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| Wednesday, May 30th 2012 |
| New on the Audio Page for today: Ronnie Johnson talks about his dad’s induction into the DIRT Motorsports Hall of Fame with J Fish. Jimmy Horton recaps his weekend and talked about the poker hand he has going at Bridgeport. Matt Sheppard won the Super DIRTcar Series race at Rolling Wheels and told J Fish about it. Danny Varin just won back to back at Fonda and talked about why this second one was special. Jason Barney reflected on his 11th place Sprint Car run at Fonda and why he was happy to finish. Dan Kaszubinski was back behind the wheel of a Sprint Car and talked about his run at Fonda. Tim Sears Jr. was fresh off his best Modified finish so far and talked about learning his big block. Greg Mrzywka shared some advice he gave to a fellow racer and why he felt the need to share. Beth Schneider explained how she and other racers lobbied Utica Rome to get a crate race. Cheryl Kirkland tells Jeremiah Fish what it feels like to go into the DIRT Motorsports HOF. It was a stormy day in Central New York on Tuesday as the tracks that saw action over the weekend received an extra and much deserved watering by Mother Nature. It was bad for a while so I was not able to get the studio work done that I had hoped but we’ll be back at it today with a list of people to call. As you can see my 8 race streak in 13 days has yielded lots of new interviews for today. I also put up some more photos on Tuesday afternoon and still have some more to put up today. Can you believe all the quality stuff on here today? And Jeremiah Fish joins us again today as he covered the DIRT Motorsports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony as well as getting us the winner of the Super DIRTcar Series event at Rolling Wheels. Yep, it is a great day here and I hope you enjoy everything! Now let’s chat more about what is new for today on the Audio Page. We begin with maybe the most emotional part of Sunday in Weedsport. Ronnie Johnson talks about his dad’s induction into the DIRT Motorsports Hall of Fame with Jeremiah Fish. He told him why the event was bittersweet, how it was to grow up as the son of Jack Johnson and why he was always and still is his hero. Jimmy Horton recaps his weekend and talked about the poker hand he has going at Bridgeport. He told me about his solid run from the consi on Sunday, wonders if some guys might sandbag a bit in the final races of the poker series and described his hopes for Monday at Utica Rome. Matt Sheppard won the Super DIRTcar Series race at Rolling Wheels and told J Fish about it. He explained how he moved up to second quickly, when he started to catch Billy Decker and how handled slower traffic after that. Danny Varin just won back to back at Fonda and talked about why this second one was special. He told me how the car felt to him in hot laps at Utica Rome on Sunday, how he saved the drama till late on Saturday and how pumped up the team is to be doing so well. Jason Barney reflected on his 11th place Sprint Car run at Fonda and why he was happy just to finish. He talked about being in the wrong place at the wrong time, how much the track changed in the A-Main and looked ahead to Utica Rome on Sunday. Dan Kazubinski was back behind the wheel of a Sprint Car and talked about his run at Fonda. He evaluated how he did after a year off from driving, how pleased he was with his finish and how his racecar faded a bit at the end. Tim Sears Jr. was fresh off his best Modified finish so far and talked about learning his big block. He told me how he picked up the lead, how he fell back to fifth and how he got back up for a podium finish. Greg Mrzywka shared some advice he gave to a fellow Sportsman racer at Fulton and why he felt the need to share. He explained why sportsmanship is important, why it is good to help the drivers with less experience and describes some of the common mistakes everybody makes out on the track. Beth Schneider explained how she and other racers lobbied Utica Rome to get a crate Sportsman race. She told me how the idea first came about, how today’s technology helped and how excited she is about the chance to run the big high banked half mile. Cheryl Kirkland tells Jeremiah Fish what it feels like to go into the DIRT Motorsports Hall of Fame. She told me how her family got started in racing driving the pace truck, when they bought the Brockville Ontario Speedway and how her entire family has been involved along the way. |
| Tuesday, May 29th 2012 |
