Doug's Dirt Diary

“Through the Eyes of the Fuel Man!”

6/8/09

Mother Nature was victorious for the 2nd week in a row at Big Diamond. Friday was just a miserable rainy day all around. We will try again this coming Friday. Maybe the 3rd time will be the charm.

What I really want to talk about this week is the feature winner at Grandview. Bill Pauch Jr. and the Pioneer Team won their first race of the year at Grandview on Saturday Night! It was the first win in the 358 modified division at Grandview for both Billy and the PPB Team. Billy won his 1st ARDC Race earlier this year at Grandview. It was a big win for our team to say the least. Billy had been in position to win numerous times at Grandview but just didn’t quite get it done. The most notable was the night the car shut off with 5 laps to go under caution. The problem turned out to be with the fuel pump. He also had runner-up finishes to Ray Swinehart at both Grandview Speedway and Big Diamond Raceway. Should’ve bet the 33-8 exacta!

I personally feel we had been knocking on the door of Victory Lane for much of the season. This victory was overdue in my eyes. It really does feel good to finally get it behind us. Hopefully with the pressure off getting that first win of the year, we can get it done a few more times this season. Time will tell. We do have a talented young driver, very supportive car owner that gives us what we need, and a very good group of guys on our pit crew that likes to have fun when not doing their jobs at the track and shop. Thank you to each and every person that has helped us get to this point this season. There have been some bumps along the way, which even makes this sweeter. Like Billy says, “Don’t let the highs get to high or the lows get too low!” We did celebrate and we did have fun. Winning is always fun. Winning always feels like more.

Well you know that we ended up in Victory Lane. How did it actually happen? Good Question. It sure wasn’t easy. Billy started the feature in the 10th starting spot. He fell back to 14th early on. There were lots of cautions. It took forever to run 8 laps. The main thing is Bill stayed out of trouble. He seemed to run better on the bottom. It seemed like every restart he ended up getting a spot on the outside line. It was definitely full contact auto racing on this particular Saturday Night. It turned into a game of survival. When the field was finally able to log some laps. Billy made his way toward the front. The car seemed to improve as the fuel load burned off. He found himself in 3rd late in the race. As he raced behind Mike Gular and Troy Wink, something surprising happened, Wink slowed down and Billy ran into him. It turned out that the 44 Magnum ran out of fuel. Fuel was a concern especially for this Fuel Man. Would we run out, would we be light? There was an over abundance of caution laps throughout the feature. As we lined up for the final restart, Mike Gular chose the top which allowed us on the bottom line where our car seemed to be better. What a battle!!! Billy and Mike both got good starts and ran side by side for 2 laps. It was nerve wracking to watch. Billy pulled in front and was able to stretch the lead enough to cruise to victory in the First ever Don Marks Memorial Race. “Let the Celebration begin!” It sure was sweet! Hopefully it ends up being only the first of many. The top five ended up Billy, Mike Gular, Jason Hamilton, Kyle Follweiler and Jeff Strunk. Shawn Reimert had finished 3rd but was disqualified for an illegal carburetor. Great run for Kyle Follweiler who seems to be improving each and every week. Jeff Strunk rebounded for a respectable 5th place finish after being involved in a wreck in the heat. Jeff and the crew worked hard to get the car fixed for the consolation which Jeff won. Billy Pauch Sr. also won at New Egypt on the same night that Billy Jr. won his first Grandview modified feature. Congratulations to father and son on a special night for the entire Pauch Family. Great Job!



Trivia Answer- Shawn Fitzpatrick won his first sportsman race at Big Diamond on Friday June 9, 2002

SMOKE- Tony Stewart had a good weekend. He finished 6th on Saturday in the Dream at his Eldora Speedway and then followed it up with a win in the Pocono 500 when he stretched his fuel mileage.

Busy Weekend-The team will have a 3 race weekend this coming weekend. The team will be racing at Susquehanna Speedway on Sunday evening in addition to Big Diamond and Grandview.

