JimmyPhelps.com

June 22, 2008

Jimmy Phelps Returns to Form at Cayuga County Fair Speedway
Story by Dan Kapuscinski

Weedsport, NY — After taking the Cayuga County Fair Speedway track title in 2007, Jimmy Phelps had been winless at the Weedsport oval in 2008. That all changed Sunday night, as Phelps used the outside lane to breeze to victory in the Currier Plastics 35-lap DIRTcar Big-Block Modified main event. The victory was worth $1,500 and is recorded as Phelps’ 9th career win on the 3/8 oval.

“I have to thank all my crew and our sponsors,” said Phelps. “I hadn’t really given them much to cheer for early in the year, but we do tonight. We really needed this. The outside came in really well, and I kind of found it by accident. Everyone else was content to stay on the bottom, but we made it work around the outside tonight and it paid off.”

Opening night winner Matt Sheppard stormed through the field for a runner-up finish ahead of Steve Paine, Chad Homan, and Ryan Bartlett in the top five.

Todd Town picked up his first career win in the DIRTcar Sportsman Modified division in a duel to the finish over Kevin Ridley. Defending Street Stock champion Nick Rizzo again found victory lane on Sunday night, as did Bill Werner in the BattleKarz. With Phelps, Rizzo, and Werner taking victories, three of the four defending track champions found victory lane Sunday evening.

Only Jeremy Pitcher in the Sportsman ranks did not grab a checkered flag.

Shannon Whaley and Jason Potter started the Currier Plastics 35-lap DIRTcar Big-Block Modified main event from the front row, with Potter getting the edge into turn one. Heat race winner Rob Bellinger was on the move from the third spot, grabbing the lead from Potter on lap-6, only to have Potter regain the lead on the following circuit.

Potter would lead the field until lap-15 when the no. 91 of Chad Homan slipped passed Bellinger and Potter to gain the top spot. However, Homan would not last long out front as Matt Sheppard and Jimmy Phelps had charged through the field to second and third from the 7th and 8th row in the starting line-up.

Homan and Sheppard were running the middle to lower part of the Speedway, as Phelps began to march to the top side. On lap-18 Phelps used his experience and know how to put the no. 99J to the outside in turn four driving around both Sheppard and Homan for the lead. Phelps would be scored as the race leader on lap-19, and immediately began to check away from the field.

The race’s only caution flew on lap-25 for a stopped Vinnie Vitale in turn two. At the restart Phelps led Sheppard, Homan, Ryan Bartlett, and Steve Paine. When the race went back to green Phelps again left the field, but the man making the moves was Paine in the no. 7x.

Paine disposed of Bartlett on the restart, and then worked by Homan on lap-32 for the third spot. Meanwhile, Phelps and Sheppard were well ahead of the field, as Phelps cruised to his first win of the season and 9th career at Cayuga County.

Homan would hold on to the fourth spot ahead of Bartlett, Alan Johnson, Ryan Phelps, Larry Wight, Steve Hulsizer, and Justin Haers in the top ten.

So far the 2008 DIRTcar Sportsman Modified season had not been too kind to the driver of the TMI no. 17t, Todd Town. Town had rolled one car out of the park in the first turn, and had not quite been able to string together a top finish. But Sunday night Town started from the pole position, and lead all 25-laps erasing any doubt that the no. 17t is one of the fastest cars at the Speedway each and every week.

Town and Justin Wright started from row one, with Town making quick work of the no. 19w into turn one. Wright hung onto second for several laps until James Spano and Kevin Ridley began to slide through the field. Spano took the runner-up position on lap-13, eventually bringing Ridley with him on the 16th circuit.

While they were on the move, Town was well out front but quickly approaching lapped traffic. With 5-laps to go Town was in heavy traffic which allowed both Spano and Ridley to close in. Ridley was able to work by Spano in traffic on lap-22, and set his sights on the top spot.

A late race caution set up a one lap dash to the finish between Town and Ridley. Town proved to be too much though, as he pulled away from Ridley to the line for his first career Sportsman Modified feature win.

“This has been a long time coming,” said Town. “I was in New York City early today, and wasn’t sure if I’d make it, we barely got here in time. I don’t know what else to say, this feels really good.”

Jeremy Pitcher made some late moves to come home third ahead of Spano, James Friesen, Wright, Tom Juhl, Dave Marcuccilli, Rob Richmond, and Tim Currier in the top ten.

One of the largest UMP Street Stock fields in recent memory at Cayuga County Fair Speedway saw 22 drivers take the green flag for the 20-lap main event. Dan Hoffman Sr. and Mike Vaughn brought the field to green, with Hoffman showing his muscle early on.

Nick Rizzo started 5th and by lap-4 was challenging for the race lead. On the 5th circuit Rizzo found his way by Hoffman for the top spot, which let the rest of the field know that they had better get moving.

Mike Welch and Bubba Burnell began to make quick work of the field, as they started well back in the field. Halfway through the event, Welch and Burnell had moved to 3rd and 4th and began to work the front two runners.

For short time it looked as though either Welch or Burnell would have something for the top two spots, but Rizzo and Hoffman ran perfect racing lines out front. When the checkered flag fell Rizzo led 15-laps on his way to victory over Hoffman, Burnell, Welch, and Rich Degroff.

The Pick-n-Pull Auto Parts BattleKarz 25-lap feature go was taken by Bill Werner in the new no. 63 machine. Werner took advantage of a late race tangle between Charlie Degroff and a lapped car to grab the top spot. Degroff would come home second ahead of Dave Nagldinger, James Werner, and Keith Keuer.

Next Sunday night Summit Auto and the Army National Guard present “Freedom Night” at Cayuga County Fair Speedway. A huge fireworks display will highlight the evening as the DIRTcar Big-Block Modifieds, Sportsman, UMP Street Stocks, BattleKarz, and the CNYMS Sprints take the green at 7pm.

Don’t forget Tuesday night June 24th the World of Outlaws Late Model Series heads to the Canandaigua Speedway for the very first time. Watch the best the Outlaws have to offer take on local Big-Block heroes Tim McCreadie, Vic Coffey, Tim Fuller, Billy Decker, and Danny Johnson at the Land of Legends. Reserved seats are still available for $27.

For more information on next week’s activities at the Cayuga County Fair Speedway call the DIRTcar NE Headquarters or visit www.cayugacountyfairspeedway.com.