| New on the Audio Page from the Utica Rome Speedway: Pre race conversations: Dale Planck reflected on the old days and talked about his weekend that included a win at Mohawk. Rick Laubach talked about his second place the night before at Bridgeport and his other acenights. Brett Hearn told me about his win at Malta, his second at The Valley and his fifth at The Wheels. Bobby Varin recapped the four races he ran in three days and how his new Modified was doing. Pat Ward was coming off a win the night before and evaluated his up & down season so far. Ryan Godown remembered the tough day in Vernon last time and discussed his weekend. After the heat races: Pat Ward won the first heat going away, picked the pole for the feature and wondered about later. Jimmy Davis took the win in the second heat and told me what he thought the track would do. Brett Hearn made a nice move get a heat win and explained what he learned from the no start. Tim McCreadie talked about his heat win and the nice weekend he enjoyed with the Late Model. Danny Varin had turned things around nicely of late and told me about his win in the final heat. After the Victoria 200: Bobby Varin led the final 21 laps to win the Victoria 200 and talked about it with Mike Mallett. Jimmy Davis finished second, led the most laps and spoke about his day with Mike Mallett. Pat Ward was the early leader in the race finishing third and joined Mike Mallett in victory lane. Anyone who does not think that racecar drivers are athletes should have been at the Victoria 200 last night at the Utica Rome Speedway. With storms all around the racetrack and a sprinkle before the 100 lap feature that delayed the show with a light show to match, the drivers knew they had to hustle in case more weather came. They hustled alright! The first 79 laps of this race were run under green flag conditions on what turned out to be a faster than expected track. It was about 28 minutes and 30 seconds long. Imagine, almost a half an hour of up on the wheel, sling it around and zip through traffic four lanes wide kind of racing. Wow! Still think these guys aren’t athletes? I’d like to see anyone who doesn’t try it themselves. Pat Ward drew the pole after wining his heat as well as the feature the night before and he jumped out to a pretty good lead…just like he did in his heat earlier. Jimmy Davis won the second feature of the year at Utica Rome and was fast also running down Ward and taking the lead on the outside on lap 18. He was real fast and was lapping cars in wholesale fashion. But anytime you run an extra distance race with sail panels at Utica Rome, you have to watch out for Bobby Varin. He came into the race with a three race win streak in these events at Utica Rome so you just knew he was going to be there. After finishing third in his heat, he started the race in the fourteenth spot behind Jimmy Phelps and along side Matt Sheppard. Fast company indeed! Varin methodically made his way to the front and was close to the top five at lap 25. He moved into second around Ward on lap 46 and 21 laps later he was looking inside of the leader in heavy traffic when the yellow lights came on. Varin was able to get by two laps after that lap 79 caution bunched everybody together and from there he set sail on his way to a win. It was his fifth extra distance win overall at Utica Rome and his first win at the track this year after a rough start that saw him earn just two top tens in the first five races. Davis held on for second followed by Ward, Matt Sheppard, Tim McCreadie, Jimmy Phelps, Danny Varin, Danny Johnson, Larry Wight and Stewart Friesen. There were just eight cars on the lead lap at the end and only one caution. It had to be hard for those guys as hot as it was and as fast as they were going. Fortunately these were the best in the business and they showed everybody there why they are on that list. Enjoy all the new audio, the new photos and know that there is lots more to come this week. I just covered 8 races in 13 days and I am a little beat but excited and proud of the drivers I see out there. We are all so fortunate to be in this part of the country and be surrounded by the cars and drivers we see at racetracks all over the northeast and Canada. We are the best kept secret in the racing biz. Keep up the hard work everyone. I’m proud to be associated with you all and all of you should be proud as well regardless of your latest finish! |
| Monday, May 28th 2012 |
| New on the Audio Page from the Utica Rome Speedway: Pre race conversations: Mitch Gibbs talked about the pair of 55’s in the pit area and where he will race them this year. Shawn Donath recapped his Saturday at Fonda and told me why he likes Utica Rome so much. Bill Trexler was making his second Modified start of 2012 and explained how it all came to be. Matt Janczuk remembered last week’s crash and talked about the work they did to get back. Justin Barger had a fifth place at Fonda Speedway and told me how they missed it in the early laps. Cory Sparks told me about his 3rd place finish at Fonda and how close he came to second place. After the heat races: Chuck Hebing won the first ESS heat race and talked about the move he did to get to the top. Shawn Donath picked up the win in heat number 2 and told me about an overheating issue. Alain Bergeron talked about winning the final ESS heat and looking around for the fast groove. Steve Way went way low on his way to a Sportsman win and told me about a brake problem. Jeremy Vunk got the win in the second Sportsman heat and wondered about a shock change. Ty-Scott Rood told me about his win in the final heat and how his knowledge is improving. After the features and A-Main: Glenn Forward spoke with Jeff Barrett in victory lane after his win in the Pro Stock feature race. Shawn Donath made