cars are identical, with the exception of three styles of car available in seven body styles. The idea to promote exciting side-by-side racing while keeping costs low.

    Secondly, for the first time in the company’s history, they have built an OSCAAR Super Late Model chassis with the announcement being made that 2011 Sunset Speedway Kevin Cornelius would be behind the wheel. Cornelius makes the move up to the OSCAAR ranks in 2013 after success in the Late Model division at Sunset Speedway.

    “Really excited about the 2013 race season,” the Orangeville, Ontario native said. “I would have to go back to 1996 when I was in my first race at Sauble Speedway to compare the excitement. Really looking forward to racing in what I consider to be one of the top series in Ontario with the toughest competition with guys like Glenn and Brandon Waston , George Wilson , Derek Tiemersma, Rob Clarke, Rob Poole and the list goes on.
    “I think OSCAAR is on the verge of getting real big and that Dave (Gainforth) and the group are heading in the right direction.”
    Lastly, they have built a metric chassis for the Super Stock/Thunder Car guys to run in their division as a result of the 1970/1980 chassis becoming harder and harder to find.
    “We have taken great care in keeping the OEM mounting points the same as the original,” M.R.E has posted on it’s website. “In this OEM configuration the advantage is that the racer has the knowledge that this is a straight, new, never used chassis and that all of his existing metric parts will bolt on.”
    The idea is you can run this chassis with either a newer or older body style, while keeping within the series rules.
    With last year including multiple championships and race wins for drivers running M.R.E chassis, 2013 promises to build on that success with a prediction of many more wins to come.
    For more information on McColl Racing Enterprises, check out http://www.mccollracing.com. 
  • ARCA Concludes Successful Three Day Test at Daytona; 61 Drivers Test

    ARCA Concludes Successful Three Day Test at Daytona; 61 Drivers Test

    ARCA(DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – December 16, 2012) – Three days of open testing for the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards at Daytona Int’l Speedway came to a conclusion Sunday afternoon with nary an on-track incident among 61 drivers who posted time and speed.

    While several veteran teams and drivers utilized the open test in preparation for the 2013 season opener, several rookies circled the 2.5-mile superspeedway in search of seat-time with the intention to gain approval to compete in ARCA competition. Given the success of the test, ARCA’s newest rookie crop is off to a very good and safe start.

    Venturini Motorsports, in all Toyotas, led the leader board in six separate sessions during which New Castle, Indiana rookie Caleb Armstrong posted the fastest speed overall at 184.192 mph. He was followed by rookie Justin Boston, veteran John Wes Townley and rookie Taylor Ferns.

    “As a driver there is no doubt Daytona is the place to be,” Armstrong said. “I’m grateful for the opportunity and excited to see my progress in making the transition from open wheel to stock cars. The team has been totally supportive and given me really good equipment.”

    Venturini Motorsports also provided some ‘really good equipment’ for Boston, who was second quickest overall at 184.158 mph.

    “Obviously there are a lot of variables here but we’ve been able to quickly create a strong baseline and develop a lot of synergy,” said Boston.

    “This is new territory for everyone, but the Venturinis prove year after year they can quickly adapt and make it real comfortable to fit in and find speed.” Boston, with title sponsorship from Zloop, announced recently a full season in the No. 25 Venturini Motorsports flagship machine. Daytona will mark his ARCA Racing Series debut.

    “It’s an honor and privilege to drive at Daytona. This place is the real deal. No other place I’d rather make my series debut than here at Daytona. It’s true what they say – all roads do lead to Daytona.”

    Rookie Matt Kurzejewski, with an assist from former ARCA champion Bob Keselowski, was the fastest Dodge in the line-up, fifth on the leader board overall at 184.121 mph.

    Martinsville Speedway track president Clay Campbell, 52, was impressive, earning the sixth fastest speed in a Ford.

    “I grew up in the business and I love this sport,” Campbell said. “I’m a race fan. I love the business. It’s my life. But who in their right mind would not come to Daytona and run a race? This is racing; this is what it’s all about. This place has so much history and tradition. This is big for me.”

    Rookie Bo Lemastus, in a Dodge, was seventh overall with rookie Thomas Praytor earning the eighth fastest speed in a Ford.

    “Two of our goals for the test were to earn the respect of the ARCA garage and prove our Mobile team could compete at this level,” Praytor said. “Hopefully our performance on and off the track this weekend shows were serious about what we’re doing.”

    Cunningham Motorsports teammates Michel Disdier, of Nice France, and series veteran Tom Hessert completed the top-10 respectively. Both were driving Dodges. Eight-time winner Bobby Gerhart was 23rd fastest.

    The ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards has crowned 30 ARCA national champions in 60 seasons since 1953, and has toured over 200 race tracks in 26 states since its inception. The series has tested the abilities of drivers and race teams over the most diverse schedule of stock car racing events in the world, visiting tracks ranging from 0.375 mile to 2.66 miles in length on both paved and dirt surfaces as well as a left- and right-turn road course in its most recent season.