Currier Plastics/T&K Lumber “Green Mamba Jet Car” Event Summary (6-22-08):

BattleKarz

Feature (25-laps): 1) 63- BILL WERNER, 2) 77- Charlie Degroff, 3) 24x- Dave Nagldinger, 4) 67- James Werner, 5) 5k- Keith Keuer, 6) 73- Les Baker, 7) k9p- Wally Dean, 8) 24- Karl Werner, 9) 9- Greg Large, 10) 1- Jeremy Werner, 11) 15- Dan Dennis, 12) 20L- Rich Tanner, 13) 47- Nick Werner, 14) 30PK- Josh Brooke, 15) 13- Barb Amadon, 16) 27x- Dave Guererri

UMP Street Stocks

Heat #1: Fisher, Hoffman Sr., Ellison, Peckham, Thomas, Hoffman Jr., Grant, Minutolo

Heat #2: Rizzo, Degroff, Burnell, Vaughn, Smith, Kowaleski, Guererri

Heat #3: Welch, Krebs, Alnutt, Woodworth, Thomas, Marvin, LaVare Jr., Rasbeck

Feature (20-laps): 1) 115- NICK RIZZO, 2) 57b- Bubba Burnell, 3) 71- Dan Hoffman Sr., 4) 00- Mike Welch, 5) 6- Rich Degroff, 6) 21a- Mark Alnutt, 7) 2- Steve Woodworth, 8) 8m- Harry Marvin III, 9) ws7- Ray Smith, 10) 37- Chris Fisher, 11) 17- Dan Hoffman Jr., 12) E4- Van Grant, 13) 11- Mike Vaughn, 14) 41- Daryl Krebs, 15) CJ1- Chris Guererri, 16) 6L- George LaVare Jr., 17) 31T- Bill Thomas, 18) 90- Nate Peckham, 19) 47- Pete Kowaleski, 20) 25- Marc Minutolo, 21) 00r- Mike Rasbeck, 22) 88x- Chuck Thomas, 23) 18- Wayne Ellison

Bud Light $25 Wheel of Fortune Bonus: 00- Mike Welch

DIRTcar Sportsman Modifieds

Heat #1: Town, Spano, Juhl, Friesen, Richmond Jr., Dinkins, Garrison, Behron, Wheeler

Heat #2: Ridley, Hilkert, Gray, Kingsley, Occhino, Hilton, Schneider, Hutchings

Heat #3: Marcuccilli, Pitcher, Currier, Entwistle, Hulsizer, Wright, Rudy

Feature (25-laps): 1) 17t- TODD TOWN, 2) 20x- Kevin Ridley, 3) 14- Jeremy Pitcher, 4) 1- James Spano, 5) 52- James Friesen, 6) 19w- Justin Wright, 7) 17d- Tom Juhl, 8) m1- Dave Marcuccilli, 9) 93- Rob Richmond Jr., 10) 10- Tim Currier, 11) 4- Daryl Hilkert, 12) 55- Matt Hulsizer, 13) 54x- Stewart Garrison, 14) 2m- John Behron, 15) m93- Mike Entwistle, 16) 11- Ben Wheeler, 17) 3- Fran Hilton, 18) 57s- Beth Schneider, 19) 3k- AJ Kingsley, 20) 29g- Steve Gray, 21) 84j- Claude Hutchings Jr., 22) 35- Jason Occhino, 23) 17- Marcus Dinkins

Currier Plastics $50 Wheel of Fortune Bonus: 17- Marcus Dinkins

DIRTcar Big-Block Modifieds

Heat #1 (6-qualify): Bellinger, Bowman, Paine, J. Phelps, Wight, Hulsizer, Haers, Vigneri, Mahaney

Heat #2: Pfeffer, R. Phelps, Homan, Whaley, Habeck, Rauscher, Tomkins, Vitale, Brownell Jr.

Heat #3: Sheppard, Dunn, Johnson, Podsiadlo, Bartlett, Potter, Ward, Fink

Consi (6-qualify): Haers, Vigneri, Fink, Ward, Mahaney, Vitale, Gary Tomkins, Jeff Brownell Jr.

Feature (35-laps): 1) 99J- JIMMY PHELPS, 2) 9s- Matt Sheppard, 3) 7x- Steve Paine, 4) 91- Chad Homan, 5) 93- Ryan Bartlett, 6) 14J- Alan Johnson, 7) 99- Ryan Phelps, 8) 99L- Larry Wight, 9) 88- Steve Hulsizer, 10) 3- Justin Haers, 11) 49- Billy Dunn, 12) 8- Rob Bellinger, 13) 44v- Phil Vigneri, 14) 44- Shannon Whaley, 15) 16- Mike Bowman, 16) 25- Paul Habeck, 17) 5- Jason Potter, 18) 29- Jeff Brownell Jr., 19) 48T- Dave Rauscher, 20) 33- Mike Mahaney, 21) 45m- Mike Ward, 22) 15- Matt Fink, 23) 56- Vinnie Vitale, 24) 21- Derrick Podsiadlo, 25) 79- John Pfeffer

Gypsum Wholesalers $100 Wheel of Fortune Bonus: 99J- Jimmy Phelps

March 18, 2008

PHELPS GETS FIRST, ECKERT IS TWO FOR TWO AT HAGERSTOWN
Story by Hagerstown Speedway

Hagerstown, MD — Winners of Saturday afternoon's 30-lap features at Hagerstown Speedway were Jimmy Phelps and Rick Eckert. Both picked up $2,000 for their efforts.

Starting ninth, Phelps, of Baldwinsville, NY, was the third different leader in the big block modified feature and scored a nearly two second victory over Ryan Godown as a tune up for next Saturday's Advance Auto Parts DIRT Series modified 100-lap event.

"We've been good at times in the races here, but never had what it took to finish long," Phelps said. "It was just a heck of a lot of fun today. These guys gave me an awesome race car. We didn't know what to expect. We brought a brand new car and trying to shake it down for next week. It was pretty flawless."

When it rained in Tennessee, York, PA's Rick Eckert headed north and came away with his second consecutive late model win, but didn't start from the point. Eckert began eighth in the inverted feature and stole the lead from fellow World of Outlaw competitor Josh Richard at the halfway mark. Again, Roy Deese Jr. was the runner up after coming from 13th.

"Our car was really good again today, the race track was excellent again," Eckert said. "They had to work hard and long to get it to where we could get started, but it stayed really good and was two lanes. I caught Josh there and he changed his line there after that restart and I just got in there and got stuck enough to roll by him. I guess Roy was coming there at the end. I was out there in the middle of the race track messing around and they told me he was getting closer."

With a six car inversion in the modified event, Bob Drayton led the first lap before spinning in turn four as Danny Johnson took over but his lead time was short as he slowed and drove off the track with problems after Phelps drove by to lead lap five.

Phelps had a seven second built up over 12th starting Godown and at the rear of the field when the caution came out on lap ten.