2nd car at Susky- The PPB team plans on fielding a 2nd car for Jared “J-Rod” Umbenhauer” on Sunday at Susky. Barring any major problems Saturday, that is the current plan. Jared has been helping us throughout the season. He drives the #32 Sportsman modified at Big Diamond. He is a good kid. He deserves this opportunity and we wish him the best of luck and will do whatever we can to support him and help him find success.

Points- Billy is 4th in points at Big D and 7th on “The Hill”

Thank you- Thank you to Bob Greene for taking our team out to eat at Angelo’s Diner after the win. Thanks Bro!!!!



That is everything I can think of for this week. We are done celebrating and ready to get back to work. Have a good week and hope to see you this weekend.

“It is SHOWTIME at Susquehanna Speedway, Now!!!!”



Doug “DJ from Pa.” Jansson

The race weekend started on Friday with the make-up feature that was postponed due to RAIN on 5/8/09. We originally started in the 19th spot. The race restarted with Billy Jr. starting 11th, not 7th like we had thought. The scoring for some reason went back to the previous lap. Billy worked his way to the front and engaged in some tight battles. He settled into 6th where he eventually finished. We were very happy to start the night out that way. It was a strong run after an original starting spot of 19th. Craig Von Dohren held off Duane Howard to win the first feature. Congratulations to Craig and the Mike Harvey Race Team.

Billy was able to have a strong finish in the heat for the regular show. He made the invert for the first time this year at Big D. He started the feature in 10th spot. He quickly moved to the front. He found himself in 2nd in the late stages of the race. Duane Howard was able to get by Billy for 2nd on the last lap. It was still a very strong finish for the PPB team. Ryan Watt and the HP Motorsports team won the feature. It was an emotional win for the team. The team was started by the late Franny Purcell Sr. Franny passed away last November after a battle with cancer. It was a popular win among the Big Diamond Faithful too. Congratulations to Jason and Eric Hernley who are now carrying on the tradition for their grandfather. Jason also helps Jason Bashore prepare our cars and is our crew chief on Saturday nights at Grandview. I really like Jason the more I get to know him and congratulate his team on a huge win. Our team will be sporting a special paint scheme in honor of Franny at this Sunday’s special Memorial Race. You will have to come out and check it out. The #6 will also have a special scheme.

Grandview turned out to be like Diamond the previous week. Billy started 19th and the race was halted for rain with 8 laps of 30 complete. Tommy Sheetz Jr. is the leader. The race will be continued this Saturday May 23rd in addition to a regular 2 division show.

We have a busy schedule this week. We start out with a Thunder on the Hill program at Grandview on Wednesday night. The 410 sprint cars will also be on the card. Friday we will be racing a regular points race at Big Diamond. Saturday will be back to Grandview for a regular show along with the make up feature from last week. The holiday weekend ends with a special memorial race (non points) at Big Diamond. It will be 50 laps with $5000 to win for the 358 modifieds. The race will honor former drivers ,owners and crew members who have passed away over the years. We look forward to this special event.

Answer to last week’s Question: Craig Von Dohren is 1st and Rick Schaffer is 2nd on the all-time wins list at Grandview.

This week’s Question: How many wins does Fred Rahmer have in a modified in his racing career? Answer next week

Thank you to the entire PPB Pit crew for a job well done this week! Thank you to Billy Sr. for your assistance on Friday night. Thank you to the Sunday afternoon “Car Wash Gang” Jared, Stewie, Patrick and Ryan in your help in getting us a head start on a very busy week. Last but not least, Thanks to Big Ben for all you do for our team! It is appreciated!

Until next week: “Watch ‘em now, two by two, here they come, there they go!!!!!!”

Have a great Holiday weekend!!!!