a wild move on the outside to get the lead and spoke about winning the A-Main. Charlie Donk led four laps in the A-Main and told me how happy he was with his second place. Paul Kinney had motor issues all day long and talked about finishing third in the ESS A-Main. Justin Barger fell from first to fourth and explained how hard he was holding on with a loose car. Cory Sparks came from the B-Main to a 5th place and told me how pleased he was with the race. Pat Ward won a close race in the Modified feature and told Jeff Barrett how he got out front. Bobby Varin ran a little warm and talked with Jeff Barrett about his second place finish. Larry Wight pulled double duty on Sunday and spoke with Jeff Barrett after finishing third. Jeremy Vunk took advantage of a late race caution and talked about his Sportsman feature win. I had a fun day at Utica Rome as the Empire Super Sprints joined the regulars to make for a big five division show. And of course with the sun, Modifieds and Sprints you knew the track would be what it was but at Utica Rome a slick, dusty track does not mean bad racing. And this night had some darned good racing going on and it happened in front of a huge crowd. Just check my bin. I was busy as I recorded thirty one chats over the course of the day. And with another show there today and a short week to come, I put all but nine of those up. I also took a lot of photos and those are up too. But I desperately need a new somewhat cheap (I go through one a year with the dust and all) point & shoot camera but don’t really have the money. The one I have now does not zoom anymore. I’ll give a nice little deal to someone to get me the money I need to get one. Talk to me today or email me or hit me on facebook…as I need to handle this before next weekend. Remember, my wife is not working, so money is as tight right now as it has ever been. Real good show as Shawn Donath made a ballsy move on the outside of turn four to get around Charlie Donk on his way to his third career Sprint Car win and first in the class for car owner Ron Mucci. He was so far up the track that his right side tires were on the other side of the bank. Yeah, it was crazy! Didn’t know Shawn had that in him. Before that it was a real good battle up front as positions 2-5 were all over each other for several laps. But once Shawn got out front, he checked out. Charlie Donk held on for his career best as he came home in second. I know he really wanted this one as car owner Danny Willmes has been a little under the weather of late. Don’t worry Charlie, you’ll get one soon. And get well Dan, we’d al love to see you get that driver’s suit on one more time. I’ll crew for you anytime! Paul Kinney also had a strong run as he returned to the track he ran Modifieds at for so many years. They fought a motor problem all day long and maybe that skipping and popping helped it hook up to the super slick track. But they will be taking it out to be sure as it didn’t help the motor any. Good run guys! Pat Ward and Bobby Varin put on a real good show at the front of the field in the Modified feature. Ward, a former track champion, was fast on his way to his first at Utica Rome this year and I believe his third this year. (Am I right?) They allowed sail panels for this show to get ready for today’s Victoria 200 and Varin recorded his best finish of the year at the track as he always seems to do well with those on. Jeremy Vunk made a late race pass to win the Sportsman feature while Glenn Forward and Ricky Breed won the Pro Stock and Pure Stock features respectively. But now I need to crash. I have a story to write about the weekend for the Syracuse Post Standard and then I’ll be back in Vernon today to do it all over again. Check back before I go as I may get some new photos in. I hope to see you today and hope you all pause to remember why we have this holiday, because of the sacrifices of the brave men & women of the armed forces. Thank you for making us the great nation that we are! |
| Sunday, May 27th 2012 |
| New on the Audio Page from the Fulton Speedway: Pre race conversations: Chad Phelps talks about his tough night at Brewerton and what they had to fix for Fulton. Matt Emmons remembers last week’s jingle he had with his brother and how they hashed it out. Jeremy Pitcher won his second race of the year Wednesday at Can Am and talked about the victory. Willy Decker reflected on last weekends wins and talked about racing sail panels at Utica Rome. Mike Mahaney was coming off a nice run at Brewerton and told me about his 2nd place finish. Ryan Phelps will be at Utica Rome on Monday and talked about his nice finishes in long races. After the heat races: Matt Emmons won the first Sportsman heat race and told me how much better his car handled. Scott Ford earned his first ever Sportsman heat win and talked about sharing it with his son. Jason Occhino picked up his 3rd heat win of the season and wondered how the track would change. Matt Fink led every lap in his heat on his way to a win and described the high line he was in. Chuck Bower talked about his Modified heat win and how he slowly moved up to the high groove. Mike Bowman pulled away for