Phelps continued to hold the advantage over Godown while Kevin Hirthler had came from 19th and was another distance back. Phelps entered the rear cars by lap18 and had three separating between him and Godown during a lap 26 restart.

Hirthler ended spinning during the restart while attempting to get around the lapped traffic as Godown got by all three cars in one lap on the second restart, but Phelps was charging towards victory lane.

Ray Swinehart came from 16th to end third when Hirthler was disqualified following the event for unsportsmanlike conduct. Chris Knopp and Del Rougevx completed the top five while Drayton returned from the spin to claim sixth. Ryan Swartzlander, Chic Cossaboone (13th), Shawn Beardsley (14th) and Sean Merkel rounded the top ten.

Heat winners for the 30 modifieds were Knopp, Shawn Reimert and Swartzlander while Hirthler won the consolation.

Richards started on the pole and took of while third starter, Alan Sagi took second, but Eckert was already to fourth by lap two when Paul Crowl coasted to a stop. After the restart, Eckert quickly grabbed second from Sagi and focused on Richards while Sagi and J.T. Spence battled for third with Spence winning out on lap eight.

When Joe Isabell spun on lap ten, Richards and Eckert showed their strength while Deese was on the radar screen and moved into third on lap 13.

The race remained green as Eckert focused on Richards moves until the opportunity that was successful. As Eckert forged ahead and got into lapped traffic by lap 20, Richards had his hands full with Deese until Deese came out on top on lap 24.

Deese closed to about three lengths, but Eckert got the signals to get low where he found some moisture and pulled out to a nearly two second win over the five time Hagerstown champion. Richards ended third with Spence and Dan Stone completing the top five. Sagi, Darryl Hills, Jared Miley, Jim Yoder (17th) and Gerald Davis (23rd) finished the top ten

With 34 cars on hand, Eckert, D.J. Myers, Steve Axtell Jr, and Hills were heat winners as Jamie Lathroum came from 13th to claim the consolation win.

Racing moves to Saturday nights this week, March 22nd as the Advanced Auto Parts Super DIRT Series big block modifieds arrive for their 100- lap event. The Cindy Rowe Auto Glass late models are also on the schedule for a 25-lap feature.

Pit gates open at 3 p.m., grandstands at 4 p.m with hot laps beginning at 5:30 p.m. followed by Integra Shock time trials and feature racing. Check the speedway website for any changes in the weather or contact the speedway office at 301-582-0640.

Hagerstown Speedway Results

Cindy Rowe Auto Glass Late Models, 30 laps , 34 Entries, (Lap Leaders - Josh Richards 1-15, Rick Eckert 16-30): 1.Rick Eckert; 2.Roy Deese Jr. 3.Josh Richards; 4.J.T. Spence; 5.Dan Stone; 6.Alan Sagi; 7.Darryl Hills; 8.Jared Miley; 9.Jim Yoder; 10.Gerald Davis; 11.D.J. Myers; 12.Frankie Plessinger; 13.Marvin Winters; 14.Tyler Armstrong; 15.Jamie Lathroum; 16.Jared Powell; 17.Billy Wampler; 18.Donnie Lingo; 19.Joe Isabell; 20.Roland Mann ; 21.Austin Hubbard; 22.Kirk Ryan; 23.Steve Axtell Jr.; 24.Paul Crowl; DNQ - Mike Lupfer, Kerry King, Bob Minnich, Danny Johnson, Waylon Wagner, Brian Bernheisel, Richard Walls, Scott LeBarron, DNS - Tyler Hershey, Darryl Arnold

Big Block Modifieds, 30 laps - 30 Entries (Lap Leaders - Bob Drayton, 1; Danny Johnson 2-4; Jimmy Phelps 5-30): 1.Jimmy Phelps; 2.Ryan Godown; 3.Ray Swinehart; 4.Chris Knopp; 5.Del Rougevx; 6.Bob Drayton; 7.Ryan Swartzlander; 8.Chic Cossaboone; 9.Shawn Beardsley; 10.Sean Merkel; 11.Mark Frankhouser; 12.Shawn Reimert; 13.Kyle Ebersole; 14.Bryant Brown; 15.Dean Pearson; 16.Ryan Watt; 17.Steve Downs; 18.Dan Vaulter; 19.Brad Brightbill; 20.Kevin Bates; 21.DannyJohnson; 22.Colt Harris; 23.Jeff Brown; DQ - Kevin Hirthler, DNQ Matt Housare, Joel Batzel, DNS -Allen Fink, Rich Scagliotta, Tom Hager, Randy Chronister

February 17, 2008

Horton First In Alltel DIRTcar Nationals Finale; Hearn & Pauch Share Points Title
Story by Tom Skibinski

Barberville, FL — Jimmy Horton almost wasn’t able to save his best for last, yet having one of the fastest cars for the second straight night gave him a chance and the Neshanic Station, New Jersey speedster took advantage to survive and score a dramatic win Saturday night in the Advance Auto Parts Alltel 50 finale at Volusia Speedway Park.

New Jersey state rivals Brett Hearn and Billy Pauch finished together for the fourth straight night, producing the fourth tie in history for the coveted Alltel DIRTcar Nationals Big-Block Modified points title.

“Motors have been keeping me entertained here the whole week,” said Horton, 51, after parking the Schmidt Racing no. 5 Lincoln Auto Body/Troyer entry in Alltel Victory Lane at VSP for the sixth time, his first since February of 2006. “We broke a motor in warm-ups the first night, don’t really know why, then ran decent the next night. Last night we were real good and I was having a lot of fun until getting into that jingle.”

“Tonight everything was pretty good then all of a sudden it jumped out of gear. I thought the motor broke so I said I’ll give it one more try and put it back in gear and she took off again. I think when it jumped out of gear it might have over-revved the motor and broke a rocker arm because with about seven laps to go it started skipping. I said sorry Dieter (Schmidt, owner), its going to the end,” Horton added.

Early race leader Jimmy Phelps hung on to finish second four car-lengths behind for his first top-five tally of the week in the H&H Motorsports no. 98H Mohawk Northeast-New England Race Fuels/Troyer mount. After suffering a flat left-rear tire just after grabbing the lead from Phelps on lap 18, Friday night winner Dale Planck charged back through to place third ahead of co-champions Pauch and Hearn.

Stocked with a fresh Morrison motor under the hood of his JIR Motorsports no. 27J Troyer machine, Danny Johnson jumped out early from his pole-position start until Phelps drove around as the pair throttled out of turn two. Pauch, Planck and Horton chased the leaders in the early going with Hearn yet to find his way into the top-10 with first five laps complete.