    Founded by John and Mildred Marcum in 1953 in Toledo, Ohio, the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) is recognized among the leading sanctioning bodies in the country. Having completed its sixth decade after hundreds of thousands of miles of racing, ARCA administers over 100 race events each season in four professional touring series – the ARCA Racing Series, the ARCA CRA Super Series, the ARCA Truck Series, and new in 2013, the ARCA Midwest Tour – in addition to local weekly events at Ohio’s Toledo Speedway and Michigan’s Flat Rock Speedway.

    Daytona Int’l Speedway Open Testing ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards December 14-16, 2012 (Overall Results) NODRIVERMFGTIMESPEED 155Caleb ArmstrongToyota48.862184.192 225aJustin BostonToyota48.871184.158 315John Wes TownleyToyota48.876184.139 455aTaylor FernsToyota48.876184.139 554Matt KurzejewskiDodge48.881184.121 608Clay CampbellFord49.092183.329 742Bo LemastusDodge49.113183.251 82Thomas PraytorFord49.305182.537 977Michel DisdierDodge49.323182.471 1022Tom HessertDodge49.382182.253 1192Brennan NewberryChevy49.394182.208 1204aGalen HasslerDodge49.447182.013 1368Will KimmelFord49.465181.947 143Drew CharlesonChevy49.527181.719 1516Ricky EhrgottChevy49.527181.719 165bBrandon HanksChevy49.618181.386 1799John FerrierFord49.643181.294 186Julien JousseChevy49.658181.240 1932Mason MingusToyota49.661181.229 2099aChris BuescherFord49.665181.214 2130Terry JonesDodge49.772180.825 2211eTrevor EdwardsFord49.782180.788 235Bobby GerhartChevy49.820180.650 2423Spencer GallagherChevy49.835180.596 2575Benny ChastainChevy49.845180.560 2694Milka DunoToyota49.941180.213 2758Chad HackenbrachtChevy49.958180.151 2804bJeremy MoralesDodge49.985180.054 2904Dominick CasolaDodge50.018179.935 3040eMichelle TheriaultDodge50.025179.910 3154aGarrett SmithleyDodge50.032179.885 3217Chris BuescherFord50.060179.784 3369Steve KempFord50.071179.745 3458aMason MitchellChevy50.075179.730 3575aScott GreenToyota50.103179.630 3640bJimmy WillsDodge50.148179.469 3709Grant EnfingerFord50.160179.426 3840Joel WillmanDodge50.310178.891 3919aNur AliChevy50.322178.848 4009aCharles Evans, Jr.Ford50.397178.582 4111bJonathan EilenFord50.409178.540 4219cDonnie NeuenbergerChevy50.504178.204 4338Andrew GreselFord50.512178.175 4440aRichard AltmanDodge50.531178.108 4510aRick CliftonChevy50.608177.837 465aBrian SmithChevy50.644177.711 4702Josh WilliamsFord50.782177.228 4840cGarrett FarmerDodge50.874176.908 4911fCasey HillenburgFord51.010176.436 5040dMichael BocklerDodge51.166175.898 5111cJohnny VanDoornFord51.195175.798 5211dTyler SpeerFord51.195175.798 5310Richard DohenyChevy51.244175.630 547aGeorge CushmanDodge51.319175.374 5519Cody WareChevy51.342175.295 5611Dakota CarlsonFord51.381175.162 5719eJames SwansonChevy51.558174.561 5811aTravis BradenFord51.575174.503 5919bNoel DowlerChevy51.657174.226 6019dDexter StaceyChevy51.731173.977 617Brent CrossChevy51.769173.849

  • Three-Day ARCA Racing Series Test Kicks Off – Martinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell Turns First Laps At DIS

    Three-Day ARCA Racing Series Test Kicks Off – Martinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell Turns First Laps At DIS

    [media-credit name=”Photo credit: Daytona International Speedway” align=”alignright” width=”210″]ARCA-4859_8273029352_l[/media-credit]DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Approximately 50 drivers kicked off a three-day ARCA Racing Series test session on Friday at Daytona International Speedway in advance of the 50th annual Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 on Saturday, Feb. 16, part of Budweiser Speedweeks 2013.

    The season-opening ARCA race is celebrating its golden anniversary in 2013. The inaugural Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 back in 1964 was the series’ first superspeedway race in history.

    Headlining the list of drivers in attendance for the test is the defending race winner Bobby Gerhart, a native of Lebanon, Penn., who pours his heart and soul into preparing for races at Daytona.

    Gerhart has dominated the season-opening ARCA race, capturing a record eight victories in the 80-lap, 200-mile event, including six out of the last eight races.

    He also holds an event-record four poles.

    But with all that success, he’s just as hungry to win a ninth Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200.

    “I’m pumped up to race here just like I was the first day I came,” Gerhart said. “We treat this race like we have not won any of them. That’s really what you have to do. You got to put yourself in position where you throw everything at it you can and work as hard as you can.”

    Light rain slowed the morning session on Friday but teams got plenty of track time in the afternoon. At the lunch break, Gerhart was anxious to see where the field stood in terms of speed.

    “I’m not going to be quiet about it, we’ve done a lot of work given the new rules package,” Gerhart said. “I’m anxious for some great weather and a great opportunity to see if what I believe is going to happen happens.”