a convincing heat win and spoke about how good the car felt. After the features: Jordan Bennett reacted to winning the Sportsman feature after the race winner turned up light. Matt Fink led all but one lap and talked about winning his first Modified feature at Fulton Speedway. Mike Mahaney had a 2nd place finish for the 2nd night in a row and talked about the close finish. Mike Bowman came home in third place and told me how the top groove changed in 35 laps. Chad Phelps talked about how good he felt about his fourth after a real rough night at Brewerton. Boy did I need a good night last night! I had the crappiest of days beforehand and when I left I really didn’t want to be anywhere. I know all of you have had a day when it seems like everything you touched turned to crap! I had a day like that. So as I pulled into Fulton Speedway I said to myself, “Hopefully this will help get you out of your funk.” It did and then some! The track was beautiful with lots of bite and lots of grooves top race with. Many teams were scrambling with set up changes after hot laps as the track did not necessarily look much tackier than usual. But it was! So as the heats came out you had a feeling you could be in for a real good night. And it was just that. As the heats wore on you could see the groove wandering up and as it did it unveiled a nice smooth and still tacky layer underneath it. I smiled ear to ear as I watched the heat races knowing I had made the right call on where to go. I was hoping for a real good show and a quick one at that. (As I still have back to back long shows coming up) I got both…excellent show and three hours long. Just what fans want! I was able to speak with a lot of folks before the racing began and had conversations with the Modified & Sportsman heat winners as well as the top four from the Modified feature. I also took photos along the way and those are up in the filmstrip at the right side of the page. That Modified feature was a real good one too as Matt Fink jumped out to the lead on lap two using the high side of the track. At one point all but one of the top six was in that line with only Mike Mahaney trying the bottom. And you just had a feeling that the top line would go away or change somehow, especially if a lot of people switched to the inside. That’s exactly what happened. Listen to some of my post race interviews to hear it for yourself. When they went back to green flag racing after just the second caution of the night with 25 laps of 35 complete, the lane switching began. Fink stayed to the top, but behind it, it was every man for himself with Mahaney going from third to a car length behind the winner on the last lap. As the checkered flag waved almost every body turned to the person next to them and said, “that was a great race!” or something to that effect. And when you listen to my interviews, hear what the drivers told me about the track. Especially Chuck Bower, listen to the end and you’ll hear what I mean. These guys don’t just say this stuff! So if you were there before, go back. They’ve got a real good handle on it. The Sportsman feature looked to be the next feel good story as sixteen year old rookie and Novice graduate Ronnie Davis III crossed the line in first place. But he was light by just five pounds and the win was awarded to Jordan Bennett. That five pounds is less that one gallon of race fuel. I know they must feel horrible right now, but the kid drove one heck of a race and showed people a lot tonight. They are not the first team to go through something like this and in the end they’ll be better because of it. But I can only imagine how they feel today. Take solace in the way the young man drove and know that he can do it again. Talent wins races and he clearly has it. There will be other days… Today I will be heading to Utica Rome for the ESS show while Jeremiah Fish will be taking a recorder and microphone to both the DIRT Motorsports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies and Rolling Wheels for the Super DIRTcar Series. Now he is primarily a photographer, but when he can he’ll fire up the recorder and get some audio from us. So since I still cannot be in two places at one time, (darned problems with cloning) it is great that Jeremiah takes the time to do this. Thanks buddy. So you will have a lot tomorrow one way or another and lots during the week. Do your “no rain dances” today and let’s hope to stay dry at the races and storm free. And keep checking back, I may upload some more photos before I head out. See ya at the races! |
| Saturday, May 26th 2012 |