Central New Yorker Dave Rauscher backed his Magee Transportation Services-Monadnock Disposal Service/Bicknell down the home stretch to incur the first of seven yellow flags just as upstarts Mark Forte Jr. and Rob Bellinger tangled in turn two. Jeremy Markle and Steve Downs hooked up in the same spot two laps later to quickly bring out a second caution with the front-five racers remaining together with 10 in the books.

Planck finally moved past Pauch for third on lap 13 and overtook Johnson for the runner-up slot two laps later then set his sights on the leader. This time it was Mark Forte Sr. locking horns with Bellinger in the initial turns to force another slowdown, just what Planck was looking for as he ducked low to forge his first lead on lap 18. But that lasted only one more circuit as Planck’s left-rear Hoosier went soft allowing Phelps to regain the point .

The no. 1W Will Brown Truck Repair-K&A Excavating/Bicknell mount of Pauch suddenly came to life on the lap 20 restart, blasting from fourth to first, going around Andy Bachetti then under Phelps as Johnson sandwiched the leader coming out of turn four. Horton was left to watch in fifth while Hearn moved in to make it a six car battle with half the race still to go.

Horton moved back past Hearn then disposed of Bachetti and when Johnson had a tire go down under yellow, Horton was riding in the top-three and getting faster as the race wore on. Horton flew past Phelps on a lap 26 restart and sped high around Pauch to forge the final lead change on lap 28. With the “Sensational One” out front, only the positions behind him changed as Horton held on for his 83rd career DIRTcar Big-Block Modified feature win.

“This is the way we wanted to start out,” Horton stated. “Dieter went out and bought some Troyer cars and it really made a difference. Other than blowing a motor on Wednesday and the mishap on Friday, we’ve done alright this week.”

With 17 of the 28 open-wheel starters completing the entire 50-lap distance, the top-10 positions were filled by veterans Pat Ward and Alan Johnson, Bachetti, Rick Laubach and Matt Sheppard. The Alltel DIRTcar Nationals points championship was the seventh for Hearn and third for Pauch, ironically, with each also tying for the title on other time; Hearn with Bachetti in 2005 and Pauch with Jeff Kappesser in 1982. Identical finishes of 1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th were recorded by each driver during the four-day affair.

“It’s a great way for the team to start out with four top-5s,” said Hearn, the defending overall Hoosier-Sunoco Mr. DIRTcar Big-Block Modified Champion. “We didn’t have the best car by any means but just kept digging. Our goal is to finish in the top-five all the time, and we know the wins will come if we keep running up front.”

Added Pauch, “We came down here to win so its always nice to do good and get the title that goes along with it. Its definitely been a while. I think 1982 was the first time I ever came down to Florida. We’re happy the way things worked out this time around, hopefully we can carry the momentum back home. Right now Hagerstown and Virginia are already on our schedule.”

With the 2008 Alltel DIRTcar Nationals safely in the recordbook, teams packed up and headed home to get ready for the start of DIRTcar NorthEast's 33rd season at their hometrack. The first major event of the season is the Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modified opener scheduled at Hagerstown (Md.) Speedway on Saturday, March 22. The 23-race Advance Auto Parts Series continues through October with Orange County Fair (NY) Speedway hosting the 47th Eastern States 200-lap season-finale on October 19.

Headquartered in Roanoke, Va., Advance Auto Parts is the second-largest retailer of automotive aftermarket parts, accessories, batteries, and maintenance items in the United States, based on store count and sales. As of October 6, 2007, the company operated 3,228 stores in 40 states, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. The company serves both the do-it-yourself and professional installer markets.

Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series – Volusia Speedway Park, February 16, 2008
37th Annual Alltel DIRTcar Nationals Event #4
BIG-BLOCK MODIFIED FEATURE
FIN STR CAR# DRIVER/HOMETOWN
1 4 5 Jimmy Horton/Neshanic Station,NJ($5,000)
2 2 98h Jimmy Phelps/Baldwinsville,NY
3 8 77x Dale Planck/Cortland,NY
4 17 20 Brett Hearn/Sussex,NJ
5 6 1w Billy Pauch/Frenchtown,NJ
6 21 42p Pat Ward/Genoa,NY
7 25 14j Alan Johnson/Middlesex,NY
8 3 34 Andy Bachetti/Sheffield,MA
9 18 14 Rick Laubach/Quakertown,PA
10 13 44s Matt Sheppard/Waterloo,NY
11 12 7j Joe Isabell/Pennellville,NY
12 19 22 Mario Clair/St-Edmond,QUE
13 20 91w Larry Wight/Phoenix,NY
14 10 32 Jim Rasey/Southington,OH
15 5 8s Rich Scagliotta/Bound Brook,NJ
16 22 56 Vince Vitale/Phoenix,NY
17 24 18 Sean Beardsley/Central Square,NY
18 7 8 Rob Bellinger/Dexter,NY
19 14 43 Keith Flach/Ravena,NY
20 23 79 Jeremy Markle/Port Jervis,NY
21 11 48too Dave Rauscher/Waterloo,NY
22 9 55 Jamie Mills/Milford,DE
23 27 30 Jordan Watson/Milford,DE
24 28 m40 Mark Forte,Jr./Blue Anchor,NJ
25 1 27j Danny Johnson/Rochester,NY
26 15 71 David VanHorn/Phillipsburg,NJ
27 16 40 Mark Forte,Sr./Blue Anchor,NJ
28 26 39w Steve Downs/Georgetown,DE
DID NOT QUALIFY(7)
1-Darwin Greene/Susquehanna,PA
20p-Pierre Berthiaume/Quebec City,QUE
20s-Steve Haggan/Flemington, NJ
t21-Roger Chrysler/Lewiston,NY
66w-Wallace Stacey/Kahnawake,QUE
85-Dan Vauter/Forest City,PA
923-Colin Jackson/Peckville,PA
Lap Leaders: D.Johnson (1-2), Phelps (3-17), Planck (18), Phelps (19), Pauch (20-27), Horton (28-50).
Cautions: 7 (lap 6, lap 8, lap 17, lap 19, lap 26, lap 31, lap 42).
QUALIFYING
Heat Races (8 laps, top 5 finishers transferred to feature)
#1: D.Johnson, Scagliotta, Mills, Sheppard, Hearn, Ward, Beardsley, Vitale, Stacey.
#2: Phelps, Pauch, Rasey, Flach, Laubach, Greene, Jackson, Haggan, A.Johnson.
#3: Bachetti, Bellinger, Rauscher, VanHorn, Clair, Markle, Watson, Chrysler, Forte Jr.
#4: Horton, Planck, Isabell, Forte Sr., Wight, Downs, Berthiaume, Vauter.
Consolation Round (12 laps, top 8 finishers transferred to feature)
#1: Ward, Vitale, Markle, Beardsley, A.Johnson, Downs, Watson, Forte Jr., Greene, Haggan, Berthiaume, Chrysler, Jackson, Stacey, Vauter (DNS).