Doug “DJ from Pa.” Jansson

Written by Independent Contributor: AJ Payne (The Dirtracer Insider)
April 17, 2009

Now as many of you may know by now from our chats both in person and online that I have been around auto racing and more directly dirt track racing all of my life. In addition, it needs to be made clear that in no way am I trying to come across as slamming any one, or origination. However, I have been doing a great deal of reading, checking as well as putting my thoughts together on the current state of auto racing and in general dirt track racing. Now there is a good chance that this article will be one in a series of articles that I will contribute about this subject.





Over the past two weeks, it has come to my attention, that a new issue has come to light that has the whole Usmts, IMCA, and UMP world up in arms. One might ask what kind of issue could be so awful that it has taken the place of items like traction control, engine, and body rules. You would surprised to discover that this big issue that has the bloggers up in arms is the relocation of the frame rail on the right side of many modifies built in the past year by some of the many car builders around today. When I was watch the interview of Gary Clark done by an interviewer from the Kansas City area on YouTube, I was taken back that some in the world of dirt track racing have sunk to such low levels that we have made a mountain out of a mole hill as the information, suggested to me as I was listening to another interview, talking about an problem that is not a problem within itself, because if my view it does not give a completive advantage in any way, however, I will add that this series and of racing bodies do have a rules package in place to address this issue. Therefore, to me anyways it should be a clear what this area of the car should look like.





Something else that should be of higher concern is the rules package for the bodies, and again this is not in anyway me suggesting that the world of modified racing should go backwards in its body rules, however, for me it is clear in my mind that one can make the body of their car into somewhat of a upside down wing. Now do not get me wrong, because in most cases it only helps to a point, which possible could be looked at as a completive advantage. Now my basic for making this claim comes from two areas. One my background in the building of race cars in the 20 + years of being around the dirt track community, two the fact that I have seen body styles on some cars that go way out there in my mind, when it comes to something, which folks should be looking at as a completive advantage. Again another example I could add is the fact that back east in upstate New York primarily for the east coast style mods, which is what you call a run what you have race. And of course there are those that go all out with cars that have wings as high as two stories, which no doubt help with the speed of the car and one could only guess what would be stirred if this began happening across the board in the Imca/Usmts style modifies.



Moreover, the idea that someone that possible had to many cans of brew, before he spouted off to some track officials makes this whole deal—even more off the wall to me, to say the least. Therefore, the correct way in which this issue should have been addressed was to address this in more of the manner that the Imca/Usmts went about addressing this issue, which was to research the statements made and look at the cars in question. Not to drag this across the forums, by trashing chassis builders, that other wises are well respected car builders, who’s only short coming was—one keep up with other car builders that have been doing more than just rolling this right side frame rail up, in addition, to that begin to provide more invitation for their loyal customer’s.



However, do not mistake this as me referring to the justification of any rules to being broken here, since to me those people were making more of an issue, than it truly should be with many, more important issues at hand. For example, up until this year I had noticed problems with the rules package that the Usmts had put into place to try to begin to curb the skyrocketing cost to the race teams of the parts and pieces that had been getting out of hand in many cases. Nonetheless, I noticed a real lack of a plan to enforce this rules package. Of course I should be very clear, that I saw an improvement in this issue this year at the West Siloam race. Although I will add, that from my view point there is still a great deal to improve on with the engine package, it did come along ways in my mind—beginning with this past race at the West Siloam Speedway (OK).



In addition, this got me thinking much more about what I have been hearing from different folks right before the season gets under way on their thoughts on issues within the dirt racing family that are important to them. For example, how the economy and the effect in which it has had on them in the past few months. One thing that stands out to me, is the fact I have heard of more tracks closing down before the season gets underway and others that have been sold with no chance of anyone coming in and saving the track from the wrecking ball. Another thing is there are tracks cutting back on events in which they are going to hold in the 2009 race season. Of course it does not stop with the tracks, there are race teams from every level that are shutting down, or cutting back on what they will do until things turn around for them.