    Clay Campbell making his dream come true: Clay Campbell, president of the prestigious Martinsville Speedway, is taking his first laps around Daytona International Speedway’s legendary 2.5-mile tri-oval during this weekend’s test.

    Campbell is testing a Spraker Racing Ford with a Roush Yates engine and plans to enter the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200.

    “I’ve been doing various types of racing for 20 years and if you had the opportunity to do something bigger, I think anybody would jump at the chance,” Campbell said. “Anybody that would have the opportunity to run Daytona, you would be crazy not to. The history, the tradition, this is the ultimate as far as motorsports goes.

    “This is obviously hallowed ground. This is the ‘World Center of Racing.’ Who wouldn’t want to drive on the World Center of Racing.’ ”

    Campbell is working with racing veteran Jeff Spraker, who has been fielding cars for Campbell the past two seasons in the NASCAR K&N Pro East Series. The two began discussing the opportunity of racing an ARCA event at a superspeedway.

    Campbell competed in the fall ARCA event at Talladega Superspeedway and is ready to tackle NASCAR’s most storied venue Daytona International Speedway in February.

    “That was a good place to start,” Campbell of Talladega where he started 34th and finished 26th. “Even though (Daytona and Talladega) look the same and they are almost the same, there’s quite a bit of difference. This is much narrower than Talladega.”

    During Budweiser Speedweeks, Campbell will be focused and prepared for his Daytona debut, but he won’t forget to promote his upcoming NASCAR race schedule.

    “We’ll announce a sponsor later but anytime I have the chance to mention the Virginia 500 on April 7 at Martinsville Speedway, I am going to do so,” Campbell joked. “Good tickets still remain.”

    Road to Daytona: Four drivers who achieved success in the three ARCA touring series in the 2012 season are experiencing the opportunity of a lifetime during this weekend’s test.

    Johnny VanDoorn, Travis Braden, Jonathan Eilen and Dakota Carlson are participating in the test session having earned spots in the second-year “Road to Daytona” program.

    “It was pretty cool just to say some day that I got to go around Daytona,” said Carlson after his first laps on Friday morning. “Us short track racers, we’re never going to make it to this level more than likely. It definitely sits you down in the seat when you go into the corner.

    “It was a really cool feeling.”

    The “Road to Daytona” program gives competitors from nearly all divisions of ARCA competition the opportunity for seat time at Daytona.

    VanDoorn, 24 and of Coopersville, Mich., is now a three-time ARCA CRA Super Series champion and won the 2012 title for Kaos Motorsports. Braden, 18 and of Wheeling, W.V., is the 2012 Super Series Rookie of the Year.

    Eilen, 27 and of Hampton, Minn., won the 2012 Midwest Tour championship five years after becoming the series’ first race winner. Carlson, 25 and of Cedar Springs, Mich., won the ARCA Gold Cup Series championship, contested at ARCA-owned Toledo and Flat Rock Speedways, as well as Spartan (Mich.) Speedway.

    Andy Hillenburg, a two-time Daytona winner and the 1995 ARCA champion, is assisting each Road to Daytona driver in the test session. His Fast Track High Performance Driving School, ARCA’s Official Driving School, is providing the cars and support for the test.

    “The first time that I came here to drive at Daytona myself, I didn’t even have a van ride around the track,” Hillenburg said. “I had not even been on the race track and here it was go out and run 195 mph. That was over 20 years ago. That’s the way it was.

    “Now these kids can be a lot better driver and prepared to capitalize on the opportunities they get and make better racing for all of us.”

    The three-day ARCA test continues through Sunday. A section of the Oldfield Grandstands will be open free to the public with access available through the lobby of the Daytona International Speedway ticket office.

    Tickets for NASCAR’s biggest, richest and most prestigious race – the 55th annual Daytona 500 on Sunday, Feb. 24 – are available at www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP.

    Fans can follow NASCAR on Twitter (@NASCAR) or ARCA (@ARCA_Racing) and stay up to speed on the latest news by using hashtags #NASCAR, #DAYTONA500, #CokeZero400 and #NASCARBattle. In addition, fans can also stay connected with Daytona International Speedway on Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and Pinterest for all the latest news all season long.

     

  • IndyCar Champion Ryan Hunter-Reay to compete in Race of Champions

    IndyCar Champion Ryan Hunter-Reay to compete in Race of Champions

    Credit: Ashley McCubbin
    Credit: Ashley McCubbin

    Reigning IndyCar Series Champion Ryan Hunter-Reay has been added to the list of drivers competing in the Race of Champions in Bangkok, Thailand this weekend. Hunter-Reay said the opportunity came about at the final event of the IndyCar Series sesaon right after he was crowned the 2012 Champion.

    “I saw Jim Hancock who puts the program together, who promotes Race of Champions and runs the event,” Hunter-Reay said. “I saw him at the Fontana race, and we had just won the championship. Before I even got up on the stage to accept the trophy with my team, he said you want to do Race of Champions in Bangkok? And I was in a pretty yes mood, so it was yes to any question I was hearing, for sure. I’m looking forward to it.”