| New on the Audio Page for today: Brandon Kidd recently raced at Laguna Seca in the Mazda MX-5 Series and talked the fun he had. Jessica Zemken ran down her plans for this weekend withESS shows at Fonda & Utica Rome. Frankie Caprara was back behind the wheel Wednesday at Can Am and talked about the opportunity. Chad Homan told me how his Modified felt in hot laps and how they are trying to cure a push. Eldon Payne did some math in the pit area and explained how he would gain 400 extra rpm. Justin Wright updates me on how his rookie Modified season has been going at Canandaigua. Jordan McCreadie was ready to race against his brother for the first time and talked about Can Am. Tim Schneider spoke about his Sportsman season at Fulton and the trouble he has had in heat races. Dale Caswell had a different number on his Late Model and explained why the change is temporary. Gary Spaid talks about the inductees for the DIRT Motorsports Hall of Fame happening Sunday. Hope your holiday weekend gets off to a good start today as there are big races and big events taking place all over the racing world. I’ll be taking in a show today and after some off time with the family on Friday, I’m back at it today. Be sure to check out what is happening at our Track Links Page and see which shows you want to hit. I have a lot of stuff on the Audio Page with drivers that are racing today as well as more info on the DIRT Motorsports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies taking place tomorrow at 1:30. It’s a big weekend so be sure to listen to your favorites today and check out some with people you may not know. It’s a great way to get prepped for tonight. Now let’s chat more about what is new for today on the Audio Page. I begin with a young man who just raced somewhere many only get to do on video games. Brandon Kidd recently raced at Laguna Seca in the Mazda MX-5 Series and talked the fun he had on the historic road course. He told me what the corkscrew felt like to go through for the first time, where he felt the toughest corner was and what he did to learn how to do the “heel/toe thing”. Jessica Zemken ran down her plans for this weekend that include ESS shows at Fonda & Utica Rome. She talked about her race last World of Outlaw race last Wednesday at Rolling Wheels, how close she came to losing an engine and how much she will enjoy returning to a pair of tracks she has a lot of history at. Frankie Caprara was back behind the wheel on Wednesday at Can Am and talked about how the opportunity came about. He remembered his last time in a Modified at Cayuga County last fall, how he felt in the hot laps and what his goals were for the SUNY Canton Shootout. Chad Homan told me how his Modified felt in hot laps and how they are trying to cure a push. He talked about fighting forward bite issues, how using an older set up seemed to help and how even a hot lap session can be enough laps to tell if you’ve fixed it. Eldon Payne did some math in the pit area and explained how he would gain 400 extra rpm with a gear change. He told me why he was off to start with, what he hoped this different engine would do and why he was spinning his tires too much before when the track was slick. Justin Wright updates me on how his rookie Modified season has been going at Canandaigua and Ransomville. He talked about taking a few licks out there, what he has learned about racing lines and marvels at the experienced drivers he races against. Jordan McCreadie was ready to race against his brother for the first time and talked his season so far at Can Am. He told me what he has been doing to compensate for the slick surface, summed up how much experience he has so far and the need for more seat time. And you can hear in this at 2:16 into the chat what father Bob is proudest about and it is not at the racetrack. Tim Schneider spoke about his Sportsman season at Fulton and the trouble he has had in heat races. He described what happened in last week’s race, why his laps at Can Am on Wednesday were important and how he did the last time he came. Dale Caswell had a different number on his Late Model on Wednesday night and explained why he made the change to get announcer Steve Malbouf going a little. He also talked about when the car will get lettered, how well he has been doing at the half mile and analyzed the Late Model world in New York. Gary Spaid talks about the inductees for the DIRT Motorsports Hall of Fame happening Sunday. He gives some background on each of the people going in as the class of 2012, explains how drivers that are still racing can get it and reminds folks to check out the Midstate Vintage Stock Cars that will be on display out front. It’s all starting at 1:30 tomorrow in Weedsport. |
| Friday, May 25th 2012 |
| New on the Audio Page for today: Tana Robinson talks about tonight’s 50 lap small block race at Ransomville and autograph nite. Rich Scagliotta described the track he saw in hot laps at Canandaigua and how good it has been. Larry Wight was getting ready to pull double duty Wednesday and talked about his pair of racecars. Brad Alger told me how he has been doing as a regular in the Modified division at I-88 Speedway. Tony Steiner told me how why he is now at Can Am and why he stopped running Evans Mills. Don Hart Jr. explained what he has been working on as he tries to hook up at I-88 Speedway. Zach Aubertine has been running at a pair of tracks and talked about his hopes for a slick surface. Craig Rochelle remembered his recent feature win with the CRSA 305 Sprints at Middletown. Brandon Hagan has four wins in six starts and wondered when his good luck could run out. Tayler Caprara just made the move to a Sportsman and talked to me about making the adjustment. It was a nice day