Of course my last point addresses the issue of track prep and how in some places it is much better than in others. Now it has not escaped my thinking that there are those cases, in which there has been way too much rain for the track to ever be 100% prefect for good side, by side racing. However, I know that there is still no reason why either the race is not postponed or possible cancel due to the simple fact that the track will not be in the shape it has to be in to produce the type of racing that people paying at least $8 or more should be able to get for their hard earned money. Do not get me wrong, I am in no way putting down those track works that work very long and hard hours to put on a race. Nonetheless, it is important to note—the car owns that have to folk over the amount of cash it takes to fix their car each time their car hits a track that is rougher than a cob. This could very well cause that car owner to think twice before going back to a track that is under prepped for the type of side-by-side racing that those that payout such high prices should be getting from there local race track.





Finally, I end with this, which I find it in very poor taste to throw a company like Dirtworks race cars under the bus, which from my view point is what has happen here. Because the truth of the manner is here, that what has folk’s all up in arms—has been happening for many years now. Plus much more than just a frame rail, which is the case, since those I worked with on race cars in my area, have done different things to the frame, to make it more to their liking. Of course with most track in this area at the time this was perfectly legal since most tracks at the time were concerned outlaw tracks, which simply means anything went, and no doubt it do go on, and at least from my view point helped make the modifies a overall much better car in many ways.Oh, by the way I will be continuing my comments on this issue in an on demand format with more of my thoughts on this issue.

Well, Its that time of year! after a long off season, racing is just a few weeks away here in the North Eastern U.S.! The Motorsports Expo at the State Fairgrounds is this weekend, and I know many people (myself included) cannot wait to see the fresh paint and get geared up for 2009! The RoC DART Dirt Modified tour is scheduled to kick off their season at the Selinsgrove Speedway on the weekend of March 21-22. It looks like, weather permitting, this could be my first race of '09! This is sure to once again be a great show, with many of the big names showing up again!

Untill next time,

Curtis Berleue - tomkinsfan84@gmail.com

Written by: AJ Payne (The Dirtracer Insider!)

Hello, I want to say thank you to everyone that stuck by me while I took some time off and finished my college classes. Even though I did run into some problems with my main computer I got my classes done and finally got this article completed and I sure hope you enjoy and give me some feedback. Oh and I am glad that John was not an old man in a wheelchair before I got this article done...lol



Therefore, in preparing this article on what has to be one of the top racecar drivers around the country that I have had the pleasure to get to know in what has to be some time now, and I have to thank a good friend of mine named Liz who not only help me bring to you who I believe is one of the classiest dirt track racers around today but provided the photos used in this article about Jumpin Johnny McGill from Plattekill, NY. Now the first thing that I would have to point out from our chat that I noticed about John is the fact; he is truly one dynamic personality, who has a true passion for any form of auto racing. This was the next thing that came across to me as we talked. However, I will say the chat was an experience that was one of those special ones for me anyways and no doubt will stand out for me for some time to come.




I know for me at least, as he was talking about things like his adopted parents taking him to the old historic asphalt track at Danbury, CT where many legendary drivers like Randy LaJoie raced in those days. John pointed out to me that even though his adopted parents enjoyed taking him to the race, that they themselves had not ever be involved in auto racing, but rather just going to enjoying a day at the races. Nonetheless the seeds were sown for his love of auto racing thanks to his adopted parents taking the time to take a young John McGill to the races, which clearly hook a young John McGill on the sport of auto racing for life.


However, it was not until he first climb behind the wheel of a racecar that he had an outlet for this passion for auto racing that was within him. John talked about how he raced in a spectator race in 1984, which he won, and as they say the rest is history. Therefore, soon after the experience, John decided it was time to go out and get his own racecar and thus begins John’s race career.