Alltel DIRTcar Nationals Point Standings (FINAL)
POINTS CAR# DRIVER / HOMETOWN
214 20 BRETT HEARN/Sussex,NJ
214 1w BILLY PAUCH/Frenchtown,NJ
198 14j Alan Johnson/Middlesex,NY
194 42p Pat Ward/Genoa,NY
184 77x Dale Planck/Cortland,NY
176 44s Matt Sheppard/Waterloo,NY
176 98h Jimmy Phelps/Baldwinsville,NY
162 22 Mario Clair/St-Edmond,QUE
140 5 Jimmy Horton/Neshanic Station,NJ
136 14 Rick Laubach/Quakertown,PA
132 91w Larry Wight/Phoenix,NY
118 8s Rich Scagliotta/Bound Brook,NJ
115 56 Vince Vitale/Phoenix,NY
114 43 Keith Flach/Ravena,NY
114 34 Andy Bachetti/Sheffield,MA
108 71 David VanHorn/Phillipsburg,NJ
100 39w Steve Downs/Georgetown,DE
100 m40 Mark Forte,Jr./Blue Anchor,NJ
100 55 Jamie Mills/Milford,DE
92 7j Jeff Isabell/Pennellville,NY
92 18 Sean Beardsley/Central Square,NY
89 117 Kevin Hirthler/Boyertown,PA
87 32 Jim Rasey/Southington,OH
82 8 Rob Bellinger/Dexter,NY
78 79 Jeremy Markle/Port Jervis,NY
74 85 Dan Vauter/Forest City,PA
63 27j Danny Johnson/Rochester,NY
62 30 Jordan Watson/Milford,DE
62 48too Dave Rauscher/Waterloo,NY
60 40 Mark Forte,Sr./Blue Anchor,NJ
53 66w Wallace Stacey/Kahnawake,QUE
41 20p Mike Perrotte/Plattsburgh,NY
40 1 Darwin Greene/Susquehanna,PA
40 20s Steve Haggan/Flemington, NJ
40 t21 Roger Chrysler/Lewiston,NY
40 923 Colin Jackson/Peckville,PA
36 7j Joe Isabell/Pennellville,NY
30 OB's Bob Hentschel/Pine Bush,NY
20 71r John Reome/Greenfield Center,NY
10 20p Pierre Berthiaume/Quebec City,QUE

2008 Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modified Roster (35)
Car# Driver/Hometown Team (Sponsor / Chassis / Engine)
1 Darwin Greene/Susquehanna,PA Greene Quality Bluestone-Big Diamond Tools-TJ's NAPA/Bicknell/Jensen Tech
1w Billy Pauch/Frenchtown,NJ Will Brown's Truck Repair-K&A Excavating/Bicknell/Chevrolet
5 Jimmy Horton/Neshanic Station,NJ Lincoln Auto Body-Schmidt Racing/Troyer/Tischler
7j Joe Isabell/Pennellville,NY JIR Motorsports/Troyer/Morrison
8s Rich Scagliotta/Bound Brook,NJ Central Jersey Trailer & Hitch Depot-Adamsville Maintenance/Troyer/Feil
8 Rob Bellinger/Dexter,NY Mini-Storage of Watertown-Westward Paintng-Lake Ontario Rlty/Troyer/Finger Lakes
14 Rick Laubach/Quakertown,PA Jerry Simons Builder-Alpha Mills-Reiley & Sterner Auto Sales/TEO/Enders
14j Alan Johnson/Middlesex,NY Tri-State Roofing-Dirt Works-Cedar Ridge RV/TEO/Terry Vince
18 Sean Beardsley/Central Square,NY Town Mechanical,Inc-Bradco Supply-Pipe Pros/Troyer/Moshier
20 Brett Hearn/Sussex,NJ Madsen Motorsports-Wentworth Custom Homes-Kruger-WLR/TEO/Enders
20p Pierre Berthiaume/Quebec City,QUE PB Performance-S.D. Performance/Bicknell/Tony Feil
20s Steve Haggan/Flemington, NJ Skechers Shoes-Haggan Construction-Modified Painting/Bicknell/Feil
t21 Roger Chrysler/Lewiston,NY Iroquois Water-Randy's Smoke Shop-Joey's Sneaks/Bicknell/JanCen
22 Mario Clair/St-Edmond,QUE Batiments JDL-Motel Drummond-Freightliner/Bicknell/Morrison
27j Danny Johnson/Rochester,NY JIR Motorsports/Troyer/Morrison
30 Jordan Watson/Milford,DE I.G.Burton Car Dealership-ReMax Realtor-L&W Ins./Bicknell/FingerLakes-DDE
32 Jim Rasey/Southington,OH Twin Oaks Services South-Alcon Mechanical/Dirt Wheels/Minors Performance
34 Andy Bachetti/Sheffield,MA Steve Hough Motors/PMC/JPM
39w Steve Downs/Georgetown,DE Wood's General Contracting-Christian Bros. Concrete/Bicknell/Precision
40 Mark Forte,Sr./Blue Anchor,NJ Wildside Custom Trucks and Trailers-BSR Products/TEO/Finger Lakes
m40 Mark Forte,Jr./Blue Anchor,NJ Wildside Custom Trucks and Trailers-BSR Products/TEO/Finger Lakes
42p Pat Ward/Genoa,NY Gypsum Express,Ltd./Bicknell/Enders
43 Keith Flach/Ravena,NY Flach Crane & Rigging-Gould Erectors & Riggers/TEO/Enders
44s Matt Sheppard/Waterloo,NY Adam Ross Cut Stone-Magee Transport-Seneca Auto Sales/Bicknell/Finger Lakes
48too Dave Rauscher/Waterloo,NY Magee Transportation Services-Monadnock Disposal Service/Bicknell/Morrison
55 Jamie Mills/Milford,DE Coulbourne Farms-Mills Market-Covey's Car Care/Bicknell/DDE(Dan Denny)
56 Vince Vitale/Phoenix,NY V & V Racing/Troyer/Enders
66w Wallace Stacey/Kahnawake,QUE Bully's Truck Stop-CFF,Inc./Bicknell/RL Performance-Morrison
71 David VanHorn/Phillipsburg,NJ Harmony Sand&Gravel-Diamond Hart Ent.-Art's Radiator/TEO/D.VanHorn,Sr.
77x Dale Planck/Cortland,NY RezX Racing-Grow It Hydroseeding-Action Race Parts-Teo Fab./TEO/Kevlar
79 Jeremy Markle/Port Jervis,NY Len & Jo's Restaurant-Advance Recovery/Bicknell/Precision
85 Dan Vauter/Forest City,PA Vauter Racing/Bicknell/Enders
91w Larry Wight/Phoenix,NY Gypsum Wholesalers-Stadium Int'l-Gypsum Express,Ltd./Bicknell/Enders
98h Jimmy Phelps/Baldwinsville,NY Mohawk Northeast-New England Race Fuels/Troyer/Bruneau-FingerLakes
923 Colin Jackson/Peckville,PA Ashford Cottages Bed & Breakfast-Jackson Excavating/Bicknell/Griffin