    The event is taking place for the 25th consecutive year and is meant to put champions from across the world against each other head-to-head in identical cars on a specially constructed track. Other notable champions involve include 2011 “Champion of Champions” Sebastien Ogier, Sebastian Vettel and Michael Schumacher, among others.

    “I certainly looked up to Michael for a long time,” Hunter-Reay says of Schumacher. “His work ethic and his team mentality has certainly rubbed off on me. He’s a guy I’ve looked up to for a long time. You know, he’s had a huge impact in the racing industry and on drivers, young drivers such as myself coming up. So it will be pretty cool to square off against him, first off.”

    I’m looking to advance as far as I can, and hopefully surprise a few folks there.

    Drivers pair up and compete for the ROC Nations Cup. Hunter-Reay’s partner will be Benito Guerra Jr. of Mexico, FIA’s Production World Rally Championship this season.

    Drivers are set to compete in a variety of cars, including a KTM X-Bow, a Gallardo Super Trofeo, an Audi R8 LMS or even a VW Scirocco.

    “I don’t have any of those toys to mess around with at home,” he said. “So I think you have to rely on your skill set that you kind of worked on over the years and jumping from car to car, sports car to IndyCar to some of the heavier stuff that I’ve driven, stock cars and stuff, you just have to rely on the skill set.”

    He says he would’ve liked to see some sort of open wheel car in the mix, but understands why they did what they did.

    “But, hey, it’s still a car,” he added. “It has four wheels and a steering wheel, two pedals, three pedals, you have to make it work.”

    Before leaving to go run the event, Hunter-Reay took to the track to begin testing for the 2013 season.

    “We’re really looking forward to getting back to Sebring and kind of just bringing some things full circle from last year,” he said. “We want to confirm a few things, test a few new things, and really just get some answers before the Holidays come. So it’s a good opportunity, a great opportunity to get back in the car.”

    It makes a tight schedule as Hunter-Reay will probably miss some practice at the Race of Champions event.

    While Hunter-Reay is looking to compete for the win, he mainly wants to take in the event and enjoy himself.

    “It’s a race I’ve watched for a while and something I’ve wanted to be a part of,” he said. “Before we did this year, I think certainly deserved our spot. But it’s going to be something racing those guys and really getting to know them and meeting some new people from around the world of Motorsports.”

  • 2013 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series Schedule Represents Diversity of Series

    2013 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series Schedule Represents Diversity of Series

    Credit: Ashley McCubbin
    Credit: Ashley McCubbin

    As part of the 2012 celebration ceremonies, NASCAR Canadian Tire Series officials announced the 2013 series schedule. The series does include some changes as a result of other series making changes, however it still manages to represent the diversity of the series.

    The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series has been known for going to both road courses and short tracks equally each year since the beginning. That continues this year with four road courses and seven ovals.

    Last year’s schedule saw five road courses, seven ovals, however there have been two tracks that are notably missing from the 2013 schedule.

    After making their return to Edmonton last year, the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series will skip the Alberta capital as a result of Edmonton losing its IZOD IndyCar Series date. Running as a solo event on a big stage isn’t something that tends to lead to the best results.

    The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series will also be skipping Montreal as a result of the Quebec city losing it’s NASCAR Nationwide Series date. According to multiple Quebec news sources, the track management demanded a Sprint Cup Series date. NASCAR, at this time, is not looking to take their top series north of the border so did not accept. They also ripped them of the Nationwide Series race, trading it in for the Mid-Ohio road course.

    A lot of people believed that the result of losing both of these core road courses would allow Toronto’s Exhibition Place date to return to the schedule as a companion event for the IZOD IndyCar Series double-header. However, with what Honda Indy Toronto staff have planned, that could not be worked out and as a result, one of the events fans were hoping for are missing.

    In trade for Montreal, the series will return to Autodrome St. Eustache’s oval for the first time since 2010.

    Though in respect, one of the most anticipated events of the season is the road course event at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. The series will begin their season there on May 19th, and then return on September 1st to run as a companion race to the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.

    For the first time in series history, the trucks will be crossing the border and already fans are jumping to buy tickets, excited to see these trucks beat and bang on CTMP’s tight road course.

    “We at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park are thrilled to be able to bring the Camping World Truck Series to Canadian motorsport fans,” Myles Brandt, President and General Manager of Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, said last month. “We’re looking forward to creating an unforgettable experience for both fans and drivers alike this Labour Day weekend as we mark yet another milestone in the history of Canadian Tire Motorsport Park.”

    The track has produced some exciting finishes for the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series in season’s past with drivers beating and banging right to the very end. Last year’s season opener saw a thrilling battle between J.R. Fitzpatrick, D.J. Kennington and Scott Steckly, which kicked off the championship battle for the whole season.

    CTMP’s owners have continued to make improvements each year as last saw track improvements to improve the racing, as well as a tunnel being added. This year’s off-season sees continued track improvements including an expanded pit lane, as well as a brand new media center being built.