John had early success in the street stock class by winning fairly regularly, with four wins and third in points in his first year. However, the thoughts of running a big-block modified was just to great for a young John McGill as he moved up into a big-block modified after three years in the street stock division. Although, John pointed out it was a longer learning curve becoming completive in the big-block division, which was not made any easier, because of the fact that John was not always able to put the budget together to compete in the big-block division.


Nevertheless, he was able to stick around the track as a track announcer at a few different tracks in between being able to race his mod. Oh and trust me John is someone that is able to do both with no problems, because as I listen to John, he I know with the right equipment in the big-block class, there is no telling what he could do, behind the wheel. However, I believe even if he wasn’t able to continue to drive, that some track promoter needs to get him as their track announcer and I know he told me there are tracks wanting him to announce for them, although in my mind we need to keep popular talents like John around, since the fans at the Accord Speedway love him so much.


Furthermore, as we were talking he talked about to me about how he was out golfing with a long time friend Charlie Dangalos, which was the former crew chief of one Brett Hearn, which I will admit is one of my racing hero’s. Well anyways back to the article, John was telling me how Charlie talked to John about getting back in to racing five years ago and of course John did not have to take long to give his long time friend a reply about getting back behind the wheel and compete at Accord Speedway.


Sadly this new partnership was not one that lasted long due to Charlie passing away right after the first night together. Which would cause most people to just give up, but as I notice from John he did not feel that Charlie would have wanted John to continue. Therefore, after five years of being consistence in the points as well as on the track, and this came to a head as he visited victory lane this year for only the second time in his racing career. Oh and he was telling me how he ran through the grandstands waving the checker flag and given high fives to the crowds delight. This is something that I believe anyways is one thing which is missing in the dirt track racing today overall and this is what I truly thought was awesome to hear from John.


The above are just a few of many of reason why John is such a fan favorite at the Accord Speedway In Accord, NY and with two wins, along with top 5’s, and 10’sfinishes on his resume over the past ten years he has raced in the Northeast Modified division is why he is at least thinking it is time to go out on top. Although, my hope is that John will continue in someway within the sport of auto racing. Since it would be a shame to loose such a great asset to the sport of auto racing completely like John has become over the past few years.


Oh yea, I would be a miss if I did not add as I was talking to John he brought up a couple things that stuck out to me, which I believe is a good way to end this article. The first item he talked about was the heartwarming and inspirational story of SST. Eddie Ryan, who was injured pretty badly over in Iraq and was overwhelmingly greeted at the Accord Speedway, This was later described by SST. Ryan’s parents as the best welcome home greeting, that SST. Ryan had gotten since he had been back home. The other item that stuck out for me in the chat was his time at a pavement racing school after he had sold out the last time he had gotten out of dirt track racing. John also talked about his time with one young Dale Earnhardt, Jr. before he was a popular household name across the country. John, talked about all of the different NASCAR drivers he met while he was at this driving school, and one can only imagine it meant more than the cost of the class to get to meet some of the NASCAR drivers he was able to meet on this trip. It has to be what the credit card ad would call priceless.



Lastly, I must add, John reminds me in many ways of a Will Roger’s for auto racing, because of how he is able to recall the history that he has seen, in the stories that he tells in that classic New York way. This gives the older generation the chance to remember those special moments of the past, and helps the younger generation have a better understanding of the sports past. Therefore, since people like John do not come around everyday it is important that we take the time to listen and understand the history of this sport through someone as gifted in the art of commutation of the stories he tells in the funny and exciting way that only he can tell them.

Now I would like to thank the marketing partners of my articles:

Billy Pauch Jr. had high hopes at Big Diamond this past Friday Night. They were extinguished early. Billy started 13th in the feature. As they headed down the back stretch on Lap 2, Billy went low as he sensed trouble ahead in the middle of the track. He almost made it through. Troy Wink shot down the track abruptly to avoid a slowing Ray Swinehart. Wink’s car clipped Junior putting him into the inside concrete barrier. He then slid up the banking sideways facing the field. There were flames shooting from the back of the car. He made hard contact into the outside guardrail. Fortunately nobody hit him head on. His rear bumper was sheared off in the impact. His fuel tank was also damaged and was leaking. He was able to drive the #8 car back to the pits to the attention of his dejected PPB crew. Billy was banged up and sore but otherwise uninjured. It was a scary looking crash that could have been worse. Thankfully Billy was not hurt badly.