Alltel DIRTcar Nationals Showcased On DIRTVision.com: DIRTVision.com launched its fifth consecutive season in Florida and for the third straight year, the Alltel DIRTcar Nationals were broadcast live on the DIRTVision cybercast. Users were provided over 60 hours of live video coverage of the Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series as well as Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Series, UMP DIRTcar Super Late Models, All Star Circuit of Champions, UMP DIRTcar Modifieds and World of Outlaws Late Model Series action.

If you are unfamiliar with our LIVE Cybercasts, click on the “FAQ” menu for tips and requirements for viewing the DIRTVision Cybercast. Make sure that you register well in advance of our next show to help troubleshoot any problems you may encounter. Your basic tools will be a DIRTVision.com account, Internet Explorer 6 or higher, and Windows Media Player 9; both of which are FREE. For technical support or questions, e-mail customerservice@DIRTVision.com. The Dirt Radio Network is presented by BUTLERbuilt professional seat systems. BUTLERbuilt is the leader in custom seating. Call 704/784-1027 and let BUTLERbuilt build you an advantage!!!

Andrews Anchors DIRT Radio Network Broadcasts: Nationally recognized SPEED commentator and popular track public address announcer Shane Andrews was back on the road as the official voice of the Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series, opening up for a third consecutive year at Volusia. In addition to traveling the DIRTcar NorthEast circuit and carrying out his accustomed weekend announcing duties, Andrews will also be a regular host heard on the DIRT Radio Network. Fans will again be able to listen to each and every Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series event LIVE on the DIRT Radio Network in 2008. With microphone back in hand, Andrews helped kick off DIRTcar’s 33rd straight season in Florida during the 37th annual Alltel DIRTcar Nationals for Big-Block Modifieds at Volusia Speedway Park.

Get Out The Word First: RACEceiver is the Official Driver Communicator of DIRTcar Racing NorthEast. A compact radio receiver that conveniently fits into a driver’s pocket, a RACEceiver allows each driver to hear directions from series officials, which greatly enhances the safety and timeliness of events. A similar version available to fans will allow RACEceiver users to hear what information series officials are relaying to the drivers. For more information about RACEceiver, visit www.raceceiver.com, call 866-301-7223, or look for their sales trailers at various events.

Tracks Know The Score: In DIRTcar Racing’s ongoing effort to assist every member track affiliate with presenting the best possible race programs, World Racing Group has teamed with AMB i.t. which continues to be recognized as the Official Timing System of DIRTcar NorthEast. AMB i.t. is the world’s leader in automatic race timing and scoring systems and WRG is proud to retain the company as a valued partner in the timing and scoring of all sanctioned events.

UPCOMING EVENT
The 2008 Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series point race schedule for Big-Block Modifieds takes the green flag further north in the springtime. Hagerstown (Md.) Speedway is slated to host the tour opener on March 22 when the Advance Auto Parts Series Big-Block teams compete in the 100-lap North-South Shootout paying the winner $6,000 from the total purse in excess of $27,000.

2008 Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series Schedule
NP=Non-Point event.
*All events subject to change.
DAY-DATE LAPS TRACK WINNER/LOCATION
Wed-Feb 13 Volusia Speedway Park-NP Billy Pauch
Thr-Feb 14 Volusia Speedway Park-NP Brett Hearn
Fri-Feb 15 Volusia Speedway Park-NP Dale Planck
Sat-Feb 16 Volusia Speedway Park-NP Jimmy Horton
Sat-Mar 22 Hagerstown Speedway Hagerstown,MD
Thr-May 1 Virginia Motor Speedway Jamaica,VA
Sun-May 4 Rolling Wheels Raceway Elbridge,NY
Sun-May 25 Cayuga Co Fair Speedway Weedsport,NY
Sat-Jun 7 Fulton Speedway Fulton,NY
Thr-Jul 3 Ransomville Speedway Ransomville,NY
Thr-Jul 10 Brockville Ont Speedway Brockville,ONT
Fri-Jul 11 Autodrome Granby Granby,QUE
Sat-Jul 12 Autodrome Drummond Drummondville,QUE
Sun-Jul 13 Cornwall Motor Speedway Cornwall,ONT
Wed-Jul 16 Grandview Speedway Bechtelsville,PA
Mon-Aug 4 Merrittville Speedway Thorold,ONT
Fri-Aug 8 Brewerton Speedway Brewerton,NY
Sat-Aug 9 Canandaigua Speedway Canandaigua,NY
Sat-Aug 16 Can-Am Motorsports Park LaFargeville,NY
Sun-Aug 31 Cayuga Co Fair Speedway Weedsport,NY
Mon-Sep 1 Rolling Wheels Raceway Elbridge,NY
Sat-Sep 6 Lebanon Valley Speedway West Lebanon,NY
Sat-Sep 20 Canandaigua Speedway Canandaigua,NY
Sat-Sep 27 Rolling Wheels Raceway Elbridge,NY
Sun-Oct 12 New York State Fairgrnds Syracuse,NY
Sun-Oct 19 Orange Co Fair Speedway Middletown,NY
-TBA- Orange Co Fair Speedway Middletown,NY

ADVANCE AUTO PARTS MODIFIED SERIES SPONSORS
The Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series for Big-Block Modifieds is brought to fans across the Northeast by several sponsors and partners, including series sponsors Advance Auto Parts, Hoosier Racing Tire and Sunoco Race Fuels. Promotional partners include AMB i.t., Rite Aid Corporation and the University of Northwestern Ohio and the contingency sponsors are Bert Transmission, Bicknell Racing Products, Bilstein Shocks, Brodix Cylinder Heads, Crane Cams, Integra Shocks, MSD Ignitions, Motorsports Safety Systems, Penske Shocks and Wrisco Industries.

February 7, 2008

H&H Motorsports Racer Jimmy Phelps Leads Team Troyer To Volusia
Story by Tom Skibinski

Weedsport, NY — Troyer Race Cars has been building dirt-style Modifieds since the first radically-designed Mud Buss was unveiled to the motorsports mainstream in 1981. Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series contender Jimmy Phelps was six years old when Alan Johnson sent the DIRTcar Racing world reeling more than a quarter-century ago, instilling a dream that may soon become reality once the 2008 season gets underway.