  • Tracy Hines to Race All Three USAC National Series Again in 2013

    Tracy Hines to Race All Three USAC National Series Again in 2013

    By Tracy Hines Racing PR

    New Castle, Ind.—Dec. 6, 2012— With the 2012 racing season officially in the books, Tracy Hines is gearing up for another busy year in 2013. He will again compete in each of the three USAC national series, chasing the coveted USAC “Triple Crown.” Hines is a former champion of both the USAC Amsoil National Sprint Car Series and USAC Traxxas Silver Crown Series.

    “We’re really looking forward to the 2013 season,” said Hines. “We have a lot of work to do between now and then, but we’ll be ready. There is nothing quite like getting to run all three USAC divisions and we’ll do our best to chase wins and championships in all three series.”

    Hines, who claimed the 2002 USAC Amsoil National Sprint Car Series title, will pilot his self-owned No. 4 under the Tracy Hines Racing banner in 2013 with the USAC Amsoil National Sprint Car Series. He is in the process of assembling a team from scratch that will be based out of his shop in Indiana. Hines will run DRC race cars and is currently working on an engine deal.

    The native of New Castle, Ind., finished fourth in points with the USAC Amsoil National Sprint Car Series in 2012, winning twice at the famed Eldora Speedway, including during the 4-Crown Nationals. He racked up 23 top-10 finishes, of which 13 were top-five performances over the course of the USAC season.

    Hines will be behind the wheel of the No. 24 Parker Machinery Spike again in 2013 to contest the full USAC Mopar National Midget Series schedule. Parker Machinery will serve as the team owner and sponsor. The team will utilize Toyota Racing Development engines from Stanton Racing Engines.

    Hines finished second in points with the USAC Mopar National Midget Series in 2012 on the strength of four wins and 12 Top-10 finishes. He was victorious twice on the pavement at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis, while also picking up wins on the dirt at Dodge City Raceway Park in Kansas and Tri-City Speedway in Illinois.

    In the USAC Traxxas Silver Crown Series, the 2000 series champion, will campaign the No. 16 for Mark Lightfoot and Lightfoot Racing for the fourth straight year. Hines was ninth in Silver Crown points in 2012. He finished sixth or better in five races this past season, including recording a pair of fifth-place runs at Toledo Speedway in Ohio and the Terre Haute Action Track in his home state of Indiana. The team will bolt a Mopar powerplant between the framerails for the pavement races and a Chevy for the dirt events.

    The 2013 USAC season will begin in February in Florida and run through November with the Turkey Night Grand Prix serving as the traditional season finale. In between, Hines will compete from coast-to-coast with each of the three USAC National tours.

    Tracy Hines Racing would like to thank: AFCO Racing Products, Schoenfeld Headers, Turbines, Inc., Bell Racing Products, Sander Engineering, Kenny’s Components, Race Bumpers, Radical RaceGear, Daum Crop Insurance and Indiana Underground Construction.

    For more information on Tracy Hines Racing, visit . Follow Tracy on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/TracyHinesRacin.

  • The Champion is Crowned; Blaney Dominates Final Night

    The Champion is Crowned; Blaney Dominates Final Night

    [media-credit name=”Tony Stewart Racing” align=”alignright” width=”107″][/media-credit]Back in February this night was a long way away. No one thought much about it. There were 81 races yet to be run. A summer yet to come filled with thrills spills and challenges. Tonight was the furthest thing from anyone’s mind. But the night had come. Was it possible that 81 races had come and gone so quickly? The night was at hand and the champions were crowned. The competitors all seemed to breathe a heavy sigh of relief. The fans a heavy sigh of regret. The 2012 World of Outlaws season had drawn to a close.

    The second night of the World Finals was just as exciting as the first. There was a wild desperation in the air. There were matters to be settled. Changes to be announced, for instance the new tire for 2013 would be Hoosier despite the continued rumors to the contrary. Joey Saldana would be in the legendary 71M ride, which was made famous by Outlaws legend Doug Wolfgang, would again take the track in 2013. Daryn Pittman would take over the 9 for Kasey Kahne Racing. And the new logo would take on a bright and more colorful look with the red white and blue STP colors gracing the wings of every car next year.

    Qualifying was Thursday night. The quick time was set by David Gravel, in his colorful tribute to Breast Cancer. The beautiful black pink and silver car proclaimed the dedication “Beyond Boobs” and made a strong statement to remind all of us that there were battles fiercer than those about to take place on the race track going on around the world. Gravel’s time was a lightning fast 13.026 seconds around the 5/8ths mile track. He was followed by Dale Blaney, Lucas Wolfe, Brian Brown, and Stevie Smith.

    The first of 5 heat races would find Friday night’s winner picking up where he left off. Sammy Swindell jumped out to an early lead and ran away with the race. He would be followed to the line by David Gravel, Greg Hodnett and Brook Tatnell all transferring to the A Main.

    The second heat race would also be a runaway show with Dale Blaney leading by 2.5 seconds at one point before being slowed by a caution flag on lap 4 when Shane Stewart hit a tire marker. The field would not get a lap in before Danny Holtgraver would hit the same tire marker and destroy the front end of his car. Holtgraver took the car to the trailer and retired from the heat. The cautions merely slowed the inevitable as Blaney took the win over Cody Darrah, Daryn Pittman and Tim Shaffer.