The car did not fare as well. It was heavily damaged and most likely will not be raced again. The decision has been made to race the back-up “Spider Car” this Friday with Billy Pauch Jr. behind the wheel. .It was a tough blow to the team with the Coal Cracker 100 only (2) weeks away. They will rebound.

Dale Hartz won his first ever feature in the #178 car. Mike Nicholas 3, Gary Hager 44H, Duane Howard 4 and 1C of Craig Von Dohren rounded out the top-5.
Duane Howard won the $1000 Pepsi Challenge Match Race.
Billy Pauch Jr. was credited with a 23rd place finish. Billy is 7th in points(With 3 less races) Jeff Strunk leads the points,145 points ahead of Duane Howard.

The PPB race team will look to rebound this Friday at Big Diamond Raceway. We hope to see everyone there.

Billy Pauch Sr. substituted for his son in the PPB #8 this past friday night at Big Diamond Raceway. He did not disappoint. After starting 8th in the 2nd heat, Billy "The Kid" finished 3rd. He then started 17th in the feature. He battled his way up to 4th after missing a big crash. Billy battle Ray Swinehart for numerous laps. He was unable to hold off Ray. Billy settled for 5th in the 2nd Annual Chad Miller Memorial. Craig Von Dohren won for the 2nd week in a row. He was followed to the line by 88D Meme DeSantis, 126 Jeff Strunk, 33 Ray Swinehart and the #8 of Billy Pauch Sr. CVD is on a roll right now. Dare I say,"INFUEGO!!!" There was also a 10 lap Cash Dash at the end of the evening. The participants were the 10 fastest cars from the feature. The line-up was determined by a draw. Billy Sr. started 6th and finished 4th for a $100 bonus. The big winner was Craig Von Dohren who won for a $1000 bonus. He also collected $3500 for the feature win for a total of $4500 for the night. The win came on the heels of his win in the $10,000 to win Forrest Rogers Memorial at Grandview the previous Saturday. Congratulations to Craig and his team.

Friday was the 3rd time Billy Sr. ran for us this year. His record was a 2nd and 5th twice. Not bad! I am not sure if he will be running any more races this season in the PPB team. We thank him for his solid efforts in our car. We appreciate it!

Billy Jr will be back in the saddle this Friday at Big Diamond. We look forward to his return and hope to see you there!

Billy Pauch Sr. substituted for his son in the PPB #8 this past friday night at Big Diamond Raceway. He did not disappoint. After starting 8th in the 2nd heat, Billy "The Kid" finished 3rd. He then started 17th in the feature. He battled his way up to 4th after missing a big crash. Billy battle Ray Swinehart for numerous laps. He was unable to hold off Ray. Billy settled for 5th in the 2nd Annual Chad Miller Memorial. Craig Von Dohren won for the 2nd week in a row. He was followed to the line by 88D Meme DeSantis, 126 Jeff Strunk, 33 Ray Swinehart and the #8 of Billy Pauch Sr. CVD is on a roll right now. Dare I say,"INFUEGO!!!" There was also a 10 lap Cash Dash at the end of the evening. The participants were the 10 fastest cars from the feature. The line-up was determined by a draw. Billy Sr. started 6th and finished 4th for a $100 bonus. The big winner was Craig Von Dohren who won for a $1000 bonus. He also collected $3500 for the feature win for a total of $4500 for the night. The win came on the heels of his win in the $10,000 to win Forrest Rogers Memorial at Grandview the previous Saturday. Congratulations to Craig and his team.