When the 37th Annual Alltel DIRTcar Nationals kicks off the Big-Block Modified portion of its schedule next week at Volusia Speedway Park, no less than 10 racers will be sporting the latest Troyer creations. Phelps is now the headline ‘house’ driver at age 32 as he looks toward capturing his first career Mr. DIRTcar Modified Championship.

“We’re finally at the point where we’re knocking at the door, only a little off now so we can just work on the finer details,” said Phelps, who will be back aboard the H&H Motorsports no. 98H Mohawk Northeast-New England Race Fuels/Troyer entry for a fourth straight season. The Baldwinsville, N.Y. chauffeur has improved every year, moving from ninth in the 2005 overall Mr. DIRTcar Big-Block standings to fourth last season with three tour triumphs tallied along the way.

“The (Mr. DIRTcar) Championship is definitely our goal, but we had to take a lot of baby steps to get in this position. Winning the title is the biggest feat at this level and it would certainly be the highlight of my career. We’re not missing by much anymore. When it comes to putting in the time and being totally dedicated, everybody on the team is just as deserving,” Phelps added.

The Advance Auto Parts Modified mini-series in Florida includes three 30-lap main events with a 50-lap finale closing out the '08 trip, February 13-16. An optional practice is reserved for Tue., Feb. 12. H&H Motorsports mainstay John Holland plans to be in attendance banking on his driver improving from ninth-place in the final Alltel DIRTcar Nationals Modified points standings two years ago.

“Jimmy was probably the first driver we ever had to go a full year with us, that’s pretty special right there,” figured Holland, who teamed with co-owner Al Heinke to field their first Big-Block Modified entry as the new millennium arrived. Persistence paid off as the dynamic duo shared the first-ever Glenn Donnelly Award of Excellence --- for demonstrating great determination and perseverance in the development of their racing program as well as a high level of pride and professionalism--- at the DIRTcar NorthEast Banquet in 2006.

“Probably 10 other teams are in the title hunt like us. But I feel we’ve paid our dues and everybody in our program has really matured, especially Jimmy, who’s been able to grow right along with us. We’ve always been stronger later in the summer so this year we want to be a lot better right out of the box. That’s the best reason for going back to Volusia, so we can really find out where we stand heading into the first points show,” Holland added.

Phelps is already on solid ground, coming off his best season ever with Empire State track titles at Cayuga County Fair and Fulton speedways, along with 10 DIRTcar Big-Block feature wins; a total that more than tripled his best previous output (3 in ’06) and elevated his career total to 19 checkered flags. Expectations run even higher in his 12th season of Big-Block competition, with veteran crew chief Randy Kisacky continuing to turn the wrenches at every Advance Series stop in 2008.

“Its been a good winter weather-wise which has put us way ahead of schedule, so I’m pretty excited to get going,” Phelps noted. “Hopefully, we can go to Volusia and have a solid run. Our first trip down in ’06 was mostly experimental, this time we’ll be taking more of a baseline approach. As of late we’ve been trying to stay with a basic set-up. We found the further we strayed from the standard, the worse we got. We’re not trying anything off the wall with our motor program, so don’t expect any surprises.”

“Teaming up with the guys at Troyer has not only made me a better driver, its helped my own team become more successful. Being able to run four or five times a week … you just can’t buy that kind of experience. Sure, there were some rough times along the way but I found out first-hand the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. If you want to improve and get to the top you can’t play the blame game, just work harder and hopefully the results will come,” said Phelps, who has been a loyal supporter of the Troyer chassis since 1998.

When Phelps made his debut with the H&H Motorsports/Troyer tandem in June of 2005 at Lernerville (Pa.) Speedway, the end result was fourth quick time before rain pushed the Advance Auto Parts Series show into August. He went on to set two more fast times, win some qualifying heats and lead some feature race laps yet still had to wait until the next summer to claim his first career tour triumph closer to home at Brewerton (NY) Speedway in August of ‘06.

Stated Troyer Race Cars President Billy Colton, “Poor (Advance Series) qualifying runs have been the biggest set backs for Jimmy so being fast when that first green flag falls is going to be a big priority this year. You just can’t keep digging yourself a hole and expect to get back to the front race after race. Coming out with a good run under the clocks and following up strong in the heats will be the biggest sign of improvement we’re looking for from day one.”

Joining Phelps in the all-star cast of 40 chauffeurs scheduled to make the haul south are all-time Alltel Nationals Big-Block feature winner Brett Hearn, defending Florida Tour Champion Danny Johnson, New York veterans Alan Johnson and Billy Decker, along with New Jersey star Jimmy Horton and Delaware driver Jamie Mills.

Volusia Speedway Park (386/985-4402) is located 15 miles west of Daytona Beach on State Road 40 in Barberville, Fla. For additional information, contact the DIRTcar NorthEast Office during normal business hours or log into www.superdirtcarseries.com.

Reserved seat tickets for each night of the Alltel DIRTcar Nationals can be purchased by going online at www.VolusiaSpeedwayPark.com. For those unable to attend any of the shows in person, all the action can be seen on the DIRTVision Cybercast. For just $29.99 fans can purchase the ‘Alltel DIRTcar Nationals Racepass’ and watch live streaming video of the remaining nine nights of racing from Feb. 8-16. Please log on to www.dirtvision.com for more information.

The Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series for Big-Block Modifieds is brought to fans across the Northeast by several sponsors and partners, including series sponsors Advance Auto Parts, Hoosier Racing Tire and Sunoco Race Fuels. Promotional partners include AMB i.t., Rite Aid Corporation and the University of Northwestern Ohio and the contingency sponsors are Bert Transmission, Bicknell Racing Products, Bilstein Shocks, Brodix Cylinder Heads, Crane Cams, Integra Shocks, MSD Ignitions, Motorsports Safety Systems, Penske Shocks and Wrisco Industries.

January 16, 2008

Top DIRTcar NorthEast Big-Block Teams Sign Up For February Florida Tour
Story by Tom Skibinski

Weedsport, NY — With entries spanning four states and Canada, a preliminary Advance Auto Parts Big-Block Modified pre-race roster for the 37th Annual Alltel DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park is taking shape with 40 drivers currently planning to compete.

The return trip to Volusia kicks off with an optional practice day on Tuesday, Feb. 12, opens for racing on Wednesday and concludes Saturday, Feb. 16 with a big $5,000-to-win 50-lapper. Two more Big-Block shows are scheduled in between on Feb. 14-15.