    The third heat race was an incredible race with Lucas Wolfe and Jac Haudenschild exchanging slide jobs and maneuvering one another for 3rd and 4th place all the while Lance Dewease and Craig Dollansky were checking out on the field.  In the end Haudenschild would claim third over the much younger Lucas Wolfe but it would be a hard race all the way to the line.

    The fourth heat race would bring with it some drama. Bobby Howard was thought to have changed Right Rear Tires from qualifying on Thursday. Outlaws rules say that you must run the heat on the right rear you qualified on or you are disqualified from the heat. In the end the identifier mark was found on the tire and the start of the heat was called back after a half lap to allow Howard to join the field in his 10th place starting spot. The drama had little effect on the reigning champion, Donny Schatz who came back strong after a disappointing night on Friday,  and won the heat with a hard charging Kraig Kinser on his back bumper. Also transferring to the A Main were Paul McMahan and Kerry Madsen, who prevailed in a hard fought battle with Sam Hafertepe Jr for the final transfer spot.

    The fifth and final heat race of the season displayed a glimpse of the future with Jason Johnson in the Roush Stenhouse Ford taking the win over Stevie Smith, Ed Lynch Jr. and Dean Jacobs. The Ford power plant was the only one in the World Finals and it was the second race card for the 410 built by legendary engine builder Doug Yates.

    The C Main presented an unusual situation and one that you won’t often see. Scheduled to start in the 5th spot was The King of the Outlaws, Steve Kinser. Kinser however, choose to take a provisional into the A Main and scratched from the C. The C was a race of desperation. Jimmy Seger would end up upside down on lap 7 but would exit the car uninjured. Caleb Helms and Danny Mumaw would fight hard to the checkers for the final transfer spot into the B with the position going to Caleb Helms at the line. Jack Sodeman Jr. would win the race.

    The Dash was a mix of experience and challenge. With names like Swindell, Gravel, Dollansky, Schatz, and Blaney the talent pool was deep. But the track had required work and water. The new track surface was a mystery to the drivers in the Dash. That mystery would take its toll on one of the legends of the sport, Sammy Swindell, when on the first lap he got into the greasy unworked part of the track and flipped the car violently. Swindell would retire from the dash and go to work to get the car ready for the A Main. The dash would see Stevie Smith dominate over Lucas Wolfe and Dale Blaney, with very strong performances coming from Donny Schatz, Kraig Kinser, Daryn Pittman and Craig Dollansky.

    The B Main would transfer the final 6 qualifying cars to the A Main. The race was a hard fought battle between Joey Saldana who would win on the final lap over Brian Brown, Jason Sides and Brian Sebetto.

    This was the final night of the season, which meant that everyone who didn’t make the field who had a provisional could now use it without fear of needing it worse on another night. Chad Kemenah, Bill Rose, and Steve Kinser all three did so to bring the A Main field to 27 cars.

    The new surface had been run by the Modifieds, and the Late Models and had developed a hole in turn 1 right in the center groove. Although the hole didn’t bother the heavier cars, it was an obstacle that the Sprint Cars would avoid if at all possible. The track had turned dusty and dry and very slick after the track work, a condition that would play well into the hands of some and not so well in the hands of others.

    There were questions, would Swindell make it back out for the A? Would the hole figure into the end result of the race? With Donny Schatz showing a much stronger performance after experimenting with engine and chassis the night before would he claim the final race of his 5th championship season?

    When the cars pushed off the 1 of Sammy Swindell was in its 12th starting spot. But the car was hurt badly. Repairs had been made as best as they could be but the Big Tree Stands number one had frame damage on the front of the car. In reality probably only 5 or 6 drivers on the circuit would have even attempted the final night of the World Finals with a frame damaged car. Sammy Swindell was one of those drivers. How severely it would affect the car no one would know until the green flag dropped.

    The A Main was a barn burner, with Dale Blaney picking up from the night before when he cut a tire and lost the race with 5 laps to go. Sammy Swindell would pull off the track after 3 laps with a car that simply was not drivable. Donny Schatz was making progress through the field when he tangled wheels with Greg Hodnett and spun to the top of the track. Unable to avoid the dead in the water STP #15, Jac Haudenschild clipped the front wing and spun. Cody Darrah would hit the nose of the 15 full tilt and flip down the banking to the middle of the track. Haudenschild would make repairs and return, Schatz was done for the night as was Cody Darrah. The race would resume but not for long, Craig Dollansky would lose a left rear tire and hit the wall in 3 collecting Stevie Smith and Kerry Madsen in the melee. All drivers were unhurt. The double checkers would wave over Dale Blaney and Paul McMahan who would make it a close battle all the way to the line. Jason Johnson would bring his Ford home third.  McMahan would be the races hard charger coming from 22nd starting spot to finish 2nd.

    Beyond the cheers and the thrills of victory there was weariness. The drivers were tired. The teams were tired. The officials were tired. Nothing illustrated that more than the exchange between Johnson and McMahan who disagreed on an on track incident but after a few words decided to let it be. Or the pushing of a winged sprint car into the infield by an Outlaws official on a 4 wheeler with a bump draft to safety and then leaving it in the infield grass for a push track to take it back to the pits following the race. The fans were tired but were already feeling the longing for just one more race.