Friday was the 3rd time Billy Sr. ran for us this year. His record was a 2nd and 5th twice. Not bad! I am not sure if he will be running any more races this season in the PPB team. We thank him for his solid efforts in our car. We appreciate it!

Billy Jr will be back in the saddle this Friday at Big Diamond. We look forward to his return and hope to see you there!

Billy Pauch Jr. had a very busy schedule planned for this past weekend. Here is a quick recap on how he did. Friday started out with practice and qualifying for the ARCA 200 at Pocono. Billy qualified 30th for Saturday's race. He then traveled to Big Diamond to do double duty. He started 18th in the Two Dogs #49 in the ARDC Midget event. He came up through the field for an impressive 4th place finish. He then jumped into the PPB #8 for the 358 modified event. He started 18th. The car was not very good. Crew chief Dave Hoffman said it was "a 15th place car at best." Billy managed to finith 7th with his desire and determination. Craig Von Dohren won the feature.Billy had a very good finish for a pretty much dimal night for the team.

The PPB team was up early Saturday morning busy preparing the car for the Forest Rogers Memorial saturday night at Grandview. This preparation included a switch of power plants. While the team was busy, Billy was also busy in the Greenfield Dodge #49 at Pocono. He managed a 15th place finish. That came after finishing 13th in June. Not bad at all. He then traveled to Grandview for Saturday night's race. It wasn't the night the team was looking for. He was able to pass (2)cars to finish 5th in his heat and qualify for the feature. that was a huge plus. He was scheduled to start 20th in the feature but was relegated to 30th starting spot after getting out late. He was involved in a few incidents during the event. He did moved up to 14th at one point. He dropped out on lap 32 of the 50 lap event. He ended up 26th. Craig von Dohren won for the 2nd night in a row and pocketed $10,000. Congratulations to CVD on a great weekend of racing.

The PPB team will be back in action this friday at Big Diamond with Billy Pauch Sr. behind the wheel. Billy Jr. will be away racing in Connecticut. We wish him luck. We look forward to Friday and hope to see you there!

Billy Pauch Jr. and the PPB team had high expectations for Friday nights action at Big Diamond. Those expectations did not materialize. After starting 8th in his heat, Billy captured his first heat win of the season. He had a 13th place starting position for the feature. He had moved up to 7th place and was looking for more. He then ran into a problem. As he ran high down the backstretch, he tried to get back into the racing groove entering turn 3. Unfortunately that real estate was occupied by another car and Billy ended up getting bumped and fell back to 16th. He tried hard to move up but could only muster a 10th place finish. It was a pretty dismal race for the team, but 10th is not bad for a less than stellar night. Another plus was that the car came home once again in one piece. The team looks forward to rebounding next weekend.

Jeff Strunk won the feature event. It was his 3rd win of the year and 2nd win in a row. Sean Merkel, Meme DeSantis, Ryan Godown and Duane Howard rounded out the top-five.

Billy Pauch Jr. has a very busy race weekend scheduled for the upcoming weekend. He will practice and qualify Friday for the ARCA Race at Pocono Raceway. He will then be racing in (2) divisions at Diamond. He will be in the #8 PPB Modified and also the #49 Two-Dogs Racing ARDC midget. Saturday he races the #49 Greenfield Dodge in the ARCA event at 1:00. He will then hustle to Grandview Speedway to race #8 PPB modified in the $10,000 to win Forrest Rogers Memorial. It will be the 2nd appearance of the season at Grandview for the PPB team. We hope to get a chance to meet Doug Elkins, the real Doug's Dirt Diary.He will be making his first visit to Grandview. Looking ahead, Billy Pauch Sr. will fill in for Junior August 8th at Big Diamond in the Chad Miller Memorial. Billy Jr will be racing at Stafford,Conn. that day.

It will be a busy weekend for Billy Pauch Jr., crew chief Dave Hoffman and the rest of the crew. We look forward to the challenge and hope to see everyone at the races.