on Thursday as the rain stayed south and I was able to do some running around town while getting some studio work done as well. We’ve got a lot for you today including some drivers who are new to the site with first time interviews. The first one of you can tell me who those new drivers are will get a free Doug’s Dirt Diary t-shirt. Either email me or hit me on facebook. I’ll be back tomorrow with lots more as I loaded up the other night and still have some studio and racetrack conversations to air. Still not sure where I will be tomorrow just yet but we will be somewhere. It looks like J Fish will cover Rolling Wheels and the DIRT Hall of Fame for us so that frees me up to talk to the Empire Super Sprints at Utica Rome. It’s been a while since I’ve connected with them. Then Monday we’ll be back for the Victoria 200. It sounds like there could be some weather in the area today so be sure to use our Track Links Page to see what it is doing in your area. The track websites are there as well as radar so you’ll be informed. Be sure to pause this weekend and remember what the holiday weekend is about. Remember the sacrifices that our brave men and women in the armed services have made over the years and still do today. And if you see someone in the military this weekend, be sure to shake their hands and thank them. Now let’s chat more about what is new for today on the Audio Page. I begin with an update on a show that there has been some confusion on. Tana Robinson talks about tonight’s 50 lap small block race at Ransomville and autograph night. She explains why the ad in Gater was wrong, confirms that the Patriot Sprint Tour will be on July 27th and wonders which go kart racers will eventually make their move to the big track. Rich Scagliotta described the track he saw in hot laps at Canandaigua and how good it has been. He talked about what he thought would happen later on, how he has been struggling on the big half mile and wondered how much of it might be the driver. Larry Wight was getting ready to pull double duty Wednesday and talked about his pair of racecars that would be at Can Am. He told me why his Modified was a little late arriving, remembered some of his past at the track including his years driving the packer truck! Brad Alger told me how he has been doing as a regular in the Modified division at I-88 Speedway. He talked about some carburetor issues he has had of late, what he has learned so far as he works on it and how much is too much when if comes to cfm. Zach Aubertine has been running at a pair of tracks and talked about his hopes for a slick surface. He told me about the bad deal he had last time at Can Am, his 21st at Mohawk and wonders if his knowledge of the half mile track would help later on Wednesday. Tony Steiner told me how he has been doing at Can Am and why he stopped running Evans Mills. He explained how a rule change led to a track change, what he was hoping to learn by racing there and confirms that he will be running the four race DIRTcar 358 asphalt series. Don Hart Jr. explained what he has been working on as he tries to hook up his Modified at I-88 Speedway. He told me what the car is doing in the corners, what they did to try to cure the problem and how changeable the new clay surface is. Craig Rochelle remembered his recent feature win with the CRSA 305 Sprints at Middletown. He talked about a set up change he was making last week at I-88 Speedway, how much the new clay changes the set ups he uses at the track and how much better the surface is. Brandon Hagan has four wins in six starts and wondered when his good luck could run out. He talked about how his number of laps over the years at Can Am is helping, what he saw with the track on Wednesday and how close he feels he is at Mohawk. Tayler Caprara just made the move to a Sportsman and talked to me about making the adjustment. He told me about his good finishes so far, how much he is enjoying the open wheel car and how much they roll over in the corners compared to a stock car. |
| Thursday, May 24th 2012 |
| New on the Audio Page from Can Am Motorsports Park: Pre race conversations: Billy Dunn talked about running American Racer tires for the first time and why he switched. Chris Raabe has won a lot of races so far this year and recapped his most recent weekend. Stewart Friesen had the 85 car at Can Am and talked about last weekend at his three homes. Jeremy Pitcher remembered some of his past at Can Am and explains why he likes big tracks. Danny O’Brien told me about his races last weekend and the #99 car he was driving at Can Am. Jimmy Phelps got reflective on his success at Canandaigua and how his two teams work together. Ryan Bartlett was back at Can Am for the first time in two years and talked about his Friday races. After the heat races: Ryan Bartlett won the first Modified heat race and told me about watching out for that 10 car. Pat Ward picked up the win in the third Modified heat and talked about his pass for the lead. Sean Beardsley turned in some awful quick laps on his way to a win and talked about speed. After the features: Jeremy Pitcher won the caution free Sportsman feature and talked