    The crowning of the champion and the presentation of the trophy brought a long season to an end. A season full of changes, lessons learned, victories hard fought, and tragedies. The Sprint Car racing community had lost 5 of its heroes in the span of 9 months. But the lasting lesson would remain that of perseverance. Never quit. Never give up. No matter how long the odds or short the resource, follow your heart, believe in yourself and your team mates and carry on. It is perhaps the greatest gift that our heroes can give us at the end of the year because that lesson alone will carry us through the winter and bring us to Volusia in February where we will begin the circle over again.

     

    Qualifying – 1. 89G-David Gravel, 13.026; 2. 2-Dale Blaney, 13.072; 3. 5W-Lucas Wolfe, 13.176; 4. 21-Brian Brown, 13.187; 5. 19-Stevie Smith, 13.192; 6. 9-Joey Saldana, 13.212; 7. 49-Daryn Pittman, 13.271; 8. 7-Craig Dollansky, 13.278; 9. 11K-Kraig Kinser, 13.284; 10. 24H-Bryan Sebbetto, 13.352; 11. 39-Greg Hodnett, 13.352; 12. 71-Shane Stewart, 13.367; 13. 59-Jac Haudenschild, 13.376; 14. 29-Kerry Madsen, 13.411; 15. 41-Jason Johnson, 13.413; 16. 1-Sammy Swindell, 13.428; 17. 4-Cody Darrah, 13.450; 18. 30C-Lance Dewease, 13.491; 19. 15-Donny Schatz, 13.503; 20. 2L-Ed Lynch Jr, 13.506; 21. 19W-Brooke Tatnell, 13.517; 22. 13-Tim Shaffer, 13.521; 23. 28-Brian Paulus, 13.535; 24. 51-Paul McMahan, 13.553; 25. 24-Terry McCarl, 13.555; 26. W20-Greg Wilson, 13.568; 27. 7S-Jason Sides, 13.569; 28. 1X-Randy Hannagan, 13.587; 29. 15H-Sam Hafertepe Jr, 13.596; 30. 97-Dean Jacobs, 13.621; 31. 1S-Logan Schuchart, 13.646; 32. D4-Danny Holtgraver, 13.673; 33. 69-Ryan Smith, 13.682; 34. 63-Chad Kemenah, 13.682; 35. 77X-Wayne Johnson, 13.687; 36. 6-Bill Rose, 13.724; 37. 94-Jack Sodeman Jr, 13.731; 38. 40-Caleb Helms, 13.743; 39. 35-Jessica Zemken, 13.754; 40. 16-Danny Mumaw, 13.765; 41. 11-Steve Kinser, 13.980; 42. 25-Jimmy Seeger, 14.029; 43. 47-Eric Riggins, 14.102; 44. 60-Kory Crabtree, 14.134; 45. 25P-Michael Parent, 14.253; 46. 6W-Brad Wickam, 14.734; 47. O-Glenn Styres, 14.865; 48. 6X-Mark Cole, 15.175; 49. 49H-Bobby Howard, 15.630; 50. 10P-Jim Perricone, 15.657.

    Heat 1 – (8 Laps – Top 4 finishers transfer to the A-feature) – 1. 1-Sammy Swindell [1]; 2. 89G-David Gravel [4]; 3. 39-Greg Hodnett [2]; 4. 19W-Brooke Tatnell [5]; 5. 9-Joey Saldana [3]; 6. 11-Steve Kinser [9]; 7. W20-Greg Wilson [6]; 8. 6-Bill Rose [8]; 9. 1S-Logan Schuchart [7]; 10. 6W-Brad Wickam [10].

    Heat 2 – (8 Laps – Top 4 finishers transfer to the A-feature) – 1. 2-Dale Blaney [4]; 2. 4-Cody Darrah [1]; 3. 13-Tim Shaffer [5]; 4. 49-Daryn Pittman [3]; 5. 94-Jack Sodeman Jr [8]; 6. 7S-Jason Sides [6]; 7. 25-Jimmy Seeger [9]; 8. O-Glenn Styres [10]; 9. 71-Shane Stewart [2]; 10. D4-Danny Holtgraver [7].

    Heat 3 – (8 Laps – Top 4 finishers transfer to the A-feature) – 1. 30C-Lance Dewease [1]; 2. 7-Craig Dollansky [3]; 3. 59-Jac Haudenschild [2]; 4. 5W-Lucas Wolfe [4]; 5. 69-Ryan Smith [7]; 6. 1X-Randy Hannagan [6]; 7. 28-Brian Paulus [5]; 8. 40-Caleb Helms [8]; 9. 47-Eric Riggins [9]; 10. 6X-Mark Cole [10].