“We’ve already heard from a lot of teams and we’re expecting another great turnout,” said Cory Reed, DIRTcar Racing NorthEast Director of Competition & Track Sanctioning. “There’s a solid mix of veteran drivers with talented newcomers and we can’t wait until they all get the chance to trade some paint in just one more month.”

The formidable field of cars and stars from the NorthEastern Big-Block Modified ranks includes 22 drivers from last year, with the top-nine in final 2007 Florida Tour points once again making the haul down south.

Headlining the assault are reigning Alltel DIRTcar Nationals points king Danny Johnson, defending overall Hoosier Tire-Sunoco Race Fuels Mr. DIRTcar Champion Brett Hearn and DIRTcar NorthEast's all-time winningest Big-Block Modified driver Alan Johnson. That legendary trio is joined by Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series standouts Billy Decker, Jimmy Phelps, Dale Planck and Matt Sheppard along with other New York notables Pat Ward, Dave Rauscher, Vince Vitale, Roger Chrysler, Sean Beardsley, Jeff Isabell and Jeremy Markle.

Garden State speedsters Jimmy Horton, Billy Pauch, David VanHorn and Rich Scagliotta are signed up for the trip to gator country as are Pennsylvania pilots Rick Laubach, Colin Jackson, Dan Vauter, Darwin Greene, Dave Schrader and Kevin Hirthler plus Delaware drivers Jamie Mills, Chad James and Steve Downs, and the lone Massachusetts entry Andy Bachetti.

2007 Mr. DIRTcar 358-Modified Champion Mario Clair, Wallace Stacey and Martin Gagne pose a triple threat from the Canadian province of Quebec, while Mark Forte Jr., Rob Bellinger, Joe Isabell, Alan Fink, Keith Flach, Jordan Watson, Rick Wegner, Steve Haggan and ’07 Sportsman rookie of the year Larry Wight are among the young guns aiming highest during the 2008 DIRTcar Racing campaign.

For those racers looking to add their team to the Alltel DIRTcar Nationals Big-Block Modified roster, please contact NorthEast PR Director Tom Skibinski (315/834-6606) at DIRTcar NE headquarters in Weedsport, N.Y. or through e-mail tskibinski@dirtcar.com correspondence. Volusia Speedway Park www.volusiaspeedwaypark.com is located 15 miles west of Daytona Beach on State Road 40 in Barberville, Fla. Mail is received at: 1500 E. Highway 40, DeLeon Springs, FL 32130.

2008 ALLTEL DIRTcar NATIONALS – VOLUSIA SPEEDWAY PARK
ADVANCE AUTO PARTS BIG-BLOCK MODIFIED ROSTER (Jan. 16)
1 Darwin Greene/Susquehanna,PA ….. 2nd straight year to Fla., 2 cars in ‘08
1w Billy Pauch/Frenchtown,NJ ….. 1982 & 1985 Florida Tour champion
5 Jimmy Horton/Neshanic Station,NJ ….. 1999 Florida champ, 5 tour wins
6g Martin Gagne/Granby,QUE ….. Florida Tour debut with owner J.P. Gobeille
6j Joe Isabell/Pennellville,NY ….. 18 year-old 2nd-generation driver
6pack Dave Schrader/Endeavor,PA ….. Keystone State veteran planning 2nd trip
7j Jeff Isabell/Pennellville,NY ….. JIR Motorsports mainstay fielding 4 cars
8 Rich Scagliotta/Bound Brook,NJ ….. Florida Tour regular every winter
8b Rob Bellinger/Dexter,NY ….. ‘Kid’ Troyer making VSP Big-Block driving debut
10 Alan Johnson/Middlesex,NY ….. New Sherlock team, still high expectations
14 Rick Laubach/Quakertown,PA ….. Seeks more series shows with owner Dick Biever
18 Sean Beardsley/Central Square,NY ….. 3rd trip to Florida for ’08 competition
20 Brett Hearn/Sussex,NJ ….. All-time Florida DIRTcar Nationals Big-Block Champ
20s Steve Haggan/Ringoes, NJ ….. 2008 marks second year of Modified competition
t21 Roger Chrysler/Lewiston,NY ….. Western New Yorker gaining Mod experience
22 Mario Clair/St-Edmond,QUE ….. ’07 Mr. DIRTcar 358 Champ entering Big-Block
22w Rick Wegner/Monmouth Junction,NJ ….. Maiden trip south for sophomore pilot
27 Chad James/Laurel,DE ….. Son of Bridgeport (NJ) Speedway owner Jay James
27j Danny Johnson/Rochester,NY ….. New ride for defending Florida Tour Champ
30 Jordan Watson/Milford,DE ….. Nephew of Delaware State Champ Jamie Mills
34 Andy Bachetti/Sheffield,MA ….. 2005 Florida Tour champ, Lebanon Valley star
39w Steve Downs/Georgetown,DE ….. newcomer steering owner Bill Wood’s mount
m40 Mark Forte,Jr./Blue Anchor,NJ ….. 2nd straight winter trip South
42p Pat Ward/Genoa,NY ….. 2004 Florida Tour points champion, Gypsum teammate
43 Keith Flach/Ravena,NY ….. 2nd-generation driver expanding program in ‘08
44s Matt Sheppard/Waterloo,NY ….. 1st-string Ross Motorsports driver for 5th year
48too Dave Rauscher/Waterloo,NY ….. Sheppard teammate again in ‘Sunshine State’
55 Jamie Mills/Milford,DE ….. Searching for elusive Florida title in 11th straight trip
56 Vince Vitale/Phoenix,NY ….. 1st time racing at Volusia for CNY regular
66w Wallace Stacey/Kahnawake,QUE ….. Alan Johnson teammate in 2007
71 David VanHorn/Phillipsburg,NJ ….. 8th-place in final ’07 Florida Tour points
77x Dale Planck/Cortland,NY ….. High aspirations with new owner Carey Terrance
79 Jeremy Markle/Port Jervis,NY ….. Florida Tour staple and Orange Co. regular
85 Dan Vauter/Forest City,PA ….. Sponsor search continues during trip south
91 Billy Decker/Unadilla,NY ….. Resumé space reserved for 1st Florida Tour title
98h Jimmy Phelps/Baldwinsville,NY ….. Prepared even more after best season ever
99 Larry Wight/Phoenix,NY ….. ‘07 DIRTcar NE Sportsman top rookie at 15 yrs. old
117 Kevin Hirthler/Boyertown,PA ….. Only other VSP appearance made in 2003
923 Colin Jackson/Peckville,PA ….. Orange County runner kicking off season south
-tba- Alan Fink/Central Square,NY ….. 1st trip to Florida for promising 20 year-old

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