about it with Steve Malbouf. Billy Dunn enjoyed a great side by side battle on his way to a win and told me how good it felt. Jimmy Phelps finished fourth with his small block and told me how happy he was with the run. Pat Ward came home with a fifth place finish and wondered if he sealed a tire under yellow. Tim Sears Jr. won the Late Model feature and talked to Steve Malbouf about his track history. Had a great time last night as Jeremiah Fish, my dad and I took the trip north to Can Am Motorsports Park. It was a fun night and quick one too as the Modifieds were done at 9:25 and show overall just before 10PM. The SUNY Canton Shootout was the first ever open tire race at the track for Modifieds and 24 of them showed up for three heats and a 45 lap feature paying $3000 to the winner. The action stared early in the second heat as Preston Forbes spun in front of all but the leader as the field came into turn four. Danny O’Brien hit him so hard it started to flip his car (actually Mike Adderly’s car) before getting hit from behind in mid air only to be brought back the other way. It was a brutal crash and one that did a lot of damage. Danny looked a little stiff afterwards as he took a pretty hard ride there. And now Mike Adderly will get a call saying he no longer has a racecar as the front clip and maybe the 2x4 frame were hurt badly. This is a cruel sport don’t forget and this was one of the examples of how downright mean it can be at times. Adam Roberts was the car that drove underneath as both he and Danny had no where to go. Roberts had a brand new car with just a few races on it and if you look at my photo bin, you can see how badly they were torn up. He was a little more optimistic about his cars return though. We wish all three of you well as Forbes tried to start the feature after a lot of hard work but could not get the car to go after a more than valiant repair effort. In the feature it was a great back and forth at the front between eventual winner Billy Dunn and Matt Sheppard. Dunn moved around early leader Tim McCreadie on lap five before getting run down by Sheppard in traffic. Sheppard got by to lead lap 27 and 28 before Dunn got back to the inside to lead lap 29. After the first yellow of the race on lap 30, Sheppard looked to be on his way to a win but Dunn stayed right there. On lap 42 Dunn was able to get low on Sheppard in turn and take the lead. He would not relinquish it and would go on to win in his first time on American Racer Tires at Can Am. I tried to get all the top five, but two of them were in tech as they were puffing motors. It is not a quick procedure and one that each driver (Matt Sheppard and Stewart Friesen) were participants in and not spectators. So I could not get them as they literally had their hands full working on a hot engine and still had a long drive home ahead of them. The race was unique as it was a mix of small blocks and big blocks. Some of the guys with big blocks thought the weight break was too much for the 358’s while the others just didn’t think they had enough power to get by the big blocks. In the end it was a big block on American Racer tires that won and a small block on Hoosiers that finished second. Friesen finished third in a big block, Phelps was fourth in a small block and Ward fifth in his small block. I guess you can work those numbers any way you like, but it sounded like it came out pretty even in the end! Congrats to Jeremy Pitcher on turning his bad luck around with a win in the caution free Sportsman feature. (The second one of those I have seen in the last two race nights I have been at) And also to Tim Sears Jr. who won the Late Model race. It was a fun night like I said and a quick one as well. We were back in Liverpool at exactly 11:30. Now that’s how you do a quick mid week show. It was under three hours and there was no dicking around! Nice job Can Am. Today I will be in the studio and I have a few recordings set up as well as 18 in the can to be released today and Saturday. I’ll be home Friday night but still wondering where to go on Saturday. Looks like I’ll be covering the Empire Super Sprints on Sunday and the Victoria 200 on Monday. J Fish might cover Rolling Wheels for us on Sunday too so it should be a busy week. And always keep checking as you never know when new stuff will show up. |
 
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This site designed and maintained by Pyro, Doug and a crack team of invisible interns. We hate popups, trojans and spyware more than you do...if you're seeing popups or virus warnings here, your computer has been compromised. To contact us, see the About Us page.
Doug's Dirt Diary maintains a strict policy of neutrality with regards to tracks, teams, sanctioning bodies, drivers and fans.
All content copyright 2006-2008 Doug's Dirt Diary and Elkins Media Service. Any use without prior authoriziation (other than legal "fair-use" applications) is strictly prohibited. See our picture page for an explanation of our picture use policy.
This site has been tested on Mozilla 1.7, Firefox 2.0, Internet Explorer 6.0 and 7.0. Yes, it works.
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