    Heat 4 – (8 Laps – Top 4 finishers transfer to the A-feature) – 1. 15-Donny Schatz [1]; 2. 11K-Kraig Kinser [3]; 3. 51-Paul McMahan [5]; 4. 29-Kerry Madsen [2]; 5. 15H-Sam Hafertepe Jr [6]; 6. 21-Brian Brown [4]; 7. 35-Jessica Zemken [8]; 8. 63-Chad Kemenah [7]; 9. 60-Kory Crabtree [9]; 10. 49H-Bobby Howard [10].

    Heat 5 – (8 Laps – Top 4 finishers transfer to the A-feature) – 1. 41-Jason Johnson [2]; 2. 19-Stevie Smith [4]; 3. 2L-Ed Lynch Jr [1]; 4. 97-Dean Jacobs [6]; 5. 24H-Bryan Sebbetto [3]; 6. 77X-Wayne Johnson [7]; 7. 25P-Michael Parent [9]; 8. 24-Terry McCarl [5]; 9. 16-Danny Mumaw [8]; 10. 10P-Jim Perricone [10].

    Dash – (6 Laps, finishing order determined first 12 starting positions of A-feature) – 1. 19-Stevie Smith [1]; 2. 5W-Lucas Wolfe [2]; 3. 2-Dale Blaney [3]; 4. 7-Craig Dollansky [6]; 5. 11K-Kraig Kinser [7]; 6. 49-Daryn Pittman [5]; 7. 15-Donny Schatz [12]; 8. 41-Jason Johnson [8]; 9. 4-Cody Darrah [10]; 10. 30C-Lance Dewease [11]; 11. 89G-David Gravel [4]; 12. 1-Sammy Swindell [9].

    C-Main – (10 Laps – Top 2 finishers transfer to the B-feature) – 1. 94-Jack Sodeman Jr [1] [-]; 2. 40-Caleb Helms [2] [-]; 3. 16-Danny Mumaw [4] [$150]; 4. 35-Jessica Zemken [3] [$125]; 5. 47-Eric Riggins [7] [$125]; 6. 6W-Brad Wickam [10] [$100]; 7. O-Glenn Styres [11] [$100]; 8. 49H-Bobby Howard [13] [$100]; 9. 10P-Jim Perricone [14] [$100]; 10. 6X-Mark Cole [12] [$100]; 11. 25-Jimmy Seeger [6] [$100]; 12. 60-Kory Crabtree [8] [$100]; 13. 25P-Michael Parent [9] [$100]; 14. 11-Steve Kinser [5] [$100].

    B-Main – (12 Laps – Top 6 finishers transfer to the A-feature) – 1. 9-Joey Saldana [2] [-]; 2. 21-Brian Brown [1] [-]; 3. 7S-Jason Sides [8] [-]; 4. 24H-Bryan Sebbetto [3] [-]; 5. 15H-Sam Hafertepe Jr [10] [-]; 6. W20-Greg Wilson [7] [-]; 7. 63-Chad Kemenah [14] [$200]; 8. 24-Terry McCarl [6] [$180]; 9. 1X-Randy Hannagan [9] [$175]; 10. 69-Ryan Smith [13] [$160]; 11. 28-Brian Paulus [5] [$150]; 12. 40-Caleb Helms [18] [$150]; 13. 1S-Logan Schuchart [11] [$150]; 14. 71-Shane Stewart [4] [$150]; 15. D4-Danny Holtgraver [12] [$150]; 16. 77X-Wayne Johnson [15] [$150]; 17. 94-Jack Sodeman Jr [17] [$150]; 18. 6-Bill Rose [16] [$150].

    A-Main – (30 Laps) – 1. 2-Dale Blaney [3] [$10,000]; 2. 51-Paul McMahan [22] [$5,500]; 3. 41-Jason Johnson [8] [$3,200]; 4. 11K-Kraig Kinser [5] [$2,800]; 5. 39-Greg Hodnett [16] [$2,500]; 6. 21-Brian Brown [13] [$2,300]; 7. 7S-Jason Sides [23] [$2,200]; 8. 5W-Lucas Wolfe [2] [$2,100]; 9. 30C-Lance Dewease [10] [$2,050]; 10. 89G-David Gravel [11] [$2,000]; 11. 49-Daryn Pittman [6] [$1,500]; 12. 19W-Brooke Tatnell [20] [$1,200]; 13. 11-Steve Kinser [25] [$1,100]; 14. 97-Dean Jacobs [24] [$1,050]; 15. 9-Joey Saldana [14] [$1,000]; 16. 59-Jac Haudenschild [17] [$900]; 17. 2L-Ed Lynch Jr [19] [$800]; 18. 63-Chad Kemenah [26] [$800]; 19. 7-Craig Dollansky [4] [$800]; 20. 24H-Bryan Sebbetto [15] [$800]; 21. 6-Bill Rose [27] [$800]; 22. 13-Tim Shaffer [21] [$800]; 23. 19-Stevie Smith [1] [$800]; 24. 29-Kerry Madsen [18] [$800]; 25. 15-Donny Schatz [7] [$800]; 26. 4-Cody Darrah [9] [$800]; 27. 1-Sammy Swindell [12] [$800]. Lap Leaders: Craig Dollansky 1-15, Dale Blaney 16-30. KSE Hard Charger Award: 51-Paul McMahan [+20].